Novel male contraceptives will promote gender equality in sharing contraceptive responsibility. The sperm-associated protein epididymal protease inhibitor (EPPIN) is a promising target for ...non-hormonal male contraception. EPPIN interacts with the semen coagulum protein semenogelin-1 (SEMG1) on the sperm surface, leading to transient inhibition of sperm motility after ejaculation. Small organic molecules targeting EPPIN's SEMG1-binding are under development as male contraceptives. Here, we combined computational approaches to uncover key aspects underlying EPPIN binding to SEMG1 and small organic ligands. We generated a human EPPIN model showing a typical arrangement of the WFDC (Whey-acid four disulfide core)-type and Kunitz-type domains, connected by a hinge region. Determining the EPPIN model's intrinsic motion by molecular dynamics simulations and normal mode analysis revealed a conformation, presenting a binding pocket that accommodates SEMG1Glu229-Gln247, EP055, and EP012. EPPIN's residues Phe63 and Lys68 (WFDC domain), Asp71 (hinge region), and Asn113, Asn114, and Asn115 (Kunitz domain) were identified as hot spots for SEMG1, EP055, and EP012 binding. Moreover, hydrophobic and hydrophilic residues in the WFDC and Kunitz domains allow plasma membrane anchoring, orienting the EPPIN binding pocket to the solvent. Targeting EPPIN's essential residues for its biomolecular interactions may improve the rational design of EPPIN ligands as spermiostatic compounds.
The use of tools was a determining factor for the biological and cultural evolution of the human species. The first studies addressing the use of tools by other animals in the context of food ...resource collection consider as "true" tools those that are detached from a substrate and held by the animal in the hand or mouth, as an extension of their bodies. Unlike mammals, birds do not have hands to manipulate a tool. Despite the fantastic ability to use the beak for the fabrication and "handling" of tools, displayed by members of the family Corvidae, records of this practice in other groups of birds are mainly associated with another category of tools, the "borderline", which include objects that are part of a substrate, such as anvils against which prey items are struck, baits that are deposited in water to attract fish, spines to hold food, among others. However, obtaining observational data on these behaviors by birds in nature is still a challenge. In the Neotropical region, these records are scarce. Among them are the observations made by Sazima. Here, Silva et al describe the use of baits by Butorides striata to attract fish.
The key role of tropical forest belowground carbon stocks and fluxes is well recognised as one of the main components of the terrestrial ecosystem carbon cycle. This study presents the first detailed ...investigation of spatial and temporal patterns of fine root stocks and fluxes in tropical forests along an elevational gradient, ranging from the Peruvian Andes (3020 m) to lowland Amazonia (194 m), with mean annual temperatures of 11.8°C to 26.4 °C and annual rainfall values of 1900 to 1560 mm yr‐1, respectively. Specifically, we analyse abiotic parameters controlling fine root dynamics, fine root growth characteristics, and seasonality of net primary productivity along the elevation gradient. Root and soil carbon stocks were measured by means of soil cores, and fine root productivity was recorded using rhizotron chambers and ingrowth cores. We find that mean annual fine root below ground net primary productivity in the montane forests (0–30 cm depth) ranged between 4.27±0.56 Mg C ha‐1 yr‐1 (1855 m) and 1.72±0.87 Mg C ha‐1 yr‐1 (3020 m). These values include a correction for finest roots (<0.6 mm diameter), which we suspect are under sampled, resulting in an underestimation of fine roots by up to 31% in current ingrowth core counting methods. We investigate the spatial and seasonal variation of fine root dynamics using soil depth profiles and an analysis of seasonal amplitude along the elevation gradient. We report a stronger seasonality of NPPFineRoot within the cloud immersion zone, most likely synchronised to seasonality of solar radiation. Finally, we provide the first insights into root growth characteristics along a tropical elevation transect: fine root area and fine root length increase significantly in the montane cloud forest. These insights into belowground carbon dynamics of tropical lowland and montane forests have significant implications for our understanding of the global tropical forest carbon cycle.
Key pointsIncrease of NPPFine Root seasonality in cloud forestChange in fine root growth characteristics in montane forestPossible sampling bias of finest roots ( < 6mm) in IC data collection
Scientific knowledge of species and the ecosystems they inhabit is the cornerstone of modern conservation. However, research effort is not spread evenly among taxa (taxonomic bias), which may ...constrain capacity to identify conservation risk and to implement effective responses. Addressing such biases requires an understanding of factors that promote or constrain the use of a particular species in research projects. To this end, we quantified conservation science knowledge of the world’s extant non‐marine mammal species (n = 4108) based on the number of published documents in journals indexed on Clarivate Analytics’ Web of Science™. We use an innovative hurdle model approach to assess the relative importance of several ecological, biogeographical and cultural factors for explaining variation in research production between species. The most important variable explaining the presence/absence of conservation research was scientific capacity of countries within the range of the species, followed by body mass and years since the taxonomic description. Research volume (more than one document) was strongly associated with number of years since the data describing on that species, followed by scientific capacity within the range of species, high body mass and invasiveness. The threat status was weakly associated to explain the presence/absence and research volume in conservation research. These results can be interpreted as a consequence of the dynamic interplay between the perceived need for conservation research about a species and its appropriateness as a target of research. As anticipated, the scientific capacity of the countries where a species is found is a strong driver of conservation research bias, reflecting the high variation in conservation research funding and human resources between countries. Our study suggests that this bias could be most effectively reduced by a combination of investing in pioneering research, targeted funding and supporting research in countries with low scientific capacity and high biodiversity.
In this study, we use a combination of culturomics and scientometrics to evaluate at a global scale why conservation scientists choose to work on certain species, using terrestrial mammal species as our model group. Our findings show that the most important variable explaining the presence/absence of conservation research was scientific capacity of countries within the range of the species, followed by body mass and years since the taxonomic description. Research volume (more than one document) was strongly associated number of years since the data describing on that species, followed by scientific capacity within the range of species, high body mass and invasiveness. The threat‐status was weakly associated to explain the presence/absence and research volume in conservation research. Our study suggests that this bias could be most effectively reduced by a combination of investing in pioneering research, targeted funding and supporting research in countries with low scientific capacity and high biodiversity..
Background
Despite clear assessment criteria, studies of molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH) and hypomineralised second primary molars (HSPM) are marked by inconsistency in outcome measurements. ...This has detracted from meaningful comparisons between studies and limited interpretation.
Aim
To provide a comprehensive manual as a companion to assist researchers in planning epidemiological studies of MIH and HSPM, with particular reference to outcome measurement.
Methods
This manual begins with a succinct review of the clinical problems and evidence for management of the conditions. The subsequent sections guide researchers through diagnosis of MIH and HSPM and implementation of both the long and short forms of a recently proposed grading system. MIH and HSPM can often be confused with fluorosis, enamel hypoplasia, amelogenesis imperfecta, and white spot lesions but can be distinguished by a number of unique clinical features. Based on the grading system, a standardised protocol is proposed for clinical examinations. Intra and inter-examiner reliability is of key importance when outcome measurement is subjective and should be reported in all epidemiological studies of MIH. The manual concludes with an exercise forum aimed to train examiners in the use of the grading system, with answers provided.
Conclusion
The use of a standardised protocol, diagnostic and grading criteria will greatly enhance the quality of epidemiological studies of MIH.
Monitoring countries’ progress toward the achievement of their nutrition targets is an important task, but data sparsity makes monitoring trends challenging. Childhood stunting and overweight data in ...the European region over the last 30 y have had low coverage and frequency, with most data only covering a portion of the complete age interval of 0–59 mo.
We implemented a statistical method to extract useful information on child malnutrition trends from sparse longitudinal data for these indicators.
Heteroscedastic penalized longitudinal mixed models were used to accommodate data sparsity and predict region-wide, country-level trends over time. We leveraged prevalence estimates stratified by sex and partial age intervals (i.e., intervals that do not cover the complete 0–59 mo), which expanded the available data (for stunting: from 84 sources and 428 prevalence estimates to 99 sources and 1786 estimates), improving the robustness of our analysis.
Results indicated a generally decreasing trend in stunting and a stable, slightly diminishing rate for overweight, with large differences in trends between low- and middle-income countries compared with high-income countries. No differences were found between age groups and between sexes. Cross-validation results indicated that both stunting and overweight models were robust in estimating the indicators for our data (root mean squared error: 0.061 and 0.056; median absolute deviation: 0.045 and 0.042; for stunting and overweight, respectively).
These statistical methods can provide useful and robust information on child malnutrition trends over time, even when data are sparse.
This paper is a review of the most recent and relevant achievements (from 2001 to 2013) on the development of organic–inorganic hybrid (OIH) coatings produced by sol–gel-derived methods to improve ...resistance to oxidation/corrosion of different metallic substrates and their alloys. This review is focused on the research of OIH coatings based on siloxanes using the sol–gel process conducted at an academic level and aims to summarize the materials developed and identify perspectives for further research. The fundamentals of sol–gel are described, including OIH classification, the interaction with the substrate, their advantages, and limitations. The main precursors used in the synthesis of OIH sol–gel coatings for corrosion protection are also discussed, according to the metallic substrate used. Finally, a multilayer system to improve the resistance to corrosion is proposed, based on OIH coatings produced by the sol–gel process, and the future research challenges are debated.
Abstract
Objectives
Gonorrhoea and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Neisseria gonorrhoeae are major public health concerns globally. Enhanced AMR surveillance for gonococci is essential worldwide; ...however, recent quality-assured gonococcal AMR surveillance in Latin America, including Brazil, has been limited. Our aims were to (i) establish the first nationwide gonococcal AMR surveillance, quality assured according to WHO standards, in Brazil, and (ii) describe the antimicrobial susceptibility of clinical gonococcal isolates collected from 2015 to 2016 in all five main regions (seven sentinel sites) of Brazil.
Methods
Gonococcal isolates from 550 men with urethral discharge were examined for susceptibility to ceftriaxone, cefixime, azithromycin, ciprofloxacin, benzylpenicillin and tetracycline using the agar dilution method, according to CLSI recommendations and quality assured according to WHO standards.
Results
The levels of resistance (intermediate susceptibility) to tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, benzylpenicillin and azithromycin were 61.6% (34.2%), 55.6% (0.5%), 37.1% (60.4%) and 6.9% (8.9%), respectively. All isolates were susceptible to ceftriaxone and cefixime using the US CLSI breakpoints. However, according to the European EUCAST cefixime breakpoints, 0.2% (n = 1) of isolates were cefixime resistant and 6.9% (n = 38) of isolates had a cefixime MIC bordering on resistance.
Conclusions
This study describes the first national surveillance of gonococcal AMR in Brazil, which was quality assured according to WHO standards. The high resistance to ciprofloxacin (which promptly informed a revision of the Brazilian sexually transmitted infection treatment guideline), emerging resistance to azithromycin and decreasing susceptibility to extended-spectrum cephalosporins necessitate continuous surveillance of gonococcal AMR and ideally treatment failures, and increased awareness when prescribing treatment in Brazil.
•Application of cholesterol-assimilating bacteria into calcium-alginate beads for fermentation of cream.•Lacticaseibacillus paracasei L2A21K5 showed the highest reduction of cholesterol in ...cream.•Entrapped L. paracasei L2A21K5 caused a 44% reduction in cholesterol content of butter.•Low-cholesterol butter showed improved fatty acid composition, with lower atherogenic and thrombogenicity indices.•Sensorial analysis rated the low-cholesterol butter as good in appearance, consistency, and flavor.
This study focused on the application of three strains of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei to assimilate cholesterol in cream and butter. The strains were enclosed in calcium-alginate beads and incubated in cream at 30 °C for 15 h. Immobilization of lactobacilli cultures in calcium-alginate beads resulted in a 23% reduction in cholesterol (p < 0.05) in cream, whereas a negligible reduction was observed in cream fermented with free cells. Butter with a 44% reduction in cholesterol was produced from fermented cream by L. paracasei L2A21K5 entrapped in alginate beads. No significant (p > 0.05) changes in the fatty acid profile were observed in the low-cholesterol butter, except for a slight but significant increase in n-3 fatty acids (p < 0.05). In addition, the indices of atherogenicity and thrombogenicity were significantly reduced in the low-cholesterol butter (p < 0.05). Panelists rated the low-cholesterol butter as good in appearance, consistency, and flavor.
BACKGROUND
Little is known about the association between acute mental changes and adverse outcomes in hospitalized adults with COVID‐19.
OBJECTIVES
To investigate the occurrence of delirium in ...hospitalized patients with COVID‐19 and explore its association with adverse outcomes.
DESIGN
Longitudinal observational study.
SETTING
Tertiary university hospital dedicated to the care of severe cases of COVID‐19 in São Paulo, Brazil.
PARTICIPANTS
A total of 707 patients, aged 50 years or older, consecutively admitted to the hospital between March and May 2020.
MEASUREMENTS
We completed detailed reviews of electronic medical records to collect our data. We identified delirium occurrence using the Chart‐Based Delirium Identification Instrument (CHART‐DEL). Trained physicians with a background in geriatric medicine completed all CHART‐DEL assessments. We complemented our baseline clinical information using telephone interviews with participants or their proxy. Our outcomes of interest were in‐hospital death, length of stay, admission to intensive care, and ventilator utilization. We adjusted all multivariable analyses for age, sex, clinical history, vital signs, and relevant laboratory biomarkers (lymphocyte count, C‐reactive protein, glomerular filtration rate, D‐dimer, and albumin).
RESULTS
Overall, we identified delirium in 234 participants (33%). On admission, 86 (12%) were delirious. We observed 273 deaths (39%) in our sample, and in‐hospital mortality reached 55% in patients who experienced delirium. Delirium was associated with in‐hospital death, with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.75 (95% confidence interval = 1.15–2.66); the association held both in middle‐aged and older adults. Delirium was also associated with increased length of stay, admission to intensive care, and ventilator utilization.
CONCLUSION
Delirium was independently associated with in‐hospital death in adults aged 50 years and older with COVID‐19. Despite the difficulties for patient care during the pandemic, clinicians should routinely monitor delirium when assessing severity and prognosis of COVID‐19 patients.
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