Plant growth promoting bacteria promote rice growth cultivated in two different sandy soils subjected distinct climates conditions.

Sandy soils contain around 70% sand in their composition, making them highly fragile and susceptible to land degradation. Practices such as no-tillage cultivation, the use of bioinoculants, and the application of organic amendments can restore the organic matter in these soils, ensuring sustainable production. In this context, this work aimed to study the microbiological aspects of two sandy soil areas (Brazilian Northeast and South) under contrasting climatic conditions (tropical and temperate).

Factors associated with puerperal women's perception of the support received from their companions during labor and delivery.

Objective: The aim of the current study was to associate sociodemographic characteristics and satisfaction with the support received from companions during labor and delivery.

Method: An analytical cross-sectional study was performed in a maternity hospital in Fortaleza, Brazil, from March to August 2019, with 320 postpartum women. A form containing sociodemographic and obstetric questions, companion-related information, type of support provided, and the Birth Companion Support Questionnaire (BCSQ) were used to assess the frequency of social support behaviors.

Pregnant women infected by the Zika virus: Ultrasound findings and growth patterns of fetuses with and without microcephaly.

Objective: To compare ultrasound growth measurements of fetuses with and without microcephaly in suspected Zika virus infection.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study included pregnant women with suspected Zika virus infection to evaluate 110 fetuses with and without microcephaly. The women had been admitted to the fetal medicine unit between October 2015 and August 2016.

NEWBORN SCREENING FOR SEVERE COMBINED IMMUNODEFICIENCIES USING TRECS AND KRECS: SECOND PILOT STUDY IN BRAZIL.

Objective: To validate the quantification of T-cell receptor excision circles (TRECs) and kappa-deleting recombination excision circles (KRECs) by real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) for newborn screening of primary immunodeficiencies with defects in T and/or B cells in Brazil.

Methods: Blood samples from newborns and controls were collected on filter paper. DNA was extracted and TRECs, and KRECs were quantified by a duplex real-time PCR.

Neonatal screening for severe combined immunodeficiency in Brazil.

Objective: To apply, in Brazil, the T-cell receptor excision circles (TRECs) quantification technique using real-time polymerase chain reaction in newborn screening for severe combined immunodeficiency and assess the feasibility of implementing it on a large scale in Brazil.

Methods: 8715 newborn blood samples were collected on filter paper and, after DNA elution, TRECs were quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The cutoff value to determine whether a sample was abnormal was determined by ROC curve analysis, using SSPS.