Spiny but photogenic: Amateur sightings complement herbarium specimens to reveal the bioregions of cacti.

PREMISE: Cacti are characteristic elements of the Neotropical flora and of major interest for biogeographic, evolutionary, and ecological studies. We tested global biogeographic boundaries for Neotropical Cactaceae using specimen-based occurrences, coupled with data from visual observations, as a means to tackle the known collection biases in the family. METHODS: Species richness and record density were assessed for preserved specimens and human observations, and a bioregional scheme tailored to Cactaceae was produced using the interactive web application Infomap Bioregions, based on data from 261,272 point records cleaned through automated and manual steps. RESULTS: We found that areas in Mexico and southwestern USA, in eastern Brazil, and along the Andean region have the greatest density of records and the highest species richness. Human observations complement information from preserved specimens substantially, especially along the Andes. We propose 24 cactus bioregions, among which the most species-rich are northern Mexico/southwestern USA, central Mexico, southern central Mexico, Central America, Mexican Pacific coast, central and southern Andes, northwestern Mexico/extreme southwestern USA, southwestern Bolivia, northeastern Brazil, and Mexico/Baja California. CONCLUSIONS: The bioregionalization proposed shows biogeographic boundaries specific to cacti and can thereby aid further evolutionary, biogeographic, and ecological studies by providing a validated framework for further analyses. This classification builds upon, and is distinctive from, other expert-derived regionalization schemes for other taxa. Our results showcase how observation data, including citizen-science records, can complement traditional specimen-based data for biogeographic research, particularly for taxa with specific specimen collection and preservation challenges and those that are threatened or internationally protected.

Evaluation of the stability of polyamines in human serum at different storage temperatures using capillary electrophoresis with indirect ultraviolet detection.

Polyamines are low molecular weight compounds that are present in all living organisms. They are related to the pathological processes, and have been studied as biomarkers for tumor progression, being analyzed in patients' biological fluids. However, polyamines can undergo degradation in serum samples, depending on storage conditions, which impairs their quantification in these matrices. In this work, capillary electrophoresis using indirect ultraviolet detection has been developed and applied to evaluate the stability of polyamines [cadaverine (Cad), putrescine (Put), spermine (Spm), and spermidine (Spd)] in human serum at different storage temperatures. By using this method, Cad, Put, Spm, and Spd were separated in less than 4 min. The range of the correlation coefficients was 0.993-0.998. The corresponding limits of detection and quantification were as follows (in mg L-1 ): Spm: 0.209 and 0.697; Spd: 0.165 and 0.549; Put: 0.189 and 0.632; Cad: 0.125 and 0.417. Besides, the coefficient of variation was lower than 1% for all analytes and the recovery was 92%-110%. The method was successfully applied for polyamines spiked in human serum samples from healthy people. The results showed that the degradation of polyamines was lower in samples stored in a freezer (-20°C).

Investigation on the in vitro anti-Trichophyton activity of photosensitizers.

Onychomycosis is the most common disease caused by fungal nail infections, and often caused by dermatophytes. This infection is very resistant to antifungal treatments, and promising Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) mediated treatments has been presented as a multitarget tracking. Optimization of PDT guide for uptake time, concentration of photosensitizers (PS) and the light dose to inactivate Trichophyton mentagrophytes. Curcumin derivatives, porphyrin Chlorin e6 (CHL-E6) and Chlorin-P6-6-N-butylamide-7-methyl-ester (CHL-butyl) were evaluated. PS photobleaching was observed on the hyphae photosensitized over the time, correlating the PS concentration and light dose of antifungal PDT. Porphyrin, Curcumin, Chl-e6 and Chl-butyl concentrations of 2.5 µg/mL, 0.025 µg/mL, 10 µg/mL and 5 µg/mL respectively, under illumination of 10.5 J/cm2 were the best antifungal conditions found in the study. Curcumin, in low concentrations, and chlorin were the PSs with higher activity anti-T. mentagrophytes.

Potentially toxic elements in iron mine tailings: Effects of reducing soil pH on available concentrations of toxic elements.

Tailings from iron mining are characterized by high concentrations of iron and manganese oxides, as well as high pH values. With these characteristics, most of the potentially toxic elements (PTE) contained in the tailings are somewhat unavailable. The aim of the present study was to evaluate how a reduction in the pH of iron mine tailings may affect PTE availabilities. The tailings were collected on the banks of the Gualaxo do Norte River (Mariana, MG, Brazil), one of the main areas impacted by the rupture of the Fundão Dam (Barragem de Fundão). A completely randomized experimental design was used, including five pH values (6.4, 5.4, 4.3, 3.7, and 3.4) and five replications. The concentrations of the PTE (Ba, Cr, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Ni, and Zn) were determined after extraction following different methodologies: USEPA 3051A, DTPA, Mehlich-1, Mehlich-3, and distilled water. A comparison of the available concentrations of the elements in the tailings with those in a soil not impacted by tailings shows that Cr, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Ba, and Co were higher in the soil impacted by the tailings. The different methods used for evaluating the availability of PTE in the tailings at various pH exhibited the following decreasing order in relation to the quantity extracted: Mehlich-3 > Mehlich-1 > DTPA > distilled water. However, regarding sensitivity to change in pH, the order was DTPA > water > Mehlich-1 > Mehlich-3. The increases in the concentrations of PTE due to the reduction in the pH of the tailings did not lead to concentrations that exceed the limits of Brazilian regulations. The DTPA extractant exhibited higher coefficients of correlation between the PTE concentrations and the pH of the tailings, proving to be suitable for use in areas affected by the deposition of iron mine tailings.

Energy balance and hippo effector activity in endometrium and corpus luteum of early pregnant ewes.

CONTEXT: The establishment of pregnancy in cows requires uterine activity regulation of the main Hippo signalling effector yes-associated protein 1 (YAP). It remains unknown (1) how YAP activity at the corpus luteum (CL) correlates with early pregnancy-related events in ruminants; and (2) if YAP activity in the uterus and CL can be affected by metabolic disorders that may lead to pregnancy failure in ruminants. AIMS AND METHODS: To determine the effect of early pregnancy on total and phospho-YAP expression and its transcriptional activity in the CL, we compared non-pregnant vs pregnant ewes. To understand the YAP activity dysregulation with disorders that may result in pregnancy loss, we induced negative energy balance in pregnant ewes. KEY RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Our main results indicate that early pregnancy alters the expression and activity patterns of YAP in the ovine CL but not in the endometrium. In addition, while our NEB-induced model fails to alter YAP activity at the endometrium level, we found that fasting during the first but not second week of pregnancy affects YAP activity in the CL of pregnant ewes. IMPLICATIONS: The data presented herein provide considerable insight into the activity of a signalling pathway that may be a key player in pregnancy recognition and establishment in ewes.

Therapeutic ultrasound versus injection of local anesthetic in the treatment of women with chronic pelvic pain secondary to abdominal myofascial syndrome: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is defined as recurrent or continuous pain in the lower abdomen or pelvis, either non-menstrual or noncyclical, lasting for at least 6 months. There is strong evidence that up to 85% of patients with CPP have serious dysfunctions of the musculoskeletal system, including abdominal myofascial pain syndrome (AMPS). AMPS is characterized by intense and deep abdominal pain, originating from hyperirritable trigger points, usually located within a musculoskeletal band or its lining fascia. In the literature, there are few studies that address AMPS. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate and compare the efficacy of therapeutic ultrasound (TUS) and injection of local anesthetic (IA) to improve pain in women with abdominal myofascial syndrome secondary to CPP. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled clinical trial. SETTING: Tertiary University Hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A randomized clinical trial was conducted, patients were allocated to two types of treatment: group TUS (n = 18), and group IA (n = 20). The instruments used for evaluation and reassessment were the Visual Analog Scale, Numerical Categorical Scale, McGill Pain Questionnaire, and SF-36 quality of life assessment questionnaire. They were evaluated before starting treatment, 1 week after the end of treatment, and at 1, 3, and 6 months. RESULTS: TUS and IA were effective in reducing clinical pain and improving quality of life through the variables analyzed among study participants. There was no significant difference between groups. LIMITATIONS: absence of blinding; exclusion of women with comorbidities and other causes of CPP, the absence of a placebo group, the difference between the number of sessions used for each technique, and the COVID-19. CONCLUSION: Treatment with TUS and IA were effective in reducing clinical pain and improving quality of life in women with AMPS secondary to CPP. TRAIL REGISTRATION: We declare that this clinical trial has been registered under the number [(ReBEC) no. RBR-39czsv] on 07/18/2018 in the Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials.

Characteristics and predictors of mortality on haemodialysis in Brazil: a cohort of 5,081 incident patients.

BACKGROUND: Although Brazil has one of the largest populations on haemodialysis (HD) in the world, data regarding patients' characteristics and the variables associated with risk of death are scanty. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of all adult patients who initiated on maintenance HD at 23 dialysis centres in Brazil between 2012 and 2017. Patients were censored after 60 months of follow-up or at the end of 2019. RESULTS: A total of 5,081 patients were included in the analysis. The median age was 59 years, 59.4% were men, 37.5% had diabetes as the cause of kidney failure. Almost 70% had a central venous catheter (CVC) as the initial vascular access, about 60% started dialysis in the hospital, and fluid overload (FO) by bioimpedance assessment was seen in 45% of patients. The 60-month survival rate was 51.4%. In the Cox regression analysis, being older (P<0.0001), starting dialysis in the hospital (P=0.016), having diabetes as the cause of kidney failure (P=0.001), high alkaline phosphatase (P=0.005), CVC as first vascular access (P=0.023), and FO (P<0.0001) were associated with higher death risk, whereas higher body mass index (P=0.015), haemoglobin (P=0.004), transferrin saturation (P=0.002), and serum albumin (P<0.0001) were associated with better survival. The same variables, except initial CVC use (P=0.14), were associated with death risk in an analysis of subdistribution proportional hazards ratio including the competing outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The present study gives an overview of a large HD population in a developing country and identifies the main predictors of mortality, including some potentially modifiable ones, such as unplanned initiation of dialysis in the hospital and fluid overload.

Ischemic preconditioning does not prevent placental dysfunction induced by fetal cardiac bypass.

BACKGROUND: Remote ischemic preconditioning (rIPC) has been applied to attenuate tissue injury. We tested the hypothesis that rIPC applied to fetal lambs undergoing cardiac bypass (CB) reduces fetal systemic inflammation and placental dysfunction. METHODS: Eighteen fetal lambs were divided into three groups: sham, CB control, and CB rIPC. CB rIPC fetuses had a hindlimb tourniquet applied to occlude blood flow for four cycles of a 5-min period, followed by a 2-min reperfusion period. Both study groups underwent 30 min of normothermic CB. Fetal inflammatory markers, gas exchange, and placental and fetal lung morphological changes were assessed. RESULTS: The CB rIPC group achieved higher bypass flow rates (p < .001). After CB start, both study groups developed significant decreases in PaO2 , mixed acidosis, and increased lactate levels (p < .0004). No significant differences in tissular edema were observed on fetal lungs and placenta (p > .391). Expression of Toll-like receptor 4 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in the placenta and fetal lungs did not differ among the three groups, as well as with vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) of fetal lungs (p > .225). Placental VCAM-1 expression was lower in the rIPC group (p < .05). Fetal interleukin-1 (IL-1) and thromboxane A2 (TXA2) levels were lower at 60 min post-CB in the CB rIPC group (p < .05). There were no significant differences in tumor necrosis factor-α, prostaglandin E2, IL-6, and IL-10 plasma levels of the three groups at 60-min post-bypass (p > .133). CONCLUSION: Although rIPC allowed increased blood flow during fetal CB and decreased IL-1 and TXA2 levels and placental VCAM-1, it did not prevent placental dysfunction in fetal lambs undergoing CB.

Evaluation of the non-clinical toxicity of an antiparasitic agent: diminazene aceturate.

The diminazene aceturate (C14H15N7.2C4H7NO3) is a chemotherapeutic agent with more than six decades of use, however more studies regarding its toxicity still need to be performed. Thus, the present study determined the acute toxicity (14 days) of diminazene acetate (DIZE) in male and female swiss mice by changes in body mass, food consumption, biochemical and hematological parameters, locomotor activity and motor coordination. DIZE was administered at a single dose (1000 and 2000 mg/kg) orally. In addition, in vitro antioxidant capacity, hemolytic activity, toxicity in Artemia salina and in silico evaluation were also performed. The results obtained include several signs of toxicity (hypoactivity, loss of the straightening reflex and tachycardia), reduction of behavioral activity (locomotor activity and motor coordination) and significant changes (p < 0.05) in biochemical and hematological parameters. According to the in silico study, the DIZE can be classified based on the mean lethal dose (LD50) in category 4 (300 mg/kg < LD50 ≤ 2000 mg/kg, ProTox-II) or 3 (50 mg/kg < LD50 ≤ 300 mg/kg, AdmetSAR 1.0). Additionally, DIZE (30.3-969.9 nM) was not toxic to A. salina in the first 48 hours of treatment and was not cytotoxic to rat red blood cells after induced hemolysis. In vitro results indicated low antioxidant capacity against DPPH• and ABTS•+ radicals. Therefore, DIZE induces several adverse effects with influence on the central nervous system, changes in hematological and biochemical parameters and even mortality at the highest dose. However, absence of toxicity was observed in A. salina and rats red blood cells.

Adherence to Pediatric Sepsis Treatment Recommendations at Emergency Departments: A Multicenter Study in Latin America.

OBJECTIVE: Sepsis is one of the most urgent health care issues worldwide. Guidelines for early identification and treatment are essential to decrease sepsis-related mortality. Our aim was to collect data on the epidemiology of pediatric septic shock (PSS) from the emergency department (PED) and to assess adherence to recommendations for its management in the first hour. METHODS: A multicenter, prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted evaluating children with PSS seen at the PED of 10 tertiary-care centers in Latin America. Adherence to guidelines was evaluated. RESULTS: We included 219 patients (median age, 3.7 years); 43% had comorbidities, 31% risk factors for developing sepsis, 74% clinical signs of "cold shock," and 13% of "warm shock," 22% had hypotension on admission. Consciousness was impaired in 55%. A peripheral line was used as initial access in 78% (median placement time, 10 minutes). Fluid and antibiotics infusion was achieved within a median time of 30 minutes (interquartile range [IQR], 20-60 minutes) and 40 minutes (IQR, 20-60 minutes), respectively; 40% responded inadequately to fluids requiring vasoactive drugs (median time at initiation, 60 minutes; IQR, 30-135 minutes). Delay to vasoactive drug infusion was significantly longer when a central line was placed compared to a peripheral line (median time, 133 minutes [59-278 minutes] vs 42 minutes [30-70 minutes], respectively [ P < 0.001]). Adherence to all treatment goals was achieved in 13%. Mortality was 10%. An association between mortality and hypotension on admission was found (26.1% with hypotension vs 4.9% without; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We found poor adherence to the international recommendations for the treatment of PSS in the first hour at the PED in third-level hospitals in Latin America.

OBJECTIVE: Sepsis is one of the most urgent health care issues worldwide. Guidelines for early identification and treatment are essential to decrease sepsis-related mortality. Our aim was to collect data on the epidemiology of pediatric septic shock (PSS) from the emergency department (PED) and to assess adherence to recommendations for its management in the first hour. METHODS: A multicenter, prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted evaluating children with PSS seen at the PED of 10 tertiary-care centers in Latin America. Adherence to guidelines was evaluated. RESULTS: We included 219 patients (median age, 3.7 years); 43% had comorbidities, 31% risk factors for developing sepsis, 74% clinical signs of "cold shock," and 13% of "warm shock," 22% had hypotension on admission. Consciousness was impaired in 55%. A peripheral line was used as initial access in 78% (median placement time, 10 minutes). Fluid and antibiotics infusion was achieved within a median time of 30 minutes (interquartile range [IQR], 20­60 minutes) and 40 minutes (IQR, 20­60 minutes), respectively; 40% responded inadequately to fluids requiring vasoactive drugs (median time at initiation, 60 minutes; IQR, 30­135 minutes). Delay to vasoactive drug infusion was significantly longer when a central line was placed compared to a peripheral line (median time, 133 minutes [59­278 minutes] vs 42 minutes [30­70 minutes], respectively [ P < 0.001]). Adherence to all treatment goals was achieved in 13%. Mortality was 10%. An association between mortality and hypotension on admission was found (26.1% with hypotension vs 4.9% without; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We found poor adherence to the international recommendations for the treatment of PSS in the first hour at the PED in third-level hospitals in Latin America.

Intake, digestibility, ruminal parameters, and performance in lamb fed with increasing levels of red propolis extract.

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of increasing levels of red propolis extract (RPE) on the intake, digestibility, feeding behavior, rumen parameters, metabolic parameters, and performance of feedlot lambs. Thirty-five uncastrated male Santa Inês lambs with an initial weight of 17.08 ± 2.36 kg were used in a completely randomized design with five treatments (0, 7, 14, 21, or 28 mL RPE/animal/day). The animals were confined for 68 days. Red propolis extract induced a negative quadratic response (P < 0.05) in the intakes of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, ether extract, neutral detergent fiber, non-fibrous carbohydrates, and metabolizable energy. The apparent digestibility coefficients of dry matter, organic matter, and neutral detergent fiber, as well as the rumen concentration of NH3-N, also responded quadratically (P < 0.05) to RPE. Feeding efficiency increased linearly (P < 0.05) with the inclusion of RPE, whereas rumination efficiency was maximum (P < 0.05) at the RPE level of 16 mL/day. Red propolis extract induced a linear response (P < 0.05) in serum total protein, albumin, creatinine, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase. There was a quadratic effect on final body weight and average daily gain with minimum values for inclusion of RPE of 12.89 mL/day and 10.93 mL/day respectively. Feed efficiency rose linearly (P < 0.05) with the increasing concentrations of RPE in the diet. The inclusion of 21 mL RPE/day (8.5 mg total flavonoids/mL) in the diet of feedlot lambs is recommended to reduce the rumen NH3-N production and increase the animals' performance.

Evaluation of different liquid diets associated with environmental enrichment in the performance and behaviour of dairy calves.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of two liquid diets and the use of environmental enrichment (EE) in individually housed calves fed in open buckets. The treatments were arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial design, with factor 1 as the liquid diets: Whole Milk (WM) or Milk Replacer (MR); and factor 2 as absence or presence of environmental enrichment (brushes and a dry teat). Twenty-four newborn Holstein calves were distributed in four treatments: (1) WM; (2) WM + EE; (3) MR; and (4) MR + EE. Calves had free access to water and calf starter concentrate and were fed in a step-up/step-down feeding program and were weaned at 56 days of age. There was no effect of the association of different liquid diets with EE on the performance of the animals. The association of liquid diet with EE did not affect metabolic parameters, but WM-fed calves had higher concentrations of ß-hydroxybutyrate (P < 0.05). Likewise, the interaction of liquid diet and EE did not affect the faecal score (P > 0.05), but animals fed with MR had more fluid faeces (P < 0.05). There was no change in the animals' behavioural repertoire as a function of liquid diets associated with EE. The animals used the EE approximately 1.4% of the time only and vocalized for 1.7% or performed non-nutritive feeding for 1.9%. There was a tendency (P < 0.06) for a reduction in vocalization by EE availability. However, the possibility of improved animal welfare using environmental enrichment is not ruled out since the animals vocalized less during the weaning process.

Effects of replacing ground corn with Nopalea cochenillifera meal on the intake, performance, and economic viability of grazing steers.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of replacing different levels of spineless-cactus meal instead of ground corn on supplements for crossbred steers grazing in Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandú pastures. Forty crossbred steers with an average body weight (BW) of 261 ± 7.46 kg were distributed in a completely randomized design. In supplements, the ground corn grain was substituted with 0%, 30%, 60%, and 90% spineless-cactus meal. The substitution of spineless-cactus meal instead ground corn promoted a linear decrease in the ether extract (EE; P = 0.03) and non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC; P < 0.01) intakes. The apparent digestibility of EE was influenced (P < 0.05) showing a linear decrease. The apparent digestibility of NFC had a quadratic effect (P = 0.03). For the neutral detergent fiber corrected for ash and protein, the apparent digestibility increased linearly (P = 0.01). The average daily gain showed a quadratic effect (P < 0.01), with a maximum response estimated at 44.94% (1055.52 g/day) substitution with spineless-cactus meal for ground corn. The cost per animal per period and the cost per hectare decreased linearly (P < 0.01). The revenue, net revenue, exchange rate, and monthly revenue of the activity showed quadratic responses to the spineless-cactus meal supplements (P < 0.01), with maximum effects at 44.99%, 47.46%, 61.25%, and 57.35%, respectively. The substitution with up to 44.94% of spineless-cactus meal for ground corn provided daily gains, increased the feed conversion, and was favorable as a cost to the production system. Moreover, the profitability increased with maximum animal performance and improved use of fiber from pastures.

The influence of protected fat in supplements on the performance and carcass characteristics of Nellore beef bulls in tropical pasture.

The finishing stages for uncastrated Nellore beef cattle on tropical pasture often produce high yielding carcasses with minimal fat cover. This study aimed to evaluate the performance and carcass characteristics of uncastrated Nellore beef bulls fed a diet containing rumen-protected fat during the rainy period for 210 days. Eighty Nellore beef bulls with 28 months of age, and an initial live weight of 416 kg ± 16 kg, were allocated into eight paddocks (7.0 ha), totaling 56 ha, at 10 animals/paddock, in a continuous-grazing system. The pasture characteristics, performance production, loin-eye area (cm2), subcutaneous fat thickness (mm), and rump fat thickness were evaluated. There was no effect (P > 0.05) on the average total weight gain (203.00 kg) and average daily gain (0.98 kg/day). On the other hand, the subcutaneous fat thickness and rump fat thickness were 42.8% and 49.5% greater, respectively, when the animals were fed a diet containing rumen-protected fat inclusion (P < 0.05). Supplementation with rumen-protected fat provided a thicker fat layer in the carcass of Nellore beef bulls grazing on tropical pasture during the rainy period.

Effect of dietary inclusion of licuri cake on intake, feeding behavior, and performance of feedlot cull cows.

Licuri cake (LC) is an interesting alternative nutritional component for high-grain diets for ruminants due to its high protein (21.6% CP), fat (12.0% EE), and fiber (62.8% NDF) contents. We investigated the effect of increasing levels of LC inclusion on the intake, digestibility, feeding behavior, performance, and carcass traits of cull cows fed high-grain diets. Forty Zebu cows with an initial weight of 318 ± 38.1 kg, at 105 months of age, were confined in collective stalls and fed (ad libitum) a diet containing 0, 50, 100, or 150 g/kg LC on a diet dry matter (DM) basis. Licuri cake inclusion induced quadratic responses (P < 0.05) in the intakes of DM (9.57 kg/day at 97.8 g/kg LC), crude protein (CP; 1.02 kg/day at 91.7 g/kg LC), and total digestible nutrients (6.68 kg/day at 75.2 g/kg LC). The digestibility of DM, CP, and non-fibrous carbohydrates decreased linearly (P < 0.05). Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) intake and rumination efficiencies increased linearly (P < 0.05) with the inclusion of LC in the diet. The inclusion of LC did not influence (P > 0.05) on daily weight gain, hot carcass weight, or back fat thickness in the carcass. Therefore, we recommend the inclusion of up to 150 g/kg LC in high-grain diets for feedlot cull cows.

Condensed tannins to increase bioactive fatty acids in the milk from Canindé, Repartida, and Saanen goats.

Bioactive fatty acids present in goat milk have the ability to reduce the risks of coronary heart disease in humans, and condensed tannins (CT) can modulate the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) biohydrogenation process in the rumen and consequently increase the levels of these fatty acids. Thus, the objective was to evaluate the inclusion of CT in the diet for Canindé, Repartida, and Saanen goats to increase the level of bioactive fatty acids in milk. Twenty-two lactating does of three genetic groups, six Canindé, eight Repartida, and eight Saanen, were randomly assigned in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement of three genetic groups and two diets (control and with 50 g CT/kg DM). The inclusion of CT in the diet did not change (P > 0.05) nutrient intake and performance. However, the inclusion of CT promoted an increase (P < 0.05) in C14:1; cis-9; C18:2n6; C18:3n6; C18:3n3; PUFA; and long-chain fatty acids and reduction (P < 0.05) of C11; C12; C14; ω6/ω3; and atherogenicity index in milk fat. Thus, it is recommended to include CT in the diet for Canindé, Repartida, and Saanen goats to increase the level of bioactive fatty acids in milk. The inclusion of the tannins of Acacia mearnsii promoted an increase in C14:1; cis-9; C18:2n6; C18:3n6; C18:3n3; polyunsaturated fatty acid; and long-chain fatty acids and reduction of C11; C12; C14; ω6/ω3; and atherogenicity index in milk fat.

Ingestive behavior of Girolando steers supplemented on tropical pastures.

In this study, we evaluated the feeding behavior of Girolando steers on Brachiaria brizantha cultivar Marandu pastures. Twenty-two animals with an average initial weight of 209.09 ± 8.18 kg were distributed in a completely randomized design in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement (three seasons and two nutritional plans (NP)) with 11 replicates, as follows: rainy season 1 (NP1, mineral mixture ad libitum, and NP2, nitrogen/energy supplement [2 g.kg‒1 body weight [BW]]); dry season (NP1, nitrogen/energy supplement [1 g.kg‒1 BW], and NP2, nitrogen/energy supplement [2 g.kg‒1 BW]); and rainy season 2 (NP1, mineral mixture ad libitum, and NP2, nitrogen/energy supplement ([1 g.kg‒1 BW]). Total chewing time was longer in NP1 (566.44 vs 528.33 min.day‒1 in NP2) (p < 0.05). The grazing, idle, trough, and total chewing times were affected by the interaction between nutritional plans and seasons. The period expended grazing was longer for the NP1. The idle time was affected by the nutritional plans and was lower for the NP1. Feeding at the trough was not affected by the nutritional plans. The animals of the NP2 showed the highest feed efficiencies in DM and NDF (0.91 and 0.52 vs 0.75 and 0.45 in NP1, respectively). Rainy season 2 had the highest efficiencies. The feeding behavior changes according to the supplementation level. Nutritional plan 2 in the second rainy season presented the best results.

Neurospheres: a potential in vitro model for the study of central nervous system disorders.

Neurogenesis was believed to end after the period of embryonic development. However, the possibility of obtaining an expressive number of cells with functional neuronal characteristics implied a great advance in experimental research. New techniques have emerged to demonstrate that the birth of new neurons continues to occur in the adult brain. Two main rich sources of these cells are the subventricular zone (SVZ) and the subgranular zone of the hippocampal dentate gyrus (SGZ) where adult neural stem cells (aNSCs) have the ability to proliferate and differentiate into mature cell lines. The cultivation of neurospheres is a method to isolate, maintain and expand neural stem cells (NSCs) and has been used extensively by several research groups to analyze the biological properties of NSCs and their potential use in injured brains from animal models. Throughout this review, we highlight the areas where this type of cell culture has been applied and the advantages and limitations of using this model in experimental studies for the neurological clinical scenario.

Discrimination between healthy and patients with Parkinson's disease from hand resting activity using inertial measurement unit.

BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurological disease that affects the motor system. The associated motor symptoms are muscle rigidity or stiffness, bradykinesia, tremors, and gait disturbances. The correct diagnosis, especially in the initial stages, is fundamental to the life quality of the individual with PD. However, the methods used for diagnosis of PD are still based on subjective criteria. As a result, the objective of this study is the proposal of a method for the discrimination of individuals with PD (in the initial stages of the disease) from healthy groups, based on the inertial sensor recordings. METHODS: A total of 27 participants were selected, 15 individuals previously diagnosed with PD and 12 healthy individuals. The data collection was performed using inertial sensors (positioned on the back of the hand and on the back of the forearm). Different numbers of features were used to compare the values of sensitivity, specificity, precision, and accuracy of the classifiers. For group classification, 4 classifiers were used and compared, those being [Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Machine (SVM), K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN), and Naive Bayes (NB)]. RESULTS: When all individuals with PD were analyzed, the best performance for sensitivity and accuracy (0.875 and 0.800, respectively) was found in the SVM classifier, fed with 20% and 10% of the features, respectively, while the best performance for specificity and precision (0.933 and 0.917, respectively) was associated with the RF classifier fed with 20% of all the features. When only individuals with PD and score 1 on the Hoehn and Yahr scale (HY) were analyzed, the best performances for sensitivity, precision and accuracy (0.933, 0.778 and 0.848, respectively) were from the SVM classifier, fed with 40% of all features, and the best result for precision (0.800) was connected to the NB classifier, fed with 20% of all features. CONCLUSION: Through an analysis of all individuals in this study with PD, the best classifier for the detection of PD (sensitivity) was the SVM fed with 20% of the features and the best classifier for ruling out PD (specificity) was the RF classifier fed with 20% of the features. When analyzing individuals with PD and score HY = 1, the SVM classifier was superior across the sensitivity, precision, and accuracy, and the NB classifier was superior in the specificity. The obtained result indicates that objective methods can be applied to help in the evaluation of PD.

3-Bromopyruvate: A new strategy for inhibition of glycolytic enzymes in Leishmania amazonensis.

The compound 3-bromopyruvate (3-BrPA) is well-known and studies from several researchers have demonstrated its involvement in tumorigenesis. It is an analogue of pyruvic acid that inhibits ATP synthesis by inhibiting enzymes from the glycolytic pathway and oxidative phosphorylation. In this work, we investigated the effect of 3-BrPA on energy metabolism of L. amazonensis. In order to verify the effect of 3-BrPA on L. amazonensis glycolysis, we measured the activity level of three glycolytic enzymes located at different points of the pathway: (i) glucose kinases, step 1, (ii) glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), step 6, and (iii) enolase, step 9. 3-BrPA, in a dose-dependent manner, significantly reduced the activity levels of all the enzymes. In addition, 3-BrPA treatment led to a reduction in the levels of phosphofruto-1-kinase (PFK) protein, suggesting that the mode of action of 3-BrPA involves the downregulation of some glycolytic enzymes. Measurement of ATP levels in promastigotes of L. amazonensis showed a significant reduction in ATP generation. The O2 consumption was also significantly inhibited in promastigotes, confirming the energy depletion effect of 3-BrPA. When 3-BrPA was added to the cells at the beginning of growth cycle, it significantly inhibited L. amazonensis proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the ability to infect macrophages was reduced by approximately 50% when promastigotes were treated with 3-BrPA. Taken together, these studies corroborate with previous reports which suggest 3-BrPA as a potential drug against pathogenic microorganisms that are reliant on glucose catabolism for ATP supply.