Santa Catarina State University

Background The persistent neurological symptoms seen in long COVID survivors are attributed to immune system dysfunctions and changes in the microbiome induced by SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. In addition to the initial respiratory manifestations, a significant portion of COVID‐19 patients present with neurodegenerative symptoms. Our hypothesis suggests that disruptions in inflammatory signals and alterations in the gut microbiome post‐COVID‐19 play pivotal roles in the development of neurodegenerative complications among individuals experiencing prolonged effects of the disease. Method In our cross‐sectional study, we enrolled individuals with post‐COVID‐19 (n = 26) and age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls (n = 57). Our objective was to conduct a comprehensive examination of neuropsychiatric symptoms, lipid profiles, oxidative stress markers, inflammatory signals, and Alzheimer's disease (AD) markers in plasma samples and gut microbiome status using feces samples from post‐COVID patients. Depressive and anxiety symptoms were evaluated using the Hamilton Rating Scale, while cognitive performance was assessed with standardized measures. The intricate details of the gut microbiome status were revealed through 16S rRNA sequencing. Result The investigation uncovered no statistically significant differences in anxiety or cognitive status however the depression was elevated in post‐COVID‐19 as compared to healthy subjects. Further, AD markers (Aβ42, Aβ40, t‐tau, and p‐tau) and oxidative stress markers displayed no discernible distinctions between the two groups. A noteworthy discovery was the significant increase in CCL23, the macrophage inhibitory protein‐3, among COVID‐19 patients. CCL23, known for its role in inflammation and host defense, has recently been linked to neuroinflammation in the early stages of AD. Furthermore, apoptosis markers Caspase‐3 and ‐8 were significantly elevated in COVID‐19 patients. While α‐diversity in the gut microbiome showed no significant differences, β‐diversity indicated a notable distinction between the control and post‐COVID‐19 groups. Furthermore, post‐COVID‐19 individuals displayed a decreased abundance of the phylum Verrucomicrobia and genus Akkermansia, a short‐chain fatty acid producer, and microbial group significantly associated with intestinal barrier permeability and cognitive improvement. Conclusion While longitudinal studies are essential for a comprehensive understanding of the behavioral trajectory of COVID‐19 individuals, the current results indicate that CCL23 levels and changes in microbiome status may function as early indicators of post‐COVID neurological and neuropsychiatric outcomes.

Wearable and portable devices are gaining significant popularity across consumer electronics as well as in medical and industrial fields. To ensure that these devices are both comfortable and appealing to users, they need to have low battery consumption and be compact in both size and weight. The EGluco project is focused on developing a wearable device for non-invasive blood glucose monitoring. This multi-sensor device incorporates electrical bioimpedance spectroscopy as one of its measurement techniques. One of the earlier versions of the device was deemed unsuitable as a wearable due to its large size and high power consumption. To make the device more suitable for wearability, the previous hardware was assessed, and a new design was proposed that simplified the system’s power supply and reduced the operating voltage. This article presents two of these designs: an improved Howland current source with a supply voltage of 3.3 V, an output current of 250 μA , and the ability to conduct bioimpedance analysis up to 1 MHz using pulsed DIBS (Discrete Interval Binary Sequence) signals, and an instrumentation amplifier with the same supply voltage as the current source, a voltage gain of four, and a slew rate of 150 V/μs . By simplifying the power supply and implementing other changes, the device’s size was reduced to a single 5 × 5 cm circuit board, compared to the previous configuration of four separate boards connected by cables.

Deforestation in the Amazon Forest has increased exponentially in recent years. This is a consequence of local, regional, and global dynamic economical processes changing land-use and land cover (LULC) in the Amazon Forest. There is evidence that land deforested to be used for pasture is now being used for crop production. In this circumstance, this paper analyzes the Amazon deforestation by agribusiness production displacement on the southeastern region of the Brazilian Amazon Forest. The investigated area is located in the north of the Brazilian State Mato Grosso. The data was collected from the MapBiomas project in a raster format, from 1985 to 2020, identifying 13 LULC classes, with forests, agriculture, and pasture being the most significant. The study employed map algebra to process spatial and temporal LULC changes, photointerpretation for visual validation, and correlation statistics to explore relationships between deforestation, pasture, agriculture, and fires. The results found a strong correlation (0.98) between deforestation and conversion of forest to pasture, and moderate correlation (0.59) between forest to crop conversion and deforestation. Over the last 20 years, 59,663.51 km² of native forests were lost, primarily converted into pasture (17,047.27 km²) and agriculture (42,034.18 km²). Indigenous territories showed minimal deforestation compared to non-demarcated areas. A historical analysis of policies on deforestation in Brazil, and in the State of Mato Grosso, was carried out, demonstrating that in recent years there has been decreased control over the issue. This study provides insights for policymakers to leverage the global policy window for Amazon conservation under the Paris Agreement.

Produced water management is a significant challenge for the oil and gas industry. Due to the large volumes and complex composition of this water, treatment requires special attention, resulting in high costs for companies in the sector. Naphthenic acids, known for their recalcitrance, add a layer of complexity to the treatment process. Benzoic acid, a simple aromatic carboxylic acid, has been extensively studied due to its structural similarity to naphthenic acids, highlighting its importance in developing treatment strategies. Advanced oxidative processes, such as UV/H$_2$O$_2$, have emerged as promising alternatives for the degradation of recalcitrant organic pollutants. This study aims to enhance the UV/H$_2$O$_2$ process through experiments, kinetic mechanisms, and mathematical models that allow the simulation of various experimental conditions, providing a clearer and more economical approach to produced water treatment in the oil and gas industry. The results indicate that the oxidation of benzoic acid by the UV/H$_2$O$_2$ process achieved removals between 12.29 and 83.56% in a batch reactor over 120 min. Additionally, the influence of solution pH and H$_2$O$_2$ concentration was significant, with better removal rates observed at pH 3. The molar extinction coefficient of benzoic acid was also found to be pH-dependent, indicating a greater photon absorption capacity at lower pH. The mathematical model developed for the UV/H$_2$O$_2$ process accurately predicted experimental data and process variable effects, offering valuable insights into reaction kinetics and the influence of experimental conditions.

Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) is a new generation of cementitious materials with exceptional mechanical properties. In the study, the effects of the type and content of different microfibers on the mechanical performance of reinforced concrete (RC) beams were determined using finite element analysis (FEA) with Abaqus software. The cross-sectional stresses and using finite element analysis (FEA) with Abaqus software. The cross-sectional stresses and deflection of beams with UHPC produced with aramid, basalt and steel (1.0 and 2.0 % content) microfibers were assessed. The parametric data of the FEA model were defined on the basis of experimentally evaluated results of small-scale specimens. The compressive and tensile strength of the UHPC with these fibers was performed. Although the small-scale results indicate an improvement in the tensile behavior of fiber-reinforced UHPC and a negligible influence of the fiber content on the compressive behavior, the numerical results show that the use of fibers has no significant effect on the mechanical behavior of the beam (i.e., its ultimate state). The fibers increase the beam's elastic performance but have little effect on its plastic behavior. Except for 2% of steel fibers, UHPC can reduce the mechanical capacity of a beam.

Hops (Humulus lupulus L.) are of particular economic importance in the highlands of the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil, by virtue of the number of breweries in the region. However, since the cultivars currently available in the country present poor qualitative attributes and low cone productivity, there is considerable demand for improved genotypes. The results of diallel crossing experiments help to increase our understanding of inheritance processes and the mechanisms controlling the transfer of alleles with additive or non-additive action, thereby allowing breeders to explore the benefits of heterosis. The present study evaluated the general and specific combining abilities (GCA and SCA, respectively) of four hop genotypes and to obtain F1 hybrids with agronomic traits superior to those of the parents and the ability to adapt to the environmental conditions in the Santa Catarina highlands. Partial diallel crosses were performed using a randomized complete block design involving 14 treatments, namely two male parents (Cascade and Hallertauer), four female parents (Columbus, Chinook, Cascade and Hallertauer) and eight hybrid combinations, with three repetitions each. The results showed that SCA was the predominant controlling mechanism for the manifestation in hybrids of the traits length of the lateral branch, height of insertion of the first cone, plant green mass and cone productivity. Some parental combinations also exhibited high GCA, indicating the presence of favorable alleles with additive action. The best combination was Hallertauer × Cascade, a finding that highlights the importance of choosing parents from different gene pools (American × European) to obtain genetically enhanced hybrids.

The mobilization of reserves determines the formation of seedlings during germination, being influenced by seed vigor and adverse stress conditions. Seeds with higher vigor have greater potential for mobilization of reserves, and it can favor performance under conditions of salt stress. The objective of this study was to identify how the mobilization of reserves stored in common bean seeds contributes to the overcoming of salt stress, seeking to identify the difference in hydrolysis and mobilization of reserves among seeds with superior vigor. Seeds from two genotypes contrasting in vigor (BAF44 and BAF55) were used. Salt stress was simulated using sodium chloride, and evaluations were performed at one, three, five and seven days of germination. The variables analyzed in seedling was length, dry mass, and metabolic expenditure, while biochemical analyses of total starch, total protein, total soluble sugars, total soluble proteins, and alpha-amylase activity were evaluated in the embryonic axis and/or cotyledons. The salt stress condition negatively affected the performance of the seedlings, resulting in a decrease in length, mass accumulation, and reduced use of seed reserves, associated with a lower hydrolysis of starch and proteins. Seeds with higher vigor showed higher dry mass and seedling length even when subjected to salt stress conditions, because of greater hydrolysis capacity and use of soluble proteins and soluble sugars, which result in seedlings with better performance under control and salt stress conditions. Key words Phaseolus vulgaris L.; physiological quality; globulins; alpha-amylase; soluble sugars

Objective: The aim of the study was to analyze the effects of 16 weeks of Jazz Dance training compared to a control group in postmenopausal women, postintervention, and at the 6- and 12-month follow-ups, on cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition, muscle strength, and sleep quality. Methods: Two-arm randomized clinical trial with a total of 47 women (jazz dance intervention group [JDIG] [n = 23] and control group (CG) [n = 24]) with a mean age of 53.41 ± 2.8 y. Data collection was carried out at four times, baseline, postintervention, and 6- and 12-month follow-ups using the 6-minute walk test (cardiorespiratory fitness); bioimpedance (body composition); isokinetic dynamometry (muscle strength); and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (sleep quality). Results: In the intention-to-treat analysis, the results showed positive differences for the JDIG in cardiorespiratory fitness at all time points (P = 0.034) and in the group x time interaction (P = <0.001). Lower limb muscle strength showed differences from baseline to postintervention and from baseline to the 12-month follow-up for the concentric force ratio (P = 0.021; P = 0.009). However, for peak extension and flexion, the results were not positive for the JDIG. There was a short-term improvement in sleep duration for the JDIG (P = 0.001) and significant intergroup differences in subjective sleep quality, where the JDIG showed better results compared to the CG (P = 0.041). Conclusions: Jazz Dance is effective for improving cardiorespiratory fitness (in the short, medium, and long term) and sleep quality (in the short and medium term); however, it does not seem to have presented sufficient intensity and duration for facilitating changes in body composition or increasing lower limb muscle strength in postmenopausal women.

Recent evidence indicates that statins have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, leading to several investigations of whether statins have a neuroprotective effect and may benefit patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, the potential mechanisms of this class of medications as modifiers of the course of PD in already diagnosed patients is still unclear. To assess the effectiveness of statins as modifiers of established PD. Two investigators systematically searched for randomized clinical trials and observational studies comparing PD patients treated with statins versus those treated without statins. The search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science. The outcome of interest was the change in the MDS-UPDRS III (Movement Disorder society—Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Part III) and UPDRS III scores from baseline. Statistical analysis was performed using R Studio 4.3.2. Four studies, totaling 472 patients, were included. The standardized mean difference for the MDS-UPDRS Part III and UPDRS Part III scales between statin and non-statin groups was − 0.13 (95% CI − 0.44 to 0.17; p = 0.39; I2 = 58%), and there was no statistical significant difference regarding this outcome. There was no statistical significance for the potential clinical benefit of statins as modifiers of the disease course in PD patients.

Climate change and anthropogenic disturbance in agricultural production systems can facilitate shifts in the distribution of arthropod pest species and in the range of plant hosts on which they feed. This study presents the first record of Tropical Sod Webworm (TSW), Herpetogramma phaeopteralis Guenée (Lepidoptera: Crambidae: Spilomelinae), on native or nativized species of the genus Axonopus (Poaceae) in Brazil. The occurrence of population outbreaks of this species was observed in March and April of 2024 among smallholder cattle farmers in Capão Alto and Campo Belo do Sul, both municipalities situated in the highlands of Santa Catarina State, southern Brazil. The caterpillars feed on leaves during the nocturnal nighttime period, causing extensive defoliation and forming large dry patches of grass. Phylogenetic analyses based on mtCOI support the morphological characterization indicated that the species is H. phaeopteralis. The phylogenetic tree, based on partial sequences of the COI gene, indicated that the Brazilian isolate is more closely related to the Peruvian isolate and is distinct from the American and Japanese isolates. Turfgrass production is an economically important activity in Brazil and, thus, H. phaeopteralis should be monitored to assess its establishment as a primary pest in the landscapes where host plants are employed.

Background and Purpose Telerehabilitation represents an alternative for individuals who have difficulty accessing services to receive care. Therefore, telerehabilitation measures must be studied for their reliability and validity. This study evaluated the validity and reliability of the videoconference-based Berg Balance Scale assessment in stroke survivors. Methods Thirty-one stroke survivors were assessed. Rater A conducted in-person and remote assessments via videoconferencing at 2 different times (test-retest), and rater B conducted an assessment using the second recording made remotely. The validity and agreement between the in-person and remote assessments were analyzed using the Pearson’s correlation coefficient and the Bland-Altman plots limits of agreement (LoA), respectively. Test-retest and inter-rater reliability were analyzed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI), and individual item reliability was assessed by weighted Kappa. The standard error of measurement and minimal detectable change were computed. Cronbach’s alpha was used for the analysis of internal consistency, and the ceiling effect was investigated. Results In-person and remote assessments showed a strong positive correlation ( r = 0.96) and less than a 1-point difference between the 2 assessments. Both the test-retest (ICC = 0.96; 95% CI, 0.93-0.98) and inter-rater (ICC = 0.93; 95% CI, 0.87-0.97) reliability were excellent. The standard error of measurement and minimal detectable change were 1.8 and 5.1 points, respectively. Results showed adequate internal consistency and no ceiling effect. Discussion and Conclusions The Tele-Berg demonstrated validity, excellent test-retest and inter-rater reliability, low measurement error, adequate internal consistency, and lack of ceiling effect. These findings suggest that the Tele-Berg is comparable to in-person Berg Balance Scale in stroke survivors. Video abstract available for more insights from the authors (see Supplemental Digital Content, available at: http://links.lww.com/JNPT/A509).

The population aging process has caused a financial imbalance in the social security systems of countries based on pay as you go system, as is the case in Brazil. To face this challenge, the Brazilian governments have undertaken several reforms since the 1988 Constitution. Confronting the life cycle hypothesis, the aim of this paper is to estimate the causal effects of Social Security Reforms on the Likelihood of Saving in Brazil by exploring two exogenous events, the 41th (of 2003) and 47th (of 2005) Constitutional Amendments, that reduced the expectations of benefits only for public servants. Using data from the House Budget Surveys, the results of differences-in-differences models show that the reform increased in a range of 2.1 to 2.9 percentage points in the probability of saving of the treated group. The results are in line with the recent literature indicating that reforms contribute to an increase in personal savings.

Accurately estimating atmospheric chloride deposition can offer important insights into metal corrosion. Corrosion of metals causes high associated costs in engineering work. Hence, there are standardized models to estimate the corrosivity of environments. One entry variable of such models is airborne salinity that comes from the sea, collected with the wet candle method and measured in chloride ion dry deposition rate. This method has some limitations because it is complex and demands long periods of exposure to environments. This work proposes a new data-driven approach for the prediction of dry deposition of chloride ions using reanalysis and geospatial data. Hence, we have developed a machine-learning regression model based on Random Forests for the prediction of airborne salinity. This work also analyzes variables and compares the proposed approach with other available models. The Random Forest obtained the best results with an r$^{2}$ of 0.82.

Background This study aimed to compare the prevalence of excess weight in adolescents living in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil, from 2007 to 2017/2018 and assess associations with physical activity level, screen time, muscle strength, and cardiorespiratory fitness. Methods Two cross-sectional surveys were conducted with adolescents (14 to 19 years old). The body mass index was calculated from measurements of body weight (kg) and height (m²). Information on sociodemographic variables (sex, age, and economic level), screen time, and physical activity was collected using questionnaires. Motor tests were used to measure cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle strength. Results A positive secular trend in excess weight was observed in adolescents between 2017/2018 and 2007. Boys who spent more than 4h a day on screen-based activities and those with inadequate cardiorespiratory fitness were 1.96 and 3.03 times more likely, respectively, to have excess weight in 2017/2018 than in 2007. Boys (OR = 1.77) and girls (OR = 1.74) with inadequate muscle strength were more likely to have excess weight in 2017/2018 than their peers in 2007. Furthermore, boys and girls with adequate cardiorespiratory fitness had 64% and 90% lower chances, respectively, of having excess weight in 2017/2018 than in 2007. Conclusions A decade of observation revealed a positive secular trend in excess weight in adolescents, with significant associations with muscle strength, cardiorespiratory fitness, and screen time.

The use of treated municipal effluents for microalgae cultivation provides an alternative to tertiary treatment in limited-nutrient removal wastewater treatment plants. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate microalgae cultivation (Arthrospira platensis and Parachlorella kessleri) in secondary-treated wastewater and the reuse of biomass to produce biopolymers. The microalgae were cultivated in effluents from two wastewater treatment plants operating with different technologies—a hybrid-based treatment plant involving a trickling biofilter, dissolved air flotation and disinfection with free chlorination and a biological-based treatment plant combining biological processes (up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor and stabilization ponds)—in two cities in southern Brazil. First, the microorganism growth in the Zarrouk medium and the effluents of the two wastewater treatment plants were studied for ten days. Further, the use of the microalgae for the simultaneous removal of organic waste, nitrogen and phosphorus from the wastewater was assessed. The two species exhibited slow growth in the wastewater from the hybrid-based treatment plant. However, Parachlorella kessleri exhibited better growth, especially in the biological-based wastewater, with a productivity of 6.12 g L⁻¹. The nitrogen and phosphorus removal were 81 and 93%, respectively. No heavy metals were detected in biomass by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis. The results suggested that biomass processing should be performed at a maximum temperature of 170 °C to avoid the degradation of the biopolymers. This study proved that it is possible to use microalgae in the treatment of biologically treated domestic wastewater and reuse the biomass to produce biopolymers. Graphical abstract Microalgae cultivation in secondary treated wastewater presents a viable alternative to conventional tertiary treatment methods. This approach serves as an effective mechanism for regulating the release of nitrogen and phosphorus into the environment. The process achieved removal efficiencies of over 81% for total nitrogen and 93% for total phosphorus. Additionally, the resulting algal biomass demonstrated potential for use in plastic production.

Eucalypt monoculture plantations can adversely impact soil properties. However, a thorough assessment of their effects on soil invertebrate communities is lacking, impeding our ability to acquire a deeper understanding about the potential impacts of these intensively managed plantations on soil functioning. To quantify the effects of eucalypt plantations on soil invertebrate communities, and to identify the main moderators driving these effects, we performed a meta-analysis of studies reporting the effects of eucalypt monoculture plantations in comparison with other land use types involving different potential levels of disturbance to the soil matrix (native forests, other forestry plantations, croplands, grasslands, integrated crop-livestock-forestry, and invasive copses). We addressed these effects on the density (26 studies contributing 143 comparisons) and diversity (14 studies contributing 168 comparisons) of soil invertebrates. Density was lower in eucalypt plantations than in other forestry plantations, but higher than in grasslands and integrated crop-livestock-forestry. Diversity was lower in eucalypt plantations compared to native forests, yet higher when compared with other forestry plantations. When compared with other forestry plantations, the effects of eucalypt plantations on soil invertebrates depended on the type of other forestry plantation, the mean annual temperature, and the annual precipitation. Accounting for the diverse effects of eucalypt plantations relative to other land uses and climatic factors, along with the integration of data on soil physico-chemical properties and different management practices, can contribute to a better understanding of how changes in land cover impact soil invertebrates and help managers to make informed decisions about the establishment of eucalypt plantations.