cometadata/datacite-titles-descriptions-related-identifiers huggingface dataset:
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.7941335.v1
title: Cardiovascular assessment in Female Spotted Paca ( Cuniculus paca )

description: ABSTRACT Aiming to provide cardiovascular morphophysiology information on the Cuniculus paca, an important neotropical rodent, eight healthy adult females of this species were evaluated three times by echocardiography under general anesthesia with isoflurane every 15 days. The exams were performed by a single experienced evaluator with the animals positioned in right and left decubitus. Posteriorly, two expert evaluators measured the cardiac chambers, walls and flow patterns, by B-mode, M-mode, and Doppler ultrasonography. The resulting values were compared among evaluators and periods by the Bland-Altman agreement test and several descriptive statistics were presented for each parameter. Echocardiographic images were obtained between the second and fifth left and right intercostal spaces, enabling the measurement of heart chambers and walls, mitral, tricuspid, aortic and pulmonary valves blood flows, and the ejection and shortening fractions calculation. None of the studied variables showed inter-observers or inter-periods variations. This study provided some normal echocardiographic variables, applicable to epidemiological, pathophysiological or case studies in the Cuniculus paca and phylogenetically close species.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.7941320
title: Timing and Splitting of Nitrogen Side-Dress Fertilization of Early Corn Hybrids for High Grain Yield

description: ABSTRACT Currently, most nitrogen fertilizer is side-dressed when corn is in the four (V4) to eight (V8) expanded leaf stage. However, recent studies have shown that modern hybrids take up high amounts of nitrogen during grain filling. This indicates that a late nitrogen fertilization, at the time of crop flowering, may be important to optimize corn agronomic performance. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the timing and splitting of nitrogen side-dress application on the agronomic performance of early corn hybrids in order to achieve high grain yield. The experiment was set in Lages, Santa Catarina, in the South of Brazil, during the 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 growing seasons. A randomized block design arranged in split plots was used. Two hybrids were tested in the main plots: P1680YH (very early) and P30F53YH (early). Six nitrogen side-dress systems were assessed in the split plots: control (without N), full N rate applied at V5, full N rate applied at V10, 1/2 N rate applied at V5 and 1/2 at V10, 1/3 N rate applied at V5, 1/3 at V10 and 1/3 at VT; and the whole N rate applied at VT. The nitrogen rate was 300 kg ha-1 N. Urea was used as the nitrogen source. Total grain yield and yield components, agronomic nitrogen use efficiency, and leaf area were determined. Grain yield ranged from 6,422 to 15,426 kg ha-1 in 2014/2015 and from 9,283 to 14,986 in 2015/2016. Nitrogen side-dress application performed one time at V5 or V10 or split into two or three applications at different growth stages had similar grain yield, number of ears per plant, kernels per ear, and 1,000 grain dry weight. Nitrogen side-dressed entirely at VT led to higher grain yield than the control. However, grain yield and agronomic nitrogen use efficiency were lower in this treatment than in the treatments involving the other growth stages of side-dress nitrogen. The early hybrid was higher yielding than the very early hybrid, regardless of the timing of nitrogen fertilization. Splitting of nitrogen fertilization up to tasseling was not an effective strategy to increase grain yield and agronomic nitrogen use efficiency of the corn hybrids P30F53YH and P1680YH.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.7941326
title: POLY(HYDROXYBUTYRATE-CO-HYDROXYVALERATE) MICRONIZATION BY SOLUTION ENHANCED DISPERSION BY SUPERCRITICAL FLUIDS TECHNIQUE

description: ABSTRACT Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) is a biodegradable polymer used for a wide range of applications, especially in biomedical and food industry, for which bioactive compound encapsulation is noteworthy. This work aimed to micronize PHBV by Solution Enhanced Dispersion by Supercritical Fluids technique and evaluate possible changes in polymer crystallinity. A 23 Central Composite Design with 3 central points was used to analyze the inﬂuence of pressure, temperature and PHBV concentration on particle size produced. Micronized particles were mostly spherical with sizes from 210 to 720 nm, and free of organic solvents. PHBV crystallinity degree was approximately 20% higher when polymer was processed at 8 MPa compared to that processed at 10 and 12 MPa, as well as to the raw polymer. Results suggest versatility in PHBV application according to SEDS process parameters and the possibility of its use in drug delivery systems.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.7941332.v1
title: Hormonal therapy with estradiol and drospirenone improves endothelium-dependent vasodilation in the coronary bed of ovariectomized spontaneously hypertensive rats

description: Drospirenone (DRSP) is a progestin with anti-aldosterone properties and it reduces blood pressure in hypertensive women. However, the effects of DRSP on endothelium-dependent coronary vasodilation have not been evaluated. This study investigated the effects of combined therapy with estrogen (E2) and DRSP on endothelium-dependent vasodilation of the coronary bed of ovariectomized (OVX) spontaneously hypertensive rats. Female spontaneously hypertensive rats (n=87) at 12 weeks of age were randomly divided into sham operated (Sham), OVX, OVX treated with E2 (E2), and OVX treated with E2 and DRSP (E2+DRSP) groups. Hemodynamic parameters were directly evaluated by catheter insertion into the femoral artery. Endothelium-dependent vasodilation in response to bradykinin in the coronary arterial bed was assessed using isolated hearts according to a modified Langendorff method. Coronary protein expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and estrogen receptor alpha (ER-α) was assessed by Western blotting. Histological slices of coronary arteries were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and morphometric parameters were analyzed. Oxidative stress was assessed in situ by dihydroethidium fluorescence. Ovariectomy increased systolic blood pressure, which was only prevented by E2+DRSP treatment. Estrogen deficiency caused endothelial dysfunction, which was prevented by both treatments. However, the vasodilator response in the E2+DRSP group was significantly higher at the three highest concentrations compared with the OVX group. Reduced ER-α expression in OVX rats was restored by both treatments. Morphometric parameters and oxidative stress were augmented by OVX and reduced by E2 and E2+DRSP treatments. Hormonal therapy with E2 and DRSP may be an important therapeutic option in the prevention of coronary heart disease in hypertensive post-menopausal women.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.7941314
title: Inflammatory markers and occurrence of falls: Bambuí Cohort Study of Aging

description: ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE Analyze whether inflammatory markers are associated with falls among older adults living in Bambuí. METHODS Study that analyzed baseline data from a Bambuí Cohort Study of Aging, involving 1,250 participants. Data about falls were collected from previous 12 months, classified as single or multiple occurrence and severity (participant seeking health services). Information about sociodemographic characteristics, health behaviors and health condition was also collected and used as confounding factors. The exposures of interest included interleukins (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), ultra-sensitive C-reactive protein (us-CRP) and chemokines (CXCL9, CCL5, CCL10, MCP1). Data were processed through logistic regression, obtaining odds ratio and 95% confidence interval (95%CI). RESULTS The prevalence of falls was 27.1%; 40.1% of the older adults reported multiple falls and 33.3% sought health services. After adjustments, the following elevated levels were associated with falls: us-CRP (OR = 1.46, 95%CI 1.04–2.03), CCL5 (OR = 1.38, 95%CI 1.01–1.90) and CXCL9 (OR = 1.43, 95%CI 1.02–2.02). An association was observed between the number of elevated markers and the occurrence of falls: two (OR = 1.47, 95%CI 1.02–2.12) and three (OR = 2.08, 95%CI 1.12–3.87) elevated biomarkers indicated fall probability of 32.0% and 39.4%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Elevated levels of us-CRP, CCL5 and CXCL9, which were associated with falls, may contribute to a proper understanding of the mechanism associated with the occurrence of falls among older people.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.7941320.v1
title: Timing and Splitting of Nitrogen Side-Dress Fertilization of Early Corn Hybrids for High Grain Yield

description: ABSTRACT Currently, most nitrogen fertilizer is side-dressed when corn is in the four (V4) to eight (V8) expanded leaf stage. However, recent studies have shown that modern hybrids take up high amounts of nitrogen during grain filling. This indicates that a late nitrogen fertilization, at the time of crop flowering, may be important to optimize corn agronomic performance. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the timing and splitting of nitrogen side-dress application on the agronomic performance of early corn hybrids in order to achieve high grain yield. The experiment was set in Lages, Santa Catarina, in the South of Brazil, during the 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 growing seasons. A randomized block design arranged in split plots was used. Two hybrids were tested in the main plots: P1680YH (very early) and P30F53YH (early). Six nitrogen side-dress systems were assessed in the split plots: control (without N), full N rate applied at V5, full N rate applied at V10, 1/2 N rate applied at V5 and 1/2 at V10, 1/3 N rate applied at V5, 1/3 at V10 and 1/3 at VT; and the whole N rate applied at VT. The nitrogen rate was 300 kg ha-1 N. Urea was used as the nitrogen source. Total grain yield and yield components, agronomic nitrogen use efficiency, and leaf area were determined. Grain yield ranged from 6,422 to 15,426 kg ha-1 in 2014/2015 and from 9,283 to 14,986 in 2015/2016. Nitrogen side-dress application performed one time at V5 or V10 or split into two or three applications at different growth stages had similar grain yield, number of ears per plant, kernels per ear, and 1,000 grain dry weight. Nitrogen side-dressed entirely at VT led to higher grain yield than the control. However, grain yield and agronomic nitrogen use efficiency were lower in this treatment than in the treatments involving the other growth stages of side-dress nitrogen. The early hybrid was higher yielding than the very early hybrid, regardless of the timing of nitrogen fertilization. Splitting of nitrogen fertilization up to tasseling was not an effective strategy to increase grain yield and agronomic nitrogen use efficiency of the corn hybrids P30F53YH and P1680YH.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.7941326.v1
title: POLY(HYDROXYBUTYRATE-CO-HYDROXYVALERATE) MICRONIZATION BY SOLUTION ENHANCED DISPERSION BY SUPERCRITICAL FLUIDS TECHNIQUE

description: ABSTRACT Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) is a biodegradable polymer used for a wide range of applications, especially in biomedical and food industry, for which bioactive compound encapsulation is noteworthy. This work aimed to micronize PHBV by Solution Enhanced Dispersion by Supercritical Fluids technique and evaluate possible changes in polymer crystallinity. A 23 Central Composite Design with 3 central points was used to analyze the inﬂuence of pressure, temperature and PHBV concentration on particle size produced. Micronized particles were mostly spherical with sizes from 210 to 720 nm, and free of organic solvents. PHBV crystallinity degree was approximately 20% higher when polymer was processed at 8 MPa compared to that processed at 10 and 12 MPa, as well as to the raw polymer. Results suggest versatility in PHBV application according to SEDS process parameters and the possibility of its use in drug delivery systems.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.7941308
title: Muscle transposition for the treatment of paralytic strabismus. Retrospective review of 23 cases

description: Abstract Introduction: Muscular transposition procedures are used when there is no ocular rotation in a particular direction due to alterations of the extraocular muscles such as paralysis, agenesis or congenital anomalies. The objective of this study is to characterize the patients treated with this procedure and determine the percentage of correction of the deviation angle obtained after surgery in the Pediatric Ophthalmology, Strabismus and Neuro-ophthalmology Unit. “Dra. Ana María Illescas Putzeys”, Hospital de ojos y oídos “Dr. Rodolfo Robles V. Methods: A retrospective, descriptive, observational study was conducted with review of records of patients operated on muscle transposition during the years 1999 to 2016. Results: Twenty-three rectus muscle transposition procedures were performed. Thirteen were male (56.5%). The mean age was 42 years. In our series, an average correction of 42 PD (82%) was obtained regardless of the type of paralysis or the surgical procedure performed. Conclusion: In selected cases of paralytic strabismus, the main approach may be only muscle transposition with augmentation (posterior intermuscular fixation suture), with good results, similar to those obtained with muscle transposition using adjuvants such as botulinum toxin treatment.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.7941311
title: Impact of specimen adequacy on the assessment of renal allograft biopsy specimens

description: The Banff classification was introduced to achieve uniformity in the assessment of renal allograft biopsies. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of specimen adequacy on the Banff classification. All renal allograft biopsies obtained between July 2010 and June 2012 for suspicion of acute rejection were included. Pre-biopsy clinical data on suspected diagnosis and time from renal transplantation were provided to a nephropathologist who was blinded to the original pathological report. Second pathological readings were compared with the original to assess agreement stratified by specimen adequacy. Cohen's kappa test and Fisher's exact test were used for statistical analyses. Forty-nine specimens were reviewed. Among these specimens, 81.6% were classified as adequate, 6.12% as minimal, and 12.24% as unsatisfactory. The agreement analysis among the first and second readings revealed a kappa value of 0.97. Full agreement between readings was found in 75% of the adequate specimens, 66.7 and 50% for minimal and unsatisfactory specimens, respectively. There was no agreement between readings in 5% of the adequate specimens and 16.7% of the unsatisfactory specimens. For the entire sample full agreement was found in 71.4%, partial agreement in 20.4% and no agreement in 8.2% of the specimens. Statistical analysis using Fisher's exact test yielded a P value above 0.25 showing that - probably due to small sample size - the results were not statistically significant. Specimen adequacy may be a determinant of a diagnostic agreement in renal allograft specimen assessment. While additional studies including larger case numbers are required to further delineate the impact of specimen adequacy on the reliability of histopathological assessments, specimen quality must be considered during clinical decision making while dealing with biopsy reports based on minimal or unsatisfactory specimens.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.7941314.v1
title: Inflammatory markers and occurrence of falls: Bambuí Cohort Study of Aging

description: ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE Analyze whether inflammatory markers are associated with falls among older adults living in Bambuí. METHODS Study that analyzed baseline data from a Bambuí Cohort Study of Aging, involving 1,250 participants. Data about falls were collected from previous 12 months, classified as single or multiple occurrence and severity (participant seeking health services). Information about sociodemographic characteristics, health behaviors and health condition was also collected and used as confounding factors. The exposures of interest included interleukins (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), ultra-sensitive C-reactive protein (us-CRP) and chemokines (CXCL9, CCL5, CCL10, MCP1). Data were processed through logistic regression, obtaining odds ratio and 95% confidence interval (95%CI). RESULTS The prevalence of falls was 27.1%; 40.1% of the older adults reported multiple falls and 33.3% sought health services. After adjustments, the following elevated levels were associated with falls: us-CRP (OR = 1.46, 95%CI 1.04–2.03), CCL5 (OR = 1.38, 95%CI 1.01–1.90) and CXCL9 (OR = 1.43, 95%CI 1.02–2.02). An association was observed between the number of elevated markers and the occurrence of falls: two (OR = 1.47, 95%CI 1.02–2.12) and three (OR = 2.08, 95%CI 1.12–3.87) elevated biomarkers indicated fall probability of 32.0% and 39.4%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Elevated levels of us-CRP, CCL5 and CXCL9, which were associated with falls, may contribute to a proper understanding of the mechanism associated with the occurrence of falls among older people.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.7941305
title: The urbanization and forest conversion processes in the Paraense Amazon – a multiescalar study

description: Abstract In the Brazilian Amazon, dynamics of urbanization and forest conversion have complex logics, and are dependent on factors and agents operating at different levels. This article explores the spatial and temporal evolution of urbanization and forest conversion in the Amazon region from measurable elements present in these processes: urban expansion, observable dimensions of urbanization processes, and deforestation, a measure of forest conversion processes. The identification of similar spatiotemporal patterns, evaluated according to trends in the evolution of the degree of urbanization and the increase of deforestation in the years 2000, 2010 and 2014, was the basis for proposing a typology of relation between urban expansion and deforestation for the states of the Brazilian Legal Amazon and municipalities of Pará State. The study also explored the relation between urban expansion and deforestation, using Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR), observing two spatial units of analysis for Pará State: the municipal boundaries and a regular grid (20x20km). This multiscale approach evidenced the difficulty in establishing conclusive relationships regarding co-occurrence, or agreement, between the evolution of urbanization and forest conversion processes. Our results aim to establish an agenda on regional development models which take the urban phenomenon as essential for a socially just and environmentally responsible Amazon.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.7941299
title: Prevalence of obesity and associated factors in the Brazilian population: a study of data from the 2013 National Health Survey

description: ABSTRACT: Introduction: The prevalence of obesity is increasing at an alarming rate in many countries. Unhealthy eating and sedentary lifestyle are the main risk factors for obesity. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of obesity and identify the associated factors in the Brazilian adult population on the basis of data collected in the 2013 National Health Survey. Method: We analyzed the data from a sample of 59,402 adult subjects, excluding pregnant women. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated by means of weight and height measurements. Obesity was defined as BMI ≥30 kg/m2. Logistic regression models were used to identify the factors associated with obesity. Results: The prevalence of obesity was 16.8% for men and 24.4% for women. Advanced age (over 50 years), low education level (no schooling or incomplete elementary school), African Brazilian and living with partner were risk factors for obesity. Leisure time physical activity and the habit of watching more than 4 hours of television per day showed significant effects for both sexes. Regarding the referred morbidity, in obese people, the chances of having a diagnosis of hypertension, diabetes, or some non-communicable chronic disease were higher. Obese men and women had significantly increased systolic blood pressure. Conclusion: Our findings emphasize the importance of public policies for the prevention of obesity and for the promotion of healthy habits in Brazilian society.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.7941302
title: Design and Evaluation of a Hypothetical Learning Trajectory to Confidence Intervals based on Simulation and Real Data

description: Abstract This article discusses the design of a hypothetical learning trajectory to introduce the confidence intervals in a basic university course, from an informal perspective based on the use of data obtained from surveys and samples simulation. The trajectory consists of four activities and was evaluated as part of a first improvement cycle with a group of 11 students (19-21 years) of international studies career at a Mexican university. The results were obtained from the analysis of the worksheets and software files delivered by the students at the end of each activity, in addition a set of items selected from the AIRS test (Assessment Inferential Reasoning in Statistics), which were answered by the students in a final evaluation. The results show that it is possible to reason adequately with complex concepts that underlie a statistical inference, using data with real contexts and dynamic and interactive computer tools that allow real time visualization of the sampling results. However, some concepts were particularly difficult for the students, as the distinction between population, sample and sampling distribution, properties of sampling distributions and confidence intervals.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.7941308.v1
title: Muscle transposition for the treatment of paralytic strabismus. Retrospective review of 23 cases

description: Abstract Introduction: Muscular transposition procedures are used when there is no ocular rotation in a particular direction due to alterations of the extraocular muscles such as paralysis, agenesis or congenital anomalies. The objective of this study is to characterize the patients treated with this procedure and determine the percentage of correction of the deviation angle obtained after surgery in the Pediatric Ophthalmology, Strabismus and Neuro-ophthalmology Unit. “Dra. Ana María Illescas Putzeys”, Hospital de ojos y oídos “Dr. Rodolfo Robles V. Methods: A retrospective, descriptive, observational study was conducted with review of records of patients operated on muscle transposition during the years 1999 to 2016. Results: Twenty-three rectus muscle transposition procedures were performed. Thirteen were male (56.5%). The mean age was 42 years. In our series, an average correction of 42 PD (82%) was obtained regardless of the type of paralysis or the surgical procedure performed. Conclusion: In selected cases of paralytic strabismus, the main approach may be only muscle transposition with augmentation (posterior intermuscular fixation suture), with good results, similar to those obtained with muscle transposition using adjuvants such as botulinum toxin treatment.