Identification of runs of homozygosity (ROHs) in Curraleiro Pé-Duro and Pantaneiro cattle breeds.

This study aimed to identify and characterize runs of homozygosis (ROHs), genes involved in production characteristics and adaptation to tropical systems and to estimate the inbreeding coefficient of Curraleiro Pé-Duro (CPD) and Pantaneiro (PANT), two brazilian locally adapted cattle breeds. The results demonstrated that 79.25% and 54.29% of ROH segments were bigger than 8 Mb in CPD and PANT, respectively, indicating recent inbred matings in the studied population. Six homozygosis islands were identified simultaneously in both breeds, where 175 QTLs and 1072 genes previously described as associated with production traits are located. The inbreeding coefficient (FROH) estimated based on ROHs (FROH) showed that inbreeding is low (2 to 4%), which is different from expected for small populations such as locally adapted ones.

Evaluation of a 3D printed OSL eye lens dosimeter for photon dosimetry.

This work demonstrates the use of high-resolution 3D printing to fine-tune the low energy dependence of an eye lens dosimeter holder associated to a BeO OSL detector element (ezClip). Five geometries of the denominated iBe dosimeter were developed, three with a variation in the thickness of the wall in front of the sensitive element that tailor the response at low radiation energies; and three with variations of width and curvature in order to vary the angular response of the dosimeter badges. Additive manufacturing was accomplished using stereolithography which gave a high degree of accuracy and precision. The optimised dosimeter badges showed a low energy and angular dependence, within -20% to +20% in the energy range of 24 keV to 662 keV and from 0 to 60° incidence; and within -10% to +10% in the energy range of 24 keV to 164 keV and from 0 to 60° incidence. In contrast to other dosimeters with higher effective atomic numbers, the use of BeO as the sensitive element resulted in a flat energy and angular dependence response at low energies. A significant reduction in the measurement uncertainty in the diagnostic radiology energy range was achieved.

Steady State Entanglement beyond Thermal Limits.

Classical engines turn thermal resources into work, which is maximized for reversible operations. The quantum realm has expanded the range of useful operations beyond energy conversion, and incoherent resources beyond thermal reservoirs. This is the case of entanglement generation in a driven-dissipative protocol, which we hereby analyze as a continuous quantum machine. We show that for such machines the more irreversible the process, the larger the concurrence. Maximal concurrence and entropy production are reached for the hot reservoir being at negative effective temperature, beating the limits set by classic thermal operations on an equivalent system.

Crotoxin stimulates an M1 activation profile in murine macrophages during Leishmania amazonensis infection.

American tegumentary leishmaniasis is caused by different species of Leishmania. This protozoan employs several mechanisms to subvert the microbicidal activity of macrophages and, given the limited efficacy of current therapies, the development of alternative treatments is essential. Animal venoms are known to exhibit a variety of pharmacological activities, including antiparasitic effects. Crotoxin (CTX) is the main component of Crotalus durissus terrificus venom, and it has several biological effects. Nevertheless, there is no report of CTX activity during macrophage - Leishmania interactions. Thus, the main objective of this study was to evaluate whether CTX has a role in macrophage M1 polarization during Leishmania infection murine macrophages, Leishmania amazonensis promastigotes and L. amazonensis-infected macrophages were challenged with CTX. MTT [3-(4,5dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrasodium bromide] toxicity assays were performed on murine macrophages, and no damage was observed in these cells. Promastigotes, however, were affected by treatment with CTX (IC50 = 22·86 µg mL-1) as were intracellular amastigotes. Macrophages treated with CTX also demonstrated increased reactive oxygen species production. After they were infected with Leishmania, macrophages exhibited an increase in nitric oxide production that converged into an M1 activation profile, as suggested by their elevated production of the cytokines interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor-α and changes in their morphology. CTX was able to reverse the L. amazonensis-mediated inhibition of macrophage immune responses and is capable of polarizing macrophages to the M1 profile, which is associated with a better prognosis for cutaneous leishmaniasis treatment.

Analysis of genetic variability of commercial melon cultivars using SSR molecular markers.

Taking into account the scenario of melon production (Cucumis melo L.) in Brazil, it is notable the importance of the culture in the fruit market. The preference of the national market is concentrated in the fruits of the yellow type. Therefore, it is possible that the genetic base of the commercial cultivars is relatively narrow due to the loss of important genes in the breeding process, and it is possible to introgress external genes for increasing recombination possibilities that generate sources of resistance to the main diseases and superior genotypes. This study evaluated the genetic variability of 87 melon accessions composed of 72 commercial cultivars belonging to the Inodorus and Cantaloupensis groups and 15 plant introductions (PIs). Forty-four polymorphic SSR primers were used to amplify a total of 202 alleles. The expected heterozygosity presented an average of 0.519 and the PIC index of 0.458, being moderately informative. The dendrogram generated for the 72 cultivars grouped the genotypes into 2 main groups, and there was no association with the classification of groups of the genotypes in the grouping. The number of SSR markers was sufficient to predict wide genetic variability among the cultivars studied, with the similarity between 0.35 and 0.98. The dendrogram presented for the 72 cultivars and the 15 PI genotypes was not associated with the classification of the genotypes in the grouping, and the 15 PIs were well dispersed with similarity indexes that resemble the two groups studied. A set of 25 primers was identified that were useful in distinguishing the 72 cultivars. These primers can be used in later research with the cultivars, as well as in crop protection situations, being an important tool in the useful and rapid distinction of genotypes, and in commercial disputes regarding the certification of the main melon cultivars used in the country.

Genetic variation detected by RAPD markers in natural populations of babassu palm (Attalea speciosa Mart.).

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of management on the genetic structure of natural populations of Attalea speciosa in the State of Piauí, Brazil, using random-amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Three babassu populations under different management systems were selected. Polymerase chain reactions were performed for 20 RAPD primers. A total of 146 bands were generated, 141 of which were polymorphic (96.58%), with a variation of 4 and 12 loci and an average of 7 bands per primer. A dendrogram revealed a clear separation between the three populations (0.57). Data reliability and node consistency were verified by bootstrap values and the cophenetic correlation coefficient (88.15%). Coefficients of similarity between pairs of genotypes ranged from 0.26 to 0.86, with a mean of 0.57. Nei's genetic diversity index (HE) value of the population sampled in Teresina was 0.212, of Esperantina it was 0.195, and of José de Freitas it was 0.207. After the HE was decomposed, the complete diversity was found to be 0.3213. Genetic differentiation between populations was 0.362, and the estimation of gene flow between populations was low (0.879). Analysis of molecular variance revealed that 59.52% of the variation was contained within populations, and 40.48% was between populations. RAPD markers were effective for genetic diversity analysis within and between natural babassu populations, and exhibited a high level of polymorphism. Genetic diversity was the highest within populations; variability was lower in the managed populations than in the undisturbed populations.

Fabry-Perot interferometer with quantum mirrors: nonlinear light transport and rectification.

Optical transport represents a natural route towards fast communications, and it is currently used in large scale data transfer. The progressive miniaturization of devices for information processing calls for the microscopic tailoring of light transport and confinement at length scales appropriate for upcoming technologies. With this goal in mind, we present a theoretical analysis of a one-dimensional Fabry-Perot interferometer built with two highly saturable nonlinear mirrors: a pair of two-level systems. Our approach captures nonlinear and nonreciprocal effects of light transport that were not reported previously. Remarkably, we show that such an elementary device can operate as a microscopic integrated optical rectifier.

Exposure to progesterone before an ovulation synchronization protocol increases the follicular diameter and fertility of multiparous suckled Bos taurus cows.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of administering injectable progesterone (P4i) before a timed artificial insemination (TAI) protocol on the follicular growth, ovulation, and pregnancy rate of Bos taurus suckled cows. The effect of P4i administration before the TAI on the pregnancy rate (P/AI) was evaluated in 576 suckled Bos taurus cows at 30-90 days postpartum. In addition, the effect of P4i administration before TAI on follicular dynamics was evaluated in subgroup of 401 suckled Bos taurus cows. On Day -10 (D-10), cows were divided into two experimental groups (Control and P4i). In this moment, P4i cows received i.m. 150 mg of injectable long-action progesterone. After that, both experimental groups received a synchronization protocol (Day 0; D0) that consisted of administration i.m. of 2 mg of estradiol benzoate and a progesterone intravaginal insert on D0. On Day 8 (D8), the progesterone insert was removed, and the cows received 500 µg of cloprostenol, 400 IU of eCG, and 1 mg of estradiol cypionate. TAI was performed 48 h after the removal of the progesterone insert. The ultrasound exams were performed in a subgroup of cows on Days 0, 8, 10 and 12 to evaluate the diameter of the largest follicle, rate of follicular growth and risks of single and double ovulation. The pregnancy diagnosis was performed 30 days after TAI in all cows to determine the pregnancy rate. The diameter of the largest follicle, on D10 (P = 0.84), rate of follicular growth (P = 0.14), ovulation rate (P = 0.40) and double ovulation rates (P = 0.23) did not differ between experimental groups. The pregnancy rate was greater in the P4i group [Control 46.2 % (133/288) vs. P4i 55.6 % (160/288); P = 0.03]. The diameter of the largest follicles (LF) on D0 (Control 11.6 ± 0.2 vs. P4i 13.3 ± 0.3) was greater (P = 0.01) in the P4i group. In conclusion, injectable progesterone before the ovulation synchronization protocol increased the diameter of the largest follicle on the D0 and the pregnancy rate in multiparous Bos taurus suckled beef cows.

Determination of the genetic diversity among accessions of Senna spectabilis (canafístula) by using RAPD markers.

Senna spectabilis (DC.) H.S. Irwin & Barneby (Fabaceae; Caesalpinioideae), commonly known as "canafístula" or "cassia", is widely used in the semi-arid region of northeastern Brazil as a source of forage and timber. The plant presents a high nutritional content in comparison with other forage species that are native to the Brazilian Caatinga; thus, it represents a valuable resource during periods of drought. The aim of this study was to evaluate the genetic variability among eight accessions of S. spectabilis available in the forage germplasm collection of Embrapa Meio-Norte using the random-amplified polymorphic DNA technique. The 15 primers selected for use in the analysis produced 107 bands, including 59 (55.14%) that were polymorphic. A similarity matrix was generated on the basis of Jaccard coefficients, and a dendrogram was constructed using the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean clustering technique. The mean value of the similarity coefficients was 0.73, and the cophenetic correlation coefficient was 83.76%. Accessions CAN. 4 and CAN. 5 presented the greatest genetic similarity, while CAN. 6 and CAN. 8 were the most divergent. The S. spectabilis accessions were classified into two main groups with group I including accessions CAN. 1, CAN. 2, CAN. 4, CAN. 5, CAN. 7, CAN. 8, and CAN. 9, and group II comprising the single accession CAN. 6. The results presented herein revealed that, although the germplasm collection is presently limited, there is sufficient genetic variability among the accessions to permit future breeding programs.

The schistosomicidal activity of ethanolic extracts from branches, leaves, flowers and fruits of Handroanthus impetiginosus (Mart. ex DC.) Mattos (Bignoniaceae) plant and metabolic profile characterization by UPLC-ESI-QTOF analysis.

Schistosomiasis, caused by Schistosoma mansoni Sambon, 1907, is a severe and widely distributed parasitic disease, affecting about 200 million people worldwide. The disease is recognized by elevated mortality rates, especially among those living in areas of poor sanitation. Currently, the chemotherapeutic treatment is solely based on using the praziquantel drug. Therefore, there is a need for the discovery of new medicines for the treatment of this parasitosis. Thus, this work aimed to evaluate the schistosomicidal activity of ethanolic crude extracts from the branches, leaves, flowers, and fruits of Handroanthus impetiginosus (Mart ex DC.) Masttos and characterize its metabolic profile by UPLC-ESI-QTOF analysis. Evaluation of plant extract on S. mansoni was carried out in adult worms in vitro, in which the mortality rate was quantified, and the damages in the tegument of the worms were monitored. All extracts induced changes in the viability of adult males of S. mansoni, causing the death of the parasites, which was directly dependent of the concentration.

Quantum computing with incoherent resources and quantum jumps.

Spontaneous emission and the inelastic scattering of photons are two natural processes usually associated with decoherence and the reduction in the capacity to process quantum information. Here we show that, when suitably detected, these photons are sufficient to build all the fundamental blocks needed to perform quantum computation in the emitting qubits while protecting them from deleterious dissipative effects. We exemplify this by showing how to efficiently prepare graph states for the implementation of measurement-based quantum computation.

Analysis of a Fast Control Allocation approach for nonlinear over-actuated systems.

Autonomous Robots with multiple directional thrusters are normally over-actuated systems that require nonlinear control allocation methods to map the forces that drive the robot's dynamics and act as virtual control variables to the actuators. This process demands computational efforts that, sometimes, are not available in small robotic platforms. The present paper introduces a new control allocation approach with fast convergence, high accuracy, and dealing with complex nonlinear problems, especially in embedded systems. The adopted approach divides the desired nonlinear system into coupled linear problems. For that purpose, the Real Actions (RAs) and Virtual Control Variables (VCVs) are broke in two or more sets each. While the RA subsets are designed to linearize the system according to different input subspaces, the VCV is designed to be partially coupled to overlap the output subspaces. This approach generates smaller linear systems with fast and robust convergence used sequentially to solve nonlinear allocation problems. This methodology is assessed in mathematical tutorial cases and over-actuated UAV simulations.

Chewing patterns and digestion in sheep submitted to feed restriction.

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the relationship among the level of feed intake, chewing pattern, and diet digestibility in sheep fed a moderate-concentrate diet. The first experiment was conducted using six male lambs at a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design to evaluate diet digestibility and microbial N synthesis according to the level of intake: ad libitum, or restricted to either 70 or 55% of the ad libitum intake. In the second experiment, fifteen male lambs were housed in individual stalls, in a completely randomized design, and fed one of the three levels of dry matter intake (DMI). Chewing patterns were then evaluated for 24 h using a regular 5-min interval observation technique, two times during the experimental period. Decreasing level of feed intake resulted in increased apparent digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, and neutral detergent fibre, as well as of the true digestibility of organic matter. Total time spent eating and ruminating decreased with feed restriction. However, lambs fed at restricted levels of intake presented a higher rate of eating (g DMI/min) than those fed ad libitum, and spent more time ruminating each gram of DM (min/g DMI). In conclusion, our results suggest that a more effective chewing during rumination activity can have an important role on feed digestion in animals submitted to feed restriction.

Na+-glucose cotransporter SGLT1 protein in salivary glands: potential involvement in the diabetes-induced decrease in salivary flow.

Oral health complications in diabetes include decreased salivary secretion. The SLC5A1 gene encodes the Na(+)-glucose cotransporter SGLT1 protein, which not only transports glucose, but also acts as a water channel. Since SLC5A1 expression is altered in kidneys of diabetic subjects, we hypothesize that it could also be altered in salivary glands, contributing to diabetic dysfunction. The present study shows a diabetes-induced decrease (p < 0.001) in salivary secretion, which was accompanied by enhanced (p < 0.05) SGLT1 mRNA expression in parotid (50%) and submandibular (30%) glands. Immunohistochemical analysis of parotid gland of diabetic rats revealed that SGLT1 protein expression increased in the luminal membrane of ductal cells, which can stimulate water reabsorption from primary saliva. Furthermore, SGLT1 protein was reduced in myoepithelial cells of the parotid from diabetic animals, and that, by reducing cellular contractile activity, might also be related to reduced salivary flux. Six-day insulin-treated diabetic rats reversed all alterations. In conclusion, diabetes increases SLC5A1 gene expression in salivary glands, increasing the SGLT1 protein content in the luminal membrane of ductal cells, which, by increasing water reabsorption, might explain the diabetes-induced decrease in salivary secretion.

Detection of Wolbachia bacteria in multiple organs and feces of the triatomine insect Rhodnius pallescens (Hemiptera, Reduviidae).

At least two types of Wolbachia bacteria were detected in wild and insectarium-raised Rhodnius pallescens, a natural vector of Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma rangeli. Wolbachia was detected in all the organs and tissues studied and in the feces, and this provided a methodological advantage for determining the presence of this endosymbiont in this host, obviating the need to kill the specimens. The occurrence of trypanosomatids in wild individuals was also studied.

Monoarticular corticosteroid injection versus systemic administration in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis patients: a randomized double-blind controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of intraarticular glucocorticoid injection to its systemic use for treatment of knee synovitis in rheumatoid patients. METHODS: A randomized double-blind controlled study was conducted including 60 patients with RA. Patients were randomized to receive either a single intraarticular knee injection with triamcinolone hexacetonide 60 mg (3 ml) and xylocaine chloride 2% (1 ml) associated to a single intramuscular injection of 1 ml of xylocaine chloride 2% (IAI group) or 1 ml of xylocaine chloride 2% by intraarticular injection and a intramuscular injection of triamcinolone acetonide 60 mg (3 ml) and xylocaine chloride 2% (1 ml) (IM group). All patients were blindfolded for the procedure. Evaluations were performed at baseline and 1, 4, 8 and 12 weeks post-intervention. The following instruments were used: VAS for knee pain, as primary outcome, VAS for knee morning stiffness and edema; the ACR 20, 50 and 70% improvement criteria; knee circumference and goniometry; Likert's scale of improvement; daily use of oral glucocorticoid and NSAIDs, blood pressure and adverse effects. RESULTS: Patients in the IAI group had significantly better results for VAS for knee pain, edema and morning stiffness as well as for improvement evaluation after intervention according to the patient (p<0.001) and physician (p=0.02). CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that intraarticular injection with glucocorticoids is superior to its systemic use for the management of monoarticular synovitis in rheumatoid patients. The intraarticular approach showed better results in terms of local inflammatory variables and improvement evaluation by the patient and physician.

Overcoming recalcitrance in Porphyridium aerugineum Geitler employing encapsulation-dehydration cryopreservation methods.

Cultures of the recalcitrant microalga Porphyridium aerugineum were cryopreserved. A two-step, uncontrolled rapid freezing protocol, using methanol as cryoprotectant resulted in 23.8 percent viable cells. Cultures in the exponential growth phase, grown under low light intensity to prevent vacuole formation in cells, cryopreserved using a passive freezer, showed 22.4 percent viability. This value was enhanced to 31.5 percent when a controlled-rate freezer was employed. Optimized cultures in the exponential growth phase, cultivated in medium supplemented or not with vitamin B12, were then tested for freezing using the encapsulation-dehydration protocol. High cell loss was observed early during the sorbitol dehydration steps, but 63.6 percent of the remaining encapsulated cells were viable after thawing. This study confirmed the potential of encapsulation-dehydration as a method allowing to improve the low viability obtained with two-step freezing protocols. It also showed the importance of monitoring the response of algal cells to bead osmotic and evaporative dehydration pretreatments before freezing.

Microbiota in mobile phones of medical ophthalmologists. / Microbiota en teléfonos móviles de médicos oftalmólogos.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the microbiota of mobile phones used during the ophthalmological consultation by medical personnel, patients, and family members. METHODS: An analysis was made on the mobile phones of the medical staff and of patients and/or family members in the area of clinical specialty. A survey was conducted to evaluate the pattern of use and disinfection of mobile phones. A smear sample was taken from the mobile phones. The specimens obtained were inoculated in culture media and incubated at 37°C for 24hours. Genus and species were identified in the positive cultures and the results obtained were analysed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: An analysis was made on 71 mobile phones of medical personnel and 52 from patients and/or family members. The microorganisms isolated in the mobile phones of the ophthalmologists were: coagulase-negative staphylococci 50%, Staphylococcus aureus 32.4%, enterobacteria 4.2%, Actinomycetes 4.2%, and 9.8% were negative. On the other hand, in the phones of patients and relatives, the isolated microorganisms were Staphylococcus aureus 75%, coagulase-negative staphylococci 24%, and enterobacteria 1%. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained show that mobile phones, both of the medical staff and of the patients and their relatives, contain bacteria considered pathogenic that could cause an infection. It is important to establish a routine practice of cleaning mobile phones and to make the population aware of hygiene habits, since they are responsible for the care of their eyes after consultation.

Development of a realistic 3D printed eye lens dosemeter using CAD integrated with Monte Carlo simulation.

Recent epidemiological studies suggested to lower the threshold dose for radiation induced cataract in the eye lens. Therefore, eye lens radiation protection became to play a more important role in personal dosimetry. The main objective of this work is to propose a new methodology for prototyping and benchmarking of an eye lens dosimter based on the equivalent dose to the sensitive part of the eye lens, using CAD Software and Geant4 Monte Carlo simulations with mesh modelling and 3D printing. A 3D printed dosemeter was type tested based on IEC 62387:2012, in terms of energy and angular dependence for the measurements of Hp(3). The results show that the methodology employed is suitable for the development of new eye lens dosemeters.