Biocomposite Macrospheres Based on Strontium-Bioactive Glass for Application as Bone Fillers.

Traditional bioactive glass powders are typically composed of irregular particles that can be packed into dense configurations presenting low interconnectivity, which can limit bone ingrowth. The use of novel biocomposite sphere formulations comprising bioactive factors as bone fillers are most advantageous, as it simultaneously allows for packing the particles in a 3-dimensional manner to achieve an adequate interconnected porosity, enhanced biological performance, and ultimately a superior new bone formation. In this work, we develop and characterize novel biocomposite macrospheres of Sr-bioactive glass using sodium alginate, polylactic acid (PLA), and chitosan (CH) as encapsulating materials for finding applications as bone fillers.

SARS CoV-2 seroprevalence and diagnostic accuracy during a COVID-19 outbreak in a major penitentiary complex in Brazil, June to July 2020.

Purpose: This study aims to estimate the overall SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and evaluate the accuracy of an antibody rapid test compared to a reference serological assay during a COVID-19 outbreak in a prison complex housing over 13,000 prisoners in Brasília.

Design/methodology/approach: The authors obtained a randomized, stratified representative sample of each prison unit and conducted a repeated serosurvey among prisoners between June and July 2020, using a lateral-flow immunochromatographic assay (LFIA). Samples were also retested using a chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay (CLIA) to compare SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and 21-days incidence, as well as to estimate the overall infection fatality rate (IFR) and determine the diagnostic accuracy of the LFIA test.

SARS-CoV-2 among inmates aged over 60 during a COVID-19 outbreak in a penitentiary complex in Brazil: Positive health outcomes despite high prevalence.

Objectives: To assess SARS-CoV-2 prevalence and health outcomes among inmates over 60 years during a COVID-19 outbreak in a major penitentiary complex in the Federal District, Brazil.

Methods: A mass test campaign was performed on May 13, 2020, using antibody-detection rapid tests for asymptomatic inmates and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction testing for those who were symptomatic. Those with negative results were retested on June 16.

COVID-19 Outbreak in a Large Penitentiary Complex, April-June 2020, Brazil.

An outbreak of coronavirus disease began in a large penitentiary complex in Brazil on April 1, 2020. By June 12, there were 1,057 confirmed cases among inmates and staff. Nine patients were hospitalized, and 3 died.

Factors related to health services determine breastfeeding within one hour of birth in the Federal District of Brazil, 2011.

Objective:: To identify factors associated with breastfeeding in the first hour of life.

Methods:: A cross-sectional study conducted among mothers and children under one year of age, who attended the second stage of the polio vaccination campaign in the Federal District, Brazil, in 2011. The sample was composed of 1,027 pairs of mothers and children.

Mortality in Brazil according to gender perspective, years 2000 and 2010.

Objective: The article assessed the overall mortality in Brazil in 2000 and 2010.

Methods: Data source was the Mortality Information System from Ministry of Health of Brazil.

Results: The data show the high rate of mortality among men compared to women between ages of 20 to 59 years and an expressive lower life expectancy by this population.

Accidents at work and living conditions among solid waste segregators in the open dump of Distrito Federal.

The work of recycling solid waste segregators allows a precarious livelihood, but triggers a disease process that exacerbates their health and well-being. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of occupational accidents at the open dump in the Federal District and its associated factors. Most segregators have had an accident at work (55.

[Men's health care in the scope of the Family Health Strategy].

The National Policy of Comprehensive Care for Men's Health created the guidelines for the strategies and actions based on comprehensive care, seeking the promotion of health and the prevention of disease duly focused as core issues of the Family Health Strategy (FHS). This article describes the specificities of men's health care in the context of the FHS from the standpoint of the manager, the demands of the men linked to the health units assessed and the practices adopted by the teams. Men's health care was evaluated by interviews with 43 FHS team managers (FHST), systematically selected considering the geographical region, city size and FHS coverage; and by interviewing 86 adult men of the respective FHS coverage area.

Fertilization and colors of plastic mulch affect biomass and essential oil of sweet-scented geranium.

Sweet-scented geranium (Pelargonium graveolens L'Hér), a plant belonging to the Geraniaceae family, has medicinal and aromatic properties and is widely used in the cosmetic, soap, perfume, aromatherapy, and food industries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of fertilization and the use of different colors of plastic mulch on sweet-scented geranium biomass and essential oil. Three colors of plastic mulch (black, white, and silver-colored) and a control without plastic mulch were assessed along with three fertilizers (20,000 L · ha(-1) of cattle manure; 1,000 kg · ha(-1) of NPK 3-12-6; and 20,000 L · ha(-1) of cattle manure + 1,000 kg · ha(-1) of NPK 3-12-6 fertilizer) and a control without fertilizer.

Predicting arsenic bioavailability to hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata in arsenic-contaminated soils.

Using chemical extraction to evaluate plant arsenic availability in contaminated soils is important to estimate the time frame for site cleanup during phytoremediation. It is also of great value to assess As mobility in soil and its risk in environmental contamination. In this study, four conventional chemical extraction methods (water, ammonium sulfate, ammonium phosphate, and Mehlich III) and a new root-exudate based method were used to evaluate As extractability and to correlate it with As accumulation in P.