Twenty-five years of Open-Top Chambers in tropical environments: where, how, and what are we looking at regarding flora response to climate change?

MAIN CONCLUSION: Open-Top Chambers should be more used in tropical ecosystems to study climate change effects in plants as they are still insufficient to extract plant response patterns in these ecosystems. Understanding flora response to climate change (CC) is critical for predicting future ecosystem dynamics. Open-Top Chambers (OTCs) have been widely used to study the effects of CC on plants and are very popular in temperate ecosystems but are still underused in tropical regions. In this systematic review, we aimed to discuss the use of OTCs in the study of the effects of different agents of climate change on tropical flora by presenting scientometric data, discussing the technical aspects of its use and enumerating some observations on plant response patterns to climatic alterations in the tropics. Our analysis indicated that the bottleneck in choosing an OTC shape is not strictly related to its purpose or the type of parameter modulated; instead, passive or active approaches seem to be a more sensitive point. The common critical point in using this technique in warmer regions is overheating and decoupling, but it can be overcome with simple adaptations and extra features. The most frequently parameter modulated was CO2, followed by O3 and temperature. The plant families with more representatives in the studies analyzed were Fabaceae, Myrtaceae, and Poaceae, and the most represented biome was tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests. In conclusion, OTCs are a valuable and feasible tool to study CC effects on various tropical ecosystems, regardless of structure, active/passive approach, or other technical features. One of the primary advantages of this methodology is its applicability for in situ use, eliminating the need for plant transplantation. We encourage studies using OTC experimental design for plant conservation in the tropics.

The Potential of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum ATCC 14917 in the Development of Alginate-Based Gel Formulations with Anti-Staphylococcus aureus Properties.

This study aimed to evaluate the potential of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in developing alginate-based gel formulations to inhibit Staphylococcus aureus. Initially, the antagonistic actions of three lactic acid bacteria (LAB) (Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus ATCC 10863, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum ATCC 14917, Limosilactobacillus fermentum ATCC 23271) were evaluated against S. aureus ATCC 25923. All tested LAB inhibited S. aureus, but the highest activity was observed for L. plantarum ATCC 14917 (p < 0.05). The antimicrobial effects of L. plantarum ATCC 14917 cell suspensions, sonicate cells extract, and cell-free supernatants (pH 5 or 7) were analyzed using a broth-based assay. The cell suspensions inhibited S. aureus at concentrations ≥ 10%, and these effects were confirmed by a time-kill assay. Alginate-based gels were formulated with cell suspensions, sonicate cells extract, and cell-free supernatant (pH 5). These formulations inhibited S. aureus growth. Based on the results, the alginate gel with cell suspensions at 10% was selected for further characterization. L. plantarum ATCC 14917 survived in the alginate-based gel, especially when stored at 5 °C. At this temperature, the L. plantarum-containing alginate gel was stable, and it was in compliance with microbiological standards. These findings suggest it can be a promising agent for the topical treatment of infections induced by S. aureus.

Surface-Active Compounds Produced by Microorganisms: Promising Molecules for the Development of Antimicrobial, Anti-Inflammatory, and Healing Agents.

Surface-active compounds (SACs), biomolecules produced by bacteria, yeasts, and filamentous fungi, have interesting properties, such as the ability to interact with surfaces as well as hydrophobic or hydrophilic interfaces. Because of their advantages over other compounds, such as biodegradability, low toxicity, antimicrobial, and healing properties, SACs are attractive targets for research in various applications in medicine. As a result, a growing number of properties related to SAC production have been the subject of scientific research during the past decade, searching for potential future applications in biomedical, pharmaceutical, and therapeutic fields. This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the potential of biosurfactants and emulsifiers as antimicrobials, modulators of virulence factors, anticancer agents, and wound healing agents in the field of biotechnology and biomedicine, to meet the increasing demand for safer medical and pharmacological therapies.

Electron-molecule collisions with explicit rovibrational resolution at MRCI level and using even tempered basis sets.

A method for calculating the generalized oscillator strengths (GOSs) and differential cross section (DCS) with vibration and rotation resolution is presented. The importance of accounting for the rotational contribution is to be emphasized since it has not previously been considered in GOS calculations. Although largely neglected due to its small effect on various properties, the rotational resolution proved to be fundamental in the study of certain phenomena, such as the interference between rotational states in a molecule. As the general goal of this work is to obtain theoretical values comparable to high resolution experiments, special care was taken on the calculation of the electronic part of the scattering amplitude, particularly in what concerns the choice of the atomic basis set. Accordingly, even-tempered basis sets have proved to lead to good results. The helium atom was taken as a model system for this aspect of the problem. Then, GOS and DCS, for explicit vibrational and rotational transitions, were calculated for hydrogen and nitrogen molecules. For higher accuracy, a non-Franck-Condon approach was used to obtain transitions involving vibrational states. The resultant values have shown good agreement with the available experimental data.

Women report sustained benefits from attending group-based education about pelvic floor muscles: a longitudinal qualitative study.

QUESTION: Among women who have participated in group-based education about the pelvic floor, what are their perceptions of the program and the group format? DESIGN: Exploratory longitudinal qualitative study. PARTICIPANTS: Community-dwelling women aged ≥ 18 years who participated in three or four sessions of pelvic floor education in a group format at a university clinic. DATA EXTRACTION AND ANALYSIS: Semi-structured group or individual interviews were conducted at three time points: 1 week, 3 months and ≥ 5 months after the education activity. Data were inductively content analysed and independently coded, with iterative theme development. RESULTS: Women considered the content and delivery appropriate and useful. New knowledge was assimilated and shared with others, and many tried to adopt pelvic floor muscle training in daily life. The women felt that the education sessions might benefit other women, with and without pelvic floor dysfunction symptoms, and that such education would ideally be more widely available. A perception of the value of the education persisted over time, even though maintenance of some health-promoting behaviours, such as pelvic floor muscle training, decreased. CONCLUSION: The pelvic floor group education sessions appeared to fulfil the purpose of increasing knowledge about pelvic floor (dys)function and applying this in daily life. Overall, the participants, who had completed three or four of the four sessions, found the program to be useful. A unique feature of this study was longitudinal data collection and it seemed that the perception of value persisted over time.

Gastrointestinal nematode control programs in yearling Nellore heifers: Analysis of fecal egg counts, weight gain and reproductive indices.

The objective of this study was to evaluate two different gastrointestinal nematode treatment regimens. Fecal egg counts (FECs), proportion of nematode genera, weight gain, body condition score and reproductive indices (estrous cyclicity, conception and pregnancy rates) were evaluated in yearling heifers after imposing two treatment regimens for gastrointestinal nematodes: T1 = 306 calves treated in May and November with 3.5 % doramectin (700 µg/kg) and August (Aug) with saline solution; and T2 = 307 calves treated in May with 3.5 % doramectin (700 µg/kg), in August with 1% moxidectin (200 µg/kg) and in November with 3.5 % doramectin (700 µg/kg). The animals were weighed, and feces were collected for conducting FECs and coproculture. There was imposing of three fixed-time artificial inseminations (TAIs), and estrous cyclic and pregnancy statuses were determined. Cooperia was the most frequent genus detected in both groups. Heifers of the T2, as compared to those in the T1 group, had fewer FECs in November (P ≤  0.05) and greater weight gain and average daily weight gain (P ≤  0.05) from August to November. There tended to be more heifers of the T2 than T1 group estrous cycling (P =  0.07) at the beginning of the breeding season as well as greater pregnancy rates (P =  0.03) and conception rates (P =  0.03) as a result of the second FTAI. The results indicate there is greater reproduction outcomes as a result of strategic control of gastrointestinal nematodes in yearling Nellore heifers using the T1 as compared with T2 treatment regimen.

Formando engenheiros em um laboratório de usinagem: conhecimento, gênero e gambiarra / Formation dingénieurs dans un laboratoire dusinage : savoir, genre et rafistolage / La formación de ingenieros en un laboratorio de maquinado: conocimiento, género e improvisación / Training engineers in a machining laboratory: knowledge, gender and gambiarra

Resumo Este artigo discute o processo de formação de engenheiros a partir de observações de uma disciplina de usinagem em um curso de Engenharia Mecânica. Subsidiaram a coleta de dados e sua interpretação a história da engenharia no Brasil, assim como a sociologia das profissões. Assim, entendeu-se como o conhecimento sistematizado desse grupo é mobilizado para marcar posições hierárquicas internas à profissão e em relação a grupos externos. Os dados apontam para uma hierarquização fundamentada na oposição entre formação acadêmica e práticas improvisadas do chão de fábrica, a despeito da estreita relação desses profissionais com tais práticas. Essa oposição assume contornos de forte violência simbólica quando deparada com a variável gênero no processo de formação desses engenheiros.

Résumé Cet article traite du processus de formation d'un groupe d'ingénieurs, à partir d'observations réalisées lors d'un laboratoire d'usinage dans un cours de génie mécanique. L'histoire de l'ingénierie au Brésil et la sociologie des professions ont subsidié l´ínterpretation. Grâce à cela, il a été possible de comprendre comment la connaissance systématisée de ce groupe se mobilise pour marquer les positions hiérarchiques internes, mais aussi par rapport à des groupes externes à la profession. Les données montrent qu'il existe une hiérarchisation basée sur l'opposition entre formation académique et pratiques de rafistolage improvisées en atelier, malgré la relation étroite qu'il y a entre les professionnels et de telles pratiques. Cette opposition prend les contours d'une forte violence symbolique face à la variable de genre dans le processus de formation de ces ingénieurs.

Resumen Este artículo discute el proceso de formación de ingenieros a partir de observaciones de una asignatura de maquinado en un curso de Ingeniería Mecánica. Se subsidió la recolección de datos y su interpretación de la historia de la ingeniería en Brasil, así como la sociología de las profesiones. De este modo se entendió como el conocimiento sistematizado de dicho grupo se moviliza para marcar posiciones jerárquicas internas a la profesión y en relación a grupos externos. Los datos señalan una jerarquización fundamentada en la oposición entre formación académica y prácticas improvisadas del piso de fábrica, a pesar de la estrecha relación de estos profesionales con tales prácticas. Esta oposición adquiere contornos de fuerte violencia simbólica cuando se encuentra una variable de género en el proceso de formación de tales ingenieros.

Abstract This paper discusses the process of training engineers, from observations of a machining course in a Mechanical Engineering program. Data collection and interpretation were subsidized by the history of engineering in Brazil, as well as the sociology of professions. Thus, it was understood how the systematized knowledge of this group is used to indicate internal, hierarchical positions within the profession and in relation to external groups. Data points to a hierarchization based on the opposition between academic training and improvised practices from the factory floor, despite the close relationship of these professionals with such practices. This opposition carries strong, symbolic violence when faced with the gender variable in the process of training these engineers.

Suppression of Prolactin Secretion Partially Explains the Antidiabetic Effect of Bromocriptine in ob/ob Mice.

Previous studies have shown that bromocriptine mesylate (Bromo) lowers blood glucose levels in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus; however, the mechanism of action of the antidiabetic effects of Bromo is unclear. As a dopamine receptor agonist, Bromo can alter brain dopamine activity affecting glucose control, but it also suppresses prolactin (Prl) secretion, and Prl levels modulate glucose homeostasis. Thus, the objective of the current study was to investigate whether Bromo improves insulin sensitivity via inhibition of Prl secretion. Male and female ob/ob animals (a mouse model of obesity and insulin resistance) were treated with Bromo and/or Prl. Bromo-treated ob/ob mice exhibited lower serum Prl concentration, improved glucose and insulin tolerance, and increased insulin sensitivity in the liver and skeletal muscle compared with vehicle-treated mice. Prl replacement in Bromo-treated mice normalized serum Prl concentration without inducing hyperprolactinemia. Importantly, Prl replacement partially reversed the improvements in glucose homeostasis caused by Bromo treatment. The effects of the Prl receptor antagonist G129R-hPrl on glucose homeostasis were also investigated. We found that central G129R-hPrl infusion increased insulin tolerance of male ob/ob mice. In summary, our findings indicate that part of Bromo effects on glucose homeostasis are associated with decrease in serum Prl levels. Because G129R-hPrl treatment also improved the insulin sensitivity of ob/ob mice, pharmacological compounds that inhibit Prl signaling may represent a promising therapeutic approach to control blood glucose levels in individuals with insulin resistance.

Percepção dos profissionais atuantes nas UTI's quanto à importância de condutas de saúde bucal / Perception of professionals working in ICUS on the importance of oral health conducts

Introdução: a cavidade bucal é constituída de inúmeros microrganismos que favorecem o desenvolvimento de doenças quando o paciente se encontra imunossuprimido. Considerando esse fato, surge o interesse em avaliar as condições bucais de pacientes hospitalizados em Unidades de Terapia Intensiva. Objetivo: este trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar a percepção dos profissionais atuantes nas UTIs dos principais hospitais da região do Cariri do Ceará, quanto à importância das condutas de saúde bucal, o conhecimento dos profissionais sobre a associação da condição bucal e geral dos pacientes internos, analisar a existência de protocolos de higiene bucal para o paciente internado na UTI e justificar se há importância do cirurgião-dentista neste ambiente. Materiais e método: para obtenção de dados, foi realizada uma pesquisa do tipo transversal, na qual o instrumento para avaliação dos entrevistados foi um questionário constituído por 8 questões de múltipla escolha e 7 discursivas, abordando conteúdos relacionados aos objetivos da pesquisa. Resultados: de acordo com a análise de dados, foi observado que: a higienização bucal é realizada com antissépticos, sendo a clorexidina, a substância mais utilizada. A frequência da descontaminação era realizada nos intervalos de 6 e 12 horas. A higienização da língua era realizada por meio do tracionamento e limpeza com gaze, a mucosa não era higienizada. Não foi relatado o uso de saliva artificial e a realização de cursos de capacitações. Considerações finais: foi concluído neste estudo que muitos dos profissionais deixam a desejar na higienização bucal, visando apenas ao quadro de internação do paciente e, que, o dentista ainda não está incluído nas equipes de saúde que atuam diretamente nessas unidades, sendo uma das causas de deficiências nesses cuidados.(AU)

Introduction: The oral cavity consists of several microorganisms that favor the development of diseases when patients are immunosuppressed. Therefore, there is an interest in assessing the oral conditions of patients hospitalized in intensive care units (ICU). Objective: This study aims to assess the perception of professionals working in ICUs of the main hospitals of Cariri (Ceará, Brazil) on the importance of oral health conducts and the knowledge of professionals about the association of oral and general conditions of inpatients. It also analyzed the existence of oral hygiene protocols for ICU patients and justified whether dentists are important in such environment. Materials and method: The data was obtained with a cross-sectional research in which the instrument for assessing the respondents was a questionnaire consisting of eight multiple choice and seven discursive questions addressing contents related to the objectives of the study. Results: The data analysis showed that oral hygiene is performed with antiseptics, and chlorhexidine is the most used substance. The frequency of decontamination was performed at intervals of 6 and 12 hours. The tongue was cleaned using traction and gauze, and mucosa was not cleaned. The use of artificial saliva and the performance of training courses were not reported. Final considerations: This study concluded that many professionals fall short in oral hygiene, only considering the hospitalization condition of patients. Additionally, dentists are not yet included in the health teams working directly in intensive care units, which is one of the causes of deficiencies in such service.(AU)

Audiovisual infotainment in European news: A comparative content analysis of Dutch, Spanish, and Irish television news programs.

This study investigates to what extent audiovisual infotainment features can be found in the narrative structure of television news in three European countries. Content analysis included a sample of 639 news reports aired in the first 3 weeks of September 2013, in six prime-time TV news broadcasts of Ireland, Spain, and the Netherlands. It was found that Spain and Ireland included more technical features of infotainment in television news compared to the Netherlands. Also, the use of infotainment techniques is more often present in commercial, than in public broadcasting. Finally, the findings indicate no clear pattern of the use of infotainment techniques across news topics as coded in this study.

News for assimilation or integration? Examining the functions of news in shaping acculturation experiences of immigrants in the Netherlands and Spain.

This study investigates the functions of news media in shaping acculturation experiences of new economic and refugee immigrants in the Netherlands and Spain. Focus group data revealed that consumption of host country news media was mainly connected to immigrants' deliberate strategies to assimilate the culture, politics and language of the host society, while exposure to transnational news was viewed in terms of strategies of integration in both countries. We also observed that participants' educational background and language skills combined with their perceptions of the host country's news have an impact on the use they make of news for assimilating and/or integrating into the host society. Finally, important sociopolitical conditions of the context influenced the ways participants use the news media in their process of acculturation.

Prolactin-sensitive neurons express estrogen receptor-α and depend on sex hormones for normal responsiveness to prolactin.

Estrogens and prolactin share important target tissues, including the gonads, brain, liver, kidneys and some types of cancer cells. Herein, we sought anatomical and functional evidence of possible crosstalk between prolactin and estrogens in the mouse brain. First, we determined the distribution of prolactin-responsive neurons that express the estrogen receptor α (ERα). A large number of prolactin-induced pSTAT5-immunoreactive neurons expressing ERα mRNA were observed in several brain areas, including the anteroventral periventricular nucleus, medial preoptic nucleus, arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus, ventrolateral subdivision of the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMH), medial nucleus of the amygdala and nucleus of the solitary tract. However, although the medial preoptic area, periventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, retrochiasmatic area, dorsomedial subdivision of the VMH, lateral hypothalamic area, dorsomedial nucleus of the hypothalamus and ventral premammillary nucleus contained significant numbers of prolactin-responsive neurons, these areas showed very few pSTAT5-immunoreactive cells expressing ERα mRNA. Second, we evaluated prolactin sensitivity in ovariectomized mice and observed that sex hormones are required for a normal responsiveness to prolactin as ovariectomized mice showed a lower number of prolactin-induced pSTAT5 immunoreactive neurons in all analyzed brain nuclei compared to gonad-intact females. In addition, we performed hypothalamic gene expression analyses to determine possible post-ovariectomy changes in components of prolactin signaling. We observed no significant changes in the mRNA expression of prolactin receptor, STAT5a or STAT5b. In summary, sex hormones exert a permissive role in maintaining the brain's prolactin sensitivity, most likely through post-transcriptional mechanisms.