How cutting types and shading levels influence the vegetative propagation of Pereskia aculeata?

Information from Pereskia aculeata Miller (Cactaceae) responses regarding the portion of the stem cuttings branch parental plants and the shading level need to be investigated in order to establish techniques for their producing seedlings. We aimed was to evaluate the effect of cutting types and shading levels in the production of P. aculeata seedlings. We studied three cutting types, collected from different portions of the stem cuttings branch: herbaceous, semi-hardwood, and hardwood, which were arranged under two shading levels: 0% (full sun) or 50% (shade). The selected parent plants had an adequate and vigorous phytosanitary aspect. After 90 days after the cuttings, the seedlings were evaluated regarding survival, growth indicators, biomass production and partitioning, and allometric indices. Seedlings from hardwood cuttings and produced under 0% shading showed higher survival. The largest number of sprouts occurred in seedlings of semi-hardwood and hardwood cuttings. The highest leaf area values ​​occurred in seedlings of semi-hardwood and hardwood cuttings under 0% shading. Seedlings from hardwood cuttings had higher biomass allocation in the roots under 50% shading. Seedlings of herbaceous and semi-hardwood portion allocated values ≥ 70% of the biomass in the aerial part. Seedlings of species are able to adjust to different shading levels as a plasticity mechanism. For the production of P. aculeata seedlings, the hardwood portion of the stem cuttings branch under full sun cultivation is recommended. In addition, semi-hardwood cuttings grown under 50% shading can also be used for seedlings production.

Colonization by Streptococcus pneumoniae among children in Porto Velho, Rondônia, Western Brazilian Amazon.

Streptococcus pneumoniae is one of the primary pathogens that are associated with acute respiratory infections (ARI) that cause high rates of morbidity and mortality among children under five years of age in developed and developing countries. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of nasopharyngeal colonization, the antimicrobial resistance profile, and the capacity for biofilm formation by S. pneumoniae isolated from children aged 0-6 years with ARI throughout the Porto Velho-RO. A total of 660 swabs were collected from children with ARI. Molecular and biochemical tests were performed to characterize the isolates. The disk-difusion method and the E-test were used for antimicrobial sensitivity testing (TSA). Biofilm formation capacity was assessed using microtiter plate assays, and serotype detection was acheived using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses. The colonization rate for S. pneumoniae was 8.9% (59/660) and exhibited a high prevalence in children under 23 months of age 64.4% (38/59). The observed serotypes were 9V and 19F with frequencies of 1.7% (1/59) and 13.6% (8/59), respectively. The antimicrobial susceptibility test revealed 100% (59/59) sensitivity to vancomycin. In contrast, trimethoprim and oxacillin exhibited high resistance rates of 76.3% (45/59) and 52.5% (31/59), respectively. Of the biofilm-forming isolates, 54.8% (23/42) possessed resistance to some antimicrobials. In this study, S. pneumoniae showed high rates of antimicrobial resistance and the ability to form biofilms, as these are factors that favor bacterial persistence and can cause serious damage to the host.

Influence of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy with different pre-irradiation times on children's dental biofilm: randomized clinical trial.

PURPOSE: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is effective in reducing pathogenic microorganisms in the oral cavity and in preventing dental diseases. This study evaluated the pre-irradiation time using PDT (diode laser associated with 0.01% methylene blue) to decrease the number of microorganisms in the visible plaque in permanent teeth. METHODS: This randomized clinical trial included 108 homologous lower permanent first molars (36 and 46) with biofilm from 54 children aged six to 12 years. PDT was performed (0.01% methylene blue photosensitizer/therapeutic laser-InGaAIP), according to the following protocols: Group 1, biofilm collection of the distal area of the lingual surface of 36 µm before PDT; group 2, mesial area of the lingual surface of 36 µm 1 min after PDT; group 3, area of the lingual surface of 46 µm before PDT; and group 4, mesial area of the lingual surface of 46 µm 5 min after PDT. RESULTS: After statistical analysis, significant differences were observed between the groups (p = 0.000). In groups 2 and 4, the number of bacteria tended to decrease, with a more evident bacterial reduction in group 4. CONCLUSIONS: Pre-irradiation reduced the number of colony-forming units of mature bacterial biofilms in vivo. A time of 5 min resulted in a greater reduction in the number of colony-forming units. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ReBEC Identifier: RBR-6bqfp3; Date of Register: March 2nd, 2020. Retrospectively Registered.

Longitudinal Association between Late-Life Depression (LLD) and Frailty: Findings from a Prospective Cohort Study (MiMiCS-FRAIL).

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to investigate whether late-life depression (LLD) is associated with incident frailty over time. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study, one-year follow-up. SETTING: Geriatric outpatient clinic, Southwestern of Brazil. PARTICIPANTS: 181 follow-up participants aged 60 years or over. MEASUREMENTS: Depressive disorders were classified as Major Depressive disorder (MDD) or Subthreshold Depression (STD) according to DSM-5 criteria. Depressive symptoms were assessed with validated versions of 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) and 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). We performed binary logistic regressions to estimate the odds ratio (OR) for frailty in LLD adjusting for multiple confounders. Participants who were frail at baseline were excluded from the analyses according to measures of frailty (FRAIL questionnaire and 36-item Frailty Index, FI-36). We also estimated the risk ratio or relative risk (RR) and the risk difference (RD) for incident frailty. RESULTS: We observed a 2 to 4-fold increased risk for incident frailty among participants with LLD. The presence of a depressive disorder was significantly associated with the onset of frailty (adjusted OR for FRAIL and FI-36: 3.07 [95% CI = 1.03 - 9.17] and 3.76 [95% CI = 1.09 - 12.97], respectively. Notably, the risk for frailty due to LLD was significantly higher with the FI-36 compared to the FRAIL (RR: 3.03 versus 2.23). RD was of 17.3% and 12.7% with the FRAIL and the FI-36, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our data support the association between LLD and incident frailty over one year among geriatric outpatients, reinforcing longitudinal evidence from population-based studies.

Total Energy Expenditure and Functional Status in Older Adults: A Doubly Labelled Water Study.

OBJECTIVES: Higher total energy expenditure in free living conditions, regardless of any activity, has been strongly associated with a lower risk of mortality in healthy older adults. Also, a good performance in physical and functional tests is a marker of good functional prognosis. However, it is not yet clear what is the association between total energy expenditure and the performance in physical and functional tests. The objective of this study was to verify the association between the total energy expenditure of older adults measured by doubly labelled water and the performance in functional tests. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTINGS AND PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-six older people were recruited from health services linked to the participating institutions. MEASUREMENTS: Socio-demographic, anthropometric and clinical characteristics were assessed through the application of a structured questionnaire. Body composition was evaluated by isotopic dilution of deuterium oxide and functional status was assessed by the gait speed test, 6-minute walk test and handgrip strength. Total energy expenditure (GET) was assessed using the doubly labelled water method and the physical activity profile was verified using an activity monitor based on accelerometery. RESULTS: The results showed that the highest total energy expenditure correlated with the best performance in the gait speed tests (r = 0.266; p = 0.047), 6-minute walk test (r = 0.424; p = 0.001) and maximum handgrip strength (r = 0.478; p = 0.000). Multivariate regression analysis in a model adjusted for sex and fat-free mass revealed an association between total energy expenditure and the 6-minute walk test (ß = 1.790; t = 2.080; p = 0.044) and the number of sedentary events ( ß = 6.389; t = 2.147; p = 0.038). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that, in clinical practice, older individuals with lower gait speed, worse performance in the 6-minute walk test and lower handgrip strength, may have lower total energy expenditure, being the stimulus for its increase important for the prevention of possible problems related to low energy expenditure.

Genotoxicity, cytotoxicity and chemical profile from Inga laurina (Fabaceae).

This study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity from Inga laurina leaves extracts and fractions and obtain their chemical profile. The chemical profile of the crude extract from I. laurina leaves and its fractions was investigated through 1H NMR, RP-HPLC-PDA by co-injection with authentic standards and HPLC-MS. The quinone reductase induction as a biomarker for cancer chemoprevention was evaluated in murine hepatocellular carcinoma line, whereas the cytotoxicity was evaluated by sulforhodamine B assay (SRB) using HepG2 cell line and genotoxicity was evaluated by comet assay. The phytochemical analysis of the leaves crude extract and its fractions showed the presence of 2-hydroxyethyl-dodecanoate and the phenolic compounds: gallic acid, methyl gallate, p-coumaric acid, cinnamic acid, myricetin-3-O-(2″-O-galoyl)-α-rhamnopyranoside, proanthocyanidin A-2 and myricetrin. All the fractions tested were not considered cytotoxic against the selected human cancer cell lines, they did not cause genotoxic in some concentrations damage and induced the enzyme quinone reductase.

Chemoprevention assessment, genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of flavonoids from Inga laurina leaves (FABACEAE).

This study aimed to identify and evaluate the cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, antigenotoxicity and chemoprevention assessment of flavonoids myricetin-3-O-(2″-O-galloyl)-α-rhamnopyranoside and myricetin-3-rhamnoside from Inga laurina leaves extract. The Quinone reductase induction as a biomarker for cancer chemoprevention was evaluated in murine hepatocellular carcinoma, the cytotoxicity was evaluated by sulforhonamide B assay and genotoxicity was evaluated by comet assay using HepG2 cell line. The results demonstrated that the flavonoids didn´t show cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells. In the chemoprevention evaluations were not able to promote the induction of Quinone Reductase and also no genotoxic effect was observed by evaluation of the comet assay in none of the concentrations tested. In the antigenotoxicity test, all compounds had a protective effect against damage induced by hydrogen peroxide and were repaired against damage. Although none of the flavonoids were capable of inducing the enzyme Quinone Reductase at the concentrations tested, the antigenotoxicity results showed a powerful chemoprotective action.

Development of Microbiome Biobanks - Challenges and Opportunities.

The microbiome research field is rapidly evolving, but the required biobanking infrastructure is currently fragmented and not prepared for the biobanking of microbiomes. The rapid advancement of technologies requires an urgent assessment of how biobanks can underpin research by preserving microbiome samples and their functional potential.

Inga edulis fruits: a new source of bioactive anthocyanins.

The extraction conditions and chromatographic analysis from seeds of Inga edulis were optimized and provided one anthocyanin from aqueous fraction and a mixture of three anthocyanins from methanolic fraction. The pure anthocyanin obtained was subjected to structural modifications and the products obtained were subjected to chemical and pharmacological assays, as well as quantum chemical calculations based on DFT and TD-DFT methods. Hence, the anthocyanin fractions were evaluated for their chemical-pharmacological potential through chemical and biological assays: antioxidant activity by the DPPH, determination of the Solar Protection Factor (SPF) and cytotoxic activity (hepatocellular carcinoma infected with hepatitis C virus). The results indicated that even the anthocyanin and derivatized compounds having high antioxidant potential showed an SPF lower than six, which is lower than the minimum accepted by current Brazilian legislation. In addition, none of compounds presented significant cytotoxic activity against the tumour cell line studied.

Distribution and Pathogenicity of Colletotrichum Species Associated With Mango Anthracnose in Mexico.

Mango anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum spp., is the most significant disease of mango (Mangifera indica L.) in almost all production areas around the world. In Mexico, mango anthracnose has only been attributed to C. asianum and C. gloeosporioides. The aims of this study were to identify the Colletotrichum species associated with mango anthracnose symptoms in Mexico by phylogenetic inference using the ApMat marker, to determine the distribution of these species, and to test their pathogenicity and virulence on mango fruits. Surveys were carried out from 2010 to 2012 in 59 commercial orchards in the major mango growing states of Mexico, and a total of 118 isolates were obtained from leaves, twigs, and fruits with typical anthracnose symptoms. All isolates were tentatively identified in the C. gloeosporioides species complex based on morphological and cultural characteristics. The Bayesian inference phylogenetic tree generated with Apn2/MAT intergenic spacer sequences of 59 isolates (one per orchard) revealed that C. alienum, C. asianum, C. fructicola, C. siamense, and C. tropicale were associated with symptoms of mango anthracnose. In this study, C. alienum, C. fructicola, C. siamense, and C. tropicale are reported for the first time in association with mango tissues in Mexico. This study represents the first report of C. alienum causing mango anthracnose worldwide. The distribution of Colletotrichum species varied among the mango growing states from Mexico. Chiapas was the only state in which all five species were found. Pathogenicity tests on mango fruit cultivar Manila showed that all Colletotrichum species from this study could induce anthracnose lesions. However, differences in virulence were evident among species. C. siamense and C. asianum were the most virulent, whereas C. alienum and C. fructicola were considered the least virulent species.

In Silico Identification of Novel Biomarkers and Development of New Rapid Diagnostic Tests for the Filarial Parasites Mansonella perstans and Mansonella ozzardi.

Mansonelliasis is a widespread yet neglected tropical infection of humans in Africa and South America caused by the filarial nematodes, Mansonella perstans, M. ozzardi, M. rodhaini and M. streptocerca. Clinical symptoms are non-distinct and diagnosis mainly relies on the detection of microfilariae in skin or blood. Species-specific DNA repeat sequences have been used as highly sensitive biomarkers for filarial nematodes. We have developed a bioinformatic pipeline to mine Illumina reads obtained from sequencing M. perstans and M. ozzardi genomic DNA for new repeat biomarker candidates which were used to develop loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) diagnostic tests. The M. perstans assay based on the Mp419 repeat has a limit of detection of 0.1 pg, equivalent of 1/1000th of a microfilaria, while the M. ozzardi assay based on the Mo2 repeat can detect as little as 0.01 pg. Both LAMP tests possess remarkable species-specificity as they did not amplify non-target DNAs from closely related filarial species, human or vectors. We show that both assays perform successfully on infected human samples. Additionally, we demonstrate the suitability of Mp419 to detect M. perstans infection in Culicoides midges. These new tools are field deployable and suitable for the surveillance of these understudied filarial infections.

Adolescent parenthood associated with adverse socio-economic outcomes at age 30 years in women and men of the Pelotas, Brazil: 1982 Birth Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the potential long-term effects of adolescent parenthood on completed education and income. DESIGN: Population-based birth cohort study. SETTING: All live births in 1982, whose mothers lived in the urban area of Pelotas, southern Brazil. SAMPLE: A total of 3701 participants: 1914 women and 1787 men at age 30 years. METHODS: Questionnaires were completed by the mothers in the early phases of this study, and by the cohort members in adolescence and adulthood. Linear regression models and G-computation were used in the analyses. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Educational attainment and income at age 30 years. RESULTS: In women, adolescent parenthood was associated with lower attained education compared with women without adolescent maternity: by -2.8 years [95% confidence interval (CI) -3.2 to -2.3] if their first birth was at age 16-19, and by -4.4 years (-5.5 to -3.3) at age 11-15. These effects were greater among women who had three or more children. Women with adolescent parenthood also had 49 or 33% lower income at age 30 if their first child was born when aged 16-19 or 11-15, respectively. In men, the adverse effect of adolescent parenthood on education appeared to be mediated by a higher number of children and there was no effect of adolescent paternity on income at age 30 years. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest lasting socio-economic disadvantages of adolescent parenthood, with larger effects being apparent in women than in men. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Adolescent parenthood has an adverse effect on educational attainment later in life, and on household income among women.

Pre- and Postharvest Strategies to Minimize Mycotoxin Contamination in the Rice Food Chain.

Rice is part of many people's diet around the world, being the main energy source in some regions. Although fewer reports exist on the occurrence of mycotoxins in rice compared to other cereals, fungal contamination and the associated production of toxic metabolites, even at lower occurrence levels compared to other crops, are of concern because of the high consumption of rice in many countries. Due to the diversity of fungi that may contaminate the rice food chain, the co-occurrence of mycotoxins is frequent. Specific strategies to overcome these problems may be applied at the preharvest part of the crop chain, while assuring good practices at harvest and postharvest stages, since different fungi may find suitable conditions to grow at the various stages of the production chain. Therefore, the aim of this review is to present the state-of-the-art knowledge on such strategies in an integrated way, from the field to the final products, to reduce mycotoxin contamination in rice.

CRISPR/Cas9: reflexiones bioéticas sobre las modificacion es genómicas / CRISPR/Cas9: bioethical reflections on genome modifications

CRISPR/Cas9 puede ser considerado el descubrimiento biotecnológico del siglo. Sin embargo, las reflexiones sobre la aceptabilidad y factibilidad de producir cambios permanentes en el ADN de gametos y embriones, ha arrojado nueva luz sobre CRISPR. Por ejemplo al notar que las alteraciones en la línea germinal, pueden ser heredadas y por lo tanto observarse a lo largo de las generaciones. Aunque inicialmente estas transformaciones puedan ser deseables, más allá del impacto tecnológico, la tecnología CRISPR parece tener varias implicancias éticas para la sociedad. Estas pueden ser analizadas a partir de las distintas reacciones que ha despertado CRISPR en todo el mundo. Por ejemplo, en el pedido de suspensión total de la aplicación clínica (es decir, la prohibición de transferir en el útero un embrión previamente modificado con la tecnología CRISPR) hasta tanto no se hayan alcanzado y aprobado ciertos requisitos indispensables para la investigación clínica. En general, esta tecnología ha sido prematuramente caracterizada como "disruptiva". Este texto analizará las implicancias éticas, políticas, sociales, médicas y subjetivas a la luz del fenómeno social - no tecnológico - creado por CRISPR.

CRISPR/Cas9 can be considered the biotechnogical discovery of the century. However, reflections on the plausibility and feasibility of producing permanent changes in the DNA of gametes and embryos throw new light on CRISPR. As in modifications in the germinal line can be inherited and hence, observed throughout generations. While this might be desirable for some, besides the technological impact, CRISPR also seems to have an ethical impact on society. These ethical impacts can be observed in the diverse reactions to CRISPR from across the globe. For instance, a request for the complete suspension of clinical application (that is, the prohibition of implanting an embryo with CRISPR modifications in the uterus) till certain basic research requirements were met and approved. Broadly, this technology has been prematurely also characterized as "disruptive" by some. This paper will analyze these ethical, political, social, medical and subjective reactions in light of the social - not technological - phenomenon created by CRISPR.

Treatment with Ilex paraguariensis (yerba mate) aqueous solution prevents hepatic redox imbalance, elevated triglycerides, and microsteatosis in overweight adult rats that were precociously weaned.

Early weaning (EW) leads to overweight, visceral obesity, hyperleptinemia, and insulin resistance in adulthood. Treatment with Ilex paraguariensis (yerba mate) improves obesity and insulin resistance in these animals. Here, we evaluated the effects of chronic treatment with yerba mate on the redox balance and liver morphology of overweight early-weaned rats. To induce EW, we wrapped the dams with bandages to interrupt milk access during the last 3 days of lactation. Control pups (C) had free access to maternal milk for the full 21 days of lactation. On postnatal day (PN) 150, EW offspring were subdivided into the EW+YM group, which received the aqueous extract of yerba mate (1 g/kg bw by gavage once a day for 30 days) and the EW group, which received water by gavage for the same period. All rats were euthanized on PN180. The EW group showed higher bound carbonyl (a marker of total protein oxidation), higher TBARS levels (a marker of lipid peroxidation), and lower superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in liver tissue than the C group, as well as higher triglyceride content and microsteatosis. In plasma, the EW offspring showed higher TBARS levels. One month of yerba mate treatment normalized these parameters. Thus, we have shown evidence that yerba mate improved antioxidant defenses and mitigated liver dysfunction in overweight adult rats that were weaned prematurely.

Toxic reagents and expensive equipment: are they really necessary for the extraction of good quality fungal DNA?

The aim of this work was to evaluate a fungal DNA extraction procedure with the lowest inputs in terms of time as well as of expensive and toxic chemicals, but able to consistently produce genomic DNA of good quality for PCR purposes. Two types of fungal biological material were tested - mycelium and conidia - combined with two protocols for DNA extraction using Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate (SDS) and Cetyl Trimethyl Ammonium Bromide as extraction buffers and glass beads for mechanical disruption of cell walls. Our results showed that conidia and SDS buffer was the combination that lead to the best DNA quality and yield, with the lowest variation between samples. This study clearly demonstrates that it is possible to obtain high yield and pure DNA from pigmented conidia without the use of strong cell disrupting procedures and of toxic reagents. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: There are numerous methods for DNA extraction from fungi. Some rely on expensive commercial kits and/or equipments, unavailable for many laboratories, or make use of toxic chemicals such as chloroform, phenol and mercaptoethanol. This study clearly demonstrates that it is possible to obtain high yields of pure DNA from pigmented conidia without the use of strong and expensive cell disrupting procedures and of toxic reagents. The method herein described is simultaneously inexpensive and adequate to DNA extraction from several different types of fungi.

Sentimentos despertados nas mulheres frente ao diagnóstico decâncer de mama / Feelings awakened in women against the diagnosis of breast cancer

Objetivo: identificar os sentimentos despertados nas mulheres frente ao diagnóstico de câncer de mama. Método: trata-se de um estudo qualitativo, realizado no ambulatório de oncologia de um hospital universitário, com 11 mulheres diagnosticadas com câncer de mama e idade entre 43 e 58 anos. A coleta de dados foi realizada por meio de entrevista semiestruturada, de maio a julho de 2015. Os dados foram analisados e interpretados conforme a análise de conteúdo. Resultados: após a análise emergiram três categorias: o impacto do diagnóstico; a vivência prévia da doença, o autoconhecimento e sua aceitação; esperança embasada na fé em Deus. Considerações Finais: a maioria das mulheres demonstraram-se extremamente sensibilizadas com o diagnóstico de câncer de mama e aflitas diante da incerteza da morte; outras, por já terem vivenciado a doença em um ente próximo, sentiram-se mais fortes e reagiram melhor ao diagnóstico.

Objective: to identify the feelings aroused by women in the diagnosis of breast cancer. Method: thisis a qualitative study, performed at the oncology outpatient clinic of a university hospital, with 11women diagnosed with breast cancer and aged between 43 and 58 years. Data collection wasperformed through a semi-structured interview, from May to July 2015. Data were analyzed andinterpreted according to content analysis. Results: three categories emerged after the analysis: theimpact of the diagnosis; the previous experience of the disease, self-knowledge and its acceptance; hope grounded in faith. Final Considerations: most women were extremely sensitive to the diagnosisof breast cancer and afflicted by the uncertainty of death, others because they had experienced thedisease in a nearby entity felt stronger and reacted better to the diagnosis.

Internal amplification control of PCR for the Glu1-Dx5 allele in wheat.

One of the limiting factors in using dominant markers is the unique amplification of the target fragment. Therefore, failures in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or non-amplifications can be interpreted as an absence of the allele. The possibility of false negatives implies in reduced efficiency in the selection process in genetic breeding programs besides the loss of valuable genetic material. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the viability of a microsatellite marker as an internal amplification control with a dominant marker for the wheat Glu1-Dx5 gene. A population of 77 wheat cultivars/breeding lines was analyzed. Fourteen microsatellite markers were analyzed in silico regarding the formation of dimers and clamps. The biplex reaction conditions were optimized, and the Xbarc117 marker was selected as the internal amplification control with a Glu1-Dx5 marker in wheat. It was concluded that the Xbarc117 microsatellite marker was effective in the simultaneous amplification with a dominant Glu1-Dx5 marker, making biplex PCR viable in wheat for the studied markers.