Relationship between Femur Mineral Content and Local Muscle Strength and Mass.

Among the stimuli able to prevent early decreases in bone mineralization, exercise has a noticeable role per se as the source of mechanical stimulus or through lean tissue enlargement by its increasing of tensional stimulus. However, prevention strategies, including exercise, generally do not establish the moment in life when attention should begin to be paid to bone integrity, according to age group- and sex-related differences. Thus, this study analyzed the relationship between variables from the diagnosis of total and regional body composition, muscle strength, and bone mineral content (BMC) of femurs in young adult males. Thirty-four young Caucasian men (24.9 ± 8.6 years) had their body composition and bone density assessed by dual X-ray absorptiometry. The subjects performed a one-repetition maximum test (1-RM) in a bench press, front pulley, seated-row, push press, arm curl, triceps pulley, leg flexion, leg extension, and 45° leg press for the assessment of muscle strength in upper and lower limbs in single- and multi-joint exercises. Lean tissue mass in the trunk and upper and lower limbs were related to femoral BMC (Pearson coefficient ranging from 0.55 to 0.72, p < 0.01), and 1-RM values for different exercises involving both upper and lower limbs also correlated with femoral BMC (Pearson coefficients ranging from 0.34 to 0.46, p < 0.05). Taken together, these correlations suggest that muscle mass and strength are positively linked with the magnitude of femoral mass in men, even in early adulthood. Hence, the importance of an enhanced muscle mass and strength to the health of femoral bones in young adults was highlighted.

Influenza A virus propagation requires the activation of the unfolded protein response and the accumulation of insoluble protein aggregates.

Influenza A virus (IAV) employs multiple strategies to manipulate cellular mechanisms and support proper virion formation and propagation. In this study, we performed a detailed analysis of the interplay between IAV and the host cells' proteostasis throughout the entire infectious cycle. We reveal that IAV infection activates the inositol requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1) branch of the unfolded protein response, and that this activation is important for an efficient infection. We further observed the accumulation of virus-induced insoluble protein aggregates, containing both viral and host proteins, associated with a dysregulation of the host cell RNA metabolism. Our data indicate that this accumulation is important for IAV propagation and favors the final steps of the infection cycle, more specifically the virion assembly. These findings reveal additional mechanisms by which IAV disrupts host proteostasis and uncovers new cellular targets that can be explored for the development of host-directed antiviral strategies.

A review of hybrid enzymatic-chemical treatment for wastewater containing antiepileptic drugs.

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological diseases worldwide and requires treatment with antiepileptic drugs for many years or for life. This fact leads to the need for constant production and use of these compounds, placing them among the four pharmaceutical classes most found in wastewater. Even at low concentrations, antiepileptics pose risks to human and environmental health and are considered organic contaminants of emerging concern. Conventional treatments have shown low removal of these drugs, requiring advanced and innovative approaches. In this context, this review covers the results and perspectives on (1) consumption and occurrence of antiepileptics in water, (2) toxicological effects in aquatic ecosystems, (3) enzymatic and advanced oxidation processes for degrading antiepileptics drugs from a molecular point of view (biochemical and chemical phenomena), (4) improvements in treatment efficiency by hybridization, and (5) technical aspects of the enzymatic-AOP reactors.

Tools to Investigate the Peroxisome-Dependent Antiviral Response.

The importance of peroxisomes in the context of viral infections has been increasingly demonstrated in recent years. The discovery that MAVS localizes at peroxisomes and that peroxisomal and mitochondrial MAVS perform complementing functions within the antiviral response has raised the interest in studying the peroxisome-dependent signaling in the context of infection by different viruses. To that end, specific experimental procedures should be applied, taking into consideration the endogenous localization of MAVS at both organelles. The analysis of peroxisomal MAVS activation requires, hence, the preliminar generation and validation of cell lines where MAVS localizes solely at peroxisomes, as well as other specific cellular tools. Here, we present a detailed protocol to analyse the peroxisome-dependent antiviral response, using virus-specific and virus-unspecific stimuli.

Kinetics, mechanism, and tautomerism in ametryn acid hydrolysis: From molecular structure to environmental impacts.

The excessive use of pesticides and the demand for environmentally friendly compounds have driven the focus to detailed studies of the environmental destination of these compounds. Degradation by hydrolysis of pesticides, when released into the soil, can result in the formation of metabolites with potentially adverse effects on the environment. Moving in this direction, we investigated the mechanism of acid hydrolysis of the herbicide ametryn (AMT) and predicted the toxicities of metabolites through experimental and theoretical approaches. The formation of ionized hydroxyatrazine (HA) occurs with the release of the SCH3- group and the addition of H3O+ to the triazine ring. The tautomerization reactions privileged the conversion of AMT into HA. Furthermore, the ionized HA is stabilized by an intramolecular reaction that provides the molecule in two tautomeric states. Experimentally, the hydrolysis of AMT was obtained under acidic conditions and at room temperature with HA as the main product. HA was isolated in a solid state through its crystallization as organic counterions. The mechanism of conversion of AMT to HA and the experimental investigation of the reaction kinetics allowed us to determine the dissociation of CH3SH as the rate-controlling step in the degradation process that culminates in a half-life between 7 and 24 months under typical acid soil conditions of the Brazilian Midwest - region with strong agricultural and livestock vocation. The keto and hydroxy metabolites showed substantial thermodynamic stability and a decrease in toxicity compared to AMT. We hope that this comprehensive study will support the understanding of the degradation of s-triazine-based pesticides.

Diagnóstico de proteinose alveolar pulmonar após exposição à covid-19: relato de caso / Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis diagnosis of after exposure to covid-19: case report / Diagnóstico de proteinosis alveolar pulmonar tras exposición al covid-19: reporte de caso

Os objetivos deste artigo são relatar o caso de um paciente diagnosticado com proteinose alveolar pulmonar (PAP) após piora do quadro clínico decorrente da infecção por covid-19 e realizar uma revisão sobre a PAP na busca de promover o maior conhecimento dos profissionais de saúde sobre essa comorbidade. Participou da pesquisa um paciente de 48 anos de idade, sexo masculino, com relato de quadro de tosse e dispneia há um ano, apresentando exacerbação do quadro respiratório após infecção por SARS-CoV-2, com necessidade de início de suporte de oxigênio via cateter nasal devido à diminuição da saturação e ao comprometimento das atividades da vida diária. Foi realizada tomografia computadorizada de alta resolução do tórax (TCAR) e evidenciada pavimentação em mosaico com comprometimento difuso dos campos pulmonares. Conforme achados clínicos e radiológicos compatíveis com PAP, o paciente foi submetido à lavagem pulmonar total e apresentou melhora da dispneia e da tosse. A proteinose alveolar pulmonar é uma doença que merece relevância devido ao comprometimento clínico que pode ocasionar ao paciente. É necessário um acompanhamento médico periódico para observar a evolução da doença e definir a conduta terapêutica conforme apresentação clínica de cada enfermo. Por vezes, pode ser necessário repetir a lavagem pulmonar total e em casos refratários, buscar alternativas terapêuticas. Tendo em vista o envolvimento pulmonar e os sintomas semelhantes a infecções por SARS-CoV-2, é importante atentar para os diagnósticos diferenciais.

This paper reports the case of a patient diagnosed with pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) after a worsening clinical picture due to COVID-19 infection, reviewing the literature on PAP to promote greater knowledge on this comorbidity for health professionals. A 48-year-old male patient with reported coughing and dyspnea for one year, presenting exacerbation of respiratory symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection, needing to start oxygen support via nasal catheter due to decreased saturation and impairment of daily living activities. High resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the chest was performed and showed crazy paving with diffuse involvement of the lung fields. As per clinical and radiological findings compatible with PAP, the patient underwent total lung lavage and showed improvement in dyspnea and coughing. Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis deserves relevance due to the clinical impairment it can cause to the patient. Periodic medical follow-up is necessary to observe the disease evolution and define the therapeutic approach according to the clinical presentation of each patient. Sometimes, it may be necessary to repeat the total lung lavage, and to seek therapeutic alternatives in refractory cases. Given the pulmonary involvement and symptoms similar to SARS-CoV-2 infections, one must pay attention to the differential diagnoses.

Los objetivos de este artículo son presentar el caso de un paciente diagnosticado de proteinosis alveolar pulmonar (PAP) tras empeorar el cuadro clínico debido a infección por covid-19 y realizar una revisión sobre la PAP con el fin de generar más conocimiento a los profesionales sanitarios sobre esta comorbilidad. El caso investigado fue de un paciente masculino de 48 años de edad, con reporte de tos y disnea desde hace un año, que presentaba exacerbación del cuadro respiratorio posterior a infección por SARS-CoV-2, lo que requirió inicio de soporte de oxígeno vía catéter nasal por disminución de la saturación y deterioro de las actividades de la vida diaria. Se realizó una tomografía computarizada de alta resolución (TCAR) de tórax y se observó empedrado en mosaico con afectación difusa de los campos pulmonares. Según los hallazgos clínicos y radiológicos compatibles con PAP, se le realizó al paciente lavado pulmonar total y mejoró la disnea y la tos. La proteinosis alveolar pulmonar es una enfermedad que merece relevancia por el compromiso clínico que puede ocasionar al paciente. Es necesario un seguimiento médico periódico para observar la evolución de la enfermedad y definir el abordaje terapéutico según la presentación clínica de cada paciente. También es necesario repetir el lavado pulmonar total y, en casos refractarios, buscar alternativas terapéuticas. Ante la afectación pulmonar y síntomas similares a infecciones por SARS-CoV-2, es importante prestar atención a los diagnósticos diferenciales.

Qigong in Perceptual Auditory Attention: Tool to Improve Sound Integration in Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Context: Qigong, a mind-body practice in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), can improve cognitive functions, emotional balance, attention, multitask management, stress-coping, and well-being. One limitation of Qigong research is a lack of adequate controls. Objective: The current study intended to evaluate whether a single 5-min practice of a White Ball (WB) Qigong exercise could improve the perceptual auditory attention, divided and focused, in adults and whether obtaining potential effects would require a minimum level of training. Design: The research team designed a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, and single-blinded study. Setting: The study took place at the Institute of Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS) at the University of Porto in Porto, Portugal. Participants: Participants were 55 students at the University of Porto, 30 of whom were students attending the second year of medical school at ICBAS with no experience in Qigong and 25 of whom were students in the specialization and Master's programs in TCM with experience in Qigong. Intervention: The research team randomly distributed the 30 participants without experience into two groups, a negative control group (n = 15), who watched a wildlife video for 5 min in an orthostatic position, and a positive control group , the verum Qigong group (n = 15), who participated in 5 min of Qigong practice. The Qigong-practitioner group (n = 25), the intervention group, participated in the same 5-min Qigong, doing it with expertise. Outcome Measures: The study measured reaction time (RT) under two experimental conditions, one an auditory RT task and the second an auditory RT task with visual distraction. The procedure was constant for all the studied groups. Results: Postintervention, the reaction time (RT) in the negative control and the verum Qigong groups hadn't changed significantly (P > .05), while that of the Qigong-practitioner group had decreased significantly, with shorter RTs under the two experimental conditions, with P = .006 for the auditory RT and P = .003 for the auditory + visual distraction. Qigong may induce a conditioning effect that comes with regular practice. Conclusions: The WB Qigong had a positive effect on the AA mechanism, with a significant reduction in RT. The results support the importance of practice to achieve positive effects. People with neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism and ADHD, struggle every day for sensory integration of AA mechanisms. Qigong can be taught and easily learned from the age of 2 years until senior ages, and it's a safe and very low-cost intervention that deserves to be researched further in clinical trials. These potential benefits of Qigong should be confirmed by future studies.

Effect of three feeding levels on the pathogenesis and establishment of Haemonchus contortus in parasite-naïve Pelibuey hair sheep lambs during their first infection.

This study evaluated the effect of three feeding levels on the pathogenesis and establishment of H. contortus upon the first infection of parasite-naïve Pelibuey hair sheep lambs. Forty-two 6-month-old hair sheep lambs (24 ± 4 kg) raised parasite free from birth were used. The lambs were assigned to 3 groups (n = 14), and each was fed a diet designed for different daily weight gain (DWG): 75 g/d (Diet 1), 125 g/d (Diet 2) and 200 g/d (Diet 3). After four weeks of diet adaptation, 10 lambs/group were infected with 450 L3H. contortus/kg BW (infected), and 4 lambs/group were kept parasite-free (NInf). DWG, hematocrit (Ht), hemoglobin (Hb), peripheral eosinophils (EOS), IgG concentration against H. contortus, and eggs per gram (EPG) of feces were measured in each lamb from day 14 before infection until day 29 postinfection (PI). On day 29 PI, the lambs were slaughtered to determine the total number of adult parasites (TAW), the length of the female worms, and the number of eggs in utero (EIU). Each group reached the expected DWG (P = 0.001), and there was no effect of infection or the diet × infection interaction. Ht was lower in infected lambs than in NInf lambs, and this difference was significant for animals on Diets 1 and 2 (P = 0.044). From day 14 PI onward, Hb was lower in the infected lambs than in the NInf lambs (P = 0.001). Furthermore, compared with NInf lambs, the infected lambs had higher EOS from day 7 PI and higher IgG from day 14 PI. Neither EOS nor IgG were affected by diet. Lambs on Diet 3 had lower EPG during patency than those fed Diets 1 or 2 (days 25 and 28 PI; P = 0.002). Furthermore, lambs fed Diet 3 had lower TAW (Diet 1 vs 3 P = 0.037; Diet 2 vs 3 P = 0.049) and EIU (P = 0.004) than lambs fed Diet 1 or 2. Lambs were resilient to infection regardless of diet. Although EOS and IgG were higher in all infected animals than in Ninf animals, EPG, TAW and EIU decreased only in lambs fed Diet 3. Thus, a diet targeting a DWG of 200 g/d can significantly limit the establishment of H. contortus in Pelibuey lambs infected for the first time.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of UV-C dose for photoinactivation of SARS-CoV-2 in contaminated N95 respirator, surgical and cotton fabric masks.

As part of efforts to combat the Covid-19 pandemic and decrease the high transmissibility of the new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, effective inactivation strategies, such as UV-C decontamination technologies, can be reliably disseminated and well-studied. The present study investigated the susceptibility of a high viral load of SARS-CoV-2 in filtering facepiece respirators (FFR) N95, surgical mask, cotton fabric mask and N95 straps under three different doses of UV-C, applying both real-time PCR (qPCR) and plaque formation assays to quantify viral load reduction and virus infectivity, respectively. The results show that more than 95% of the amount of SARS-CoV-2 RNA could be reduced after 10 min of UV-C exposure (0.93 J cm-2 per side) in FFR N95 and surgical masks and, after 5 min of UV-C treatment (0.46 J cm-2 per side) in fabric masks. Furthermore, the analysis of viable coronaviruses after these different UV-C treatments demonstrated that the lowest applied dose is sufficient to decontaminate all masks ([Formula: see text] 3-log10 reduction of the infective viral load, > 99.9% reduction). However, for the elastic strap of N95 respirators, a UV-C dose three times greater than that used in masks (1.4 J cm-2 per side) is required. The findings suggest that the complete decontamination of masks can be performed effectively and safely in well-planned protocols for pandemic crises or as strategies to reduce the high consumption and safe disposal of these materials in the environment.

Hábitos Tabágicos dos Estudantes do Ensino Superior / Smoking Habits of Higher Education Students

O tabagismo é atualmente um problema de saúde pública de dimensão global, que afeta de forma direta ou indireta grande parte da população mundial. Muitos estudos apontam que a transição do ensino secundário para o ensino superior é uma altura crítica no que respeita ao início do consumo de tabaco. Neste período ocorre geralmente um afastamento físico da família e grupo amigos, o que leva a uma grande sensação de liberdade e autonomia. O estabelecimento de novas amizades e tentativa de afirmação em novos grupos pode levar ao início do consumo de tabaco. Com este estudo, pretendeu-se caracterizar os hábitos tabágicos dos estudantes do ensino superior de uma instituição da região centro de Portugal, avaliar o grau de dependência à nicotina e a motivação para a cessação tabágica, analisar a influência das variáveis sociodemográficas e do contexto académico com o grau de dependência à nicotina e a motivação para a cessação tabágica e averiguar a influência das variáveis sociodemográficas e do contexto académico com ser ou não fumador. Este estudo alicerçou-se numa metodologia não-experimental, quantitativa, descritiva e transversal. A população alvo foram todos os estudantes inscritos numa instituição de ensino superior da região centro de Portugal, no ano letivo 2020/2021. O protocolo de colheita de dados utilizado neste estudo foi disponibilizado online à população alvo, entre outubro de 2020 e janeiro de 2021, à qual se solicitou o seu preenchimento via correio eletrónico. Participaram 478 estudantes, que constituíram a amostra desta investigação, correspondendo a 15,4% da população. De acordo com os resultados, 56,1% dos estudantes eram do sexo feminino e 43,9% do sexo masculino, a média de idade era de 23,3 anos, sendo que 58,8% afirmaram já ter fumado alguma vez. A proporção de fumadores do sexo masculino (55%) é superior ao sexo feminino (43,5%), com média de idade de consumo do primeiro cigarro de 15,6 anos. A maioria dos estudantes fumadores tinham um grau de dependência à nicotina baixo e baixa motivação para a cessação tabágica. Concluiu-se que uma menor motivação para a cessação tabágica dos estudantes estava associada a um maior grau de dependência à nicotina. Constatou-se que os estudantes fumadores que praticavam desporto tinham maior motivação para a cessação tabágica e menor grau de dependência à nicotina. Os estudantes que foram influenciados por alguém a fumar o primeiro cigarro e que viviam com a família durante o período letivo revelaram um maior grau de dependência à nicotina. Os resultados obtidos indicaram, ainda, que os estudantes mais velhos e os que fumavam ou fumaram mais anos mostravam um maior grau de dependência à nicotina. Esta investigação permitiu conhecer os hábitos tabágicos dos estudantes da instituição de ensino superior em estudo. Os resultados obtidos possibilitam propor e delinear estratégias que visem mitigar a problemática que o consumo de tabaco constitui, por forma a melhorar a qualidade de vida e saúde dos estudantes e comunidade, alcançando desta forma ganhos em saúde, o que está de acordo com as competências descritas pela OE para o Enfermeiro Especialista em Enfermagem Comunitária e de Saúde Pública.

Smoking is currently a global public health problem which directly or indirectly affects a large part of the world's population. Many studies reveal that the transition from secondary education to tertiary education is a critical time for the start of tobacco use. During this period, there is usually a physical distancing from family and friends, which leads to a feeling of greater freedom and independence. Establishing new friendships and trying to assert themselves in new groups can lead to the beginning of tobacco consumption. The objective of this study was to characterise the smoking habits of higher education students at an institution in the central region of Portugal, assess the degree of nicotine dependence and the motivation for smoking cessation, analyse the influence of sociodemographic variables and academic context with the degree of nicotine dependence and the motivation for smoking cessation and determine the influence of sociodemographic variables and academic context with being or not being a smoker. This study was based on a non-experimental, quantitative, descriptive and transversal methodology. The target population were all students enrolled in a higher education institution in the central region of Portugal during the 2020/2021 academic year. The data collection protocol used in this study was made available online to the target population between October 2020 and January 2021, who were asked to complete it via email. 478 students participated, which constituted the sample used in this research, corresponding to 15,4% of the population. According to the results, 56,1% of the students were female and 43,9% male, the average age was 23,3 years, and 58,8% said they had smoked at some point. The proportion of male smokers (55%) is higher than that of females (43,5%), with an average age of first cigarette consumption of 15,6 years. Most students who smoke had a low degree of nicotine dependence and low motivation to quit smoking. It was concluded that a lower motivation for smoking cessation among students was associated with a higher degree of nicotine dependence. It was found that students who smoke and practice sports were more motivated to quit smoking and less dependent on nicotine. Students who were influenced by someone to smoke their first cigarette and who lived with their family during the school term showed a greater degree of dependence on nicotine. The results obtained also indicated that older students and those who used to smoke or smoked for more years showed a greater degree of dependence on nicotine. This research enabled the determination of smoking habits of students at the higher education institution in the study. The results obtained make it possible to propose and outline strategies which aim to mitigate the problem tobacco consumption constitutes and improve the quality of life and health of students and the community, thus achieving gains in health, which is in accordance with the competencies described by the OE (Portuguese Order of Nurses) for the Specialist Nurse in Community and Public Health Nursing.

Emerging roles of peroxisomes in viral infections.

Peroxisomes, essential subcellular organelles that fulfill important functions in lipid and reactive oxygen species metabolism, have recently emerged as key players during viral infections. Their importance for the establishment of the cellular antiviral response has been highlighted by numerous reports of specific evasion of peroxisome-dependent signaling by different viruses. Recent data demonstrate that peroxisomes also assume important proviral functions. Here, we review and discuss the recent advances in the study of the diverse roles of peroxisomes during viral infections, from animal to plant viruses, and from basic to translational perspectives. We further discuss the future development of this emerging area and propose that peroxisome-related mechanisms represent a promising target for the development of novel antiviral strategies.

Enhancing the visible-light photoactivity of silica-supported TiO2 for the photocatalytic treatment of pharmaceuticals in water.

Catalyst samples based on SiO2-supported TiO2 were prepared with the incorporation of Ag (metal), S (nonmetal), and ZnO@S (semiconductor and nonmetal). The materials were evaluated regarding their morphological, optical, and crystalline properties as well as their photoactivity under visible and ultraviolet light toward the degradation rate of a model emerging pollutant, acetaminophen (ACT). All modified materials exhibited improved performance over the undoped catalyst. The Ag-doped catalyst achieved the largest degradation under visible radiation (about 30% in 120 min), whereas under ultraviolet irradiation, the ZnO@S-doped sample exhibited the best performance (about 62% in 120 min). A Doehlert design was carried out to evaluate the influence of pH and temperature on the photoactivity of Ag-TiO2/SiO2. In addition, the role of each reactive species in the photodegradation reaction was investigated by radical scavenger experiments, and the superoxide radical anion O2•- was shown to be the predominant reactive species. The stability of the Ag-TiO2/SiO2 material under ultraviolet and visible light was confirmed after five successive operation cycles, showing a reasonable (about 50%) loss of activity under visible irradiation and a slight improvement (about 13%) under UV light, as a result of the photo-reduction of Ag+. Lastly, the effect of the initial pollutant concentration showed that ACT degradation using Ag-TiO2/SiO2 follows the Langmuir-Hinshelwood kinetics, with intrinsic reaction rate k = 2.71 × 10-4 mmol L-1 min-1 under visible-light radiation.

Metabolizable energy balance in hair sheep lambs artificially infected with Haemonchus contortus.

In sheep, infection with Haemonchus contortus may increase the need for energy, and this demand may vary according to the infection level. In this study, the energy intake, digestibility, and energy retention of lambs artificially infected with different levels of H. contortus were estimated. A total of 24 hair sheep lambs reared parasite-free were experimentally infected with H. contortus at one of three infection levels: non-infected (n = 6); infected with 300 infective larvae (L3) of H. contortus/kg body weight (BW) (n = 9); and infected with 500 H. contortus L3/kg BW (n = 9). The lambs were fed for an individual weight gain of 100 g/day, and intake of organic matter (OMI) and gross energy (GEI), digestible (DEI) and metabolizable energy (MEI) were measured weekly. The digestibility of organic matter (OMD) and GE (GED) and the metabolizable energy (ME) balance adjusted to zero nitrogen balance (MEadj) were measured for each lamb during the prepatent and patent periods of infection. From day 21 post-infection (PI), the individual eggs per gram (EPG) of feces and the total number of eggs in feces (TEF) were estimated weekly. After humane slaughter on day 42 PI, the worm burden (WB) was determined. Correlation and regression analyses were performed to estimate the relationships between the parasitological variables (L3, EPG, TEF and WB) and the response variables (OMI, GEI, DEI, MEI, OMD, GED, MEadj). During the prepatent period, there were no significant relationships of L3 with the response variables (OMI, GEI, DEI, MEI, OMD, GED, ME, MEadj). Similarly, during the patent period, no relationship was evident between infection (EPG, TEF or WB) and OMI, GEI, DEI, GED, OMD, ME or MEadj. Thus, the gradient of H. contortus infection examined in the present study did not influence energy balance in hair sheep lambs, and infection did not impose any detectable energy cost. Further studies are needed to fully assess the impact of H. contortus infection on energy metabolism in hair sheep.

Nitrogen retention in hair sheep lambs with a gradient of Haemonchus contortus infection.

The impact of Haemonchus contortus infections on nitrogen retention (NR) of hair sheep lambs is unknown. This study estimated the feed intake, digestibility, NR, haematocrit (HT), and their relationship with the gradient of H. contortus infection in hair sheep lambs. Twenty-four hair sheep lambs, 3-4 months old, reared parasite-free were used (live weight (LW) 16.7 ± 1.7 kg). Six lambs were kept parasite-free, nine lambs received a dose of 300 H. contortus infective larvae (L3)/kg LW, and the remaining nine lambs received 500 H. contortus L3/kg LW. Infection doses ranged from 3870 to 9,500 L3. Lambs were individually fed for an average daily gain (ADG) of 100 g. On days 1 (P < 0.01) and 7 (P < 0.001) post-infection (PI), the L3 doses were positively associated with HT, possibly due to platelet recruitment. On week 1 PI, the infection (L3) reduced the crude protein (CP) intake (g/kg metabolic LW) (P < 0.05). A reduction of 1% HT corresponded to 1200 eggs per gram of faeces (EPG) for day 21 PI (P < 0.05), 2300 EPG for day 28 PI (P < 0.001), 2400 EPG for day 35 (P < 0.001), and 1300 EPG for day 41 PI (P < 0.001). However, the HT levels were never lower than 21 %. A lower CP digestibility was associated with EPG only on week 5 PI (P < 0.05). There was no significant association between EPG, Total egg in faeces, or worm burden (WB) with intake, dry matter digestibility (DMD), ADG or NR. The NR of lambs was positive along the different weeks of study irrespective of infection level. The WB was negatively associated only with HT on day 41 PI (P < 0.001), where a 1 % HT reduction was estimated for every 257 worms hosted. In conclusion, no relationship was found between H. contortus infection and DMD, ADG or NR in hair sheep lambs. The cost of H. contortus infection resulted only from the HT reduction and depended on the gradient and stage of the infection.

Aqueous picloram degradation by hydroxyl radicals: Unveiling mechanism, kinetics, and ecotoxicity through experimental and theoretical approaches.

Pesticides are chemical compounds widely used to combat pests in crops, and they thus play a key role in agricultural production. However, due to their persistence in aquatic environments, even at low concentrations, their use has been considered an environmental problem and caused concern regarding the adverse effects on human health. This paper reports, for the first time, the mechanisms, kinetics, and an evaluation of the toxicity of picloram degradation initiated by OH radicals in the aqueous environment using quantum chemistry and computational toxicology calculations. The rate constants are calculated using a combination of formulations derived from the Transition State Theory in a realistic temperature range (250-310 K). The results indicate that the two favorable pathways (R1 and R5) of OH -based reactions occur by addition to the pyridine ring. The calculated rate constant at 298 K is compared with the overall second-order reaction rate constant, quantified herein experimentally via the competition kinetics method and data available in the literature showing an excellent agreement. The toxicity assessment and a photolysis study provide important information: i) picloram and the majority of degradation products are estimated as harmful; however, ii) these compounds can suffer photolysis in sunlight. The results of the present study can help understand the mechanism of picloram, also providing important clues regarding risk assessment in aquatic environments as well as novel experimental information.

Modulation of the Serotonergic Receptosome in the Treatment of Anxiety and Depression: A Narrative Review of the Experimental Evidence.

Serotonin (5-HT) receptors are found throughout central and peripheral nervous systems, mainly in brain regions involved in the neurobiology of anxiety and depression. 5-HT receptors are currently promising targets for discovering new drugs for treating disorders ranging from migraine to neuropsychiatric upsets, such as anxiety and depression. It is well described in the current literature that the brain expresses seven types of 5-HT receptors comprising eighteen distinct subtypes. In this article, we comprehensively reviewed 5-HT1-7 receptors. Of the eighteen 5-HT receptors known today, thirteen are G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and represent targets for approximately 40% of drugs used in humans. Signaling pathways related to these receptors play a crucial role in neurodevelopment and can be modulated to develop effective therapies to treat anxiety and depression. This review presents the experimental evidence of the modulation of the "serotonergic receptosome" in the treatment of anxiety and depression, as well as demonstrating state-of-the-art research related to phytochemicals and these disorders. In addition, detailed aspects of the pharmacological mechanism of action of all currently known 5-HT receptor families were reviewed. From this review, it will be possible to direct the rational design of drugs towards new therapies that involve signaling via 5-HT receptors.

Development of intensified flat-plate packed-bed solar reactors for heterogeneous photocatalysis.

Solar-driven photocatalysis is a promising water-cleaning and energy-producing technology that addresses some of the most urgent engineering problems of the twenty-first century: universal access to potable water, use of renewable energy, and mitigation of CO2 emissions. In this work, we aim at improving the efficiency of solar-driven photocatalysis by studying a novel reactor design based on microfluidic principles using 3D-printable geometries. The printed reactors had a dimensional accuracy of 97%, at a cost of less than $1 per piece. They were packed with 1.0-mm glass and steel beads coated with ZnO synthesised by a sol-gel routine, resulting in a bed with 46.6% void fraction (reaction volume of ca. 840 µL and equivalent flow diameter of 580 µm) and a specific surface area of 3200 m2 m-3. Photocatalytic experiments, under sunlight-level UV-A irradiation, showed that reactors packed with steel supports had apparent reaction rates ca. 75% higher than those packed with glass supports for the degradation of an aqueous solution of acetaminophen; however, they were strongly deactivated after the first use suggesting poor fixation. Glass supports showed no measurable deactivation after three consecutive uses. The apparent first-order reaction rate constants were between 1.9 and 9.5 × 10-4 s-1, ca. ten times faster than observed for conventional slurry reactors. The mass transfer was shown to be efficient (Sh > 7.7) despite the catalyst being immobilised onto fixed substrates. Finally, the proposed reactor design has the merit of a straightforward scaling out by sizing the irradiation window according to design specifications, as exemplified in the paper.

The New Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2): A Comprehensive Review on Immunity and the Application of Bioinformatics and Molecular Modeling to the Discovery of Potential Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Agents.

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared the outbreak caused by the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) a pandemic. The rapid spread of the disease surprised the scientific and medical community. Based on the latest reports, news, and scientific articles published, there is no doubt that the coronavirus has overloaded health systems globally. Practical actions against the recent emergence and rapid expansion of the SARS-CoV-2 require the development and use of tools for discovering new molecular anti-SARS-CoV-2 targets. Thus, this review presents bioinformatics and molecular modeling strategies that aim to assist in the discovery of potential anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents. Besides, we reviewed the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 and innate immunity, since understanding the structures involved in this infection can contribute to the development of new therapeutic targets. Bioinformatics is a technology that assists researchers in coping with diseases by investigating genetic sequencing and seeking structural models of potential molecular targets present in SARS-CoV2. The details provided in this review provide future points of consideration in the field of virology and medical sciences that will contribute to clarifying potential therapeutic targets for anti-SARS-CoV-2 and for understanding the molecular mechanisms responsible for the pathogenesis and virulence of SARS-CoV-2.

Hepatitis C Virus: Evading the Intracellular Innate Immunity.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections constitute a major public health problem and are the main cause of chronic hepatitis and liver disease worldwide. The existing drugs, while effective, are expensive and associated with undesirable secondary effects. There is, hence, an urgent need to develop novel therapeutics, as well as an effective vaccine to prevent HCV infection. Understanding the interplay between HCV and the host cells will certainly contribute to better comprehend disease progression and may unravel possible new cellular targets for the development of novel antiviral therapeutics. Here, we review and discuss the interplay between HCV and the host cell innate immunity. We focus on the different cellular pathways that respond to, and counteract, HCV infection and highlight the evasion strategies developed by the virus to escape this intracellular response.