In-Scanner Thoughts shape Resting-state Functional Connectivity: how participants "rest" matters.

Resting-state fMRI (rs-fMRI) scans-namely those lacking experimentally-controlled stimuli or cognitive demands-are often used to identify aberrant patterns of functional connectivity (FC) in clinical populations. To minimize interpretational uncertainty, researchers control for across-cohort disparities in age, gender, co-morbidities, and head motion. Yet, studies rarely, if ever, consider the possibility that systematic differences in inner experience (i.e., what subjects think and feel during the scan) may directly affect FC measures. Here we demonstrate that is the case using a rs-fMRI dataset comprising 471 scans annotated with experiential data. Wide-spread significant differences in FC are observed between scans that systematically differ in terms of reported in-scanner experience. Additionally, we show that FC can successfully predict specific aspects of in-scanner experience in a manner similar to how it predicts demographics, cognitive abilities, clinical outcomes and labels. Together, these results highlight the key role of in-scanner experience in shaping rs-fMRI estimates of FC.

The effects of feeding sows at onset of farrowing supplemental energy (blend of carbohydrates and glycerol) on farrowing kinetics and piglet vitality.

Delivering piglets is one of the most energy-demanding activities sows undergo in their lifetime. Sows can have myometrial contractions from 2 to 12 h before the first piglet is expelled as well as a nest-building behavior. Thus, when the first piglet is delivered, the female has already used part of her energy supply. When the sow gets exhausted due to lack of energy, the farrowing process can be interrupted, causing damage to the viability and vitality of the piglets. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of feeding sows an energy supplement at the onset of farrowing on farrowing kinetics and piglet vitality. The energy supplement consisted of a blend of carbohydrates and glycerol which provides 439 kJ of metabolizable energy per kg of metabolic weight. A total of 180 sows were used. At the onset of farrowing, sows were assigned to one of the following treatments: sows that were not supplied energy at the onset of farrowing, serving as controls (CON, n = 85); sows fed the energy supplement at the onset of farrowing (ESP, n = 95). Farrowing kinetics, blood glucose concentration, and piglet vitality were recorded for each sow. Blood glucose concentration was assessed by puncturing the auricular vein and using a portable glucometer at four different time points: after the birth of the 1st piglet (T0), and at 20 (T20), 40 (T40), 80 (T80), and 180 (T180) min after the birth of the 1st piglet. The vitality of the 1st, 6th, 12th, 17th, and 20th piglet born was evaluated using the Apgar score. Piglet birth weight and average colostrum intake were measured. The farrowing duration was 20 min shorter (P < 0.05) for ESP sows in comparison with CON sows. Sows from ESP treatment had higher (P ≤ 0.05) blood glucose concentration at T20 and T40 compared to the CON sows. The inter-piglet birth interval was shortened (P < 0.05) by 14 min between the 1st and 2nd piglet for the ESP treatment. The 17th and 20th piglets born from ESP sows had higher (P < 0.05) Apgar score compared to piglets of the same birth order from CON sows. Colostrum intake was higher (P < 0.01) for piglets born from ESP sows. Litter growth performance did not differ (P > 0.05). In conclusion, feeding a blend of carbohydrates and glycerol as an energy supplement for farrowing sows improved farrowing kinetics and piglet vitality score.

Oswaldocruzia franciscoensis n. sp. (Nematoda: Molineidae) in Leptodactylus macrosternum Miranda-Ribeiro, 1926 (Anura: Leptodactylidae) from Caatinga morphoclimatic domain, Brazil: morphological and molecular characterisation.

A new species of Oswaldocruzia Travassos, 1917 (Nematoda, Molineidae), parasite of Leptodactylus macrosternum Miranda-Ribeiro, 1926 (Anura: Leptodactylidae), from Caatinga morphoclimatic domain, Brazil, is described based on morphological and molecular data. Oswaldocruzia franciscoensis n. sp. is characterised by an anterior extremity with a cephalic vesicle divided into two portions, a body covered by cuticular longitudinal ridges, and cervical alae. Males of the new species have caudal bursa of type I with a 2-1-2 pattern, spicules divided into a shoe, bifurcated fork, and blade with two unequal branches, in which the longer branch bifurcates at its distal portion end and the smaller branch with three distal processes, each with distal bifurcations. Females have didelphic and amphidelphic uteri, an ovijector divided into vestibule, anterior and posterior sphincters, and anterior and posterior infundibula. The new species differs from its Neotropical congeners that have caudal bursa of type I, based on the presence of cervical alae and by having a spicular blade distally divided into two unequal branches, with the longer branch bifurcating at its distal portion and smaller branch with three distal processes, each distally bifurcated. The partial 18S rDNA sequence generated for Oswaldocruzia franciscoensis n. sp. is the first of a representative belonging to this genus in the Neotropical region.

On the structural, electronic, and optical properties of L-histidine crystal: a DFT study.

CONTEXT: The monoclinic L-histidine crystal is critical for protein structure and function and is also found in the myelin of brain nerve cells. This study numerically examines its structural, electronic, and optical properties. Our findings indicate that the L-histidine crystal has an insulating band gap of approximately 4.38 eV. Additionally, electron and hole effective masses range between 3.92[Formula: see text]-15.33[Formula: see text] and 4.16[Formula: see text]-7.53[Formula: see text], respectively. Furthermore, our investigation suggests that the L-histidine crystal is an excellent UV collector due to its strong optical absorption activity for photon energies exceeding 3.5 eV. METHODS: To investigate the structural, electronic, and optical properties of L-histidine crystals, we used the Biovia Materials Studio software to conduct Density Functional Theory (DFT) simulations as implemented in the CASTEP code. Our DFT calculations were performed using the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) as parameterized by the Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof (PBE) exchange-correlation functional, with an additional dispersion energy correction (PBE [Formula: see text] TS) based on the model proposed by Tkatchenko and Scheffler to describe van der Waals interactions. Additionally, we employed the norm-conserving pseudopotential to treat core electrons.

Morphological description and molecular characterization of Ancyracanthus electrophori n. sp. (Gnathostomatoidea: Gnathostomatidae): a new nematode parasitic in the electric eel Electrophorus varii (Gymnotiformes: Gymnotidae), from the Brazilian Amazon.

A new species of Ancyracanthus, parasite of the electric eel Electrophorus varii, in the Brazilian Amazon, is described based on morphological and molecular characterization. Ancyracanthus electrophori n. sp. differs from the two congeners namely, Ancyracanthus pinnatifidus and Ancyracanthus schubarti, based on the structure of cephalic appendages, number and arrangement of caudal papillae in males, vulva very close to anus in females, eggs with smoothly mamillated shell, host taxon and geographical origin. Moreover, the new species is the first in the genus to be described with thorny cuticular rings and to be observed with the use of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The morphology of A. pinnatifidus and A. schubarti is still poorly-known and should be revised in details; however, the separation between them and the new species was clear. Genetic characterization based on 28S rDNA and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (cox1) mtDNA partial sequences, performed for the first time in Acyracanthus, along with phylogenetic reconstructions using both genetic markers, placed Ancyracanthus electrophori n. sp. in a suggestive basal position within Gnathostomatidae. Phylogenetic reconstructions using cox1 sequences also suggested lack of monophyly in the genera Gnathostoma and Spiroxys and, consequently, in the subfamilies Gnathostominae and Spiroxyinae. However, such results are preliminary. With the first genetic characterization and observations using SEM in Ancyracanthus, resulting in the discovery of a new species and in the expansion of the geographical occurrence of the genus to Amazonian fish, an important step towards a better understanding of these nematodes has been taken.

Ceramic shell waste valorization: A new approach to increase the sustainability of the precision casting industry from a circular economy perspective.

The problem of waste generation has grown because of the need to extract natural resources, obtain materials, and consume energy to meet current societal needs. Many studies have been conducted worldwide in favor of technological solutions for the valorization of industrial waste (IW) but few discussed relevant data for effective recovery. In this study, a case study of ceramic shell waste (CSW) was performed using, for the first time, a waste valorization system based on the classification, potentiality, quantity/viability, and applicability criteria (CPQvA) in a specific region (Brazil). CPQvA is a multicriteria decision-making system that acts as a guide to help managers and researchers connect the potential of IW with the feasibility of its application in a product or another process. Using the proposed systematic criteria, it was possible to demonstrate similarities and differences in waste applications. Thirteen possible products made from CSW were analyzed based on all the parameters of CPQvA. Ceramic filters and refractory aggregates were the most viable products. Creating public policies that encourage the use of waste as a raw material could make the precision casting industry process cleaner and the economy more circular.

Do fall armyworm's Metaflumizone resistante populations affect the activity of Trichogramma pretiosum? / Populações da lagarta-do-cartucho resistentes à Metaflumizona afetam a atividade de Trichogramma pretiosum?

The possible interference of resistant pest’s populations to insecticides in natural enemies in the action thas not been clarified yet. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate Trichogramma pretiosum Riley (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) performance on Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) eggs with resistance frequency to the Metaflumizone over six generations of product exposure. Egg cards (2.0 x 7.0 cm) containing eggs from two populations of S. frugiperda, (resistant to Metaflumizone and the other susceptible), were exposed to T. pretiosum females for 24 hours in free-choice and no-choice testing in three generations (G1, G4, and G6). A completely randomized experimental design was used with 25 replications, each consisting of an egg card (experimental unit) containing 20 eggs. The parameters evaluated were: parasitism (%), emergence (%), sex ratio, number of emerged parasitoids per egg and males/females longevity. ANOVA and Tukey test (P≤ 0.05) were applied on the results. Results showed a reduction in parasitism [41.0% (G1) and 28.4% (G4)], egg emergence (17.5%) and parasitoids/egg [16.2 (G4) and 17.2 (G6)] in eggs originating from the population with resistance frequency. Females emerging from G6 populations eggs without exposure to Metaflumizone had greater longevity (3.5 days more) than the resistant population. The sex ratio and male longevity were not affected. The results indicate a reduction in T. pretiosum activity if S. frugiperda populations have some frequency of resistance to Metaflumizone.

A possível interferência de populações de pragas resistentes na ação de inimigos naturais ainda não foi esclarecida. Assim, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o desempenho de Trichogramma pretiosum Riley (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) em ovos de Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) com frequência de resistência à Metaflumizona ao longo de seis gerações de exposição ao produto. Cartelas (2,0 x 7,0 cm) com ovos de duas populações de S. frugiperda, (resistente à Metaflumizona e outra suscetível), foram expostas às fêmeas de T. pretiosum por 24 horas em condições de livre escolha e sem chance de escolha por três gerações (G1, G4 e G6). O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado com 25 repetições, sendo cada repetição composta por uma cartela (unidade experimental) contendo 20 ovos. Os parâmetros avaliados foram: parasitismo (%), emergência (%), razão sexual, número de parasitoides emergidos por ovo e longevidade de machos e fêmeas. ANOVA e teste de Tukey (P≤ 0,05) foram aplicados aos dados coletados. Os resultados mostraram redução do parasitismo [41,0% (G1) e 28,4% (G4)], emergência de ovos (17,5%) e parasitoides/ovo [16,2 (G4) e 17,2 (G6)] em ovos oriundos da população com frequência de resistência. As fêmeas emergidas de ovos da população G6 sem exposição à Metaflumizona, tiveram maior longevidade (3,5 dias a mais) do que a população exposta ao inseticida. A razão sexual e a longevidade de machos não foram afetadas. Os resultados indicam uma redução na atividade de T. pretiosum se as populações de S. frugiperda apresentarem alguma frequência de resistência à Metaflumizona.

Do fall armyworms Metaflumizone resistante populations affect the activity of Trichogramma pretiosum?

Abstract The possible interference of resistant pests populations to insecticides in natural enemies in the action thas not been clarified yet. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate Trichogramma pretiosum Riley (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) performance on Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) eggs with resistance frequency to the Metaflumizone over six generations of product exposure. Egg cards (2.0 x 7.0 cm) containing eggs from two populations of S. frugiperda, (resistant to Metaflumizone and the other susceptible), were exposed to T. pretiosum females for 24 hours in free-choice and no-choice testing in three generations (G1, G4, and G6). A completely randomized experimental design was used with 25 replications, each consisting of an egg card (experimental unit) containing 20 eggs. The parameters evaluated were: parasitism (%), emergence (%), sex ratio, number of emerged parasitoids per egg and males/females longevity. ANOVA and Tukey test (P 0.05) were applied on the results. Results showed a reduction in parasitism [41.0% (G1) and 28.4% (G4)], egg emergence (17.5%) and parasitoids/egg [16.2 (G4) and 17.2 (G6)] in eggs originating from the population with resistance frequency. Females emerging from G6 populations eggs without exposure to Metaflumizone had greater longevity (3.5 days more) than the resistant population. The sex ratio and male longevity were not affected. The results indicate a reduction in T. pretiosum activity if S. frugiperda populations have some frequency of resistance to Metaflumizone.

Resumo A possível interferência de populações de pragas resistentes na ação de inimigos naturais ainda não foi esclarecida. Assim, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o desempenho de Trichogramma pretiosum Riley (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) em ovos de Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) com frequência de resistência à Metaflumizona ao longo de seis gerações de exposição ao produto. Cartelas (2,0 x 7,0 cm) com ovos de duas populações de S. frugiperda, (resistente à Metaflumizona e outra suscetível), foram expostas às fêmeas de T. pretiosum por 24 horas em condições de livre escolha e sem chance de escolha por três gerações (G1, G4 e G6). O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado com 25 repetições, sendo cada repetição composta por uma cartela (unidade experimental) contendo 20 ovos. Os parâmetros avaliados foram: parasitismo (%), emergência (%), razão sexual, número de parasitoides emergidos por ovo e longevidade de machos e fêmeas. ANOVA e teste de Tukey (P 0,05) foram aplicados aos dados coletados. Os resultados mostraram redução do parasitismo [41,0% (G1) e 28,4% (G4)], emergência de ovos (17,5%) e parasitoides/ovo [16,2 (G4) e 17,2 (G6)] em ovos oriundos da população com frequência de resistência. As fêmeas emergidas de ovos da população G6 sem exposição à Metaflumizona, tiveram maior longevidade (3,5 dias a mais) do que a população exposta ao inseticida. A razão sexual e a longevidade de machos não foram afetadas. Os resultados indicam uma redução na atividade de T. pretiosum se as populações de S. frugiperda apresentarem alguma frequência de resistência à Metaflumizona.

Do fall armyworm's Metaflumizone resistante populations affect the activity of Trichogramma pretiosum? / Populações da lagarta-do-cartucho resistentes à Metaflumizona afetam a atividade de Trichogramma pretiosum?

Abstract The possible interference of resistant pest's populations to insecticides in natural enemies in the action thas not been clarified yet. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate Trichogramma pretiosum Riley (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) performance on Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) eggs with resistance frequency to the Metaflumizone over six generations of product exposure. Egg cards (2.0 x 7.0 cm) containing eggs from two populations of S. frugiperda, (resistant to Metaflumizone and the other susceptible), were exposed to T. pretiosum females for 24 hours in free-choice and no-choice testing in three generations (G1, G4, and G6). A completely randomized experimental design was used with 25 replications, each consisting of an egg card (experimental unit) containing 20 eggs. The parameters evaluated were: parasitism (%), emergence (%), sex ratio, number of emerged parasitoids per egg and males/females longevity. ANOVA and Tukey test (P≤ 0.05) were applied on the results. Results showed a reduction in parasitism [41.0% (G1) and 28.4% (G4)], egg emergence (17.5%) and parasitoids/egg [16.2 (G4) and 17.2 (G6)] in eggs originating from the population with resistance frequency. Females emerging from G6 populations eggs without exposure to Metaflumizone had greater longevity (3.5 days more) than the resistant population. The sex ratio and male longevity were not affected. The results indicate a reduction in T. pretiosum activity if S. frugiperda populations have some frequency of resistance to Metaflumizone.

Resumo A possível interferência de populações de pragas resistentes na ação de inimigos naturais ainda não foi esclarecida. Assim, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o desempenho de Trichogramma pretiosum Riley (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) em ovos de Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) com frequência de resistência à Metaflumizona ao longo de seis gerações de exposição ao produto. Cartelas (2,0 x 7,0 cm) com ovos de duas populações de S. frugiperda, (resistente à Metaflumizona e outra suscetível), foram expostas às fêmeas de T. pretiosum por 24 horas em condições de livre escolha e sem chance de escolha por três gerações (G1, G4 e G6). O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado com 25 repetições, sendo cada repetição composta por uma cartela (unidade experimental) contendo 20 ovos. Os parâmetros avaliados foram: parasitismo (%), emergência (%), razão sexual, número de parasitoides emergidos por ovo e longevidade de machos e fêmeas. ANOVA e teste de Tukey (P≤ 0,05) foram aplicados aos dados coletados. Os resultados mostraram redução do parasitismo [41,0% (G1) e 28,4% (G4)], emergência de ovos (17,5%) e parasitoides/ovo [16,2 (G4) e 17,2 (G6)] em ovos oriundos da população com frequência de resistência. As fêmeas emergidas de ovos da população G6 sem exposição à Metaflumizona, tiveram maior longevidade (3,5 dias a mais) do que a população exposta ao inseticida. A razão sexual e a longevidade de machos não foram afetadas. Os resultados indicam uma redução na atividade de T. pretiosum se as populações de S. frugiperda apresentarem alguma frequência de resistência à Metaflumizona.

Necrotic-like BV-2 microglial cell death due to methylmercury exposure.

Methylmercury (MeHg) is a dangerous environmental contaminant with strong bioaccumulation in the food chain and neurotoxic properties. In the nervous system, MeHg may cause neurodevelopment impairment and potentially interfere with immune response, compromising proper control of neuroinflammation and aggravating neurodegeneration. Human populations are exposed to environmental contamination with MeHg, especially in areas with strong mining or industrial activity, raising public health concerns. Taking this into consideration, this work aims to clarify pathways leading to acute toxic effects caused by MeHg exposure in microglial cells. BV-2 mouse microglial cells were incubated with MeHg at different concentrations (0.01, 0.1, 1 and 10 µM) for 1 h prior to continuous Lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 0.5 µg/ml) exposure for 6 or 24 h. After cell exposure, reactive oxygen species (ROS), IL-6 and TNF-α cytokines production, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression, nitric oxide (NO) release, metabolic activity, propidium iodide (PI) uptake, caspase-3 and -9 activities and phagocytic activity were assessed. MeHg 10 µM decreased ROS formation, the production and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNF-α, iNOS immunoreactivity, the release of NO in BV-2 cells. Furthermore, MeHg 10 µM decreased the metabolic activity of BV-2 and increased the number of PI-positive cells (necrotic-like cell death) when compared to the respective control group. Besides, MeHg did not interfere with caspase activity or the phagocytic profile of cells. The short-term effects of a high concentration of MeHg on BV-2 microglial cells lead to impaired production of several pro-inflammatory mediators, as well as a higher microglial cell death via necrosis, compromising their neuroinflammatory response. Clarifying the mechanisms underlying MeHg-induced neurotoxicity and neurodegeneration in brain cells is relevant to better understand acute and long-term chronic neuroinflammatory responses following MeHg exposure.

Parasitism rate of Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) larvae in greenhouse by Tetrastichus howardi (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) females at different densities.

Parasitoids control insect pests, but their number per host affects their efficiency. The objective of this work was to evaluate the best density of Tetrastichus howardi (Olliff, 1893) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) individuals parasitizing fourth instar Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus, 1758) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) larvae in greenhouse conditions. These larvae were exposed to parasitism by T. howardi females with 1:1, 3:1, 6:1, 9:1, 12:1, 15:1 and 18:1 parasitoid/host ratios with 10 replications during 96 hours. After this period the larvae were kept on host plants (Brassica oleracea) until pupa formation. Tetrastichus howardi parasitized and reproduced in P. xylostella larvae at all its densities tested, but with higher values, 84% and 10 ± 2.4 individuals, respectively, with 9:1 parasitoids/host. Nine T. howardi females per P. xylostella larvae are the adequate number to manage this insect pest.

Spatial dynamics of dengue fever spreading for the coexistence of two serotypes with an application to the city of São Paulo, Brazil.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Dengue fever is a disease in which individuals' spatial distribution and Aedes aegypti mosquitoes breeding places are important factors for the disease dynamics. Typically urban, dengue is a problem for least developed countries due to the ineffectiveness in controlling the vector and disorderly urbanization processes. The result is a composition of urban sanitation problems and areas with high demographic densities and intense flows of people. This paper explores the spatial distribution of vector breeding places to evaluate introducing a new dengue serotype to a population at equilibrium for a pre-existing serotype. The paper's objective is to analyze the spatial dynamics of dengue using variations of the basic reproduction number. METHODS: A model based on probabilistic cellular automata is proposed to permitting the necessary flexibility to consider some spatial distributions of vector breeding places. Then, ordinary differential equations are used as a mean-field approach of the model, and the basic reproduction number (R0) is derived considering the next-generation matrix method. A spatial approach for R0 is also proposed, and the model is tested in a neighbourhood from the city of São Paulo, Brazil, to examine the potential risks of vector breeding cells distribution. RESULTS: The results indicated that the more spread out these places, the higher are the values of R0. When the model is applied to a neighbourhood in São Paulo, residential areas may boost the infections and must be under public vigilance to combat vector breeding sites. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the mean-field approximation of the cellular automata model by ordinary differential equations, the basic reproduction number derived returned an estimative of the disease dynamics in the population. However, the spatial basic reproduction number was more assertive in showing areas with a higher disease incidence. Moreover, the model could be easily adapted to be used in real maps enabling simulations closer to real problems.

Prospective international validation of the predisposition, infection, response and organ dysfunction (PIRO) clinical staging system among intensive care and general ward patients.

BACKGROUND: Stratifying patients with sepsis was the basis of the predisposition, infection, response and organ dysfunction (PIRO) concept, an attempt to resolve the heterogeneity in treatment response. The purpose of this study is to perform an independent validation of the PIRO staging system in an international cohort and explore its utility in the identification of patients in whom time to antibiotic treatment is particularly important. METHODS: Prospective international cohort study, conducted over a 6-month period in five Portuguese hospitals and one Australian institution. All consecutive adult patients admitted to selected wards or the intensive care, with infections that met the CDC criteria for lower respiratory tract, urinary, intra-abdominal and bloodstream infections were included. RESULTS: There were 1638 patients included in the study. Patients who died in hospital presented with a higher PIRO score (10 ± 3 vs 8 ± 4, p < 0.001). The observed mortality was 3%, 15%, 24% and 34% in stage I, II, III and IV, respectively, which was within the predicted intervals of the original model, except for stage IV patients that presented a lower mortality. The hospital survival rate was 84%. The application of the PIRO staging system to the validation cohort resulted in a positive predictive value of 97% for stage I, 91% for stage II, 85% for stage III and 66% for stage IV. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUROC) was 0.75 for the all cohort and 0.70 if only patients with bacteremia were considered. Patients in stage III and IV who did not have antibiotic therapy administered within the desired time frame had higher mortality rate than those who have timely administration of antibiotic. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first external validation of this PIRO staging system and it performed well on different patient wards within the hospital and in different types of hospitals. Future studies could apply the PIRO system to decision-making about specific therapeutic interventions and enrollment in clinical trials based on disease stage.

Do fall armyworm's Metaflumizone resistante populations affect the activity of Trichogramma pretiosum?

The possible interference of resistant pest's populations to insecticides in natural enemies in the action thas not been clarified yet. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate Trichogramma pretiosum Riley (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) performance on Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) eggs with resistance frequency to the Metaflumizone over six generations of product exposure. Egg cards (2.0 x 7.0 cm) containing eggs from two populations of S. frugiperda, (resistant to Metaflumizone and the other susceptible), were exposed to T. pretiosum females for 24 hours in free-choice and no-choice testing in three generations (G1, G4, and G6). A completely randomized experimental design was used with 25 replications, each consisting of an egg card (experimental unit) containing 20 eggs. The parameters evaluated were: parasitism (%), emergence (%), sex ratio, number of emerged parasitoids per egg and males/females longevity. ANOVA and Tukey test (P≤ 0.05) were applied on the results. Results showed a reduction in parasitism [41.0% (G1) and 28.4% (G4)], egg emergence (17.5%) and parasitoids/egg [16.2 (G4) and 17.2 (G6)] in eggs originating from the population with resistance frequency. Females emerging from G6 populations eggs without exposure to Metaflumizone had greater longevity (3.5 days more) than the resistant population. The sex ratio and male longevity were not affected. The results indicate a reduction in T. pretiosum activity if S. frugiperda populations have some frequency of resistance to Metaflumizone.

Pulmonary adenocarcinoma in a captive ocelot (Leopardus pardalis): morphologic and immunophenotypic characterization - case report / Adenocarcinoma pulmonar em uma jaguatirica (Leopardus pardalis) de cativeiro: caracterização morfológica e imunofenotípica - relato de caso

Pulmonary adenocarcinoma is a malignant epithelial neoplasia that usually arises from conducting airways or alveolar parenchyma. It has rarely been described in wild felids, with no previous reports in ocelots. In domestic cats it is a very aggressive neoplasm with a high metastatic rate that usually evolves to death. This report aimed to describe a pulmonary adenocarcinoma in a captive and senile ocelot (Leopardus pardalis), with a thorough morphologic and immunophenotypically characterization, evidencing the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenomenon in a high metastatic carcinoma, an important feature rarely described in veterinary medicine, even in domestic cats.(AU)

O adenocarcinoma pulmonar é uma neoplasia epitelial maligna originada do epitélio respiratório das vias aéreas inferiores e do parênquima alveolar. É uma neoplasia raramente descrita em felinos selvagens, sem nenhum relato em jaguatiricas. Em gatos domésticos, é uma neoplasia muito agressiva, com alta taxa de metástase, e geralmente evolui para o óbito do paciente. O presente relato objetiva descrever um adenocarcinoma pulmonar em uma jaguatirica (Leopardus pardalis) senil de cativeiro, com detalhada caracterização morfológica e imunofenotípica, evidenciando o fenômeno de transição epitelial-mesenquial (TEM) em um carcinoma altamente metastático, uma característica importante, com escassos relatos na medicina veterinária, mesmo em gatos domésticos.(AU)

Are non-indigenous species hitchhiking offshore farmed mussels? A biogeographic and functional approach.

The epifauna associated to farmed mussels in southern Portugal coast was analysed, aiming at identifying the species with spreading potential through commercial transport. The presence of a relevant number of the species here found is not reported to at least one of the common mussel export/transposition countries. Indeed, important species biogeographic dissimilarities between the mussel farm area and the Greater North Sea and Western Mediterranean Sea sub-regions were detected, suggesting the potential transport of non-indigenous species (NIS) into other countries. Among them, fouling species such as the anemones Paractinia striata and Urticina felina, the acorn barnacles Balanus glandula and Balanus trigonus or the bryozoans Bugulina stolonifera and Schizoporella errata exhibit functional attributes that allow them to colonise and spread in new areas. This combined biogeographic and functional approach may contribute to clarify the role of aquaculture on the transport of NIS and to predict and prevent their spreading worldwide.

Revisiting the Neurospora crassa mitochondrial genome.

The mitochondrial genome of Neurospora crassa has been less studied than its nuclear counterpart, yet it holds great potential for understanding the diversity and evolution of this important fungus. Here we describe a new mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) complete sequence of a N. crassa wild type strain. The genome with 64 839 bp revealed 21 protein-coding genes and several hypothetical open reading frames with no significant homology to any described gene. Five large repetitive regions were identified across the genome, including partial or complete genes. The largest repeated region holds a partial nd2 section that was also detected in Neurospora intermedia, suggesting a rearrangement that occurred before the N. crassa speciation. Interestingly, N. crassa has a palindrome adjacent to the partial nd2 repeated region possibly related to the genomic rearrangement, which is absent in N. intermedia. Finally, we compared the sequences of the three available N. crassa complete mtDNAs and found low levels of intraspecific variability. Most differences among strains were due to small indels in noncoding regions. The revisiting of the N. crassa mtDNA forms the basis for future studies on mitochondrial genome organization and variability.

Co-occurrence of Eutrombicula alfreddugesi and Oswaldofilaria chabaudi in Tropidurus torquatus and first report of microfilariae in the chigger mite: possible evidence of a lifecycle pathway?

While much attention has been paid to vector-borne filariasis, diseases that threaten millions of people in tropical and subtropical countries, the literature on host-parasite associations and transmission strategies of filarial nematodes in wildlife is scarce. Here, we report the co-occurrence of chigger mites (Eutrombicula alfreddugesi) and onchocercid nematodes (Oswaldofilaria chabaudi) parasitizing the lizard Tropidurus torquatus in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Examination of chiggers established, for the first time, the occurrence of microfilariae in trombiculid mites (Trombiculidae). These larvae were morphologically similar to those recovered from adult females of O. chabaudi. The current evidence suggests that chiggers do not play a role in the transmission of filarioid nematodes, but rather act as accidental or dead-end hosts. Nevertheless, considering the polyphagous nature of trombiculid mites, similar to blood-sucking insects involved in the transmission of several infectious diseases, further studies may shed light on the potential role of chiggers as vectors of filarioids.

A deep learning based surrogate model for the parameter identification problem in probabilistic cellular automaton epidemic models.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: an accurate estimation of the epidemiological model coefficients helps understand the basic principles of disease spreading. Some studies showed that dozens of hours are needed to simulate the traditional probabilistic cellular automaton (PCA) model, and dozens of hours are spent for a fine-tuning of the system. Here, we propose a deep learning-based surrogate model to mimic a PCA model to reduce the simulations' computational time, maintaining an equivalent precision in the estimates. METHOD: we consider PCA models based on regular lattices of different sizes to generate training data sets varying the parameters related to individuals' movement in the lattice and the disease infectivity. These parameters are the input variables for training the surrogate model, and the outputs parameters to be fitted are the percentages of susceptible and infected individuals at the steady-state, the basic reproduction number R0, the peak value and the peak instant of infected individuals, I(τ) and τ, respectively. RESULTS: The proposed surrogate model can predict all the output variables with a low relative error. The surrogate model's training time is independent of the size of the lattice, and the time for evaluating a solution by the surrogate model is low and independent of the lattice size. CONCLUSIONS: The surrogate model provides a fast simulation time for a generic Susceptible-Infected-Removed (SIR) model in a PCA, which is helpful for tuning the model before final simulations, supporting the initial search for inverse problems of parameters estimation in SIR models and providing a satisfactory estimation of the output variables for large populations.

Molecular viscosity and diffusivity effects in transitional and shock-driven mixing flows.

This paper investigates the importance of molecular viscosity and diffusivity for the prediction of transitional and shock-driven mixing flows featuring high and low Reynolds and Mach number regions. Two representative problems are computed with implicit large-eddy simulations using the inviscid Euler equations (EE) and viscous Navier-Stokes equations (NSE): the Taylor-Green vortex at Reynolds number Re=3000 and initial Mach number Ma=0.28, and an air-SF_{6}-air gas curtain subjected to two shock waves at Ma=1.2. The primary focus is on differences between NSE and EE predictions due to viscous effects. The outcome of the paper illustrates the advantages of utilizing NSE. In contrast to the EE, where the effective viscosity decreases upon grid refinement, NSE predictions can be assessed for simulations of flows with transition to turbulence at prescribed constant Re. The NSE can achieve better agreement between solutions and reference data, and the results converge upon grid refinement. On the other hand, the EE predictions do not converge with grid refinement, and can only exhibit similarities with the NSE results at coarse grid resolutions. We also investigate the effect of viscous effects on the dynamics of the coherent and turbulent fields, as well as on the mechanisms contributing to the production and diffusion of vorticity. The results show that nominally inviscid calculations can exhibit significantly varying flow dynamics driven by changing effective resolution-dependent Reynolds number, and highlight the role of viscous processes affecting the vorticity field. These tendencies become more pronounced upon grid refinement. The discussion of the results concludes with the assessment of the computational cost of inviscid and viscous computations.