From 2006 through 2014, we conducted seroepidemiological surveys on non-human primates and sloths to investigate the possible circulation of arboviruses in Bahia Atlantic Forest, Brazil. We collected ...a total of 196 samples from 103
Leontopithecus chrysomelas
, 7
Sapajus xanthosternos
, 22
Bradypus torquatus
and 7
Bradypus variegatus
. Serum samples were tested using neutralization test and hemagglutination inhibition test to detect total antibodies against 26 different arboviruses. The overall prevalence of arboviruses was 36.6% (51/139), with the genus
Flavivirus
having the highest prevalence (33.1%; 46/139), followed by
Phlebovirus
(5.0%; 7/139),
Orthobunyavirus
(4.3%; 6/139) and
Alphavirus
(0.7%; 1/139). Monotypic reactions suggest that the wild animals were exposed naturally to at least twelve arboviruses. Added results from the neutralization test, animals were exposed to thirteen arboviruses. Most of these viruses are maintained in transmission cycles independent of human hosts, although antibodies against dengue virus serotypes 1, 2 and 3 were found in this study. To our knowledge, this is the first study reporting exposure to arboviruses in
L. chrysomelas
,
S. xanthosternos
and
B. torquatus
. Our results also highlight that the Southern Bahia Atlantic Forest has a variety of vertebrate hosts and potential vectors, which may support the emergence or re-emergence of arboviruses, including those pathogenic to humans.
Chagas disease, Human African Trypanosomiasis, and schistosomiasis are neglected parasitic diseases for which new treatments are urgently needed. To identify new chemical leads, we screened the 400 ...compounds of the Open Access Malaria Box against the cysteine proteases, cruzain (Trypanosoma cruzi), rhodesain (Trypanosoma brucei) and SmCB1 (Schistosoma mansoni), which are therapeutic targets for these diseases. Whereas just three hits were observed for SmCB1, 70 compounds inhibited cruzain or rhodesain by at least 50% at 5 μM. Among those, 15 commercially available compounds were selected for confirmatory assays, given their potency, time-dependent inhibition profile and reported activity against parasites. Additional assays led to the confirmation of four novel classes of cruzain and rhodesain inhibitors, with potency in the low-to mid-micromolar range against enzymes and T. cruzi. Assays against mammalian cathepsins S and B revealed inhibitor selectivity for parasitic proteases. For the two competitive inhibitors identified (compounds 7 and 12), their binding mode was predicted by docking, providing a basis for structure-based optimization efforts. Compound 12 also acted directly against the trypomastigote and the intracellular amastigote forms of T. cruzi at 3 μM. Therefore, through a combination of experimental and computational approaches, we report promising hits for optimization in the development of new trypanocidal drugs.
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•70 hits obtained from screening the MMV400 against trypanosomal cysteine proteases.•Compounds 7 and 12 are competitive and selective cruzain and rhodesain inhibitors.•15 selected hits were characterized through confirmatory assays.•New inhibitors show low chemical similarity to a library of known inhibitors.•Compound 12 inhibited also trypomastigote and amastigote forms of T. cruzi.
In the present study, we determined the critical stages and the key factors of mortality for Planococcus citri (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in Brazilian coffee plantations using a life table to ...understand the role of natural biological control on its population. Predators, parasitoids, rainfall, sunlight, physiological disturbances and fungal diseases were collectively responsible for 98.79% in the total mortality of P. citri. Predators belonging to the Chrysopidae, Syrphidae, Dolichopodidae and Coccinellidae families were the most important mortality factors in the early developmental stages of P. citri (i.e. eggs and 1st and 2nd instar nymphs), whereas predators belonging to the Coccinellidae and Chrysopidae families were the most important mortality factors for the last instars (i.e. 3rd instars and adults) for P. citri. The generalist predators Harmonia axyridis, Chrysoperla genanigra and Chrysoperla externa were the key mortality factors for P. citri. The third nymph stage was considered the critical life stage (i.e. the life stage that most influences population size). Our results show that generalist predators and climatic factors are important sources of natural mortality of P. citri governing the population dynamics of this pest in the field.
In this study, we determined the critical stages and the key factors of mortality for Planococcus citri using a life table to understand the role of natural biological control on its population. Predators, parasitoids, rainfall, sunlight, physiological disturbances and fungal diseases were collectively responsible for 98.79% in the total mortality of P. citri. The generalist predators Harmonia axyridis, Chrysoperla genanigra and C. externa were the key mortality factors for P. citri. The third nymph stage was considered the critical mortality stage. Our results show that these generalist predators are important natural control agents of P. citri in the field.
Peppers are used not only in cookery, but also in many other applications, like cosmetic, pharmaceutical and nourishing industry. The chemical composition of peppers is quite complex and several ...volatile and non-volatile substances contribute to their flavor, which is an important sensorial propriety. In this work a headspace/solid phase microextraction/gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry method was developed to evaluate the profiles of volatile compounds that contribute to the aroma of red, yellow and purple varieties of
Capsicum chinense sp. peppers. The optimization of the extraction conditions was carried out using multivariate strategies such as factorial design and response surface methodology. The GC-MS analysis allowed the tentative identification of 34 compounds, with similarities higher than 85%, in accordance with the NIST mass spectral library. The data obtained by the analysis of volatile compounds, according to the proposed method, were treated with PCA chemometrics tool in order to group different varieties of
C. chinense sp. peppers with similar VOC profiles. Amongst the most abundant VOCs, hexyl ester of pentanoic acid, dimethylcyclohexanols, humulene and esters of butanoic acid were found. Principal component analysis turned possible to visualize the grouping tendencies of the studied varieties of pepper, as well as the identification of the volatile compounds responsible for discriminating the three groups. Considering the fact that many species of peppers are used as human food, the significance of this work is further emphasized by its applicability to the study of food quality indicators, and as a tool for investigations on the composition of the pepper sources.
In this work, we have analysed the effects of adding CaTiO
3
(CTO) and changing the temperature on the dielectric and electric properties of ceramic matrix BiVO
4
(BVO) in the radiofrequency range. ...BVO was synthesized by a calcination process at 500 °C and ceramic composites were prepared by the addition of CTO (8, 16, 24, 28 and 32 wt%). These composites were moulded in ceramic pellets and sintered at 800 °C. The crystal structures of BVO and composites were analysed by X-ray diffraction and no spurious phase was detected in the synthesized BVO. Complex impedance spectroscopy observed the presence of a thermo-activated charge transfer process with activation energy increasing with CTO concentration in the samples. The dielectric constant (
ε
) measured in radio frequency for ceramic composites presented high values that ranged from 26 to 9 k for BVO to BV32, respectively, at room temperature and a frequency of 1 Hz. The electrical response obtained by composites were fitted through an equivalent circuit composed of three associations in parallel with the resistance of a constant phase element, which showed minor deviations between the fitted and experimental data. The temperature coefficient of capacitance displayed negative and positive values in CTO-based composites and pure BVO, respectively; these characteristics are favourable for the application of composites in the radio frequency band.
Nanomaterials based on graphene oxide nanoribbons (GNR) and nanohydroxyapatite (nHAp) serve as attractive materials for bone tissue engineering. Herein, we evaluated the potential of nHAp/GNR toward ...in vitro analysis of specific genes related to osteogenesis and in vivo bone regeneration using animal model. Three different concentrations of nHAp/GNR composites were analyzed in vitro using a cytotoxicity assay, and osteogenic potential was determined by ALP, OPN, OCN, COL1, and RUNX2 genes and alkaline phosphatase assays. In vivo bone neoformation using a well-established in vivo rat tibia defect model was used to confirm the efficiency of the optimized composite. The scaffolds were nontoxic, and the osteogenesis process was dose-dependent (at 200 μg mL–1 of nHAp/GNR) compared to controls. The in vivo results showed higher bone neoformation after 15 days of nHAp/GNR implantation compared to all groups. After 21 days, both nHAp/GNR composites showed better lamellar bone formation compared to control. We attributed this enhanced bone neoformation to the high bioactivity and surface area presented by nHAp/GNR composites, which was systematically evaluated in previous studies. These new in vivo results suggest that nHAp/GNR composites can be exploited for a range of strategies for the improved development of novel dental and orthopedic bone grafts to accelerate bone regeneration.
People seek a greater quality of life and healthy aging that culminates in improved self-esteem and vitality in the performance of daily activities; this is generating a growing number of people ...enrolled in gyms in search of quick results. However, this training can result in physical and metabolic damage. During physical exercise, under conditions of oxidative stress, changes take place that lead to the onset of fatigue. The Agaricus brasiliensis mushroom is native to Brazil and has therapeutic potential, with widely studied antioxidant and immunomodulatory capabilities. However, little is known about its potential benefits regarding muscular strength. Therefore, this study evaluated the possible effects of supplementation with this mushroom with respect to strength performance before and after a resistance training session. A blinded randomized trial was performed with male volunteers (n = 5) randomly divided into 2 groups (placebo and treatment with A. brasiliensis). Perceptions of muscle soreness and performance were assessed before and after high-intensity resistance training sessions. The study was executed over a 24-day period. Promising results were found related to intrasession rapid strength, most likely a result of antioxidant action and redox balance. The bioactive compounds in A. brasiliensis revealed the potential to improve conditions of muscle fatigue without altering other parameters. Thus, this mushroom has become a target of great expectations in the fields of fitness and athletics.
Cancer incidence is increasing, and the drugs are not very selective. These drugs cause adverse effects, and the cells become resistant. Therefore, new drugs are needed. Here, we evaluated the ...effects of ZIM, a candidate for chemotherapy, and 4-AA alone and in association with commercial chemotherapeutic agents. Subsequently, the results of ZIM and 4-AA were compared. Male Swiss mice were treated with doses of 12, 24, or 48 mg/kg ZIM or 4-AA alone or in association with cisplatin (6 mg/kg), doxorubicin (16 mg/kg), and cyclophosphamide (100 mg/kg). Biometric parameters, DNA damage (comet and micronuclei), cell death, and splenic phagocytosis were evaluated. DNA docking was also performed to confirm the possible interactions of ZIM and 4-AA with DNA. 4-AA has been shown to have low genotoxic potential, increase the frequency of cell death, and activate phagocytosis. ZIM causes genomic and chromosomal damage in addition to causing cell death and activating phagocytosis. In association with chemotherapeutical agents, both 4-AA and ZIM have a chemopreventive effect and, therefore, reduce the frequency of DNA damage, cell death, and splenic phagocytosis. The association of 4-AA and ZIM with commercial chemotherapeutic agents increased the frequency of lymphocytes compared to chemotherapeutic agents alone. Molecular docking demonstrated that ZIM has more affinity for DNA than 4-AA and its precursors (1 and 2). This was confirmed by the lower interaction energy of the complex (−119.83 kcal/mol). ZIM can break the DNA molecule and, therefore, its chemotherapeutic effect can be related to DNA damage. It is considered that ZIM has chemotherapeutic potential. However, it should not be used in combination with cisplatin, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide as it reduces the effects of these drugs.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the duodenal-jejunal bypass liner (DJBL), a 60-cm, impermeable fluoropolymer liner anchored in the duodenum to create a duodenal-jejunal ...bypass, on metabolic parameters in obese subjects with type 2 diabetes.
Twenty-two subjects (mean age, 46.2±10.5 years) with type 2 diabetes and a body mass index between 40 and 60 kg/m(2) (mean body mass index, 44.8±7.4 kg/m(2)) were enrolled in this 52-week, prospective, open-label clinical trial. Endoscopic device implantation was performed with the patient under general anesthesia, and the subjects were examined periodically during the next 52 weeks. Primary end points included changes in fasting blood glucose and insulin levels and changes in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). The DJBL was removed endoscopically at the end of the study.
Thirteen subjects completed the 52-week study, and the mean duration of the implant period for all subjects was 41.9±3.2 weeks. Reasons for early removal of the device included device migration (n=3), gastrointestinal bleeding (n=1), abdominal pain (n=2), principal investigator request (n=2), and discovery of an unrelated malignancy (n=1). Using last observation carried forward, statistically significant reductions in fasting blood glucose (-30.3±10.2 mg/dL), fasting insulin (-7.3±2.6 μU/mL), and HbA1c (-2.1±0.3%) were observed. At the end of the study, 16 of the 22 subjects had an HbA1c<7% compared with only one of 22 at baseline. Upper abdominal pain (n=11), back pain (n=5), nausea (n=7), and vomiting (n=7) were the most common device-related adverse events.
The DJBL improves glycemic status in obese subjects with diabetes and therefore represents a nonsurgical, reversible alternative to bariatric surgery.
Abstract
The Brazilian Practice Guidelines for Stroke Rehabilitation – Part II, developed by the Scientific Department of Neurological Rehabilitation of the Brazilian Academy of Neurology (Academia ...Brasileira de Neurologia, in Portuguese), focuses on specific rehabilitation techniques to aid recovery from impairment and disability after stroke. As in Part I, Part II is also based on recently available evidence from randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and other guidelines. Part II covers disorders of communication, dysphagia, postural control and balance, ataxias, spasticity, upper limb rehabilitation, gait, cognition, unilateral spatial neglect, sensory impairments, home rehabilitation, medication adherence, palliative care, cerebrovascular events related to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, the future of stroke rehabilitation, and stroke websites to support patients and caregivers. Our goal is to provide health professionals with more recent knowledge and recommendations for better rehabilitation care after stroke.
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