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Premise: Cacti are characteristic elements of the Neotropical flora and of major interest for biogeographic, evolutionary, and ecological studies. We tested global biogeographic boundaries for Neotropical Cactaceae using specimen-based occurrences, coupled with data from visual observations, as a means to tackle the known collection biases in the family., Methods: Species richness and record density were assessed for preserved specimens and human observations, and a bioregional scheme tailored to Cactaceae was produced using the interactive web application Infomap Bioregions, based on data from 261,272 point records cleaned through automated and manual steps., Results: We found that areas in Mexico and southwestern USA, in eastern Brazil, and along the Andean region have the greatest density of records and the highest species richness. Human observations complement information from preserved specimens substantially, especially along the Andes. We propose 24 cactus bioregions, among which the most species-rich are northern Mexico/southwestern USA, central Mexico, southern central Mexico, Central America, Mexican Pacific coast, central and southern Andes, northwestern Mexico/extreme southwestern USA, southwestern Bolivia, northeastern Brazil, and Mexico/Baja California., Conclusions: The bioregionalization proposed shows biogeographic boundaries specific to cacti and can thereby aid further evolutionary, biogeographic, and ecological studies by providing a validated framework for further analyses. This classification builds upon, and is distinctive from, other expert-derived regionalization schemes for other taxa. Our results showcase how observation data, including citizen-science records, can complement traditional specimen-based data for biogeographic research, particularly for taxa with specific specimen collection and preservation challenges and those that are threatened or internationally protected., (© 2023 Botanical Society of America.)

This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials tested the effects of home-based, supervised, or mixed exercise interventions on the functional capacity (FC) and quality of life (QoL) in colorectal cancer patients. A literature search was performed using the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Medline databases. Two reviewers screened the literature through March 10, 2021 for studies related to exercise and colorectal cancer. Of the 1161 screened studies in the initial search, 13 studies met the eligibility criteria (home-based = 6 studies; supervised or mixed = 7 studies). Overall, 706 patients were enrolled in the trials, and 372 patients were submitted to home-based, supervised, or mixed exercise intervention. The overall results from the main meta-analysis showed a significant effect regarding supervised or mixed intervention (6 studies; p = 0.002; I 2  = 43%; PI 0.41-1.39); however, no significant effect was observed for home-based intervention (5 studies; p = 0.05; I 2  = 25%; PI - 0.34-0.76). A sensitivity analysis based on studies with intervention adherence ≥ 80% (home-based = 3 studies; supervised or mixed = 4 studies) revealed that home-based intervention or intervention entirely supervised or with some level of supervision (mixed) are effective in improving the QoL and FC of CRC patients. In summary, this meta-analysis verified that supervised and home-based exercise can modify QoL and FC when intervention adherence ≥ 80%. Regardless of the supervision characteristics, future RCTs are strongly encouraged to provide a detailed description of the exercise variables in physical interventions for CRC prescription. This perspective will allow a refined exercise prescription for patients with CRC, mainly according to their clinical status., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Chagas disease (CD) continues to be a major public health burden in Latina America. Information on the interplay between COVID-19 and CD is lacking. Our aim was to assess clinical characteristics and in-hospital outcomes of patients with CD and COVID-19, and to compare it to non-CD patients. Consecutive patients with confirmed COVID-19 were included from March to September 2020. Genetic matching for sex, age, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and hospital was performed in a 4:1 ratio. Of the 7018 patients who had confirmed COVID-19, 31 patients with CD and 124 matched controls were included (median age 72 (64-80) years-old, 44.5% were male). At baseline, heart failure (25.8% vs. 9.7%) and atrial fibrillation (29.0% vs. 5.6%) were more frequent in CD patients than in the controls (p < 0.05). C-reactive protein levels were lower in CD patients compared with the controls (55.5 [35.7, 85.0] vs. 94.3 [50.7, 167.5] mg/dL). In-hospital management, outcomes and complications were similar between the groups. In this large Brazilian COVID-19 Registry, CD patients had a higher prevalence of atrial fibrillation and chronic heart failure compared with non-CD controls, with no differences in-hospital outcomes. The lower C-reactive protein levels in CD patients require further investigation., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

The use of behavioral data is quite common in studies of chordate animals and some groups of arthropods; however, these data are usually used in ecological and conservation studies. Their use remains uncommon in phylogenetic reconstructions, especially for non-model groups in behavioral studies. This study aims to evaluate the methodological use of behavioral (feeding process) data with EthoKit Logger in the phylogenetic reconstruction of the Cnidaria, a group in the so-called 'lower' Metazoa. The results indicate considerable cohesion with reconstructions based on molecular data available in previous studies. We therefore suggest that the use of behavioral characters can possible be a useful secondary tool or a proof test for molecular evolutionary reconstructions.

Objectives: This observational, cross-sectional study based aimed to test whether heart failure (HF)-disease management program (DMP) components are influencing care and clinical decision-making in Brazil., Methods: The survey respondents were cardiologists recommended by experts in the field and invited to participate in the survey via printed form or email. The survey consisted of 29 questions addressing site demographics, public versus private infrastructure, HF baseline data of patients, clinical management of HF, performance indicators, and perceptions about HF treatment., Results: Data were obtained from 98 centers (58% public and 42% private practice) distributed across Brazil. Public HF-DMPs compared to private HF-DMP were associated with a higher percentage of HF-DMP-dedicated services (79% vs 24%; OR: 12, 95% CI: 94-34), multidisciplinary HF (MHF)-DMP [84% vs 65%; OR: 3; 95% CI: 1-8), HF educational programs (49% vs 18%; OR: 4; 95% CI: 1-2), written instructions before hospital discharge (83% vs 76%; OR: 1; 95% CI: 0-5), rehabilitation (69% vs 39%; OR: 3; 95% CI: 1-9), monitoring (44% vs 29%; OR: 2; 95% CI: 1-5), guideline-directed medical therapy-HF use (94% vs 85%; OR: 3; 95% CI: 0-15), and less B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) dosage (73% vs 88%; OR: 3; 95% CI: 1-9), and key performance indicators (37% vs 60%; OR: 3; 95% CI: 1-7). In comparison to non- MHF-DMP, MHF-DMP was associated with more educational initiatives (42% vs 6%; OR: 12; 95% CI: 1-97), written instructions (83% vs 68%; OR: 2: 95% CI: 1-7), rehabilitation (69% vs 17%; OR: 11; 95% CI: 3-44), monitoring (47% vs 6%; OR: 14; 95% CI: 2-115), GDMT-HF (92% vs 83%; OR: 3; 95% CI: 0-15). In addition, there were less use of BNP as a biomarker (70% vs 84%; OR: 2; 95% CI: 1-8) and key performance indicators (35% vs 51%; OR: 2; 95% CI: 91,6) in the non-MHF group. Physicians considered changing or introducing new medications mostly when patients were hospitalized or when observing worsening disease and/or symptoms. Adherence to drug treatment and non-drug treatment factors were the greatest medical problems associated with HF treatment., Conclusion: HF-DMPs are highly heterogeneous. New strategies for HF care should consider the present study highlights and clinical decision-making processes to improve HF patient care.

Over the past years, the assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) have been accompanied by constant innovations. For instance, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), time-lapse monitoring of the embryonic morphokinetics, and PGS are innovative techniques that increased the success of the ART. In the same trend, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) techniques is being intensively researched whether in the embryo or spermatozoa selection. Despite several studies already published, the use of AI within assisted reproduction clinics is not yet a reality. This is largely due to the different AI techniques that are being proposed to be used in the daily routine of the clinics, which causes some uncertainty in their use. To shed light on this complex scenario, this review briefly describes some of the most frequently used AI algorithms, their functionalities, and their potential use. Several databases were analyzed in search of articles where applied artificial intelligence algorithms were used on reproductive data. Our focus was on the classification of embryonic cells and semen samples. Of a total of 124 articles analyzed, 32 were selected for this review. From the proposed algorithms, most have achieved a satisfactory precision, demonstrating the potential of a wide range of AI techniques. However, the evaluation of these studies suggests the need for more standardized research to validate the proposed models and their algorithms. Routine use of AI in assisted reproduction clinics is just a matter of time. However, the choice of AI technique to be used is supported by a better understanding of the principles subjacent to each technique, that is, its robustness, pros, and cons. We provide some current (although incipient) and potential uses of AI on the clinic routine, discussing how accurate and friendly it could be. Finally, we propose some standards for AI research on the selection of the embryo to be transferred and other future hints. For us, the imminence of its use is evident, providing a revolutionary milestone that will impact the ART.

BACKGROUND Oxidative stress is responsible for generating DNA lesions and the 8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG) is the most commonly lesion found in DNA damage. When this base is incorporated during DNA replication, it could generate double-strand DNA breaks and cellular death. MutT enzyme hydrolyzes the 8-oxoG from the nucleotide pool, preventing its incorporation during DNA replication. OBJECTIVES To investigate the importance of 8-oxoG in Leishmania infantum and L. braziliensis, in this study we analysed the impact of heterologous expression of Escherichia coli MutT (EcMutT) enzyme in drug-resistance phenotype and defense against oxidative stress. METHODS Comparative analysis of L. braziliensis and L. infantum H2O2 tolerance and cell cycle profile were performed. Lines of L. braziliensis and L. infantum expressing EcMutT were generated and evaluated using susceptibility tests to H2O2 and SbIII, cell cycle analysis, γH2A western blotting, and BrdU native detection assay. FINDINGS Comparative analysis of tolerance to oxidative stress generated by H2O2 showed that L. infantum is more tolerant to exogenous H2O2 than L. braziliensis. In addition, cell cycle analysis showed that L. infantum, after treatment with H2O2, remains in G1 phase, returning to its normal growth rate after 72 h. In contrast, after treatment with H2O2, L. braziliensis parasites continue to move to the next stages of the cell cycle. Expression of the E. coli MutT gene in L. braziliensis and L. infantum does not interfere in parasite growth or in susceptibility to SbIII. Interestingly, we observed that L. braziliensis EcMutT-expressing clones were more tolerant to H2O2 treatment, presented lower activation of γH2A, a biomarker of genotoxic stress, and lower replication stress than its parental non-transfected parasites. In contrast, the EcMutT is not involved in protection against oxidative stress generated by H2O2 in L. infantum. MAIN CONCLUSIONS Our results showed that 8-oxoG clearance in L. braziliensis is important to avoid misincorporation during DNA replication after oxidative stress generated by H2O2.

This study investigated pH, activity and concentration of carbonic anhydrase VI (CA VI) in dental biofilm of caries and caries-free children of 7-9 years old. Seventy-four children were selected and divided into two groups. The caries diagnosis was performed according to the WHO criteria, including the early caries lesion. After biofilm collection and pH determination, CA VI concentration and activity were determined by ELISA and Zimography respectively. The data were submitted to a Mann-Whitney test and to Pearson and Spearman correlation analyses. Means and standard deviations of dental caries for the caries group were of 3.162 ± 1.385. The biofilm pH was significantly higher in the caries-free group. The CA VI activity was significantly higher in biofilm of children with caries. The CA VI concentration was significantly higher in biofilm of caries-free children. In caries-free children, there was a moderate negative correlation between CA VI activity and concentration in dental biofilm as well as between pH and CA VI activity. A negative correlation between biofilm pH and CA VI concentration was found in the caries group. In conclusion, CA VI was shown to be more active in the biofilm of school children with caries in order to contribute to neutralization of biofilm acid.

This article analyzes the English botanist George Gardner's trip to Brazil during the 1830s. After graduating from the University of Glasgow Gardner was influenced by his teacher and by readings of contemporary naturalists and set off for Brazil in March of 1836, arriving two months later in Rio de Janeiro. The article presents Gardner's impressions of slavery in Brazil, in an attempt to unveil the symbolic universe of a play he witnessed and described, which took place on a farm in Rio de Janeiro on Christmas night. By describing black slavery in its routes across the Atlantic, we compare this event with other similar happenings in Brazil and in Trinidad and Tobago.

Background: Toxoplasmosis is a zoonosis caused by an obligate intracellular parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, which affects warm-blooded animals including humans. Its prevalence rates usually vary in different regions of the planet., Methods: In this study, an analysis of the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis among Brazilian students was proposed by means of IgG specific antibodies detection. The presence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies by indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) was also evaluated in order to compare it with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and to assess the use of 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) and o-phenylenediamine dihydrochloride chromogens., Results: The IFAT method showed a seroprevalence of 22.3%. These results were similar to those obtained by ELISA (24.1%). The seroprevalence was directly estimated from the IgG avidity, which showed that in a sample of 112 students, three of them had acute infection, an incidence of 1.6% in the studied population., Conclusion: In this study, the use of different chromogenic substrates in immunoenzymatic ELISA assays did not display different sensitivity in the detection of T. gondii-reagent serum. The extrapolation of results to this population must be carefully considered, since the investigation was conducted on a reduced sample. However, it allows us to emphasize the importance of careful and well prepared studies to identify risk factors for toxoplasmosis, to adopt preventive measures and to offer guidance to at-risk populations about the disease.

Context: Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is common in postmenopausal women. It is associated with metabolic syndrome. However, the influence of hormone replacement therapy in NAFLD development in these women needs to be investigated. This study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics of NAFLD in postmenopausal women, and the relationship between hormone replacement therapy and this disease., Methods: From April 2009 to April 2011, 292 postmenopausal women from National Health System from Northeast of Brazil were selected, and 251 were included in this study. Menopause was defined as the absence of menstruation for 12 consecutive months in otherwise healthy women. Criteria to NAFLD included: presence of steatosis on abdominal ultrasound; history of alcohol consumption less than 20 g/day and exclusion of other liver diseases. All women underwent a clinical evaluation. Standard univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the results., Results: The mean age was 56.5 ± 6.7 years. Hormone replacement therapy was referred by 21.1% (53) women and 78.9% (198) was not. Prevalence of NAFLD was 37.1% (93/251) in postmenopausal women, 26,4% (14/53) in the group with hormone replacement therapy and 39,9% (79/198) without hormone replacement therapy. Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (P = 0.001), alanine transaminase (P<0.01), ferritin (P<0.001) and insulin resistance (homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance ≥3) (P<0.001) were higher in the group of women with NAFLD diagnosis who did not referred the use of hormone replacement therapy. Metabolic syndrome was also more frequent in women with NAFLD, who did not refer hormone replacement therapy., Conclusion: In conclusion this data suggests elevated prevalence of NAFLD in postmenopausal women; negative association of hormone replacement therapy and NAFLD.

The aim of this study was to use the fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique to test the hypothesis of qualitative and quantitative differences of 8 periodontopathogens between pregnant and non-pregnant women. This cross-sectional study included 20 pregnant women in their second trimester of pregnancy and 20 non-pregnant women. Probing depth, bleeding on probing, clinical attachment level, and presence of calculus were recorded. Subgingival plaque samples were collected and the FISH technique identified the presence and numbers of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Tannerella forsythia, Campylobacter rectus, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Prevotella intermedia and Prevotella nigrescens. The Mann-Whitney U-test was applied to compare the data between the two groups. The mean age, ethnicity, marital status, education, and economic level in both groups were similar. The clinical parameters showed no significant differences between pregnant and non-pregnant women. The numbers of subgingival periodontopathogens were not found to be significantly different between groups, despite the higher mean counts of P. intermedia in pregnant women. Colonization patterns of the different bacteria most commonly associated with periodontal disease were not different in the subgingival plaque of pregnant and non-pregnant women.

Purpose: To describe the maternal and perinatal outcomes after the use of 12.5 µg of sublingual misoprostol for labor induction in women with term pregnancy and a live fetus., Methods: We conducted a multicenter, open and non-randomized clinical trial during the period from July to December 2009. We included 30 pregnant women with an indication for labor induction at term, carrying a live fetus, with a Bishop score of six or less, cephalic presentation, estimated fetal weight of less than 4,000 g and an amniotic fluid index greater than five. We excluded women with a previous uterine scar, non-reassuring fetal status, congenital anomalies, multiple pregnancy, intrauterine growth restriction, genital bleeding, and contraindications of vaginal delivery. A tablet of 12.5 µg sublingual misoprostol was administered every six hours, until the beginning of labor, with the maximum of eight doses., Results: Labor was successfully induced in 90% of pregnant women. The mean interval between the first dose and the onset of uterine contractions and delivery was 14.3±11.7 hours and 25.4±13 hours, respectively. The frequency of vaginal delivery was 60%. Uterine tachysystole occurred in two pregnant women, being reversed in both cases without the need for cesarean section. Meconium-stained amniotic fluid was observed in four patients, and an Apgar score of less than 7 at five minutes in only one newborn., Conclusion: Maternal and perinatal outcomes were favorable after induction of labor with sublingual misoprostol at a dose of 12.5 µg every six hours. However, controlled trials are needed to compare this regimen with other doses and routes of administration.

Response surface methodology (RSM) based on a five-level, three-variable central composite design (CCD) was employed for modeling and optimizing the conversion yield of the enzymatic acylation of hesperidin with decanoic acid using immobilized Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB) in a two-phase system containing [bmim]BF(4). The three variables studied (molar ratio of hesperidin to decanoic acid, [bmim]BF(4)/acetone ratio and lipase concentration) significantly affected the conversion yield of acylated hesperidin derivative. Verification experiments confirmed the validity of the predicted model. The lipase showed higher conversion degree in a two-phase system using [bmim]BF(4) and acetone compared to that in pure acetone. Under the optimal reaction conditions carried out in a single-step biocatalytic process when the water content was kept lower than 200 ppm, the maximum acylation yield was 53.6%.

Patients with heart failure who have undergone partial left ventriculotomy improve resting left ventricular systolic function, but have limited functional capacity. We studied systolic and diastolic left ventricular function at rest and during submaximal exercise in patients with previous partial left ventriculotomy and in patients with heart failure who had not been operated, matched for maximal and submaximal exercise capacity. Nine patients with heart failure previously submitted to partial left ventriculotomy were compared with 9 patients with heart failure who had not been operated. All patients performed a cardiopulmonary exercise test with measurement of peak oxygen uptake and anaerobic threshold. Radionuclide left ventriculography was performed to analyze ejection fraction and peak filling rate at rest and during exercise at the intensity corresponding to the anaerobic threshold. Groups presented similar exercise capacity evaluated by peak oxygen uptake and at anaerobic threshold. Maximal heart rate was lower in the partial ventriculotomy group compared to the heart failure group (119 +/- 20 vs 149 +/- 21 bpm; P < 0.05). Ejection fraction at rest was higher in the partial ventriculotomy group as compared to the heart failure group (41 +/- 12 vs 32 +/- 9%; P < 0.0125); however, ejection fraction increased from rest to anaerobic threshold only in the heart failure group (partial ventriculotomy = 44 +/- 17%; P = non-significant vs rest; heart failure = 39 +/- 11%; P < 0.0125 vs rest; P < 0.0125 vs change in the partial ventriculotomy group). Peak filling rate was similar at rest and increased similarly in both groups at the anaerobic threshold intensity (partial ventriculotomy = 2.28 +/- 0.55 EDV/s; heart failure = 2.52 +/- 1.07 EDV/s; P < 0.0125; P > 0.05 vs change in partial ventriculotomy group). The abnormal responses demonstrated here may contribute to the limited exercise capacity of patients with partial left ventriculotomy despite the improvement in resting left ventricular systolic function.