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Although the presence of nitro groups in chemicals can be recognized as structural alerts for mutagenicity and carcinogenicity, nitroaromatic compounds have attracted considerable interest as a class of agents that can serve as source of potential new anticancer agents. In the present study, the in vitro cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and mutagenicity of three synthetic ortho-nitrobenzyl derivatives (named ON-1, ON-2 and ON-3) were evaluated by employing human breast and ovarian cancer cell lines. A series of biological assays was carried out with and without metabolic activation. Complementarily, computational predictions of the pharmacokinetic properties and druglikeness of the compounds were performed in the Swiss ADME platform. The MTT assay showed that the compounds selectively affected selectively the cell viability of cancer cells in comparison with a nontumoral cell line. Additionally, the metabolic activation enhanced cytotoxicity, and the compounds affected cell survival, as demonstrated by the clonogenic assay. The comet assay, the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay, and the immunofluorescence of the γ-H2AX foci formation assay have that the compounds caused chromosomal damage to the cancer cells, with and without metabolic activation. The results obtained in the present study showed that the compounds assessed were genotoxic and mutagenic, inducing double-strand breaks in the DNA structure. The high selectivity indices observed for the compounds ON-2 and ON-3, especially after metabolic activation with the S9 fraction, must be highlighted. These experimental biological results, as well as the theoretical properties predicted for the compounds have shown that they are promising anticancer candidates to be exploited in additional studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe the circulation of Saint Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV) in two Brazilian States during outbreaks of Dengue and Zika viruses. We detected the virus in a patient from Araraquara, State of São Paulo, and in patients and in a mosquito pool of Culex quinquefasciatus from Sinop, State of Mato Grosso. Phylogenetic analysis grouped samples from this study within genotype V, which are closely related to other strains that previously circulated in other parts of the country. Genotype V seems to have established circulation in Brazil. Highlights: During epidemics of DENV and ZIKV, we detected SLEV in human and mosquito samples from two different Brazilian States;SLEV detected in our samples belong to Genotype V of the virus;The detection of SLEV was only possible because there were active arbovirus surveillance protocols in both areas; [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate amoxicillin, metronidazole and gentamicin dosage regimens for antibiotic prophylaxis in colorectal surgery.Methods: The study was conducted in 20 patients undergoing colorectal surgery. Patients received one or two doses of amoxicillin 1000 mg, metronidazole 500 mg and gentamicin 3 mg/kg ideal body weight, banded by height. Antibiotic concentrations were measured up to 7 h post dose. Population pharmacokinetic (PopPK) analysis with NONMEM followed by Monte Carlo simulation of different dosage regimens was used to estimate the PTA for potential organisms associated with surgical site infections (SSIs).Results: A median of 5 (range 3-6) concentrations were available per patient. CL and V of all antibiotics were related to weight; gentamicin CL was also related to CLCR. The administered doses maintained the desired PTA up to 8 h for the Streptococcus anginosus group but not for enterococci, Bacteroides fragilis group, MSSA, and Escherichia coli. An additional 500 mg amoxicillin every 4 h was sufficient to achieve the PTA for most relevant organisms but 2 hourly dosing was required for patients at risk of infective endocarditis. A metronidazole dose of 1000 mg was required for patients >85 kg. In patients with CLCR >50 mL/min, 5 mg/kg gentamicin (with an additional 2.5 mg/kg in prolonged surgery at 6 h) maintained PTA targets for >10 h.Conclusions: PopPK analysis with Monte Carlo simulation identified prophylactic antibiotic regimens that would maintain the PTA for organisms associated with SSIs during short- and long-duration colorectal surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Archivos de Zootecnia is the property of Archivos de Zootecnia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Fatty acid (FA) content affects the sensorial and nutritional value of meat and plays a significant role in biological processes such as adipogenesis and immune response. It is well known that, in beef, the main FAs associated with these biological processes are oleic acid (C18:1 cis9, OA) and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA-c9t11), which may have beneficial effects on metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and obesity. Here, we performed differential expression and co-expression analyses, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and partial correlation with information theory (PCIT), to uncover the complex interactions between miRNAs and mRNAs expressed in skeletal muscle associated with FA content. miRNA and mRNA expression data were obtained from skeletal muscle of Nelore cattle that had extreme genomic breeding values for OA and CLA. Insulin and MAPK signaling pathways were identified by WGCNA as central pathways associated with both of these fatty acids. Co-expression network analysis identified bta-miR-33a/b, bta-miR-100, bta-miR-204, bta-miR-365-5p, bta-miR-660, bta-miR-411a, bta-miR-136, bta-miR-30-5p, bta-miR-146b, bta-let-7a-5p, bta-let-7f, bta-let-7, bta-miR 339, bta-miR-10b, bta-miR 486, and the genes ACTA1 and ALDOA as potential regulators of fatty acid synthesis. This study provides evidence and insights into the molecular mechanisms and potential target genes involved in fatty acid content differences in Nelore beef cattle, revealing new candidate pathways of phenotype modulation that could positively benefit beef production and human consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agricola e Ambiental - Agriambi is the property of Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agricola e Ambiental and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background After 5 years' sick leave in Brazil, employees must retire due to disability. The duration from breast cancer surgery to the end of treatment should be ~9 months. However, diagnosis alone can take 6 months. Surveys administered soon after returning to work have highlighted problems regarding the slow speed of the treatment process and lack of protective legislation. Aims To assess the barriers and facilitators experienced and the coping strategies adopted by Brazilian women 30 days after return to work following breast cancer treatment. Methods A qualitative study of 12 women treated for breast cancer. The interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and independently analysed by two researchers using a standardized method of analysis. Results Women took an average of 583 days to return to work following breast cancer treatment. The return-to-work experience was considered good, with the physical barriers being fatigue and problems with the arms, and the work environmental barriers being related to discrimination from employers and overprotection from colleagues. Facilitators included social and emotional support given by colleagues/relatives/employers and jobs requiring more cognitive effort than physical exertion. Coping strategies were related to job role adjustments and reduction in tasks and working hours. Conclusions Results were similar to those reported by previous studies, with the exception of the facilitators. Cognitive effort is commonly considered a barrier. However, the present study had an unusually long duration before return to work, possibly reducing the acute effects of chemotherapy on cognition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Binary asymmetric turbo codes and non-binary turbo codes have been proposed to improve the bit error rate (BER) performance of parallel concatenated coding schemes. Both strategies have certain advantages that can be exploited when they are put together. This paper investigates turbo codes based on two component recursive systematic convolutional (RSC) codes defined over a finite field of integers. Symmetric and asymmetric non-binary turbo codes are obtained and their BER performance in both the ‘waterfall’ and the ‘error-floor’ regions is analysed. The results show good performance improvements when compared to binary and quaternary turbo codes with same throughput. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Topical diclofenac is widely used in the treatment of pain and inflammation. This comprehensive review assesses the safety and efficacy of topical diclofenac in a range of painful and inflammatory disorders.Methods: Double-blind, randomized, placebo- or active-controlled trials (RCT) evaluating topical diclofenac in soft-tissue injuries, soft-tissue rheumatic disorders and osteoarthritis were identified through detailed literature searches. In addition, non-RCT evidence from publications evaluating the pharmacologic characteristics of topical diclofenac were also included in this review to obtain a more complete picture of the drug''s profile, its efficacy and safety.Results: Studies demonstrate that the drug preferentially distributes to the target tissues in sufficient concentrations to produce a therapeutic effect. A total of 19 double-blind RCTs in more than 3000 patients, supported by single-blind or open trials, consistently show that topical diclofenac significantly reduces pain and inflammation in acute and chronic conditions compared with placebo and is comparable to other topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and some oral NSAIDs (diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen). Improvements have also been observed in patients'' functional capacity and mobility. Topical diclofenac is well tolerated, resulting mostly in mild, easily resolved local skin irritation, and is associated with fewer side-effects than other topical NSAIDs and a lower rate of gastrointestinal complications than oral NSAIDs (diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen).Conclusion: This evidence-based review shows topical diclofenac to be an effective and well tolerated treatment in painful and inflammatory conditions, at least in the short-term. However, only published RCT studies have been included in this analysis, which may exclude some interesting data from non-RCT studies. Future trials of topical diclofenac need to be of longer duration, be better reported and consider a broader spectrum of acute and chronic pain indications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cooperation is often conditioned on environmental factors. Behaviors may be inactive due to external factors, and yet the trait itself may not change. We study the evolution of cooperation with active and inactive sites. In inactive sites cooperators behave as defectors, receiving but not providing benefits. This unintentional mimicry provides local advantage to cooperation, but also prevents the mutual reinforcement provided by clusters of active cooperators. In general, we found that cooperation is enhanced by inactivity. In particular, if most sites are inactive, cooperation survives even if the temptation to defect is very large. Interestingly, in the square lattice with pairwise comparison rule we found that cooperation is enforced by inactive sites only up to a certain limit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we use the framework of effective field theory to couple Einstein’s gravity to scalar electrodynamics and determine the renormalization of the model through the study of physical processes below Planck scale, a realm where quantum mechanics and general relativity are perfectly compatible. We consider the effective field theory up to dimension six operators, corresponding to processes involving one-graviton exchange. Studying the renormalization group functions, we see that the beta function of the electric charge is positive and possesses no contribution coming from gravitational interaction. Our result indicates that gravitational corrections do not alter the running behavior of the gauge coupling constants, even if massive particles are present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three-phase gas–liquid–liquid flows are very common in petroleum extraction, production, and transport. In this work a dual-modality measuring technique is introduced which may be well applied for three-phase flow visualization. The measuring principle is based on simultaneous excitation with two distinct frequencies to interrogate each crossing point of a mesh sensor, which in turn are linked to conductive and capacitive parts of fluid impedance. The developed system can operate eight transmitter and eight receiver electrodes at a frame repetition frequency up to 781 Hz. The system has been evaluated by measuring reference components. The overall measurement uncertainty was 8.4%, which considering the fast repetition frequency of measurements is suitable for flow investigation. Furthermore, a model-based method to fuse the data from the dual-modality wire-mesh sensor and to obtain individual phase fraction of gas–oil–water flow is introduced. Here a parametrized model is fitted to the measured conductivity and permittivity distributions enabling one to obtain phase fraction from measured data. The method has been applied and tested to the acquired data from a mesh sensor in static and dynamic three-phase mixtures of gas, oil, and water. Fused images and quantitative values show good agreement with reference values. The newly developed dual-modality wire-mesh sensor has the potential to investigate three-phase flows to a good degree of detail, being a valuable tool to investigate such flows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The flow of multiple constituents inside a pipe or vessel, known as multiphase flow, is commonly found in many industry branches. The measurement of the individual flow rates in such flow is still a challenge, which usually requires a combination of several sensor types. However, in many applications, especially in industrial process control, it is not necessary to know the absolute flow rate of the respective phases, but rather to continuously monitor flow conditions in order to quickly detect deviations from the desired parameters. Here we show how a simple and low-cost sensor design can achieve this, by using machine-learning techniques to distinguishing the characteristic patterns of oblique laser light scattered at the phase interfaces. The sensor is capable of estimating individual phase fluxes (as well as their changes) in multiphase flows and may be applied to safety applications due to its quick response time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Feature detectors have long been one of the touchstones of image processing. Most vision tasks are entirely dependent on the accurate determination of fiducial marks on images, which ultimately led to a quest for methods able to detect feature locations with high resolution. We report the development of an intensity-based subpixel corner detector based on the two-dimensional (2-D) Hilbert transform. Extensive testing of both accuracy and precision with live images finds the method adequate for subpixel detection at better than 10−1 pixel accuracy. The subpixel corner detectors and the evaluation proposals to date are briefly reviewed, and the proposed method is described. The results are shown and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]