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Touch is fundamental for infants o neurodevelopment, therefore is crucial to promote parental empowerment in this domain.

•Huffing, HFOO, PEP and volume-based techniques were the most prescribed.•Important regional differences were found across the country.•Age influences the recommendation of techniques.

Functioning results from complex interactions between different domains of life, such as "health conditions", "body function and structure", "activity and participation", and "personal and environmental factors". Women undergoing surgery for breast cancer are expected to suffer from some degree of functioning impairment, whether due to alterations in structural components of the ipsilateral upper limb or psychological and social harm. In this context, understanding which domains of functioning are most affected and to what extent these changes can impact the lives of these patients is crucial for designing public health policies and effective rehabilitation protocols particularly tailored to this population.

Drought is characterized by a low water precipitation rate, with strong impact on crop productivity, threatening global food production. In this context, the use of soil amendments, such as superabsorbent hydrogels constitute a potential technology for better water use efficiency and higher crop yields. In this work, we synthesised cellulose-based hydrogels, characterized their physical and functional properties, evaluated their impact on the environment, and their potential to be used as a soil amendments. The hydrogel showed pH of 6.0 to 7.5 and conductivity below 10.0 µS cm-1. The Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) showed a low intensity peak in the crystallinity region, which was supported by the low crystallinity index (27.3% ± 0.6) verified by Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) analysis. The swelling capacity reached more than 200 g of water, the hydrogel showed good resistance to osmotic pressure and high thermostability, which favours the application in hot and arid areas. In addition, no potentially hazardous compound was detected, nor was there any adverse effect on soil microorganisms. Further, the hydrogel was found to be safe for use during seed sowing and for promoting seedling development. In the greenhouse pot experiment, the hydrogels showed a significant increase in maize shoot and root biomass, demonstrating their ability to contribute to the overall water holding capacity of the soil, thereby influencing nutrient availability for more efficient plant growth. In conclusion, the superabsorbent hydrogel exhibited promising characteristics for use as a soil amendment, scalability potential and constitutes a sustainable alternative for agricultural applications.

ABSTRACTBased on morphological and molecular phylogenetic markers and the fertility of sexual crosses, two novel species of Fusariumassociated with Dactylopius opuntiae(Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae) and Aleurocanthus woglumi(Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) from northeastern Brazil are described as Fusarium caatingaenseand F. pernambucanum. Partial sequences of five loci were generated for 29 entomopathogenic Fusariumisolates. Multilocus phylogenetic analyses demonstrated that F. caatingaenseand F. pernambucanumbelong to the Incarnatum clade of the Fusarium incarnatum-equisetispecies complex (FIESC). These species displayed common morphological characters such as the production of various types of aerial conidia formed on monophialides and polyphialides and differ from each other mainly in the dimensions and morphology of their sporodochial conidia. Mating type polymerase chain reaction (PCR) revealed 17 MAT1-1isolates and 12 MAT1-2isolates, all of them heterothallic. Fertile perithecia were produced in 4.2% of infraspecific crosses of F. caatingaenseand in 13.3% of infraspecific crosses of F. pernambucanumafter 2–3 wk. Crosses between F. caatingaenseand F. pernambucanumdid not result in fertile perithecia. We demonstrate the existence of a sexual stage in species of the Incarnatum clade and describe the morphological characters of these sexual morphs for the first time. These results suggest that previously unknown sexual cycles contribute to the high genetic diversity within FIESC.

One of the major genetic insights into the pathogenesis of polycythaemia vera included the identification of the somatic point gain-of-function mutations in Janus kinase 2 gene—first JAK2V617Fon exon 14, present in 95%–97% of the cases, and later on exon 12. In the literature, we can find some reported studies where different exon 12 mutations are identified. Unlike patients with JAK2V617Fmutation in exon 14, the mutation at exon 12 is not usually associated with an increase in the three haematopoietic series (erythrocytosis, leucocytosis and thrombocytosis). It appears to be associated with a distinct syndrome, mostly characterised by isolated and more marked erythrocytosis, independently of the mutational variant. We report here the case of a patient who is JAK2exon 12 positive, presenting a novel mutation—c.1605G>T (p.Met535Ile)—associated with c.1612C>T (p.His538Tyr) mutation previously described, evidencing an atypical clinical phenotype.

•Changes were observed in the angular measurements (nasolabial angle).•Changes were observed in the facial soft tissue (nasal width and alar base).•Airway volumetric increase after SARME.

ABSTRACT4-Nerolidylcatechol (1) is an abundant antiplasmodial metabolite that is isolated from Piper peltatumroots. O-Acylation or O-alkylation of compound 1provides derivatives exhibiting improved stability and significant in vitroantiplasmodial activity. The aim of this work was to study the in vitroinhibition of hemozoin formation, inhibition of isoprenoid biosynthesis in Plasmodium falciparumcultures, and in vivoantimalarial activity of several 4-nerolidylcatechol derivatives. 1,2-O,O-Diacetyl-4-nerolidylcatechol (2) inhibited in vitrohemozoin formation by up to 50%. In metabolic labeling studies using [1-(n)-3H]geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate, diester 2significantly inhibited the biosynthesis of isoprenoid metabolites ubiquinone 8, menaquinone 4, and dolichol 12in cultures of P. falciparum3D7. Similarly, 2-O-benzyl-4-nerolidylcatechol (3) significantly inhibited the biosynthesis of dolichol 12. P. falciparumin vitroprotein synthesis was not affected by compounds 2or 3. At oral doses of 50 mg per kg of body weight per day, compound 2suppressed Plasmodium bergheiNK65 in infected BALB/c mice by 44%. This in vivoresult for derivative 2represents marked improvement over that obtained previously for natural product 1. Compound 2was not detected in mouse blood 1 h after oral ingestion or in mixtures with mouse blood/blood plasma in vitro. However, it was detected after in vitrocontact with human blood or blood plasma. Derivatives of 4-nerolidylcatechol exhibit parasite-specific modes of action, such as inhibition of isoprenoid biosynthesis and inhibition of hemozoin formation, and they therefore merit further investigation for their antimalarial potential.

Information on the impact of hormonal protocols for cervical dilation on the quality of ovine embryos is scarce. To compare the quality of embryos after cervical dilation protocol, ewes (n= 64) were allocated into either a treated group (100 μg estradiol benzoate intravenous and 0.12 mg cloprostenol intramuscularly, 12 hours before embryo collection plus 100 iu oxytocin intravenous 15 minutes before the collection procedure) or a control group (saline). Luteal function was analysed using ultrasonography and P4 measurement. Some collected embryos were frozen/thawed for gene expression, others were cultured in vitro, frozen/thawed for gene expression, and the remaining embryos were fixed for the apoptosis test (TUNEL test). The treatment reduced fluid (p=0.04) and structure (p=0.03) recovery rates, but the morphological quality, development stage, and apoptosis incidence of the embryos were not affected by treatment. The corpora lutea of the control group had greater blood perfusion (p= 0.002) and greater P4 concentrations at 6, 9, and 12 h after the treatment (p< 0.0001). The expression of BAX, BCL2, PRDX1, and HSP90genes were not affected by the treatment. However, the embryos in the treated group had fewer NANOGand OCT4transcripts than control embryos (p= 0.008; p= 0.006, respectively). After culture, there was no difference between the groups in any gene. The hormonal protocol for cervical dilation reduced the efficiency of embryo collection. In addition, the treatment induced luteolysis and a transient alteration of embryo gene expression, however there were no detectable changes in embryo morphological quality, development stage, or incidence of apoptosis.

This work was aimed at the production and rheological characterization of biopolymer by Sphingomonas capsulataATCC 14666, using conventional and industrial media. The productivity reached the maximum of 0.038 g/L·h, at 208 rpm and 4% (w/v) of sucrose. For this condition, different concentrations of industrial medium were tested (2.66, 4, 6, and 8%). The best productivity was obtained using pretreated molasses 8% (w/v) (0.296 g/L·h), residue of textured soybean protein 6% (wt/v) (0.244 g/L·h) and crude molasses 8% (w/v) (0.192 g/L·h), respectively. Apparent viscosity presented similar results when compared with those in the literature for other biopolymers.

Buxales (sensu Dahlgren 1980) is an order formed by two families: Buxaceae and Daphniphyllaceae. Among the families of Rosiflorae, (or Rosanae), the positioning of Buxaceae and Daphniphyllaceae show great controversy according to the modern botanists. In order to verify the validity of 1980‐Dahlgren's positioning of Buxales (with Buxaceae and Daphniphyllaceae) into the superorder Rosiflorae, a detailed study of micromolecular composition of the Rosiflorae families have been made. The triterpene alkaloids were found to be the prevailing class of secondary metabolites (91%) in Buxales. Triterpenes, steroids and flavonoids can also be found together with very low amount of iridoids. It is important to note that it has not been recorded any reference on the hydrolisable tannin production by these two famylies. However tannins are the characteristic natural products produced by Rosiflorae species, so this kind of compounds have been considered the truly chemotaxonomic markers for the superorder. Excluding Buxales, the superorder Rosiflorae, shows a poor tendency for alkaloid production: only 10 from 40 families present such kind of metabolism even so in a very timid way of expression. In conclusion buxales as stipulated by Dahlgren is characterized by an expressive production of squalene‐derived alkalois, feeble presence of flavonoids and terpenoids and lack of references about tannin production. On the other hand, the other Rosiflorae families are characterized by the huge production of tannins. Thus these chemical features indicate scarce affinities among these two plant groups.

•Adiponectin has association with insulin resistance and sensitivity and the development of type 2 diabetes. During pregnancy, adiponectin levels are decreased in the third trimester, coinciding with the greatest peripheral insulin resistance period. Some authors have been demonstrated the association between lower levels of adiponectin in pregnancy and the development of gestational diabetes mellitus. However, at the time this study was designed, no studies tested the hypothesis that decreased levels of adiponectin could help predict insulin need in pregnant women with gestational diabetes.•However, we found that the assessment of adiponectin after the diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus is not a predictor of insulin need for glycemic control during pregnancy.•The development of prediction tools to assess the insulin need during pregnancy for those with GDM is challenging. However, especially in situations with limited resources, it is crucial to provide risk stratification and redirect health expenses, making access to the tertiary health service possible to those who need most.

Pathologic fractures may occur when a bone has been weakened by an underlying pathologic process. The treatment depends on the etiology. We report on a patient with pathologic fracture in the jaw caused by unicystic ameloblastoma. The lesion was subjected to marsupialization, and the size of the radiolucent lesion decreased. The fracture was consolidated by bone regeneration. For the remaining tumor, a secondary surgery was performed with enucleation followed by spray cryosurgery using a combination of propane, butane, and isobutane gases. The patient showed no signs of recurrence during the 3-year period after the second surgical procedure.

Evidence shows that metabolic syndrome (MS) is associated with a greater risk of developing Parkinson’s disease (PD) because of the increase in oxidative stress levels along with other factors such as neuroinflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction. However, because some studies have reported that MS is associated with a lower risk of PD, the relationship between MS and PD should be investigated. This study aimed to investigate the effect of MS on PD. Two authors searched five electronic databases, namely, MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Science Direct, for relevant articles between September and October 2020. After screening the title and abstract of all articles, 34 articles were selected for full-text review. Finally, 11 articles meeting the eligibility criteria were included in the study. The quality of articles was critically evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute. Overall, we evaluated data from 23,586,349 individuals (including healthy individuals, with MS and PD) aged 30 years or more. In cohort studies, the follow-up period varied between 2 and 30 years. MS contributed considerably to the increase in the incidence of PD. In addition, obesity, a component of MS, alone can increase the probability of developing neurodegenerative diseases. However, despite few studies on MS and PD, changes in cognitive function and more rapid progression of PD disease has been documented in patients with MS using methods commonly used in research.

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays a role not only in calcium homeostasis, but also in several other functions, including cell growth and immune functions, and is considered a neurosteroid. Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent worldwide and has been suggested to be associated with an increased risk of emotional disorders. Therefore, the association between vitamin D levels and psychophysiological disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and mood, has been investigated. To list these variables, a bibliographical literature research was conducted in the MEDLINE/PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct and PsycINFO databases, between November and December 2020, with no year limits of publication. The studies involved humans aged between 18 and 59 years without associated diseases. This review presents evidence of the main variables involved in this association, main tools used to verify these variables, and methods used to verify circulating vitamin D levels in populations. Most studies have indicated that the main psychophysiological variables involved with vitamin D levels are depression and anxiety followed by mood, and an association has been observed between increased serum vitamin D levels and reduction in symptoms of depression, anxiety, and mood, and there is a heterogeneity of methods for assessing vitamin D. More studies are clearly needed to improve our understanding of their role in modulating the psychophysiological aspects of vitamin D levels.