RESUMO Esta comunicação breve demonstra a correlação de sintomas respiratórios persistentes com achados funcionais, tomográficos e de biópsia pulmonar transbrônquica em pacientes com COVID-19 que tiveram um longo período de acompanhamento. Relatamos uma série de seis pacientes com COVID-19 com acometimento pulmonar que apresentavam dispneia persistente após 4-15 meses da alta. Realizamos biópsias transbrônquicas, e o padrão histopatológico consistentemente demonstrou remodelação peribrônquica com fibrose pulmonar intersticial. Portanto, a biópsia pulmonar pode ser útil na abordagem de pacientes com COVID-19 prolongada, embora o tipo de procedimento, suas indicações precisas e o momento de sua realização ainda não estejam esclarecidos. (Registro Brasileiro de Ensaios Clínicos - ReBEC; número de identificação: RBR-8j9kqy [http://www.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br])

ABSTRACT This brief communication demonstrates the correlation of persistent respiratory symptoms with functional, tomographic, and transbronchial pulmonary biopsy findings in patients with COVID-19 who had a long follow-up period. We report a series of six COVID-19 patients with pulmonary involvement who presented with persistent dyspnea within 4-15 months of discharge. We performed transbronchial biopsies, and the histopathological pattern consistently demonstrated peribronchial remodeling with interstitial pulmonary fibrosis. Therefore, lung biopsy may be useful in the approach of patients with long COVID-19, although the type of procedure, its precise indication, and the moment to perform it are yet to be clarified. (Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials-ReBEC; identifier: RBR-8j9kqy [http://www.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br])

ABSTRACT. New grain drying techniques have been improved to reduce post-harvest losses. The electric air dehumidifier (UTA 60®) is an example; it was installed at the ELLITT Seed Company for drying soybean seeds (TEC 7849) with random sample collection (DIC). Our objective was to evaluate the immediate and latent effects of the dehumidified air on the vigour of the seeds. Our vigour analysis method was based on the Rules for Seed Analysis (RAS), and our results showed an immediate significant difference in seedling percentage, but the germination level did not have an effect at 5% (Dunnett's test). In latent effects, at 5% (Tukey test), there was a reduction in the germination percentage and emergence rate, but it was not possible link such variations to the drying process. The germination potential was classified as "highest vigour", and it was possible to conclude that dehydrating drying air with UTA constituted a method capable of maintaining seed quality and germinative vigour.

ABSTRACT Charcoal is widely accepted as evidence of the occurrence of palaeo-wildfire. Although fossil charcoal remains have been used in many studies, investigation into the anatomical changes occurring during charring are few. The present study analyses changes in selected anatomical characters during artificial charring of modern wood of three species of the genus Araucaria (i.e. Araucaria angustifolia, Araucaria bidwillii and Araucaria columnaris). Wood samples of the studied species was charred under controlled conditions at varying temperatures. Measurements of anatomical features of uncharred wood and artificial charcoal were statistically analysed. The anatomical changes were statistically correlated with charring temperatures and most of the parameters showed marked decreases with increasing charring temperature. Compared to the intrinsic variability in anatomical features, both within and between growth rings of an individual plant, the changes induced by temperature account only for a comparatively small percentage of the observed variability. Regarding Araucaria charcoal, it seems possible that at least general taxonomic and palaeoenvironmental implications can be drawn from such material. However, it is not clear so far whether these results and interpretations based on only three taxa, can be generalized for the entire family and anatomically similar fossil taxa or not.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to assess the prevalence and influence of urinary tract infection on the reproductive performance of sows. The animals underwent urine tests using reagent strips and diagnosed as positive or negative. They were then divided into two groups of 30 positive and 30 negative sows for urinary tract infection. Each sow was considered an experimental unit and was followed from labor to weaning. The animals were assessed for their reproductive performance (labor duration, number of live births, mummified piglets, and stillbirths, and postpartum diseases). After weaning, the weaning-estrus interval and rate of return to estrus were assessed. A thermographic camera was used to identify hyperthermia of the mammary system and its relation with the onset of urinary tract infections. The prevalence of urinary tract infection in prepartum sows was 41.1%. Urinary tract infection does not impact labor duration, number of live births, mummified piglets, and stillbirths, number of sows culled, weaning-estrus interval, or return to estrus after insemination. However, it was considered a predisposing factor for the occurrence of postpartum vaginal discharge. There is no correlation between the occurrence of urinary tract infection and mammary system temperature in sows.

Resumo O artigo apresenta análise organizacional e relacional da revisão da Política Nacional de Promoção da Saúde e visa compreender o papel do agrupamento formado para elaborar esta Política, as negociações necessárias para a concretização do produto, o papel e o tipo dos laços construídos, estratégias adotadas e interesses e sua influência nos resultados. Para tanto, coloca-se em diálogo abordagens de capital social, organizacionais, de rede e de estratégias interinstitucionais que destacam mecanismos de coordenação, de integração, zonas de incertezas e tipo de centralização. Analisaram-se as dimensões estrutural, cognitiva e relacional no contexto histórico determinado. Tratou-se de um estudo de caso com fontes de evidências coletadas no processo de revisão e nos documentos do processo. A análise foi realizada por construção de categorias conceituais por autores-atores do processo. Destaca-se o papel da dimensão relacional e dos laços fortes construídos historicamente e por identidade ideológica, profissional ou de origem como fatores que atuaram positivamente na superação das controvérsias.

Abstract This article offers an organizational and relational analysis of the review of the National Health Promotion Policy and aims to understand the role of the cluster that was formed to review this policy, the negotiations needed to achieve the product, the role and type of alliances that were formed, the strategies adopted and interests, and how they influenced results. To do so, a dialogue is created to discuss social capital, organizational and network approaches, and inter-institutional strategies that highlight coordination mechanisms, integration, zones of uncertainty and the type of centralization. Structural, cognitive and relational dimensions were analyzed in the particular historical context. This was a case study with sources of evidence collected in the review process and in the documents examined. The analysis was performed by building conceptual categories by author-actors presented in the process. It highlights the role of the relational dimension represented by strong ties built over time, and ideological identity, based on profession or origin, as factors that acted positively in overcoming conflicts.

Resumo O artigo apresenta análise organizacional e relacional da revisão da Política Nacional de Promoção da Saúde e visa compreender o papel do agrupamento formado para elaborar esta Política, as negociações necessárias para a concretização do produto, o papel e o tipo dos laços construídos, estratégias adotadas e interesses e sua influência nos resultados. Para tanto, coloca-se em diálogo abordagens de capital social, organizacionais, de rede e de estratégias interinstitucionais que destacam mecanismos de coordenação, de integração, zonas de incertezas e tipo de centralização. Analisaram-se as dimensões estrutural, cognitiva e relacional no contexto histórico determinado. Tratou-se de um estudo de caso com fontes de evidências coletadas no processo de revisão e nos documentos do processo. A análise foi realizada por construção de categorias conceituais por autores-atores do processo. Destaca-se o papel da dimensão relacional e dos laços fortes construídos historicamente e por identidade ideológica, profissional ou de origem como fatores que atuaram positivamente na superação das controvérsias.

Abstract This article offers an organizational and relational analysis of the review of the National Health Promotion Policy and aims to understand the role of the cluster that was formed to review this policy, the negotiations needed to achieve the product, the role and type of alliances that were formed, the strategies adopted and interests, and how they influenced results. To do so, a dialogue is created to discuss social capital, organizational and network approaches, and inter-institutional strategies that highlight coordination mechanisms, integration, zones of uncertainty and the type of centralization. Structural, cognitive and relational dimensions were analyzed in the particular historical context. This was a case study with sources of evidence collected in the review process and in the documents examined. The analysis was performed by building conceptual categories by author-actors presented in the process. It highlights the role of the relational dimension represented by strong ties built over time, and ideological identity, based on profession or origin, as factors that acted positively in overcoming conflicts.

Our study evaluated how the consumption of diets with low (LOW group - 0.4/1) or high (CON group - 13.6/1) omega-6/omega-3 ratio across generations (F1 and F2) can modulate liver fatty acid (FA) profile and blood biomarkers. Liver content of α-linolenic acid was higher in animals always fed with LOW diet than animals that changed from CON to LOW diet, which by your time was higher than animals always fed with CON diet. Liver saturated FA concentration decreased in both groups from F1 to F2. In conclusion, both diets were efficient in decreasing the saturated FA liver content across generations, the LOW ratio diet was more effective in reducing blood triglycerides and non-esterified fatty acids, and there was a multigenerational effect of the LOW ratio diet, improving the FA profile even when the offspring start receiving the CON diet.

O presente artigo compreende uma revisão sobre a aplicação da transglutaminase de origem microbiana (MTGase) em produtos cárneos, elaborados com teor reduzido de sódio. A MTGase tem se mostrado muito eficiente em promover pontes cruzadas entre proteínas, favorecendo a coesão em produtos reestruturados e melhorando a força de géis em produtos cárneos emulsionados, contribuindo para a melhoria de textura e preservando o sabor dos produtos. Tradicionalmente, o cloreto de sódio (NaCl) é adicionado às massas cárneas por desempenhar um papel-chave na solubilização das proteínas miofibrilares. No entanto, o excesso desse mineral tem sido associado aos altos índices de problemas de saúde, como a hipertensão arterial. Como reação a este cenário, a sociedade científica e indústrias ligadas ao setor cárneo têm buscado alternativas que possam atuar na redução do sódio nesses alimentos. Na presente revisão, são relatados estudos recentes sobre a aplicação da MTGase em diversos produtos de origem cárnea, elucidando a importância desse coadjuvante de tecnologia para a pesquisa científica e a aplicação industrial na área de produção de alimentos de conveniência e mais saudáveis

This article includes a review of the application of microbial transglutaminase (MTGase) in meat products prepared with reduced-sodium. The MTGase has shown to be very efficient in promoting protein cross-bridges, favoring the cohesion restructured products and improving the strength of gels inemulsified meat products, contributing to preserve and improve their texture and flavor. Traditionally sodium chloride (NaCl) is added to pasta cárneas to play a key role in the solubilization of the myofibrillar proteins. However, the excess of this mineral has been linked to high rates of health problems as hypertension. In response to this scenario, scientific society and industries connected to the meat industry has sought alternatives that can acte to reduce the sodium in these foods. In this review, recent studies are reported on the application of MTGase in various products of meat mixture, elucidating the importance of supporting technology for scientific research and industrial application in the production of convenience healthier foods

ABSTRACTThe spatial distribution of fauna associated to marine macroalgae has mostly been investigated considering a horizontal plane. However, the macroalgal substrates can present a three-dimensional structure. In this sense, investigating how the associated fauna varies throughout a vertical plane can contribute to understanding the distribution of these organisms. The brown macroalga Sargassumpresents a vertical stratification along its thallus and harbors an amphipod fauna with a variety of feeding habits. In this work, we tested if the amphipod assemblage varies along different portions of the Sargassum thallus. We collected whole Sargassum stenophyllum thalli, as well as isolated basal and distal portions, from a rocky shore located on the north coast of São Paulo, in southeastern Brazil. The composition of amphipod families varied according to the Sargassum portion and the families Corophiidae, Caprellidae and Hyalidae accounted for most of the differences. Moreover, the basal portion of Sargassum had a higher diversity of amphipod families than the distal one, which may be related to differences regarding habitat complexity (herein, measured as algal biomass) between these portions. Detritivores (such as Corophiidae) were more associated to the basal portion and herbivores to the distal portion (Hyalidae) or along the whole Sargassum thallus (Ampithoidae). The variation of amphipod assemblage along Sargassum thallus seems to result from the interaction between the fauna natural history and the differences in conditions and physical structure along the algal thallus. In this sense, the vertical stratification of Sargassum can add another source of variation to the spatial distribution of associated fauna.

Aimed at analyzing the association between diet and health-related quality of life of people with systemic arterial hypertension. A descriptive-analytic study of 397 hypertensive people conducted from April to July 2013 attended by a family health strategy center unit in south Minas Gerais, MG, Brazil. The Minichal instrument was used for evaluating health-related quality of life and another instrument was used for nutrition. The average value found in the Minichal instrument was 4.2 in the mental state domain and 3.4 in the domain of somatic manifestations. Most participants had partially adequate nutrition; 67.8% mentioned not receiving any advice or treatment for weight loss; obesity was present in 35.5%. It was concluded that diet is significantly associated with mental state.

El objetivo fue analizar la asociación entre nutrición y calidad de vida relacionada con la salud de personas con hipertensión arterial sistémica. Estudio descriptivo, analítico, con 397 personas hipertensas inscritas en una unidad de la Estrategia de Salud Familiar del sur de Minas Gerais, MG, Brasil, realizado entre abril y julio de 2013. Se utilizó el instrumento Minichal para evaluar la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud y otro para nutrición. Se encontró el valor promedio de 4,2 en el dominio estado mental y 3,4 en el dominio manifestaciones somáticas del instrumento Minichal. La mayoría presentó nutrición parcialmente adecuada; 67,8% afirmaron no recibir orientación o tratamiento para pérdida de peso; la obesidad estuvo presente en 35,5%. En conclusión, la nutrición presentó asociación significativa con el estado mental.

Foi objetivo analisar a associação entre alimentação e qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde de pessoas com hipertensão arterial sistêmica. Estudo descritivo-analítico com 397 pessoas hipertensas cadastradas em uma unidade de estratégia de saúde da família do Sul de Minas Gerais, MG, Brasil, realizado de abril a julho de 2013. Utilizou-se o instrumento Minichal para a avaliação da qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde e outro para a alimentação. Encontrou-se o valor médio de 4,2 no domínio estado mental e 3,4 no domínio manifestações somáticas do instrumento Minichal. A maioria apresentou alimentação parcialmente adequada; 67,8% mencionaram não terem recebido orientação ou tratamento para perda de peso; a obesidade esteve presente em 35,5%. Concluiu-se que a alimentação apresentou associação estatisticamente significante com o estado mental.

FUNDAMENTO: A doença de Chagas, causada pelo protozoário Trypanosoma cruzi, é uma das mais importantes causas de insuficiência cardíaca na América Latina. A terapia celular vem sendo investigada como uma possível opção terapêutica para pacientes com doenças cardiovasculares. OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos da terapia com células-tronco mesenquimais em um modelo experimental de cardiomiopatia chagásica crônica. MÉTODOS: Camundongos C57BL/6 foram infectados com 1000 tripomastigotas da cepa Colombiana de T. cruzi e, após seis meses de infecção, foram tratados com células-tronco mesenquimais derivadas de tecido adiposo humano (CTTAs) ou com meio DMEM (controle). O grupo tratado recebeu duas injeções intraperitoneais de CTTAs (1x106 células / dose), com um mês de intervalo entre as duas doses. Antes e após 1 e 2 meses de tratamento, os animais chagásicos e controles normais foram submetidos à eletrocardiograma e teste ergoespirométrico. Todos os animais foram sacrificados sob anestesia após 2 meses de tratamento, para análise histopatológica do coração. RESULTADOS: Não foi observada melhora de arritmias e da função cardiovascular no grupo tratado com CTTAs, porém secções de corações de camundongos deste grupo apresentaram uma redução significativa do número de células inflamatórias (p < 0,0001) e da área de fibrose (p < 0,01) em comparação com animais chagásicos tratados com DMEM. CONCLUSÃO: Deste modo, conclui-se que a administração de CTTAs por via intraperitoneal é capaz de reduzir inflamação e fibrose no coração de camundongos cronicamente infectados por T. cruzi, porém não teve efeitos na função cardíaca dois meses após o transplante.

BACKGROUND: Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, is a major cause of heart failure in Latin America. Tissue therapy has been investigated as a possible therapeutic option for patients with cardiovascular disease. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the effects of therapy with mesenchymal stem cells in an experimental model of chronic Chagasic cardiomyopathy. METHODS: C57BL/6 mice were infected with 1000 trypomastigotes from the Colombian strain of T. cruzi and, after six months of infection, were treated with mesenchymal human stem cells from adipose tissue (STAT) or with Dulbecco/Vogt modified Eagle's minimal essential medium - DMEM (control). The treated group received two intraperitoneal injections of STAT (1x10(6) cells/dose), with a month interval between the two doses. Before and after the first and second months of treatment, the chagasic and normal control animals underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing and electrocardiography. All animals were sacrificed under anesthesia after two months of treatment for histopathological analysis of the heart. RESULTS: No improvement was observed in arrhythmias and cardiovascular function in the group of animals treated with STAT; however, sections of mice hearts in this group revealed a significant reduction in the number of inflammatory cells (p<0.0001) and areas of fibrosis (p<0.01) in comparison with chagasic animals treated with DMEM. CONCLUSION: Thus, it is concluded that administration of intraperitoneal STAT can reduce inflammation and fibrosis in the heart of mice chronically infected with T. cruzi; however, there were no effects on the cardiac function two months after transplantation.

Recentemente, técnicas não destrutivas como a espectroscopia Vis/NIR têm sido utilizadas para avaliar as características de maturação e qualidade das peras. O trabalho tem como objetivo validar as leituras por espectroscopia Vis/NIR, como forma não destrutiva de avaliar as características qualitativas em peras das cultivares Williams, Packams e Carrick produzidas em condições brasileiras. O experimento foi realizado na Universidade Federal de Pelotas, UFPel, Pelotas/RS e o instrumento utilizado para determinar a qualidade dos frutos de forma não destrutiva foi o espectrofotômetro NIR-Case (SACMI, Imola, Itália). Para a determinação de sólidos solúveis (SS) e firmeza da polpa (FP) das peras, estabeleceu se a calibração para cada cultivar em estudo a partir das avaliações obtidas pelo método não destrutivo (NIR-Case) e pelo método destrutivo e, posteriormente, testou-se o desempenho destas leituras através de regressões lineares. Os resultados foram significativos para o parâmetro sólidos solúveis obtido por espectroscopia Vis/NIR, no entanto, não se obteve resultados satisfatórios para a firmeza da polpa de peras dessas cultivares. Conclui-se que a espectroscopia Vis/NIR utilizando regressão linear possibilita fornecer estimativas seguras dos índices de qualidade para peras, especialmente para os sólidos solúveis.

Recently, non-destructive techniques such as the Vis / NIR spectroscopy have been used to evaluate the characteristics of maturation and quality of pears. The study aims to validate the readings by the Vis / NIR spectroscopy as a non-destructive way to assess the qualitative characteristics of pear cultivars 'Williams', 'Packams' and 'Carrick', produced according to Brazilian conditions. The experiment was conducted at the Pelotas Federal University, UFPel, in Pelotas / RS, and the instrument used to measure the fruit quality in a non-destructive way was the NIR- Case spectrophotometer (SACMI, Imola, Italy). To determine pears' soluble solids (SS) and pulp firmness (PF), it was established calibration equations for each variety studied, done from the evaluations obtained by a non-destructive method (NIR-Case) and a destructive method. Further on, it was tested the performance of these readings by linear regressions. The results were significant for the soluble solids parameter obtained by the Vis / NIR spectroscopy; however, it did not achieve satisfactory results for the pear pulp firmness of these cultivars. It is concluded that the Vis / NIR spectroscopy, using linear regression, allows providing reliable estimates of pears' quality levels, especially for soluble solids.

Os fatores prognósticos histológicos podem colaborar para determinar a evolução desta neoplasia. OBJETIVO: Correlacionar a expressão imunoistoquímica do p53 e Ki-67 com idade, grau histológico, comprometimento de linfonodos e estadiamento patológico de pacientes com carcinomas epidermóides de laringe. MÉTODO: Foram avaliados trinta casos consecutivos de carcinomas epidermóides de laringe, submetidos à técnica de imunoistoquímica para verificar a expressão dos anticorpos p53 e Ki-67. RESULTADO: A idade média foi de 56,2 anos e a imunoexpressão dos marcadores foi mais observada no grupo com mais de 50 anos de idade, especialmente a do anticorpo Ki-67 (p=0,032). Não houve relação do p53 e Ki-67 com o comprometimento de linfonodos. O Ki-67 se expressou em 70% nos casos de alto grau histológico e 80% nos de baixo, enquanto o p53 em 70% apenas nos de alto grau. O estadiamento patológico mostrou que no grupo dos carcinomas avançados a expressão do p53 foi de 61,5%, enquanto o Ki-67 mostrou positividade para os casos precoces (100%) e avançados (73,1%). CONCLUSÃO: Não houve diferenças significantes entre a imunoexpressão do p53 e do Ki-67 em carcinomas epidermóides de laringe, exceto no grupo de pacientes com mais de 50 anos, onde a expressão do Ki-67 foi significativamente maior.

Prognostic histological factors may contribute to determine the evolution of this neoplasia. AIM: To correlate p53 and Ki-67 immunohistochemical expression with age, histological degree, lymph node involvement and pathological staging in patients with laryngeal epidermoid carcinomas. METHODS: We assessed thirty consecutive cases of laryngeal epidermoid carcinomas submitted to immunohistochemistry to check the expression of p53 e Ki-67 antibodies. RESULTS: Mean age was of 56.2 years and the immunoexpression of the markers was observed in the group with more than 50 years of age, especially that o the ki-67 antibody (p=0.032). There was no relation between p53 and Ki-67 with lymph node involvement. Ki-67 was expressed in 70% of the high histology level cases and in 80% in the low histology ones; while p53 was of 70% only in the high level cases. Pathology staging showed that in the group of advanced carcinomas, p53 expression was of 61.5%, while Ki-67 proved positive for the early cases (100%) and advanced (73.1%). CONCLUSION: There were no significant differences between p53 and Ki-67 immunoexpression in laryngeal epidermoid carcinoma, except in the group of patients with more than 50 years of age, when Ki-67 expression was significantly higher.

A levedura Phaffia rhodozyma, produtora de astaxantina, pigmento carotenóide largamente empregado na aqüicultura de peixes e crustáceos, pode ser eficientemente cultivada num meio de cultura de baixo custo, à base de caldo de cana diluído 1:10 e uréia a 1 g/L. No entanto, a produção de biomassa e a formação do carotenóide sofrem a inibição pelo substrato (efeito "Crabtree"), limitando desta forma a utilização do caldo de cana com concentrações da fonte de carbono superiores a 20 g/L, importante consideração na produção industrial de astaxantina. No presente trabalho, o cultivo da levedura P. rhodozyma foi realizado em processo descontínuo alimentado, no qual se obteve produtividade volumétrica de 0,024 mg astaxantina/L.h. em relação aos 0,013 mg astaxantina/L.h. obtidos no cultivo controle, que não sofreu alimentação da fonte de carbono.

The yeast Phaffia rhodozyma produces astaxanthin, a carotenoid pigment widely applied in fish and crustaceous cultivation. This yeast can be efficiently cultured in a low cost medium, sugar cane broth diluted 1:10 and supplemented with 1 g/L urea. However, the biomass and astaxanthin production undergo inhibition by the substrate (Crabtree effect), limiting the utilization of sugar cane broth up to 20 g/L total sugar concentration. Therefore, this effect must be considered during the industrial production of astaxanthin. In the present work, using fed batch system to cultivate P. rhodozyma we were able to obtain 0.024 mg astaxanthin/l.h compared to 0.013 mg astaxanthin/l.h obtained by the discontinuous cultivation system.