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The Sustainable Development Goal 2 aims to eradicate hunger. However, many small island developing states (SIDS) face challenges in achieving this goal due to their reliance on the global market and susceptibility to crises. This paper focuses on Comoros, one of the least studied SIDS located in the Indian Ocean, to examine its food security and nutritional vulnerability. The findings reveal that Comoros experiences limited access to sufficient and nutritious diets, which are excessive in fat and deficient in key micronutrients. This situation is similar to other SIDS in the Pacific and the Caribbean, which also exhibit the convergence of the malnutrition triple burden. This paper further assesses the impact of changing food prices during the initial year of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on food security and nutrition in Comoros, serving as a case study for SIDS. Using microsimulations, we estimate the effects on food access, sufficiency, and adequacy at the household level. The results indicate a decline in food access and purchasing power for all households, particularly the poorer and rural. Additionally, food sufficiency has markedly decreased, leading to an additional 5,000 households (3.3% of all households) experiencing inadequate daily calorie intake. The study also highlights a reduction in the consumption of organ meats, fruits, and vegetables, resulting in decreased daily iron and folate intakes. This is particularly concerning given the high prevalence of anemia among women in Comoros and other SIDS. To address these challenges, policies promoting the consumption of fresh, nutrient-rich foods with low fat content are crucial to mitigate the malnutrition triple burden and curb the increasing trend of non-communicable diseases in these countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Direct planting systems offer several benefits to the soil and plants, as reflected in soil organisms. The Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are extremely sensitive to environmental changes and can be used as indicators of soil quality. This study focused on the native diversity of mycorrhizae in the region. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate mycorrhizal colonization, spore density, soil glomalin content and species diversity in five wheat genotypes under direct and conventional planting systems. This work was carried out in the experimental area of Embrapa Cerrados, Planaltina, DF, Brazil. The rates of mycorrhizal colonization, spore density and easily extractable glomalin were evaluated, and species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi were identified in five wheat genotypes under direct and conventional planting. For all the genotypes under conventional planting, there was a decrease in mycorrhizal colonization, the number of spores in the rhizosphere and the amount of easily extractable glomalin. The composition of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal community differed among the wheat genotypes and management systems. The richness of morphospecies of AMF in the direct planting system was similar to that in the conventional system, with twelve species each, but the conventional system reduced root colonization and spore density. The most common species were A. scrobiculata, Si. tortuosum and G. macrocarpum, which were found in all the genotypes in both cultivation systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morphine and codeine are essential medicines isolated from the opium poppy, whose biosynthesis is limited by the plant's L‐DOPA decarboxylase activity. In the present study, we use molecular dynamics and hybrid quantum mechanics/ molecular mechanics calculations to clarify the L‐DOPA decarboxylase chemical mechanism of decarboxylation and quinonoid intermediate protonation. In addition, the contribution of residues in the periphery of the active site to the rate‐limiting decarboxylation barrier was determined to guide future experimental mutagenesis aimed at increasing the catalytic activity of the aromatic amino acid decarboxylase enzyme, a fundamental step for the opiumpoppy‐free production of BIAs. Our calculations indicate that the decarboxylation barrier is higher in conformations in which the interaction between Tyr350B and the carboxylate leaving group is formed. Furthermore, the barrier for the protonation of the quinonoid intermediate by Tyr350B is predicted to be lower than the decarboxylation and dependent on His205A protonation by the bulk solvent. Residues Glu171, Asp270, Asp313 and Arg482 were identified as possible candidates for rate‐enhancing mutations of P. somniferum aromatic amino acid decarboxylase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Humans cooperate to build complex structures with culture-specific architectural styles. However, they are not the only animals to build complex structures nor to have culture. We show that social groups of white-browed sparrow weavers (Plocepasser mahali) build structures (nests for breeding and multiple single-occupant roosts for sleeping) that differ architecturally among groups. Morphological differences are consistent across years and are clear even among groups with territories a few meters apart. These repeatable differences are not explained by among-group variation in local weather conditions, bird size, tree height, or patterns of genetic relatedness. Architectural styles are also robust to the immigration of birds from other groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study on Holocene ostracods (subfamilies Cytherurinae and Paracytherideinae) was carried out in 500 bottom sediments samples recovered along the Brazilian continental shelf from Rio Grande do Sul (33º45’S/52ºW) to Espírito Santo (19º35’S/40ºW) states. New species belonging to the subfamily Cytherurinae are here identifi ed and described as follows: Eucytherura rara sp. nov., E. trifi da sp. nov., E. castellata sp. nov., and Semicytherura reticulocostata sp. nov. Three other species are kept in open nomenclature due to scarcity of material for study: Semicytherura sp. 1, Semicytherura sp. 2 and Hemingwayella sp., the last one representing the subfamily Paracytherideinae. The zoogeographical and stratigraphical analyses revealed that most of the species identifi ed do not exceed the latitude 19º30.1’S with the southernmost record at 33º52’S; some of these species extending to the Uruguayan and Argentinian shelves. Exceptions are the species Semicytherura parallelocostata and Semicytherura sp. 2 that reach the northeast and equatorial Brazilian continental shelves at latitudes 10º32’S and 00º08’S, respectively. Two of the studied species have a fossil record in the Pelotas Basin (Brazil): Hemicytherura auriculata (Miocene and Pleistocene) and Semicytherura rugosoreticulata (Holocene). Hemicytherura lapillata has been recorded in a Holocene outcrop in Bahia Blanca (Argentina). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic production systems are increasingly gaining market share; however, there are still few studies on their influence on the activity of soil microorganisms in sugarcane. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are extremely sensitive to environmental changes, and their activity can be used as a parameter of comparison and quality between organic and conventional systems. The objective of this work was to evaluate mycorrhizal activity in different varieties of sugarcane under two production systems. This work was carried out in a commercial plantation of the Jalles Machado plant in the municipality of Goianésia in Goiás, Brazil. The values of spore density in the soil, mycorrhizal colonization rate in the roots and easily extractable glomalin were evaluated, and the associated fungal species were identified. There was no effect of sugarcane variety on the number of spores or the glomalin content in the soil. The conventional system presented significantly lower mycorrhizal colonization rates than did the organic system. The varieties cultivated under the conventional planting system showed a greater diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, where 12 of the 13 different species of mycorrhizal fungi found in both cultivation systems occurred. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractBioactive peptides from vegetal sources have been shown to have functional properties as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antihypertensive or antidiabetic capacity. For this reason, they have been proposed as an interesting and promising alternative to improve human health. In recent years, the numerous advances in the bioinformatics field for in silico prediction have speeded up the discovery of bioactive peptides, also reducing the associated costs when using an integrated approach between the classical and bioinformatics discovery. This review aims to provide an overview of the evolution, limitations and latest advances in the field of bioinformatics and computational tools, and specifically make a critical and comprehensive insight into computational techniques used to study the mechanism of interaction that allows the explanation of plant bioactive peptide functionality. In particular, molecular docking is considered key to explain the different functionalities that have been previously identified. The assumptions to simplify such a high complex environment implies a degree of uncertainty that can only be guaranteed and validated by in vitro or in vivo studies, however, the combination of databases, software and bioinformatics applications with the classical approach has become a promising procedure for the study of bioactive peptides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An important source of greenhouse gases in Brazil is the nitrous oxide (N2O) emission from pasture, and microorganisms play an important role in nitrogen transformations in the soil. This study aimed to evaluate N2O emission and NH3 volatilization from bovine excreta in pasture in an integrated crop–livestock system (ICL) in the Brazilian Cerrado. Three treatments (urine, dung and control) were performed in two pastures (Area 1—three-year pasture of Urochloa ruziziensis and Area 2—one-year pasture of Urochloa brizantha cv. Piatã), with two application times of the excreta (dry and rainy season), during two successive years of application. Compared to the control, the excreta deposition on ICL increased soil N2O and NH3 fluxes. In the dry season, N2O fluxes were associated with higher ammonium (NH4+) availability. In the rainy season, these fluxes were related to NO3− availability and water-filled pore space (WFPS). In both areas, NH3 volatilization was higher after urine than dung application, especially in the dry season. The highest N2O emission factors were obtained for urine (0.32%), the rainy season (0.36%), and older pasture (Area 1: 0.24%). All these values were below the mean IPCC default values (0.77%). These results indicate that N2O emissions in pasture should be evaluated in regional conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the 2019-2020 season, six television programs about ETA were broadcasted in Spain. The aim of this research is to analyze the "television" story that has been built about the terrorist group ten years after the cessation of violence. For this purpose, a qualitative methodology based on textual analysis is used, since these are independent formats. The conclusions show a new narrative in which the recovery of certain historical facts and the ostensible protagonism of the victims coincide. The result is a renewed discourse that builds collective memory to learn and advance towards coexistence and reconciliation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The rising global aging population poses a notable challenge in cancer management due to increased cancer incidence with age. The use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in the treatment of different solid tumors presented as a less toxic alternative compared to chemotherapy treatment for elderly patients. However, the age-related remodeling process of the immune system, termed immunosenescence, is hypothesized to impact the efficacy of ICI in the geriatric oncology population. This study provides additional evidence to support the safety and efficacy of ICI in the treatment of elderly cancer patients by using a retrospective, single-center cohort design to analyze survival outcomes and the response rate of 220 patients. Overall, the study challenges the notion of age as a sole determinant for treatment decisions, highlighting the importance of comprehensive geriatric assessments for personalized cancer care in the elderly and the need for further research in this area. Cancer management faces a substantial challenge posed by the aging demographic. Aging is marked by accumulated DNA damage, and this phenomenon is implicated in the process of tumorigenesis. The concept of immunosenescence, postulated to manifest in elderly individuals, is defined by an age-related decline in T cells and a simultaneous elevation in proinflammatory status, leading to a diminished efficacy in response to immunotherapy. Notably, despite the rising prevalence of cancer in the elderly population, their underrepresentation in clinical trials persists. This underscores the unmet need to evaluate the safety and efficacy of cancer treatment in the elderly. This retrospective, single-center cohort study aimed to assess and evaluate the effectiveness and safety of immunotherapy in patients compared to younger individuals with metastatic solid tumors receiving ICI. A total of 220 patients were included, mostly males, with a median age of 64. The proportion of patients ≥ 65 years old was 56.5%. The use of ICI showed no significant differences concerning overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) among age groups across different cancer types (melanoma, non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), renal, and bladder cancer; p = 0.388). Concerning the response to treatment in renal cancer patients, a significant difference was observed (p = 0.041), suggesting a potential negative impact of age on the treatment response. In patients that presented immune-related adverse events (irAEs), oral corticosteroid therapy was marginally associated (p = 0.059) with the elderly population. When evaluating the NSCLC population alone (n = 131, 59.5%), our study revealed a strong association between the development of irAEs, patients' PFS and OS, and the duration of ICI treatment, but not directly correlated with age. The NSCLC elderly population presented a marginally greater number of irAEs, although without statistical significance (p = 0.86). ICI maintained efficacy and safety in elderly patients, challenging the notion that age alone should determine treatment decisions. The findings emphasize the necessity of a comprehensive geriatric assessment rather than relying solely on chronological age for personalized cancer treatment in the elderly population. Further prospective studies are needed to better understand immune responses in older adults and derive predictive biomarkers for cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we aim to analyze multiple semiotic-imagery meanings that construct and/or represent social meanings, establish interaction and organize the elements of text composition, in a multimodal mesh, taking the context into account. To meet this purpose, we are anchored in the theoretical-methodological assumptions of Social Semiotics, in a multimodal approach, put forth by Hodge and Kress (1998), Kress (1997; 2003; 2010), with an emphasis on the analytical categories of the triad of metafunctional meanings, proposed by Halliday (2014 [1985]) and incorporated by the Grammar of Visual Design (Kress; Van Leeuwen, 2006 [1996]). Methodologically, for a qualitative-interpretivist analysis, the selected corpus is composed of a frame from the first season of the national series “Bom dia, Verônica” (2020), available on the Netflix streaming platform, a meme about Prince Charles (2022), an advertising poster for the Santinha Ball (2022) and a cartoon about the spectacularization of violence by the media (2023), published on the media platform Instagram. This study is justified by the need for (re)knowledge and understanding of the semantic-pragmatic expansion of meanings orchestrated in the social whole in and through language. From this, we conclude that texts constructed by multisemioses are recurrent in modern society, to serve different forms of dissemination, narrating experiences and constructing concepts; establishing interpersonal relationships and organizing information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. People with Parkinson's disease (PWP) and their care partners (CP) are underrepresented in research. Methods. As an eight-week research advocacy training program, TeleDREAMS was designed to increase understanding of, and participation in, clinical research by older adults through topics on the research process. Qualitative analysis was conducted to explore themes from 365 thirty-minute semistructured phone interviews with 32 PWP and 17 CP TeleDREAMS participants. Interviews gauged progress, motivation, and information retention after each weekly module. Results. Eight salient themes were identified from the interviews, including Understanding the Importance of Advocacy and Becoming Cognizant of Past Advocacy Experiences. Conclusions. While some findings aligned with weekly module topics, others, such as stated learning preferences and knowledge acquisition of older adults in an educational program, were unexpected. TeleDREAMS may increase interest in community engagement, research participation, and advocacy roles in marginalized and underrepresented participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Successful reproduction for most birds requires them to have built 'good' nests. The remarkable diversity of nests across approximately 10 000 species of living birds suggests that 'good' nest design depends critically on a species' microhabitat, life history and behaviour. Unravelling the key drivers of nest diversity remains a key research priority—bolstered by renewed appreciation for nest museum collections and increasing correlational field and experimental laboratory data. Phylogenetic analyses—coupled with powerful datasets of nest traits—are increasingly shedding light on the evolution of nest morphology and there are functional questions yet to be addressed. For birds, at least, developmental and mechanistic analyses of building (behaviour, hormones, neuroscience) itself, rather than measurements and analyses of nest morphology, are already becoming the next major challenge. We are moving towards a holistic picture in which Tinbergen's four levels of explanation: evolution, function, development, and mechanism, are being used to explain variation and convergence in nest design—and, in turn, could shed light on the question of how birds know how to build 'good' nests. This article is part of the theme issue 'The evolutionary ecology of nests: a cross-taxon approach'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In the arid lands of Northern Mexico, there are several dairy cattle clusters managed under intensive production systems and fed completely with mixed rations, yet 3–5% feed rejection of the total ration offered has been reported. This surplus feed retains a high nutritional value which could be used to improve the reproductive efficiency of goats managed under marginal–extensive schemes. Therefore, we visualized an interesting research opportunity based on the circular economy approach. We hypothesized that a short-term supplementation with feed leftovers from dairy farms (i.e., intensive system) will increase the reproductive outcomes of rangeland managed goats (i.e., extensive system), trying to promote the circularity/connectedness between two highly discordant production systems. Our study intended to elucidate this working hypothesis. Based on a circular economy approach, we evaluated the possible effect of targeted supplementation with leftover feed from dairy cows (i.e., intensive system) on the reproductive performance of crossbred/rangeland goats (i.e., extensive system) in arid Northern Mexico. During the deep-anestrous season (i.e., March–April, 25° North), multiparous goats (n = 38) with a similar body weight (BW) and body condition score (BCS) were randomly assigned to two groups: (1) supplemented group (SG; n = 19; BCS: 1.76 ± 0.07; BW: 43.7 ± 1.8 kg), receiving 400 g goat d−1 of dairy-cow-feed leftovers prior to grazing; and (2) non-supplemented group (NS; n = 19; BCS: 1.76 ± 0.06; BW: 44.3 ± 2.5 kg). Both groups were directed to the rangeland for a period of ≈8 h. While the experimental period lasted 36 d, the experimental breeding considered 11 d (d0–d10). The anovulatory status of goats was ultrasonographically confirmed on days −20, −10, and −1 prior to male–female interaction. Previously, bucks were separated for 3 weeks from the experimental females and received exogenous testosterone every third day (i.e., 50 mg i.m.) prior to mating. With respect to the response variables, namely BW, BCS, blood glucose levels (BGLs), estrus induction (GIE, %), latency to estrus (LTE, h), estrus duration (ED, h), and luteal tissue volume (LTV, mm), no differences (p > 0.05) occurred between experimental groups. However, the response variables, namely goats ovulating (GO, %; 78.9 vs. 47.3), total number of corpuses luteum (TNCL, n; 27 vs. 13), ovulation rate (OR, n; 1.42 vs. 0.73), multiple ovulation (MO, %; 73.3 vs. 55.5), and pregnancy rate on d 36 (PRd36, %, 68.4 vs. 36.8), favored (p < 0.05) the SG over the NS goats. Our results demonstrate that connecting the circularity of two divergent ruminant production systems (i.e., cow-intensive and goat-extensive) by using dairy cows' feed leftovers as a targeted supplementation strategy in anestrous goats under a marginal-rangeland production system enhanced out-of-season reproductive outcomes (i.e., ovulation rate and pregnancy rate), thus benefiting marginal goat producers and their families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understand the perceptions and experiences of four caregivers of children and adolescents with picnodisostosis were analyzed, identifying difficulties encountered in the care pathway. Qualitative study, with oral history method and hermeneutic enomenology. The interlocutions started from problematizing issues investigating the vulnerability of the caregiver. The trajectory of the pairs is exhaustive until they gain access to the specialized genetic service of the Unified Health System (SUS) and diagnostic definition. The speeches reveal longings and emotions reflecting difficulties, and feelings of resilience and acceptance emerge in the stories. The speeches reveal the fragility of the health system, the difficulties faced in accessing specialists in the public health system, and the precise diagnosis for rare diseases, thus avoiding long therapeutic itineraries, a factor of negative impact on the psychological stability of caregivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are studies which suggest that some cannabinoids derivatives can produce effects on prostate cancer; however, the effect exerted on androgen receptor and 5α-reductase is very confusing; perhaps, this phenomenon is due to differences in the chemical structure of cannabinoids. The aim of this theoretical research was to evaluate the possible interaction of twenty-cannabinoids derivatives (compounds 1 to 20) with either androgen receptor or 5α-reductase enzyme using either 3L3X or 7BW1 proteins as the theoretical models. Besides, testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, dutasteride, finasteride and flutamide drugs were used as theoretical tools. The results showed higher affinity of cannabinoid derivatives 6, 13, 16 and 20 for the androgen receptor surface compared to testosterone, dihydrotestosterone and flutamide. In addition, other data indicate that cannabinoid derivatives 1, 3, 14 and 18 could have higher affinity by 5α-reductase enzyme compared with dutasteride and finasteride. All these data suggest that cannabinoid derivatives 6, 13, 16 and 20 could act as androgen receptor inhibitors. In addition, the cannabinoid analogs 1, 3, 14 and 18 could exert their biological activity as 5α-reductase enzyme inhibitors. This phenomenon could be translated as good candidates for the treatment of prostate cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How can moral transgressors rebuild their image as good people? Using affect control theory, I hypothesize that prosociality—benefitting others—will blunt negative impressions of a norm violator. I also hypothesize that benefitting good or weak people—and not bad or powerful people—will amplify the positive effect of prosociality. In two survey-vignette studies, participants reported their perceptions about a man who takes money from a found wallet—unethical behavior—and gives or does not give it to someone else—prosocial behavior. Results show prosociality redeems violators more when they help good rather than bad persons. In certain situations, helping powerless persons is more image revamping than helping powerful persons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article summarizes the analysis of α and β-acids and prenylflavonoids from brewers' spent hop (BSH) as source of bioactive molecules to improve skin integrity by inhibiting elastase activity. To maximize the efficacy of the BSH extracts, it was necessary to identify the most bioactive hop compounds and the extraction parameters to maximize elastase inhibition and total antioxidant capacity. Thus, a computational methodology was carried out to test the anti-elastase potential of these hop molecules, detecting cis-iso-α-cohumulone and 8-prenylnaringenin as main inhibitors. Then, BSH extracts were optimized to ensure the maximum extraction of bioactive compounds, using compatible solvents (water and 100% plant-based propanediol) according to the green cosmetic standards. Finally, a determination and quantification method based on HPLC–MS/MS was used to guarantee the presence of the bioactive molecules, detecting a higher concentration of cis-iso-α-cohumulone and 8-prenylnaringenin in those samples with high anti-elastase activity. By optimizing extraction conditions and agents, a BSH extract was designed, showing high antioxidant (81.9 mmol Trolox/L) and high anti-elastase capacities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Positive psychology is vital in increasing prosocial behavior and reducing bullying. However, limited studies have analyzed the influence of positive personal characteristics on the prosocial behaviors of bystanders in bullying. The present study examined direct and indirect relationships between spirituality, happiness, altruism, and prosocial bystander behavior in bullying. Participants in this study were 685 students from Northwestern Mexico; 51% were male and 49% female, between 12 and 18 years old (M = 14.3 years, SD = 1.68). A structural equation model (SEM) was calculated. The results indicate that happiness and altruism were related to prosocial bystander behavior. Spirituality and happiness have an indirect relationship by increasing prosocial bystander behavior through the positive effects of altruism. The SEM explained 48% of the variance of the prosocial bystander. The implications for improving defensive behavior in bullying and reducing school violence are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Neutrophils are crucial to antimicrobial defense, but excessive neutrophilic inflammation elicits immune pathology. Currently, no effective treatment exists to curb neutrophil activation. However, neutrophils express a variety of inhibitory receptors which may represent potential therapeutic targets to limit neutrophilic inflammation. Indeed, we previously showed that the inhibitory collagen receptor leukocyte‐associated immunoglobulin‐like receptor 1 (LAIR‐1) regulates neutrophilic airway inflammation and inhibits neutrophil extracellular trap formation. The inhibitory receptor Allergin‐1 is expressed by myeloid cells and B cells. Allergin‐1 suppresses mast cell and basophil activation, but a potential regulatory role on neutrophils remains unexplored. We aimed to demonstrate the regulation of neutrophils by Allergin‐1. Methods: We examine Allergin‐1 isoform expression on human neutrophils during homeostatic (healthy donors) and chronic inflammatory (systemic lupus erythematosus patients) conditions in comparison to other circulating leukocytes by flow cytometry. To reveal a potential role for Allergin‐1 in regulating neutrophilic inflammation, we experimentally infect wild‐type (WT) and Allergin‐1‐deficient mice with a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and monitor disease severity and examine cellular airway infiltrate. Flow cytometry was used to confirm Allergin‐1 expression by airway‐infiltrated neutrophils in RSV infection‐induced bronchiolitis patients. Results: Only the short 1 (S1) isoform, but not the long (L) or S2 isoform could be detected on blood leukocytes, with the exception of nonclassical monocytes, which exclusively express the S2 isoform. Allergin‐1 expression levels did not vary significantly between healthy individuals and patients with the systemic inflammatory disease on any interrogated cell type. Airway‐infiltrated neutrophils of pediatric RSV bronchiolitis patients were found to express Allergin‐1S1. However, Allergin‐1‐deficient mice experimentally infected with RSV did not show exacerbated disease or increased neutrophil airway infiltration compared to WT littermates. Conclusion: Allergin‐1 isoform expression is unaffected by chronic inflammatory conditions. In stark contrast to fellow inhibitory receptor LAIR‐1, Allergin‐1 does not regulate neutrophilic inflammation in a mouse model of RSV bronchiolitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A long-standing sociological puzzle deals with how societies shape individuals and their identities. Sociologists have theorized that identities are organized around core elements, termed “master identities,” that influence the adoption and expression of other identities. In this study, I examine the position of values as master identities within identity frameworks. I investigate the link between conservation and self-transcendence values and holding a diverse set of voluntary memberships. Additionally, I explore whether values mediate the relationship between age, gender, and memberships in voluntary organizations. Using multilevel structural equation models and data from the European Social Survey 2002, I find that conservation and self-transcendence are both directly associated with holding memberships across domains and mediate the relationship between both age and gender and voluntary memberships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The taxonomic review of the ostracods from Solimões Formation in the western Amazonas State, Brazil, allowed the identification of eight genera and twenty-two species of the genus Cyprideis Jones, 1857. Two species are new: Cyprideis goeldiensis sp. nov and Cyprideis javariensis sp. nov.; and Cyprideis sp. 1 remains in open nomenclature. For the first time, the species Cyprideis santaelenae Sousa and Ramos 2023, originally described to the Pebas Formation, in Peru, was recorded in the Solimões Formation. A new morphotype of the species Cyprideis matorae Gross et al. 2014 is here identified. The stratigraphical distribution of the Cyprideis species in the borehole 1AS-32-AM permitted the identification of four ostracod zones: Cyprideis caraionae Zone, Cyprideis minipunctata Zone, Cyprideis cyrtoma Zone and Cyprideis paralela Zone, presenting a time range from the middle Miocene (Serravallian) to the late Miocene (Tortonian). Based on the ostracod assemblage, an environment of a semiconfined lake, with mesohaline features and sporadic marine influence is attested to the western Amazonia during the Miocene. The species turnover of Cyprideis occurred during the Tortonian. • The taxonomic study of the Ostracoda from five boreholes from the Solimões Formation, western Amazonia, Amazonas State, Brazil, allowed the description of two species of the Cyprideis genus: Cyprideis goeldiensis sp. nov. and Cyprideis javariensis sp. nov.; and another species that remained with open nomenclature. • For the first time, an ostracod biozonation is recognized for the borehole 1AS-32-AM, and when associated with palinozones, suggests a Serravallian-Tortonian age for this borehole. • The taxonomic and biostratigraphic study of these ostracods consists of an excellent paleoenvironmental indicators for a better understanding of the Miocene in the Solimões Formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study to demonstrate the control of infection by microtubule-associated protein light chain 3-associated phagocytosis (LAP), conjugation of ATG8 to single membranes (CASM). It discusses the detection of raised vacuolar pH by the conjugation complex V-ATPase-ATG16L1 axis and its role in slowing LC3 recruitment and avoiding degradation in lysosomes.

This study analyzes the quality of occupational health and safety (OHS) disclosures and their determinants, taking as a sample the reports of 101 European Union (EU) companies included in the official database of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) for the year 2018. Content analysis served to build the quality index regarding the companies’ OHS disclosures. The index was then used as a dependent variable in one-way ANOVA and multiple linear regression models. We found that the quality of OHS disclosures is, on average, 12 points out of 30, which is significantly influenced by three determinants: the region of Europe, certification of the OHS management system, and external assurance of the reports. There is higher quality in Northern Europe, followed by Southern Europe, compared to Central and Eastern Europe, and Western Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many autoimmune diseases are chronic in nature, so that in general, patients experience periods of recurrence and remission of the symptoms characterizing their specific autoimmune ailment. In order to describe this very important feature of autoimmunity, we construct a mathematical model of kinetic type describing the immune system cellular interactions in the context of autoimmunity exhibiting recurrent dynamics. The model equations constitute a nonlinear system of integro‐differential equations with quadratic terms that describe the interactions between self‐antigen presenting cells, self‐reactive T cells, and immunosuppressive cells. We consider a constant input of self‐antigen presenting cells, due to external environmental factors that are believed to trigger autoimmunity in people with predisposition for this condition. We also consider the natural death of all cell populations involved in our model, caused by their interaction with cells of the host environment. We derive the macroscopic analogue and show positivity and well‐posedness of the solution and then we study the equilibria of the corresponding dynamical system and their stability properties. By applying dynamical system theory, we prove that steady oscillations may arise due to the occurrence of a Hopf bifurcation. We perform some numerical simulations for our model, and we observe a recurrent pattern in the solutions of both the kinetic description and its macroscopic analogue, which leads us to conclude that this model is able to capture the chronic behaviour of many autoimmune diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High rates of divorce seem related to low marital satisfaction levels; however, there is still a lack of a model that can help understand the couple's resilience and fragility throughout the life cycle. This research explores the role of communication patterns, their own and partner's motivation for conjugality, cohesion and flexibility within a couple, and several sociodemographic characteristics (e.g., stage of the family life cycle) that can explain marital satisfaction. A sample of 331 Portuguese in a marital relationship completed a sociodemographic questionnaire and marital satisfaction measures, communication and conflict management competencies, cohesion and flexibility, and motivation. Adequate statistical analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling. Both measurement and structural model performed in the study presented a good fit, with five significant predictors of marital satisfaction (that accounted for 85% of the variability): intrinsic motivation (β =.64), communication (β =.31), families with young children (β = −.08), families with teenagers (β = −.07) and professional/academic status (β =.06). By identifying a model for marital satisfaction, this research provides clues regarding which aspects might need to be considered in couples' clinical work to promote healthier relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pancreatic cancer (PC) shows a high fatality rate that can only be faced with a combination of surgery and chemotherapy or palliative treatment in the case of advanced patients. Besides, PC tumors are enriched with subpopulations of cancer stem cells (CSCs) that are resistant to the existing chemotherapeutic agents, which raises an important need for the identification of new drugs. To fill this gap, we have tested the anti-tumoral activity of microbial extracts, which chemical diversity offers a broad spectrum of potential new bioactive compounds. Extracts derived from the fungus Onychocola sp. CF-107644 were assayed via high throughput screening followed by bioassay-guided fractionation and resulted in the identification and isolation of six benzophenone derivatives with antitumoral activity: onychocolones A-F (# 1 - 6). The structures of the compounds were established by spectroscopic methods, including ESI-TOF MS, 1D and 2D NMR analyses and X-ray diffraction. Compounds # 1 - 4 significantly inhibited the growth of the pancreas tumoral cell lines, with low-micromolar Median Effective Doses (ED 50 s). Compound # 1 (onychocolone A) was prioritized for further profiling due to its pro-apoptotic effect, which was further validated on 3D spheroids and pancreatic CSCs. Protein expression assays showed that the effect was mechanistically linked to the inhibition of MEK onco-signaling pathway. The efficacy of onychocolone A was also demonstrated in vivo by the reduction of tumor growth in a pancreatic xenograft mouse model generated by CSCs. Altogether, the data support that onychocolone A is a promising new small molecule for hit-to-lead development of a new treatment for PC. [Display omitted] • Identification of a novel anti-tumoral natural compound: onychocolone A. • MoA of onychocolone A is the inhibition of Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK pathway. • Onychocolone A shows therapeutic value on functional 3D spheroids and CSC. • Onychocolone A reduces tumor growth in a xenograft pancreatic mouse model. • Preclinical studies support the potential of onychocolone A as a new drug for pancreatic cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Metatarsalgia is a common foot condition. The metatarsophalangeal stabilizing taping technique described by Yu et al. has shown good clinical results as a provisional treatment in propulsive metatarsalgia. 35 The Fixtoe Device®, a novel orthopedic device, intends to simulate stabilizing tape. However, to date, there is no evidence of its effectiveness. The aim of this study was to assess plantar pressure changes using the Fixtoe Device®, in comparison with the traditional method (stabilizing tape) in a young, healthy sample thorough a cross-sectional study.Methods: Maximal pressure (Kpa) and pressure-time integral (Kpa/s) in the second metatarsal head were measured in twenty-four healthy volunteers. Registers were taken in four different conditions: barefoot, traditional stabilizing tape, Fixtoe Device® without metatarsal pad, and Fixtoe Device® with metatarsal pad.Results: Mean second metatarsal head maximal pressure and mean pressure-time integral showed statistical difference among the four analyzed conditions (p < 0.0001 in both cases). The improvement in maximal pressure and pressure-time integral obtained in each intervention also showed significance (p < 0.0001 in both cases). Comparing the improvement of the Fixtoe Device® with and without metatarsal pad with that of tape condition showed a moderate to high and moderate effect size for both peak pressure and pressure-time integral reduction.Conclusions: The Fixtoe Device® reduces median maximal pressure and median pressure-time integral under the second metatarsal head in healthy young individuals. The Fixtoe Device® shows higher effectiveness than the traditional second metatarsophalangeal joint stabilizing taping technique. To our knowledge, this is the first investigation proving the effectiveness of the recently developed Fixtoe Device® in terms of plantar pressure modification, which leads the way to its use in clinics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We adapted a semi-distributed hydrological model (GRSD) to improve its versatility to simulate flood events occurring under different conditions, especially flash floods after dry summer periods in the Mediterranean region. The adaptation introduces a dependency on rainfall intensity in the production function. The evaluation over 2008–2018 in the Aude catchment (France) showed that the new model structure does not deteriorate long-term model simulations obtained from the original model. The adapted model performed better than or equal to the original model in terms of differences in the timing of peak discharges, regardless of the season of the year when the flood occurs. The most important improvement was observed in the simulation of the magnitude of the flood peaks during autumn floods. A visualization of model versatility allows the detection of the time steps when the new model tends to behave more similarly to or differently from the original model in terms of runoff production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Omnivorous waterbirds play an important role in aquatic ecosystems as dispersal vectors via direct ingestion, transportation, and egestion of plant and invertebrate propagules (i.e. endozoochory). Predatory birds also have the potential to disperse plants and invertebrates that were first carried internally or externally by their prey animals. However, the potential contribution of predatory waterbird species to propagule dispersal in aquatic ecosystems remains understudied.We chose the grey heron Ardea cinerea (Ardeidae) to study the potential of predatory waterbirds to disperse propagules within and among aquatic ecosystems. We hypothesised that: (1) herons disperse a wide variety of plant and invertebrate propagules, from different habitats, with different morphologies (i.e. dispersal syndromes), and including both native and alien species; (2) propagules are ingested with prey species that are primary dispersal vectors (i.e., herons are secondary dispersers); (3) heron pellets show a similar abundance and richness of propagules across their widespread range. We collected 73 regurgitated heron pellets containing undigestible remains from 12 locations across the U.K. and The Netherlands, and examined the taxonomic diversity of plant seeds, invertebrates and prey remains.Pellets were dominated by mammal hairs (99% by volume), and bones confirmed the ingestion of small mammals (prevalence of 38%, e.g. water voles Arvicola amphibius), fish (14%), and birds or amphibians (6%). A total of 266 intact plant seeds were recovered from 71% of the pellets, representing 50 taxa from 17 plant families, including the alien Cotula coronopifolia. The cumulative number of plant species dispersed was lower at higher latitudes. Eight plant species recorded had not previously been recorded as dispersed via waterbirds, and only three species have an endozoochorous dispersal syndrome. Plant taxa were dominated by Caryophyllaceae, Cyperaceae, Juncaceae, and Poaceae, with 24 species from the littoral zone (Ellenberg moisture values of 7–12) and 21 terrestrial species (Ellenberg moisture values of 4–6). Intact invertebrate propagules were found in 30% of the pellets, dominated by Cladocera (Daphniidae) and Bryozoa (including the alien Plumatella casmiana).Our results demonstrate that grey herons disperse plant seeds and aquatic invertebrates widely in north‐western Europe. Herons regurgitate pellets that contain plant and invertebrate propagules from both aquatic or terrestrial habitats, for which secondary dispersal via ingestion along with prey is the likely underlying mechanism (i.e. propagules either attached to or in the digestive systems of the various prey). Our findings showcase the potential of predatory waterbirds as vectors of plants and invertebrates, and how they may facilitate connectivity between freshwater and terrestrial habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is widely accepted that physical exercise can be used as a tool for the prevention and treatment of various diseases or disorders. In addition, in the recent years, exercise has also been successfully used to enhance people's cognition. There is a large amount of research that has supported the benefits of physical exercise on human cognition, both in children and adults. Among these studies, some have focused on the acute or transitory effects of exercise on cognition, while others have focused on the effects of regular physical exercise. However, the relation between exercise and cognition is complex and we still have limited knowledge about the moderators and mechanisms underlying this relation. Most of human studies have focused on the behavioral aspects of exercise-effects on cognition, while animal studies have deepened in its possible neurophysiological mechanisms. Even so, thanks to advances in neuroimaging techniques, there is a growing body of evidence that provides valuable information regarding these mechanisms in the human population. This review aims to analyze the effects of regular and acute aerobic exercise on cognition. The exercise-cognition relationship will be reviewed both from the behavioral perspective and from the neurophysiological mechanisms. The effects of exercise on animals, adult humans, and infant humans will be analyzed separately. Finally, physical exercise intervention programs aiming to increase cognitive performance in scholar and workplace environments will be reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traplining, when animals repeat the order in which they visit a number of locations, is taxonomically widespread, but little is known about which factors influence the routes that animals follow. For example, as the quality of rewarding locations changes over time, foragers are expected to update their traplines, either to prioritize locations where the reward increases or to avoid locations that have ceased to be profitable. Here, we tested how traplining wild hummingbirds responded to increases or to decreases in the sucrose concentration of one of the flowers on their trapline. Hummingbirds did not change their trapline to visit the flower with the increased reward first, but by changing the order in which they visited flowers, they avoided a flower that contained a decreased reward. Depending on where along the trapline the reduced-content flower occurred, hummingbirds either changed the origin of their trapline or changed the direction in which they flew around their trapline. It may be that this asymmetric modification of foraging traplines is especially noticeable in risk-averse foragers, such as these territorial hummingbirds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article works with the literature on public policies in the study of the implementation of the National Pact for Literacy at the Right Age (PNAIC, in Portuguese) in the state of Rio de Janeiro. The analysis highlights the collaboration between the State Secretariat of Education and the municipalities of Rio de Janeiro and the partnership with the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) and the National Union of Municipal Education Leaders (UNDIME), which shared the coordination of the Pact throughout its term in the state. Among the main findings, it is possible to point the creation of specific departments, in the municipal secretariats, to take care of literacy policies, the inclusion of professors and students from normal schools and from the Pedagogy degree program at UFRJ in training initiatives and a greater motivation of professors for training in higher, graduate, and postgraduate courses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present experience report aims to highlight the importance of university extension, through the description and analysis of extension activities developed by students who are part of the undergraduate courses at the University of the State of Minas Gerais, Barbacena Unit, in partnership with public schools located in the same municipality. For this, the project made use of lectures and discussions held virtually, at different times, with students from different schools in the city' public system, in which topics of paramount importance to the Social Sciences were addressed, such as terms of institutional policy and religious syncretism, thus demonstrating that in pandemic times, the exchange of knowledge between the school environment and higher education institutions is still possible. The results showed that with the completion of the project, the students who participated in the proposed dynamics, either orally, or via Google Meet chat, gained knowledge beyond common sense on both themes developed. In addition, the project proposes to contribute to the advancement of one of the current pillars of the public university: the university extension, while reflecting on the contributions provided by the present practice of university extension in the training of students as future educators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In situations of divorce or conflict separation, children often disassociate themselves from one of their parents. From the best interests of the child, observing the need for the children to bond with both parents and their extended families, the process of family reunification carried out by 5 family therapists from a University Psychological Clinic was investigated, based on the referral from the Court of Family. With a qualitative methodology and a descriptive design, the focused individual interview with check-up and the group interview were used as data collection techniques. Among the results, two central nuclei of content were identified: Intervention process and reordering of family system relationships, from which the family reunification process is systematized in a flowchart, indicating phases, criteria and / or objectives. The results are discussed confirming the agreement with conceptual aspects; The resistance of the adults with respect to the re-bonding process and especially those associated with the linked adult are observed, being necessary to strengthen the bonds of mutual trust, and the necessary approach to psychopathological symptoms that may appear in any of the family members. The reflective exercise carried out by therapists by observing their practices and the need to maintain these spaces as an ethical duty stands out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study used linked, routinely-collected datasets to explore incidence, clinical characteristics and outcomes of prostate cancer (PC) patients who experience a rise in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels despite androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), without evidence of metastases in their patient record, termed non-metastatic castration-resistant PC (nmCRPC). Routinely collected administrative data in Wales were used to identify patients diagnosed with PC and nmCRPC from 2000–2015. Logrank tests and Cox proportional hazard models were used to compare time-to-events across subgroups defined by PSA doubling time and age. Of 38,021 patients identified with PC, 1,465 met nmCRPC criteria. PC incidence increased over the study period, while nmCRPC categorizations reduced. Median time from PC diagnosis to nmCRPC categorization was 3.07 years (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.91–3.26) and from nmCRPC categorization to metastases/death was 2.86 years (95% CI 2.67–3.09). Shorter PSA doubling time (≤ 10 months, versus > 10 months) was associated with reduced time to metastases or death (2.11 years [95% CI 1.92–2.30] versus 5.22 years [95% CI 4.87–5.51]). Age was not significantly associated with time to metastases/death. Our findings highlight key clinical characteristics and outcomes for patients with nmCRPC prior to the introduction of recently approved treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work reports a simple, direct, and easy route to prepare thin films between graphene‐like materials and two hexacyanometallates, based on metal cation modification in graphene oxide (GO) thin films obtained by the liquid/liquid interfacial route. The reaction between GO and Cu2+ or Fe3+ ions in aqueous solution yields GO/Cu2+ or GO/Fe3+, and the nature of the interactions between the GO and the metal cations were demonstrated by FT‐IR. GO/Cu2+ and GO/Fe3+can be chemically reduced to reduced graphene oxide/metal nanoparticles (rGO/Cu or rGO/Fe) thin films. Both GO/metal cation or rGO/metal nanoparticles thin films were used as working electrodes for electrodeposition of their respective hexacyanometallates (Prussian blue, PB, and its copper analogue, Cu‐PBA) based on a heterogeneous reaction between ferricyanide ions in the electrolyte solution and the metallic species in the electrode. The PB and Cu‐PBA formation in all electrodes was confirmed by Raman spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, cyclic voltammetry, and scanning electron microscopy, characterized as well‐defined nanometric cubes homogeneously dispersed over the rGO sheets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this action research was to investigate and gather data concerning the effectiveness of technology as a mathematics teaching aid in an Early Childhood Classroom (ECE) at a school in Belmopan, Belize. It aims to understand (1) to what extent the use of technology as a teaching aid increase 12 students' academic performance and (2) to investigate to what extent the use of tablets aid in stimulating students' interest as they gain new knowledge and skills about Mathematics topics. The research was planned and conducted over a five weeks span in an Infant Two class. Data was collected via pre and post-test along with structured Mathematics lessons taught during the assigned period, the use of observation checklist and the teachers' lessons evaluation aid in providing validity to the data compiled. In this study, it is evident that students prefer the use of technology in teaching mathematics over the traditional way of teaching. The researcher concluded that through the use of technology teachers can create child-centered classrooms to stimulate students' interest in learning mathematics as well as increase their academic performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malnutrition in critically ill patients represents a major concern as it can lead to adverse outcomes including increased morbidity and mortality. These patients exhibit an impaired immune response accompanied by increased oxidative stress. Nutritional support, including parenteral nutrition (PN), is critical in these patients. Intravenous lipid emulsions (ILEs), a key component of PN, provide energy and intervene in the modulation of inflammation. This was a secondary study of a randomized clinical trial at the Reina Sofia University Hospital (Murcia, Spain) for critically ill patients following major abdominal surgery that were administered PN supplemented with olive-oil-based ILE (OO-ILE, n = 29) or a mixed-lipid ILE (soybean oil, medium chain triglycerides, OO and fish oil, SMOF-ILE, n = 25). The effects on clinical outcomes, metabolic markers, oxidative stress, and inflammation were evaluated. No significant differences were observed between groups in the clinical parameters and outcomes, oxidative stress, or inflammatory markers. The within-group evaluation demonstrated an increase in total antioxidant capacity in both groups, while OO-ILE increased the levels of 15-F2t-isoprostane. In addition, the results showed that both mixtures reduced the release of IL-1β and IL-6. These findings suggest that both treatments had similar effects on oxidative stress and inflammatory response in this type of patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The domain‐based local pair natural orbital coupled‐cluster with single, double, and perturbative triples excitation (DLPNO‐CCSD(T)) method was employed to portray the activation and reaction energies of four ubiquitous enzymatic reactions, and its performance was confronted to CCSD(T)/complete basis set (CBS) to assess its accuracy and robustness in this specific field. The DLPNO‐CCSD(T) results were also confronted to those of a set of density functionals (DFs) to understand the benefit of implementing this technique in enzymatic quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) calculations as a second QM component, which is often treated with DF theory (DFT). On average, the DLPNO‐CCSD(T)/aug‐cc‐pVTZ results were 0.51 kcal·mol−1 apart from the canonic CCSD(T)/CBS, without noticeable biases toward any of the reactions under study. All DFs fell short to the DLPNO‐CCSD(T), both in terms of accuracy and robustness, which suggests that this method is advantageous to characterize enzymatic reactions and that its use in QM/MM calculations, either alone or in conjugation with DFT, in a two‐region QM layer (DLPNO‐CCSD(T):DFT), should enhance the quality and faithfulness of the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To report the experience of academic care of nursing students during the joint construction of a singular therapeutic project with the family health care teams in a Basic Health Unit. Methodology: A descriptive study of the type of experience report on the elaboration of a singular therapeutic project, based on the experiences lived by Nursing students of the Federal University of Piauí in the second semester of 2019 when they followed up on a patient with mental disorder was carried out. Results: As a result of following the stages of situational diagnosis, goal setting, division of responsibilities, and evaluation and reevaluation, as well as the link between academics and professionals with the patient and her family in each phase of the singular therapeutic project, it was possible to identify the organic, psychological and social aspects that trigger health problems and risks to plan and implement interventions aimed at satisfying the demands of the patient and their family, consequently improving their quality of life. Conclusions: The singular therapeutic project proved to be an important tool to overcome the existing therapeutic gap between patient, family and health team, contributing to the strengthening of ties, a better resolution of the demands of the patient, the family and the production of autonomy and personal care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ordinality is a numerical property that nectarivores may use to remember the specific order in which to visit a sequence of flowers, a foraging strategy also known as traplining. In this experiment, we tested whether wild, freeliving rufous hummingbirds (Selasphorus rufus) could use ordinality to visit a rewarded flower. Birds were presented with a series of linear arrays of 10 artificial flowers; only one flower in each array was rewarded with sucrose solution. During training, birds learned to locate the correct flower independent of absolute spatial location. The birds’ accuracy was independent of the rewarded ordinal position (1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th), which suggests that they used an object-indexing mechanism of numerical processing, rather than a magnitude-based system. When distance cues between flowers were made irrelevant during test trials, birds could still locate the correct flower. The distribution of errors during both training and testing indicates that the birds may have used a so-called working up strategy to locate the correct ordinal position. These results provide the first demonstration of numerical ordinal abilities in a wild vertebrate and suggest that such abilities could be used during foraging in the wild. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tryptophan Synthase (TSase) is an emergent therapeutic target in the treatment of tuberculosis. Interest in TSase as a drug target arose from the fact that this enzyme is not present in humans, while in bacteria, like M. tuberculosis, it catalyses the last two steps in the tryptophan biosynthetic pathway. Several inhibitors of TSase have recently been developed, with promising results. However, the exact catalytic mechanism of this enzyme has remained unexplained at the atomic level. The fact that TSase is a multifunctional enzyme, with two dimers, each one with two independent active sites, interconnected by a 25 Å tunnel, has made it a challenging enzyme, from the catalytic point of view. QM/MM calculations were used to analyze and explain the two steps catalyzed by this enzyme. The results provide an atomic‐level clarification of the full catalytic mechanism of this enzyme, offering also important clues for the development of new inhibitors against tuberculosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical contamination poses a threat to ecosystem, biota and human health, and identifying these hazards is a complex challenge. Traditional hazard identification relies on a priori-defined targets of limited chemical scope, and is generally inappropriate for exploratory studies such as explaining toxicological effects in environmental systems. Here we present a non-target high resolution mass spectrometry environmental monitoring study with multivariate statistical analysis to simultaneously detect biomarkers of exposure (e.g. xenobiotics) and biomarkers of effect in whole turtle blood. Borrowing the concept from clinical chemistry, a case-control sampling approach was used to investigate the potential influence of xenobiotics of anthropogenic origin on free-ranging green sea turtles ( Chelonia mydas ) from a remote, offshore ‘control’ site; and two coastal ‘case’ sites influenced by urban/industrial and agricultural activities, respectively, on the Great Barrier Reef in North Queensland, Australia. Multiple biomarkers of exposure, including sulfonic acids (n = 9), a carbamate insecticide metabolite, and other industrial chemicals; and five biomarkers of effect (lipid peroxidation products), were detected in case sites. Additionally, two endogenous biomarkers of neuroinflammation and oxidative stress were identified, and showed moderate-to-strong correlations with clinical measures of inflammation and liver dysfunction. Our data filtering strategy overcomes limitations of traditional a priori selection of target compounds, and adds to the limited environmental xenobiotic metabolomics literature. To our knowledge this is the first case-control study of xenobiotics in marine megafauna, and demonstrates the utility of green sea turtles to link internal and external exposure, to explain potential toxicological effects in environmental systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Dalbavancin is an antibiotic active against most Gram-positive bacteria approved for acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI). Owing to its long half-life, it is being increasingly used for other indications. Patients and methods We present a case series of children and adolescents treated with dalbavancin for osteoarticular, catheter-related and other non-ABSSSI infections. Results Dalbavancin was prescribed to 15 patients. Six (40%) were female and median age at prescription was 11.9 (IQR 1.3–18.0) years. Most of them (12/15) had significant comorbidities. Patients presented mainly with deep surgical site infections, osteoarticular infections and central-line-associated bloodstream infections. The most common isolate was Staphylococcus aureus followed by Staphylococcus epidermidis. Major reasons to prescribe dalbavancin were to ensure compliance and patients' convenience. Two patients discontinued the drug due to adverse events possibly related to it. The rest of the patients completed the treatment with dalbavancin, with a median duration of 56 days (IQR 17.5, 115.5). All achieved complete resolution and present no relapse after a median follow-up of 9.9 months (IQR 4.8, 16.6). Conclusions Dalbavancin was a safe, effective and convenient alternative in selected paediatric patients with complicated non-ABSSSI infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes a study on the abundance of the zoonotic parasite Clinostomum dimorphum in different organs of the fish Hoplias malabaricus, known as "traíra" in Portuguese. Thirty-eight fish were collected from a reservoir in Niquelândia, Goiás, Brazil, and their organs were examined to identify the presence of the parasite. It was found that the opercular cavity and muscles were the locations with the highest abundance of the parasite's metacercariae. It is concluded that there is a risk of infection for local consumers, but cooking at high temperatures or proper freezing can inactivate the metacercariae and prevent pathogenesis in humans. [Extracted from the article]

This study analyzed the mutagenic potential of the sanitizing agent Vantocil® IB in hemocytes of the snail Biomphalaria glabrata after in vivo exposure for 120 hours. Concentrations of 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8 mg/L of the product were used, and the results showed an increase in the frequency of micronuclei in cells exposed to higher concentrations. No significant nuclear alterations were observed in cells exposed to a concentration of 0.4 mg/L. It is concluded that the mutagenic effects of Vantocil on B. glabrata hemocytes depend on the concentration and exposure time. [Extracted from the article]

This article reports the first record of the zoonotic parasite Eustrongylides sp. in Serrasalmus gibbus, commonly known as piranha, in the state of Goiás, Brazil. The study was conducted in the Bonito River, in Arenópolis, Goiás, and identified the presence of 57 larvae of Eustrongylides sp. in 39 individuals of S. gibbus. The prevalence of infection was 26% and the musculature was the site with the highest number of encysted larvae. Parasitism by Eustrongylides sp. can pose risks to local consumers, causing intestinal perforation and intense pain. It is recommended to raise awareness among the population regarding the safe consumption of fish meat. [Extracted from the article]