1H NMR spectroscopy as a tool to probe potential biomarkers of the drying-salting process: A proof-of-concept study with the Amazon fish pirarucu.

Dry-salted pirarucu (Arapaima gigas) plays an important cultural role in the Amazon region - South America. In this study, we explored the changes in the chemical composition of pirarucu meat following the drying-salting process via 1H NMR spectroscopy. Combining multivariate and univariate statistical analyses yielded a robust differentiation of metabolites involved in the process. VIP score (>1), p-value (<0.05), and AUC (>0.7) were considered to selecting compounds that had significant fluctuations in their contents along the process. Our results pointed out acetate, lactate, succinate, and creatinine as metabolites undergoing significant changes during the drying-salting process. Creatinine was not detected in fresh samples. The investigation of multiple components delves deeper into the molecular nuances of the salting-drying process's impact on fish meat, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the possible chemical transformations and how the matrix's quality control and nutritional aspects should be addressed.

A New Murine Undernutrition Model Based on Complementary Feeding of Undernourished Children Causes Damage to the Morphofunctional Intestinal Epithelium Barrier.

BACKGROUND: Complementary feeding is critical in establishing undernutrition. However, experimental undernourished diets do not represent the amount of nutrients in the complementary diets of undernourished children. OBJECTIVES: To develop, validate, and evaluate the impact of a new murine model of undernutrition on the intestinal epithelium, based on the complementary diet of undernourished children from 7 countries with low-socioeconomic power belonging to the Malnutrition-Enteric Diseases (MAL-ED) cohort study. METHODS: We used the difference in the percentage of energy, macronutrients, fiber and zinc in the complementary diet of children without undernutrition compared with stunting (height-for-age Z-score < -2) for the MAL-ED diet formulation. Subsequently, C57BL/6 mice were fed a control diet (AIN-93M diet) or MAL-ED diet for 28 d. Weight was measured daily; body composition was measured every 7 d; lactulose:mannitol ratio (LM) and morphometry were evaluated on days 7 and 28; the cotransport test and analysis of intestinal transporters and tight junctions were performed on day 7. RESULTS: The MAL-ED diet presented -8.03% energy, -37.46% protein, -24.20% lipid, -10.83% zinc, +5.93% carbohydrate, and +45.17% fiber compared with the control diet. This diet rapidly reduced weight gain and compromised body growth and energy reserves during the chronic period (P < 0.05). In the intestinal epithelial barrier, this diet caused an increase in the LM (P < 0.001) and reduced (P < 0.001) the villous area associated with an increase in FAT/CD36 in the acute period and increased (P < 0.001) mannitol excretion in the chronic period. CONCLUSIONS: The MAL-ED diet induced undernutrition in mice, resulting in acute damage to the integrity of the intestinal epithelial barrier and a subsequent increase in the intestinal area during the chronic period. This study introduces the first murine model of undernutrition for the complementary feeding phase, based on data from undernourished children in 7 different countries.

Microstructural brain abnormalities, fatigue, and cognitive dysfunction after mild COVID-19.

Although some studies have shown neuroimaging and neuropsychological alterations in post-COVID-19 patients, fewer combined neuroimaging and neuropsychology evaluations of individuals who presented a mild acute infection. Here we investigated cognitive dysfunction and brain changes in a group of mildly infected individuals. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 97 consecutive subjects (median age of 41 years) without current or history of psychiatric symptoms (including anxiety and depression) after a mild infection, with a median of 79 days (and mean of 97 days) after diagnosis of COVID-19. We performed semi-structured interviews, neurological examinations, 3T-MRI scans, and neuropsychological assessments. For MRI analyses, we included a group of non-infected 77 controls. The MRI study included white matter (WM) investigation with diffusion tensor images (DTI) and functional connectivity with resting-state functional MRI (RS-fMRI). The patients reported memory loss (36%), fatigue (31%) and headache (29%). The quantitative analyses confirmed symptoms of fatigue (83% of participants), excessive somnolence (35%), impaired phonemic verbal fluency (21%), impaired verbal categorical fluency (13%) and impaired logical memory immediate recall (16%). The WM analyses with DTI revealed higher axial diffusivity values in post-infected patients compared to controls. Compared to controls, there were no significant differences in the functional connectivity of the posterior cingulum cortex. There were no significant correlations between neuropsychological scores and neuroimaging features (including DTI and RS-fMRI). Our results suggest persistent cognitive impairment and subtle white matter abnormalities in individuals mildly infected without anxiety or depression symptoms. The longitudinal analyses will clarify whether these alterations are temporary or permanent.

Multipartite entanglement encoded in the photon-number basis by sequential excitation of a three-level system.

We propose a general scheme to generate entanglement encoded in the photon-number basis, via a sequential resonant two-photon excitation of a three-level system. We apply it to the specific case of a quantum dot three-level system, which can emit a photon pair through a biexciton-exciton cascade. The state generated in our scheme constitutes a tool for secure communication, as the multipartite correlations present in the produced state may provide an enhanced rate of secret communication with respect to a perfect GHZ state.

Chromosomal characterization of three species of Serrasalmini (Serrasalmidae: Characiformes).

The tribe Serrasalmini is a diverse group with paraphyletic genera and taxonomic uncertainties. Several studies have been carried out in this group of fish in order to understand this problem, including the cytogenetic approach. In this study, three species of a clade of Serrasalmini were characterized cytogenetically - Pristobrycon striolatus, Catoprion absconditus and Pygopristis denticulatus. The three species presented diploid number (2n) equal to 62 chromosomes, of one and two arms, with karyotypic formulas and species-specific fundamental numbers. Heterochromatin is centromeric and terminal (bi-telomeric) in most chromosomes, with a conspicuous interstitial block at pair 1 (m) in all three species. The nucleolar organizer regions were multiple and C-band positive, and their location was confirmed via 18S ribosomal DNA mapping; however, with additional sites. The 5S rDNA was located in interstitial region of long arm of pair 1 (m), in the three species (homeologous). Moreover, we observed synteny between 18S and 5S in the species C. absconditus and P. denticulatus, which, according to fiber-FISH, are interspersed. Thus, the maintenance of 2n (62) evidences the diversification of chromosomal formulas within the clade by non-Robertsonian rearrangements and reflects the paraphyly of the related species.

1H NMR-based metabolic profile and chemometric analysis for the discrimination of Passiflora species genotypic variations.

The species of the genus Passiflora (Passifloraceae family) have been used as food, cosmetic and traditional herbal. As a result, the Passiflora species are widely cultivated and has an economic, medicinal and ornamental importance. The popular designation as "passion fruit" and chemical profile of several Passiflora species remains unknown. The lack of chemical information contributes to the erroneous classification and adulteration. In recent years, special attention has been paid to the bioactivity and phytochemical profiles of several Passiflora species extracts. In this research, 1H NMR-based metabolic profiling coupled with chemometric tools was used to characterize and distinguish extracts obtained from different wild Passiflora species (P. alata, P. cincinnata, and P. setacea) and genetic varieties (P. alata var. BRS Pérola do Cerrado, P. cincinnata var. BRS Sertão Forte, and P. setacea var. BRS Pérola do Cerrado). Fourteen metabolites were identified by 1D and 2D NMR experiments, highlighting the presence of fatty acids, carbohydrates, saponins, alkaloids, and mainly C-glycosidic flavones. Principal components analysis (PCA) allowed discrimination of Passiflora extracts, which the quadranguloside, oleanolic acid-3-sophoroside, α-glucose, ß-glucose, and vitexin-2-O"-rhamnoside were relevant in the differentiation of P. alata and P. alata var. BRS Pérola do Cerrado, while the flavones isovitexin and isovitexin-2-O"-xyloside were dominant in the grouping of P. setacea and P. setacea var. BRS Pérola do Cerrado, and finally P. cincinnata and P. cincinnata var. BRS Sertão Forte grouped by the influence of the fatty acids, sucrose, flavones (isoorientin and vitexin-2-O"-xyloside), and trigonelline. The varieties of P. setacea, and P. cincinnata are chemically equivalent to the original Passiflora species. However, the PCA analysis showed that the genetic variety of P. alata occupied a different position in the scores plot provoked mainly by the presence of oleanolic acid-3-sophoroside. The 1H NMR metabolic profile can be efficient for quality control evaluation, and can contribute to the investigation of new alternatives for official Passiflora herbal medicines.

Generation of Maximally Entangled Long-Lived States with Giant Atoms in a Waveguide.

In this Letter, we show how to efficiently generate entanglement between two artificial giant atoms with photon-mediated interactions in a waveguide. Taking advantage of the adjustable decay processes of giant atoms into the waveguide and of the interference processes, spontaneous sudden birth of entanglement can be strongly enhanced with giant atoms. Highly entangled states can also be generated in the steady-state regime when the system is driven by a resonant classical field. We show that the statistics of the light emitted by the system can be used as a witness of the presence of entanglement in the system, since giant photon bunching is observed close to the regime of maximal entanglement. Given the degree of quantum correlations incoherently generated in this system, our results open a broad avenue for the generation of quantum correlations and manipulation of photon statistics in systems of giant atoms.

1H HR-MAS NMR chemical profile and chemometric analysis as a tool for quality control of different cultivars of green tea (Camellia sinensis).

Green tea is a product obtained from the processing of fresh leaves of Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze species. In this study, the influence of climatic parameters on the chemical composition of green tea cultivars ('Yabukita' and 'Yutakamidori') over the harvest was evaluated using HR-MAS NMR. 'Yabukita' showed higher concentrations of epicatechin while higher amounts of theanine and caffeine were found in 'Yutakamidori'. The decline of theanine was associated with high average maximum temperature and solar radiation index, this latter also seemed to be responsible for relevant changes in epicatechin concentrations. It was not possible to associate any trend between climatic parameters and caffeine concentration. Fluctuations in linolenic acid concentration were monitored during the harvest period and were associated with the plant's defense mechanism. Monitoring of green tea over seasons and correlating the fluctuations of compounds to climatic parameters might become an efficient strategy for establishing quality standards for green teas.

Localization effects in disordered quantum batteries.

We investigate the effect of localization on the local charging of quantum batteries (QBs) modeled by disordered spin systems. Two distinct schemes based on the transverse-field random Ising model are considered, with Ising couplings defined on a Chimera graph and on a linear chain with up to next-to-nearest-neighbor interactions. By adopting a low-energy demanding charging process driven by local fields only, we obtain that the maximum extractable energy by unitary processes (ergotropy) is highly enhanced in the ergodic phase in comparison with the many-body localization (MBL) scenario. As we turn off the next-to-nearest-neighbor interactions in the Ising chain, we have the onset of the Anderson localization phase. We then show that the Anderson phase exhibits a hybrid behavior, interpolating between large and small ergotropy as the disorder strength is increased. We also consider the splitting of total ergotropy into its coherent and incoherent contributions. This incoherent part implies in a residual ergotropy that is fully robust against dephasing, which is a typical process leading to the self-discharging of the battery in a real setup. Our results are experimentally feasible in scalable systems, such as in superconducting integrated circuits.

NMR spectroscopy spotlighting immunogenicity induced by COVID-19 vaccination to mitigate future health concerns.

In this review, the disease and immunogenicity affected by COVID-19 vaccination at the metabolic level are described considering the use of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy for the analysis of different biological samples. Consistently, we explain how different biomarkers can be examined in the saliva, blood plasma/serum, bronchoalveolar-lavage fluid (BALF), semen, feces, urine, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and breast milk. For example, the proposed approach for the given samples can allow one to detect molecular biomarkers that can be relevant to disease and/or vaccine interference in a system metabolome. The analysis of the given biomaterials by NMR often produces complex chemical data which can be elucidated by multivariate statistical tools, such as PCA and PLS-DA/OPLS-DA methods. Moreover, this approach may aid to improve strategies that can be helpful in disease control and treatment management in the future.

Quantum Wheatstone Bridge.

We propose a quantum Wheatstone bridge as a fully quantum analog to the classical version. The bridge is a few-body boundary-driven spin chain exploiting quantum effects to gain an enhanced sensitivity to an unknown coupling. The sensitivity is explained by a drop in population of an entangled Bell state due to destructive interference as the controllable coupling approaches the unknown coupling. A simple criterion for the destructive interference is found, and an approximate expression for the width of the drop is derived. The sensitivity to the unknown coupling is quantified using the quantum Fisher information, and we show that the state of the bridge can be measured indirectly through the spin current. Our results are robust toward calibration errors and generic in the sense that several of the current state-of-the-art quantum platforms could be used as a means of realization. The quantum Wheatstone bridge may thus find use in fields such as sensing and metrology using near-term quantum devices.

Enhancing self-discharging process with disordered quantum batteries.

One of the most important devices emerging from quantum technology are quantum batteries. However, self-discharging, the process of charge wasting of quantum batteries due to decoherence phenomenon, limits their performance, measured by the concept of ergotropy and half-life time of the quantum battery. The effects of local field fluctuation, introduced by the disorder term in the Hamiltonian of the system, on the performance of the quantum batteries is investigated in this paper. The results reveal that the disorder term could compensate disruptive effects of the decoherence, i.e., self-discharging, and hence improve the performance of the quantum battery via "incoherent gain of ergotropy" procedure. Adjusting the strength of the disorder parameter to a proper value and choosing a suitable initial state of the quantum battery, the amount of free ergotropy, defined with respect to the free Hamiltonian, could exceed the amount of initial stored ergotropy. In addition harnessing the degree of the disorder parameter could help to enhance the half-life time of the quantum battery. This study opens perspective to further investigation of the performance of quantum batteries that explore disorder and many-body effects.

Validation of a Lateral Flow Test for the Presumptive Identification of the Presence of Burkholderia mallei or Burkholderia pseudomallei in Environmental Samples.

We conducted a comprehensive, multiphase laboratory evaluation of InBios Active Melioidosis Detect (AMD) rapid test, a lateral flow immunoassay designed to detect capsular polysaccharides produced by Burkholderia mallei or Burkholderia pseudomallei, used in conjunction with the Omni Array Reader (OAR) for the rapid detection of B mallei or B pseudomallei in environmental (nonclinical) samples at 2 sites. The limit of detection, using reference strains B mallei strain ATCC 23344 and B pseudomallei strain ATCC 11668, was determined to be 103 to 104 CFU/mL. In different phases of the evaluation, inclusivity strains that included geographically diverse strains of B mallei (N = 13) and B pseudomallei (N = 22), geographically diverse phylogenetic near neighbor strains (N = 66), environmental background strains (N = 64), white powder samples (N = 26), and environmental filter extracts (N = 1 pooled sample from 10 filter extracts) were also tested. A total of 1,753 tests were performed, which included positive and negative controls. Visual and OAR results showed that the AMD test detected 92.3% of B mallei and 95.5% of B pseudomallei strains. Of the 66 near-neighbor strains tested, cross-reactivity was observed with only B stabilis 2008724195 and B thailandensis 2003015869. Overall, the specificity and sensitivity were 98.8% and 98.7%, respectively. The results of this evaluation support the use of the AMD test as a rapid, qualitative assay for the presumptive detection of B mallei and B pseudomallei in suspicious environmental samples such as white powders and aerosol samples by first responders and laboratory personnel.

Rapid Presumptive Identification of Burkholderia mallei and Burkholderia pseudomallei Clinical Isolates Using a Highly Specific Lateral Flow Assay.

We conducted a comprehensive, multiphase laboratory evaluation of the InBios Active Melioidosis Detect (AMD) rapid test, a lateral flow immunoassay designed to detect capsular polysaccharides produced by Burkholderia mallei or Burkholderia pseudomallei, used in conjunction with the Omni Array Reader for the rapid identification of culture isolates of B mallei or B pseudomallei to support clinical diagnosis for response and triage during a mass casualty event, such as a biological attack. The study was conducted at 2 sites to assess the performance of the AMD test. The sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility of the assay was determined using 5 replicates of 35 inclusivity strains and 64 clinical background strains. A total of 520 tests were performed, which included both positive and negative controls. Results obtained visually and with the Omni Array Reader showed a sensitivity of 92.3% for B mallei and 95.6% for B pseudomallei; no cross-reactivity was observed with any of the 64 clinical background organisms. The results from this study indicate that the AMD test for the presumptive identification of B mallei and B pseudomallei isolates to support clinical diagnosis is highly robust, specific, and sensitive. This evaluation supports the use of this test as a rapid, qualitative assay for the presumptive identification of B mallei and B pseudomallei in a clinical setting.

Exergy of passive states: Waste energy after ergotropy extraction.

Work extraction protocol is always a significant issue in the context of quantum batteries, in which the notion of ergotropy is used to quantify a particular amount of energy that can be extracted through unitary processes. Given the total amount of energy stored in a quantum system, quantifying wasted energy after the ergotropy extraction is a question to be considered when undesired coupling with thermal reservoirs is taken into account. In this paper, we show that some amount of energy can be lost when we extract ergotropy from a quantum system and quantified by the exergy of passive states. Through a particular example, one shows that ergotropy extraction can be done by preserving the quantum correlations of a quantum system. Our study opens the perspective for new advances in open system quantum batteries able to explore exergy stored as quantum correlations.

Quantum advantage of two-level batteries in the self-discharging process.

Devices that use quantum advantages for storing energy in the degree of freedom of quantum systems have drawn attention due to their properties of working as quantum batteries (QBs). However, one can identify a number of problems that need to be adequately solved before the start of a real manufacturing process of these devices. In particular, it is important to pay attention to the ability of quantum batteries in storing energy when no consumption center is connected to them. In this paper, by considering quantum batteries disconnected from external charging fields and consumption center, we study the dissipative effects that lead to charge leakage to the surrounding environment. We identify this phenomena as a self-discharging of QBs, in analogy to the inherent decay of the stored charge of conventional classical batteries in a open-circuit configuration. The performance of QBs compared to the classical counterpart is highlighted for single- and multicell quantum batteries.

Factors associated with stress, anxiety, and depression during social distancing in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of clinical signs and symptoms of severe/extreme stress, anxiety, and depression, as well as their associated factors, among Brazilians during social distancing. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study conducted in April/May 2020 with 3,200 Brazilians over 18 years old. Respondents' sociodemographic and clinical data were collected using an online questionnaire, which also included the 21-item Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) to assess emotional symptoms. Unadjusted and adjusted prevalence ratios and their respective 95% confidence intervals were estimated using Poisson regression models with robust variance. RESULTS: Our results show the prevalence of severe/extreme stress was 21.5%, anxiety 19.4%, and depression 21.5%. In the final model, sociodemographic, clinical, and Covid-19-related factors were associated with severe/extreme stress, anxiety, and depression in Brazilians during social distancing due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We found the main factors associated with severe/extreme depression to be young women, brown, single, not religious, sedentary, presenting reduced leisure activities, history of anxiety and depression, increased medication use, and Covid-19 symptoms. CONCLUSION: This study may help develop and systematically plan measures aimed to prevent, early identify, and properly manage clinical signs and symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression during the Covid-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 in Brazil: spatial risk, social vulnerability, human development, clinical manifestations and predictors of mortality - a retrospective study with data from 59 695 individuals.

Brazil ranks second in the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 worldwide. In spite of this, coping measures differ throughout the national territory, as does the disease's impact on the population. This cross-sectional observational study, with 59 695 cases of COVID-19 registered in the state of Alagoas between March and August 2020, analysed clinical-epidemiological variables, incidence rate, mortality rate, case fatality rate (CFR) and the social indicators municipal human development index (MHDI) and social vulnerability index (SVI). Moran statistics and regression models were applied. Logistic regression analysis was applied to determine the predictors of death. The incidence rate was 1788.7/100 000 inhabitants; mortality rate was 48.0/100 000 and CFR was 2.7%. The highest incidence rates were observed in municipalities with better human development (overall MHDI (I = 0.1668; p = 0.002), education MHDI (I = 0.1649; p = 0.002) and income MHDI (I = 0.1880; p = 0.005)) and higher social vulnerability (overall SVI (I = 0.0599; p = 0.033)). CFR was associated with higher social vulnerability (SVI human capital (I = 0.0858; p = 0.004) and SVI urban infrastructure (I = 0.0985; p = 0.040)). Of the analysed cases, 55.4% were female; 2/3 were Black or Brown and the median age was 41 years. Among deaths, most were male (919; 57.4%) and elderly (1171; 73.1%). The predictors of death were male sex, advanced age and the presence of comorbidities. In Alagoas, Brazil, the disease has undergone a process of interiorisation and caused more deaths in poorer municipalities. The presence of comorbidities and advanced age were predictors of death.