Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the main cause of death and disability in developed countries. In most cases, the progress of CVD is influenced by environmental factors and multifactorial ...inheritance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between APOE genotypes, cardiovascular risk factors, and a non-invasive measure of arterial stiffness in the Brazilian population.
A total of 1493 urban Brazilian individuals were randomly selected from the general population of the Vitoria City Metropolitan area. Genetic analysis of the APOE polymorphism was conducted by PCR-RFLP and pulse wave velocity analyzed with a noninvasive automatic device.
Age, gender, body mass index, triglycerides, creatinine, uric acid, blood glucose, blood pressure phenotypes were no different between ε2, ε3 and ε4 alleles. The ε4 allele was associated with higher total-cholesterol (p < 0.001), LDL-C (p < 0.001), total-cholesterol/HDL-C ratio (p < 0.001), LDL/HDL-C ratio (p < 0.001), lower HDL-C values (p < 0.001) and higher risk to obesity (OR = 1.358, 95% CI = 1.019-1.811) and hyperuricemia (OR = 1.748, 95% CI = 1.170-2.611). Nevertheless, pulse wave velocity (p = 0.66) measures were no different between genotypes. The significant association between APOE genotypes and lipid levels persisted after a 5-year follow-up interval, but no interaction between time and genotype was observed for lipids longitudinal behavior.
The ε4 allele of the APOE gene is associated with a worse lipid profile in the Brazilian urban population. In our relatively young sample, the observed effect of APOE genotype on lipid levels was not translated into significant effects in arterial wall stiffness.
Β-glucosidases are key enzymes used in second-generation biofuel production. They act in the last step of the lignocellulose saccharification, converting cellobiose in glucose. However, most of the ...β-glucosidases are inhibited by high glucose concentrations, which turns it a limiting step for industrial production. Thus, β-glucosidases have been targeted by several studies aiming to understand the mechanism of glucose tolerance, pH and thermal resistance for constructing more efficient enzymes. In this paper, we present a database of β-glucosidase structures, called Glutantβase. Our database includes 3842 GH1 β-glucosidase sequences collected from UniProt. We modeled the sequences by comparison and predicted important features in the 3D-structure of each enzyme. Glutantβase provides information about catalytic and conserved amino acids, residues of the coevolution network, protein secondary structure, and residues located in the channel that guides to the active site. We also analyzed the impact of beneficial mutations reported in the literature, predicted in analogous positions, for similar enzymes. We suggested these mutations based on six previously described mutants that showed high catalytic activity, glucose tolerance, or thermostability (A404V, E96K, H184F, H228T, L441F, and V174C). Then, we used molecular docking to verify the impact of the suggested mutations in the affinity of protein and ligands (substrate and product). Our results suggest that only mutations based on the H228T mutant can reduce the affinity for glucose (product) and increase affinity for cellobiose (substrate), which indicates an increment in the resistance to product inhibition and agrees with computational and experimental results previously reported in the literature. More resistant β-glucosidases are essential to saccharification in industrial applications. However, thermostable and glucose-tolerant β-glucosidases are rare, and their glucose tolerance mechanisms appear to be related to multiple and complex factors. We gather here, a set of information, and made predictions aiming to provide a tool for supporting the rational design of more efficient β-glucosidases. We hope that Glutantβase can help improve second-generation biofuel production. Glutantβase is available at http://bioinfo.dcc.ufmg.br/glutantbase .
To meet the demands of vehicular safety and greenhouse gas emission reduction, the automotive industry is increasingly using advanced high strength steels (AHSS) in the production of the components. ...With the development of the new generation of AHSS, it is essential to study their behavior towards manufacturing processes used in the automotive industry. For this purpose, the welding capability of newly developed third-generation Gen3 980T steel was investigated using the Nd:YAG (Neodymium:Yittrium Aluminum Garnet) laser-welding with different parameter conditions. The analysis was made by uniaxial tensile tests, micro-hardness, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). The criteria used to evaluate the quality of the weld were the distance between the fracture and the weld bead and the surface finish. A relationship between the quality of the weld and the energy density was observed, expressed by a partial penetration for values below the optimal, and by irregularities in the weld bead and a high number of spatters for the values above the optimal.
The marine environment is constantly being impacted by anthropogenic activities. Nowadays, microplastics (MPs) representing one of the most deleterious material among of all substances and material ...from anthropogenic origin. The Microplastics (MPs) are particles smaller than 5 mm. This study presents information on abundance, distribution, type and colour of microplastics in the bottom sediments of the continental Shelf of Rio de Janeiro State. This area is strongly impacted due to its location in front of one of the most polluted coastal bays in the Brazilian Coastline. It receives untreated sewage from an Ipanema Beach submarine emissary and also a great amount of sediments dredged from Rio de Janeiro Harbour, which strongly influences the distribution of MPs in the area. The analyses detected the presence of MP in 100% of the samples, composed mainly by secondary microplastics, and almost 50% were fibers, followed by plastic films, plastic fragments and pellets. Based on the nature of the sources of the MP, a great variety of colours was shown, dominated by four main colours: blue, white, transparent, and black, this pattern could potentially increase their bioavailability due to resemblance to prey items, especially to visual raptorial species.
•Microplastic pollution in Rio de Janeiro Continental Shelf•Concentrations and distribution of microplastic in the bottom sediment of Rio de Janeiro Continental Shelf•Type and colour of microplastic in the bottom sediment of Rio de Janeiro Continental Shelf•The impact of dumping sites in the concentrations of microplastic in the bottom sediment of Rio de Janeiro Continental Shelf
PurposeCardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major challenge to global health. The same epidemiological transition scenario is replayed as countries develop, but with variations based on environment, ...culture and ethnic mixture. The Baependi Heart Study was set up in 2005 to develop a longitudinal family-based cohort study that reflects on some of the genetic and lifestyle-related peculiarities of the Brazilian populations, in order to evaluate genetic and environmental influences on CVD risk factor traits.ParticipantsProbands were recruited in Baependi, a small rural town in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, following by first-degree and then increasingly more distant relatives. The first follow-up wave took place in 2010, and the second in 2016. At baseline, the study evaluated 1691 individuals across 95 families. Cross-sectional data have been collected for 2239 participants.Findings to dateEnvironmental and lifestyle factors and measures relevant to cardiovascular health have been reported. Having expanded beyond cardiovascular health outcomes, the phenotype datasets now include genetics, biochemistry, anthropometry, mental health, sleep and circadian rhythms. Many of these have yielded heritability estimates, and a shared genetic background of anxiety and depression has recently been published. In spite of universal access to electricity, the population has been found to be strongly shifted towards morningness compared with metropolitan areas.Future plansA new follow-up, marking 10 years of the study, is ongoing in 2016, in which data are collected as in 2010 (with the exception of the neuropsychiatric protocol). In addition to this, a novel questionnaire package collecting information about intelligence, personality and spirituality is being planned. The data set on circadian rhythms and sleep will be amended through additional questionnaires, actimetry, home sleep EEG recording and dim light melatonin onset (DLMO) analysis. Finally, the anthropometric measures will be expanded by adding three-dimensional facial photography, voice recording and anatomical brain MRI.
COVID-19, also known as coronavirus disease 2019, is an infectious viral disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, a novel coronavirus. Since its emergence, its epidemiology has been explored; however, for some ...regions of the world, COVID-19's behavior, incidence, and impact remain unclear. In continental nations like Brazil, this lack of knowledge results in nonuniform control, prevention, and treatment measures, which can be controversial in some locations. This study aimed to describe the epidemiological profile of patients with COVID-19 in the macroregion of Triângulo Sul in the state of Minas Gerais (MG), Brazil. Between March 25 and October 21, 2020, data were collected and statistically analyzed from 395 hospitalized patients in the city of Uberaba, MG, suspected to have moderate or severe forms of the disease. Of the 395 suspected cases, 82% were confirmed to be positive for COVID-19. The mean age of positive patients was 58.4 years, and 60.76% were male. Following these patients throughout their hospitalization, a mortality rate of 31.3% was observed. In the population positive for COVID-19, the risk of death increased by 4% for each year of the patient's age. Likewise, the older the patient, the longer their hospitalization and the higher the risk of developing acute respiratory failure. Among the treatments tested in patients, heparin was associated with protection against mortality, and the absence of anticoagulant use was linked to a more than six times greater risk of death. Finally, comorbidities in patients with COVID-19 were positively correlated with increased hospitalization time. In summary, this study revealed that age, presence of comorbidities, length of hospitalization, and drug treatment considerably altered COVID-19's lethality. To understand infection rates and the factors involved in COVID-19's lethality, knowledge of the local epidemiology is necessary.
The material characterization regarding sheet metal formability is usually assessed by the forming limit curve (FLC). The FLC requires specialized and expensive equipment, several samples with ...different geometries, and can be a very time-consuming procedure for data treatment. Alternatively, the hole expansion test (HET) and the Erichsen Cupping Test (ECT) can be used for routine evaluations of sheet metal mechanical behavior. These formability tests require fewer quantities of material and easy specimen preparation with a fast analysis of results. The HET and ECT procedures provide a proper evaluation of sheet material stretch-flangeability, formability, strength, and ductility. In this work, we developed a low-cost mechanical device capable of performing the HET and ECT tests using a universal testing machine. The equipment is designed to meet the test parameters set by ISO 16630 (HET) and ISO 20482 (ECT) standards. In order to verify its functionality, tests were carried out with the dual-phase steels DP600 and DP780. The corresponding values determined for the hole expansion ratio and the Erichsen index provided reliable results in terms of the accuracy and repeatability of the proposed testing device.
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is endemic in Belo Horizonte (State of Minas Gerais, Brazil).
Leishmania sp. can naturally infect several species of mammals, and the domestic dog is the most important ...reservoir of the disease in South America. This report describes five cases of visceral leishmaniasis in Brazilian canids. Among 15 animals kept in captivity in a zoo in Belo Horizonte (State of Minas Gerais, Brazil), two animals, a bush dog (
Spheotos venaticos) and a hoary zorro (
Lycalopex vetulus) were serologically positive and developed clinical signs of VL, whereas three other canids, including a crab-eating fox (
Cerdocyon thous), a maned wolf (
Chrysocyon brachyurus), and a hoary zorro (
Lycalopex vetulus) had positive serological results without clinical signs.
Few studies have discussed the reasons for pharmacological undertreatment of Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS).
To determine the frequency and reasons for the non-administration and suspension of ...medications during in-hospital treatments of ACS in the Strategy of Registry of Acute Coronary Syndrome (ERICO) study.
The present study analyzed the medical charts of the 563 participants in the ERICO study to evaluate the frequency and reasons for the non-administration and/or suspension of medications. Logistic regression models were built to analyze if sex, age ≥65 years of age, educational level, or ACS subtype were associated with (a) the non-administration of ≥1 medications; and (b) the non-administration or suspension of ≥1 medications. The significance level was set at 5%.
This study's sample included 58.1% males, with a median of 62 years of age. In 183 (32.5%) participants, ≥1 medications were not administered, while in 288 (51.2%), ≥1 medications were not administered or were suspended. The most common reasons were the risk of bleeding (aspirin, clopidogrel, and heparin), heart failure (beta blockers), and hypotension (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers). Individuals aged ≥65 (odds ratio OR:1.51; 95% confidence interval 95% CI:1.05-2.19) and those with unstable angina (OR:1.72; 95% CI:1.07-2.75) showed a higher probability for the non-administration of ≥1 medication. Considering only patients with myocardial infarction, being ≥65 years of age was associated with both the non-administration and the non-administration or suspension of ≥1 medication.
Non-administration or suspension of ≥1 medication proved to be common in this ERICO study. Individuals of ≥65 years of age or with unstable angina showed a higher probability of the non-administration of ≥1 medication and may be undertreated in this scenario. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; 115(5):830-839).
Historically, carbon dioxide emissions from transport have been a globally discussed and analyzed problem. The adoption of flex fuel vehicles designed to run ethanol–gasoline blends is important to ...mitigate these emissions. The main purpose of this paper is to analyze the impact of the ethanol–gasoline price ratio on different vehicle models, and discuss the opportunities to increase ethanol consumption from this perspective. Our analysis shows that the use of a unique fuel economy ratio for all flex–fuel vehicles in the country significantly reduces the opportunity of some customers to purchase hydrous ethanol. The paper also discusses possible actions to provide adequate information that may increase the possibility of fuelling vehicles with a high-level ethanol blend.
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