Leachate/domestic wastewater aerobic co-treatment: A pilot-scale study using multivariate analysis.

Multivariate analysis was used to identify the variables affecting the performance of pilot-scale activated sludge (AS) reactors treating old leachate from a landfill and from domestic wastewater. Raw leachate was pre-treated using air stripping to partially remove the total ammoniacal nitrogen (TAN). The control AS reactor (AS-0%) was loaded only with domestic wastewater, whereas the other reactor was loaded with mixtures containing leachate at volumetric ratios of 2 and 5%.

Back muscle fatigue of younger and older adults with and without chronic low back pain using two protocols: A case-control study.

The purpose of this study was to compare back muscle fatigue of younger and older participants with and without chronic low back pain (CLBP). Twenty participants without and 20 with nonspecific CLBP participated in this study. Each group contained 10 younger (50% males; mean age: 31 ± 6 yrs) and 10 older adults (50% males; age mean: 71 ± 7 yrs).

Early Effect of Bariatric Surgery on the Circadian Rhythms of Adipokines in Morbidly Obese Women.

Background: The circadian pattern of adipokines is blunted in obese subjects, and we tested the hypothesis that bariatric surgery could normalize the 24-hr pattern of adipokines. Therefore, this study was designed to examine the early impact of the newly designed sleeve gastrectomy with transit bipartition (SGTB) surgery on the circadian pattern of leptin, adiponectin, and resistin in morbidly obese subjects.

Methods: The study group included six morbidly obese women [body mass index (BMI) 41.

Prevalence of Elongated Styloid Process in a Central Brazilian Population.

Background: Eagle's syndrome comprises a rare disorder caused by compression of an elongated or deformed styloid process or ossified/calcified stylohyoid ligament on neural and vascular structures. It is characterized by facial and neck pain and can be confused with a wide variety of facial neuralgias, oral and dental diseases and temporomandibular disorders. An imaging evaluation associated with a careful clinical examination, are mandatory in structuring a correct differential diagnosis and in the establishment of a proper therapeutic protocol.

Apoptosis modulation by activin A and follistatin in human endometrial stromal cells.

Activin A is a growth factor that stimulates decidualization and is abundantly expressed in endometrial proliferative disorders. Nevertheless, whether it directly affects endometrial cell survival is still unknown. This study investigated the effects of activin A on total death and apoptosis rates and on tumor necrosis factor (TNF) release by human endometrial stromal cells (HESC).

Homogenous demineralized dentin matrix and platelet-rich plasma for bone tissue engineering in cranioplasty of diabetic rabbits: biochemical, radiographic, and histological analysis.

This study evaluated the effects of homogenous demineralized dentin matrix (HDDM) slices and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in surgical defects created in the parietal bones of alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits, treated with a guided bone regeneration technique. Biochemical, radiographic, and histological analyses were performed. Sixty adult New Zealand rabbits were divided into five groups of 12: normoglycaemic (control, C), diabetic (D), diabetic with a PTFE membrane (DM), diabetic with a PTFE membrane and HDDM slices (DM-HDDM), and diabetic with PTFE membrane and PRP (DM-PRP).

[Validation of Body Image Relationship Scale for women with breast cancer].

Purpose: To validate the instrument Body Image Relationship Scale (BIRS) for Brazilian women with breast cancer.

Methods: The instrument was administered by trained interviewers to 139 women who used the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS). All of them had been submitted to cancer treatments between 2006 and 2010.

Age-related differences on low back pain and postural control during one-leg stance: a case-control study.

Background And Purpose: The prevalence of chronic low back pain (CLBP) is higher in older than in younger adults and is associated with poor postural control and falls. The objective of this study was to compare the postural control of younger and older subjects with and without CLBP during a one-leg stance.

Methods: Twenty subjects with and 20 subjects without nonspecific CLBP participated in the study.

Prevalence, risks and severity of musculoskeletal disorder symptoms among administrative employees of a Brazilian company.

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are common among office workers.

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence, risks and symptoms of MSD among office workers of a Brazilian dairy company.

Methods: Fifty office workers participated in the study.

Falls, physical limitations, confusion and memory problems in people with type II diabetes, undiagnosed diabetes and prediabetes, and the influence of vitamins A, D and E.

Aims: To examine the association between type II diabetes, prediabetes and undiagnosed diabetes with falls, physical limitations, confusion and memory problems, and to evaluate the effects of vitamins A, D and E levels on the associations.

Methods: Data from 37,973 participants of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey was analyzed.

Results: The participants' mean age was 46±17years, 20% had diabetes of which 17% were unaware of their condition (undiagnosed diabetes), and 21% had prediabetes.

Role of the clock gene Rev-erbα in metabolism and in the endocrine pancreas.

Several hormones are regulated by circadian rhythms to adjust the metabolism to the light/dark cycles and feeding/activity patterns throughout the day. Circadian rhythms are mainly governed by the central clock located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus but also by clocks present in peripheral organs, like the endocrine pancreas. Plasma glucose levels and the main pancreatic hormones insulin and glucagon also exhibit daily variations.

A global reference for caesarean section rates (C-Model): a multicountry cross-sectional study.

Objective: To generate a global reference for caesarean section (CS) rates at health facilities.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Health facilities from 43 countries.

Plasma levels of soluble TNF receptors 1 and 2 after tDCS and sertraline treatment in major depression: Results from the SELECT-TDCS trial.

Background: The cytokine hypothesis of depression postulates that the pathophysiology of this illness incorporates an increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which leads to an over-activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis as well as monoaminergic disturbances. Nevertheless, it remains unclear whether the amelioration of depressive symptoms could decrease cytokine levels. Notwithstanding antidepressant drug therapy might exert anti-inflammatory effects, the effects of non-invasive neuromodulatory approaches like transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on pro-inflammatory cytokine networks are largely unknown.

Implications of Habitat Loss on Seed Predation and Early Recruitment of a Keystone Palm in Anthropogenic Landscapes in the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest.

Habitat loss is the main driver of the loss of global biodiversity. Knowledge on this subject, however, is highly concentrated on species richness and composition patterns, with little discussion on the consequences of habitat loss for ecological interactions. Therefore, a systemic approach is necessary to maximize the success of conservation efforts by providing more realistic information about the effects of anthropogenic disturbances on natural environmental processes.

Genetic diversity in elite inbred lines of maize and its association with heterosis.

The objective of the current study was to apply molecular markers (microsatellites) in the analysis of genetic diversity of 48 lines of the elite maize germplasm stored in the bank of the Cooperativa Central de Pesquisa Agrícola - Coodetec, PR, Brazil, and estimate the correlation between genetic distance and heterosis and hybrid performance from the crosses among these maize lines. Forty-four random primers were used and amplification of 124 polymorphic fragments was obtained. The expected findings from the correlation of the yield and heterosis with the genetic distance were non-significant.

Adult feeding moths (Sphingidae) differ from non-adult feeding ones (Saturniidae) in activity-timing overlap and temporal niche width.

According to classic ecology, resource partitioning by segregation along at least one of the three main niche axes (time, food, and space) must take place for the coexistence of species with similar ecological requirements. We used nocturnal light traps to investigate the assemblage structuration of two moth families: Sphingidae (23 species) and Saturniidae (13 species). Because competition for food among adults potentially occurs only among sphingids, only for this family did we expect less overlap of diel activity patterns than expected by chance and also a greater temporal niche width compared to saturniids.

Metabolic surgery and intestinal gene expression: Digestive tract and diabetes evolution considerations.

Aim: To investigate the effects of bariatric surgery on metabolic parameters, incretin hormone secretion, and duodenal and ileal mucosal gene expression.

Methods: Nine patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), chronic serum hyperglycemia for more than 2 years, and a body mass index (BMI) of 30-35 kg/m(2) underwent metabolic surgery sleeve gastrectomy with transit bipartition between May 2011 and December 2011. Blood samples were collected pre and 3, 6 and 12 mo postsurgery.

Increased Migratory and Activation Cell Markers of Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes in an Experimental Model of Nephrotic Syndrome.

The present study aimed to evaluate the expression of CD80 and CD18 in subpopulations of peripheral blood leukocytes and oxidative kidney damage in rats with nephrotic syndrome (NS) induced by doxorubicin (Dox) in comparison to control animals at different time points. Male adult Wistar rats were submitted to 24-hour urine and blood collection for biochemical and immunological analysis at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after Dox injection. After euthanasia, the kidneys were removed for histological analysis and the evaluation of oxidative stress.

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders among physical therapists: an online survey.

Purpose: To evaluate the rates and characteristics of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in physical therapists (PTs) according to their specialty and setting.

Method: Participants completed an online questionnaire including 15 demographic questions, 7 work-related and 8 injury-related questions for 9 different body parts.

Results: Complete responses were obtained from 121 PTs; 96% reported MSD symptoms during the previous 12 months, 64% affecting at least 3 body parts.

Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity and cognitive functions in school-aged children.

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infects one-third of the world population, but its association with cognitive functions in school-aged children is unclear. We examined the relationship between Toxoplasma seropositivity and neuropsychological tests scores (including math, reading, visuospatial reasoning and verbal memory) in 1755 school-aged children 12-16 years old who participated to the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, using multiple linear regressions adjusted for covariates.

The Influence of a Factitious Free-From Food Product Label on Consumer Perceptions of Healthfulness.

Background: Given the rapid rise of free-from products available in the marketplace (especially gluten-free), more research is needed to understand how these products influence consumer perceptions of healthfulness.

Objective: To determine whether perceptions of healthfulness can be generated about free-from products in the absence of risk information.

Design: A survey was administered to 256 adults.

Community healthcare workers' perception of an educational intervention in the care of patients with sickle cell disease in Brazil.

Introduction: Despite advances in the management of sickle cell disease, gaps still exist in the training of primary healthcare professionals for monitoring patients with the disease.

Objective: To assess the perception of community healthcare workers about the care and monitoring of patients with sickle cell disease after an educational intervention.

Method: This exploratory, descriptive, and the qualitative study was conducted in Montes Claros, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil.

The role and effects of glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper in the context of inflammation resolution.

Glucocorticoid (GC)-induced leucine zipper (GILZ) has been shown to mediate or mimic several actions of GC. This study assessed the role of GILZ in self-resolving and GC-induced resolution of neutrophilic inflammation induced by LPS in mice. GILZ expression was increased during the resolution phase of LPS-induced pleurisy, especially in macrophages with resolving phenotypes.