Instituto Agronômico de Pernambuco

Introdução: Patient safety and cost-effectiveness are fundamental in healthcare, and optimizing the medication-use process to ensure safety, efficacy, and appropriateness of pharmacotherapy has become critical. In hospital settings, medications are resources to streamline therapy across wards and support patient recovery. However, factors such as aging and critical conditions increase the complexity of pharmacotherapy, heightening the risk of polypharmacy, potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs), and adverse drug reactions. Structured prescribing frameworks (e.g., STOPP/START criteria) help mitigate those risks, yet manual medication management remains time-consuming and prone to error, compromising both workflow efficiency and patient safety. Nevertheless, automated solutions can transform the medication-use process, positioning pharmacists at the center of clinical decision-making and interventions. Objetivo: To evaluate the perspectives for clinical pharmacy practice focusing on automation systems’ reduction of pharmacists’ workload to enabling greater dedication to clinical practices. Métodos: A systematic search of PubMed and Scopus was conducted using keywords such as "automated dispensing systems," "pharmacist interventions," "medication errors," "STOPP/START Criteria," and "clinical pharmacy." Studies published between 2020-2025 were screened for relevance. Articles focusing on hospital settings and pharmacist-driven clinical outcomes were included. Resultado e Conclusão: A study involving elderly patients in different levels of healthcare analyzed 6,003 prescriptions. It found that 73.1% of prescriptions were inappropriate, with polypharmacy highly prevalent at 91.5%. Individuals with polypharmacy exhibited a higher frequency of at least one PIM prescribed. Although this reflects the prescribing stage, medication management within a hospital environment is very complex. In the included articles, automation solutions such as PillPick, Barcoding and different types of automated drug dispensating systems (ADDs) have shown significant reduction in medication errors. While prescribing errors remain less directly addressed, ADDs have shown consistent improvements in safety and quality of care by generating fewer errors in dispensing, and also allowing pharmacists to focus on clinical activities (e.g., prescription review, medication reconciliation, and patient monitoring). Notably, the integration of multiple automation components across the medication workflow with ADDs provides better benefits rather than ADDs in isolation. Nonetheless, from a financial point of view, costs were reduced in decentralized systems mainly in high-expense units, but no evidence was available whether savings can happen in smaller units. Although the included studies were heterogeneous in design and setting, limiting generalizability and leaving uncertainty regarding cost savings and prescribing-error reduction in smaller hospital units, the observed time savings remain a relevant benefit in clinical practice.

Regiões áridas e semiáridas apresentam sazonalidade na oferta de forragem nativa, além da inviabilidade de cultivo da maioria das espécies agrícolas. Um experimento de campo foi implementado para avaliar o impacto da cobertura morta e do consórcio de milheto-leguminosa nas características morfofisiológicas e na produtividade do milheto em condições semiáridas. O ensaio foi conduzido na UFRPE/UAST no período de agosto de 2019 a março de 2020. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados, com duas parcelas (com ou sem cobertura no solo), com quatro repetições, subdivididas para testar os efeitos de três sistemas de cultivo de milheto (solteiro, consorciado com feijão-caupi e consorciado com feijão-guandu). As plantas foram avaliadas em três ciclos de cultivo. A cobertura vegetal promoveu maior altura de plantas aos 20 e 60 dias após a emergência do milheto, além de redução do filocrono no primeiro ciclo. Não houve efeito dos tratamentos sobre o índice de área foliar e condutância estomática do milheto. A produção de matéria seca total do milheto não se alterou em função da cobertura morta e dos sistemas de cultivo nos dois ciclos de avaliação. Mesmo sob diferentes condições de cultivo e variabilidade de condições ambientais, o milheto mostrou-se altamente adaptado às condições adversas a que foi submetido. A associação entre cobertura morta e sistemas consorciados não alterou significativamente as características morfofisiológicas e o acúmulo de fitomassa do milheto.

Delta-endotoxins are produced by Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and have their main application in agriculture to manage insect crops and as antimicrobial. Its large scale production is limited by oxygen availability during Bt fermentation since delta-endotoxin synthesis requires high oxygen level. Therefore, it requires the enhancement of the agitation speed and air flow rate, which could be solved by adding an oxygen vector. So, the objective was to evaluate the use of oxygen vectors (soybean, corn and sunflower oil) on the enhancement of delta-endotoxin production and its toxicity against Spodoptera frugiperda and pathogenic microorganisms. In this way, the effects of oils on fermentation were studied from a 24 full experimental design, where their concentration varied from 0% to 3%. Posteriorly, the best oil and concentration to produce delta-endotoxin was studied in a 7.5L agitated tank bioreactor. The experimental design revealed that corn oil (3%) and sunflower oil (3%) could significantly enhance delta-endotoxin production, and this combination was considered the best condition to produce delta-endotoxins. In addition, kinetics parameters like Xm, Px, µX.max and µS.max were increased in comparison to a fermentation without oxygen vector. Delta-endotoxins produced in the presence of oils showed higher activity against S. frugiperda and bacteria isolated from goat mastitis. Therefore, this research demonstrates that corn and sunflower oils can serve as oxygen vectors, enhancing both the production of delta-endotoxins and their toxicity against pathogenic bacteria and Lepidopterans.

Abstract The objective of the study was to evaluate the fermentation characteristics, losses, aerobic stability and nutritive value of the silage of three cultivars of cactus pear {‘Orelha de Elefante Mexicana’ – OEM ( Opuntia sp.), ‘IPA Sertânia’ and ‘Miúda’ [ Nopalea cochenillifera (L.) Salm Dyck.]} mixed with three levels of inclusion of Leucaena [ Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit] hay (0, 15 and 30%). The design was completely randomized in a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement, corresponding to cactus pear varieties and Leucaena hay levels, with four replications. Gas and effluent losses, pH, organic acids, aerobic stability and nutritional value of silages were evaluated. The silages of the cultivar OEM without the inclusion of Leucaena hay had a higher pH (4.95) compared to Miúda (4.11) and IPA Sertânia (4.17). The aerobic stability was maintained for more than 60h after opening the silos. The inclusion of Leucaena hay (up to 30%) increased the pH and reduced losses by effluents without compromising the fermentative characteristics of the silages, indicated by the predominance of lactic acid (93 g/kg).

Abstract The city of Recife, one of Brazil's oldest capitals, is marked by deep and territorialised inequalities. One of the most emblematic examples is the neighbourhood of "Ilha de Joana Bezerra", also known as "Favela do Coque", whose origins date back to the early 20th century. Located on the banks of the Capibaribe River, less than 2.6 kilometres from the city's Zero Kilometre Marker, the neighbourhood has the worst Human Development Index (HDI) in the municipality, with its residents having the lowest average monthly income per household in the city of Recife. This article explores the possibilities of transforming Joana Bezerra into a model Smart Neighbourhood through an urban revitalisation project based on the principles of Smart Cities, social inclusion, territorial equity, environmental sustainability, and integrated mobility. The proposal aims to overcome the historical logic of socio-spatial exclusion and territorial stigmatisation and seeks to lay the foundations for Joana Bezerra to become a reference in urban innovation and socio-spatial justice.

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) is one of the most important crops in the world. However, several factors can interfere with production, including the occurrence of diseases. In February 2024, symptoms of leaf blight were observed in the CTC4 and RB92579 cultivars in sugarcane fields located in the city of Carpina, in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil (7° 3’0.776” S / 35°14’16.555” W). The symptoms initially observed included leaf blight and slight leaf rolling. The burn displayed a straw-colored appearance with reddish borders and progressed in a v-shape, producing visible fungal fruiting bodies on the lesions. The incidence of symptoms was estimated to range between 70 and 80%. Symptomatic leaves, of ten plants were collected, in an area of ​​five hectares, but a similar symptom occurs in a large area of ​​sugarcane cultivation on the coastal strip of Brazilian northeastern. The possible causal agent was isolated using an indirect method on potato dextrose agar (PDA) culture medium. Plates were incubated at 28°C, and after seven days of cultivation, the colonies on PDA displayed a reddish-brown color, with dense growth of compact aerial mycelia, a felty appearance with white to pink coloration, and forming several mycelial pellets with the same coloration, visible on the underside. The chlamydospores were brown, uni- or multicellular, measuring 12.5 to 25.8 x 9.8 to 21.5 µm (n = 60). The pycnidia were dark brown to brown, predominantly semispherical, measuring 96 to 118.39 x 64 to 111 µm (n = 10). The conidia were ellipsoidal, hyaline, and aseptate, measuring 4.56 to 6.11 x 1.56 to 2.57 µm (n = 50). The morphological characteristics were similar to those of Epicoccum latusicollum (Chen et al. 2017). From the isolation, ten strains were obtained and deposited in the microorganism culture collection at the Plant Pathology Laboratory of the Sugarcane Experimental Station in Carpina–CMLABFITO, from all plants collected with symptoms, strains were obtained, however, two strains were randomly selected used for characterization in this work. To verify the pathogenicity of the (CMLABFITO 2.17 and CMLABFITO 2.18), 60-day-old plants of the CTC4 variety were inoculated with 10 mL of the conidial suspension (106 conidia/ mL) per plant using a manual sprayer until runoff. Four replicates per isolate were used, each containing two plants. Sterilized distilled water was used as a negative control. The plants were maintained in a humid chamber for 48 h at 28°C. The experiment was repeated twice. Eight days after inoculation, the plants exhibited subtle tip burn on the leaves, and the symptoms progressed over time. No symptoms were observed in the control plants. Koch's postulates were fulfilled through the reisolation of the isolates from the lesions. The reisolated fungus corresponded morphologically to the inoculated pathogen. For molecular identification of the pathogen, internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of region of ribosomal RNA (rDNA), as well as the β-tubulin (TUB2) and Actin (ACT) genes were amplified by PCR and sequenced using the Sanger method (Sanger et al. 1977). The sequences were deposited in GenBank database, ITS sequences (GenBank accession PQ412528 and PQ412529), TUB2 sequences (GenBank accession PQ416614 and PQ416615) and Actin gene sequences (GenBank accession PV178719 and PV178720) for CMLABFITO 2.17 and CMLABFITO 2.18, respectively. For sequences obtained from strain CMLABFITO 2.17, the ITS sequence showed identity 99.05% (438/441), TUB2 showed identity 99.32% (415/419) with E. latusicollum and ACT showed identity 100% to E. sorghinum. For sequences obtained from strain CMLABFITO 2.18 the ITS sequence showed identity 99.31% (432/435), TUB2 showed identity 100% (458/458) to E. latusicollum and ACT showed identity 100% to E. sorghinum. For actin the only closest sequeces available on NCBI belong to the E. sorghinum, because do not exist actin sequences from E. latusicollum on database. The phylogenetic analysis showed a very defined clade comprising CMLABFITO 2.17, CMLABFITO 2.18 and worldwide E. latusicollum strains. E. latusicollum has been reported causing disease in other plants, such as banana, Curcuma kwangsiensis and Hemerocallis citrina (Li et al. 2023; Liu et al. 2023; Wang et al. 2023). This is the first report of E. latusicollum causing leaf blight in sugarcane in Brazil.

Grande parte do semiárido brasileiro era coberta pela floresta tropical seca conhecida como Caatinga. Embora a Caatinga tenha sofrido impactos significativos devido às atividades antrópicas, ainda cobre cerca de metade de sua área original. Para suprir a escassez de estudos ecológicos especializados e de longa duração está sendo montada a Rede de Pesquisas Ecológicas de Longa Duração no Nordeste Semiárido (PERENE). As unidades de pesquisa foram georreferenciadas e estão sendo monitoradas por sensoriamento remoto para diversas variáveis ambientais. As bases de dados e algoritmos presentes na plataforma Google Earth Engine (GEE) foram utilizados para obter uma década (2012-2022) de informações para cada unidade experimental presente na PERENE, contemplando as seguintes variáveis ambientais: precipitação, evapotranspiração, temperatura, cobertura vegetal, produtividade primária bruta e líquida. Os dados de precipitação foram obtidos da base de dados Climate Hazards Group InfraRed Precipitation with Station Data (CHIRPS). Os produtos do sensor Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) foram utilizados representar cobertura vegetal, retratados neste trabalho pelo Índice de Vegetação por Diferença Normalizada (NDVI), Temperatura de Superfície e Produtividade Primária Bruta e Líquida. O algoritmo Seasonal Tropical Ecosystem Energy Partitioning foi processado na plataforma GEE para fornecer os dados de evapotranspiração real de cada unidade. As quantidades de chuvas significativamente entre as unidades de pesquisa, tendo uma influência marcante na produtividade. Destaca-se a rápida resposta da vegetação e os padrões sazonais de resposta às chuvas. Os resultados reforçam a importância das chuvas na dinâmica da vegetação da Caatinga e sua influência em estudos de ciclagem biogeoquímica na região.

Introduction: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), commonly associated with cirrhosis and factors such as viral hepatitis and metabolic disorders, is often diagnosed at advanced stages, influencing survival. Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is a primary therapeutic approach aimed at prolonging survival or serving as a link to liver transplantation.Objective: To identify factors associated with the response to TACE by modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST) in patients with HCC.Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study conducted at a Liver Institute in Brazil, including patients with HCC at Stages A and B treated with TACE from January 2011 to December 2021. Data were collected from electronic or digitized physical medical records and included demographic, clinical–laboratory, and tumor-related variables. Radiological response was assessed using mRECIST criteria. Statistical analysis encompassed various tests, with a significance level of 5%.Results: Seventy-six patients were evaluated, the majority being male (67.1%), with a median age of 62 years (57.0–70.0). Patients who responded to TACE showed a significant reduction in lesion size (p < 0.001) compared to the nonresponding group, resulting in lesion enlargement (p = 0.047). Only 38.2% of patients showed an objective response after the first TACE, with a trend towards a higher response in patients with stable disease (p < 0.001). Hepatitis C virus (HCV) etiology was associated with a higher chance of treatment response (p = 0.032). Initial disease staging was characterized by single tumors, while intermediate staging presented larger tumors after TACE.Conclusion: The association between HCV-induced cirrhosis and a better response to TACE underscores the importance of assessing liver function status in determining therapeutic response. No association was identified between pre-TACE alpha-fetoprotein levels and a higher likelihood of radiological response.