Soil microbial biomass after two years of the consecutive application of composted tannery sludge

Because the agricultural use of tannery sludge may cause increased risks to soils, composting is recognized as one of the most suitable alternative for tannery sludge recycling. Experiments were conducted under field conditions to evaluate the effects of composted tannery sludge (CTS) on the soil microbial biomass and trace elements after two years of consecutive applications. The following five treatments were used: 0 (without CTS application), 5, 10, 20 and 40 ton ha-1 of CTS (dry basis). Soil samples were collected at 60 days after the CTS application at 0-20 cm depth. The CTS application promoted changes in the soil microbial biomass C (SMB-C) and N (SMB-N). In the first year, significant increases in the SMB-C and SMB-N were observed with the application of 10 ton ha-1. Furthermore, CTS application increased the Cr content in the soil after two years of application.

Soil nitrogen dynamics after Brachiaria desiccation

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Fisiologia e produção da soja tratada com cinetina e cálcio sob deficit hídrico e sombreamento

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of kinetin and calcium applications on the physiologic and productive traits of soybean plants, subjected to drought and shade conditions, at flowering. A randomized complete block design was used, in a split-plot arrangement, with four replicates. Soybean plants cultivated in 38 dm³ pots were sprayed with calcium and kinetin, alone or mixed, and subjected to drought and shade during 12 days. After stress period, plants were cultivated under appropriate water and light availability. Calcium and kinetin application resulted in maintenance of the relative water content after four days of drought beginning. Membrane damage, measured at the end of stress period, was lower in plants sprayed with calcium and kinetin. CO2 assimilation diminished by stress condition, mainly under drought, and grain yield decreased at the same intensity in both environments.

Acúmulo de matéria seca e nutrientes de híbridos de sorgo sacarino em condições de safrinha em Selvíria-MS

Pós-graduação em Agronomia - FEIS

Storage of 'Espada' mango fruits in modified atmosphere and cooling: effects on conservation

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Effects of Light Activation, Agent Concentration, and Tooth Thickness on Dental Sensitivity After Bleaching

Examining three bleaching systems, this in vivo clinical trial evaluated the relationship among tooth sensitivity, light activation, and agent concentration, and it correlated dental sensitivity with tooth thickness.Materials and Methods: Eighty-seven volunteer patients were included. Inclusion criteria were the presence of anterior teeth without restorations as well as the absence of a previous bleaching experience and absence of non-carious cervical lesions or dental pain. Exclusion criteria included pregnancy or breastfeeding, a maximum of TF3 hypoplasia, tetracycline-fluorosis stains, malpositioned teeth, orthodontic treatment, periodontal disease, and/or analgesic/anti-inflammatory intake. Patients were randomly assigned to three bleaching groups: Group A (n=25) was treated with 15% H2O2 and nitrogenous-titanium-dioxide and was light activated (Lase Peroxide Lite, DMC, SaoCarlos, Sao Paulo, Brazil); Group B (n=27) was treated with 35% H2O2 and was light activated (Lase Peroxide Sensy, DMC); and Group C (n=35) was treated with 35% H2O2 (White Gold Office, Dentsply, 38West Clark Ave., Milford, USA) without light activation. Tooth sensitivity (TS) was self-reported by the patients using the visual analog scale (VAS) at baseline (TSO), immediately after treatment (TSI), and at seven days after treatment (TS7). In 46 patients, tooth thickness was determined by computed tomography. TSO, TSI, and TS7 were compared between the A and B groups to determine the effect of concentration and between the B and C groups to determine the effect of light using analysis of covariance. The correlation between tooth thickness and TSI was determined by Spearman Rho test (SPSS 15).Results: Eighty-seven patients were evaluated at baseline, and 61 were evaluated at seven days. Separated by groups, tooth sensitivity, expressed as VAS value at the time points TS0, TS1, and TS7, respectively, were as follows: Group A: 13.76 +/- 13.53, 24.40 +/- 25.24, and 5.94 +/- 5.5; Group B: 15.07 +/- 18.14, 42.4 +/- 31.78, and 8.68 +/- 17.99; and Group C: 10.80 +/- 14.83, 31.51 +/- 29.34, and 7.24 +/- 9.2. Group A showed significantly lower tooth sensitivity than group B at TSI (p=0.032). No differences were observed in the tooth sensitivities between groups B and C. No correlation was encountered between tooth thickness and tooth sensitivity immediately after treatment (Rho=-0.088,p=0.563). The median tooth thickness was 2.78 +/- 0.21 mm.Conclusions: Increases in the concentration of bleaching agents directly affect tooth sensitivity, and LED/laser activation and tooth thickness are not correlated with tooth sensitivity after dental bleaching.

Chromium, Cadmium, Nickel, and Lead in a Tropical Soil after 3 Years of Consecutive Applications of Composted Tannery Sludge

Agricultural use of tannery sludge (TS) may increase risks to soils. Thus, composting is recognized as one of the most suitable alternatives for TS recycling. Field experiments were carried out to evaluate the effects of composted tannery sludge (CTS) on chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), and lead (Pb) accumulation in soil after 3 years. Soil samples were collected 60 days after CTS application. After 3 years, The CTS increased Cr and Ni content, while Cd and Pb contents decreased. The third year, Cr contents showed linear increases as CTS rates were applied. The application of CTS, after 3 years, in the 2.5, 5, and 10 Mg ha(-1) increased Cr significantly (140.7%, 159.7%, and 19%, respectively) and Ni (32%, 53%, and 43.8%, respectively) contents in the soil surface layer. This means that consecutive amendments of CTS increase Cr contents in the soil and plants.

Psoriasis: correlation between severity index (PASI) and quality of life index (DLQI) in patients assessed before and after systemic treatment

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the skin that affects patients of all ages and both genders. The impact of the disease on quality of life is greater among patients with moderate to severe psoriasis. OBJECTIVE: to establish a correlation between the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) based on a quality of life questionnaire adapted to the Brazilian context for patients with plaque psoriasis before and after systemic treatment. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study of psoriasis patients who did not undergo treatment or who manifested clinical activity of the disease. Patients were evaluated according to the PASI and the quality of life questionnaire adapted to the Brazilian context before and 60 days after systemic treatment. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients participated in the study. Twenty-six were men, with a mean age of 46 years. There was no correlation between the PASI and the quality of life questionnaire adapted to the Brazilian context, but there was a correlation between the PASI and some items of the quality of life questionnaire adapted to the Brazilian context, such as jobs involving public contact. CONCLUSION: The non-correlation between the PASI and the quality of life questionnaire adapted to the Brazilian context in this work may be associated with a history of chronic disease, which implies greater acceptance of the illness, or may be related to the low income and social status of the patients studied. The correlation observed among patients with careers involving public contact suggests that some professions are more impacted by the disease. It may be necessary to adapt the quality of life questionnaire to patients with a low income and cultural and social limitations. The small sample size (n=35 patients) and the short follow-up period of 60 days were some of the limitations of this work.

Nitrogen budget in a soil-plant system after brachiaria grass desiccation

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Total Spontaneous Regression of a Central Giant Cell Granuloma After Incisional Biopsy: A Four-Year Follow-Up Case Report

Central giant cell granuloma (CGCG) of the jaws represents a localized and benign neoplastic lesion sometimes characterized by aggressive osteolytic proliferation. The World Health Organization defines it as an intraosseous lesion composed of cellular and dense connective tissues that contain multiple hemorrhagic foci, an aggregation of multinucleated giant cells, and occasional bone tissue trabeculae. The origin of this lesion is uncertain; however, factors such as local trauma, inflammation, intraosseous hemorrhage, and genetic abnormalities have been identified as possible causes. CGCG generally affects those younger than 30 years and occurs more frequently in women (2: 1). This lesion corresponds to approximately 7% of all benign tumors of the jaws, with prevalence in the anterior region of the jaw. Aggressive lesions are characterized by symptoms, such as pain, numbness, rapid growth, cortical perforation, root resorption, and a high recurrence rate after curettage. In contrast, nonaggressive CGCGs have a slow rate of growth, may contain sparse trabeculation, and are less likely to move teeth or cause root resorption or cortical perforation. Nonaggressive CGCGs are generally asymptomatic lesions and thus are frequently found on routine dental radiographs. Radiographically, the 2 forms of CGCG present as radiolucent, expansive, unilocular or multilocular masses with well-defined margins. The histopathology of CGCG is characterized by multinucleated giant cells, surrounded by round, oval, and spindle-shaped mononuclear cells, scattered in dense connective tissue with hemorrhagic and abundant vascularization foci. The final diagnosis is determined by histopathologic analysis of the biopsy specimen. The preferred treatment for CGCG consists of excisional biopsy, curettage with a safety margin, and partial or total resection of the affected bone. Conservative treatments include local injections of steroids, calcitonin, and antiangiogenic therapy. Drug treatment using antibiotics, painkillers, and corticosteroids and clinical and radiographic monitoring are necessary for approximately 10 days after surgery. There are only a few cases of spontaneous CGCG regression described in the literature; therefore, a detailed case report of CGCG regression in a 12-yearold boy with a 4-year follow-up is presented and compared with previous studies. (c) 2014 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

Teores de nitrogênio no solo e nas frações da matéria orgânica sob diferentes sistemas de produção de milho

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Taste and Temperature in Swallowing Transit Time after Stroke

Background: Oropharyngeal dysphagia is common in individuals after stroke. Taste and temperature are used in dysphagia rehabilitation. The influence of stimuli, such as taste and temperature, on swallowing biomechanics has been investigated in both healthy individuals and in individuals with neurological disease. However, some questions still remain unanswered, such as how the sequence of offered stimuli influences the pharyngeal response. The goal of the present study was to determine the influence of the sequence of stimuli, sour taste and cold temperature, on pharyngeal transit time during deglutition in individuals after stroke. Methods: The study included 60 individuals with unilateral ischemic stroke, 29 males and 31 females, aged 41–88 years (mean age: 66.2 years) examined 0–50 days after ictus (median: 6 days), with mild to moderate oropharyngeal dysphagia. Exclusion criteria were hemorrhagic stroke patients, patients with decreased level of consciousness, and clinically unstable patients, as confirmed by medical evaluation. The individuals were divided into two groups of 30 individuals each. Group 1 received a nonrandomized sequence of stimuli (i.e. natural, cold, sour, and sour-cold) and group 2 received a randomized sequence of stimuli. A videofluoroscopic swallowing study was performed to analyze the pharyngeal transit time. Four different stimuli (natural, cold, sour, and sour-cold) were offered. The images were digitalized and specific software was used to measure the pharyngeal transit time. Since the values did not present regular distribution and uniform variances, nonparametric tests were performed. Results: Individuals in group 1 presented a significantly shorter pharyngeal transit time with the sour-cold stimulus than with the other stimuli. Individuals in group 2 did not show a significant difference in pharyngeal transit time between stimuli. Conclusions: The results showed that the sequence of offered stimuli influences the pharyngeal transit time in a different way in individuals after stroke and suggest that, when the sour-cold stimulus is offered in a randomized sequence, it can influence the response to the other stimuli in stroke patients. Hence, the sour-cold stimulus could be used as a therapeutic aid in dysphagic stroke patients.

Recanalization Rates after Acute Deep Vein Thrombosis: A Single-center Experience Using a Newly Proposed Vein Diameter Variation Index

Background: Duplex ultrasound scanning (DUS) is the method of choice for diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). However, only a few studies have performed prospective serial DUS after an acute episode of DVT to assess its evolution. This study aimed to report our experience using DUS combined with a thrombosis score (TS) and a newly proposed vein diameter variation index (VDVI) to evaluate the rate of resolution of DVT by assessing and quantifying the early stages of vein recanalization in proximal vein segments within 6 months after an episode of acute lower extremity DVT.Methods: Twelve patients with first episode of acute lower extremity DVT confirmed by DUS as occurring in <= 10 days after the onset of venous thrombosis symptoms were followed up prospectively for 6 months. TS and VDVI were calculated at 1, 3, and 6 months to assess vein recanalization. Intra-thrombus arteriovenous fistula formation was also investigated and related to the recanalization process.Results: Seven (58%) women were included, with a total cohort median age of 53.5 +/- 19 years. The left lower extremity was affected in 7 (58%) patients. DVT was diagnosed in 55 proximal vein segments. All patients had proximal DVT, with involvement of the external iliac, femoral, and popliteal veins. After 6 months, there was a significant decrease in TS and increase in VDVI (P < 0.001) in all proximal vein segments assessed, indicating thrombus regression. The more distal the DVT was, the faster was the VDVI increase, with most popliteal veins being recanalized at 3 months (P < 0.001). Intra-thrombus arteriovenous fistula was identified in 50% of patients at 1 month while on anticoagulation.Conclusions: The combined use of two different DUS-based assessment tools, TS and the proposed VDVI, provided an effective method to prospectively assess vein recanalization rates after an episode of acute lower extremity DVT in this series of patients and may allow a correct evaluation of DVT and its resolution or progression.

Immediate and late analysis of dental pulp stem cells viability after indirect exposition to alternative in-office bleaching strategies

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Double-setting alpha-tricalcium phosphate cement provided with interconection channels in rabbits after enucleation: a potential implant for the anophthalmic socket

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the macroscopy and microstructure of a double setting alpha-tricalcium phosphate bone cement sphere provided with interconnection channels (alpha-TCP-i), as well as the integration of the implant with the rabbits' orbital tissue, through macroscopic analysis and histopathology. The external and internal surfaces of the alpha-TCP-i were evaluated macroscopically and by electron microscopy. Twelve New Zealand rabbits received 12mm implants of alpha-TCP-i following enucleation of the left eye. The clinical assessment was undertaken daily during the first 15 days, followed by fortnightly assessment until the end of the study period. For the morphological analysis, exenteration was performed in 3 animals per experimental period (15, 45, 90 and 180 days). The external and internal surfaces of the implant appeared solid, smooth and compact, with six channels which interconnected centrally. The micro-architecture was characterized by the formation of columns of hexagonal crystals. No signs of infection, exposure, dehiscence of sutures or extrusion of the implant were noted in any of the animals during the entire period of the study. The morphological evaluation demonstrated the presence of a thin capsule around the implant, from whence appeared fibro-vascular projections, which penetrated it through the interconnecting channels. In the first days after the insertion of the implant, an intense inflammatory reaction was noted. At 180 days, however, there were no signs of inflammation. The alpha-tricalcium phosphate cement implant was well tolerated in this rabbit model and appeared to be relatively inert with some fibrovascular ingrowth through the large channels.