Efficiency of protein combinations in diets for Rhamdia quelen: growth, digestive and metabolic biochemistry and nutrient deposition.

This study was conducted to determine the best combination of protein sources in diets for jundiá, based on growth, metabolism, and nutrient deposition. Five protein combinations were tested: casein + fish meal (control), casein + gelatin, casein + albumin, casein + albumin + fish meal, and albumin + fish meal, in diets containing 370 g Kg-1 of crude protein and 13.4 MJ Kg-1 of digestible energy. The fish (9.38 ± 0.12 g) were allocated in a water recirculation system at a density of 3.35 g L-1 per experimental unit and fed until apparent satiety for 40 days with the diets. The fish fed with the control diet had the highest final weight, specific growth rate, protein and feed efficiency ratio, protein retention, and best apparent feed conversion. On the other hand, fish that received casein + albumin and albumin + fish meal diets showed worse results in growth and body protein retention, low trypsin and chymotrypsin activity, and high intestinal amylase activity. Therefore, the combination referred to as control (casein + fish meal) conclusively provides the best rhythm for nutrient digestion and metabolism processes, enabling fish to reach greater growth and retention of body protein with low whole-fish fat content.

Growth performance, plasma and hepatic biochemistry of jundiá Rhamdia quelen fed dephytinized rice bran protein concentrate.

A 45-day feeding assay was carried out to evaluate the effects of crescent levels of dephytinized rice bran protein concentrate (DRBPC) on growth performance, nutrient deposition, plasma and liver parameters of jundiá Rhamdia quelen. Five experimental diets were formulated with inclusion of 0 (control), 10, 15, 20, and 30% of DRBPC. In total 500 jundiás (initial body weight 6.28 ± 0.12 g) were allocated in 20 tanks (230 L) to give four groups for each treatment. Fish were fed to apparent satiation for 45 days. Weight gain and specific growth rate were evaluated by cubic regression analysis (P < 0.05) and displayed maximal growth on the inclusion level of 25% of DRBPC. The results indicated that fish fed DRBPC15 and DRBPC30 had lower body protein deposition and hepatosomatic index compared to CONTROL diet, respectively. No significant differences (P > 0.05) were assessed in plasma parameters. The alanine aminotransferase activity was higher in fish fed DRBPC30 compared to CONTROL group. The present study has demonstrated that DRBPC displayed significant nutritional quality for the jundiá. Thus, this new ingredient could be included as a protein source in fish for minimizing the use of fish meal.

Direct measurement of cruising and burst swimming speeds of the shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus) with estimates of field metabolic rate.

The shortfin mako shark is a large-bodied pursuit predator thought to be capable of the highest swimming speeds of any elasmobranch and potentially one of the highest energetic demands of any marine fish. Nonetheless, few direct speed measurements have been reported for this species. Here, animal-borne bio-loggers attached to two mako sharks were used to provide direct measurements of swimming speeds, kinematics and thermal physiology. Mean sustained (cruising) speed was 0.90 m s-1 (±0.07 s.d.) with a mean tail-beat frequency (TBF) of 0.51 Hz (±0.16 s.d.). The maximum burst speed recorded was 5.02 m s-1 (TBFmax = 3.65 Hz) from a 2 m long female. Burst swimming was sustained for 14 s (mean speed = 2.38 m s-1 ), leading to a 0.24°C increase in white muscle temperature in the 12.5 min after the burst. Routine field metabolic rate was estimated at 185.2 mg O2 kg-1 h-1 (at 18°C ambient temperature). Gliding behaviour (zero TBF) was more frequently observed after periods of high activity, especially after capture when internal (white muscle) temperature approached 21°C (ambient temperature: 18.3°C), indicating gliding probably functions as an energy recovery mechanism and limits further metabolic heat production. The results show shortfin mako sharks generally cruise at speeds similar to other endothermic fish - but faster than ectothermic sharks - with the maximum recorded burst speed being among the highest so far directly measured among sharks, tunas and billfishes. This newly recorded high-oxygen-demand performance of mako sharks suggests it may be particularly vulnerable to habitat loss due to climate-driven ocean deoxygenation.

Improving nutrient availability of defatted rice bran using different phytase sources applied to grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) diet.

In the present study, we evaluated the effects of the hydrolysis of phytate of defatted rice bran (DRB) by a pretreatment with non-commercial phytase produced by Saccharomyces cerevisiae (DRB-PS) compared to the application of Natuphos® (commercial phytase produced by the BASF Company) (DRB-PN) in diets for grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idella. Fish (57.55 ± 0.4 g) fed one of the experimental diets in triplicates for 35 days. Effects of the phytase used on blood parameters, intestinal proteases and hepatic glucose were not observed (p > 0.05). Similarly, no differences were found for serum phosphorus (P). However, were found higher levels of calcium (9 and 5.25%) in the control treatment in relation to DRB-PS and DRB-PN respectively, besides higher calcium-phosphorus ratio was found in this treatment. For the fish carcass composition was not statistically different (p > 0.05) except total lipids, which showed its highest content in fish fed on the DRB-PN diet (p < 0.05). The obtained results suggested that the use of the phytase, irrespective to its source may eliminate the use of traditional P sources in fish diets.

Chaotic-Integrable Transition in the Sachdev-Ye-Kitaev Model.

Quantum chaos is one of the distinctive features of the Sachdev-Ye-Kitaev (SYK) model, N Majorana fermions in 0+1 dimensions with infinite-range two-body interactions, which is attracting a lot of interest as a toy model for holography. Here we show analytically and numerically that a generalized SYK model with an additional one-body infinite-range random interaction, which is a relevant perturbation in the infrared, is still quantum chaotic and retains most of its holographic features for a fixed value of the perturbation and sufficiently high temperature. However, a chaotic-integrable transition, characterized by the vanishing of the Lyapunov exponent and spectral correlations given by Poisson statistics, occurs at a temperature that depends on the strength of the perturbation. We speculate about the gravity dual of this transition.

Discontinuation of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in CML patients in real-world clinical practice at a single institution.

BACKGROUND: Most patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) will relapse if treatment is withdrawn, but various trials have recently demonstrated that a significant proportion of patients who achieved a stable and deep molecular response (DMR) can stop therapy without relapsing. However, most information on treatment cessation was obtained from clinical trials with strict recruiting criteria. METHODS: We evaluated the outcome of 25 patients with CML that discontinued TKI therapy in our institute in real-world clinical practice. RESULTS: Of the 25 patients, 76% discontinued therapy in sustained deep molecular response (SDMR) and 24% were in unsustained DMR (UDMR). Discontinuation of therapy due to adverse effects was observed in 5 and 50% of the patients in the SDMR and UDMR groups, respectively. After TKI discontinuation, patients were followed for a median of 24 months. At the time of this analysis, 56% patients had a molecular relapse after a median of 4 months. SDMR and longer treatment duration were associated with lower probability of molecular relapse: 25% in SDMR patients with TKI treatment > 96 months and 85% in UDMR patients with TKI treatment ≤96 months. All relapsed patients promptly resumed TKI therapy and regained at least major molecular response (MMR). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that TKI discontinuation is safe outside clinical trials and particularly effective in CML patients who are in SDMR with longer TKI treatment duration.

Sunflower protein concentrate and crambe protein concentrate in diets for silver catfish Rhamdia quelen (Quoy and Gaimard, 1824): use as sustainable ingredients.

The objective of this study was to evaluate growth and metabolic parameters of silver catfish fed with protein concentrates of sunflower meal (SMPC) and crambe meal (CrMPC). The study evaluated two levels of substitution, where 25 or 50% of animal protein was replaced with plant-based protein. A total of 300 silver catfish (14 ± 0.26 g) were used in five treatments and three replications, in fifteen 280-liter experimental units. The results were submitted to analysis of variance and the means of the control diet was compared to the remaining treatments by Dunnett's test at 5% significance level. At the end of the trial, no differences were observed for the variables final weight and daily weight gain. However, minor feed conversion was observed in the groups Control and SMPC-25%. Metabolic parameters were analyzed in the plasma and liver, where no significant differences were found for any of the blood parameters analyzed. In the analyzed liver parameters (ammonia, protein, amino acids and ALAT), the liver protein content was lower in fish consuming SMPC-50%, CrMPC-50% and 25% CrMPC diets. The amino acids content was higher in fish receiving the SMPC-25% diet. It can be concluded that sunflower meal protein concentrate is better utilized by fish and more efficient metabolically than crambe meal. This study demonstrated that a newly developed protein concentrate SMPC and CrMPC can effectively replace 25% and 50% the animal protein in a diet free of FM.

Effects of dietary microencapsulated Cymbopogon flexuosus essential oil on reproductive-related parameters in male Rhamdia quelen.

In aquaculture, nutrition and supplemented diets have been shown to affect broodstock reproductive performance. In this study, we investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with Cymbopogon flexuosus essential oil (CFEO) microcapsules on reproductive-related parameters in silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen) male broodfish. Adult male broodstocks were separated into three groups according to the concentrations of supplemented CFEO (0.0 = control; 1.0 or 3.0 mL per kg of diet). After 20 days under experimental conditions, the animals were euthanized and the gonads were harvested for gonadosomatic index, sperm analysis, oxidative stress, and histopathology; testosterone levels were measured in the plasma; gene expression of prl, smtl, pomca, and pomcb was assessed in the pituitary gland by real-time PCR. The results showed no alterations on reproductive parameters in R. quelen males treated with Cymbopogon flexuosus essential oil compared to the control-diet animals. In conclusion, CFEO microcapsules supplied for 20 days in the concentrations of 1.00 or 3.00 mL per kilogram of diet did not affect the reproduction criteria evaluated in this study in male silver catfish.

Crambe (Crambe abyssinica) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus) protein concentrates: production methods and nutritional properties for use in fish feed.

The purpose of this study was to develop and improve protein concentration techniques for two industrial by-products with the potential for use in fish feed. In particular, we chemically characterized crambe meal and sunflower meal and their protein concentrates. Three different protein concentration methods were tested: isoelectric pH (pHi), acid pH and alkaline pH. For crambe and sunflower meals extraction using the pHi method was most efficient in terms of protein yield and crude protein content in the concentrates; this method also increased lysine and methionine content in the concentrates. The water holding capacity of the sunflower protein concentrate was greater than that of the crambe protein concentrate. The crambe protein concentrate had a foam-formation capacity of 15%, which stabilized at 6% after 90 minutes. The protein concentration method also reduced total phenolic content by approximately 50% in the concentrates compared with the meals. Therefore, we conclude that protein concentration using the pHi method is the most efficient technique for crambe and sunflower meals, and the use of this technique can decrease total phenolic compounds while improving meal quality for fish feeding.

Nutritional evaluation of phosphorylated pumpkin seed (Cucurbita moschata) protein concentrate in silver catfish Rhamdia quelen (Quoy and Gaimard, 1824).

An 8-week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of replacing fish meal with pumpkin seed meal (PSM) or phosphorylated protein concentrate of pumpkin seed meal (PPCPS) on growth and metabolic responses of silver catfish. Five isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets were formulated. Control diet contained fish meal as the main protein source. The treatment groups contained 25 and 50% of either PSM or PPCPS protein replaced the fishmeal protein. A total of 400 silver catfish, with initial mean weight of 24 ± 0.46 g, were distributed into 20 tanks. For data four orthogonal contrasts were applied: control diet versus PSM diets; control diets versus PPCPS diets; control versus other diets; PSM diets versus PPCPS diets. The results indicated that the fish fed PSM diets had lower weight gain when compared to either control diet or PPCPS. The PPCPS do not affect growth and protein efficiency ratio. Lower albumin contents were found for the control diet fish for the contrasts control diet versus PPCPS diet and control diet versus other diets. The hepatic ALAT enzyme activity was higher in the fish fed the control diet (P < 0.05). The hepatic ALP was most active in fish that received the PPCPS diets, when comparing control diet versus PPCPS diets and control diet versus other diets. The hepatosomatic index was higher for fish fed the PPCPS. Our results indicated that PPCPS presents relevant nutritional quality for fish and can replace the fish meal protein up to 50% without affecting growth, PER and intermediate metabolites in silver catfish.

Gaussian universality of perceptrons with random labels.

While classical in many theoretical settings-and in particular in statistical physics-inspired works-the assumption of Gaussian i.i.d. input data is often perceived as a strong limitation in the context of statistics and machine learning. In this study, we redeem this line of work in the case of generalized linear classification, also known as the perceptron model, with random labels. We argue that there is a large universality class of high-dimensional input data for which we obtain the same minimum training loss as for Gaussian data with corresponding data covariance. In the limit of vanishing regularization, we further demonstrate that the training loss is independent of the data covariance. On the theoretical side, we prove this universality for an arbitrary mixture of homogeneous Gaussian clouds. Empirically, we show that the universality holds also for a broad range of real data sets.

Application of highly ozonated sunflower oil does not improve palatal wound healing: A randomized controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Ozone is a molecule that plays an important role in dentistry, specially for wound healing. The aim of the present study was to clinically and immunologically evaluate the effect of ozonated oil on the healing of palatal wounds. METHODS: This is a prospective, longitudinal, triple-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. The groups were divided as follows: Test group (n = 14): after removal of the free gingival graft (FGG), the palatal wound was treated with ozonized seed sunflower oil with a peroxide index between 510 and 625 meq O2 /kg; Control group (n = 14): after removal of the FGG, the palatal wound was treated with non-ozonated sunflower oil (placebo). The treatments were applied three times a day, for 7 days. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the measurements of wound area (mm2 ) between the test and control groups in the different periods evaluated (0, 3, 7, and 14 days; p > 0.05). The intra-group analysis showed a significant decrease in wound size over the course of days (0, 3, 7, and 14 days; p < 0.05). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF; pg/mL) presented a significant reduction at 7 days (p < 0.05) compared to day 3 in the test group (p < 0.05). There was a statistical difference for malondialdehyde (MDA; pg/mL) in the test group between 3 and 7 days post-treatment (p < 0.05) and between test and control groups on the 7th day (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The application of highly ozonated sunflower oil did not improve the remaining scar area of the palate, decreasing the VEGF and increasing the oxidative stress marker MDA.

Prevalence of Periodontal Disease and Alveolar Bone Loss in Overweight/Obese Brazilian Adolescents.

Purpose: To evaluate the prevalence of periodontal disease and alveolar bone loss in overweight/obese Brazilian adolescents.
Methods: Participants included 12- to 18-year-old adolescents who were allocated into two groups: (1) normal weight; or (2) overweight/obese. Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) were evaluated to classify overweight/obesity. Clinical measurements included the visible plaque index (VPI) and community periodontal index (CPI). Alveolar bone loss (ABL) was also evaluated by bitewing radiographs.
Results: There were 109 subjects. There were no significant differences between the groups for VPI and CPI code two (P >0.05). CPI code zero was more prevalent in normal weight subjects than in overweight/obese subjects (P <0.05). CPI codes one and three were significantly more frequent in the overweight/obese group (P <0.05). The normal weight subjects revealed a higher percentage of sites with no ABL (P <0.05), while the overweight/obese group had a higher prevalence of incipient ABL with the number of sites greater than one and less than three (P <0.05).
Conclusion: Overweight/obesity may affect the progression of early periodontitis in the presence of poor biofilm control in adolescents, as this group presents more bleeding on probing and pathological periodontal pockets greater than four mm as well as a higher prevalence of sites with incipient alveolar bone loss.

A synergistic analysis of drag reduction on binary polymer mixtures containing guar gum.

Drag reduction by the addition of polymer additives has been widely studied. However, there are only a few studies on binary polymer mixtures, here named blends. In this work, xanthan gum, polyacrylamide and poly(ethylene oxide) were associated with guar gum and drag reduction was used as a parameter to determine the synergistic interaction between polymers. The aim was to verify the relation of the synergy with the rigidity of the polymeric chains, the molecular weights and the magnitude of the molecular interactions between the studied polymers. To that end, several ratios of mixtures were tested at different Reynolds numbers in a rotational rheometer with double-gap concentric cylinders geometry. Finally, experiments were done to verify the behaviour of the blends over time at a fixed Reynolds number. From all these tests, it was documented that blends containing rigid chain polymers show positive synergism in the interaction in at least one of the ratios and that this interaction is more pronounced when the molecular weights are closer and intermolecular forces are stronger. It was also noted that, in general, blends are great substitutes for solutions containing only one type of polymer.

Thermal and spectroscopic analyses of guar gum degradation submitted to turbulent flow.

In this paper, a 400 ppm aqueous solution of guar gum polysaccharide was submitted to a turbulent flow regime in order to monitor molecular degradation and drag reduction. Guar gum samples were isolated and analyzed by spectroscopic, thermoanalytical and viscosimetric techniques. The drag reduction promoted by guar gum is compromised as the polysaccharide undergoes degradation. Viscosimetric analysis of guar gum showed a reduction in viscous molecular mass. Mid-infrared spectra and hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance suggest that mechanical degradation promotes hydrolysis of the glycosidic bond α (1 → 6) releasing (d)-galactose owing to the appearance of the carbonyl functional group. Thermal analysis revealed the reduction of the polysaccharide's thermal stability by reduction of the polymer chain. A comprehensive analysis of these combined parameters affords a foundation for the development of more efficient biopolymers in the context of improved drag reduction.

Study of the mechanical degradation mechanism of guar gum in turbulent flow by FTIR.

Guar gum is used in low concentrations as a drag reducing agent in turbulent flows to significantly accelerate flow in oil pipelines, oil well operations and aqueous systems. Drag reduction also promotes a decrease in energy demand in pumping systems. However, the polymers undergo mechanical degradation and lose the ability to promote drag reduction over time. In this paper, the drag reduction, the power required by the pumps and the degradation of the guar gum were evaluated during a turbulent flow of an aqueous solution containing the biopolymer. The results indicate the mechanism of degradation of guar gum by the hydrolysis of the bond α (1 → 6), liberating the galactose, which justice to the loss of efficiency throughout the process. An understanding of this mechanism should allow for the development of more mechanically resistant polymers and the increase of drag reduction capacity over time.

Integrated Monitoring of Mola mola Behaviour in Space and Time.

Over the last decade, ocean sunfish movements have been monitored worldwide using various satellite tracking methods. This study reports the near-real time monitoring of fine-scale (< 10 m) behaviour of sunfish. The study was conducted in southern Portugal in May 2014 and involved satellite tags and underwater and surface robotic vehicles to measure both the movements and the contextual environment of the fish. A total of four individuals were tracked using custom-made GPS satellite tags providing geolocation estimates of fine-scale resolution. These accurate positions further informed sunfish areas of restricted search (ARS), which were directly correlated to steep thermal frontal zones. Simultaneously, and for two different occasions, an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) video-recorded the path of the tracked fish and detected buoyant particles in the water column. Importantly, the densities of these particles were also directly correlated to steep thermal gradients. Thus, both sunfish foraging behaviour (ARS) and possibly prey densities, were found to be influenced by analogous environmental conditions. In addition, the dynamic structure of the water transited by the tracked individuals was described by a Lagrangian modelling approach. The model informed the distribution of zooplankton in the region, both horizontally and in the water column, and the resultant simulated densities positively correlated with sunfish ARS behaviour estimator (rs = 0.184, p<0.001). The model also revealed that tracked fish opportunistically displace with respect to subsurface current flow. Thus, we show how physical forcing and current structure provide a rationale for a predator's fine-scale behaviour observed over a two weeks in May 2014.

Relações entre Burnout, traços de personalidade e variáveis sociodemográficas em trabalhadores brasileiros / Relationship between Burnout, personality traits and sociodemographic variables in Brazilian workers / Relaciones entre Burnout, rasgos de personalidad y variables sociodemográficas en trabajadores brasileños

O Burnout é caracterizado pela exaustão emocional, despersonalização e baixa realização no trabalho. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi investigar as relações entre variáveis sociodemográficas e traços de personalidade, segundo o modelo dos Cinco Grandes Fatores, no desfecho da síndrome. Os seguintes questionários: sociodemográfico, Inventário de Burnout no Trabalho e Marcadores Reduzidos de Personalidade foram respondidos, em plataforma on-line, por 343 profissionais brasileiros do setor de serviços (75,50% mulheres, n = 259) atuantes nas áreas da saúde, educação, serviços administrativos, segurança, bancários e atendimento ao público (e.g., telemarketing, call centers). Os resultados não apontam para relações estatisticamente significativas entre as variáveis sociodemográficas e o Burnout. Os traços de personalidade desempenharam relação preditiva mais relevante com os três fatores do Burnout, sendo o Neuroticismo o maior preditor. A partir dos dados, pode-se dizer que os recursos pessoais podem exercer um importante papel no desenvolvimento do Burnout, com especial atenção ao Neuroticismo. (AU)

Burnout is characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and low personal accomplishment at work. The objective of this research was to investigate the relationship between sociodemographic variables and personality traits, according to the Big Five theory, in the outcome of the syndrome. The sociodemographic questionnaire, the Work Burnout Inventory and the Reduced Personality Markers were answered in an online platform by 343 Brazilian professionals from the service sector (75.50% women, n = 259), working in the areas of health, education, administrative services, security, banking and customer service (e.g. telemarketing, call centers). The results do not point to a statistically significant relationship between sociodemographic variables and burnout. Personality traits had a more predictive relationship with the three factors of burnout, which Neuroticism was the most important predictor. Personal resources, especially Neuroticism, can play an important role in the development of burnout. (AU)

El burnout se caracteriza por el agotamiento emocional, la despersonalización y la reducción de la realización en el trabajo. El objetivo de esta investigación fue investigar las relaciones entre variables sociodemográficas y rasgos de personalidad, según el modelo de los Cinco Grandes Factores, en el desenlace del síndrome. El cuestionario sociodemográfico, el Inventario de Burnout en el Trabajo y los Marcadores Reducidos de la Personalidad fueron contestados, en una plataforma digital, por 343 profesionales brasileños (75,50% mujeres, n = 259) en el sector de servicios (p. ej., áreas de salud, educación, seguridad). Los resultados no apuntan a una relación estadísticamente significativa entre las variables sociodemográficas y el burnout. Los rasgos de personalidad desempeñaron relación predictiva más relevante con los tres factores del burnout, siendo el Neuroticismo el principal predictor. Fue observado que los recursos personales pueden desempeñar un importante papel en el desarrollo del burnout, con especial atención al Neuroticismo. (AU)