BACKGROUND Skin wounds are common injuries that affect quality of life and incur high costs.A considerable portion of healthcare resources in Western countries is allocated to wound treatment,mainly using mechanical,b...BACKGROUND Skin wounds are common injuries that affect quality of life and incur high costs.A considerable portion of healthcare resources in Western countries is allocated to wound treatment,mainly using mechanical,biological,or artificial dressings.Biological and artificial dressings,such as hydrogels,are preferred for their biocompatibility.Platelet concentrates,such as platelet-rich plasma(PRP)and platelet-rich fibrin(PRF),stand out for accelerating tissue repair and minimizing risks of allergies and rejection.This study developed PRF and PRP-based dressings to treat skin wounds in an animal model,evaluating their functionality and efficiency in accelerating the tissue repair process.AIM To develop wound dressings based on platelet concentrates and evaluating their efficiency in treating skin wounds in Wistar rats.METHODS Wistar rats,both male and female,were subjected to the creation of a skin wound,distributed into groups(n=64/group),and treated with Carbopol(negative control);PRP+Carbopol;PRF+Carbopol;or PRF+CaCl_(2)+Carbopol,on days zero(D0),D3,D7,D14,and D21.PRP and PRF were obtained only from male rats.On D3,D7,D14,and D21,the wounds were analyzed for area,contraction rate,and histopathology of the tissue repair process.RESULTS The PRF-based dressing was more effective in accelerating wound closure early in the tissue repair process(up to D7),while PRF+CaCl_(2) seemed to delay the process,as wound closure was not complete by D21.Regarding macroscopic parameters,animals treated with PRF+CaCl_(2) showed significantly more crusting(necrosis)early in the repair process(D3).In terms of histopathological parameters,the PRF group exhibited significant collagenization at the later stages of the repair process(D14 and D21).By D21,fibroblast proliferation and inflammatory infiltration were higher in the PRP group.Animals treated with PRF+CaCl_(2) experienced a more pronounced inflammatory response up to D7,which diminished from D14 onwards.CONCLUSION The PRF-based dressing was effective in accelerating the closure of cutaneous wounds in Wistar rats early in the process and in aiding tissue repair at the later stages.展开更多
Vocal individuality is essential for social discrimination but has been poorly studied in animals that produce communal signals(duets or choruses).Song overlapping and temporal coordination make the assessment of indi...Vocal individuality is essential for social discrimination but has been poorly studied in animals that produce communal signals(duets or choruses).Song overlapping and temporal coordination make the assessment of individuality in communal signals more complex.In addition,selection may favor the accurate identifcation of pairs over individuals by receivers in year-round territorial species with duetting and long-term pair bonding.Here,we studied pair and individual vocal signatures in the polyphonal duets of rufous horneros Furnarius rufus,a Neotropical bird known for its long-term pair bonds.Hornero partners engage in duets to deter territorial intruders and protect their partnership year-round and can discern duets from neighbors versus strangers.Using a dataset of 471 duets from 43 pairs in 2 populations,we measured fne-scale acoustic features across different duet levels(e.g.,complete duets to non-overlapping syllable parts)and analysis levels(pair or individual).Permuted linear discriminant function analyses classifed pairs and individuals more accurately than expected by chance(means:45%and 47%vs.4 and 2%).Pair identity explained more variance in the multivariate acoustic features of duets than individual or population identities.The initial frequency of the duet showed strong potential for encoding pair identity.The acoustic traits contributing most to individual vocal signatures varied between sexes,which might facilitate the simultaneous assessment of duetters’identities by receivers.Our study indicates that vocal individuality may exist even in species with intricate and innate communal signals and elucidates the mechanisms employed by horneros in their social discrimination ability.展开更多
Obesity is associated with several diseases,including mental health.Adipose tissue is distributed around the internal organs,acting in the regulation of metabolism by storing and releasing fatty acids and adipokine in...Obesity is associated with several diseases,including mental health.Adipose tissue is distributed around the internal organs,acting in the regulation of metabolism by storing and releasing fatty acids and adipokine in the tissues.Excessive nutritional intake results in hypertrophy and proliferation of adipocytes,leading to local hypoxia in adipose tissue and changes in these adipokine releases.This leads to the recruitment of immune cells to adipose tissue and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines.The presence of high levels of free fatty acids and inflammatory molecules interfere with intracellular insulin signaling,which can generate a neuroinflammatory process.In this review,we provide an up-to-date discussion of how excessive obesity can lead to possible cognitive dysfunction.We also address the idea that obesity-associated systemic inflammation leads to neuroinflammation in the brain,particularly the hypothalamus and hippocampus,and that this is partially responsible for these negative cognitive outcomes.In addition,we discuss some clinical models and animal studies for obesity and clarify the mechanism of action of anti-obesity drugs in the central nervous system.展开更多
A growing body of evidence has suggested that the imbalance of epigenetic markers and oxidative stress appears to be involved in the pathophysiology and progression of stroke.Thus,strategies that modulate these biomar...A growing body of evidence has suggested that the imbalance of epigenetic markers and oxidative stress appears to be involved in the pathophysiology and progression of stroke.Thus,strategies that modulate these biomarkers might be considered targets for neuroprotection and novel therapeutic opportunities for these patients.Physical exercise has been reported to induce changes in these epigenetic markers and improve clinical outcomes in different populations.However,little is reported on this in post-stroke patients.The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a single exercise session with WalkAide functional electrical stimulation(FES)on cognitive performance,clinical functional parameters,oxidative stress and epigenetic modulation in post-stroke individuals.In this crossover design study,12 post-stroke individuals aged 54–72 years of either sexes were included and subjected to a single session of exercise(45 minutes)without WalkAide functional electrical stimulation(EXE alone group),followed by another single session of exercise(45 minutes)with WalkAide functional electrical stimulation(EXE+FES group).The clinical functional outcome measures,cognitive performance and blood collections for biomarker measurements were assessed pre-and post-intervention.After intervention,higher Berg Balance Scale scores were obtained in the EXE+FES group than in the EXE alone group.There was no significant difference in the Timed Up and Go test results post-intervention between EXE alone and EXE+FES groups.After intervention,a better cognitive performance was found in both groups compared with before the intervention.After intervention,the Timed Up and Go test scores were higher in the EXE+FES group than in the EXE alone group.In addition,the intervention induced lower levels of lipid peroxidation.After intervention,carbonyl level was lower,superoxide dismutase activity and superoxide dismutase/catalase activity ratio were higher in the EXE+FES group,compared with the EXE group alone.In each group,both histone deacetylase(HDAC2)and histone acetyltransferase activities were increased after intervention compared with before the intervention.These findings suggest that a single exercise session with WalkAide FES is more effective on balance ability and cognitive performance compared with conventional exercise alone in post-stroke patients.This is likely to be related to the regulation of oxidative stress markers.The present study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Methodist University Center-IPA(approval No.2.423.376)on December 7,2017 and registered in the Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials—ReBEC(RBR-9phj2q)on February 11,2019.展开更多
Epigenetic changes have been shown to be associated with both aging process and aging-related diseases.There is evidence regarding the benefits of physical activity on the functionality,cognition,and quality of life o...Epigenetic changes have been shown to be associated with both aging process and aging-related diseases.There is evidence regarding the benefits of physical activity on the functionality,cognition,and quality of life of institutionalized older adults,however,the molecular mechanisms involved are not elucidated.The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate the effects of a multimodal exercise intervention on functional outcomes,cognitive performance,quality of life(QOL),epigenetic markers and brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)levels among institutionalized older adult individuals.Participants(n=8)without dementia who were aged 73.38±11.28 years and predominantly female(87.5%)were included in this quasi-experimental pilot study.A multimodal exercise protocol(cardiovascular capacity,strength,balance/agility andflexibility,perception and cognition)consisted of twice weekly sessions(60 minutes each)over 8 weeks.Balance(Berg Scale),mobility(Timed Up and Go test),functional capacity(Six-Minute Walk test),cognitive function(Mini-Mental State Examination)and QOL(the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF Scale questionnaire)were evaluated before and after the intervention.Blood sample(15 mL)was also collected before and after intervention for analysis of biomarkers global histone H3 acetylation and brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels.Significant improvements were observed in cognitive function,balance,mobility,functional capacity and QOL after the intervention.In addition,a tendency toward an increase in global histone H3 acetylation levels was observed,while brain-derived neurotrophic factor level remained unchanged.This study provided evidence that an 8-week multimodal exercise protocol has a significant effect on ameliorating functional outcomes and QOL in institutionalized older adult individuals.In addition,it was also able to promote cognitive improvement,which seems to be partially related to histone hyperacetylation status.The Ethics Research Committee of Centro Universitário Metodista-IPA,Brazil approved the current study on June 6,2019(approval No.3.376.078).展开更多
AIM:To investigate the association between human papillomavirus(HPV)and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC)in southern Brazil.METHODS:We studied 189 esophageal samples from125 patients from three different groups...AIM:To investigate the association between human papillomavirus(HPV)and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC)in southern Brazil.METHODS:We studied 189 esophageal samples from125 patients from three different groups:(1)102 biopsies from 51 patients with ESCC,with one sample from the tumor and another from normal esophageal mucosa distant from the tumor;(2)50 esophageal biopsies from 37 patients with a previous diagnosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma(HNSCC);and(3)37 biopsies from esophageal mucosa with normal appearance from 37 dyspeptic patients,not exposed to smoking or alcohol consumption.Nested-polymerase chain reaction(PCR)with the MY09/11 and GP5/6 L1primers was used to detect HPV L1 in samples fixed in formalin and stored in paraffin blocks.All PCR reactions were performed with a positive control(cervicovaginal samples),with a negative control(Human Genomic DNA)and with a blank reaction containing all reagents except DNA.We took extreme care to prevent DNA contamination in sample collection,processing,and testing.RESULTS:The histological biopsies confirmed the diagnosis of ESCC in 52 samples(51 from ESCC group and 1 from the HNSCC group)and classified as well differentiated(12/52,23.1%),moderately differentiated(27/52,51.9%)or poorly differentiated(7/52,13.5%).One hundred twenty-eight esophageal biopsies were considered normal(51 from the ESCC group,42 from the HNSCC group and 35 from dyspeptic patients).Nine had esophagitis(7 from the HNSCC and 2 from dyspeptic patients).Of a total of 189 samples,only 6 samples had insufficient material for PCR analysis:1 from mucosa distant from the tumor in a patient with ESCC,3from patients with HNSCC and 2 from patients without cancer.In 183 samples(96.8%)GAPDH,G3PDH and/orβ-globin were amplified,thus indicating the adequacy of the DNA in those samples.HPV DNA was negative in all the 183 samples tested:52 with ESCC,9 with esophagitis and 122 with normal esophageal mucosa.CONCLUSION:There was no evidence of HPV infection in different ESCC from southern Brazil.展开更多
Metabolic syndrome(MetS)might be defined as the simultaneous accumulation of s everal functional changes that frequently occur in adults over 60 years of age(Gomez et al.,2018).The diagnosis of MetS requires the prese...Metabolic syndrome(MetS)might be defined as the simultaneous accumulation of s everal functional changes that frequently occur in adults over 60 years of age(Gomez et al.,2018).The diagnosis of MetS requires the presence of three or more factors such as high body mass,type-2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM),dyslipidemia,and arterial hypertension,which increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases as well as neurological complications,as stroke and dementia(Dyken and Lacoste,2018).Usually,these functional changes coincide and result in insensitivity for example hormones as leptin,adiponectin,and insulin(Dyken and Lacoste,2018).展开更多
Objective: Although Angelica archangelica is a medicinal and aromatic plant with a long history of use for both medicinal and food purposes, there are no studies regarding the antineoplastic activity of its root.This ...Objective: Although Angelica archangelica is a medicinal and aromatic plant with a long history of use for both medicinal and food purposes, there are no studies regarding the antineoplastic activity of its root.This study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxicity and antitumor effects of the crude extract of A. archangelica root(CEAA) on breast cancer.Methods: The cytotoxicity of CEAA against breast adenocarcinoma cells(4T1 and MCF-7) was evaluated by a 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide(MTT) assay. Morphological and biochemical changes were detected by Hoechst 33342/propidium iodide(PI) and annexin V/PI staining. Cytosolic calcium mobilization was evaluated in cells staining with FURA-4 NW. Immunoblotting was used to determine the effect of CEAA on anti-and pro-apoptotic proteins(Bcl-2 and Bax, respectively).The 4 T1 cell-challenged mice were used for in vivo assay.Results: Using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis, angelicin, a constituent of the roots and leaves of A. archangelica, was found to be the major constituent of the CEAA evaluated in this study(73 mg/mL). The CEAA was cytotoxic for both breast cancer cell lines studied but not for human fibroblasts. Treatment of 4 T1 cells with the CEAA increased Bax protein levels accompanied by decreased Bcl-2 expression, in the presence of cleaved caspase-3 and cytosolic calcium mobilization, suggesting mitochondrial involvement in breast cancer cell death induced by the CEAA in this cell line. No changes on the Bcl-2/Bax ratio were observed in CEAA-treated MCF7 cells. Gavage administration of the CEAA(500 mg/kg) to 4T1 cell-challenged mice significantly decreased tumor growth when compared with untreated animals.Conclusion: Altogether, our data show the antitumor potential of the CEAA against breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Further research is necessary to better elucidate the pharmacological application of the CEAA in breast cancer therapy.展开更多
AIM To investigate the association between 16 insertiondeletions(INDEL)polymorphisms,colorectal cancer(CRC)risk and clinical features in an admixed population.METHODS One hundred and forty patients with CRC and 140 ca...AIM To investigate the association between 16 insertiondeletions(INDEL)polymorphisms,colorectal cancer(CRC)risk and clinical features in an admixed population.METHODS One hundred and forty patients with CRC and 140 cancer-free subjects were examined.Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples.Polymorphisms and genomic ancestry distribution were assayed by Multiplex-PCR reaction,separated by capillary electrophoresis on the ABI 3130 Genetic Analyzer instrument and analyzed on GeneMapper ID v3.2.Clinicopathological data were obtained by consulting the patients’clinical charts,intra-operative documentation,and pathology scoring.RESULTS Logistic regression analysis showed that polymorphism variations in IL4 gene was associated with increased CRC risk,while TYMS and UCP2 genes were associated with decreased risk.Reference to anatomical localization of tumor Del allele of NFKB1 and CASP8 were associated with more colon related incidents than rectosigmoid.In relation to the INDEL association with tumor node metastasis(TNM)stage risk,the Ins alleles of ACE,HLAG and TP53(6 bp INDEL)were associated with higher TNM stage.Furthermore,regarding INDEL association with relapse risk,the Ins alleles of ACE,HLAG,and UGT1A1 were associated with early relapse risk,as well as the Del allele of TYMS.Regarding INDEL association with death risk before 10 years,the Ins allele of SGSM3 and UGT1A1 were associated with death risk.CONCLUSION The INDEL variations in ACE,UCP2,TYMS,IL4,NFKB1,CASP8,TP53,HLAG,UGT1A1,and SGSM3 were associated with CRC risk and clinical features in an admixed population.These data suggest that this cancer panel might be useful as a complementary tool for better clinical management,and more studies need to be conducted to confirm these findings.展开更多
The Dof (DNA-binding with one finger) proteins are a class of plant-specific transcription factors that can trigger several processes involved in plant growth and development, as well as in stress responses. Here, we ...The Dof (DNA-binding with one finger) proteins are a class of plant-specific transcription factors that can trigger several processes involved in plant growth and development, as well as in stress responses. Here, we performed a systematic bioinformatics analysis to characterize all Dof genes in common bean, which included analysis of the genome sequence, conserved protein domains, chromosomal locations, subcellular locations, phylogenetic relationships, gene duplications, and gene expression profiles in different tissues. Bioinformatics analysis revealed 36 putative genes related to PvDof that were classified into seven subfamilies (A, B1, B2, C1, C2, D1, and, D2) by comparative phylogenetic analysis. Based on our genome duplication analysis, a total of 36 genes were found to be distributed on all 11 chromosomes, and they expanded through gene duplication in tandem, suggesting the involvement of segmental duplication events in the evolutionary process. Synteny events and phylogenetic comparisons of the Dof proteins of common bean with those of A. thaliana, O. sativa, and G. max L. led to the identification of several orthologous and paralogous genes, which provided further insight into the diversity of the evolutionary characteristics of genes of this family in other plant species. Expression profiles revealed that most of the PvDof genes were expressed in different tissues, indicating that PvDof genes may be involved in various physiological functions during plant development. The results of this study provide additional information and potential biotechnological resources for further understanding the molecular basis of this gene family and consequently improvement of common bean crops.展开更多
Glial cells are crucial for maintaining central nervous system(CNS)homeostasis.They actively participate in immune responses,as well as form functional barriers,such as blood-brain barrier(BBB),which restrict the entr...Glial cells are crucial for maintaining central nervous system(CNS)homeostasis.They actively participate in immune responses,as well as form functional barriers,such as blood-brain barrier(BBB),which restrict the entry of pathogens and inflammatory mediators into the CNS.In general,viral infections during the gestational period can alter the embryonic and fetal environment,and the related inflammatory response may affect neurodevelopment and lead to behavioral dysfunction during later stage of life,as highlighted by our group for Zika virus infection.Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2(SARS-CoV-2)induces a cytokine storm and,during pregnancy,may be related to a more severe form of the coronavirus disease-19(COVID-19)and also to higher preterm birth rates.SARS-CoV-2 can also affect the CNS by inducing neurochemical remodeling in neural cells,which can compromise neuronal plasticity and synaptic function.However,the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy on postnatal CNS,including brain development during childhood and adulthood,remains undetermined.Our group has recently highlighted the impact of COVID-19 on the expression of molecular markers associated with neuropsychiatric disorders,which are strongly related to the inflammatory response.Thus,based on these relationships,we discussed the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection either during pregnancy or in critical periods of neurodevelopment as a risk factor for neurological consequences in the offspring later in life,focusing on the potential role of glial cells.Thus,it is important to consider future and long-term public health concerns associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy.展开更多
BACKGROUND Inflammatory bowel diseases(IBD)are a worldwide health problem and mainly affect young people,consequently affecting the workforce.Available treatments are often associated with side effects,and new therape...BACKGROUND Inflammatory bowel diseases(IBD)are a worldwide health problem and mainly affect young people,consequently affecting the workforce.Available treatments are often associated with side effects,and new therapeutic options are needed.For centuries,plants have represented important substrates in the field of drug development.Lafoensia pacari(L.pacari)is a plant whose pharmaceutical potential has been described,and may have biological activity relevant to the treatment of IBD symptoms.AIM To investigate the activity of keto-alcoholic extracts of L.pacari with respect to ameliorating the inflammatory and nociceptive symptoms of acute experimental colitis in mice.METHODS Keto-alcoholic extracts of L.pacari leaves and bark were administered to male andfemale Swiss mice weighing 25 g to 30 g(n=8 male mice and n=8 female mice).The effect of these extracts was observed in an acetic acid-induced acute experimental model of colitis with regard to antinociception/analgesia and inflammatory tissue damage.Recorded macroscopic indices included the Wallace score and the colon weight obtained using a precision scale.Mechanical hyperalgesia was determined using an electronic analgesimeter.Behavior related to overt pain was determined by quantifying the number of writhing instances within 20 min of administration of acetic acid.Molecular docking was performed using human and murine cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2)with 3 flavonoids(ellagic acid,kaempferol,and quercetin)on the AutoDock Vina software.Analysis of variance followed by Tukey’s posttest was used with P<0.05 indicating significance.RESULTS In this murine model of colitis,administration of extracts from L.pacari ameliorated acetic acidinduced writhing and colitis-associated inflammatory pain.These improvements may be attributable to the reduction in edema,inflammation(e.g.,ulcers,hyperemia,and bowel wall damage),and the intensity of abdominal hyperalgesia.The keto-alcoholic extracts of L.pacari leaves and bark administered at a dose of either 100 mg/kg or 300 mg/kg significantly reduced the number of writhing events when compared to the negative control(P<0.05).Additionally,extracts of L.pacari bark also performed better than Dipyrone.Leaf extracts administered at 10 mg/kg,30 mg/kg,and 100 mg/kg and bark extracts administered at 30 mg/kg significantly reduced or prevented the development of edema in the colon of treated mice,while mesalazine did not.Moreover,using molecular docking,we observed that the flavonoids present in L.pacari extracts bind to COX-2,an event not unique to ellagic acid.CONCLUSION The results of this study demonstrate a potential novel application of L.pacari extracts for the reduction of inflammation and promotion of antinociception/analgesia as demonstrated by our findings in a murine model of colitis.These findings were also corroborated by in silico analyses,and suggest that L.pacari extracts may be a promising therapeutic agent in the treatment of IBD.展开更多
Species distribution models are used to aid our understanding of the processes driving the spatial patterns of species’ habitats. This approach has received criticism, however, largely because it neglects landscape m...Species distribution models are used to aid our understanding of the processes driving the spatial patterns of species’ habitats. This approach has received criticism, however, largely because it neglects landscape metrics. We examined the relative impacts of landscape predictors on the accuracy of habitat models by constructing distribution models at regional scales incorporating environmental variables (climate, topography, vegetation, and soil types) and secondary species occurrence data, and using them to predict the occurrence of 36 species in 15 forest fragments where we conducted rapid surveys. We then selected six landscape predictors at the landscape scale and ran general linear models of species presence/absence with either a single scale predictor (the probabilities of occurrence of the distribution models or landscape variables) or multiple scale predictors (distribution models + one landscape variable). Our results indicated that distribution models alone had poor predictive abilities but were improved when landscape predictors were added; the species responses were not, however, similar to the multiple scale predictors. Our study thus highlights the importance of considering landscape metrics to generate more accurate habitat suitability models.展开更多
Crohn's disease with involvement of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum has a prevalence of 0.5% to 4% in symptomatic adult patients, but some studies have shown that these results may be underestimated, since upp...Crohn's disease with involvement of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum has a prevalence of 0.5% to 4% in symptomatic adult patients, but some studies have shown that these results may be underestimated, since upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is not performed routinely in the initial evaluation of the disease in adult patients, as it is in the pediatric population. In general, involvement of the upper gastrointestinal tract in Crohn's disease occurs concomitantly with involvement of the lower gastrointestinal tract. The diagnosis depends on clinical,endoscopic, histological and radiological evaluation. The presence of aphthoid ulcers, longitudinal ulcers, bamboo-joint-like appearance, stenoses and fistulas are endoscopic findings suggestive of the disease, and it is important to exclude the presence of Helicobacter pylori infection. The primary histological findings,which facilitate the diagnosis, are the presence of a chronic inflammatory process with a predominance of lymphoplasmacytic cells and active focal gastritis. The presence of epithelioid granuloma, although less frequent, is highly suggestive of the disease in the absence of chronic granulomatous disease. Treatment should include the use of proton pump inhibitors associated with corticosteroids,immunomodulators and biological therapy according to the severity of the disease.展开更多
Eusocial wasps are excellent models for understanding polyethism and division of labor among castes in social insects. However, little is known about the mechanisms controlling caste determination in eusocial wasps. E...Eusocial wasps are excellent models for understanding polyethism and division of labor among castes in social insects. However, little is known about the mechanisms controlling caste determination in eusocial wasps. Evidence suggests that the phenotype of queens in independent-founding (IF) eusocial wasps of the subfamily Polistinae can be partly fixed in the larval stage;however, this hypothesis has not yet been investigated. In this study we evaluate whether juvenile hormone (JH) affects pre-imaginal caste determination in the IF eusocial wasp Mischocyttarus consimilis (Hymenoptera: Vespidae). Analyzing morphometric and behavioral data, we demonstrated experimentally that females emerging from larvae that were treated with JH in the third instar had a significantly larger body size, spent more time in the nest, and were subject to less physical aggression from nestmates compared with females emerging from untreated control larvae. These results indicate that phenotype differences among castes in IF eusocial wasps can be partly fixed in the pre-adult stage and influenced by variations in the JH titer.展开更多
Recent analysis indicates that the numbers of dengue cases may be as high as 400 million/year in the world. According to the Ministry of Brazilian Health, in 2015, there were 1,621,797 probable cases of dengue in the ...Recent analysis indicates that the numbers of dengue cases may be as high as 400 million/year in the world. According to the Ministry of Brazilian Health, in 2015, there were 1,621,797 probable cases of dengue in the country including all classifications except discarded, the highest number recorded in the historical series since 1990. Many studies have found associations between climatic conditions and dengue transmission, especially using generalized models. In this study, Generalized Additive Models (GAM) was used associated to visreg package to understand the effect of climatic variables on capitals of Northeast Brazilian, from 2001 to 2012. From 12 climatic variables, it was verified that the relative humidity was the one that obtained the highest correlation to dengue. Afterwards, GAM associated with visreg was applied to understand the effects between them. Relative humidity explains the dengue incidence at an adjusted rate of 78.0% (in São Luis-MA) and 82.3% (in Teresina-PI) delayed in, respectively, -1 and -2 months.展开更多
The Northeast Brazil (NEB) is known for its temporal and spatial variability of precipitation. Several studies have investigated this variability in order to understand the damaging episodes such as droughts and flood...The Northeast Brazil (NEB) is known for its temporal and spatial variability of precipitation. Several studies have investigated this variability in order to understand the damaging episodes such as droughts and floods. The phenomenon of drought in the NEB is a complex topic due to affecting?millions of people and being?the object of study in several fields of knowledge. One way to try to argue about this phenomenon is through the concept of vulnerability. The “operability” of this broad concept in natural disasters is a complex task. In order to measure an indicator of vulnerability it is necessary large amount of data from different areas of knowledge, among which?include: meteorology, socio-environmental, economic, public health, among other areas. The main objective of this study is to create an index of vulnerability to climate extremes (drought and flood) for the NEB and to compare this rate with those found in the scientific literature. The data that will be used in this study are from ANA (Agência Nacional das águas), IBGE (Instituto Brasileiro de Georgrafia e Estatística), and Ministry of National integration.展开更多
As hydropower development expands across lowland tropical forests,flooding and concomitant insular fragmentation have become important threats to biodiversity.Newly created insular landscapes serve as natural laborato...As hydropower development expands across lowland tropical forests,flooding and concomitant insular fragmentation have become important threats to biodiversity.Newly created insular landscapes serve as natural laboratories to investigate biodiversity responses to fragmentation.One of these most iconic landscapes is the Balbina Hydroelectric Reservoir in Brazilian Amazonia,occupying>400000 ha and comprising>3500 forest islands.Here,we synthesise the current knowledge on responses of a wide range of biological groups to insular fragmentation at Balbina.Sampling has largely concentrated on a set of 22 islands and three mainland sites.In total,39 studies were conducted over nearly two decades,covering 17 vertebrate,invertebrate,and plant taxa.Although species responses varied according to taxonomic group,island area was consistently included and played a pivotal role in 66.7%of all studies examining patterns of species diversity.Species persistence was further affected by species traits,mostly related to species capacity to use/traverse the aquatic matrix or tolerate habitat degradation,as noted for species of vertebrates and orchid bees.Further research is needed to improve our understanding of such effects on wider ecosystem functioning.Environmental Impact Assessments must account for changes in both the remaining habitat amount and configuration,and subsequent long-term species losses.展开更多
文摘BACKGROUND Skin wounds are common injuries that affect quality of life and incur high costs.A considerable portion of healthcare resources in Western countries is allocated to wound treatment,mainly using mechanical,biological,or artificial dressings.Biological and artificial dressings,such as hydrogels,are preferred for their biocompatibility.Platelet concentrates,such as platelet-rich plasma(PRP)and platelet-rich fibrin(PRF),stand out for accelerating tissue repair and minimizing risks of allergies and rejection.This study developed PRF and PRP-based dressings to treat skin wounds in an animal model,evaluating their functionality and efficiency in accelerating the tissue repair process.AIM To develop wound dressings based on platelet concentrates and evaluating their efficiency in treating skin wounds in Wistar rats.METHODS Wistar rats,both male and female,were subjected to the creation of a skin wound,distributed into groups(n=64/group),and treated with Carbopol(negative control);PRP+Carbopol;PRF+Carbopol;or PRF+CaCl_(2)+Carbopol,on days zero(D0),D3,D7,D14,and D21.PRP and PRF were obtained only from male rats.On D3,D7,D14,and D21,the wounds were analyzed for area,contraction rate,and histopathology of the tissue repair process.RESULTS The PRF-based dressing was more effective in accelerating wound closure early in the tissue repair process(up to D7),while PRF+CaCl_(2) seemed to delay the process,as wound closure was not complete by D21.Regarding macroscopic parameters,animals treated with PRF+CaCl_(2) showed significantly more crusting(necrosis)early in the repair process(D3).In terms of histopathological parameters,the PRF group exhibited significant collagenization at the later stages of the repair process(D14 and D21).By D21,fibroblast proliferation and inflammatory infiltration were higher in the PRP group.Animals treated with PRF+CaCl_(2) experienced a more pronounced inflammatory response up to D7,which diminished from D14 onwards.CONCLUSION The PRF-based dressing was effective in accelerating the closure of cutaneous wounds in Wistar rats early in the process and in aiding tissue repair at the later stages.
基金P.D.and P.S.A.received Ph.D.scholarships from Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior(CAPES)(Finance Code 001)P.D.received a Postdoctoral fellowship from CAPES(grant number:88887.469218/2019-00)+4 种基金R.H.M.received a fellowship from Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científco e Tecnológico(CNPq)for the duration of the study.Funding was also provided by Animal Behavior Society[ABS Student Research Grant to P.S.A.]Association of Field Ornithologists[E.Alexander Bergstrom Memorial Research Award to P.S.A.]American Ornithological Society[Postdoctoral Research Award to P.D.]the logistic and fnancial support provided by Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia from Universidade de Brasília in association with Programa de Excelência Acadêmica PROEX/CAPES(1789/2015)the fnancial support provided by CNPq(471945/2013-7).
文摘Vocal individuality is essential for social discrimination but has been poorly studied in animals that produce communal signals(duets or choruses).Song overlapping and temporal coordination make the assessment of individuality in communal signals more complex.In addition,selection may favor the accurate identifcation of pairs over individuals by receivers in year-round territorial species with duetting and long-term pair bonding.Here,we studied pair and individual vocal signatures in the polyphonal duets of rufous horneros Furnarius rufus,a Neotropical bird known for its long-term pair bonds.Hornero partners engage in duets to deter territorial intruders and protect their partnership year-round and can discern duets from neighbors versus strangers.Using a dataset of 471 duets from 43 pairs in 2 populations,we measured fne-scale acoustic features across different duet levels(e.g.,complete duets to non-overlapping syllable parts)and analysis levels(pair or individual).Permuted linear discriminant function analyses classifed pairs and individuals more accurately than expected by chance(means:45%and 47%vs.4 and 2%).Pair identity explained more variance in the multivariate acoustic features of duets than individual or population identities.The initial frequency of the duet showed strong potential for encoding pair identity.The acoustic traits contributing most to individual vocal signatures varied between sexes,which might facilitate the simultaneous assessment of duetters’identities by receivers.Our study indicates that vocal individuality may exist even in species with intricate and innate communal signals and elucidates the mechanisms employed by horneros in their social discrimination ability.
基金supported by the Brazilian funding agencies CNPq,and FUNDECT (to LM)
文摘Obesity is associated with several diseases,including mental health.Adipose tissue is distributed around the internal organs,acting in the regulation of metabolism by storing and releasing fatty acids and adipokine in the tissues.Excessive nutritional intake results in hypertrophy and proliferation of adipocytes,leading to local hypoxia in adipose tissue and changes in these adipokine releases.This leads to the recruitment of immune cells to adipose tissue and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines.The presence of high levels of free fatty acids and inflammatory molecules interfere with intracellular insulin signaling,which can generate a neuroinflammatory process.In this review,we provide an up-to-date discussion of how excessive obesity can lead to possible cognitive dysfunction.We also address the idea that obesity-associated systemic inflammation leads to neuroinflammation in the brain,particularly the hypothalamus and hippocampus,and that this is partially responsible for these negative cognitive outcomes.In addition,we discuss some clinical models and animal studies for obesity and clarify the mechanism of action of anti-obesity drugs in the central nervous system.
基金This work was supported by Fundação de AmparoàPesquisa do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul(FAPERGS)/BrazilandConselhoNacional de DesenvolvimentoCientífico e Tecnológico–CNPq/Brazil.
文摘A growing body of evidence has suggested that the imbalance of epigenetic markers and oxidative stress appears to be involved in the pathophysiology and progression of stroke.Thus,strategies that modulate these biomarkers might be considered targets for neuroprotection and novel therapeutic opportunities for these patients.Physical exercise has been reported to induce changes in these epigenetic markers and improve clinical outcomes in different populations.However,little is reported on this in post-stroke patients.The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a single exercise session with WalkAide functional electrical stimulation(FES)on cognitive performance,clinical functional parameters,oxidative stress and epigenetic modulation in post-stroke individuals.In this crossover design study,12 post-stroke individuals aged 54–72 years of either sexes were included and subjected to a single session of exercise(45 minutes)without WalkAide functional electrical stimulation(EXE alone group),followed by another single session of exercise(45 minutes)with WalkAide functional electrical stimulation(EXE+FES group).The clinical functional outcome measures,cognitive performance and blood collections for biomarker measurements were assessed pre-and post-intervention.After intervention,higher Berg Balance Scale scores were obtained in the EXE+FES group than in the EXE alone group.There was no significant difference in the Timed Up and Go test results post-intervention between EXE alone and EXE+FES groups.After intervention,a better cognitive performance was found in both groups compared with before the intervention.After intervention,the Timed Up and Go test scores were higher in the EXE+FES group than in the EXE alone group.In addition,the intervention induced lower levels of lipid peroxidation.After intervention,carbonyl level was lower,superoxide dismutase activity and superoxide dismutase/catalase activity ratio were higher in the EXE+FES group,compared with the EXE group alone.In each group,both histone deacetylase(HDAC2)and histone acetyltransferase activities were increased after intervention compared with before the intervention.These findings suggest that a single exercise session with WalkAide FES is more effective on balance ability and cognitive performance compared with conventional exercise alone in post-stroke patients.This is likely to be related to the regulation of oxidative stress markers.The present study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Methodist University Center-IPA(approval No.2.423.376)on December 7,2017 and registered in the Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials—ReBEC(RBR-9phj2q)on February 11,2019.
文摘Epigenetic changes have been shown to be associated with both aging process and aging-related diseases.There is evidence regarding the benefits of physical activity on the functionality,cognition,and quality of life of institutionalized older adults,however,the molecular mechanisms involved are not elucidated.The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate the effects of a multimodal exercise intervention on functional outcomes,cognitive performance,quality of life(QOL),epigenetic markers and brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)levels among institutionalized older adult individuals.Participants(n=8)without dementia who were aged 73.38±11.28 years and predominantly female(87.5%)were included in this quasi-experimental pilot study.A multimodal exercise protocol(cardiovascular capacity,strength,balance/agility andflexibility,perception and cognition)consisted of twice weekly sessions(60 minutes each)over 8 weeks.Balance(Berg Scale),mobility(Timed Up and Go test),functional capacity(Six-Minute Walk test),cognitive function(Mini-Mental State Examination)and QOL(the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF Scale questionnaire)were evaluated before and after the intervention.Blood sample(15 mL)was also collected before and after intervention for analysis of biomarkers global histone H3 acetylation and brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels.Significant improvements were observed in cognitive function,balance,mobility,functional capacity and QOL after the intervention.In addition,a tendency toward an increase in global histone H3 acetylation levels was observed,while brain-derived neurotrophic factor level remained unchanged.This study provided evidence that an 8-week multimodal exercise protocol has a significant effect on ameliorating functional outcomes and QOL in institutionalized older adult individuals.In addition,it was also able to promote cognitive improvement,which seems to be partially related to histone hyperacetylation status.The Ethics Research Committee of Centro Universitário Metodista-IPA,Brazil approved the current study on June 6,2019(approval No.3.376.078).
文摘AIM:To investigate the association between human papillomavirus(HPV)and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC)in southern Brazil.METHODS:We studied 189 esophageal samples from125 patients from three different groups:(1)102 biopsies from 51 patients with ESCC,with one sample from the tumor and another from normal esophageal mucosa distant from the tumor;(2)50 esophageal biopsies from 37 patients with a previous diagnosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma(HNSCC);and(3)37 biopsies from esophageal mucosa with normal appearance from 37 dyspeptic patients,not exposed to smoking or alcohol consumption.Nested-polymerase chain reaction(PCR)with the MY09/11 and GP5/6 L1primers was used to detect HPV L1 in samples fixed in formalin and stored in paraffin blocks.All PCR reactions were performed with a positive control(cervicovaginal samples),with a negative control(Human Genomic DNA)and with a blank reaction containing all reagents except DNA.We took extreme care to prevent DNA contamination in sample collection,processing,and testing.RESULTS:The histological biopsies confirmed the diagnosis of ESCC in 52 samples(51 from ESCC group and 1 from the HNSCC group)and classified as well differentiated(12/52,23.1%),moderately differentiated(27/52,51.9%)or poorly differentiated(7/52,13.5%).One hundred twenty-eight esophageal biopsies were considered normal(51 from the ESCC group,42 from the HNSCC group and 35 from dyspeptic patients).Nine had esophagitis(7 from the HNSCC and 2 from dyspeptic patients).Of a total of 189 samples,only 6 samples had insufficient material for PCR analysis:1 from mucosa distant from the tumor in a patient with ESCC,3from patients with HNSCC and 2 from patients without cancer.In 183 samples(96.8%)GAPDH,G3PDH and/orβ-globin were amplified,thus indicating the adequacy of the DNA in those samples.HPV DNA was negative in all the 183 samples tested:52 with ESCC,9 with esophagitis and 122 with normal esophageal mucosa.CONCLUSION:There was no evidence of HPV infection in different ESCC from southern Brazil.
文摘Metabolic syndrome(MetS)might be defined as the simultaneous accumulation of s everal functional changes that frequently occur in adults over 60 years of age(Gomez et al.,2018).The diagnosis of MetS requires the presence of three or more factors such as high body mass,type-2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM),dyslipidemia,and arterial hypertension,which increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases as well as neurological complications,as stroke and dementia(Dyken and Lacoste,2018).Usually,these functional changes coincide and result in insensitivity for example hormones as leptin,adiponectin,and insulin(Dyken and Lacoste,2018).
基金the Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior-Brasil (CAPES)FAPESPCNPq for the financial support
文摘Objective: Although Angelica archangelica is a medicinal and aromatic plant with a long history of use for both medicinal and food purposes, there are no studies regarding the antineoplastic activity of its root.This study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxicity and antitumor effects of the crude extract of A. archangelica root(CEAA) on breast cancer.Methods: The cytotoxicity of CEAA against breast adenocarcinoma cells(4T1 and MCF-7) was evaluated by a 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide(MTT) assay. Morphological and biochemical changes were detected by Hoechst 33342/propidium iodide(PI) and annexin V/PI staining. Cytosolic calcium mobilization was evaluated in cells staining with FURA-4 NW. Immunoblotting was used to determine the effect of CEAA on anti-and pro-apoptotic proteins(Bcl-2 and Bax, respectively).The 4 T1 cell-challenged mice were used for in vivo assay.Results: Using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis, angelicin, a constituent of the roots and leaves of A. archangelica, was found to be the major constituent of the CEAA evaluated in this study(73 mg/mL). The CEAA was cytotoxic for both breast cancer cell lines studied but not for human fibroblasts. Treatment of 4 T1 cells with the CEAA increased Bax protein levels accompanied by decreased Bcl-2 expression, in the presence of cleaved caspase-3 and cytosolic calcium mobilization, suggesting mitochondrial involvement in breast cancer cell death induced by the CEAA in this cell line. No changes on the Bcl-2/Bax ratio were observed in CEAA-treated MCF7 cells. Gavage administration of the CEAA(500 mg/kg) to 4T1 cell-challenged mice significantly decreased tumor growth when compared with untreated animals.Conclusion: Altogether, our data show the antitumor potential of the CEAA against breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Further research is necessary to better elucidate the pharmacological application of the CEAA in breast cancer therapy.
基金Supported by the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico(CNPq),No.483031/2013-5Rede de Pesquisa em Genomica Populacional Humana,No.Biocomputacional/CAPES-051/2013+1 种基金Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado do Pará,No.155/2014and Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte,No.005/2011
文摘AIM To investigate the association between 16 insertiondeletions(INDEL)polymorphisms,colorectal cancer(CRC)risk and clinical features in an admixed population.METHODS One hundred and forty patients with CRC and 140 cancer-free subjects were examined.Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples.Polymorphisms and genomic ancestry distribution were assayed by Multiplex-PCR reaction,separated by capillary electrophoresis on the ABI 3130 Genetic Analyzer instrument and analyzed on GeneMapper ID v3.2.Clinicopathological data were obtained by consulting the patients’clinical charts,intra-operative documentation,and pathology scoring.RESULTS Logistic regression analysis showed that polymorphism variations in IL4 gene was associated with increased CRC risk,while TYMS and UCP2 genes were associated with decreased risk.Reference to anatomical localization of tumor Del allele of NFKB1 and CASP8 were associated with more colon related incidents than rectosigmoid.In relation to the INDEL association with tumor node metastasis(TNM)stage risk,the Ins alleles of ACE,HLAG and TP53(6 bp INDEL)were associated with higher TNM stage.Furthermore,regarding INDEL association with relapse risk,the Ins alleles of ACE,HLAG,and UGT1A1 were associated with early relapse risk,as well as the Del allele of TYMS.Regarding INDEL association with death risk before 10 years,the Ins allele of SGSM3 and UGT1A1 were associated with death risk.CONCLUSION The INDEL variations in ACE,UCP2,TYMS,IL4,NFKB1,CASP8,TP53,HLAG,UGT1A1,and SGSM3 were associated with CRC risk and clinical features in an admixed population.These data suggest that this cancer panel might be useful as a complementary tool for better clinical management,and more studies need to be conducted to confirm these findings.
文摘The Dof (DNA-binding with one finger) proteins are a class of plant-specific transcription factors that can trigger several processes involved in plant growth and development, as well as in stress responses. Here, we performed a systematic bioinformatics analysis to characterize all Dof genes in common bean, which included analysis of the genome sequence, conserved protein domains, chromosomal locations, subcellular locations, phylogenetic relationships, gene duplications, and gene expression profiles in different tissues. Bioinformatics analysis revealed 36 putative genes related to PvDof that were classified into seven subfamilies (A, B1, B2, C1, C2, D1, and, D2) by comparative phylogenetic analysis. Based on our genome duplication analysis, a total of 36 genes were found to be distributed on all 11 chromosomes, and they expanded through gene duplication in tandem, suggesting the involvement of segmental duplication events in the evolutionary process. Synteny events and phylogenetic comparisons of the Dof proteins of common bean with those of A. thaliana, O. sativa, and G. max L. led to the identification of several orthologous and paralogous genes, which provided further insight into the diversity of the evolutionary characteristics of genes of this family in other plant species. Expression profiles revealed that most of the PvDof genes were expressed in different tissues, indicating that PvDof genes may be involved in various physiological functions during plant development. The results of this study provide additional information and potential biotechnological resources for further understanding the molecular basis of this gene family and consequently improvement of common bean crops.
基金The authors are supported by Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul(UFRGS),Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico(CNPq),Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior(CAPES),Fundação de AmparoàPesquisa do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul(FAPERGS),and Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia para Excitotoxicidade e Neuroproteção(INCTEN/CNPq).
文摘Glial cells are crucial for maintaining central nervous system(CNS)homeostasis.They actively participate in immune responses,as well as form functional barriers,such as blood-brain barrier(BBB),which restrict the entry of pathogens and inflammatory mediators into the CNS.In general,viral infections during the gestational period can alter the embryonic and fetal environment,and the related inflammatory response may affect neurodevelopment and lead to behavioral dysfunction during later stage of life,as highlighted by our group for Zika virus infection.Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2(SARS-CoV-2)induces a cytokine storm and,during pregnancy,may be related to a more severe form of the coronavirus disease-19(COVID-19)and also to higher preterm birth rates.SARS-CoV-2 can also affect the CNS by inducing neurochemical remodeling in neural cells,which can compromise neuronal plasticity and synaptic function.However,the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy on postnatal CNS,including brain development during childhood and adulthood,remains undetermined.Our group has recently highlighted the impact of COVID-19 on the expression of molecular markers associated with neuropsychiatric disorders,which are strongly related to the inflammatory response.Thus,based on these relationships,we discussed the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection either during pregnancy or in critical periods of neurodevelopment as a risk factor for neurological consequences in the offspring later in life,focusing on the potential role of glial cells.Thus,it is important to consider future and long-term public health concerns associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy.
文摘BACKGROUND Inflammatory bowel diseases(IBD)are a worldwide health problem and mainly affect young people,consequently affecting the workforce.Available treatments are often associated with side effects,and new therapeutic options are needed.For centuries,plants have represented important substrates in the field of drug development.Lafoensia pacari(L.pacari)is a plant whose pharmaceutical potential has been described,and may have biological activity relevant to the treatment of IBD symptoms.AIM To investigate the activity of keto-alcoholic extracts of L.pacari with respect to ameliorating the inflammatory and nociceptive symptoms of acute experimental colitis in mice.METHODS Keto-alcoholic extracts of L.pacari leaves and bark were administered to male andfemale Swiss mice weighing 25 g to 30 g(n=8 male mice and n=8 female mice).The effect of these extracts was observed in an acetic acid-induced acute experimental model of colitis with regard to antinociception/analgesia and inflammatory tissue damage.Recorded macroscopic indices included the Wallace score and the colon weight obtained using a precision scale.Mechanical hyperalgesia was determined using an electronic analgesimeter.Behavior related to overt pain was determined by quantifying the number of writhing instances within 20 min of administration of acetic acid.Molecular docking was performed using human and murine cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2)with 3 flavonoids(ellagic acid,kaempferol,and quercetin)on the AutoDock Vina software.Analysis of variance followed by Tukey’s posttest was used with P<0.05 indicating significance.RESULTS In this murine model of colitis,administration of extracts from L.pacari ameliorated acetic acidinduced writhing and colitis-associated inflammatory pain.These improvements may be attributable to the reduction in edema,inflammation(e.g.,ulcers,hyperemia,and bowel wall damage),and the intensity of abdominal hyperalgesia.The keto-alcoholic extracts of L.pacari leaves and bark administered at a dose of either 100 mg/kg or 300 mg/kg significantly reduced the number of writhing events when compared to the negative control(P<0.05).Additionally,extracts of L.pacari bark also performed better than Dipyrone.Leaf extracts administered at 10 mg/kg,30 mg/kg,and 100 mg/kg and bark extracts administered at 30 mg/kg significantly reduced or prevented the development of edema in the colon of treated mice,while mesalazine did not.Moreover,using molecular docking,we observed that the flavonoids present in L.pacari extracts bind to COX-2,an event not unique to ellagic acid.CONCLUSION The results of this study demonstrate a potential novel application of L.pacari extracts for the reduction of inflammation and promotion of antinociception/analgesia as demonstrated by our findings in a murine model of colitis.These findings were also corroborated by in silico analyses,and suggest that L.pacari extracts may be a promising therapeutic agent in the treatment of IBD.
基金supported by the Biota Minas Program(Proc.No.APQ 03549-09)FAPEMIG(Proc.No.PCE-00106-12)
文摘Species distribution models are used to aid our understanding of the processes driving the spatial patterns of species’ habitats. This approach has received criticism, however, largely because it neglects landscape metrics. We examined the relative impacts of landscape predictors on the accuracy of habitat models by constructing distribution models at regional scales incorporating environmental variables (climate, topography, vegetation, and soil types) and secondary species occurrence data, and using them to predict the occurrence of 36 species in 15 forest fragments where we conducted rapid surveys. We then selected six landscape predictors at the landscape scale and ran general linear models of species presence/absence with either a single scale predictor (the probabilities of occurrence of the distribution models or landscape variables) or multiple scale predictors (distribution models + one landscape variable). Our results indicated that distribution models alone had poor predictive abilities but were improved when landscape predictors were added; the species responses were not, however, similar to the multiple scale predictors. Our study thus highlights the importance of considering landscape metrics to generate more accurate habitat suitability models.
文摘Crohn's disease with involvement of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum has a prevalence of 0.5% to 4% in symptomatic adult patients, but some studies have shown that these results may be underestimated, since upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is not performed routinely in the initial evaluation of the disease in adult patients, as it is in the pediatric population. In general, involvement of the upper gastrointestinal tract in Crohn's disease occurs concomitantly with involvement of the lower gastrointestinal tract. The diagnosis depends on clinical,endoscopic, histological and radiological evaluation. The presence of aphthoid ulcers, longitudinal ulcers, bamboo-joint-like appearance, stenoses and fistulas are endoscopic findings suggestive of the disease, and it is important to exclude the presence of Helicobacter pylori infection. The primary histological findings,which facilitate the diagnosis, are the presence of a chronic inflammatory process with a predominance of lymphoplasmacytic cells and active focal gastritis. The presence of epithelioid granuloma, although less frequent, is highly suggestive of the disease in the absence of chronic granulomatous disease. Treatment should include the use of proton pump inhibitors associated with corticosteroids,immunomodulators and biological therapy according to the severity of the disease.
文摘Eusocial wasps are excellent models for understanding polyethism and division of labor among castes in social insects. However, little is known about the mechanisms controlling caste determination in eusocial wasps. Evidence suggests that the phenotype of queens in independent-founding (IF) eusocial wasps of the subfamily Polistinae can be partly fixed in the larval stage;however, this hypothesis has not yet been investigated. In this study we evaluate whether juvenile hormone (JH) affects pre-imaginal caste determination in the IF eusocial wasp Mischocyttarus consimilis (Hymenoptera: Vespidae). Analyzing morphometric and behavioral data, we demonstrated experimentally that females emerging from larvae that were treated with JH in the third instar had a significantly larger body size, spent more time in the nest, and were subject to less physical aggression from nestmates compared with females emerging from untreated control larvae. These results indicate that phenotype differences among castes in IF eusocial wasps can be partly fixed in the pre-adult stage and influenced by variations in the JH titer.
文摘Recent analysis indicates that the numbers of dengue cases may be as high as 400 million/year in the world. According to the Ministry of Brazilian Health, in 2015, there were 1,621,797 probable cases of dengue in the country including all classifications except discarded, the highest number recorded in the historical series since 1990. Many studies have found associations between climatic conditions and dengue transmission, especially using generalized models. In this study, Generalized Additive Models (GAM) was used associated to visreg package to understand the effect of climatic variables on capitals of Northeast Brazilian, from 2001 to 2012. From 12 climatic variables, it was verified that the relative humidity was the one that obtained the highest correlation to dengue. Afterwards, GAM associated with visreg was applied to understand the effects between them. Relative humidity explains the dengue incidence at an adjusted rate of 78.0% (in São Luis-MA) and 82.3% (in Teresina-PI) delayed in, respectively, -1 and -2 months.
文摘The Northeast Brazil (NEB) is known for its temporal and spatial variability of precipitation. Several studies have investigated this variability in order to understand the damaging episodes such as droughts and floods. The phenomenon of drought in the NEB is a complex topic due to affecting?millions of people and being?the object of study in several fields of knowledge. One way to try to argue about this phenomenon is through the concept of vulnerability. The “operability” of this broad concept in natural disasters is a complex task. In order to measure an indicator of vulnerability it is necessary large amount of data from different areas of knowledge, among which?include: meteorology, socio-environmental, economic, public health, among other areas. The main objective of this study is to create an index of vulnerability to climate extremes (drought and flood) for the NEB and to compare this rate with those found in the scientific literature. The data that will be used in this study are from ANA (Agência Nacional das águas), IBGE (Instituto Brasileiro de Georgrafia e Estatística), and Ministry of National integration.
基金supported byÁreas Protegidas da Amazônia(ARPA)Amazonas Distribuidora de Energia S.A.,and Associação Comunidade Waimiri Atroari+4 种基金Rufford Foundation(grant number 13675-1)the Conservation Food and Health Foundation,and Idea WildNational Geographic Society grant(NGS-93497C-22)awarded to CAP.I.J is funded through a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship(MR/T019018/1)M.B received a productivity grant from CNPq(304189/2022-7)European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the grant agreement No.854248(TROPIBIO)。
文摘As hydropower development expands across lowland tropical forests,flooding and concomitant insular fragmentation have become important threats to biodiversity.Newly created insular landscapes serve as natural laboratories to investigate biodiversity responses to fragmentation.One of these most iconic landscapes is the Balbina Hydroelectric Reservoir in Brazilian Amazonia,occupying>400000 ha and comprising>3500 forest islands.Here,we synthesise the current knowledge on responses of a wide range of biological groups to insular fragmentation at Balbina.Sampling has largely concentrated on a set of 22 islands and three mainland sites.In total,39 studies were conducted over nearly two decades,covering 17 vertebrate,invertebrate,and plant taxa.Although species responses varied according to taxonomic group,island area was consistently included and played a pivotal role in 66.7%of all studies examining patterns of species diversity.Species persistence was further affected by species traits,mostly related to species capacity to use/traverse the aquatic matrix or tolerate habitat degradation,as noted for species of vertebrates and orchid bees.Further research is needed to improve our understanding of such effects on wider ecosystem functioning.Environmental Impact Assessments must account for changes in both the remaining habitat amount and configuration,and subsequent long-term species losses.
