Dynamics of Carbon and Soil Enzyme Activities under Arabica Coffee Intercropped with in the Brazilian Cerrado.

The change in land use in the Brazilian Cerrado modifies the dynamics of soil organic matter (SOM) and, consequently, carbon (C) stocks and their fractions and soil enzyme activities. This study evaluated the effect of brachiaria ( Stapf.) intercropped with Arabica coffee ( L.

Understanding the Relations between Soil Biochemical Properties and NO Emissions in a Long-Term Integrated Crop-Livestock System.

Edaphoclimatic conditions influence nitrous oxide (NO) emissions from agricultural systems where soil biochemical properties play a key role. This study addressed cumulative NO emissions and their relations with soil biochemical properties in a long-term experiment (26 years) with integrated crop-livestock farming systems fertilized with two P and K rates. The farming systems consisted of continuous crops fertilized with half of the recommended P and K rates (CCF1), continuous crops at the recommended P and K rates (CCF2), an integrated crop-livestock system with half of the recommended P and K rates (ICLF1), and an integrated crop-livestock at the recommended P and K rates (ICLF2).

Soil Carbon Stocks and Greenhouse Gas Mitigation of Agriculture in the Brazilian Cerrado-A Review.

New agricultural practices and land-use intensification in the Cerrado biome have affected the soil carbon stocks. A major part of the native vegetation of the Brazilian Cerrado, a tropical savanna-like ecoregion, has been replaced by crops, which has caused changes in the soil carbon (C) stocks. To ensure the sustainability of this intensified agricultural production, actions have been taken to increase soil C stocks and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.

Optimization of Freeze-FRESH Methodology for 3D Printing of Microporous Collagen Constructs.

Freeform reversible embedding of suspended hydrogels (FRESH) is a layer-by-layer extrusion-based technique to enable three-dimensional (3D) printing of soft tissue constructs by using a thermo-reversible gelatin support bath. Suboptimal resolution of extrusion-based printing limits its use for the creation of microscopic features in the 3D construct. These microscopic features (e.

Multielement determination (essential and potentially toxic elements) in eye shadows exposed to consumption in Brazil using ICP OES.

Worldwide, cosmetics (especially eye shadows) are widely consumed and have a great impact on the economy. The aim of this study was to determine the multielement composition, focusing on essential and potentially toxic elements, in cosmetics (eye shadow) exposed to consumption in Brazil. Concentrations of 17 elements (Al, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sr, Ti, V and Zn) were determined in samples (produced in China and Brazil) using a sequential optical emission spectrometer with inductively coupled plasma (ICP OES) after acid digestion, assisted by a closed digester block (6 mL of HNO + 2 mL of HO + 1 mL of Triton ×-100 + 1 mL of ultrapure water).

Nutritional factors associated with mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

Background & Aims: Malnutrition is a risk factor that can lead to diminished physical and mental function and impaired clinical outcome from diseases. This study was performed to investigate the influence of nutritional characteristics, age and the presence of pre-comorbidities in hospital mortality or medical discharge in a sample of hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

Methods: This historical cohort study was conducted in adults and elderly patients with COVID-19 who were admitted to a nursing ward at the University Hospital of Brasilia (Brazil).

Effect of losartan potassium, metformin hydrochloride, and simvastatin on in vitro bioaccessibility of Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn in oat flour from Brazil.

Background: The simultaneous administration of drugs with food can compromise the bioaccessibility and absorption of nutrients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of the use of losartan potassium (LP), metformin hydrochloride (MH), and simvastatin (S) on the in vitro bioaccessibility of micronutrients (Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn) in oat flour from Bahia, Brazil.

Methods: The experimental procedure consisted of the in vitro extraction of the bioaccessible fraction of Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn in oat flour-with and without LP (50 mg), MH (500 mg), and S (20 mg)-using the unified bioaccessibility method (UBM), simulating the conditions of the gastrointestinal tract.

Nuclear PKR in retinal neurons in the early stage of diabetic retinopathy in streptozotocin‑induced diabetic rats.

Retinal neuron apoptosis is a key component of diabetic retinopathy (DR), one of the most common complications of diabetes. Stress due to persistent hyperglycaemia and corresponding glucotoxicity represents one of the primary pathogenic mechanisms of diabetes and its complications. Apoptosis of retinal neurons serves a critical role in the pathogenesis of DR observed in patients with diabetes and streptozotocin (STZ)‑induced diabetic rats.

Responses of Trichogramma pretiosum (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) to Rice and Corn Plants, Fed and Oviposited by Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

The search behavior and parasitism of trichogrammatids can be affected by volatile compounds emitted by plants under herbivory and/or oviposition. Our aim was to evaluate the chemotactic behavior and parasitism rates of Trichogramma pretiosum Riley (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) females against two varieties of corn and one of rice that underwent herbivory or oviposition by Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). In a glass Y-tube olfactometer, the parasitoids were given the choice between plants damaged by either herbivory or oviposition, with and without sentinel eggs, against those without damage.

Nutritional efficiency of feed-restricted F1 Holstein/Zebu cows in early lactation.

The quantitative feed restriction of lactating cows has been used in intensive production systems as a strategy to reduce production costs. However, the effects of this restriction in F1 Holstein/Zebu cows are unclear. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of quantitative feed restriction on nutrient intake and digestibility, nitrogen balance, feed efficiency, feed behavior, and productive performance in F1 Holstein/Zebu cows during early lactation.

Nutritional efficiency of feed-restricted F1 Holstein/Zebu cows during the middle third of lactation.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different levels of quantitative feed restriction on nutrient intake and digestibility, nitrogen balance, efficiency and feeding behavior, and productive performance in F1 Holstein/Zebu cows during the middle third of their lactation.

Methods: Sixty F1 Holstein/Zebu cows with 111.5 ± 11.

"Special K" Drug on Adolescent Rats: Oxidative Damage and Neurobehavioral Impairments.

Ketamine is used in clinical practice as an anesthetic that pharmacologically modulates neurotransmission in postsynaptic receptors, such as NMDA receptors. However, widespread recreational use of ketamine in "party drug" worldwide since the 1990s quickly spread to the Asian orient region. Thus, this study aimed at investigating the behavioral and oxidative effects after immediate withdrawal of intermittent administration of ketamine in adolescent female rats.

Lower limb muscle strength is associated with functional performance and quality of life in patients with systemic sclerosis.

Background: Complaints of peripheral muscle weakness are quite common in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). It is likely that the muscle impairments may reduce the patients' exercise performance, which in turn may decrease their functional capacity and exert a direct impact on their quality of life.

Objectives: To assess the peripheral and respiratory muscle strength in individuals with SSc and to investigate their correlation with the 6-min walk distance (6 MWD) and quality of life measurements.

Exercise therapy normalizes BDNF upregulation and glial hyperactivity in a mouse model of neuropathic pain.

Treatment of neuropathic pain is a clinical challenge likely because of the time-dependent changes in many neurotransmitter systems, growth factors, ionic channels, membrane receptors, transcription factors, and recruitment of different cell types. Conversely, an increasing number of reports have shown the ability of extended and regular physical exercise in alleviating neuropathic pain throughout a wide range of mechanisms. In this study, we investigate the effect of swim exercise on molecules associated with initiation and maintenance of nerve injury-induced neuropathic pain.

Hydrogen peroxide production regulates the mitochondrial function in insulin resistant muscle cells: effect of catalase overexpression.

The mitochondrial redox state plays a central role in the link between mitochondrial overloading and insulin resistance. However, the mechanism by which the ROS induce insulin resistance in skeletal muscle cells is not completely understood. We examined the association between mitochondrial function and H2O2 production in insulin resistant cells.

Serological survey of Neospora caninum in small ruminants from Pernambuco State, Brazil.

Neospora caninum infection is an important cause of bovine abortion as well as neonatal mortality in goats and sheep. A serological survey for antibodies against N. caninum in goats and sheep was carried out in the municipality of Ibimirim, PE, Northeastern Brazil.

Expression and cellular localization of microRNA-29b and RAX, an activator of the RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR), in the retina of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Purpose: The apoptosis of retinal neurons plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy (DR), but the molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the cellular localization and the expression of microRNA-29b (miR-29b) and its potential target PKR associated protein X (RAX), an activator of the pro-apoptotic RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR) signaling pathway, in the retina of normal and diabetic rats.

Methods: Retinas were obtained from normal and diabetic rats within 35 days after streptozotocin (STZ) injection.