ABSTRACT Increasing the efficiency of solar dryers with ensuring that the system remains accessible to all users can be achieved with their automation through low-cost and easy-to-use technique ...sensors. The objective was to develop, implement and evaluate an automatic system for monitoring drying parameters in a hybrid solar-electric dryer (HSED). Initially, an automated data acquisition system for collecting the parameters of sample mass, air temperature, and relative air humidity was developed and installed. The automatic mass data acquisition system was calibrated in the hybrid solar-electric dryer. The automated system was validated by comparing it with conventional devices for measuring the parameters under study. The data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance, Tukey test and linear regression at p ≤ 0.05. The system to turn on/off the exhaust worked efficiently, helping to reduce the errors related to the mass measurement. The GERAR Mobile App showed easy to be used since it has intuitive icons and compatibility with the most used operating systems for mobile devices. The responses in communication via Bluetooth were fast. The use of Arduino, a low-cost microcontroller, to automate the monitoring activity allowed estimating the mass of the product and collecting the drying air temperature and relative air humidity data through the DHT22. This sensor showed a good correlation of mass and air temperature readings between the automatic and conventional system, but low correlation for relative air humidity. In general, the automatic data acquisition system monitored in real time the parameters for drying agricultural products in the HSED.
RESUMO O aumento da eficiência de secadores solares com garantia de que o sistema permaneça acessível a todos os usuários pode ser alcançado com sua automação por meio de sensores de baixo custo e fácil utilização. Objetivou-se desenvolver, implantar e avaliar um sistema automático de monitoramento dos parâmetros de secagem em secador híbrido solar-elétrico (SHSE). Inicialmente, foi desenvolvido e instalado o sistema automático de aquisição de dados para a coleta dos parâmetros de massa da amostra e temperatura do ar e umidade relativa do ar de secagem. O sistema automatizado foi validado comparando-o com aparelhos convencionais de medição dos parâmetros em estudo. Os dados obtidos foram submetidos à análise de variância, teste de Tukey e regressão linear a p ≤ 0,05. O sistema ligar/desligar do exaustor funcionou de forma eficiente, reduzindo os erros relacionados à medição da massa. O GERAR Mobile App mostrou-se fácil de ser usado por possuir ícones intuitivos e compatibilidade com os sistemas operacionais mais utilizados para dispositivos móveis. As respostas na comunicação via Bluetooth foram rápidas. A utilização do Arduino, um microcontrolador de baixo custo, para automatizar a atividade de monitoramento permitiu estimar a massa do produto e coletar os dados de temperatura do ar de secagem e umidade relativa do ar por meio do DHT22. Este sensor mostrou boa correlação de leituras de massa e temperatura do ar entre o sistema automático e convencional, mas baixa correlação para umidade relativa do ar. Em geral, o sistema de aquisição de dados monitorou em tempo real os parâmetros para secagem de produtos agrícolas no SHSE.
We compared the clinical findings and diagnostic methods for 66 patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis in the state of Bahia, Brazil, who were infected by Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis (group A), ...with those for 68 patients in the state of Amazonas, Brazil, who were mainly infected by Leishmania (Viannia) guyanensis (group B). Differences were observed with regard to number, size, and location of skin lesions and to the pattern of lymphatic involvement. Patients in group B had smaller and more numerous lesions, which were frequently located above the waist, versus the larger but less numerous lesions among patients in group A, which were usually located on the lower limbs. Lymphatic involvement was present in 55 (83.3%) of the 66 patients in group A and in 42 (61.8%) of the 68 patients in group B (P = 0.005). The positivity rates of imprints and skin culture procedures were higher in group B. Sensitivity of in vitro culture of skin aspirates was 47.0% and 91.2% for groups A and B, respectively (P < .001). Although hamster inoculation showed similar results in both groups, the interval before development of disease was shorter in group B. Our data provide substantial evidence that indicate that the disease caused by these species differs with regard to clinical presentation and diagnostic approach.
Abstract Since July 2006, the liver graft allocation has been changed from the waiting time to the Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD), prioritizing the sickest patients, who have a higher risk ...of dying on the waiting list, and sometimes in such poor clinical condition that it compromises transplantation outcomes. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of a MELD score ≥ 30 on 30-day survival after liver transplantation (OLT). We prospectively collected the data on 178 liver transplants on 163 patients performed from March 2003 to August 2007. The subjects were divided in two groups according to their MELD scores: group 1, MELD ≥ 30 ( n = 15) and group 2, MELD < 30 ( n = 96). The groups were compared with regard to hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay, intraoperative blood products transfusion, early survival (30 days), and need for retransplantation. We excluded, patients with prioritization criteria, those receiving extra points for any special situation, and six other patients without significant data for MELD calculation (of whom only one has died after transplantation). Patients under a “special situation” were those with hepatocelular carcinoma, hepatopulmonary syndrome, and metabolic diseases, who initially received a MELD/PELD score 20, and 24, and 29. The mean MELD score at group I was 34 (range, 30 to 42), and for group II it was 16 (range, 6 to 29). Group I displayed a mean hospital length of stay of 24 days (4 to 155), with 12.60 days (ranges, 1 to 103) in the ICU versus 15.55 (range, 1 to 48) and 5.13 (range, 1 to 45) days, respectively, for group II. The need for blood component transfusions were greater in group I; 25.28% of patients in group II did not receive any transfusion during the entire inpatient period. There were nine retransplants in group II, and none in group I. The 30-day survivals were 93.3% for group I and 84.37% for group II. Besides the increased complexity of these sickest patients, there was no negative impact on early survival rates.
Ex-vivo myography enables the assessment of muscle electrical activity response. This study explored the viability of determining the physiological responses in muscles without tendon, as rectus ...abdominis muscle (RAM), through ex-vivo myography to assess its potential as a diagnostic tool. All tested RAM samples (five different samples) show patterns of electrical activity. A positive response was observed in 100% of the programmed stimulation. RAM 3 showed greater weight (0.47 g), length (1.66 cm), and width (0.77 cm) compared to RAM 1, RAM 2, RAM 4 and RAM 5 with more sustained electrical activity over time, a higher percentage of fatigue was analyzed at half the time of the electrical activity. The order of electrical activity (Mn) was RAM 3 > RAM 5 > RAM 1 > RAM 4 > RAM 2. No electrical activity was recorded in the Sham group. This study shows that it is feasible to assess the physiological responses of striated muscle without tendon as RAM, obtained at C-section, under ex vivo myography. These results could be recorded, properly analyzed, and demonstrated its potential as a diagnostic tool for rectus abdominis muscle electrical activity.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) is a severe febrile disease, characterized by abnormalities in hemostasis and increased vascular permeability, which in some cases results in hypovolemic shock syndrome ...and in dengue shock syndrome. The clinical features of DHF include plasma leakage, bleeding tendency and liver involvement. We studied the histopathological features of a fatal case of dengue-3 virus infection. The patient, a 63-year old male, presented with an acute onset of severe headache, myalgia and maculopapular rash. Tissue fragments (liver, spleen, lung, heart, kidney and lymph nodes) were collected for light microscopy studies and stained by standard methods. Histopathology revealed severe tissue damage, caused by intense hemorrhage, interstitial edema and inflammation. Some tissue sections were also processed with the immunoperoxidase reaction, which revealed the dengue viral antigen. Dengue-3 virus was isolated and identified with electron microscopy in a C6/36 cell culture inoculated with the patient's serum. Viral particles were detected in the infected cell culture.
Abstract There are various options to help overcome the organ shortage, including performing transplants using grafts from marginal donors with characteristics previously described as unacceptable ...because of the high risk of graft failure. Nowadays, expanded criteria donors for liver transplantation (OLT) is a strategy used routinely by many teams. Some donor features have been suggested to jeopardize initial function or survival; when these features are aggregated, they may impact prognosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of donor risk factors on early patient survival and retransplantation. Donor risk factors were considered to be older than 60 years, body mass index > 30, serum sodium level > 155 mEq/L, cold ischemia time > 12 hours, and intensive care unit stay > 4 days. We prospectively recorded data from 139 patients who underwent 152 OLT from March 2003 to May 2007. Patients were classified into four groups: I, no risk factors; II, one risk factor; III, two risk factors; IV, three or more risk factors. Retransplantation or OLT due to acute liver failure was considered to be an exclusion criterion. Early overall survival rate was 83.76%; 12 retransplantations were required (10.25%). Comparing the four groups, patient survivals ( P = .41) and retransplantation rates ( P = .518) were similar. In conclusion, cumulative risk factors showed no impact on early (30-day) recipient survival and or on the necessity of retransplantation after OLT.
Unprecedented challenges have been imposed on global markets to minimise losses in the short and long supply chains. The purpose of this paper is to identify the impacts created by the Covid-19 ...pandemic on the short and long supply chains in Brazil. This paper analyses the short and long supply chains in Brazil, whose overriding data were consulted on the websites of supervisory bodies and agencies at home and abroad. Adopting a qualitative approach, the consultation of literature about short and long supply chains was to determine the impacts of the pandemic on them in Brazil, as well as the resilience adopted by many in the course of the outbreak of the new coronavirus. This study examines the resilience of the Brazilian supply chains when pointing out the impacts on them during the Covid-19 pandemic and the alternatives to continue operating. It was also found that short supply chain resilience plays a key role in the Brazilian food supply. The study is restricted to the context of Brazil and its particularities. Also, further studies are required to explore the economic and operating impacts on different sectors of the economy in the post-pandemic period.
Some wild accessions of the common bean (
Phaseolus vulgaris) contain a family of proteins called arcelins, that are toxic to the larvae of certain bruchid species. Among the six allelic variants of ...arcelin tested so far, arcelin-5 and arcelin-1 confer the highest level of resistance against the Mexican bean weevil,
Zabrotes subfasciatus. The same proteins are not toxic to the bean weevil,
Acanthoscelides obtectus, which is also a serious pest of cultivated beans. Arcelins belong to the bean lectin family that includes phytohemaggutinins and α-amylase inhibitors. Although homologous to lectins, arcelins are themselves only very weak lectins, and their binding properties have not been clearly established. The toxic properties of arcelins may be related to their recognition of and interaction with the glycoproteins and other constituents of the membranes along the digestive tract of insects. Since arcelin-1 was shown to have growth inhibitory effects for the larvae of
Z. subfasciatus but not of
A. obtectus, we examined the effect of an arcelin-1 containing diet on the structure of the cells that line the intestinal tract of the larvae of these two bruchid species, and used antibodies against arcelin to examine the distribution of arcelin within the cells and tissues. Here we show that dietary arcelin-1 caused an alteration of the gut structure and the penetration of arcelin into the haemolymph in
Z. subfasciatus but not in
A. obtectus. These results lead us to suggest that arcelins exert their toxic effect by severely damaging the epithelial cells.
•Insulin concentration affects follicular development according to follicular stage.•Type of base medium affects follicular development.•Low levels of insulin enhance oocyte growth.
Different culture ...media are used for the culture of preantral (PFs) and antral (AFs) follicles, among them the αMEM and TCM199. Also, culture media supplementation with insulin may improve the in vitro development of goat PFs and AFs. However, there is no information on the indicated concentration of insulin and which basis culture medium is the most suitable for caprine PFs and AFs. This study aimed to assess if the culture of PFs and AFs can be affected by the basis medium, and if its supplementation with two different insulin concentrations will improve follicular growth and oocyte development. Isolated PFs and AFs were in vitro cultured for 18 days in αMEM, or TCM199 supplemented either with 10 ng/mL or 10 μg/mL insulin. A higher degeneration rate (P < 0.05) of PFs was observed for TCM199 compared to αMEM within the same insulin concentrations. Preantral follicles cultured in αMEM with insulin 10 μg/mL presented the greatest (P < 0.05) daily growth, as well as increased (P < 0.05) antrum formation, while the daily growth rate of AFs was highest (P < 0.05) in αMEM supplemented with insulin at both tested concentrations. Furthermore, the development of oocytes recovered from PFs and AFs was improved when culture was performed in αMEM supplemented with insulin 10 ng/mL.
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