Search

This manuscript uses a multiomics approach (i.e., microbiome, metabolomics, and transcriptomics) to explore the underlying mechanisms driven by a genetically modified probiotic (GMP) designed to express angiotensin (1–7) combined with moderate exercise training in an aged male rat model. After 12 wk of intervention, our findings suggest that our GMP enhanced gut microbial diversity while exercise training altered the transcriptional response in relevant neuroremodeling genes, inflammation, and circadian rhythm signaling pathways in an aging animal model.

Cold shock adaptability is a key survival skill of gut bacteria of warm-blooded animals. Escherichia coli cold shock responses are controlled by a complex multi-gene, timely-ordered transcriptional program. We investigated its underlying mechanisms. Having identified short-term, cold shock repressed genes, we show that their responsiveness is unrelated to their transcription factors or global regulators, while their single-cell protein numbers’ variability increases after cold shock. We hypothesized that some cold shock repressed genes could be triggered by high propensity for transcription locking due to changes in DNA supercoiling (likely due to DNA relaxation caused by an overall reduction in negative supercoiling). Concomitantly, we found that nearly half of cold shock repressed genes are also highly responsive to gyrase inhibition (albeit most genes responsive to gyrase inhibition are not cold shock responsive). Further, their response strengths to cold shock and gyrase inhibition correlate. Meanwhile, under cold shock, nucleoid density increases, and gyrases and nucleoid become more colocalized. Moreover, the cellular energy decreases, which may hinder positive supercoils resolution. Overall, we conclude that sensitivity to diminished negative supercoiling is a core feature of E. coli’s short-term, cold shock transcriptional program, and could be used to regulate the temperature sensitivity of synthetic circuits.

RESUMOIntrodução: A elevada ingestão de açúcar é o principal fator associado ao aporte energético excessivo e ao desenvolvimento de obesidade e várias doenças crónicas, nomeadamente diabetes tipo 2 e doenças cardiovasculares. Deste modo, a procura por adoçantes alternativos, não artificiais, tem vindo a aumentar. Um destes é a miraculina, proteína modificadora do sabor encontrada no fruto da fruteira milagrosa (Synsepalum dulcificum).Objetivo: Estudar a miraculina e as suas propriedades nutricionais enquanto adoçante natural.Metodologia: Foi feita uma pesquisa nas bases de dados PubMed e ScienceDirect, com a palavra-chave miraculina e num intervalo temporal de dez anos, da qual resultaram sessenta e nove artigos (1 e sessenta e oito, respetivamente). Após a leitura do título, foram selecionados trinta e seis artigos, dos quais, após leitura do abstract, vinte e seis foram selecionados para leitura integral, tendo estes sido utilizados na elaboração do artigo.Resultados: A miraculina atua nas membranas celulares do sabor, próximo ao local do receptor doce, produzindo a sensação doce. O seu efeito consiste na conversão de sabores azedos em doces, tendo um perfil sensorial semelhante ao da sucralose, substituto do açúcar consagrado e reconhecido, e dura até que seja diluída e eliminada pela saliva. A sua ação depende do pH e da temperatura, sendo diminuída em pH alto e muito diminuída em pH acima de doze ou abaixo de 2,5 e a temperaturas elevadas. Conclusão: A miraculina possui qualidade nutricional e ações farmacológicas, aparentando ser um bom substituto do açúcar em bebidas ácidas. Ainda são necessários estudos futuros em outros produtos que avaliem a perceção do consumidor.

Objective: The objective of the present study was to determine if body mass index and vitamin D levels are risk factors for the development of uterine leiomyomas in Mexican women. Methods: A cross-sectional study was designed. Inclusion criteria were women between 20 and 55 years with a suspect of uterine leiomyomas. Transvaginal ultrasonography was made to confirm the diagnosis and clinical variables were collected. Vitamin D levels were measured in serum by chemiluminescence immunoassay. Binary linear regression analysis was conducted to assess the predictors of uterine leiomyomas. Results: A total of 106 patients were evaluated, the mean age was 41.4 ± 8.0 years. The serum levels of vitamin D were insufficient in 94 (88.7%) and 82 (77.3%) has overweight or obesity. However, only 50 (47.2%) of participants have a diagnostic of uterine leiomyomas. BMI not increased the probability of having insufficient levels of vitamin D or uterine leiomyomas. Only, age (> 45 years) and levels of vitamin D (Conclusions: Insufficient levels of vitamin D are common in Mexican women. Age and hypovitaminosis D are possible risk factors in the development of uterine leiomyomas in Mexican women.

Since the discovery of mitochondrial-derived peptides (MDP), their participation in cellular metabolism is no longer considered as the sole function of the mitochondria, but importance was also attached to its role as a source of protective factors of metabolic stress. These peptides are encoded in the mitochondrial genome and translated into the mitochondria or cytoplasm, to signal within the cell or be released and bind to membrane receptors. The objective of this work was explored and compare the frequency of MT-RNR1 and MT-RNR2 variants in sequences obtained from T2D individuals and control population. 213 different mitochondrial polymorphisms previously reported in the literature associated with T2D and cardiovascular diseases were analyzed. We can found three variants in the MT-RNR1 not related with MOTS-c coding sequence: m.1189T>C (rs28358571), m.1420T>C (rs111033356), and m.1438A>G (rs2001030); and secondly, three polymorphisms associated to MT-RNR2 m.2667T>C (rs878870626) related to humanin, m.1811A>G (rs28358576) in SHPL3 and m.3027T>C (rs199838004) in SHPL6 associated with statistical differences between the T2D and control group. All these findings were previously related to cardiovascular complications in literature and, as far as we know, relating for the first time in diabetic patients.

Clinker is the raw material used in the manufacture of cement. However, this material is very harmful to the environment, since it is estimated that for every ton of clinker produced, about 1.0 ton of CO2 is released into the atmosphere. For this reason, alternatives were sought for the use of other materials that are less harmful to the environment. This has led to the use of industrial by-products with the aim of increasing their use and thus reducing the amount of carbon released into the atmosphere. Blast furnace slag is a by-product used in the manufacture of some cementitious products. The aim of this research is to conduct a study on the use of slag as an additive for cement or concrete. The mortar samples were tested according to Brazilian, American and European technical standards. Physical, chemical and compressive strength tests were carried out which confirmed the possibility of using the slag without chemical or thermal activation.

The COVID-19 pandemic led to the development and emergency approval of an array of effective vaccines against SARS-CoV-2. Given the relatively small number of patients included in vaccine trials, postapproval epidemiological surveillance is crucial to detect infrequent vaccine-related adverse events. We conducted a nationwide retrospective descriptive study evaluating the incidence of seizures among recipients of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in Mexico from December 24, 2020 (date of administration of first doses nationwide) to October 29, 2021. Among 81 916 351 doses of any vaccine that were administered, we documented seizures in 53 patients, of which 31 (60%) were new onset seizures. The incidence rate of seizures per million doses was highest for mRNA-1273 (Moderna) with 2.73 per million, followed by BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) with 1.02 per million, and Ad5-nCoV (CanSino) with 1.01 per million. Thus, we found that seizures following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination are exceedingly rare events.

Breast cancer has an important incidence in the worldwide female population. Although alterations in the mitochondrial genome probably play an important role in carcinogenesis, the actual evidence is ambiguous and inconclusive. The purpose of the present work was to explore mitochondrial sequences of clinical cases with breast cancer from different origins and determine the polymorphisms associated. The search for complete and partial mtDNA sequences obtained from breast cancer patients and controls was performed in NCBI Genbank database. We identified 124 mtDNA sequences associated to breast cancer cases of which 86 were complete and 38 partial sequences. Of these 86 complete sequences, 52 belong to patients with a confirmed diagnosis of breast cancer and 34 sequences were obtained from healthy mammary tissue of the same patients used as controls. From mtDNA analysis, two polymorphisms with significative statistical differences were found in D130 in sequences analyzed: m.310del (rs869289246) in 34.6% (27/78) breast cancer cases and 61.7% (21/34) of controls; and m.315dup (rs369786048) in 60.2% (47/78) of breast cancer cases and 38.2% (13/34) of controls. Also, the variant m.16519T>C (rs3937033) was found in 59% of control sequences and 52% of breast cancer sequences with a significant statistical difference. Polymorphic changes are evolutionarily related to haplogroup H of Indo-European and Euro Asiatic origins, however, were found in all non-European sequences with breast cancer.

Made available in DSpace on 2022-04-29T08:46:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2022-06-01 Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) The Optimal Reactive Power Flow (ORPF) problem has been used as an important computational tool for power system planning and operation. Its mixed-discrete version (DORPF) is formulated as a non-convex, non-linear optimization problem with discrete and continuous variables, which is aimed at minimizing the transmission losses while meeting the power demand and enforcing operational and physical limits of the system. Although the DORPF problem has been solved by a myriad of methods, some of them present regularization problems associated with poor matrix-conditioning in the optimal solution, some do not provide for rapid infeasibility detection and some do not provide effective ways for handling the discrete nature of the control variables. Although some of these complicating issues have been tackled separately in the literature by various studies, a method that addresses all these issues has not yet been proposed for solving the DORPF problem. In this paper, an integration of optimization approaches is proposed for handling all such complicating issues. The basis of this approach is a primal–dual penalty-interior-point method, which integrates the good properties of penalty methods (e.g. regularization effects on the constraints and rapid infeasibility detection) and interior-point methods (e.g. scalability and good convergence behavior), without suffering from their disadvantages. In the proposed approach, this method is integrated with a sinusoidal penalty function method for handling the discrete nature of the control variables of the DORPF problem, together with a specific inertia correction strategy designed to avoid local maximizers associated with such a penalty function. Numerical tests carried out with the IEEE 30-, 57-, 118- and 300-bus systems focus on showing that all the complicating issues have been addressed by the proposed method. Comparisons with the results obtained by interior-point methods are also provided. Department of Electrical Engineering Faculty of Engineering-FEB, Unesp-Univ. Estadual Paulista Department of Mathematics Faculty of Sciences-FC, Unesp-Univ. Estadual Paulista Department of Mathematics IFSP-Presidente Epitácio FAPESP: 2013/18036-1 FAPESP: 2014/20853-0 FAPESP: 2017/24135-3 CNPq: 305548/2019-0 CNPq: 309780/2017-9 CNPq: 314711/2020-1

O uso de computadores na educação sempre esteve em perspectiva. Contudo, quando se trata do emprego das tecnologias digitais na educação, é evidente que existe carência de exploração da Ciência da Computação (CC) em sua amplitude, assim como há um déficit no planejamento para a formação de professores aptos a mediarem o espaço onde ocorre a exploração desta ciência. Desta forma, embora haja o uso da computação na educação, na maioria dos casos sua aplicação muitas vezes se encaixa no uso de atividades que não foram idealizadas para desenvolver no discente habilidades que passaram a ser fundamentais para o Século XXI, tais como o Pensamento Computacional (PC). Por vez, o PC é o processo de pensamento envolvido na formulação de problemas e de suas soluções tais quais possam ser representadas e efetivamente realizadas por um agente de processamento de informações. Muitos países como Alemanha, Argentina, Canadá, Estados Unidos, Inglaterra e também o Brasil, estão introduzindo o PC e outras disciplinas fundamentadas na CC na educação básica. Entretanto, para que isso aconteça de modo efetivo, é necessário que se atente para a formação de professores que sejam aptos a trabalhar com o PC nas escolas. Essa formação parte da necessidade de adicionar os conceitos da CC na formação dos professores e apresentar a eles práticas pedagógicas que criem um ambiente computacional em sala de aula independente da área de formação, uma vez que o campo da ciência da computação é transversal às demais ciências. Mediante esse contexto, este trabalho propõe uma discussão a respeito de intervenções realizadas durante a formação inicial de professores, dando foco no impacto das abordagens utilizadas causadas na percepção e atitude do licenciando ante a computação e o PC. A proposta que manifestamos neste estudo, envolve trabalhar a CC e o PC de forma gradual através dos seguintes passos: I) Discussões teóricas sobre a CC e a aplicação do PC no cotidiano; II) Atividades de computação desplugada; III) Atividades de computação plugada; IV) Leitura e discussão de relatos de experiências que tenham realizado atividades interdisciplinares em computação para a promoção do PC na educação básica. Para mais, a ideia é que durante todos esses passos da intervenção, o licenciando seja incentivado a pensar em práticas interdisciplinares e demonstre em suas discussões a percepção da aplicabilidade e a compreensão dessas abordagens. A proposta já foi aplicada em uma turma voluntária de graduandos em licenciatura de diversas áreas do conhecimento. Os resultados para o objetivo da pesquisa foram obtidos através de atividades em computação realizadas nos passos propostos para a intervenção e mediante um questionário de atitudes que foi aplicado antes e após a intervenção. A conclusão obtida na turma piloto sugere que os licenciandos possuem dificuldade em compreender os conceitos da CC e do PC, bem como limitações em suas reflexões que carecem de criticidade e autonomia. Entretanto, embora os resultados obtidos não tenham sido o que esperávamos, devemos apresentar o PC durante a formação inicial do professor e aprimorar as configurações existentes para esse tipo de intervenção a fim de promover uma formação que capacite o professor a trabalhar com a computação em sala de aula.Link para o vídeo da apresentação: https://youtu.be/DPVONG3hurY

O ensino da computação nas escolas de educação básica (EB) do Brasil ainda é pouco presente. Apesar de a computação já ter sido reconhecida como sendo um campo importante para o desenvolvimento do sujeito, existem desafios que devem ser considerados ao se falar em ensinar computação nas escolas, pois, ao se sugerir ensinar computação na EB, pode ser desejável que esta seja empregada de modo interdisciplinar. Empregar a computação de modo interdisciplinar na EB consiste na realização de atividades em que sejam favorecidas a união de objetivos de um componente curricular qualquer e metas da computação. Tal interação pode acontecer em ambientes computacionais em que o sujeito disponha de objetos da computação e, através da interação com esses objetos, lhe seja possível o desenvolvimento de conhecimentos e habilidades tanto da computação quanto de outras áreas que estejam sendo trabalhadas no ambiente. Entretanto, apesar de existirem iniciativas que apresentam atividades interdisciplinares em computação, ainda são poucas as atividades desenvolvidas nesse sentido e as existentes são específicas para o objetivo do autor da atividade, não se enquadrando nos objetivos específicos de cada professor. Isso se torna um obstáculo para professores não familiarizados com a computação, uma vez que estes não possuem formação direcionada para a construção de estratégias pedagógicas interdisciplinares envolvendo a computação, tornando-os reféns de abordagens e recursos produzidos por outros profissionais. Nesse contexto, este trabalho propõe uma discussão a respeito do incentivo à criação de materiais interdisciplinares por professores em serviço através de formações continuadas. A proposta que apresentamos neste trabalho envolve trabalhar a computação e o Pensamento Computacional em um curso de formação continuada para professores e inspirá-los a produzir um plano de aula contendo um material para o ensino interdisciplinar da computação. A formação acontece seguindo o currículo proposto pela série Computação Fundamental e, ao fim de trabalhado um dos volumes propostos pela série, o professor deverá apresentar um material inédito e interdisciplinar envolvendo a computação. A pesquisa já foi aplicada em uma turma voluntária piloto composta por professores da EB de diversas cidades do Estado da Bahia. Os resultados obtidos apontaram que os professores necessitam que a formação continuada seja sequencial e que trabalhe os conteúdos da computação de modo gradual; e também que uma formação que incentive o pensamento de práticas interdisciplinares pode estimular o pensamento crítico e criativo do professor, permitindo-lhes esboçar atividades em computação que sejam adequadas aos seus interesses. Assim, concluímos que trabalhar um currículo existente com os professores, capacitando-os a realizarem e aplicarem as atividades propostas naquele material, pode estimular o surgimento de novas práticas interdisciplinares que sejam moldáveis aos interesses pedagógicos do professor.Link para o vídeo da apresentação: https://youtu.be/fJ7qWOkhD9Q

Introduction: There are no studies comparing the effects of different concurrent training routines [i.e., a resistance training plus high-intensity interval training (RT+HIIT) program compared to an RT plus moderate-intensity continuous training (RT+MICT) program] on cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and physical performance in older adults with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Objective: This study aimed to compare the effects of two concurrent training routines, RT+HIIT versus RT+MICT, on CRF and physical fitness in adults and older adults with MetS. Methods: Thirty-nine participants (67.0±6.7 years of age) were randomly assigned into three groups: RT+ MICT, RT+ HIIT and the control group (CON, no exercise). The 12-week physical training program consisted of 3 sessions/week (~50 minutes/session). The aerobic training component was customized for iso-caloric energy expenditure (P≥0.217) and iso-load distribution (TRIMP, P≥0.893), however the MICT component had a longer aerobic training time (P≤0.01). We evaluated pre- and post-evaluation CRF (VO2peak), physical capacity [power of lower limbs (PLL), running velocity, and running time to exhaustion], plasma lactate, rate of perceived exertion (RPE), resting heart rate (HRrest), and peak heart rate (HRpeak). Results: At the end of the intervention, a significant increase in the VO2peak was observed only in the RT+HIIT group (P=0.01), but compared to the CON group both RT+HIIT and RT+MICT groups had significant improvement in the VO2peak (P≤0.02). Only the RT+HIIT group had lower HRrest as compared to the baseline and the CON group. Also, both RT+HIIT and RT+MICT groups, but not CON, significantly improved running speed, time to exhaustion, and PLL (P

Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease characterized by progressive skin depigmentation and the appearance of white patches throughout the body caused by significant apoptosis of epidermal melanocytes. Despite not causing any physical pain, vitiligo can originate several psychosocial disorders, drastically reducing patients’ quality of life. Emerging evidence has shown that vitiligo is associated with several genetic polymorphisms related to auto-reactivity from the immune system to melanocytes. Melanocytes from vitiligo patients suffer from excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by defective mitochondria besides a poor endogenous antioxidant system (EAS). This redox imbalance results in dramatic melanocyte oxidative stress (OS), causing significant damage in proteins, lipid membranes, and DNA. The damaged melanocytes secret damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMPs), inducing and increasing inflammatory gene expression response that ultimately leads to melanocytes apoptosis. Vitiligo severity has been also associated with increasing the prevalence and incidence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) or associated disorders such as insulin resistance and hypercholesterolemia. Thus, suggesting that in genetically predisposed individuals, the environmental context that triggers MetS (i.e., sedentary lifestyle) may also be an important trigger for the development and severity of vitiligo disease. This paper will discuss the relationship between the immune system and epidermal melanocytes and their interplay with the redox system. Based on state-of-the-art evidence from the vitiligo research, physical exercise (PE) immunology, and redox system literature, we will also propose chronic PE as a potential therapeutic strategy to treat and prevent vitiligo disease progression. We will present evidence that chronic PE can change the balance of inflammatory to an anti-inflammatory state, improve both EAS and the mitochondrial structure and function (resulting in the decrease of OS). Finally, we will highlight clinically relevant markers that can be analyzed in a new research avenue to test the potential applicability of chronic PE in vitiligo disease.

For centuries, regular exercise has been acknowledged as a potent stimulus to promote, maintain, and restore healthy functioning of nearly every physiological system of the human body. With advancing understanding of the complexity of human physiology, continually evolving methodological possibilities, and an increasingly dire public health situation, the study of exercise as a preventative or therapeutic treatment has never been more interdisciplinary, or more impactful. During the early stages of the NIH Common Fund Molecular Transducers of Physical Activity Consortium (MoTrPAC) Initiative, the field is well-positioned to build substantially upon the existing understanding of the mechanisms underlying benefits associated with exercise. Thus, we present a comprehensive body of the knowledge detailing the current literature basis surrounding the molecular adaptations to exercise in humans to provide a view of the state of the field at this critical juncture, as well as a resource for scientists bringing external expertise to the field of exercise physiology. In reviewing current literature related to molecular and cellular processes underlying exercise-induced benefits and adaptations, we also draw attention to existing knowledge gaps warranting continued research effort. © 2021 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 12:3193-3279, 2022.

The robustness and sensitivity of gene networks to environmental changes is critical for cell survival. How gene networks produce specific, chronologically ordered responses to genome-wide perturbations, while robustly maintaining homeostasis, remains an open question. We analysed if short- and mid-term genome-wide responses to shifts in RNA polymerase (RNAP) concentration are influenced by the known topology and logic of the transcription factor network (TFN) of Escherichia coli. We found that, at the gene cohort level, the magnitude of the single-gene, mid-term transcriptional responses to changes in RNAP concentration can be explained by the absolute difference between the gene’s numbers of activating and repressing input transcription factors (TFs). Interestingly, this difference is strongly positively correlated with the number of input TFs of the gene. Meanwhile, short-term responses showed only weak influence from the TFN. Our results suggest that the global topological traits of the TFN of E. coli shape which gene cohorts respond to genome-wide stresses.

Escherichia coli uses the ability of {sigma} factors to recognize specific DNA sequences in order to quickly control large gene cohorts. While most genes respond to only one {sigma} factor, approximately 5% have dual {sigma} factor preference. The ones in significant numbers are {sigma}70+38 genes, responsive to {sigma}70, which controls housekeeping genes, as well as to {sigma}38, which activates genes during stationary growth and stresses. We show that {sigma}70+38 genes are almost as upregulated in stationary growth as genes responsive to {sigma}38 alone. Also, their response strengths to {sigma}38 are predictable from their promoter sequences. Next, we propose a sequence- and {sigma}38 level-dependent, analytical model of {sigma}70+38 genes applicable in the exponential, stationary, and in the transition period between the two growth phases. Finally, we propose a general model, applicable to other {sigma} factors as well. This model can guide the design of synthetic circuits with sequence-dependent sensitivity and plasticity to transitions between the exponential and stationary growth phases. Author SummaryPresent challenges in Synthetic Biology include the design of genetic circuits that are robust to growth phase transitions and whose responsiveness is sequence-dependent, and, thus predictable prior to design. We present and validate an empirical-based, sequence-dependent analytical model of E. coli genes with dual responsiveness to the regulators {sigma}70 and {sigma}38. These genes, supported by our sequence-dependent model, could become building blocks for synthetic genetic circuits functional in both the exponential and the stationary growth phases.

The aim of this study was to evaluate different manufacturing processes of compact powders and establish consumer preferences through sensory analysis. Four compact powders were formulated with the following treatments: micronization, hammer mill, addition of raw materials that modify the sensory, and simple mixture. The powders were compressed, passing the tests for glazing, detachment of color and drop test, and later forwarded to sensory evaluation by 45 volunteers. In the compression tests, drop test, glazing and detachment of color, the micronized sample obtained the best results showing the reduction of particle size influences the packaging of powders and improves the compression of the product, but in the sensory analysis the sample obtained by simple mixture was the preference of most of the volunteers. It was felt that, despite the best compaction results are obtained for samples micronized, the preference of the volunteers is still linked to older manufacturing processes where the resulting powder shows more coarse and form a thicker layer on the skin.

Background Physical exercise is associated with decreased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, but recent large-scale trials suggest that exercise alone is insufficient to reduce CVD events in high-risk older adults. Purpose This pilot randomized clinical trial aimed to collect critical data on feasibility, safety, and protocol integrity necessary to design a fully powered randomized controlled trial (RCT) and evaluate the impact of combining structured exercise with an intervention designed to enhance non-exercise physical activity (EX+NEPA) compared to EX alone. Methods Forty participants aged ≥60 years with moderate-to-high risk of coronary heart disease events were randomly assigned to either the EX+NEPA or EX groups and followed for 20 weeks. Both groups underwent a twice-weekly, 8-week center-based exercise intervention with aerobic and resistance exercises. EX+NEPA group also received a wearable activity tracking device along with behavioral monitoring and feedback throughout the study. Study outcomes were evaluated at 8 and 20 weeks. Results Data are presented as adjusted mean change of the differences over time with 95% confidence intervals at 20 weeks. Relative to EX, the change in steps/day at 20 weeks was 1994 (-40.27, 4028) higher for EX+NEPA. For sedentary time at close-out, the EX+NEPA group was -6.8 (-45.2, 31.6) min/day relative to EX. The between-group differences for systolic and diastolic blood pressure were -9.9 (-19.6, -0.3) and -1.8 (-6.9, 3.3) mmHg, respectively. Conclusion The addition of wearable technology intervention appeared to positively influence daily activity patterns and changes in blood pressure - potentially improving risk factors for CVD. A fully powered randomized trial is needed to ultimately test this hypothesis.

Introduction Post-transplant diabetes mellitus is a complication of kidney transplantation with deleterious effects on graft and patient survival and is associated with higher mortality. The goal of this paper is to identify risk factors that contribute to its development so that it can be avoided. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of 659 kidney transplants performed in adult patients between January 2013 and December 2017. We excluded patients with a previous diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and identified 61 patients with post-transplant diabetes mellitus (10.6%), then compared them to a control group of 61 patients who did not suffer from the disease, namely the kidney transplant pair or the patient submitted for transplant immediately after. Discussion A comparative analysis of the 2 groups revealed significant differences regarding the use of β-blockers, fasting glucose on the fifth day post-transplant, kidney recipient age, and body mass index. Using multivariate logistic regression methods, 2 variables with an impact on post-transplant diabetes development were found: fasting glucose on the fifth day post-transplant (odds ratio 1.044, 95% confidence interval 1.010–1.079, P = .010) and body mass index (odds ratio 1.130, 95% confidence interval 1.009–1.264, P = .034). We did not find any differences for other potential risk factors. Conclusion A high plasma glucose level on the fifth day after the transplant and a high body mass index in the setting of the transplant can potentially impact the transplant's outcomes, so it is important to identify these levels as soon as possible to take measures to prevent this disease.

Transcription factors (TF) are known to drive gene-to-gene interaction dynamics under optimal growth conditions, but lesser is known about how much they affect the dynamics of gene regulatory networks (GRN) at the global level, due to the contribution of many other variables. We investigate how TF interactions of the GRN of E. coli affects the global entropy of single-genes response dynamics, during a genome-wide perturbation caused by a shift in RNA polymerase (RNAp) concentrations. For this, we classified genes based on their number of (known) input TFs. Also, we assigned a value to each TF input (-1 for repression and +1 for activation) and classified genes based on the sum of its input interactions. For both classification schemes, we estimated the information entropy of the single-gene input interactions of each class. Next, we measured by RNA-seq the fold changes of each gene due to weak, medium, and strong perturbations of RNAp concentration, from which we quantified the information entropy of single-gene responses of each class. We found that the information entropy of the fold changes of the classes of genes increases (non-linearly) with the magnitude of the perturbation, in a manner that is consistent with the information entropy of the sum of the input interactions of individual genes, rather than their number of inputs. Overall, we argue that, in the event of genome wide perturbations, asymmetries in input functions of TFs partially control the propagation of information between genes of the GRN of E. coli.

Throughout the evolution of air conditioning, the fluids commonly used have also undergone through changes. Firstly, the concern was chosing a refrigerant that allows the proper operation of the equipment. In the last forty years, the focus became environmental problems caused by refrigerants when released into the atmosphere. The search for an eco-friendly refrigerant that can result in air conditioning applications with satisfactory thermodynamic efficiency is an actual and developing field. The present work performs a thermodynamic analysis of a residential air conditioning operating with alternative refrigerants with ODP free and low GWP (less than 3). Computational modeling is developed in Python, focused on the thermodynamic analysis of the condenser and evaporator of the selected equipment, allowing a comparison between some promising fluids. The methodology developed allows selecting the best fluid to be used either in retrofitting old equipment to a new refrigerant or in developing a completely new refrigeration system. The performance and cooling capacity of the system working with ammonia (R717), isobutane (R600a), propane (R290), R1234yf, R1234ze(E), R22 and R134a for different operation conditions are studied. The results indicate that ammonia presents the best performance among the selected refrigerants for the conditions assumed here, although not suitable for residential applications due to its toxicity. Moreover, R290 and R1234yf showed to be thermodynamically suitable refrigerants to domestic air conditioning equipment.

Background Type 2 diabetes is more frequent in Latin American people than in non-Hispanic whites due to a combination of genetic and lifestyle risk factors. Brazil and Mexico are the most populous countries in Latin America. The present study aimed to compare the results of the National Health Survey “PNS” in Brazil and the National Survey Health and Nutrition “ENSANUT” in Mexico regarding the prevalence, complications and healthcare issues of diabetes in both countries. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with data from the National Health Survey (PNS) of 2013 in Brazil and the National Survey of Health and Nutrition (ENSANUT) of 2018 in Mexico. The prevalence of diabetes, complications and risk factors related to developing diabetes were considered. Results The respondents included 3636 individuals in Brazil and 4555 individuals in Mexico. There were significant differences in age and time living with diabetes between the two countries. Mexican people had twice as likely as Brazilian people to have a complication (p p ≤ 0.0001) for developing any diabetic complication was living with diabetes for more than 15 years. Visual impairment was the most frequent complication in both countries, but it was more prevalent in Mexico (p ≤ 0.001). Conclusions Diabetes complications are important health problems in Brazil and Mexico. Visual impairment was the principal complication in both countries. Several factors, such as access to and type of health system, living in a rural area, treatment, BMI and performing preventive actions, affected the risk of developing a complication. However, living with diabetes for more than 15 years was the principal risk factor. National health surveys have added significant information on the impact of diabetes in these Latin American populations. This comparison of data could provide valuable information to guide national policies and program decisions in both countries.

Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) represent the main technology used to supply a wide range of critical applications in which information, communication and technology (ICT) facilities such as high-tier datacenters are widely included. Beyond power converters, UPS systems require passive elements not only for proper current/voltage filtering but also to create an internal DC bus. Since these elements are typically subjected to a high amount of stress, deviations of their value can occur over time. With these deviations the overall UPS performance typically decreases and if an element reaches its end-of-life, the protection of the critical loads can even be highly compromised. Hence, the estimation of UPS passive elements is of extreme importance. In this paper, two real-time strategies based on the Adaptive Linear Neuron (ADALINE) approach are proposed to estimate the inductance and capacitance of UPS filters as well as DC bus capacitors capacitance. By using the proposed technique, only sensors required for UPS controllers are used with no additional hardware being required. Simulation results are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed estimation methods.

Objective Higher probability of developing severe COVID-19 has been associated with health risk factors and medical conditions which are common among workers globally. For at risk workers, return to work may require additional protective policies and procedures. Methods A review of the medical literature was conducted on health risk factors and medical conditions associated with increased COVID-19 morbidity and mortality, standardized measures for community COVID transmission, and occupation-specific risk. Results The relative risk of acquiring and the severity of COVID-19 for workers is associated with three pillars: individual risk, workplace risk, and community risk. Matrices were developed to determine a worker's individual risk based on these three pillars. Conclusions A practical decision tool is proposed for physicians evaluating and managing individual worker COVID-19 risk in the context of returning to work.

Made available in DSpace on 2020-12-12T01:29:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2020-06-11 Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) To date, there are several knowledge gaps on how to properly prescribe concurrent training to achieve the best dose-response, especially regarding the optimal intensity or volume of the aerobic component. Thus, the objective of this study is to analyze the effects of different aerobic exercise modes and intensities [i.e. aerobic high-intensity interval training (HIIT) versus moderate-intensity continuous aerobic training (MICT) combined with a resistance training (RT) program] on metabolic outcomes in participants with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Thirty-nine men and women (67.0 ± 6.7 years) volunteered to a 12-weeks exercise intervention (3 week–1, 50 min/session) and were randomly assigned to one of three groups: (a) RT plus MICT (RT+MICT) (2 males; 11 females); (b) RT plus HIIT (RT+HIIT) (4 males; 9 females); and (c) control group (CON) – without formal exercise (4 males; 9 females). Intensity was established between 60 and 70% of maximum heart rate (HRmax) in RT+MICT and ranged from 55–65% to 80–90% HRmax in the RT+HIIT group. Dependent outcomes included morphological, metabolic and hemodynamic variables. Both training groups improved waist circumference (RT+MICT: P = 0.019; RT+HIIT: P = 0.003), but not body weight, fat mass or fat-free mass (P ≥ 0.114). RT+HIIT group improved fasting glucose (P = 0.014), low density lipoprotein [LDL (P = 0.022)], insulin (P = 0.034) and homeostatic model assessment (P = 0.028). RT+MICT group reduced triglycerides (P = 0.053). Both exercise interventions did not change high sensitivity C-reactive protein, glycated hemoglobin, high density lipoprotein and total cholesterol, systolic, diastolic or mean arterial blood pressure (P ≥ 0.05). The CON group reduced the LDL (P = 0.031). This trial suggests that short-term exercise mode and intensity may differently impact the metabolic profile of individuals with MetS. Further, our data suggests that both concurrent trainings promote important cardiometabolic gains, particularly in the RT+HIIT. Nonetheless, due to the small-to-moderate effect size and the short-term intervention length, our data suggests that the intervention length also has an important modulating role in these benefits in older adults with MetS. Therefore, more research is needed to confirm our results using longer exercise interventions and larger groups. Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education University of Coimbra Department of Physical Education Universidade da Amazônia Department of Medicine The University of Alabama at Birmingham Human Movement Laboratory São Judas Tadeu University School of Health Technologies Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra Exercise and Immunometabolism Research Group Department of Physical Education Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) Exercise and Immunometabolism Research Group Department of Physical Education Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP)