BrainPepPass: A Framework Based on Supervised Dimensionality Reduction for Predicting Blood-Brain Barrier-Penetrating Peptides.

Peptides that pass through the blood-brain barrier (BBB) not only are implicated in brain-related pathologies but also are promising therapeutic tools for treating brain diseases, e.g., as shuttles carrying active medicines across the BBB. Computational prediction of BBB-penetrating peptides (B3PPs) has emerged as an interesting approach because of its ability to screen large peptide libraries in a cost-effective manner. In this study, we present BrainPepPass, a machine learning (ML) framework that utilizes supervised manifold dimensionality reduction and extreme gradient boosting (XGB) algorithms to predict natural and chemically modified B3PPs. The results indicate that the proposed tool outperforms other classifiers, with average accuracies exceeding 94% and 98% in 10-fold cross-validation and leave-one-out cross-validation (LOOCV), respectively. In addition, accuracy values ranging from 45% to 97.05% were achieved in the independent tests. The BrainPepPass tool is available in a public repository for academic use (https://github.com/ewerton-cristhian/BrainPepPass).

Downer cow syndrome causing rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure in a 17-month-old Guzerá heifer / Síndrome da vaca caída causando rabdomiólise e insuficiência renal aguda em uma novilha Guzerá de 17 meses

The downer cow syndrome (DCS) is characterized by an alert cow showing inability or reluctance to stand for 12 hours or more. This paper reported clinical, laboratory, and pathological findings in a Guzerá heifer with rhabdomyolysis, pigmenturia and acute renal failure following DCS. A 17-month-old Guzerá heifer was transported via a 350-km ride in a truck and showed sternal recumbency and severe difficulty in standing and walking. Neurological examination was unremarkable, and the heifer presented normal response to cranial nerves and spinal cord tests. Rectal palpation revealed a 5-month gravid uterus. No other abnormalities were noted in the pelvis or around the coxofemoral joints. Biochemical abnormalities included extremely high muscular enzyme activities (creatine phosphokinase and aspartate aminotransferase) and high creatinine levels. Urinalysis revealed blackish and cloudy urine, proteinuria, and a positive occult blood test. Spinal cord ultrasonography showed no abnormalities. This report highlighted an uncommon clinical presentation (myoglobinuria) and pathological findings in a heifer with DCS as a consequence of severe compressive muscle damage. Practitioners and producers must be aware of the risk of careless road transportation for long distances of cattle, especially obese cows, avoiding unnecessary suffering and expenses due to DCS.

A síndrome da vaca caída (SVC) é caracterizada por um bovino alerta que mostra incapacidade ou relutância em permanecer em estação por 12 horas ou mais. O objetivo deste trabalho é relatar os achados clínicos, laboratoriais e patológicos em uma novilha Guzerá com rabdomiólise, pigmentúria e insuficiência renal aguda após a SVC. Uma novilha da raça Guzerá, de 17 meses de idade, foi transportada de caminhão por 350 km e apresentou decúbito esternal, grande dificuldade para assumir estação e caminhar. O exame neurológico não demonstrou alterações, e a novilha possuía resposta normal aos testes de nervos cranianos e medula espinhal. A palpação retal revelou útero grávido de cinco meses. Nenhuma outra anormalidade foi observada na pelve ou na região das articulações coxofemorais. As anormalidades bioquímicas incluíram atividades de enzimas musculares (creatina fosfoquinase e aspartato aminotransferase) extremamente aumentadas e níveis elevados de creatinina. A urinálise revelou urina enegrecida e turva, proteinúria e teste de sangue oculto positivo. O exame ultrassonográfico da medula espinhal não apresentou anormalidades. Este relato evidencia uma apresentação clínica (mioglobinúria) e achados patológicos incomuns em uma novilha com SVC em consequência de extensa lesão muscular compressiva. Veterinários e produtores devem estar atentos aos riscos do transporte rodoviário descuidado por longas distâncias de bovinos, especialmente vacas obesas, evitando assim sofrimento e despesas desnecessárias decorrentes da SVC.

Agreement between heart rate at first ventilatory threshold on treadmill and at 6-min walk test in coronary artery disease patients on ß-blockers treatment.

The purpose of this study was to verify the accuracy of the agreement between heart rate at the first ventilatory threshold (HRVT1) and heart rate at the end of the 6-min walk test (HR6MWT) in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients on ß-blockers treatment. This was a cross-sectional study with stable CAD patients, which performed a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) on a treadmill and a 6-min walk test (6MWT) on nonconsecutive days. The accuracy of agreement between HRVT1 and HR6MWT was evaluated by Bland-Altman analysis and Lin's concordance correlation coefficient (rc), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), and standard error of estimate (SEE). Seventeen stable CAD patients on ß-blockers treatment (male, 64.7%; age, 61±10 years) were included in data analysis. The Bland-Altman analysis revealed a negative bias of -0.41±6.4 bpm (95% limits of agreements, -13 to 12.2 bpm) between HRVT1 and HR6MWT. There was acceptable agreement between HRVT1 and HR6MWT (rc=0.84; 95% confidence interval, 0.63 to 0.93; study power analysis=0.79). The MAPE of the HR6MWT was 5.1% and SEE was 6.6 bpm. The ratio HRVT1/HRpeak and HR6MWT/HRpeak from CPET were not significantly different (81%±5% vs. 81%±6%, P=0.85); respectively. There was a high correlation between HRVT1 and HR6MWT (r=0.85, P<0.0001). Finally, the results of the present study demonstrate that there was an acceptable agreement between HRVT1 and HR6MWT in CAD patients on ß-blockers treatment and suggest that HR6MWT may be useful to prescribe and control aerobic exercise intensity in cardiac rehabilitation programs.

Influence of S. cerevisiae and P. kluyveri as starters on chocolate flavour.

BACKGROUND: Fermented cocoa beans (Theobroma cacao L.) are a pivotal raw material for chocolate production. A cocktail yeast applied in the cocoa fermentation process can promote the formation of pleasant metabolites. Saccharomyces, Pichia and Hanseniaspora have been widely used in fermentation to improve the final product organoleptic profile, highlighting that fermentation is a critical point for chocolate flavour precursor production. This study aims to evaluate the impact of Pichia kluyveri and Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains as starter cultures on the fermentation for two cocoa hybrids, FA13 and CEPEC2002. RESULTS: During fermentation processes, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and protein profiles were assessed. Chocolates produced were also assessed regarding the presence of VOCs. Eighty VOCs were identified using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry analysis. Mass spectrometry provided the protein profile evolution during fermentation and showed that the profiles changed with inoculation type (spontaneous versus inoculated fermentation). Chocolate obtained from FA13 inoculated with S. cerevisiae strain contained a greater amount of organics acids, being categorised as sourer than chocolate produced by spontaneous fermentation of FA13. CEPEC2002 inoculated with S. cerevisiae strain in co-culture with P. kluyveri strain generated less sour and sweeter chocolate than spontaneous fermentation only. CONCLUSIONS: Chocolates from inoculated assays with starter cultures were more accepted by evaluators, highlighting that P. kluyveri and S. cerevisiae influence the composition of VOCs. Besides, protein profiles also changed throughout fermentation. Further investigation should be conducted to clarify protein degradation dynamics during inoculated fermentations to define which of the microbial cultures positively affect the chocolate sensory characteristics. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Sexual function and metabolic/hormonal changes in women using long-term hormonal and non-hormonal contraceptives: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Female sexual dysfunction is a common condition that negatively impacts the emotional health and quality of life of the affected individuals. Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) are becoming increasingly popular due to their effectiveness and convenience. LARCs can be hormonal (etonogestrel releasing implant-ENG and Levonorgestrel intrauterine system-LNG) or non-hormonal (copper intrauterine device-CuIUD and copper-silver intrauterine device-SIUD). There are very few studies that assess the influence on LARCS on sexual function are lacking. This study aimed to assess changes in sexual function as well as metabolic and hormonal parameters in women after implantation with LARCs. METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, we assessed 80 women who visited the Military Police Hospital in Brazil for LARCs placement. The study participants were divided into 4 groups according to the type of LARC received: ENG n = 17; LNG n = 22, CuIUD n = 18 and SIUD n = 23. The four groups were evaluated twice (prior to LARC placement and approximately 3 months later) for sexual function, using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and Female Sexual Quotient (QS-F) questionnaires. Metabolic and hormonal parameters were also assessed using blood tests. RESULTS: ENG worsened sexual function according to FSFI and QS-F, across all domains. A decrease in sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) between stages was observed for all groups. We observed an improvement in sexual function for non-hormonal LARCs, specially SIUD. However this improvement was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The use of non-hormonal LARCS improved sexual function. Etonogestrel implants, had a negative influence on sexual function, probably by blocking ovarian function, and thus reducing the production of androgens and estrogens.

Paralytic rabies in a goat.

BACKGROUND: Paralytic form of rabies is frequent in cattle in Latin America, but it is uncommon in goats. There are few clinical reports on furious rabies affecting goats, and the sporadic cases of rabid goats from surveillance programs worldwide lack clinical data. Furthermore, few studies reported the cerebrospinal fluid findings in rabid livestock. CASE PRESENTATION: On a farm in Midwestern Brazil, six of 47 Saanen goats died within one week. No vaccination protocols were implemented on the farm and the owner stated bat bites history on the livestock. Although rabies is endemic in Brazil, livestock vaccination is not mandatory. One 1-year-old buck was evaluated and showed non-specific clinical signs evolving within 12-h to nervous signs. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed mononuclear pleocytosis, hyperproteinemia and high glucose levels. At necropsy, no gross lesions were present. Microscopically, discrete to moderate perivascular lymphoplasmacytic cuffing in gray and white matter, neuronal necrosis, neuronophagia, and mononuclear ganglioneuritis was observed in the brainstem and cervical spinal cord. Immunohistochemistry revealed strong anti-rabies virus immunostaining. Fresh central nervous system samples were positive for rabies in direct fluorescent antibody test (dFAT) and mouse intracerebral inoculation test (MIT). Exposed livestock recommendations included immediate vaccination, a strict isolation period of 90 days, and booster vaccinations during the third and eighth weeks. CONCLUSION: IHC revealed the widespread distribution of rabies virus antigen in the goat's CNS, contrasting the discrete pathological changes. In this goat, definitive diagnosis of paralytic rabies was obtained through the association of epidemiological, clinical, laboratorial, pathological findings (histology and IHC) and gold standard confirmatory tests (dFAT and MIT).

Volatile compounds and protein profiles analyses of fermented cocoa beans and chocolates from different hybrids cultivated in Brazil.

Cocoa beans from different geographical and genetic origins show distinct fermentation dynamics which result in different chocolate qualities. In order to understand the effects of genetic improvement of cocoa plants, in this work volatile compounds and proteins profiles of beginning and end of the fermentation from different cocoa hybrids (CEPEC2004, PH15, PS1319, SJ02) were searched. Moreover, sensorial characterization of the produced chocolate from these hybrids was performed. According to the results obtained, different volatile compounds were identified in fermented beans and in the chocolate produced. Chocolate from CEPEC2004 was the most accepted by judges and correlated with sweet and bitter taste which can be explained by the presence of desired flavor compounds, such as 2,3-butanediol and 2-methyl-1-butanol. A higher presence of acids (undesirable compounds) was observed in chocolates samples from PS1319 hybrid, that have resulted in the low acceptance by judges. In addition, MALDI-TOF MS analysis showed that during fermentation the protein profile was different among the hybrids, which indicates this kind of compounds also contributes to the cocoa-specific flavor.

Efeitos da cinesioterapia na osteoartrite de joelho em idosos: revisão sistemática / Effects of kinesiotherapy on knee osteoarthritis in elderly: a systematic review

Introdução: a osteoartrite é uma doença articular inflamatória e degenerativa que acomete principalmente os joelhos, sobretudo em idosos. Objetivo: verificar os efeitos da cinesioterapia na osteoartrite de joelho em idosos. Métodos: realizou-se uma revisão sistemática nas bases de dados SciELO, LILACS, Cochrane Library e MEDLINE, onde cruzaram-se os descritores "Osteoartrite", "Fisioterapia", "Exercício", "Terapia por exercício" e "Idoso", nas línguas portuguesa, inglesa e espanhola, considerando-se os artigos originais publicados entre 2010 e 2016. Resultados: encontraram-se 594 artigos. Inicialmente 62 artigos potencialmente relevantes foram selecionados para o estudo. Após uma análise qualitativa criteriosa, selecionaram-se 06 artigos completos que preencheram os critérios de inclusão exigidos, cujos mesmos foram analisados por meio da Escala PEDro. Conclusão: a cinesioterapia (aquecimento, alongamento dos músculos posteriores da coxa e fortalecimento dos músculos anteriores da coxa), com frequência de duas vezes por semana, em um período de seis a 12 semanas, parece ser benéfica para melhorar o desempenho muscular, funcionalidade, diminuir a dor e rigidez em idosos com osteoartrite de joelho, sem a necessidade de recursos adicionais.

Introduction: Osteoarthritis is an inflammatory and degenerative joint disease that mainly affects the knees, especially in the elderly. Objective: To verify the effects of kinesiotherapy in knee osteoarthritis in the elderly. Methods: a systematic review was carried out in the databases SciELO, LILACS, Cochrane Library and MEDLINE, where they crossed the descriptors "Osteoarthritis", "Physiotherapy", "Exercise", "Exercise therapy" and "Elderly", in Portuguese, English and Spanish. considering the original articles published between 2010 and 2016. Results: 594 articles were found. Initially 62 potentially relevant articles were selected for the study. After a careful qualitative analysis, we selected six complete articles that met the inclusion criteria required, which were analyzed using the PEDro Scale. Conclusion: kinesiotherapy (warming, stretching of the posterior thigh muscles and strengthening of the anterior thigh muscles), often twice a week, over a period of six to 12 weeks, seems to be beneficial to improve muscle performance, functionality, decrease pain and stiffness in the elderly with knee osteoarthritis, without need for additional resources.

Impact of a Microbial Cocktail Used as a Starter Culture on Cocoa Fermentation and Chocolate Flavor.

Chocolate production suffered a vast impact with the emergence of the "witches' broom" disease in cocoa plants. To recover cocoa production, many disease-resistant hybrid plants have been developed. However, some different cocoa hybrids produce cocoa beans that generate chocolate with variable quality. Fermentation of cocoa beans is a microbiological process that can be applied for the production of chocolate flavor precursors, leading to overcoming the problem of variable chocolate quality. The aim of this work was to use a cocktail of microorganisms as a starter culture on the fermentation of the ripe cocoa pods from PH15 cocoa hybrid, and evaluate its influence on the microbial communities present on the fermentative process on the compounds involved during the fermentation, and to perform the chocolate sensorial characterization. According to the results obtained, different volatile compounds were identified in fermented beans and in the chocolate produced. Bitterness was the dominant taste found in non-inoculated chocolate, while chocolate made with inoculated beans showed bitter, sweet, and cocoa tastes. 2,3-Butanediol and 2,3-dimethylpyrazine were considered as volatile compounds making the difference on the flavor of both chocolates. Saccharomyces cerevisiae UFLA CCMA 0200, Lactobacillus plantarum CCMA 0238, and Acetobacter pasteurianus CCMA 0241 are proposed as starter cultures for cocoa fermentation.

Abordagem fisioterápica na dor e na qualidade de vida de um indivíduo com artrite hemofílica. Relato de caso / Physiotherapeutic approach for pain and quality of life of a hemophilic patient. Case report

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A hemofilia é uma coagulopatia congênita, rara e crônica, caracterizada pelos surtos recidivantes de hemartroses. Predomina no gênero masculino e produz agravos osteomioarticulares importantes como restrição dos movimentos, fibrose articular, hemartroses e hemorragias tissulares, contraturas musculares, déficit de força muscular e artrite hemofílica, resultando em quadros de dor e piora na qualidade de vida. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar os efeitos de um programa fisioterápico de intervenção na dor e na qualidade de vida de um indivíduo com artrite hemofílica. RELATO DO CASO: Paciente do gênero masculino, 23 anos de idade, com diagnóstico de artrite hemofílica. Sua queixa principal era a dor em diversos pontos do corpo, especialmente em tornozelos e joelho direito. A dor foi avaliada através da escala analógica visual e do mapa de dor corporal, e a qualidade de vida por meio questionário Short-Form Health Survey. O paciente foi submetido a oito sessões de fisioterapia, uma vez por semana, com duração média de 50 minutos, entre os meses de maio a junho de 2015. O protocolo de intervenção adotado baseou-se em cinesioterapia convencional. CONCLUSÃO: O presente estudo demonstrou que um programa de fisioterapia baseado na cinesioterapia diminuiu o número de pontos dolorosos e a intensidade da dor, bem como melhorou os domínios da qualidade de vida em um indivíduo com artrite hemofílica.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Hemophilia is a congenital, uncommon and chronic coagulopathy characterized by recurrent hemarthrosis outbreaks. It affects predominantly males and produces major musculoskeletal disorders, such as movement limitation, joint fibrosis, hemarthrosis and tissue hemorrhages, muscle contractures, muscle strength deficit and hemophilic arthritis, resulting in pain and impaired quality of life. This study aimed at evaluating the effects of a physiotherapeutic intervention program on pain and quality of life of a patient with hemophilic arthritis. CASE REPORT: Male patient, 23 years old, with hemophilic arthritis. His major complaint was pain in different body sites, especially in ankles and right knee. Pain was evaluated with the visual analog scale and body pain map, and quality of life was evaluated with the Short-Form Health Survey questionnaire. Patient was submitted to eight physiotherapy sessions, once a week, with mean duration of 50 minutes, between May and June 2015. Adopted intervention protocol was based on conventional kinesiotherapy. CONCLUSION: This study has shown that a physiotherapy program based on kinesiotherapy has decreased the number of tender points and pain intensity, as well as has improved quality of life of a patient with hemophilic arthritis.

Utilização de tecnologias educativas com adolescentes oncológicos: uma abordagem Freireana

O objetivo do estudo consiste em descrever a utilização de tecnologias educativas através da realização de atividades de educação em saúde baseada no referencial teórico-metodológico de Paulo Freire. Trata-se de um estudo transversal, do tipo relato de experiência com abordagem qualitativa, realizado em um Instituto de Referência em Tratamento Oncológico para crianças e adolescente, em maio de 2011, como atividade do estágio da disciplina obrigatória Enfermagem no Processo de Cuidar do Adolescente, ofertada no quinto semestre do curso de Enfermagem da Universidade Federal do Ceará. Os relatos foram descritos na ordem cronológica de realização das estratégias educativas, abordando-se as seguintes temáticas: higiene pessoal; autoestima; conceito de saúde. No grupo de adolescentes, observou-se uma maior valorização e interesse nos assuntos apresentados de forma lúdica e dinâmica, sendo trabalhadas as temáticas de forma interativa e informativa.