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Bio-based polyurethane foam sorbents were developed, incorporating different amounts of rice husk ash, 2, 8 and 20 wt% relative to the total mass of the polyols for the adsorption of diesel oil in single-phase and two-phase systems. The composites were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, microtomography, X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry analysis and contact angle. In single-phase diesel oil systems, higher levels of ash incorporation (8 and 20%) increased the hydrocarbon removal capacity by up to 43% compared to pure polyurethane foam. Removals of up to 5.348 mg g−1 were found for the composite with 8% ash and 5.518 mg g−1 for the composite with 20%. In two-phase systems, varying the concentration of diesel oil from 10 g L−1 to 150 g L−1, there is a possibility that the lower contact angle of the composites may interfere with adsorption, as the composite with 2% ash tended to have a higher diesel oil sorption capacity. Sorption kinetics showed a high rate at contact times of around 8 min. The non-linear pseudo-second-order models fitted the observed sorption phenomena satisfactorily, with coefficients of determination greater than 0.90. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Classical trigeminal neuralgia (TN), caused by vascular compression of the nerve root, is a severe cause of pain with a considerable impact on a patient’s quality of life. While microvascular decompression (MVD) has lower recurrence rates when compared with partial sensory rhizotomy (PSR) alone, refractoriness can still be as high as 47%. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety profile of MVD + PSR when compared to standalone MVD for TN. We searched Medline, Embase, and Web of Science following PRISMA guidelines. Eligible studies included those with ≥ 4 patients, in English, published between January 1980 and December 2023, comparing MVD vs. MVD + PSR for TN. Endpoints were pain cure, immediate post-operative pain improvement, long-term effectiveness, long-term recurrence, and complications (facial numbness, hearing loss, and intracranial bleeding). We pooled odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals with a random-effects model. I2 was used to assess heterogeneity, and sensitivity and Baujat analysis were conducted to address high heterogeneity. Eight studies were included, comprising a total of 1,338 patients, of whom 1,011 were treated with MVD and 327 with MVD + PSR. Pain cure analysis revealed a lower likelihood of pain cure in patients treated with MVD when compared to patients treated with MVD + PSR (OR = 0.30, 95% CI: 0.13 to 0.72). Immediate postoperative pain improvement assessment revealed a lower likelihood of improvement in the MVD group when compared with the MVD + PSR group (OR = 0.31, 95% CI: 0.10 to 0.95). Facial numbness assessment revealed a lower likelihood of occurrence in MVD alone when compared to MVD + PSR (OR = 0.08, 95% CI: 0.04 to 0.15). Long-term effectiveness, long-term recurrence, hearing loss, and intracranial bleeding analyses revealed no difference between both approaches. Our meta-analysis identified that MVD + PSR was superior to MVD for pain cure and immediate postoperative pain improvement for treating TN. However, MVD + PSR demonstrated a higher likelihood of facial numbness complications. Furthermore, identified that hearing loss and intracranial bleeding complications appear comparable between the two treatments, and no difference between long-term effectiveness and recurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The velvetbean caterpillar (VBC), Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a significant soybean pest in the Americas and controlled mainly with chemical insecticides. Toxicity, survival, respiration, and anti-feeding effect of the VBC larvae exposed to four neurotoxic insecticides (α-cypermethrin, abamectin, chlorpyrifos, and thiamethoxam) by ingestion were evaluated. Toxicity bioassays demonstrated that abamectin (LC50 = 0.097 g L–1), thiamethoxam (LC50 = 0.537 g L–1), and chlorpyrifos (LC50 = 1.998 g L–1) were toxics to VBC. The survival rate was 98% in control caterpillars, declining to 35% in larvae exposed to LC50 of thiamethoxam, 26% in larvae treated with chlorpyrifos, 23% in larvae treated with abamectin, and 10% in those treated with α-cypermethrin. The neurotoxic insecticides reduced low respiration rates and produced feeding inhibition in VBC caterpillars. Our results suggest that abamectin, α-cypermethrin, chlorpyrifos, and thiamethoxam are highly effective against VBC and may be implemented to manage its populations in soybean crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and hypothesis: Collagen is a protein that confers robustness and resilience to several tissues. In the female reproductive system, collagen plays a critical role in maintaining the health and function of the vaginal walls. Aging leads to collagen reduction, which may cause vaginal dryness, irritation, and prolapse. We aim to analyze the structure and profile of collagen in the anterior vaginal wall of healthy pre-menopausal (pre-M) and post-menopausal (post-M) women under a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Methods: Fragments of the anterior vaginal wall were collected and processed for light and scanning electron microscopy. Histological preparations were performed at first with Weigert's resorcin-fuchsin stain. Decellularized preparations were conducted, and the specimens were placed under an SEM to allow observation of the 3D organization of collagen. Results: Decellularized preparations of the pre-M specimens showed a vaginal wall with an irregular subepithelial layer, organized with ECM projections. The subepithelium evidenced the network of collagen fibrils, which seemed to support the epithelium as a basal layer. In specimens of post-M, a fusion of a network of fibrils from different direction axes was evidenced, with plate formation observed in the subepithelial plane, disfiguring the structural organization of fibrils. Conclusions: Older specimens showed a remodeling of collagen organization in comparison with younger samples of the anterior vaginal wall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Equipment failure and production shortfalls can cause significant impacts on companies. Preventive maintenance can potentially increase equipment reliability and availability, helping companies achieve their corporate goals while reducing operation and maintenance costs. However, determining the optimal interval between maintenance interventions involves balancing various factors such as maintenance costs, equipment availability, risk of failures, and the need for corrective maintenance, as well as potential operational and financial impacts. Under this context, this paper aims to define the interval between preventive maintenance interventions for a key production equipment in a steel company located in Southeast region of Brazil. Upon documental analysis and interviews with experts, an AHP was applied to hierarchize the maintenance periodicity, based on the following criteria: part replacement based on service life, downtime hours for preventive maintenance, equipment reliability, and cost of materials and labour. A biweekly preventive maintenance periodicity was identified as the most adequate for the analysed device. An implementation plan was approved and preliminary results indicate no availability deterioration, while maintenance costs are below historical average. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2019, a new rule was applied in soccer. It allows the goalkeeper to have only one foot or part of it on the goal line when the kicker hits the ball, unlike the previous rule that determined the goalkeeper should have both feet on the line. The purpose of the present study was to analyze how the change in the rule and the lower limbs laterality influences on the diving save kinematic performance in penalties. Six goalkeepers, two professionals and four amateurs, performed a total of 20 dives in the laboratory and had their force and impulse exerted by the lower limb and displacement/velocity data from the center of body mass collected through force plates and kinematic analysis. The side preference was collected through an inventory. The results showed that goalkeepers dive further (p < 0.001) and faster (p < 0.001) when diving according to the new rule. Dives for the non-dominant side presented higher values than the trials for the dominant side in mediolateral (p = 0.02) and resultant (p = 0.03) displacements. Concluding, the goalkeepers performed better with the new rule in the analyzed variables and the lower limb preference has influenced only the mediolateral and resultant displacement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsy (IGE) patients may not achieve optimal seizure control with monotherapy. Our goal was to evaluate the efficacy of combination therapy in a retrospective series of IGE patients receiving different antiseizure medication (ASM) regimens. We retrospectively identified all patients with adolescence onset IGE with typical clinical and EEG features from a single epilepsy specialist clinic from 2009 to 2020. We evaluated long-term seizure control, for VPA, LEV, LTG mono and combination therapy. We studied 59 patients. VPA was more commonly used in men (84%) than in women (44%) (p < 0.05). VPA was the initial drug of choice in 39% of patients, followed by LEV (22%) and LTG (14.9%). Thirty-nine patients (66.1%) achieved complete seizure control for at least one year. Fifty patients (84.7)% had partial control, without GTC occurrence, for at least one year. VPA was superior to LTG for complete seizure control (p = 0.03), but not for minor seizure control or pseudoresistance (p > 0.05). Combination therapy was superior to LEV and LTG monotherapy for complete control (p = 0.03), without differences for minor seizures and pseudoresistance outcomes (p > 0.05). Combination therapy not including VPA was also non-inferior to VPA monotherapy in all settings. Combination therapy was superior to LTG and LEV monotherapy in IGE, and may be equally effective including or not VPA. Combination therapy including LTG, LEV, and/or VPA is an effective treatment option after monotherapy failure with one of these ASM in IGE. Dual therapy with LEV–LTG should be considered in monotheraphy failure, to avoid fetal effects of in utero VPA exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, much attention has been drawn to the importance of the impact of infectious disease on human cognition. Several theories have been proposed, to explain the cognitive decline following an infection as well as to understand better the pathogenesis of human dementia, especially Alzheimer's disease. This article aims to review the state of the art regarding the knowledge about the impact of acute viral infections on human cognition, laying a foundation to explore the possible cognitive decline followed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). To reach this goal, we conducted a narrative review systematizing six acute viral infections as well as the current knowledge about COVID-19 and its impact on human cognition. Recent findings suggest probable short- and long-term COVID-19 impacts in cognition, even in asymptomatic individuals, which could be accounted for by direct and indirect pathways to brain dysfunction. Understanding this scenario might help clinicians and health leaders to deal better with a wave of neuropsychiatric issues that may arise following COVID-19 pandemic as well as with other acute viral infections, to alleviate the cognitive sequelae of these infections around the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Brain abnormalities are a concern in COVID-19, so we used minimally invasive autopsy (MIA) to investigate it, consisting of brain 7T MR and CT images and tissue sampling via transethmoidal route with at least three fragments: the first one for reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis and the remaining fixed and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Two mouse monoclonal anti-coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies were employed in immunohistochemical (IHC) reactions. Results: Seven deceased COVID-19 patients underwent MIA with brain MR and CT images, six of them with tissue sampling. Imaging findings included infarcts, punctate brain hemorrhagic foci, subarachnoid hemorrhage and signal abnormalities in the splenium, basal ganglia, white matter, hippocampi and posterior cortico-subcortical. Punctate brain hemorrhage was the most common finding (three out of seven cases). Brain histological analysis revealed reactive gliosis, congestion, cortical neuron eosinophilic degeneration and axonal disruption in all six cases. Other findings included edema (5 cases), discrete perivascular hemorrhages (5), cerebral small vessel disease (3), perivascular hemosiderin deposits (3), Alzheimer type II glia (3), abundant corpora amylacea (3), ischemic foci (1), periventricular encephalitis foci (1), periventricular vascular ectasia (1) and fibrin thrombi (1). SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected with RT-PCR in 5 out of 5 and IHC in 6 out 6 patients (100%). Conclusions: Despite limited sampling, MIA was an effective tool to evaluate underlying pathological brain changes in deceased COVID-19 patients. Imaging findings were varied, and pathological features corroborated signs of hypoxia, alterations related to systemic critically ill and SARS-CoV-2 brain invasion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To describe different modalities to record and transfer natural head position (NHP) to 3D facial imaging by using the virtual surgical planning software in three facial asymmetry patients. Case Reports: Three patients with facial asymmetries (A, B, and C) were evaluated by means of dental and facial analysis, photographs, cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and digitized dental arches. Before starting the VSP workflow with Dolphin Imaging, NHP was recorded by three modalities and transferred to three-dimensional (3D) facial images as follows: (a) facial photographs taken with digital camera and the estimated NHP was transferred to 3D images by comparing lines and planes from both images; (b) cross-line level laser was used to place radiopaque markers on the face skin for recording the estimated NHP, which was transferred to 3D images by alignment of planes and markers in the software; and (c) photographs of the face were processed to generate facial surface mesh by using the Agisoft PhotoScan software, which maintained the same position of the estimated NHP in 3D for aligning the images of the soft tissue with the facial surface mesh by using superimposition. All the three patients underwent bi-maxillary orthognathic surgery. Conclusion: There are different modalities using simple and available technologies in the clinical routine, but whose reproducibility, reliability and validation could not be assessed nor compared to each other. There was no trend for better predictability, feasibility and efficiency because the postoperative outcomes were adequate regarding the patients' satisfaction and facial symmetry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most studies related to the synthesis of TiO2–SiO2 composites for photocatalytic applications did not systematically evaluate the textural and photocatalytic properties obtained from different integration levels between these two phases. Thus, this work investigates the influence of the heat treatment step on the structural properties and photodegradation activity of TiO2–SiO2 composites synthesized by different sol–gel and hydrothermal routes. The as-prepared samples showed significant textural and photocatalytic differences, whereas the heat-treated samples showed similar structures and properties. However, some critical differences could be observed, such as different resistances to crystal growth due to the distinct location of the silica phase. Moreover, it was possible to identify a great photocatalytic enhancement by comparing the heat-treated and as-synthesized samples, which was mainly attributed to the segregation of SiO2 toward surface sites. Here, it was observed that the crystallization of titania after the heat-treatment step had a minor effect on the composites photoactivity since even the as-prepared samples were crystalline. The heat treatment was shown to be fundamental for a controlled segregation of the two phases, promoting a synchronous effect between the adsorption of MB molecules on the silica-rich portion and photocatalysis in the vicinity of such sites, where the titania phase is present. Such behavior was more pronounced in samples prepared with an early addition of TEOS during the synthesis. Highlights: TiO2–SiO2 nanocomposites synthesized by sol–gel technique and hydrothermal treatment. Optimization of the photocatalytic activity by thermal treatment. Highest dye removal for composites with early addition of silica precursor. Controlled segregation of the silica phase under heat treatment. Combined effect of the photoactivity of TiO2 and adsorption capacity of SiO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to evaluate the mechanism of action of the antineoplastic activity of an oxazolidine derivative, LPSF/NB-3 (5-(4-cloro-benzilideno)-3-etil-2-tioxo-oxazolidin-4-ona). Cytotoxicity assays were performed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and resistant acute leukemia cell line (HL-60/MX1) by the MTT method. LPSF/NB-3 exhibited cytotoxicity in HL-60/MX1, but it was not toxic to healthy cells in the highest dose tested (100 μM). The protein extract of HL-60/MX1 cells treated with LPSF/NB-3 was subjected to proteomic analysis using two-dimensional chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. We could identify a total of 2652 proteins, in which 633 were statistically modulated. Within the group of protein considered for the quantitative analysis with the established criteria, 262 were differentially expressed, 146 with increased expression and 116 with decreased expression in the sample treated with LPSF/NB-3 compared to the control. The following differentially expressed pathways were found: involving regulation of the cytoskeleton, DNA damage, and transduce cellular signals. Networks that were highlighted are related to the immune system. The ELISA technique was used to assess the immunomodulatory potential of LPSF/NB-3 in PBMCs. We observed significant decrease of IFNγ (p < 0.01) and dose-response pattern of the cytokines IL-6, IL-17A, IL-22, and IL-10. Therefore, results suggest that LPSF/NB-3 appears to modulate important pathways, including cell cycle and immune system regulatory pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In about a third of the patients with epilepsy the seizures are not drug-controlled. The current limitation of the antiepileptic drug therapy derives from an insufficient understanding of epilepsy pathophysiology. In order to overcome this situation, it is necessary to consider epilepsy as a disturbed network of interactions, instead of just looking for changes in single molecular components. Here, we studied CA3 transcriptional signatures and dentate gyrus histopathologic alterations in hippocampal explants surgically obtained from 57 RMTLE patients submitted to corticoamygdalohippocampectomy. By adopting a systems biology approach, integrating clinical, histopathological, and transcriptomic data (weighted gene co-expression network analysis), we were able to identify transcriptional modules highly correlated with age of disease onset, cognitive dysfunctions, and granule cell alterations. The enrichment analysis of transcriptional modules and the functional characterization of the highly connected genes in each trait-correlated module allowed us to unveil the modules' main biological functions, paving the way for further investigations on their roles in RMTLE pathophysiology. Moreover, we found 15 genes with high gene significance values which have the potential to become novel biomarkers and/or therapeutic targets in RMTLE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water storage and purification, as well as dehydration processes, are a cause of concern for many healthy and industrial issues. In this work, calcium phosphate (CaP) materials with high water capture performance were prepared by sol–gel synthesis. After their structural characterization by several techniques, they were used in water capture tests performed in temperatures ranging from 25 to 45 °C using a climatic chamber kept at a relative humidity of 60%. The CaP samples showed a higher water uptake capacity than a commercial silica sample commonly used as a water adsorbent, despite the low surface area and pore volume displayed by the former. Moreover, different from the silica adsorbent, the studied CaP materials were submerged by the captured water after the first day, which suggests a deliquescent behavior. The CaP mass uptakes reached around 350% when tested at 25 °C and the materials release the adsorbed water quickly when heated at 100 °C. It was also demonstrated that the materials prepared here maintained their structural integrity even after the deliquescence step, which could allow their use for many cycles. Highlights: Calcium phosphate materials were prepared by sol–gel synthesis. Materials consist of CaHPO4 crystals with an amorphous phase. Calcium phosphate (CaP) samples present high water capture capacities. Sample structures do not contain a significant volume of mesopores. Synthesized CaP materials present deliquescent behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the effects of photobiomodulation applied to respiratory muscles on lung function, thoracoabdominal mobility, respiratory muscle strength, and functional capacity in COPD patients. This is a randomized double-blind crossover clinical trial. Twelve male COPD patients participated in the study. Participants were randomly allocated to receive two photobiomodulation sessions, 1 week apart: (1) an effective photobiomodulation session applied at the main respiratory muscles by means of a cluster with 69 light-emitting diodes (LEDs), containing 35 red (630 ± 10 nm; 10 mW; 0.2 cm2) and 34 near-infrared (830 ± 20 nm; 10 mW; 0.2 cm2) LEDs and (2) a sham photobiomodulation session, following the same procedures without emitting light. The primary outcomes were pulmonary function (spirometric indexes); thoracoabdominal mobility (cirtometry); respiratory muscle strength (maximal respiratory pressures), assessed at three moments: (1) baseline, (2) 1 h after intervention, and (3) 24 h after intervention; and the functional capacity, assessed by the 6-min walk test (6MWT) at baseline and 24 h after intervention. No significant interactions were found for spirometric variables, maximal respiratory pressures, and cirtometry. However, there was a Time × Condition interaction (F = 18.63; p = 0.001; η2p = 0.62) in the walked distance on the 6MWT, with a significant increase after photobiomodulation intervention (p < 0.01) compared with the baseline. Photobiomodulation applied to respiratory muscles was effective in improving acute functional capacity in COPD patients. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study assessing the effects of photobiomodulation applied to respiratory muscles in patients with COPD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work we investigated the effect of hydrothermal treatment and silica addition on the structure and photocatalytic performance of synthesized TiO2-based nanocomposites. These materials were prepared by combining sol–gel process and hydrothermal treatment, and no templates or surfactants were used in these syntheses. The optimal synthesis conditions were investigated based on the variation of the preparation parameters. Anatase TiO2 crystals were synthesized without the need of a hydrothermal treatment, but this process appeared necessary to form an anatase phase with better structural quality and high photoactivity. The heat treatment step induced competitive phenomena toward the TiO2 structural properties and its photodegradation activity, but it proved to be advantageous as long as the pore structure, anatase phase, and high specific surface area were maintained. The addition of silica was then justified, aiming to stabilize the crystalline structure of TiO2 upon heat treatment. The ideal molar ratio of Si/(Si + Ti) was 0.2 for samples heat-treated at either 500 or 700 °C. The high photocatalytic efficiency of the synthesized nanocomposites is due to the combined effect of the photoactivity of TiO2 and adsorption capacity of SiO2. When compared with a commercial TiO2 sample (Degussa Evonik P25), increasing the catalyst loading proved to greatly enhance the performance of the synthesized nanocomposite, whereas the commercial one did not follow the same trend. Highlights: TiO2-SiO2 nanocomposites synthesized by sol-gel technique and hydrothermal treatment. Optimization of the photocatalytic activity of hydrothermally treated TiO2. Catalyst structure stabilization due to hydrothermal treatment and SiO2 addition. Highest photocatalytic activity for composite with 20% of SiO2 and treated at 500 °C. Combined effect of the photoactivity of TiO2 and adsorption capacity of SiO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potential reuse of oil-contaminated soils guidance policies are demonstrating ways to reuse these materials in engineering applications. However, the engineering properties of these materials are highly altered after contamination. Alternatively, chemical stabilization treatments can improve oil-contaminated soil properties for its reuse in geotechnical applications. This study investigates the effect of a diesel contamination on a coarse-grained soil and assesses the viability of a lime treatment. Laboratory tests included pH, Atterberg limits, compaction, unconfined compression strength (UCS), California Bearing Ratio (CBR) and tensile strength, RX-diffraction and scanning electron micrographs before and after lime treatment. Tests were performed on natural soil, diesel-contaminated soils (2, 4, 8, 12, and 16% of diesel) and lime treated diesel-contaminated soils (2, 4, 6 and 8% of lime). Diesel drastically changed soil plasticity and strength properties. Lime stabilization of diesel-contaminated soils was efficient to recapture soil natural properties with low lime contents. The influence of oil and lime in soil mechanical properties and mineralogical characteristics was evidenced in this study. The presence of oil drastically altered soil mechanical properties. Crystallization of calcite was present in both natural and oil-contaminated soils treated with lime, increasing particles flocculation. The presence of oil favored dolomite formation. Lime was significate in enhancing oil-contaminated soil mechanical properties, such as UCS, indirect tensile strength and CBR, mainly due to carbonation reactions. Oil-contaminated soil mixtures showed increase in mechanical properties after lime treatment and curing period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Scientific evidence indicates that depression and anxiety symptoms may be understood as risk factors associated with the incidence and progression of chronic diseases. Considering the lack of mental health assessment tools that meet strict methodological standards, the authors have chosen to validate the psychometric properties of Anxiety and Depression Item Banks - Emotional Distress domain of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS®) for the Brazilian population.Methods: In this study, 606 adults responded to the self-administered Anxiety and Depression Item Banks, which were calibrated using Factor Analyses (Exploratory and Confirmatory analysis) and adjustment of the Graded Response Model. Transcultural validity was assessed by Differential Item Functioning (DIF).Results: The two-factor analysis confirmed the unidimensionality of Emotional Distress Items (CFI = 0.96, TLI = 0.96, RMSEA = 0.05). The residual correlation matrix did not identify item pairs with local dependence. Indicators marked with DIF presented a low impact for gender, age, and language variables. The instrument demonstrated greater reliability in the moderate-severe range, indicating that the error reduction is reflected in the - 1.0 to + 3.0 amplitude.Conclusion: The psychometric measurements of Anxiety and Depression Item Banks in the Brazilian version were equivalent to those in the original version. Additional research contemplating patients with different levels of emotional distress are necessary to better comprehend the results obtained in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silicon dioxide xerogels with controlled mesoporosity were produced by sol–gel technique. The mesoporosity and adsorption behavior of methylene blue (MB) were evaluated for the fabricated silica materials. This study is supported by several characterizations, including FTIR, TEM, SEM, and N2 sorption. The adsorption kinetics of MB on the prepared samples was evaluated at room temperature over time. It was demonstrated that the pore structure and adsorption performance of silica are closely dependent on the pH of the sol–gel solution, H2O:TEOS molar ratio, the addition of F127 template, and heat treatment performed. The present study shows that for the adsorption parameters used in this work, the control of sol–gel parameters can give rise to silica xerogels with higher adsorption capacities than SBA-16 silica molecular sieve used as the reference and already recognized as an efficient dye adsorbent. The highest adsorption capacities were measured for silica structures obtained without the use of acidic catalyst, heat treatment or F127 template. As the pore volume of the studied materials is much larger than the amount of MB captured in the adsorption tests, such results seem to be related to the specific surface area and pore size obtained in the sol–gel synthesis. Therefore, it appears that large surface areas and pore sizes accelerate the adsorption kinetic and increase the amount of MB able to stay in equilibrium in the pore structure of silica. As a matter of fact, the work developed here underlines the advantages regarding the simplicity, safety, environmental preservation and cost saving of the synthesis methodology developed herein when compared with the other methodologies commonly used to fabricate silica adsorbents. Highlights: Silicon dioxide xerogel structures with controlled mesoporosity produced by sol–gel technique Mesoporosity tailored by varying the solution pH, H2O:TEOS molar ratio, addition of F127 and heat treatment Synthesis of silica xerogel adsorbents with higher adsorption capacity than SBA-16 silica used as the reference Development of a simple, safe and green procedure to fabricate silica adsorbents with a high adsorption capacity [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to verify levels of resistance to whitefly (Bemisia argentifolii) and the two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) in experimental hybrids of tomato plants with high acylsugar content and that bear the Mi allele, and to compare the levels of resistance to those pests according to the presence or absence of acylsugars and the Mi allele. Eleven genotypes were tested in assessment of resistance to whitefly: two inbred lines, TOM-760 (Mi/Mi), with high acylsugar content, and TOM-684 (Mi/Mi), with low acylsugar content; six experimental hybrids heterozygous for acylsugar contents, TEX-407 (Mi+/Mi), TEX-408 (Mi+/Mi), TEX-409 (Mi+/Mi), TEX-410 (Mi+/Mi), TEX-411 (Mi+/Mi), and TEX-412 (Mi/Mi); Santa Clara cultivar (Mi+/Mi+) with low acylsugar content; and two control hybrids with low acylsugar content, Ibiza (Mi+/Mi) and Carina (Mi+/Mi). In the test for repellency to the two-spotted spider mite, we used the same genotypes as in the whitefly resistance test, except for the Carina hybrid. Genotypes homozygous for acylsugars and Mi, heterozygous for Mi/Mi or Mi+/Mi acylsugars, and homozygous and heterozygous for Mi alone showed levels of resistance to the Bemisia argentifolii fly, in contrast with the genotype with low contents of acylsugars and Mi+/Mi+. Genotypes homozygous and heterozygous for acylsugars exhibit higher levels of repellency to the Tetranychus urticae mite than genotypes with low contents of acylsugar. The Mi gene, however, was not effective in providing resistance to the two-spotted spider mite. The effects of resistance to Bemisia argentifolii shown by the acylsugars are added to the effects of the Mi gene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]