The dibenzylbutyrolactolic lignan (−)-cubebin was isolated from dry seeds of Piper cubeba L. (Piperaceae). (−)-Cubebin possesses anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antimicrobial activities. Doxorubicin ...(DXR) is a topoisomerase-interactive agent that may induce single- and double-strand breaks, intercalate into the DNA and generate oxygen free radicals. Here, we examine the mutagenicity and recombinogenicity of different concentrations of (−)-cubebin alone or in combination with DXR using standard (ST) and high bioactivation (HB) crosses of the wing Somatic Mutation And Recombination Test in Drosophila melanogaster. The results from both crosses were rather similar. (−)-Cubebin alone did not induce mutation or recombination. At lower concentrations, (−)-cubebin statistically reduced the frequencies of DXR-induced mutant spots. At higher concentrations, however, (−)-cubebin was found to potentiate the effects of DXR, leading to either an increase in the production of mutant spots or a reduction, due to toxicity. These results suggest that depending on the concentration, (−)-cubebin may interact with the enzymatic system that catalyzes the metabolic detoxification of DXR, inhibiting the activity of mitochondrial complex I and thereby scavenging free radicals. Recombination was found to be the major effect of the treatments with DXR alone. The combined treatments reduced DXR mutagenicity but did not affect DXR recombinogenicity.
The yellow fever virus (YFV) epidemic in Brazil is the largest in decades. The recent discovery of YFV in Brazilian
species mosquitos highlights a need to monitor the risk of reestablishment of urban ...YFV transmission in the Americas. We use a suite of epidemiological, spatial, and genomic approaches to characterize YFV transmission. We show that the age and sex distribution of human cases is characteristic of sylvatic transmission. Analysis of YFV cases combined with genomes generated locally reveals an early phase of sylvatic YFV transmission and spatial expansion toward previously YFV-free areas, followed by a rise in viral spillover to humans in late 2016. Our results establish a framework for monitoring YFV transmission in real time that will contribute to a global strategy to eliminate future YFV epidemics.
Summary Objective To evaluate the efficacy of intra-articular (IA) glucocorticoids for knee or hip osteoarthritis (OA) in specific subgroups of patients with severe pain and inflammatory signs using ...individual patient data (IPD) from existing trials. Design Randomized trials evaluating one or more IA glucocorticoid preparation in patients with knee or hip OA, published from 1995 up to June 2012 were selected from the literature. IPD obtained from original trials included patient and disease characteristics and outcomes measured. The primary outcome was pain severity at short-term follow-up (up to 4 weeks). The subgroup factors assessed included severe pain (≥70 points, 0–100 scale) and signs of inflammation (dichotomized in present or not) at baseline. Multilevel regression analyses were applied to estimate the magnitude of the effects in the subgroups with the individuals nested within each study. Results Seven out of 43 published randomized clinical trials ( n = 620) were included. Patients with severe baseline pain had a significantly larger reduction in short-term pain, but not in mid- and long-term pain, compared to those with less severe pain at baseline (Mean Difference 13.91; 95% Confidence Interval 1.50–26.31) when receiving IA glucocorticoid injection compared to placebo. No statistical significant interaction effects were found between inflammatory signs and IA glucocorticoid injections compared to placebo and to tidal irrigation at all follow-up points. Conclusions This IPD meta-analysis demonstrates that patients with severe knee pain at baseline derive more benefit from IA glucocorticoid injection at short-term follow-up than those with less severe pain at baseline.
Delay Differential Analysis (DDA) is a nonlinear method for analyzing time series based on principles from nonlinear dynamical systems. DDA is extended here to incorporate network aspects to improve ...the dynamical characterization of complex systems. To demonstrate its effectiveness, DDA with network capabilities was first applied to the well-known Rössler system under different parameter regimes and noise conditions. Network-motif DDA, based on cortical regions, was then applied to invasive intracranial electroencephalographic data from drug-resistant epilepsy patients undergoing presurgical monitoring. The directional network motifs between brain areas that emerge from this analysis change dramatically before, during, and after seizures. Neural systems provide a rich source of complex data, arising from varying internal states generated by network interactions.
CaCu3Ti4O12/CaTiO3 (CCTO/CTO) composites with additions of x% SnO2 (x = 0, 1, 2, and 5%) were prepared using the low cost, nontoxic, and simple solid-state reaction. The high dielectric loss ...associated with CCTO-based ceramics limits applications and drives the development of new solutions (e.g., ceramic composites). The incorporation of the Sn4+ ions in the CCTO structure predicted using atomistic simulations was confirmed experimentally by the Rietveld analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and its influence on the dielectric and nonohmic response was evaluated using impedance spectroscopy and current-voltage measurements. The results show that the doubly-ionized oxygen vacancies (VO••) generate enhanced grain boundary response, optimizing the dielectric permittivity at 1 kHz for samples with x = 2% (ε⁓1.42 × 105). On the other hand, the nonlinear coefficient was enhanced on the sample with x = 1% (α⁓7.0) with low leakage current (0.534 mA) and improved breakdown electric field (Eb⁓1.274 kV/cm). Thus, our work demonstrates the possibility to tune the dielectric, and nonohmic response using CCTO/CTO/SnO2 composites based on the internal barrier layer capacitor effect.
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•Tunable dielectric-nonohmic response was obtained for CCTO/CTO/SnO2 ceramic composites.•ε' was improved due to Sn4+ addition, creating oxygen vacancies (VO••) which leads to tuned grain boundary response.•The dielectric permittivity at 1 kHz was significantly enhanced from 3.02 × 104 (x = 0%) to 1.42 × 105 (x = 2%).•α - Eb was enhanced from 3.1 - 0.643 kV/cm (x = 0%) to 7.0 - 1.274 kV/cm (x = 1%) with low leakage current (0.534 mA).
CaCu3Ti4O12 (CCTO): x% W (x = 0.00, 0.02, 0.05, 0.10, 2.50, and 5.00) powders were prepared via solid-state reaction. The effect of W addition in the (micro)structure and optical properties was ...analyzed using computing simulations and experimental techniques. The widespread application of perovskite-light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs), photovoltaic devices, and photocatalysis is limited by the intrinsic instability of the perovskite materials (e.g., metal halides), compromising operational efficiency, and pushing for the development of novel perovskite materials. The Rietveld analysis and XPS results confirm the presence of W5+, Ti3+, and Cu+ ions in all samples of the CaCu3Ti4O12: x% W system, leading to structural changes that strongly influence the PL response of the material. Based on a correlation approach, a practical model explaining the relationship between electronic defects and photoluminescent (PL) emissions in the CCTO system is proposed. On samples x = 0.00, 0.10, and 5.00, red PL emissions are due to the presence of metal vacancies, and deep-level defects, while blue PL emissions on samples x = 0.02, 0.05, and 2.50 are associated with shallow defects. Thus, our research shows evidence that CaCu3Ti4O12 (CCTO): W ceramic systems may be promising to photonics applications.
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I hereby state the prime novelty of our work:1)Rietveld analysis and XPS results confirmed the presence of W5+, Ti3+, and Cu+ ions in all samples of the CaCu3Ti4O12: x% W system, leading to structural changes that strongly influence the PL response of the material.2)A model elucidating the PL response mechanism based on trapped defects (VCa’’, VCu’’, and VO•) and charge recombination was provided as a function of the W concentration to explain the tunable PL emissions.3)The radiant efficiency of CaCu3Ti4O12 was significantly enhanced by the addition of W from ηr ⁓ 10.9% (x = 0.00) to ηr ⁓ 55.2% (x = 2.50).
Aim
To investigate biotic and abiotic correlates of reef‐fish species richness across multiple spatial scales.
Location
Tropical reefs around the globe, including 485 sites in 109 sub‐provinces ...spread across 14 biogeographic provinces.
Time period
Present.
Major taxa studied
2,523 species of reef fish.
Methods
We compiled a database encompassing 13,050 visual transects. We used hierarchical linear Bayesian models to investigate whether fish body size, reef area, isolation, temperature, and anthropogenic impacts correlate with reef‐fish species richness at each spatial scale (i.e., sites, sub‐provinces, provinces). Richness was estimated using coverage‐based rarefaction. We also tested whether species packing (i.e., transect‐level species richness/m2) is correlated with province‐level richness.
Results
Body size had the strongest effect on species richness across all three spatial scales. Reef area and temperature were both positively correlated with richness at all spatial scales. At the site scale only, richness decreased with reef isolation. Species richness was not correlated with proxies of human impacts. Species packing was correlated with species richness at the province level following a sub‐linear power function. Province‐level differences in species richness were also mirrored by patterns of body size distribution at the site scale. Species‐rich provinces exhibited heterogeneous assemblages of small‐bodied species with small range sizes, whereas species‐poor provinces encompassed homogeneous assemblages composed by larger species with greater dispersal capacity.
Main conclusions
Our findings suggest that body size distribution, reef area and temperature are major predictors of species richness and accumulation across scales, consistent with recent theories linking home range to species–area relationships as well as metabolic effects on speciation rates. Based on our results, we hypothesize that in less diverse areas, species are larger and likely more dispersive, leading to larger range sizes and less turnover between sites. Our results indicate that changes in province‐level (i.e., regional) richness should leave a tractable fingerprint in local assemblages, and that detailed studies on local‐scale assemblage composition may be informative of responses occurring at larger scales.
•This is the first cross-sectional multicenter study of prevalence, incidence and risk factors of HBV infection in the male and female prison population in Brazil (n=3.368 prisoners distributed in 12 ...closed prisons).•HBV exposure was observed in 9.8% (95% CI: 8.8 to 10.8) prisoners; 11.2% of them were female and 9.6% male.•High prevalence of HCV (2.4%), HIV (1.6%) and Treponema pallidum (10.7%) infections were observed among prisoners with evidence of HBV exposure.•Despite the low incidence of HBV infection (0.18/100 person-years), preventive measures to interrupt the chain of HBV transmission are required.
Prison populations are at high risk for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence, incidence, HBV associated factors and circulating genotypes/subtypes.
A total of 3,368 prisoners from 12 closed prisons were randomly recruited for a cross-sectional study. In addition, a cohort study was conducted 12 months later and included 1,656 individuals. Participants underwent an interview and blood collection for the detection of HBV serological markers and HBV-DNA phylogenetic analysis.
HBV exposure (anti-HBc+) was 9.8% (95% CI: 8.8-10.8); 11.2% were female and 9.6% were male. HBsAg+ was 0.6%. Only 31.4% of the participants had HBV vaccination-like profile (anti-HBs+ alone; 30.4% male vs. 36.8% female; p=0.004). Most individuals were susceptible to HBV (60.2% female vs. 52.2% male, p=0.001). HBV isolates were classified as genotypes A (45.4%), D (27.3%) and F (27.3%). In males, HBV exposure was associated with increased age. Male prisoners had more evidence of HCV/HBV co-infection (10.7%) than females (3.4%) and the frequency of Treponema pallidum infection among prisoners who had been exposed to HBV was higher in female prisoners when compared with male (39.7% vs. 19.1%). The incidence of HBV was 0.18/100 person-years (95% CI: 0.12%–0.25%).
Our results indicate a high prevalence of HBV exposure in prisoners. Despite the low incidence of this infection, the occurrence of new cases indicates the need to implement preventive measures.
Corn crop, due to its easy adaptation to the most diverse agroecosystems, spreads throughout the different regions of the world, making it one of the most important agricultural crops. In this crop, ...pest insects stand out for causing losses both in the field and in warehouses. The application of essential oils can be an important technique to be investigated in the management of insects due to its known insecticidal activity and low risk to the environment. The objective of the work was to value the insecticide and repellent effect of essential oils of exotic lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) and native lemongrass (Elionurus sp.) for the management of maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais (Mots., 1855, Coleoptera: Curculionidae)). The chemical analysis of the oils made by CG-MS showed that the chemical composition of the native and exotic lemongrass is similar, however, the exotic species presented a greater number of compounds. The essential oils of native and exotic lemon grass have efficiency on maize weevil mortality, and it is verified that the increase in the applied dose reflects in a reduction in the insect's exposure time for death to occur. The essential oil of both species showed repellent capacity at all times evaluated. Thus, it can be said that both species have the capacity and potential to be used in the management of corn weevil, and can be an alternative for smallhorders farmers and organic production.
The structural and luminescent properties of Y3Al5O12:Eu,Tb (YAG) compounds produced by a modified sol-gel method using glucose as a polymerising agent are investigated in this study. X-ray ...diffraction is utilised in order to analyse the formation of the crystalline phase. The luminescent properties are investigated by excitation and emission measurements from photoluminescence and X-ray excited optical luminescence (XEOL) measurements, which are strongly influenced by the concentration of Eu3+ and Tb3+ dopants. X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) is measured at the Eu LIII–edge in order to confirm the Eu valence. The results indicate good stability of Eu ions in the YAG structure when submitted to higher ionising energies. The chromaticity diagram indicates that, with different molar ratios of Eu3+ and Tb3+ ions, it is possible to obtain white-light emission. In addition, it is observed that the amount of dopant/co-dopant ions leads to changes in the phosphorescent decay time.
•Eu, Tb-doped YAG phosphors were prepared by a sol-gel method using glucose.•Luminescent properties are strongly dependent on the Eu and Tb concentration.•The chromaticity diagram indicated a white light emission for Eu, Tb-doped YAG phosphors.
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