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Wood is the most important repository of assimilated carbon in the biosphere, in the form of large polymers (cellulose, hemicelluloses including glucuronoxylan, and lignin) that interactively form a composite, together with soluble extractives including phenolic and aliphatic compounds. Molecular interactions among these compounds are not fully understood.We have targeted the expression of a fungal alpha-glucuronidase to the wood cell wall of aspen (Populus tremula L. x tremuloides Michx.) and Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh), to decrease contents of the 4-O-methyl glucuronopyranose acid (mGlcA) substituent of xylan, to elucidate mGlcA's functions.The enzyme affected the content of aliphatic insoluble cell wall components having composition similar to suberin, which required mGlcA for binding to cell walls. Such suberin-like compounds have been previously identified in decayed wood, but here, we show their presence in healthy wood of both hardwood and softwood species. By contrast, gamma-ester bonds between mGlcA and lignin were insensitive to cell wall-localized alpha-glucuronidase, supporting the intracellular formation of these bonds.These findings challenge the current view of the wood cell wall composition and reveal a novel function of mGlcA substituent of xylan in fastening of suberin-like compounds to cell wall. They also suggest an intracellular initiation of lignin-carbohydrate complex assembly.

Fish consumption is considered the main route of exposure to mercury for the human population. In this sense, this study analysed the total and organic mercury content present in the muscle tissue of 38 fish species caught in different geographical areas of the North Atlantic Ocean (included in FAO fishing areas 27 and 31). The potential risk to human health through fish consumption was assessed using the maximum limit for mercury intake of 1.3 μg methylmercury Kg body weight−1 week−1. The results show that carnivorous species presented higher mercury content (range 0.03–0.88 μg g−1) when compared to omnivorous (range 0.003–0.19 μg g−1) in all sampling sites. Furthermore, demersal fish exhibited higher mercury levels (range 0.01–0.88 μg g−1) than the pelagic species (range 0.003–0.38 μg g−1) did. From the 38 species analysed only Zeus faber presented mercury levels (0.68 ± 0.07 μg g−1) above the maximum limit (0.5 μg g−1) established for human consumption. On the other hand, mercury intake can be higher than the recommended due to the consumption of 13 species from fishing area 27 (Azores archipelago and Northwest Portuguese coast) and one species (Cynoscion nebulosus) from fishing area 31 (Southeast Mexican coast). However, only the consumption of Zeus faber and Aphanopus carbo from the fishing area 27 is discouraged. Thus, the fish consumption per capita in a specific area can exceed the limits of mercury ingestion, even when the mercury content in the fish is below the recommended for consumption.

Context. Exoplanets with orbital periods of less than one day are known as ultra-short period (USP) planets. They are relatively rare products of planetary formation and evolution processes, but especially favourable for characterisation with current planet detection methods. At the time of writing, 125 USP planets have already been confirmed. Aims. Our aim is to validate the planetary nature of two new transiting planet candidates around M dwarfs announced by the NASA Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), registered as TESS Objects of Interest (TOIs) TOI-1442.01 and TOI-2445.01. Methods. We used TESS data, ground-based photometric light curves, and Subaru/IRD spectrograph radial velocity (RV) measurements to validate both planetary candidates and to establish their physical properties. Results. TOI-1442 b is a validated exoplanet with an orbital period of $P$=0.4090682+/-0.0000004 d, a radius of $R_p$=1.15+/-0.06$R_{\oplus}$, and equilibrium temperature of $T_{p,eq}$=1357$_{-42}^{+49}$K. TOI-2445 b is also validated with an orbital period of $P$=0.3711286+/-0.0000004 d, a radius of $R_p$= 1.33+/-0.09$R_{\oplus}$, and equilibrium temperature of $T_{p,eq}$=1330$_{-56}^{+61}$K. Their physical properties align with current empirical trends and formation theories of USP planets. Based on the RV measurements, we set 3$\sigma$ upper mass limits of 8$M_{\oplus}$ and 20$M_{\oplus}$, thus confirming the non-stellar, sub-Jovian nature of both transiting objects. More RV measurements will be needed to constrain the planetary masses and mean densities, and the predicted presence of outer planetary companions. These targets extend the small sample of USP planets orbiting around M dwarfs up to 21 members. They are also among the 20 most suitable terrestrial planets for atmospheric characterisation via secondary eclipse with the JWST, according to a widespread emission spectroscopy metric., Comment: Published in A&A, 18 pages, 6 tables, 8 figures

Background Bioconversion of wood into bioproducts and biofuels is hindered by the recalcitrance of woody raw material to bioprocesses such as enzymatic saccharification. Targeted modification of the chemical composition of the feedstock can improve saccharification but this gain is often abrogated by concomitant reduction in tree growth. Results In this study, we report on transgenic hybrid aspen (Populus tremula × tremuloides) lines that showed potential to increase biomass production both in the greenhouse and after 5 years of growth in the field. The transgenic lines carried an overexpression construct for Populus tremula × tremuloides vesicle-associated membrane protein (VAMP)-associated protein PttVAP27-17 that was selected from a gene-mining program for novel regulators of wood formation. Analytical-scale enzymatic saccharification without any pretreatment revealed for all greenhouse-grown transgenic lines, compared to the wild type, a 20–44% increase in the glucose yield per dry weight after enzymatic saccharification, even though it was statistically significant only for one line. The glucose yield after enzymatic saccharification with a prior hydrothermal pretreatment step with sulfuric acid was not increased in the greenhouse-grown transgenic trees on a dry-weight basis, but increased by 26–50% when calculated on a whole biomass basis in comparison to the wild-type control. Tendencies to increased glucose yields by up to 24% were present on a whole tree biomass basis after acidic pretreatment and enzymatic saccharification also in the transgenic trees grown for 5 years on the field when compared to the wild-type control. Conclusions The results demonstrate the usefulness of gene-mining programs to identify novel genes with the potential to improve biofuel production in tree biotechnology programs. Furthermore, multi-omic analyses, including transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolomic analyses, performed here provide a toolbox for future studies on the function of VAP27 proteins in plants.

To evaluate the accuracy and validity of images with smartphone compared to the RetCam® system for the diagnosis of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).Observational, longitudinal and masked study carried out at the Dr. Elías Santana hospital. Infants with birth weight ≤1500 g, gestational age ≤30 weeks and/or patients exposed to risk factors or complications linked to ROP were included. These subjects were screened using images with smartphone or RetCam®, both compared to conventional fundoscopy. The ICROP classification was used for staging. The main results analyzed were sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values and kappa index.915 images (n = 121) were obtained, distributed in smartphone group (50.4%) and RetCam® group (49.6%) between August 2020 and March 2021. Subjects with ROP had lower gestational age (30.2 sem ± 2.8), birth weight (1361 g ± 398), and greater exposure to oxygen therapy (12.8 days ± 11.3). The RetCam® group presented sensitivity = 80%, specificity = 78%, positive predictive value = 90% and kappa index = 0.70. The smartphone group presented sensitivity = 88%, specificity = 90%, positive predictive value = 93.75% and kappa index = 0.81.Both diagnostic methods were accurate to identify ROP. The smartphone group obtained superior results with excellent resolution, representing a cost-effective method to create a global impact on reducing preventable blindness in the pediatric population.

In aquatic invertebrate (e.g., daphnids and Artemia sp.) and zebrafish cultures, in ecotoxicological bioassays, or when addressing complex population-level experimental designs, the counting of an organism's progeny is often required. This counting process is laborious, repetitive, and time-consuming, potentially posing health hazards to the operators, and necessarily entailing a higher likelihood of human error. We present an experimental evaluation of a computer-based device for counting neonates (Daphnia magna, Daphnia longispina, and Ceriodaphnia sp.), nauplii (Artemia salina and Artemia franciscana), and zebrafish (Danio rerio) eggs. Manual counts by an experienced technician were compared with the corresponding automated counts achieved by the computer-based counting device. A minimum of 55 counts/species was performed, with the number of counted organisms being up to a maximum of 150 neonates of Ceriodaphnia dubia, 200 neonates of D. magna and D. longispina, 200 nauplii of A. franciscana and A. salina, and 500 zebrafish eggs. Manual and automated counts were both performed in culture medium solutions of 50 ml of volume. Automated counts showed a mean relative acccuracy of 98.9% (97.9%-99.4%) and a relative standard deviation of 1.72%. The results demonstrate that the computer-based device can be used for accurately counting these aquatic organisms. This computer-based counting might be extended to other organisms of similar size, thus facilitating reproduction and life-cycle ecotoxicity tests. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:1451-1458. © 2022 SETAC.

Este artigo tem como objetivo investigar como marcas brasileiras ligadas ao universo da moda integraram a campanha, coordenada pelo movimento Fashion Revolution, #quemfezminhasroupas no Instagram. Para isso, foi feito um mapeamento da respectiva hashtag, durante o mês de abril de 2019 na rede social digital Instagram. Desse modo, através dessas postagens, foi possível refletir um pouco a respeito dos bastidores da cadeia produtiva da moda nacional. Nesse sentido, foi possível vislumbrar a partir das publicações encontradas, como as marcas cumpriram os objetivos da campanha #quemfezminhasroupas. Assim, foram encontradas 297 postagens que somaram 650 imagens, as quais foram submetidas à análises quantitativas e qualitativas. Portanto, após uma análise de conteúdo (Bardin, 2016) da respectiva hashtag, os resultados indicaram que as marcas estavam mais envolvidas em promover a interatividade, a relevância e a experiência (Atem et al., 2014) em detrimento dos principais objetivos da campanha #quemfezminhasroupas impulsionada pelo Fashion Revolution Brasil.

This study presents a 47-year-old female patient, with a history of diabetes, who contracted SARS-CoV-2 and exhibited cardiovascular complications. Cardiac Manifestations Associated With Coronavirus Disease: A Case Report

Background The global emergence of SARS-COV-2 virus and the COVID-19 pandemic increased the concerns about the vulnerability of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. Infusion centers are a crucial part in the management of IBD patients and safety for SARS-COV-2 must be assured. Current recommendations of International Organization for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel Disease suggest that only patients exhibiting symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 should be tested for SARS-COV-2 before the biologic infusion therapy. We evaluated patients admitted at our infusion center, in which all had to be screened before treatment. Methods We conducted an observational study, including all adult patients with IBD under biologic therapy infusion between April of 2020 and September of 2021. According to the local institutional protocol all patients were tested for SARS-COV-2 by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test in the previous 48–72 hours. Epidemiological, clinical and treatment data were collected. Results A total of 105 patients were evaluated, with a mean age of 38,6±12,8 years and a predominance of male gender (61,9%). Crohn’s disease was more prevalent, affecting 81,9% of the patients. The most common biologic infusion therapy was infliximab (93,3%), followed by vedolizumab (4,8%). A SARS-COV-2 infection were identified in five patients (4,8%), with age between 41 and 66 years, four asymptomatic and without a known risk contact. Four patients developed the infection before vaccination and one patient after the first dose. None of the patients required medical care or hospitalization. All cases were registered in February of 2021, which temporarily represented one of the most critical phases of the pandemic in our country and region, with one of the highest incidence of cases of SARS-COV-2 infection. In our cohort, most patients (85,7%) completed the vaccination schedule, with a minority (n=10) without any dose of vaccine. Conclusion During this COVID-19 pandemic, health systems have to address unprecedented challenges. Our study support the current recommendation, since the universal screening of SARS-COV-2 infection in IBD patients, before the biological infusion therapy, detected just a few cases of infection. However this recommendation could be adapted locally, maybe when there is raising incidence of SARS-COV-2 in the general population. Our cohort also showed high compliance for the vaccination as general recommendation and even after the infection.

International audience; The plant cell wall plays an important role in damage-associated molecular pattern-induced resistance to pathogens and herbivorous insects. Our current understanding of cell wall-mediated resistance is largely based on the degree of pectin methylesterification. However, little is known about the role of pectin acetylesterification in plant immunity. This study describes how one pectin-modifying enzyme, PECTIN ACETYLESTERASE 9 (PAE9), affects the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) transcriptome, secondary metabolome, and aphid performance. Electro-penetration graphs showed that Myzus persicae aphids established phloem feeding earlier on pae9 mutants. Whole-genome transcriptome analysis revealed a set of 56 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between uninfested pae9-2 mutants and wild-type plants. The majority of the DEGs were enriched for biotic stress responses and down-regulated in the pae9-2 mutant, including PAD3 and IGMT2, involved in camalexin and indole glucosinolate biosynthesis, respectively. Relative quantification of more than 100 secondary metabolites revealed decreased levels of several compounds, including camalexin and oxylipins, in two independent pae9 mutants. In addition, absolute quantification of phytohormones showed that jasmonic acid (JA), jasmonoyl-Ile, salicylic acid, abscisic acid, and indole-3-acetic acid were compromised due to PAE9 loss of function. After aphid infestation, however, pae9 mutants increased their levels of camalexin, glucosinolates, and JA, and no long-term effects were observed on aphid fitness. Overall, these data show that PAE9 is required for constitutive up-regulation of defense-related compounds, but that it is not required for aphid-induced defenses. The signatures of phenolic antioxidants, phytoprostanes, and oxidative stress-related transcripts indicate that the processes underlying PAE9 activity involve oxidation-reduction reactions.

SummaryXylem sap is the major transport route for nutrients from roots to shoots. Here, we investigated how variations in nitrogen (N) nutrition affected the metabolome and proteome of xylem sap, growth of the xylem endophyte Brennaria salicis and report transcriptional re-wiring of leaf defenses in poplar (Populus x canescens). We supplied poplars with high, intermediate or low concentrations of ammonium or nitrate. We identified 288 unique proteins in xylem sap. About 85% of the xylem sap proteins were shared among ammonium- and nitrate-supplied plants. The number of proteins increased with increasing N supply but the major functional categories (catabolic processes, cell wall-related enzymes, defense) were unaffected. Ammonium nutrition caused higher abundances of amino acids and carbohydrates, while nitrate caused higher malate levels in xylem sap. Pipecolic acid and N-hydroxy-pipecolic acid increased whereas salicylic acid and jasmonoyl-isoleucine decreased with increasing N nutrition. Untargeted metabolome analyses revealed 2179 features in xylem sap, of which 863 were differentially affected by N treatments. We identified 122 metabolites, mainly from specialized metabolism of the groups of salicinoids, phenylpropanoids, phenolics, flavonoids, and benzoates. Their abundances increased with decreasing N. Endophyte growth was stimulated in xylem sap of high N- and suppressed in that of low N-fed plants. The drastic changes in xylem sap composition caused massive changes in the transcriptional landscape of leaves and recruited defense pathways against leaf feeding insects and biotrophic fungi, mainly under low nitrate. Our study uncovers unexpected complexity and variability of xylem composition with consequences for plant defenses.Significance statementThis study reports the largest, currently available plant xylem sap proteome and metabolome databases and highlights novel discoveries of specialized metabolites and phytohormones in the xylem sap. This is the first multi-omics study linking differences in nitrogen supply with changes xylem sap composition, endophyte growth and transcriptional defenses in leaves.

Drought is the main factor that limits the distribution and productivity of plant species. In the Brazilian Cerrado, the vegetation is adapted to a seasonal climate with long- and short-term periods of drought. To analyze the metabolic strategies under such conditions, a metabolomic approach was used to characterize Gomphrena agrestis Mart. (Amaranthaceae) a native species that grows under natural conditions, in a rock-field area. Roots and leaves material from native specimens were sampled along different seasons of the year and LC–MS and GC–MS analyzed for multiple chemical constituents. The datasets derived from the different measurements were combined and evaluated using multivariate analysis. Principal component analysis was used to obtain an overview of the samples and identify outliers. Later, the data was analyzed with orthogonal projection to latent structures discriminant analysis to obtain valid models that could explain the metabolite variations in the different seasons. Two hundred and eighty metabolites were annotated, generating a unique database to characterize metabolic strategies used to cope with the effects of drought. The accumulation of fructans in the thickened roots is consistent with the storage of carbons during the rainy season to support the energy demand during a long period of drought. The accumulation of Abscisic acid, sugars and sugar alcohols, phenolics, and pigment in the leaves suggests physiological adaptations. To cope with long-term drought, the data suggests that tissue water status and storage of reserves are important to support plant survival and regrowth. However, during short-term drought, osmoregulation and oxidative protection seems to be essential, probably to support the maintenance of active photosynthesis.

Fish consumption is frequently associated with the prevention of some human diseases, being simultaneously a major pathway of mercury (Hg) exposure. Therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate the contribution of 28 commercial fish species to the human Hg exposure in the Azores archipelago (Portuguese region with highest fish consumption per capita). These species potentially contributed on average to 7.47 mg of Hg per capita, although low Hg levels had been detected in fish. Mora moro and Zeus faber exceeded the maximum permitted for fish consumption (> 0.5 μg g−1 ww) even though they were not the species contributing the most to human Hg exposure. On the other hand, Katsuwonus pelamis was the main contributor due to increased fish landings. Furthermore, an increase in Hg content with trophic level has been suggested, as carnivore fish exhibited higher Hg levels than omnivores. In addition, demersal fish generally presented higher Hg concentration (although non-significant) than pelagic ones, possibly related with increased Hg values of their prey at this depth. Notwithstanding, THQ (Target Hazard Quotient) being < 1 for all species indicates that the daily human exposure to Hg via fish consumption is not likely to cause any negative health risks. published

This study evaluated mercury (Hg) in three coastal areas in the North Atlantic Ocean (Azores archipelago, Northwest Portugal and Southeast Mexico) and calculated their enrichment factor and geoaccumulation index. Hg presented greater affinity with fine sediment fraction. In all sampling areas the sites with proximity to possible Hg hotspots presented increased [Hg] in fine sediments. However, this fraction only represents less than 1% of the whole sediment, resulting in a significantly lower [Hg] in the total sediment fraction. After comparing [Hg] in the fine fraction and the values established by the Sediment Quality Guidelines, two sites in the Azores exceeded these values. Nevertheless, when considering the total sediment fraction, adverse biological effects are not expected to occur. Finally, both enrichment factor and geoaccumulation index indicated that the Hg present in 86% comes from natural sources and only sampling sites close to potential hotspots showed some degree of enrichment and contamination.

Photosynthetic organisms strictly depend on CO2 availability and the CO2:O2 ratio, as both CO2/O2 compete for catalytic site of Rubisco. Green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, can overcome CO2 shortage by inducing CO2-concentrating mechanism (CCM). Cells transferred to low-CO2 are subjected to light-driven oxidative stress due to decrease in the electron sink. Response to environmental perturbations is mediated to some extent by changes in the lipid and carotenoid metabolism. We thus hypothesize that when cells are challenged with changes in CO2 availability, changes in the lipidome and carotenoids profile occur. These changes expected to be transient, when CCM is activated, CO2 limitation will be substantially ameliorated. In our experiments, cells were transferred from high (5%) to low (air equilibrium) CO2. qPCR analysis of genes related to CCM and lipid metabolism was carried out. Lipidome was analyzed both in whole cells and in isolated lipid droplets. We characterized the changes in polar lipids, fatty acids and ketocarotenoids. In general, polar lipids significantly and transiently increased in lipid droplets during CCM. Similar pattern was observed for xanthophylls, ketocarotenoids and their esters. The data supports our hypothesis about the roles of lipids and carotenoids in tackling the oxidative stress associated with acclimation to sub-saturating CO2.

Wood, or secondary xylem, is the product of xylogenesis, a developmental process that begins with the proliferation of cambial derivatives and ends with mature xylem fibers and vessels with lignified secondary cell walls. Fully mature xylem has undergone a series of cellular processes, including cell division, cell expansion, secondary wall formation, lignification and programmed cell death. A complex network of interactions between transcriptional regulators and signal transduction pathways controls wood formation. However, the role of metabolites during this developmental process has not been comprehensively characterized. To evaluate the role of metabolites during wood formation, we performed a high spatial resolution metabolomics study of the wood-forming zone ofPopulus tremula,including laser dissected aspen ray and fiber cells. We show that metabolites show specific patterns within the wood-forming zone, following the differentiation process from cell division to cell death. The data from profiled laser dissected aspen ray and fiber cells suggests that these two cell types host distinctly different metabolic processes. Furthermore, by integrating previously published transcriptomic and proteomic profiles generated from the same trees, we provide an integrative picture of molecular processes, for example, deamination of phenylalanine during lignification is of critical importance for nitrogen metabolism during wood formation.

Background Although transmural healing (TH) has not yet been considered a formal target in CD, it is considered a desired goal, as it seems to be associated with better outcomes. Early biologic treatment has been shown to lead to higher clinical remission and increased endoscopic healing. However, to date, there is no information on the impact of disease duration on TH. We aimed to assess the efficacy of early biologic treatment on the achievement of TH. Methods Unicentre retrospective cohort study comparing patients who started early and late biologic therapy (defined as ≤ 12 months vs > 12 months from diagnosis). We included patients with CD who were receiving biologic therapy, and had a baseline computed tomography enterography (CTE) or magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) before the initiation of a biologic (median 2.5, IQR 0–50 months), and a follow-up CTE/MRE performed 12 ± 6 months after therapy initiation. Endoscopic healing was defined as a SES-CD score Results 60 patients were included (51.7% males), with a median age at diagnosis of 24.5 years old (IQR 17.5–32.5). Most patients had ileocolonic disease (58.3%) and non-stricturing non-penetrating phenotype (60%). Twenty-eight patients (46.7%) started biologic therapy within the first 12 months of diagnosis. There were no significant differences in baseline clinical features or baseline radiologic assessment between the groups, except for the extension of the most affected segment, which was higher in the group of late biologic therapy (197 vs 129.5mm, p=0.05) (Table 1). Patients on early biologic treatment achieved endoscopic healing more frequently than those on late biologic treatment (65.4% vs 23.3%, p=0.002). Early biologic treatment was also associated with increased transmural healing (OR 4.1, 95% CI 1.2–13.6, p=0.02). In a multivariate model including baseline characteristics of the disease, only the use of biologics within the first 12 months and the absence of ileocolonic disease were significant predictors of the achievement of transmural healing (Figure 1). Conclusion Early biologic treatment seems to be independently associated with higher transmural healing rates, further adding to the relevance of early intervention in CD. Our findings are limited by the small sample size and short follow-up.

Background Faecal calprotectin (FCal) is considered an intermediate target for monitoring disease activity in IBD. However, it is unknown whether early FCal variations during induction therapy may be a significant predictor of treatment response. We aimed to investigate FCal variation after infliximab induction therapy and its association with clinical, endoscopic, and ultrasonographic remission by the end of one year of treatment. Methods Prospective multicentric cohort study including patients with active CD without previous intestinal surgeries, who were starting IFX therapy and were followed for, 54 weeks. FCal was measured at week, 0 and after induction therapy (week, 14) and relative FCal changes from baseline (%FCal0-14) were calculated. At week, 54, clinical remission (defined as Harvey-Bradshaw index (HBI) Results We included, 33 patients (60.6% male; median age, 30 years old (IQR, 24–42)). Most patients were diagnosed between, 17–40 years old (75.8%) had ileocolonic disease (57.6%) and an inflammatory phenotype (57.6%). At week, 54, 90.9% of the patients were in clinical remission, 30.3% had endoscopic healing and, 39.4% had transmural healing. The median FCal value at week, 0 was, 765µg/g (IQR, 312–1313) and at week, 14 was, 124.5µg/g (IQR, 46–432.5). At week, 14, 20 patients (60.6%) had FCal Conclusion FCal variation at the end of induction seems to be a good predictor of endoscopic healing at week, 54 but does not seem to be able to predict clinical and ultrasonographic remission.

PROPESP/UFPA Universidade Federal do Par?. Programa de P?s-Gradua??o em Sa?de Animal na Amaz?nia. Laborat?rio de Epidemiologia e Geoprocessamento. Castanhal, PA, Brasil. Universidade Federal do Par?. Programa de P?s-Gradua??o em Sa?de Animal na Amaz?nia. Laborat?rio de Epidemiologia e Geoprocessamento. Castanhal, PA, Brasil. Universidade Federal do Par?. Programa de P?s-Gradua??o em Sa?de Animal na Amaz?nia. Laborat?rio de Epidemiologia e Geoprocessamento. Castanhal, PA, Brasil. Universidade Federal do Par?. Programa de P?s-Gradua??o em Sa?de Animal na Amaz?nia. Laborat?rio de Epidemiologia e Geoprocessamento. Castanhal, PA, Brasil. Universidade Federal do Par?. Programa de P?s-Gradua??o em Sa?de Animal na Amaz?nia. Laborat?rio de Epidemiologia e Geoprocessamento. Castanhal, PA, Brasil. Minist?rio da Sa?de. Secretaria de Vigil?ncia em Sa?de. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Laborat?rio de Geoprocessamento. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil. Minist?rio da Sa?de. Secretaria de Vigil?ncia em Sa?de. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Laborat?rio de Geoprocessamento. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil. Secretaria de Estado de Sa?de P?blica do Par?. Bel?m, PA, Brasil. Minist?rio da Sa?de. Secretaria de Vigil?ncia em Sa?de. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Laborat?rio de Geoprocessamento. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil. Universidade Federal do Par?. Programa de P?s-Gradua??o em Sa?de Animal na Amaz?nia. Laborat?rio de Epidemiologia e Geoprocessamento. Castanhal, PA, Brasil. Animal bites are a serious public health issue, and prevention strategies have been consistently documented worldwide. The aim of this study was to characterize human anti-rabies treatment in 11 counties of the Salgado microregion, Par? state, Brazil, which borders the Bragantina microregion, where exposures of human rabies were reported in 2004 and 2005. A descriptive retrospective study was conducted using anti-rabies treatment notifications registered in the Information System for Notifiable Diseases (SINAN) database of the State Department of Public Health of Par? (SESPA) from January 2000 to December 2014. In this period, 13,403 exposures were reported, with a growing annual trend (Y = 68.571x + 344.96). The years 2012 and 2013 presented the highest exposure incidence. Salin?polis was the county with the highest average annual incidence per 10,000 persons (62.83), followed by S?o Jo?o de Pirabas (43.28) and S?o Caetano de Odivelas (41.27). Most patients were males (59.6%) and were 1-19 years old (48.7%). The main species involved in aggressions were dogs (74.1%), followed by bats (13.1%) and cats (7.4%). Biting was the most common kind of exposure, mostly on the lower limbs (39.6%). This study shows that aggression by bats was the second most common cause of demand for the service in the region for the past 14 years. The low quality of records may increase the difficulty of rabies surveillance in Par?.

Mercury (Hg) content behaviour was followed along the canning process in muscle samples of tuna fish to point out implications concerning canned tuna consumers. Hg was quantified in the same batch of the Skipjack tuna ( Katsuwonus pelamis ), considering three distinct stages (raw, cooked and canned tuna) independently in both white and dark muscle tissue. Hg concentration data was then used to estimate the weekly tolerable intake of Hg regarding the recommendations from the international agencies. A small but significant difference in Hg concentration between white and dark muscle was observed either in the raw samples (0.115 ± 0.003 μg g −1 against 0.124 ± 0.003 μg g −1 ) as also in the canned samples (0.134 ± 0.003 μg g −1 against 0.155 ± 0.003 μg g −1 ). Overall results indicate an increment in the Hg concentration in both types of muscle throughout the canning process (raw

Commercially, blackcurrants (Ribes nigrum L.) are grown mainly for processing, especially for juice production. They are valued for their high levels of polyphenols, especially anthocyanins, which contribute to their characteristic deep colour, but also as a good source of vitamin C. Recently, evidence has accrued that polyphenols, such as anthocyanins, may have specific human health benefits. The aims of this study were to investigate the genetic control of polyphenols and other key juice processing traits in blackcurrants. The levels, over 2 years, of vitamin C, citrate, malate, succinate, total organic acids, total anthocyanins and total phenolics together with 46 mainly polyphenol metabolites were measured in a blackcurrant biparental mapping population. Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for these traits were mapped onto a high-density SNP linkage map. At least one QTL was detected for each trait, with good consistency between the 2 years. Clusters of QTLs were found on each of the eight linkage groups (LG). For example, QTLs for the major anthocyanidin glucosides, delphinidin-3-O-glucoside and cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, co-localised with a QTL for total anthocyanin content on LG3 whereas the major anthocyanidin rutinosides, delphinidin-3-O-rutinoside and cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside, had QTLs on LG1 and LG2. Many of the QTLs explained a high proportion of the trait variation, with the most significant region, on LG3 at ~ 35 cM, explaining more than 60% of the variation in the coumaroylated metabolites, Cyanidin-coumaroyl-glucose, Delphinidin-coumaroyl-glucose, Kaempferol-coumaroyl-glucose and Myricetin-coumaroyl-glucose. The identification of robust QTLs for key polyphenol classes and individual polyphenols in blackcurrant provides great potential for marker-assisted breeding for improved levels of key components.

Mercury (Hg) is a widespread pollutant across estuarine and coastal areas, raising concern on its potential impact on aquatic organisms. Hg may origin from natural and anthropogenic sources, being persistent and potentially toxic to biota, ultimately representing a serious risk to human health. Hg accumulation and toxicity may also induce reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in marine organisms, responsible for cell and tissue damage. Additionally, the temperature is undoubtedly an important environmental factor to consider regarding accumulation, due to its marked influence on the physiology and ecology of aquatic organisms. This study aimed to investigate the effect of different temperature scenarios (15, 20 and 25 °C) on the Hg accumulation in Pomatoschistus microps (Kroyer, 1838) liver and muscle, as well as on oxidative stress responses and energy metabolism, after short-term exposure to a naturally contaminated sediment with an environmentally relevant [Hg] (1.2 μg g−1). The results showed that Hg accumulation tends to increase along the temperature gradient with higher values of Hg accumulated in liver than in muscle tissue. The action of antioxidant enzymes and stress proteins seems to be effective in combating oxidative stress in the liver. Despite the action of antioxidant defences in the muscle, oxidative damage was observed at the protein level concomitantly with a decrease in aerobic energy production after exposure to Hg at higher temperatures. These findings are ecologically relevant and highlight the importance of further investigation of combined effects of Hg and other stressors, especially in a scenario of a changing climate where events leading to rapid alterations on water parameters are more frequent.

In this study, ethanol-water extracts of pequi fruit peel were fractionated in order to identify and quantify the major antioxidant present in it. The fractions were subjected to liquid-liquid phase extraction and silica-gel column chromatography, and antioxidant activity was monitored using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical-scavenging assay. The purity of the fractions was evaluated using thin-layer chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The substance with antioxidant property was identified through the analysis in a liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy fragmentation and was quantified using HPLC. After the Silica-gel fractionation, it was identified a fraction with high antioxidant activity and purity, which contained gallic acid as the main compound. The gallic acid was found at the amount of 26.54 ± 1.13 mg/g of the dry mass of the pequi fruit peel. Because the quantifications were performed using crude ethanol-water extract, it was suspected that gallic acid was present in a free form. Thus, pequi fruit peel may serve as an attractive alternative of feedstock for natural antioxidant production. Moreover, the results obtained in this study emphasize the value of the pequi plant, and suggests improved opportunities for families that use this fruit`s products. RESUMOExtratos hidroetanólicos da casca do fruto do pequi foram fracionados a fim de identificar e quantificar o principal antioxidante presente. Frações do extrato foram submetidas ao particionamento líquido-líquido e fracionamento em coluna de sílica gel. As atividades antioxidantes das frações foram monitoradas usando ensaio de redução do radical 2,2-difenil-1-picrilhidrazila e a pureza das frações foi avaliada em cromatografia de camada delgada e cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (CLAE). A substância com propriedades antioxidantes foi identificada através da análise em sistema de cromatografia líquida associada à espectrometria de massas e foi quantificada em HPLC. Após o fracionamento identificou-se uma fração com alta atividade antioxidante e pureza, contendo ácido gálico como o composto principal. Ácido gálico foi encontrado em concentrações de 26,54 ± 1,13 mg/g de massa seca. Devido às quantificações terem sido realizadas no extrato hidroetanólico bruto, acredita-se que o ácido gálico esteja presente na forma livre. Assim, a casca do fruto pequi pode servir como interessante alternativa de matéria prima para a produção desse antioxidante natural. Além disso, esse resultado enfatiza o valor da planta do pequi e sugere oportunidades para as famílias que utilizam produtos de pequi.