cometadata/datacite-titles-descriptions-related-identifiers huggingface dataset:
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.8259872
title: Comparison of conventional and molecular techniques for Trypanosoma vivax diagnosis in experimentally infected cattle

description: Abstract Livestock infections by Trypanosoma vivax have been occurring with increasing frequency, mainly due to the presence of animals with subclinical infections and without apparent parasitaemia, making diagnosis challenging. The aim of the present study was to evaluate several techniques used for T. vivax diagnosis in order to assess the best way of using them during the course of the disease. Molecular methods demonstrated higher rates of detection than parasitological methods, detecting 33 of the 54 (61.1%) known positive samples, while the hematocrit centrifugation technique (best parasitological test) detected only 44.4%. The serological methods, IFAT and ELISA, detected seropositivity in 51 of the 54 (94.4%) and 49 of the 54 (90.7%) known positive samples, respectively. Despite being highly sensitive, the latter only demonstrates exposure to the infectious agent and does not indicate whether the infection is active. The present study was the first to use the qPCR for a South American isolate, improving disease detection and quantification. Furthermore, the analyses revealed that the patent phase of the disease may extend up to 42 days, longer than previously reported. The combination of several diagnostic techniques can lower the frequency of false negative results and contributes toward better disease control.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.8259875
title: Surveillance of Giardia and Cryptosporidium in sewage from an urban area in Brazil

description: Abstract Cryptosporidium and Giardia are protozoan parasites that cause diarrhea in humans and animals. Molecular characterization of these pathogens in sewage may provide insight on their occurrence and prevalence in Brazil. This study aimed to investigate the presence of Giardia and Cryptosporidium in raw and treated sewage from Londrina, Paraná, Brazil. Samples were collected every two weeks during a year. Samples were concentrated, then DNA was extracted and subjected to a nested PCR targeting the Giardia 18S rRNA gene and the Cryptosporidium 18S rRNA gene. Species of Cryptosporidium were characterized by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). All raw sewage and 76% of the treated sewage were positive for Giardia; 84% of raw sewage samples and 8% of treated sewage were positive for Cryptosporidium. C. muris, C. hominis, C. baileyi, C. parvum and C. suis were detected in 100%, 19%, 9%, 9% and 4% of raw sewage, respectively. C. muris was the only species found in treated sewage. Multiple species of Cryptosporidium were present in 19.04% of the raw sewage. Treated sewage water can pose a threat to human health. The speciation of Cryptosporidium revealed the presence of non-common zoonotic species as C. suis and C. muris.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.8259872.v1
title: Comparison of conventional and molecular techniques for Trypanosoma vivax diagnosis in experimentally infected cattle

description: Abstract Livestock infections by Trypanosoma vivax have been occurring with increasing frequency, mainly due to the presence of animals with subclinical infections and without apparent parasitaemia, making diagnosis challenging. The aim of the present study was to evaluate several techniques used for T. vivax diagnosis in order to assess the best way of using them during the course of the disease. Molecular methods demonstrated higher rates of detection than parasitological methods, detecting 33 of the 54 (61.1%) known positive samples, while the hematocrit centrifugation technique (best parasitological test) detected only 44.4%. The serological methods, IFAT and ELISA, detected seropositivity in 51 of the 54 (94.4%) and 49 of the 54 (90.7%) known positive samples, respectively. Despite being highly sensitive, the latter only demonstrates exposure to the infectious agent and does not indicate whether the infection is active. The present study was the first to use the qPCR for a South American isolate, improving disease detection and quantification. Furthermore, the analyses revealed that the patent phase of the disease may extend up to 42 days, longer than previously reported. The combination of several diagnostic techniques can lower the frequency of false negative results and contributes toward better disease control.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.8259875.v1
title: Surveillance of Giardia and Cryptosporidium in sewage from an urban area in Brazil

description: Abstract Cryptosporidium and Giardia are protozoan parasites that cause diarrhea in humans and animals. Molecular characterization of these pathogens in sewage may provide insight on their occurrence and prevalence in Brazil. This study aimed to investigate the presence of Giardia and Cryptosporidium in raw and treated sewage from Londrina, Paraná, Brazil. Samples were collected every two weeks during a year. Samples were concentrated, then DNA was extracted and subjected to a nested PCR targeting the Giardia 18S rRNA gene and the Cryptosporidium 18S rRNA gene. Species of Cryptosporidium were characterized by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). All raw sewage and 76% of the treated sewage were positive for Giardia; 84% of raw sewage samples and 8% of treated sewage were positive for Cryptosporidium. C. muris, C. hominis, C. baileyi, C. parvum and C. suis were detected in 100%, 19%, 9%, 9% and 4% of raw sewage, respectively. C. muris was the only species found in treated sewage. Multiple species of Cryptosporidium were present in 19.04% of the raw sewage. Treated sewage water can pose a threat to human health. The speciation of Cryptosporidium revealed the presence of non-common zoonotic species as C. suis and C. muris.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.8259878.v1
title: Low levels of crustacean parasite infestation in fish species from the Matapi River in the state of Amapá, Brazil

description: Abstract This first study investigated the crustacean parasite fauna in 66 species of fish from the Matapi River basin, state of Amapá (Brazil). Fish were collected every two months between March 2012 and August 2013, encompassing dry and rainy seasons. Among the 66 species examined (corresponding to 722 fish specimens) only 11 species were parasitized. The infestation prevalence was 2.2%, and a total of 48 specimens of parasites were distributed between three different parasite groups. These included Argulus elongatus, Dolops reperta and Argulus multicolor (Branchiura), Ergasilus xinguensis and Gamidactylus sp. (Copepoda), and Isopoda (Braga patagonica), but branchiuran species were predominant. This was the first report of these parasite species for Leporinus fasciatus, Astyanax bimaculatus, Curimata incompta, Pygocentrus nattereri, Crenicichla cincta, Crenicichla johanna, Geophagus camopiensis, Pterophyllum scalare, Plagioscion squamosissimus, Hypostomus plecostomus and Propimelodus eigenmanni. Lastly, this study expands the range of occurrence of these six parasite species to the Matapi River basin in eastern Amazon.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.8259869
title: Processing, nutritional composition and health benefits of finger millet in sub-saharan Africa

description: Abstract Finger millet (Eleusine coracana) also known as tamba, is a staple cereal grain in some parts of the world with low income population. The grain is characterized by variations in colour (brown, white and light brown cultivars); high concentration of carbohydrates, dietary fibre, phytochemicals and essential amino acids; presence of essential minerals; as well as a gluten-free status. Finger millet (FM) in terms of nutritional composition, ranks higher than other cereal grains, though the grain is extremely neglected and widely underutilized. Nutritional configuration of FM contributes to reduced risk of diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure and gastro-intestinal tract disorder when absorbed in the body. Utilization of the grain therefore involves traditional and other processing methods such as soaking, malting, cooking, fermentation, popping and radiation. These processes are utilised to improve the dietetic and sensory properties of FM and equally assist in the reduction of anti-nutritional and inhibitory activities of phenols, phytic acids and tannins. However, with little research and innovation on FM as compared to conventional cereals, there is the need for further studies on processing methods, nutritional composition, health benefits and valorization with a view to commercialization of FM grains.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.8259881.v1
title: Characterization of biosolids and potential use in the production of seedlings of Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi

description: ABSTRACT This study aimed to technically, chemically and biologically characterize the biosolids from the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) of Alegria, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and infer about their aptitude as a substrate component for the seedlings production of Anadenanthera macrocarpa (Benth.) Brenan. Significant samples of biosolid were collected and submitted to chemical and biological analysis in a specialized laboratory, according to the specifications of the current Brazilian law (CONAMA Resolution nº 375/2006). In the forest nursery, four different formulations of substrate, composed by different volumetric proportions of commercial substrate (CS) and biosolids (BIO) were tested, consisting of the following treatments: T1 (100% SC + 0% BIO); T2: (75% SC + 25% BIO); T3: (50% SC + 50% BIO); e T4: (0% SC + 100% BIO). The experimental design was CRD, each of the four treatments having four replications of eighteen seedlings. The biosolid met the legal specifications concerning its composition. Fifty days after sowing, shoot height and stem diameter were measured. It was observed, for both characteristics, that seedling growth was directly proportional to the concentration of sewage sludge in the substrate. Finally, the Alegria ETE’s biosolid attends the legislation and shows a technically viable alternative for the production of angico vermelho seedlings.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.8259866
title: Frequency of antibodies and risk factors associated with Toxoplasma gondii infection in backyard pig production in the city of Mossoró, state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

description: Abstract Toxoplasmosis is an important zoonosis for pregnant women and immunosuppressed people. The pig population also becomes infected by this pathogen, and undercooked or raw meat is an important source of infection for humans. The aims of the present study were to evaluate the rate of exposure of pigs to T. gondii in the municipality of Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte and seek to identify associations with possible risk factors. Blood samples were collected from 412 pigs and were analyzed using the immunofluorescence assay. Among these 412 serum samples, 40.7% were seropositive for T. gondii. The IgG antibody titers were 64 (56 specimens), 128 (32), 256 (37), 512 (23), 1024 (14), 2048 (5) and 4046 (1). Seropositivity for T. gondii was found to be related (p-value &lt; 0.05) to the following factors: female gender, semi-confined rearing system, use of well water, dewormed animals, presence of cats, goats, sheep, mice and vultures on the farm and carcasses left on the ground. In contrast, seropositivity was not related (p-value &lt; 0.05) to the age of the pigs, type of facility or feeding with human food remains. Preventive measures need to be adopted on the farms studied here, with the aim of decreasing the animals’ intake of sporulated oocysts.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.8259860
title: Effect of the degree of acetylation, plasticizer concentration and relative humidity on cassava starch films properties

description: Abstract The objective of this study was to develop films with reduced hygroscopicity and improved mechanical properties from acetylated cassava starch. For that, an acetylation procedure using acetic anhydride as the esterification reagent was performed, resulting in starch acetates with degrees of substitution (DS) of 0.6 (S0.6) and 1.1 (S1.1). Twelve films formulations were studied: native cassava starch (S), starch acetate S0.6 and S1.1, with two glycerol concentrations (0.25 g.100 g-1 (25) and 0.30 g.100 g-1 (30)). The films were conditioned at the relative humidities (RH) of 58% and 75% for 96 h before characterization. Water vapor permeability, water solubility, water sorption isotherms, microstructural analyses, and mechanical properties in different relative humidity and different glycerol concentration were performed. Starch acetate films (S1.1) resulted in lower water vapor permeability (2.35 ± 0.26 × 10-7g/m.s.Pa) and water solubility (21.2 ± 0.16 g.100 g-1) than native starch films (3.79 ± 0.26 × 10-7 g/m.s.Pa and 25.46 ± 0.12 g.100 g-1). S0.6 films showed higher tensile strength (8.42 ± 0.84 MPa) than S1.1 films (6.93 ± 0.55 MPa). The results indicated that acetylated starch can be used to produce films with improved mechanical properties, with less water solubility and permeability to water vapor, especially when starch acetate with 0.6 DS and low glycerol concentration are used. Chemical compounds used in this article: Starch, acetate (PubChem CID: 24832118); Acetic acid (PubChem CID: 176); Acetic anhydride (PubChem CID: 7918); Sulfuric acid (PubChem CID: 1118); Glycerol (PubChem CID: 753).
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.8259866.v1
title: Frequency of antibodies and risk factors associated with Toxoplasma gondii infection in backyard pig production in the city of Mossoró, state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

description: Abstract Toxoplasmosis is an important zoonosis for pregnant women and immunosuppressed people. The pig population also becomes infected by this pathogen, and undercooked or raw meat is an important source of infection for humans. The aims of the present study were to evaluate the rate of exposure of pigs to T. gondii in the municipality of Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte and seek to identify associations with possible risk factors. Blood samples were collected from 412 pigs and were analyzed using the immunofluorescence assay. Among these 412 serum samples, 40.7% were seropositive for T. gondii. The IgG antibody titers were 64 (56 specimens), 128 (32), 256 (37), 512 (23), 1024 (14), 2048 (5) and 4046 (1). Seropositivity for T. gondii was found to be related (p-value &lt; 0.05) to the following factors: female gender, semi-confined rearing system, use of well water, dewormed animals, presence of cats, goats, sheep, mice and vultures on the farm and carcasses left on the ground. In contrast, seropositivity was not related (p-value &lt; 0.05) to the age of the pigs, type of facility or feeding with human food remains. Preventive measures need to be adopted on the farms studied here, with the aim of decreasing the animals’ intake of sporulated oocysts.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.8259869.v1
title: Processing, nutritional composition and health benefits of finger millet in sub-saharan Africa

description: Abstract Finger millet (Eleusine coracana) also known as tamba, is a staple cereal grain in some parts of the world with low income population. The grain is characterized by variations in colour (brown, white and light brown cultivars); high concentration of carbohydrates, dietary fibre, phytochemicals and essential amino acids; presence of essential minerals; as well as a gluten-free status. Finger millet (FM) in terms of nutritional composition, ranks higher than other cereal grains, though the grain is extremely neglected and widely underutilized. Nutritional configuration of FM contributes to reduced risk of diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure and gastro-intestinal tract disorder when absorbed in the body. Utilization of the grain therefore involves traditional and other processing methods such as soaking, malting, cooking, fermentation, popping and radiation. These processes are utilised to improve the dietetic and sensory properties of FM and equally assist in the reduction of anti-nutritional and inhibitory activities of phenols, phytic acids and tannins. However, with little research and innovation on FM as compared to conventional cereals, there is the need for further studies on processing methods, nutritional composition, health benefits and valorization with a view to commercialization of FM grains.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.8259860.v1
title: Effect of the degree of acetylation, plasticizer concentration and relative humidity on cassava starch films properties

description: Abstract The objective of this study was to develop films with reduced hygroscopicity and improved mechanical properties from acetylated cassava starch. For that, an acetylation procedure using acetic anhydride as the esterification reagent was performed, resulting in starch acetates with degrees of substitution (DS) of 0.6 (S0.6) and 1.1 (S1.1). Twelve films formulations were studied: native cassava starch (S), starch acetate S0.6 and S1.1, with two glycerol concentrations (0.25 g.100 g-1 (25) and 0.30 g.100 g-1 (30)). The films were conditioned at the relative humidities (RH) of 58% and 75% for 96 h before characterization. Water vapor permeability, water solubility, water sorption isotherms, microstructural analyses, and mechanical properties in different relative humidity and different glycerol concentration were performed. Starch acetate films (S1.1) resulted in lower water vapor permeability (2.35 ± 0.26 × 10-7g/m.s.Pa) and water solubility (21.2 ± 0.16 g.100 g-1) than native starch films (3.79 ± 0.26 × 10-7 g/m.s.Pa and 25.46 ± 0.12 g.100 g-1). S0.6 films showed higher tensile strength (8.42 ± 0.84 MPa) than S1.1 films (6.93 ± 0.55 MPa). The results indicated that acetylated starch can be used to produce films with improved mechanical properties, with less water solubility and permeability to water vapor, especially when starch acetate with 0.6 DS and low glycerol concentration are used. Chemical compounds used in this article: Starch, acetate (PubChem CID: 24832118); Acetic acid (PubChem CID: 176); Acetic anhydride (PubChem CID: 7918); Sulfuric acid (PubChem CID: 1118); Glycerol (PubChem CID: 753).
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.8259857
title: Mathematical Modeling and Parameter Estimation of Battery Lifetime using a Combined Electrical Model and a Genetic Algorithm

description: ABSTRACT In this paper, a parametrization methodology based on the Genetic Algorithm meta-heuristic is proposed for the Chen and Rincón-Mora model parameter estimation, this model is utilized for the mathematical modeling of the Lithium-ion Polymer batteries lifetime used on mobile devices. The model is also parameterized using the conventional procedure, which is based on the visual analysis of pulsed discharge curves, as presented in the literature. For both parametrization procedures, and for the model validation, experimental data obtained from a platform test are used. The simulations results show that the proposed Genetic Algorithm is able to parametrize the model with better efficacy, presenting lower mean error, and it is also a more agile process than the conventional one, been less subject to subjective aspects.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.8259848
title: Analysis of the Appropriate Use Criteria for Coronary Angiography in Two Cardiology Services of Southern Brazil

description: Abstract Background: Despite its great relevance, there are no studies in our country evaluating the application of the 2012 guidelines for the appropriate use of cardiac diagnostic catheterization. Objective: To analyze the adequacy of coronary angiography performed in two hospitals in the southern region of Brazil. Methods: This is a multicenter cross-sectional study, which analyzed indications, results and proposals for the treatment of 737 coronary angiograms performed in a tertiary hospital with multiple specialties (Hospital A) and a tertiary cardiology hospital (Hospital B). Elective or emergency coronary angiographies were included, except for cases of acute myocardial infarction with ST segment elevation. The level of statistical significance adopted was 5% (p &lt; 0.05). Results: Of the 737 coronary angiograms, 63.9% were performed in male patients. The mean age was 61.6 years. The indication was acute coronary syndrome in 57.1%, and investigation of coronary artery disease in 42.9% of the cases. Regarding appropriation, 80.6% were classified as appropriate, 15.1% occasionally appropriate, and 4.3% rarely appropriate. The proposed treatment was clinical for 62.7%, percutaneous coronary intervention for 24.6%, and myocardial revascularization surgery for 12.7% of the cases. Of the coronary angiographies classified as rarely appropriate, 56.2% were related to non-performance of previous functional tests, and 21.9% showed severe coronary lesions. However, regardless of the outcome of coronary angiography, all patients in this group were indicated for clinical treatment. Conclusion: We observed a low number of rarely appropriate coronary angiograms in our sample. The guideline recommendation in these cases was adequate, and no patient required revascularization treatment. Most of these cases are due to non-performance of functional tests.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.8259851
title: Integrated production and purification of fibrinolytic protease from Mucor subtilissimus UCP 1262

description: ABSTRACT Fibrinolytic enzymes can be obtained from microorganisms through fermentative processes. The study aimed to evaluate the fibrinolytic protease production and integrated extraction from Mucor subtilissimus UCP 1262 by extractive fermentation using Aqueous Two-Phase Systems (ATPS). The integrated process was carried out to assess the production, partition and fibrinolytic enzyme recovery, according to a 2 3 -experimental design, using as independent variables Polyethylene glycol (PEG) molar mass, PEG and sodium sulphate concentration, concentration. The highest fibrinolytic activity (15.40U/mL) was obtained in sodium sulfate rich phase in the assay comprising of 10% of salt and 18% of PEG 8000 (g/mol). Yield greater than 80% was obtained. The fibrinolytic protease presented optimum pH 7.0 and stability between pH 6.0 and 8.5, and optimum temperature 50°C, stable between 10°C to 50°C. The enzyme was classified as a serine-protease with 52kDa of molecular weight. As a result, the process is remarkably effective to pre-purify the fibrinolytic protease with a low cost and significantly faster processing time. When compared to other isolated production and purification techniques the extractive fermentation is worthy of being a candidate to replace the initial stages of conventional separation processes.