Changing Clinical Epidemiology of Plasmodium vivax Malaria as Transmission Decreases: Population-Based Prospective Panel Survey in the Brazilian Amazon.

BACKGROUND: Malarial infections are often missed by microscopy, and most parasite carriers are asymptomatic in low-endemicity settings. Whether parasite detectability and its ability to elicit symptoms change as transmission declines remains unclear. METHODS: We performed a prospective panel survey with repeated measurements on the same participants over 12 months to investigate whether Plasmodium vivax detectability by microscopy and risk of symptoms upon infection varied during a community-wide larviciding intervention in the Amazon basin of Brazil that markedly reduced vector density. We screened 1096 to 1400 residents in the intervention site for malaria by microscopy and quantitative TaqMan assays at baseline and twice during intervention. RESULTS: We found that more P vivax infections than expected from their parasite densities measured by TaqMan assays were missed by microscopy as transmission decreased. At lower transmission, study participants appeared to tolerate higher P vivax loads without developing symptoms. We hypothesize that changes in the ratio between circulating parasites and those that accumulate in the bone marrow and spleen, by avoiding peripheral blood microscopy detection, account for decreased parasite detectability and lower risk of symptoms under low transmission. CONCLUSIONS: P vivax infections are more likely to be subpatent and remain asymptomatic as malaria transmission decreases.

Non-animal protein hydrolysates from agro-industrial wastes: A prospect of alternative inputs for cultured meat.

In light of the growing demand for alternative protein sources, laboratory-grown meat has been proposed as a potential solution to the challenges posed by conventional meat production. Cultured meat does not require animal slaughter and uses sustainable production methods, contributing to animal welfare, human health, and environmental sustainability. However, some challenges still need to be addressed in cultured meat production, such as the use of fetal bovine serum for medium supplementation. This ingredient has limited availability, increases production costs, and raises ethical concerns. This review explores the potential of non-animal protein hydrolysates derived from agro-industrial wastes as substitutes for critical components of fetal bovine serum in cultured meat production. Despite the lack of standardization of hydrolysate composition, the potential benefits of this alternative protein source may outweigh its disadvantages. Future research holds promise for increasing the accessibility of cultured meat.

Evaluation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae modified via CRISPR/Cas9 as a cellulosic platform microorganism in simultaneously saccharification and fermentation processes.

The nonrenewable character and deleterious effects of fossil fuels foster the need for cleaner and more inexhaustible energy sources, such as bioethanol. Especially from lignocellulosic biomasses. However, the economic viability of this product in the market depends on process optimization and cost reduction. This research applied a sequential experimental project to investigate the process of enzymatic saccharification and simultaneous fermentation to produce ethanol with sugarcane bagasse. The differential of the work was the application of the strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae AGY001 which was improved by evolutionary engineering to become thermotolerant and by a heterologous expression based on genomic integration by CRISPR/Cas9 to produce endoglucanase and ß-glucosidase (AsENDO-AsBGL). The maximum ethanol yield found was 89% of the maximum theoretical yield (released sugars), obtained at temperature concentrations, sugarcane bagasse and inoculum at 40 °C, 16.5%, and 4.0 g/L, respectively (12.5 FPU/g bagasse). The mathematical model obtained can predict approximately 83% of the data set with 95% confidence. Therefore, these findings demonstrated the potential of sugarcane bagasse and S. cerevisiae AGY001 strain (CRISPR/Cas9 modified) in bioethanol production without the need for impractical selection media on an industrial scale, in addition to providing useful insights for the development of SSF processes.

Monthly biological larviciding associated with a tenfold decrease in larval density in fish farming ponds and reduced community-wide malaria incidence in northwestern Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Larvicides are typically applied to fixed and findable mosquito breeding sites, such as fish farming ponds used in commercial aquaculture, to kill immature forms and thereby reduce the size of adult malaria vector populations. However, there is little evidence suggesting that larviciding may suppress community-wide malaria transmission outside Africa. Here, we tested whether the biological larvicide VectoMax FG applied at monthly intervals to fish farming ponds can reduce malaria incidence in Amazonian Brazil. METHODS: This study was carried out in Vila Assis Brasil (VAB; population 1700), a peri-urban malaria hotspot in northwestern Brazil with a baseline annual parasite incidence of 553 malaria cases per 1000 inhabitants. The intervention consisted of monthly treatments with 20 kg/ha of VectoMax FG of all water-filled fish ponds in VAB (n ranging between 167 and 170) with a surface area between 20 and 8000 m2, using knapsack power mistblowers. We used single-group interrupted time-series analysis to compare monthly larval density measurements in fish ponds during a 14-month pre-intervention period (September 2017-October 2018), with measurements made during November 2018-October 2019 and shortly after the 12-month intervention (November 2019). We used interrupted time-series analysis with a comparison group to contrast the malaria incidence trends in VAB and nearby nonintervention localities before and during the intervention. RESULTS: Average larval densities decreased tenfold in treated fish farming ponds, from 0.467 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.444-0.490) anopheline larvae per dip pre-intervention (September 2017-October 2018) to 0.046 (95% CI, 0.041-0.051) larvae per dip during (November 2018-October 2019) and shortly after the intervention (November 2019). Average malaria incidence rates decreased by 0.08 (95% CI, 0.04-0.11) cases per 100 person-months (P < 0.0001) during the intervention in VAB and remained nearly unchanged in comparison localities. We estimate that the intervention averted 24.5 (95% CI, 6.2-42.8) malaria cases in VAB between January and December 2019. CONCLUSIONS: Regular larviciding is associated with a dramatic decrease in larval density and a modest but significant decrease in community-wide malaria incidence. Larviciding may provide a valuable complementary vector control strategy in commercial aquaculture settings across the Amazon.

Cello-oligosaccharides production from lignocellulosic biomass and their emerging prebiotic applications.

Cello-oligosaccharides (COS) are linear oligosaccharides composed of ß-1,4-linked glucopyranose units. They comprise a group of important new oligosaccharides of significant interest and potential applications in the pharmaceutical, food, chemical, and feed industries, currently emerging as potential prebiotic compounds. COS from lignocellulosic biomass, specifically the agro-industrial residues and by-products of the forestry industry, constitute a new attractive process that imposes the sustainable use of biomass resources. Two main strategies have been used for the production of COS: acid-based and enzyme-based cellulose hydrolysis. The latter has been considered more attractive due to the use of milder reaction conditions and less production of monomers. This review summarizes that although COS is emerging as a potential prebiotic with also other potential applications, there is a lack of information regarding the large-scale production, which could be associated with the recalcitrant nature of cellulose compared to other polysaccharides, which hinders the hydrolysis of its dense network.

Fermentative characteristics and nutritional value of sugarcane silage added with two types of urea / Características fermentativas y valor nutricional del ensilaje de caña de azúcar con adición de dos tipos de urea / Características fermentativas e valor nutricional da silagem de cana-de-açúcar aditivada com dois tipos de ureia

Abstract Background: Dry matter (DM) loss is high in sugarcane silage due to its high content of soluble carbohydrates which favors yeast growth and ethanol production, thus reducing the nutritional value of the preserved forage. Objective: To determine the effect of adding two types of urea at two concentration levels to sugarcane silage on the nutritional value and fermentative characteristics of the silage. Methods: A completely randomized 2×2+1 factorial design was used, based on two types of urea (conventional and protected), two urea concentration (0.5 and 1.0% of the natural matter), and a control (sugarcane silage with no additives). Six replicates were used. The mixture was placed in PVC silos and opened after 60 days. Results: There was no difference in DM content or effluent losses by the addition of urea. In regards to neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and lignin, decreased levels were observed compared to the control, regardless of urea type. Urea type and concentration had an effect on ammoniacal nitrogen content, with higher values for conventional urea, but not affecting the pH. The addition of urea to sugarcane silage reduced gas losses and raised the levels of crude protein, ether extract, and effective degradability. Conclusion: Adding protected or conventional urea at 1% of natural matter at the time of sugarcane ensiling reduces gas losses and improves nutritional composition of the silage.

Resumen Antecedentes: La caña de azúcar ensilada presenta una elevada pérdida de materia seca (MS) debido a su alto contenido de carbohidratos solubles que favorece el crecimiento de levaduras y la producción de etanol, reduciendo así el valor nutricional del ensilado. Objetivo: Determinar el efecto de dos tipos de urea en dos concentraciones sobre las características fermentativas y el valor nutricional del ensilaje de caña de azúcar. Métodos: Se utilizó un diseño completamente al azar, en esquema factorial 2x2+1, basado en dos tipos de urea (común o protegida), dos concentraciones de urea (0,5 y 1,0% de la materia natural) y un control (ensilaje de caña de azúcar sin aditivos). Se utilizaron seis réplicas de cada tratamiento. El material fue ensilado en silos de PVC, los que fueron abiertos después de 60 días. Resultados: No hubo diferencia en el contenido de MS o en las pérdidas por efluentes con la adición de urea. En relación a la fibra detergente neutra, fibra detergente ácida y lignina, se observó disminución de éstos con respecto al control, independientemente del tipo de urea. Se observó un efecto de la concentración y del tipo de urea para el contenido de nitrógeno amoniacal, con mayores valores para la urea común, pero sin efecto sobre el pH. La adición de urea en el ensilado de caña redujo las pérdidas por gases y elevó los niveles de proteína bruta, extracto etéreo y degradabilidad efectiva. Conclusión: La adición de urea común o protegida, al 1% de materia natural, al inicio del ensilaje de caña de azúcar reduce las pérdidas por gases y mejora la composición nutricional del ensilaje.

Resumo Antecedentes: A ensilagem de cana-de-açúcar sem aditivos apresenta elevada perda de matéria seca (MS) devido ao alto teor de carboidratos solúveis, favorecendo o crescimento de leveduras e produção de etanol, reduzindo assim o valor nutricional da forragem conservada. Objetivo: Determinar o efeito do tipo de ureia (comun ou protegida) e diferentes concentrações nas características fermentativas e valor nutritivo das silagens de cana-de-açúcar. Métodos: Utilizou-se um delineamento inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 2 x 2 + 1, sendo dois tipos de ureia (comun ou protegida), e duas concentrações (0,5 e 1,0% com base na matéria natural) mais o controle (silagem exclusiva de cana-de-açúcar); com seis repetições. O material foi ensilado em silos de PVC e abertos após 60 dias. Resultados: Não houve diferença no teor de MS e nas perdas por efluentes com adição da ureia. Em relação à fibra em detergente neutro, fibra em detergente ácido e lignina observou-se diminuição destes em relação ao controle, independente do tipo de ureia. Observou-se efeito das concentrações e do tipo de ureia para o teor de nitrogênio amoniacal, com maiores valores para a ureia comum, porém sem efeito no pH. A adição de ureia na ensilagem de cana reduziram as perdas por gases e elevaram os teores de proteína bruta, extrato etéreo e degradabilidade efetiva. Conclusão: O uso de 1% de ureia, independente do tipo, promove um incremento no valor nutricional da silagem de cana-de-açúcar e reduz as perdas por gases.

Cell numbers, distribution, shape, and regional variation throughout the murine hippocampal formation from the adult brain Allen Reference Atlas.

Quantifying the distribution of cells in every brain region is fundamental to attaining a comprehensive census of distinct neuronal and glial types. Until recently, estimating neuron numbers involved time-consuming procedures that were practically limited to stereological sampling. Progress in open-source image recognition software, growth in computing power, and unprecedented neuroinformatics developments now offer the potentially paradigm-shifting alternative of comprehensive cell-by-cell analysis in an entire brain region. The Allen Brain Atlas provides free digital access to complete series of raw Nissl-stained histological section images along with regional delineations. Automated cell segmentation of these data enables reliable and reproducible high-throughput quantification of regional variations in cell count, density, size, and shape at whole-system scale. While this strategy is directly applicable to any regions of the mouse brain, we first deploy it here on the closed-loop circuit of the hippocampal formation: the medial and lateral entorhinal cortices; dentate gyrus (DG); areas Cornu Ammonis 3 (CA3), CA2, and CA1; and dorsal and ventral subiculum. Using two independent image processing pipelines and the adult mouse reference atlas, we report the first cellular-level soma segmentation in every sub-region and non-principal layer of the left hippocampal formation through the full rostral-caudal extent. It is important to note that our techniques excluded the layers with the largest number of cells, DG granular and CA pyramidal, due to dense packing. The numerical estimates for the remaining layers are corroborated by traditional stereological sampling on a data subset and well match sparse published reports.

Morphogenetic characteristics of three Brachiaria brizantha cultivars submitted to nitrogen fertilization.

This study aims to evaluate the morphogenetic characteristics of three cultivars of Brachiaria brizantha subjected to nitrogen fertilization. The design was a randomized block in factorial arrangement 4x3; three cultivars of B. brizantha - Marandu, Piatã, Xaraés and four nitrogen levels - 0, 80, 160 and 240 kg/ha, with three replications. The experimental units consisted of plastic pots filled with 5 dm3 of soil. Thereupon the establishment fertilization, varieties were sowed directly in the pots, leaving, after thinning, five plants per pot. Forty-five days after planting, it was done a standardization cut at 10 cm tall. Nitrogen levels were distributed according to the treatments, divided in three applications. The morphogenetic characteristics were evaluated in three tillers per sampling unit and data were submitted to analysis of variance and regression. For all evaluated characteristics there was no interaction between factors cultivar and nitrogen levels, verifying only the effects of nitrogen on the variables leaf appearance rate and phyllochron. The dose 240 kg/ha of N corresponds to the greater leaf appearance rate. Cultivar Marandu shows the higher leaf blade: pseudostem and ratio of leaf elongation rate and elongation pseudostem, which favors higher forage quality.

Neurólise ulnar externa: tratamento cirúrgico e avaliaçäo estesiométrica / Ulnar nerve decompression: surgical treatment and sensory recovery evaluation

Vinte pacientes submetidos a neurólise ulnar externa foram avaliados para verificar a eficiência desta cirurgia na recuperaçäo da perda sensitiva na neuropatia hanseniana. A avaliaçäo sensitiva foi quantificada pelo método de Siemmens-Weistein antes e após o procedimento cirúrgico. Dos 20 pacientes, 16 (80 por cento) obtiveram melhora do quadro deficitário, 4 (20 por cento) näo obtiveram melhora clínica; destes, 3 (15 por cento) foram considerados como portadores de neuropatia leve pré-operatoriamente e apenas 1 (5 por cento) apresentava neuropatia grave, näo se verificando melhora clínica. Conclui-se que a neurólise ulnar externa é capaz de produzir recuperaçäo sensitiva acentuada em pacientes portadores de neuropatia grave e moderada e que nos casos em que existe neuropatia leve, tal procedimento, quando näo for capaz de produzir melhora significativa, provavelmente impedirá o curso progressivo da neuropatia.