Inflammatory bowel diseases are a group of inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. Their prevalence is still low in Brazil, but the incidence is increasing annually. A variety of compounds present in Curcuma longa L., particularly curcumin, have been shown to reduce oxidative stress and aid in the prevention of associated diseases. This study aimed to assess the effect of curcumin transdermal gel on oxidative stress and intestinal inflammation in IL-10 knockout mice. Female mice were divided into four groups: a control group (C0) treated with vehicle and three experimental groups treated with transdermal gel containing 50 (C50), 75 (C75), and 100 (C100) mg curcumin kg-1 body weight. Colon malondialdehyde concentrations were lower in C50 and C75 groups. C100 treatment led to reduced catalase activity in the small intestine, whereas C50, C75, and C100 treatments resulted in decreased catalase activity in the colon. In contrast, superoxide dismutase activity increased in the small intestine of C50 and C75 mice and decreased in the colon of C50, C75, and C100 mice. Glutathione S-transferase activity increased in the small intestine and decreased in the colon of C75 animals. These findings suggest that curcumin transdermal gel exerts a protective effect against oxidative stress.

The Brazilian forestry sector comprises 9.94 million hectares of plantations, with eucalyptus dominating 75% of this area for pulp production. Technological advances have enhanced machinery performance, with the cut-to-length system being the primary method for pulpwood production. This study aimed to optimize the operational cycle of the log loader by evaluating productivity, operational cycles, and loading costs. Data were collected in Bahia, northeastern Brazil, from a forestry company operating under varying productivity scenarios and forest rotations. Time and motion studies were conducted to assess the log loader’s cycles, while productivity and cost analyses were performed. The results indicated that predictive models effectively explained productivity variations. The log loader’s productivity increased with the average volume per tree (AVT) and decreased with the number of movements, which consumed 68% of the cycle time due to wood adjustment and stack organization. Stages such as personal breaks, truck movements, crane adjustments, and cleaning of fallen material showed no significant statistical differences. Loading costs rose by up to 154% with increased movements and decreased with a higher AVT. Additionally, loading tri-train trucks significantly influenced transportation efficiency, emphasizing the importance of optimizing the log loader’s cycle to balance costs and enhance transportation operations.

The planted tree sector in Brazil plays a significant role in the national economy, driven by technological advancements in forestry machines, especially in harvesting. The interaction between operators and machines has become essential for improving performance and ensuring occupational health. This study analyzed forest harvesting machine operators, focusing on anthropometric surveys and proposing indicators for ergonomic satisfaction and cabin layout. Conducted between May 2022 and July 2023 in a northeastern Brazilian forestry company, data were collected during mechanized harvesting of a six-year-old Eucalyptus spp. stand using the cut-to-length system. A questionnaire was applied to 111 employees to assess their ergonomic satisfaction and health. Two indices were created: the Ergonomic Satisfaction Coefficient and the Occupational Health Coefficient. The anthropometric analysis evaluated operators’ percentiles and BMI, revealing that 77.77% were overweight, highlighting the need for health protection measures. The ergonomic indices proved effective in assessing operator satisfaction. The study also determined an adequate workstation layout for the sample group. From the Ergonomic Work Analysis perspective, FW2 and HV3 machines received a good rating based on the adopted parameters.

The objective of this study was to assess the performance of a feller buncher as a function of forest yields. The feller buncher productivity and production costs were evaluated in a eucalyptus forest with different mean tree volume (MTV) classes. The technical analysis included time and motion study, productivity, mechanical availability, and operational efficiency. The economic analysis was based on fixed and variable costs, which resulted in the feller buncher's total operating cost. Production costs were calculated by the ratio of operating costs to wood volume harvested per working hour, which varied according to the forest yield levels (low, medium, and high) determined based on MTV classes. The results showed a total operating cost of US$157.76 h-1 for the feller buncher, 83.52% attributed to variable costs. The highest operational performance and, consequently, lower production cost were found for the highest MTV, with a tendency for productivity stabilization as the forest yield increases. The time and motion study of the feller buncher operating cycle for the three forest yield levels showed a statistically significant difference by Tukey’s test (5% significance). A significant difference was found in the tree felling and bunching phase among the three forest yield levels, as the feller buncher operating time in low-yield forests was 46.59% greater than that in high-yield forests.

Carrying out an assertive planning in logistics and forest harvesting is essential to reduce the operational costs, as well as guaranteeing a constant supply of wood for the manufacturing unit, without compromising the integrity of the fleet of machinery in the field. This study addressed the analysis of the productive capacity of two important wood harvesting machines, the Feller-Buncher, and the Harvester, with an objective to propose a technical modeling to optimize the logistics associated with these machines. Eight machines were analyzed in planted forests with different productivity (0.08 to 0.58 m³/tree). Machinery productivity was also evaluated for each forest condition. Regression analysis, means tests, and statistical inferences were carried out to present the results. The relationship between machinery productivity and forest productivity obtained through regression analysis was explained with up to 97% accuracy. The productivity curves indicated stabilization with the increase of the mean individual volume per tree (MIV). The forest being harvesting machines evaluated showed a reduction in cost per cubic meter harvested, as forest productivity increased. The productive capacity of the harvester dedicated exclusively to processing, although superior, presents a disadvantage in practical terms, mainly due to the requirement for a new machine in the felling process, therefore increasing the production cost.

Workers involved in charcoal production face working conditions that require high energy expenditure, with activities involving moving and lifting loads, inadequate postures, repetitiveness, and consequently, the risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders. These factors are combined with adverse environmental conditions, such as intense heat, which further exacerbates health risks. This study aimed to assess the impact of work relationships in charcoal production on the physical integrity and health of workers, through the application of ergonomic tools. Factors such as thermal overload, physical workload, biomechanical factors, and the risk of developing repetitive strain injuries (RSI) or work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) were evaluated. The results showed that the physical workload of workers varied from moderate to heavy, depending on the activity phase, with a high risk of developing RSI and spinal injuries, especially during the oven filling process. Additionally, the observed thermal overload exceeded the legal limits, making the work unsuitable without the implementation of appropriate control measures to ensure worker safety and health.