Looking for a needle in a haystack: de novo phenotypic target identification reveals Hippo pathway-mediated miR-202 regulation of egg production.

Understanding microRNA (miRNA) functions has been hampered by major difficulties in identifying their biological target(s). Currently, the main limitation is the lack of a suitable strategy to identify biologically relevant targets among a high number of putative targets. Here we provide a proof of concept of successful de novo (i.e. without prior knowledge of its identity) miRNA phenotypic target (i.e. target whose de-repression contributes to the phenotypic outcomes) identification from RNA-seq data. Using the medaka mir-202 knock-out (KO) model in which inactivation leads to a major organism-level reproductive phenotype, including reduced egg production, we introduced novel criteria including limited fold-change in KO and low interindividual variability in gene expression to reduce the list of 2853 putative targets to a short list of 5. We selected tead3b, a member of the evolutionarily-conserved Hippo pathway, known to regulate ovarian functions, due to its remarkably strong and evolutionarily conserved binding affinity for miR-202-5p. Deleting the miR-202-5p binding site in the 3' UTR of tead3b, but not of other Hippo pathway members sav1 and vgll4b, triggered a reduced egg production phenotype. This is one of the few successful examples of de novo functional assignment of a miRNA phenotypic target in vivo in vertebrates.

Implicações no cuidado de um familiar doente: mulheres negras cuidadoras

Introdução: As desvantagens ligadas ao gênero feminino são visualizadas em diversos aspectos da vida, mediante ao patriarcado. É possível compreender que, no caso de mulheres negras, estas se encontram desfavorecidas frente as estruturas sociais, atravessadas por condicionantes de classe, raça e gênero. Além disso, é visto que, em diversos casos, as cuidadoras mulheres, sobretudo, mulheres negras, não escolhem de forma voluntária este papel dentro da conjuntura familiar. Objetivo: Identificar as implicações do cuidado ao familiar adoecido realizado por mulheres negras cuidadoras considerando suas condições socioculturais. Metodologia: Este trabalho é uma revisão integrativa, cuja busca no banco de dados foi realizada em dezembro de 2020, onde 3 resultados foram encontrados na base de dados Web of Science, 48 na base de dados PubMed e 29 na base de dados LILACS. Depois de ler os resumos dos 80 artigos e aplicar os critérios de exclusão, 7 artigos foram selecionados para leitura completa. Finalmente, 4 artigos foram incluídos para análise. Resultados: Apenas um estudo abordou exclusivamente mulheres, e a maioria eram afro-americanos. Dados indicam que, dentro de uma comunidade quilombola, o cuidado com a saúde é repassado do mais velho para o mais novo, como símbolo de respeito aos saberes ancestrais. Além disso, ficou evidente que cuidadores afro-americanos de pessoas com demência precisam de informações de qualidade sobre cuidados e autocuidado, necessitando de recursos em sua comunidade. Conclusão: É possível notar as desigualdades de acordo com as construções históricas, políticas e culturais causadas, para diferenciar homens e mulheres no cuidado familiar. Havendo uma necessidade de debates que tenham como enfoque a população negra, principalmente as cuidadoras, visando estratégias para reduzir sua sobrecarga para cuidar de familiares em adoecimento.

Introducción: Las desventajas vinculadas al género femenino se visualizan en diversos aspectos de la vida, a través del patriarcado. Es posible entender que, en el caso de las mujeres negras, ellas están en desventaja frente a las estructuras sociales, atravesadas por condiciones de clase, raza y género. Además, se observa que, en varios casos, las cuidadoras, especialmente las mujeres negras, no eligen voluntariamente este rol dentro del contexto familiar. Objetivo: Identificar las implicaciones del cuidado a un familiar enfermo realizado por cuidadoras negras considerando sus condiciones socioculturales. Metodología: Este trabajo es una revisión integradora, cuya búsqueda en la base de datos tuvo lugar en diciembre de 2020, donde se encontraron 3 resultados en la base de datos Web of Science, 48 en la base de datos PubMed y 29 en la base de datos LILACS. Después de leer los resúmenes de los 80 artículos. y aplicar los criterios de exclusión, se seleccionaron 7 artículos para su lectura íntegra. Finalmente, 4 artículos fueron incluidos para el análisis. Resultados: Solo un estudio se refería exclusivamente a mujeres, y la mayoría eran afroamericanas. Los datos indican que, en el seno de una comunidad quilombola, los cuidados de salud se transmiten de los más ancianos a los más jóvenes, como símbolo de respeto a los conocimientos ancestrales. Además, se puso de manifiesto que los cuidadores afroamericanos de personas con demencia necesitan información de calidad sobre cuidados y autocuidados y precisan recursos en su comunidad. Conclusión: Es posible percibir las desigualdades según las construcciones históricas, políticas y culturales provocadas, para diferenciar hombres y mujeres en el cuidado de la familia. Hay una necesidad de debates que se centren en la población negra, especialmente en las cuidadoras, con miras a elaborar estrategias para reducir su carga para cuidar a los familiares enfermos.

Introduction: The disadvantages linked to the female gender are viewed in different aspects of life, through patriarchy. It is possible to understand that, in the case of black women, they are disadvantaged in the face of social structures, crossed by class, race and gender conditioning factors. In addition, it is seen that, in several cases, female caregivers, especially black women, do not voluntarily choose this role within the family environment. Objective: To identify the implications of care for a sick family member performed by black women caregivers considering their sociocultural conditions. Methodology: This work is an integrative review, whose search in the database was carried out in December 2020, where 3 results were found in the Web of Science database, 48 in the PubMed database and 29 in the LILACS database. After reading the abstracts of the 80 articles and applying the exclusion criteria, 7 articles were selected for full reading. Finally, 4 articles were included for analysis. Results: Only one study exclusively addressed women, and most were African Americans. Data indicate that, within a quilombola community, health care is passed on from the oldest to the youngest, as a symbol of respect for ancestral knowledge. In addition, it became evident that African-American caregivers of people with dementia need quality information about care and self-care, requiring resources in their community. Conclusion: It is possible to notice the inequalities according to the historical, political and cultural constructions caused, in order to differentiate men and women in family care. There is a need for debates that focus on the black population, especially caregivers, aiming at strategies to reduce their burden to care for sick family members.

Alterations in Gene Expression and the Fatty Acid Profile Impact but Do Not Compromise the In Vitro Maturation of Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Stage III Ovarian Follicles after Cryopreservation.

The vitrification of ovarian follicles is a strategic tool that may contribute to advances in aquaculture and the conservation of many important species. Despite the difficulties inherent to the cryopreservation of oocytes, some successful protocols have been developed for different species, but little is known about the capacity of oocytes to develop after thawing. Therefore, the profiles of the reproductive pathway genes and fatty acid membrane composition during the initial stages of development were analyzed in fresh ovarian follicles and follicles after the vitrification process. There were differences in the expression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonad axis genes during the follicular development in the control group as well as in the vitrified group. Similarly, alterations in the composition of fatty acids were observed after vitrification. Despite this, many alterations were observed in the vitrified group; more than half of the stage III ovarian follicles were able to grow and mature in vitro. Therefore, the vitrification of ovarian follicles may impact them at molecular and membrane levels, but it does not compromise their capability for in vitro maturation, which indicates that the technique can be a strategic tool for aquaculture.

Integrative taxonomy and phylogenetic systematics of the Triatoma rubrovaria subcomplex (Hemiptera, Triatominae).

Triatoma rubrovaria subcomplex consists of T. carcavalloi, T. circummaculata, T. klugi, T. limai, T. oliveirai, T. pintodiasi, T. rubrovaria, T. patagonica and T. guasayana, which can be vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiologic agent of Chagas disease. In this study, morphological, morphometric, and genetic characters of T. circummaculata, T. pintodiasi, T. carcavalloi, T. klugi, and T. rubrovaria were analyzed in view of the integrative taxonomy and phylogeny of the T. rubrovaria subcomplex. Molecular studies were carried out through the sequencing and analysis of the mitochondrial genes COI and CytB, nuclear genes ITS I, ITS 2, 16S, and 28S from rDNA and rescued a monophyletic group. Furthermore, differential morphological characters were found among the five species in the pronotum, scutellum, stridulatory sulcus, male genitalia, and external female genitalia. Finally, morphometric analyses made it possible to differentiate the five species. Phylogenetic analyzes rescued the relationship of T. pintodiasi with members of the T. rubrovaria subcomplex and demonstrated that this subcomplex is a monophyletic group composed of the species T. carcavalloi, T. circummaculata, T. klugi, T. guasayana, T. limai, T. oliveirai, T. patagonica, T. pintodiasi, and T. rubrovaria. Furthermore, through integrative taxonomy, it was possible to confirm the specific status of the species T. carcavalloi, T. circummaculata, T. pintodiasi, T. klugi, and T. rubrovaria, offering new useful morphological characters for the differentiation and characterization of these potential vectors and distributed in Southern Brazil.

Instrumentos para avaliar a sobrecarga e a qualidade de vida de cuidadores / Instrumentos para evaluar la carga y la calidad de vida de los cuidadores / Instruments to evaluate the work overload and quality of life for caregivers

Objetivo: identificar na literatura instrumentos para avaliar a qualidade de vida e a sobrecarga em cuidadores e sua aplicabilidade com essa população. Síntese de conteúdo: revisão integrativa da literatura em dois períodos de busca. Em setembro de 2017, foram selecionados 604 resumos na PubMed e 33 na LiLAcS, totalizando 637. Em seguida, para a atualização de dados, em setembro de 2020, foram escolhidos 137 resumos na PubMed e quatro na LiLAcS, totalizando 141. Após a leitura dos resumos, 106 artigos foram lidos na íntegra, dos quais 62 artigos atenderam os critérios de inclusão estabelecidos. Após a identificação de 80 instrumentos aplicados em cuidadores nessas publicações, buscouse identificar a existência de validação brasileira, bem como sua aplicabilidade com cuidadores. Desses instrumentos, 39 não foram validados no Brasil, 13 eram elaborações próprias dos autores e 28 validações brasileiras. Desses 28 validados, sete são voltados para cuidadores e os demais, para populações gerais. Na análise de adequação da aplicação desses instrumentos gerais a essa população, verificouse que os objetivos dos estudos foram atingidos, pois aspectos relativos à sobrecarga e à qualidade de vida também se aplicam ao cuidador que assume o cuidado do paciente em casa. Conclusões: os achados apon-tam que, para além da criação de novos instrumentos, é preciso identificar na literatura os já existentes

Objetivo: identificar en la literatura instrumentos para evaluar la calidad de vida y la carga de los cuidadores y su aplicabilidad en esta población. Síntesis de contenido: revisión integral de la literatura en dos períodos de búsqueda. En septiembre de 2017 se recopilaron 604 resúmenes en PubMed y 33 en LiLAcS, totalizan-do 637 resúmenes. Posteriormente, para actualizar datos, en septiembre de 2020 se añadieron 137 resúmenes provenientes de PubMed y cuatro de LiLAcS, para un total de 141. Después de revisar los resúmenes, se procedió con la lectura de 106 artículos a texto completo, de los cuales 62 cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión definidos. Tras identificar 80 instrumentos aplicados en cuidadores en esas publicaciones, se buscó determinar cuáles de ellos habían sido valida-dos para su uso en Brasil y cuáles podrían ser aplicados en cuidadores. De estos instrumentos, 39 no habían sido validados en Brasil, 13 eran elaboraciones propias y 28 contaban con validez en este país. De los 28 instrumentos validados, siete se enfocan en los cuidadores, mientras que los 21 restantes están diseñados para estudiar población general. Al analizar la adecuación y aplicación de dichos instrumentos sobre la población de cuidadores se verificó que los objetivos de los estudios fueran alcanzados, puesto que los aspectos relacionados con la sobrecarga y la calidad de vida también se aplican a los cuidadores de pacientes en casa. Conclusiones: los resultados indican que, además de la creación de nuevos instrumentos, es necesario identificar los ya existentes en la literatura.

Objective: To identify on litera-ture instruments for evaluating the quality of life and work overload of caregivers and their applicability with this population. Content synthesis: Integrative literature review in two research periods. In September 2017, 604 abstracts were gathered from PubMed database and 33 more from LiLAcS, totaling 637 abstracts. An update in September 2020 allowed collecting 137 additional abstracts from PubMed and 4 from LiLAcS, adding 141 entries to the previ-ous sample. After reading these abstracts, the full texts of 106 articles were examined, from which 62 articles met the inclusion criteria. In total, 80 instruments applied to caregivers were identified in these publications. From this, we sought to determine the existence of validation studies in Brazil, as well as their applicability to caregivers. From the sample of 80 instruments, 39 were not validated in Brazil, 13 were elaborated by authors, and 28 corresponded to validated tools in this country. Out of these, seven were applied to caregivers and the rest of them to general populations. In the analysis of the adequacy and application of the general instruments to this specific population, it was found that the objectives of the studies were met, since several aspects related to work overload and quality of life also apply to the caregiver in charge of a patient at home. Conclusions: Findings pointed out the need of creating new instruments and also identify the existing tools available in the literature.

Intervenções realizadas com cuidadores de adultos com condições crônicas em atençío domiciliar: revisío integrativa / Interventions carried out to adult's caregivers with chronic conditions in home care: integrative review / Intervenciones realizadas en los cuidadores de adultos com condiciones crónicas em el cuidado domiciliario: revisión integradora

OBJETIVO: Identificar e caracterizar as intervenções realizadas com cuidadores de adultos com condições crônicas assistidos pela atenção domiciliar. METODOLOGIA: Revisão integrativa cuja busca nas bases foi realizada em março de 2021 e foram encontrados 1.573 resultados na base Web of Science, 633 na PubMed e um na base Lilacs. Foi seguido os seis passos da revisão integrativa. Após a leitura dos resumos e aplicados os critérios de exclusão, 229 artigos foram selecionados para leitura na íntegra. Após essa etapa resultou em 39 artigos, os quais compuseram o escopo de análise deste estudo. Foram inclusos estudos em inglês, espanhol e português. Foi realizada a análise descritiva e a análise de conteúdo. RESULTADOS: As três formas de intervenção ­ psicoeducacional, psicoterapêutica ou psicossocial ­ possuem potências nos resultados aos cuidadores. As intervenções psicoeducacionais aumentam os saberes sobre a situação do paciente, preparando o cuidador para o cuidado, deixando-o seguro e autoconfiante, aperfeiçoando o cuidado. As psicoterapêuticas olham as necessidades singulares do cuidador e minimizam a sobrecarga com ações específicas. As intervenções psicossociais permitem a troca de saberes e possibilitam melhor enfrentamento de problemas, pois surgem como uma rede de apoio ao cuidador. CONCLUSÕES: Este estudo permitiu a caracterização e identificação das intervenções e suas potências para o cuidador familiar que precisa de atenção para que melhore a sua qualidade de vida e possa realizar um cuidado efetivo.

OBJECTIVE:To identify and characterize the interventions realizedwithcaregivers of chronic conditions adults assisted by home care. METHOD: In March 2021, 1,573 results were found in the Web of Science database, 633 results in PubMed, and one in the Lilacs database. The six steps of the integrative review were followed. After reading the abstracts and applying the exclusion criteria, 229 articles were selected for a full reading. Again, the inclusion and exclusion criteria were used, resulting in 39 articles, which comprised the scope of analysis of this study. Studies in English, Spanish and Portuguese were included. Descriptive analysis and content analysis were performed. RESULTS: The three forms of psychoeducational and psychotherapeutic or psychosocial intervention have potential in those afflicted with caregivers.Psychoeducational interventions increase knowledge about the patient's situation, preparecaregivers for care, leavethem safe and self-confident, improving care. Psychotherapeutics look at the caregiver's unique needsand minimize the burden with specific actions. Finally, psychosocial interventions allow the exchange of knowledge and enable better coping with problems, as they emerge as a support network for the caregiver.CONCLUSIONS:This study allowed the identification of interventions and their potential for the family caregiver who needs attention to improve their quality of life and provide adequate care.

OBJETIVO: Identificar e caracterizar las intervenciones utilizadas en los cuidadores de adultos con condiciones crónicas asistidos por la atención domiciliaria. METODOLOGÍA: En marzo de 2021, se encontraron 1.573 resultados en la base Web of Science, 633 resultados en la PubMed y 01 en la base LILACS. Se siguieron los seis pasos de la revisión integradora. Tras la lectura de los resúmenes y la aplicación de los criterios de exclusión, se seleccionaron 229 artículos para su lectura completa. Una vez más, se aplicaron los criterios de inclusión y exclusión, lo que dio como resultado 39 artículos, los cuales constituyeron el ámbito de análisis de este estudio. Se incluyeron estudios en inglés, español y portugués. Se realizó análisis descriptivo y análisis de contenido. RESULTADOS: Las tres formas de intervención, tanto las psicoeducativas como las psicoterapéuticas o las psicosociales, tienen potencialidades en los resultadoscon loscuidadores. Las intervenciones psicoeducativas incrementan los conocimientos sobre la situación del paciente, preparando al cuidador para los cuidados, haciéndole sentirse seguro y confiado en sí mismo, mejorando los cuidados. Las intervenciones psicoterapéuticas contemplan las necesidades únicas del cuidador y minimizan la sobrecarga con acciones específicas. Las intervenciones psicosociales permiten el intercambio de conocimientos y posibilitan un mejor afrontamiento de los problemas, ya que aparecen como una red de apoyo para el cuidador.CONCLUSIONES: este estudio permitió identificar las intervenciones y sus potencialidades para el cuidador familiar que necesita atención para mejorar su calidad de vida y proporcionar una atención eficaz.

Assessment of emotional predisposition in dogs using PANAS (Positive and Negative Activation Scale) and associated relationships in a sample of dogs from Brazil.

The English version of the Positive and Negative Activation Scale (PANAS) is a useful tool for the assessment of dog temperament, helping to identify highly sensitive individuals that could be at risk of developing fears, phobias and anxiety problems, and potentially depressive states. This study evaluated the association between dogs' and owners' characteristics and dog temperament in Brazil. To accomplish this, we adapted and validated a Portuguese language version of PANAS for dogs. Data from 1744 owner-dog dyads were analysed and a two-factor structure similar to the original PANAS was revealed that met the requirements for validity and internal consistency. We found that dogs owned by women, neutered dogs and those who live in single-dog households show higher negative activation. Moreover, the older the owner, the less the negative activation for dogs that are bought. We also found that the older the dog, the less the positive activation, but this score is higher in dogs that sleep inside the house. Interestingly, mixed-breed dogs scored higher for both negative and positive emotional activation compared to purebreds. These findings alongside the particular profile of dogs in Brazil, including its large population of mixed-breed, emphasise the value of cross-cultural investigations in order to develop a full understanding of dog behaviour.

Application of multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction assay for simultaneous quantification of Escherichia coli virulence genes in oysters.

Strains of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) are involved in foodborne disease outbreaks worldwide, especially the enterohemorrhagic E. coli O157:H7. This study describes two multiplex quantitative real time PCR (qPCR) assays for simultaneous identification and quantification of genes related to virulence of DEC; a triplex reaction for detection and quantification of stxA1, stxA2, and eaeA genes, and a duplex reaction for detection and quantification of eaeA and virA genes. The technique was applied in raw oyster samples for direct quantification of DEC, thereby evaluating the applicability of this methodology for microbiological quality assessment of food. Using custom designed primers and specific MGB probes, a triplex qPCR assay was performed to quantify stxA1, stxA2, and eaeA, and a duplex reaction was performed to quantify virA and eaeA genes. The assays showed high sensitivity, with the detection limit varying between 5 and 17 copies of the genes. The coefficient of determination (R2) of the standard curves was 0.99. The coefficient of variation was < 1% indicated high intra- and inter-assay reproducibilities. The application of this methodology in oyster samples from tropical environment provided direct quantitative data that determined the presence of the genes stxA1 (32.1%), eaeA (28.6%), stxA2 (3.6%), and virA (3.6%). This would prove critical for immediate intervention of control strategies, particularly in oysters that are often ingested as raw food.

Genetic characterization of residual Triatoma infestans populations from Brazil by microsatellite.

In spite of long-term efforts to eliminate Triatoma infestans (Klug 1834) from Brazil, residual foci still persist in the states of Bahia and Rio Grande do Sul. Data on the genetic variability and structuring of these populations are however lacking. Using nine microsatellite loci, we characterized one residual T. infestans population from Bahia and four from Rio Grande do Sul, and compared them with bugs originally from an older focus in São Paulo; 224 bugs were genotyped. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 5 to 11. Observed and expected heterozygosities per locus ranged, respectively, from 0 to 0.786 and from 0 to 0.764. Significant departures from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, mainly due to heterozygote deficits, were detected in all loci and in most populations. Global indices estimated by AMOVA were: Fis was 0.37; Fst was 0.28; and Fit was 0.55; overall indices with p = 0.00 indicated substantial differentiation. Inter-population Fst ranged from 0.118 to 0.562, suggesting strong genetic structuring and little to no gene flow among populations. Intra-population Fis ranged from 0.301 to 0.307. Inbreeding was apparent in all populations except that from Bahia-which might be either linked by gene flow to nearby unsampled populations or part of a relatively large local population. The overall pattern of strong genetic structuring among pyrethroid-susceptible residual T. infestans populations suggests that their persistence is probably due to operational control failures. Detection and elimination of such residual foci is technically feasible and must become a public health priority in Brazil.

The Effects of Passive Smoking on Laryngeal and Tracheal Mucosa in Male Wistar Rats During Growth: An Experimental Study.

Cigarettes contain toxic and carcinogenic substances. In this context, cigarette smoking, and similar activities, are associated with numerous pathologies, being considered a risk factor in up to 10% of the total number of deaths in adults. Recent evidence suggests that the exposure of children to smoking in the early days of their development causes many diseases. Using light microscopy, this study aims to analyze the possible histopathological effects of an experimental model of chronic inhalation of cigarette smoke (passive smoking) on the laryngeal and tracheal mucosa of young Wistar rats. A total of 24 young Wistar rats were studied for a period of 120 days. The animals were divided into two groups: passive smoking (n = 16) and control (n = 8). The level of exposure to cigarette smoke was evaluated from the urinary cotinine level. Although no cancerous lesions were identified, histopathological analysis in the laryngeal and tracheal mucosa of all the animals in the experimental group showed that the proportion of moderate and focal inflammation was higher in animals exposed to chronic inhalation of cigarette smoke (P = 0.041). Histopathologic analysis revealed moderate and focal inflammatory lesions in the region of the infraglottic mucosa in exposed animals, although without dysplastic or neoplastic lesions in the laryngeal and tracheal mucosa.

The effect of cryoprotectant agents on DNA methylation patterns and progeny development in the spermatozoa of Colossoma macropomum.

DNA methylation patterns are inherited from parents and are imperative for proper embryonic development; however, alterations in these patterns can compromise fertilization and development into a fully functioning adult animal because DNA methylation is part of a complex program of gene transcription. In this study, we investigated the impact of cryoprotectant agents (CPAs) on DNA methylation patterns in spermatozoa and the consequences on embryonic development and the survival rate of progeny. Global methylation was assessed by enzymatic reactions in Colossoma macropomum spermatozoa that were cryopreserved using dimethylsulfoxide, dimethylformamide, methanol, ethyl glycol and glycerol as CPAs. Fertilization was carried out to evaluate survival rates and abnormalities in embryonic development upon treatment with each of the CPAs. Fresh semen served as the control. Our results indicated that, compared to the control group, spermatozoa cryopreservation decreased the fertilization rate and delayed embryonic development from the midblastula stage. Furthermore, spermatozoa cryopreserved in all CPAs had lower methylation levels and exhibited more delays and abnormalities during embryonic development than did fresh semen. Methanol resulted in fertilization, hatching rates and embryonic development that were closer to the control but had lower methylation levels. In conclusion, ours results show significant alterations on spermatozoa DNA methylation patterns caused by CPAs that are used in the semen cryopreservation process. DNA methylation pattern alterations affected the viability of progeny (r=0.48); however, these effects can be minimized by choosing the CPA that will compose the freezing solution.

Origanum majorana Essential Oil Lacks Mutagenic Activity in the Salmonella/Microsome and Micronucleus Assays.

The present study aimed to investigate the in vitro mutagenic activity of Origanum majorana essential oil. The most abundant compounds identified by GC-MS were γ-terpinene (25.73%), α-terpinene (17.35%), terpinen-4-ol (17.24%), and sabinene (10.8%). Mutagenicity was evaluated by the Salmonella/microsome test using the preincubation procedure on TA98, TA97a, TA100, TA102, and TA1535 Salmonella typhimurium strains, in the absence or in the presence of metabolic activation. Cytotoxicity was detected at concentrations higher than 0.04 µL/plate in the absence of S9 mix and higher than 0.08 µL/plate in the presence of S9 mix and no gene mutation increase was observed. For the in vitro mammalian cell micronucleus test, V79 Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts were used. Cytotoxicity was only observed at concentrations higher than or equal to 0.05 µg/mL. Moreover, when tested in noncytotoxic concentrations, O. majorana essential oil was not able to induce chromosome mutation. The results from this study therefore suggest that O. majorana essential oil is not mutagenic at the concentrations tested in the Salmonella/microsome and micronucleus assays.

Growth curve by Gompertz nonlinear regression model in female and males in tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum).

Was evaluated the pattern of growth among females and males of tambaqui by Gompertz nonlinear regression model. Five traits of economic importance were measured on 145 animals during the three years, totaling 981 morphometric data analyzed. Different curves were adjusted between males and females for body weight, height and head length and only one curve was adjusted to the width and body length. The asymptotic weight (a) and relative growth rate to maturity (k) were different between sexes in animals with ± 5 kg; slaughter weight practiced by a specific niche market, very profitable. However, there was no difference between males and females up to ± 2 kg; slaughter weight established to supply the bigger consumer market. Females showed weight greater than males (± 280 g), which are more suitable for fish farming purposes defined for the niche market to larger animals. In general, males had lower maximum growth rate (8.66 g / day) than females (9.34 g / day), however, reached faster than females, 476 and 486 days growth rate, respectively. The height and length body are the traits that contributed most to the weight at 516 days (P <0.001).

Dynamic expression of tgf-ß2, tgf-ß3 and inhibin ßA during muscle growth resumption and satellite cell differentiation in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

Members of the TGF-ß superfamily are involved in numerous cell functions; however, except for myostatin, their roles in the regulation of muscle growth in fish are completely unknown. We measured tgf-ß1, tgf-ß2, tgf-ß3, inhibin ßA (inh) and follistatin (fst) gene expression during muscle growth recovery following a fasting period. We observed that tgf-ß1a and tgf-ß2 expression were quickly down-regulated after refeeding and that tgf-ß3 reached its highest level of expression 7days post-refeeding, mirroring myogenin expression. Inh ßA1 mRNA levels decreased sharply after refeeding, in contrast to fst b2 expression, which peaked at day 2. No significant modification of expression was observed for tgf-ß1a, tgf-ß1b, tgf-ß1c and tgf-ß6 during refeeding. In vitro, tgf-ß2 and inh ßA1 expression decreased during the differentiation of satellite cells, whereas tgf-ß3 expression increased following the same pattern as myogenin. Surprisingly, fst b1 and fst b2 expression decreased during differentiation, whereas no variation was observed in fst a1 and fst a2 expression levels. In vitro analyses also indicated that IGF1 treatment up-regulated tgf-ß3, inh ßA1 and myogenin expression, and that MSTN treatment increased fst b1 and fst b2 expression. In conclusion, we showed that the expression of tgf-ß2, tgf-ß3 and inh ßA1 is dynamically regulated during muscle growth resumption and satellite cell differentiation, strongly suggesting that these genes have a role in the regulation of muscle growth.

Yield of close contact tracing using two different programmatic approaches from tuberculosis index cases: a retrospective quasi-experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Being a contact of a pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) case is a risk factor for active and latent TB. The objective of this study is to determine the contact tracing yield using two different programmatic definitions of close contact in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. METHODS: This is a retrospective quasi-experimental study. Data were obtained by reviewing the medical records from TB index cases and their close contacts admitted to the Outpatient TB Clinic of the Institute of Thoracic Diseases, University of Rio de Janeiro. From January 2001 to December 2004, a close contact was defined as an individual who shared an enclosed space with a TB index case for a total period of ≥ 100 hours, whereas from January 2005 to December 2008 the definition of close contact was changed to an individual who shared an enclosed space with a TB index case ≥ 4 hours a week. The primary outcome of this study was newly diagnosed pulmonary TB cases and the secondary outcome was the prevalence of latent TB infection (LTBI) among close contacts during both periods. RESULTS: From 2001-2004, 810 close contacts from 257 index cases were evaluated and the prevalence of active TB and LTBI were 2% (16/810) and 62% (496/794), respectively. From 2005-2008, 1,310 close contacts from 369 index cases were identified and the prevalence of active TB and LTBI were 2.7% (35/1,310) and 69% (877/1,275), respectively. There was not a statically significant difference in the detection of active TB (p = 0.3) between the 2 time periods, but the detection of LTBI was significant higher (p = 0.003). The number needed to screen (contacts/new cases) decreased from 50 to 37 and the number need to contact trace (index cases/new cases) decreased from 16 to 10 from 2001-2004 to 2005-2008. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the findings of this study suggest that the less conservative definition of TB close contacts (sharing space ≥ 4 h/week) can be a helpful tool for increasing the rate of diagnosis for newly active pulmonary TB cases and for the detection of LTBI among contacts of active pulmonary TB cases.

Identification of TGF-ß, inhibin ßA and follistatin paralogs in the rainbow trout genome.

Since their initial discovery, TGF-ß superfamily members have been considered multifunctional growth and differentiation factors in many cell types. Various studies have clearly demonstrated the key roles of specific TGF-ß members in muscle growth, including myostatin and inhibin as well as genes, such as follistatin. By binding to TGF-ß members, follistatin prevents TGF-ß from binding to its receptors and thus neutralizes its activity. Here, we report the identification of the gene sequences of four TGF-ß isoforms and three paralogs of TGF-ß1, which we called TGF-ß1a, TGF-ß1b and TGF-ß1c, four sequences of inhibin ßA paralogs; and two sequences of follistatin paralogs from rainbow trout. A phylogenetic analysis clearly indicated the existence of four monophyletic clades, corresponding to TGF-ß1, -ß2, -ß3 and -ß6. Based on their sequence identity TGF-ß1a and -ß1c are grouped together, whereas TGF-ß1b appears more divergent even though it is grouped within the TGF-ß1 clade. Alignments and phylogenetic analyses showed that the protein sequences of TGF-ß, inhibin ßA and follistatin are extremely well conserved (>90%) relative to each other; however, their regulation and expression patterns are different. TGF-ß2 and -ß3 showed the most abundant expression in muscle and were the main TGF-ß members expressed in this tissue. Follistatin and inhibin ßA paralogs were expressed in all tissues examined but with different patterns. Our identification of multiple copies of TGF-ß, inhibin ßA and follistatin with different expression patterns suggests non-redundant functions for these paralogs in rainbow trout.

[Unsafe abortion in Pernambuco State, Brazil, 1996-2006]. / Magnitude do aborto inseguro em Pernambuco, Brasil, 1996 a 2006.

This study estimates the total number of unsafe abortions and the ratio of unsafe abortions to live births in the State of Pernambuco, Brazil, and in the State's micro-regions (GERES) from 1996 to 2006. A descriptive, ecological, time trend study was performed on the ratio of unsafe abortions to live births. The number of hospital admissions from complications of abortions was obtained from the Hospital Information System (SIH/SUS). The Alan Guttmacher Institute methodology was used to estimate the number of unsafe abortions. The majority of admissions and estimated unsafe abortions occurred in the 1st and 4th GERES. As for the ratio of unsafe abortions to live births, there was an upward trend in the 2nd, 4th, 7th, 9th, 10th, and 11th GERES and a decrease in the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 6th, and 8th GERES, but the trends were only statistically significant in the 1st,5th, 10th, and 11th GERES. In conclusion, Pernambuco showed a high abortion-related hospitalization rate from 1996 to 2007. The estimated number of unsafe abortions was high, with an average of 56,457 per year, 4,705 per month, or 157 per day.

[Evaluation of the capacity for governance of a State Health Department in monitoring and evaluation of basic health care provision--lessons learned]. / Avaliação da capacidade de governo de uma secretaria estadual de saúde para o monitoramento e avaliação da Atenção Básica: lições relevantes.

The decentralization of the SUS requires state health departments to assume new powers as the monitoring and evaluation of Basic Care. This article aims to evaluate the "capacity for governance" of a State Health Northeastern Brazilian Department in monitoring and evaluation of Basic Care. From the technical cooperation held via component III of Proesf, key health care managers were interviewed, strategical documents were analyzed, and participatory observation of activities was carried out at a training centre, with a "contend analysis" procedure. Among the results, are: absence of "government project", problems of physical infrastructure, human resources and material, with low professional qualification in the use of information systems, monitoring and evaluation, and strategic planning, promoting and fragile bureaucratic work use of epidemiological data. In 2006, the Department used federal resources to strengthen the monitoring and evaluation of primary care by expanding its physical infrastructure, acquiring equipment and training for staff, without investing its own resource. To conclude, the Health Department has experienced difficulties in adjusting to decentralization, with the introduction of new working procedures into the institution.

Characteristics of in-shell Brazil nuts and their relationship to aflatoxin contamination: criteria for sorting.

External characteristics of in-shell Brazil nuts were evaluated for dimensions (length and face width), weight, chromaticity, and shell thickness. The internal characteristics evaluated were moisture content (mc), aflatoxin contamination (analyzed by LC-MS/MS), and shell/nut ratio. According to their length, Brazil nuts were classified in three groups: I, II, and III, corresponding to large, medium, and small sizes, respectively. It was possible to establish the following parameters as standards for normal/healthy nuts: length (53.2, 43.9, and 36.6 mm), weight (12.9, 8.8, and 6.3 g), and shell chromaticity components (L*, 38.3, 39.5, and 41.6; a*, 8.0, 7.9, and 7.8; and b*, 17.6, 18.0, and 18.7), for the three groups, respectively. The mean of shell thicknesses were 1.92 and 2.68 mm taken from each face and nut top. The nuts, classified as small (Group III), presented aflatoxin B1 contamination at a level of 5.62 microg/kg. The Groups shell/nut ratios were 1.2, 1.2, and 1.3 for normal whole and healthy nuts. No aflatoxin was detected in Groups I and II. The data obtained from the Brazil nut measured characteristics can help to distinguish healthy/safe and deteriorated nuts and will be useful for Brazil nut sorting and machine development.

Effects of Lantana camara (Verbenaceae) on rat fertility.

Lantana camara, widely used in folk medicine, possesses several pharmacological properties, including antipyretic, antimicrobial and antimutagenic properties. Lantana poisoning causes livestock mortality and morbidity; and also has adverse effects on humans working in lantana-infested forests, pastures or orchards. We examined the effects of a hydroalcoholic extract from Lantana camara var aculeata leaves on fertility of male rats. The extract did not interfere with overall weight or internal organ weights, but interfered with sperm count, daily sperm production and sperm morphology in a dose-dependent manner.