Search

One strategy to increase the biological activity of natural compounds is based on obtaining complexes with bioactive natural ligands that produce an additive or synergistic effect when coordinated with a metal ion. In this work, four new vanadium complexes with the natural bioactive ligands piperine (1), piperic acid (2), 3-geranyl-geranyl-4-hydroxybenzoate acid (4) and glutamic acid (6) were synthesized and tested against eight microorganisms. Most complexes showed strong antimicrobial activity with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranging from 19.5 to 1250 μg/mL. Complex 9 presented MIC of 19.5 μg/mL for the fungus Epidermophyton floccosum and MIC of 39.5 μg/mL against the bacterium Escherichia coli. In general, complex 10 was the most active with MIC of 39.5 μg/mL for Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and Enterococcus faecalis) and MIC of 78.1 μg/mL for Gram-negative bacteria (E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) as well as for the E. floccosum fungus. The results showed that, for the most part, the formation of metal complexes potentiated antimicrobial activity as compared to their respective ligands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The corn leafhopper Dalbulus maidis causes corn production losses mainly by acting as vector of pathogenic mollicutes and virus. Transgenic technologies that encode insecticidal proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) are focused on the management of lepidopteran larvae in transgenic plants that traditionally express only one Bt allele. Adding another allele in transgenic plants is a recent and promising approach to managing resistant larvae, and it is important to know how the additional allele affects infestation and injury of non-target pests. This study evaluated the influence of maize hybrids with the genes cry1F, cry1A.105, and cry2Ab2 in homozygosis and hemizygosis compared with a conventional hybrid on the occurrence of D. maidis, transmitted diseases, and grain yield. Experiments were performed in two locations and two crop seasons in Brazil using three isogenic transgenic hybrids with three Bt proteins in homozygosis and hemizygosis and one conventional non-Bt hybrid. The numbers of D. maidis were recorded on plants across the vegetative stage, and disease symptoms were assessed at reproductive stage. Grain yield was recorded at the end of experiments. Homozygous and hemizygous hybrids did not differ for D. maidis incidence and transmitted diseases. Homozygous and hemizygous hybrids exhibited similar grain yields, and the transgenic Bt hybrids provided greater yields than the conventional hybrid in the first season in both locations. In conclusion, transgenic hybrids expressing three Bt proteins in homozygosis do not favor D. maidis infestation and diseases transmission compared to the hemizygous versions, and Bt zygosity has no negative effect on grain yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In dioecious, bee‐pollinated tree species, male and female flowers offer different resources. It is unclear how this unbalanced quantity and quality of floral resources affects flower visits and pollen transfer to female flowers. We asked, what characteristics of flowering and dynamics of resource production by trees favour flights of bees between male and female trees.We quantified the floral resources produced by individual flowers and entire trees of Myracrodruon urundeuva (Anacardiaceae), measured pollen flow to female flowers, fruit set of naturally pollinated flowers and determined the effective pollinators.Crown volume of male trees was four‐fold, flower number 15‐fold and nectar volume 60 times higher than in female trees. While ~70% of male flowers opened in the morning, ~70% of female flowers opened in the afternoon. Fruit set was 27%. Stingless bee species were the main pollinators, while honeybees were common only on male flowers.Strongly unbalanced production of floral resources, high potential lifespan of female flowers and anticipated opening of male flowers favour pollinator movement and pollen deposition on female flowers, albeit low (0.003% of pollen that reached stigmas), but sufficient to produce thousands of fruits per tree. Besides being an astonishing pollen and nectar source for numerous social bee species, only a few of them were effective pollinators. Our quantitative approach to floral resource production of each gender provides new insights, such as the proportion of resources allocated to each gender and the corresponding behaviour of flower visitors, for understanding the reproductive strategy of dioecious tropical mass‐flowering trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a recent work (Eur. Phys. J. C 80(5), 432, 2020), the present authors obtained general stringent conditions on the localization of fields in braneworlds by imposing the requirement that its zero mode must satisfy Einstein’s equations (EEs). In this manuscript, we continue this study by considering free p-form fields. These fields present an on-shell equivalency relation between a p-form and a (D - p - 2) -form, provided by a Hodge duality (HD) transformation. This symmetry will impose a new consistency condition, namely, confinement of a p-form on the brane must imply the localization of its dual. We apply the above two conditions to 6D braneworld models. With this, we find that in global string-like defects, for example, the 1-form field has a normalizable zero mode. By using the HD as a guide, we show that its bulk dual 3-form field also has a normalizable zero mode, making the confinement consistent with HD. However, these solutions cannot be made consistent with EE, therefore, these fields must be ruled out. In fact, by imposing both conditions, only the scalar field and its dual can be consistently localized in codimension two braneworlds. In this way, all the literature so far in which the free vector field (1-form) is localized in codimension two models should be reviewed. These results also point to the fact that the symmetries of the fields can be used to verify the consistency of their localization and even prohibit it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The general procedure for analyzing the localization of matter fields in brane models is by integrating, in the action, its zero-mode solutions over the extra dimensions. If this is finite, the field is said to be localized. However, the zero-mode solutions must also satisfy the Einstein equations. With this in mind, we obtain stringent constraints on a general energy-momentum tensor by analyzing the Einstein equations. These consistency conditions must be satisfied for any braneworld model. We apply it for some fields of the Standard Model. For a free massless scalar field, the zero-mode localization is consistent only if the field does not depend on the extra dimensions. For the spin 1 2 field with Yukawa-like interactions, we find a very specific relation between Yukawa function and the warp factor. As a consequence, the spinor field localization becomes inconsistent for most of the models studied in the literature. For the free vector field case, we find that the zero modes do not satisfy the consistency conditions. Finally, we consider the mechanisms proposed to localize this field. We find that a few survive, and even for these, the consistency conditions fix the free parameters or the possible class of solutions allowed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we present an experimental and theoretical study of the thermoreflectance response as a function of the probe wavelength for layered microelectronics structures. The investigated sample consists of a polycrystalline silicon conducting track grown on a SiO2-coated Si substrate. Thermoreflectance measurements were carried out in the wavelength range from 450 to 750 nm with the track biased in modulated regime. An oscillating pattern is observed in the spectral region where the upper layer is transparent. Such oscillations are due to the interference resulting from the multiple reflections at the interfaces. Using a thermo-optical model, we show that the optical constants (n and k) of the materials, which are wavelength dependent, as well as their temperature derivatives (dn/dT and dk/dT), strongly influence the thermoreflectance signal. The optical thicknesses of the layers, mainly determined by the real part of the refractive indices, define the period of oscillation. On the other hand, the imaginary part of the refractive indices establishes the cutoff wavelength of the oscillations. Below this cutoff wavelength, the probe light does not penetrate the material and the upper-surface reflectance dominates the signal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the effect of electrostatic discharge on n-channel metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors using the thermoreflectance microscopy. The gate terminals of the transistors were submitted to electrostatic pulses on a zap system that respects the human body model. The pulse intensity varied from 40 to 140 V in a cumulative sequence. Electrical characterization showed that the transistor threshold voltage was no longer positive for pulses of 110 V and higher. No significant changes in the thermoreflectance maps were observed in these cases. For pulses of 140 V a large leakage current appeared, and the thermoreflectance maps revealed strong peaks (localized spot) associated with the induced damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: Objectives: To assess blood usage for elective surgery in a developing country as a first step towards developing a maximum surgical blood‐ordering schedule (MSBOS). Background: Cross‐match:transfusion (C/T) ratio, transfusion index (Ti) and transfusion ratio (T%) are standard indices of efficient blood usage for elective surgical procedures. The MSBOS assigns surgical procedures to Group and Cross Match (GXM) and Group and Save (G&S) categories. Non‐use probability (NUP) is the percentage of blood that is requested but not used. Trinidad and Tobago (TTO) has a transfusion service that predominantly uses family replacement (F/R) donors. Materials/Methods: C/T ratio, Ti, T% and NUP were retrospectively calculated for 304 elective surgical procedures performed at a tertiary medical institution in TTO between 1st January and 15th May 2013. Results: For 17 types of surgical procedure, C/T ratio was <2·5 for 10, T% ≥ 30 for 10 and Ti ≥ 0·5 for 12, suggesting efficiency, significant blood use and a requirement for GXM for most operations. However, the majority of these procedures qualify for G&S when performed under conditions that guarantee ready access to blood in an emergency. A substantial proportion of issued blood was returned unused to the blood bank, giving an NUP of 39·7%. Conclusion: NUP was the most sensitive measure of efficiency. C/T ratio, T% and Ti must be interpreted in the context of the blood donation system. An internationally accepted value of NUP that equates to efficient blood use should be adopted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High environmental temperatures cause a decrease in feed consumption by laying hens and, as a consequence, a reduction of productive performance and egg weight. The hens age is a factor influencing the albumen quality that tends to be more liquefied in older hens. Such variable is analysed by the determination of the Haugh Unit. The correlations between the egg quality variables (egg weight and Haugh Unit), the thermohygrometric conditions in the facility and the age of laying hens were determined in the study and evaluated based on the Pearson correlation coefficient (r) and their significance at the 5% level. The microclimatic data and the eggs were collected in 20 points of poultry facility with birds of 43, 56, 69, 79 and 86 weeks of age, totalling 100 samples. The results show significant correlations between egg weight and temperature (r = -0.238), egg weight and hens age (r = 0.310), Haugh Unit index and hens age (r = -0.256); a non-significant correlation between the quality parameters with the relative humidity of the air inside the barn. The egg weight had a weak negative correlation with the ambient temperature and a weak positive correlation with the hens age. Concerning the Haugh Unit, a weak negative correlation with the age of the animals was found. The weak or non-existent correlation of temperature with egg quality parameters can be due to the environmental conditions that remained in the range of thermal comfort for the animals during the trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sedimentation rate can be increased by the processes of aggregation (coagulation, agglomeration, or flocculation). The direct flocculation of colloidal particles is not sufficient for the destabilization of a colloidal suspension. Due to the very small size of the colloids, the flocs can remain with very slow sedimentation rate. Therefore, a previous step of aggregation is necessary for an efficient flocculation. In this study it was compared the influence of pre-aggregation, with a surfactant - dodecylamine (DDA) and a multivalent salt - hexahydrated aluminum chloride (HAC) in the flocculation of colloidal particles of titanium dioxide with a hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (PAMH). The results were evaluated in terms of turbidity of the supernatant and final compaction of the sediment. The pre-aggregation significantly improves the flocculation with PAMH. The pre-treatment with DDA produces largest flocs, low turbidity overflow, and more compacted sediment, compared to the pre-treatment with HAC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of modified single-step genomic best linear unbiased prediction (ssGBLUP) iterations on GEBV and SNP were investigated using 85,388 age at 100 kg phenotypes from the BRF SA breeding program Landrace pure line animals, off-tested between 2002 and 2013. Pedigree data comprised animals born between 1999 and 2013. A total of 1,068 animals were assigned to the training population, in which all of them had genotypes, original and corrected age at 100 kg phenotypes, and weighted deregressed proof records. A total of 100 genotyped animals, with high accuracy age at 100 kg estimated breeding values, were assigned to the validation population. After applying the quality control workflow, a set of 41,042 SNP was used for the analysis. Standard and modified ssGBLUP, BayesCπ, and Bayesian Lasso were compared, and their predictive abilities were accessed by approximate true and GEBV correlations. Modified ssGBLUP iteration effects on SNP estimates and GEBV were relevant, in which assigned differential weights and shrinkage caused important losses on ssGBLUP predictive ability for age at 100 kg GEBV. Even though ssGBLUP accuracy can be equal or better than the compared Bayesian methods, additional gains can be obtained by correctly identifying the number of iterations required for best ssGBLUP performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia is currently one of the most studied biological control agents for its great potential in management of root-knot nematode. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of a biological product, at the development phase, based on the fungus P. chlamydosporia, isolate Pc-10, for the control of Meloidogyne javanica on lettuce and carrot at the field level. Rizoflora Biothecnology Inc. had the special temporary registration for field application of Pc-10 isolate for agronomic efficiency tests. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design with eight replicates per treatment. Each experimental plot was 2 m2. The treatments consisted of the doses 0.0, 3.0, 3.8, 4.5 or 9.5 g of rice colonized with P. chlamydosporia and dried, /m2 of experimental plot. Fifteen days after the incorporation of the product 21-d-old lettuce seedlings of the cultivar 'Babá de verão' were transplanted into each experimental plot, and the experiment was conducted for 50 d. The doses of 3.8 and 9.5 g of the product reduced the number of galls in 46.0% and 38.9% on the roots, and the number of nematode eggs in the soil by 52.3% and 53.1%, respectively. All treatments enhanced the development of the lettuce plants, compared with the control treatment. After the lettuce harvest, doses of 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 g of product /m2 were applied, with the plot position of the new doses, lowest to highest corresponding with the doses in the previous experiment. After 15 d, the plots were seeded with carrot 'Nantes superior'. At all of the doses, including the control treatment, low numbers of galls were observed on the roots of the carrots, without significant differences between the treatments. No statistical differences were observed for the development of plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different strategies to remove water generated on the monoolein synthesis by enzymatic esterification of oleic acid with glycerol were evaluated. Esterification reactions were catalyzed by Penicillium camembertii lipase immobilized on SiO-PVA and runs carried out on a packed bed reactor (PBR) under continuous mode. The use of molecular sieves was the selected technique to remove the water formed, and for this purpose, two experimental setups were performed: (1) reactor packed with alternate layers of molecular sieves and immobilized lipase and (2) three reactors in series having a water column extractor between two immobilized packed beds, making it possible to replace the saturated molecular sieves by a regenerated one at a given time. Continuous run without applying dehydration techniques to remove the formed water was used as a control. The best performance was obtained using a water column extractor as verified by an increase in the monoolein formation from 22 to 35%. This strategy also provided a good performance of the bed reactor as a result of the high operational stability estimated for the immobilized derivative (half-life = 19 days). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yb-Tm codoped tellurite glasses containing silver nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized and characterized using transmission electron microscopy and optical techniques. The samples' composition and the nucleation of NPs were investigated using electron diffraction and energy dispersive spectroscopy. For the optical experiments, the samples were excited using a diode laser operating at 980 nm, in resonance with the Yb transition F→F. Photoluminescence (PL) bands corresponding to Tm transitions were observed at 480, 650, and 800 nm due to the Yb→ Tm energy transfer. PL enhancement was achieved by heat-treatment of the samples at 325°C during different time intervals. The growth of the PL bands correlates with the increase of the silver NPs concentration. The relevant mechanisms contributing for the PL characteristics are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The incorporation of silver nanoparticles into a Yb/Tm codoped ZnO–TeO2 glass is shown to lead to a substantial increase in optically stimulated second harmonic generation (SHG). The corresponding second order optical susceptibility is equal to 1.32pm/V at a wavelength of 1064nm. The optimal conditions required the thermoannealing of the sample for 48h and the use of a pump-probe delaying time of 12ns. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Heterostyly is a genetically controlled floral polymorphism usually associated with an incompatibility system. This set of features is known to occur in several angiosperm families, but some aspects of its biology has not been well studied. The present study investigates cellular aspects of the pollen–pistil interaction after compatible and incompatible pollinations of Psychotria nuda, to increase our knowledge of heteromorphic self-incompatibility (HetSI). The use of bright field, fluorescence and transmission electron microscopy methods allowed us to demonstrate that pollen tubes behave differently after incompatible and compatible pollinations. Pollen tubes were particularly distinct after incompatible pollinations of L- and S-morph flowers. Relative to compatible pollen tubes, incompatible L-morph tubes had a drastic reduction in cellular contents, but no cell rupture. Incompatible S-morph tubes exhibited dense cytoplasm in apical regions, as well as in other regions, accompanied by a rupture of the apex. These results support the hypothesis that L- and S-morph flowers have different incompatibility mechanisms during HetSI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on flowering phenology, floral morphology, pollinators, and nectar for eight species and a putative natural hybrid belonging to Agarista, Gaultheria and Gaylussacia that occur syntopically in a montane area. The campanulate to tubular flowers of eight out of nine Ericaceae taxa are primarily pollinated by either hummingbirds or bees. Flowering overlaps in all species but slight differences of floral shape, colour, and nectar characterize pollination by each pollinator group. Differences in floral traits are not large enough to exclude secondary pollinators. Thus, either the main pollinators of a species belonging to its syndrome, or secondary pollinators of a species belonging to different syndromes, may allow for inter-specific crosses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The performance of spouted, spouted with auxiliary air supply, and spout-fluid beds for the coating of tablets was investigated. The gas–solid regimes of the three systems were confirmed by their hydrodynamic characteristic curves, e.g., pressure drop versus air flow rate. The coating study was developed following a central composite design and using flow regime, suspension feed rate and tablet load in the bed as factors. The dependent variables for the composite design of experiments were weight gain and efficiency. Other coat quality indexes, like tablet surface appearance, hardness, moisture content and gastric resistance are also discussed. The analysis of variance of the experimental data revealed that only the suspension feed rate affected the coating efficiencies and weight gain significantly. The coat quality, e.g., tablet moisture content, hardness, friability, and gastric resistance, were found to be unaffected by the factors studied, according to pharmaceutical standards. The results show that the gas–solid regimes do not affect coating performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A numerical study was carried out on the parametric sensitivity of the fluid dynamic variables for a draft tube spouted bed (SB) with bottom particles feed. The sensitivities of variables such as the air and particle velocities and voidages in the spout region, as functions of key model parameters, like the spout–annulus air distribution, solids recirculation rates and gas–particle drag coefficient were determined. The model was numerically integrated and sensitivities obtained by the central differences approach. The sensitivities were seen to depend on air inlet flowrates and heights in the bed. For air flowrates close to the minimum spouting velocity the model is very sensitive to all the parameters studied. In most cases, the variables were moderately to highly sensitive to air distribution in the bed. On the other hand, the variables were minimally to moderately sensitive to the drag coefficient and solids recirculation rates. The maps of sensitivity obtained provide useful information for planning of the probe location, hydrodynamic modeling and directing of future work on SB with bottom particles feed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Echolocation was a key development in toothed whale evolution, enabling their adaptation and diversification across various environments. Previous bioacoustic and morphological studies suggest that environmental pressures have influenced the evolution of echolocation in toothed whales. This hypothesis demands further investigation, especially regarding the molecular mechanisms involved in the adaptive radiation of toothed whales across multiple habitats. Here we show that the coding sequences of four hearing genes involved in echolocation (CDH23, prestin, TMC1, and CLDN14) have different signatures of molecular evolution among riverine, coastal, and oceanic dolphins, suggesting that the evolutionary constraints of these habitats shaped the underlying genetic diversity of the toothed whale sonar. Results: Our comparative analysis across 37 odontocete species revealed patterns of accelerated evolution within coastal and riverine lineages, supporting the hypothesis that shallow habitats pose specific selective pressures to sonar propagation, which are not found in the deep ocean. All toothed whales with genes evolving under positive selection are shallow coastal species, including three species that have recently diverged from freshwater lineages (Cephalorhynchus commersonii, Sotalia guianensis, and Orcaella heinsohni - CDH23), and three species that operate specialized Narrow Band High Frequency (NBHF) Sonars (Phocoena sinus - prestin, Neophocaena phocaenoides - TMC1 and Cephalorhynchus commersonii - CDH23). For river dolphins and deep-diving toothed whales, we found signatures of positive selection and molecular convergence affecting specific sites on CDH23, TMC1, and prestin. Positively selected sites (PSS) were different in number, identity, and substitution rates (dN/dS) across riverine, coastal, and oceanic toothed whales. Conclusion: Here we shed light on potential molecular mechanisms underlying the diversification of toothed whale echolocation. Our results suggest that toothed whale hearing genes changed under different selective pressures in coastal, riverine, and oceanic environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the binding of chlorhexidine and the new surface-active anti-plaque agent delmopinol hydrochloride to Streptococcus mutans and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans cells with various cell surface hydrophobicities. The influence of saliva concentration on the binding of these compounds was also investigated. The radiolabeled compounds were incubated with bacteria and the cells were recovered using a centrifugal filtering technique. Delmopinol had higher binding to the hydrophilic variant strains than to the hydrophobic parent strains; chlorhexidine had higher binding to hydrophobic than to hydrophilic A. actinomycetemcomitans strains and higher binding to hydrophilic than to hydrophobic S. mutans strains. The presence of salivary films decreased the binding of both compounds. Both delmopinol and chlorhexidine had stronger affinity to A. actinomycetemcomitans cells than to S. mutans cells. At equimolar concentrations, delmopinol had a lower binding to all strains tested than chlorhexidine. The high reversibility of the delmopinol binding might be related to a higher diffusion rate and solubility compared with that of chlorhexidine. The amphiphilicity of both molecules is an important feature in their retention to S. mutans and A. actinomycetemcomitans strains of varying hydrophobicities and could play an important role in the substantivity of delmopinol or chlorhexidine in the oral cavity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photothermal reflectance microscopy can be used to characterize thin films grown on substrates in two different ways: (a) scanning modulation frequency with both the pump and probe beams coincident and (b) varying the pump -- probe beam distance for several modulation frequencies. In the second case, the phase lag behavior, as a function of the beam separation, gives the effective wave number of the thermal wave along the surface. A plot of the wave number versus frequency provides a dispersion relation. Such a relation can be obtained by modeling the thermal problem of the system, and from the experimental data analysis one can determine the thermal parameters of the film and substrate. In the case of films with high thermal diffusivities, it is possible to find analytical expression for the dispersion relation [A. A. Maznev et al., J. Appl. Phys. 78, 5266 (1995)]. However, in the case of films with low thermal diffusivities numerical calculation is needed. In this article we present the results of such a calculation for polymer films which have low diffusivities compared to the substrates (glass and silicon). The films were assumed to be opaque to both the pump and probe beams, i.e., both absorption and reflection occur at the film surface. It was observed that at high modulation frequencies the dispersion relation splits into two branches, one characteristic of the film, which is valid for small distances between the pump and probe, and the other characteristic of the substrate, valid for large distances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The parasite biodiversity of mouse opossums in Brazil remains incompletely explored. We describe a new species of Subulura (Ascaridida: Subuluroidea) from the large intestine of the white-bellied woolly mouse opossum, Marmosa constantiae, based on the results of light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). We also partially sequenced the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (MT-CO1) gene of the new species, using molecular phylogenetic analyses to determine its relationships within the Subuluroidea superfamily. As molecular data on subuluroid species are extremely limited, few inferences could be drawn from our phylogenies. Our SEM observations showed the detailed morphology of the cephalic extremity, precloacal pseudo-sucker, caudal papillae, phasmids and vulva. Subulura eliseae sp. n. differs from the other four Subulura parasites species of marsupials by the number of caudal papillae and the structure dimensions, and size of the spicule. Moreover, S. eliseae sp. n. has ten pairs of caudal papillae, which is unique compared to other species. We present morphometric and molecular data on this new species, contributing to future studies on subuluroids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food safety and quality management play a pivotal role in the dairy industry. Milk is a highly nutritious food that also provides an excellent medium for growth of pathogenic microorganisms. Thus, dairy industry focuses most of their processes and costs on keeping contamination levels as low as possible. Thermal processes for microbial decontamination may be effective; however, they cannot provide excellent organoleptic, nutritional, and decontamination properties simultaneously. In this scenario, microbial inactivation by exposure to blue light is a promising alternative method in the food industry due to its intrinsic antimicrobial properties free of any thermal effect. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the inactivation kinetics induced by blue light (λ = 413 nm) against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella Typhimurium, and Mycobacterium fortuitum cells suspended in whole milk or saline solution. We also performed a series of optic spectroscopies to investigate possible degradation of milk components. All species were sensitive to photoinactivation suspended either in saline solution or milk. Inactivation kinetics differs significantly depending on the suspension medium and each species is differently affected. All bacterial species tested presented more than 5 log10 of inactivation within less than 2 h of irradiation (720 J/cm²). Infrared spectroscopy did not reveal any significant alteration in any of the milk constituents (e.g., sugars, proteins, and lipids). Riboflavin (vitamin B2) was the only significantly degraded constituent found. Therefore, we conclude that microbial inactivation performed by blue light presents extraordinary potential for processes in the dairy industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective was to compare pregnancy per service event (P/S) in lactating dairy cows following timed artificial insemination (AI) or timed embryo transfer (ET) using either fresh or frozen in vitro–produced embryos. Oocytes were collected once per week for up to 9 wk using transvaginal ovum pick-up from elite dairy donors (ET-DAIRY; n = 40; Holstein-Friesian and Jersey) and elite beef donors (ET-ELITE-BEEF; n = 21; Angus). Both ET-DAIRY and ET-ELITE-BEEF donors consisted of heifers and cows. In addition, oocytes were collected from the ovaries of beef heifers of known pedigree following slaughter at a commercial abattoir (ET-COMM-BEEF; n = 119). Following in vitro maturation and fertilization, presumptive zygotes were cultured in vitro to the blastocyst stage. Grade 1 blastocysts were either transferred fresh or frozen for on-farm thawing and direct transfer. A total of 1,106 recipient cows (all lactating, predominantly Holstein-Friesian) located on 16 herdlets were blocked based on parity, calving date, and Economic Breeding Index, and randomly assigned to receive AI (n = 243) or ET (n = 863) after estrous synchronization with a 10-d Progesterone-synch protocol. Cows assigned to ET were further randomized to receive fresh (n = 187) or frozen (n = 178) ET-ELITE-BEEF embryos, fresh (n = 169) or frozen (n = 162) ET-DAIRY embryos, or fresh (n = 80) or frozen (n = 87) ET-COMM-BEEF embryos. Pregnancy was diagnosed using transrectal ultrasound on d 32 to 35 after synchronized ovulation and confirmed on d 62 to 65, at which time fetal sex was determined. Pregnancy per service event at d 32 was not different between AI (48.8%) and ET (48.9%) and did not differ between dairy and beef embryos (50.3% vs. 48.1%, respectively). However, P/S was less on d 32 following transfer of frozen embryos (41.6%) compared with fresh embryos (56.1%). Pregnancy loss between d 32 and 62 was greater for ET (15.1%) compared with AI (4.7%), with greater losses observed for frozen beef (18.5%), fresh beef (17.3%), and frozen dairy (19.2%) compared with fresh dairy (6.0%) embryos. Serum progesterone (P4) concentration on d 7 was associated with P/S at d 32 and 62. Cows in the quartile with the least serum P4 concentrations (quartile 1) had less probability of being pregnant on d 32 (33.4%) compared with cows in the 3 upper quartiles for serum P4 (45.7%, 55.6%, and 61.2% for quartile 2, quartile 3, and quartile 4, respectively). Sex ratio (male:female) at d 62 was skewed toward more male fetuses following ET (61.1:38.9) compared with AI (43.2:56.8) and was consistent with the sex ratio among in vitro blastocysts (61.2:38.8). In conclusion, P/S was similar for AI and ET, although pregnancy loss between d 32 and 62 was greater for ET than for AI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the conference paper "Comparative evaluation of nuchal fold thickness measurement by 2D ultrasonography and 3D eXtended imaging (3DXI)-a preliminary study," by L. C. Bussamra and colleagues is presented.

Sustainable intensification may depend on associating precision farming with the harnessing of ecological principles in crop fields, and integrating farms and non‐farmed land in productive landscapes. Small wetlands could play an important role in both pursuits for having high per‐unit‐area rates of element cycling and species richness while deeply penetrating crop fields. However, their potential for ecosystem service provisioning is unlikely to be met if land management intensification promotes ecosystem destabilization in biomass production.We tested the consequences of land use intensification on various dimensions of freshwater ecosystem stability by means of a large‐scale field experiment converting extensive pastures to intensive pastures and sugarcane plantations in Southeastern Brazil. Nested within experimental plots were 4000 L mesocosms simulating ponds and puddles commonly found in productive landscapes. Mesocosms were monitored for basic physico‐chemical parameters, nutrients, pesticides, phytoplankton standing crop, and the spontaneously colonizing biodiversity.Despite severe environmental change, the stability of sugarcane communities was no different from that of extensive and intensive pastures. This occurred because the local extinction of a sensitive top dragonfly predator following the application of vinasse and insecticide was compensated by colonization of a suite of more tolerant invertebrate mesopredators such as beetles and bugs. Community stability tended to increase with biomass asynchrony and species richness, evidencing a portfolio effect of biodiversity. Unfortunately, the species richness necessary to stabilize biomass production is unlikely to be available in many sugarcane fields and several other row crops.Synthesis and applications. Ponds and puddles could be effective centers of irradiation of ecosystem service provisioning in agricultural fields in terms of pest control; nutrient accumulation, cycling and export back to fields; and habitat and stepping stones for freshwater biodiversity. However, the impoverished biodiversity that results from a combination of harsh local conditions and spatial isolation renders pond communities inherently unstable. Given the unlikely, immediate reduction in agrochemical use in much of the intensively managed crop area, a combination of large, protected source wetlands at the margin of fields and small constructed or naturally forming ponds and puddles in plantations could contribute to sustainable intensification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Constitution guarantees everyone the right to an ecologically balanced environment. This protection is reinforced through instruments of command and effective control, seeking of the preservation, improvement and recuperation of environmental quality conducive to life. From the point of view of the environmental management this protection is achieved by the deployment of several tools that may or may not be complementary. One such tool is the Ecodesign, which inserts the environmental aspect into new products, processes or services. The purpose of this article is to point the interfaces between the use of Ecodesign as tool for environmental management and its contribution to the viability of the fundamental law to an ecologically balanced environment. The interface of these instruments reinforces the idea that environmental protection is universal. So, is made an analysis of the aspects of Ecodesign in planned stages in construction through the check list Ottman, optimized and adapted to the context buildings. The results showed that aspects of Ecodesign enable an ecologically balanced environment, demonstrating an important interface between Ecodesign and the law. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We calculate the Casimir energy of a massless scalar field in a cavity formed by nearby parallel plates orbiting a rotating spherical body surrounded by quintessence, investigating the influence of the gravitational field on that energy, at zero temperature. This influence includes the effects due to the spacetime dragging caused by the source rotation as well as those ones due to the quintessence. We show that the energy depends on all the involved parameters, as source mass, angular momentum and quintessence state parameter, for any radial coordinate and polar angle. We show that at the north pole the Casimir energy is not influenced by the quintessential matter. At the equatorial plane, when the quintessence is canceled, the result obtained in the literature is recovered. Finally, constraints in the quintessence parameters are obtained from the uncertainty in the current measurements of Casimir effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. The purpose of this study was to determine the metabolisable energy of high-protein distiller's dried grains with solubles (HP-DDGS) for meat quail (Coturnix coturnix coturnix; Experiment I) and evaluate the effects of dietary levels of HP-DDGS on animal performance, carcase characteristics, meat quality, and organ weights (Experiment II). 2. In Experiment 1, 96 meat quail were distributed in a completely randomised design with two treatments (reference or test diet) and six replicates of eight birds. The experimental period consisted of 5 d adaptation, followed by 5 d total excreta collection. The experimental diets consisted of a reference (control) and a test diet formulated with 800 g/kg reference diet and 200 g/kg HP-DDGS. 3. In Experiment 2, 612 meat quail were distributed in a completely randomised design fed one of six dietary levels of HP-DDGS (0, 85, 170, 255, 340, or 425 g/kg) as a replacement for soybean meal. At 42 d of age, birds were slaughtered and evaluated for carcase yield, organ weights, and meat quality. 4. Apparent metabolisable energy values corrected for nitrogen retention of HP-DDGS were 12.5 and 12.3 MJ/kg for males and females, respectively. 5. In the starter phase (1–21 d of age), increasing dietary HP-DDGS levels had a quadratic effect on body weight (BW) (P = 0.020) and body weight gain (BWG) (P = 0.019). The maximum BW and BWG values were estimated to be achieved with 296.0 and 296.2 g/kg dietary HP-DDGS, respectively. Overall (1–42 d of age), increasing dietary HP-DDGS levels in replacement of soybean meal did not affect animal performance, carcase yield, meat quality or organ weight in meat quail. 6. It was concluded that dietary HP-DDGS can fully replace soybean meal in meat quail diets without affecting growth performance, carcase yield, meat quality or organ weight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the article "Epidemiologic Profile of Staphylococcus Aureus-Methicilin Resistant (MRSA) Bacterium in Hospital-Acquired- Infection in Neonatal-Intensive-Care-Unit (ICU) from 2000 to 2010 Analysis in General Hospital," by L. F. Baqueiro-Freitas and colleagues is presented.

The overall stability of Candida rugosa lipase (CRL) was improved via immobilization onto low-cost eco-friendly carriers (agroindustrial wastes) followed by using spouted bed dryer or spray dryer. Lipase covalently immobilized on glutaraldehyde-activated rice husk proved the greatest performance, retaining 94.1% of the initial activity, followed by sugarcane bagasse (90.3%) and green coconut fiber (89.3%). On the other hand, the enzyme activity retention of CRL-lipase bioencapsulated in magnetic chitosan treated with glutaraldehyde or sodium tripolyphosphate ranged from 73.6% to 84.6%. The dried product moisture content, and water activities ranged from 4.1% and 6.5% and from 0.2 to 0.35, respectively. After storage for six months at 5 °C, the immobilized enzyme systems retained at least 70.0% of its initial activity (vs 18.3% retained activity for the free lipase). After ten reuse cycles, enzyme immobilized onto lignocellulosic carriers retained on average 72.7% of its initial activity. The thermostability of all immobilized derivatives was significantly improved and lipase immobilized onto rice husk showed a stabilization factor of 20.44 at 80 °C. The kinetic data showed that the CRL - lipase suffered alterations in catalytic behavior after the immobilization/drying, mainly a slight decrease in affinity to the substrate (↑K M). Among all the assessed immobilized lipase for aroma synthesis the rice husk immobilized lipase displayed the best result towards the production of isoamyl caprylate (62.40 g.L−1). In conclusion, this report reinforces the urgent need for the economic development of eco-sustainable immobilized biocatalysts to boost the use of enzymatic technology on industrial scale, and the feasibility of the association of immobilization and drying processes to improve the enzyme-quality features. [Display omitted] • Bioconversion of agricultural wastes to eco-friendly carrier for lipase immobilization. • Spouted bed dryer or spray dryer to enzyme immobilization by a single step. • Immobilized lipase showed high enzyme activity retention and stabilization factor. • Immobilized-CRL presented an exceptional esterification yield as high as 88.0%. • After ten reuse cycles, immobilized-LCRL retained on average 72.7% of initial activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Common-Reflection-Surface (CRS) stack method is a powerful tool to produce high-quality stacked images of multicoverage seismic data. As a result of the CRS stack, not only a stacked section, but also a number of attributes defined at each point of that section, are produced. In this way, one can think of the CRS stack method as a transformation from data space to attribute space. Being a purely kinematic method, the CRS stack lacks amplitude information that can be useful for many purposes. Here we propose to fill this gap by means of a combined use of a zero-offset section (that could be a short-offset or amplitude-corrected stacked section) and common midpoint gather. We present an algorithm for an inverse CRS transformation, namely one that (approximately) transforms the CRS attributes back to data space. First synthetic tests provide satisfying results for the two simple cases of single dipping-plane and single circular reflectors with a homogeneous overburden, and provide estimates of the range of applicability, in both midpoint and offset directions. We further present an application for interpolating missing traces in a near-surface, high-resolution seismic experiment, conducted in the alluvial plain of the river Gave de Pau, near Assat, southern France, showing its ability to build coherent signals, where recording was not available. A somewhat unexpected good feature of the algorithm, is that it seems capable to reconstruct signals even in muted parts of the section. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed the preparation and characterization of ternary solid dispersions by direct spray drying of a liquid suspension containing curcumin, a solubility enhancer and a drying aid. The experiments followed a Box-Behnken design in order to evaluate the influence of temperature, ratio of curcumin: lipidic carrier, and the collodial silicon dioxide content on the characteristics of the microparticulated solid dispersions. The angle of repose, Hausner factor, Carr index, water activity, and solubility were used to characterize solid dispersions. The results show that water activity, Hausner factor, and Carr index varied in an acceptable range for pharmaceutical purposes. The condition that maximizes solubility was determined using an exploratory design based on a surface response analysis and allowed a 3200-fold increase in curcumin solubility. Ternary solid dispersion showed a 90% curcumin release after 10 min during a dissolution test. The results show that the spray drying of a liquid feed is an attractive and promising alternative to obtain enhanced solubility drug ternary solid dispersions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to identify splenic immuno-inflammatory patterns associated with natural infection by Leishmania chagasi . Spleen samples were obtained from 72 stray dogs from an endemic area of visceral leishmaniasis. The animals were grouped into four categories as follows: (i) potentially resistant to visceral leishmaniasis, with a positive leishmanin skin test result, and negative splenic culture for Leishmania parasites (ii) potentially susceptible to visceral leishmaniasis, with a negative leishmanin skin test and positive splenic culture for Leishmania (iii) infected with undefined susceptibility status, with a positive leishmanin skin test and positive splenic culture for Leishmania , and (iv) noninfected, with a negative leishmanin skin test, negative splenic culture for Leishmania , and negative serology for anti-Leishmania antibodies. Histopathological analyses showed that there was a higher frequency of perisplenitis (18/25, P  < 0·0001), granuloma (7/25, P  = 0·0102), structural disorganization (14/25, P  < 0·0001), and atrophy of the lymphoid follicles (20/25, P  = 0·0036) and of the marginal zone (15/25, P  = 0·0025) in the potentially susceptible group than in the other groups. The data presented here show changes in the white pulp of the spleen that are associated with naturally acquired visceral leishmaniasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluates the performance of conventional spouted beds (CSB) with inert bodies in the drying of pharmaceutical pastes, based on the dry product quality. The powder obtained by drying annatto extracts shows properties comparable to one of the commercial products, indicating that the spouting is competitive with other industrial and lab-scale processes. The contents of bixin and caffeine in annatto and guarana dry powders demonstrated a strong dependence on the inlet air temperature. Also, the properties of indomethacin-containing microcapsules dried in CSB and spray dryers revealed that spouting is a promising technique to obtain pharmaceutical forms with unique drug release qualities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To investigate the presence and distribution of the protein maspin in carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma (CXPA). Methods: Maspin expression was studied by means of immunohistochemistry in 16 cases of CXPA, using the labelled polymer method. Results: According to the extent of invasion, the tumours were subdivided into: intracapsular (five cases), minimally invasive (four cases), and invasive (seven cases). Twelve patients had carcinoma with only epithelial differentiation, whereas four had a malignant myoepithelial component. Non-luminal cells in the duct-like structures of the remnant pleomorphic adenoma were strongly positive for maspin, whereas only a few luminal cells were immunopositive. A few positive cells were seen in the frequent hypocellular and hyalinised areas. Maspin was abundantly expressed, mainly in non-luminal cells, in transitional areas of CXPA with only epithelial differentiation. In frankly carcinomatous areas there was a gradual decrease in maspin expression. Almost all cells were maspin positive in CXPA with a myoepithelial component. When present, luminal cells were in general negative for maspin. Conclusions: When only epithelial cells undergo malignant transformation, maspin expression is gradually lost. In cases with a myoepithelial component, maspin expression is high, and this might be related to the tumour suppressor activity attributed to this cell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Altemani A, Martins M T, Freitas L, Soares F, Araújo N S&Araújo V C(2005)HistopathologyCarcinomaexpleomorphic adenoma (CXPA): immunoprofile of the cells involved in carcinomatous progression: To characterize the cellular component in pleomorphic adenoma (PA) that undergoes malignant transformation in carcinomaexpleomorphic adenoma (CXPA).: A panel of antibodies against cytoskeletal proteins was applied in 16 cases of CXPA: intracapsular carcinoma (five cases), minimally invasive (four cases) and frankly invasive (seven cases). The CXPAs were classified into two main groups according to their predominant cellular component as detected by the panel of antibodies: (i) carcinomas with only epithelial differentiation (75% of the cases), and (ii) carcinomas with a myoepithelial component (25%). CXPA with only epithelial differentiation showed two types of malignant areas in the part of the tumour that was confined by the PA capsule: (i) intraductal carcinoma areas characterized by ductal structures containing both benign myoepithelial cells positive forα-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), vimentin and cytokeratin (CK)14 and proliferating atypical luminal cells reactive for CK7, CK8 and CK19, and (ii) carcinoma areas composed only of epithelial cells reactive for CK7, CK8 and CK19. In the latter, the cells presented morphological and immunohistochemical characteristics similar to those found in areas of invasive carcinoma outside the PA capsule. CXPAs with a myoepithelial component were composed mainly or exclusively of cells that expressed vimentin andα-SMA. In this group, ductal structures reminiscent of PA filled by malignant cells were not identified.: Most CXPAs consist only of epithelial cells that have an immunoprofile comparable to ductal luminal cells of PA. These malignant luminal cells arise in the duct-like structures as intraductal carcinoma and probably only at this early stage of development should the lesion be considered as a non-invasive carcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background : The Aché Natives are an especially interesting group of people, due to their distinctive morphological aspect and the fact that only in the last three decades have they established more permanent contact with outside populations. The objectives of the present study were: (a) to verify their distinctiveness in relation to mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variability; (b) to ascertain whether the pattern observed was congruent with other genetic studies performed among them; and (c) to establish historical inferences that would explain the eventual similarities or differences. Subjects and methods : Sample collection was made at two localities in eastern Paraguay. DNA from 64 maternally unrelated subjects were tested in relation to the mtDNA hypervariable segment 1 (HVS-1) by automatic sequencing. Results : Fifty-six individuals presented exactly the same haplogroup B founder haplotype; another differed from it by a single transition polymorphism at site 16362, while six other subjects showed an identical haplogroup A founding haplotype. An A/G heteroplasmy at the 16269 site was seen in one haplogroup B individual, probably due to a somatic mutation. Conclusions : The Aché present distinctive differences and reduced mtDNA HVS-1 variability compared to other South American Natives. Similar differences were observed for other genetic systems. At present it is not clear whether their peculiarities already existed in their founding populations or whether they were secondarily acquired due to a long period of isolation in the humid, subtropical forest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Do the population relationships obtained using DNA or blood group plus protein markers remain the same or do they reveal different patterns, indicating that the factors which influence genetic variation at these two levels of analysis are diverse? Can these markers shed light on the biological classification of the Aché, a Paraguayan tribe which only recently established more permanent contacts with non-Indians? Subjects and methods: To consider these questions we typed 193 individuals from four Amerindian tribes in relation to 12 Alu polymorphisms (five of them never studied in these populations), while 22 blood group plus protein systems were studied among the Aché. These data were then integrated with those previously available (blood groups plus proteins) for the three other populations. DNA extraction and amplification, as well as the other laboratory procedures, were performed using standard methods currently in use in our laboratory. The genetic relationships were obtained using the D[sub A] distance, and the trees were constructed by the neighbour-joining method, both developed by M. Nei and collaborators. Reliability of the trees was tested by bootstrap replications. Other population variability values were also determined using Nei's methods. Results: Alu polymorphism was observed in all populations and for most of the loci; in the seven systems from which we could compare our results with those of other Amerindian groups agreement was satisfactory. Unusual findings on the blood group plus protein systems of the Aché were a very low (5%) HP*1 frequency and the presence of the C[sup W] phenotype in the Rh blood group. The intertribal patterns of relationship and other aspects of their variation were remarkably congruent in the two sets (Alu; blood group plus protein) of systems. Conclusions: The answer to the first question posed above is affirmative. However, the problem of whether the Aché derived from a Gê group that preceded the Guarani colonization of Paraguay, or are just a differentiated Guarani group, could not be answered with the genetic information available; the second hypothesis seems more likely at present, but the point to be emphasized is the striking genetic distinctiveness of the Aché as compared to other Amerindians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to compare the electromyographic (EMG) activity of jaw- closing muscles of individuals with normal and reduced periodontal bone support. Fourteen adult subjects with more than 24 remaining teeth and low levels of periodontal inflammation, were selected for the study. Subjects of the control group had 90% of the periodontal bone support left, while other subjects presented a reduction of 52% of the original periodontal bone. Chewing experiments were performed using silicone tablets, carrots and white bread. The EMG of masseter and anterior temporal muscles was performed bilaterally, using bipolar surface electrodes, and the EMG amplitude was full wave rectified, integrated and the area extension under the curve was used to access muscle activity. The results of the chewing experiments did not show any statistically significant difference in the EMG activity of the study groups, irrespective of the chewing stuff. The height of periodontal bone support did not seem to influence the electroactivity of jaw-closing muscles, indicating that reduced periodontal support might equally be able to withstand masticatory loads. Hence, individuals with reduced periodontal bone support revealed a similar EMG activity compared to subjects with normal periodontal bone support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Classic anatomical literature frequently describes C7 contribution to ulnar nerve (UN) formation as a casual event. However, surgical practice and dissections frequently reveal a recurrent presence of a lateral cord component of the UN. This study aimed to seek through literature to establish the frequency and degree of this contribution. Methodology. We ran a literature review searching on Pubmed, MEDLINE, Embase and Web of Science databases for ulnar nerve anatomy and described discursively the results. Results and discussion. We found 9 articles that described quantitatively and qualitatively the contribution of C7 on the formation of the UN. The prevalence described ranged from 2 to 100%, depending on the methodology used and population characteristics. When present, studies described a contribution from 9,9% to 30,4%, sending even more fibres than T1 root on average. Conclusion. The C7 root can be considered a frequent and important component of the ulnar nerve, explaining UN territory repercussions on C7 radiculopathies. This knowledge is important on surgical approaches, maybe avoiding iatrogenic lesions and negative outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Bone is a plastic tissue that is responsive to its physical environment. As a result, exercise interventions represent a potential means to influence the bone. However, little is currently known about how various exercise and participant characteristics interact to influence bone metabolism. Acute, controlled, interventions provide an in vivo model through which the acute bone response to exercise can be investigated, typically by monitoring circulating bone biomarkers. Currently, substantial heterogeneity in factors such as study design, quality, exercise, and participant characteristics render it difficult to synthesize and evaluate the available evidence. Using a systematic review and meta-analytic approach, the aim of this investigation is to quantify the effect of an acute exercise bout on circulating bone biomarkers as well as examine the potential factors that may moderate this response, e.g., variation in participant, exercise, and sampling characteristics. Methods: This protocol was designed in accordance with the PRISMA-P guidelines. Seven databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Sport Discus, Cochrane CENTRAL, PEDro, LILACS, and Ibec) will be systematically searched and supplemented by a secondary screening of the reference lists of all included articles. The PICOS (Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcomes and Study Design) approach was used to guide the determination of the eligibility criteria. Participants of any age, sex, training, or health status will be considered for inclusion. We will select studies that have measured the bone biomarker response before and after an acute exercise session. All biomarkers considered to represent the bone metabolism will be considered for inclusion, and sensitivity analyses will be conducted using reference biomarkers for the measurement of bone resorption and formation (namely β-CTX-1 and P1NP). Multi-level, meta-regression models within a Bayesian framework will be used to explore the main effect of acute exercise on bone biomarkers as well as potential moderating factors. The risk of bias for each individual study will be evaluated using a modified version of the Downs and Black checklist while certainty in resultant outcomes will be assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. Discussion: A better understanding of the bone metabolic response to an acute bout of exercise has the potential to advance our understanding of the mechanisms through which this stimulus impacts bone metabolism, including factors that may moderate this response. Additionally, we will identify current gaps in the evidence base and provide recommendations to inform future research. Systematic review registration: This protocol was prospectively registered in the Open Science Framework Registry (https://osf.io/6f8dz) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]