De Minas Gerais Research Articles

Future climate suitability of Hemileia vastatrix in arabica coffee under CMIP6 scenarios.

Coffee (Coffea arabica L.) is one of the most important commodities today, with a high economic value worldwide. Coffee leaf rust (Hemileia vastatrix Berk. et Br.) has been showing a high impact on Brazilian coffee trees among the various diseases that attack coffee. The climate has a great influence on the development of diseases, especially when fungi are the causal agents. This study aimed to carry out the zoning of climate favorability for coffee leaf rust in the traditional and main coffee-producing regions of Brazil. The study was conducted in 13 locations in the states of Paraná, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, Goiás and Bahia. Air temperature and daily precipitation data for the current scenario were collected using the WorldClim version 2.1 platform for the last climatological normal and future climate change data. The ideal climate conditions for coffee leaf rust consist of a mean air temperature ranging from 21 to 25 °C and precipitation >30 mm per month. The Coupled Model Intercomparison Projects scenarios associated with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports consisted of the Shared Socio-Economic Pathways SSP-1 2.6, SSP-2 4.5, SSP-3 7.0 and SSP-5 8.5, the latter being considered one of the most catastrophic. All steps to carry out the suitability zoning were performed in a tool using the QGIS geographic information system software. Zoning for coffee leaf rust had three classes: favorable, relatively favorable and unfavorable. Currently, the largest coffee-producing region in Brazil has 49.1% of its analyzed area classified as favorable, 39.2% as relatively favorable and 11.7% as unfavorable. In the current scenario, Patrocínio and Três Pontas are locations with high coffee production in which the favorable class is predominant. The state of Minas Gerais has an annual mean of 55.3% of its entire territory apt for the disease, with the highest occurrence between September and March. Climate change has a negative impact on the development of coffee leaf rust, mainly in the long term, as in the period of 2081-2100, in which the SSP-5 8.5 scenario led to a decrease in the favorable and unfavorable areas and an increase in the relatively favorable areas of 9.8%, 18.6% and 71.5% for the Brazilian territory, respectively. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Audiences of visits scheduled to the Museu de História Natural e Jardim Botânico of the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais: contributions from records to museum management

The text presents an analysis of records of scheduling group visits to the Museu de História Natural e Jardim Botânico da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - Natural History Museum and Botanical Garden of the Federal University of Minas Gerais (MHNJB-UFMG) in the years 2018 and 2019. As a research source, records from the area of scheduling of the Educational Sector. From the analysis undertaken, it was possible to highlight the profile of these groups, requested educational itineraries and visit objectives. The data collected was categorized, organized, processed and interpreted. The results indicated that 86.8% of the institutions that requested the visit carried it out. The greatest demand for the MHNJB-UFMG is from schoolchildren, 86.1%, with emphasis on public education institutions and students enrolled in the initial years of Elementary School. Most scheduled groups come from the Metropolitan Region of Belo Horizonte and the most requested educational itinerary was the Circuito História Natural - Natural History Circuit. Within the scope of non-school institutions, the private sector segment was the one that most attended. School visits are concentrated from Tuesdays to Fridays. The data collected is useful for the management of the MHNJB-UFMG, as it makes it possible to review registration processes and highlight possible demands to propose actions aimed at these visitors, after knowing their motivations and expectations when making the appointment.

Utilization of machine learning for dengue case screening

Dengue causes approximately 10.000 deaths and 100 million symptomatic infections annually worldwide, making it a significant public health concern. To address this, artificial intelligence tools like machine learning can play a crucial role in developing more effective strategies for control, diagnosis, and treatment. This study identifies relevant variables for the screening of dengue cases through machine learning models and evaluates the accuracy of the models. Data from reported dengue cases in the states of Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais for the years 2016 and 2019 were obtained through the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (SINAN). The mutual information technique was used to assess which variables were most related to laboratory-confirmed dengue cases. Next, a random selection of 10,000 confirmed cases and 10,000 discarded cases was performed, and the dataset was divided into training (70%) and testing (30%). Machine learning models were then tested to classify the cases. It was found that the logistic regression model with 10 variables (gender, age, fever, myalgia, headache, vomiting, nausea, back pain, rash, retro-orbital pain) and the Decision Tree and Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) models achieved the best results in decision metrics, with an accuracy of 98%. Therefore, a tree-based model would be suitable for building an application and implementing it on smartphones. This resource would be available to healthcare professionals such as doctors and nurses.

Landscaping characterization of the campus at the UEMG Ituiutaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil

The purpose of this work was to characterize the landscape of the campus at the University of the Minas Gerais State (in portuguese, Universidade do Estado de Minas Gerais - UEMG), located at Ituiutaba. As for such, the local plants were identified ranging from herbaceous to shrub type, due to them being the most commonly employed to perform alterations for landscape purposes. Subsequently, some areas of the campus were photographed to create a landscape characterization of the scenery in regard to its landscape's composition and vegetation. 102 species of herbaceous, subshrub, and shrub plants were found belonging to 39 families; 38.23% being native and the other 61.77% being non-native (cultivated, naturalized, and exotic). In regard to the landscape’s composition in loco, the principles of message, equilibrium, scale, dominance, harmony, and climax were contemplated. Furthermore, in regard to the guiding principles for the selection of vegetable species, it was observed that aesthetic, functional and temporal attributes were incorporated in all the analyzed areas. In conclusion, the landscape’s composition of the campus at the UEMG Ituiutaba fulfills its aesthetic, functional and ecological roles, however it’s worth highlighting that the adequate handling can be the defining factor in assuring the continuity of these functions.

Characterizing traditional Brazilian house typologies by means of intervisibility analysis

This paper analyzes the morphological differences in traditional urban architecture in Brazil between the typologies of rowhouses and urban or suburban mansions, from the mid-eighteenth to the early twentieth century. It focuses on the relatively uniform and conservative context of the states of Rio de Janeiro, Goiás (including Tocantins), and Minas Gerais. This study highlights defining characteristics of each of the two typological series. While most previous studies have looked at tree graph analysis to assess the topological connections between individual spaces, this research turns to intervisibility analysis, evidencing the morphological centers of compositions. The results highlight how visual integration analysis confirms the overlap between the spatial composition of both rowhouses and mansions and the attributes of social life specific to each of these typologies. These attributes include the location of the family room in the rear of rowhouses and, in contrast, the primacy of ceremonial spaces in the front of mansions.

Recent changes in growth trajectories: a population-based cohort study of over 5 million Brazilian children born between 2001 and 2014

There is limited evidence on recent trends in childhood growth trajectories in Low-/middle-income countries. We investigated how age-trajectories for height and Body Mass Index (BMI) have changed among Brazilian children born in two different time periods after2000. We used a population-based cohort (part of the "Cohort of 100-Million Brazilians") created by the linkage of three Brazilian administrative databases: the Cadastro Único of the Federal Government, the National System of Live Births and the National Nutritional and Food Surveillance System. We included longitudinal data on 5,750,214 children who were 3 to <10 years of age and born between 2001 and 2014 (20,209,133 observations). We applied fractional polynomial models with random-effects to estimate mean height and BMI trajectories for children. Compared to children born in 2001-2007, the cohort born in 2008-2014 were on average taller, by a z-score of 0.15 in boys and 0.12 in girls. Their height trajectories shifted upwards, by approximately 1cm in both sexes. Levels of BMI increased little, by a z-score of 0.06 (boys) and 0.04 (girls). Mean BMI trajectories also changed little. However, the prevalence of overweight/obesity increased between cohorts, e.g., from 26.8% to 30% in boys and 23.9%-26.6% in girls aged between 5 and <10 years. An increase of 1cm in mean height of Brazilian children during a short period indicates the improvement in maternal and child health, especially those from low-income families due to the new health and welfare policies in Brazil. Although mean BMI changed little, the prevalence of child overweight/obesity slightly increased and remained high. This work was supported by National Council for Scientific and Technological Development - CNPq; Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES; National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre; Society for the Study of Human Biology; Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais - FAPEMIG; Departamento de Ciência e Tecnologia da Secretaria de Ciência, Tecnologia, Inovação e Complexo da Saúde do Ministério da Saúde - Decit/SECTICS/MS. The study also used resources from the Centre for Data and Knowledge Integration for Health (CIDACS), which receives funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Wellcome Trust, the Health Surveillance Secretariat of the Ministry of Health and the Secretariat of Science and Technology of the State of Bahia (SECTI-BA).

Overview of Fourth Generation Reactors Studied at the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (Brazil)

This paper presents the results of the studies about the Fourth Generation Reactors developed at DENU-UFMG, such as the Very High Temperature Reactor (VHTR), Molten Salt Breeder Reactor (MSBR), Sodium Fast Reactor (SFR) and Gas-cooled Fast Reactor (GFR). These studies evaluate neutronic parameters of the nuclear system at steady state and during the burnup using computer models developed at DENU-UFMG using SCALE 6.0 (KENO-VI/ORIGENS), MCNPX 2.6.0 and MCNP5. The results show that the adopted methodologies confirm the capabilities of the codes to simulate specific situations in steady state or transient operating conditions.

A retrospective cohort study of pulp prognosis in luxated permanent teeth: a competing risk analysis.

The present retrospective cohort study aimed to evaluate luxated permanent teeth for pulp prognosis and risk factors. Case records and radiographs of 224 patients, involving 427 luxated permanent teeth, referred for treatment at the Dental Trauma Center-School of Dentistry, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, (DTC-SD-UFMG) from 2014 to 2022, were assessed for pulp prognosis classified as vitality, necrosis and pulp canal obliteration (PCO). A competing risk survival analysis estimated the hazards of the three outcomes, and the effect of demographic, clinical and treatment variables was tested using a cause specific Cox regression model. Pulp vitality was found in163 teeth (38.2%), pulp necrosis in 120 teeth (28.1%) and 55 teeth (12.9%) developed PCO. Pulp vitality decreased in the presence of concomitant crown fractures (HR 0.38 95% CI [0.2-0.8] p = 0.006). The risk of pulp necrosis (HR 0.62 95% CI [0.4-0.96] p = 0.03) was lower in cases with open apices but increased with concomitant crown fractures (HR 4.0 95% CI [2.6-6.1] p = 0.001) and intrusions (HR 2.3 95% CI [1.2-4.1] p = 0.007). Lateral or extrusive luxations (HR 3.0 95% CI [1.3-6.9] p = 0.001) and open apices (HR 2.4 95% CI [1.2-4.7] p = 0.01) showed higher rates of PCO. Type of luxation, the diameter of the apical foramen, and the presence of concomitant crown fractures were main determinants of pulp prognosis after luxation injuries in permanent teeth. Pulp prognosis after tooth luxation is dependent on the presence and direction of tooth displacement together with infection control. Not applicable.

Clinical predictors of severe forms of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 in adults and children during the 2009 epidemic in Brazil.

The World Health Organization (WHO) raised the global alert level for the A(H1N1) influenza pandemic in June 2009. However, since the beginning of the epidemic, the fight against the epidemic lacked foundations for managing cases to reduce the disease lethality. It was urgent to carry out studies that would indicate a model for predicting severe forms of influenza. This study aimed to identify risk factors for severe forms during the 2009 influenza epidemic and develop a prediction model based on clinical epidemiological data. A case-control of cases notified to the health secretariats of the states of Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Paraná, and Rio Grande do Sul was conducted. Cases had fever, respiratory symptoms, positive confirmatory test for the presence of the virus associated with one of the three conditions: (i) presenting respiratory complications such as pneumonia, ventilatory failure, severe acute respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis, acute cardiovascular complications or death; or respiratory failure requiring invasive or non-invasive ventilatory support, (ii) having been hospitalized or (iii) having been admitted to an Intensive Care Unit. Controls were individuals diagnosed with the disease on the same date (or same week) as the cases. A total of 1653 individuals were included in the study, (858 cases/795 controls). These participants had a mean age of 26 years, a low level of education, and were mostly female. The most important predictors identified were systolic blood pressure in mmHg, respiratory rate in bpm, dehydration, obesity, pregnancy (in women), and vomiting (in children). Three clinical prediction models of severity were developed, for adults, adult women, and for children. The performance evaluation of these models indicated good predictive capacity. The area values under the ROC curve of these models were 0.89; 0.98 and 0.91 respectively for the model of adults, adult women, and children respectively.

Electrochemical Diselenation of BODIPY Fluorophores for Bioimaging Applications and Sensitization of 1 O2.

Invited for the cover of this issue are the groups of Holger Braunschweig at the Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Germany and Eufrânio N. da Silva Júnior at the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, UFMG, Brazil. The image depicts the electrochemical synthesis of selenium-containing BODIPY molecules with lightning symbolizing the electrifying synthetic process, while the surrounding elemental chaos hints at the red-shifted absorption and emission and the transformative photophysical properties of these new compounds. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.202303883.

Racial disparities in breast cancer survival after treatment initiation in Brazil: a nationwide cohort study

Breast cancer is a public health priority in Brazil and ensuring equity in health care is one of the cancer control plan goals. Our aim was to present the first assessment on the influence of race or skin colour on breast cancer survival at the national level. In this nationwide cohort study, data on women who initiated treatment for breast cancer in the public health-care system (Sistema Unico de Saúde), Brazil, were assembled through record linkage of administrative and mortality information systems. The administrative information systems were the Outpatient Information System (data from high complexity procedure authorisations) and the Hospital Information System (data from hospitalisation authorisations). We included women aged 19 years or older who started treatment between Jan 1, 2008, and Nov 30, 2010; self-identified as having White, Black, or Brown race or skin colour; had tumour stage I-IV; and were treated with chemotherapy or radiotherapy, or both. Patients were followed up until Dec 31, 2015. Patients with only hormone therapy records or who underwent only surgery were excluded. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate crude overall survival for race or skin colour by time since treatment initiation, and Cox regression to estimate all-cause mortality hazard ratios (HRs) before and after adjustment for other covariates. We identified 59 811 women treated for stage I-IV breast cancer. 37 318 (62·4%) women identified themselves as White, 18 779 (31·4%) as Brown, and 3714 (6·2%) as Black. 5-year overall survival probability was higher for White women (74% [95% CI 73-74]) than Black women (64% [62-65]; p<0·0001). In adjusted regression models stratified by the absence of hormone therapy, Black women had a 24% (HR 1·24 [95% CI 1·16-1·34]; p<0·0001) higher risk of all-cause death than White women, and in the presence of hormone therapy Black women had a 25% (1·25 [1·14-1·38]; p<0·0001) higher risk of all-cause death than White women. Black skin colour was identified as a statistically significant risk marker for lower 5-year survival probability and higher risk of all-cause death among women treated for breast cancer by the Sistema Unico de Saúde. Actions to understand and mitigate this unfair difference in health results are urgently needed. Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico and Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior and Pró-Reitoria de Pesquisa da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais.

The sicariid spiders in the state of Bahia, Brazil (Arachnida: Araneae).

Sicariidae is a small family of cryptic and recluse spiders, with 178 species grouped into three genera: Hexophtalma, Loxosceles and Sicarius. Only the last two occur in Brazil, where 29 species are recorded, with a greater number of records in the Southeast and South regions. To date, there is no regionalized study of the distribution of these spiders in the Northeast of Brazil. We presented more than four decades of data on the distribution of sicariid spiders in the state of Bahia. Our research aimed to identify and evaluate the distribution of sicariid species in this region, characterizing them in their biomes and phytophysiognomies. Data covers a period from 1983 to 2024, obtained from articles describing species recorded in Bahia and from three scientific collections from Brazilian institutions: Universidade Federal da Bahia (MHNBA); Instituto Butantan (IBSP); Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG). Maps were produced using the QGIS 3.34.1 software, based on geographic coordinates obtained from the original literature, when provided. Species without information on geographic coordinates were georeferenced using the SpeciesLink (geoLoc tool) for the municipalities. Biomes were consulted on the georeference Brazilian institute website and the phytophysiognomies were ignored when not specified in the data of collections or original literature. We confirmed 14 species of sicariid spiders in the state of Bahia, eight from the genus Loxosceles (i) and six from Sicarius. The species were recorded in 48 municipalities, located mainly in the Caatinga biome. We recorded a distribution expansion of seven species: Loxosceles amazonica, L. chapadensis, L. karstica, L. similis, Sicarius cariri, S. ornatus and S. tropicus. There is a difference in species composition in the two regions separated by the São Francisco River, an important geographic barrier especially for small invertebrates. More than 75% of the species were registered in the east side and about 20% exclusively in the west side: L. boqueirao, L. cardosoi, L.carinhanha. This suggests the need for future studies to evaluate additional variables that determine community structure, especially considering their low vagility and reclusive behavior. Although Sicarius are found almost exclusively in the Caatinga, there are isolated records from Restinga and dry forest enclaves in the Cerrado domain and Atlantic Forest areas. This reinforces the possibility of them being able to adapt to slightly wetter environments erase colonize and survive in seasonally dry rainforest areas. Unlike Sicarius (i), Loxosceles (i) occupy a wide variety of habitats in natural, urban and domiciliary situations. Many of the records here such as for Loxosceles boqueirao, L. cardosoi, L. carinhanha, L. chapadensis, L. karstica and L. troglobia were obtained at caves or nearby areas, which appear to be attractive habitats for these nocturnal spiders.

Field-driven multi-criteria sustainability assessment of last-mile rural electrification in Brazil

Over the past two decades, one-sixth of the world’s rural population has gained access to energy. However, intensified efforts are needed to meet the goal of universal coverage. Photovoltaic solar systems (PVS) have emerged as significant solutions for addressing last-mile electrification challenges. Nevertheless, the sustainability of PVS-based initiatives has raised concerns, and existing research lacks a long-term, practical and comprehensive program-scale assessment, along with experience-driven approaches to overcome them. This study aims to identify key design strategies to ensure the sustainable operation and impact of off-grid solar electrification programs. This work evaluates the sustainability of the world-wide referral “Luz para Todos” program in Brazil, conducting field assessments in thirty-five rural communities, electrified between 2005 and 2020 in Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais and Bahia. Interviews were held with beneficiaries, community leaders, rural electrification agents and key public sector actors. The quality of electricity access and the level of population’s empowerment through electrification are assessed using three operation and impact criteria and two sets of ad-hoc indicators. Results highlight the importance of considering the dynamic character of energy demand and addressing additional remoteness difficulties (such as displacements and communication) to guarantee long-lasting quality PVS. Furthermore, emphasis is placed on the disruptive potential of mobile internet and the productive impact of access to water and food refrigeration in strengthening rural empowerment. This analysis serves as a guide for PVS initiative promoters to synergistically address both operational durability and long-term local development challenges.

The Patient's Clinical Profile From a Neuro-Ophthalmology Center in Brazil: A Retrospective Study

Background: Neuro-ophthalmology (NO) is a subspeciality of Ophthalmology, which represents more than an intersection of Neurology and Ophthalmology. The present report highlights the increasing importance of the subspeciality in Brazil and provides a unique retrospective study of the patient's clinical profile of a NO reference center. Methods: Our study was retrospectively planned aiming to identify all neuro-ophthalmic cases of Instituto de Olhos of the Medical School Faculdade Ciências Médicas de Minas Gerais from August 2013 to March 2022.The first clinical diagnostic impression was selected from a predetermined list of 18 neuro-ophthalmologic conditions. Some NO conditions were eventually reclassified during the follow-up as the final clinical diagnosis impression. The concordance between the first and final clinical impressions was also investigated, as well as the patient's referral source. Results: The sample comprised 903 patients from which 56.4% were female. The mean age was 51.48 ± 20.93 years. Males were more frequent in lower age groups &lt;1 year (n = 3, 100%) and 1–9 years (n = 19/37, 51.4%). An external referral source represented 23.1%, and patients referred after basic ophthalmic consultation and from glaucoma service were 30.3% and 23.2%, respectively. The most encountered first clinical diagnostic impressions were isolated optic atrophy (13.1%), non–neuro-ophthalmic disease (11.7%), optic disc abnormalities (10.4%), ischemic optic neuropathies/retinal vascular occlusions (10.2%), and other visual field defects (9.0%). The kappa concordance coefficient among the first and final clinical diagnostic impressions was 0.53 (95% CI 0.48–0.59), indicating a moderate concordance level. The concordance among the most frequent diagnoses was lower in isolated optic atrophy (33%), other visual field defects (41%), and idiopathic optic neuritis (40%). Conclusions: Due to the limited number of epidemiology studies in neuro-ophthalmology, we highlight the importance of a NO service in the public health system in Brazil. It may certainly contribute to better strategy plan assistance among professionals and health care managers. This report should seemingly stimulate other studies regarding the relevant and unique features of this subspeciality, which is undoubtedly increasing its importance among patients, and in the scientific community worldwide.

Prevalência de fungos anemófilos no Brasil e a correlação com doenças respiratórias e infecções fúngicas

Abstract Airborne fungi are dispersed through the air. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of airborne fungi in Brazil and understand the relationship between fungal growth and respiratory diseases and infections. We conducted an integrative literature review of studies conducted in Brazil based on searches of the PubMed, MEDLINE-BIREME, SciELO, and LILACS databases for full-text articles published between 2000 and 2022. The searches returned 147 studies, of which only 25 met the inclusion criteria. The most prevalent genera of airborne fungi in Brazil are Aspergillus, Penicillium, Cladosporium, Curvularia, and Fusarium. The studies were conducted in the states of Maranhão, Ceará, Piauí, Sergipe, Mato Grosso, Pernambuco, Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Minas Gerais. The findings also show the relationship between fungi and meteorological factors and seasonality, the sensitivity of atopic individuals to fungi, and the main nosocomial mycoses reported in the literature. This work demonstrates the importance of maintaining good microbiological air quality to prevent potential airborne diseases.

FRI280 Partial Loss Of KNDy Neurons In Prenatally Androgen Treated Female Rats Alters The LH Secretion And Ovarian Morphology In A Model Of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Abstract Disclosure: N.S. Aquino: None. A. Campideli-Santana: None. L.M. Antunes: None. R. Araújo-Lopes: None. K.S. Silva: None. P.C. Henriques: None. D.D. Gusmão: None. M.P. Bernuci: None. R.E. Szawka: None. A.M. dos Reis: None. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a high-prevalent endocrine dysfunction, causing metabolic disorders and infertility. Women with PCOS show a disrupted hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, which results in increased luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion, LH pulse frequency, and LH/follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) ratio. These changes are related to an impaired negative-feedback effect of ovarian steroids, estradiol and progesterone, on the gonadotrophin releasing-hormone (GnRH) neurons. Because the kisspeptin/neurokinin-B/dynorphin (KNDy) neurons of the arcuate (ARC) nucleus are responsible for mediating the ovarian steroid negative feedback, we investigated whether the ablation of KNDy neurons would change the LH secretion and ovarian morphology in a rat model of PCOS. Pregnant dams were treated with dihydrotestosterone (DHT, 3 mg/day; s.c) from days 16 to 19 of pregnancy. Three months after birth, the prenatally androgen-treated (PNA) offspring received intra-ARC stereotaxic injections of the neurokinin-3 receptor agonist conjugated with saporin (NK3-SAP) to induce the lesion of KNDy neurons and were submitted to serial blood sampling for LH measurement. PNA NK3-SAP rats had a moderate loss of ARC neurokinin-B-immunoreactive neurons (between 50-70%) compared with the Blank-SAP-injected PNA group. The PNA Blank-SAP rats displayed LH pulse frequency, pulse amplitude, and mean LH levels similar to control rats on diestrus. Remarkably, the partial loss of KNDy neurons increased the LH pulse amplitude and mean LH without changing the pulse frequency. Histological analysis was performed to investigate the outcome of the partial loss of KNDy neurons on the ovarian morphology in PNA rats. The numbers of primordial, primary, and secondary health follicles were decreased in PNA Blank-SAP compared with diestrus rats. Notably, the number of primordial follicles was partially restored in NK3-SAP rats. On the other hand, neither the number of atretic follicles nor the number of corpora lutea was changed in PNA Blank or NK3-SAP rats, indicating no change in the ovulatory function. Therefore, we provide evidence that KNDy neurons negatively modulate LH release and LH pulse amplitude in PNA rats. Moreover, the results suggest that KNDy neurons are involved in the reduction of the primordial follicle pool and ovarian reserve in PNA rats. Financial Support: Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG), Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), British Society for Neuroendocrinology (BSN). Presentation: Friday, June 16, 2023

Preparation of red seaweed extract for use as a flocculant agent in sugarcane juice and comparison between two experimental designs

The sugar-energy sector is seeking to reduce its negative environment impact through productivity gains and process savings as a result of research and development of new technologies. For example, during the processing of sugarcane and the extraction of the juice, unwanted compounds are removed, requiring treatments such as clarification, which uses acrylamide compounds in the processing. However, there is a need to reduce the presence of these compounds in the process as they present carcinogenic potential. In this context, the present study aimed to develop a natural flocculant from red seaweed, based on carrageenan extraction. The best conditions for its preparation, dosage, and application in the treatment of sugarcane juice were determined by comparing two experimental designs. The experiment was carried out at the Universidade do Estado de Minas Gerais, Frutal, Brazil, using sugarcane variety CTC072361 (2022/2023 Harvest). Seaweed samples were purchased from commercial centers. Regarding the red seaweed extract, the study was carried out in two stages. First, a univariate experimental design was used to determine the relevant variables that could influence the preparation of the seaweed extract. There was no direct correlation between the parameters. Subsequently, a multivariate design was carried out to verify the interaction between the assessed parameters. Thus, the seaweed samples were previously dried in an oven at 65 ºC, and the standardization and characterization procedures of the seaweed extracts were evaluated, considering the analysis parameters: drying time, granulometry, concentration, pH, temperature, and mixing time, in triplicate. Then, the dosage tests were carried out using a decanter, performing 12 different tests with doses of red seaweed extract (0, 5, 10, 35, 50, 75, 100, 150, 250, 400, 500 and 1000 mg.L-1) for univariate experimental design, and (0, 10, 100, 125, 275, 350, 425, 500, 800, 900, 1000 and 1200 mg.L-1) for the multivariate experimental design. After the retention time, the clarified juice was recovered by siphoning determining its Brix, Total Reducing Sugars, pH, Acidity, and Total Phenolic Compounds. This was used for checking whether the treatments differed from each other. Therefore, by comparing the experimental designs, significant differences were verified between the treatments applied, with emphasis on dosages of 500 mg.L-1 (multivariate design) and 1000 mg.L-1 (univariate design). For both experimental designs, the results obtained were satisfactory; however, considering all the interactions between the variables, the multivariate design was more suitable for the assessed data.

INNOVATION CULTURE AS A FACTOR OF COMPETITIVENESS IN A PUBLIC COMPANY OF ENERGY SOLUTIONS: A CASE STUDY AT CEMIG SIM

The article discusses the culture of innovation as a factor to stimulate competitiveness in an energy solutions company. The research, of an exploratory, descriptive and qualitative approach, aimed to identify, from the structured interview and the documentary research, which are the elements to stimulate the culture of innovation adopted by Cemig Sim, subsidiary of energy solutions of Companhia Energética de Minas Gerais. The script of questions consisted of 22 questions, being applied to the Marketing, Culture and Customer Success Manager. After data collection, the guidelines to encourage innovation adopted by Cemig Sim were compared with the model proposed by Dutra e Almeida, from 2018, in order to analyze the practices carried out by the company and point out the highlights and possible opportunities for improvement. It was found that of the 33 variables proposed by the aforementioned model, Cemig Sim fully fulfills 26 categories, representing 78.7% of completeness. Initiatives such as error tolerance; learning organizations; cross-functional teamwork; processes and tools for generating new ideas; meet current and potential customers/search for ideas outside the organization; explicit top management support for innovation; creating and maintaining a flexible organizational structure and employee autonomy. However, the company fails to adopt important initiatives for the innovation management process, such as establishing reward and recognition mechanisms for creative behavior; job rotation and; innovation metrics. It is suggested the development of practices that contemplate and encourage such activities in the company.

Nutritional intake in high-performance para athletes

ObjectiveThis study aimed to describe the eating habits of para-athletes who attended a specialized training center in Brazil. MethodsParticipants were recruited from the Sports Training Center at the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil. Energy, macronutrient (expressed in absolute terms and relative to body weight), fiber, cholesterol, and micronutrient intakes were assessed via a food frequency questionnaire, based on intakes over the preceding 12 mo. Sociodemographic factors were assessed using a purpose-designed survey, which included self-reported weight and height. Differences in nutrient intake based on sex, age, body mass index, and sporting factors were evaluated. ResultsA total of 30 para-athletes (in para athletics, para-powerlifting, para-swimming, and para-taekwondo) were included in the study. The median total energy intake was 4089 (2855–5829) kcal. The median consumption of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats was 512.3 (358.7–853.5), 184.5 (118.5–246.4), and 137.1 (96.8–189.5) g/d, respectively. Adolescent athletes had higher protein intakes than adult athletes (P = 0.02). Para-athletes with a longer sports career had lower consumption of fiber (P = 0.01) and thiamine (P = 0.02). Participants with a higher body mass index had higher intake of alcohol (P = 0.04) and monounsaturated fats (P = 0.01). Higher consumption of alcohol was also reported by older para-athletes (P = 0.02). ConclusionsWe identified a higher saturated fat intake in male than in female para-athletes as well as higher protein intake (g/kg) in younger compared with older athletes. In addition, sociodemographic characteristics influenced the dietary intake of some para-athletes, such as length of sports career, age, and income.

History of Professional Education in Minas Gerais: A School Institution That Educates for Work

The focus of this paper is to study school institutions, specifically the campus of Inconfidentes, of the Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Sul de Minas Gerais (IFSULDEMINAS), Brazil. The aim was to investigate the transformations that occurred in this institution with Law No. 11.892/2008, which transformed it into the campus IFSULDEMINAS. Through bibliographic research and the study of primary and secondary sources organized in inventories, the significant transformation of expansion is highlighted, and the ongoing field of dispute between integral education and technical education is highlighted. This dispute, which has emerged within the institution itself, is also reflected in today’s society, where individuals face the choice between the desire for integral/complete education or a purely technical/competent education in their relationship with work.