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Water availability is a limiting factor for plant production, especially in Brazilian semi-arid regions. The main aim of the study was to investigate the physiological effects of drought during the fruiting stage of watermelon cultivation. A completely randomized block design with four replications and six treatments varied by the number of lateral drip tapes (1 or 2) and the duration of drought stress (0, 4, and 8 days) was used. The following parameters were evaluated: relative chlorophyll content, relative leaf water content, electrolyte leakage, CO2 assimilation (A), stomatal conductance (gs), internal CO2 concentration, leaf temperature, transpiration (E), water use efficiency (WUE), carboxylation efficiency (CE), yield, thickness, diameter, length, and fruit °brix, at 4 and 8 days of drought. Drought negatively affected photosynthesis, particularly in treatments with a single dripper and 4 days of drought, resulting in reductions of up to 60% in A, 68% in gs, 44% in E, 58% in WUE, and 59% in CE, but did not have a significant effect on watermelon yield after 4 or 8 days of irrigation. It was concluded that drought influences the physiological responses of watermelon plants, mainly in reducing photosynthesis, but does not drastically affect fruit productivity in short periods of stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The identification of acid-resistant proteins, including hemoglobin (Hb), within the acquired enamel pellicle (AEP) led to the proposition of the "acquired pellicle engineering" concept, which involves the modification of the AEP by incorporating specific proteins, presenting a novel strategy to prevent dental demineralization. Objective: Combining in vivo and in vitro proof-of-concept protocols, we sought to reveal the impact of AEP engineering with Hb protein on the biofilm microbiome and enamel demineralization. Methods: In the in vivo studies, 10 volunteers, in 2 independent experiments, rinsed (10 mL,1 min) with deionized water-negative control or 1.0 mg/mL Hb. The AEP and biofilm formed along 2 or 3 h, respectively, were collected. AEP was analyzed by quantitative shotgun-label-free proteomics and biofilm by 16S-rRNA next-generation sequencing (NGS). In in vitro study, a microcosm biofilm protocol was employed. Seventy-two bovine enamel specimens were treated with (1) phosphate-buffered solution (PBS), (2) 0.12% chlorhexidine, (3) 500 ppm NaF, (4) 1.0 mg/mL Hb, (5) 2.0 mg/mL Hb, and (6) 4.0 mg/mL Hb. The biofilm was cultivated for 5 days. Resazurin, colony forming units (CFU), and transversal microradiography were performed. Results: Proteomics and NGS analysis revealed that Hb increased proteins with antioxidant, antimicrobial, acid-resistance, hydroxyapatite-affinity, calcium-binding properties and showed a reduction in oral pathogenic bacteria. In vitro experiments demonstrated that the lowest Hb concentration was the most effective in reducing bacterial activity, CFU, and enamel demineralization compared to PBS. Conclusion: These findings suggest that Hb could be incorporated into anticaries dental products to modify the oral microbiome and control caries, highlighting its potential for AEP and biofilm microbiome engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to investigate the effects of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) intake with divergent verbal and visual information on constant load cycling time-to-task failure, conducted within the severe intensity domain. Fifteen recreational cyclists participated in a randomized double-blind, crossover study, ingesting NaHCO3 or placebo (i.e., dextrose), but with divergent information about its likely influence (i.e., likely to induce ergogenic, inert, or harmful effects). Performance was evaluated using constant load cycling time to task failure trial at 115% of peak power output estimated during a ramp incremental exercise test. Data on blood lactate, blood acid–base balance, muscle electrical activity (EMG) through electromyography signal, and the twitch interpolation technique to assess neuromuscular indices were collected. Despite reduced peak force in the isometric maximal voluntary contraction and post-effort peripheral fatigue in all conditions (P < 0.001), neither time to task failure, EMG nor, blood acid–base balance differed between conditions (P > 0.05). Evaluation of effect sizes of all conditions suggested that informing participants that the supplement would be likely to have a positive effect (NaHCO3/Ergogenic: 0.46; 0.15–0.74; Dextrose/Ergogenic: 0.45; 0.04–0.88) resulted in improved performance compared to control. Thus, NaHCO3 ingestion consistently induced alkalosis, indicating that the physiological conditions to improve performance were present. Despite this, NaHCO3 ingestion did not influence performance or indicators of neuromuscular fatigue. In contrast, effect size estimates indicate that participants performed better when informed that they were ingesting an ergogenic supplement. These findings suggest that the apparently ergogenic effect of NaHCO3 may be due, at least in part, to a placebo effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study was designed in two-legs. In the in vivo, we explored the potential of a rinse solution containing a combination (Comb) of 0.1 mg/mL CaneCPI-5 (sugarcane-derive cystatin), 1.88 × 10− 5M StN15 (statherin-derived peptide) and 1.0 mg/mL hemoglobin (Hb) to change the protein profile of the acquired enamel pellicle(AEP) and the microbiome of the enamel biofilm. The in vitro, was designed to reveal the effects of Comb on the viability and bacterial composition of the microcosm biofilm, as well as on enamel demineralization. Materials and methods: In vivo study, 10 participants rinsed (10mL,1 min) with either deionized water (H2O-control) or Comb. AEP and biofilm were collected after 2 and 3 h, respectively, after rinsing. AEP samples underwent proteomics analysis, while biofilm microbiome was assessed via 16 S-rRNA Next Generation Sequencing(NGS). In vitro study, a microcosm biofilm protocol was employed. Ninety-six enamel specimens were treated with: 1)Phosphate-Buffered Solution-PBS(negative-control), 2)0.12%Chlorhexidine, 3)500ppmNaF and 4)Comb. Resazurin, colony-forming-units(CFU) and Transversal Microradiography(TMR) were performed. Results: The proteomic results revealed higher quantity of proteins in the Comb compared to control associated with immune system response and oral microbial adhesion. Microbiome showed a significant increase in bacteria linked to a healthy microbiota, in the Comb group. In the in vitro study, Comb group was only efficient in reducing mineral-loss and lesion-depth compared to the PBS. Conclusions: The AEP modification altered the subsequent layers, affecting the initial process of bacterial adhesion of pathogenic and commensal bacteria, as well as enamel demineralization. Clinical relevance: Comb group shows promise in shaping oral health by potentially introducing innovative approaches to prevent enamel demineralization and deter tooth decay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Previous studies have highlighted the association between lower limb muscle strength and falls in older adults. However, a comprehensive understanding of the specific influence of each lower limb muscle group on fall occurrences remains lacking. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the impact of knee, ankle, and hip muscle strength and power on falls in older adults, with the goal of identifying which muscle groups are more predictive of fall risk in this population. Methods: This longitudinal observational study enrolled 94 community-dwelling older adults. Muscle strength and power of the ankle's plantiflexors and dorsiflexors, knee flexors and extensors, and hip flexors, extensors, adductors, and abductors were assessed using a Biodex System 4 Pro® isokinetic dynamometer. Fall occurrences were monitored through monthly telephone contact over a year. Results: Participants, with a median age of 69 years (range 64–74), included 67% women, and 63.8% reported a sedentary lifestyle. Among them, 45,7% of older adults were classified as fallers. Comparative analyses revealed that non-fallers displayed significantly superior isokinetic muscle strength in the hip abductors and adductors, along with higher muscle power in the hip abductors, hip flexors, and knee flexors compared to fallers. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that a 1 Nm/Kg increase in hip abductor strength reduced the chance of a fall by 86.3%, and a 1 Watt increase in hip flexor power reduced the chance of a fall by 3.6%. Conclusion: The findings indicate that hip abductor strength and hip flexor power can be considered protective factors against falls in independent older adults in the community. These findings may contribute to developing effective fall-prevention strategies for this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection has disproportionately affected more men who have sex with men (MSM), occurring in outbreaks, despite being vaccine-preventable. We determined the prevalence and factors associated with HAV susceptibility among cisgender MSM on HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in Northeastern Brazil. From September 30, 2021 to June 19, 2023, 282 cisgender MSM receiving HIV PrEP were enrolled into this cross-sectional study. Sociodemographic and clinical information were collected. Blood samples were collected for screening of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and serum samples were tested for IgM and total anti-HAV antibodies. Non-reactive results for total anti-HAV antibodies were found in 106 of 282 (37.6%) participants. Factors associated with HAV susceptibility included age <30 years (prevalence ratio [PR]: 2.02; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.61–2.53), having health insurance (PR: 1.39; 95% CI: 1.19–1.64), sex only with cisgender men (PR: 1.52; 95% CI: 1.23–1.89), non-steady partner (PR: 1.20; 95% CI: 1.01–1.43) and no lifetime history of STIs (PR: 1.25; 95% CI: 1.03–1.53). Identifying clinical correlates of HAV susceptibility in key populations is a fundamental step towards development of public policy focused on prevention, especially following the recent hepatitis A outbreak in Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional methods for pathogen detection in water rely on time-consuming enrichment steps followed by biochemical identification strategies, which require assay times ranging from 24 hours to a week. However, in recent years, significant efforts have been made to develop biosensing technologies enabling rapid and close-to-real-time detection of waterborne pathogens. In previous studies, we developed a plastic optical fiber (POF) immunosensor using an optoelectronic configuration consisting of a U-Shape probe connected to an LED and a photodetector. Bacterial detection was evaluated with the immunosensor immersed in a bacterial suspension in water with a known concentration. Here, we report on the sensitivity of a new optoelectronic configuration consisting of two POF U-shaped probes, one as the reference and the other as the immunosensor, for the detection of Escherichia coli. In addition, another methos of detection was tested where the sensors were calibrated in the air, before being immersed in a bacterial suspension and then read in the air. This modification improved sensor sensitivity and resulted in a faster detection time. After the immunocapture, the sensors were DAPI-stained and submitted to confocal microscopy. The histograms obtained confirmed that the responses of the immunosensors were due to the bacteria. This new sensor detected the presence of E. coli at 104 CFU/mL in less than 20 min. Currently, sub-20 min is faster than previous studies using fiber-optic based biosensors. We report on an inexpensive and faster detection technology when compared with conventional methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reflects the results of research analyzing models of multi-attribute decision-making based on fuzzy preference relations. Questions of constructing the corresponding multi-attribute models to deal with quantitative information concomitantly with qualitative information based on experts' knowledge are considered. Human preferences may be represented within the fuzzy preference relations and by applying diverse other preference formats. Considering this, so-called transformation functions reduce any preference format to fuzzy preference relations. This paper's results can be applied independently or as part of a general approach to solving a wide class of problems with fuzzy coefficients, as well as within the framework of a general scheme of multi-criteria decision-making under conditions of uncertainty. The considered techniques for fuzzy preference modeling are directed at assessing, comparing, choosing, prioritizing, and/or ordering alternatives. These techniques have served to develop a computing system for multi-attribute decision-making. It has been implemented in the C# programming language, utilizing the ".NET" framework. The computing system allows one to represent decision-makers' preferences in one of five preference formats. These formats and quantitative estimates are reduced to nonreciprocal fuzzy preference relations, providing homogeneous preference information for decision procedures. This paper's results have a general character and were applied to analyze power engineering problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]