ABSTRACT Tuberculosis stands as one of humanity’s oldest afflictions, intrinsically intertwined with social disparities. This formidable disease spares no age group and remains the prevailing cause of infection-induced mortality worldwide, particularly in developing nations. We present a case of a 56-year-old woman with diabetes who was diagnosed with Pulmonary Tuberculosis. After receiving antituberculosis drugs as part of her treatment, she experienced a range of systemic manifestations and suffered from severe ulcerative esophagitis. This adverse reaction led to uncontrollable gastrointestinal intolerance, tragically resulting in her untimely demise. The incident underscores the potential seriousness of adverse reactions that can arise from tuberculosis treatment medications.

ABSTRACT Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) can be indicated as a strategy to mitigate salt stress in plants, so the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different concentrations and methods of application of H2O2 as a mitigator of salt stress on the growth, physiology, and quality of seedlings of yellow passion fruit. The experiment was carried out in a protected environment (screened) belonging to UFERSA, in Caraúbas - RN, Brazil, in a randomized block design and analyzed in a 2 × 4 × 3 factorial scheme, with four replications and one plant per plot. The treatments consisted of levels of electrical conductivity of irrigation water - ECw (0.5 and 3.2 dS m-1), H2O2 concentrations (0, 12, 24, and 36 μM), and H2O2 application methods (M1 = seed soaking, M2 = foliar spraying, and M3 = seed soaking + foliar spraying). Increased levels of salinity in irrigation water negatively affect seedling quality. Hydrogen peroxide at an average concentration of 24 µM mitigates salt stress in passion fruit seedlings cv. BRS Gigante Amarelo. H2O2 application to seeds associated with foliar spraying mitigates the effects of salt stress on the absolute growth rate of the leaf area of passion fruit seedlings irrigated with an ECw of 3.2 dS m-1.

RESUMO O peróxido de hidrogênio (H2O2) pode ser indicado como uma estratégia para mitigar o estresse salino em plantas, por isso o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos das concentrações e métodos de aplicação de H2O2 como mitigador do estresse salino sobre o crescimento, fisiologia e qualidade de mudas de maracujá cv. BRS Gigante Amarelo. O experimento foi conduzido em ambiente protegido (telado) pertencente a UFERSA, em Caraúbas - RN, Brasil, em delineamento em blocos casualizados e analisados em esquema fatorial 2 × 4 × 3, com quatro repetições e uma planta por parcela. Os tratamentos consistiram em: condutividade elétrica da água de irrigação - CEa (0,5 e 3,2 dS m-1); concentrações de H2O2 (0, 12, 24 e 36 μM); e métodos de aplicação de H2O2 (M1 = embebição das sementes, M2 = pulverização foliar e M3 = embebição das sementes + pulverização foliar). O aumento dos níveis de salinidade da água de irrigação afeta negativamente a qualidade das mudas. O peróxido de hidrogênio na concentração de 24 µM mitiga o estresse salino em mudas de maracujazeiro cv. BRS Gigante Amarelo. A aplicação de H2O2 em sementes associada à pulverização foliar mitiga os efeitos do estresse salino sobre a taxa de crescimento absoluto da área foliar de mudas de maracujá irrigadas com CEa de 3,2 dS m-1.

Objectives: To examine drug overdose records in Brazil from 2000 to 2020, analyzing trends over time in overdoses and overall sociodemographic characteristics of the deceased. Methods: Using data from the Brazilian Mortality Information System (Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade), we identified records from 2000-2020 in which the underlying cause-of-death was one of the following codes: X40-X45 (accidental poisoning), X60-X65 (intentional poisoning), or Y10-Y15 (undetermined intentionality poisoning). The Brazilian dataset included 21,410 deaths. We used joinpoint regression analysis to assess changes in trends over time. Results: People who died of drug overdoses in Brazil between 2000 and 2020 had a mean age of 38.91 years; 38.45% were women, and 44.01% were identified as White. Of the overdose deaths, 44.70% were classified as intentional and 32.12% were classified as unintentional. Among the identified drugs, stimulants were the most common class. However, most records did not report which drug was responsible for death. Conclusion: Sociodemographic trends in overdose deaths in Brazil must guide country-specific policies. Nevertheless, data collection protocols must be improved, particularly regarding the drug used in overdoses.

ABSTRACT: Lettuce and arugula are the most cultivated leafy vegetables in hydroponic systems in the world, and the little information about Azospirillum brasilense effects in research in this system makes it necessary to verify the best method of inoculation of these bacteria. Therefore, this study aimed to verify the beneficial effects of inoculation methods of A. brasilense on plant growth and nutrition of lettuce and arugula grown in the hydroponic system. The study was conducted in a greenhouse with 30% shading. A randomized block design with five replicates in a 4 × 2 factorial scheme was used. Four A. brasilense inoculation methods (non-inoculated, foliar application, nutrient solution, and nutrient solution + foliar application) and two leafy vegetable species - arugula and lettuce - were evaluated. All inoculation methods improved plant height, shoot fresh and dry mass, root fresh and dry mass, fresh leaf yield, leaf chlorophyll index, accumulation of nitrogen, potassium, calcium, sulfur, phosphorus, iron, manganese, and copper and reduced nitrate accumulation in shoot and root of arugula and lettuce. Inoculation via nutrient solution + foliar application of A. brasilense is the most suitable for hydroponic arugula cultivation because it provides greater fresh leaf yield. All inoculation methods increased leaf yield in hydroponic lettuce. Hydroponic arugula and lettuce plants showed greater accumulation of nutrients and plant growth with less nitrate accumulation in the shoot under inoculation with A. brasilense.

RESUMO A alface e a rúcula são as hortaliças folhosas mais cultivadas em sistemas hidropônicos no mundo, e as poucas informações sobre os efeitos do Azospirillum brasilense em pesquisas neste sistema torna-se necessário verificar o melhor método de inoculação dessas bactérias. Portanto, o objetivo deste estudo foi verificar os efeitos benéficos de métodos de inoculação de A. brasilense em alface e rúcula no crescimento e nutrição das plantas em sistema hidropônico. O estudo foi conduzido em casa de vegetação com 30% de sombreamento. Foi usado o delineamento em blocos ao acaso com 5 repetições em esquema fatorial 4 × 2, com quatro métodos de inoculação de A. brasilense (não inoculado, foliar, solução nutritiva e solução nutritiva + inoculação foliar) e o segundo fator foi a aplicação em rúcula e alface. Todos os métodos de inoculação melhoraram a altura da planta, massa fresca e seca da parte aérea, massa fresca e seca da raiz, rendimento da planta, índice de clorofila foliar, acúmulo de nitrogênio, potássio, cálcio, enxofre, fósforo, ferro, manganês, cobre e redução do acúmulo de nitrato na parte aérea e raízes de rúcula e alface. A inoculação via solução nutriente + inoculação foliar de A. brasilense é a mais indicada para o cultivo hidropônico de rúcula, pois proporciona maior rendimento de folhas, e todos os métodos de inoculação foram capazes de aumentar o rendimento de folhas em alface hidropônica. Plantas hidropônicas de rúcula e alface apresentaram maior acúmulo de nutrientes e crescimento das plantas com menor acúmulo de nitrato na parte aérea sob inoculação com A. brasilense.

ABSTRACT Cowpea is a socioeconomically important legume in the Northeast region of Brazil, and the most grown and consumed type of bean, representing the main source of low-cost vegetable protein for rural and urban populations in this region. The objective of this work was to characterize the proximate composition, minerals, tannins, phytic acid, and cooking quality of whole grains of cowpea from the commercial cultivars BRS Aracê, BRS Inhuma, and BRS Xiquexique. Grain samples of the cultivars were ground in a zirconium ball mill and the flour was used for analysis. The proximate composition was carried out according to the AOAC methodology. The minerals were determined by nitro-perchloric digestion and reading in a flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The anti-nutritional factors tannins and phytic acid were determined by extraction and reading in a spectrophotometer. Cooking quality was assessed using an electric pressure cooker and then a Mattson cooker. A completely randomized experimental design was used, with three treatments (cultivars) and three replications. The data were subjected to analysis of variance and the means were compared by the Tukey's test (p<0.05). The cowpea cultivars showed significant differences (p<0.05) for most characteristics evaluated and were similar in terms of ash, lipids, total dietary fiber, and most macrominerals. The results showed that grains of the cultivars BRS Aracê and BRS Xiquexique are excellent sources of dietary fiber, proteins, and minerals and present high cooking quality, while grains of the cultivar BRS Inhuma stood out regarding carbohydrates, soluble dietary fibers, total energetic value, and low levels of factors, anti-nutritional tannins and phytic acid.

RESUMO O feijão-caupi é uma leguminosa de grande importância socioeconômica na região Nordeste do Brasil, sendo o tipo de feijão mais cultivado e consumido, representando a principal fonte de proteína vegetal de baixo custo das populações rural e urbana dessa região. O objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar a composição centesimal, minerais, taninos, ácido fítico e a qualidade de cozimento dos grãos integrais das cultivares de feijão-caupi BRS Aracê, BRS Inhuma e BRS Xiquexique. A composição centesimal foi determinada de acordo com a metodologia AOAC. Os minerais foram determinados por digestão nitro-perclórica e leitura em espectrofotômetro de absorção atômica de chama. Os fatores antinutricionais taninos e ácido fítico foram determinados por extração e leitura em espectrofotômetro. A qualidade do cozimento foi avaliada usando uma panela de pressão elétrica e, em seguida, o cozedor de Matsson. Foi utilizado o delineamento inteiramente casualizado (DIC), com três tratamentos (cultivares) e três repetições. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância e as médias comparadas pelo teste de Tukey (p<0,05). As cultivares apresentaram diferenças significativas (p<0,05) para a maioria das características avaliadas e similares para os teores de cinzas, lipídeos, fibra alimentar total e a maioria dos macrominerais. As cultivares BRS Aracê e BRS Xiquexique representam excelentes fontes de fibras dietéticas, proteínas e minerais, além de alta qualidade de cozimento, enquanto a cultivar BRS Inhuma destacou-se em carboidratos, fibras alimentares solúveis, valor energético total e baixos teores dos fatores antinutricionais analisados.

Abstract: Introduction: Tracheotomy is commonly used in patients with head and neck cancer undergoing major surgery. Purpose: To identify the nursing interventions in the safe decannulation process in patients undergoing head and neck cancer surgery. Methods: Rapid systematic review on MEDLINE and CIHNAL, January 2023. Results: Seven studies met the inclusion criteria. The nursing interventions was grouped into before, during and after the decannulation. Conclusion: Literature review shows the need for a structured nursing process supporting safe decannulation. The team must ensure that the reason for performing the tracheotomy were resolved and that no anesthetic or surgical procedure is foreseen shortly. These are essential factors associated with the state of consciousness, deflated tube cuff and tube cap tolerance prior decannulation. The literature highlights the need for experienced teams, including nurses, to ensure the safe decannulation process.

Resumo: Introdução: A traqueostomia é habitualmente utilizada em doentes com cancro de cabeça e pescoço submetidos a cirurgias major. Objetivo: Identificar as intervenções de enfermagem no processo de remoção da cânula com segurança em doentes submetidos a cirurgia oncológica de cabeça e pescoço. Métodos: Revisão sistemática rápida no MEDLINE e CINHAL, janeiro de 2023. Resultados: Sete estudos preencheram os critérios de inclusão. As intervenções de enfermagem foram agrupadas em: antes, durante e após a remoção da cânula. Conclusão: A revisão da literatura mostra a necessidade de um processo de enfermagem estruturado que apoie a remoção segura da cânula. A equipa deve garantir que o motivo da realização da traqueotomia esteja resolvido e que nenhum procedimento anestésico ou cirúrgico esteja previsto para breve. Estes são alguns dos fatores essenciais, associados ao estado de consciência, cuff desinsuflado e tolerância à oclusão da cânula de traqueotomia, antes da sua remoção. A literatura destaca a necessidade de equipas experientes, incluindo enfermeiros, para garantir que o processo de remoção da cânula seja seguro.

This work describes a green synthesis, the characterization, and biological evaluation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The AgNPs suspension was synthesized using aqueous leaf extract of Eucalyptus grandis, which presented a characteristic band at 407 nm in the UV-Vis spectrum. The AgNPs presented a spherical shape and size of 9.7 ± 0.3 nm. The nanoparticles were stable over a month, indicating that E. grandis’ extract is suitable for their preparation and stabilization. The X-ray analysis showed that the crystallinity of AgNPs corresponded to the centered face phase of silver. The antibacterial and leishmanicidal activities of AgNPs were evaluated. The AgNPs presented antibacterial activity on the Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli at 53.9 µg mL-1. The leishmanicidal activity evaluation against promastigote forms of Leishmania infantum, Leishmania amazonensis, and Leishmania braziliensis showed that the biological response is dependent on the volume of AgNP suspension. It was demonstrated that L. infantum was more sensitive to the nanoparticle’s treatment than L. amazonensis and L. braziliensis. The treatment of L infantum promastigotes with 150 µL of AgNP suspension reduced parasite growth by 67.9%, a result which was similar to the treatment with 1 (66.7%) or 2 µL (70.6%) of amphotericin B used as a positive control.

Anacardic acid (AA) is a bioactive phytochemical found in the nutshell of Anacardium occidentale, a tropical plant originally from Brazil. In this work, cross-linked anacardic acid nanocapsules (NC) were obtained by interfacial polymerization carried out using the inverse miniemulsion technique with 2,4-toluene diisocyanate (TDI). For this purpose, a functionalized monomer from AA was synthesized for formation of lipase-cleavable ester linkages by coupling of amino acids. The synthesis was planned so that when these ester linkages get exposed to an enzyme, they are broken down and released AA. Furthermore, the N-termini of the coupled amino compounds were used as sites for the polyaddition with TDI at the droplet interface in the inverse miniemulsion. The permeability of the shell was studied on the fluorescent dye, sulforhodamine 101 (SR101), using fuorescence spectroscopy After redispersion in water, the enzymatic cleavage of NC and the release of the SR101 were both monitored in real time. The released AA was proven to be active in vitro against Bacillus subtilis colonies in the bacterial tests. The results indicate that the use of NC is a promising strategy, which can make feasible the application of AA for therapeutic purposes and as nanocarriers for the delivery of active components.

ABSTRACT Objective: This study aims to investigate the ability of the six-minute walk distance (6MWD) as a prognostic marker for midterm clinical outcomes three months after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), to identify possible predictors of fall in 6MWD in the early postoperative period, and to establish the percentage fall in early postoperative 6MWD, considering the preoperative baseline as 100%. Methods: A prospective cohort of patients undergoing elective CABG were included. The percentage fall in 6MWD was assessed by the difference between preoperative and postoperative day (POD) five. Clinical outcomes were evaluated three months after hospital discharge. Results: There was a significant decrease in 6MWD on POD5 compared with preoperative baseline values (percentage fall of 32.5±16.5%, P<0.0001). Linear regression analysis showed an independent association of the percentage fall of 6MWD with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and preoperative inspiratory muscle strength. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that the best cutoff value of percentage fall in 6MWD to predict poorer clinical outcomes at three months was 34.6% (area under the curve = 0.82, sensitivity = 78.95%, specificity = 76.19%, P=0.0001). Conclusion: This study indicates that a cutoff value of 34.6% in percentage fall of 6MWD on POD5 was able to predict poorer clinical outcomes at three months of follow-up after CABG. Use of CPB and preoperative inspiratory muscle strength were independent predictors of percentage fall of 6MWD in the postoperative period. These findings further support the clinical application of 6MWD and propose an inpatient preventive strategy to guide clinical management over time.

Resumo O reparo por excisão de nucleotídeos (NER) atua reparando danos no DNA, como lesões causadas por cisplatina. A proteína Xeroderma Pigmentosum complementation group C (XPC) está envolvida no reconhecimento de danos pela via de reparação global do genoma pelo NER (GG-NER) e tem sido estudada em diferentes organismos devido à sua importância em outros processos celulares. Neste trabalho, estudamos proteínas do NER em Trypanosoma cruzi e Trypanosoma evansi, parasitos de humanos e animais, respectivamente. Modelos tridimensionais das proteínas XPC de T. cruzi e T. evansi foram feitos e observou-se poucas diferenças estruturais entre estas proteínas. Durante testes, a inserção do gene XPC de T. evansi (TevXPC) em T. cruzi resultou em crescimento celular mais lento em condições normais. Após o tratamento com cisplatina, T. cruzi superexpressando seu próprio gene XPC (TcXPC) foi capaz de recuperar as taxas de divisão celular mais rapidamente do que T. cruzi expressando o gene TevXPC. Com base nesses testes, sugere-se que TevXPC (sendo uma proteína exógena em T. cruzi) interfere negativamente nos processos celulares em que TcXPC (a proteína endógena) está envolvida. Isso provavelmente ocorreu pois TevXPC é capaz de interagir com algumas moléculas ou proteínas endógenas de T.cruzi, mas é incapaz de interagir com outras. Isso reforça a importância do correto funcionamento de XPC dentro da célula.

Abstract Nucleotide excision repair (NER) acts repairing damages in DNA, such as lesions caused by cisplatin. Xeroderma Pigmentosum complementation group C (XPC) protein is involved in recognition of global genome DNA damages during NER (GG-NER) and it has been studied in different organisms due to its importance in other cellular processes. In this work, we studied NER proteins in Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma evansi, parasites of humans and animals respectively. We performed three-dimensional models of XPC proteins from T. cruzi and T. evansi and observed few structural differences between these proteins. In our tests, insertion of XPC gene from T. evansi (TevXPC) in T. cruzi resulted in slower cell growth under normal conditions. After cisplatin treatment, T. cruzi overexpressing its own XPC gene (TcXPC) was able to recover cell division rates faster than T. cruzi expressing TevXPC gene. Based on these tests, it is suggested that TevXPC (being an exogenous protein in T. cruzi) interferes negatively in cellular processes where TcXPC (the endogenous protein) is involved. This probably occurred due interaction of TevXPC with some endogenous molecules or proteins from T.cruzi but incapacity of interaction with others. This reinforces the importance of correctly XPC functioning within the cell.

ABSTRACT Irrigated agriculture is considered one of the most important techniques for agricultural production in the world, despite being the sector that uses water resources the most. Thus, technological advances have been constantly developed and applied in the sector as a way to improve water management and reduce its consumption, considering that some cultures are affected by economic costs and feasibilities of production, because the water cost has increased significantly in recent years. Remote sensing is a technology that has provided good results for estimating evapotranspiration (ETr) in producing areas, enabling more efficient irrigation management for low costs. This study aimed to answer the question about how the generation of irrigation management zones (IMZs) can be used to optimize water use and improve irrigation systems and which ETr models are better for it. Three ETr estimation models (Surface Energy Balance Algorithm for Land [SEBAL], Mapping Evapotranspiration at High Resolution and with Internalized Calibration [METRIC] and Simple Algorithm for Evapotranspiration Retrieving [SAFER]) were used to design IMZs in center pivot cultivated with cotton. The design of IMZs with ETr data proved to be a viable alternative, making it possible to improve water management in irrigated systems, reducing costs with viability irrigation for cotton and others cultures. The METRIC method displayed the greatest ease in obtaining the data used in the ETr estimation for generating the IMZs.

ABSTRACT In this study, the performance of the mesoscale Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model is evaluated using combinations of three planetary boundary layers (PBL) (YSU, ACM2, and MYJ) and three land surface model (LSM) schemes (RUC, Noah and Noah-MP) in order to identify the optimal parameters for the determination of wind speed in a tropical region. The state of Bahia in Brazil is selected as the location for the case study and simulations are performed over a period of eight months between 2015 and 2016 (dry and rainy seasons). The results of the simulations are compared with observational data obtained from three towers equipped with anemometers at heights of 80, 100, 120 and 150 m, strategically placed at each site and evaluated with statistical indices: MB, RMSE, MAGE, IOA, R, Fac2 and standard deviation. Overestimation of wind speed is observed in the simulations, despite similarities between the simulated and observed wind directions. In addition, the accuracies of simulations corresponding to sites that are closer to the ocean are observed to be lower. The most accurate wind speed estimates are obtained corresponding to Mucugê, which is located farthest from the ocean. Finally, analysis of the results obtained from each tower accounting for periods with higher and lower precipitation reveals that the combination of the PBL-YSU scheme with the LSM-RUC scheme yields the best results.

RESUMEN En este estudio se evalúa el rendimiento del modelo de pronóstico e investigación meteorológica de mesoescala (WRF) utilizando combinaciones de tres capas de límite planetario (PBL, por su sigla en inglés) (YSU, ACM2 y MYJ) y tres esquemas de modelo de superficie terrestre (LSM) (UC, Noah y Noah-MP), con el fin de identificar los parámetros óptimos para la determinación de la velocidad del viento en una región tropical. El estado de Bahía en Brasil se selecciona como la ubicación para el estudio de caso y las simulaciones se realizan durante un periodo de ocho meses entre 2015 y 2016 (estaciones secas y lluviosas). Los resultados de las simulaciones se comparan con los datos de observación obtenidos de tres torres equipadas con anemómetros a alturas de 80, 100, 120 y 150 m, colocadas estratégicamente en cada sitio y evaluadas con los índices estadísticos MB, RMSE, MAGE, IOA, R, Fac٢ y desviación estándar. Se observa una sobreestimación de la velocidad del viento en las simulaciones, a pesar de las similitudes entre las direcciones del viento simuladas y observadas. Además, se observa que las precisiones de las simulaciones correspondientes a sitios que están más cerca del océano son menores. Las estimaciones de velocidad del viento más precisas fueron las correspondientes a Mucugê, que se encuentra más alejado del océano. Finalmente, el análisis de los resultados obtenidos de cada torre, teniendo en cuenta los periodos con mayor y menor precipitación, revela que la combinación del esquema PBL-YSU con el esquema LSM-RUC arroja los mejores resultados.

Abstract This work describes the circulation over the continental slope and the São Paulo Plateau in the Santos Basin during the SANSED winter 2019 survey. The cruise consisted of four legs in the period between June, 11 and August, 03 2019. The observed circulation is dominated by the Atlantic southwestern boundary current regime and remotely-generated anticyclones and cyclones. The former is composed by the Brazil Current, the Intermediate Western Boundary Current and their mesoscale meanders; the latter are 300km vortical rings with origin in the eastern side of the South Atlantic Basin. A Lagrangian scheme applied over satellite altimeter maps indicate that the origin of these rings is primarily the Cape Basin of South Africa. The interaction between the boundary currents, their cyclonic meanders, and the anticyclonic rings is complex, and varies widely. During the SANSED winter 2019 survey period, three anticyclones interacted with the Brazil Current, instabilizing it, forming dipoles with the current cyclonic meanders, leading to their downstream propagation. Ancienter cyclonic eddies within Santos Basin may interfere with the propagation of the large anticyclones further south. In addition, the continuous arrival of remotely-originated anticyclones, the larger portion over the São Paulo Plateau presented a tendency of counter-clockwise circulation during the whole cruise period.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To evaluate the quality of information on gestational syphilis (GS) and congenital syphilis (CS) on the Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN-Syphilis Brazil – Notifiable Diseases Information System) by compiling and validating completeness indicators between 2007 and 2018. METHODS Overall, care, and socioeconomic completeness scores were compiled based on selected variables, by using ad hoc weights assigned by experts. The completeness scores were analysed, considering the region and area of residence, the pregnant woman’s race/colour, and the year of case notification. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were used to validate the scores obtained by the weighted average method, compared with the values obtained by principal component analysis (PCA). RESULTS Most selected variables presented a good or excellent degree of completeness for GS and CS, except for clinical classification, pregnant woman’s level of education, partner’s treatment, and child’s race/colour, which were classified as poor or very poor. The overall (89.93% versus 89.69%) and socioeconomic (88.71% versus 88.24%) completeness scores for GS and CS, respectively, were classified as regular, whereas the care score (GS-90.88%, and CS-90.72%) was good, despite improvements over time. Differences in the overall, care and socioeconomic completeness scores according to region, area of residence, and ethnic-racial groups were reported for syphilis notifications. The completeness scores estimated by the weighted average method and PCA showed a strong linear correlation (> 0.90). CONCLUSION The completeness of GS and CS notifications has been improving in recent years, highlighting the variables that form the care score, compared with the socioeconomic scores, despite differences between regions, area of residence, and ethnic-racial groups. The weighted average was a viable methodological alternative easily operationalised to estimate data completeness scores, allowing routine monitoring of the completeness of gestational and congenital syphilis records.

This study aimed to evaluate the responses in performance, egg quality, and health of internal organs of laying hens of Hisex White lineage. The birds were provided with diets supplemented with organic minerals (OM) + tributyrin, associated or not with a mixture of organic acids (benzoic formic, citric, and phosphoric), compared to a control treatment containing zinc bacitracin (28 ppm). In total, 160 laying hens of the commercial Hisex White lineage of 68 w and an average weight of 1.735 ± 0.025 kg were distributed in 40 experimental plots. The study employed a completely randomized design, with five treatments and eight replications/treatment. The experimental period was divided into seven production cycles of 21 days, totalling 147 experimental days. The variables analysed were egg production and loss, feed intake, mean egg weight, egg mass, feed conversion, and internal and external quality variables of eggs. At the end of the experimental period, the final weight of the birds was measured to evaluate the relative weight of liver and kidneys. No significant effect of the treatments on the productive performance and internal and external quality of the eggs was evident. The association of organic minerals with a mixture of organic acids and tributyrin did not influence the productive performance and internal and external quality of the shell of Hisex White laying hens in the period from 68 to 89 weeks of age.