Abstract The demands of high-quality zucchini fruits by the consumer market make studies regarding the improvement of cultivation systems, such as plant nutrition and salinity tolerance. Considering the demands of the consumer market for the high quality of zucchini fruits, it is necessary studies regarding the improvement of production systems for this improvement, such as nutrition and salinity tolerance to plant. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the zucchini fruits quality characteristics, grown in soilless, under N:K ratios, and levels of electrical conductivity of the nutrient solution. The experiment was conducted in a protected environment in pots with 8.2 dm3 of volumetric capacity filled with commercial substrate. The trial design adopted was randomized blocks, with three replicates, in a 5x3 factorial scheme, with five levels of electrical conductivity (1.0; 2.0; 3.0; 4.0; and 5.0 dS m-1) and three N:K ratios (2:1; 1:1; and 1:2), both in the nutrient solution. The application of the nutrient solution was by fertigation through drip irrigation. Throughout the experiment, variables related to fruit quality and total plant biomass production were analyzed. The increase of the electrical conductivity in the nutrient solution provided an increase in the values of fruits organoleptic properties. Regarding the nutrient solution N:K ratios, the 1:2 ratio provided larger fruits and a higher percentage of water.

Abstract Background Studies on the prevalence of rare visceral aneurysms are still scarce and the few studies that have focused on these aneurysms present prevalence rates in groups of patients with visceral aneurysms, but little is known about their prevalence in the general population. Objectives To assess the prevalence of rare visceral aneurysms on CAT scans performed for diagnosis and follow-up of patients with other vascular pathologies. Methods This cross-sectional study began by accessing all reports from CAT scans performed between January 2005 and July 2021 at a private hospital of excellence located in the city of São Paulo. A software program for pre-indexed reports was used to search the Radiological Information System (RIS) database to identify reports of patients with intra-abdominal aneurysms. Results CAT scan reports from 92,883 patients were accessed. Of these, 2,597 (2.795%) showed intra-abdominal aneurysms, 937 (1.063%) of which were visceral, including 158 (0.171%) rare visceral aneurysms, which were more frequent among male patients and in the following segments: celiac trunk (0.098%), superior mesenteric (0.033%), left gastric (0.010%), pancreatic-duodenal (0.009%), and gastroduodenal arteries (0.005%) and the pancreatic arch (0.004%). Lower prevalence was found in other segments. Additional findings revealed concomitance of rare visceral aneurysms with other intra-abdominal aneurysms ranging from 11.11% to 66.67%. Conclusions The prevalence of rare visceral aneurysms in a large population undergoing CAT scan was 0.171%, with greater involvement in male patients.

Resumo Contexto Ainda são incomuns os estudos de prevalência de aneurismas viscerais raros, e os poucos estudos que focalizaram esses aneurismas observam taxas de prevalência em grupos de pacientes com aneurismas viscerais, mas pouco se conhece sobre a sua prevalência na população geral. Objetivos Avaliar a prevalência de aneurismas viscerais raros em angiotomografias realizadas para diagnóstico e seguimento de pacientes com diferentes patologias vasculares. Métodos Este estudo transversal partiu do acesso a todos os laudos de angiotomografias realizadas entre janeiro de 2005 e julho de 2021 em hospital privado de excelência situado na cidade de São Paulo. Foi utilizado um programa de mecanismo de busca de laudos pré-indexados, cuja base de dados é o Sistema de Informação Radiológica (RIS), para acesso aos laudos de pacientes com aneurismas intra-abdominais. Resultados Foram acessados laudos de angiotomografias de 92.883 pacientes, dos quais 2.597 (2,795%) apresentavam aneurismas intra-abdominais, sendo 937 (1,063%) viscerais, incluindo 158 (0,171%) aneurismas viscerais raros, mais frequente entre homens e nos seguintes segmentos: tronco celíaco (0,098%), artéria mesentérica superior (0,033%), artéria gástrica esquerda (0,010%), artéria pancreático-duodenal (0,009%), artéria gastroduodenal (0,005%) e arco pancreático (0,004%). Prevalências menores foram encontradas em outros diferentes segmentos. Achados adicionais revelaram taxa de concomitância de aneurismas viscerais raros com outros aneurismas intra-abdominais entre 11,11% e 66,67%. Conclusões A prevalência de aneurismas viscerais raros em ampla população submetida a angiotomografias foi de 0,171%, com maior comprometimento nos pacientes do sexo masculino.

Abstract The effect of probiotic milk drinks associated with non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) in treating periodontitis was evaluated. A double-blind placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial with patients with periodontitis was conducted. Two groups were used: TG (n=15, test group, probiotic milk drink, Lacticaseibacillus casei 01, 8-9 log CFU/mL) and CG (n=15, control group, conventional milk drink). The milk drinks (100 mL) were consumed once a day at breakfast for 15 days. Both groups also received NSPT, supra and subgingival scaling and root planning per quadrant, and oral hygiene instruction. All patients were clinically evaluated after 30, 90, and 180 days of the last NSPT session. Reductions in clinical attachment loss and probing pocket depth were observed at 30 days in both groups, maintained throughout the follow-up. Decreases in visible plaque index (VPI) and bleeding on probing were observed after probiotic milk drink consumption for 30 days, suggesting an effect provided by probiotics in the control of biofilm and inflammation. However, the impact on VPI was not persistent for more than 30 days, demonstrating the need for regular consumption of the probiotic milk drink. In conclusion, probiotic milk drinks may be used as adjuvant therapy to treat periodontitis.

RESUMO Objetivo: Descrever características clínicas, uso de recursos e desfechos e identificar preditores de mortalidade intra-hospitalar de pacientes com COVID-19 admitidos na unidade de terapia intensiva. Métodos: Estudo de coorte retrospectivo, em centro único, realizado em um hospital privado localizado em São Paulo (SP). Pacientes adultos (≥18 anos) admitidos consecutivamente na unidade de terapia intensiva, entre 4 de março de 2020 a 28 de fevereiro de 2021, foram incluídos neste estudo. Os pacientes foram classificados como sobreviventes e não sobreviventes, de acordo com a alta hospitalar. Resultados: Durante o período do estudo, 1.296 pacientes [mediana (intervalo interquartil) de idade: 66 (53-77) anos] com COVID-19 foram admitidos na unidade de terapia intensiva. Destes, 170 (13,6%) pacientes morreram no hospital (não sobreviventes), e 1.078 (86,4%) receberam alta hospitalar (sobreviventes). Comparados aos sobreviventes, os não sobreviventes eram mais idosos [80 (70-88) versus 63 (50-74) anos; p<0,001], apresentavam pontuação mais alta no sistema prognóstico Simplified Acute Physiology Score 3 [59 (54-66) versus 47 (42-53); pontos p<0,001] e tinham mais comorbidades. Durante a internação na unidade de terapia intensiva, 56,6% dos pacientes usaram ventilação não invasiva, 32,9% usaram ventilação mecânica invasiva, 31,3% usaram cateter nasal de alto fluxo, 11,7% foram submetidos à terapia renal substitutiva, e 1,5% usou oxigenação por membrana extracorpórea. Os preditores independentes de mortalidade intra-hospitalar foram idade, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment, Índice de Comorbidade de Charlson, necessidade de ventilação mecânica, uso de cateter nasal de alto fluxo, uso de terapia renal substitutiva e suporte por oxigenação por membrana extracorpórea. Conclusão: Pacientes com quadros graves da COVID-19 admitidos na unidade de terapia intensiva apresentaram considerável mortalidade e morbidade, com alta demanda de terapia de suporte e internação prolongada em unidade de terapia intensiva e hospitalar.

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe clinical characteristics, resource use, outcomes, and to identify predictors of in-hospital mortality of patients with COVID-19 admitted to the intensive care unit. Methods: Retrospective single-center cohort study conducted at a private hospital in São Paulo (SP), Brazil. All consecutive adult (≥18 years) patients admitted to the intensive care unit, between March 4, 2020 and February 28, 2021 were included in this study. Patients were categorized between survivors and non-survivors according to hospital discharge. Results: During the study period, 1,296 patients [median (interquartile range) age: 66 (53-77) years] with COVID-19 were admitted to the intensive care unit. Out of those, 170 (13.6%) died at hospital (non-survivors) and 1,078 (86.4%) were discharged (survivors). Compared to survivors, non-survivors were older [80 (70-88) versus 63 (50-74) years; p<0.001], had a higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score 3 [59 (54-66) versus 47 (42-53) points; p<0.001], and presented comorbidities more frequently. During the intensive care unit stay, 56.6% of patients received noninvasive ventilation, 32.9% received mechanical ventilation, 31.3% used high flow nasal cannula, 11.7% received renal replacement therapy, and 1.5% used extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Independent predictors of in-hospital mortality included age, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score, Charlson Comorbidity Index, need for mechanical ventilation, high flow nasal cannula, renal replacement therapy, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support. Conclusion: Patients with severe COVID-19 admitted to the intensive care unit exhibited a considerable morbidity and mortality, demanding substantial organ support, and prolonged intensive care unit and hospital stay.

Abstract This article presents a theoretical and numerical study of an innovative joint using cold-formed steel sections. The motivation for the study of this connection is the ease of manufacturing and assembly that it provides. The profiles are made of cold-formed lipped channel sections, which are welded to form closed built-up sections on the columns and open built-up lipped sections to the beams. The beams use endplates connected by bolts (threaded bars) to the columns. The study evaluates the connection’s initial stiffness of 19 models, where the following parameters were varied: the thickness of the profiles and endplates, the height of the column sections and the diameter of the bolts. A theoretical and a numerical study were developed: the numerical study was performed using finite elements through the commercial software ANSYS, whereas the theoretical study was made based on the component method, prescribed by Eurocode 3, that does not include the design of the connection analyzed herein. Thus, aiming to enable the design of joints composed of cold-formed lipped channel sections, the analysis results were compared and an adjustment coefficient, proportional to the slenderness of the column’s plates, was proposed. The coefficient was introduced to the stiffness component that represents the column web in compression in the mechanical model. The ratio between the coefficients’ numerical and theoretical values presented a maximum variation of 11%, which was considered satisfactory.