Preloading peri-implant crestal bone loss: A retrospective study of incidence and related factors.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of preloading crestal bone loss (PLCBL) and to identify the patient-related and implant-related factors associated with PLCBL. METHODS: This retrospective cohort examined the dental records of patients who received at least one dental implant. PLCBL was defined as a reduction ⩾0.5 mm and severe PLCBL (primary variable) as a reduction ⩾1.5 mm in mesial and/or distal bone level, measured from the day of implant placement to uncovering or abutment installation/crown delivery. The incidence of PLCBL and patient and implant variables were recorded. Bivariate analysis and binary logistic regression identified factors associated with PLCBL ⩾0.5 mm and ⩾1.5 mm. RESULTS: A total of 746 dental implants placed in 361 patients from January 2011 to July 2021 was included in the analyses. Of the implants assessed, 24.4% (n = 182) exhibited PLCBL ⩾ 0.5 mm and 10.5% (n = 78) presented severe PLCBL (i.e., ⩾1.5 mm). Males (odds ratio [OR] = 1.85, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.11-3.07), patients with diabetes (OR = 3.33, 95% CI = 1.73-6.42), and those allergic to penicillin (OR = 3.13, 95% CI = 1.57-6.22) were more likely to experience severe PLCBL (p < 0.05). Implants placed in the anterior area (OR = 2.08, 95% CI = 1.16-3.73), with bone-level platform-abutment connection (OR = 4.73, 95% CI = 1.94-11.49) and inserted supracrestally (OR = 3.77, 95% CI = 1.84-7.72), presented a greater risk of developing severe PLCBL (p < 0.05). Implants placed in a previously grafted area presented a lower likelihood of developing severe PLCBL (OR = 0.489, 95% CI = 0.28-0.84). CONCLUSION: The incidence of PLCBL ⩾ 0.5 mm and ⩾1.5 mm was 24.4% and 10.5%, respectively. Male sex, diabetes, allergy to penicillin, anterior location, bone-level platform-abutment connection, and supracrestal implant placement are potential risk factors for severe PLCBL. A previously grafted area is a potential protective factor.

Effects of lower-limb extensors' neuromuscular fatigue on the regularity of running movements: a crossover study.

Neuromuscular fatigue (NMF) reduces the musculoskeletal system's ability to produce force during activities like running. Analysis of motor behaviour's regularity may identify motor system deficits caused by fatigue. The present study investigated whether the NMF of lower limb extensors alters the regularity of running movement and whether this possible effect remains over time. Crossover study with two randomised conditions: NMF and control. Twelve healthy young males participated in this study. Hip, knee, and ankle angles (sagittal plane) and centre of mass (CoM) linear accelerations were assessed during treadmill running at self-selected speed in four assessment conditions: Baseline (pre-NMF), and after NMF (NMF condition) or after rest (control), at the 1st (Time_1), 10th (Time_10) and 20th (Time_20) minutes. Kinematics regularity was measured as Sample Entropy. Repeated measures ANOVAs were used (α = 0.05). NMF reduced regularity of lower limb joints during running, and these effects remained up to 20 minutes. No changes were observed in the CoM accelerations' regularity. The regularity reductions may be an adaptive solution for the motor system to maintain the task performance. The measure of regularity of the lower limb joints' motion is sensitive to NMF and can identify states with deficits in muscles' force production capacity in running.

Effectiveness of multimodal circuit exercises for chronic musculoskeletal pain in older adults: A randomized controlled trial protocol.

Studies have shown that musculoskeletal pain is one of the most prevalent health conditions that affects many individuals worldwide. In older adults, persistent pain is a widely prevalent and a disabling condition of multiple contributing factors: physical, mental, and social. Consequently, their quality of life is hampered. We aimed to analyze the effectiveness of a multimodal circuit exercise program on chronic musculoskeletal pain and disabling in older adults. This is a randomized parallel study (two arms) with blinded outcome assessments. The participants' recruitment will be done by a non-probabilistic sampling resulting from invitations to Basic Health Units (BHU). The sample size estimation indicated 164 participants. Participants will be allocated, by means of a randomization process, to one of two groups (82 for each group): Experimental Group (multimodal circuit exercise) or Control Group (cycle of multidisciplinary lectures on pain and stretching exercise). All analyses will be processed using the RStudio software, with significance when a p-value of 2 tails is less than 5% (p<0.05). Statistical analysis will follow the intention to treat. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04719130, January 20, 2021.

Comparative Evaluation of Radiochemical and Biological Properties of 131I- and [99mTc]Tc(CO)3-Labeled RGD Analogues Planned to Interact with the αvß3 Integrin Expressed in Glioblastoma.

Radiolabeled peptides with high specificity for overexpressed receptors in tumor cells hold great promise for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. In this work, we aimed at comparing the radiolabeling efficiency and biological properties of two different RGD analogs: GRGDYV and GRGDHV, labeled with iodine-131 (131I) and technetium-99m-tricarbonyl complex [99mTc][Tc(CO)3]+. Additionally, we evaluated their interaction with the αvß3 integrin molecule, overexpressed in a wide variety of tumors, including glioblastoma. Both peptides were chemically synthesized, purified and radiolabeled with 131I and [99mTc][Tc(CO)3]+ using the chloramine-T and tricarbonyl methodologies, respectively. The stability, binding to serum proteins and partition coefficient were evaluated for both radioconjugates. In addition, the binding and internalization of radiopeptides to rat C6 glioblastoma cells and rat brain homogenates from normal animals and a glioblastoma-induced model were assessed. Finally, ex vivo biodistribution studies were carried out. Radiochemical yields between 95-98% were reached for both peptides under optimized radiolabeling conditions. Both peptides were stable for up to 24 h in saline solution and in human serum. In addition, the radiopeptides have hydrophilic characteristics and a percentage of binding to serum proteins around 35% and 50% for the [131I]I-GRGDYV and [99mTc]Tc(CO)3-GRGDHV fragments, respectively. Radiopeptides showed the capacity of binding and internalization both in cell culture (C6) and rat brain homogenates. Biodistribution studies corroborated the results obtained with brain homogenates and confirmed the different binding characteristics due to the exchange of radionuclides and the presence of the tricarbonyl complex. Thereby, the results showed that both radiopeptides might be considered for future clinical applications.

Eye-tracking as a proxy for coherence and complexity of texts.

Reading is a complex cognitive process that involves primary oculomotor function and high-level activities like attention focus and language processing. When we read, our eyes move by primary physiological functions while responding to language-processing demands. In fact, the eyes perform discontinuous twofold movements, namely, successive long jumps (saccades) interposed by small steps (fixations) in which the gaze "scans" confined locations. It is only through the fixations that information is effectively captured for brain processing. Since individuals can express similar as well as entirely different opinions about a given text, it is therefore expected that the form, content and style of a text could induce different eye-movement patterns among people. A question that naturally arises is whether these individuals' behaviours are correlated, so that eye-tracking while reading can be used as a proxy for text subjective properties. Here we perform a set of eye-tracking experiments with a group of individuals reading different types of texts, including children stories, random word generated texts and excerpts from literature work. In parallel, an extensive Internet survey was conducted for categorizing these texts in terms of their complexity and coherence, considering a large number of individuals selected according to different ages, gender and levels of education. The computational analysis of the fixation maps obtained from the gaze trajectories of the subjects for a given text reveals that the average "magnetization" of the fixation configurations correlates strongly with their complexity observed in the survey. Moreover, we perform a thermodynamic analysis using the Maximum-Entropy Model and find that coherent texts were closer to their corresponding "critical points" than non-coherent ones, as computed from the Pairwise Maximum-Entropy method, suggesting that different texts may induce distinct cohesive reading activities.

Local administration of p-coumaric acid decreases lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in mice: In vitro and in silico studies.

Acute lung injury (ALI) remains to cause a high rate of mortality in critically ill patients. It is known that inflammation is a key factor in the pathogenesis of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI, which makes it a relevant approach to the treatment of ALI. In this study, we evaluated the potential of nasally instilled p-coumaric acid to prevent LPS-induced ALI in mice, by evaluating its effects on cellular and molecular targets involved in inflammatory response via in vitro and in silico approaches. Our results demonstrated that p-coumaric acid reduced both neutrophil accumulation and pro-inflammatory cytokine abundance, and simultaneously increased IL-10 production at the site of inflammation, potentially contributing to protection against LPS-induced ALI in mice. In the in vitro experiments, we observed inhibitory effects of p-coumaric acid against IL-6 and IL-8 production in stimulated A549 cells, as well as reactive oxygen species generation by neutrophils. In addition, p-coumaric acid treatment decreased neutrophil adhesion on the TNF-α-stimulated endothelial cells. According to the in silico predictions, p-coumaric acid reached stable interactions with both the ATP-binding site of IKKß as well as the regions within LFA-1, critical for interaction with ICAM-1, thereby suppressing the production of proinflammatory mediators and hindering the neutrophil infiltration, respectively. Collectively, these findings indicate that p-coumaric acid is a promising anti-inflammatory agent that can be used for developing a pharmaceutical drug for the treatment of ALI and other inflammatory disorders.

Protective effects of non-catalytic proteins on endoglucanase activity at air and lignin interfaces.

The manner in which added non-catalytic proteins during enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellulosic substrates enhances hydrolysis mechanisms is not completely understood. Prior research has indicated that a reduction in the non-specific adsorption of enzymes on lignin, and deactivation of enzymes exposed to air-liquid interface provide rationale. This work investigated root causes including effects of the air-liquid interface on non-catalytic proteins, and effects of lignin on endoglucanase. Three different experimental designs and three variables (air-liquid interfacial area, the types of lignin (acid or enzymatic lignin), and the presence of non-enzymatic protein (bovine serum albumin [BSA] or soy proteins ) were used. The results showed that acid isolated lignin adsorbed almost all endoglucanase activity initially present in supernatant, independent of air interface conditions (25 or 250 ml flasks) with the presence of BSA preventing this effect. Endoglucanase lost 30%-50% of its activity due to an air-liquid interface in the presence of lignin while addition of non-enzymatic protein helped to preserve this enzyme's activity. Langmuir and Freundlich models applied to experimental data indicated that the adsorption increases with increasing temperature for both endoglucanase and BSA. Adsorption of the enzyme and protein were endothermic with an increase in entropy. These results, combined, show that hydrophobicity plays a strong role in the adsorption of both endoglucanase and BSA on lignin.

Suppression of a BAHD acyltransferase decreases p-coumaroyl on arabinoxylan and improves biomass digestibility in the model grass Setaria viridis.

Grass cell walls have hydroxycinnamic acids attached to arabinosyl residues of arabinoxylan (AX), and certain BAHD acyltransferases are involved in their addition. In this study, we characterized one of these BAHD genes in the cell wall of the model grass Setaria viridis. RNAi silenced lines of S. viridis (SvBAHD05) presented a decrease of up to 42% of ester-linked p-coumarate (pCA) and 50% of pCA-arabinofuranosyl, across three generations. Biomass from SvBAHD05 silenced plants exhibited up to 32% increase in biomass saccharification after acid pre-treatment, with no change in total lignin. Molecular dynamics simulations suggested that SvBAHD05 is a p-coumaroyl coenzyme A transferase (PAT) mainly involved in the addition of pCA to the arabinofuranosyl residues of AX in Setaria. Thus, our results provide evidence of p-coumaroylation of AX promoted by SvBAHD05 acyltransferase in the cell wall of the model grass S. viridis. Furthermore, SvBAHD05 is a promising biotechnological target to engineer crops for improved biomass digestibility for biofuels, biorefineries and animal feeding.

Murumuru (Astrocaryum murumuru) meal as an additive to elephant grass silage / Torta de murumuru (Astrocaryum murumuru) como aditivo en el ensilado de pasto elefante / Torta de murumuru (Astrocaryum murumuru) como aditivo em silagens de capim elefante

Abstract Background: Tropical grasses, such as elephant grass, have high moisture content during its ideal phenological state for silage. High moisture content hinders proper preservation and reduces the nutritive value of silage due to secondary fermentation and production of effluents. Adding feed materials with high dry matter content, such as murumuru (Astrocaryum murumuru) meal, is a potential alternative to improve silage yield. Objective: To determine the effects of including murumuru meal (0, 7, 14, 21, and 28%) on the fermentative characteristics, microbiological activity, aerobic stability, and chemical composition of elephant grass silages. Methods: A completely randomized design with five treatments and five replicates was used. Elephant grass was collected at 60 d of age, minced, and homogenized with murumuru meal. The mass was placed in experimental 15-L silos. The silos were collected and analyzed 45 d later. Results: Effluent production decreased (p<0.05) as the proportions of murumuru meal in silage increased. A quadratic effect (p<0.05) was observed on dry matter recovery. An increase (p<0.05) was observed in dry matter content, a decrease (p<0.05) in the neutral detergent fiber content, and an increase (p<0.05) in the non-fibrous carbohydrate content with the inclusion of murumuru meal. Conclusions: Addition of murumuru meal improves chemical composition and does not affect the fermentative characteristics of elephant grass silage, while it reduces effluent losses. Nevertheless, the inclusion of murumuru meal in the elephant grass silage decreased the time of aerobic stability.

Resumen Antecedentes: los pastos tropicales, tales como el pasto elefante, tienen alto contenido de humedad cuando están en su estado fenológico ideal para ensilar. Esto dificulta su adecuada preservación en el silo, reduciendo el valor nutritivo del ensilaje debido a fermentaciones secundarias y generación de efluentes. Una posible solución sería incluir materiales con alto contenido de materia seca, tales como la torta de murumuru (Astrocaryum murumuru). Objetivo: determinar el efecto de la inclusión de torta de murumuru (0; 7; 14; 21 y 28%) sobre las características fermentativas, microbiológicas, estabilidad aeróbica y composición química de los ensilajes de pasto elefante. Métodos: se utilizó un diseño completamente al azar, con cinco tratamientos y cinco repeticiones. El pasto elefante fue colectado a los 60 días de edad, luego picado y homogeneizado con la torta de murumuru. La masa fue colocada en silos experimentales con capacidad de 15 L. Luego de 45 días de ensilado, los silos fueron abiertos y las muestras fueron colectadas para su posterior análisis. Resultados: hubo reducción (p<0,05) en la producción de efluentes a medida que se incrementó la proporción de torta de murumuru en el ensilado. Se observó un efecto cuadrático (p<0,05) en la recuperación de materia seca. Hubo aumento (p<0,05) en los contenidos de materia seca con la adición de torta de murumuru. Se observó disminución (p<0,05) en el contenido de fibra detergente neutra y aumento (p<0,05) de carbohidratos no fibrosos. Conclusión: La adición de torta de murumuru mejora la composición química, reduce las perdidas por efluentes y no afecta las características fermentativas de ensilado de pasto elefante. Sin embargo, la inclusión de la torta de murumuru en el ensilado de pasto elefante disminuye el tiempo en estabilidad aeróbica.

Resumo Antecedentes: capins tropicais, como por exemplo o capim-elefante apresentam alto teor de umidade quando possuem produtividade compatível e estão no estádio fenológico adequado para ensilagem. Isso dificulta a adequada preservação no silo, ocasionando a redução do valor nutritivo da silagem devido a fermentações secundárias e a produção de efluentes. Uma possível solução seria o uso de aditivos com alto teor de matéria seca, como bolo de murumuru (Astrocaryum murumuru). Objetivo: determinar o efeito da inclusão da torta de murumuru (0; 7; 14; 21 e 28%) na ensilagem de capim-elefante sobre as características fermentativas, microbiológicas, estabilidade aeróbia e a composição química das silagens. Métodos: utilizou- se um delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com cinco tratamentos e cinco repetições. O capim-elefante foi colhido aos 60 dias de idade, o mesmo foi picado e homogeneizado à torta de murumuru. A massa foi ensilada em silos experimentais com capacidade de 15 L. Após 45 dias de ensilagem, os silos foram abertos e amostras foram coletadas para posteriores análises laboratoriais. Resultados: houve redução (p<0,05) na produção de efluentes à medida que se elevaram as proporções da torta de murumuru na ensilagem. Observou-se efeito quadrático (p<0,05) na recuperação de matéria seca. Houve aumento (p<0,05) nos teores de matéria seca com a adição da torta murumuru. Observou-se diminuição (p<0,05) nos teores de fibra em detergente neutro e aumento (p<0,05) nos teores de carboidratos não fibrosos. Conclusão: torta de murumuru como aditivo melhora a composição química, reduz perdas principalmente por efluente e não afeta as características fermentativas de silagens de capim- elefante. Entretanto, a inclusão da torta de murumuru na ensilagem de capim-elefante diminui o tempo em estabilidade aeróbia.

Radiochemical and biological properties of peptides designed to interact with EGF receptor: Relevance for glioblastoma.

Radiolabeled peptides with high specificity to receptors expressed on tumor cells hold a great promise as diagnostic and therapeutic tracers. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the radiochemical and biological properties of two [131I]I-peptides, as well as their interaction with the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), overexpressed in a wide variety of tumors, including glioblastoma. The EEEEYFELV peptide and its analogue DEDEYFELV, both designed to interact with EGFR, were chemically synthesized, purified and radiolabeled with iodine-131 ([131I]NaI). The radioiodination was evaluated and optimized using the chloramine-T methodology. The stability, serum proteins binding and partition coefficient were assessed for both radioconjugates. Moreover, the binding and internalization of synthesized radiopeptides with rat glioblastoma cells (C6) and with rat brain homogenates from a glioblastoma induced model were evaluated and ex vivo biodistribution studies were performed. Under optimized radiolabeling conditions, the peptides showed an average radiochemical yield of 90-95%. The stability studies showed that both peptides were stable up to 24 h in reaction medium, saline, and human serum. Furthermore, [131I]I-peptides have hydrophilic features and showed binding percentage to serum proteins of around 50%, which is highly compatible with clinical applications. Moreover, the radiopeptides presented capacity for binding and internalization in both tumor cells (C6) and rat brain tissues after tumor induction. Biodistribution studies corroborated the cell culture studies and confirmed the different binding characteristics derived from a simple change of two amino acids (Glu ➔ Asp1,3) in their sequences. The results obtained are consistent enough to motivate further studies. Thereby, these radiolabeled peptides might be useful for diagnostic applications.

Chemical composition, lipid peroxidation, and fatty acid profile in meat of broilers fed with glycerol monolaurate additive.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition and fatty acid profile of broilers fed diets containing glycerol monolaurate (GML) in place of antimicrobials. Groups: T0 group used as control; T100, T200, and T300 groups received diets supplemented with 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg of GML, respectively. The feed mixture used in the poultry feed during the four phases of the production cycle (days 1 to 7; 8 to 21; 22 to 35; and 36 to 42 of birds age) showed similar levels of protein, lipid and ash, as well as fatty acid profiles. Samples of frozen breasts from chickens slaughtered at 42 days of age were used for chemical gross composition and fatty acid analysis. We observed lower lipid levels in the meat of broilers in the T200 and T300 groups than in the T0 group. Lower lipid peroxidation occurred in the meat of animals that consumed GML in respect to control. Total saturated fatty acid percentage was lower, while total polyunsaturated fatty acid percentage was higher in the meat of broilers fed GML than in the control group. We conclude that the increase in GML concentrations alters the lipid profile of broiler meat.

The effects of one session of roller massage on recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Roller massage has become a popular intervention in sports settings in order to treat muscle soreness and stiffness, as well as improving post-exercise recovery, although there is limited evidence for these assumptions. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a single session of roller massage, applied with a controlled force after an exercise-induced muscle damage protocol, on muscle recovery. METHODS: A randomized controlled study was performed using a repeated-measures design. Thirty-six young men completed four sets of six eccentric actions of elbow flexors at 90°/s with a 90s rest interval between sets. Participants were randomly assigned into one of three groups: 1) Roller massage (n = 12), 2) Sham (n = 12), and 3) Control (n = 12). Maximal isometric voluntary contraction (MIVC), delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS), range of motion (ROM), and muscle thickness were measured at baseline, and at 24, 48, and 72 h post exercise. RESULTS: There was no significant group by time interaction for MIVC (p = 0.090) and ROM (p = 0.416). Also, although there was a significant group by time interaction for muscle thickness (p = 0.028), post hoc test did not find significant difference between groups (p > 0.05). DOMS was recovered at 72 h for roller massage (p < 0.001) and control (p < 0.001) groups, while the Sham group did not recover from DOMS across 72 h (p < 0.001). There was also no significant difference between groups in DOMS at any time (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A single session of roller massage applied on elbow flexors had no effect on recovery of MIVC, muscle swelling, ROM and DOMS.

Caffeine removal using Elaeis guineensis activated carbon: adsorption and RSM studies.

The palm (Elaeis guineensis), known as dendê, is an important oleaginous Brazilian plant with a high performance of oil production. In this work, a 23 full experimental design was performed and the response surface method (RSM) was used to indicate the optimum parameter of caffeine adsorption on Elaeis guineensis endocarp activated carbon, since the endocarp is the main by-product from dendê oil production. It was set the adsorbent point of zero charge (pHpzc), and the material was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The RSM results indicate removal efficiency (%) at the optimal conditions, 0.20 g of adsorbent, and caffeine initial concentration of 20 mg/L, and acidic medium was about 95%. Based on ANOVA and F test (Fcalculated > Fstandard), the mathematical/statistical model obtained fits well to the experimental data. The overall kinetic studies showed time was achieved after 5 h and caffeine adsorption followed the pseudo-second-order model suggesting chemisorption is a predominant mechanism. Redlich-Peterson and Sips models best represented the experimental data (0.967 < R2 < 0.993). Thermodynamic revealed that caffeine adsorption was spontaneous at all temperatures studied, exothermic, and probably with changes in the adsorbate-adsorbent complex during the process. The tests conducted in different water matrixes corroborate the suitability of this adsorbent to be used in caffeine removal even in a complex solution.

Relapses after using Carnoy's solution in treating aggressive benign odontogenic lesions.

BACKGROUND: Chemical curettage has become popular in the definitive treatment of benign aggressive odontogenic lesions. Therefore, this study aims to verify the relapse rate and associated factors after the enucleation protocol, peripheral ostectomy and Carnoy's solution. METHODS: This is a retrospective sectional study with 30 patients, selected by non-probabilistic convenience sampling, submitted to the protocol from 2008 to 2018. The study was composed by the data collection phase of the medical records and clinical and radiographic analysis of the patients in order to verify the presence of relapses. Descriptive and statistical analyzes were performed using the Stata/IC version 14.0 program (StataCorp, College Station, TX, USA). The Mann-Whitney Test, Fisher's Exact Test and the χ2 Test, as well as the Kaplan Meier method and the Log-rank Test were used to verify the possible prognostic factors for relapses, adopting P<0.05. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 22 patients with odontogenic keratocysts (73.3%), 3 odontogenic myxomas (10%) and 5 ameloblastomas (16.7%). Relapses affected 7 patients (23.3%), all in odontogenic keratocysts, and the relapse time was between 12-34 months. There was no statistical difference between the evaluated factors and relapse development. Patients who remained with teeth adjacent to the lesion after treatment had an earlier relapse time, a cumulative risk of more than 80% for relapse after 29 months postoperatively, and a 5.5 times greater chance of developing relapses than patients who had their teeth extracted. CONCLUSIONS: The protocol is advantageous when compared to isolated treatments and can be used as an alternative to resection.

The effect of prenatal vaginal progesterone on cervical length in nonselected twin pregnancies.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of vaginal progesterone on cervical length (CL) in asymptomatic nonselected twin gestations. METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of twin pregnancies exposed to vaginal progesterone or placebo. The CL was examined at six different time periods: 18-21+6 weeks (T1), 21-23+6 weeks (T2), 24-26+6 weeks (T3), 27-29+6 weeks (T4), 30-32+6 weeks (T5) and 33-34+6 weeks (T6). The rate of cervical shortening per week and the percent cervical shortening were compared between the groups, with analyses of the entire cohort and of those who delivered spontaneously according to gestational age at birth. RESULTS: The final analysis included 184 women in the progesterone group and 188 women in the placebo group. The baseline characteristics were similar in both groups. No differences in cervical shortening in terms of absolute value or percent shortening were observed between the groups at each time period or throughout gestation. Furthermore, no difference was found in cervical shortening for those who delivered spontaneously. CONCLUSION: Cervical shortening in asymptomatic nonselected twin pregnancies occurred at a similar rate, regardless of vaginal progesterone treatment.

Two new species and updated checklist of Oxyethira Eaton, 1873 (Trichoptera, Hydroptilidae) from Brazil

ABSTRACT Two new species of Oxyethira Eaton, 1873 are described: Oxyethira cascadanta sp. n. and Oxyethira quadrilobata sp. n. Description and illustrations of the new species are provided based on specimens collected in Parque Nacional da Serra da Canastra, Minas Gerais State, Southeast Brazil. Both species are assigned to the subgenus Loxotrichia but differ from other species mainly in morphology of the subgenital plate, subgenital processes and inferior appendages. Additionally, we provide an updated checklist of the Oxyethira species from Brazil.

Genome-wide identification, characterization and expression profile analysis of expansins gene family in sugarcane (Saccharum spp.).

Expansins refer to a family of closely related non-enzymatic proteins found in the plant cell wall that are involved in the cell wall loosening. In addition, expansins appear to be involved in different physiological and environmental responses in plants such as leaf and stem initiation and growth, stomata opening and closing, reproduction, ripening and stress tolerance. Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) is one of the main crops grown worldwide. Lignocellulosic biomass from sugarcane is one of the most promising raw materials for the ethanol industry. However, the efficient use of lignocellulosic biomass requires the optimization of several steps, including the access of some enzymes to the hemicellulosic matrix. The addition of expansins in an enzymatic cocktail or their genetic manipulation could drastically improve the saccharification process of feedstock biomass by weakening the hydrogen bonds between polysaccharides present in plant cell walls. In this study, the expansin gene family in sugarcane was identified and characterized by in silico analysis. Ninety two putative expansins in sugarcane (SacEXPs) were categorized in three subfamilies after phylogenetic analysis. The expression profile of some expansin genes in leaves of sugarcane in different developmental stages was also investigated. This study intended to provide suitable expansin targets for genetic manipulation of sugarcane aiming at biomass and yield improvement.

Suppression of a single BAHD gene in Setaria viridis causes large, stable decreases in cell wall feruloylation and increases biomass digestibility.

Feruloylation of arabinoxylan (AX) in grass cell walls is a key determinant of recalcitrance to enzyme attack, making it a target for improvement of grass crops, and of interest in grass evolution. Definitive evidence on the genes responsible is lacking so we studied a candidate gene that we identified within the BAHD acyl-CoA transferase family. We used RNA interference (RNAi) silencing of orthologs in the model grasses Setaria viridis (SvBAHD01) and Brachypodium distachyon (BdBAHD01) and determined effects on AX feruloylation. Silencing of SvBAHD01 in Setaria resulted in a c. 60% decrease in AX feruloylation in stems consistently across four generations. Silencing of BdBAHD01 in Brachypodium stems decreased feruloylation much less, possibly due to higher expression of functionally redundant genes. Setaria SvBAHD01 RNAi plants showed: no decrease in total lignin, approximately doubled arabinose acylated by p-coumarate, changes in two-dimensional NMR spectra of unfractionated cell walls consistent with biochemical estimates, no effect on total biomass production and an increase in biomass saccharification efficiency of 40-60%. We provide the first strong evidence for a key role of the BAHD01 gene in AX feruloylation and demonstrate that it is a promising target for improvement of grass crops for biofuel, biorefining and animal nutrition applications.

Two new species and updated checklist of Oxyethira Eaton, 1873 (Trichoptera, Hydroptilidae) from Brazil.

Two new species of Oxyethira Eaton, 1873 are described: Oxyethira cascadanta sp. n. and Oxyethira quadrilobata sp. n. Description and illustrations of the new species are provided based on specimens collected in Parque Nacional da Serra da Canastra, Minas Gerais State, Southeast Brazil. Both species are assigned to the subgenus Loxotrichia but differ from other species mainly in morphology of the subgenital plate, subgenital processes and inferior appendages. Additionally, we provide an updated checklist of the Oxyethira species from Brazil.

Effect of vaginal progesterone in tocolytic therapy during preterm labor in twin pregnancies: Secondary analysis of a placebo-controlled randomized trial.

AIM: Our aim was to investigate the effect of the prophylactic use of vaginal progesterone on the latency period from the initiation of tocolytic therapy to delivery in twin pregnancies with preterm labor. METHODS: This study was a secondary analysis of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of twin pregnancies in mothers who were exposed to a 200 mg vaginal progesterone ovule or a placebo ovule daily from 18 to 34 weeks gestation. Patients who were administered tocolysis with Atosiban because of preterm labor were included. The latency from tocolysis to delivery, mean gestational age at delivery and the rates of delivery within 48 h and within seven days were compared between progesterone and placebo groups. RESULTS: The analysis included 27 women in the progesterone group and 30 in the placebo group. The baseline characteristics were similar between the groups. Overall, there were no differences in the latency period to delivery (17.54 ± 13.54 days and 21.58 ± 13.52 days; P = 0.289), rates of delivery within 48 h (14.8% and 6.7%; P = 0.40) or within seven days (29.64% and 23.3%; P = 0.76) or mean gestational age at delivery (32.53 ± 3.33 and 34.13 ± 2.87; P = 0.08) between the progesterone and placebo groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic use of 200 mg of vaginal progesterone does not influence the latency to delivery in women with twin pregnancies treated with tocolysis because of preterm labor.