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Sugarcane processing is one of the most important economic activities in Brazil, producing ethanol and sugar for domestic and international markets. Utilising the lignocellulosic residues of this industry, specifically bagasse and straw, would increase the second-generation biofuel production without increasing the sugarcane planted area. Among the processes available, the fast pyrolysis is a thermochemical conversion process that produces mainly bio-oil, a liquid with several advantages over solid biomass, regarding transportation, pumping, storage, and handling. Moreover, the bio-oil can be upgraded to obtain biofuels of higher added-value. Among feasible upgrading technologies, the hydrotreatment is one of the most promising methods for eliminating the reactive functionalities of the bio-oil by removing oxygen or cracking large molecules in the presence of hydrogen; however, this comes at the expense of a significant hydrogen consumption. Thus, the aim of this study is to evaluate the biofuel production through the fast pyrolysis of sugarcane straw, followed by the upgrading of the produced bio-oil via hydrotreatment. The evaluation is carried out by way of energy and mass balances of the processes, performed using the software Aspen Plus. Furthermore, the possibilities of integrating the bio-oil production and upgrading into the conventional ethanol and sugar production process will also be assessed through heat integration, applying the Pinch analysis. Results showed the potential for renewable gasoline and diesel production with yields of 0.086 kg/kg of dry straw and 0.08 kg/kg of dry straw, respectively. Additionally, integrating the pyrolysis process, including the bio-oil upgrading, into the ethanol production process can achieve a liquid fuel production (ethanol, gasoline and diesel) of 2289.8 MJ/t cane, which represents an increase of 29 %, while the surplus electricity increases in 5.3 %, when compared to the conventional ethanol production plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To report the experience of creating and providing an online, self-instructional course on oral cancer, entitled "Abre a boca, meu povo - O que você precisa saber sobre o câncer de boca!" on a Telehealth platform, for Community Health Workers, and to analyze the clinical-demographic profile of the participants. The initial phase consisted of developing the course according to the ADDIE model, with simple language and contextualizing reality. The course was provided with a student guide, initial survey, initial knowledge check, four modules, formative assessments at the end of each module, a final knowledge test, a student satisfaction assessment, and certification. In the second phase, the course was conducted in a virtual learning environment, with subsequent evaluation. A descriptive analysis of the results with frequencies was performed. Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was applied with a 95% confidence level. The sample consisted of 205 graduates. The predominant profile consisted of professionals aged 40–49 years old, female, with >10 years of work experience and complete secondary education, located in Pernambuco, Brazil. Cellphones were the most commonly used device to carry out the course. The results of the first edition showed a satisfactory number of professionals, thus, achieving the objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leukotrienes mediate several inflammatory events such as neutrophil chemoattraction, leukocyte adhesion, and central-release of cytokines and fever. However, there is no information available about their putative role in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) tolerance. The rational of the present study was to find out if central leukotrienes are involved in the development of LPS tolerance. Thus, we inhibited central leukotriene synthesis in tolerant rats using a pharmacological tool, i.e. , a selective inhibitor of leukotriene synthesis MK-886 injected into the third ventricle (3V) of rats. Body core temperature (Tb) was measured using a datalogger placed inside the abdominal cavity. A low-dose of LPS (100 μg/kg ip) was given for 4 consecutive days to induce LPS tolerance. At day 4, rats received a microinjection of MK-886 into the 3V immediately before LPS, whereas control groups were treated with vehicle (saline). We observed that LPS failed to induce plasma cytokines surges, increased hypothalamic PGE 2 levels and fever 3 days post LPS treatment, aptly characterizing the tolerance. When MK-886 was given to control rats treated with saline, no significant change in Tb was observed. However, a full LPS-induced fever was observed in tolerant rats pretreated with MK-886, which was associated with an enhancement in the hypothalamic PGE 2 levels, that were not accompanied by plasma cytokines (IL-1β, and IL-6) and PGE 2 surges. These data are consistent with the notion that central leukotrienes play a role in fever tolerance to LPS. • Central leukotrienes inhibition induces fever in LPS tolerant rats. • The hypothalamic PGE 2 production is impaired in LPS tolerant rats. • Hypothalamic leukotrienes attenuate fever by down-regulating hypothalamic PGE 2 in LPS tolerance. • Hypothalamic leukotrienes decrease fever in LPS tolerance without modulating peripheral pyrogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Prevalence of knee OA in former athletes was 30.0% (95% CI 20.0 to 40.0%). • Low-quality evidence suggests that this is likely to change with high-quality studies. • Diagnostic criteria for knee OA and sport modality may impact on estimated prevalence. Abstract Background Prevalence of knee osteoarthritis in former athletes is still unclear. Objective To investigate prevalence of knee osteoarthritis in former athletes. Moreover, the secondary aim was to investigate whether poor methodological quality of included studies, different diagnosis criteria for knee osteoarthritis, different sports modality or sex impact on overall estimated prevalence of knee osteoarthritis in former athletes. Methods Searches on MEDLINE, EMBASE, AMED, SPORTDiscus and CINAHL from the earliest record to February 2018 and hand-searching identified studies investigating prevalence of knee osteoarthritis in former athletes. Meta-analysis was conducted and the GRADE system summarized strength of the current recommendations. Sensitivity analyses investigated whether methodological quality, diagnostic criteria, type of sports or sex impacted on the overall estimated prevalence in former athletes. This review was registered at PROSPERO (CRD42016050903). Results Fifteen studies were included and pooling of 3100 participants estimated overall prevalence of knee osteoarthritis in former athletes of 30.0% (95% CI: 20.0 to 40.0%). The strength of the current recommendations was low-quality. Sensitivity analyses suggested that different diagnostic criteria for knee osteoarthritis and type of sports may impact on the overall estimated prevalence. Conclusions Prevalence of knee osteoarthritis in former athletes was 30.0%. Researchers, clinicians and policymakers should be careful about potential prevalence differences among type of sports and diagnostic criteria. Current low-quality evidence shows that future high-quality studies are likely to impact on the estimated prevalence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) is an endogenous neuromodulator produced mainly by the enzyme cystathionine gamma-lyase (CSE) in peripheral tissues. A pronociceptive role of endogenously produced H 2 S has been previously reported by our group in a model of orofacial inflammatory pain. Using the established persistent orofacial pain rat model induced by complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) injection into temporomandibular joint (TMJ), we have now investigated the putative role of endogenous H 2 S modulating hypernociceptive responses. Additionally, plasmatic extravasation on TMJ was measured following different treatments by Evans blue dye quantification. Thus, rats were submitted to Von Frey and Formalin tests in orofacial region before and after pharmacological inhibition of the CSE-H 2 S system combined or not with CFA-induced TMJ inflammation. Pretreatment with CSE inhibitor, propargylglycine (PAG; 88.4 μmol/kg) reduced temporomandibular inflammatory pain when injected locally as well as systemically. In particular, local PAG injection seems to be more effective for hypernociceptive responses in orofacial persistent inflammation since its action is evidenced in the majority analyzed periods of the inflammatory process compared to its systemic use. Moreover, local injection seems to act on temporomandibular vascular permeability, evidenced by decreased plasmatic extravasation induced by local PAG administration. Our data are consistent with the notion that the endogenous synthetized gas H 2 S modulates persistent orofacial pain responses revealing the pharmacological importance of the CSE inhibitor as a possible therapeutic target for their control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The school is an essential context for children's social interaction with peers and to develop academic skills. Therefore, a fast reintegration can help children with burns to normalize their life. Thus, school reintegration is an important outcome after burns. The aim of this review was to systematically synthesize the literature addressing school reintegration programs of pediatric burns survivors.Methods: Five electronic databases were searched independently by two reviewers. The search yielded 13 eligible publications. A qualitative content analysis was conducted.Results: The two themes identified centered around (1) the roles, obstacles, and support for the different stakeholders (i.e., the child, parents and teacher) and (2) the contents of the school reintegration programs in which subthemes such as purpose, planning, essential elements, team, and effect were distinguished. The results show that return to school should start as soon as the child is admitted to the hospital and the program should acknowledge the different stakeholders' needs and tailor the program to these needs.Conclusion: The review emphasizes the necessity of an integrated school reintegration program empowering both the child, the parents and the teachers and tailored to the child's specific situation. Furthermore, it offers recommendations for further improvement of the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monoglycerides (MGs) such as glycerol monolaurate (GML) and glycerol monostearate (GMS) have been used as excipients in oral formulations because of their emulsifying effect as well as their ability to inhibit the precipitation and intestinal efflux of drugs. Excipient-drug compatibility studies, however, have been underexplored. In this study, benznidazole (BNZ) was selected as a drug model due to the difficulty in improving its solubility and because of the potential impact on public health (it is the only drug currently used to treat Chagas disease). The effect of different processing conditions (maceration, ball milling, and melting) on the physical-chemistry properties of BNZ/MGs mixtures was investigated to guide the rational development of new solid formulations. GML was more effective in improving the solubility of BNZ, which could be due to its more malleable structure, less hydrophobic nature, and greater interaction with BNZ. The formation of hydrogen bonds between the imidazole group of BNZ and the polar region of GML was confirmed by spectroscopy analyses (IR, 1H NMR). The higher the monoglyceride content in the mixture, the higher the BNZ solubility. Regardless of the method of processing the mixture, the drug was found to be crystalline. Polarized light microscopy analysis showed the presence of spherulites. Overall, these findings suggest that preparation methods of BNZ:MGs formulations that involve thermal or/and mechanical treatment have a low impact on the solid properties of the material, and this allows for the production of formulations with reproducible performance. [Display omitted] • Monoglycerides represent an alternative for improving lipophilic drug solubility. • The imidazole group of BNZ and the polar region of MG interact via a hydrogen bond. • Melting, maceration, and ball milling did not affect the crystallinity of BNZ after being mixed with monoglycerides. • No improvement in the powder characteristics was found by using high-energy methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peritonitis in horses persists with high incidence and mortality, requiring more innovative and effective therapeutic strategies. The aim of this study was to evaluate Tenckhoff catheters and intraperitoneal use of ceftriaxone in horses. Ten healthy, male horses, with an average age of 5 years, were used and divided into two groups of five animals each. A Tenckhoff catheter was implanted in both groups. The intraperitoneal group received 25 mg/kg of ceftriaxone diluted in 1 L of 0.9% saline solution (SS) intraperitoneally via the Tenckhoff catheter, and the intravenous group received 25 mg/kg of ceftriaxone intravenously and 1 L of SS intraperitoneally. In both groups, the dosing interval was every 24 hours for 5 days. The animals were evaluated clinically and with laboratory tests through a blood count and plasma fibrinogen assay. A macroscopic, physical-chemical, and cytological evaluation of the peritoneal fluid and an abdominal sonographic evaluation were conducted before the catheter implantation and at 1, 3, 5, 7, and 10 days after the implantation and ceftriaxone administration. Seven days after the catheter insertion and the beginning of the intraperitoneal treatment, a laparoscopic evaluation was performed. The Tenckhoff catheter proved to be an appropriate route for intraperitoneal solution administration; however, it promoted a moderate inflammatory response in the abdomen. No differences in inflammatory reaction was observed between groups, suggesting that the intraperitoneal administration of the drug did not trigger a local or systemic inflammatory process, amplifying the possibilities of intraperitoneal route utilization in the treatment of peritonitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Orofacial pain has significant psychological and physiological effects. Citral (3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadienal) is the main component of Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf, an herb with analgesic properties. Although citral has been considered a potent analgesic, its putative effects on orofacial pain are still unknown. The objective of this study is to test the hypothesis that citral modulates orofacial pain using two experimental models: formalin-induced hyperalgesia in the vibrissae area and during persistent temporomandibular hypernociception using Complete Freund's Adjuvant - CFA test. For the formalin test, citral (100 and 300 mg/kg, oral gavage) or its vehicle (Tween 80, 1 %) were given 1 h before the formalin injection subcutaneously (sc) into the vibrissae area. For the CFA model, we analyzed the prophylactic (100 mg/kg of citral by oral gavage, 1 h before CFA injection) and the chronic therapeutic (citral treatment 1-hour post-CFA injection and daily post-CFA injection) effect of citral or its vehicle in animals treated with CFA for 8 days. Citral caused a decrease in formalin-induced local inflammation and the time spent performing nociceptive behavior in a dose-dependent fashion. Similarly, prophylactic and therapeutic citral treatment decreased the CFA-induced persistent mechanical hypernociception in the temporomandibular area. Our data strengthen the notion that citral plays a powerful antinociceptive role by decreasing orofacial hypernociception in formalin and CFA models. [Display omitted] • Citral 100 mg/kg, given orally, reduced acute orofacial hypernociception by decreasing local Il-6 and Il-1β levels. • Citral 300 mg/kg, given orally, reduced acute orofacial hypernociception by increasing local Il-10 levels. • Prophylatic and therapeutic citral treatment decreased persistent mechanical temporamandibular hypernociception. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apical Periodontitis (AP) is a host-mediated inflammatory response against the bacterial infection of root canals. Its pathogenesis is complex and involves inflammatory mediators in which production varies among individuals, a process that can be explained by genetic polymorphism. This integrative review aims to analyze studies that evaluate the influence of genetic polymorphism and the presence of interleukins IL-1β and IL-17 in AP, in the period from January 2016 to March 2021. Searches were done in MEDLINE/PubMed, BVS, and SciELO databases using descriptors from DeCS and MeSH. After defining the eligibility criteria, titles and abstracts were analyzed. The findings and the quality of the studies were added into a standardized table and evaluated according to the evidence level. Of the 14 analyzed studies, 50% were published in oral and maxillofacial pathology journals, and 43% were classified as level I of evidence. The authors agree about the correlation between AP and the increase of proinflammatory cytokine serum levels. The studies point to an important role of IL-1β in the maintenance of the inflammatory process of AP, whereas IL-17 seems to be related to flare-up processes, severity level, and repair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To assess functional capacity in the preoperative phase of pulmonary surgery by comparing predicted and obtained values for the six-minute walk test (6MWT) in patients with and without postoperative pulmonary complication (PPC). Method: Twenty-one patients in the preoperative phase of open thoracotomy were evaluated using the 6MWT, followed by monitoring of the postoperative evolution of each participant who underwent the routine treatment. Participants were then divided into two groups: the group with PPC and the group without PPC. The results were also compared with the predicted values using reference equations for the 6MWT. Results: Over half (57.14%) of patients developed PPC. The 6MWT was associated with the odds for PPC (odds ratio=22, p=0.01); the group without PPC in the postoperative period walked 422.38 (SD=72.18) meters during the 6MWT, while the group with PPC walked an average of 340.89 (SD=100.93) meters (p=0.02). The distance traveled by the group without PPC was 80% of the predicted value, whereas the group with PPC averaged less than 70% (p=0.03), with more appropriate predicted values for the reference equations. Conclusions: The 6MWT is an easy, safe, and feasible test for routine preoperative evaluation in pulmonary surgery and may indicate patients with a higher chance of developing PPC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Controlled release fertilizers are efficient tools that increase the sustainability of agricultural practices. However, the biodegradability of the matrices and the determination of the release into soil still require some investigation. This paper describes the preparation of potassium-containing microspheres based on chitosan and montmorillonite clay and the in situ soil release. The chitosan-montmorillonite microspheres were prepared using a coagulation method and different proportions of montmorillonite. The structural, thermal and morphological properties as well the water swelling and fertilizer sorption capacity were evaluated. The best formulations were applied in soil, and the fertilizer release was monitored using time-domain reflectometry (TDR). Montmorillonite clay provides better sorption properties than the chitosan microspheres because of the rough and porous surface. Due to these properties, high levels of fertilizer were sorbed onto the material. ChMMT33-containing potassium shows two specific periods of fertilizer release: the first one lasted approximately three days and was assigned to the external fertilizer on the microspheres. The second was assigned to the internal fertilizer. TDR is an important and fast tool and was used to determine the fertilizer release and the ion movement in the soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Chiral spiropyrazolinepenicillanates were obtained in a stereoselective fashion via 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions of 6-alkylidenepenicillanates with diphenyldiazomethane, phenyldiazomethane, and diazomethane. Microwave-induced ring contraction of spiro-1-pyrazoline-β-lactams leading to chiral spirocyclopropylpenicillanates is also described. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Florivory affects floral attractiveness in Daustinia montana. • Pollinator visits decrease when corolla damage increases in Daustinia montana. • Fruit production under natural conditions was greater among intact flowers. Floral attractiveness is a strong determinant of pollination success, although the same attributes that attract pollinators can also attract florivores. Consumption of the corolla and/or reproductive structures can reduce pollinator visitation frequencies and depress fruit and/or seed set. We hypothesized that florivory would negatively affect the visitation frequencies of floral visitors and natural fruit set in Daustinia montana , a herbaceous species endemic to Brazil. We collected inflorescences of D. montana and recorded the numbers of floral structures with signs of florivory, as well as the locations of that damage, to quantify natural florivory. Artificial damage experiments were carried out with the corollas and stamens to experimentally determine the influence of florivory on the frequency of floral visits. We also randomly marked intact flowers and those naturally damaged by florivory and measured fruit set. More intact floral buds were observed under natural conditions than buds damaged by florivory. We observed that all of the analyzed structures (stamens/pistil and corolla) are generally attacked simultaneously, as opposed to only one specific structure. Intact flowers (controls) demonstrated greater rates of pollinator visitation than experimentally damaged flowers. The visitation frequencies of nectar thieves were not different between intact flowers and artificially damaged flowers. Fruit set under natural conditions was greater for intact flowers than for those that had experienced natural florivory. Our data indicated that floral damage had negative effects on floral attractiveness to pollinators. The greater natural production of fruits from intact flowers is indicative of the degree to which florivory can impact plant reproduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The challenges being faced by the public health systems in the struggle against oral cancer (OC) have been aggravated by the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. This problem calls out the need for alternative solutions. The aim of this paper was to analyze studies that describe telehealth (TH) strategies in the prevention of OC. After elaborating the guiding question: "How can telehealth contribute to OC prevention?" searches were carried out in the PubMed, Scielo, and LILACS databases using descriptors from DeCS and MeSH. Once eligibility criteria were defined, the titles and abstracts were analyzed. Then, the selected articles were fully read to compose the final sample. The interpretation of the findings and the quality of the studies were assessed according to the level of evidence. Of the 12 articles selected, 83.33% were published between the years 2017 and 2020. India was the country that most researched the topic (58.33%). Regarding the levels of evidence, 83.33% were classified as level VI. The investigated studies confirm that telehealth strategies have the potential to effectively contribute to the prevention of OC, promoting, in the long term, a reduction in morbidity and mortality rates and increase in survival rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to report the excision of a benign tumor of adipose tissue in the submandibular region. A 57-year-old dark-skinned male patient reported increased volume on the left side of his face, with approximately 10 years of evolution. The physical exam showed increased submandibular volume on the left side: a nodule measuring about 10 cm, with a soft and mobile consistency and painless. Fine needle aspiration puncture exam, contrast computed tomography, and ultrasound of the affected site were performed and the result was suggestive of benign tumor of adipose tissue. The patient underwent surgery by submandibular approach and excisional biopsy of the lesion was performed. The tumor presented a yellowish color, measuring 7 cm in its largest diameter. The material was sent for histopathologic examination, which confirmed the diagnosis of lipoma, a benign tumor of adipose tissue. Twelve months of follow-up showed no recurrence or complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Infections are known to trigger and exacerbate psoriasis. Although oral candidiasis is often clinically diagnosed, it is not always confirmed by laboratory tests such as oral cytopathology. Objectives: The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of oral candidiasis in patients with psoriasis through clinical and cytopathological diagnosis and to investigate the association between oral candidiasis and psoriasis with regards to the severity of the clinical presentation and the type of treatment for psoriasis. Methods: A total of 140 patients with psoriasis and 140 healthy control subjects received an oral examination. Scrapings of the tongue were also obtained for a cytopathological examination. Results: The oral examination and the results of the cytopathological smear revealed 37 (26%) cases of candidiasis in the patients with psoriasis and no cases of candidiasis in the healthy control subjects. There was no correlation between the type of psoriasis treatment and the presence of oral candidiasis (P = .616). There was a statistically significant association (P = .033) between the clinical severity of psoriasis and the presence of Candida. Limitations: This study was limited by the small number of subjects and the lack of follow-up to determine the development of psoriasis after treatment for oral candidiasis. Conclusions: The presence of oral candidiasis is higher in patients with psoriasis and it is associated with disease severity. This increased presence of oral candidiasis was apparent despite any type of treatment for the psoriasis. Cytopathology to rule out oral candidiasis should be used in the routine medical workup of patients with psoriasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]