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Abstract Bisphenol A (BPA) is a plasticizer used to synthesize polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins and is well-known for its endocrine-disrupting action. BPA occurrence in the environment is widespread, and there is a growing concern regarding exposure to this chemical during childhood, given the findings indicating the long-lasting hazards associated with exposure during early life compared to adulthood. We examined urinary BPA concentrations from 319 elementary school-aged Brazilian children, using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry. We found that urinary BPA was detectable in the majority of children, and that urinary BPA levels were higher among children with lower family income and lower maternal educational levels. BPA levels found herein were compared with those from countries with different regulation policies concerning exposure to BPA. They were similar to those reported from studies conducted in Egypt and Australia. Despite more protective regulatory policies in the European Union, they were similar or lower than those reported in European studies. Our findings indicate that exposure of Brazilian children to BPA is widespread and comparable to or even lower than that of countries with stricter regulatory policies.

Background and Aims: Pancreatic cysts (PCs) are increasingly detected through abdominal imaging, prompting exploration of alternatives such as endoscopic ultrasound–guided PC ablation due to the risks and costs associated with surgery. This study conducts a systematic review and meta-analysis of endoscopic ultrasound–guided PC ablation’s short-term efficacy and complications for PC management. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were carried out on PubMed, Ovid, Cochrane, and TRIP electronic databases. The primary outcome was cyst resolution (partial and complete) and persistence on imaging 12 months after ablation. The secondary outcome was procedure-related adverse events. Results: Eight studies were eligible for analysis. Complete cyst resolution on imaging 12 months after endoscopic ultrasound ablation was 50% [95% CI 36‒63, I2 = 85.31%]. Partial cyst resolution was 27% [95% CI 15‒41, I2 = 87.07%], and cyst persistence was 17% [95% CI 11‒24, I2 = 62.11%]. The rate of complete resolution varied depending on the treatment agent (for ethanol 29% [95% CI 10‒53]; lauromacrogol 51% [95% Cl 36‒67]; ethanol and paclitaxel 63% [95% CI 48‒76]; paclitaxel and gemcitabine 67% [95% CI 45‒83]; and ethanol, paclitaxel, and gemcitabine 61% [95% CI 39‒80]). Postprocedure adverse events included abdominal pain in 4% [95% CI 0‒11], pancreatitis in 3% [95% CI 1‒5], and fever in 1% [95% CI 0‒3] of all patients. Conclusion: The treatment of pancreatic cysts with endoscopic ultrasound ablation results in acceptable levels of complete resolution, and low incidence of severe adverse events. The effectiveness of this treatment is further enhanced when chemoablative agents are employed.

Introduction: The Hb Deer Lodge (β2 His>Arg; HBB:c.8A>G) is a structural hemoglobin variant described in some populations around the world, characterized by increased oxygen affinity, but does not confer clinical symptoms to its carriers. The coinheritance of the Hb Deer Lodge with the most common hemoglobin variant, Hb S, has been reported only once; however, functional data were not described. Here we show a case of the Hb S and Hb Deer Lodge carrier in heterozygosity. Methods: The Hb S and Hb Deer Lodge association was identified by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), reverse phase HPLC and the β globin gene sequencing. The functional characterization of this interaction was obtained using the O2 dissociation curve, determination of the cooperativity between the globin chains and the Bohr effect in the presence and absence of organic phosphates. Results: When the Hb S and Hb Deer Lodge were associated, there was a decrease in cooperativity, no significant changes in oxygen affinity and no significant Bohr effect changes. Conclusion: Despite these genetic variations, the carrier showed no hematological alterations and no clinical symptoms, possibly due to the high oxygen affinity of the Hb Deer Lodge, which interferes with the Hb S polymerization.

Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) comprises a heterogeneous group of inherited hemolytic disorders that increases the risk of maternal and perinatal complications due to chronic systemic inflammatory response, endothelial damage and vaso-occlusion. The contribution of genotypes to the severity of outcomes during pregnancy is not completely established. Methods: A retrospective study of medical charts was performed to compare maternal and perinatal outcomes in Hb SS, Hb SC disease and sickle-beta thalassemia (Hb Sβ) pregnancies followed at a high-risk antenatal care unit over a 6-year period. A descriptive analysis of morphological findings was performed of the placenta when pathology reports were available. Results: Sixty-two SCD pregnant women [25 Hb SS (40 %), 29 Hb SC (47 %) and 8 Hb Sβ (13 %)] were included. Overall, SCD was associated with maternal complications (77 %), preterm birth (30 %), cesarean section (80 %) and a need of blood transfusion. In general there were no statistically significant differences between genotypes. The only significant difference was the hemoglobin level at first antenatal care visit which was lower for the homozygous genotype (7.7 g/dL) compared to Hb SC and Hb Sβ (9.7 g/dL and 8.4 g/dL, respectively; p-value = 0.01). Ten of 15 evaluated placentas showed abnormal morphological findings Conclusion: SCD, regardless of the underlying genotype, is associated with increased adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes and placental abnormalities associated with maternal vascular malperfusion.

Continuous vaso-occlusive and inflammatory processes cause extensive end-organ damage in adults with sickle cell disease (SCD), and there is little evidence that longterm hydroxyurea therapy prevents this. In initial trials, P-selectin blockade with crizanlizumab reduced SCD vaso-occlusive crisis frequency, and interleukin (IL)-1β inhibition in SCD patients, using canakinumab, lowered inflammatory markers. We used murine SCD models to examine the effects of acute and chronic blockade of Pselectin and of IL-1β on vaso-occlusive events, their inflammatory profile and organ health. Both approaches improved impaired cutaneous microvascular perfusion in SCD mice by reducing TNF-α-induced vaso-occlusion. Acute P-selectin blockade markedly reduced TNF-α-induced neutrophil-platelet aggregate formation in SCD mice, and decreased leukocyte-rolling movements in the microvasculature, while acute IL-1β inhibition attenuated microvascular leukocyte adhesion. Six weeks of IL-1β-blocking immunotherapy improved the inflammatory profile of SCD mice, considerably reduced hepatic fibrosis and provided some relief from lung injury. In contrast, although Pselectin blockade reduced glomerular congestion, no significant benefit to overall organ pathology was observed. Unexpectedly, while combining the two immunotherapies reduced microvascular occlusion, their prolonged use caused acute liver injury. Notably, inhibition of IL-1β, but not of P-selectin, remarkably decreased hemosiderosis, in association with reduced tissue macrophage infiltration and the correction of biomarkers of dysregulated iron turnover. Our findings suggest that the attenuation of inflammation, as well as of vaso-occlusive processes, may be crucial for mitigating organ damage in SCD. Future trials should explore the ability of cytokine blockade to prevent multiorgan damage in patients with SCD, beyond evaluating vaso-occlusive crisis frequency.

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is an essential tool with growing applications in many fields. In petrophysics, it is common to use computed tomography in those simulations, but in medicine, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is also being used as a basis for structural information. Wormholes are high-permeability structures created by the acidification of carbonate reservoirs and can impact reservoir production. CFD combined with MRI can benefit the study of wormholes in petrophysics, but combining both techniques is still a challenge. The objective of this study is to develop a pipeline for performing CFD in wormholes with MRI data. Using three samples of carbonate rocks acidified with 1.5% hydrochloric acid at 0.1, 1, and 10 ml/min, we acquired 300μm resolution T2-weighted images and experimental measurements of pressure data within flow rates of 5 to 50 ml/min. We applied cropping, bias field correction, non-local means denoising, and segmentation in the image processing step. For the 3D reconstruction, we used marching cubes to generate the surface mesh, the Taubin filter for surface smoothing, and boundary modeling with Blender. Finally, for the CFD, we generated volumetric meshes with cfMesh and used the OpenFOAM simpleFoam solver to simulate an incompressible, stationary, and laminar flow. We analyzed the effect of surface smoothing, estimating edge displacements, and measured the simulation pressure at the same flow rates as the experiments. Surface smoothing had a negligible impact on the overall edge position. For most flow rates, the simulation and experimental pressure measurements matched. A possible reason for the discrepancies is that we did not consider the surrounding porous media in the simulations. In summary, our work had satisfactory results, demonstrating CFD’s feasibility in studying wormholes using MRI.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are persistent flame retardants widely used in everyday materials, with the potential to leach out and contaminate indoors and receiving waters. Despite their well-documented ecological risks, there has been limited reporting on PBDE levels in sediments from Brazilian freshwaters, motivating the monitoring of sediments from Paranoá Lake, in the Brazilian capital. After sampling, extraction, and analysis of congeners BDE-28, -47, -66, -85, -99, -100, -138, -153, and -154 by gas chromatography with electron capture detection, Σ9PBDE levels ranged from 3.9 ± 0.2 to 19 ± 1 ng g-1 dw, with higher concentrations attributed to effluent discharge from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), followed by the influence of storm drainage water contamination. The distribution of PBDE congeners suggested a predominant influence of the commercial pentaBDE formulation, likely DE-71. However, in points influenced by WWTPs, the prevalence of BDE-66 suggests biotic reductive debromination of high-brominated PBDE, possibly BDE-209, indicating the possible influence of the decabrominated formulation. The distribution of PBDEs in the environment, estimated using the EQC (equilibrium criterion) model, level I, indicated low concentrations in the water column, but also noteworthy levels in biota and sediment precursor materials. Finally, preliminary ecological risk assessment indicated the need for future further surveys.

ABSTRACT The use of irrigation enhances productivity, reduces vulnerability to drought and climate variation, and boosts agricultural production. This study aimed to verify the economic viability of implementing center pivot irrigation for corn, cowpea, and soybean crops. A 50-hectare area irrigated by a center pivot system was considered, simulating rotational cultivation in the region of Paraíso das Águas, MS. The historical average ET0 of 8 mm day-1 for the region was used for project design and irrigation management. Financial indicators were calculated based on regional technical cultivation coefficients. Overall, 62.1% of the total production costs for the corn, cowpea, and soybean agricultural system were allocated to preparation, planting, cultural practices, and harvesting, while 34.8% were allocated to irrigation (investment in hydraulic equipment and infrastructure, energy, depreciation, and maintenance). The net present value (NPV) for corn, cowpea, and soybean crops were $72.07, $359.68, and $410.59 per hectare, respectively, averaging $842.34 per hectare per year. This profitability provides gains for producers, generating employment and regional development. The implementation of a 50-hectare center pivot irrigation system is economically feasible for cultivating corn, cowpea, and soybeans, considering a 4-year and 9-month return on capital investment under the study conditions.

This study explores the extraction and characterization of proteolytic enzymes from brewer’s spent grain (BSG) and their potential as sustainable coagulants in the dairy industry. BSG samples from various beer types (Blonde Ale, IPA, Kölsch, Honey, and Porter) were obtained from two artisanal breweries in Mar del Plata, Argentina. Optimization of caseinolytic activity (CA) and protein extraction was conducted using a Plackett–Burman design, followed by a Box–Behnken design. Optimal protein concentration was achieved at intermediate pH and high temperature, while CA peaked at pH 8.0. The specific caseinolytic activity (SCA) varied among the extracts, with BSG3 showing the highest activity (99.6 U mg−1) and BSG1 the lowest (60.4 U mg−1). Protease inhibitor assays suggested the presence of aspartic, serine, metallo, and cysteine proteases. BSG3 and BSG4 showed the highest hydrolysis rates for α-casein (70% and 78%). For κ-casein, BSG1, BSG2, and BSG3 demonstrated moderate activity (56.5%, 49%, and 55.8), while BSG4 and BSG5 exhibited the lowest activity. Additionally, the milk-clotting activity (MCA) of BSG extracts was comparable to plant-based coagulants like Cynara cardunculus and Ficus carica. These findings highlight the potential of BSG-derived proteases as alternative coagulants for cheese production, offering a sustainable link between the brewing and dairy industries.

Abstract Elephantgrass stands out for its high potential for forage production in different tropical and subtropical regions. In most properties, it is cultivated intensively with high doses of mineral fertilizers, mainly nitrogen, which makes production expensive and less sustainable. In this context, the mixtures of elephantgrass with forage legumes can make the system more efficient and with less environmental impact. Thus, the objective is to evaluate elephantgrass-based grazing systems,with or without a legume in terms of sward characteristics, herbage accumulation and nutritional value of pastures during one, agricultural year. Two grazing systems (treatments) were analyzed: (i) elephantgrass-based (EG) with mixed spontaneous-growing species (SGE) in the warm-season and ryegrass (R) in the cool-season; and (ii) EG + SGE + R + pinto peanut. The standardization criterion between the systems was the level of nitrogen fertilization (120 kg N/ha/year). The presence of pinto peanut positively affected the botanical composition of the pasture, with a reduction in SGE and dead material, and in the morphology of elephantgrass, with a greater proportion of leaf blades, and less stem + sheath and senescent material. In themixture with pinto peanut, there was an increase in herbage accumulation and greater nutritional value of forage.

Human Herpesviruses (HHVs) play a significant role in neurological diseases such as encephalitis and meningitis, adding significant morbidity. This study aims to retrospectively analyze the effect of HHVs on patients with neurological symptoms, focusing on the Herpesviridae family’s contributions to central nervous system (CNS) infections. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 895 patients suspected of viral CNS infections, utilizing molecular diagnosis via qPCR to identify HHVs in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples. This was conducted at a reference tertiary care hospital for infectious diseases in the western Brazilian Amazon from January 2015 to December 2022, focusing on the Herpesviridae family’s clinical repercussions and of Cytomegalovirus in CNS infections. Results: The findings revealed that 7.5% of the analyzed samples tested positive for HHVs, with Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and Epstein–Barr Virus (EBV) being the most prevalent. A significant association was found between HHVs and neurological diseases such as encephalitis and meningitis, especially among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), highlighting the opportunistic nature of these viruses. The study underscores the critical role of CSF analysis in diagnosing CNS infections and the complexity of managing these infections in HIV patients due to their immunocompromised status. Conclusions: The results emphasize the need for comprehensive diagnostic approaches and tailored treatment strategies for CNS infections in immunocompromised individuals. The study calls for ongoing research and advancements in clinical practice to improve patient outcomes facing CNS infections, particularly those caused by HHVs.

Hemophilia A is an X-linked disorder characterized by quantitative deficiency of coagulation factor VIII (FVIII) caused by pathogenic variants in the factor 8 (F8) gene. Our study’s primary objective was to identify genetic variants within the exonic region of F8 in 50 Colombian male participants with severe hemophilia A (HA). Whole-exome sequencing and bioinformatics analyses were performed, and bivariate analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between identified variants, disease severity, and inhibitor risk formation. Out of the 50 participants, 21 were found to have 17 different pathogenic F8 variants (var). It was found that 70% (var = 12) of them were premature truncation variants (nonsense, frameshift), 17.6% (var = 3) were missense mutations, and 11.7% (var = 2) were splice-site variants. Interestingly, 35% (var = 6) of the identified variants have not been previously reported in the literature. All patients with a history of positive inhibitors (n = 4) were found to have high-impact genetic variants (nonsense and frameshift). When investigating the relationship between variant location (heavy versus light chain) and specific inhibitor risk, 75% (n = 3) of the inhibitor participants were found to have variants located in the F8 light chain (p = 0.075), suggesting that conserved domains are associated with higher inhibitor risk. In summary, we identified genetic variants within the F8 that can possibly influence inhibitor development in Colombian patients with severe HA. Our results provide a basis for future studies and the development of further personalized treatment strategies in this population.