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The use of nuclear materials is increasing in energy production, medicine, and environmental sectors. Following this trend, the generation of radioactive wastes is also increasing in the whole production cycle and use of this kind of materials. Among these, the 137Cs radionuclide presents a potential risk to human health due to its half-life time (30,2 years), high-level activity (1 TBq) and easiness to contaminate rivers, soil, and air. The immobilization of 137Cs in solid matrices has been an available option researched by several countries. In this context a new glass composition based on aluminoborosilicate glass modified with niobium (Nb) was used for the immobilization of cesium through adding Cs-loaded zeolite. Homogeneous vitreous wasteforms were improved with the growth of Nb content in the compositions. All compositions were able to keep up to 5.9 wt% Cs2O, previously adsorbed by zeolite A, and the immobilization efficiency was around 53%. Their structural analyses by Raman revealed a depolymerized and complex network structure, due to the presence of several cations including Cs. In turn, Nb reflected positively on the chemical resistance and thermal properties, by changing the distribution of silicate species. The wasteforms presented good glass forming ability and thermal stability up to 520 °C. Through the thermal treatment for devitrification, Cs atoms were stabilized into the Pollucite phase (CsAlSi2O6). Besides that, the wasteforms, preferably the one containing 8.0 mol% Nb, showed low elemental releases and leaching rates for Cs (1 × 10−3 g m2.day−1), after the leaching experiments at 90 °C for 7 days in static conditions, verified by the neutron activation analysis (NAA).

Objective: To verify the association between nutritional risk on admission and clinical outcomes of COVID-19 in hospitalized children and adolescents. Methods: Multicenter cohort study was conducted in two cities in the northeastern region of Brazil, with children under 18 years of age laboratory diagnosed with COVID-19. Sociodemographic data and nutritional risk screening by STRONGKids (low, medium and high risk) were collected remotely and in hospital records, respectively. The outcomes assessed were the need for ICU admission, length of stay (< 10 days or ≥ 10 days), critical cases, and death. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to evaluate the effects of high nutritional risk on COVID-19 clinical outcomes. Results: 103 individuals were evaluated, of these 35 (34.0%) had low risk, 44 (42.7%) medium risk, and 24 (23.3%) had high risk of malnutrition. In multivariate analysis, ICU bed admission (OR: 4.57; 95%CI, 1.39-4.97; p = 0.01), hospitalization longer than or equal to ten days (OR: 3.96; 95%CI, 1.22-2.83; p = 0.02) and critical cases (OR: 4.35; 95%CI, 1.08-7.55; p = 0.04) were associated with high nutritional risk. Death was not associated with high nutritional risk. Conclusions: Children and adolescents with high nutritional risk by STRONGkids at hospital admission were more likely to be admitted to the ICU, have hospitalization longer than or equal to ten days, and have critical cases when infected with SARS-CoV-2.

The growth of high-quality in vitro potato plants (Solanum stenotomum subsp. stenotomum, Solanum stenotomum subsp. goniocalyx, and Solanum tuberosum subsp. andigena) is affected by multiple biological, operational, and environmental factors. Research on in vitro culture is frequently focused on the species, explant, composition of the culture medium, and incubation conditions, but only limited information is available on the effect of the gas exchange rate and volume of in vitro culture vessels under variable planting densities. In the present study, these factors were evaluated with a set of seven diverse potato landraces. The results were compared to the plants’ responses in routinely used in vitro culture vessels, i.e., 13 × 100 mm and 25 × 150 mm test tubes, and GA7® magenta vessels. In vitro potato plants grown in plastic vessels equipped with a HEPA filter delivering a high gas exchange rate developed thicker stems (0.95 mm), a higher total average leaf area (2.51 cm2), increased chlorophyll content in leaves (32.2 ppm), and lower moisture content in their tissues (90.1%) compared to filter systems with lower gas exchange rates. A high planting density of 10 × 10 plants per vessel (360 and 870 mL) negatively affected the average stem width and root length but increased the plant height (3.4 cm). High fluctuations of ion-uptake of NO3−, Ca++, K+, and Na+ were observed between genotypes, with some accessions having a 4.6-times higher Ca++-ion concentration in their tissues (190–234 ppm). The in vitro plants developed more robust stems, longer roots, and larger leaves within in vitro culture vessels equipped with a HEPA filter (high gas exchange rate) compared to the control vessels, in contrast to the chlorophyll content in leaves, which was higher in plants grown in narrow test tubes. Depending on the purpose of the subculture of in vitro plants, their growth and development can be molded using different gas exchange rates, planting densities, and vessel volumes.

Abstract Several studies have been carried out to expand the use of Ricinus communis L. castor bean (Ricinus communis L castor bean.). This oilseed finds appropriate conditions for its development in Brazil, with more than 700 applications. The main allergens of this plant are Ric c1 and Ric c3, that cross-react with various aeroallergens and food allergens such as peanuts, soybeans, corn, and wheat. This study aimed to determine the effect of mutations in Ric c3 amino acid residues known to affect IgE binding and allergy challenges. Based on the Ric c3 structure, B-cell epitopes, and amino acid involved in IgE binding, we produce recombinant mutant protein, mrRic c3, secreted from E. coli. Strategic glutamic acid residues in IgE-biding regions were changed by Leucine. The allergenicity of mrRic c3 was evaluated by determination of IgE, IgG1, and total IgG in immunized Balb/c mice and by degranulation assays of mast cells isolated from Wistar rats. The mrRic c3 presented a percentage of mast cell degranulation close to that seen in the negative control, and the immunization of mice with mrRic c3 presented lower levels of IgE and IgG1 than the group treated with the protein without mutations. The mutant mrRic c3 had an altered structure and reduced ability to stimulate pro-inflammatory responses and bind IgE but retained its ability to induce blocking antibodies. Thus, producing a hypoallergenic mutant allergen (mrRic c3) may be essential in developing new AIT strategies.

Jeriva (Syagrus romanzoffiana) is a fruit from palm trees of the Arecaceae family, widely distributed in tropical and subtropical areas of Latin America. It has low production costs and high productivity throughout the year; however, its consumption is very low, and the production goes almost entirely to feed animals or to waste. To improve its consumption, a good characterization of the whole fruit is necessary. The objective of this work was to evaluate the jeriva pulp, peel and seeds according to carotenoids, phenolic compounds, vitamin C, tocopherols and antioxidant potential using HPLC, microplate readers and spectrophotometric methods. Every part of the fruit exhibited antioxidant capacity in the ORAC and TEAC tests, which can be attributed to its high concentration of polyphenols. Carotenoids were more present in the pulp and peel and almost absent in the seeds. Vitamin C ranged from 12 ± 1 for the seeds up to 92 ± 3 mg/100 g for the pulp. The total phenolic content was quantified between 473 ± 39 for the seeds and 1089 ± 32 mg of gallic acid equivalents (GAEs)/100 g for the pulp. These results demonstrate that all parts of this fruit have important bioactive nutrients, with promising perspectives for further scientific approaches and for composing formulations of food products to enhance functional properties.

The molecular circadian clock, which controls rhythmic 24-hour oscillation of genes, proteins, and metabolites in healthy tissues, is disrupted across many human cancers. Deregulated expression of the MYC oncoprotein has been shown to alter expression of molecular clock genes, leading to a disruption of molecular clock oscillation across cancer types. It remains unclear what benefit cancer cells gain from suppressing clock oscillation, and how this loss of molecular clock oscillation impacts global gene expression and metabolism in cancer. We hypothesized that MYC or its paralog N-MYC (collectively termed MYC herein) suppress oscillation of gene expression and metabolism to upregulate pathways involved in biosynthesis in a static, non-oscillatory fashion. To test this, cells from distinct cancer types with inducible MYC were examined, using time-series RNA-sequencing and metabolomics, to determine the extent to which MYC activation disrupts global oscillation of genes, gene expression pathways, and metabolites. We focused our analyses on genes, pathways, and metabolites that changed in common across multiple cancer cell line models. We report here that MYC disrupted over 85% of oscillating genes, while instead promoting enhanced ribosomal and mitochondrial biogenesis and suppressed cell attachment pathways. Notably, when MYC is activated, biosynthetic programs that were formerly circadian flipped to being upregulated in an oscillation-free manner. Further, activation of MYC ablates the oscillation of nutrient transporter proteins while greatly upregulating transporter expression, cell surface localization, and intracellular amino acid pools. Finally, we report that MYC disrupts metabolite oscillations and the temporal segregation of amino acid metabolism from nucleotide metabolism. Our results demonstrate that MYC disruption of the molecular circadian clock releases metabolic and biosynthetic processes from circadian control, which may provide a distinct advantage to cancer cells.

This study aims to evaluate the hepatoprotective, hypolipidemic and aortic morphometric effects of fish oil rich in omega-3 in hypercholesterolemic BALB/c mice. This is an experimental model that included 16 male BALB/c mice (Mus musculus) divided into three groups (G1 (standard commercial chow and 0.9% saline solution), G2 (hypercholesterolemic diet and 0.9% saline solution) and G3 (hypercholesterolemic diet and fish oil)) for 8 weeks. There was no significant difference in the treatment with omega-3-rich fish oil in the lipid profile (p > 0.05). In the histological analysis, group G2 detected the presence of hepatitis and liver tissue necrosis, but this was not observed in group G3. As for the morphometry in the light area of the vessel, the G1 group had a higher score (2.62 ± 0.36 mm2) when compared to G2 (2.10 ± 0.16 mm2) and G3 (2.26 ± 0.25 mm2) (p < 0.05). The vessel wall thickness did not differ between the groups (p > 0.05). It is concluded that supplementation with fish oil rich in omega-3 carried out in this study may have a protective effect on liver tissue, but it has not yet improved the lipid and morphometric profile. Despite this research being preliminary, it is a relevant study with future prospects for improving the doses of EPA and DHA in order to better elucidate the benefits of fish oil in models of dyslipidemia.

Triatoma infestans (Klug) is an insect recognized as not only an important vector of South American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease) but also a model of specific cellular morphofunctional organization and epigenetic characteristics. The purpose of the present review is to highlight certain cellular processes that are particularly unveiled in T. infestans, such as the following: (1) somatic polyploidy involving nuclear and cell fusions that generate giant nuclei; (2) diversification of nuclear phenotypes in the Malpighian tubules during insect development; (3) heterochromatin compartmentalization into large bodies with specific spatial distribution and presumed mobility in the cell nuclei; (4) chromatin remodeling and co-occurrence of necrosis and apoptosis in the Malpighian tubules under stress conditions; (5) epigenetic markers; and (6) response of heterochromatin to valproic acid, an epidrug that inhibits histone deacetylases and induces DNA demethylation in other cell systems. These cellular processes and epigenetic characteristics emphasize the role of T. infestans as an attractive model for cellular research. A limitation of these studies is the availability of insect supply by accredited insectaries. For studies that require the injection of drugs, the operator’s dexterity to perform insect manipulation is necessary, especially if young nymphs are used. For studies involving in vitro cultivation of insect organs, the culture medium should be carefully selected to avoid inconsistent results.

Children often show milder COVID-19 symptoms, but the underlying mechanistic insights are still lacking. Here the authors profile both pediatric and adult cohorts of COVID-19 patients in Brazil to find that children exhibit higher viral load but stronger and biased cellular immunity, thereby serving clues for the differential responses in children.

A modified 45S5 Bioglass® containing 2 mol% alumina and 2 mol% strontium oxide was prepared. In vitro bioactivity in powder and monolithic samples was conducted. Fourier transform infrared analysis and pH change in simulated body fluid were investigated for powder samples after 480 min of immersion. Additionally, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy after 7 and 14 days of immersion in simulated body fluid were investigated for monolithic samples. The formation of phosphate and carbonate phase precursors of hydroxycarbonate apatite was observed after 480 min for powder samples, and the hydroxycarbonate apatite pattern and morphology were confirmed after 7 days of immersion for monolithic samples. It seems that changes in composition did not affect reactivity but caused a decrease in the maxima of pH. Cytotoxicity and cell viability obtained by using the NCTC clone 929 cell line did not show any significant loss of cell viability or cytotoxicity. Moreover, after overnight incubation, the samples demonstrated safe disinfection for Escherichia coli. For these reasons, the use of these new bioactive glasses can be considered a promising alternative for the reconstruction of bone defects and even for the treatment and suppression of bone infections.

Hypoxia plays a critical role in tumor progression including invasion and metastasis. Here, the authors screened several hypoxia inducible genes and identified the oncogenic role of MAFF in breast cancer metastasis and that it activates IL11/STAT3 pathway.

ABSTRACT: Although neoplasms are commonly reported in domestic hamsters, retrospective studies approaching spontaneous tumors with data regarding epidemiological findings are scarce. The present study aimed to describe the epidemiological and pathological findings of 40 cases of tumors in domestic hamsters diagnosed in a veterinary pathology laboratory in Southern Brazil from 2002 to 2019. Chinese hamster (Cricetulus griseus) was the most commonly affected species (16/40), followed by Djungarian hamster (Phodopus sungorus, 11/40) and Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus, 4/40). Among the cases, 57.5% were females (23/40), while 42.5% were males (17/40). The affected hamsters’ median age was of 14-months old, with an age range of 8- to 36-months old. Twenty-four cases were assessed as anatomopathological samples (biopsies), while 16 were composed of carcasses submitted to postmortem examination, and, therefore, the neoplasm was related to the cause of death. The integumentary system was frequently affected (60%, 24/40), followed by the female reproductive tract (22.5%, 9/40), hematopoietic system (10%, 4/40), digestive tract (5%, 2/40), and endocrine system (2.5%, 1/40). The most frequent neoplasm was squamous cell carcinoma (35%, 14/40), mostly on the lip/nasal region (50%, 7/14). Other tumors included fibrosarcoma (10%, 4/40), lymphoma (10%, 4/40), mammary cystadenoma (10%, 4/40), apocrine sweat gland adenoma (7.5%, 3/40), hemangiosarcoma (5%, 2/40), leiomyosarcoma (5%, 2/40), and granulosa ovarian cell tumor (5%, 2/40). The five remaining cases occurred individually and were composed of hepatoid gland adenoma, solid thyroid carcinoma, cutaneous melanoma, ovarian teratoma, and cutaneous trichoblastoma. Neoplasms were identified as an important cause of death and major reason to perform biopsy in domestic hamsters in Southern Brazil.

Abstract Because the liver plays a major role in metabolic homeostasis and secretion of clotting factors and inflammatory innate immune proteins, there is interest in understanding the mechanisms of hepatic cell activation under hyperglycaemia and whether this can be attenuated pharmacologically. We have previously shown that hyperglycaemia stimulates major changes in chromatin organization and metabolism in hepatocytes, and that the histone deacetylase inhibitor valproic acid (VPA) is able to reverse some of these metabolic changes. In this study, we have used RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) to investigate how VPA influences gene expression in hepatocytes. Interesting, we observed that VPA attenuates hyperglycaemia-induced activation of complement and coagulation cascade genes. We also observe that many of the gene activation events coincide with changes to histone acetylation at the promoter of these genes indicating that epigenetic regulation is involved in VPA action.

Abstract Valproic acid in association with sodium valproate (VPA) is an important anticonvulsant drug used for decades to treat neurological disorders. VPA also acts as an epigenetic modulator by inhibiting histone deacetylases, permitting histone acetylation, affecting the DNA and histone methylation status and gene expression, and inducing chromatin remodeling. Insects represent an important animal model for studies in several areas of science. Their high phenotypic plasticity makes them alternative models for epigenetic studies. This brief review emphasizes recent reports on insect epigenetics and the contribution of studies on the VPA action in insects, including effects on epigenetic markers, extending the pharmacological understanding of the potential of this drug, and demonstrating the usefulness of insects as an alternative animal model to drug studies.

ABSTRACT: Cardiomyopathies are considered one of the most important causes of heart failure in cats and are subdivided into three main morphological types: hypertrophic (HCM), dilated (DCM), and restrictive (RCM). This study aimed to determine the frequency and types of cardiomyopathies in cats diagnosed in southern Brazil, with an emphasis on their epidemiological and pathological aspects. Necropsy reports filed in a veterinary pathology laboratory were reviewed, and cats diagnosed with cardiomyopathy were selected for the study. Animal identification data, history and clinical signs, and gross lesions, were reviewed and compiled. During the study period, 1.594 cat necropsies were performed, of which 72 (4.5%) comprised a diagnosis of cardiomyopathy. HCM was the most frequent followed by CMR and CMD, representing 77.8%, 12.5% and 9.7%, respectively. Age ranged from three months to 18 years, with a median age of seven years. In relation to sex, 62.5% were males and 37.5% females. In 76.4% of the cases, it affected cats without a breed defined. Restrictive mixed dyspnea and hydrothorax were the main signs or findings of the clinical examination. Sudden death and acute paresis of the pelvic limbs due to aortic thromboembolism have also been described. In HCM, myocardial thickening was observed, with a reduction in the ventricular chamber. Hypertrophy, disarray, and fibrosis of the myofibers were the main histological findings. In RCM, whitish and thickened endocardium was seen in most cases. DCM was characterized by dilated cardiac chambers, and microscopic examination revealed no significant findings. The main extra cardiac lesions revealed pulmonary edema and congestion, hydrothorax and chronic passive congestion of the liver. Cardiomyopathies are important causes of death in cats and should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients with cardio respiratory clinical signs and in cases related to sudden death and acute paresis of the pelvic limbs.

ABSTRACT: Primary hepatobiliary neoplasms (PHN) are uncommon in cats, and originate in hepatocytes, intra- and extrahepatic bile ducts, mesenchymal cells, and cells of neuroendocrine origin. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of PHN in cats diagnosed in the metropolitan region of Porto Alegre (RS), Brazil, for a period of 17 years, determining their epidemiological, anatomopathological and immunohistochemical aspects. Necropsy reports of 2.090 cats were analyzed, 125 were diagnosed with primary hepatobiliary diseases, of which 15 were cases of PHN, representing 12% of the specific hepatobiliary conditions and 0.7% of the necropsies. All PHN were malignant, of which 93.3% had epithelial origin and 6.7% presented mesenchymal origin. Cholangiocarcinoma was the most commonly diagnosed neoplasm, followed by hepatocellular carcinoma and hemangiosarcoma. In general, cats with no defined breed were the most affected. Concerning sex, 60% were females and 40% males. Age ranged from five to 18 years, with a mean age of 10.5 years (median of ten years). Grossly, cholangiocarcinoma and hemangiosarcoma were multinodular and hepatocellular carcinoma was massive. Microscopically, cholangiocarcinomas were arranged in acini and ducts, whereas hepatocellular carcinomas were arranged in solid sheets or trabeculae. On immunohistochemistry, cholangiocarcinomas, hepatocellular carcinomas, and hemangiosarcomas were positive for the antibodies CK 7, Hep Par-1, and vimentin and von Willebrand factor, respectively.

Water contamination is much more common than imagined, because it is practically impossible today to have an ecosystem that has not suffered directly or indirectly from humans. Studies with the aim of genotoxicity and mutagenesis use bioindicators as the basis of tests, the most used are from the Allium ssp family. When we mention cytogenetic damage, the intensity depends mainly on the degree of exposure, quantity, chemical nature and of the possible combinations between the contaminants, also influenced by the characteristics and conditions of the environment in which the organisms considered bioindicators are submitted. The present work has the objective of analyzing the cytotoxic, genotoxic and mutagenic effects induced by contaminating material that cause chromosomal alterations by means of mitotic index analysis using as bioindicator Allium sativum (garlic). The experiment was carried out at the Laboratory of Cytogenetics and Culture of Vegetable Tissues at the University of the State of Mato Grosso (UNEMAT) at the Alta Floresta Campus - MT. The soil was collected and stored separately using 200 grams of each sample with three treatments: surface, 20 cm and 40 cm deep, making a tea with 200 ml of distilled water and then measuring the pH. Using a direct method where the bioindicator is submitted directly to the tea solution, awaiting the emission of roots, and the indirect method, where the bioindicator is submitted first, the stimulation of root formation for 72 hours and then is submitted to contaminating solution. The plates readings to observe the interior of the cell using crushing techniques were performed in 24, 48 and 72 hours of experiment (indirect method) and 24 hours (direct method, also measuring the roots). With the results, we can state that the material used as pollutant (soil sample) has a cytotoxic and genotoxic potential in the bioindicator material, presenting high potential in the cell cycle induction, provoking various chromosomal aberrations.

The Lagerstroemia indica L. is a representative of the family Lythraceae, is popularly known as extreme, resedá rosa or madness. It is a small tree with dense and deciduous canopy, measuring from 2 to 4m high, resistant to dry climate and environmental conditions of cities. The present work aimed to evaluate the pollen feasibility of the Lagerstroemia indica L., through the dyes of 1% Green Malignant, Lugol 2% and Alexander Reactive and 2,3,5 Triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) at the dilutions of 0.075% and 0.030%. In order to verify the pollen fertility, we used closed flowers from three populations of Lagerstroemia indica L., following the methodology of Guerra & Souza (2002), submitting the treatments. In the application of the TTC dye, anthers of fresh buds were arranged in two concentrations: 0.075% and 0.30%, being evaluated in the periods of 6:00 a.m., 12:00 a.m., 6:00 p.m. and 24:00 a.m. The use of R. dyes from Alexander, V. Malachite 1% and Lugol 2% and from TTC to determine pollen feasibility proved to be efficient in differentiating the fertile and infertile pollen from the species. In the use of TTC it is recommended to use in the 0.30% solution during 12h of fixation of the pollen granules, period in which a higher coloring average was obtained.

Dypsis lutescens is predominant in regions with tropical, subtropical and equatorial climate. Areca, has considerable commercial value in Brazil, is highly cultivated in large scale for landscaping and decoration purposes. The objective of this work was to evaluate the viability of D. lutescens pollen through the staining test, using Lugol 2%, 2% acetic Orcein, 1% Malachite Green, Methylene Blue, 1% Fuchsin, 5% Giemsa and the Reactive of Alexander. For the tested dyes, the viability of the pollen was determined by the staining aspect where it was considered feasible the protoplasm pollen with defined staining and unviable the pollen with stained exina and protoplasm absence. To prepare the slides, the floral buds were cut diagonally with the scalpel to remove the anthers, then the maceration process of the anthers was made with a glass stick, to release the pollen, with a drop of 0.5 mL of each dye, covering the material with a coverslip, after that the slide was observed in an optical microscope at 40x, using the scanning procedure, counting 300 pollen per slide, with 5 repetition for each dye, totalizing 1500 grains. In the present study, it is possible to conclude that Areca D. lutescens palm, although presenting low pollen viability percentages, for some dyes to which it was tested, Acetic orcein 2% Green malachite 1% Methylene blue and Guiemsa 5% showed good results to distinguish viable pollens from unviable ones, being these dyes indicated to test the pollen viability of the species.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the inclusion of different levels of mango residue (0, 10, 20 and 30% natural matter) in the mixed silages of elephant grass and cassava peels. The material was ensiled for 60 days in polyvinyl chloride "PVC" experimental bags. There was a maximum loss (P

Crossandra infundibuliformis L. (Acanthaceae) is a shrub native to India. It is an important ornamental plant in horticulture, possessing medicinal value, used to treat various diseases, in the extract of its leaves contains properties with antifungal, antimicrobial, etc. activities. The objective of this work was to estimate the pollen viability of C. infundibuliformis, found in three sites in the municipality of Alta Floresta-MT. For the study, a solution of 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium (TTC) at concentrations of 0.075% and 0.30% was used with the material exposed at four different times and Lugol 2% dye. In the preparation of the slides using TTC, one drop of each treatment on the slide was then covered with a cover slip. In the Lugol 2% test, the anthers crushing technique was used in the preparation of the slides. In the estimation of the pollen viability of populations 01, 02 and 03 of C. infundibuliformis, colorimetric tests (TTC) and Lugol 2%) were efficient in distinguishing viable pollens from non-viable pollens. It was observed that for the two concentrations there was a gradual increase of the means as the time of exposure increased. The concentration of 0.30% presented the highest averages of pollen viability. The concentration of 0.075% presented average percentages of viability at all times. Before the treatments to estimate the pollen viability of the species, the concentration of 0.30% in the time of exposure of 24 hours was the best treatment for the distinct differentiation of the pollen grains. The viability averages of C. infundibuliformis were averages for TTC concentrations and high for Lugol dye 2%.

The purpose of this study was to better understand the life cycle of brown shrimp along the Amazon Continental Shelf by using spatial and temporal trawl fleet activities. A total of 208,121 specimens and 1281 trawls were studied throughout the course of 13 years of shrimp size composition. To investigate differences in length composition between fishing grounds, months, and depth, a PERMANOVA analysis was employed. A geographic information system was developed for environmental characterisation and spatiotemporal trawl fleet distribution. Our findings show that the industrial trawl shrimp fleet has a close relationship with shrimp biological characteristics, following shrimp migration patterns in different months, locations, and depths during different stages of their life cycle, and that this fleet acts on two-yearly cohorts. The management measures of limiting effort (number of vessels) appear enough to avoid overcapitalisation, but the closed period and a proposed no-take fishing zone appear insufficient for what was originally proposed. Ecosystem-based management strategies should be addressed immediately because they would be far more effective than traditional fishery-based management measures in promoting sustainable fishing.

Valproic acid/sodium valproate (VPA), a drug originally prescribed as an anticonvulsant, has been widely reported to act on epigenetic marks by inducing histone acetylation, affecting the DNA and histone methylation status, and altering the expression of transcription factors, thus leading to modulation of gene expression. All these epigenetic changes have been associated with chromatin remodeling effects. The present minireview briefly reports the main effects of VPA on chromatin and image analysis and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) microspectroscopy in association with molecular biology methodological approaches to investigate the VPA-induced changes in chromatin structure and at the higher-order supraorganizational level.

Este é o primeiro texto existente sobre a editora de filmes húngara, Ágnes Hranitzky (1945-), e montadora dos filmes de Béla Tarr. Discorro sobre sua carreira no cinema húngaro, com ênfase em sua parceria nos filmes dirigidos pelo cineasta Béla Tarr. Conto como ela inicia sua formação e sua prática no meio cinematográfico nos anos 60 na Hungria, explicitando as dificuldades encontradas, até chegar no findar de sua carreira em 2011. Ágnes ingressou na montagem de filmes numa época em que só havia homens nesta área e sofreu muito por isso. Ela deu importante contribuição para o cinema húngaro no Séc. XX e XXI.

ABSTRACT The enterococci, which are among the leading causes of multidrug-resistant (MDR) hospital infection, are notable for their environmental ruggedness, which extends to intrinsic antibiotic resistance. To identify genes that confer this unique property, we used Tn-seq to comprehensively explore the genome of MDR Enterococcus faecalis strain MMH594 for genes important for growth in nutrient-containing medium and with low-level antibiotic challenge. As expected, a large core of genes for DNA replication, expression, and central metabolism, shared with other bacteria, are intolerant to transposon disruption. However, genes were identified that are important to E. faecalis that are either absent from or unimportant for Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae fitness when similarly tested. Further, 217 genes were identified that when challenged by sub-MIC antibiotic levels exhibited reduced tolerance to transposon disruption, including those previously shown to contribute to intrinsic resistance, and others not previously ascribed this role. E. faecalis is one of the few Gram-positive bacteria experimentally shown to possess a functional Entner-Doudoroff pathway for carbon metabolism, a pathway that contributes to stress tolerance in other microbes. Through functional genomics and network analysis we defined the unusual structure of this pathway in E. faecalis and assessed its importance. These approaches also identified toxin-antitoxin and related systems that are unique and active in E. faecalis. Finally, we identified genes that are absent in the closest nonenterococcal relatives, the vagococci, and that contribute importantly to fitness with and without antibiotic selection, advancing an understanding of the unique biology of enterococci. IMPORTANCE Enterococci are leading causes of antibiotic-resistant infection transmitted in hospitals. The intrinsic hardiness of these organisms allows them to survive disinfection practices and then proliferate in the gastrointestinal tracts of antibiotic-treated patients. The objective of this study was to identify the underlying genetic basis for its unusual hardiness. Using a functional genomic approach, we identified traits and pathways of general importance for enterococcal survival and growth that distinguish them from closely related pathogens as well as ancestrally related species. We further identified unique traits that enable them to survive antibiotic challenge, revealing a large set of genes that contribute to intrinsic antibiotic resistance and a smaller set of uniquely important genes that are rare outside enterococci.

Electrodes consisting of Pt nanoparticles dispersed on thin films of niobium oxide were prepared onto titanium substrates by a sol-gel method. The physical characterization of these electrodes was carried out by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The mean size of the Pt particles was found to be 10.7 nm. The general aspects of the electrochemical behavior were studied by cyclic voltammetry in 1 mol L -1 HClO 4 aqueous solution. The response of these electrodes in relation to the oxidation of formaldehyde and methanol in acidic media was also studied.

Silicoaluminophosphate molecular sieves of SAPO-11 type (AEL structure) were synthesized by the hydrothermal method, from the residue of a fluorescent lamp as a source or Si, Al, and P in the presence of water and di-propyamine (DPA) as an organic template. To adjust the P2O5/SiO2 and Si/Al and ratios, specific amounts of silica, alumina, or alumina hydroxide and orthophosphoric acid were added to obtain a gel with molar chemical composition 1.0 Al2O3:1.0 P2O5:1.2 DPA:0.3 SiO2:120 H2O. The syntheses were carried out at a temperature of 473 K at crystallization times of 24, 48, and 72 h. The fluorescent lamp residue and the obtained samples were characterized by X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and BET surface area analysis using nitrogen adsorption isotherms. The presence of fluorapatite was detected as the main crystalline phase in the residue, jointly with considered amounts of silica, alumina, and phosphorus in oxide forms. The SAPO-11 prepared using aluminum hydroxide as Al source, P2O5/SiO2 molar ratio of 3.6 and Si/Al ratio of 0.14, at crystallization time of 72 h, achieves a yield of 75% with a surface area of 113 m2/g, showing that the residue from a fluorescent lamp is an alternative source for development of new materials based on Si, Al, and P.

The pion structure in Minkowski space is described in terms of an analytic model of the Bethe–Salpeter amplitude combined with Euclidean Lattice QCD results. The model is physically motivated to take into account the running quark mass, which is fitted to Lattice QCD data. The pion pseudoscalar vertex is associated to the quark mass function, as dictated by dynamical chiral symmetry breaking requirements in the limit of vanishing current quark mass. The quark propagator is analyzed in terms of a spectral representation, and it shows a violation of the positivity constraints. The integral representation of the pion Bethe–Salpeter amplitude is also built. The pion space-like electromagnetic form factor is calculated with a quark electromagnetic current, which satisfies the Ward–Takahashi identity to ensure current conservation. The results for the form factor and weak decay constant are found to be consistent with the experimental data.