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Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) plays a critical role in food security and is the most important root crop worldwide following potatoes and cassava. In the United States (US), it is valued at over $700 million USD. There are two sweetpotato germplasm collections (Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit and US Vegetable Laboratory) maintained by the USDA, ARS for sweetpotato crop improvement. To date, no genome-wide assessment of genetic diversity within these collections has been reported in the published literature. In our study, population structure and genetic diversity of 417 USDA sweetpotato accessions originating from 8 broad geographical regions (Africa, Australia, Caribbean, Central America, Far East, North America, Pacific Islands, and South America) were determined using single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) identified with a genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) protocol, GBSpoly, optimized for highly heterozygous and polyploid species. Population structure using Bayesian clustering analyses (STRUCTURE) with 32,784 segregating SNPs grouped the accessions into four genetic groups and indicated a high degree of mixed ancestry. A neighbor-joining cladogram and principal components analysis based on a pairwise genetic distance matrix of the accessions supported the population structure analysis. Pairwise FST values between broad geographical regions based on the origin of accessions ranged from 0.017 (Far East – Pacific Islands) to 0.110 (Australia – South America) and supported the clustering of accessions based on genetic distance. The markers developed for use with this collection of accessions provide an important genomic resource for the sweetpotato community, and contribute to our understanding of the genetic diversity present within the US sweetpotato collection and the species.

Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) represent promising nanostructures for drug delivery systems. This study successfully synthesized SLNs containing different proportions of babassu oil (BBS) and copaiba oleoresin (COPA) via the emulsification-ultrasonication method. Before SLN synthesis, the identification and quantification of methyl esters, such as lauric acid and β-caryophyllene, were performed via GC-MS analysis. These methyl esters were used as chemical markers and assisted in encapsulation efficiency experiments. A 2 2 factorial design with a center point was employed to assess the impact of stearic acid and Tween 80 on particle hydrodynamic diameter (HD) and polydispersity index (PDI). Additionally, the effects of temperature (8 ± 0.5 °C and 25 ± 1.0 °C) and time (0, 7, 15, 30, 40, and 60 days) on HD and PDI values were investigated. Zeta potential (ZP) measurements were utilized to evaluate nanoparticle stability, while transmission electron microscopy provided insights into the morphology and nanometric dimensions of the SLNs. The in vitro cytotoxic activity of the SLNs (10 µg/mL, 30 µg/mL, 40 µg/mL, and 80 µg/mL) was evaluated using the MTT assay with PC-3 and DU-145 prostate cancer cell lines. Results demonstrated that SLNs containing BBS and COPA in a 1:1 ratio exhibited a promising cytotoxic effect against prostate cancer cells, with a percentage of viable cells of 68.5% for PC-3 at a concentration of 30 µg/mL and 48% for DU-145 at a concentration of 80 µg/mL. These findings underscore the potential therapeutic applications of SLNs loaded with BBS and COPA for prostate cancer treatment.

An efficient and controlled site-selective annulation of 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl 4-hydrazonyl pyrazoles is described. The relative proportion of the products is affected by hydrazone intermediate configuration, reaction temperature, and Lewis acid employed. At a temperature of 110-120 °C, the reaction preferentially afforded 1 H -pyrazolo[3,4- d ]pyridazin-7(6 H )-ones, whereas using Yb(OTf) 3 in MeCN reflux, 2 H -pyrazolo[3,4- d ]pyridazin-7(6 H )-ones were favored. Computational investigations were performed to clarify the mechanism and the origin of the regiodivergence.

Background: This article systematically updates the literature on changes in visual functions during the phases of the normal menstrual cycle in women., Objectives: To update Guttridge's 1994 review of visual structures and functions associated with the menstrual cycle and broaden the search through psychophysical, neuroimaging and neurobehavioral measurements covering 1994-2020., Design and Setting: Narrative review conducted in a neurosciences and behavior laboratory in Brazil., Methods: The PubMed, Cochrane Clinical Answers and Google Scholar databases were searched. After screening and applying the eligibility criteria, 32 articles were examined. Through this analysis, the following information was extracted: (1) geographical distribution of the study; (2) sample size (according to age and phase of the menstrual cycle); (3) type of measurements according to psychophysical, neuroimaging and neurobehavioral instruments; (4) vision testing model; (5) visual subcategory evaluated; (6) categories of processed visual stimuli; and (7) main findings., Results: The menstrual phases give rise to significant changes in visual functions, including in relation to orientation and spatial attention, visual campimetry and visual sensitivity. These relate specifically to the follicular and luteal phases., Conclusions: These findings theoretically expand the effects of menstrual cycles on visual functions found by Guttridge (1994). Despite some inconsistencies in the studies analyzed, it was found that visual processing during the follicular and luteal phases of the normal menstrual cycle of healthy women can explain physiological, cognitive, behavioral and social modulations.

The aim of this study was to analyze the contrast sensitivity of spatial luminance and the color discrimination thresholds of the protan, deutan, and tritan axes of people with leprosy. This study included 8 subjects with leprosy (M = 4, W = 4, M = 33.38 ± 8.7) and 8 healthy subjects (M = 4, W = 4, M = 30.89 ± 5.8). The contrast sensitivity was evaluated by the Metropsis software version 11.0 with vertical sinusoidal grids of frequencies of 0.2, 0.5, 1, 5, 10, and 16 cycles per degree of visual angle (cpd) and color vision by the desaturated Lanthony D15 tests and the trivector and ellipse protocols of the Cambridge Color Test. The results showed significant differences between the groups in the processing of spatial frequencies of 0.2 (U = 14; p = .018); 5.0 (U = 45.0; p = .001); 10.0 (U = 45.0; p = .001), and 16.0 (U = 45.0; p = .001) cpd. The difference in color recognition through D15d (U = 4.0; p = .002). Ellipse 2 (U = 10.0; p = .012) and ellipse 3 (U = 9.0; p = .009) were discriminated against. Overall, the results indicate that leprosy changes the visual processing of low, medium, and high spatial frequencies, as well as the sensitivity of the short wavelength (tritan line of confusion) and long (protan line of confusion) cones.

A stable moisturizing cosmetic emulsion was developed from babassu nut oil and high concentrations of sunscreens. Babassu nut oil was chosen because within the laboratory time-scale, this vegetable oil showed stable physicochemical properties (relative density, acidity index, and refracted index) and a good ratio between lauric and myristic fatty acids. The presence of these saturated fatty acids can confer specific activities to the cosmetic emulsion, such as antiviral, bactericidal, and anti-inflammatory activity. The prepared cosmetic emulsion, even after the centrifugation test (3000 rpm for 15 min), showed a creamy appearance with stable light-yellow coloration and the typical odor of babassu nut oil-based products. In the accelerated stability assays (pH, viscosity, and globule homogeneity), the cosmetic emulsion was kept at different temperatures (2.0 ± 0.2 °C ( T G ), 25 ± 2 °C ( T A ), and 40 ± 2 °C ( T E )) and time durations (24 hours ( t 0 ), 7 days ( t 7 ), 15 days ( t 15 ), and 30 days ( t 30 )). Finally, developed the cosmetic emulsion was investigated for occlusive properties and in vitro sun protection factor (SPF). Both were measured at room temperature and did not change significantly under the experimental conditions employed. The maximum experimental value measured in the in vitro occlusive test was equal to 34.2 ± 2.8, and the SPF was 39 ± 1.6 ( t 0 ) and 38 ± 2.9 ( t 30 ). In agreement with European and Brazilian legislations, the obtained babassu oil-based cosmetic emulsion is classified to have a high sun protection factor., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

A simple and efficient methodology for highly regioselective synthesis of azomethine pyrazoles and isoxazoles containing a trifluoromethyl group is reported. The cyclocondensation of trifluoromethylated β-enamino diketones (TBED) with phenylhydrazine and hydroxylamine hydrochloride, in the presence of BF3, provided 5-aryl-4-[(tert-butyl)iminomethyl]-3-trifluoromethylazoles by aza-Michael-type 1,2-addition. The scope of the reaction was expanded by transimination with arylamines in a one-pot method starting from TBED. Thus, 83 novel 4-[(alkyl/aryl)iminomethyl]-3-trifluoromethylazoles were obtained with high regioselectivity and in yields of 51 to 89%.