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Barium hydroxide was one of the most widely used inorganic materials to consolidate calcareous stones during the 19th and 20th. The consolidation process occurs through a carbonation reaction. Several researchers studied the consolidation mechanism; however, the results are sometimes in conflict. More experimental work using modern analytical techniques and a multi-analytical approach is necessary to shed light on the mechanisms involved. This research aims to validate the chemical composition of the developed secondary products and to evaluate the treatment’s effectiveness over time. Carrara marble and Vicenza white limestone were treated and subjected to natural, artificial, and biological weathering. Furthermore, only a few microsamples were collected from Venetian historical artifacts treated in the 1960s and 1970s. Microscopic observations, sponge tests, FTIR, SEM-EDX, and microbiological analyses investigated the stability of the treatment over time and ascertained the chemical composition of the acicular crystals developed from the carbonation reaction of barium hydroxide. The results prompted a number of considerations useful for future restorations and for developing innovative compounds for consolidation interventions.

Abstract Background Publications suggest immunomodulation co-therapy improves responder rates in uncontrolled/refractory gout patients undergoing pegloticase treatment. The MIRROR open-label trial showed a 6-month pegloticase + methotrexate co-therapy responder rate of 79%, compared to an established 42% pegloticase monotherapy responder rate. Longer-term efficacy/safety data are presented here. Methods Uncontrolled gout patients (serum urate [SU] ≥ 6 mg/dL and SU ≥ 6 mg/dL despite urate-lowering therapy [ULT], ULT intolerance, or functionally-limiting tophi) were included. Patients with immunocompromised status, G6PD deficiency, severe kidney disease, or methotrexate contraindication were excluded. Oral methotrexate (15 mg/week) and folic acid (1 mg/day) were administered 4 weeks before and during pegloticase therapy. Twelve-month responder rate (SU

To evaluate urinalysis parameters useful for identifying mixed cultures in urine culture using an automated urinary particle analyzer to assess quality indicators (QIs) for urine sample contamination.A retrospective observational cross-sectional study was conducted with 2,527 urine samples from patients of a quaternary hospital in Brazil. Urine samples were processed simultaneously in Sysmex UF-5000 flow cytometry analyzer (urinalysis) and MALDI-TOF (culture).For all samples, a cutoff of 123.8 bacteria/µL was established to discriminate culture-negative specimens. ROC curve indicated the following cutoffs for females and males, respectively: 193.65 and 23.55 bacteria/µL, and 21.35 and 5.05 squamous epithelial cells (SEC)/µL, with the latter two related to scenarios of sample contamination/colonization through mixed cultures. Performing univariate logistic regression, we found a 2.78 (CI95 %: 2.12–3.65) times higher chance of probable mixed culture when SEC values were above the cutoffs for each sex, and 6.91(CI95 %: 4.56–10.47) times for bacteria. For multivariate logistic regression, the OR values were 1.62 (CI95 %: 1.21–2.15) and 5.82 (CI95 %: 3.77–8.98), respectively.The fluorescent flow cytometry analyzers could efficiently identify urinary bacteria counts associated with contamination/colonization scenarios using the cutoffs of 21.35 SEC/µL for women and 5.05 SEC/µL for men. The cutoffs for bacteria/µL (193.65 for females and 23.55 for males) indicated that the presence of bacteria in male samples may be more associated with urinary tract infections (UTIs), while in female samples, it may be associated with either UTIs or contamination/colonization scenarios. This makes the analyzer a helpful tool as QI of sample contamination in urine cultures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the frame of the Venezia2021 project the private 'Byzantine house' designed by Giuseppe Torres in 1905 was chosen as the emblematic architectural site which marks Venice's transition towards modernity, requiring study of its conservation in the lagoon environment of the city of Venice. In conjunction with the definition of a specific Path of Knowledge of the ground floor, a series of stone and lithoid materials as well as their related deterioration products from the interior rooms were sampled for analysis. The investigations covered a wide range of materials (plasters, mortars, natural and artificial stones, bricks, glass and finishings). They were carried out by means of a multi-analytical approach comprising SEM-EDX and optical microscopy; XRPD; XRF, ion chromatography; and Raman and infrared (FTIR) spectroscopies. The stones identified are linked to the Venetian architectural tradition (Euganean trachyte and Istrian stone). The sands in the mortars are mainly of regional origin and the glass is compatible with traditional Venetian (Murano) recipes. Of particular interest is the presence of an intonachino charged with ground fluorite. The deterioration products are linked to the extensive and intense phenomenon of capillary rising damp and efflorescence deposition induced by the lagoon environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Skin and soft-tissue infections (SSTIs) are common infectious syndromes in children. Overusing broad-spectrum antibiotics has contributed to rising antibiotic resistance, complicating treatment outcomes. To address this issue, antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) have been implemented to optimize antibiotic use. This study evaluated the impact of a multifaceted ASP on antibiotic prescribing practices for SSTIs in a pediatric acute care setting over eight years. Methods: We conducted a quasi-experimental study at the Pediatric Acute Care Unit of the Padua University Hospital, including children admitted with SSTIs from October 2014 to September 2022, to evaluate the impact of a multifaceted ASP implemented in October 2015. The study was divided into three periods: pre-implementation (October 2014–September 2015), post-implementation (October 2015–March 2020), and COVID-19 (April 2020–August 2022). Data on antibiotic prescriptions and microbiological results were collected and analyzed. Results: The implementation of the ASP led to a significant reduction in the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, particularly third-generation cephalosporins (from 40.4% to 9.8%) and glycopeptides (from 21.1% to 1.6%). There was a notable increase in the prescription of Access antibiotics, from 30% in the pre-implementation to over 60% in the post-implementation and 80% during COVID-19. No increase in the hospital length of stay was observed. Microbiological results showed no significant changes in bacterial profiles over time. Conclusions: The use of the ASP effectively improved antibiotic prescribing practices, reducing reliance on broad-spectrum antibiotics even during the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings highlight the value of ongoing stewardship efforts and suggest the need for similar programs in ambulatory settings to further address antibiotic resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 60-day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of including pumpkin seeds and pomace in the diets of Pacific white shrimp Penaeus vannamei, and the effects of these supplements on growth performance, body composition, and total polyphenol, flavonoid and carotenoid contents, as well as on total antioxidant activity, and body color parameters. Five diets were evaluated: pumpkin seeds (PS) at 50 and 100 g·kg−1, pumpkin pomace (PP) at 50 and 100 g·kg−1, and a control treatment. Pacific white shrimp (P. vannamei) juveniles (0.60 ± 0.01 g) were stocked in 15 tanks (310 L), containing 30 shrimps per tank, and the treatments were randomly distributed in triplicate. At the end of the experiment, shrimps were euthanized, weighed, and dissected for further analyses. The inclusion of PS in the diets impaired growth performance, reduced the total flavonoid content and had a pro-oxidative effect on muscle. The inclusion of PP in the diets did not affect growth performance, improved the feed conversion ratio, increased the total flavonoid content in the diets and hepatopancreas, and improved the antioxidant activity of the feeds and shrimp muscle. The total carotenoid content of the feeds increased with the inclusion of PS or PP in the diets; however, the total carotenoid content of shrimp increased only in those fed PP diets. Shrimp fed with PS diets showed a yellowish color and higher saturation when fresh and a reddish color and yellow hue angle after cooking. Shrimp fed PP diets turned reddish and yellowish, both when fresh and after cooking. The inclusion of PS in P. vannamei diets is not recommended; however, PP can be included at 100 g·kg−1 without affecting the growth parameters. Further studies evaluating the inclusion of higher PP levels in shrimp diets are recommended.

O presente artigo propõe-se a fazer um estudo antroponímico a partir dos nomes e sobrenomes das crianças registradas em Bento Gonçalves nos últimos 4 anos. Para tanto, fez-se um levantamento dos 10 sobrenomes que ocorreram com mais frequência no período de 2018 a 2021, os quais foram divididos por origem étnica e analisados etimologicamente. Também se fez um levantamento dos 10 nomes masculinos e dos 10 femininos que ocorreram com mais frequência no mesmo período, os quais foram analisados etimologicamente, levando-se em conta os usos desses nomes no Rio Grande do Sul e no Brasil. Além disso, discutem-se também questões relacionadas à Onomástica e, dentro dela, a Antroponímia, com destaque para a relação entre essa ciência e a histórica de ocupação humana do município de Bento Gonçalves. Em relação aos sobrenomes, os resultados apontam para uma perda progressiva das marcas da italianidade, que sempre estiveram presentes na história do município; e em relação aos nomes, há evidências sobre modas onomásticas locais, estaduais e nacionais.

In the present study, the superplasticizing effect of HASE (Hydrophobic Alkali Swellable Emulsions) associative polymers on a cementitious formulation has been studied through a Design of Experiment (DoE) statistical approach. The main advantage of a study based on a DoE approach is that it gives the possibility of carrying out tests in which there is a combination of the parameters chosen on two extremes. Thus, the tests are driven by a combination of these parameters according to the design.The DoE approach was used to optimize the combination of HASE polymer synthesis reaction variables. As a final response from the design, or rather as an objective of our synthesis, the superplasticizing effect that each polymer has on the final diameter variation of the cementitious formulation after the Flow Table Test was chosen. The variation of the final diameter was considered as the difference with respect to the same formulation without the addition of the superplasticizer.The variables were chosen in such a way as to have the greatest impact on the reaction product, in particular the quantity of acidic methacrylic monomer (MMA), quantity of surfactant (SDS), quantity of free radical initiator (ASP) and reaction time (t). These variables were assumed to be independent variables. The design also included a central level, that is an experiment in which all the factors are set at an intermediate value between the minimum and the maximum. In this case, only one central level was added for a total of 17 experiments. By applying the DoE design it was possible to identify that the variable that has the greatest influence on the final response, that is the diameter of the cementitious formulation after the Flow Table Test, is the variable linked to the concentration of the initiator (ASP). The other variables showed a lesser influence on the final response.

O procedimento cirúrgico de ressecção de cabeça e colo femoral é uma técnica usada com frequência para afecções degenerativas e traumáticas que acometem a articulação coxofemoral. No período de pós-operatório cirúrgico a reabilitação é relevante para que o paciente tenha controle da dor, apoio total do membro, melhora da claudicação e ganho de massa muscular. Nesse trabalho descritivo, foi analisado e selecionado fichas de pacientes com pós-operatório de ressecção de cabeça e colo femoral, em processo de reabilitação em um hospital veterinário escola, com o objetivo de realizar um estudo retrospectivo e relatar a recuperação funcional, tempo de recuperação e modalidades terapêuticas utilizadas nos cães selecionados. Dos 11 animais selecionados, 63.63% obtiveram recuperação funcional em até um mês de reabilitação. Os animais que obtiveram uma recuperação em até um mês, 28,6% realizaram cinco modalidades terapêuticas, 28,6% três modalidades e 42,8% quatro modalidades, sendo que nenhum cão realizou todas as modalidades escolhidas neste estudo. A laserterapia foi o único método utilizado em todos os pacientes tratados. Conclui-se que a média de recuperação total de um cão em processo de Reabilitação Funcional pós procedimento de ressecção de cabeça e colo femoral, independente do diagnóstico anterior a cirurgia e diferentes modalidades terapêuticas utilizadas para cada paciente, é de um mês, sendo avaliado de acordo com o apoio total do membro, melhora da dor, melhora da claudicação e ganho de massa muscular. Sugere-se a realização de estudos controlados, com modalidades isoladas ou com o mesmo protocolo de tratamento, para que se possa avaliar se há diferenças de recuperação entre as diferentes formas de tratamento.

Foi realizado um levantamento bibliográfico a respeito do uso da homeopatia aplicada ao alívio da dor e do sofrimento em animais acometidos com Doença renal crônica em estágio 4. Uma revisão bibliográfica em livros, periódicos, artigos científicos e revistas eletrônicas que julgamos pertinentes. A História da homeopatia, desde seu surgimento, sofreu grandes contribuições, como de Hipócrates, conhecido como “o pai da medicina” e Christian Friedrich Samuel Hahnemann, médico Alemão, que no século XIX, concretizou a homeopatia como a conhecemos hoje. Diferentemente da alopatia convencional, a homeopatia se mostra uma alternativa viável para findar e/ou minimizar a dor do animal. Comum na Clínica de pequenos animais, a Doença Renal Crônica, patologia caracterizada pela destruição dos néfrons até o ponto de perda de função renal, com irreversibilidade do processo e TFG inferior a 50%, pode ser estadeada baseando-se em parâmetros da concentração de creatinina. De acordo com a literatura consultada, fica claro que o tratamento alopático de eleição, apesar de contribuir no controle dos sinais clínicos manifestados, é incapaz de garantir a cura, tampouco a irreversibilidade do processo. Assim, a homeopatia se apresenta como uma alternativa para o cuidado paliativo do animal, garantindo a diminuição de riscos e a melhora na qualidade de vida do animal.

The objective of this was to evaluate the ability of bioflocs to assimilate and transfer antioxidant compounds present in açaí Euterpe oleracea to juvenile Penaeus vannamei shrimp grown in a biofloc system. Juvenile shrimp were distributed into four treatment groups (control, 5, 20, and 80 mg açaí L−1), containing 31 shrimps/tank (90 L), and cultivated for 30 days. Every 24 h throughout the experimental period, the respective açaí concentrations were added directly to the cultivation water. The bioflocs and hepatopancreas lost their antioxidant capacity with increasing concentrations of açaí; however, lipid damage was mitigated after treatment with 20 mg of açaí L−1 (p < 0.05). The application of 20 mg açaí L−1 increased the mean height and area of the middle intestinal microvilli (p < 0.05). Mortality and protein and lipid damage in shrimp muscle increased with daily administration of 80 mg açaí L−1 (p < 0.05). It is concluded that the bioflocs were able to assimilate the antioxidants present in açaí and transfer them to the shrimp, and the administration of 20 mg açaí L−1 presented the best performance, demonstrating the possibility of its application in the cultivation of P. vannamei in a biofloc system.

Peroxidase (PO) has been applied in different areas of industrial biotechnology, including the control of contaminants like aflatoxin B1 in fish feeds. However, its potential negative interactions with the macro and micro components of feeds have not been evaluated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of PO’s addition to a feed on compounds like fatty acids and polyphenols using an in vitro simulation of the digestive tract of the tilapia. The influence on fatty acids was determined by changes in the peroxide index, with the feed including PO presenting values four times higher than those of the control feed. On the other hand, the in vitro digestive simulation also evidenced an effect of PO on the bioaccessibility of polyphenols significantly influenced by the total digestion time and temperature. The bioaccessibility of polyphenol ranged from 2.09 to 16.23 μmol of the total Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity for the combinations evaluated in the study. The greatest bioaccessibility was observed at the central point under the following conditions of digestive hydrolysis: pH of 7, 30 °C, 4.5 h of digestive hydrolysis and an absence of PO.