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Cotton cultivation in the Brazilian Northeast region faces water scarcity problems caused by the irregularity of the rainy season, leading to losses in yield. In this context, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the gas exchange, growth, and production of colored-fiber cotton genotypes under water stress, varying the water deficit management strategies in the different phenological stages of the plant. The study was carried out in the experimental area of the Federal University of Campina Grande, located in the municipality of Pombal, Paraíba, Brazil. A randomized block design was used, in a 3 × 7 factorial scheme, corresponding to three colored cotton genotypes (‘BRS Rubi’, ‘BRS Jade’, and ‘BRS Safira’) and application of water deficit (40% of actual evapotranspiration - ETr) management strategies in seven phenological stages of the crop. The ‘BRS Jade’ genotype is the most suitable for cultivation under water deficit conditions with 40% of the actual evapotranspiration. Colored-fiber cotton cultivation under water deficit in the flowering stage caused a reduction in physiological variables and growth. Water deficit during the vegetative and yield formation stages promoted lower losses in the production of seed cotton and total seed weight of the genotypes ‘BRS Rubi’, ‘BRS Jade’, and ‘BRS Safira’.

Adequate mineral supplementation can be a strategy to enable the use of brackish water in the production of vegetables. This study intended to evaluate the effect of calcium nitrate concentrations on leaf gas exchanges and yield of kale (Brassica oleracea L) fertigated with salinized nutrient solutions. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block experimental design (4 + 1), with four replicates. Four nutrient solutions prepared in brackish water (6.0 dS m-1) containing four concentrations of Ca(NO3)2 [(750, 1,125, 1,500, and 1,875 mg L-1)] and a control treatment (standard nutrient solution using low-salinity water, 0.5 dS m-1 (750 mg L-1 of Ca(NO3)2) were used in the study. The following analyses were performed: leaf gas exchanges, leaf area, and fresh matter yield. The standard nutrient solution promoted higher values for photosynthetic rate (13.06 µmol CO2 m-2 s-1), stomatal conductance (0.19 mol H2O m-2 s-1), transpiration (2.76 mmol H2O m-2 s-1), instantaneous water use efficiency (4.73 mmol CO2 mol-1 H2O), instantaneous carboxylation efficiency (0.053 mmol CO2 mol-1 CO2), leaf area (2.78 cm2 per plant), and leaf fresh matter yield (2.64 kg per plant). The Ca(NO3)2 not nullified but mitigated the deleterious effect of salt stress on leaf gas exchanges, except for kale yield (leaf fresh matter).

Although it is a tradition to investigate porous media flow with the aid of Darcy's law, there are several applications in which heterogeneity makes this approach inadequate. Carbonate reservoirs found in the pre-salt layer in Brazil are examples of highly heterogeneous naturally fractured formations, with severe variations in their petrophysical properties. Rocks submitted to acidifying treatments are another example of highly heterogeneous porous media, where, by the injection of an acid system in the rock matrix, wormholes (highly conductive channels) are created. In this work, we numerically compare the employment of Darcy's equation with a more general formulation based on the average conservation equations for highly heterogeneous porous media. The coupled continuity and momentum equations are solved employing the open source software OpenFOAM. We apply the new formulation to three cases. The first is more academic, followed by two more applied situations associated with 2D and 3D flows. Different values of the Reynolds number (Re) and different permeability ratios were tested. Since the pressure drop was imposed, an error measure based on the flow rate was computed. We show that higher values of Re and permeability ratios lead to more discrepant results between the two approaches. Analyzing the Brinkman model for one of the cases, which takes into account diffusive effects, we found that the error with respect to the complete model, which in addition considers inertial effects, decreases but is still significant. Hence, the classical extension of the Darcy model, namely Brinkman and Forchheimer, cannot handle alone the situations of high Re and/or high heterogeneity, since both effects neglected in the Darcy model are important. As a consequence, a formulation that generalizes Darcy's law is required for more accurate results in these cases.

Although the semi-arid region of Northeast Brazil is a major producer of yellow passion fruit, the problems of salts in the soil and water sources, in many areas have limited the growth and production of this crop, which highlights the importance of studies aimed at reducing such effects. In this context, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of foliar application of pyruvate, as a mitigator of salt stress, on the morphophysiology of yellow passion fruit, in seedling phase. The treatments consisted of three electrical conductivities of irrigation water (ECw: 0.8, 2.4, and 4.0 dS m-1) and three concentrations of pyruvate (0, 25, and 50 mM), distributed in a randomized block experimental design in a 3 × 3 factorial scheme, with four replications and two plants per plot. Irrigation with ECw of 4.0 dS m-1 reduces growth variables, phytomass, Dickson quality index, and increases electrolyte leakage in passion fruit seedlings cv. Redondo Amarelo. Exogenous application of calcium pyruvate (25 and 50 mM) increased growth, phytomass, Dickson quality index, relative water content and leaf succulence and reduced electrolyte leakage in the leaf blade in passion fruit. Exogenous application of pyruvate attenuates salt stress, with beneficial effects on CO2 assimilation rate, transpiration, instantaneous carboxylation efficiency, intrinsic water use efficiency, and root dry mass.

With the expansion of sugarcane cultivation in the semiarid region of Brazil, there is a constant risk of soil salinization because of the edaphoclimatic peculiarities of the region, requiring studies to identify genotypes tolerant to salt stress. This study evaluated the agrotechnological characteristics of sugarcane cultivars irrigated with salinized water. This study was performed in the experimental area of the Academic Unit of Agricultural Engineering of the Federal University of Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brazil. The treatments consisted of a combination of two sugarcane cultivars (SP 81 3250 and RB 92 579) and five levels of electrical conductivity of irrigation water (0.6, 1.6, 2.6, 3.6, and 4.6 dS m-1). A randomized block design was used in a 2 × 5 factorial scheme with four replicates, totaling 40 experimental units. The sugarcane cultivar SP 81 3250 under irrigation with saline water of 0.6, 1.6, and 2.6 dS m-1 promoted a greater number of leaves in relation to RB 92 579, 125 days after planting. The salinity of the irrigation water varying from 0.6 to 4.6 dS m-1 reduces the culm height and culm mass per clump of the sugarcane, regardless of the cultivar. The sugarcane cultivar RB 92 579 had the highest culm height, number of tillers, culm mass per clump, percentage of apparent sugars, soluble solids, polarized sucrose, and total recoverable sugars, whereas SP 81 3250 had the highest percentage of water-insoluble matter contained in the cane, regardless of water salinity.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of heat treatments on the total pore volume, surface area of pores, structural characteristics, and functional groups of the materials which derive from the carbonization and pyrolysis of poultry litter. These processes were carried out in porcelain containers containing poultry litter samples, which were then placed in a muffle furnace. The treatments corresponded to three temperatures: samples carbonized at 250 °C and pyrolyzed at 350 and 450 °C. The surface porosity of biochars provides a suitable dimension to improve the water holding capacity, and surface functional groups may help to improve soil fertility. The influence of the temperatures on the pores of the biochar was investigated by using scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The characterization of the biochar shows mesoporous structures, as well as increased surface area and pore volume. The chemical composition has potassium at higher concentrations than other metals, while similar surface functional groups were found in the biochar, such as phenolic, aliphatic, conjugated quinones, and OH-phenolic. The thermal treatments applied to poultry litter generated samples with similar physical, chemical, and structural characteristics. Thus, the production of biochar by the farmer and its use as a soil conditioner can contribute to the reduction of agricultural pollution, management, and efficient disposal of residual biomass.

All through the ages in all human civilizations men have been engaged in construction activity, not only to build their dwellings and house their activities, but also roads, bridges to facilitate means of transport, and communication etc. The main concern in this activity was to ensure safety and reduce the collapse of the buildings and other structures. But even after taking all precautions it is impossible to guarantee the safety and collapse because of several unforeseen reasons like faulty constructions, design errors, overloading, soil liquefactions, gas explosion, material degradation, terrorist attacks and economic factors are also contributing to the collapse. It is also uneconomical to design the structure for unforeseen events unless they have reasonable chance of occurrence. In order to ensure the safety and prevent collapse, many guidelines have been framed by local bodies and government authorities in many countries like United States Department of Defence (DOD), United States General Service Administration (GSA) and Euro-Codes in European Nations. Some other practices are followed to incorporate redundancies in the structure like detailing, ductile designs, tying of elements at particular locations, provision of hinges and inter connections. It is also to be admitted that full proof safe design structure for accidental events cannot be prepared and implemented as it is uneconomical and the chances of such occurrences are less. This paper reviews past case studies of collapse of structures with an aim to develop an understanding of collapse mechanism. This study will definitely help to bring about a detailed improvement in the design to maximize the quality of the construction at a minimal cost.

Excess weight in adult life is an important risk factor for the development ofnoncommunicable diseases. On the other hand, aerobic physical exercise programs have beenshown to be important components both in the prevention and control of these conditions.This work aims to evaluate the effects of moderate intensity training on the body weight(BW) and food intake (FI) of adult male rats. Wistar rats were obtained at 30 days old.Throughout the experimental period, they were kept in appropriate cages (4 rats per box)containing food and water, temperature (22ºC) and photoperiod (07:00 to 19:00) controlled.At PN 40 they were divided into sedentary (S) and exercised (E) groups. The BW and FI weremeasured twice a week, from 40 to 140 days old. Exercised rats performed a moderate-intensity treadmill running from PN 90 to 120. During this period, they were submitted to aneffort test to evaluate performance and control the training load (55% to 65% VO 2max ). Theresults showed that both BW and FI were not altered with the training performed during adultlife, even after 20 days of exercise cessation. More studies are needed in order to assesswhether moderate-intensity training is able to attenuates the deleterious effects observed inthe biometric and metabolic markers of adult rats programmed for obesity and/or metabolicsyndrome.

The current study investigate sound effects of low-protein diet (LP) during peripubertal periodto induce metabolic dysfunctions. In our study (CEUA 2910011021), 30 days-old Wistar malerats received LP (4% protein) and control rats were fed a 20.5% protein diet, for 60 days (NPgroup). Biometric parameters was taken and glucose, total and HDL-cholesterol, andtriglycerides were evaluated from plasma samples. Glycemia homeostasis was evaluated byOGTT and ITT, while hepatic parameters, including quantitative analysis of fat, triglyceridesand cholesterol in the liver was evaluated ex vivo. At 60 days, LP rats showed inferior bodymass (P=0.003), food intake (P=0.05), and nose-tail length (P=0.0001), compared to NP.Regarding biochemical assays, LP rats showed higher serum glucose (P=0.008); however,triglyceride (P=0.002), total cholesterol (P=0.02), and HDL levels (P

The salt stress caused by irrigation water with high concentration of salts stands out as one of the main limiting factors in agricultural production in the semiarid region of Northeastern Brazil. In this context, the objective of this study was to evaluate the photosynthetic pigments, the photochemical efficiency, and the growth of custard-apple irrigated with saline water and potassium doses. The research was carried out under field conditions in a randomized block design in a 2 × 5 factorial scheme, corresponding to two values of electrical conductivity of irrigation water - ECw (1.3 and 4.0 dS m-1) and five potassium doses (50, 75, 100, 125 and 150% of the recommendation). The dose referring to 100% corresponded to the application of 20 g of K2O per plant per year. ECw of 4.0 dS m-1 reduced the synthesis of chlorophyll a, total chlorophyll, and carotenoids in custard-apple, at 245 days after transplanting. Fertilization doses of 50 to 150% of the recommendation inhibited the synthesis of chlorophyll b and the absolute and relative growth rates in stem diameter of custard-apple plants irrigated with water of highest electrical conductivity. Reduction in the quantum efficiency of photosystem II in custard-apple cultivated under ECw of 4.0 dS m-1 is related to photoinhibitory damage to photosystem II. Potassium fertilization did not alleviate the stress caused by water salinity on the growth of custard-apple, during 151-245 days after transplantation. RESUMO O estresse salino ocasionado pela irrigação com águas de elevados teores de sais se destaca como um dos principais fatores limitantes na produção agrícola no semiárido do Nordeste brasileiro. Neste contexto, objetivou-se com este estudo avaliar os pigmentos fotossintéticos, a eficiência fotoquímica e o crescimento da pinheira irrigada com águas salinas e doses de potássio. A pesquisa foi realizada sob condições de campo no delineamento em blocos casualizados, arranjados em esquema fatorial 2 × 5, sendo dois valores de condutividade elétrica da água de irrigação - CEa (1,3 e 4,0 dS m-1) e cinco doses de potássio (50, 75, 100, 125 e 150% da recomendação). A dose referente a 100% correspondeu à aplicação de 20 g de K2O por planta por ano. Água de salinidade de 4,0 dS m-1 reduziu a síntese de clorofila a, clorofila total e carotenoides na pinheira, aos 245 dias após o transplantio. Doses de fertilização de 50 a 150% da recomendação inibiram a síntese de clorofila b, as taxas de crescimento absoluto e relativo em diâmetro de caule das plantas de pinha irrigadas com água de maior condutividade elétrica. A redução na eficiência quântica do fotossistema II na pinheira cultivadas sob salinidade da água de 4,0 dS m-1 está relacionada aos danos fotoinibitórios no fotossistema II. A adubação potássica não amenizou o estresse causado pela salinidade da água no crescimento da pinheira, no período de 151-245 dias após o transplantio.

Two multivariate methods were adopted to classify salt-tolerant cotton genotypes based on their growth and physiological traits. The genotypes were cultivated in a greenhouse and subjected to 45 days of irrigation with saline water from the V4 phase onwards. Irrigation was performed with saline water with electrical conductivity (ECw) of 6.0 dS m-1. A factorial-randomized block design was adopted with nine cultivars, two treatments of ECw (0.6 as the control, and 6.0 dS m-1), and four replicates. Plants were evaluated for growth, gas exchange, and photosynthesis. The data were statistically analyzed using univariate and multivariate methods. For the latter, non-hierarchical (principal component, PC) and hierarchical (UPGMA) models were used for the classification of cultivars. Significant differences were found between cultivars based on univariate analyses, and the traits that differed statistically were used for multivariate analyses. Four groups were identified with the same composition in both the PC and UPGMA methods. Among them, one contained the cultivars BRS Seridó, BRS 286, FMT 705, and BRS Rubi, which were tolerant to salt stress imposed on the plants. Photosynthesis, transpiration, and stomatal conductance data were the main contributors to the classification of cultivars using the principal component method. RESUMO Dois métodos multivariados foram adotados para classificar genótipos de algodoeiro tolerantes ao sal com base no crescimento e nas características fisiológicas. Os genótipos foram cultivados em casa de vegetação e submetidos a 45 dias de irrigação com água salina, a partir da fase V4. A irrigação foi feita com água salina com CEa de 6,0 dS m-1. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados com fatorial, sendo nove cultivares, dois tratamentos (controle: 0,6 e 6,0 dS m-1) e quatro repetições. As plantas foram avaliadas quanto a variáveis de crescimento e fisiológicas. Os dados foram analisados estatisticamente por meio de analises univariada e multivariada. Nesse último, os modelos não hierárquicos (componentes principais, CP) e hierárquico (UPGMA) foram usados para classificação das cultivares. Diferenças significativas foram encontradas entre as cultivares com base nas análises univariadas. As variáveis que diferiram estatisticamente foram usadas para as análises multivariadas. Quatro grupos foram identificados com a mesma composição nos métodos PC e UPGMA. Entre eles, um conteve as cultivares BRS Seridó, BRS 286, FMT 705 e BRS Rubi, que se mostraram tolerantes ao estresse salino imposto as plantas. Os dados de fotossíntese, transpiração e condutância estomática foram os mais contributivos para classificação das cultivares, pelo método das componentes principais.

LPS challenge is used to model inflammation-induced organ dysfunction. The effects of T cell activation on LPS-mediated organ dysfunction and immune responses are unknown. We studied these interactions through in vivo administration of anti-CD3ε (CD3) T cell activating antibody and LPS. Mortality in response to high-dose LPS (LPSHi; 600 μg) was 60%; similar mortality was observed with a 10-fold reduction in LPS dose (LPSLo; 60 μg) when administered with CD3 (CD3LPSLo). LPSHi and CD3LPSLo cohorts suffered severe organ dysfunction. CD3LPSLo led to increased IFNγ and IL12p70 produced by T cells and dendritic cells (cDCs) respectively. CD3LPSLo caused cDC expression of CD40 and MHCII and prevented PD1 expression in response to CD3. These interactions led to the generation of CD4 and CD8 cytolytic T cells. CD3LPSLo responded to IFNγ or IL12p40 blockade, in contrast to LPSHi. The combination of TCR activation and LPS (CD3LPSLo) dysregulated T cell activation and increased LPS-associated organ dysfunction and mortality through T cell and cDC interactions.

Treatment of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) can require significant critical care resources. Our aim is to alert mixed pediatric and adult hospitals worldwide of the possibility that pediatric and adult patients may simultaneously require cannulation to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for MIS-C and severe COVID-19. We conducted a retrospective review of operations required to treat cardiogenic shock in 3 pediatric patients with a diagnosis of MIS-C admitted to a single medium-sized pediatric referral center located within a large academic medical center over a 14-day period. At this time, a large number of adult patients required ECMO for severe COVID-19 at our institution. Of the 11 pediatric patients who presented with MIS-C during the first surge of 2020, 2 patients required cannulation to venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO), and a third patient developed a life-threatening arrhythmia requiring transfer to a neighboring institution for consideration of VA-ECMO when our institution's ECMO capacity had briefly been reached. Pediatric referral centers located within institutions providing ECMO to adult patients with severe COVID-19 may benefit from frequent and direct communication with their adult and regional colleagues to devise a collaborative plan for safe and timely provision of ECMO to patients with MIS-C as the ongoing pandemic continues to consume this limited, lifesaving resource.

BACKGROUND: There is strong rationale for interference with T cell co-stimulation in IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD), but the literature to evaluate this is limited to a single case report. METHODS: We conducted a ten-subject proof-of-concept trial of abatacept in active IgG4-RD. All subjects met the ACR/EULAR Classification Criteria for IgG4-RD. Subjects received subcutaneous abatacept 125 mg weekly for 24 weeks. Concurrent glucocorticoid treatment was permitted but if used had to be discontinued by week four. The primary endpoint, complete remission at 24 weeks, was defined as an IgG4-RD Responder Index score of 0. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were collected at baseline, four weeks, and 12 weeks. B and T cell subsets were quantified using a 25-parameter flow cytometry panel. FINDINGS: The subjects’ median age was 68 years; seven subjects were male and nine were Caucasian. Baseline organ involvement was diverse with a median of 5 organs affected at the time of enrollment. The median serum IgG4 concentration was 597 mg/dL (IQR 304–913 mg/dL). Three subjects received concomitant prednisone at baseline. Six subjects (60%) had a disease response by week 12, five of whom maintained this response at week 24. Abatacept was stopped in the remaining five subjects (50%) due to flare (N = 1) or lack of response by week 12 (N = 4). Three subjects (30%) achieved the primary endpoint. Baseline proportions of unswitched memory B cells predicted responsiveness to abatacept. Reductions in serum IgE, circulating plasmablasts, and activated type 2 T follicular helper (T(FH2)) cells correlated with response to treatment. One adverse event (grade two thrombocytopenia) was attributed to abatacept. INTERPRETATION: Abatacept was associated with variable treatment responses in IgG4-RD. Half of the subjects achieved sustained treatment responses to abatacept alone, without glucocorticoids. Correlates of clinical response included reductions in serum IgE, circulating plasmablasts, and activated T(FH2) cells. Response to abatacept was predicted by higher proportions of unswitched memory B cells at baseline.

Supplementary Figure 1 from Lysosomal Cathepsin B Participates in the Podosome-Mediated Extracellular Matrix Degradation and Invasion via Secreted Lysosomes in v-Src Fibroblasts

Supplementary Figure and Movie Legends 1-3 from Lysosomal Cathepsin B Participates in the Podosome-Mediated Extracellular Matrix Degradation and Invasion via Secreted Lysosomes in v-Src Fibroblasts

Supplementary Movie 1 from Lysosomal Cathepsin B Participates in the Podosome-Mediated Extracellular Matrix Degradation and Invasion via Secreted Lysosomes in v-Src Fibroblasts

Supplementary Movie 2 from Lysosomal Cathepsin B Participates in the Podosome-Mediated Extracellular Matrix Degradation and Invasion via Secreted Lysosomes in v-Src Fibroblasts

Supplementary Figure 3 from Lysosomal Cathepsin B Participates in the Podosome-Mediated Extracellular Matrix Degradation and Invasion via Secreted Lysosomes in v-Src Fibroblasts