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Freshwater ecosystems have experienced a great loss of biodiversity in the recent century due to eutrophication and loss of habitats, particularly in agricultural lowlands. Some of these ecosystems have recently been re‐established, or entirely new lakes have been created to improve nutrient removal, biodiversity, and recreation.Fish have an important structuring role in lake ecosystems, but little is known about the temporal development of fish species richness or composition in new or re‐established lakes, especially in comparison with natural lakes. We investigated the influence of environmental variables and landscape features on fish species richness and fish assemblage in drainage basins and in 34 new (between 0 and 99 years) and 193 natural lakes in Denmark, using structural equation modelling.Fish species richness in drainage basins is influenced primarily by basin elevation, lake area, and salinity at the basin outlet; low‐salinity coastal regions are important migration pathways for many freshwater fish species, not just for anadromous or catadromous species. Land use does not appear to influence richness at the drainage basin scale, indicating that the influence of anthropogenic activities is minor or that significant effects thereof occurred a long time ago (decades to centuries).The drainage basin richness defines the apparent pool of species that may colonise lakes within the basin, but the actual number of species is particularly influenced by stream network connectivity. Disconnected lakes have fewer species, a deficit that is sustained over long time scales.In addition to the influence of stream connectivity, lake characteristics such as elevation, surface area, and water chemistry (alkalinity and pH) are also important predictors of fish species richness, whereas we did not find any effect of lake nutrient concentrations. The direct effect of land use was not evaluated. Ordination analysis shows that fish assemblage depends on both lake type (new/natural) and stream connectivity (connected/disconnected). Furthermore, species‐specific occurrences reveal some differences between new and natural lakes and indicate that stocking plays a role in new lakes.While new and natural lakes may initially differ in terms of both how many and which species they contain, they converge over time in a process that can be enhanced by improving stream connectivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cultivation of plants in environments polluted by metals at toxic levels can affect the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. Here, we analysed the effect caused by excess copper on the concentration of chlorophylls a and b and the profile of secondary metabolites of Lantana fucata leaves. Five copper (Cu) treatments (mg Cu kg−1 soil) were tested: T0, 0; T1, 210; T2, 420; T3, 630; and T4, 840. We found that the concentrations of chlorophylls in the plants decreased when compared to the control. However, this did not lead to a significant reduction in its growth, possibly due to the low translocation of the metal to shoots and the activation of plant defence systems to tolerate the environment in which they are exposed, increasing the emission of lateral roots and activating pathways for the production of secondary metabolites. Therefore, we found a decrease in the concentration of two key compounds in secondary metabolism, p -coumaric and cinnamic acids in treatments with higher copper concentrations. We also found an increase in phenolics. Decreases in p -coumaric and cinnamic acids may have occurred because these are precursors in the synthesis of phenolic compounds, which are increased in the high Cu treatments. Six secondary metabolites were characterised, described for the first time for this plant species. Thus, the presence of excess Cu in the soil may have triggered an increase in the amount of reactive oxygen species in the plants, which that led to the synthesis of antioxidant compounds, as a defence strategy. The cultivation of plants in environments polluted by metals at toxic levels can affect the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. In this study, we found an increase in the concentration of phenolic compounds caused by the excess of copper (Cu) in the culture medium. Described here for the first time, we identified six secondary metabolites in Lantana fucata leaves when exposed to high Cu environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Moonlighting by members of parliament is a controversial issue with consequences that are still not particularly well-researched. Drawing on theories of legislative organisation, we aim to shed light on this topic by scrutinising how MPs’ outside activities are associated with their political careers. For this purpose, we differentiate outside activities into work-related side jobs and lobbying-oriented interest affiliations. Furthermore, we assess parliamentary careers in terms of obtaining leading positions in committees and in working groups or sections in parliamentary parties. Our analysis of the members of the 19th German Bundestag (2017–2021) that were re-elected and subsequently appointed to offices in the 20th legislative period shows that some interest affiliations have a positive impact on the likelihood of being appointed to an office while side jobs and outside earnings do not appear to have an effect. In sum, our findings show that parliamentary party groups value MPs’ ties to interest organisations, but also question the collective benefits of MPs’ side jobs to legislation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dimerization of RAF kinases represents a key event in their activation cycle and in RAS/ERK pathway activation. Genetic, biochemical and structural approaches provided key insights into this process defining RAF signaling output and the clinical efficacy of RAF inhibitors (RAFi). However, methods reporting the dynamics of RAF dimerization in living cells and in real time are still in their infancy. Recently, split luciferase systems have been developed for the detection of protein–protein-interactions (PPIs), incl. proof-of-concept studies demonstrating the heterodimerization of the BRAF and RAF1 isoforms. Due to their small size, the Nanoluc luciferase moieties LgBiT and SmBiT, which reconstitute a light emitting holoenzyme upon fusion partner promoted interaction, appear as well-suited to study RAF dimerization. Here, we provide an extensive analysis of the suitability of the Nanoluc system to study the homo- and heterodimerization of BRAF, RAF1 and the related KSR1 pseudokinase. We show that KRASG12V promotes the homo- and heterodimerization of BRAF, while considerable KSR1 homo- and KSR1/BRAF heterodimerization already occurs in the absence of this active GTPase and requires a salt bridge between the CC-SAM domain of KSR1 and the BRAF-specific region. We demonstrate that loss-of-function mutations impairing key steps of the RAF activation cycle can be used as calibrators to gauge the dynamics of heterodimerization. This approach identified the RAS-binding domains and the C-terminal 14–3-3 binding motifs as particularly critical for the reconstitution of RAF mediated LgBiT/SmBiT reconstitution, while the dimer interface was less important for dimerization but essential for downstream signaling. We show for the first time that BRAFV600E, the most common BRAF oncoprotein whose dimerization status is controversially portrayed in the literature, forms homodimers in living cells more efficiently than its wildtype counterpart. Of note, Nanoluc activity reconstituted by BRAFV600E homodimers is highly sensitive to the paradox-breaking RAFi PLX8394, indicating a dynamic and specific PPI. We report the effects of eleven ERK pathway inhibitors on RAF dimerization, incl. third-generation compounds that are less-defined in terms of their dimer promoting abilities. We identify Naporafenib as a potent and long-lasting dimerizer and show that the split Nanoluc approach discriminates between type I, I1/2 and II RAFi. Ah1kwifp3aoZnF_eXdbERz Video Abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the effect of sperm concentration of boar semen doses, for intrauterine artificial insemination (IUAI), on semen quality and established concentration limits for their production. Twenty ejaculates from four crossbred mature PIC® boars were collected to produce 50 mL semen doses in a split sample, reaching the following sperm concentrations: ~20, 30, 60, and 100 × 106 cells/mL. Doses were produced using Androstar® Plus, stored at 17°C, and evaluated until 120 h of storage. There was a linear decrease in sperm motility as the sperm concentration increased (p linear <.01). The concentration which no longer affected the total and progressive motility was 59 and 55 × 106 cells/mL, respectively (corresponding to 71% and 62%, respectively). The pH linearly decreased as the sperm concentration increased (p <.01); yet, at 72 and 120 h, the parameter dramatically reduced in boar semen doses with 60 and 100 × 106 cells/mL. The percentage of cells with intact plasma and acrosomal membranes or with high mitochondrial membrane potential was not influenced by the sperm concentration (p ≥.15). In conclusion, sperm motility was negatively affected in highly (60 and 100 × 106 cells/mL) concentrated doses. To achieve suitable sperm motility, boar semen doses may not surpass the sperm concentration of 55 × 106 cells/mL. The effect of low‐concentrated boar semen doses on sperm quality still needs to be better evaluated, mainly considering the influence of extender type and thermo‐resistance conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A análise Custo-Volume-Lucro (CVL) compreende uma ferramenta essencial para gerar informações às tomadas de decisões. Entretanto, esta ferramenta pode ser aplicada por meio do modelo determinístico e estocástico. Neste contexto, o escopo central deste estudo vincula-se à análise dos valores/resultados gerados pela análise CVL, utilizando como base o modelo determinista e estocástico de avaliaçãoda atividade de criação de suínos. A metodologia quanto à abordagem do problema é quantitativa, pois se utiliza de métodos probabilísticos; quanto aos fins, é descritiva, abordando as características da análise; e quanto aos procedimentos técnicos, é pesquisa documental, entrevista estruturada e um estudo de caso em propriedade de criação de suínos. Os principais resultados revelam que a análise determinista enfraquece e limita a validade da informação; já a estocástica incorpora inputs das incertezas, atribuindo, assim, maior robustez e consistência à informação gerada. Além disso, outro diferencial centra-se no tipo de informação gerada, pois a determinista analisa a historicidade dos dados, e a estocástica gera informações referentes à probabilidade de ocorrência dos resultados no futuro. Conclui-se que a análise determinista não pode ser substituída pela estocástica, mas a complementação das análises pode gerar resultados consistentes, tendo como base a análise histórica e simulada.

The aim of this paper was to estimate the prevalence of antibodies to Chlamydophila abortus in ewes from the Londrina region of Paraná state. Blood samples from 267 adult ewes from eight herds were submitted to complement fixation testing. Tests were considered positive when the titers ? 32. Nineteen animals (7.11%) in 7 (87.50%) herds tested positive for antibodies against C. abortus. The titers were 32 in 17 animals and were 64 and 128 in the other two animals. The clinical signs recorded were abortion, stillbirth, weak newborns and heat repetition. The high frequency of herds with at least one positive animal and a seroprevalence of 7.11% suggest the presence of Chlamydophila abortus in the animals of studied herds.

Objetivo: Determinar se existe variação da PIO em doentes com glaucoma submetidos à cirurgia de catarata. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo de 101 olhos, de 75 doentes com média de idade de 78,91 ± 7,9 anos submetidos à cirurgia de catarata por facoemulsificação por dois cirurgiões, sem complicações associadas e com follow-up superior a 6 meses. Os olhos foram subdivididos em dois grupos: olhos com glaucoma (G) e olhos sem glaucoma (SG). A PIO foi avaliada por tonometria de Goldmann. Resultados: Analisaram-se 51 olhos do grupo (SG) e 50 olhos do grupo (G). A PIO média nos dois grupos era no pré-operatório 16,08 ± 3,04, sendo aos 12 meses 14,69 ± 2,7 e aos 24 meses 14,21 ± 3,56. A diminuição média de PIO do pré-operatório para os 12 meses foi de 1,49 ± 2,98. A PIO pré-operatória apresentou uma diferença com significado estatístico da PIO aos 12 e 24 meses (p0,05, teste T Student). Determinou-se um modelo de regressão linear stepwise para a variação de PIO do pré-operatório para os 12m. As variáveis com valor preditivo eram a PIO pré-operatória (R2=0,249, p=0,03), e a idade (R2=0,18, p=0,01). Conclusão: O nosso estudo revela que a cirurgia de catarata por facoemulsificação leva a uma diminuição significativa da PIO, que se mantém aos 12 e 24m.

Several studies have indicated an increased resistance of microorganisms resulting from the widespread use of antimicrobial agents. However, few data are available in the dental literature. The aim of this study was to conduct a survey on the patterns of patient usage of antimicrobial prescriptions agents by dentists. A retrospective cross-sectional study was based on the medical records of 223 patients who sought treatment at the Urgency Service, from a Dental School in the South of Brazil, from March 2009 to March 2011. A specific data sheet was used, with questions regarding: patient age and gender; the main complaint; medications used prior to the service; final diagnosis; proposed dental treatment (including prescription medications); and characteristics of the final prescription. Descriptive and inferential statistics were obtained. There was a high frequency of antibiotic use prior to attendance by young patients (Fisher’s exact test, p < 0.05). Toothache of endodontic origin was the most frequent patient complaint (72.6%). Endodontic procedures were the measures most frequently adopted to treat the pain (31.2%). The frequency of patient use of antimicrobials prior to the appointment was 14.3%. According to patient records, 83.9% had no systemic drug prescription after receiving urgency treatment. There were few antimicrobial prescriptions after the urgency treatment. The most frequently prescribed agents were amoxicillin, chlorhexidine, and metronidazole. Local measures were more frequently used than systemic approaches to treat urgencies of dental origin. Antimicrobial agents were not frequently prescribed as adjunctives to local administered at the urgency service.

We report first results on double layer effects on proton discharge reactions from aqueous solutions to charged platinum electrodes. We have extended a recently developed combined proton transfer/proton discharge model on the basis of empirical valence bond theory to include specifically adsorbed sodium cations and chloride anions. For each of four studied systems 800–1000 trajectories of a discharging proton were integrated by molecular dynamics simulations until discharge occurred. The results show significant influences of ion presence on the average behavior of protons prior to the discharge event. Rationalization of the observed behavior cannot be based solely on the electrochemical potential (or surface charge) but needs to resort to the molecular details of the double layer structure.

O ano de 2011 testemunhou um forte movimento por mudança na região do Oriente Médio As estratégias adotadas por Tunísia e Jordânia para controlar os protestos e os resultados que tais estratégias alcançaram são o objeto deste artigo. Ao estudar a história e o sistema político dos dois países, buscar-se-á explicar a adoção de estratégias similares. Ao analisar os efeitos dessas estratégias e o pano de fundo em que elas foram desenvolvidas, tem-se por objetivo elencar razões para a obtenção de resultados tão distintos.

Introduction Saint Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV) primarily occurs in the Americas and produces disease predominantly in humans. This study investigated the serological presence of SLEV in nonhuman primates and horses from southern Brazil. Methods From June 2004 to December 2005, sera from 133 monkeys (Alouatta caraya, n=43; Sapajus nigritus, n=64; Sapajus cay, n=26) trap-captured at the Paraná River basin region and 23 blood samples from farm horses were obtained and used for the serological detection of a panel of 19 arboviruses. All samples were analyzed in a hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay; positive monkey samples were confirmed in a mouse neutralization test (MNT). Additionally, all blood samples were inoculated into C6/36 cell culture for viral isolation. Results Positive seroreactivity was only observed for SLEV. A prevalence of SLEV antibodies in sera was detected in Alouatta caraya (11.6%; 5/43), Sapajus nigritus (12.5%; 8/64), and S. cay (30.8%; 8/26) monkeys with the HI assay. Of the monkeys, 2.3% (1/42) of A. caraya, 6.3% 94/64) of S. nigritus, and 15.4% (4/26) of S. cay were positive for SLEV in the MNT. Additionally, SLEV antibodies were detected by HI in 39.1% (9/23) of the horses evaluated in this study. Arboviruses were not isolated from any blood sample. Conclusions These results confirmed the presence of SLEV in nonhuman primates and horses from southern Brazil. These findings most likely represent the first detection of this virus in nonhuman primates beyond the Amazon region. The detection of SLEV in animals within a geographical region distant from the Amazon basin suggests that there may be widespread and undiagnosed dissemination of this disease in Brazil.

Desenvolvido desde 2012, o Projeto Pró-Bicho Pelotas visa auxiliar protetores voluntários de animais e a ONG SOS Pelotas (organização que atua no resgate e no tratamento de animais abandonados) na obtenção de imagens fotográficas com qualidade dos animais resgatados e que se encontram disponíveis para adoção responsável. Através do e-maildo projeto, são agendadas as sessões fotográficas dos animais. As fotografias são obtidas com equipamento profissional e em um fundo infinito portátil, construído pelos discentes. Dessa forma, a obtenção de imagens pode ser realizada no próprio Centro de Artes ou no local onde os animais se encontram. Após a edição e o tratamento, as imagens são veiculadas em álbuns na página do projeto na rede social Facebook. Juntamente com os álbuns, são divulgados os contatos do protetor que está cuidando dos animais até a adoção. O agendamento das sessões, a obtenção de imagens, seu tratamento e sua divulgação são realizados por discentes do Centro de Artes da UFPel que cursaram as disciplinas de Introdução à Fotografia e Fotografia nos cursos de Artes Visuais (Bacharelado e Licenciatura), Design Gráfico e Design Digital. Além de divulgar os álbuns do projeto, na página também são divulgados animais que estão para adoção e cujo protetor encaminhou as fotografias e solicitações de divulgação de animais desaparecidos ou encontrados. As publicações na página atingem semanalmente cerca de 10 mil usuários. Em 2012, dos 164 animais fotografados, entre cães e gatos, mais de 65% foi adotado.