Sterility information on reciprocating endodontic instruments is often unclear on the packaging. This can make clinicians uncertain about the safe use of these instruments without prior sterilization. This study evaluated the sterility of different reciprocating file systems directly from their original packaging. Six instruments from five commercially available reciprocating systems (Reciproc® Blue, WaveOne® Gold, W File, X1 Blue MK Life, and AllPrime R Blue) were tested. Each file was aseptically removed from its packaging inside a laminar flow chamber and immediately placed into sterile glass vials containing 5 mL of Brain Heart Infusion (BHI) medium. A 0.25 mL aliquot from each vial was collected after 24, 48, and 72 hours of incubation and plated onto Petri dishes. Then, they were incubated for an additional 72 hours. To ensure methodological reliability, two instruments (one Reciproc® Blue and one AllPrime R Blue) were deliberately contaminated with Enterococcus faecalis and served as positive controls. The presence of colony-forming units (CFUs) was assessed at 24-hour intervals throughout the experimental period. No bacterial growth was detected in any of the test groups at any time point, while CFUs consistently appeared in the positive controls. Considering the limitations of this study, reciprocating endodontic files, in their original manufacturer-sealed packaging and without prior clinical use, seem free of microbial contamination and are safe for immediate clinical application.

This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency and selectivity of pyroxasulfone and pyroxasulfone + flumioxazin at garlic cv. Ito pre-emergence. The experiment was conducted in two commercial areas in Curitibanos/SC during 2021 and 2022, using a randomized block design with four replications. The treatments consisted of the pre-emergence application of: pyroxasulfone at rates of 75, 100, and 125 g ha-1; pyroxasulfone + flumioxazin at rates of 60 + 40, 90 + 60, and 120 + 80 g ha-1; oxyfluorfen + flumioxazin (180 + 25 g ha-1); pendimethalin + flumioxazin (1820 or 1600 + 25 g ha-1); and pendimethalin alone (1820 or 1600 g ha-1). In addition, we included an untreated and a weed-free control. This study evaluated weed density, dry mass, phytotoxicity, and bulb yields. In 2021, no weeds were reported in the cultivation area, thus only herbicide selectivity for garlic was evaluated, with all the treatments being selective without reducing the yield of garlic. In 2022, ryegrass and wild radish were predominant weeds in the crop, but the treatments caused a greater reduction in the number of ryegrass plants compared to wild radish. The plots with a higher number of wild radish plants showed a greater accumulation of dry mass due to their rapid development and large size. The most effective herbicides against these species were pyroxasulfone + flumioxazin at doses 60 + 40 and 120 + 80 g ha-1, and oxyfluorfen + flumioxazin, while also giving a high total and commercial yield. Therefore, pyroxasulfone and pyroxasulfone + flumioxazin are selective treatments at garlic cv. Ito pre-emergence.

Signal grass (Urochloa decumbens) is a common troublesome weed in peanut areas, and its control is essential. This study evaluated the efficacy of herbicides associated with harvested sugarcane residues in controlling U. decumbens. Herbicides were applied with or without sugarcane straw during U. decumbens pre-emergence (imazapic, imazethapyr + flumioxazin, diclosulam, s-metolachlor, clomazone, sulfentrazone, sulfentrazone + diuron, pyroxasulfone, and trifluralin) and post-emergence (imazapic, imazethapyr, bentazon + imazamox, quizalofop-p-ethyl, clethodim, haloxyfop-p-methyl, fluazifop-p-butyl, propaquizafop, and glyphosate). Sugarcane residues reduced plant emergence (68%) and emergence speed (77%). Except for imazapic, every pre-emergent herbicide application without sugarcane straw promoted control levels higher than 90%. The highest U. decumbens control levels (over 95%) occurred mainly with clomazone, pyroxasulfone, and trifluralin, regardless of the straw factor. Glyphosate and haloxyfop herbicides promoted the highest U. decumbens control levels, primarily reducing growth characteristics, followed by propaquizafop, quizalofop-p-ethyl, and fluazifop-p-butyl. The study concluded that sugarcane straw reduced U. decumbens emergence. Clomazone, pyroxasulfone, and trifluralin herbicides applied during pre-emergence promoted the highest U. decumbens control levels, regardless of the presence or absence of sugarcane straw. All pre-emergence herbicide applications without sugarcane straw controlled U. decumbens satisfactorily, except for imazapic. Glyphosate and haloxyfop-p-methyl herbicides applied post-emergence provided the highest U. decumbens control levels, followed by propaquizafop, quizalofop-p-ethyl, and fluazifop-p-butyl, regardless of the presence of sugarcane straw.

Acer truncatum Bunge is an ecologically and economically indigenous tree species in China, which is valued for ornamental, medicinal, and ecological contributions. As a major natural population of A. truncatum in China, the Udantara Natural Reserve harbors critical genetic resources for this species. To enhance genetic understanding and support conservation efforts, we analyzed the genetic diversity and population structure of 104 A. truncatum germplasm from Udantara using 20 pairs of simple sequence repeat (SSR) primers. Totally, 137 alleles were amplified, including 58.060 effective alleles. The average number of alleles (Na), effective number of alleles (Ne), observed heterozygosity (Ho), expected heterozygosity (He), and Shannon’s information index (I) were 6.850, 2.903, 0.424, 0.591, and 1.182, respectively, and the polymorphism information content (PIC) of the markers ranged between 0.293–0.839, with an average of 0.548, indicating moderate-to-high informativeness. The structure analysis partitioned the germplasm into two distinct genetic groups (28 and 76 individuals, respectively). Additionally, five SSR primers were identified as sufficient for generating unique genetic fingerprints for all 104 germplasm. Based on these findings, we propose a dual conservation strategy that integrates in situ protection of natural habitats within Udantara and ex situ preservation through a nationwide germplasm repository. Further recommendations include expanding the genetic representation by collecting germplasm across China and developing novel variants via hybridization and selective introduction. This study provides foundational genetic insights and actionable strategies to safeguard the biodiversity of A. truncatum, ensuring its ecological resilience and sustainable utilization in China.

This study evaluated the performance of the SAFER and METRIC algorithms to estimate the actual evapotranspiration (ETa) of irrigated tomato crops for industrial processing in the south-central region of Goiás, Brazil. The research was conducted in eight tomato-producing areas using center-pivot irrigation during the 2018 and 2019 harvests. Landsat 8 OLI/TIRS satellite images (temporal resolution of 16 days) helped estimate ETa through the SAFER e METRIC models compared with FAO methods, using the single crop coefficient (Kc) of the FAO-56/Embrapa and the soil water balance (BHS) method based on statistical indices. The analyzed algorithms presented spatiotemporal variations for ETa during the tomato crop cycle for industrial processing. The maximum evapotranspiration estimated by SAFER was 5.20 mm d-1, and by METRIC was 5.00 mm d-1. The algorithms were accurate compared with the standard methods, mainly the FAO using Embrapa’s Kc. The mean squared error was lower than 0.59 mm d-1 for SAFER and lower than 0.73 mm d-1 for METRIC. The ETa estimated by both models in the vegetative and fructification phases was lower than the mean absolute error of 0.24 mm d-1 compared with the standard methods. The SAFER model showed higher agreement with standard practices than the METRIC model, with an index between 0.64 and 0.99. This study demonstrated that algorithms may effectively estimate ETa in tomato crops for industrial processing in the analyzed region.

This study aimed to prepare and apply nanocapsules containing glycerol monolaurate for eradicating Streptococcus mutans biofilms. The interfacial deposition method of the preformed polymer synthesized the nanocapsules characterized for mean diameter, polydispersity index, zeta potential, pH, and morphology by transmission electron microscopy. The microdilution method investigated antimicrobial activity. Crystal violet staining determined biomass quantification and the ability to inhibit biofilm formation. The study also measured exopolysaccharide production and the number of viable colonies. The characterization outcomes indicated acceptable values for the mean diameter 198.1 ± 2, a polydispersity index of 0.087 ± 0.018, a zeta potential of -21.30 ± 2.00 mV, a pH of 6.19 ± 0.12, and typical nanostructure morphology. The evaluations of minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations of glycerol monolaurate (free and nanoencapsulated) revealed their ineffectiveness in inhibiting microorganisms. Only free glycerol monolaurate inhibits S. mutans growth with 125 µg/mL. Biomass, exopolysaccharide content, and viable colonies in the biofilm were analyzed to assess the compounds' ability to inhibit biofilm formation. The tested compounds did not significantly reduce the formed biofilm. Despite unfavorable outcomes of the formulated preparation, further experimentation with a new formulation is encouraged to explore alternative strategies and potential improvements.

Multifunctional phosphate solubilizing microorganisms can contribute to reducing phosphorus doses without affecting the grain yield of crops. The aim of this work was to evaluate agricultural production systems involving soybean-maize and soybean-rice successions, inoculation of beneficial microorganisms and application of phosphorus doses with a view to sustainable intensification of agriculture and soil health and fertility in the Cerrados region. The experimental design was a randomized block design in a 2x4 factorial scheme with four replications. The treatments were composed of the combination of two phosphorus doses, 50% (45 kg ha-1 of P2O5) and 100% (90 kg ha-1 of P2O5) of the recommended dose with four uses of multifunctional microorganisms: 1. BRM 32111 (Burkholderia sp.), 2. BRM 32114 (Serratia marcescens), 3. co-inoculation (BRM 32111 + BRM 32114), and 4. control (no application of microorganisms). The microorganisms provided significant increases in the 100-grain weight and grain yield of soybeans, dry matter and nutrient accumulation of rice and maize, reduction of phytopathogenic fungus propagules, and increased accumulation of nutrients and activity of the enzymes Betaglicosidase and Arilsulfatase in the soil. Applying 50% phosphorus reduced the 100-grain weight and grain yield of soybean, dry matter and nutrient accumulation of rice, propagules of Trichoderma spp., and the nutrients in the soil. The soybean-maize succession showed higher levels of Arylsulfatase than the soybean-rice succession. The highest soybean yields were obtained by applying BRM 32114 with 50% and co-inoculation with 100% phosphorus.

Fitness centers offer an opportunity for investigating the indirect transmission of pathogens. Many people with varying levels of personal hygiene share sports equipment where direct surface-to-skin contact occurs. This study aimed to investigate the bacterial load and fungal and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) contamination on predetermined sports equipment in fitness centers in Northern Cyprus. Additionally, volunteer personal trainers and gym members were screened to detect whether they were carriers of MRSA. Samples were collected from six fitness centers on sports equipment. MRSA carrier status was investigated for personal trainers (n=10) and gym members (n=100). The study used culture-dependent techniques and used SPSS 20 software for statistical analysis. There was no statistically significant difference between fungal growth on the sports equipment, and Aspergillus spp. were predominant. However, one of the fitness centers had a statistically significant difference in fungal growth compared to the others (p<0.005). There was no significant difference in the bacterial load among the sports equipment, but there was a significant difference among the fitness centers (p<0.009). Among all tested individuals, only 2.7% (3/110) were MRSA-positive, all of whom were gym members. No MRSA was detected on any of the equipment. Despite the increasing incidence of community-acquired MRSA infections, the fitness centers in this study did not appear to be significant sources of staphylococcal or fungal infections. However, the detection of MRSA carriers among gym members suggests that the spread of MRSA between individuals in gyms is still possible.

The infraorbital foramen (IOF) serves as an important anatomical reference for infraorbital nerve block during different procedures. Its clinical and surgical relevance, associated with conflicting results in its anatomy description justifies the present study. Thus, this work aims to describe the IOF, qualitatively and quantitatively, and propose an accurate measurement to define its location. One hundred and seventy-four IOFs of dry skulls were analyzed and divided in dentate (DE) and edentulous (ED) groups. Distances were measured between the IOF and the margin of the alveolar arch of the maxilla (MAAM), the inferior orbital margin (IOM), the intermaxillary suture (IMS), the vertical plane of IOF. A new methodology was proposed to optimize the identification of IOF based on the IMS distance. Oval-shaped IOFs (n=81/174) with inferomedial orientation (n=104/174) and with a crest-shaped upper margin (n=163/174) constituted the norm for this sample. Distance between IOF and MAAM was 29.97 ± 4.09 mm, to IOM 7.27 ± 1.8 mm, and to IMS 35.09 ± 3.77 mm. ED individuals had IOF closer to MAAM (p=0.0124). The highest point of this methodology was the lack of statistical differences in the IMS distance in ED and DE specimens, making this method applicable for both. Therefore, to minimize iatrogenic injuries, clinicians and surgeons must consider the total or partial presence of teeth, the methodology established to find the IOF, its inferomedial orientation, and the prevalent crest on its superior margin.

Haemosporidian parasites can cause pathogenic infections, leading to death or a reduction in the physical and reproductive abilities of the host. Several studies have identified haemosporidian infections in neotropical bird communities, but few have been conducted in populations, relating the infection to the biological attributes of the species. To determine haemosporidian prevalence in a population of Antilophia galeata and to assess factors that may be associated with parasitaemia, we analysed blood smears of 62 individuals from a Cerrado forest fragment. For each individual, the body mass, length of tarsus, sex, presence/absence of brood patch and feather moult were recorded. In total, 33 (53.2%) individuals were infected with haemosporidian parasites, 32 (51.6%) were infected with Plasmodium spp. and one (1.61%) was infected with Haemoproteus sp. Parasitaemia was not related to seasons, sex, reproduction, moulting or body condition but correlated positively with total leucocyte count, suggesting that individuals may be effective in infection control. This population may be tolerant to haemosporidian parasites because, despite the high prevalence, parasitaemia was low and constant; this is a potentially chronic infection that showed no adverse effects on the parameters analysed in this population.