"It's a Lot of Closets to Come Out of in This Life": Experiences of Brazilian Gay Men Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus at the Time of Diagnosis and Its Biopsychosocial Impacts.

We investigated the experiences of Brazilian gay men with HIV, focusing on the moment of diagnosis and its potential biopsychosocial impacts. This clinical-qualitative study involved 15 participants interviewed online and synchronously by a clinical psychologist in 2021. Thematic analysis was employed to analyze the data. Interpretations were grounded in Minority Stress Theory. Four thematic axes emerged, including "Diagnostic Revelation", "Social and Internalized Stigma", "Biopsychosocial Effects of Living with HIV", and "Gratitude for Treatment Advances and the Brazilian Health System". The diagnosis was often experienced as traumatic, exacerbated by the absence of empathy and emotional support from healthcare providers. Participants commonly reported guilt, fear upon learning of their HIV status, social isolation, loneliness, lack of social support, and damage to affective-sexual relationships. Many also noted a decline in mental health, even those without HIV-related medical complications. Despite over 40 years since the HIV epidemic began, the prevalence of homophobia and serophobia among gay men remains widespread, including within the multidisciplinary teams of specialized services. This indicates that the stigma associated with homosexuality and HIV persists, despite significant biomedical progress in the diagnosis and treatment of the infection, particularly in Brazil.

Superior bioavailability of the calcium salt form of ß-hydroxy-ß-methylbutyrate compared with the free acid form.

We investigated the bioavailability of the calcium salt (HMB-Ca) and the free acid (HMB-FA) forms of ß-hydroxy-ß-methylbutyrate (HMB). Sixteen young individuals received the following treatments on three different occasions in a counterbalanced crossover fashion: (1) HMB-FA in clear capsules; (2) HMB-Ca in gelatine capsules; (3) HMB-Ca dissolved in water. All treatments provided 1 g of HMB. Blood samples were taken before and on multiple time points following ingestion. The following parameters were calculated: peak plasma (Cmax), time to peak (Tmax), slope of HMB appearance in blood, area under the curve (AUC), half-life time (t1/2) and relative bioavailability (HMB-Ca in water set as reference). All treatments led to rapid and large increases in plasma HMB. HMB-Ca in capsules and in water showed similar plasma HMB values across time (p = 0.438). HMB-FA resulted in lower concentrations vs. the other treatments (both p < 0.001). AUC (HMB-Ca in capsules: 50,078 ± 10,507; HMB-Ca in water: 47,871 ± 10,783; HMB-FA: 29,130 ± 12,946 µmol L-1 × 720 min), Cmax (HMB-Ca in capsules: 229.2 ± 65.9; HMB-Ca in water: 249.7 ± 49.7; HMB-FA: 139.1 ± 67.2 µmol L-1) and relative bioavailability (HMB-Ca in capsules: 104.8 ± 14.9%; HMB-FA: 61.5 ± 17.0%) were lower in HMB-FA vs. HMB-Ca (all p < 0.001). HMB-Ca in water resulted in the fastest Tmax (43 ± 22 min) compared to HMB-Ca in capsules (79 ± 40 min) and HMB-FA (78 ± 21 min) (all p < 0.05), while t1/2 was similar between treatments. To conclude, HMB-Ca exhibited superior bioavailability compared to HMB-FA, with HMB-Ca in water showing faster absorption. Elimination kinetics were similar across all forms, suggesting that the pharmaceutical form of HMB affects the absorption rates, but not its distribution or elimination.

Fetal Programming Influence on Microbiome Diversity and Ruminal and Cecal Epithelium in Beef Cattle.

We explored the influence of maternal nutritional strategies on the development of the rumen and cecum in offspring. Additionally, we investigated the potential repercussions of prenatal nutrition on the rumen and fecal microbiota composition, utilizing metagenomic 16S techniques, to understand the effects of fetal programming (FP) in Nellore cattle. A total of 63 bulls submitted to different prenatal nutrition strategies, namely, non-programming (NP), partial programming (PP), and complete programming (CP), were evaluated. The rumen epithelium was methodically evaluated based on the presence of rumenitis and structural irregularities. The assessment of cecum lesions was conducted post-evisceration, whereby all thoroughly cleaned ceca were methodically evaluated. Samples from 15 animals of rumen fluid at slaughter and feces during the finishing phase were collected, respectively. All DNA extraction were carried out using the Macherey Nagel NucleoSpin Tissue®, and 16S sequencing was conducted using the V4 primers on the MiSeq platform. Within the ruminal ecosystem, an estimated range of 90 to 130 distinct amplicon sequence variants was discerned, as distributed across 45,000 to 70,000 sequencing reads. Our metagenomic exploration unveils microbial communities that distinctly mirror gastrointestinal tract microenvironments and dietary influences. In sum, this comprehensive study advances our comprehension of FP, highlighting the interplay of maternal nutrition, gastrointestinal development, and microbial communities, contributing significantly to the fields of animal science.

Association between Sleep Problems and Psychopathologies among Preschoolers: A Brazilian Cross-Sectional Study.

Objective To evaluate the relationship between sleep problems and psychopathologies in Brazilian preschool children. Materials and Methods The present is a cross-sectional study with162 children: 81 with sleep problems referred for treatment (mean age: 3.67 years), matched by gender/age with 81 participants without sleep problems. Sleep problems were identified through a clinical interview with a specialist. Psychopathologies were evaluated using the Child Behavior Checklist for Ages 1.5-5 (CBCL/1.5-5). Results Having sleep problems was a predictor of all forms of psychopathologies on the CBCL scales, except for the withdrawn scale. Aggressive behavior, depression/anxiety, affective problems, and oppositional defiant disorder were associated with presence of sleep problems. Conclusion Given the probable bidirectionality of the association between sleep problems and psychopathologies in children, it is suggested that regular assessments of both phenomena should be performed in children referred for treatment of sleep problems and mental health problems in general.

Matrix metalloproteinases are associated with severity of disease among COVID-19 patients: A possible pharmacological target.

COVID-19 is a devastating disease and imbalanced matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity may contribute to its pathophysiology. This exploratory study examined whether increased circulating concentrations of MMP-2 and MMP-9, and their endogenous inhibitors, the tissue inhibitors of MMP (TIMP)-1, TIMP-2, TIMP-3 and TIMP-4 are persistently found in patients 2 weeks after their recovery from severe or critical COVID-19 as compared with those in healthy controls. Subjects who had severe (n = 26) or critical (n = 25) PCR-confirmed COVID-19 and healthy controls (n = 21) had blood samples drawn 2 weeks after recovery and serum MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, TIMP-3 and TIMP-4 were determined using two Human Luminex® Discovery Assays. Circulating MMP activity was also determined by gel zymography. Patients who had severe or critical COVID-19 had increased circulating MMP-9 and MMP-2 concentrations, with increased MMP-9/TIMP-1 and MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratios indicating increased MMP activity, confirmed by gel zymography (all p < 0.05). Higher circulating MMP-9 (but not MMP-2) concentrations were found in critical versus severe COVID-19 (p < 0.05). We found increased circulating MMP-9 and MMP-2 concentrations and activity many days after recovery from the acute disease, with MMP-9 levels associated with disease severity. These biochemical alterations suggest that MMP-2 and MMP-9 may be important pharmacological targets in COVID-19.

Spatiotemporal dynamics and epidemiological impact of SARS-CoV-2 XBB lineage dissemination in Brazil in 2023.

The SARS-CoV-2 XBB is a group of highly immune-evasive lineages of the Omicron variant of concern that emerged by recombining BA.2-descendent lineages and spread worldwide during 2023. In this study, we combine SARS-CoV-2 genomic data (n = 11,065 sequences) with epidemiological data of severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) cases collected in Brazil between October 2022 and July 2023 to reconstruct the space-time dynamics and epidemiologic impact of XBB dissemination in the country. Our analyses revealed that the introduction and local emergence of lineages carrying convergent mutations within the Spike protein, especially F486P, F456L, and L455F, propelled the spread of XBB* lineages in Brazil. The average relative instantaneous reproduction numbers of XBB* + F486P, XBB* + F486P + F456L, and XBB* + F486P + F456L + L455F lineages in Brazil were estimated to be 1.24, 1.33, and 1.48 higher than that of other co-circulating lineages (mainly BQ.1*/BE*), respectively. Despite such a growth advantage, the dissemination of these XBB* lineages had a reduced impact on Brazil's epidemiological scenario concerning previous Omicron subvariants. The peak number of SARI cases from SARS-CoV-2 during the XBB wave was approximately 90%, 80%, and 70% lower than that observed during the previous BA.1*, BA.5*, and BQ.1* waves, respectively. These findings revealed the emergence of multiple XBB lineages with progressively increasing growth advantage, yet with relatively limited epidemiological impact in Brazil throughout 2023. The XBB* + F486P + F456L + L455F lineages stand out for their heightened transmissibility, warranting close monitoring in the months ahead. IMPORTANCE: Brazil was one the most affected countries by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, with more than 700,000 deaths by mid-2023. This study reconstructs the dissemination of the virus in the country in the first half of 2023, a period characterized by the dissemination of descendants of XBB.1, a recombinant of Omicron BA.2 lineages evolved in late 2022. The analysis supports that XBB dissemination was marked by the continuous emergence of indigenous lineages bearing similar mutations in key sites of their Spike protein, a process followed by continuous increments in transmissibility, and without repercussions in the incidence of severe cases. Thus, the results suggest that the epidemiological impact of the spread of a SARS-CoV-2 variant is influenced by an intricate interplay of factors that extend beyond the virus's transmissibility alone. The study also underlines the need for SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance that allows the monitoring of its ever-shifting composition.

Genetic background of juniper (Juniperus spp.) consumption predicted by fecal near-infrared spectroscopy in divergently selected goats raised in harsh rangeland environments.

BACKGROUND: Junipers (Juniperus spp.) are woody native, invasive plants that have caused encroachment problems in the U.S. western rangelands, decreasing forage productivity and biodiversity. A potential solution to this issue is using goats in targeted grazing programs. However, junipers, which grow in dry and harsh environmental conditions, use chemical defense mechanisms to deter herbivores. Therefore, genetically selecting goats for increased juniper consumption is of great interest for regenerative rangeland management. In this context, the primary objectives of this study were to: 1) estimate variance components and genetic parameters for predicted juniper consumption in divergently selected Angora (ANG) and composite Boer x Spanish (BS) goat populations grazing on Western U.S. rangelands; and 2) to identify genomic regions, candidate genes, and biological pathways associated with juniper consumption in these goat populations. RESULTS: The average juniper consumption was 22.4% (± 18.7%) and 7.01% (± 12.1%) in the BS and ANG populations, respectively. The heritability estimates (realized heritability within parenthesis) for juniper consumption were 0.43 ± 0.02 (0.34 ± 0.06) and 0.19 ± 0.03 (0.13 ± 0.03) in BS and ANG, respectively, indicating that juniper consumption can be increased through genetic selection. The repeatability values of predicted juniper consumption were 0.45 for BS and 0.28 for ANG. A total of 571 significant SNP located within or close to 231 genes in BS, and 116 SNP related to 183 genes in ANG were identified based on the genome-wide association analyses. These genes are primarily associated with biological pathways and gene ontology terms related to olfactory receptors, intestinal absorption, and immunity response. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that juniper consumption is a heritable trait of polygenic inheritance influenced by multiple genes of small effects. The genetic parameters calculated indicate that juniper consumption can be genetically improved in both goat populations.

Association between religiosity/spirituality and substance use among homeless individuals.

BACKGROUND: Alcohol and illicit drug use are prevalent among homeless people. Religiosity and spirituality (RS) have been widely associated with lower consumption of substances. However, evidence of this relationship among homeless people is still scarce. AIMS: To evaluate the associations between RS and alcohol and illicit drug consumption among homeless people in a large Brazilian urban center. METHOD: This cross-sectional study was carried out in São Paulo city, Brazil. Aspects such as spirituality (FACIT-Sp12), religiosity (DUREL), spiritual-religious coping (Brief-RCOPE), and self-report questions concerning the current substance use (alcohol and illicit substances) were evaluated. Adjusted logistic regression models were used to assess the impact of RS beliefs on alcohol and illicit drug consumption. RESULTS: A total of 456 homeless people were included, of an average age of 44.5 (SD = 12.6) years. More than half of the participants consumed alcohol (55.7%) weekly and 34.2% used illicit drugs weekly. Adjusted logistic regression models identified that aspects of RS were associated with lower likelihood factors for alcohol and illicit drug use; conversely, negative spiritual religious coping (SRC) strategies were associated with a higher likelihood to use both. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of alcohol and illicit drug use among participants was high. RS and positive SRC were important protective factors for lower consumption of these substances. Conversely, negative SRC strategies were associated with risk factors.

A multisensory mindfulness experience: exploring the promotion of sensory awareness as a mindfulness practice.

Objectives: In this preliminary and multidisciplinary exploratory study, we assessed whether a mindfulness practice could be enhanced through a multisensory experience design that mimics the "beginner's mind," relying on sensory awareness and biofeedback processes as participants interact with the experience. Methods: We piloted and designed two conditions, being (a) a guided mindfulness practice based on the senses as an anchor to the present moment, using audio instruction only; and (b) an experience of mindfulness practice with successive sensory stimulation (olfactory, audio, and visual stimulation) followed by an interactive experience with biofeedback that provides a visual representation of the person's heartbeat in real-time. For each of the conditions we assessed anxiety (state and trait), as well as other psychological variables pre- and post-experience. Additionally, we measured the heart rate variability (HRV) at baseline, during each stage of the experience as well as post intervention. Results: We collected valid data for a total of 68 individuals. Both groups were similar regarding mean age, sex, and occupation and had similar prior experience with mindfulness. There were no significant differences regarding prior state or trait anxiety between the groups. Analysis of the physiological variables showed that for both groups there was an increase in the parasympathetic activity after the multisensory experience, with small differences in the conditions of stimulation. We did not observe significant differences between the pre and post measures for state of test anxiety. The observed parasympathetic activity variations after both experiences compared with pre and post-surveys demonstrate the importance of physiological vs psychological inspection beyond the common human rational experience that is not always resonate with the body's response and impacts the needed literacy to self-awareness of emotional well-being. Conclusion: Participants in both conditions could effectively connect with the experience, while achieving a physiological response different from their baseline state. The acceptance of the designed stimuli was very high, although more research is still needed to uncover its full potential. In sum, the design of multisensory experiences using technology to create an interactive connection with the sensory stimulus, is a promising field in mindfulness and especially in practices involving sensory awareness through the monitoring of parasympathetic activity as an inference indicator of the present-moment connection.

Influence of genetics on the occurrence of enamel hypomineralization affecting permanent and primary teeth: A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) is prevalent worldwide and is a challenge for clinicians who provide oral care to children. Molar incisor hypomineralization has been considered a multifactorial disturbance that results from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. AIM: This scoping review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute protocol and aimed to identify the available evidence of the genetic influence on the etiology of MIH. DESIGN: The search strategy was conducted in multiple databases, including PubMed, BVS, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus. Two trained reviewers, requiring a third reviewer in case of disagreements, collected evidence. RESULTS: Of 563 retrieved studies, 17 were included in the review. From 14 studies performed in humans, 10 investigated DNA polymorphisms, one analyzed DNA methylation, one aimed model of inheritance, and two focused on the phenotype in twins or in the family. Three animal studies were based on the null expression of genes. CONCLUSION: This scoping review, based on the studies that used different methodologies, reinforces the hypothesis of a genetic contribution to the multifactorial etiology of MIH. The available data are limited in terms of size and origin of the samples. Hence, further genetic studies are still required.

Marble melancholy: using crossmodal correspondences of shapes, materials, and music to predict music-induced emotions.

Introduction: Music is known to elicit strong emotions in listeners, and, if primed appropriately, can give rise to specific and observable crossmodal correspondences. This study aimed to assess two primary objectives: (1) identifying crossmodal correspondences emerging from music-induced emotions, and (2) examining the predictability of music-induced emotions based on the association of music with visual shapes and materials. Methods: To achieve this, 176 participants were asked to associate visual shapes and materials with the emotion classes of the Geneva Music-Induced Affect Checklist scale (GEMIAC) elicited by a set of musical excerpts in an online experiment. Results: Our findings reveal that music-induced emotions and their underlying core affect (i.e., valence and arousal) can be accurately predicted by the joint information of musical excerpt and features of visual shapes and materials associated with these music-induced emotions. Interestingly, valence and arousal induced by music have higher predictability than discrete GEMIAC emotions. Discussion: These results demonstrate the relevance of crossmodal correspondences in studying music-induced emotions. The potential applications of these findings in the fields of sensory interactions design, multisensory experiences and art, as well as digital and sensory marketing are briefly discussed.

Exploring Crossmodal Associations Between Sound and the Chemical Senses: A Systematic Review Including Interactive Visualizations.

This is the first systematic review that focuses on the influence of product-intrinsic and extrinsic sounds on the chemical senses involving both food and aroma stimuli. This review has a particular focus on all methodological details (stimuli, experimental design, dependent variables, and data analysis techniques) of 95 experiments, published in 83 publications from 2012 to 2023. 329 distinct crossmodal auditory-chemosensory associations were uncovered across this analysis. What is more, instead of relying solely on static figures and tables, we created a first-of-its-kind comprehensive Power BI dashboard (interactive data visualization tool by Microsoft) on methodologies and significant findings, incorporating various filters and visualizations allowing readers to explore statistics for specific subsets of experiments. We believe that this review can be helpful for researchers and practitioners working in the food and beverage industry and beyond these scopes (e.g., cosmetics). Theoretical and practical implications discussed in this article point to computational approaches that facilitate decision-making regarding multisensory experimental methodology design.

Does multisensory stimulation with virtual reality (VR) and smell improve learning? An educational experience in recall and creativity.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to derive into practical recommendations from multisensory stimulation with virtual reality (VR) and scent to help educators develop effective teaching strategies geared toward aspects of the learning experience, recall, and creativity in a stereotypical learning context. Design/methodology/approach: The paper is based on a randomized experiment in which student participants were subdivided into three treatment groups and one control group. Each group was stimulated by a different combination of visual, auditory, and olfactory stimuli (2D SMELL, VR, and VR SMELL) and the outcomes were compared against those of the control group (2D). Consistent with the Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning, hypotheses were constructed to study the effect of different combinations of stimuli on the learning experience and learning outcomes related to recall and creativity in a stereotypical learning context. Findings: Traditional video content alone and bundled with a coherent olfactory stimulus prompted higher self-reported ratings of perceived quality of the sensory experience. Olfactory stimulus in combination with either VR or a traditional video prompted higher self-reported ratings on perceived immersion. In a stereotypical learning context, the highest recall scores were achieved with traditional video alone. Both VR alone and bundled with an olfactory stimulus resulted in enhanced creativity. Research limitations/implications: The findings of this study should be interpreted in the context of adopting multisensory stimulations combined with VR technology as part of stereotypical learning contexts. Most professional educators do not have robust knowledge or experience in using build-on-purpose multisensory stimuli but are increasingly engaged in using multisensory tools such as VR, as part of their teaching practice. In relation to recall, the results are consistent with the hypothesis that in a stereotypical learning context, a multisensory experience involving VR and olfactory stimuli can be related to an undesired cognitive load for learners. There exists a possibility that the low-technical version of the VR goggles used, as well as the contents of the instructional video may have influenced the learning outcomes in terms of recall. Hence, future research should consider such aspects and focus on richer learning contexts. Originality/value: This work offers practical recommendations for instructional design strategies aiming to create multisensory stimulations with VR and olfactory components to foster a richer learning experience and enhanced learning outcomes, under the assumptions of a stereotypical learning context.

Genomic epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in large university hospital cohort: the UnCoVER-Brazil project.

This work aimed to study the role of different SARS-CoV-2 lineages in the epidemiology of multiple waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ribeirão Preto (São Paulo state), with comparison within Brazil and globally. Viral genomic sequencing was combined with clinical and sociodemographic information of 2,379 subjects at a large Brazilian hospital. On the whole 2,395 complete SARS-CoV-2 genomes were obtained from April 2020 to January 2022. We report variants of concern (VOC) and interest (VOI) dynamics and the role of Brazilian lineages. We identified three World Health Organization VOCs (Gamma, Delta, Omicron) and one VOI (Zeta), which caused distinct waves in this cohort. We also identified 47 distinct Pango lineages. Consistent with the high prevalence of Gamma in Brazil, Pango lineage P.1 dominated infections in this cohort for half of 2021. Each wave of infection largely consisted of a single variant group, with each new group quickly and completely rising to dominance. Despite increasing vaccination in Brazil starting in 2021, this pattern was observed throughout the study and is consistent with the hypothesis that herd immunity tends to be SARS-CoV-2 variant-specific and does not broadly protect against COVID-19.

Removal of mandibular third molars displaced to deep fascial spaces: case reports.

This article reports the treatment of 2 cases of mandibular third molar displacement into deep fascial spaces during attempted extraction, 1 of which resulted in acute infection. In addition to treatment approaches, the article reviews the risk factors for tooth displacement and techniques that may be used for its prevention. In both of the reported cases, after tooth extraction procedures resulted in the displacement of a third molar, the correct location of the tooth was ascertained by 3-dimensional imaging. The displaced tooth was removed via intraoral access while the patient wasunder general anesthesia. Both patients healed without postsurgical complications, confirming the success of the treatment.

An approach to assess data-less small-scale fisheries: examples from Congo rivers.

Small-scale fisheries (SSF) account for much of the global fish catch, but data to assess them often do not exist, impeding assessments of their historical dynamics and status. Here, we propose an approach to assess 'data-less' SSF using local knowledge to produce data, life history theory to describe their historical multispecies dynamics, and length-based reference points to evaluate stock status. We demonstrate use of this approach in three data-less SSFs of the Congo Basin. Fishers' recalls of past fishing events indicated fish catch declined by 65-80% over the last half-century. Declines in and depletion of many historically important species reduced the diversity of exploited species, making the species composition of the catch more homogenous in recent years. Length-at-catch of 11 of the 12 most important species were below their respective lengths-at-maturity and optimal lengths (obtained from Fishbase) in recent years, indicating overfishing. The most overfished species were large-bodied and found in the Congo mainstem. These results show the approach can suitably assess data-less SSF. Fishers' knowledge produced data at a fraction of the cost and effort of collecting fisheries landings data. Historical and current data on fish catch, length-at-catch, and species diversity can inform management and restoration efforts to curb shifting baselines of these fisheries. Classification of stock status allows prioritizing management efforts. The approach is easy to apply and generates intuitive results, having potential to complement the toolkits of researchers and managers working in SSF and engage stakeholders in decision-making processes. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11160-023-09770-x.

Expanding Protection Motivation Theory to explain vaccine uptake among United Kingdom and Taiwan populations.

Vaccination can sufficiently ameliorate the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). Investigating what factors influence vaccine uptake may benefit ongoing vaccination efforts (e.g. booster injections, annual vaccination). The present study expanded Protection Motivation Theory with possible factors including perceived knowledge, adaptive responses, and maladaptive responses to develop a proposed model investigating vaccine uptake among United Kingdom (UK) and Taiwan (TW) populations. An online survey collected responses from UK (n = 751) and TW (n = 1052) participants (August to September, 2022). The results of structural equation modeling (SEM) showed that perceived knowledge was significantly associated with coping appraisal in both samples (standardized coefficient [ß] = 0.941 and 0.898; p < .001). Coping appraisal was correlated with vaccine uptake only in the TW sample (ß = 0.319, p < .05). Multigroup analysis showed there were significant differences between the path coefficients of perceived knowledge to coping and threat appraisals (p < .001), coping appraisal to adaptive and maladaptive responses (p < .001), as well as threat appraisal to adaptive response (p < .001). Such knowledge may improve vaccine uptake in Taiwan. The potential factors for the UK population require further investigation.

Hsp90 and metal-binding J-protein family chaperones are not critically involved in cellular iron-sulfur protein assembly and iron regulation in yeast.

Systematic studies have revealed interactions between components of the Hsp90 chaperone system and Fe/S protein biogenesis or iron regulation. In addition, two chloroplast-localized DnaJ-like proteins, DJA5 and DJA6, function as specific iron donors in plastidial Fe/S protein biogenesis. Here, we used Saccharomyces cerevisiae to study the impact of both the Hsp90 chaperone and the yeast DJA5-DJA6 homologs, the essential cytosolic Ydj1, and the mitochondrial Mdj1, on cellular iron-related processes. Despite severe phenotypes induced upon depletion of these crucial proteins, there was no critical in vivo impact on Fe/S protein biogenesis or iron regulation. Importantly, unlike the plant DJA5-DJA6 iron chaperones, Ydj1 and Mdj1 did not bind iron in vivo, suggesting that these proteins use zinc for function under normal physiological conditions.

Genetic parameters for various semen production and quality traits and indicators of male and female reproductive performance in Nellore cattle.

BACKGROUND: Given the economic relevance of fertility and reproductive traits for the beef cattle industry, investigating their genetic background and developing effective breeding strategies are paramount. Considering their late and sex-dependent phenotypic expression, genomic information can contribute to speed up the rates of genetic progress per year. In this context, the main objectives of this study were to estimate variance components and genetic parameters, including heritability and genetic correlations, for fertility, female precocity, and semen production and quality (andrological attributes) traits in Nellore cattle incorporating genomic information. RESULTS: The heritability estimates of semen quality traits were low-to-moderate, while moderate-to-high estimates were observed for semen morphological traits. The heritability of semen defects ranged from low (0.04 for minor semen defects) to moderate (0.30 for total semen defects). For seminal aspect (SMN_ASPC) and bull reproductive fitness (BULL_FIT), low (0.19) and high (0.69) heritabilities were observed, respectively. The heritability estimates for female reproductive traits ranged from 0.16 to 0.39 for rebreeding of precocious females (REBA) and probability of pregnancy at 14 months (PP14), respectively. Semen quality traits were highly genetically correlated among themselves. Moderate-to-high genetic correlations were observed between the ability to remain productive in the herd until four years of age (stayability; STAY) and the other reproductive traits, indicating that selection for female reproductive performance will indirectly contribute to increasing fertility rates. High genetic correlations between BULL_FIT and female reproductive traits related to precocity (REBA and PP14) and STAY were observed. The genetic correlations between semen quality and spermatic morphology with female reproductive traits ranged from -0.22 (REBA and scrotal circumference) to 0.48 (REBA and sperm vigor). In addition, the genetic correlations between REBA with semen quality traits ranged from -0.23 to 0.48, and with the spermatic morphology traits it ranged from -0.22 to 0.19. CONCLUSIONS: All male and female fertility and reproduction traits evaluated are heritable and can be improved through direct genetic or genomic selection. Selection for better sperm quality will positively influence the fertility and precocity of Nellore females. The findings of this study will serve as background information for designing breeding programs for genetically improving semen production and quality and reproductive performance in Nellore cattle.

Cartesian three-dimensional method to quantify displacements between cone beam computed tomography models.

INTRODUCTION: Research in Orthodontics and Oral Surgery has been relying on three-dimensional (3D) models to evaluate treatment results with displacement color map techniques, even though it has important limitations. OBJECTIVES: This study proposed a method of tracking translational movements of 3D objects to evaluate displacements in surfaces with no shape modification. METHODS: Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) data of ten patients were imported to the Dolphin software. A hypothetical virtual surgical plan (randomly defined) was developed in the software and afterwards verified using the proposed method. All the procedures were carried out by two evaluators, in two different time-points, with a 15-day interval. ITK-Snap software was used to generate high quality STL models. Centroid points were automatically generated and their coordinates were compared to confirm if they represented the known displacements simulated. The paired t-test and the Bland-Altman plots were used, as well as the intraclass correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Interexaminers and intra-examiner tests showed excellent reliability of the method, with mean displacement measurement error values under 0.1mm. The paired t-test did not show any statistically significant differences. CONCLUSION: The method showed excellent reliability to track the simulated translational displacements of bone segments.