Search Results (406)

Sulfur-containing fertilizers increase production costs, which leads to low utilization of this nutrient. Thus, evaluating how the absence of sulfur influences the early development of Urochloa brizantha is essential. Study was conducted in a greenhouse at the Federal University of Rondonópolis in a completely randomized design, with six treatments in a 3 × 2 factorial scheme, and eight replications. Three cultivars of U. brizantha (Marandu, Xaraés and Piatã) were evaluated under two fertilization strategies: with or without sulfur fertilization. Sufur presence increased the number of leaves and forage mass, in which cultivar Xaraés presented the greatest means. Piatã was the cultivar most sensitive to sulfur deficiency at establishment, which reduced forage mass, number of leaves and number of tillers by 42%, 32%, and 45%, respectively. Despite these differences between cultivars, sulfur efficiently increased the forage yield. Sulfur fertilization increased the concentrations of nutrients in the plants without significantly affecting the uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium. Sulfur omission resulted in increased phosphorus uptake in all grass. In contrast, Marandu grass exhibited the greatest reduction in sulfur uptake. Therefore, the use of sulfur in the fertilization of grasses is recommended, it is important to evaluate the responses of each cultivar to better adjust the fertilization management. Full article

Neglected diseases significantly impact the world, and there is a lack of effective treatments, requiring therapeutic alternatives. Thus, the study of the phytochemical and schistosomicidal activity evaluation of Copaifera oblongifolia leaves’ crude extract was conducted. The quercitrin (1) and afzelin (2) were isolated from the crude extract. In the in vitro schistosomicidal activity test, the isolated compounds demonstrated promising results, with 75% mortality at a concentration of 12.5 µM after 72 h. Molecular docking calculations indicated that compounds 1 and 2 could potentially interact with the amino acids of the FAD binding site in the TGR enzyme, a crucial enzyme for the survival of Schistosoma mansoni. These interactions could have binding energies comparable to praziquantel, a preferred drug for treating schistosomiasis. Therefore, in silico and in vitro investigations are crucial for developing new studies that can reveal the antiparasitic potential of compounds of plant origin. Full article

Background: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a growing public health concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Although prediabetes is a major risk factor for T2D, it remains largely underdiagnosed and untreated. Structured lifestyle interventions have proven effective in preventing diabetes, but their feasibility within the Brazilian public health system remains unclear. Methods: This multicenter pilot randomized controlled trial assessed the feasibility of a culturally adapted lifestyle intervention (PROVEN-DIA) across the five regions of Brazil. A total of 220 adults at high risk for T2D were randomized to an intervention group or a control group (usual care) and followed for three months. Both groups received similar educational content on healthy eating and physical activity, but the intervention group participated in a structured and personalized lifestyle program with regular follow-up sessions. The primary outcome was adherence to dietary recommendations, assessed using the BALANCE Index—a validated dietary score (range: 0–40) based on the Brazilian Cardioprotective Diet that classifies foods into color-coded groups according to nutritional quality—along with engagement in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Secondary outcomes included diet quality (DQIR), anthropometric and metabolic parameters. Results: Feasibility was demonstrated by a 93.2% retention rate (n = 205). There was no significant difference in the primary outcome (simultaneous improvement in diet and MVPA). However, the PROVEN-DIA group exhibited significantly greater improvements in diet quality, with a 2.8-point increase in the BALANCE Index (vs. 0.5 in the control, p = 0.03), and a significant improvement in the DQIR (p < 0.001). No significant differences between groups were observed in MVPA, HbA1C, glycaemia, or body weight. Conclusions: The PROVEN-DIA intervention proved feasible within the Brazilian public health context, resulting in significant improvements in dietary quality among individuals at high risk for T2D. A larger trial with longer follow-up is warranted to evaluate its effectiveness in preventing the progression to diabetes. However, to enhance physical activity outcomes, specific adaptations and targeted strategies may be required to better support participant engagement in exercise. Full article

Thermovinification has emerged as a rising alternative method in red wine production, gaining popularity among winemakers. The use of autochthonous yeasts isolated from grapes is also an interesting practice that contributes to the creation of wine with a distinctive regional character. This research investigated how combining thermovinification with autochthonous yeast strains influences the fermentation dynamics of Syrah wine. Six treatments were conducted, combining the use of commercial and two autochthonous yeasts with traditional vinification (7-day maceration) and thermovinification (65 °C for 2 h) processes. Sugars and alcohols were quantified during alcoholic fermentation by high-performance liquid chromatography with refractive index detection. Cell viability and kinetic parameters, such as ethanol formation rate and sugar consumption, were also evaluated. The Syrah wine’s composition was characterized by classical wine analyses (OIV procedures). The results showed that cell viability was unaffected by thermovinification. Thermovinification associated with autochthonous yeasts improved the efficiency of alcoholic fermentation. Thermovinified wines also yielded a higher alcohol content (13.9%). Future studies should investigate how thermovinification associated with autochthonous yeasts affects the metabolomic and flavoromic properties of Syrah wine and product acceptability. Full article

The mosquito Aedes aegypti is the vector responsible for the transmission of important arboviruses such as dengue fever, Chikungunya, Zika virus, and yellow fever. These diseases affect millions of people and exert impacts on healthcare systems throughout the world. Given the increasing resistance to synthetic insecticides, essential oils from plants constitute an ecologically viable alternative for the control of this vector. The aim of the present study was to investigate the larvicidal activity of the essential oil (EO), aqueous extract, rutin, and hydrolate from the leaves of Myrciaria floribunda against Aedes aegypti larvae in the initial L4 stage. The yield of EO was 0.47%. Thirty-seven chemical constituents were identified and quantified using chromatographic methods. The major constituents were (E)-caryophyllene (27.35%), 1,8-cineole (11.25%), β-selinene (4.92%), and α-muurolene (4.92%). In the larvicidal tests, the lethal concentration (LC₅₀) was 201.73 ppm for the essential oil, 15.85% for the aqueous extract, and 22.46 ppm for rutin. The hydrolate had no larvicidal activity. The compounds that exhibited larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti constitute a promising option for the development of natural formulations to diminish the propagation of this vector. Full article

Background: Monolithic zirconia has attracted considerable interest in dentistry due to its favorable physical and mechanical properties, making it a promising alternative for crown fabrication. Nonetheless, a standardized finishing protocol for this material has yet to be established. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the surface characteristics and in vitro biofilm formation of zirconia finished by either polishing or glazing. Methods: A total of 72 zirconia specimens were fabricated and divided into control, glazing, and polishing groups. Surface analysis included roughness, wettability, and surface free energy. Microbiological analysis included CFU (colony-forming units per mL) counts, microbial adhesion at 2, 4, 6, and 8 h, biofilm biovolume, and qualitative biofilm assessment via scanning electron microscopy (sEm). Results: The glazing group showed significantly greater roughness than the polishing (p = 0.006) and control (p = 0.016) groups, along with a lower contact angle (polishing—p = 0.002; control—p < 0.001) and higher surface energy (polishing—p = 0.005; control—p < 0.001). No significant differences were observed in CFU counts for the tested microorganisms (C. albicans, p = 0.158; L. casei, p = 0.610; S. mutans, p = 0.904). Regarding microbial adhesion, the polishing group showed a smaller biofilm-covered area compared to the control group for both total biofilm (p = 0.008) and viable biofilm (p = 0.005). no statistically significant difference was observed in biofilm biovolume (p = 0.082). Conclusions: These findings suggest that, despite the surface differences among the groups, biofilm formation was not significantly affected. Full article

Considering the global health concern and the significant morbidity associated with canine angiostrongylosis, this study aimed to update the epidemiological profile and geographic distribution of the disease in canine populations across all continental and insular districts of Portugal, some of which were never studied before. A total of 1059 dogs were included in the study and tested for Angiostrongylus vasorum antigens using a commercial immunochromatographic assay. The overall prevalence was 1.13%. Higher infection rates were found in northern (3.9% in Viana do Castelo) and central (3.6% in Viseu and 3.8% in Lisbon) districts, and infection was reported, for the first time, in the districts of Leiria and Beja. The mild temperatures and elevated humidity levels, characteristic of Portugal’s northern and coastal regions, promote increased gastropod host activity and population density while also accelerating parasite development. The effect of wildlife reservoirs must also be considered, since higher seroprevalences were detected recently in red foxes from Portuguese northern regions. Bivariate Chi-square test analysis identified male sex and an outdoors lifestyle as risk factors. These findings confirm the enzootic presence of A. vasorum throughout the country and highlight the need for increased clinical awareness, routine screening, and the implementation of effective prophylactic strategies. Full article

Polyunsaturated fatty acids are vital for brain health, supporting cognitive development and helping to prevent neurodegenerative diseases. Since the body cannot produce them, they must be obtained through food. This study aimed to assess the effects of corn oil on the behavior and biochemical parameters of Drosophila melanogaster. The flies were fed a diet supplemented with different concentrations of corn oil from the larval stage until the fifth day of adulthood. A diet containing corn oil (37.8 mg/mL of linoleic acid) reduced mortality under starvation conditions and enhanced locomotor performance (p < 0.01). Biochemical analyses revealed increased levels of glutathione (p < 0.001), citrate synthase activity (p < 0.05), and mitochondrial phosphorylation (p < 0.05), indicating a potential boost in energy metabolism. Conversely, a decrease in acetylcholinesterase activity (p < 0.05) was observed, suggesting cholinergic modulation. These results demonstrate that corn oil supplementation supports neural health in this animal model, opening pathways for further research into non-pharmacological treatments for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. Full article

As sustainability becomes increasingly central to organizational strategy, social economy organizations (SEOs) are rethinking their business models. This study employs stakeholder analysis using the value mapping (VM) tool developed by Short, Rana, Bocken, and Evans for the development of the VOLTO JÁ project. The objective of the VOLTO JÁ project is to operationalize a senior exchange programme between SEOs. The VM approach extends beyond conventional customer value propositions to prioritize sustainability for all stakeholders and identify key drivers of sustainable business model (SBM) innovation. The multi-stakeholder methodology comprises the following elements: (1) sequential focus groups aimed at enhancing sustainable business thinking; (2) semi-structured interviews; and (3) workshop to facilitate qualitative analysis and co-create the VM. The findings are then categorized into four value dimensions: (1) value captured—improved participant well-being, enhanced reputational capital, mitigation of social asymmetries, and affordable service experiences; (2) value lost—underused community assets; (3) value destroyed—institutional and systemic barriers to innovation; and (4) new value opportunities—knowledge sharing, service diversification, and open innovation to foster collaborative networks. The study demonstrates that the application of VM in SEOs supports SBM development by generating strategic insights, enhancing resource efficiency, and fostering the delivery of socially impactful services. Full article

This study evaluated the effect of the replacement of AGPs by a probiotic in diets for piglets in the nursery stage. The dietary treatments were as follows: CON-basal diet (BD); ANT-BD+antibiotic; and PRO-BD+probiotic. From d 35–42 of age, the piglets that received ANT-BD showed a higher average daily weight gain (ADWG) (p = 0.0296), followed by those that received PRO and the control. The average daily feed intake (ADFI) was higher (p = 0.0224) for PRO- and ANT-fed piglets when compared to CON. From d 43–56, the ADWG was the highest (p = 0.0207) in piglets fed ANT. The ADFI was also higher (p = 0.0258) in ANT and PRO. Final body weight (BW) was also influenced (p = 0.0291), whereas ANT-fed animals, followed by PRO, showed a higher BW compared to CON. For overall nursery performance, PRO showed the highest (p = 0.046) ADFI compared to all other treatments. Piglets fed PRO and ANT also showed the highest (p = 0.05) end weights. There was no significant difference in the fecal concentration of Escherichia coli. Concentrations for the sugar absorption test were higher on days 34 and 49 (p < 0.05). The inclusion of B. subtilis DSM 32315 does not replace the use of antibiotics with the same level of results but can provide benefits compared to diets without the use of antibiotics. Full article

This study aimed to determine the optimal nitrogen (N) fertilization rate per regrowth cycle for Megathyrsus maximus cv. BRS Tamani by evaluating its effects on forage production, nutrient uptake, bromatological composition, and in vitro degradation kinetics. A randomized complete block design with five N doses (0, 40, 80, 120, and 160 kg N ha⁻¹) and seven replications was conducted over two rainy seasons. From December 2019 to April 2020, canopy height and light interception were measured weekly. When canopy height reached 95% of light interception the grass was harvest and productive and morphological structure were measured. Nitrogen fertilization increased forage mass and yield up to the dose of 40 kg N ha⁻¹, resulting in 1959 and 9798 kg DM ha⁻¹, respectively, while nitrogen use efficiency declined at higher doses. Weed mass was decreased at 0 kg ha⁻¹, and chlorophyll index increased with the N dose. Nitrogen and potassium were the most extracted nutrients, with nitrogen uptake being highest at 80 kg ha⁻¹. Fertilization elevated the levels of crude protein, NDIP, cell content, and cell wall-bound protein, while ash content decreased. In vitro fermentation showed a reduced gas volume at higher N doses and improved degradation and digestibility up to 40 kg ha⁻¹. Nitrogen fertilization enhanced the forage yield and quality of BRS Tamani, with 40 kg ha⁻¹ maximizing efficiency and digestibility. Full article

The adjunctive use of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) has been investigated as a promising approach to enhance periodontal therapy. Methylene blue (MB) is the most commonly used photosensitizer due to its favorable characteristics, including a neutral pH and an absorption peak at 660 nm. Due to the considerable heterogeneity among studies and the lack of well-established clinical protocols, this study aims to conduct an integrative review to highlight the effects of MB-mediated aPDT as an adjunct to periodontal treatment. The inclusion criteria were randomized clinical trials that used MB as the PS, published between 2009 and 2024, with a minimum follow-up of three months. Studies included patients with periodontitis treated with SRP alone or in combination with aPDT. Of the 237 studies initially identified, 23 met the eligibility criteria and were included in this integrative review. The risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane criteria for randomized controlled trials. Although the included studies reported heterogeneous clinical outcomes, a general trend toward improvement in key periodontal parameters—probing depth, bleeding on probing, clinical attachment level, and plaque index—was observed when MB-mediated aPDT was used as an adjunct to conventional periodontal treatment. However, substantial variability in clinical protocols—including differences in photosensitizer concentration, type of light source, irradiation time, and frequency of application—limited the comparability of results across studies. Despite these methodological inconsistencies, current evidence suggests that MB-mediated aPDT holds promise as an adjunctive approach in periodontal therapy. Nevertheless, due to the clinical heterogeneity and the limited number of studies with long-term follow-up, its overall efficacy remains inconclusive. Further well-designed randomized controlled trials with standardized protocols and subgroup analyses are essential to validate its clinical relevance. Full article

Background/Objectives: Nutritional support in neurosurgical patients is challenging due to severe brain injury, neurological disease, or post-surgical complications. This study aimed to assess outcomes of long-term enteral nutrition via endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) in these patients over a 22-year period. Methods: A single-center retrospective (2001–2023) study was conducted on patients referred for PEG. Included patients presented severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), stroke, brain tumor, or other neurosurgical conditions. Demographic, anthropometric, and clinical data were collected. Results: A total of 196 patients were included (105 men); 57% were under 65 years. The main diagnoses were stroke (41.8%), TBI (35.2%), and brain tumors (19.9%). The median time from diagnosis to PEG was 94 days. At the time of PEG, only 38.5% were underweight. Outcomes: A total of 132 deaths (75.4%) occurred, while 21 patients resumed oral feeding (10.7%), 22 patients remained PEG-fed (12.6%), and 21 patients were lost to follow-up (10.7%). Most surviving PEG-fed patients had experienced stroke (77%). Median post-PEG survival was 11.5 months and 88% survived >1 month. Higher albumin, transferrin, and cholesterol levels at the time of PEG were associated with longer survival. Albumin (p < 0.001) and transferrin (p < 0.01) were significantly associated with reduced short-term mortality. Conclusions: Despite limited overall survival, reflecting the clinical severity of the diseases, most patients were adequate survivors, and PEG-feeding proved to be appropriate and useful for neurosurgical patients. While most patients had normal-to-high BMI, low serum biomarkers reflected acute illness. Higher serum albumin level was associated with better outcomes, supporting its potential prognostic value. Full article

This study aimed to compare the performance of various Large Language Models (LLMs) in answering multiple-choice questions from the last six editions (2017 to 2024) of Revalida exam. The evaluation focused on models capable of processing content in Brazilian Portuguese (PT-BR), including open-source models, namely LLaMA 3.1 (8B parameters), Qwen 2.5 (7B parameters), and their reasoning-oriented distilled variants based on the DeepSeek-R1 architecture, as well as open-access commercial models such as GPT-3.5, GPT-4o, and Gemini. After evaluating the models’ accuracy against the official answer keys, GPT-4o emerged as the top-performing model, achieving an average accuracy of 63.85%. Next, GPT-4o was prompted to justify its answers to the 2024 exam, and its explanations were independently reviewed by three licensed physicians. The evaluators reported full agreement with the clinical reasoning presented, indicating the model’s ability to produce coherent and medically relevant justifications. Lastly, justifications generated by GPT-4o for correctly answered questions from previous exams (2017–2023) were compiled into a knowledge base, which was then used to enhance GPT-4o through retrieval-augmented generation and to fine-tune LLaMA 3.1, leading to measurable performance improvements on the 2024 exam. Despite promising performance, these models still demonstrate variability in responses, hallucinations, and limited reliability in high-stakes contexts. As such, their outputs should always be reviewed by qualified professionals, and human expertise remains essential in clinical decision-making and medical education scenarios, considering the PT-BR language. However, the observed gains from integrating prior exam content indicate that domain-specific adaptation strategies may help mitigate some of these limitations and enhance model alignment. Full article

The sterol demethylation inhibitors (DMIs) are among the most widely used fungicides for controlling black Sigatoka (Mycosphaerella fijiensis) and yellow Sigatoka (Mycosphaerella musicola) in banana plantations in Brazil. Black Sigatoka is considered more important due to causing yield losses of up to 100% in commercial banana crops under predisposing conditions. In contrast, yellow Sigatoka is important due to its widespread occurrence in the country. This study aimed to determine the current sensitivity levels of Mf and Mm populations to DMI fungicides belonging to the chemical group of triazoles. Populations of both species were sampled from commercial banana plantations in Registro, Vale do Ribeira, São Paulo (SP), Ilha Solteira, Northwestern SP, and Janaúba, Northern Minas Gerais, and were further characterized phenotypically. Additionally, allelic variation in the CYP51 gene was analyzed in populations of these pathogens to identify and characterize major mutations and/or mechanisms potentially associated with resistance. Sensitivity to the triazoles propiconazole and tebuconazole was determined by calculating the 50% inhibitory concentration of mycelial growth (EC₅₀) based on dose–response curves ranging from 0 to 5 µg mL⁻¹. Variation in sensitivity to fungicides was evident with all nine Mf isolates showing moderate resistance levels to both propiconazole or tebuconazole, while 11 out of 42 Mm strains tested showed low to moderate levels of resistance to these triazoles. Mutations leading to CYP51 substitutions Y136F, Y461N/H, and Y463D in Mm and Y461D, G462D, and Y463D in Mf were associated with low or moderate levels of resistance to the triazoles. Interestingly, Y461H have not been reported before in Mm or Mf populations, and this alteration was found in combination with V106D and A446S. More complex CYP51 variants and CYP51 promoter inserts associated with upregulation of the target protein were not detected and can explain the absence of highly DMI-resistant strains in Brazil. Disease management programs that minimize reliance on fungicide sprays containing triazoles will be needed to slow down the further evolution and spread of novel CYP51 variants in Mf and Mm populations in Brazil. Full article