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Atypical spindle cell lipomatous tumors of the vulva are rare masses. We report a case of atypical spindle cell lipoma of the vulva and provide a succinct review of the current understanding of these benign masses. Specifically, this report describes a case of a 20-year-old nulligravid female who presented for evaluation of a labial mass that had been growing for one year. A pelvic MRI revealed a 7 cm fatty growth. The vulvar mass was surgically resected. This case report describes the pathologic staining pattern for these masses and reviews characteristics of these benign tumors such that they are not mistaken for malignancy.

Treatment for substance use disorders has traditionally been abstinence-oriented, but evaluating the merits of low-level cannabis use as potential treatment endpoint may identify benefits that are clinically relevant for treatment-seeking individuals who do not attain abstinence. This study explores if reduction in cannabis use to a lower level of use is related to improved physical health, mental health, and perceived cognitive functions. Study participants with a history of problematic cannabis use (n = 111) completed assessments. Regression models were used to explore the relationship between past 30-day cannabis use levels (abstinent [57%], low use [22%] defined as less than or equal to 3 days per week, and heavy use [22%] defined as 4 or more days of use per week) and functional status in physical health, mental health, and cognition. Compared to heavy users, both abstinent and low-use individuals were similarly associated with better global health, appetite, and depression outcomes. Abstinent users also reported improved sleep, anxiety, and self-reported cognitive functioning relative to heavy users. Thus, reduction in cannabis use to lower levels is associated with beneficial outcomes important to health and other areas of functioning in individuals with problematic cannabis use.

As climate change and decreasing precipitation worsen water scarcity, understanding farmers' willingness to reduce water usage is crucial. This study examines this issue in the Aosta Valley, a region facing unique challenges due to its mountainous terrain and high water management costs. The aim is to evaluate farmers' willingness to reduce water usage and the economic incentives needed to encourage water-saving strategies. To gather the data, 100 farmers participated in a survey that included a discrete choice experiment. The findings revealed that 75% of farmers were unwilling to reduce their water usage even with proposed monetary compensation (EUR 100–120 per hectare per year). On average, the additional compensation farmers would accept for a 10% reduction in water usage was estimated at EUR 360 per hectare per year. This high compensation demand suggests a disconnect between individual desires and economic feasibility. The key reasons for their reluctance included the belief that their current water usage is already optimized, inadequate compensation for potential economic losses and concerns about water shortage. The study highlights the need to understand the socio-cultural context when designing water management policies. Combining economic incentives with social and educational initiatives is likely more effective for promoting sustainable water practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Water Framework Directive 2000/60/CE (WFD) of 2000 was issued by the European Union (EU) to prevent water deterioration and promote its restoration. It introduced a water pricing policy in the agricultural sector that is based on a ‘polluter-pays’ principle. To date, some Member States have yet to comply with the pricing requirement for two main reasons: water cost estimates, as defined by the WFD, are particularly complex and difficult in the agricultural sector and farmers in marginal economic and environmental contexts may be unable to bear higher water costs. In Italy, water services are managed by regional administrations that also set irrigation water prices. This research estimated the effect of changes in irrigation water costs borne by farmers on farm incomes in a case study in the Aosta Valley Region where extensive farming is practice in a significantly naturallydisadvantage area. The analysis was modeled using four cost scenarios with economic data from the Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN) integrated with irrigation water cost data provided by a regional administrative database. Estimated water costs averaged 2.65% and 1.06% of farm incomes, depending on the presence or absence of regional subsidies. Water costs represented higher income proportions on specialized grazing livestock farms, which is the predominant type of farming in Aosta Valley. These results raise concerns for WFD implementation, in particular, in mountain and agriculturallydisadvantaged areas with extensive and less-profitable farming.

Em um sistema agrícola, a fim de aumentar o controle biológico natural, plantas que atraem inimigos naturais podem ser cultivadas junto à cultura principal. Porém, os efeitos destas plantas sobre nematoides-entomopatogênicos (NEPs), importante agentes de controle de pragas de solo, e sua ação na conservação destes, são desconhecidos. Com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito de algumas destas plantas sobre NEPs, foram montados dois experimentos em casa-de-vegetação. O primeiro observou o efeito das plantas Crotalaria spectabilis, Crotalaria breviflora e Tagetes erecta sobre a persistência e infectividade de Heterorhabditis amazonensis isolado RSC 5 durante 27 dias, comparadas a um tratamento-controle sem plantas. Já o segundo experimento avaliou o efeito de C. breviflora e T. erecta, com a presença ou não do adulto do predador Calosoma granulatum no deslocamento do nematoide. Os resultados indicaram que as plantas não influenciaram na persistência dos nematoides em longo prazo nem na infectividade e no deslocamento de H. amazonensis. Porém, a planta C. spectabilis possibilitou a maior persistência de nematoides no substrato em curto prazo, e T. erecta causou a supressão mais rápida da população inicial de JIs. No segundo experimento observou-se que nem a presença do predador e das plantas afetou a capacidade de deslocamento do nematoide no solo no período de 5 dias. Estes resultados mostram que o conhecimento prévio das plantas a serem utilizadas na diversificação agrícola pode auxiliar no controle inundativo de pragas por NEPs.

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Irrigation contributes to land and ecosystem degradation, especially in intensive farming areas. However, in marginal areas, long-established irrigation systems also supply agroecosystem services. This study aimed to identify and prioritize the external benefits provided by irrigation in extensive grazing farms in an Italian alpine region (Aosta Valley, NW Italy). Three local stakeholder groups (land irrigation consortia members, non-farmer users of the irrigation water service, and non-user citizens) engaged in focus group discussions. The transcriptions were analyzed with an integrated subjective and computer-assisted approach. The main result of the study showed that a convergence of stakeholder opinions led to prioritization of the same four benefits, i.e., hydro-geological and land maintenance, traditional agricultural landscape conservation, biodiversity conservation, and leisure recreational activities provision. Incorporating this information into decision-making processes is relevant in marginal mountain areas, especially in light of the implementation of the water pricing policy laid down in the EU Water Framework Directive. To this end, the economic value of the external benefits should be considered along with the recovery costs for water services. Such information is essential to balance the environmental costs of irrigation and to compare the resource cost of alternative water uses.

Several species of entomopathogenic nematodes have different host-seeking methods, and could be considered as "ambusher" or "cruiser". These differences may depend on how the nematodes detect the volatile signals used as cues for foraging. This study aimed to evaluate the locomotor response of Heterorhabditis amazonensis RSC5 to the compounds from root exudates of different plants, as well as to stimulants produced by the presence of insects or to the feeding activity of insects on plants. Arenas with agar-water substrates, containing root exudates from corn, bean, soybean, cucumber, garlic and tomato seedlings, were assembled to determine the substrates possibly preferred by H. amazonensis.Arenas with sand were also constructed to include, besides the seedling root exudates, treatments containing Spodoptera frugiperda, garlic seedlings and S. frugiperda feeding on garlic seedlings. The H. amazonensis species was attracted to the volatile chemicals emitted by all the root exudates tested, especially the exudate from garlic seedlings. However, it showed the greatest attraction to the combination of garlic seedlings and S. frugiperda, indicating that the search of H. amazonensis for its host is enhanced by the association between the insect and the volatile chemical compounds produced by plants, when attacked by insects.

Objectives: In this study we evaluated 40, top recommended, laparoscopic appendectomy and laparoscopic cholecystectomy videos located on public domain websites using eight criteria created by a panel of third year medical students and general surgeons. We hypothesized that there is a lack of quality, thorough educational laparoscopic surgical videos appropriate for third year medical students to review in preparation for the Surgery rotation. Methods: Utilizing a panel, which included four third year medical students and two general surgeons, we created an ‘ideal medical student educational video checklist.’ This checklist included 8 vital criteria. We selected 40, top recommended, videos available on YouTube and Google Video search engines, using ‘laparoscopic cholecystectomy’ and ‘laparoscopic appendectomy’ as key terms. Each video was evaluated by four third year medical students individually, using a binary system ‘meets’ or ‘does not meet’ each criterion. Individual scores were averaged, producing a single score for each video. Results: 0/40 (0%) of the videos met all eight of the criteria. 26/40 (65%) of the videos did not meet half of the criteria. The top performing videos 7/40 (17%) only met 5/8 criteria. Conclusions: We identified a lack of quality and thorough educational surgical videos appropriate for third year medical students and a need for improved online video based instruction. Our checklist can be utilized as a guide for anyone creating surgical videos for medical student education in the future.

Currently, the fruit fly Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae) has been controlled mainly by the chemical method, which is responsible for environmental and public health impacts. It has often been ineffective due to development of resistant insect populations. Thus, it has necessary to research new effective and less impacting control forms. In this sense, the use of entomopathogenic nematodes and plant extracts has been effective for controlling this pest. However, studies are needed to assess the compatibility between these methods, aiming at their use in integrated management programs for this pest. The aim of this study was to evaluate the compatibility of the nematodes Steinernema carpocapsae ALL and Heterorhabditis sp. JPM4 with aqueous extracts prepared from dried plant of cinnamon leaf, twig and fruit (Melia azedarach), rue leaf (Ruta graveolens), ginger (Zingiber officinale) and garlic (Allium sativum) for the control of C. capitata. The bioassay was carried out in completely randomized design with four replicates per treatment. Each replication consisted of a glass tube containing 1 mL of plant extract 40% w/v and 1 mL suspension of entomopathogenic nematodes with 1800 JI/mL for S. carpocapsae ALL and 600 JI/mL for Heterorhabditis sp. JPM4. The viability and infectivity of this nematode were evaluated on C. capitata larvae after 48 and 120 hours. It was found that all extracts reduced the viability and infectivity of both nematodes and they were incompatible after 120 hours of exposure. The nematode Heterorhabditis sp. JPM4 was more sensitive than the S. carpocapsae ALL as it showed, in the first 48 hours, a reduction in the viability and infectivity of more than 80 and 75%, respectively, when exposed to all the extracts except the ginger.A mosca-das-frutas Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae) tem sido controlada, principalmente, pelo método químico, que é o responsável por impactos ambientais e na saúde pública e, muitas vezes, tem sido ineficiente, devido ao desenvolvimento de populações de insetos resistentes. Assim, tem surgido a necessidade de pesquisas com novas formas de controle eficazes e menos impactantes. Nesse sentido, a utilização de nematóides entomopatogênicos e extratos vegetais tem se mostrado eficiente para o controle dessa praga. No entanto, são necessários estudos para avaliar a compatibilidade entre esses métodos, visando o seu uso, em programas de manejo integrado, para essa praga. O objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar a compatibilidade dos nematóides Steinernema carpocapsae ALL e Heterorhabditis sp. JPM4 com os extratos aquosos, preparados com vegetais secos da folha, ramo e fruto de cinamomo (Melia azedarach), folha de arruda (Ruta graveolens), gengibre (Zingiber officinales) e alho (Allium sativum) visando o controle de C. capitata. O bioensaio foi conduzido em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições, por tratamento. Cada repetição foi constituída de um tubo de vidro, contendo 1 mL de extrato vegetal, 40% p/v e 1 mL de suspensão de nematóide entomopatogênico, com 1800 JI/mL, para S. carpocapsae ALL e 600 JI/mL, para Heterorhabditis sp. JPM4. Foi avaliada a viabilidade dos nematóides e a infectividade desses sobre larvas de C. capitata, após 48 e 120 horas. Verificou-se que todos os extratos reduziram a viabilidade e a infectividade de ambos os nematóides, sendo incompatíveis, após 120 horas de exposição. O nematóide Heterorhabditis sp. JPM4 foi mais sensível em relação ao S. carpocapsae ALL, pois apresentou, nas primeiras 48 horas redução na viabilidade e infectividade superior a 80 e 75%, respectivamente, quando exposto a todos os extratos, exceto o de gengibre.

Fill-finish of parenteral formulations represents a crucial step in the pharmaceutical industry that necessitates careful monitoring of product stability down the line. Shear stress and interfacial stress are two elements that threaten product stability, the respective contributions of which are still up for debate. This article focuses on the analysis of shear stress in the sampling phase of the filling line. Specifically, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations were employed to determine the shear stress distribution experienced by a protein-based parenteral drug as it passes through sampling fittings of various shapes under laminar and turbulent regime conditions. Rather than seeking the specific mechanism triggering the destabilization of a product, an attempt was made to analyze the fluid dynamics within these fittings and offer further understanding of the resulting shear stress. In addition, information was collected on the product path within the fittings, which allowed the identification of equations suitable for describing the shear stress distribution. The proposed approaches made it possible to consider the actual flowrate subjected to a given shear stress at a given time. Finally, a comparison was drawn with respect to the fluid dynamics within classical straight tubing to outline differences. This study revealed that the shear stress experienced within the fittings was higher than that in the tubing. Moreover, significant differences were reported in the T-fitting case under turbulent conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The continuous population growth and technological development are contributing factors to the increased contamination of effluents with toxic metals. The removal of such metals from effluents has become an important subject for scientific research. Among the most used methods, adsorption has shown good potential to treat such effluents. In this work we investigated the metals affinity with the residue of alginate extraction from the seaweed Sargassum filipendula. The alginate residue has shown good results in the removal of metal contaminated industrial effluent and is an interesting subject of research. The experimental tests were performed using different metal solutions with concentration of 1.0 mmol.L-1, at 180 rpm in room temperature 25 °C for a period of 24 h under controlled pH 3.5. The alginate residue can be used as a bioadsorbent in the treatment of metals contaminated effluents with good results. The first and second extractions residue has shown similar ability of ion removal.

Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is considered to be the main pest of maize crops in Brazil. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) may be used to control this pest and exhibit different, unique abilities to search for their hosts. The movement of EPN in relation to S. frugiperda was evaluated. To test for horizontal movement, a styrofoam enclosure filled with sand was divided into segments, nematodes were placed at the entrance to the enclosure and a larva was placed at the end of each division. The same approach was used to evaluate vertical movement; however, PVC pipes were used in this case. In general, the mortality was inversely proportional to the initial distance between host and nematodes. In the vertical displacement test, both nematodes were able to kill the larvae up to a distance of 25 cm. Therefore, the infective juveniles of H. amazonensis and S. arenarium can search out, infect and kill larvae of S. frugiperda at distances of up to 60 cm and 25 cm of horizontal and vertical displacement, respectively.

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are used in biological control of soil insects and show promise in the control of D. speciosa. The objective of this work was to evaluate the potential of native and exotic entomopathogenic nematode isolates in the control of D. speciosa under laboratory and greenhouse conditions. Results showed that all of EPNs caused larval mortality. The most virulent were Heterorhabditis sp. RSC01 (94%), Steinernema glaseri (84%), Heterorhabditis sp. JPM04 (82%) and Heterorhabditis amazonensis RSC05 (78%). There was no effect of the Heterorhabditis sp. RSC01 and S. glaseri isolates on eggs. The maximum mortality of D. speciosa larvae by Heterorhabditis sp. RSC01 was observed at a concentration of 300 IJ/ insect, while by S. glaseri observed the highest mortality at the concentration of 200 IJ/ insect. The Heterorhabditis sp. RSC01 isolate caused over 80% pupal mortality at a concentration of 250 IJ/insect. The virulence of Heterorhabditis sp. RSC01 and S. glaseri was affected by temperature. The Heterorhabditis sp. RSC01 isolate caused reduction in larva survival under greenhouse conditions at all of the tested concentrations and there was no difference in mortality among different concentrations of infectid juveniles.Os nematóides entomopatogênicos são utilizados no controle biológico de pragas de solo, e são promissores para o controle de D. speciosa. Neste trabalho, objetivou-se avaliar o potencial de espécies nativas e exóticas de isolados de nematóides entomopatogênicos para o controle de D. speciosa, em condições de laboratório e de casa de vegetação. Verificou-se que todos os nematóides causaram mortalidade larval. Os mais virulentos foram Heterorhabditis sp. RSC01 (94%), Steinernema glaseri (84%), Heterorhabditis sp. JPM04 (82%) e Heterorhabditis amazonensis RSC05 (78%). Não houve efeito dos isolados Heterorhabditis sp. RSC01 e S. glaseri em ovos. A mortalidade máxima de larvas de D. speciosa por Heterorhabditis sp. RSC01 foi observada na concentração de 300 JI / inseto, enquanto para S. glaseri a maior mortalidade foi obervada na concentração de 200 JI/ inseto. O isolado Heterorhabditis sp. RSC01 causou mais de 80% de mortalidade de pupas na concentração de 250 IJ/ inseto. A virulência de Heterorhabditis sp. RSC01 e S. glaseri foi afetada pela temperatura. O isolado Heterorhabditis sp. RSC01 causou redução na sobrevivência da larvas em casa de vegetação em todas as concentrações de juvenis infectantes testadas e não houve diferença na mortalidade entre os diferentes tratamentos.

The increased corn planting grown in the late season crop and the use of a notillage planting system benefits the development of Spodoptera frugiperda, the main pest of corn crop. Thus, this study aimed to select entomopathogenic nematodes based on the mortality of S. frugiperda, and to adjust the nematode concentrations in the laboratory and evaluate the action of these organisms in greenhouse conditions. Seventeen nematode populations were tested at concentrations of 100, 250, and 500 infective juveniles (IJ)/larvae. The obtained data were submitted to the polynomial regression test. In the greenhouse, corn sowing was performed in plastic buckets with soil, corn straw, and water. After 7 days, Steinernema arenarium or Heterorhabditis sp. RSC02, and the larvae were added (40 larvae, one larvae/repetition). The data were submitted to the variance analysis and the Scott-Knott test (PO aumento no plantio do milho "safrinha" e o uso do sistema de plantio direto favorecem o desenvolvimento de Spodoptera frugiperda, principal praga da cultura. Dessa forma, os objetivos deste trabalho foram selecionar nematoides entomopatogênicos, de acordo com a mortalidade causada sobre S. frugiperda, adequar as concentrações em laboratório e avaliar a ação desses organismos em condições de casa-de-vegetação. Foram testadas 17 populações de nematoides nas concentrações de 100, 250 e 500 juvenis infectantes (JI) lagarta-1. Os dados obtidos foram submetidos ao teste de regressão polinomial. Em casa-de-vegetação, a semeadura do milho foi realizada em vasos de plástico contendo solo, palhada de milho e água. Após sete dias, foram adicionados Steinernema arenarium ou Heterorhabditis sp. RSC02 e as lagartas (40 lagartas, uma lagarta/repetição). Os dados obtidos foram submetidos à análise de variância e ao teste de médias Scott-Knott (P

The survival of entomopathogenic nematodes under laboratory conditions is low. With the aim of evaluating substrates to extend the survival of entomopathogenic nematodes, suspensions of Heterorhabditis sp. JPM4 and Steinernema carpocapsae All (3,000 IJ mL-1) were added to dirt, fine sand, coarse sand, foam, expanded clay, phenolic foam, agar, corn starch, Plantmax®, and water. The substrates were placed on Petri dishes (5 cm) and kept at 16 ± 1°C. Survival evaluations were made after 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 days, with three replicates. After 180 d, a greater percentage of S. carpocapsae infective juveniles (IJs) were still alive in the foam treatment (57.5%) as compared to other treatments, while expanded clay (28.4%), Plantmax® (9.3%) and phenolic foam (11%) were not effective in maintaining the survival rate. Foam (55.6%), coarse sand (53.1%), and fine sand (50.6%) provided greater Heterorhabditis sp. JPM4 IJ survival at 180 days. Agar (19.3%), phenolic foam (11.6%), and Plantmax® (10.7%) had lower survival indices than the control (29.7%). The use of an appropriate substrate can provide greater IJ survival.Os nematóides entomopatogênicos apresentam baixa viabilidade em condições de laboratório. Com o objetivo de avaliar substratos para prolongar a sobrevivência dos nematóides entomopatogênicos, suspensões de Heterorhabditis sp. JPM4 e Steinernema carpocapsae All (3.000 JI mL-1) foram adicionadas aos substratos solo, areia fina, areia grossa, espuma, argila expandida, esponja fenólica, ágar, amido de milho, Plantmax® e água. Estes foram colocados em placas de Petri (5 cm) e mantidos a 16 ± 1°C. As avaliações foram feitas após 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 e 180 dias, com três repetições para cada dia. Após 180 dias, para S. carpocapsae All o substrato espuma (57,5%) manteve maior porcentagem de juvenis infectantes (JI) vivos; argila expandida (28,4%), Plantmax® (9,3%) e esponja fenólica (11%) não foram eficientes para manutenção da sobrevivência. Para Heterorhabditis sp. JPM4, espuma (55,6%), areia grossa (53,1%) e areia fina (50,6%) proporcionaram maior sobrevivência dos JI ao final de 180 dias. Ágar (19,3%), esponja fenólica (11,6%) e Plantmax® (10,7%) tiveram índices de sobrevivência inferiores ao da testemunha (29,7%). O uso de substrato adequado pode propiciar maior sobrevivência de JI.

This chapter provides evidences on pedagogical teaching practices, resulting from the influence of continued formation. These reports show how the studies, besides the exchange of experiences, have added in the professional development of the participants in the Independent Study Group of Physical Education in Children’s Education.

Vários fatores devem ser considerados na avaliação da eficiência de um entomopatógeno no controle de um inseto-praga. Com relação aos nematóides entomopatogênicos, além da patogenicidade e virulência, é importante conhecer a capacidade de busca, pois quanto maior sua eficiência, maior a chance de encontro com o hospedeiro. Assim, neste trabalho, objetivou-se avaliar o deslocamento vertical de nematóides entomopatogênicos (Heterorhabditis), visando ao controle da cochonilha-da-raiz-do-cafeeiro Dysmicoccus texensis (Tinsley). Para avaliação em laboratório, foi feito teste em coluna de areia de 5 cm (em delineamento inteiramente casualizado) onde os isolados CCA e JPM3 foram aplicados em suspensão aquosa no topo da coluna em três concentrações (50, 100 e 500 JIs/inseto), com avaliação da mortalidade após 5 dias. No experimento de coluna de solo, foi usada uma coluna de 25 cm, composta por cinco extratos de 5 cm. Foram utilizados dois isolados (CCA e JPM3) e dois métodos de aplicação: cadáver infectado e suspensão aquosa, ambos avaliados nas diferentes profundidades. O experimento foi conduzido num delineamento fatorial 3x2x5, em condições de casa-de-vegetação. No experimento de coluna de areia, não houve diferença entre os isolados avaliados e ambos alcançaram valor de 92% de mortalidade. No experimento de deslocamento em coluna de solo, observou-se que JPM3 foi mais eficiente que CCA, nos dois métodos de aplicação avaliados. Quanto aos métodos de aplicação, o de suspensão aquosa apresentou melhores resultados para os dois isolados, e JPM3 aplicado em suspensão aquosa, foi o melhor tratamento em quase todas as profundidades avaliadas.Many factors must be considered in evaluating the efficiency of an entomopathogen in the control of an insect pest. With regards to entomopathogenic nematodes, in addition to their pathogenicity and virulence, it is important to know the ability to search the host, which is directly linked with its efficiency. The objective of this study was to evaluate the vertical displacement of entomopathogenic nematodes (Heterorhabditis) to control the coffee root scale Dysmicoccus texensis (Tinsley). A test was conducted in a sand column of 5 cm depth under laboratory conditions, using a randomized design, with the strains CCA and JPM3 being applied in aqueous suspension at the top of the column in three concentrations (50, 100 and 500 IJs/insect), with evaluation of mortality after 5 days. It was also conducted an experiment in a 2x2x6 factorial design, at greenhouse conditions with a soil column of 30 cm depth, composed of six extracts of 5 cm. Two nematode strains (CCA and JPM3) and two methods of application (infected cadaver and aqueous suspension) were evaluated at different depths. There was no difference between the strains evaluated in the laboratory experiment, and both reached values of 92% mortality. In the experiment conducted at the greenhouse, it was observed that JPM3 was more efficient than CCA, at the two methods of application assessed. Regarding With application methods, aqueous suspension showed better results for both strains and JPM3 was the best treatment in almost all depths evaluated.