Objectives: To re-evaluate a sample of older adults enrolled in a randomized controlled trial of lithium for amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) after 11 to 15 years, re-assessing their current (or last available) global cognitive and functional state. Methods: We recalled all former participants of the Lithium-MCI trial conducted by our group between 2009 and 2012 to perform a single-blinded, cross-sectional evaluation of their global clinical state to compare the long-term outcome of those who received lithium vs. those who received placebo. Results: Of the original sample (n=61), we were able to reach 36 participants (59% of retention), of whom 22 had previously received lithium (61% of the recall sample) and 14 (39%) had received placebo. Since 30.5% of the recalled sample was deceased, psychometric data were collected only for 69.5% of the participants. We found statistically significant differences in current mean Mini Mental State Examination score according to previous treatment group (25.5 [SD, 5.3] vs. 18.3 [SD, 10.9], p = 0.04). The lithium group also had better performance in the phonemic Verbal Fluency Test than the control group (34.4 [SD, 14.4] vs. 11.6 [SD, 10.10], p < 0.001). Differences in these measures also had large effect sizes, as shown by Cohen’s d values of 0.92 and 1.78, respectively. Conclusion: This data set suggests that older adults with amnestic MCI who had been treated with lithium during a previous randomized controlled trial had a better long-term global cognitive outcome than those from a matched sample who did not receive the intervention.

Abstract South American opossums (Didelphis spp.) are definitive hosts of Sarcocystis neurona, Sarcocystis speeri, Sarcocystis lindsayi and Sarcocystis falcatula. In Brazil, diverse studies have demonstrated a high frequency of Sarcocystis falcatula-like in sporocysts derived from opossums, and high genetic diversity has been observed in surface antigen-encoding genes (SAGs). In this study, genetic diversity of Sarcocystis spp. derived from Didelphis albiventris and Didelphis aurita from the cities of Campo Grande and São Paulo, was accessed by sequencing SAG2, SAG3, SAG4, the first internal transcribed spacer (ITS-1) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (cox1). Molecular identification was performed for 16 DNA samples obtained from sporocyst or culture-derived merozoites. The ITS-1, cox1, and SAG3 fragments were cloned, whereas SAG2 and SAG4 were sequenced directly from PCR products. Four alleles variants were found for SAG2, 13 for SAG3 and seven for SAG4, from which four, 13 and four, respectively, were novel. Twenty-seven allele variants were found for ITS-1, all phylogenetically related to S. falcatula-like previously described in Brazil. Sarcocystis sp. phylogenetically related to Sarcocystis rileyi was evidenced by cox1 in three opossums. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of Didelphis spp. as definitive hosts of Sarcocystis spp. other than that previous described.

Resumo Gambás sul-americanos (Didelphis spp.) são hospedeiros definitivos de Sarcocystis neurona, Sarcocystis speeri, Sarcocystis lindsayi e Sarcocystis falcatula. No Brasil, diversos estudos têm demonstrado alta frequência de Sarcocystis falcatula-like em esporocistos derivados de gambás, com grande diversidade nos genes que codificam antígenos de superfície (SAGs). Neste estudo, a diversidade genética de Sarcocystis spp., oriundos de Didelphis albiventris e Didelphis aurita, dos municípios de Campo Grande e São Paulo, foi acessada por meio do sequenciamento de SAG2, SAG3 e SAG4, da primeira região espaçadora interna transcrita (ITS-1) e citocromo c oxidase subunidade I (cox1). Identificação molecular foi realizada em 16 amostras de DNA, obtidas de esporocistos ou merozoítos derivados de cultivo. Os fragmentos de ITS-1, cox1 e SAG3 foram clonados, enquanto SAG2 e SAG4 foram sequenciados diretamente dos produtos de PCR. Quatro alelos foram observados em SAG2, 13 em SAG3 e sete em SAG4, sendo novos quatro, 13 e quatro, respectivamente. Em ITS-1, 27 alelos foram observados, todos filogeneticamente relacionados à S. falcatula-like, previamente detectados no Brasil. Sarcocystis sp. filogeneticamente relacionado à Sarcocystis rileyi foi evidenciado por cox1 em três gambás. Mais estudos são necessários para entender o papel de Didelphis spp. como hospedeiro definitivo de Sarcocystis spp. diferentes daqueles previamente descritos.

Aim The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of abrasion wear on surface roughness and microhardness of different commercially available resin composites simulating pH-challenges of the oral cavity. Methods Three resin composites (RC) were used in this study: one conventional: Z250; and two bulk fill resin composites (BRC): Tetric N-Ceram (TNC) and Sonic Fill (SF). The RC was inserted in a prefabricated mold (15mm wide x 4mm thickness) in two layers, or in a single layer for BRC. Thirty samples were prepared and surface roughness (Ra) and Knoop microhardness (KHN) test were performed at three different time-points of evaluation: baseline (24h after sample preparation); partial (after pH cycling); and final (after simulated toothbrushing procedure). Two samples of each group were selected after different treatments and analyzed descriptively on a scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Data from Ra and KHN were analyzed by two-way repeated-measures ANOVA and Bonferroni’s post-hoc test with a significance level set at 5%. Results Ra increased for all groups (p<0.001), at the final time-point, Z250 and TNC groups present the highest values. Oppositely, KHN decreased for all groups (p<0.001), Z250 group showed the highest KHN values for all time-points (p<0.001). The SEM imagens showed a regular surface for samples cycled and irregular with inorganic particles exposed for samples toothbrushed. Conclusion pH-cycling and simulated toothbrushing affected the superficial properties (roughness and Knoop microhardness), as observed at SEM imagens, with irregular surface with inorganic particles exposure.

Abstract Filling materials should be restricted to the root canal space. However, sometimes it is impossible to control the apical extrusion, in this case, the fate of the filling material and the result of the treatment will depend on its physicochemical properties and biocompatibility. Objective To evaluate the tissue response and bone repair capacity of endodontic sealers that were implanted in the calvaria of Wistar rats, forming the groups (n=16): AH Plus and Sealer Plus, compared to the clot group. Methodology On days 30 and 60, the animals were euthanized, the calvaria was removed and processed for hematoxylin-eosin, immunohistochemistry for collagen type I, Picrosirus red and microtomographic analysis. Data were subjected to ANOVA and Tuckey tests (p<0.05). Results At 30 days, all groups showed an intense inflammatory reaction (p>0.05). At 60 days, the AH Plus and Sealer Plus maintained an intense inflammatory infiltrate compared to the clot group (p<0.05). We observed immunopositive areas for type I collagen in all groups at 30 days and 60 days (p>0.05). We observed more red collagen fibers for the Sealer Plus compared to the clot group at 30 days (p<0.05). Considering the total fibers, the clot group at 30 days compared to 60 days after surgery showed an increase in the amount of matrix (p<0.05). There were no statistical differences between groups for green and yellow fibers (p>0.05). Regarding morphometric parameters, at 30 days, the newly formed bone volume and number of bone trabeculae were higher in the groups with sealers compared to the clot group (p<0.05). At 60 days, AH Plus and Sealer Plus showed greater bone neoformation compared to the clot group (p<0.05). Conclusions Despite AH Plus and Sealer Plus induced an intense inflammatory reaction, they can be considered biocompatible materials, since they allowed bone repair.

ABSTRACT Background: The correct management of lipid-lowering treatment is one of the key factors for the reduction of cardiovascular risk in secondary prevention patients. High-dose statins, ezetimibe, and more recently PCSK9 inhibitors (PCSK9i) are the main tools available to meet LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) therapeutic goals in these patients. Despite the overwhelming evidence in their favor, these therapies are greatly underutilized worldwide, with low levels of adherence and therapeutic inertia. In Argentina, there is scarce evidence on the quality of lipid-lowering treatment and the rate of patients in secondary prevention with a controlled lipid profile according to national and international guidelines. Methods: A prospective, multicenter, cross-sectional study including consecutive patients in secondary prevention for cardiovascular events from hospitals of Argentina with a Medical Residency system affiliated to CONAREC, was carried out from March to August 2020. Data was collected on the lipid-lowering treatment received, the reasons behind the non-use of statins in adequate doses and the lipid profile levels in case of having a record from the last 6 months prior to inclusion. Results: Among 1000 consecutive patients included from 24 centers corresponding to 11 provinces, 85.9% was treated with statins, 4.8% with ezetimibe, 2.4% with fibrates, and 13% was without treatment. In the case of patients treated with statin therapy, 67% was receiving high-dose statins (58% of the total number of patients). A total of 509 patients presented LDL-C assessment within the last 6 months. Mean LDL-C was 94 (90.6-97.8) mg/dl, HDL cholesterol 41 (40.7-42.6) mg/dl, and triglycerides 151 (142.9-159.8) mg/dl. In 30% of cases, LDL-C was below the cut-off value of 70 mg/dl and in 16% below 55 mg/ dl. In 37% of patients, LDL-C was >100 mg/dl. Conclusions: In this multicenter secondary prevention study performed in Argentina, just over half of the patients presented high-dose statin treatment, with scarce use of ezetimibe. Undertreatment was reflected in LDL-C values, with more than two-thirds of patients outside the therapeutic range, and therefore far from clinical guideline recommendations.

RESUMEN Introducción: Uno de los pilares fundamentales para la reducción del riesgo cardiovascular en pacientes en prevención secundaria es el correcto manejo del tratamiento hipolipemiante. Las estatinas en altas dosis, el ezetimibe, y más recientemente los inhibidores de PCSK9 (iPCSK9) son las principales herramientas farmacológicas con las que contamos para que estos pacientes cumplan metas terapéuticas de colesterol LDL (C-LDL). A pesar de la contundente evidencia a favor de estas terapéuticas, existe una gran subutilización de las mismas a nivel mundial, con bajos niveles de adherencia e inercia terapéutica. En Argentina existe escasa evidencia sobre la calidad del tratamiento hipolipemiante, y qué porcentaje de pacientes en prevención secundaria se encuentran con un perfil lipídico controlado acorde a guías nacionales e internacionales. Material y métodos: Diseñamos un estudio de corte transversal en pacientes en prevención secundaria de eventos cardiovasculares incluidos de forma prospectiva, consecutiva y multicéntrica en hospitales de la República Argentina que poseen sistema de Residencia Médica afiliados al Consejo Argentino de Residentes de Cardiología (CONAREC). Se realizó la recolección de datos durante los meses de marzo a agosto del año 2020. Se relevó el tratamiento hipolipemiante que recibían, los motivos detrás de la no utilización de estatinas en dosis adecuadas, y los valores de perfil lipídico en caso de contar con un registro en los últimos 6 meses previos a la inclusión. Resultados: Se incluyeron 1000 pacientes consecutivos de 24 centros, correspondientes a 11 provincias. Un 85,9% se encontraba bajo tratamiento con estatinas; un 4,8%, con ezetimibe; un 2,4% con fibratos; y un 13%, sin tratamiento. De aquellos pacientes en tratamiento con estatinas, un 67% recibía estatinas en altas dosis (58% del total de pacientes). Un total de 509 pacientes presentaban medición del C-LDL dentro de los últimos 6 meses. El valor promedio de C-LDL fue de 94 (90,6-97,8) mg/dL; el de C-LDL, 41 (40,7-42,6) mg/dL; y el de triglicéridos, 151 (142,9-159,8) mg/dL. Un 30% se encontraba con valores por debajo del corte de 70 mg/dL. Un 16% se encontraba con valores por debajo de 55 mg/dL. Un 37% de los pacientes presentaba C-LDL >100 mg/dL. Conclusiones: En este estudio multicéntrico de pacientes en prevención secundaria desarrollado en la República Argentina, poco más de la mitad presentaba tratamiento con estatinas en altas dosis, con una escasa utilización de ezetimibe. El subtratamiento se reflejó en los valores de C-LDL, con más de dos tercios de los pacientes fuera de rango terapéutico y, por lo tanto, lejos de las recomendaciones de las guías clínicas.

RESUMO O trigo e o milho são cereais importantes no cenário agropecuário do país, que demandam adequado suprimento de nutrientes, principalmente o nitrogênio, quando do cultivo em sucessão. A utilização de dejeto líquido de suínos (DLS) como alternativa total e/ou parcial a fertilização mineral em áreas de lavoura tem sido apontada com uma importante alternativa de descarte desse resíduo. Por isso, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da utilização de DLS como fertilizante na sucessão trigo/milho sobre alguns parâmetros de planta e na produtividade de grãos. O experimento foi conduzido a campo no delineamento blocos ao acaso com quatros repetições e cinco tratamentos, sendo três com DLS (40; 80; 160 m³ ha-1) e duas testemunhas (sem fertilização e fertilização NPK mineral), os quais foram aplicados manualmente sobre o solo logo após a semeadura das culturas. A aplicação de DLS mostrou-se uma importante fonte de nutrientes a sucessão trigo/milho. O DLS é uma alternativa eficiente e pode ser utilizado como fonte desses nutrientes na sucessão trigo/milho, sendo que o uso de 80 m3 ha-1 proporciona resultados satisfatórios para todas as variáveis avaliadas.

ABSTRACT Wheat and corn are important grains in the agricultural scenario of Brazil, and demand adequate supply of nutrients, particularly nitrogen, in crop succession. The use of pig slurry (PS) as a full and/or partial alternative to mineral fertilization in crop areas has been identified as an important alternative for the disposal of this waste. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the utilization of PS as fertilizer in wheat/corn succession under some plant parameters and grain yield. The experiment was conducted under field in randomized block design with four replications and five treatments, three with PS (40, 80, 160 m³ ha-1) and two controls (no fertilization and mineral NPK fertilization), which were applied manually in the soil shortly after sowing the crops. The application of PS proved to be a significant source of nutrients in wheat/corn succession. In comparison to NPK fertilization, this increase was only of 5.4% and 4.7% for wheat and corn, respectively. PS is an efficient alternative and it can be used as a source of these nutrients in wheat/corn succession, and the use of 80 m3ha-1 provides satisfactory results for all evaluated variables.

RESUMO O gesso agrícola tem sido apontado como melhorador das características químicas do solo em profundidade porque favorece a movimentação de alguns nutrientes para camadas inferiores do solo. Porém, questiona-se a efetividade dessa prática como ferramenta para uma melhor distribuição de alguns nutrientes no perfil de solos de textura argilosa e em áreas de plantio direto já consolidado. Objetivou-se avaliar o impacto de doses de gesso agrícola e de uma única intervenção mecânica (aração + duas gradagens) efetuada somente na instalação do experimento sobre o gradiente de distribuição de alguns nutrientes no perfil do solo. Doses de 0 t ha-1, 2 t ha-1, 4 t ha-1 e 6 t ha-1 de gesso agrícola foram aplicadas a lanço, nos estádios iniciais de desenvolvimento da aveia branca. Foram efetuados quatro cultivos da sucessão soja/milho e aveia como planta de cobertura de inverno. O manejo de solo com uma única operação de aração e gradagem, em áreas há vários anos sob sistema de plantio direto, não minimiza o gradiente de fertilidade do solo. Para esse solo com teor de argila acima de 70 %, o gesso foi pouco eficiente em promover a mobilidade vertical de cátions aos 36 meses após sua aplicação, sendo os efeitos limitados aos primeiros 0,10 m de profundidade, diferentemente do observado para o ânion S-SO42-.

ABSTRACT Agricultural gypsum has been suggested to enhance the soil chemical characteristics in depth for favoring the movement of some nutrients into lower soil layers. However, the effectiveness of such practice as a tool for getting a better distribution of some nutrients in the profile of clayey soils and in consolidated no-tillage areas is questionable. This study aimed at evaluating the impact of agricultural gypsum rates and a single mechanical intervention (plowing + harrowing twice) conducted only at the installation of the experiment on the distribution gradient of some nutrients in the soil profile. Doses of 0 tons ha-1, 2 tons ha-1, 4 tons ha-1 and 6 tons ha-1 of agricultural gypsum were broadcasted in the early stages of development of white oat. Four crops of soybean/maize and oat as a winter cover crop were grown. Soil management with a single plowing and harrowing operation, in areas under long-term no-tillage system, does not minimize the soil fertility gradient. For this soil with clay content above 70 %, the gypsum was inefficient in promoting the vertical mobility of cations at 36 months after its implementation, being the effects limited to the first 0.10 m of depth, differently from that observed for the S-SO42-anion.

Geralmente, em agroecossistemas tropicais e subtropicais, a eficiência da fertilização nitrogenada para culturas agrícolas anuais é baixa, o que promove variabilidade temporal na produtividade das culturas, perdas econômicas e impacto ambiental. A fertilização à dose variada de nitrogênio (VRF) com base em sensores de culturas por espectrometria óptica pode aumentar a eficiência de uso do nitrogênio (NUE). Este estudo teve o objetivo de avaliar a produtividade do milho e a eficiência da VRF prescrita por um sensor óptico, em comparação com a fertilização à dose uniforme de nitrogênio (TSF). Com este propósito, três experimentos com milho sob sistema plantio direto foram conduzidos durante as safras agrícolas 2008/09 e 2010/11 sobre um Latossolo do sul do Brasil. O experimento foi conduzido em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com cada local sendo analisado isoladamente. Os seguintes atributos foram avaliados: produção de matéria seca, acúmulo de N na biomassa no pleno florescimento do milho, produtividade de grãos de milho e índice de vegetação (VI) medido pelo sensor óptico N-Sensor® ALS. Independentemente do local investigado, a fertilização nitrogenada incrementou a quantidade de N absorvido pelas plantas, resultando em incremento da produção de matéria seca e da produtividade de milho. Os menores incrementos na produtividade de milho foram observados na área 2, que apresentou déficit hídrico em estádio fenológico crítico. A VRF aumentou a eficiência de recuperação aparente de N (NRE) e a eficiência agronômica do uso de NAE pelo milho. Nas áreas 1 e 3, que não foram interferidas pela restrição hídrica, verificaram-se aumentos de 28,0 e 41,3 % na NAE e NRE, respectivamente, promovido pela VRF, em relação à TSF. Apesar desses resultados, não foi verificado aumento de produtividade do milho pelo uso da VRF, em comparação a TSF.

Generally, in tropical and subtropical agroecosystems, the efficiency of nitrogen (N) fertilization is low, inducing a temporal variability of crop yield, economic losses, and environmental impacts. Variable-rate N fertilization (VRF), based on optical spectrometry crop sensors, could increase the N use efficiency (NUE). The objective of this study was to evaluate the corn grain yield and N fertilization efficiency under VRF determined by an optical sensor in comparison to the traditional single-application N fertilization (TSF). With this purpose, three experiments with no-tillage corn were carried out in the 2008/09 and 2010/11 growing seasons on a Hapludox in South Brazil, in a completely randomized design, at three different sites that were analyzed separately. The following crop properties were evaluated: aboveground dry matter production and quantity of N uptake at corn flowering, grain yield, and vegetation index determined by an N-Sensor® ALS optical sensor. Across the sites, the corn N fertilizer had a positive effect on corn N uptake, resulting in increased corn dry matter and grain yield. However, N fertilization induced lower increases of corn grain yield at site 2, where there was a severe drought during the growing period. The VRF defined by the optical crop sensor increased the apparent N recovery (NRE) and agronomic efficiency of N (NAE) compared to the traditional fertilizer strategy. In the average of sites 1 and 3, which were not affected by drought, VRF promoted an increase of 28.0 and 41.3 % in NAE and NRE, respectively. Despite these results, no increases in corn grain yield were observed by the use of VRF compared to TSF.

A fauna edáfica é sensível e responde, com relativa rapidez, ao impacto de diferentes tipos de sistemas de produção, possibilitando, deste modo, o seu uso como componente ativo na avaliação da qualidade do solo. O presente trabalho objetivou determinar a influência do cultivo de aveia preta, nabo e ervilhaca e dos consórcios nabo/aveia preta e ervilhaca/nabo/aveia preta, na estrutura e composição da fauna edáfica. O delineamento foi em blocos casualizados, em esquema fatorial 6x4, sendo seis culturas de cobertura do solo (aveia preta, nabo, ervilhaca, consórcio nabo/aveia preta, consórcio ervilhaca/nabo/aveia preta e pousio) e quatro épocas de coleta (0, 50, 100 e 150 dias após a semeadura), com quatro repetições. Após a coleta da fauna do solo, foram determinados a abundância de indivíduos, número de colêmbolos, riqueza de Margalef, índice de diversidade de Shannon, equabilidade de Pielou e dominância de Simpson. A utilização dos consórcios nabo/aveia preta e ervilhaca/nabo/aveia preta favoreceu a abundância de indivíduos e o número de colêmbolos, já nos primeiros 50 dias. O consórcio ervilhaca/nabo/aveia preta reduziu a diversidade de Shannon, por aumentar a população de colêmbolos. A maior diversidade de espécies foi observada aos 100 dias, após a implantação das culturas. A fauna edáfica foi influenciada pela fase vegetativa e pelo tipo de cultura de cobertura do solo.

The edaphic fauna is considered sensitive and responds relatively fast to the impact of different types of production systems, thereby enabling its use as an active component for evaluating soil quality. This study was conducted to determine the influence of black oat, turnip, vetch and the intercropping of turnip/black oat and vetch/turnip/black oat in the structure and composition of the edaphic fauna. The experimental design was randomized blocks, in a 6x4 factorial scheme, consisting of six soil cover crops (black oat, turnip and vetch, the intercropping of turnip/black oat and vetch/turnip /black oat and fallow ground) and four sampling times (0, 50, 100 and 150 days after sowing), with four replications. After collecting the soil fauna, the abundance of individuals, Collembola number, Margalef richness, Shannon diversity index, Pielou equitability and Simpson dominance were determined. The intercropping of turnip/black oat and vetch/turnip/black oat favored the abundance of individuals and the Collembola number, within the first 50 days. The intercropping of vetch/turnip/black oat reduced the Shannon diversity index by increasing the Collembola population. The highest species diversity was observed at 100 days after the crops implantation. The edphic fauna was influenced by the vegetative stage and soil cover crop types.

O objetivo deste artigo é analisar os determinantes dos preços dos aparelhos celulares vendidos com planos de serviço, usando a metodologia de preços hedônicos. Neste sentido, foi construída uma base de dados compreendendo 48 modelos de aparelhos, em nove categorias de planos de serviço, durante 53 semanas em 2008, com 27 atributos diferentes totalizando quase 300,000 registros de dados. Os resultados indicam que o valor da assinatura mensal e dos minutos de chamadas são importantes para explicar os preços do aparelho. Além do mais tanto o volume físico quanto o número de megapixels de uma câmera possuem efeitos sobre os preços. Quanto maior o aparelho, mais barato ele é, e quantos mais megapixels a câmera possui, mais caro o aparelho se torna. Outra verificação encontrada é que em 2008 as operadoras brasileiras subsidiaram celulares habilitados com conexão de dados.

The aim of this paper is to analyze the determining factors for the pricing of handsets sold with service plans, using the hedonic price method. This was undertaken by building a database comprising 48 handset models, under nine different service plans, over a period of 53 weeks in 2008, and resulted in 27 different attributes and a total number of nearly 300,000 data registers. The results suggest that the value of monthly subscriptions and calling minutes are important to explain the prices of handsets. Furthermore, both the physical volume and number of megapixels of a camera had an effect on the prices. The bigger the handset, the cheaper it becomes, and the more megapixels a camera phone has, the more expensive it becomes. Additionally, it was found that in 2008 Brazilian phone companies were subsidizing enabled data connection handsets.

El objetivo de este artículo es analizar los determinantes de los precios de los aparatos celulares vendidos con planes de servicio, usando la metodología de precios hedónicos. Con esa finalidad, fue construida una base de datos que comprende 48 modelos de aparatos, en nueve categorías de planes de servicio, durante 53 semanas en 2008, con 27 atributos diferentes que totalizan casi 300.000 registros de datos. Los resultados indican que el valor de la suscripción mensual y de los minutos de llamadas es importante para explicar los precios del aparato. Además, tanto el volumen físico como el número de megapixels de una cámara tienen efecto sobre los precios. Cuanto mayor el aparato, más barato es, y cuantos más megapixels la cámara posee, más caro es el aparato. Otra verificación es que en 2008 las operadoras brasileñas subsidiaron celulares habilitados con conexión de datos.