Experimental Model Exposed to Bisphenol and Submitted to a High-Fat Diet and Related Morphologic Testicular Parameters Alterations Analysis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the morphological and stereological parameters of the testicles in mice exposed to bisphenol S and/or high-fat diet-induced obesity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty adult male C57BL/6 mice were fed a standard diet (SC) or high-fat diet (HF) for a total of 12 weeks. The sample was randomly divided into 4 experimental groups with 10 mices as follows: a) SC - animals fed a standard diet; b) SC-B - animals fed a standard diet and administration of BPS (25 µg/kg of body mass/day) in drinking water; c) HF: animals fed a high-fat diet; d) HF-B - animals fed a high-fat diet and administration of BPS (25 µg/Kg of body mass/day) in drinking water. BPS administration lasted 12 weeks, following exposure to the SC and HF diets. BPS was diluted in absolute ethanol (0.1%) and added to drinking water (concentration of 25 µg/kg body weight/day). The animals were euthanized, and the testes were processed and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) for morphometric and stereological parameters, including density of seminiferous tubules per area, length density and total length of seminiferous tubules, height of the tunica albuginea and the diameter of the seminiferous tubules. The images were captured with an Olympus BX51 microscope and Olympus DP70 camera. The stereological analysis was done with the Image Pro and Image J programs. Means were statistically compared using ANOVA and the Holm-Sidak post-test (p<0.05). RESULTS: The seminiferous tubule density per area reduced in all groups when compared with SC samples (p<0.001): HF (40%), SC-B 3(2%), and HF-B (36%). Length density was reduced significantly (p<0.001) in all groups when compared with SC group: HF (40%), SC-B (32%), and HF-B (36%). The seminiferous tubule total length was reduced (p<0.001) when compared to f HF (28%) and SC-B (26%) groups. The tubule diameter increased significantly (p<0.001) only when we compared the SC group with SC (54%) an SC-B (25%) groups and the tunica thickness increased significantly only in HF group (117%) when compared with SC-B (20%) and HF-B 31%. CONCLUSION: Animals exposed to bisphenol S and/or high-fat diet-induced obesity presented important structural alterations in testicular morphology.

Usefulness of temperate-adapted maize lines developed by doubled haploid and single-seed descent methods.

KEY MESSAGE: Spontaneous haploid genome doubling is not associated with undesirable linkage drag effects. The presence of spontaneous doubling genes allows maximum exploitation of variability from the temperate-adapted BS39 population Tropical non-elite maize (Zea mays L.) germplasm, such as BS39, provides a unique opportunity for broadening the genetic base of U.S. Corn Belt germplasm. In vivo doubled haploid (DH) technology has been used to efficiently exploit non-elite germplasm. It can help to purge deleterious recessive alleles. The objectives of this study were to determine the usefulness of BS39-derived inbred lines using both SSD and DH methods, to determine the impact of spontaneous as compared with artificial haploid genome doubling on genetic variance among BS39-derived DH lines, and to identify SNP markers associated with agronomic traits among BS39 inbreds monitored at testcross level. We developed two sets of inbred lines directly from BS39 by DH and SSD methods, named BS39_DH and BS39_SSD. Additionally, two sets were derived from a cross between BS39 and A427 (SHGD donor) by DH and SSD methods, named BS39 × A427_DH and BS39 × A427_SSD, respectively. Grain yield, moisture, plant height, ear height, stalk lodging, and root lodging were measured to estimate genetic parameters. For genome-wide association analysis, inbred lines were genotyped using genotype-by-sequencing and Diversity Array Technology Sequencing (DArTSeq). Some BS39-derived inbred lines performed better than elite germplasm inbreds and all sets showed significant genetic variance. The presence of spontaneous haploid genome doubling genes did not affect performance of inbred lines. Five SNPs were significant and three of them located within genes related to plant development or abiotic stresses. These results demonstrate the potential of BS39 to add novel alleles to temperate elite germplasm.

X-ray microtomography analysis of soil pore structure dynamics under wetting and drying cycles.

The soil water retention curve is one of the most important properties used to predict the amount of water available to plants, pore size distribution and hydraulic conductivity, as well as knowledge for drainage and irrigation modeling. Depending on the method of measurement adopted, the water retention curve can involve the application of several wetting and drying (W-D) cycles to a soil sample. The method assumes soil pore structure is constant throughout however most of the time soil structure is dynamic and subjected to change when submitted to continuous W-D. Consequently, the pore size distribution, as well as other soil morphological properties can be affected. With this in mind, high resolution X-ray Computed micro-Tomography was utilized to evaluate changes in the soil pore architecture following W-D cycles during the procedure of the water retention curve evaluation. Two different soil sample volumes were analyzed: ROIW (whole sample) and ROIHC (the region close to the bottom of the sample). The second region was selected due to its proximity to the hydraulic contact of the soil with the water retention curve measurement apparatus. Samples were submitted to the following W-D treatments: 0, 6 and 12 W-D. Results indicated the soil changed its porous architecture after W-D cycles. The image-derived porosity did not show differences after W-D cycles for ROIW; while for ROIHC it increased porosity. The porosity was also lower in ROIHC in comparison to ROIW. Pore connectivity improved after W-D cycles for ROIHC, but not for ROIW. W-D cycles induced more aligned pores for both ROIs as observed by the tortuosity results. Pore shape showed changes mainly for ROIW for the equant and triaxial shaped pores; while pore size was significantly influenced by the W-D cycles. Soil water retention curve measurements showed that W-D cycles can affect water retention evaluation and that the changes in the soil morphological properties can play an important role in it.

Water retention curve to analyze soil structure changes due to liming.

Liming can influence crop growth by altering pore geometry, pore size distribution and water retention characteristics in acid soils. The aim of this work is to determine liming effects on the soil structure based on analysis of water retention data using a cubic spline adjustment function. For that, the authors investigated the effect of three lime rates (0, 15 and 20 t ha-1) on soil water retention characteristics and pore size distribution of a silty-clay "Cambissolo Háplico Alumínico" (Dystrudept) located in the SE region of the Paraná State, Brazil. Soil cores were collected after 31 months of the experiment at 0-10 cm and 10-20 cm soil layers. Eleven matric potentials (from 0 to -7000 cm H2O) were employed to calculate soil water retention and pore size distribution curves. The pore size distribution curves revealed trimodal soil porosity with three distinct peaks. Equivalent pore diameters ranging from 9.18 µm to 13.18 µm separated structural and matrix domains. Small differences exist in the pore size distribution curves due to liming and between layers for all peaks. With no-till plus surface liming, the volume of large pores diminished at the two layers and the volume of small pores increased at the surface layer.

Genomic selection to resistance to Stenocarpella maydis in maize lines using DArTseq markers.

BACKGROUND: The identification of lines resistant to ear diseases is of great importance in maize breeding because such diseases directly interfere with kernel quality and yield. Among these diseases, ear rot disease is widely relevant due to significant decrease in grain yield. Ear rot may be caused by the fungus Stenocarpella maydi; however, little information about genetic resistance to this pathogen is available in maize, mainly related to candidate genes in genome. In order to exploit this genome information we used 23.154 Dart-seq markers in 238 lines and apply genome-wide selection to select resistance genotypes. We divide the lines into clusters to identify groups related to resistance to Stenocarpella maydi and use Bayesian stochastic search variable approach and rr-BLUP methods to comparate their selection results. RESULTS: Through a principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical clustering, it was observed that the three main genetic groups (Stiff Stalk Synthetic, Non-Stiff Stalk Synthetic and Tropical) were clustered in a consistent manner, and information on the resistance sources could be obtained according to the line of origin where populations derived from genetic subgroup Suwan presenting higher levels of resistance. The ridge regression best linear unbiased prediction (rr-BLUP) and Bayesian stochastic search variable (BSSV) models presented equivalent abilities regarding predictive processes. CONCLUSION: Our work showed that is possible to select maize lines presenting a high resistance to Stenocarpella maydis. This claim is based on the acceptable level of predictive accuracy obtained by Genome-wide Selection (GWS) using different models. Furthermore, the lines related to background Suwan present a higher level of resistance than lines related to other groups.

Gamma-ray attenuation to evaluate soil porosity: an analysis of methods.

Soil porosity (ϕ) is of a great deal for environmental studies due to the fact that water infiltrates and suffers redistribution in the soil pore space. Many physical and biochemical processes related to environmental quality occur in the soil porous system. Representative determinations of ϕ are necessary due to the importance of this physical property in several fields of natural sciences. In the current work, two methods to evaluate ϕ were analyzed by means of gamma-ray attenuation technique. The first method uses the soil attenuation approach through dry soil and saturated samples, whereas the second one utilizes the same approach but taking into account dry soil samples to assess soil bulk density and soil particle density to determine ϕ. The results obtained point out a good correlation between both methods. However, when ϕ is obtained through soil water content at saturation and a 4 mm collimator is used to collimate the gamma-ray beam the first method also shows good correlations with the traditional one.

Selection index in the study of adaptability and stability in maize.

This paper proposes an alternative method for evaluating the stability and adaptability of maize hybrids using a genotype-ideotype distance index (GIDI) for selection. Data from seven variables were used, obtained through evaluation of 25 maize hybrids at six sites in southern Brazil. The GIDI was estimated by means of the generalized Mahalanobis distance for each plot of the test. We then proceeded to GGE biplot analysis in order to compare the predictive accuracy of the GGE models and the grouping of environments and to select the best five hybrids. The G × E interaction was significant for both variables assessed. The GGE model with two principal components obtained a predictive accuracy (PRECORR) of 0.8913 for the GIDI and 0.8709 for yield (t ha(-1)). Two groups of environments were obtained upon analyzing the GIDI, whereas all the environments remained in the same group upon analyzing yield. Coincidence occurred in only two hybrids considering evaluation of the two features. The GIDI assessment provided for selection of hybrids that combine adaptability and stability in most of the variables assessed, making its use more highly recommended than analyzing each variable separately. Not all the higher-yielding hybrids were the best in the other variables assessed.

Atorvastatin attenuates intestinal mucositis induced by 5-fluorouracil in mice by modulating the epithelial barrier and inflammatory response.

Chemotherapy-induced intestinal mucositis is a major side effect of cancer treatment. Statins are 3-hydroxy-3-methyl glutaryl coenzyme reductase inhibitors used to treat hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerotic diseases. Recent studies have demonstrated that atorvastatin (ATV) has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and resulting from the regulation of different molecular pathways. In the present study, we investigated the effects of ATV on intestinal homeostasis in 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-induced mucositis. Our results showed that ATV protected the intestinal mucosa from epithelial damage caused by 5-FU mainly due to inflammatory infiltrate and intestinal permeability reduction, downregulation of inflammatory markers, such as Tlr4, MyD88, NF-κB, Tnf-a, Il1ß, and Il6 dose-dependent. ATV also improved epithelial barrier function by upregulating the mRNA transcript levels of mucin 2 (MUC2), and ZO-1 and occludin tight junction proteins. The results suggest that the ATV anti-inflammatory and protective effects on 5-FU-induced mice mucositis involve the inhibition of the TLR4/MYD88/NPRL3/NF-κB, iNos, and caspase 3.

Therapeutic effects and the impact of statins in the prevention of ulcerative colitis in preclinical models: A systematic review.

Ulcerative Colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory condition of the large intestines. Although great advances have been made in the management of the disease with the introduction of immunomodulators and biological agents, the treatment of UC is still a challenge. So far, there are no definitive therapies for this condition. Statins are potent inhibitors of cholesterol biosynthesis, possess beneficial effects on primary and secondary prevention of coronary heart disease, and have high tolerability and safety. Furthermore, they may have potential roles in UC management due to their possible anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant activities. This systematic review aimed to gather information about the potential benefits of statins for managing UC, reducing inflammation and disease remission in animal models. A systematic search was performed in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Virtual Health Library. The data were summarized in tables and critically analyzed. After the database search, 21 relevant studies were identified as eligible for this review. Preclinical studies using several colitis-induction protocols and various statins have shown numerous beneficial effects of these drugs on reducing disease activity, inflammatory profile, oxidative stress, and general clinical parameters of animals with UC. These studies revealed the potential of statins against the pathogenesis of UC. However, there are still important gaps regarding the molecular mechanisms of action of statins, leading to some contradictory results. Thus, more research on the molecular level to determine the roles of statins in colitis should be carried out to elucidate their mechanisms of action.

Lattice Boltzmann method for evaluating hydraulic conductivity of finite array of spheres.

The hydraulic conductivity (K) represents an important hydrophysical parameter in a porous media. K direct measurements, usually demand a lot of work, are expensive and time consuming. Factors such as the media spatial variability, sample size, measurement method, and changes in the sample throughout the experiment directly affect K evaluations. One alternative to K measurement is computer simulation using the Lattice Boltzmann method (LBM), which can help to minimize problems such as changes in the sample structure during experimental measurements. This work presents K experimental and theoretical results (simulated) for three regular finite arrangements of spheres. Experimental measurements were carried out aiming at corroborating the LBM potential to predict K once the smallest relative deviation between experimental and simulated results was 1.4%.

Computed tomography to estimate the representative elementary area for soil porosity measurements.

Computed tomography (CT) is a technique that provides images of different solid and porous materials. CT could be an ideal tool to study representative sizes of soil samples because of the noninvasive characteristic of this technique. The scrutiny of such representative elementary sizes (RESs) has been the target of attention of many researchers related to soil physics field owing to the strong relationship between physical properties and size of the soil sample. In the current work, data from gamma-ray CT were used to assess RES in measurements of soil porosity (ϕ). For statistical analysis, a study on the full width at a half maximum (FWHM) of the adjustment of distribution of ϕ at different areas (1.2 to 1162.8 mm²) selected inside of tomographic images was proposed herein. The results obtained point out that samples with a section area corresponding to at least 882.1 mm² were the ones that provided representative values of ϕ for the studied Brazilian tropical soil.

Insights into the Effect of Aggregate Sizes on the Soil Radiation Interaction Properties Based on X-ray Fluorescence.

Soils subjected to disaggregation can break into aggregates of different sizes composed of sand, clay, and silt particles. Each aggregate contains different oxides, which can vary according to the aggregate size and influence its properties, such as the radiation interaction parameters. These parameters are relevant in the evaluation of radiation shielding and soil physical properties. Thirteen tropical/subtropical soils of contrasting textures (clayey and loamy/sandy) with two aggregate sizes (2-1 mm and <45 µm) were studied. The radiation parameters analyzed were the atomic (σA), electronic (σE), and molecular (σM) cross-sections; the effective atomic number (Zeff); and the electron density (Nel). We verified that the aggregate sizes affected the major oxides (SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3). In general, the attenuation coefficient and Zeff were sensitive to the clayey soils' aggregate sizes (low photon energies). However, the loamy/sandy soils did not exhibit differences among the parameters. As the photon energy increased, only Zeff presented differences for most soils. We also verified that σM, Zeff, and Nel were the most sensitive parameters to the soil composition. Although the soil chemical composition was influenced by the studied aggregate sizes, the radiation parameters exhibited differences for only some of these parameters. This means that the aggregate size is practically irrelevant when radiation parameters are determined based on X-ray fluorescence.

Soil Pore Network Complexity Changes Induced by Wetting and Drying Cycles-A Study Using X-ray Microtomography and 3D Multifractal Analyses.

Soils are dynamic and complex systems in their natural state, which are subjected to profound changes due to management. Additionally, agricultural soils are continuously exposed to wetting and drying (W-D) cycles, which can cause modifications in the complexity of their pores. Thus, we explore how successive W-D cycles can affect the pore network of an Oxisol under contrasting managements (conventional tillage-CT, minimum tillage-MT, no tillage-NT, and secondary forest-F). The complexity of the soil pore architecture was evaluated using a 3D multifractal approach combined with lacunarity, Shannon's entropy, and pore geometric parameters. Our results showed that the multifractal approach effectively identified and quantified the changes produced in the soil pore architecture by the W-D cycles. The lacunarity curves revealed important aspects of the modifications generated by these cycles. Samples under F, NT, and MT suffered the most significant changes. Pore connectivity and tortuosity were largely affected by the cycles in F and NT. Our findings demonstrated that the 3D geometric parameters and normalized Shannon's entropy are complementary types of analysis. According to the adopted management, they allowed us to separate the soil into two groups according to their similarities (F and NT; CT and MT).

Chemical migration during soil water retention curve evaluation.

Wetting and drying (W-D) cycles can induce important elemental migrations in soils. The main purpose of this work was to study the possible existence of soil chemical elemental migrations in samples submitted to repeated W-D cycles during evaluations of soil water retention curve (SWRC). The experimental measurements were carried out by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) for Ca(2+), Mg(2+) and K(+) on samples of three different Brazilian tropical soils (Geric Ferralsol, Eutric Nitosol and Rhodic Ferralsol). Results demonstrate an increase in the electrical conductivity of the water extracted from the samples and significant losses of Ca(2+), Mg(2+) and K(+) during the applications of up to nine W-D cycles. It was also observed differences in SWRC for all soils when samples submitted to the application of several W-D cycles were compared with samples not submitted to it. These differences occurred at the region of both structural and textural pores. A possible explanation for these results could be the soil chemical migration during the sequences of W-D cycles, which can affect the soil structure development.

Can we predict the occurrence of COVID-19 cases? Considerations using a simple model of growth.

This study aimed to present a simple model to follow the evolution of the COVID-19 (CV-19) pandemic in different countries. The cumulative distribution function (CDF) and its first derivative were employed for this task. The simulations showed that it is almost impossible to predict based on the initial CV-19 cases (1st 2nd or 3rd weeks) how the pandemic will evolve. However, the results presented here revealed that this approach can be used as an alternative for the exponential growth model, traditionally employed as a prediction model, and serve as a valuable tool for investigating how protective measures are changing the evolution of the pandemic.

Riparian forest potential to retain sediment and carbon evaluated by the 137Cs fallout and carbon isotopic ratio techniques.

Riparian forests can provide an important service for aquatic ecosystems by sequestering hillslopederived sediments. However, the width of a riparian buffer zone required to filter sediments is not yet wellunderstood. Here are used two complementary tracers to measure sediment retention. The 137Cs technique and the soil carbon isotopic ratios (delta13C) are utilized to investigate sediment deposition and erosion rates on a slope transect cultivated with sugarcane followed by a secondary riparian forest zone in Iracemápolis, State of São Paulo, Brazil. The 137Cs technique and the delta13C analysis showed that the width of a riparian vegetation in accordance to a Brazilian Environmental Law (N masculine4.771/65) was not sufficient in trapping sediments coming from agricultural lands, but indicated the importance of these forests as a conservation measure at the watershed scale. The complementary delta13C analysis together with soil morphology aspects allowed a better interpretation of the sediment redistribution along the sugarcane and riparian forest transects.

Extracting Thickness Profiles of Anterior Mitral Leaflets in Echocardiography Videos.

Rheumatic heart disease is the serious consequence of repeated episodes of acute rheumatic fever. It is the major cause of heart valve damage resulting in morbidity and mortality. Its early detection is considered vital to control the disease's progression. The key manifestations that are visible in the early stages of this disease are changes in the thickness, shape and mobility of the mitral valve leaflets. Echocardiography based screening is sensitive enough to identify these changes in early stages of the disease. In this work, an automatic approach is proposed to measure, quantify and analyze the thickness of the anterior mitral leaflet, in an echocardiographic video. The shape of the anterior mitral leaflet is simplified via morphological skeletonization and spline modelling to get the central line of the leaflet. To analyze the overall thickness from the tip to its base, the anterior mitral leaflet is divided into four quartiles. In ach quartile the thickness is measured as the length of the line segment resulting from the intersection of the contour with the normal direction of the central point of each quartile. Finally, the thickness is analyzed by measuring the variance per quartile, divided by leaflet position (open, straight and closed). The comparison between the normal and pathological leaflets are also presented, exhibiting statistical significant differences in all quartiles, especially near the tip of the leaflet.

Treatment with Sofosbuvir and Daclatasvir (with or without Ribavirin) Improves Patient Reported Outcomes in Hepatitis C.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of 3 treatment regimens upon health-related quality of life and work productivity using patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in chronic hepatitis C infected patients: sofosbuvir (SOF) + daclatasvir (DCV); SOF + DCV + ribavirin (RBV); SOF + simeprevir (SMV). METHODS: 4 questionnaires were used to evaluate PROs before, during and after treatment: Short Form-36 (SF-36), Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire (CLDQ) - hepatitis C virus (HCV), Work Productivity and Activity Index, Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F). RESULTS: Of the global sample of 55 patients included in this study; SOF + DCV (n = 10); SOF + DCV + RBV (n = 29); SOF + SMV (n = 16) all had a statistically significant improvement in SF-36, CLDQ and FACIT-F scores during and post-treatment. No statistically significant differences in the PRO questionnaire values were observed between the distinct treatment regimens. The SOF and SMV patient groups presented higher mean PRO variations during and post-treatment, compared to the other groups: SF-36 functional capacity (16.1); SF-36 mental health (21.4); CLDQ activity (1.8); CLDQ emotional function (1.2); FACIT-F physical well-being (8.0); Total FACIT-F (21.6). CONCLUSION: Treatment with SOF + DCV, with or without RBV, results in an improved PRO similar to treatment with SOF + SMV in chronic hepatitis C patients.

Evaluation of diametral tensile strength and Knoop microhardness of five nanofilled composites in dentin and enamel shades.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the mechanical behavior of five nanofilled composites with dentin and enamel shades trough diametral tensile strength and knoop microhardness. 4 Seasons (Ivoclar Vivadent), Esthet X improved (Dentsply), Filtek Supreme (3M), Grandio (Voco) and Palfique Estelite (Tokuyama Dental Corp.) were used in this research. Twenty samples (6 mm diameter and 3 mm thickness) of each material were used. Ten samples were submitted to knoop microhardness and the others to diametral tensile strength examinations. The results were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey statistical tests (a=0.05). There were significant differences between the tested groups (p<0.05). The diametral tensile strength ranged from 36.08 (4 Seansons dentin) to 49.24 (Grandio enamel). The knoop microhardness ranged from 54.45 (Esthet X improved enamel) to 123.90 (Grandio dentin). A great variability in the mechanical behavior of the nanofilled composites was observed. However it was not recorded with dentin and enamel shades with the exception of Grandio.

Inclusion of Dominance Effects in the Multivariate GBLUP Model.

New proposals for models and applications of prediction processes with data on molecular markers may help reduce the financial costs of and identify superior genotypes in maize breeding programs. Studies evaluating Genomic Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (GBLUP) models including dominance effects have not been performed in the univariate and multivariate context in the data analysis of this crop. A single cross hybrid construction procedure was performed in this study using phenotypic data and actual molecular markers of 4,091 maize lines from the public database Panzea. A total of 400 simple hybrids resulting from this process were analyzed using the univariate and multivariate GBLUP model considering only additive effects additive plus dominance effects. Historic heritability scenarios of five traits and other genetic architecture settings were used to compare models, evaluating the predictive ability and estimation of variance components. Marginal differences were detected between the multivariate and univariate models. The main explanation for the small discrepancy between models is the low- to moderate-magnitude correlations between the traits studied and moderate heritabilities. These conditions do not favor the advantages of multivariate analysis. The inclusion of dominance effects in the models was an efficient strategy to improve the predictive ability and estimation quality of variance components.