Short-term microplastic effects on marine meiofauna abundance, diversity and community composition.

Background: Due to the copious disposal of plastics, marine ecosystems receive a large part of this waste. Microplastics (MPs) are solid particles smaller than 5 millimeters in size. Among the plastic polymers, polystyrene (PS) is one of the most commonly used and discarded.

Effects of PAHs on meiofauna from three estuaries with different levels of urbanization in the South Atlantic.

Estuarine environments are suggested to be the final receivers of human pollution and are impacted by surrounding urbanization and compounds carried by the river waters that flow from the continent. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are among the contaminants that can reach estuaries and can directly affect marine conservation, being considered highly deleterious to organisms living in these environments. This research investigated the meiofauna of three estuaries exposed to different levels of urbanization and consequently different levels of PAH concentrations, in order to assess how these compounds and environmental factors affect the distribution, structure and diversity of these interstitial invertebrates.

Charged-cellulose nanofibrils as a nutrient carrier in biodegradable polymers for enhanced efficiency fertilizers.

An enhanced efficiency fertilizer (EEF) is essential for sustainable agriculture, and here, we evaluated cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) as a nutrient carrier dispersed in biodegradable polymeric matrices. CNF were functionalized with negative (CNF) and positive (CNF) charges to improve (i) the CNF-nutrient and (ii) the CNF-polymeric matrix interactions. The CNF encapsulated the KNO nutrient by spray drying (microcapsules) and then inserted into a poly (hydroxybutyrate)/starch-based matrix by melt-compounding (tablets).

A review of advances over 20 years on polysaccharide-based polymers applied as enhanced efficiency fertilizers.

Over the last 20 years, polysaccharide-based materials have garnered attention in the enhanced efficiency fertilizers (EEFs) research. Biodegradability, non-toxicity, water-solubility, swellability, and ease of chemical modification make these polymers suitable for agricultural applications. In this review, the polysaccharides-based EEFs advances are summarized over the polymer and co-materials selection, the methods, and the chemical/structure aspects necessary for an appropriate production.

Biodegradation and viability of chitosan-based microencapsulated fertilizers.

Enhanced efficiency fertilizers (EEF) are an important subject for sustainable materials. It is fundamental for the released nutrient and biodegradation in the soil to have synergy to ensure material harmlessness. Chitosan, montmorillonite, and KNO were considered to develop the EEF because of the high biodegradation potential of the final product.

Extracellular lipids of Camelina sativa: Characterization of cutin and suberin reveals typical polyester monomers and unusual dicarboxylic fatty acids.

Camelina sativa is relatively drought tolerant and requires less fertilizer than other oilseed crops. Various lipid- and phenolic-based extracellular barriers of plants help to protect them against biotic and abiotic stresses. These barriers, which consist of solvent-insoluble polymeric frameworks and solvent-extractable waxes, include the cuticle of aerial plant surfaces and suberized cell walls found, for example, in periderms and seed coats.

Health care in the prenatal and childbirth context from puerperal women's perspective.

Objectives: to investigate puerperal women who received guidance on childbirth during prenatal care and the behaviors experienced in the labor process within the context of good obstetric practices from the perspective of puerperal women.

Methods: a descriptive cross-sectional quantitative study conducted with 203 puerperal women admitted to the shared rooms of a teaching hospital between May and July 2017 during the immediate postpartum period. For data collection, was used an instrument adapted from the hospital questionnaire for puerperal women that was developed by the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation.

Syphilis Notifications and the Triggering Processes for Vertical Transmission: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Syphilis is a disease that is found all over the world that causes damaging effects to the fetus through vertical transmission. This study aimed to analyze the processes that trigger the vertical transmission of syphilis through gestational and congenital syphilis notifications. It is a cross-sectional study.

Chitosan spray-dried microcapsule and microsphere as fertilizer host for swellable - controlled release materials.

A fertilizer delivery system based on chitosan (Ch) or chitosan/montmorillonite clay (Ch/MMt) was developed by spray drying technique using 2-fluid (2FN) and 3-fluid (3FN) nozzles. 2FN provided solid microspheres and 3FN formed microcapsules structures. Morphology is dependent upon formulation and the type of nozzle used.

Nursing diagnoses of newborns with sepsis in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Objectives: to elaborate the Nursing Diagnoses of newborns with sepsis in a neonatal intensive care unit and characterize the profile of the neonates and their mothers.

Method: a cross-sectional and quantitative study, with a sample of 41 neonates. A physical examination and consultation of the hospital records were undertaken, using an instrument.