Physical Fitness Surveillance and Monitoring Systems Inventory for Children and Adolescents: A Scoping Review with a Global Perspective.

Surveillance of health-related physical fitness can improve decision-making and intervention strategies promoting health for children and adolescents. However, no study has comprehensively analyzed surveillance/monitoring systems for physical fitness globally. This review sought to address this gap by identifying: (1) national-level surveillance/monitoring systems for physical fitness among children and adolescents globally, (2) the main barriers and challenges to implementing surveillance/monitoring systems, and (3) governmental actions related to existing surveillance/monitoring systems. We used a scoping review to search, obtain, group, summarize, and analyze available evidence. Our review involved three stages: (1) identification of surveillance systems through a systematic literature review, with complementary search of the grey literature (e.g., reference lists, Google Scholar, webpages, recommendations), (2) systematic consultation with relevant experts using a Delphi method to confirm/add systems and to gather and analyze information on the barriers and challenges to implementing systems, and (3) Web searches for public documents on government sites and surveillance/monitoring system pages, and direct internet searches to identify relevant governmental actions related to surveillance systems. A total of 15 fitness surveillance/monitoring systems met our inclusion criteria. Experts identified a lack of government support and funding, and the low priority of fitness on the public health agenda as the main barriers/challenges to implementation. Several governmental actions related to surveillance systems were identified, including policies, strategies, programs, and guidelines. We propose a Global Observatory of Physical Fitness to help address these issues.

Fullerene-C60 and PCBM as interlayers in regular and inverted lead-free PSCs using CH3NH3SnI3: an analysis of device performance and defect density dependence by SCAPS-1D.

One of the challenges hindering the commercialization of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is the presence of toxic metals such as lead in their composition. Simulation studies using SCAPS-1D have already been conducted on lead-free PSCs to find optimized solar cell parameters, having tin as the primary candidate for replacing lead in perovskites. Here, we used fullerene-C60 and its derivative PCBM as interlayers in a lead-free tin-based PSC between the ETL (ZnO) and the perovskite MASI in both regular and inverted configurations of PSCs using SCAPS-1D software. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first simulation study reporting the impact of using fullerene-C60 and PCBM as interlayers in lead-free PSCs. The defect density (Nt) of the perovskite material is varied, allowing us to observe its influence on the power conversion efficiency (PCE). Using an Nt value of 1017 cm-3 without the interlayer, the PCE was 6.90% and 3.72% for regular and inverted devices. Using PCBM as an interlayer improves the efficiency of both simulated PSCs, achieving a maximum PCE of 8.11% and 5.26% for the regular and inverted configurations, respectively. Decreasing the Nt from 1017 cm-3 to 1016 cm-3 caused a significant increase in efficiency, reaching 13.38% (n-i-p) and 10.00% (p-i-n). Finally, using the optimized parameters and an ideal Nt value (1013 cm-3), both PSCs achieved a PCE close to 30%.

Evaluation of blastocyst re-expansion, quality in relation to storage temperature, and sexing using blastocoel fluid after manual perforation with a hand-held needle involving in vivo produced equine embryos.

The present study was designed to evaluate equine blastocyst re-expansion rate, quality, and sex following perforation of the blastocoel, collection of blastocoel fluid (BF), and PCR amplification of free DNA. Experiment 1 tested the feasibility of the BF sample collection with a hand-held, small-gauged needle (26g) and subsequent PCR amplification of the TSP-Y gene for males and AMEL-Y gene for males and AMEL-X gene for females. Experiment 2 tested the application of the technique. Equine embryos were collected via uterine flushes 8d after ovulation. Thereafter, embryos (n = 19) were initially assessed and transferred to a 50 µL droplet of holding medium in which the blastocoel was manually perforated as in Experiment 1. Within 1 min of detecting a diameter decrease or collapse, the entire volume of each droplet of medium was collected and stored at -20 °C until PCR. In Experiment 1, amplification of the TSP-Y gene was positive for males at 60% (9/15) and negative for females at 40% (6/15). In Experiment 2, a total of 42 embryos were randomly assigned to a collapsed embryo (CE) or intact embryo (IE) groups and stored at room temperature (RT, 25 °C) or cold temperature (CT, 5 °C) for 24h as follows: 1) CERT, n = 11; 2) CECT n = 11; 3) IERT, n = 10; and 4) IECT, n = 10. After 24h, embryo diameter and quality were reassessed. For all collapsed embryos (n = 19), blastocoel fluid was subjected to double PCR amplification of the TSPY gene with blood from adult male and female horses as controls. Positive gene amplification indicated 57.9% (11/19) of embryos were male and negative amplification indicated 31.6% (6/19) of embryos were female. Relative to the least diameter (0%) after perforation of collapsed embryos or fullest diameter (100%) of intact embryos at T0, percentage change in diameter and quality Grade 1 or 2 embryos after 24h of storage for all groups were, respectively: 31.2% and 54% for CERT group, 28.2% and 0% for CECT group, 25.9% and 100% for IERT group, 4.3% and 80% for IECT group, respectively. Thus, needle-induced leakage and collapse of the blastocoel at T0 resulted in a high rate of blastocyst re-expansion (69%) with many embryos (54%) achieving good quality at T24 with potential for transfer as either male or female embryos. For both collapsed and intact embryos, it was observed that storage for 24h at room temperature (25 °C) was associated with improved embryo growth and morphological quality compared to storage at cold temperature (5 °C).

Baseline metal and metalloid contamination in two marine sponge species, Hymeniacidon heliophila and Desmapsamma anchorata, from southeastern Brazil.

Sponges are not routinely employed as metal bioindicators in Brazil. In this sense, this study reports baseline metal and metalloid concentrations, determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, for two Demospongiae sponge species, Hymeniacidon heliophila and Desmapsamma anchorata, sampled from two Southeastern Brazil areas. Sponges from Ilha Grande Bay, an Environmental Protection Area, exhibited higher Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Fe, and Ni levels compared to Vermelha Beach, a metropolitan area in the Rio de Janeiro city. Several strong correlations were noted between elemental pairs, indicating common contamination sources and/or similar metabolic detoxification routes. Comparisons of the means determined herein for each study site to other reports indicate mostly lower Ag, As, Co, Cd, and Cu levels, while Al levels were higher than other studies, and Cr, Ni, and Fe were within reported ranges. These baseline data further knowledge on metal pollution in Desmspongiae members, which are still limited.

Are more physical education classes related to less time in leisure-time sedentary behavior? An analysis including adolescents from 73 countries.

This study aimed to verify the association between the weekly frequency of physical education (PE) classes and leisure sitting time among adolescents. We analyzed data from 73 countries using the Global School-based Student Health Survey (283,233 adolescents between 11 and 18 years of age). Leisure sitting time and weekly frequency of PE classes were self-reported. Sex, age, and food insecurity were used as covariates and the analyses were stratified by world regions and country income level. Poisson regression models (random-effects meta-analysis) were used for the main analyses. In comparison with 1 PE class per week (reference group), those with no PE classes presented a lower prevalence of ≥ 3 h/d of leisure sitting time (PR [95%CI] = 0.94 [0.91; 0.98]). On the other hand, adolescents with 2 days (PR [95%CI] = 1.06 [1.02; 1.26]), 3-4 days (PR [95%CI] = 1.17 [1.12; 1.22]), and 5 days (PR [95%CI] = 1.08 [1.04; 1.11]) of PE classes presented a higher likelihood of ≥ 3 h/d of leisure sitting time. No clear differences were observed for the different world regions and country income levels. We conclude that a higher weekly frequency of PE classes is associated with increased leisure sitting time among adolescents worldwide.

Immobilization of the metagenomic lipase, LipG9, on porous pellets of poly-hydroxybutyrate produced by the double emulsion solvent evaporation technique.

This work aimed to produce porous poly-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) pellets in order to evaluate the pellets as a support for immobilization of the metagenomic lipase, LipG9. Four types of pelletized PHB particles with different morphological characteristics were obtained using the double emulsion and solvent evaporation technique (DESE). The micropores of these PHB pellets had similar average diameters (about 3 nm), but the pellets had different specific surface areas: 11.7 m2 g-1 for the PHB powder, 8.4 m2  g-1 for the control pellets (Ø < 0.5 mm, produced without the pore forming agent), 10.0 m2  g-1 for the small pellets (Ø < 0.5 mm), 9.5 m2  g-1 for the medium pellets (0.5 < Ø < 0.8 mm) and 8.4 m2  g-1 for the large pellets (Ø > 1.4 mm). Purified LipG9 was immobilized by adsorption on these pellets, and the results were compared with those obtained with PHB powder. The highest immobilization yield (83%) was obtained for the medium PHB pellets, followed by large (76%) and small (55%) PHB pellets. The activity of LipG9 immobilized on the pellets, for the synthesis of ethyl oleate in n-hexane, was highest for the medium pellets (22 U g-1 ). The immobilization yield was high for PHB powder (99%) but the esterification activity was slightly lower (20 U g-1 ). These results show that pelletized PHB beads can be used for the immobilization of lipases, with the advantage that pelletized PHB will perform better than PHB powder in large-scale enzyme bioreactors.

EasyGuide Plasmids Support in Vivo Assembly of gRNAs for CRISPR/Cas9 Applications in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Most CRISPR/Cas9 applications in yeast rely on a plasmid-based expression of Cas9 and its guide RNA (gRNA) containing a 20-nucleotides (nts) spacer tailored to each genomic target. The lengthy assembly of this customized gRNA requires at least 3-5 days for its precloning in Escherichia coli, purification, validation, and cotransformation with Cas9 into a yeast strain. Here, we constructed a series of 12 EasyGuide plasmids to simplify CRISPR/Cas9 applications in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The new vectors provide templates for generating PCR fragments that can assemble up to six functional gRNAs directly into yeasts via homologous recombination between the 20-nts spacers. By dispensing precloning in E. coli, yeast in vivo gRNA assembly significantly reduces the CRISPR/Cas9 experimental workload. A highly efficient yeast genome editing procedure, involving PCR amplification of gRNAs and donors, followed by their transformation into a Cas9-expressing strain, can be easily accomplished through a quick protocol.

Non-target molecular network and putative genes of flavonoid biosynthesis in Erythrina velutina Willd., a Brazilian semiarid native woody plant.

Erythrina velutina is a Brazilian native tree of the Caatinga (a unique semiarid biome). It is widely used in traditional medicine showing anti-inflammatory and central nervous system modulating activities. The species is a rich source of specialized metabolites, mostly alkaloids and flavonoids. To date, genomic information, biosynthesis, and regulation of flavonoids remain unknown in this woody plant. As part of a larger ongoing research goal to better understand specialized metabolism in plants inhabiting the harsh conditions of the Caatinga, the present study focused on this important class of bioactive phenolics. Leaves and seeds of plants growing in their natural habitat had their metabolic and proteomic profiles analyzed and integrated with transcriptome data. As a result, 96 metabolites (including 43 flavonoids) were annotated. Transcripts of the flavonoid pathway totaled 27, of which EvCHI, EvCHR, EvCHS, EvCYP75A and EvCYP75B1 were identified as putative main targets for modulating the accumulation of these metabolites. The highest correspondence of mRNA vs. protein was observed in the differentially expressed transcripts. In addition, 394 candidate transcripts encoding for transcription factors distributed among the bHLH, ERF, and MYB families were annotated. Based on interaction network analyses, several putative genes of the flavonoid pathway and transcription factors were related, particularly TFs of the MYB family. Expression patterns of transcripts involved in flavonoid biosynthesis and those involved in responses to biotic and abiotic stresses were discussed in detail. Overall, these findings provide a base for the understanding of molecular and metabolic responses in this medicinally important species. Moreover, the identification of key regulatory targets for future studies aiming at bioactive metabolite production will be facilitated.

Metabolomic profiling of Spathaspora passalidarum fermentations reveals mechanisms that overcome hemicellulose hydrolysate inhibitors.

Understanding the mechanisms involved in tolerance to inhibitors is the first step in developing robust yeasts for industrial second-generation ethanol (E2G) production. Here, we used ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) and MetaboAnalyst 4.0 for analysis of MS data to examine the changes in the metabolic profile of the yeast Spathaspora passalidarum during early fermentation of hemicellulosic hydrolysates containing high or low levels of inhibitors (referred to as control hydrolysate or CH and strategy hydrolysate or SH, respectively). During fermentation of SH, the maximum ethanol production was 16 g L-1 with a yield of 0.28 g g-1 and productivity of 0.22 g L-1 h-1, whereas maximum ethanol production in CH fermentation was 1.74 g L-1 with a yield of 0.11 g g-1 and productivity of 0.01 g L-1 h-1. The high level of inhibitors in CH induced complex physiological and biochemical responses related to stress tolerance in S. passalidarum. This yeast converted compounds with aldehyde groups (hydroxymethylfurfural, furfural, 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, syringaldehyde, and vanillin) into less toxic compounds, and inhibitors were found to reduce cell viability and ethanol production. Intracellularly, high levels of inhibitors altered the energy homeostasis and redox balance, resulting in lower levels of ATP and NADPH, while that of glycolytic, pentose phosphate, and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle pathways were the most affected, being the catabolism of glucogenic amino acids, the main cellular response to inhibitor-induced stress. This metabolomic investigation reveals interesting targets for metabolic engineering of ethanologenic yeast strains tolerant against multiple inhibitors for E2G production. KEY POINTS: • Inhibitors in the hydrolysates affected the yeast's redox balance and energy status. • Inhibitors altered the glycolytic, pentose phosphate, TCA cycle and amino acid pathways. • S. passalidarum converted aldehyde groups into less toxic compounds.

Machine learning and comparative genomics approaches for the discovery of xylose transporters in yeast.

BACKGROUND: The need to mitigate and substitute the use of fossil fuels as the main energy matrix has led to the study and development of biofuels as an alternative. Second-generation (2G) ethanol arises as one biofuel with great potential, due to not only maintaining food security, but also as a product from economically interesting crops such as energy-cane. One of the main challenges of 2G ethanol is the inefficient uptake of pentose sugars by industrial yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the main organism used for ethanol production. Understanding the main drivers for xylose assimilation and identify novel and efficient transporters is a key step to make the 2G process economically viable. RESULTS: By implementing a strategy of searching for present motifs that may be responsible for xylose transport and past adaptations of sugar transporters in xylose fermenting species, we obtained a classifying model which was successfully used to select four different candidate transporters for evaluation in the S. cerevisiae hxt-null strain, EBY.VW4000, harbouring the xylose consumption pathway. Yeast cells expressing the transporters SpX, SpH and SpG showed a superior uptake performance in xylose compared to traditional literature control Gxf1. CONCLUSIONS: Modelling xylose transport with the small data available for yeast and bacteria proved a challenge that was overcome through different statistical strategies. Through this strategy, we present four novel xylose transporters which expands the repertoire of candidates targeting yeast genetic engineering for industrial fermentation. The repeated use of the model for characterizing new transporters will be useful both into finding the best candidates for industrial utilization and to increase the model's predictive capabilities.

Secretome analysis of Trichoderma reesei RUT-C30 and Penicillium oxalicum reveals their synergic potential to deconstruct sugarcane and energy cane biomasses.

The conversion of lignocellulosic polymers into monomeric sugars demands a plethora of enzymatic activities generally not produced by a single microorganism and induced by the carbon source. In this vein, this work investigates the synergy between the enzymes secreted by the cellulolytic model fungi Trichoderma reesei RUT-C30 (TR) and Penicillium oxalicum (PO) to deconstruct sugarcane straw (SCS) and energy cane bagasse (ECB). TR and PO secrete a similar profile of cellulose-active enzymes resulting in a comparable conversion of SCS and ECB into glucose. The synergy between the enzymes produced by both fungi to break down the cellulose fraction becomes evident by the improvement of glucose titers from ~35-54% and from ~10-17% in SCS and ECB conditions, respectively, reached with the mixture of the secretomes of both fungi. The effect of a hemicellulase-enriched secretome produced by TR is particularly seen in SCS where the xylose yield reached ~15% compared to 5% by PO, remaining unaltered following the mixture of secretomes. However, the secretion of enzymes active in the decorations of the main chain polymers possibly aid PO to access the hemicellulose fraction of ECB reaching xylose yields similar to TR in this condition.

Effects of Exercise on Sleep in Older Adults: An Overview of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses.

We aimed to systematically analyze reviews of randomized clinical trials that investigate the overall effect of exercise and of different types of exercise on sleep in older adults. Meta-analysis was performed to obtain the standardized mean difference of the effect of the different types of exercise. Twenty systematic reviews published between 2012 and 2020 met the inclusion criteria of this overview. Moderate significant effects of exercise were observed on overall sleep quality and its subjective components (quality, duration, latency, habitual efficiency, medication use, and daytime dysfunction). Among the types of exercise, sensitivity analysis revealed significant effects of Pilates, Tai Chi, and Baduanjin Qigong on sleep quality. Exercise has a positive effect on sleep quality in older people. Our findings are extremely important, especially for decision makers in the health area, permitting the planning of actions and evidence-based decision making. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020222469.

Properties and Application of Cell-Free DNA as a Clinical Biomarker.

Biomarkers are valuable tools in clinical practice. In 2001, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) standardized the definition of a biomarker as a characteristic that is objectively measured and evaluated as an indicator of normal biological processes, pathogenic processes, or pharmacological responses to a therapeutic intervention. A biomarker has clinical relevance when it presents precision, standardization and reproducibility, suitability to the patient, straightforward interpretation by clinicians, and high sensitivity and/or specificity by the parameter it proposes to identify. Thus, serum biomarkers should have advantages related to the simplicity of the procedures and to the fact that venous blood collection is commonplace in clinical practice. We described the potentiality of cfDNA as a general clinical biomarker and focused on endothelial dysfunction. Circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) refers to extracellular DNA present in body fluid that may be derived from both normal and diseased cells. An increasing number of studies demonstrate the potential use of cfDNA as a noninvasive biomarker to determine physiologic and pathologic conditions. However, although still scarce, increasing evidence has been reported regarding using cfDNA in cardiovascular diseases. Here, we have reviewed the history of cfDNA, its source, molecular features, and release mechanism. We also show recent studies that have investigated cfDNA as a possible marker of endothelial damage in clinical settings. In the cardiovascular system, the studies are quite new, and although interesting, stronger evidence is still needed. However, some drawbacks in cfDNA methodologies should be overcome before its recommendation as a biomarker in the clinical setting.

Exploring metal ion metabolisms to improve xylose fermentation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The development of high-performance xylose-fermenting yeast is essential to achieve feasible conversion of biomass-derived sugars in lignocellulose-based biorefineries. However, engineered C5-strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae still present low xylose consumption rates under anaerobic conditions. Here, we explore alternative metabolisms involved in metal homeostasis, which positively affect C5 fermentation and analyse the non-obvious regulatory network connection of both metabolisms using time-course transcriptome analysis. Our results indicated the vacuolar Fe2+ /Mn2+ transporter CCC1, and the protein involved in heavy metal ion homeostasis BSD2, as promising new targets for rational metabolic engineering strategies, enhancing xylose consumption in nine and 2.3-fold compared with control. Notably, intracellular metal concentration levels were affected differently by mutations and the results were compared with positive controls isu1Δ, a Fe-S cluster scaffold protein, and ssk2Δ, a component of HOG pathway. Temporal expression profiles indicate a metabolic remodelling in response to xylose, demonstrating changes in the main sugar sensing signalling pathways.

Identification of SARS-CoV-2 on the ocular surface in a cohort of COVID-19 patients from Brazil.

In this cross-sectional study, we investigate the presence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Ribonucleic Acid (SARS-CoV-2 RNA) in the tears of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. After laboratory confirmation of SARS-CoV-2 infection by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis, tear samples from both eyes of each patient were collected using conjunctival swab for RT-PCR. Detailed demographic profile, systemic and ocular symptoms, comorbidities, clinical, ancillary, and ocular manifestations were evaluated. Of the 83 patients enrolled in the study, 7 (8.43%) had SARS-CoV-2 RNA detected in the tear samples. Neutrophils' count, C-reactive protein, and D-dimer were higher in patients with SARS-CoV-2 detected in tears than in patients without virus in ocular surface samples. One patient with SARS-CoV-2 in tears showed mild ocular eyelid edema, hyperemia, and chemosis. No relevant ocular manifestations were detected in the other patients. Although the levels of viral RNA on ocular surface samples were low for most patients (5/7), with positivity only for gene N and CT higher than 30, two patients were positive for all viral targets tested (N, E, and RpRd), with viral load near 1 × 105 ePFU/mL, indicating that the ocular transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is a possibility that needs to be considered, especially in the hospital environment. Further studies need to be conducted to demonstrate whether infective viral particles could be isolated from tears.

Rheumatologist perspective of the Brazilian consensus for detection of auto antibodies in HEp-2 CELLS.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the perception of rheumatologists regarding the recommendations of the Brazilian Consensus for detection of Autoantibodies (BCA) on HEp-2 Cells by Indirect Immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and how BCA recommendations help in clinical practice. METHODOLOGY: A structured questionnaire regarding the BCA recommendations for detection and interpretations of autoantibodies in HEp-2 cells was applied to randomly selected rheumatologists. The results were tabulated using the Microsoft® Excel program, expressed as a simple percentage and the dichotomous data were analyzed using the Chi-square test and the Epi Info® program. RESULTS: Four hundred fuorteen rheumatologists participated in the study: 70% of them considered their knowledge of the HEp-2 IFA test satisfactory or excellent, and 43% said they knew the BCA recommendations in general, without distinguishing the edition of the BCA to which they refer. The Revista Brasileira de Rheumatologia/Advances in Rheumatology was the means of dissemination most consulted by specialists (50%). According to the rheumatologists' opinion, the most relevant pattern was the homogeneous nuclear (78%) and 65% stated they were satisfied with the BCA recommendations at a level of satisfaction greater than or equal to 80%. There was no significant difference in the perception of rheumatologists from the several Brazilian geographic regions. CONCLUSION: Brazilian rheumatologists are aware of the BCA guidelines and most are satisfied with the content published, considering that the BCA recommendations assist positively in the clinical practice. Most rheumatologists recognize the patterns associated with rheumatic autoimmune diseases and have used BCA recommendations to interpret the results of the HEp-2 IFA test.

Understanding the differences in 2G ethanol fermentative scales through omics data integration.

In this work, we evaluated the fermentative performance and metabolism modifications of a second generation (2G) industrial yeast by comparing an industrial condition during laboratory and industrial scale fermentations. Fermentations were done using industrial lignocellulosic hydrolysate and a synthetic medium containing inhibitors and analyses were carried out through transcriptomics and proteomics of these experimental conditions. We found that fermentation profiles were very similar, but there was an increase in xylose consumption rate during fermentations using synthetic medium when compared to lignocellulosic hydrolysate, likely due to the presence of unknown growth inhibitors contained in the hydrolysate. We also evaluated the bacterial community composition of the industrial fermentation setting and found that the presence of homofermentative and heterofermentative bacteria did not significantly change the performance of yeast fermentation. In parallel, temporal differentially expressed genes (tDEG) showed differences in gene expression profiles between compared conditions, including heat shocks and the presence of up-regulated genes from the TCA cycle during anaerobic xylose fermentation. Thus, we indicate HMF as a possible electron acceptor in this rapid respiratory process performed by yeast, in addition to demonstrating the importance of culture medium for the performance of yeast within industrial fermentation processes, highlighting the uniquenesses according to scales.

Ethereal Extract of Pepper: Preventing Atherosclerosis and Left Ventricle Remodeling in LDL Receptor Knockout Mice.

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. In this study we compared the effects of oral treatment with red pepper ethereal extracts or simvastatin on dyslipidemia, left ventricle remodeling, and atherosclerotic lesions of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor knockout mice (LDLr-/-) fed a hyperlipidic diet. Forty 3-month-old male mice were distributed into four groups: control (C; animals fed a standard diet), HL (ani-mals fed a hyperlipidic diet), and HL+P or HL+S (animals fed a hyperlipidic diet plus red pepper ethereal extracts or simvastatin, respectively). After 60 days, treatment with both red pepper ethereal extracts and simvastatin prevented dyslipidemia, atherosclerotic lesion progression, and left ventricle hypertrophy. Our results suggest a cardioprotective effect of red pepper ethereal extracts in LDLr-/- mice, which is comparable to the well-known effects of simvastatin.

Erythrina velutina Willd. alkaloids: Piecing biosynthesis together from transcriptome analysis and metabolite profiling of seeds and leaves.

Introduction: Natural products of pharmaceutical interest often do not reach the drug market due to the associated low yields and difficult extraction. Knowledge of biosynthetic pathways is a key element in the development of biotechnological strategies for plant specialized metabolite production. Erythrina species are mainly used as central nervous system depressants in folk medicine and are important sources of bioactive tetracyclic benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs), which can act on several pathology-related biological targets. Objectives: In this sense, in an unprecedented approach used with a non-model Fabaceae species grown in its unique arid natural habitat, a combined transcriptome and metabolome analyses (seeds and leaves) is presented. Methods: The Next Generation Sequencing-based transcriptome (de novo RNA sequencing) was carried out in a NextSeq 500 platform. Regarding metabolite profiling, the High-resolution Liquid Chromatography was coupled to DAD and a micrOTOF-QII mass spectrometer by using electrospray ionization (ESI) and Time of Flight (TOF) analyzer. The tandem MS/MS data were processed and analyzed through Molecular Networking approach. Results: This detailed macro and micromolecular approach applied to seeds and leaves of E. velutina revealed 42 alkaloids, several of them unique. Based on the combined evidence, 24 gene candidates were put together in a putative pathway leading to the singular alkaloid diversity of this species. Conclusion: Overall, these results could contribute by indicating potential biotechnological targets for modulation of erythrina alkaloids biosynthesis as well as improve molecular databases with omic data from a non-model medicinal plant, and reveal an interesting chemical diversity of Erythrina BIA harvested in Caatinga.

Isolation, Identification, and Screening of Lactic Acid Bacteria with Probiotic Potential in Silage of Different Species of Forage Plants, Cocoa Beans, and Artisanal Salami.

The objective of this study was to isolate and characterize lactic acid bacteria with probiotic potential in silages of different species of forage plants, cocoa beans, and artisanal salami. The obtained isolates were submitted to the following evaluations: (i) screening for tolerance to pH 2 and bile salts, (ii) genotypic identification of isolates, (iii) survival in simulated gastric and pancreatic conditions, (iv) antimicrobial activity, (v) antibiotic susceptibility and safety, and (vi) properties associated with adhesion capacity. A total of 82 isolates were obtained and were screened for pH 2.0 tolerance and capacity to growth in the presence of bile salts (1.0 and 2.0%). Only 19 strains simultaneously presented tolerance to pH 2.0 and bile salts. These 19 strains were evaluated for genetic profile by Box-PCR. Subsequently, the selected strains were subjected to partial sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. The species Lactobacillus plantarum was prevalent. The identified strains were evaluated for survival under simulated gastric and pancreatic conditions. Some strains have shown tolerance in both conditions. Different strains showed variations in antimicrobial activity, susceptibility to antibiotics, and properties associated with adhesion (hydrophobicity, autoaggregation, coaggregation, and adhesion to CaCo2 cells). All strains were negative for hemolysis, DNase, gelatinase, and biogenic amine synthesis activity. The L. plantarum SBR64.7 strain can be considered the most promising for it presented the lowest viability reduction when exposed to gastric and pancreatic juices.