Extroversion-Related Differences in Gaze Behavior during a Computer Task for Assessing Speed-Accuracy Trade-Off: Implications for Sensor-Based Applications.

The principle of Fitts' law explains that the difficulty of movement increases when targets are farther away and narrower in width, particularly when touching two parallel targets as quickly as possible. Understanding the differences in motor and gaze behaviors between extroverts and introverts when performing tasks that require speed and accuracy is crucial for the development of sensor-based interfaces for games and rehabilitation. This study aimed to investigate such differences in a computer task that assesses the speed-accuracy trade-off (Fitts' task). Twenty introverts and seventeen extroverts wore an eye tracker and an accelerometer attached to their hand while performing 12 trials through six levels of difficulty presented on a computer screen. The results showed that introverts had longer visual fixations at the higher difficulty levels and reduced pupil diameter variability when difficulty was intermediate, suggesting that their gaze behavior may be different from that of extroverts. However, no significant differences were found in the speed and accuracy performance or kinematic variables between extroverts and introverts. These findings have important implications for the design of interventions that require both speed and accuracy in movement, such as in the development of virtual reality/games for rehabilitation purposes. It is important to consider individual differences in motor and gaze behaviors, particularly in those who may struggle with longer visual fixations, for the design of sensor-based applications and to promote successful interventions and recovery.

Bullying in Swiss Youth Born with a Unilateral Cleft lip and Palate by Self- and Parent-Report.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to gain a better understanding of bullying as victims and aggressors in youths born with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP). DESIGN: This is an observational study comparing youths with UCLP (ages 8-16) and their parents with a control group (CG) of children in state schools and their parents. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-one youths (43% female; mean age 12.4 ± 2.3 years) and their parents (n = 40) composed the UCLP group and 56 youths (47% female; mean age 12.4 ± 1.2 years) and their parents (n = 33) were in the CG. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The Olweus Bully/Victim questionnaire self- and parent-report was used to assess victims and aggressors involved in bullying behaviors. RESULTS: About 30% of all youths reported being a frequent victim of bullying at least 2-3 times a month and an additional 32.3% were bullied 1-2 times in the last 2-3 months. For the total sample, parents significantly (P < .05) underestimated any bullying, both as a victim (youths 62.5% vs parents 45.7%) and as an aggressor (youths 53.1% vs parents 37.1%). There were no significant group differences in experiencing any bullying between the youths with UCLP (52.5%) and the CG youths (69.6%) or in its perception by their parents (43.2% and 48.5%, respectively). There were no group differences between the combinations of victim and aggressor. CONCLUSIONS: While there were no differences in bullying prevalence in our sample between youths with UCLP and their peers, this study highlights differences in bullying perceptions between parents and their children.

Effect of Piper cubeba total extract and isolated lignans on head and neck cancer cell lines and normal fibroblasts.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the action of the crude hydroalcoholic extract of Piper cubeba fruits and isolated lignans (cubebin, dihydrocubebin, ethylcubebin, hinokinin and methylcubebin) on head and neck cancer cells. We evaluated the influence of the Piper cubeba extract and isolated lignans (10, 50 e 100 µg/mL) for 4, 24, 48 and 72 h, in the larynx (Hep-2) and oral (SCC-25) squamous cell carcinoma cells and normal fibroblasts, on morphology, cell proliferation and migration, cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and gene and protein expression (PTGS2, PTGER3, PTGER4, MMP2, MMP9). The results showed that the P. cubeba extract and different lignans do not alter the cellular morphology, but decrease cell proliferation and migration, have low cytotoxic and genotoxic effects, probably due to the alteration of the expression of genes and proteins involved with inflammatory process. From these data, we can conclude that the lignans cubebin and methylcubebin had a greater effect on head and neck cancer cells in the antiproliferative, antimigratory and genotoxic action, and could be the target of the development of new therapies including possible new drugs as a therapeutic resource for the treatment of head and neck cancer due to its immense range of biological properties.

Epidemiological and diagnostic aspects of feline leishmaniasis with emphasis on Brazil: a narrative review.

The leishmaniases are a group of diseases caused by the protozoan parasite belonging to the genus Leishmania. In the New World, although dogs are considered the main parasite reservoir, in the last two decades, several studies have confirmed the role of cats (Felis catus) in the epidemiology of the disease and feline leishmaniasis (FeL) is now considered to be an emerging disease. The present review summarizes the current knowledge about FeL, focusing on important immunopathological aspects, epidemiology, and diagnostic methods applied for felines in Brazil. Cats are infected with the same species of Leishmania found in dogs (i.e., Leishmania infantum). Like dogs, skin lesions are the most common in cats with clinical FeL, mainly affecting the cephalic region and less frequently the legs which may be accompanied by generalized signs or visceral involvement. Information on the immune response of cats to Leishmania infection is scarce; however, efficient infection control is seen in most cases. For diagnosis, generally, the same methods as those in dogs are used, mainly serological tools. But there is a lack of studies focusing the performance of these methods for diagnosing FeL. The estimated overall prevalence of FeL in Brazil is 8%, with L. infantum being the most prevalent species. However, infections with Leishmania braziliensis and Leishmania amazonensis have also been reported. In conclusion, although there has been an increase in the publication related to FeL in Brazil in recent years, there is a lack of research relating immune response and diagnosis of these animals. Cats have been shown to be competent hosts for Leishmania parasites, and their role in the epidemiology of the disease cannot be underestimated, especially in areas of Brazil where the disease is historically endemic.

Feline leishmaniasis in an animal shelter in northeastern Brazil: Clinical aspects, coinfections, molecular detection, and serological study of a new recombinant protein.

Infection and clinical cases of leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania infantum in cats have been increasingly reported in several countries, including Brazil. In this study, we used an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and an immunochromatographic test (ICT) based on a recombinant antigen (rKDDR-plus) to detect anti-Leishmania antibodies in cats from an animal shelter in northeastern Brazil. We compared the results with an ELISA using L. infantum crude antigen (ELISA-CA). We also investigated the presence of Leishmania DNA in blood or ocular conjunctival samples as well as the association between Leishmania PCR positivity and serological positivity to feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and Toxoplasma gondii. Concerning serological assays, a higher positivity was detected using the ICT-rKDDR-plus (7.5%; 7/93) as compared to ELISA-rKDDR-plus (5.4%; 5/93) and ELISA-CA (4.3%; 4/93). Upon PCR testing, 52.7% (49/93) of the ocular conjunctival swabs and 48.3% (44/91) of the blood samples were positive. Together, PCR and serological testing revealed overall positivities of 73.1% (68/93) and 12.9% (12/93), respectively. Among PCR-positive samples, 45.5% (31/68) showed co-infection with FIV, 17.6% (12/68) with FeLV, and 82.3% (56/68) with T. gondii. More than half of the PCR-positive cats showed at least one clinical sign suggestive of leishmaniasis (58.8%; 40/68) and dermatological signs were the most frequent ones (45.5%; 31/68). Both tests employing the recombinant antigen rKDDR-plus (i.e., ICT-rKDDR-plus and ELISA-rKDDR-plus) detected more positive cats than the ELISA-CA but presented low overall accuracy. PCR testing using either blood or ocular conjunctival samples detected much more positive cats than serological tests.

[The Biometric Cabinet of the Escola de Educação Física do Exército: measuring and classifying to produce ideal bodies, 1930-1940]. / O Gabinete Biométrico da Escola de Educação Física do Exército: medir e classificar para produzir corpos ideais, 1930-1940*

This paper analyzes biometrical and biotypological practices of the Biometric Cabinet of the Escola de Educação Física do Exército (Physical Education School of the Army) in Rio de Janeiro in the 1930s and 1940s, published in Revista de Educação Física do Exército. It was necessary to classify, monitor the results of the exercises periodically and measure morphological aspects of the bodies. The classifications were made in accordance with foreign parameters and an attempt was made to classify by type, quality and defects. The analysis of the practices of the Cabinet shows that biometrics and biotypology were complementary aspects of physical education, aiming at the standardization of bodies.

Validation of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the Stanford cataplexy questionnaire.

INTRODUCTION: Cataplexy is a sudden and involuntary episode of loss of muscle tone during wakefulness. Cataplexy cannot be easily recognized when clinical features are atypical or when the physician is unfamiliar with its characteristics. The unstructured clinical interview is the only standard diagnostic method, but the use of a targeted questionnaire can help in the diagnosis of cataplexy. METHODS: The Stanford cataplexy questionnaire is a self-administered 51-question questionnaire. This validation consisted of an initial translation and back-translation of the questionnaire from English into Brazilian Portuguese, followed by a pilot study with 10 participants for the cultural adaptation of the scale. RESULTS: 155 consecutive patients aged 18-85 completed the questionnaire. The Brazilian version of the Stanford cataplexy questionnaire showed similar results to the original version with good metric properties (area under the curve), high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha equal to 0.87), good reliability and reproducibility. CONCLUSIONS: The Brazilian Portuguese version of the Stanford Cataplexy questionnaire presented good accuracy satisfactory psychometric properties in identifying cataplexy.

Larvicidal potential of extracts and isolated compounds from Piper cubeba fruits against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) larvae.

Aedes aegypti is the primary vector of virus transmission that causes dengue, yellow fever, chikungunya and zika. The primary prevention method has been vector control and synthetic insecticides that can cause environmental side effects. Thus, the work aimed to evaluate the larvicidal potential of extracts and isolated compounds from Piper cubeba against A. aegypti larvae. The larvicidal activity method was executed according to the World Health Organization protocol. The larvae were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Through molecular docking, the action mechanism was investigated. The hydroalcoholic and hexane extracts showed similar larvicidal activity with LC50 of 191.1 µg/mL and 185.84 µg/mL, respectively. Between isolated compounds, hinokinin presented LC50= 97.74 µg/mL. The SEM analysis showed structural damage to the larva's tegument caused by extracts and isolated compounds. Therefore, the results demonstrate the larvicidal action of hinokinin and extracts, which can lead to the development of new natural larvicides.

Immunogenic mapping of rDyn-1 and rKDDR-plus proteins and selection of oligopeptides by immunoblotting for the diagnosis of Leishmania infantum-infected dogs.

Endemic in Brazil, visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a zoonotic infection that is among the most important parasitic diseases transmitted by vectors. Dogs are the main reservoirs of canine leishmaniasis (CanL) and their identification is used in some countries as part of disease prevention and control measures in the canine and human population. In this context, serological tests are necessary, composed of antigens capable of correctly identifying infected dogs, minimizing the number of false-negative cases. This study aimed to identify more immunoreactive peptides derived from two previously described whole proteins (rDyn-1 and rKDDR-plus) and compare their performance to the control antigens rK39 and the crude extract for the detection of dogs infected with L. infantum, especially the asymptomatic ones. The three selected peptides and a mixture of them, along with the rDyn-1, rKDDR-plus, rK39, and crude extract antigens were evaluated using indirect ELISA with sera samples from 186 dogs with CanL, being asymptomatic (n = 50), symptomatic (n = 50), co-infected (n = 19), infected with Babesia sp. (n = 7), Ehrlichia sp. (n = 6), T. cruzi (n = 20) and uninfected (n = 34). The results showed that the rDyn-1 protein and the peptide mixture had the highest sensitivity (100% and 98.32%, respectively) and specificity (97.01 and 98.51, respectively). A high degree of kappa agreement was found for rDyn-1 protein (0.977), mixed peptides (0.965), rKDDR-plus protein (0.953), K-plus peptide 1 (0.930) and Dyn-1 peptide (0.893). The mixture of peptides showed the highest likelihood (65.87). The ELISA using the mixture of peptides and the rDyn-1 protein showed high performance for CanL serodiagnosis. More mix combinations of the peptides and additional extended field tests with a larger sample size are recommended.

The importance of the diagnostic setup in the orthodontic treatment plan.

The aim of this study was to address the importance of the diagnostic setup by examining two cases where diagnostic setups were made in order to determine the treatment plan. The diagnostic setup is a fundamental aid and should be used when there are doubts in the orthodontic planning.

Neuroendocrine effects of a single bout of functional and core stabilization training in women with chronic nonspecific low back pain: A crossover study.

Exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH) is characterized as the pain reduction after an exercise session and it seems to be related to the release of plasma ß-endorphin. In this sense, the core stabilization training (CT) has been suggested for patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain (CNSLBP), but it is unclear whether it induces EIH. Patients with CNSLBP have neuromotor dysfunctions that can affect the performance of functional tasks, thus, performing functional training (FT) could improve motor control and promote EIH, since functional training uses multi-joint exercises that aim to improve the functionality of actions performed in daily life. EIH is usually assessed using quantitative sensory tests (QST) such as conditioned pain modulation, pressure pain threshold, and temporal summation. Thus, the sum of parameters from quantitative sensory tests and plasma ß-endorphin would make it possible to understand what the neuroendocrine effects of FT and CT session are. Our study compared the acute effect of CT and FT on the EIH and plasma ß-endorphin release, and correlated plasma ß-endorphin with quantitative sensory testing in patients with CNSLBP. Eighteen women performed two training sessions (CT and FT) with an interval of 48 h between sessions. EIH was assessed by QST and plasma ß-endorphin levels. Results showed that only FT significantly increased plasma ß-endorphin (FT p < 0.01; CT p = 0.45), which correlated with pain pressure threshold (PPT) and conditioned pain modulation (CPM). However, QST values were not different in women with CNSLBP after CT or FT protocols. Plasma ß-endorphin correlated with PPT and CPM, however, the same did not occur with a temporal summation.

Dry heat and pressure favor bioactive compounds preservation and peptides formation in sorghum [S orghum bicolor (L.) Moench].

Sorghum is a cereal with potential economic and nutritional properties. It has gained headway in the international market because of its nutritional content which is characterized for many bioactive compounds with antioxidant characteristics, and also, because it is gluten free. This work evaluated the proteomic profile of sorghum grains and its nutritional composition and functional profile after exposure to 7 different treatments (control, grind, dry heat, bursting, wet cooking with and without water and wet cooking in pressure). They were analyzed for chemical composition, protein profile, total phenolic compounds, anthocyanin content and antioxidant activity. The dry heat preserves the protein content, phenolic compounds, anthocyanins and presents between 94% and 95% of radical scavenging activity. Heat treatments that use the pressure promote the natural hydrolysis of proteins. Bursting treatment resulted in 45.6% of proteins and peptides in the range of 3.7; 5.93; 8.9 and 14 kDa. Wet cooking in pressure (SPC) showed a similar behavior, with 26.8% being the abundance of 14 and 14.3 kDa proteins and 25.3% of the peptides with less than 10 kDa, making up 52.1% of protein content. This hydrolysis promoted an important percentage of peptides and low molecular mass proteins which can have bioactive profile and improve healthy.

The adaptation of evolutionary thinking in its public circulation: the case of "Evolution: a Journal of Nature," 1927-1938. / A adaptação do pensamento evolutivo em sua circulação pública: o caso da revista "Evolution: a Journal of Nature", 1927-1938.

The teaching of evolution was the subject of intense controversy in the United States in the first decades of the twentieth century. Both the validity of the theory and its ethical, political and religious implications were in dispute. This article analyzes a magazine intended to popularize science in this context, Evolution: a Journal of Nature (1927-1938). The objective is to demonstrate that the dynamics of the public circulation of knowledge represented by the magazine cannot be reduced to a process of simplification, eliminating details and exceptions of little use to the general public, but rather consisted of a complete adaptation, creatively connecting scientific knowledge to questions of great importance in the public arena.

O ensino de evolução foi objeto de intensa controvérsia nos EUA nas primeiras décadas do século XX. Em disputa, estava não apenas a validade da teoria, mas também a consideração de suas implicações éticas, políticas e religiosas. Este artigo analisa uma revista de popularização científica inserida nesse contexto, a Evolution: a Journal of Nature (1927-1938). O objetivo é demonstrar que a dinâmica de circulação pública do conhecimento representada pela revista não se resumiu a um processo de simplificação, eliminando detalhes e ressalvas pouco úteis ao público não especializado, mas antes consistiu em uma completa adaptação, confrontando criativamente o conhecimento científico com questões de grande importância na arena pública.

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with narcolepsy.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To the best of our knowledge, there has not as yet been any study on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with narcolepsy, in particular, in relation to its impact on sleep schedules, symptoms, the need for medication, work, income, and quality of life. This study therefore aimed to explore these factors and their possible influence on sleep, circadian timing, and narcolepsy symptoms during the pandemic. METHODS: Patients with narcolepsy who had been in quarantine for at least 3 months completed a 36-question online survey. Questions targeted the conditions of the quarantine, sleep-related behaviors, and factors known to affect sleep and circadian rhythms (work status, income, appetite, narcolepsy symptoms, and medication), as well as the quality of life during the quarantine period. RESULTS: The routines of the participants had been altered by quarantine, with changes in their place of work, and an increase in narcolepsy symptoms, such as cataplexy, sleep paralysis, hallucinations, nocturnal awakenings, and sleepiness. Sleep and wake times changed, resulting in altered sleep patterns in most of the sample. No association between changes in the place of work and narcolepsy symptoms was found. Regarding medication, the participants used fewer antidepressant pills but took more stimulants. Appetite was increased and self-reported quality of life decreased during the period. CONCLUSIONS: During the quarantine, the patients with narcolepsy reported changes in their bedtime and waking-up schedules, suggesting a tendency to circadian misalignment. In Brazil, the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak have gone beyond the direct action of the virus because of the collateral damage it has caused in respect to unemployment, financial hardship, and a reduction in quality of life. These impacts have been amplified in Brazil because of the level of social inequality found in the country, and they have particularly affected vulnerable patients with rare diseases, such as the narcolepsy population.

Validation of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the narcolepsy severity scale.

INTRODUCTION: Narcolepsy type 1 is a sleep disorder and the most common cause of hypersonia of central origin. It is characterized by sleep attacks, cataplexy, sleep-related hallucinations, sleep paralysis and sleep fragmentation in a pleomorphic presentation. The Narcolepsy Severity Scale (NSS), questionnaire which assesses the frequency and impact of the main symptoms of narcolepsy was developed in order to determine its clinical severity, needing translation, cultural adaptation and validation in many languages. The objective is to validate the Brazilian Portuguese version of the NSS. METHODS: The Brazilian version of the NSS was translated to Brazilian Portuguese and applied to patients with a diagnosis of narcolepsy type 1 at the Daytime Excessive Sleepiness Service, at Psychobiology Department of the Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) between February 2018 and July 2019. RESULTS: A total of 52 patients completed the questionnaire. Cultural adaptations were made to better comprehension of patients. The Brazilian version of the NSS showed high internal consistency, demonstrated by the Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.82. It showed good reproducibility capacity, verified through the test-retest, whose intraclass correlation was 0.98. The average severity of Brazilian patients was 33.94 (±11.24), higher than the values found in other population, which also underwent validation of this scale. There was a correlation between sleep latency in diagnostic polysomnography and the NSS. CONCLUSIONS: The Brazilian Portuguese version of NSS showed to be valid and reproducible tool for assessing the severity of patients with type 1 narcolepsy and have potential impact on clinical practice.

Developments and opportunities in fungal strain engineering for the production of novel enzymes and enzyme cocktails for plant biomass degradation.

Fungal strain engineering is commonly used in many areas of biotechnology, including the production of plant biomass degrading enzymes. Its aim varies from the production of specific enzymes to overall increased enzyme production levels and modification of the composition of the enzyme set that is produced by the fungus. Strain engineering involves a diverse range of methodologies, including classical mutagenesis, genetic engineering and genome editing. In this review, the main approaches for strain engineering of filamentous fungi in the field of plant biomass degradation will be discussed, including recent and not yet implemented methods, such as CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing and adaptive evolution.

Myceliophthora thermophila Xyr1 is predominantly involved in xylan degradation and xylose catabolism.

BACKGROUND: Myceliophthora thermophila is a thermophilic ascomycete fungus that is used as a producer of enzyme cocktails used in plant biomass saccharification. Further development of this species as an industrial enzyme factory requires a detailed understanding of its regulatory systems driving the production of plant biomass-degrading enzymes. In this study, we analyzed the function of MtXlr1, an ortholog of the (hemi-)cellulolytic regulator XlnR first identified in another industrially relevant fungus, Aspergillus niger. RESULTS: The Mtxlr1 gene was deleted and the resulting strain was compared to the wild type using growth profiling and transcriptomics. The deletion strain was unable to grow on xylan and d-xylose, but showed only a small growth reduction on l-arabinose, and grew similar to the wild type on Avicel and cellulose. These results were supported by the transcriptome analyses which revealed reduction of genes encoding xylan-degrading enzymes, enzymes of the pentose catabolic pathway and putative pentose transporters. In contrast, no or minimal effects were observed for the expression of cellulolytic genes. CONCLUSIONS: Myceliophthora thermophila MtXlr1 controls the expression of xylanolytic genes and genes involved in pentose transport and catabolism, but has no significant effects on the production of cellulases. It therefore resembles more the role of its ortholog in Neurospora crassa, rather than the broader role described for this regulator in A. niger and Trichoderma reesei. By revealing the range of genes controlled by MtXlr1, our results provide the basic knowledge for targeted strain improvement by overproducing or constitutively activating this regulator, to further improve the biotechnological value of M. thermophila.

Parameters for antimicrobial photodynamic therapy on periodontal pocket-Randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) has been investigated as an adjunctive to periodontal treatment but the dosimetry parameters adopted have discrepancies and represent a challenge to measure efficacy. There is a need to understand the clinical parameters required to obtain antimicrobial effects by using aPDT in periodontal pockets. The aim of this study was to investigate parameters relating to the antimicrobial effects of photodynamic therapy in periodontal pockets. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This randomized controlled clinical trial included 30 patients with chronic periodontitis. Three incisors from each patient were selected and randomized for the experimental procedures. Microbiological evaluations were performed to quantify microorganisms before and after treatments and spectroscopy was used to identify methylene blue in the pocket. A laser source with emission of radiation at wavelength of ʎ = 660 nm and output radiant power of 100 mW was used for 1, 3 and 5 min. One hundred µM methylene blue was used in aqueous solution and on surfactant vehicle. RESULTS: The results demonstrated the absence of any antimicrobial effect with aqueous methylene blue-mediated PDT. On the other hand, methylene blue in the surfactant vehicle produced microbial reduction in the group irradiated for 5 min (p < 0.05). Spectroscopy showed that surfactant vehicle decreased the dimer peak signal at 610 nm. CONCLUSION: Within the parameters used in this study, PDT mediated by methylene blue in a surfactant vehicle reached significant microbial reduction levels with 5 min of irradiation. The clinical use of PDT may be limited by factors that reduce the antimicrobial effect. Forms of irradiation and stability of the photosensitizers play an important role in clinical aPDT.

Myotonic dystrophytype 1 - report of non-24-h sleep-wake disorder with excessive daytime sleepiness.

Myotonic dystrophy (MD) is a neuromuscular disease with myotonia, progressive weakness, and involvement of CNS, heart, and gastrointestinal system. Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in myotonic dystrophy type 1 (MD1) is related to sleep breathing diseases, restless leg syndrome, periodic limb movements during sleep and narcoleptic-like phenotype. However, authors highlight a central dysfunction of sleep regulation. We describe a 26-year-old, female, MD1 patient with EDS. Sleep diary/actigraphy evidenced two different circadian periods with values of 1442 and 1522 min. Agomelatine, 50 mg at night, was prescribed with improvement of the circadian rhythm and complaints of sleepiness. The identification of unanticipated causes of EDS, such as circadian rhythm disorders permits an appropriated treatment. As we know, it is the first relate of non-24-h sleep-wake disorder in patient with MD1. Sleep diary and actigraphy could be good options to investigate sleep-wake cycle disorder in patients with MD and EDS.