Search

Characterization of different organic wastes is essential to reveal alternative nutrient sources useful for agriculture. The objective of this work was to characterize a variety of organic wastes generated in the Brazilian Amazon in order to identify nutrient sources for potential use as organic fertilizers. Samples of nine different organic wastes from agricultural, livestock and forestry activities were collected in the state of Pará, Amazon region, Brazil. These samples were characterized using reference methods for analyses of organic fertilizers. Palm oil mill boiler ash was highly concentrated in P, K, Ca, and Mg and also highly alkaline, being considered a promising material for use as fertilizer and lime in acid soils. Palm oil mill decanter cake was the best N source; it also contained relevant amounts of K, S, and Zn. Cattle manure was more concentrated in N and oil palm empty fruit bunch in K. Residual eucalyptus charcoal was high in Ca but also in Na and Al. Oil palm fruit fiber, oil palm fruit shell, wood sawdust of the pile top, and wood sawdust of the pile slope were consistently poor in nutrients. All wastes presented low concentrations of As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Hg, Pb, and Se. This study identified organic wastes differing in prevalent nutrients for potential use as organic fertilizers. Such a difference could be explored in further studies by combining two or more wastes with complementary prevalent nutrients in order to better meet the nutritional requirements of different crops in the Brazilian Amazon.

This presentation reviews images of electron micrographs from various skeletal muscles identifying a consistent association of diydropyridine receptors (DHPR) tetrads with alternate ryanodine receptors. Imaging of the junctional gap in triads from various sources provide direct evidence for the association of four diydropyridine receptors (DHPRs), clustered into tetrads, with alternate ryanodine receptors (RyRs). It is not clear whether firing of all four components of a tetrad is necessary to fully activate the opening of the RyR channel.

Diante ao preocupante cenáriomundial sobre a obesidade e a importância de intervenções multiprofissionais para mudança no estilo de vida da população com obesidade. O Objetivo foi analisar os efeitos de um programa multiprofissional para tratamento da obesidade com treinamento aquático, nos parâmetros bioquímicos, composição corporal e da aptidão física de adultos obesidade severa. O estudo foi conduzido por equipe multiprofissional com profissionais de Educação Física, Nutrição, Psicologia e Medicina, durante 24 semanas, com 16 indivíduos classificados com obesidade severa (IMC > 40 kg/m2). As Intervenções do programa proposto no estudo foram realizadas através treinamento aquático de exercícios aeróbicos associados com a orientação nutricional e psicológica. Foi analisada diminuição significativa no índice de Proteína C Reativa (mg/L) (p=0,0439); no percentual de gordura (%), ao final das 24 semanas do programa de tratamento (p=0,0136), também houve aumento significativo na força de pressão manual (kg) com 16 semanas (p=0,0006) e 24 semanas (p=0,0014). Este estudo apresentou resultados significativos na melhora dos parâmetros bioquímicos, composição corporal e da aptidão física em adultos com obesidade severa, justificando o quanto programas de tratamentos que visam a mudanças nos hábitos alimentares e estilo de vida são de grande importância para a saúde pública

BackgroundUnder emergency coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic regulations, Medicare granted temporary payment parity with in-person visits for audio-only (telephone) telemedicine visits. This policy was designed to expand telemedicine to patients without camera-equipped devices and broadband internet. However, audio-only telemedicine use has been substantial.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to explore whether the rate of audio-only telemedicine during the pandemic is related to patient access to technology or provider behavior.DesignCross-sectional analysis of the Summer and Fall 2020 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey coronavirus disease 2019 supplements, using multivariable logistic models and accounting for complex survey design.SubjectsA total of 3375 participants in the summer survey and 2633 participants in the fall 2020 were offered a telemedicine visit to replace a scheduled in-person visit by their usual care provider.MeasuresWe compared beneficiaries who were exclusively offered audio-only telemedicine to beneficiaries who were offered video telemedicine or both audio and video.ResultsWe found that among Medicare beneficiaries who were offered telemedicine to replace a scheduled in-person appointment, ~35% were exclusively offered audio-only. 65.8% of beneficiaries exclusively offered audio-only reported having a smartphone/tablet and home internet. After controlling for personal access to technology, Hispanic [adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=2.09, P

Valorisation of cultural heritage is a priority of international community, and the creation of 3D models is considered almost a mandatory requirement to any conservation activity. Geomatics has given its contribution to this purpose offering its competences and experiences in surveying. Methods and tools have progressively improved offering more realistic, accurate, and reliable products; among the most interesting systems currently available, there is the handheld mobile mapping Leica BLK2GO technology. The characteristics of this system are particularly useful when traditional methods are unfeasible due to accessibility problem, narrowness spaces and time constraints. Nevertheless, the system, as any new technology, needs to be tested in order to verify its capability to describe the world in a correct and reliable way; moreover, it is interesting to understand if established data classification procedures are still effective for SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) data. The paper is framed in this context and illustrates the survey of an ancient crypt, located in Pavia (Italy), that is object of a preservation project. The characteristics of the monument and the acquisition strategies are described. For data classification three different Machine Learning approaches are test: Support Vector Machine (SVM), Decision Tree (DT) and Random Forest (RF). Seven architectural elements are considered: pavement, columns, half pilasters with structural function, walls, capitals, arches, and vaults. The analysis shows as Leica BLK2GO data owns all the characteristics feasible to produce useful point cloud; data classification performs well (with the exceptions of SVM) with higher accuracy, of about 90%, reached using RF.

Abstract Background Healthcare disparities are an issue in the management of Congenital Heart Defects (CHD) in children. Although universal insurance may mitigate racial or socioeconomic status (SES) disparities in CHD care, prior studies have not examined these effects in the use of High-Quality Hospitals (HQH) for inpatient pediatric CHD care in the Military Healthcare System (MHS). To assess for racial and SES disparities in inpatient pediatric CHD care that may persist despite universal insurance coverage, we performed a cross-sectional study of the HQH use for children treated for CHD in the TRICARE system, a universal healthcare system for the U.S. Department of Defense. In the present work we evaluated for the presence of disparities, like those seen in the civilian U.S. healthcare system, among military ranks (SES surrogate) and races and ethnicities in HQH use for pediatric inpatient admissions for CHD care within a universal healthcare system (MHS). Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study using claims data from the U.S. MHS Data Repository from 2016 to 2020. We identified 11,748 beneficiaries aged 0 to 17 years who had an inpatient admission for CHD care from 2016 to 2020. The outcome variable was a dichotomous indicator for HQH utilization. In the sample, 42 hospitals were designated as HQH. Of the population, 82.9% did not use an HQH at any point for CHD care and 17.1% used an HQH at some point for CHD care. The primary predictor variables were race and sponsor rank. Military rank has been used as an indicator of SES status. Patient demographic information at the time of index admission post initial CHD diagnosis (age, gender, sponsor marital status, insurance type, sponsor service branch, proximity to HQH based on patient zip code centroid, and provider region) and clinical information (complexity of CHD, common comorbid conditions, genetic syndromes, and prematurity) were used as covariates in multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results After controlling for demographic and clinical factors including age, gender, sponsor marital status, insurance type, sponsor service branch, proximity to HQH based on patient zip code centroid, provider region, complexity of CHD, common comorbid conditions, genetic syndromes, and prematurity, we did not find disparities in HQH use for inpatient pediatric CHD care based upon military rank. After controlling for demographic and clinical factors, lower SES (Other rank) was less likely to use an HQH for inpatient pediatric CHD care; OR of 0.47 (95% CI of 0.31 to 0.73). Conclusions We found that for inpatient pediatric CHD care in the universally insured TRICARE system, historically reported racial disparities in care were mitigated, suggesting that this population benefitted from expanded access to care. Despite universal coverage, SES disparities persisted in the civilian care setting, suggesting that universal insurance alone cannot sufficiently address differences in SES disparities in CHD care. Future studies are needed to address the pervasiveness of SES disparities and potential interventions to mitigate these disparities such as a more comprehensive patient travel program.

Introduction Surgical site infections still remain a major public health challenge and have become an increasing universal risk, especially for the implantation of orthopaedic devices.Unfortunately, the discovery and increasingly widespread use (especially the misuse) of antibiotics have led to the rapid appearance of antibiotic-resistant strains today; more and more infections are caused by microorganisms that fail to respond to conventional treatments.Oxygen-ozone therapy has been extensively used and studied for decades across various potential medical applications and has provided consistent effects with minimal side effects.This study aims to determine the superiority of oxygen-ozone therapy in combination with oral antibiotic therapy in patients with wound infections after an orthopaedic device implantation when compared with antibiotic therapy alone.Methods and analysis This is an open-label, multicentre, randomised, parallel-group study that aims to assess the efficacy and safety of oxygen-ozone therapy in combination with oral antibiotic therapy to treat infections in patients (male or female aged ≥18 years) having undergone surgery for the implant of an orthopaedic device. Patients must have at least one (but no more than three) postoperative wounds in the site of surgery (ulcers, eschars and sores) and at least one symptom (pain, burning, redness and malodour) and at least one sign (erythema, local warmth, swelling and purulent secretion) of infection of at least moderate intensity (score ≥2) in the target lesion at the screening visit (patients with wounds without signs of localised infection or with undermining wounds will be excluded).Patients (n=186) will be recruited from five Italian hospitals and studied for 7 weeks. All will be assigned to one of the two treatment groups according to a web-based, centralised randomisation procedure and placed into either the (1) intervention: oxygen-ozone therapy 2–3 times a week for 6 weeks (for a maximum of 15 sessions) simultaneously with an appropriate oral antibiotic therapy prescribed at baseline or (2) control: oral antibiotic therapy prescribed at baseline.The primary outcome is the efficacy and superiority of the treatment (ozone and oral antibiotic therapies); secondary outcomes include the resolution of signs and symptoms, modifications in lesion size and the treatment’s safety and tolerability.Ethics and dissemination This study has been reviewed and approved by the responsible Independent Ethics Committee (IEC) of COMITATO ETICO CAMPANIA NORD, located at ‘Azienda Ospedaliera San Giuseppe Moscati di Avellino’.After completion of the study, the project coordinator will prepare a draft manuscript containing the final results of the study on the basis of the statistical analysis. The manuscript will be derived by the co-authors for comments, and after revision, it will be sent to a major scientific journal. Findings will be disseminated via online and print media, events and peer-reviewed journals.Trial registration number NCT04787575.

Spatial and temporal variations can influence the abundance and biology of parasite species and even the transmission process, as well as the diet, reproduction and distribution of hosts. We studied the influence of seasonality on the diet and endoparasites of the lizard Strobilurus torquatus. The lizards were collected during a period of one year, in the Engenho Gargaú Private Reserve of Natural Heritage, located in the municipality of Santa Rita, in the state of Paraíba, Northeast Brazil. Thirty-three lizards were analysed, of which 30 were parasitised (overall prevalence of 90%) with the helminths Physaloptera lutzi (prevalence of 69.6%), Spauligodon loboi (51.5%), Strongyluris oscari (15.1%) and Haplometroides odhneri (3.0%). Our analysis showed that endoparasite abundance was influenced by host body size (R2m: 0.95; R2c: 0.95; Z-value: 11.521; P < 0.0001). Host sex also influenced endoparasite abundance, where males were parasitised more than females (Z-value: 6.260; P < 0.001). When comparing the two seasons (dry and rainy), we observed that the greatest endoparasites abundance occurred during the rainy season (Z- value: -2.422; P < 0.05). Regarding the lizards’ diet, we observed a high niche overlap (overlap index of 0.999), which indicates that males and females of S. torquatus consumed practically the same prey during the analysed period. The life cycle of the endoparasites found in S. torquatus was linked to seasonal variation, and the behavioural and physiological differences between sexes may have influenced the variations in endoparasite abundance.

The purpose of this study is to examine the geographical patterns of adjuvant hormonal therapy adherence and persistence and the associated factors in insured Texan women aged 18–64 with early breast cancer. A retrospective cohort study was conducted using 5-year claims data for the population insured by the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX). Women diagnosed with early breast cancer who were taking tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors (AIs) for adjuvant hormonal therapy with at least one prescription claim were identified. Adherence to adjuvant hormonal therapy and persistence with adjuvant hormonal therapy were calculated as outcome measures. Women without a gap between two consecutively dispensed prescriptions of at least 90 days were considered to be persistently taking the medications. Patient-level multivariate logistic regression models with repeated regional-level adjustments and a Cox proportional hazards model with mixed effects were used to determine the geographical variations and patient-, provider-, and area-level factors that were associated with adjuvant hormonal therapy adherence and persistence. Of the 938 women in the cohort, 627 (66.8%) initiated adjuvant hormonal therapy. Most of the smaller HRRs have significantly higher or lower rates of treatment adherence and persistence rates relative to the median regions. The use of AHT varies substantially from one geographical area to another, especially for adherence, with an approximately two-fold difference between the lowest and highest areas, and area-level factors were found to be significantly associated with the compliance of AHT. There are geographical variations in AHT adherence and persistence in Texas. Patient-level and area-level factors have significant associations explaining these patterns.

Abstract Background Comparative prospective data regarding different radiosurgery (SRS) modalities for treating brain metastases (BMs) from solid tumors are not available. To investigate with a single institute phase III randomized trial whether SRS executed with linac (Arm-B) is superior to a dedicated multi-source gamma-ray stereotactic platform (Arm-A). Methods Adults patients with 1–4 BMs from solid tumors up to 30 mm in maximum diameter were randomly assigned to arms A and B. The primary endpoint was cumulative incidence of symptomatic (grade 2–3) radionecrosis (CIRN). Secondary endpoints were local progression cumulative incidence (CILP), distant brain failure, disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS). Results A total of 251 patients were randomly assigned to Arm-A (121) or Arm-B (130). The 1-year RN cumulative incidence was 6.7% in whole cohort, 3.8% (95% CI 1.9–7.4%) in Arm-B, and 9.3% (95% CI 6.2–13.8%) in the Arm-A (p = 0.43). CIRN was influenced by target volume irradiated only for the Arm-A (p <

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common cause of non-traumatic long-term disability in young adults. Whole-body cryostimulation (WBC) is a cold-based physical therapy known to induce physiological exercise-mimicking changes in the cardiovascular, neuromuscular, immune, and endocrine systems and to influence functional and psychological parameters by exposing the human body to cryogenic temperatures (≤−110 °C) for 2–3 min. The purpose of this scoping review is to present an overall view on the potential role of WBC as an adjuvant therapy in the treatment of MS. PubMed, ScienceDirect, Embase, and Web of Science were searched up to 30 November 2023, and a total of 13 articles were included. WBC may have beneficial antioxidant effects as a short-term adjuvant treatment in MS. There were no significant changes in antioxidant enzymes, nitric oxide levels, metalloproteinase levels, blood counts, rheology, and biochemistry. WBC can lead to a reduction in fatigue and an improvement in functional status, with a significant effect on both mental and physical well-being. There were no reported adverse effects. The results suggest that WBC may complement therapeutic options for patients with MS, as the effects of cryogenic cold stimulation have been shown to activate antioxidant processes and improve functional status, mood, anxiety, and fatigue.

In vivo compatible reactions have a broad range of possible applications in chemical biology and the pharmaceutical sciences. Here we report tetrazines that can be removed by exposure to isonitriles under very mild conditions. Tetrazylmethyl derivatives are easily accessible protecting groups for amines and phenols. The isonitrile-induced removal is rapid and near-quantitative. Intriguingly, the deprotection is especially effective with (trimethylsilyl)methyl isocyanide, and serum albumin can catalyze the elimination under physiological conditions. NMR and computational studies revealed that an imine-tautomerization step is often rate limiting, and the unexpected cleavage of the Si-C bond accelerates this step in the case with (trimethylsilyl)methyl isocyanide. Tetrazylmethyl-removal is compatible with use on biomacromolecules, in cellular environments, and in living organisms as demonstrated by cytotoxicity experiments and fluorophore-release studies on proteins and in zebrafish embryos. By combining tetrazylmethyl derivatives with previously reported tetrazine-responsive 3-isocyanopropyl groups, it was possible to liberate two fluorophores in vertebrates from a single bioorthogonal reaction. This chemistry will open new opportunities towards applications involving multiplexed release schemes and is a valuable asset to the growing toolbox of bioorthogonal dissociative reactions.