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Despite frozen donkey semen demonstrating high quality after thawing and achieving suitable pregnancy rates in mares, it yields unsatisfactory results in jennies, likely due to a stronger uterine inflammatory response. This study assessed the effects of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on uterine inflammation and pregnancy rates in jennies inseminated with frozen donkey semen. Estrous cycles from 11 jennies were assigned to three groups: Control (CTR, n = 22) with no treatment; Single PRP infusion (S-PRP, n = 22) administered 30 h after ovulation induction, prior to artificial insemination (AI); and Double PRP infusion (D-PRP, n = 21) with the first infusion at 30 h after ovulation induction and the second 4 h after AI. Insemination was performed with frozen donkey semen (1 billion sperm) deposited deeply in the uterine horn immediately after ovulation. Endometrial edema, intrauterine fluid (IUF), uterine vascularization, and endometrial cytology were evaluated pre-AI (TCt) and post-AI (6, 24, and 48 h). Uterine biopsies were taken at T48 for histopathological and collagen evaluation. Peripheral blood samples were collected on D5 for serum progesterone measurement, and pregnancy was evaluated via ultrasonography on D14. Data were analyzed using GLMMs, ANOVA, Friedman, and Kruskal-Wallis tests in SAS and GraphPad Prism, with significance set at p < 0.05. The S-PRP group showed less IUF accumulation than the CTR group at T6. Other parameters showed no significant differences among the groups. Cytology revealed a high percentage of inflammatory cells at T6 in all groups, which decreased in subsequent evaluations. In the CTR group, neutrophil percentages were similar to TCt at T24, while treated groups reached this similarity only by T48. Eosinophil percentages increased over time only in the treated groups. Pregnancy rates showed no differences among the groups (CTR: 0 %, S-PRP: 0 %, D-PRP: 10 %). Results indicate that PRP treatments were ineffective in modulating uterine inflammation and did not enhance pregnancy rates in jennies inseminated with frozen donkey semen., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of performing multiple testicular biopsies in rams using Tru-cut® needles, assessing histological structure, gene expression, and potential complications such as effects on semen quality, testicular blood flow, and ultrasonographic echotexture. In Exp. 1, six mature rams underwent testicular biopsies at intervals (0, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h) using a 16 G Tru-cut® needle, with alternating testes for each collection. Benzathine benzylpenicillin and flunixin meglumine were administered for infection and inflammation control. Local anesthesia and post-biopsy care included lidocaine, digital pressure, and ice application. Testicular samples were analyzed for gene expression related to inflammation, oxidative stress, and steroidogenesis. Semen quality was assessed pre-biopsy and 28 days post-biopsy. Ultrasonographic evaluations of the scrotum and testes were conducted before biopsies and on days 5, 9, 13, 17, and 21 post-biopsies. In Exp. 2, a second group of six mature rams underwent biopsies using 14 G needles, with two samples taken from each testis. Samples were histologically examined for structural preservation. Scrotal skin temperature was measured using infrared thermography, and testicular blood flow was assessed via color Doppler ultrasonography, with measurements taken before and on days 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 25, 50, 75, and 100 post-biopsies. Semen collection followed the same schedule as in Exp. 1. In Exp. 3, biopsies were performed on different testicular regions (upper, middle, lower) using 12 G, 14 G, and 16 G needles to compare structural preservation. Samples were histologically analyzed. No clinical signs of injury, inflammation, or fluid accumulation were observed. Scrotal pain, increased temperature, swelling, and bleeding were absent, and behavioral signs indicative of pain were not detected. Gene expression remained unchanged, and no significant alterations in seminal characteristics or testicular echogenicity were observed. A slight increase in resistivity and pulsatility indices was noted in Exp. 2. Biopsies with 14 G and 16 G needles resulted in structural disruptions, while 12 G needles better preserved testicular parenchyma. Multiple testicular biopsies using Tru-cut® needles did not cause significant morphological changes, alter transcriptional profiles, or affect semen or ultrasonographic characteristics, demonstrating that this method is viable for monitoring acute molecular changes in the testes., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that no conflict of interest could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research reported., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

This study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with inactivated Lactobacillus plantarum for Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Three treatments, in quintuplicate, were established: a control group, fish fed a diet without additives; LP group, fish fed a diet supplemented with live probiotic; and IP group, fish fed a diet supplemented with inactivated probiotic. Final weights (49.40 ± 3.15 g) and weight gains (38.20 ± 3.23 g) were increased in tilapia in the IP group. Feed conversion (1.32 ± 0.04) decreased significantly in the IP group. Haemato-biochemical parameters were significantly influenced by dietary supplementation. Erythrocyte count (262.74 ± 69.28 × 106 μL -1 ) was significantly low, while albumin (1.79 ± 1.12 g dL -1 ) and cholesterol (254.14 ± 98.49 mg dL -1 ) were high in the control group. Dietary supplementation modified the tilapia microbiome. Rhodobacter was abundant in fish intestines from the control and IP groups. Phreatobacter was abundant in the IP and LP groups, while Aurantimicrobium and Bosea were abundant in the LP group. Oleic acid (C18:1n9) was significantly increased in the LP (3.25 ± 0.49%) and IP (3.02 ± 0.30%) groups. Hexadecatrienoic acid (C16:3n4) was significantly increased (0.04 ± 0.01%) in the IP group, while Cis 11,14,17-eicosatrienoic acid (C20:3n3) (0.31 ± 0.03%) and adrenic acid (C22:4n6) (0.11 ± 0.02%) were significantly decreased in the LP group. Additionally, monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) were significantly increased (4.83 ± 0.35%) in the LP group compared to that in the control group. Collectively, these results indicate the potential of inactivated L. plantarum for use in commercial feed, leading to the conclusion that both inactivated and live L. plantarum can improve the Nile tilapia metabolism, altering haematological and biochemical markers., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

A cloud point method was developed and applied for the first time to extract and preconcentrate thiabendazole (TBZ) from commercial whole grape juice samples, with determination by high performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrochemical detection (HPLC/EC), using a cathodically pretreated boron-doped diamond electrode (BDD). The best conditions for extraction and preconcentration of TBZ by cloud point extraction (CPE) were performed at pH 6.0, by adding 1 mL of the surfactant Tergitol TMN-6 at 10% (mass-to-mass ratio), without heating (at 27 °C) and ultrasonic stirring time of (20 kHz) for 60 min. The HPLC/EC determination was duly validated in a C8 column, in mobile phase with a 69 : 31 ratio (V/V) of phosphate buffer (pH 7.0):ACN, at a flow rate of 1.2 mL min -1 and electrochemical detection with BDD electrode by applying 1.40 V × Ag/AgCl (3.0 mol L -1 ). Under these conditions, the procedure showed a preconcentration factor ( F C ) of 21.7, and limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) of 6.64 × 10 -9 mol L -1 (or 1.33 μg L -1 ) and 1.66 × 10 -8 mol L -1 (or 3.34 μg L -1 ), respectively. The method provided a percent recovery of 81% to 98%, with a coefficient of variation between 3% and 15%.

Introduction: During pneumoperitoneum (PNP), airway driving pressure (ΔP RS ) increases due to the stiffness of the chest wall and cephalic shift of the diaphragm, which favors atelectasis. In addition, depending on the mechanical power (MP) formulas, they may lead to different interpretations., Methods: Patients >18 years of age with body mass index >35 kg/m 2 were included in a single-center randomized controlled trial during their admission for bariatric surgery by abdominal laparoscopy. Intra-abdominal pressure was set at 15 mmHg at the pneumoperitoneum time point (PNP). After the recruitment maneuver, the lowest respiratory system elastance (E RS ) was detected during the positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) step-wise decrement. Patients were randomized to the 1) CTRL group: ventilated with PEEP of 5 cmH 2 O and 2) PEEP IND group: ventilated with PEEP value associated with E RS that is 5% higher than its lowest level. Respiratory system mechanics and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were assessed at the PNP, 5 min after randomization (T1), and at the end of the ventilation protocol (T2); arterial blood gas was assessed at PNP and T2. ΔP RS was the primary outcome. Three MP formulas were used: MP A , which computes static PEEP × volume, elastic, and resistive components; MP B , which computes only the elastic component; and MP C , which computes static PEEP × volume, elastic, and resistive components without inspiratory holds., Results: Twenty-eight patients were assessed for eligibility: eight were not included and 20 patients were randomized and allocated to CTRL and PEEP IND groups ( n = 10/group). The PEEP IND ventilator strategy reduced ΔP RS when compared with the CTRL group (PEEP IND , 13 ± 2 cmH 2 O; CTRL, 22 ± 4 cmH 2 O; p < 0.001). Oxygenation improved in the PEEP IND group when compared with the CTRL group ( p = 0.029), whereas MAP was comparable between the PEEP IND and CTRL groups. At the end of surgery, MP A and MP B were correlated in both the CTRL (rho = 0.71, p = 0.019) and PEEP IND (rho = 0.84, p = 0.020) groups but showed different bias (CTRL, -1.9 J/min; PEEP IND , +10.0 J/min). At the end of the surgery, MP A and MP C were correlated in both the CTRL (rho = 0.71, p = 0.019) and PEEP IND (rho = 0.84, p = 0.020) groups but showed different bias (CTRL, -1.9 J/min; PEEP IND , +10.0 J/min)., Conclusion: Individualized PEEP was associated with a reduction in ΔP RS and an improvement in oxygenation with comparable MAP. The MP, which solely computes the elastic component, better reflected the improvement in ΔP RS observed in the individualized PEEP group., Clinical Trial Registration: The protocol was registered at the Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (U1111-1220-7296)., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. The authors declared that they were an editorial board member of Frontiers, at the time of submission. This had no impact on the peer review process and the final decision., (Copyright © 2024 Xavier, Coelho, Ferreira, Cota y Raposeiras, Duran, Silva, Motta-Ribeiro, Camilo, Carvalho and Silva.)

Regional pulmonary perfusion (Q) has been investigated using blood volume (F b ) imaging as an easier-to-measure surrogate. However, it is unclear if changing pulmonary conditions could affect their relationship. We hypothesized that vascular changes in early acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) affect Q and F b differently. Five sheep were anesthetized and received lung protective mechanical ventilation for 20 h while endotoxin was continuously infused. Using dynamic 18 F-FDG and 13 NN Positron Emission Tomography (PET), regional F b and Q were analysed in 30 regions of interest (ROIs) and normalized by tissue content (F bn and Q n , respectively). After 20 h, the lung injury showed characteristics of early ARDS, including gas exchange and lung mechanics. PET images of F bn and Q n showed substantial differences between baseline and lung injury. Lung injury caused a significant change in the F bn -Q n relationship compared to baseline (p < 0.001). The best models at baseline and lung injury were F bn  = 0.32 + 0.690Q n and F bn  = 1.684Q n -0.538Q n 2 , respectively. Endotoxine-associated early ARDS changed the relationship between F b and Q, shifting from linear to curvilinear. Effects of endotoxin exposure on the vasoactive blood flow regulation were most likely the key factor for this change limiting the quantitative accuracy of F b imaging as a surrogate for regional Q., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

The cloud point extraction (Tergitol® surfactant) method was used for the first time to extract and preconcentrate the fungicide carbendazim (CBZ) from strawberry samples, while electrochemical detection (boron doped diamond electrode) in association with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-EC) was used for the determination of CBZ. The variables of bath temperature, ultrasonic stirring time, mass of NaCl and amount of surfactant were investigated using a 2 4 full factorial design. Limits of detection (LOD, S/N = 3) and quantification (LOQ) of 3.42 × 10 -8 mol/L (or 6.54 µg/L) and 6.84 × 10 -8 mol/L (or 13.1 µg/L), respectively, were obtained for the CPE processes, considering the value of the preconcentration factor obtained (9.12). The method was validated based on linearity, intra-day and inter-day recovery tests, accuracy and precision. The proposed method was applied to strawberry samples from local commercial establishments and different procedures for washing and sanitizing strawberry fruits were also evaluated., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

β-glucosidase is an essential enzyme for the enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass, as it catalyzes the final stage of cellulose breakdown, releasing glucose. This paper aims to produce β-glucosidase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and evaluate the enzymatic degradation of delignified sugarcane bagasse. S. cerevisiae was grown in yeast peptone dextrose medium. Partial purification of the enzyme was achieved through precipitating proteins with ethanol, and the optimal activity was measured by optimizing pH and temperature. The effects of ions, glucose tolerance, and heat treatment were evaluated. Delignified sugarcane bagasse was hydrolyzed by the enzyme. β-glucosidase showed a specific activity of 14.0712 ± 0.0207 U mg -1 . Partial purification showed 1.22-fold purification. The optimum pH and temperature were 6.24 and 54 °C, respectively. β-glucosidase showed tolerance to glucose, with a relative activity of 71.27 ± 0.16%. Thermostability showed a relative activity of 58.84 ± 0.91% at 90 °C. The hydrolysis of delignified sugarcane bagasse showed a conversion rate of 87.97 ± 0.10% in the presence of Zn 2+ , an ion that promoted the highest increase in enzymatic activity. S. cerevisiae produced an extracellular β-glucosidase with good stability at pH and temperatures conventionally applied in the hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass, showing viability for industrial application.

This study aimed to assess the effects of a Lactobacillus helveticus ATCC 15009-derived postbiotic in mitigating experimental Salmonella Gallinarum infection. For this purpose, a sample of Lactobacillus sp. was inoculated in 2 different media, each containing different postbiotics (sensitized and nonsensitized). Both inocula had their antagonistic effect over S. Gallinarum tested through the spot-on-the-lawn method. It revealed that the sensitized postbiotic had a higher action potential over Lactobacillus sp. than the nonsensitized one (P < 0.05). Then, 48 day of hatch chicks were divided into 4 groups: A = Lactobacillus sp. (10 9 CFU/mL) inoculum on the 18th day; B = Lactobacillus sp. (10 9 CFU/mL) inoculum on the 18th day and postbiotic inoculum on the 19th day; C = postbiotic inoculum on the 19th day; and D = sterile saline inoculum on 18th and 19th days. On the 21st day, all chicks were infected with S. Gallinarum (10 9 CFU/mL). On the 23rd day, the animals were euthanized by cervical dislocation, and the ceca and liver were aseptically removed. Bacterial count of S. Gallinarum with serial decimal dilution was performed with these organs. It revealed that the prophylactic treatment with the postbiotic that modulates the intestinal microbiota was as efficient as the probiotic administration in reducing S. Gallinarum in the cecum and liver of chicks (P < 0.05). These data point to a new range of alternatives for preventing S. Gallinarum, which might help the poultry industry produce safer food for human consumption., Competing Interests: DISCLOSURES The authors declare no conflict of interest that is relevant to the content of this article., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Bioethanol is obtained by hydrolysis of sugarcane bagasse by cellulases. Commercial cellulases are expensive and have a low concentration of β-glucosidase (EC 3.2.1.21), which decrease hydrolysis efficiency. The present work aims to produce supernatant rich in β-glucosidase (BGL) using the yeast Rhodotorula oryzicola and apply it in the hydrolysis of delignified sugarcane bagasse. Yeast fermented in a modified YPD (Yeast Peptone Dextrose) medium with 0.5% (w/v) cellobiose and 1.0% (w/v) glucose produced BGL with a specific activity of 1.44 ± 0.013 U/mg. Partial purification of BGL by acetone showed a specific activity of 3.48 U/mg. The optimum pH and temperature were 6.02 and 65 °C, respectively. BGL partially purified (BGLppR.oryzicola) by acetone showed tolerance to glucose, with a relative activity of 82.89 ± 0.11%. The activity increased with the addition of iron sulfate and zinc sulfate and decreased with manganese sulfate. BGL partially purified was thermal stable, with a relative activity of 85.59% after 60 min at 90 °C. BGL partially purified applied in the hydrolysis of sugarcane bagasse delignified with 3% (w/w) NaOH + 6% (w/w) Na 2 SO 3 showed a conversion rate of 72.46 ± 1.60%. The results showed that BGL partially purified is a glucose tolerant cellulase of low-cost, promising the application of bioethanol production., Competing Interests: Conflict of interestThe authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (© Association of Food Scientists & Technologists (India) 2023. Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.)

Background: Here, Leishmania presence in sand flies from Três Lagoas, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, after visceral leishmaniasis (VL) was investigated., Methods: In April 2022, two light traps were deployed within and around the residence for two days post-VL case report., Results: A total of 120 Lutzomyia longipalpis were collected. Suprapyloric flagellates were found in a female sand fly with eggs and residual blood during midgut dissection. Sequencing of ITS1 and cytb fragments confirmed Leishmania infantum DNA and identified Homo sapiens as the blood source, respectively., Conclusions: This study emphasizes the importance of monitoring sand flies in VL endemic areas.

Lung perfusion magnitude and distribution are essential for oxygenation and, potentially, lung inflammation and protection during acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Yet, perfusion patterns and their relationship to inflammation are unknown pre-ARDS. We aimed to assess perfusion/density ratios and spatial perfusion-density distributions and associate these to lung inflammation, during early lung injury in large animals at different physiological conditions caused by different systemic inflammation and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) levels. Sheep were protectively ventilated (16-24 h) and imaged for lung density, pulmonary capillary perfusion ( 13 Nitrogen-saline), and inflammation ( 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose) using positron emission and computed tomography. We studied four conditions: permissive atelectasis (PEEP = 0 cmH 2 O); and ARDSNet low-stretch PEEP-setting strategy with supine moderate or mild endotoxemia, and prone mild endotoxemia. Perfusion/density heterogeneity increased pre-ARDS in all groups. Perfusion redistribution to density depended on ventilation strategy and endotoxemia level, producing more atelectasis in mild than moderate endotoxemia ( P = 0.010) with the oxygenation-based PEEP-setting strategy. The spatial distribution of 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake was related to local Q/D ( P < 0.001 for Q/D group interaction). Moderate endotoxemia yielded markedly low/zero perfusion in normal-low density lung, with 13 Nitrogen-saline perfusion indicating nondependent capillary obliteration. Prone animals' perfusion was remarkably homogeneously distributed with density. Lung perfusion redistributes heterogeneously to density during pre-ARDS protective ventilation in animals. This is associated with increased inflammation, nondependent capillary obliteration, and lung derecruitment susceptibility depending on endotoxemia level and ventilation strategy. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Perfusion redistribution does not follow lung density redistribution in the first 16-24 h of systemic endotoxemia and protective tidal volume mechanical ventilation. The same oxygenation-based positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP)-setting strategy can lead at different endotoxemia levels to different perfusion redistributions, PEEP values, and lung aerations, worsening lung biomechanical conditions. During early acute lung injury, regional perfusion-to-tissue density ratio is associated with increased neutrophilic inflammation, and susceptibility to nondependent capillary occlusion and lung derecruitment, potentially marking and/or driving lung injury.

Background: The profile of changes in airway driving pressure (dP aw ) induced by positive-end expiratory pressure (PEEP) might aid for individualized protective ventilation. Our aim was to describe the dP aw versus PEEP curves behavior in ARDS from COVID-19 patients., Methods: Patients admitted in three hospitals were ventilated with fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO 2 ) and PEEP initially adjusted by oxygenation-based table. Thereafter, PEEP was reduced from 20 until 6 cmH 2 O while dP aw was stepwise recorded and the lowest PEEP that minimized dP aw (PEEPmin&#95;dP aw ) was assessed. Each dP aw vs PEEP curve was classified as J-shaped, inverted-J-shaped, or U-shaped according to the difference between the minimum dP aw and the dP aw at the lowest and highest PEEP. In one hospital, hyperdistention and collapse at each PEEP were assessed by electrical impedance tomography (EIT)., Results: 184 patients (41 including EIT) were studied. 126 patients (68%) exhibited a J-shaped dP aw vs PEEP profile (PEEPmin&#95;dP aw of 7.5 ± 1.9 cmH 2 O). 40 patients (22%) presented a U (PEEPmin&#95;dP aw of 12.2 ± 2.6 cmH 2 O) and 18 (10%) an inverted-J profile (PEEPmin&#95;dP aw of 14,6 ± 2.3 cmH 2 O). Patients with inverted-J profiles had significant higher body mass index (BMI) and lower baseline partial pressure of arterial oxygen/FiO 2 ratio. PEEPmin&#95;dP aw was associated with lower fractions of both alveolar collapse and hyperinflation., Conclusions: A PEEP adjustment procedure based on PEEP-induced changes in dP aw is feasible and may aid in individualized PEEP for protective ventilation. The PEEP required to minimize driving pressure was influenced by BMI and was low in the majority of patients., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Background: Leprosy is a neglected chronic infection caused by Mycobacterium leprae, that is curable. The magnitude of the disease and severity of the debilitation it causes renders leprosy a public health problem. This study aimed to analyze the endemic profile of leprosy in the Murrupula district and evaluate the socioeconomic, clinical, and serological profiles of leprosy contacts., Methods: A cross-sectional study of patients with leprosy diagnosed between 2013 and 2017 and their household and community contacts was conducted in Murrupula District, Nampula Province, Mozambique. Interviews, simplified dermatoneurological examinations, Mycobacterium leprae flow (ML Flow) tests, and Mitsuda tests were performed., Results: Most of the leprosy cases were multibacillary. The patients had some degree of physical disability. ML Flow positivity was more common in household contacts of the patients diagnosed with leprosy and in community individuals who spontaneously presented for testing. In total, 17 patients were diagnosed with leprosy., Conclusions: This study revealed an active chain of transmission, hidden prevalence, and operational deficiencies in leprosy surveillance and care. The results suggest that the implementation of a public health policy for leprosy prevention and control in Nampula Province is necessary. In future, the possibility of expanding the policy to the entire country should be considered.

A fossil Mycetophilidae from the Aptian Crato Formation-Cretomanota gondwanica gen. nov., sp. nov.-is described, which is the first mycetophilid from the Crato Formation and corresponds to the oldest known fossil leiine and only the second Gondwanan fossil mycetophilid described so far. Cretomanota gondwanica and both species of Alavamanota Blagoderov and Arillo were added as terminals to the data matrix of a general phylogenetic analysis of the Mycetophilidae, and both fit into the Leiinae. Alavamanota is monophyletic, sister to the clade composed by Cretomanota and the extant genus Manota Williston. The biology of the extant members of this fungivorous family corroborates the reconstruction of the Crato palaeoenvironment as including woodlands with humid habitats and microhabitats. The presence of a Cretaceous member of the tribe Manotini at low latitudes in South America reinforces the hypothesis that the clade with all manotines except Leiella Edwards corresponds to a Lower Cretaceous offshoot from a group in southern Gondwana expanding its distribution to more northern areas into the Gondwana and into Laurasia., (© 2022 Willi Hennig Society.)

Objectives: To compare the effects of four levels of end-expiratory pressure [zero (ZEEP) and three levels of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP)] on the cardiovascular system and gas exchange of cats anesthetized with isoflurane and mechanically ventilated for 3 h with a tidal volume of 10 ml/kg., Study Design: Prospective, randomized, controlled trial., Animals: Six healthy male neutered purpose-bred cats., Methods: Anesthesia was induced with isoflurane and maintained at 1.3 minimum alveolar concentration. PEEP of maximal respiratory compliance (PEEP maxCrs ) was identified in a decremental PEEP titration, and cats were randomly ventilated for 3 h with one of the following end-expiratory pressures: ZEEP, PEEP maxCrs minus 2 cmH 2 O (PEEP maxCrs-2 ), PEEP maxCrs , and PEEP maxCrs plus 2 cmH 2 O (PEEP maxCrs+2 ). Cardiovascular and gas exchange variables were recorded at 5, 30, 60, 120, and 180 min (T5 to T180, respectively) of ventilation and compared between and within ventilation treatments with mixed-model ANOVA followed by Dunnet's and Tukey's tests (normal distribution) or Friedman test followed by the Dunn's test (non-normal distribution). Significance to reject the null hypothesis was considered p < 0.05., Results: Mean arterial pressure (MAP-mmHg) was lower in PEEP maxCrs+2 [63 (49-69); median (range)] when compared to ZEEP [71 (67-113)] at T5 and stroke index (ml/beat/kg) was lower in PEEP maxCrs+2 (0.70 ± 0.20; mean ± SD) than in ZEEP (0.90 ± 0.20) at T60. Cardiac index, oxygen delivery index (DO 2 I), systemic vascular resistance index, and shunt fraction were not significantly different between treatments. The ratio between arterial partial pressure and inspired concentration of oxygen (PaO 2 /FIO 2 ) was lower in ZEEP than in the PEEP treatments at various time points. At T180, DO 2 I was higher when compared to T5 in PEEP maxCrs . Dopamine was required to maintain MAP higher than 60 mmHg in one cat during PEEP maxCrs and in three cats during PEEP maxCrs+2 ., Conclusion: In cats anesthetized with isoflurane and mechanically ventilated for 3 h, all levels of PEEP mildly improved gas exchange with no significant difference in DO 2 I when compared to ZEEP. The PEEP levels higher than PEEP maxCrs-2 caused more cardiovascular depression, and dopamine was an effective treatment. A temporal increase in DO 2 I was observed in the cats ventilated with PEEP maxCrs . The effects of these levels of PEEP on respiratory mechanics, ventilation-induced lung injury, as well as in obese and critically ill cats deserve future investigation for a better understanding of the clinical use of PEEP in this species., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Machado, Soares, Pypendop, Aguiar, Braun, Motta-Ribeiro and Jandre.)

Objectives: to identify the prevalence of and factors related to access to neonatal consultation in the first week of life, in Brazil., Methods: a secondary data analysis from a national cross-sectional survey involving 14,133 mothers from primary care services. Pearson chi-square was used to analyze the prevalence of access to appointment and Poisson regression to analyze related factors, considering prevalence ratio (PR) and confidence intervals (95%CI)., Results: the prevalence of healthcare visits was 63.0% in Brazil. Children of mothers, aged 30-39 years (PR=1.065; CI=1.029-1.103), and of single mothers (PR=1.021; CI=1.00-1.042) had higher prevalence of access. Children from the northern region of Brazil had a lower prevalence of healthcare visits compared to children from other regions., Conclusions: low prevalence of access to neonatal visits was identified in the first week of life in primary care services; the region of residence, maternal age, and marital status were identified among the related factors.

Tropical forests are among the most biodiverse biomes on the planet. Nevertheless, quantifying the abundance and species richness within megadiverse groups is a significant challenge. We designed a study to address this challenge by documenting the variability of the insect fauna across a vertical canopy gradient in a Central Amazonian tropical forest. Insects were sampled over two weeks using 6-m Gressitt-style Malaise traps set at five heights (0 m-32 m-8 m intervals) on a metal tower in a tropical forest north of Manaus, Brazil. The traps contained 37,778 specimens of 18 orders of insects. Using simulation approaches and nonparametric analyses, we interpreted the abundance and richness of insects along this gradient. Diptera, Hymenoptera, and Coleoptera had their greatest abundance at the ground level, whereas Lepidoptera and Hemiptera were more abundant in the upper levels of the canopy. We identified species of 38 of the 56 families of Diptera, finding that 527 out of 856 species (61.6%) were not sampled at the ground level. Mycetophilidae, Tipulidae, and Phoridae were significantly more diverse and/or abundant at the ground level, while Tachinidae, Dolichopodidae, and Lauxaniidae were more diverse or abundant at upper levels. Our study suggests the need for a careful discussion of strategies of tropical forest conservation based on a much more complete understanding of the three-dimensional distribution of its insect diversity., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Objective: To evaluate the combined use of serologic markers and spatial analysis to increase the sensitivity of leprosy epidemiological surveillance., Method: This cross-sectional study was performed with neighbors of leprosy cases and neighbors and family members of schoolchildren with a positive anti-phenolic glycolipid I (PGL-I) test in Diamantina, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Neighbors were those living within a 100-m radius of schoolchildren or leprosy cases. Data collection included a semi-structured interview, dermatologic examination, and rapid ML Flow test. All residential addresses were georeferenced. Multivariate regression and spatial analysis were performed with anti-PGL-I seropositivity as the dependent variable., Results: The study included 1 491 individuals: 1 009 (67.7%) family members and neighbors of schoolchildren with positive serology test and 482 (32.3%) neighbors of leprosy cases. Of the total, 421 (28.2%) were positive for anti-PGL-I. Seropositivity was higher among family members and neighbors of seropositive schoolers ( P  < 0.001), among people with family income of 1 minimum wage ( P  < 0.001), among the youngest participants ( P  < 0.001), and among those living in homes with one to five rooms ( P  = 0.007). The seropositivity rate was higher in the geographic area corresponding to seropositive schoolchildren ( P  < 0.001), that is, the spot with the highest number of cases was different from the spot with the highest rate of seropositivity., Conclusions: The combined use of serologic markers and spatial analysis allowed us to easily identify operational weaknesses of services and a possible occult leprosy endemism in the municipality's urban census tracts. Tracing of social contact and neighbors, active search, educational campaigns, school surveys, and territorial analyses facilitate the early diagnosis of leprosy.

Background: Cardiac arrest is a critical event requiring adequate and timely response in order to increase a patient's chance of survival. In patients mechanically ventilated with advanced airways, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) maneuver may be simplified by keeping the ventilator on. This work assessed the response of an intensive care mechanical ventilator to CPR using a patient manikin ventilated in three conventional modes., Methods: Volume-controlled (VCV), pressure-controlled (PCV) and pressure regulated volume-controlled (PRVC) ventilation were applied in a thorax physical model, with or without chest compressions. The mechanical ventilator was set with inspiratory time of 1.0 s, ventilation rate of 10 breaths/min, positive end-expiratory pressure of 0 cmH 2 O, FiO 2 of 1.0, target tidal volume of 600 mL and trigger level of -20 cmH 2 O. Airway opening pressure and ventilatory flow signals were continuously recorded., Results: Chest compression resulted in increased airway peak pressure in all ventilation modes (p < 0.001), especially with VCV (137% in VCV, 83% in PCV, 80% in PRVC). However, these pressures were limited to levels similar to release valves in manual resuscitators (~60 cmH 2 O). In pressure-controlled modes tidal/min volumes decreased (PRVC = 11%, p = 0.027 and PCV = 12%, p < 0.001), while still within the variability observed during bag-valve-mask ventilation. During VCV, variation in tidal/min volumes were not significant (p = 0.140). Respiratory rate did not change with chest compression., Conclusions: Volume and pressure ventilation modes responded differently to chest compressions. Yet, variation in delivered volume and the measured peak pressures were within the reported for the standard bag-valve-mask system., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The crude extract containing inulinase from Rhodotorula mucilaginosa was obtained by submerged fermentation. Inulinase was immobilized on chicken eggshell by physical adsorption and covalent crosslinking, using glutaraldehyde as a crosslinking reagent, and Celite by adsorption. Fructooligosaccharides production was performed using immobilized inulinase (5%, w/v) and inulin substrate solution under experimental conditions evaluated through Doehlert experimental design. The production of inulinase was optimized for concentrations of D-glucose and yeast extract at 12.5 and 0.5 g/L, respectively, resulting in an optimal activity of 0.62 U. The optimal pH and temperature for enzyme activity were 8.0 and 75 °C, respectively, leading to an optimal activity of 3.54 U. The highest immobilization efficiency (46.27%) was obtained upon immobilization on Celite. Immobilization by adsorption to eggshell allowed for specific activity of 4.15 U/g, and adsorption to Celite resulted in specific activity of 3.70 U/g. The highest titer in fructooligosaccharides was obtained with an initial inulin concentration of 250 g/L (25%, w/v), and a reaction time of 16 h. Hence, immobilized inulinase proved to be a promising catalyst for fructooligosaccharides production since the formulation is performed through a simple, low-cost, and large-scale applicable methodology., Competing Interests: Conflict of interestThe authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (© The Korean Society of Food Science and Technology 2021.)

We present a summary and analysis of the Diptera-related information published in Zootaxa from 2001 to 2020, with a focus on taxonomic papers. Altogether, 2,527 papers on Diptera were published, including 2,032 taxonomic papers and 1,931 papers containing new nomenclatural acts, equivalent to 22% of all publications with new nomenclatural acts for Diptera. The new nomenclatural acts include 7,431 new species, 277 new genera, 2,003 new synonymies, and 1,617 new combinations. A breakdown by family of new taxa and new replacement names proposed in the journal during the last two decades is provided, together with a comparison of Zootaxa's output to that of all other taxonomic publications on Diptera. Our results show that the journal has contributed to 20% of all biodiversity discovery in this megadiverse insect order over the last 20 years, and to about 31% in the last decade.

A procedure for electroanalytical determination of the fungicide TBZ extracted and preconcentrated from tomatoes by the cloud-point extraction (CPE) technique was developed and validated in this work. The analytical technique used for this determination was HPLC coupled to an electrochemical detector (HPLC/EC), with a BDD electrode. The main variables of the CPE process were evaluated using a 24 full factorial design. The optimal condition of CPE was achieved by using Tergitol (19% v/v), NaCl (0.83 g), ultrasonic stirring time of 15 min and a temperature of 36 °C. Under these conditions, the preconcentration factor obtained was 5.7. The limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were 2.7 × 10-8 mol L-1 (or 5.4 μg L-1) and 5.5 × 10-8 mol L-1 (or 11 μg L-1), respectively. The average recovery values varied from 80.7% to 115.1% and the precision (average of 3 days) was less than 15%, indicating the good accuracy and precision of the method developed here. Upon applying the method to examine commercial tomatoes, TBZ was detected in one of the three analyzed samples.

To evaluate a compact and easily interpretable 4-parameter model describing the shape of the volumetric capnogram, and the resulting estimates of anatomical dead space (VD AW ) and Phase III (alveolar plateau) slope (S III ). Data from of 8 mildly-endotoxemic pre-acute respiratory distress syndrome sheep were fitted to the proposed 4-parameter model (4p) and a previously established 7-parameter model (7p). Root mean square error (RMSE) and Akaike information criterion (AIC), as well as VD AW and S III derived from each model were compared. Confidence intervals for model's parameters, VD AW and S III were estimated with a jackknife approach. RMSE values were similar (4p: 1.13 ± 0.01 mmHg vs 7p: 1.14 ± 0.01 mmHg) in the 791 breath cycles tested. However, the 7p overfitted the curve and had worse AIC in more than 50% of the cycles (p < 0.001). The large number of degrees of freedom also resulted in larger between-animal range of confidence intervals for 7p (VD AW : from 6.1 10 -12 to 34 ml, S III : from 9.53 10 -7 to 1.80 mmHg/ml) as compared to 4p (VD AW : from 0.019 to 0.15 ml, S III : from 3.9 10 -4 to 0.011 mmHg/ml). Mean differences between VD AW (2.1 ± 0.04 ml) and S III (0.047 ± 0.004 mmHg/ml) from 7 and 4p were significant (p < 0.001), but within the observed cycle-by-cycle variability. The proposed 4-parameter model of the volumetric capnogram improves data fitting and estimation of VD AW and S III as compared to the 7-parameter model of reference. These advantages support the use of the 4-parameter model in future research and clinical applications.

Background: Pulmonary atelectasis is frequent in clinical settings. Yet there is limited mechanistic understanding and substantial clinical and biologic controversy on its consequences. The authors hypothesize that atelectasis produces local transcriptomic changes related to immunity and alveolar-capillary barrier function conducive to lung injury and further exacerbated by systemic inflammation., Methods: Female sheep underwent unilateral lung atelectasis using a left bronchial blocker and thoracotomy while the right lung was ventilated, with (n = 6) or without (n = 6) systemic lipopolysaccharide infusion. Computed tomography guided samples were harvested for NextGen RNA sequencing from atelectatic and aerated lung regions. The Wald test was used to detect differential gene expression as an absolute fold change greater than 1.5 and adjusted P value (Benjamini-Hochberg) less than 0.05. Functional analysis was performed by gene set enrichment analysis., Results: Lipopolysaccharide-unexposed atelectatic versus aerated regions presented 2,363 differentially expressed genes. Lipopolysaccharide exposure induced 3,767 differentially expressed genes in atelectatic lungs but only 1,197 genes in aerated lungs relative to the corresponding lipopolysaccharide-unexposed tissues. Gene set enrichment for immune response in atelectasis versus aerated tissues yielded negative normalized enrichment scores without lipopolysaccharide (less than -1.23, adjusted P value less than 0.05) but positive scores with lipopolysaccharide (greater than 1.33, adjusted P value less than 0.05). Leukocyte-related processes (e.g., leukocyte migration, activation, and mediated immunity) were enhanced in lipopolysaccharide-exposed atelectasis partly through interferon-stimulated genes. Furthermore, atelectasis was associated with negatively enriched gene sets involving alveolar-capillary barrier function irrespective of lipopolysaccharide (normalized enrichment scores less than -1.35, adjusted P value less than 0.05). Yes-associated protein signaling was dysregulated with lower nuclear distribution in atelectatic versus aerated lung (lipopolysaccharide-unexposed: 10.0 ± 4.2 versus 13.4 ± 4.2 arbitrary units, lipopolysaccharide-exposed: 8.1 ± 2.0 versus 11.3 ± 2.4 arbitrary units, effect of lung aeration, P = 0.003)., Conclusions: Atelectasis dysregulates the local pulmonary transcriptome with negatively enriched immune response and alveolar-capillary barrier function. Systemic lipopolysaccharide converts the transcriptomic immune response into positive enrichment but does not affect local barrier function transcriptomics. Interferon-stimulated genes and Yes-associated protein might be novel candidate targets for atelectasis-associated injury., (Copyright © 2020, the American Society of Anesthesiologists, Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

The Neotropical genus Maietta Alexander (Diptera: Limoniidae), endemic to Southern South America (Chile), is revised. Three new species, M. dextra sp. n., M. edwardsi sp. n. and M. sinistra sp. n., are described and illustrated. An identification key is provided for all species. The phylogenetic relationships of the species are investigated in a cladistic analysis, resulting in one single most parsimonious cladogram with the topology ((M. squamigera + M. dextra sp. n.) (M. edwardsi sp. n. (M. trimedia + M. sinistra sp. n.))).

Objective: To conduct a situational diagnosis of the Nursing Care Systematization (NCS) in a Basic Health Unit from the perception of the nursing team., Method: This was a quantitative, descriptive-exploratory study, conducted in a Basic Health Unit in the interior of São Paulo state, Brazil. A structured questionnaire containing Likert scale was used for data collection, previously validated by specialists., Results: The questionnaire was applied to 21 nursing professionals. It was verified that implementation of NCS and the nursing process is still incipient in the Basic Health Units. Regarding its use in all nursing actions: 19% of respondents believe that it is never used, 38% thought that it is rarely implemented, and 29% responded sometimes. The main difficulties identified were related to the lack of institutional structure, highlighting a lack of capacity by the institution (81%). The team has a reasonable understanding about the subject, but pointed out that professional education does not prepare them for performing NCS in primary care., Conclusion: Institutional interest in NCS is necessary to enable implementation. The study can contribute to the effective implementation in this unit and point out guidelines for its implementation in other similar contexts.

Rationale: The contribution of aeration heterogeneity to lung injury during early mechanical ventilation of uninjured lungs is unknown., Objectives: To test the hypotheses that a strategy consistent with clinical practice does not protect from worsening in lung strains during the first 24 hours of ventilation of initially normal lungs exposed to mild systemic endotoxemia in supine versus prone position, and that local neutrophilic inflammation is associated with local strain and blood volume at global strains below a proposed injurious threshold., Methods: Voxel-level aeration and tidal strain were assessed by computed tomography in sheep ventilated with low Vt and positive end-expiratory pressure while receiving intravenous endotoxin. Regional inflammation and blood volume were estimated from 2-deoxy-2-[(18)F]fluoro-d-glucose ( 18 F-FDG) positron emission tomography., Measurements and Main Results: Spatial heterogeneity of aeration and strain increased only in supine lungs (P < 0.001), with higher strains and atelectasis than prone at 24 hours. Absolute strains were lower than those considered globally injurious. Strains redistributed to higher aeration areas as lung injury progressed in supine lungs. At 24 hours, tissue-normalized 18 F-FDG uptake increased more in atelectatic and moderately high-aeration regions (>70%) than in normally aerated regions (P < 0.01), with differential mechanistically relevant regional gene expression. 18 F-FDG phosphorylation rate was associated with strain and blood volume. Imaging findings were confirmed in ventilated patients with sepsis., Conclusions: Mechanical ventilation consistent with clinical practice did not generate excessive regional strain in heterogeneously aerated supine lungs. However, it allowed worsening of spatial strain distribution in these lungs, associated with increased inflammation. Our results support the implementation of early aeration homogenization in normal lungs.

The genus Aphrophila (Diptera: Limoniidae) is revised. All previously described species are redescribed and illustrated, along with fifteen new species. From the Campbell Island (New Zealand): A. whakapapa sp. n.; from Argentina: A. argentina sp. n., A. huahua sp. n. and A. peuma sp. n.; from Chile: A. aequalitas sp. n., A. alexanderi sp. n., A. dentata sp. n., A. dupla sp. n., A. edwardsi sp. n., A. minuscula sp. n., A. penta sp. n., A. regia sp. n., A. serra sp. n., A. sperancae sp. n. and A. vulcania sp. n. Identification key is provided for all the valid species. A phylogenetic analysis was made which resulted in one single most parsimonious tree with five main groups, classified into five subgenera: A. (Aphrophila) Edwards, A. (Magnodonta) subg. n., A. (Spinalia) subg. n., A. (Sirena) subg. n., A. (Zelandica) subg. n. In order to uncover the biogeographical pattern of the distribution of the species in terms of area relationships, a Paralogy-free subtree analysis was performed, which resulted in the following areagram: ((Campbell Is. + S. America) + New Zealand).

Background: Recruitment maneuver and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) can be used to counteract intraoperative anesthesia-induced atelectasis. Variable ventilation can stabilize lung mechanics by avoiding the monotonic tidal volume and protect lung parenchyma as tidal recruitment is encompassed within the tidal volume variability., Methods: Forty-nine (7 per group) male Wistar rats were anesthetized, paralyzed, and mechanically ventilated. A recruitment maneuver followed by stepwise decremental PEEP titration was performed while continuously estimating respiratory system mechanics using recursive least squares. After a new recruitment, animals were ventilated for 2 hours in volume-control with monotonic (VCV) or variable (VV) tidal volumes. PEEP was adjusted at a level corresponding to the minimum elastance or 2 cm H2O above or below this level. Lungs were harvested for histologic analysis (left lung) and cytokines measurement (right lung). Seven animals were euthanized before the first recruitment as controls., Results: A time-dependent increase in respiratory system elastance was observed and significantly minimized by PEEP (P < .001). Variable ventilation attenuated the amount of concentrations of proinflammatory mediators in lung homogenate: neutrophil cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant 1 (VV = 40 ± 5 and VCV = 57 ± 8 pg/mg; P < .0001) and interleukin-1β (VV = 59 ± 25 and VCV = 261 ± 113 pg/mg; P < .0001). Variable ventilation was also associated with lower structural lung parenchyma damage. Significant reductions in air fraction at dorsal and caudal lung regions were observed in all ventilated animals (P < .001)., Conclusions: Variable ventilation was more protective than conventional ventilation within the applied PEEP levels.

Background: Laparoscopic surgery with pneumoperitoneum increases respiratory system elastance due to the augmented intra-abdominal pressure. We aim to evaluate to which extent positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) is able to counteract abdominal hypertension preventing progressive lung collapse and how rib cage elastance influences PEEP effect. Methods: Forty-four Wistar rats were mechanically ventilated and randomly assigned into three groups: control (CTRL), pneumoperitoneum (PPT) and pneumoperitoneum with restricted rib cage (PPT-RC). A pressure-volume (PV) curve followed by a recruitment maneuver and a decremental PEEP trial were performed in all groups. Thereafter, animals were ventilated using PEEP of 3 and 8 cmH 2 O divided into two subgroups used to evaluate respiratory mechanics or computed tomography (CT) images. In 26 rats, we compared respiratory system elastance (E rs ) at the two PEEP levels. In 18 animals, CT images were acquired to calculate total lung volume (TLV), total volume and air volume in six anatomically delimited regions of interest (three along the cephalo-caudal and three along the ventro-dorsal axes). Results: PEEP of minimal E rs was similar in CTRL and PPT groups (3.8 ± 0.45 and 3.5 ± 3.89 cmH 2 O, respectively) and differed from PPT-RC group (9.8 ± 0.63 cmH 2 O). Chest restriction determined a right- and downward shift of the PV curve, increased E rs and diminished TLV and lung aeration. Increasing PEEP augmented TLV in CTRL group (11.8 ± 1.3 to 13.6 ± 2 ml, p < 0.05), and relative air content in the apex of PPT group (3.5 ± 1.4 to 4.6 ± 1.4% TLV, p < 0.03) and in the middle zones in PPT-RC group (21.4 ± 1.9 to 25.3 ± 2.1% TLV cephalo-caudally and 18.1 ± 4.3 to 22.0 ± 3.3% TLV ventro-dorsally, p < 0.005). Conclusion: Regional lung recruitment potential during pneumoperitoneum depends on rib cage elastance, reinforcing the concept of PEEP individualization according to the patient's condition.

The scope of this research was to analyze the gestational history and prenatal care characteristics of adolescent and adult mothers in a maternity hospital located in a city in Minas Gerais, which is a hospital of reference in the macro-region of health of Jequitinhonha. It involved a descriptive cross-sectional study. A total of 327 mothers were interviewed between May 2013 and March 2014 using a semi-structured questionnaire. With a sample of 255, the number of adult women was predominant. With respect to prenatal care, 324 pregnant women had medical appointments. In terms of the location for prenatal care, 79.2% of adolescents were attended in the public health service, while that percentage was 60.4% among adult women. Regarding the type of birth, 54.7% of mothers had normal delivery and 45% had cesarean section. Among adolescents, there was a higher percentage of normal delivery compared to adult women and this data had a statistically significant relationship with the age of the pregnant women. With respect to gestational age at birth, 85.9% had full-term deliveries, 13.5% had preterm delivery and 0.6% had post-term delivery. It was revealed that adolescent mothers were at a disadvantage compared to the other mothers in terms of both socioeconomic characteristics and prenatal care received.

There is a growing necessity to integrate morphological and genetic studies. This paper proposes a new technique that allows DNA extraction of arthropods while still keeping intact the entire morphology of the specimens. The technique uses Proteinase K to dissolve protein tissues and preserve the chitinous exoskeleton of specimens. The method is fast, cheap, non-toxic, and allows for good morphological preparations of specimens retaining much of their tridimensional structure. The methodology works fine with specimens preserved in different kinds of media, such as for dry (pinned) specimens, and specimens preserved in Ethanol. In addition, it allows the extraction of DNA from fresh specimens, as well as from specimens preserved for a long time. The technique works well for morphological studies alone, but allows the generation of an associated genomic library at an individual-scale. Among the advantages of the new technique is the possibility of extracting DNA from the entire specimen (necessary for the study of diseases transmitted by arthropod vectors), while still keeping the morphology intact for correct taxonomic identification. In addition, in comparison with methods that extract DNA from small tissue samples (e.g., from legs or wings), the method allows for the extraction of a larger amount of DNA and is better suited for small specimens.

Background: The multiple-breath washout (MBW) is able to provide information about the distribution of ventilation-to-volume (v/V) ratios in the lungs. However, the classical, all-parallel model may return skewed results due to the mixing effect of a common dead space. The aim of this work is to examine whether a novel mathematical model and algorithm is able to estimate v/V of a physical model, and to compare its results with those of the classical model. The novel model takes into account a dead space in series with the parallel ventilated compartments, allows for variable tidal volume (V T ) and end-expiratory lung volume (EELV), and does not require a ideal step change of the inert gas concentration., Methods: Two physical models with preset v/V units and a common series dead space (v d ) were built and mechanically ventilated. The models underwent MBW with N 2 as inert gas, throughout which flow and N 2 concentration signals were acquired. Distribution of v/V was estimated-via nonnegative least squares, with Tikhonov regularization-with the classical, all-parallel model (with and without correction for non-ideal inspiratory N 2 step) and with the new, generalized model including breath-by-breath v d estimates given by the Fowler method (with and without constrained V T and EELV)., Results: The v/V distributions estimated with constrained EELV and V T by the generalized model were practically coincident with the actual v/V distribution for both physical models. The v/V distributions calculated with the classical model were shifted leftwards and broader as compared to the reference., Conclusions: The proposed model and algorithm provided better estimates of v/V than the classical model, particularly with constrained V T and EELV.

Emotional states can guide the actions and decisions we make in our everyday life through their influence on cognitive processes such as working memory (WM). We investigated the long-lasting interference that an unpleasant emotional state had on goal-relevant WM representations from an electrophysiological perspective. Participants performed a change detection task that was preceded by the presentation of unpleasant or neutral task-irrelevant pictures in a blocked fashion. We focused on the contralateral delay activity (CDA), an event-related potential that is sensitive to the number of task-relevant items stored in WM. We found that the asymptotic limit for the CDA amplitude was lower during the unpleasant emotional state than during the neutral one; that is, an emotional state was capable of reducing how many task-relevant items the participants could hold in WM. Furthermore, both the individuals who experienced more intrusive thoughts and those who were dispositionally anxious were more susceptible to the influence of the emotional state. We provide evidence that an unpleasant emotional state diminished visual WM for task-relevant items, particularly in susceptible individuals. These results open new avenues to uncover the emotional-cognitive processing that underlies maladaptive WM representations and the role of such processing in the development of mental illness., (© The Author (2017). Published by Oxford University Press.)

Objectives: Reoperative procedure for the treatment of a failed mitral bioprosthesis is associated with considerable risk. In some cases, mortality is high and might contraindicate the benefit of the procedure. The minimally invasive valve-in-valve (ViV) transcatheter mitral valve implant offers an alternative less-invasive approach, reducing morbidity and mortality. The objective of this paper was to evaluate the mitral ViV approach using the Braile Inovare prosthesis., Methods: The transcatheter balloon-expandable Braile Inovare prosthesis was used in 12 cases. Procedures were performed in a hybrid operating room, under fluoroscopic and echocardiographic control. Through left minithoracotomy, the prostheses were implanted through the cardiac apex. Serial echocardiographic and clinical examinations were performed. Follow-up varied from 1 to 30 months., Results: A total of 12 transapical mitral ViV procedures were performed. Patients had a mean age of 61.6 ± 9.9 years and 92% were women. Mean logistic EuroSCORE was 20.1%. Successful valve implantation was possible in all cases. In one case, a right lateral thoracotomy was performed for the removal of an embolized prosthesis. There was no operative mortality. Thirty-day mortality was 8.3%. Ejection fraction was preserved after the implant (66.7%; 64.8%; P  = 0.3). The mitral gradient showed a significant reduction (11 mmHg; 6 mmHg; P  < 0.001). Residual mitral regurgitation was not present. There was no left ventricular outflow tract obstruction., Conclusions: The mitral ViV implant in a failed bioprosthesis is an effective procedure. This possibility might alter prosthesis selection in the future initial surgical prosthesis selection, favouring bioprostheses. Further large trials should explore its safety., (© The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.)

Background: This work presents a generalized technique to estimate pulmonary ventilation-to-volume (v/V) distributions using the multiple-breath nitrogen washout, in which both tidal volume (V T ) and the end-expiratory lung volume (EELV) are allowed to vary during the maneuver. In addition, the volume of the series dead space (v d ), unlike the classical model, is considered a common series unit connected to a set of parallel alveolar units., Methods: The numerical solution for simulated data, either error-free or with the N2 measurement contaminated with the addition of Gaussian random noise of 3 or 5 % standard deviation was tested under several conditions in a computational model constituted by 50 alveolar units with unimodal and bimodal distributions of v/V. Non-negative least squares regression with Tikhonov regularization was employed for parameter retrieval. The solution was obtained with either unconstrained or constrained (V T , EELV and v d ) conditions. The Tikhonov gain was fixed or estimated and a weighting matrix (WM) was considered. The quality of estimation was evaluated by the sum of the squared errors (SSE) (between reference and recovered distributions) and by the deviations of the first three moments calculated for both distributions. Additionally, a shape classification method was tested to identify the solution as unimodal or bimodal, by counting the number of shape agreements after 1000 repetitions., Results: The accuracy of the results showed a high dependence on the noise amplitude. The best algorithm for SSE and moments included the constrained and the WM solvers, whereas shape agreement improved without WM, resulting in 97.2 % for unimodal and 90.0 % for bimodal distributions in the highest noise condition., Conclusions: In conclusion this generalized method was able to identify v/V distributions from a lung model with a common series dead space even with variable V T . Although limitations remain in presence of experimental noise, appropriate combination of processing steps were also found to reduce estimation errors.

Mixtures of anhydrous ethyl alcohol and gasoline substituted for pure gasoline as a fuel in many Brazilian vehicles. Consequently, the concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as ketones, other organic compounds, and particularly aldehydes increased in many Brazilian cities. The current study aims to investigate whether formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, or mixtures of both impair lung function, morphology, inflammatory and redox responses at environmentally relevant concentrations. For such purpose, C57BL/6 mice were exposed to either medical compressed air or to 4 different mixtures of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde. Eight hours later animals were anesthetized, paralyzed and lung mechanics and morphology, inflammatory cells and IL-1β, KC, TNF-α, IL-6, CCL2, MCP-1 contents, superoxide dismutase and catalalase activities were determined. The extra pulmonary respiratory tract was also analyzed. No differences could be detected between any exposed and control groups. In conclusion, no morpho-functional alterations were detected in exposed mice in relation to the control group., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is associated with high total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), triglyceride (TG), and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. The natural course of the HIV infection reduces the high-density lipoprotein level (HDL-c). Thus, physical exercise plays a key role in reducing the effects of HAART and HIV., Methods: Thirty people living with HIV (PLHIV) were randomized to the nonlinear resistance training (NLRT) and control (CON) groups. The NLRT group underwent 12 weeks of resistance training, whereas the CON group maintained usual daily activities. All volunteers underwent anthropometric, body composition, and biochemical assessments at the beginning and end of 12 weeks., Results: After 12 weeks, the NLRT group had increased lean body mass (P < .0001), and a reduction in body fat mass (P < .0001) and body fat percentage (P < .0001). The levels of TC (P < .0001), LDL-c (P = .049), TG (P < .0001), and CRP (P = .004) were reduced, and the HDL-c level increased (P < .0001)., Conclusion: Twelve weeks of NLRT causes beneficial changes in the body composition, lipid profile, and inflammation markers in PLHIV, and it can be used in this patient population.

Introduction: Mouth breathing leads to negative consequences on quality of life, especially in school-age children., Objective: To determine whether the breathing pattern influences children's learning process., Methods: This systematic review was carried out according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) instructions, with no restrictions regarding the year of publication and language, created based on the clinical question formulation according to the Problem/Patient/Population, Intervention/Indicator, Comparison, Outcome (PICO) strategy: "Is the mouth-breathing child more likely to have learning disabilities when compared to nasal breathers?" in the SciELO, PubMed, LILACS, and Scopus electronic databases. Google Scholar was used to search the gray literature. The keywords "learning," "mouth breathing," and their equivalent terms in Portuguese were used in an integrated manner. The studies included in the review were observational, conducted with schoolchildren aged 7-11 years. Afterwards, the studies were evaluated regarding their methodological quality. The research was performed by two eligible reviewers., Results: A total of 357 records were obtained, of which 43 records were duplicate. After applying the eligibility criteria, ten articles were included in the research scope. Half of the studies used a control group and otorhinolaryngological assessment, whereas a minority used validated (20%) and sample calculation protocols (10%). The evaluation procedures were varied. Overall, 80% of the articles showed a higher incidence of learning disabilities among mouth breathers., Conclusion: This systematic review has shown that mouth breathers are more likely to have learning difficulties than nasal breathers., (Copyright © 2015 Associação Brasileira de Otorrinolaringologia e Cirurgia Cérvico-Facial. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.)

Siphonophores are poorly studied despite their abundance and ecological importance in marine ecosystems. The genus Lensia Totton, 1932 contains the highest number of species within Siphonophora, but systematic studies of these organisms are scarce in the literature. This study presents a phylogenetic analysis for fifteen species of Lensia based on morphological data. The material for this study was obtained during two oceanographic campaigns made along the southeastern Brazilian coast. A total of twenty two characters of the anterior nectophore morphology were scored. The shortest trees were searched using parsimony (under different weighting regimes). All analyses provided the same topology: (M. kochi (D. dispar + D. bojani) (L. leloupi (L. havock (L. conoidea (L. subtilis; L. meteori; L. hardy; L. fowleri; (L. subtiloides (L. hotspur; L. cossack; L. campanella)); (L. multicristata (L. hunter (L. lelouveteau + L. grimaldii))). The monophyly of the genus Lensia is supported by the hydroecium measuring up to 1/4 the height of the nectosac.

A catalogue of the Colombian crane flies (Tipulomorpha, families Tipulidae and Limoniidae) is provided, based on updated information from the Catalogue of the Crane flies of World, with additional data on the geographical distribution of the species in Colombia taken from the primary literature. A total of 131 valid species are recorded for Colombia, 38 in the family Tipulidae and 93 in the family Limoniidae.