Alcohol is one of the most consumed psychoactive substances in the world, and the negative impact related to alcohol use has become a worldwide public health issue. Alcohol is able to affect ...diffusely several areas of the Central Nervous System, which could impair visual functions, including eye movements, and cognitive processes. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of moderate alcohol intake in eyes movements, as an indicator of cognitive processing underlying the visual search in a the Maze task. We investigated the concentration of 0.08% blood alcohol concentration (BAC), using an intra-subject, double-blind, and placebo-controlled experimental design with a sample size of 20 young adults (11 men and nine women). All volunteers participated in both conditions, i.e., alcohol (0.08%) and placebo (0.00%), in a counterbalanced order. We use the Tobii TX300 eye tracker to evaluate eye movements during completion of Visual Maze Test. The results showed significant differences in the following eye movement patterns: the first fixation latency, number and duration of fixations (mean and total), the number and duration of saccades (mean and total), and the total execution time in the test. In addition, we investigate the areas of interest (AOI), decision points in which the participant must decide which course to follow. We verified that the participants in the alcohol condition had a significantly greater number of fixations in both AOI, in comparison to the placebo condition. Overall, our findings confirm that moderate doses of alcohol can change the eye movements of young adults. These alterations may evidence the influence of alcohol in cognitive processes, such as flexibility, attention, and planning, which are required during resolution of Maze Task.
•VPA use during pre and/or post-natal can cause deficits consistent with ASD.•Valproic acid prenatal and postnatal exposure in animal is a useful model for ASD.•ASD treatment is efficient in core and ...associated symptoms in animal models.•Peptides and bioinspired compounds are a possible future treatment of ASD.
Over the past 70 years, the understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) improved greatly and is characterized as a heterogeneous neuropsychiatric syndrome. ASD is characterized by difficulties in social communication, restricted and repetitive behavior, interests, or activities. And it is often described as a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental factors. There are many treatments and approaches to ASD, including pharmacological therapies with antipsychotics, antidepressants, mood regulators, stimulants, and behavioral ones. However, no treatment is capable of reverting ASD. This review provides an overview of animal models of autism. We summarized genetic and environmental models and then valproic acid treatment as a useful model for ASD. As well as the main therapies and approaches used in the treatment, relating them to the neurochemical pathways altered in ASD, emphasizing the pharmacological potential of peptides and bioinspired compounds found in animal venoms as a possible future treatment for ASD.
Resumo Este artigo tem o objetivo de analisar os indicadores da Síndrome de Burnout na atuação docente durante a pandemia a fim de identificar fatores e condições associadas a suas dimensões. O ...estudo caracteriza-se como uma pesquisa mista de design convergente, envolvendo 438 professores brasileiros. A coleta de dados foi realizada por meio da aplicação de um questionário on-line e a adaptação de um instrumento padronizado para a avaliação da Síndrome de Burnout. Entre os principais resultados, destaca-se que alguns fatores (como sexo, idade, nível de atuação e competência digital) podem ser relacionados aos indicadores de sofrimento psíquico e de qualidade de vida e saúde.
Abstract This article analyzes the Burnout Syndrome indicators in teaching activities during the pandemic to identify factors and conditions that can be associated with its dimensions. The study conducted with 438 Brazilian teachers used convergent mixed methods. We collected data through online questionnaires and the adaptation of a standardized instrument to assess Burnout Syndrome. Among the main results, we found that factors such as gender, age, level of performance, and digital competence can be associated with indicators of psychological distress, life quality, and health.
Este trabalho tem objetivo de caracterizar os comportamentos das crianças relacionados à interação com os jogos digitais, incluindo as mediações parentais e a verificação da influência do tempo de ...acesso sobre o desempenho da atenção. A pesquisa ex-post-facto teve uma abordagem quantitativa com base na aplicação de um questionário e de testes psicológicos, envolvendo 91 alunos com idade média de 11,6 anos. Os resultados revelaram que 96,8% dos participantes jogam e que 47,3% deles jogam de 1 a 2 horas por dia. Em relação à mediação parental, 74,16% dos pais controlam o tempo de acesso. A análise da relação entre a faixa de tempo e o desempenho dos tipos de atenção revelou que as crianças jogam de 1 a 2 horas por dia têm melhor desempenho da atenção concentrada, e aquelas que jogam entre 2 e 6 horas demonstram melhor desempenho da atenção dividida, porém sem revelar uma diferença estatisticamente significativa.
The aim of this study was to validate a one-tube nested real-time PCR assay followed by genetic sequencing to detect and identify Cryptosporidium species and genotypes in birds. A total of 443 ...genomic DNA extracted from avian fecal samples were analyzed by one-tube nested real-time PCR and conventional nested PCR. By one-tube nested real-time PCR, 90/443 (20.3%) samples were positive for Cryptosporidium spp. In contrast, 36/443 (8.1%) samples were positive for Cryptosporidium spp. by conventional nested PCR. The analytical sensitivity test showed that one-tube nested real-time PCR detects approximately 0.5 oocyst (2 sporozoites) per reaction. An evaluation of analytical specificity did not reveal amplification of microorganisms that commonly present nonspecific amplification with primers used for the diagnosis of Cryptosporidium spp. The repeatability analysis showed the same result in 27 out of 30 samples (90%). As for the reproducibility of one-tube nested real-time PCR, 24 of the 30 samples examined (80%) showed the same result. All the 90 samples amplified by one-tube real-time nested PCR were successfully sequenced, leading to the identification of C. baileyi, C. galli, C. meleagridis, C. proventriculi, and Cryptosporidium avian genotype I. Genetic sequencing of conventional nested PCR amplicons was successful in 10/36 (27.8%) of positive samples.
Abstract Aims: This study aims to analyze the influence of adventure race disciplines on the overall performance during 35 to 50-km competitions. Methods: Twenty-four athletes from twelve teams were ...studied during the second (Jacarei-SP, Brazil, 44.5-km) and fourth (Passa Quatro-MG, Brazil, 37.1-km) races of the 2015 Haka Race Series, which comprised Brazilian Adventure Race Ranking. We analysed the relationship between disciplines velocities and overall race velocity of the teams during each competition. Results: We observed the race velocity of the teams during second race was significantly (P < 0.05) correlated with the first (R=0.80) and last (R=0.65) split velocities of trekking, and with the last split velocity of mountain biking (R=0.73). On the other hand, the race velocity of teams during fourth race was significantly (P < 0.05) correlated with the split velocity performed during the course of water trekking with trekking (R=0.96). Conclusion: Greater performance of the athletes in the disciplines of mountain biking, trekking and water trekking is related to their overall performance during 35-50 km ARs. In addition, the influence of adventure race disciplines is specific to the overall performance during different competitions.
Display omitted
•Castor meal was effectively separated by sieving in fractions with different compositions.•Fractions of castor meal with finer particles are richer in N, P, K, Mg, and S.•Coarse and ...fine fractions are similar organic fertilizer if the doses have equal N content.•Residual effect of organic fertilization with castor meal was not detected.•Soil microbial activity was negligible 4 weeks after the meal was added to the soil.
Castor meal is the main by-product of the industrial oil extraction of castor seed (Ricinus communis L.). It was observed that castor meal could be separated by sieving into apparently distinct fractions. This study measured the relative weight and the nutrient content of six granulometric fractions of castor meal separated by sieving and tested the hypothesis that the fractions with lower N content have a longer residual effect when used as organic fertilizer. Samples of solvent-extracted castor meal were sieved in meshes with openings varying from 9.5 to 0.11 mm. The relative weight of each fraction was measured and calculated, and the nutrient content was determined. In another experiment, the meal was sieved into only three fractions for being tested as organic fertilizer for cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) plants for two consecutive growth cycles without additional organic fertilization. The finest fraction (particles < 0.11 mm) had a relative weight of 3.53 %, and the highest relative weight (32.85 %) was found in the fraction with particles between 1.0 and 2.0 mm. The finer were the particles, the higher was the content of N, P, K, Mg, and S, and the lower was the content of Ca. All the castor meal fractions were effective as organic fertilizer for cotton plants. The only difference among fractions was the nutrient content. The evolution of CO2 by microbial respiration confirmed that all the three fractions of castor meal were completely mineralized within one month. Castor meal fractions had no residual effect for supplying N to cotton plants cultivated in the same soil for the second cycle without additional organic fertilization.
O presente estudo objetivou investigar a relação entre a idade (sub-13 e sub-15) e o momento competitivo (início e final da competição) com os níveis de coesão de grupo em atletas amadores de ...basquetebol. Participaram 26 atletas (12 e 14 respectivamente). O instrumento utilizado foi o Questionário de Ambiente de Grupo: GEQ. As análises foram conduzidas entre os grupos, comparando os resultados do início e do final do campeonato. Utilizou-se o teste U de Mann-Whitney para comparação entre grupos, e o Friedman para análise intragrupo. Os resultados demonstraram que não houve diferença significante entre os grupos em nenhum momento do campeonato (início e final), para nenhuma dimensão, com os grupos investigados apresentando elevados escores nas dimensões relacionadas à tarefa, tanto no início quanto no final do campeonato. Assim, pode-se considerar que nem a idade, nem o momento da competição influenciaram os níveis de coesão, pois os dois grupos do estudo apresentaram níveis de coesão similares e elevados, tanto no início quanto no final da competição, o que é apontado como relevante para o bom desempenho esportivo dos atletas.
Palavras-chave: Coesão de grupo; basquetebol; psicologia do esporte; ambiente de grupo.
This study used several diagnostic methods to examine the occurrence of and molecularly characterize Cryptosporidium spp. in captive canaries (Serinus canaria) in southern and southeastern Brazil. A ...total of 498 fecal samples were purified by centrifugal-flotation using Sheather's solution. Cryptosporidium spp. diagnosis was performed using three diagnostic methods: malachite green negative staining, nested PCR targeting the 18S rRNA gene, followed by sequencing the amplified fragments, and duplex real-time PCR targeting the 18S rRNA specific to detect Cryptosporidium galli and Cryptosporidium avian genotype III. The overall positivity for Cryptosporidium spp. (total samples positive in at least one protocol) from the microscopic analysis, nested PCR and duplex real-time PCR protocol results was 13.3% (66/498). The positivity rates were 2.0% (10/498) and 4.6% (23/498) for Cryptosporidium spp. by microscopy and nested PCR, respectively. Sequencing of 20 samples amplified by nested PCR identified C. galli (3.0%; 15/498), Cryptosporidium avian genotype I (0.8%; 4/498) and Cryptosporidium avium (0.2%; 1/498). Duplex real-time PCR revealed a positivity of 7.8% (39/498) for C. galli and 2.4% (12/498) for avian genotype III. Malachite green negative staining differed significantly from nested PCR in detecting Cryptosporidium spp. Duplex real-time PCR was more sensitive than nested PCR/sequencing for detecting gastric Cryptosporidium in canaries.
PDF
