Adição de areia para dispersão de solos na análise granulométrica

A acurácia da análise granulométrica depende da obtenção de suspensões de solo completamente dispersas e estáveis para possibilitar a separação das suas frações granulométricas. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar a eficácia da adição de quantidades e tamanhos de grãos de areia na fase de dispersão da análise granulométrica de solos, visando à maior acurácia na obtenção dos resultados da análise granulométrica. Os solos utilizados foram: Latossolo Vermelho eutroférrico (LVef), LatossoloVermelho acriférrico (LVwf), Latossolo Vermelho eutrófico (LVe), Argissolo Vermelho-Amarelo eutrófico (PVAe) e Nitossolo Vermelho eutroférrico (NVef). A dispersão das amostras dos solos foi realizada por meio da adição de hidróxido de sódio e agitação rotativa (60 rpm) por 16 h. O delineamento experimental adotado foi o inteiramente casualizado, com esquema fatorial 6 x 2, com três repetições. Os tratamentos foram constituídos por seis quantidades (0, 5, 10, 15, 20 e 25 g) e dois diâmetros (2,0-1,0 e 1,0-0,5 mm) de areia, adicionados na fase de dispersão da análise granulométrica dos solos. De acordo com as equações ajustadas, a adição de areia com diâmetro entre 1,0 e 0,5 mm nas quantidades de 21,4 g para LVef, 19,6 g para LVwf e 25,8 g para NVef proporciona, respectivamente para esses solos, aumentos de 50, 38 e 14,5 % nos teores de argila. No LVe e no PVAe não se justifica a adição de areia na análise granulométrica, pois esses solos não apresentaram problemas de dispersão. Os resultados demonstram que a adição de 25 g de areia, com diâmetro entre 1,0 e 0,5 mm, na fase de dispersão da análise granulométrica de solos argilosos com altos teores de óxidos de Fe e com dificuldades de dispersão, é eficiente para promover efetiva dispersão das partículas primárias do solo.

QUANTIDADE DE FÓSFORO EXTRAÍDO PELAS SOLUÇÕES DE MEHLICH-1 E MEHLICH-3 EM RAZÃO DE DIFERENTES VELOCIDADES DE AGITAÇÃO, TEMPOS DE CONTATO E TEMPERATURAS

A extra1;ão de fósforo do solo pode ser comprometida pelas condi1;ões em que a análise é realizada e isso pode explicar a variabilidade nos resultados encontrados. O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar a influência de desvios na velocidade de agita1;ão, no tempo de contato e na temperatura sobre a extra1;ão do P pelos extratores Mehlich-1 (M-1) e Mehlich-3 (M-3) em amostras de solo. O estudo foi conduzido por meio de três experimentos executados com 11 amostras de solo provenientes da camada arável de Latossolo, Neossolo, Argissolo, Cambissolo, Planossolo, que são representativas das regiões geomorfológicas do Planalto e da Depressão Central do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Para todos os experimentos, adotou-se o delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 2 15; 5 15; 11, sendo dois extratores, cinco velocidades, temperaturas ou tempos de contato solo/solu1;ão e 11 tipos de solo, com quatro repeti1;ões. No primeiro experimento, a mistura solo:solu1;ão foi agitada em 80, 100, 120, 140 e 160 oscila1;ões por min (opm). No segundo, após a agita1;ão por 5 min, a mistura solo:solu1;ão foi deixada em repouso por períodos de tempo de oito, 12, 16, 20 e 24 h para retirada dos extratos. No terceiro, a temperatura de execu1;ão de todo o protocolo de análises foi mantida constante em 15, 20, 25, 30 e 35 °C. O aumento na velocidade de agita1;ão de 120 até 160 opm aumentou a quantidade de P extraído pelos extratores. O aumento no tempo de contato antes da extra1;ão da alíquota elevou as quantidades de P extraído pelo M-1 e diminuiu para o M-3. Varia1;ões na temperatura não influenciaram significativamente o extrator M-1, mas o M-3 foi mais sensível a varia1;ões. Uma padroniza1;ão na velocidade de agita1;ão, no tempo de repouso e uma climatiza1;ão dos laboratórios tornam-se necessárias para diminuir a interferência causada sobre as quantidades de P extraído pelos métodos M-1 e M-3 em amostras de solo.

Antihypertensive drug treatment changes in the general population: the CoLaus study.

BACKGROUND: Changes in antihypertensive drug treatment are paramount in the adequate management of patients with hypertension, still, there is little information regarding changes in antihypertensive drug treatment in Switzerland. Our aim was to assess those changes and associated factors in a population-based, prospective study. METHODS: Data from the population-based, CoLaus study, conducted among subjects initially aged 35-75 years and living in Lausanne, Switzerland. 772 hypertensive subjects (371 women) were followed for a median of 5.4 years. Data Subjects were defined as continuers (no change), switchers (one antihypertensive class replaced by another), combiners (one antihypertensive class added) and discontinuers (stopped treatment). The distribution and the factors associated with changes in antihypertensive drug treatment were assessed. RESULTS: During the study period, the prescription of diuretics decreased and of ARBs increased: at baseline, diuretics were taken by 46.9% of patients; angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) by 44.7%, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) by 28.8%, beta-blockers (BB) by 28.0%, calcium channel blockers (CCB) by 18.9% and other antihypertensive drugs by 0.3%. At follow-up (approximately 5 years later), their corresponding percentages were 42.8%, 51.7%, 25.5%, 33.0% 20.7% and 1.0%. Among all participants, 54.4% (95% confidence interval: 50.8-58.0) were continuers, 26.9% (23.8-30.2) combiners, 12.7% (10.4-15.3) switchers and 6.0% (4.4-7.9) discontinuers. Combiners had higher systolic blood pressure values at baseline than the other groups (p̴1;<̴1;0.05). Almost one third (30.6%) of switchers and 29.3% of combiners improved their blood pressure status at follow-up, versus 18.8% of continuers and 8.7% of discontinuers (p̴1;<̴1;0.001). Conversely, almost one third (28.3%) of discontinuers became hypertensive (systolic ≥140 mm Hg or diastolic ≥90 mm Hg), vs. 22.1% of continuers, 16.3% of switchers and 11.5% of combiners (p̴1;<̴1;0.001). Multivariate analysis showed baseline uncontrolled hypertension, ARBs, drug regimen (monotherapy/polytherapy) and overweight/obesity to be associated with changes in antihypertensive therapy. CONCLUSION: In Switzerland, ARBs have replaced diuretics as the most commonly prescribed antihypertensive drug. Uncontrolled hypertension, ARBs, drug regimen (monotherapy or polytherapy) and overweight/obesity are associated with changes in antihypertensive treatment.

The 2013 Greater Iowa African American Resource Guide, February 15, 2013

The Iowa Accountability program (IAP) was established to address the disproportionate numbers of African American affected by domestic violence. IAP specializes in programming tailored to working with the community, African American leaders, victim advocates and members of the legal system.

Quick Reads, September 15, 2014

IDPH Quick Reads is an electronic newsletter produced by the Director’s Office at the Iowa Department of Public Health. IDPH Quick Reads are published every three to four weeks.

Graph theory reveals dysconnected hubs in 22q11DS and altered nodal efficiency in patients with hallucinations.

Schizophrenia is postulated to be the prototypical dysconnection disorder, in which hallucinations are the core symptom. Due to high heterogeneity in methodology across studies and the clinical phenotype, it remains unclear whether the structural brain dysconnection is global or focal and if clinical symptoms result from this dysconnection. In the present work, we attempt to clarify this issue by studying a population considered as a homogeneous genetic sub-type of schizophrenia, namely the 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS). Cerebral MRIs were acquired for 46 patients and 48 age and gender matched controls (aged 6-26, respectively mean age = 15.20 ± 4.53 and 15.28 ± 4.35 years old). Using the Connectome mapper pipeline (connectomics.org) that combines structural and diffusion MRI, we created a whole brain network for each individual. Graph theory was used to quantify the global and local properties of the brain network organization for each participant. A global degree loss of 6% was found in patients' networks along with an increased Characteristic Path Length. After identifying and comparing hubs, a significant loss of degree in patients' hubs was found in 58% of the hubs. Based on Allen's brain network model for hallucinations, we explored the association between local efficiency and symptom severity. Negative correlations were found in the Broca's area (p < 0.004), the Wernicke area (p < 0.023) and a positive correlation was found in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) (p < 0.014). In line with the dysconnection findings in schizophrenia, our results provide preliminary evidence for a targeted alteration in the brain network hubs' organization in individuals with a genetic risk for schizophrenia. The study of specific disorganization in language, speech and thought regulation networks sharing similar network properties may help to understand their role in the hallucination mechanism.

Does CRP Play a Causal Role in the Development of Coronary Heart Disease: Results of a Mendelian Randomisation Experiment Involving 128,935 People

Background: C-reactive protein (CRP) is associated with risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). Whether CRP is causally associated with CHD or merely a marker of underlying atherosclerosis is uncertain. Methods: We used a Mendelian randomisation design to investigate the causal relationship of CRP with CHD. We identified three genetic variants in the CRP locus (rs7553007, rs1130864 and rs1205) which influence CRP levels. We tested the three SNPs for association with CHD amongst 28,112 CHD cases and 100,823 controls. We then compared the observed relationship between the SNPs and CHD, with that predicted from the association of SNPs with CRP levels, and of CRP levels with CHD. Results: SNPs in the CRP locus were not associated with CHD: rs7553007, OR 0.98 (95% CI, 0.94-1.01); rs1130864, OR 1.00 (95% CI, 0.86-1.15); rs1205, OR 1.03 (95% CI, 0.99-1.07); combined OR for all three SNPs, 1.00 (95% CI, 0.97-1.02), per 20% lower CRP (figure). In contrast, the predicted OR for CHD from a 20% lower CRP level is 0.94 (95% CI, 0.94- 0.95), based on meta-analysis of observational studies. Conclusions: Though CRP variants are associated with CRP levels, and CRP levels with risk of CHD, we observed that CRP variants are not associated with CHD risk. Our Mendelian randomisation experiment strongly argues against a causal association of CRP with CHD.

Friday Facts, March 20, 2015, Vol. 245

Bureau of Nutrition and Health Promotion part of the Iowa Department of Public Health produces of weekly newsletter about the Iowa WIC Program for the State of Iowa citizen.

EPI Update, March 20, 2015

Weekly newsletter for Center For Acute Disease Epidemiology of Iowa Department of Public Health.

Quick Reads, October 15, 2015

IDPH Quick Reads is an electronic newsletter produced by the Director’s Office at the Iowa Department of Public Health. IDPH Quick Reads are published every three to four weeks.

Revisiting spatial distribution and biochemical composition of calcium-containing crystals in human osteoarthritic articular cartilage.

INTRODUCTION: Calcium-containing (CaC) crystals, including basic calcium phosphate (BCP) and calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPP), are associated with destructive forms of osteoarthritis (OA). We assessed their distribution and biochemical and morphologic features in human knee OA cartilage. METHODS: We prospectively included 20 patients who underwent total knee replacement (TKR) for primary OA. CaC crystal characterization and identification involved Fourier-transform infra-red spectrometry and scanning electron microscopy of 8 to 10 cartilage zones of each knee, including medial and lateral femoral condyles and tibial plateaux and the intercondyle zone. Differential expression of genes involved in the mineralization process between cartilage with and without calcification was assessed in samples from 8 different patients by RT-PCR. Immunohistochemistry and histology studies were performed in 6 different patients. RESULTS: Mean (SEM) age and body mass index of patients at the time of TKR was 74.6 (1.7) years and 28.1 (1.6) kg/m², respectively. Preoperative X-rays showed joint calcifications (chondrocalcinosis) in 4 cases only. The medial femoro-tibial compartment was the most severely affected in all cases, and mean (SEM) Kellgren-Lawrence score was 3.8 (0.1). All 20 OA cartilages showed CaC crystals. The mineral content represented 7.7% (8.1%) of the cartilage weight. All patients showed BCP crystals, which were associated with CPP crystals for 8 joints. CaC crystals were present in all knee joint compartments and in a mean of 4.6 (1.7) of the 8 studied areas. Crystal content was similar between superficial and deep layers and between medial and femoral compartments. BCP samples showed spherical structures, typical of biological apatite, and CPP samples showed rod-shaped or cubic structures. The expression of several genes involved in mineralization, including human homolog of progressive ankylosis, plasma-cell-membrane glycoprotein 1 and tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase, was upregulated in OA chondrocytes isolated from CaC crystal-containing cartilages. CONCLUSIONS: CaC crystal deposition is a widespread phenomenon in human OA articular cartilage involving the entire knee cartilage including macroscopically normal and less weight-bearing zones. Cartilage calcification is associated with altered expression of genes involved in the mineralisation process.

Quick Reads, December 15, 2015

IDPH Quick Reads is an electronic newsletter produced by the Director’s Office at the Iowa Department of Public Health. IDPH Quick Reads are published every three to four weeks.

Quick Reads, February 15, 2016

IDPH Quick Reads is an electronic newsletter produced by the Director’s Office at the Iowa Department of Public Health. IDPH Quick Reads are published every three to four weeks.

Tolerância de frutos de pessegueiro a geadas

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a tolerância de frutos de pessegueiro aos danos ocasionados pela geada. A geada ocorreu no dia 5 de setembro de 2006, sendo que a temperatura mínima, a 1,5 m do solo, foi de - 1,06ºC. Foram avaliados 28 genótipos de pessegueiro em diferentes estádios fenológicos. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado, com três repetições (plantas de pessegueiro), procedendo-se à avaliação em seis ramos por planta. No dia em que ocorreu a geada, foram mensurados o número de frutos por ramo, diâmetro sutural médio dos frutos, número total de gemas vegetativas, percentual de brotação e percentual de brindilas formadas a partir das gemas brotadas. Uma segunda avaliação foi realizada 15 dias após a primeira, para avaliar o percentual de queda de frutos e o diâmetro sutural médio dos frutos remanescentes. Genótipos bem enfolhados e cujos frutos apresentavam endocarpo endurecido, no momento da ocorrência da geada, foram tolerantes ao dano ocasionado pelo frio; frutos com diâmetro sutural inferior a 20 mm foram suscetíveis à geada, enquanto frutos com diâmetro sutural superior a 30 mm apresentaram boa tolerância, independentemente do genótipo avaliado.