Effects of maize genotypes, nitrogen rates and sources in yield, nutritional status, and fumonisins incidence

The maize yield, nutritional status, and grain fumonisins concentration were evaluated in different genotypes, doses, and nitrogen sources (N) in two years and three locations. Two experiments were carried out in each area and year in an experimental design of a subdivided plot with four replications. One experiment involved a 4x2 factorial treatment: four nitrogen (N) doses (0, 80, 160, and 240 kg ha-1) in coverage and having urea as a source of N and two genotypes. Another experiment involved a 4x2 factorial treatment: four N sources: urea, urea covered with polymer, ammonium nitrate, and ammonium nitrate + urea (UAN), at a dose of 160 kg ha-1, in two genotypes. The genotype generally influenced maize yield more than N doses and sources, mainly due to the bushy stunt/corn stunt tolerance of AG7098 PRO2 and AG8677 PRO2. The N doses linearly increased the N leaf content. However, the N sources did not affect the N leaf content. The N doses and sources had no significant effect on the content of fumonisins, which was affected only by the genotypes in Sete Lagoas in 2016 (N doses experiment) and 2017 (N sources experiment). The hybrids, P3630H and AG8677PRO2 (Sete Lagoas, 2016, N doses experiment and 2017, N sources experiment, respectively) exceeded the Brazilian legislation for Maximum Tolerance Limit for fumonisins in corn grains, which is 5,000 µg kg-1. The best result was obtained with AG7098 PRO2, with yields (above 10,000 kg ha-1) and fumonisins consistently below 5,000 µg kg-1. Therefore, the selection of corn hybrids is a strategy to reduce the occurrence of fumonisins in the grains.

The Importance of Carefully Evaluating Breast Masses During Pregnancy

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Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Pregnancy: Is It a Marker for Adverse Outcomes?

OBJECTIVE

 To assess obstetric/puerperal/neonatal outcomes in an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) population and to analyze disease characteristics that may be associated to adverse outcomes.

METHODS

 Retrospective descriptive analysis including 47 pregnant women with IBD (28 with Crohn's disease - CD and 19 with ulcerative colitis - UC) who delivered between March 2012 and July 2018 in a tertiary hospital. We reviewed clinical records to extract demographic information, previous medical history, disease subtype, activity, severity, treatment, and obstetric, puerperal, and neonatal outcome measures.

RESULTS

 Obstetric and neonatal complications (composite outcomes) occurred in 55.3% and 14.6% of the IBD population, respectively, and were more frequent in UC patients. Preterm birth (PTB), preeclampsia, anemia, low birth weight (LBW), and neonatal death were also more frequent in UC patients. The rate of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) was 14.9%, and it was higher in CD patients. Women with active IBD had more obstetric/neonatal adverse outcomes (fetal growth restriction and LBW in particular) and cesarean sections. Patients with medicated IBD had less obstetric/neonatal complications (PTB and LBW in specific) and cesarean sections but more PPH.

CONCLUSION

 Women with IBD may have an increased risk of obstetric/puerperal/neonatal adverse outcomes. Ulcerative colitis patients had more obstetric and neonatal complications, whereas PPH was more frequent if CD patients. Other disease characteristics were considered, which allowed a better understanding of their possible influence. Although more research is needed, this work reinforces the importance of adequate surveillance to allow prompt recognition and treatment of complications.

Fungivory: a new and complex ecological function of Doru luteipes (Scudder) (Dermaptera: Forficulidae)

We report the discovery that the earwig predator Doru luteipes (Scudder, 1876) (Dermaptera: Forficulidae) feed on Puccinia polysora Underw uredospore, the causal agent of Southern Rust of Corn (SRC), which is a primary disease affecting the maize crop in Brazil. We performed experiments in laboratory and greenhouse to test the effect of D. luteipes (1st/2nd and 3rd/4th instars, and adults) fungivory on the P. polysora uredospore concentration. All trials showed a significant reduction of the initial concentration of uredospore. There was a reduction in uredospore concentration with increase in number of D. luteipes feeding on them. We also tested the uredospore consumption by quantifying its percentage in the feces of D. luteipes. Nymphs of the 2nd, 4th instar and adults fed 88%, 85%, and 83.8% of the uredospore, respectively. For nymphs of the 3rd instar, the percentage of uredospore consumption (75.6%) was statistically significant compared with the other groups. In greenhouse experiment, at twenty-eight days after plant inoculation with 9.9 x 104 uredospores, the percentage of uredospore consumption was 81.7%. Our results confirmed the fungivory of D. luteipes on P. polysora uredospore. This is the first report of D. luteipes fungivory, which may play an important role in the biological control of P. polysora in corn.

Leishmania chagasi naturally resistant to nitric oxide isolated from humans and dogs with visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil

Nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role as a leishmanicidal agent in murine macrophages. NO resistant Escherichia coli and Mycobacterium tuberculosis have been associated with poor outcomes of their resulting diseases. NO resistant Leishmania braziliensis has also been identified and exacerbates the clinical course of human leishmaniasis. We report, for the first time, natural resistance of Leishmania chagasi promastigotes to NO. These parasites were isolated from humans and dogs with visceral leishmaniasis. We also demonstrate that this resistance profile was associated with a greater survival capacity and a greater parasite burden in murine macrophages, independent of activation and after activation by IFN-γ and LPS.

The effect of manual therapy on masseter muscle pain and spasm

INTRODUCTION

Orofacial pain and pain in the muscles of mastication are frequent symptoms of temporomandibular disorder. The masseter is the closet masticatory muscle to the surface and has the function of raising and retracting the mandible. This muscle has considerable strength and is one of the main muscles involved in the shredding of food It is therefore of utmost importance in the masticatory cycle and generally the most affected by pain and spasms.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the present study was to analyze the effect of manual therapy with transversal and circular movements on pain and spasm in the masseter muscle, using electromyography and a visual analogue pain scale (VAPS). Eight women who experienced pain upon palpation of the masseter greater than 6 on the VAPS were selected for participation in the study, which employed electromyography and a VAPS for assessment, followed by manual oral physiotherapy and reevaluation.

RESULTS

The statistical analysis revealed a reduction in pain, but there was no significant difference in electromyographic activity (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

It was concluded that massage therapy was effective on pain symptoms, but was not capable of altering the electrical activity of the masseter muscle.

Electromyographic analysis of biceps brachii muscle following neural mobilization in patients with stroke

OBJECTIVES

The proposal of the present study is based on mobilizing the nervous system of the upper hemiplegic limb of stroke victims using the Upper Limb Neurodynamic Test (ULNT 1) and electromyographic analysis of the biceps brachii muscle.

METHODS

A pre-experimental study was carried out with pretest and posttest repeated measurements on five stroke victims (4 men and 1 woman; mean age: 52.8 +/- 11 years), with Grade 1 and + 1 spasticity, according to the modified Ashworth scale. Electromyographic analysis of the biceps brachii muscle was performed with the elbow flexed at 90 degrees, following by complete extension.

RESULTS

The neurodynamic test led to a decrease in electromyographic activity in the biceps brachii muscle (p < or = 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Neural mobilization was efficient in reducing myoelectric activity in the biceps brachii muscle in patients with stroke and may used by physiotherapists as an efficient method for treating patients with this pathology.

Exercise stress testing in healthy subjects during cholinergic stimulation after a single dose of pyridostigmine

OBJECTIVE

The evaluation, by exercise stress testing, of the cardiorespiratory effects of pyridostigmine (PYR), a reversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitor.

METHODS

A double-blind, randomized, cross-over, placebo-controlled comparison of hemodynamic and ventilation variables of 10 healthy subjects who underwent three exercise stress tests (the first for adaptation and determination of tolerance to exercise, the other two after administration of placebo or 45mg of PYR).

RESULTS

Heart rate at rest was: 68+/-3 vs 68+/-3bpm before and after placebo, respectively (P=0.38); 70+/-2 vs 59+/-2bpm, before and after pyridostigmine, respectively (P<0.01). During exercise, relative to placebo: a significantly lower heart rate after PYR at, respectively, 20% (P=0.02), 40% (P=0.03), 80% (P=0.05) and 100% (P=0.02) of peak effort was observed. No significant differences were observed in arterial blood pressure, oxygen consumption at submaximal and maximal effort, exercise duration, respiratory ratio, CO2 production, ventilation threshold, minute ventilation, and oxygen pulse.

CONCLUSION

Pyridostigmine, at a dose of 45mg, decreases heart rate at rest and during exercise, with minimal side effects and without interfering with exercise tolerance and ventilation variables.