cometadata/datacite-titles-descriptions-related-identifiers huggingface dataset:
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.9871262
title: Ethanol vapor treatment of ‘Laetitia’ plums stored under modified atmosphere

description: Abstract The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of ethanol vapor during storage in modified atmosphere on the ripening and maintenance of the postharvest quality of ‘Laetitia’ plums. The plums were obtained from an orchard in the municipality of Lages, SC. The experimental design adopted was completely randomized. The treatments evaluated were ethanol vapor doses (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 mL kg-1 of fruit). The fruits were stored at 0.5±0.2°C and 92±2% RH for 30 days. Upon their removal from storage followed by another three days in room conditions (20±5ºC and 63±2% RH), the fruits were evaluated in relation to their physical and chemical attributes, incidence and intensity of internal browning, quantification of ethanol, acetaldehyde and ethyl acetate, and the activity of enzymes peroxidase and superoxide dismutase. The application of ethanol vapor was efficient in maintaining the fruits flesh firmness, reducing the evolution of the red coloring, and resulted in greater activity of enzymes peroxidase and superoxide dismutase. However, the doses evaluated were not efficient in reducing the internal browning.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.9871268.v1
title: The impact of the diagnosis of tuberculosis through its social representations

description: ABSTRACT Objective: To identify people’s way of acting after the diagnosis of tuberculosis, through their social representations about the disease. Method: Qualitative and descriptive study based on the Theory of Social Representations, in which 23 patients of a school health center in Belém, PA, Brazil, participated. The software ALCESTE was used to generate a class concerning the impact of the diagnosis in people’s lives. Results: The dimension of a new reality caused by the diagnosis of tuberculosis is linked with the image of dirt, (process of objectification) communicable/mortal disease that exclude, causing sorrow, despair and revolt (dimension of the affections), reverberating in the patients’ actions (dimension of action). Final considerations: global knowledge about tuberculosis, linking the knowledge of everyday life with the reified universe, pointing the multidimensionality of the phenomenon. The conclusion is that investing in the deconstruction of archaic beliefs about the tuberculosis that kills, replacing it with the curable tuberculosis, is necessary.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.9871271.v1
title: Anterior chamber characteristics assessed by rotating Scheimpflug imaging in patients with retinitis pigmentosa

description: ABSTRACT Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate anterior segment parameters and corneal aberrations in patients with retinitis pigmentosa using Scheimpflug imaging and to compare the findings with those for healthy controls. Methods: This single-center, case-control study included patients diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa who were followed up at the Department of Ophthalmology of Kayseri Training and Research Hospital between February and June 2018. Age- and sex-matched healthy individuals with no known ophthalmologic disease formed the control group. Both patients with retinitis pigmentosa and controls underwent comprehensive ophthalmic assessments, including the measurement of the best-corrected visual acuity calculation of the spherical equivalent, slit-lamp examination, stereoscopic fundus examination, computerized visual field test, and electroretinography. Topographic and aberrometric values were measured using Scheimpflug-based tomography. Results: This study was performed on 52 eyes of 26 patients with retinitis pigmentosa (14 men) and 52 eyes of 26 healthy controls (11 men). The average keratometry (K avg) values for the patient and control groups were similar (43.87 ± 2.23 versus 43.61 ± 1.68; p=0.546), but the maximum keratometry (K max) value was significantly higher in the patient group (45.85 ± 2.35 and 44.69 ± 1.86; p=0.015). Patients with retinitis pigmentosa had a significantly lower central corneal thickness (518.5 ± 42.3 versus 534.1 ± 24.5, respectively; p=0.042) and maximal corneal thickness (509.1 ± 50.5 versus 530.5 ± 24.1, respectively; p=0.015). Additionally, the iridocorneal angle for the patients was significantly lower (31.6 ± 9.2 versus 35.9 ± 7.7, p=0.025). The aberrometric findings indicated that patients with retinitis pigmentosa had significantly more higher-order aberrations than those in the healthy controls (0.794 ± 51 and 0.398 ± 08, respectively; p&lt;0.001). Conclusions: The results of the present study demonstrated that patients with retinitis pigmentosa have different anterior segment parameters and corneal aberrations compared to healthy controls. These results should be supported by further studies.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.9871259
title: New occurrence of Kudoa orbicularis parasitizing the freshwater catfish Trachelyopterus galeatus (Siluriformes: Auchenipteridae) in the Brazlian Amazon region

description: Abstract The aim of this was describe an infection by Kudoa orbicularis in freshwater catfish Trachelyopterus galeatus. A sample of 80 specimens of T. galeatus was collected in the municipality of Cachoeira do Arari, Marajó Island, in the state of Pará, Brazil. Pseudocysts were found in the muscle fibers of the epaxial and hypaxial regions of 85.0% of the specimens analyzed, reflecting a high infection rate. The pseudocysts contained spores that were pseudo-square in shape, with a mean length of 4.65 µm (range: 4.04–5.54) and mean width of 1.53 µm (1.56–1.74). Analyses on the morphology of the spores and a partial 934-bp sequence of the SSU rDNA gene confirmed that the microparasite was Kudoa orbicularis. This is the second record of this microparasite in a siluriform host in the Brazilian Amazon region.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.9871253
title: Nursing practices centered on individuals with tuberculosis: an interface with democracy

description: ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze whether user-centered nursing practices in TB DOT are being carried out and are contributing to democracy. Method: A cross-sectional, exploratory, descriptive study with 123 nurses in three capital cities with high incidence of TB (Manaus-AM, João Pessoa-PB, Porto Alegre-RS) in Brazil. Data were collected from January to June 2014. Descriptive and multiple correspondence analyzes were used. Results: It was identified that the most user-centered care actions had scores below 50%, considered unfavorable to the exercise of democracy. In the analysis of the general user-centered practice score per municipality, Manaus and João Pessoa presented unfavorable results, and the municipality of Porto Alegre was partially favorable. Conclusion: The three municipalities need to advance in the implementation of user-centered practices in DOT, because their health system still has difficulties and challenges to overcome.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.9871259.v1
title: New occurrence of Kudoa orbicularis parasitizing the freshwater catfish Trachelyopterus galeatus (Siluriformes: Auchenipteridae) in the Brazlian Amazon region

description: Abstract The aim of this was describe an infection by Kudoa orbicularis in freshwater catfish Trachelyopterus galeatus. A sample of 80 specimens of T. galeatus was collected in the municipality of Cachoeira do Arari, Marajó Island, in the state of Pará, Brazil. Pseudocysts were found in the muscle fibers of the epaxial and hypaxial regions of 85.0% of the specimens analyzed, reflecting a high infection rate. The pseudocysts contained spores that were pseudo-square in shape, with a mean length of 4.65 µm (range: 4.04–5.54) and mean width of 1.53 µm (1.56–1.74). Analyses on the morphology of the spores and a partial 934-bp sequence of the SSU rDNA gene confirmed that the microparasite was Kudoa orbicularis. This is the second record of this microparasite in a siluriform host in the Brazilian Amazon region.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.9871262.v1
title: Ethanol vapor treatment of ‘Laetitia’ plums stored under modified atmosphere

description: Abstract The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of ethanol vapor during storage in modified atmosphere on the ripening and maintenance of the postharvest quality of ‘Laetitia’ plums. The plums were obtained from an orchard in the municipality of Lages, SC. The experimental design adopted was completely randomized. The treatments evaluated were ethanol vapor doses (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 mL kg-1 of fruit). The fruits were stored at 0.5±0.2°C and 92±2% RH for 30 days. Upon their removal from storage followed by another three days in room conditions (20±5ºC and 63±2% RH), the fruits were evaluated in relation to their physical and chemical attributes, incidence and intensity of internal browning, quantification of ethanol, acetaldehyde and ethyl acetate, and the activity of enzymes peroxidase and superoxide dismutase. The application of ethanol vapor was efficient in maintaining the fruits flesh firmness, reducing the evolution of the red coloring, and resulted in greater activity of enzymes peroxidase and superoxide dismutase. However, the doses evaluated were not efficient in reducing the internal browning.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.9871250
title: Academic English Proficiency Assessment Using a Computerized Adaptive Test

description: ABSTRACT This paper describes the steps of transforming a paper-and-pencil English proficiency test into an computerized adaptive test (TAI-PI) based on an Item Response Theory (IRT) model. The exam is composed of multiple choice items administered according to the Admissible Probability Measurement Procedure, adopted by the graduate program at the Institute of Mathematics and Computer Sciences at the University of São Paulo (ICMC-USP). Despite the fact that the program accepts various internationally recognized tests that attest non-native speakers English proficiency, such as the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and the Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE), for instance, its requirement is incompatible with the way the Brazilian public university operates due to the cost, which ranges from US$ 200.00 to US$ 300.00 per exam. The TAI-PI software (Computerized Adaptive Test for English Proficiency), which was developed in Java language and SQLite, started to be used to assess the English proficiency of students on the program from October, 2013. The statistical methodology used was defined considering the history and aims of the test and adopted Samejima’s Graded Response Model, the Kullback-Leibler information criterion for item selection, the a posteriori estimation method for latent trait and the Shadow Test approach to impose restrictions (content and test length) on the test composition of each individual. A description of the test design, the statistical methods used, and the results of a real application of TAI-PI for graduate students are presented in this paper, as well as the validation studies of the new methodology for pass or fail classification, showing the good quality of the new evaluation system and examination of improvement using the IRT and CAT methods.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.9871253.v1
title: Nursing practices centered on individuals with tuberculosis: an interface with democracy

description: ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze whether user-centered nursing practices in TB DOT are being carried out and are contributing to democracy. Method: A cross-sectional, exploratory, descriptive study with 123 nurses in three capital cities with high incidence of TB (Manaus-AM, João Pessoa-PB, Porto Alegre-RS) in Brazil. Data were collected from January to June 2014. Descriptive and multiple correspondence analyzes were used. Results: It was identified that the most user-centered care actions had scores below 50%, considered unfavorable to the exercise of democracy. In the analysis of the general user-centered practice score per municipality, Manaus and João Pessoa presented unfavorable results, and the municipality of Porto Alegre was partially favorable. Conclusion: The three municipalities need to advance in the implementation of user-centered practices in DOT, because their health system still has difficulties and challenges to overcome.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.9871241
title: Cytotoxic effects of Pseudocerastes persicus venom and its HPLC fractions on lung cancer cells

description: ABSTRACT Background: Several studies have pointed out that certain snake venoms contain compounds presenting cytotoxic activities that selectively interfere with cancer cell metabolism. In this study, Pseudocerastes persicus venom and its fractions were investigated for their anticancer potential on lung cancer cells. Methods: Lung cancer cells (A549) and normal fibroblast cells (Hu02) were treated with the P. persicus venom and its HPLC fractions and the cell cytotoxic effects were analyzed using MTT and lactate dehydrogenase release assays. Apoptosis was determined in venom-treated cell cultures using caspase-3 and caspase-9 assay kits. Results: The treatment of cells with HPLC fraction 21 (25-35 kDa) of P. persicus venom resulted in high LDH release in normal fibroblast cells and high caspase-3 and caspase-9 activities in lung cancer cells. These results indicate that fraction 21 induces apoptosis in cancer cells, whereas necrosis is predominantly caused by cell death in the normal cells. Fraction 21 at the final concentration of 10 μg/mL killed approximately 60% of lung cancer cells, while in normal fibroblast cells very low cell cytotoxic effect was observed. Conclusion: HPLC fraction 21 at low concentrations displayed promising anticancer properties with apoptosis induction in the lung cancer cells. This fraction may, therefore, be considered a promising candidate for further studies.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.9871244
title: Square-Wave Voltammetry Determination of Ciprofloxacin in Pharmaceutical Formulations and Milk Using a Reduced Graphene Oxide Sensor

description: In this paper, a simple, sensitive and precise electroanalytical method was developed using a chemically-reduced graphene-oxide (CRGO)-modified glassy carbon electrode and square wave voltammetry (SWV) for determination of ciprofloxacin in pharmaceutical formulations (tablets) and milk samples. Advantages of this sensor include a potential displacement of 100 mV and a 5-fold current increase for the electrochemical oxidation of ciprofloxacin, which resulted in a highly sensitive sensor, when compared to unmodified electrode. The improved properties of the modified electrode are likely due to the formation of a porous surface evidenced by the change in electrode kinetics (thin-layer diffusion process). The proposed sensor is free from interference of sample matrix (pharmaceutical formulations and low/high-fat milk) avoiding cumbersome processes such as previous separations, solvent extraction, or sample filtration (samples were only diluted in Britton-Robinson buffer solution). The results by SWV showed a limit of detection of 0.21 µmol L-1 (correspondent to 0.069 mg L-1), which is lower than the ones obtained using other carbon-based electrodes, relative standard deviations lower than 12%, and satisfactory recoveries in the range from 84 to 109%. The results obtained were statistically similar (95% confidence level) with those performed through high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.9871238
title: Elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration improves water use efficiency and growth of a widespread Cerrado tree species even under soil water deficit

description: ABSTRACT Changes in atmospheric CO2 levels are accompanied by ecological interactions involving other environmental factors, such as drought, which can severely alter the water balance of plants, thereby influencing sap flow, gas exchange, and plant growth. The objective of this study was to evaluate the water use economy, leaf gas exchange, and growth of young plants of the species Lafoensia pacari subjected to high concentrations of atmospheric CO2 ([CO2]) and soil water deficit. Increased vapor pressure deficit was observed from 1200 to 1800 hours. Plants under elevated [CO2] exhibited increased leaf photosynthesis, resulting in improved growth. Specific leaf area was lower in plants under high [CO2], mainly after soil water deficit treatment. Daily irrigated plants growing under ambient [CO2] had higher stem sap flow velocity (cm h-1) and hourly sap flow (kg h-1), mainly during the hottest hours of the day, than plants under high [CO2]. Improved water use by plants growing under high [CO2] may result in increased availability of water in the soil, partially offsetting future drought events and extending the growth period.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.9871250.v1
title: Academic English Proficiency Assessment Using a Computerized Adaptive Test

description: ABSTRACT This paper describes the steps of transforming a paper-and-pencil English proficiency test into an computerized adaptive test (TAI-PI) based on an Item Response Theory (IRT) model. The exam is composed of multiple choice items administered according to the Admissible Probability Measurement Procedure, adopted by the graduate program at the Institute of Mathematics and Computer Sciences at the University of São Paulo (ICMC-USP). Despite the fact that the program accepts various internationally recognized tests that attest non-native speakers English proficiency, such as the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and the Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE), for instance, its requirement is incompatible with the way the Brazilian public university operates due to the cost, which ranges from US$ 200.00 to US$ 300.00 per exam. The TAI-PI software (Computerized Adaptive Test for English Proficiency), which was developed in Java language and SQLite, started to be used to assess the English proficiency of students on the program from October, 2013. The statistical methodology used was defined considering the history and aims of the test and adopted Samejima’s Graded Response Model, the Kullback-Leibler information criterion for item selection, the a posteriori estimation method for latent trait and the Shadow Test approach to impose restrictions (content and test length) on the test composition of each individual. A description of the test design, the statistical methods used, and the results of a real application of TAI-PI for graduate students are presented in this paper, as well as the validation studies of the new methodology for pass or fail classification, showing the good quality of the new evaluation system and examination of improvement using the IRT and CAT methods.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.9871244.v1
title: Square-Wave Voltammetry Determination of Ciprofloxacin in Pharmaceutical Formulations and Milk Using a Reduced Graphene Oxide Sensor

description: In this paper, a simple, sensitive and precise electroanalytical method was developed using a chemically-reduced graphene-oxide (CRGO)-modified glassy carbon electrode and square wave voltammetry (SWV) for determination of ciprofloxacin in pharmaceutical formulations (tablets) and milk samples. Advantages of this sensor include a potential displacement of 100 mV and a 5-fold current increase for the electrochemical oxidation of ciprofloxacin, which resulted in a highly sensitive sensor, when compared to unmodified electrode. The improved properties of the modified electrode are likely due to the formation of a porous surface evidenced by the change in electrode kinetics (thin-layer diffusion process). The proposed sensor is free from interference of sample matrix (pharmaceutical formulations and low/high-fat milk) avoiding cumbersome processes such as previous separations, solvent extraction, or sample filtration (samples were only diluted in Britton-Robinson buffer solution). The results by SWV showed a limit of detection of 0.21 µmol L-1 (correspondent to 0.069 mg L-1), which is lower than the ones obtained using other carbon-based electrodes, relative standard deviations lower than 12%, and satisfactory recoveries in the range from 84 to 109%. The results obtained were statistically similar (95% confidence level) with those performed through high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.9871238.v1
title: Elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration improves water use efficiency and growth of a widespread Cerrado tree species even under soil water deficit

description: ABSTRACT Changes in atmospheric CO2 levels are accompanied by ecological interactions involving other environmental factors, such as drought, which can severely alter the water balance of plants, thereby influencing sap flow, gas exchange, and plant growth. The objective of this study was to evaluate the water use economy, leaf gas exchange, and growth of young plants of the species Lafoensia pacari subjected to high concentrations of atmospheric CO2 ([CO2]) and soil water deficit. Increased vapor pressure deficit was observed from 1200 to 1800 hours. Plants under elevated [CO2] exhibited increased leaf photosynthesis, resulting in improved growth. Specific leaf area was lower in plants under high [CO2], mainly after soil water deficit treatment. Daily irrigated plants growing under ambient [CO2] had higher stem sap flow velocity (cm h-1) and hourly sap flow (kg h-1), mainly during the hottest hours of the day, than plants under high [CO2]. Improved water use by plants growing under high [CO2] may result in increased availability of water in the soil, partially offsetting future drought events and extending the growth period.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.9871241.v1
title: Cytotoxic effects of Pseudocerastes persicus venom and its HPLC fractions on lung cancer cells

description: ABSTRACT Background: Several studies have pointed out that certain snake venoms contain compounds presenting cytotoxic activities that selectively interfere with cancer cell metabolism. In this study, Pseudocerastes persicus venom and its fractions were investigated for their anticancer potential on lung cancer cells. Methods: Lung cancer cells (A549) and normal fibroblast cells (Hu02) were treated with the P. persicus venom and its HPLC fractions and the cell cytotoxic effects were analyzed using MTT and lactate dehydrogenase release assays. Apoptosis was determined in venom-treated cell cultures using caspase-3 and caspase-9 assay kits. Results: The treatment of cells with HPLC fraction 21 (25-35 kDa) of P. persicus venom resulted in high LDH release in normal fibroblast cells and high caspase-3 and caspase-9 activities in lung cancer cells. These results indicate that fraction 21 induces apoptosis in cancer cells, whereas necrosis is predominantly caused by cell death in the normal cells. Fraction 21 at the final concentration of 10 μg/mL killed approximately 60% of lung cancer cells, while in normal fibroblast cells very low cell cytotoxic effect was observed. Conclusion: HPLC fraction 21 at low concentrations displayed promising anticancer properties with apoptosis induction in the lung cancer cells. This fraction may, therefore, be considered a promising candidate for further studies.