Effect of low dietary concentrations of Acacia mearnsii tannin extract on chewing, ruminal fermentation, digestibility, nitrogen partition, and performance of dairy cows.

The supplementation of dairy cows with tannins can reduce the ruminal degradation of dietary protein and urine N excretion, but high concentration in the diet can impair ruminal function, diet digestibility, feed intake, and milk yield. This study evaluated the effect of low concentrations (0, 0.14, 0.29, or 0.43% of diet in DM basis) of a tannin extract from the bark of Acacia mearnsii (TA) on milking performance, dry matter intake (DMI), digestibility, chewing behavior, ruminal fermentation, and N partition of dairy cows. Twenty Holstein cows (34.7 ± 4.8 kg/d, 590 ± 89 kg, and 78 ± 33 d in lactation) were individually fed a sequence of 4 treatments in 5, 4 × 4 Latin squares (with 21-d treatment periods, each with a 14-d adaptation period). The TA replaced citrus pulp in the total mixed ration and other feed ingredients were kept constant. Diets had 17.1% crude protein, mostly from soybean meal and alfalfa haylage. The TA had no detected effect on DMI (22.1 kg/d), milk yield (33.5 kg/d), and milk components. The proportions in milk fat of mixed origin fatty acids (16C and 17C) and the daily secretion of unsaturated fatty acids were linearly reduced and the proportion of de novo fatty acids was increased by TA. Cows fed TA had linear increase in the molar proportion of butyrate and linear reduction in propionate in ruminal fluid, whereas acetate did not differ. There was a tendency for the ratio of acetate to propionate to be linearly increased by TA. Cows fed TA had a linear reduction in the relative ruminal microbial yield, estimated by the concentrations of allantoin and creatinine in urine and body weight. The total-tract apparent digestibility of neutral detergent fiber, starch, and crude protein also did not differ. The TA induced a linear increase in meal size and duration of the first daily meal and reduced meal frequency. Rumination behavior did not differ with treatment. Cows fed 0.43% TA selected against feed particles >19 mm in the morning. There were tendencies for linear decreases in milk urea N (16.1-17.3 mg/dL), urine N (153-168 g/d and 25.5-28.7% of N intake), and plasma urea N at 6, 18, and 21 h postmorning feeding, and plasma urea N 12 h postfeeding was reduced by TA. The proportion of N intake in milk (27.1%) and feces (21.4%) did not differ with treatment. Reductions in urine N excretion and milk and plasma urea N suggest that TA reduced ruminal AA deamination, whereas lactation performance did not differ. Overall, TA up to 0.43% of DM did not affect DMI and lactation performance, while there was a tendency to reduce urine N excretion.

Facile analysis of rice bran oil to compare free unsaturated fatty acid compositions of parental and hybrid rice lines.

Rice bran oil (RBO) has been a popular choice of cooking oil in several Asian countries for decades, and the interest in RBO is fast growing in Western countries due to the high levels of hearty unsaturated fats and other components beneficial to health. Further knowledge of unsaturated fatty acid content and composition in rice lines will assist in improving the quality of rice bran processing by allowing robust extraction of rice bran for oil production. The studies focused on the RBO composition of rice lines with beneficial genotypes are scarce. Accordingly, we investigated the total bran lipid content and composition of three of the most abundant, healthy, unsaturated fatty acids that freely exist in RBO: oleic, linoleic, and α-linolenic acids in nine parental lines (two male sterile lines and seven male lines) and seven hybrid rice lines, by utilizing an efficacious organic extraction to collect RBO and by developing a user-friendly reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methodology. Our results showed that the hybrid lines had the highest oil content (F ratio = 7.2017, p value = 0.0019), while the male lines had the highest levels of two of the three free unsaturated fatty acids analyzed (linoleic acid, x ¯ = 212.801 mg and oleic acid, x ¯ = 48.132 mg). Oil weight was negatively correlated with α-linolenic acid (r = -0.6535, p value <0.0001). All three free unsaturated fatty acids were positively correlated. Our samples' natural variation in lipid content suggests that some rice lines are more suitable for oil production.

Relato de Experiência: ações estratégicas para o enfrentamento do sobrepeso/obesidade na atenção primária a saúde / Experience report: strategic actions to combat overweight/obesity in primary health care

Trata-se de um estudo descritivo, do tipo relato de experiência. Será elaborado um projeto intitulado "Vida Saudável", a ser implantado na comunidade e desenvolvido pelos profissionais da equipe de saúde. Serão inclusos os profissionais que aceitarem participar e os usuários com idade entre 18 e 59 anos. O projeto envolverá três etapas: capacitação dos profissionais, avaliação antropométrica e diagnóstico nutricional dos usuários do Sistema Único de Saúde, e ações de Educação Alimentar e Nutricional. Estas últimas serão realizadas mediante seis encontros presenciais com a equipe e os usuários adultos diagnosticados com sobrepeso/obesidade. Espera-se que as ações da intervenção contribuam para maior qualificação dos profissionais de saúde, e possam promover melhorias nos hábitos alimentares e no estado nutricional dos usuários. Com o projeto poderá ser possível um direcionamento sobre o tema de forma interdisciplinar, diminuição dos custos no tratamento, a redução do sobrepeso/ obesidade e prevenção de doenças associadas.

Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease Under Conservative Treatment

Abstract Background Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is commonly associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD). These diseases have a significant impact on life expectancy. Individuals with CKD are more likely to die from CVD than to progress to end-stage kidney disease. Objective To assess cardiovascular risk factors of patients with CKD under conservative treatment. Methods This was an observational, cross-sectional study. Socioeconomic, anthropometric, biochemical, and physical inactivity data were assessed, and 10-year risk for CVD were estimated using the Framingham Score in patients with CKD under conservative treatment. For statistical analysis, the Student's t-test and Pearson's chi-square test were performed. Results A total of 172 individuals were evaluated, 57% of whom were male, with an average age of 68.85 ± 11.41 years. The prevalence of hypertension and diabetes were 87.2% and 53.5%, respectively; 62.2% were physically inactive; 9.9% of men were smokers and 12.8% consumed alcohol. According to BMI, 82.4% of adults <60 years old and 60.6% of those older than 60 years were overweight. High waist circumference and a high waist-hip ratio were highly prevalent in females (91.9% and 83.8%, respectively) and males (64.3% and 39.8%, respectively); 92.4% had a high body fat percentage and 73.3% high uric acid levels. According to the Framingham score, 57% have a medium or high risk of developing CVD in 10 years. Conclusion There was a high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in the population studied. The assessment of cardiovascular risk factors in patients with CKD makes it possible to guide the conduct of health professionals to prevent mortality from cardiovascular causes. Int J Cardiovasc Sci. 2020; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0

Nutritional Status and Growth Deficit in Children and Adolescents with Cancer at Different Moments of Treatment.

BACKGROUND: Nutrition deficits are common in children and adolescents undergoing cancer treatment and can contribute to a worse prognosis. There are scarce studies regarding this context considering different moments of treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between moment of treatment and nutritional status in children and adolescents with cancer. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed from January 2013 to December 2015, including data from all clinical records of patients under 18 years old with cancer. Clinical, nutritional support and anthropometric data were collected at four moments of treatment from cancer diagnosis: diagnosis (t0), 3 mo, (t1), 6 mo, (t2) and 1 year (t3). In addition, nutritional indicators were evaluated. Generalized Estimating Equation models were performed to analyze changes on anthropometric indices throughout four moments of treatment. RESULTS: The sample comprised 73 patients and frequency of nutritional deficits ranged from 13.0% to 18.6%. All nutritional indicators decreased at t1, showed a modest recovery at t2 and a stronger recovery at t3 (p < 0.001). Growth was also impacted during treatment, mainly on patients under 2 years in the first three months of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Moment of treatment was associated with growth deficit and decreased percentiles in development indicators.

Validation of visual instrument for location and measurement of pain intensity / Validação de instrumento visual para localização e mensuração da intensidade da dor

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There are very few instruments in the literature that allow for the precise identification of neuropathic pain, that are easy to apply and can represent the pain intensity and location within the plexus path, as well as be used for pain management. The objective of this study was to validate a visual instrument made from a color scale and a body diagram to locate and measure the pain intensity in adults with brachial plexopathy. METHODS: This exploratory study used a quantitative approach. The sample was composed of 35 patients presenting brachial plexus pain and who underwent surgery. The instrument is composed of a four-color scale and a body diagram. Each patient identified a color on the scale for each pain intensity and then colored the representative pain area in the diagram using one or more colors. Criterion validation was used to prove the correlation between the scores obtained by the instrument and the surgical reports, which were used as the external criterion. RESULTS: A significant agreement was observed between the representation of pain in the diagram and the surgical report in all nerve trunks. CONCLUSION: The instrument was found to be useful for locating the pain and measuring its intensity in patients with brachial plexopathy.

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Na literatura são escassos os instrumentos que permitem identificar precisamente a dor neuropática, sejam de fácil aplicação, possam representar a intensidade e a localização da dor dentro do trajeto plexular e ser utilizados no manejo da dor. O objetivo deste estudo foi validar um instrumento visual composto por escala de cores e diagrama corporal para localização e mensuração da intensidade da dor em adultos com plexopatia braquial. MÉTODOS: Estudo exploratório, com abordagem quantitativa. A amostra foi composta por 35 pacientes com plexobraquialgia submetidos a tratamento cirúrgico. Foi utilizado um instrumento imagético composto por uma escala de quatro cores e um diagrama corporal. Os pacientes identificaram na escala uma cor para cada intensidade de dor e coloriram no diagrama a sua área representativa, utilizando uma ou mais cores. A validação de critério foi utilizada para comprovar a correlação entre os escores do instrumento criado e os laudos cirúrgicos que corresponderam ao critério externo. RESULTADOS: Observou-se concordância significativa entre a representação da dor no diagrama corporal e o laudo cirúrgico em todos os troncos nervosos. CONCLUSÃO: O instrumento imagético se mostrou útil para localização e mensuração da intensidade da dor em pacientes com plexopatia braquial.

Evaluation of adductor pollicis muscle thickness obtained by ultrasonography and adipometer in patients with chronic kidney disease under conservative treatment / Evaluación del polímico adductor espesor muscular obtenido por ultrasonografía y adipómetro en pacientes con enfermedad renal crónico bajo tratamiento conservador

The aim of this study was to evaluate the concordance between adductor pollicis muscle thickness (APMT) measured by ultrasonography and adipometer and the applicability of the measurement as an indicator of the nutritional status of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods: Epidemiological study with a cross-sectional design (n= 137). The concordance between APMT assessed by both methods were evaluated by intraclass correlation coefficient. Bland-Altman graphics were produced. APMTs were correlated with body mass index (BMI); calf circumference (CC), brachial circumference (BC) and brachial muscle (BMC); lean tissue mass (LTM); LTM index and body cell mass (BCM) via Pearson correlation. The adipometer overestimated APMT by 7 mm when compared to ultrasonography. APMT measured by adipometer was moderately correlated with BMI, CC, BC, BMC, LTM and BCM. APMT by ultrasonography was weakly correlated with CC, BMC, LTM, and LTM index. Conclusion: APMT presented weak or moderate correlation between methods. The measurement was predictive of muscle mass. We suggest that APMT be used in a complementary way in the evaluation of body composition.

El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar la concordancia entre el espesor de músculo aductor pollicis (EMAP), medido por ecografía y adipómetro, con aplicabilidad de la medición como indicador del estado nutricional de los pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica (ERC). Métodos: Estudio epidemiológico con diseño transversal. La concordancia entre los APMT estimados por ambos métodos se evaluó mediante el coeficiente de correlación intraclase y se diseñaron gráficos de Bland-Altman. En 137 pacientes con ERC, el APMT se correlacionó con índice de masa corporal (IMC); circunferencias de la pantorrilla (CP), circunferencia braquial (CB) y circunferencia del músculo braquial (CMB); masa de tejido magro (MTM); índice de masa magra (IMM) y masa celular corporal (MCC) mediante correlación de Pearson. Se obtuvo que el adipómetro sobreestima EMAP en 7 mm en comparación con la ecografía. EMAP medido por adipómetro se correlacionó moderadamente con IMC, CP, CB, CMB, MTM e IMM. EMAP por ecografía se correlacionó débilmente con el CP, CMB, MTM y IMM. Conclusión: EMAP presentó una baja o moderada correlación con otras mediciones de estado nutricional. La EMAP predice la masa muscular, ya que presentó correlación con marcadores de este compartimento. Se sugiere que EMAPse utilice de manera complementaria en la evaluación de la composición corporal.

Avaliação do conteúdo de hemoglobina do reticulócito em pacientes anêmicos sob tratamento dialítico / Evaluation of the reticulocyte hemoglobin content in anemic patients in dialytic treatment

A anemia é uma complicação importante na doença renal crônica (DRC), culminando com o aumento da morbidade e mortalidade, tornando-se fundamental a busca de marcadores hematológicos que permitam seu diagnóstico precoce. Este artigo teve como objetivo revisar na literatura estudos que investigaram a associação entre o conteúdo de hemoglobina contida nos reticulócitos com a anemia em pacientes com DRC em tratamento dialítico e gerar evidências de sua importância na prática clínica. Foi realizada a busca nas bases de dados eletrônicas: Medline e Web of Science. O período de busca definido foi de janeiro de 1997 a dezembro de 2017. O conteúdo de hemoglobina dos reticulócitos avalia a hemoglobina contida nos reticulócitos, sendo que estes, após liberação da medula óssea, permanecem no sangue periférico de um a quatro dias antes de completar sua maturação, conferindo-lhe maior especificidade em refletir a disponibilidade de ferro aos precursores hematopoiéticos, além de fornecer uma avaliação precoce da resposta eritropoética frente ao tratamento de ferro IV. Os artigos selecionados nessa revisão demonstraram que o conteúdo de hemoglobina do reticulócito, além de refletir precocemente a disponibilidade de ferro aos precursores hematopoiéticos, o mesmo não sofre interferência de citocinas inflamatórias, tornando-o um marcador eficaz no monitoramento da cinética do ferro em pacientes em diálise.

Anemia is an important complication in chronic kidney disease (CKD), culminating with the increase in morbidity and mortality, making it fundamental to search for hematological markers that allow its early diagnosis. This review aimed to review in the literature studies that investigated the association between hemoglobin content in reticulocytes and anemia in patients with CKD in dialysis and to generate evidence of its importance in clinical practice. The hemoglobin content of the reticulocytes evaluates the hemoglobin contained in the reticulocytes, which, after release of the bone marrow, remain in the peripheral blood 1 to 4 days before their maturation completes, giving it greater specificity in reflecting the availability of iron to the reticulocytes. Hematopoietic precursors, in addition to providing an early assessment of the erythropoietic response to IV iron treatment. The articles selected in this review have demonstrated that the reticulocyte hemoglobin content in addition to early reflection of the availability of iron to the hematopoietic precursors does not suffer interference from inflammatory cytokines, making it an effective marker in the monitoring of iron kinetics in dialysis patients.

Agreement between Subjective Global Nutritional Assessment and the nutritional assessment of the World Health Organization / Concordância entre Avaliação Nutricional Subjetiva Global e Avaliação Nutricional da Organização Mundial da Saúde

Abstract Objective: To assess the agreement between the results of the Subjective Global Nutritional Assessment questionnaire, adapted for children and adolescents of the Brazilian population, and the nutritional status assessment method through growth curves and the classification of the World Health Organization in a pediatric hospital service. Methods: This was an analytical, quantitative, cross-sectional study. During the data collection period, the nutritional status of all patients from 0 to 12 years of age, admitted to the pediatric unit of a university hospital, was concomitantly assessed according to the Subjective Global Nutritional Assessment and World Health Organization curves. To determine the assessment and agreement between these methods, the Kappa and Kendall coefficients were used, respectively, considering a significance level of 5%. Results: Sixty-one children participated, with a predominance of males. It was observed that the highest frequency of equivalent results occurred among the group classified as well nourished, and that only the height/age variable showed a close agreement between the methods. Additionally, there was a good correlation only for the weight/height variable between the assessment tools used. Conclusion: Due to the low agreement between the methods, the combination of both may be beneficial for the nutritional assessment of pediatric patients, collaborating with the early diagnosis of nutritional alterations and facilitating the use of adequate dietary therapy.

Resumo Objetivo: Avaliar a concordância entre os resultados do questionário da Avaliação Nutricional Subjetiva Global adaptado para crianças e adolescentes da população brasileira e do método de avaliação do estado nutricional por meio de curvas de crescimento e a classificação da Organização Mundial da Saúde em um serviço pediátrico hospitalar. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo analítico, quantitativo, de caráter transversal. Durante o período de coleta de dados, foi avaliado o estado nutricional de todos os pacientes até 12 anos admitidos na Enfermaria de Pediatria de um hospital universitário segundo a Avaliação Nutricional Subjetiva Global e as curvas da Organização Mundial da Saúde, concomitantemente. Para determinar a avaliação e a concordância entre esses métodos, os coeficientes de Kappa e de Kendall foram usados, respectivamente, considerou-se nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: Participaram do trabalho 61 crianças, com predominância do sexo masculino. Observou-se que a maior frequência de resultados iguais ocorreu entre o grupo classificado como bem nutrido e que somente a variável altura/idade demonstrou íntima concordância entre os métodos. Além disso, verificou-se uma boa correlação somente para a variável peso/altura entre os instrumentos usados. Conclusão: Devido à baixa concordância entre os métodos, a combinação de ambos pode ser benéfica para a avaliação nutricional dos pacientes pediátricos e colaborar com o diagnóstico precoce de alterações nutricionais, facilitar a aplicação do tratamento dietoterápico adequado.

Agreement between Subjective Global Nutritional Assessment and the nutritional assessment of the World Health Organization.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the agreement between the results of the Subjective Global Nutritional Assessment questionnaire, adapted for children and adolescents of the Brazilian population, and the nutritional status assessment method through growth curves and the classification of the World Health Organization in a pediatric hospital service. METHODS: This was an analytical, quantitative, cross-sectional study. During the data collection period, the nutritional status of all patients from 0 to 12 years of age, admitted to the pediatric unit of a university hospital, was concomitantly assessed according to the Subjective Global Nutritional Assessment and World Health Organization curves. To determine the assessment and agreement between these methods, the Kappa and Kendall coefficients were used, respectively, considering a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: Sixty-one children participated, with a predominance of males. It was observed that the highest frequency of equivalent results occurred among the group classified as well nourished, and that only the height/age variable showed a close agreement between the methods. Additionally, there was a good correlation only for the weight/height variable between the assessment tools used. CONCLUSION: Due to the low agreement between the methods, the combination of both may be beneficial for the nutritional assessment of pediatric patients, collaborating with the early diagnosis of nutritional alterations and facilitating the use of adequate dietary therapy.

Concepções de educadores infantis sobre aprendizagem e desenvolvimento: análise pela psicologia histórico-cultural / Conceptions of children's educators on learning and development: analysis by Historical-Cultural Psychology / Concepciones de educadores infantiles sobre aprendizaje y desarrollo: análisis por la Psicología Histórico-Cultural

O presente estudo teve por objetivo investigar concepções de educadores infantis sobre a aprendizagem e o desenvolvimento humano. Participaram da pesquisa quatro educadores infantis atuantes na cidade de Patrocínio-MG. Foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas e os dados analisados a partir dos fundamentos teóricos da Psicologia Histórico-Cultural. Por meio das entrevistas foi possível identificar que as concepções apresentadas pelos educadores sobre a aprendizagem e o desenvolvimento humano aproximam-se do entendimento do senso comum, pois eles não as esclarecem de forma elaborada, evidenciando uma formação docente ainda incerta, o que repercute na sala de aula, gerando atuações aligeiradas e sem a devida intencionalidade educacional. Isso aponta para a necessidade de uma formação docente mais sólida, que possibilite planejar intervenções, sobretudo voltadas ao processo de desenvolvimento humano. Diante disso, o psicólogo pode contribuir com a construção dessas formações a partir de olhares diferenciados na constituição de um referencial teórico-prático junto aos educadores.

The purpose of this study was to investigate what kind of conceptions children's educators have about learning and human development. Four children educators working in the city of Patrocínio - MG participated in the study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and the data were analyzed from the theoretical foundations of Historical-Cultural Psychology. Through the interviews it was possible to identify that the conceptions presented by the educators about learning and human development are close to the understanding of common sense, since they do not clarify their conceptions in an elaborate way, it means an evidence that the conditions of the teacher's formation is still uncertain, which has repercussions in the classroom, generating light performances and lacking educational intentionality. These points to the need for a more solid teacher education, which makes it possible to plan interventions, mainly focused on the process of human development. Given this, the psychologist can contribute to the construction of these formations from different perspectives in the constitution of a theoretical-practical reference to the educators.

El presente estudio tuvo por objetivo investigar concepciones que educadores infantiles poseen sobre aprendizaje y desarrollo humano. Participaron de la investigación cuatro educadores infantiles actuantes en la ciudad de Patrocínio-MG. Se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas y analizados los datos a partir de los fundamentos teóricos de la Psicología Histórico-Cultural. Por intermedio de las entrevistas fue posible identificar que las concepciones presentadas por los educadores sobre aprendizaje y desarrollo humano se acercan del entendimiento del sentido común, pues no aclaran sus concepciones de forma elaborada, evidenciando una formación docente aún incierta, lo que repercute en la clase, generando actuaciones aligeradas y sin la debida intencionalidad educacional. Eso apunta para la necesidad de una formación docente más sólida, que posibilite planear intervenciones, principalmente volcadas al proceso de desarrollo humano. Delante de eso, el psicólogo puede contribuir con la construcción de esas formaciones a partir de miradas diferenciadas en la constitución de referencial teórico-práctico junto a educadores.

Effects of temperature on transcriptome and cuticular hydrocarbon expression in ecologically differentiated populations of desert Drosophila.

We assessed the effects of temperature differences on gene expression using whole-transcriptome microarrays and cuticular hydrocarbon variation in populations of cactophilic Drosophila mojavensis. Four populations from Baja California and mainland Mexico and Arizona were each reared on two different host cacti, reared to sexual maturity on laboratory media, and adults were exposed for 12 hr to 15, 25, or 35°C. Temperature differences influenced the expression of 3,294 genes, while population differences and host plants affected >2,400 each in adult flies. Enriched, functionally related groups of genes whose expression changed at high temperatures included heat response genes, as well as genes affecting chromatin structure. Gene expression differences between mainland and peninsular populations included genes involved in metabolism of secondary compounds, mitochondrial activity, and tRNA synthases. Flies reared on the ancestral host plant, pitaya agria cactus, showed upregulation of genes involved in metabolism, while flies reared on organ pipe cactus had higher expression of DNA repair and chromatin remodeling genes. Population × environment (G × E) interactions had widespread effects on the transcriptome where population × temperature interactions affected the expression of >5,000 orthologs, and there were >4,000 orthologs that showed temperature × host plant interactions. Adults exposed to 35°C had lower amounts of most cuticular hydrocarbons than those exposed to 15 or 25°C, including abundant unsaturated alkadienes. For insects adapted to different host plants and climatic regimes, our results suggest that temperature shifts associated with climate change have large and significant effects on transcriptomes of genetically differentiated natural populations.

16S rRNA Gene-Based Metagenomic Analysis of Ozark Cave Bacteria.

The microbial diversity within cave ecosystems is largely unknown. Ozark caves maintain a year-round stable temperature (12-14 °C), but most parts of the caves experience complete darkness. The lack of sunlight and geological isolation from surface-energy inputs generate nutrient-poor conditions that may limit species diversity in such environments. Although microorganisms play a crucial role in sustaining life on Earth and impacting human health, little is known about their diversity, ecology, and evolution in community structures. We used five Ozark region caves as test sites for exploring bacterial diversity and monitoring long-term biodiversity. Illumina MiSeq sequencing of five cave soil samples and a control sample revealed a total of 49 bacterial phyla, with seven major phyla: Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, Chloroflexi, Bacteroidetes, and Nitrospirae. Variation in bacterial composition was observed among the five caves studied. Sandtown Cave had the lowest richness and most divergent community composition. 16S rRNA gene-based metagenomic analysis of cave-dwelling microbial communities in the Ozark caves revealed that species abundance and diversity are vast and included ecologically, agriculturally, and economically relevant taxa.

Encaminhamento e Perfil do Público-Alvo da Educação Especial de uma Sala de Recursos Multifuncionais: Estudo de Caso / Referral and Profile of The Special Education Target Audience in a Multifunctional Resources Classroom: a Case Study

RESUMO: a definição do público-alvo da Educação Especial está na legislação. No entanto, neste percurso muitos dos alunos atendidos foram excluídos do serviço por não estarem contemplados nesta nova nomenclatura, levantando os questionamentos: estes alunos recebem algum tipo de atendimento? Mesmo não estando definidos na legislação, frequentam as Salas de Recursos Multifuncionais (SRM)? Nesse sentido, os objetivos propostos foram: pontuar os motivos para o encaminhamento dos alunos para a SRM e identificar quem são os alunos que frequentam a SRM. A metodologia da pesquisa foi baseada no estudo de caso, tendo uma SRM como lócus. Os participantes foram: a professora especialista e a coordenação da Educação Especial. Foram utilizados para a coleta de dados a entrevista semiestruturada, a análise dos documentos dos alunos que frequentavam a SRM e roteiros de observação. Para o tratamento dos dados realizou-se a triangulação de dados. Os resultados obtidos apontaram que quatro dos alunos que frequentavam o atendimento educacional especializado (AEE) na SRM possuíam deficiência intelectual, quatro eram denominados alunos com necessidades educacionais especiais, e não era necessário o laudo para a matrícula. Os motivos para o encaminhamento, em sua maioria, eram baseados no rendimento que o aluno apresentava na classe regular e se estava alfabetizado ou não; outros motivos, como deficiência e a solicitação dos pais para a avaliação, também estavam presentes. Conclui-se que o lócus da pesquisa possuía uma estrutura divergente da legislação quanto aos alunos considerados Públicos-alvo da Educação Especial.

ABSTRACT: The definition of the Special Education target-audience is described in the law. However, in the course of action many students were excluded from the service because they were not contemplated in this definition, therefore raising some questions: are these students receiving any service? Even not included by the law, are they served in the Multifunctional Resources Classrooms (MRC)? In this context, the proposed objectives were: to point out the reasons for referring students to the MRC, and to identify the students attending the MRC. The research methodology was based on the case study of a MRC. The participants were the special teacher and the coordinator of the school. Data collection was carried out through semi-structured interviews, documents of the students attending the MRC and observation protocols. Information treatment was based on data triangulation. The results showed that four students attending the Special Educational Service in the MRC had intellectual disabilities, four students were denominated as with special educational needs, and thus diagnosis was not necessary for enrollment. The reasons for referral were mostly based on the student's achievement in the general classroom and whether the student was literate or not. Other reasons, such as the presence of a disability and the parents' request for assessment were also identified. We concluded that the locus of the research had a diverse structure from what the law defines in relation to the students considered target-audience for Special Education.

Preadult life history variation determines adult transcriptome expression.

Preadult determinants of adult fitness and behaviour have been documented in a variety of organisms with complex life cycles, but little is known about expression patterns of genes underlying these adult traits. We explored the effects of differences in egg-to-adult development time on adult transcriptome and cuticular hydrocarbon variation in order to understand the nature of the genetic correlation between preadult development time and premating isolation between populations of Drosophila mojavensis reared in different host cactus environments. Transcriptome variation was analysed separately in flies reared on each host and revealed that hundreds of genes in adults were differentially expressed (FDR P < 0.05) due to development time differences. For flies reared on pitaya agria cactus, longer preadult development times caused increased expression of genes in adults enriched for ribosome production, protein metabolism, chromatin remodelling and regulation of alternate splicing and transcription. Baja California flies reared on organ pipe cactus showed fewer differentially expressed genes in adults due to longer preadult development time, but these were enriched for ATP synthesis and the TCA cycle. Mainland flies reared on organ pipe cactus with shorter development times showed increased transcription of genes enriched for mitochondria and energy production, protein synthesis and glucose metabolism: adults with longer development times had increased expression of genes enriched for adult life span, cuticle proteins and ion binding, although most differentially expressed genes were unannotated. Differences due to population, sex, mating status and their interactions were also assessed. Adult cuticular hydrocarbon profiles also showed shifts due to egg-to-adult development time and were influenced by population and mating status. These results help to explain why preadult life history variation determines subsequent expression of the adult transcriptome along with traits involved with reproductive isolation and revealed previously undocumented connections between genetic and environmental influences over the entire life cycle in this desert insect.

Development and nutritional and sensory evaluation of cachapinta (Pseudoplatystoma sp) pâté.

This study developed a technique for the preparation of pâté from cachapinta (Pseudoplatystoma sp) waste. For this, frozen minced cachapinta fish was crushed in a mini cutter and homogenized with all other ingredients. The prepared pâté was stored in seamed and thermally treated cans (volume 170 g). Weight proportions of mean moisture, ash, protein, and lipid contents of the minced fish were 75.49, 1.00, 15.00, and 7.92 (g/100 g), respectively. The formulation of the developed pâté is in accordance with legislation for fish products. Cachapinta pâté is a product with high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids, low level of trans fat, and good indices of nutritional quality. Tests of sensory acceptance, purchase intent, and sensory attributes (except spreadability) averaged a score above 6.0, indicating acceptability of the product. Our study suggests that the potential of minced cachapinta for pâté production is high, and that it can contribute a value-added product to seafood consumption.

Deciphering life history transcriptomes in different environments.

We compared whole transcriptome variation in six pre-adult stages and seven adult female ages in two populations of cactophilic Drosophila mojavensis reared on two host plants to understand how differences in gene expression influence standing life history variation. We used singular value decomposition (SVD) to identify dominant trajectories of life cycle gene expression variation, performed pairwise comparisons of stage and age differences in gene expression across the life cycle, identified when genes exhibited maximum levels of life cycle gene expression, and assessed population and host cactus effects on gene expression. Life cycle SVD analysis returned four significant components of transcriptional variation, revealing functional enrichment of genes responsible for growth, metabolic function, sensory perception, neural function, translation and ageing. Host cactus effects on female gene expression revealed population- and stage-specific differences, including significant host plant effects on larval metabolism and development, as well as adult neurotransmitter binding and courtship behaviour gene expression levels. In 3- to 6-day-old virgin females, significant upregulation of genes associated with meiosis and oogenesis was accompanied by downregulation of genes associated with somatic maintenance, evidence for a life history trade-off. The transcriptome of D. mojavensis reared in natural environments throughout its life cycle revealed core developmental transitions and genome-wide influences on life history variation in natural populations.

Premating isolation is determined by larval rearing substrates in cactophilic Drosophila mojavensis. X. Age-specific dynamics of adult epicuticular hydrocarbon expression in response to different host plants.

Analysis of sexual selection and sexual isolation in Drosophila mojavensis and its relatives has revealed a pervasive role of rearing substrates on adult courtship behavior when flies were reared on fermenting cactus in preadult stages. Here, we assessed expression of contact pheromones comprised of epicuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) from eclosion to 28 days of age in adults from two populations reared on fermenting tissues of two host cacti over the entire life cycle. Flies were never exposed to laboratory food and showed significant reductions in average CHC amounts consistent with CHCs of wild-caught flies. Overall, total hydrocarbon amounts increased from eclosion to 14-18 days, well past age at sexual maturity, and then declined in older flies. Most flies did not survive past 4 weeks. Baja California and mainland populations showed significantly different age-specific CHC profiles where Baja adults showed far less age-specific changes in CHC expression. Adults from populations reared on the host cactus typically used in nature expressed more CHCs than on the alternate host. MANCOVA with age as the covariate for the first six CHC principal components showed extensive differences in CHC composition due to age, population, cactus, sex, and age × population, age × sex, and age × cactus interactions. Thus, understanding variation in CHC composition as adult D. mojavensis age requires information about population and host plant differences, with potential influences on patterns of mate choice, sexual selection, and sexual isolation, and ultimately how these pheromones are expressed in natural populations. Studies of drosophilid aging in the wild are badly needed.

Transcriptome-wide expression variation associated with environmental plasticity and mating success in cactophilic Drosophila mojavensis.

Ecological speciation occurs with the adaptation of populations to different environments and concurrent evolution of reproductive isolation. Phenotypic plasticity might influence both ecological adaptation and reproductive traits. We examined environment-specific gene expression and male mating success in cactophilic Drosophila mojavensis using transcriptome sequencing. This species exhibits cactus-dependent mating success across different species of host plants, with genotype-by-environment interactions for numerous traits. We cultured flies from egg to eclosion on two natural cactus hosts and surveyed gene expression in adult males that were either successful or unsuccessful in achieving copulation in courtship trials. We identified gene expression differences that included functions involved with metabolism, most likely related to chemical differences between host cactus species. Several epigenetic-related functions were identified that might play a role in modulating gene expression in adults due to host cactus effects on larvae, and mating success. Cactus-dependent mating success involved expression differences of genes implicated in translation, transcription, and nervous system development. This suggests a role of neurological function genes in the mating success of D. mojavensis males. Together, these results suggest that the influence of environmental variation on mating success via regulation of gene expression might be an important aspect of ecological speciation.

Functional genomic and phenotypic responses to desiccation in natural populations of a desert drosophilid.

We used whole-transcriptome microarrays to assess changes in gene expression and monitored mortality rates and epicuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) in response to desiccation stress in four natural populations of Drosophila mojavensis from Baja California and mainland Mexico. Desiccation had the greatest effect on gene expression, followed by biogeographical variation at regional and population levels. Genes involved in environmental sensing and cuticular structure were up-regulated in dry conditions, while genes involved in transcription itself were down-regulated. Flies from Baja California had higher expression of reproductive and mitochondrial genes, suggesting that these populations have greater fecundity and higher metabolic rates. Host plant differences had a surprisingly minor effect on the transcriptome. In most cases, desiccation-caused mortality was greater in flies reared on fermenting cactus tissues than that on laboratory media. Water content of adult females and males was significantly different and was lower in Baja California males. Different groups of CHCs simultaneously increased and decreased in amounts due to desiccation exposure of 9 and 18 h and were population-specific and dependent on larval rearing substrates. Overall, we observed that changes in gene expression involved a coordinated response of behavioural, cuticular and metabolic genes. Together with differential expression of cuticular hydrocarbons, this study revealed some of the mechanisms that have allowed D. mojavensis to exploit its harsh desert conditions. Certainly, for D. mojavensis that uses different host plants, population-level understanding of responses to stressors associated with future climate change in desert regions must be evaluated across geographical and local ecological scales.