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This study introduces a novel photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) system featuring a Ti-O-Cu mixed nanotubular oxide photoanode for the simultaneous activation of peroxymonosulfate (PMS), targeting the removal of emerging contaminants, such as methylene blue dye, tetracycline, and ibuprofen. The Ti-5.5Cu (atom %) alloy substrate and the nanotubular oxide layer were synthesized through arc melting and electrochemical anodization. The conditions of photoelectrocatalysis-assisted PMS activation (PEC/aPMS) were optimized using experimental design, achieving 90.4% decolorization of methylene blue dye within 30 min under optimal conditions: pH 4, an applied potential of 0.5 V vs Ag/AgCl, and a PMS concentration 50 times the molar concentration of the contaminant, utilizing a 10 W UV LED at 365 nm. In contrast, only 25% decolorization was observed without PMS. Singlet oxygen ( 1 O 2 ) was identified as the primary pathway for PMS activation (nonradical). Additionally, the PEC/aPMS system effectively degraded model contaminants, achieving 52% degradation of ibuprofen, 78% of methylene blue, and 92% of tetracycline in 10 mg L -1 total organic carbon solutions within 60 min under optimized conditions. The electrode exhibited remarkable stability, maintaining its efficiency throughout the experiments. These findings highlight the potential of mixed nanostructured oxide electrodes for developing highly efficient and durable PEC systems with integrated PMS activation for the removal of organic contaminants., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2024 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)

Background: Leprosy is a chronic and disabling infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae . It has a wide clinical spectrum and is operationally classified into paucibacillary (PB) and multibacillary (MB) cases. There is evidence that the 16S rRNA gene can be used in Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for complementary detection with high sensitivity and specificity. However, there is no literature convention on its diagnostic correspondence regarding the particular operational classification of the disease. This study aimed to correlate, through a meta-analysis, the detection rate of leprosy between the PCR method with the 16S rRNA gene in the clinical forms PB and MB in relation to confirmed cases., Methods: This is a systematic review and meta-analysis study conducted according to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, using the search descriptors with "AND": "Leprosy"; "Polymerase Chain Reaction"; " 16S rRNA " in the PUBMED, SciELO, LILACS, and Science Direct databases. The search was limited to original observational articles in Portuguese, English, or Spanish, with no defined time frame. The methodological quality assessment of the selected articles was performed using the JBI checklists. A scientometric approach to the article using used the VOS Viewer and Scimago Graphica software. The meta-analysis was conducted using Comprehensive Meta-Analyses software, under Pearson's Correlation effect test and fixed effect model and subgroup analysis concerning the type of sample analyzed., Results: The study was significant from the perspective of the paucibacillary group (Clinical biopsy: -0.45 [95% CI= -0.63 - -0.22], p  < 0.001/ Slit smear skin: -0.52 [95% CI= -0.65 - -0.36], p  < 0.001 / Overall: -0.50 [95% CI= -0.61 - -0.37], p  < 0.001). The PCR diagnostic method for the16S rRNAgene ofM. lepraehas low viability and diagnostic sensitivity in both clinical biopsy samples and leprosy skin smears., Conclusion: This implies little validation of it as a PCR target gene for diagnosing the disease, highlighting limitations in the actual technique., Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42024588790., 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 © 2024 Silva, Brasil, Silva, Frota, Sardinha, Figueira, Neves, dos Santos, Lima, Ghisi and Lima.)

This is the first report of a cutaneous infection in an immunocompromised domestic cat caused by Setosphaeria turcica. The investigation encompasses an assessment of its virulence factors and susceptibility to antifungal drugs. The isolated strain originated from a domestic cat displaying cutaneous lesions that tested positive for feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infection. Identification procedures employed both microscopic and molecular techniques, with molecular identification relying on ITS DNA sequencing. Enzymatic assays targeting lipase, phospholipase, protease, and keratinase yielded negative results, suggesting the prevalence of alternative virulence mechanisms. Successful treatment of the infection was achieved with itraconazole, and susceptibility testing confirmed its sensitivity to azoles and polyene antifungal drugs., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Employing forced aeration (FA) in composting static windrows (SW) from fish waste (FW) has the potential to enhance the development of process and, organic fertiliser quality. However, due to the impact of season, the FA may lead to excessive drying of SW and, difficulty in thermophilic temperature maintenance. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of passive aeration (PA) and FA on the composting of FW in SW during the summer and winter seasons. The temperatures of the windrows remained within the thermophilic range for most of the composting period, with peak temperatures observed shortly after starting and turning the windrows (at 50 and 70 days). The aeration benefited the initial TS degradations, resulting in 86.66 and 45.99% of the TS total reduced to FA and PA piles, at 50 days during the winter. The C organic reduction was 77.77 and 76.33% in summer and winter to FA piles, respectively, but this reduction was 59.24% and 67.82% for winter and summer, respectively, in PA windrows. At 50 days, the N reduction in FA piles was already at 70.32% and 71.87% for winter and summer. The volatile solids reductions were significantly higher ( p  < 0.01) in FA piles during the summer. Although the FA has been shown to enhance the organic constituents' degradation during the composting of FW, its adoption was not enough to improve the compost composition. Thus, by conducting piles on a small scale, with the perforated wall, as described in this study, the FA could be dispensed.

Research into microbial interactions during coffee processing is essential for developing new methods that adapt to climate change and improve flavor, thus enhancing the resilience and quality of global coffee production. This study aimed to investigate how microbial communities interact and contribute to flavor development in coffee processing within humid subtropical climates. Employing Illumina sequencing for microbial dynamics analysis, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) integrated with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for metabolite assessment, the study revealed intricate microbial diversity and associated metabolic activities. Throughout the fermentation process, dominant microbial species included Enterobacter , Erwinia , Kluyvera , and Pantoea from the prokaryotic group, and Fusarium , Cladosporium , Kurtzmaniella , Leptosphaerulina , Neonectria , and Penicillium from the eukaryotic group. The key metabolites identified were ethanol, and lactic, acetic, and citric acids. Notably, the bacterial community plays a crucial role in flavor development by utilizing metabolic versatility to produce esters and alcohols, while plant-derived metabolites such as caffeine and linalool remain stable throughout the fermentation process. The undirected network analysis revealed 321 interactions among microbial species and key substances during the fermentation process, with Enterobacter , Kluyvera , and Serratia showing strong connections with sugar and various volatile compounds, such as hexanal, benzaldehyde, 3-methylbenzaldehyde, 2-butenal, and 4-heptenal. These interactions, including inhibitory effects by Fusarium and Cladosporium , suggest microbial adaptability to subtropical conditions, potentially influencing fermentation and coffee quality. The sensory analysis showed that the final beverage obtained a score of 80.83 ± 0.39, being classified as a specialty coffee by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) metrics. Nonetheless, further enhancements in acidity, body, and aftertaste could lead to a more balanced flavor profile. The findings of this research hold substantial implications for the coffee industry in humid subtropical regions, offering potential strategies to enhance flavor quality and consistency through controlled fermentation practices. Furthermore, this study contributes to the broader understanding of how microbial ecology interplays with environmental factors to influence food and beverage fermentation, a topic of growing interest in the context of climate change and sustainable agriculture.

The billions of tons of plastic released into the environment mostly fragment into smaller particles that reach rivers and oceans, posing toxicity risks to aquatic organisms. As fish serve as excellent environmental indicator organisms, this study aims to comprehensively review and quantify published data regarding the abundance of microplastics (MPs) ingested by fish through scientometric analysis. Systematic analysis reveals that global aquatic ecosystems are contaminated by MPs, with the characteristics of these contaminants stemming from inadequate disposal management practices. The abundance of MPs was recorded in several fish species, notably Cyprinus carpio in natural environments and Danio rerio in controlled environments. According to the surveyed studies, laboratory experiments do not accurately represent the conditions found in natural environments. The results suggest that, in natural environments, the predominant colors of MPs are blue, black, and red. Fibers emerged as the most prevalent type, with polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) being the most frequently identified chemical compositions. On the other hand, laboratory studies showed that the spheres and fragments ingested were predominantly polystyrene (PS) green, followed by the colors blue and red. This discrepancy complicates drawing accurate conclusions regarding the actual effects of plastic particles on aquatic biota. Given the enduring presence of plastic in the environment, it is imperative to consider and implement environmental monitoring for effective, long-term management., 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 Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Metarhizium spp. is used as a biocontrol agent but is limited because of low tolerance to abiotic stress. Metarhizium robertsii is an excellent study model of fungal pathogenesis in insects, and its tolerance to different stress conditions has been extensively investigated. Priming is the time-limited pre-exposure of an organism to specific stress conditions that increases adaptive response to subsequent exposures. Congo red is a water-soluble azo dye extensively used in stress assays in fungi. It induces morphological changes and weakens the cell wall at sublethal concentrations. Therefore, this chemical agent has been proposed as a stressor to induce priming against other stress conditions in entomopathogenic fungi. This study aimed to evaluate the capacity of Congo red to induce priming in M. robertsii. Conidia were grown on potato dextrose agar with or without Congo red.The tolerance of conidia produced from mycelia grown in these three conditions was evaluated against stress conditions, including osmotic, oxidative, heat, and UV-B radiation. Conidia produced on medium supplemented with Congo red were significantly more tolerant to UV-B radiation but not to the other stress conditions assayed. Our results suggest that Congo red confers trans-priming to UV-B radiation but not for heat, oxidative, or osmotic stress., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The manuscript has been prepared in accordance with the formatting guidelines for Fungal Biology. The work is not under consideration for publication in any form elsewhere, the manuscript does not infringe any personal or other copyright or property rights, and has been approved for publication by all authors, all of whom declare that they have no conflicting interests., (Copyright © 2023 British Mycological Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

This paper reports the optimization of the electro-Fenton (EF) process using different anode materials for the degradation of Methylene Blue (MB) dye as a model compound. The cathode used was an air-diffusion PTFE, while three different anode materials (Pt, DSA, and self-doped TiO 2 nanotubes - SD-TNT) were tested individually. A full factorial design (FFD) with a central point combined with response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to optimize the experimental variables, including solution pH, applied current, and anode material. The optimized EF conditions involved a pH of 4.0, a current of 100 mA, and an SD-TNT anode for 120 min of electrolysis. Under these conditions, the MB solution achieved complete decolorization and 45% of total organic carbon (TOC) removal after 120 min of EF treatment. The findings indicate that the hydroxyl radical ( • OH) plays a crucial role as the primary oxidizing agent in the EF process. The decay of MB followed pseudo-first-order kinetics, reflecting a consistent formation of • OH radicals that effectively attacked the MB dye and its subproducts during mineralization. Moreover, the EF process exhibited superior performance in terms of energy consumption (EC) and mineralization current efficiency (ECM) in the initial treatment stages, while the presence of recalcitrant by-products and loss of anode self-doping impacted performance in the later stages. The optimized EF conditions and the understanding gained from this study contribute to the advancement of sustainable wastewater treatment strategies for the removal of organic dyes., 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.)

The compost-bedded pack barn (CBPB) system has been increasingly adopted by dairy farms due to its ability to enhance animal comfort and milk production. This study evaluated the associations among bedding characteristics, milk quality and composition, and subclinical mastitis (SCM) occurrence in dairy herds housed in CBPB systems. Over a period of six months, data related to milk quality and udder health and bedding sampling were collected from eight dairy farms. Monthly measurements of the bedding temperature and wind speed inside the CBPB were taken, while temperature and relative humidity data inside the CBPB were recorded using a datalogger. Bedding samples were subjected to analysis of moisture, pH, microbiological count, and carbon/nitrogen ratio. Data on milk composition (fat, protein, milk urea nitrogen, and total solids) and quality (somatic cell count and standard plate count) of bulk tank milk were obtained from DHIA results. Canonical correlation analyses were used to evaluate the association between the analyzed group variables, and linear regression models were used to identify associations between bedding characteristics and SCM occurrence in the studied herds. The bedding characteristics that most influenced milk composition and quality were moisture, temperature at 30 cm depth (T30), and bedding pH. Environmental variables played an important role in bedding composting, as they were closely related to the surface temperature and pH. Overall, 62.71% of the variation in milk quality and composition could be explained by the bedding variables, and 77.50% of the variation in the bedding variables was associated with environmental variables. Median SCM prevalence and incidence were 28.6 and 13.8%, respectively. An increase of 1 °C for T30 resulted in a 0.6% reduction in the prevalence of SCM. Additionally, the bedding surface temperature at 22.3 °C resulted in the highest incidence of SCM (~18.1%). Our results demonstrate the importance of controlling microclimatic conditions in the CBPB to optimize the bedding composting process and milk quality.

Soybean, corn, and cotton crops are afflicted by several noctuid pests and the development of bioinsecticides could help control these pests. The fungus Metarhizium rileyi has the greatest potential because its epizootics decimate caterpillar populations in the absence of insecticide applications. However, insect-pathogenic fungi when used for insect control in agriculture have low survival mainly due to the deleterious effects of ultraviolet radiation and heat from solar radiation. In this study, fourteen isolates of M. rileyi were studied and compared with isolates ARSEF 324 and ARSEF 2575 of Metarhizium acridum and Metarhizium robertsii, respectively, whose sensitivity to UV-B radiation had previously been studied. Conidia were exposed at room temperature (ca. 26 °C) to 847.90 mWm - 2 of Quaite-weighted UV-B using two fluorescent lamps. The plates containing the conidial suspensions were irradiated for 1, 2, and 3 h, providing doses of 3.05, 6.10, and 9.16 kJ m 2 , respectively. A wide variability in conidial UV-B tolerance was found among the fourteen isolates of M. rileyi. Isolate CNPSo-Mr 150 was the most tolerant isolate (germination above 80% after 2 h exposure), which was comparable to ARSEF 324 (germination above 90% after 2 h exposure), the most tolerant Metarhizium species. The least tolerant isolates were CNPSo-Mr 141, CNPSo-Mr 142, CNPSo-Mr 156, and CNPSo-Mr 597. Nine M. rileyi isolates exhibited similar tolerance to UV-B radiation as ARSEF 2575 (germination above 50% after 2 h exposure). In conclusion, the majority of M. rileyi isolates studied can endure 1 or 2 h of UV-B radiation exposure. However, after 3 h of exposure, the germination of all studied isolates reduced below 40%, except for CNPSo-Mr 150 and ARSEF 324., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 British Mycological Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Several vaccines have been produced in 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic to control the infection outbreak. This study demonstrated the success of vaccination in controlling COVID-19 cases and deaths in a small city (41 424 people) with a low population density in Brazil. This study was based on a 1-year dataset since the application of the first dose in January 2021. The results show a reduction in positive cases and deaths as the vaccination coverage increased in the city, mainly after 15 000 inhabitants were vaccinated (35.21% of the population) in July 2021. At the time, 49.06% of administered vaccines were ChAdOx1-S recombinant, 39.80% inactivated SARS-CoV-2 virus (CZ02 strain), 9.70% Tozinameran, and 1.44% Ad26.COV2-S recombinant. From August 2021, a marked reduction in daily positive cases and deaths was observed, and incidence (≤2.49 per 1000 inhabitants) and mortality (≤0.02 per 1000 inhabitants) rates remained stabilized until January 2022, when a new outbreak occurred upon the emergence of the Omicron variant. However, the mortality rate (0.07 per 1000 inhabitants) remained low regardless of the Omicron high incidence rate (68.41 per 1000 inhabitants). These data demonstrate the COVID-19 vaccination effectiveness with a threshold of 35.21% of the population vaccinated in this city model., (© 2023 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

This study aimed to analyze the reproductive and physiological changes in ewes subjected to heat stress during pregnancy at UTFPR-Brazil. Twenty-four pregnant crossbred ewes were kept in a silvopastoral system (SP) or an open pasture system (OP) throughout the final trimester of pregnancy. Both systems were stressful, but the SP system had lower air temperature than the OP system (26.0 ± 0.38 and 26.9 ± 0.41 °C, respectively; p = 0.0288). Moreover, the radiant thermal load of the two groups presented a difference of 34 Wm -2 ( p = 0.0288), and the grass temperature was also lower in the SP system compared to that in the OP system (23.4 ± 0.37 and 25.6 ± 0.44 °C, respectively; p = 0.0043). The respiratory and heart rates of animals from the OP group were higher than those from the SP group ( p < 0.001), but no difference was observed in the mobilization of white blood cells ( p = 0.4777), and the neutrophil count was only affected by time ( p < 0.0001). As regards placental biometry, placentas in twin pregnancies had a greater membrane area ( p = 0.0223), but no differences between the systems were observed in placental weight ( p = 0.1522) and the number of cotyledons ( p = 0.5457). We concluded that the type of rearing system used affects the thermal comfort of pregnant ewes, and that an SP system can offer more amenable microclimatic conditions, which result in greater comfort for the ewes.

Due to climate change, heat stress is a growing problem for the dairy industry. Based on this, annual economic losses in the dairy sector are verified mainly on a large scale. Despite several publications on thermal stress in lactating dairy cows in confinement systems, there need to be published reviews addressing this issue systematically. Our objective was to scientometrically analyze the effects of heat stress in dairy cows managed in a confinement system. Based on PRISMA guidelines, research articles were identified, screened, and summarized based on inclusion criteria for heat stress in a confinement system. Data was obtained from the Web of Science. A total of 604 scientific articles published between 2000 and April 2022 were considered. Data was then analyzed using Microsoft Excel and CiteSpace. The results pointed to a significant increase in studies on heat stress in lactating cows housed in confinement systems. The main research areas were Agriculture, Dairy Animal Science and Veterinary Sciences. The USA showed the highest concentration of studies (31.12%), followed by China (14.90%). Emerging themes included heat stress and behavior. The most influential journals were the Journal of Dairy Science and the Journal of Animal Science. The top authors were L. H. Baumgard and R. J. Collier. The leading institutions were the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, followed by the State University System of Florida and the University of Florida. The study maps the significant research domains on heat stress of lactating cows in confinement systems, discusses implications and explanations and highlights emerging trends.

This study was conducted to describe the building layout and dimensions, characterize the bedding material, and observe the management practices in 42 compost-bedded pack (CBP) barns in Kentucky (USA). The average herd size found in the study was 90 cows and the breeds consisted of Jersey (6.8%), Holstein (72.7%), and mixed (20.5%). The average CBP barn dimensions were 49.1 m (length) by 21.9 m (width). Many of these barns had feed alleys and driveways; overshot ridges with frequent orientation from NE to SW; and green sawdust, kiln-dried sawdust, or a mixture of both as the most common bedding materials. The bed-turning process was performed mechanically at depths of less than 0.25 m, and the loading of fresh material was performed every one to five weeks, varying by season, weather conditions, barn size, and cow density. The average bedding moisture content was found to be 59.0% (wet bulb-w.b.) and ranged from 36.2 to 71.8%. Coliforms were not present in barns that had a higher compost temperature, and the E. coli , Bacillus , and Streptococcus counts were higher in the barns that had a lower moisture content. In conclusion, it was observed that heterogeneous management was used among the barns and that the producers were satisfied with the compost barn system.

The thermal, chemical, and physical properties of compost bedding materials play an important role in every phase of compost production. Based on this, we aimed to assess the thermal, chemical and physical properties of bedding materials for compost-bedded pack (CBP) barns. The database for this study was registered from 42 CBP barns, distributed throughout the state of Kentucky (USA). The thermal conductivity showed a linear relationship with moisture content and bulk density, while thermal resistivity decreased with increasing particle size. The bedding moisture average was 46.8% (±11.5). The average finer index (p < 0.05) was the highest weight percentage (30.1%) in the samples studied. Water-holding capacity (WHC) increased with increasingly fine particle size. The higher bulk density value was 3.6 times that of the lowest bulk density value. The chemical characterization of the bedding material provided the following results: 42.7% (±3.8%) C, 1.6% (±0.4%) N, and 28.2 (±8.0) C:N ratio. However, thermal properties are strongly dependent on particle size. Producers can use the bedding material as fertilizer in their crops, due to the chemical characteristics of the materials. Beds with good physical and chemical properties improve their moisture content.

The research article was carried out with the objective of studying the genetic variation on the resilience of buffaloes to negative energy balance-NEB (measured by changes in body weight in early lactation)-as well as investigating genomic regions of interest for this trait. A model of reaction norms was used, considering milk production as the trait to be analyzed and solutions of the contemporary groups to weight changes as environmental gradient. In this methodology, the genetic value of the slope represents the measure of resilience of the animals. After the estimation step, a genome-wide association analysis was performed for the slope of the reaction norms model, to obtain a list of windows and associated genes. The heritability estimates for milk production over the resilience gradient ranged from 0.13 to 0.28, with lower values in the intermediate environmental groups. Regarding the productive resilience of dairy buffalo cows to NEB, the genomic windows with the highest contribution to the genetic variance were detected on chromosomes BBU 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 12, 19, and 21. A functional analysis of the genes described in the selected windows indicated association with metabolic routes related to growth and immunity of the animals, with an emphasis on the STAT6 gene. The results presented indicate that there is for this trait genetic variation to be used as selection criteria, in addition to genomic regions that can increase the precision of the selection., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Institute of Plant Genetics Polish Academy of Sciences.)

A distributed parameter model and two lumped parameter models were used in order to find the rate-limiting step in the adsorption process of a herbicide (Diuron) by Moringa oleifera husks, a possible low-cost adsorbent. For that, four kinetics assays, differentiated by the initial Diuron concentration, were performed. Langmuir isotherm well represented the equilibrium data and through this evaluation, Moringa husks proved to be a potential adsorbent for Diuron removal from water. The internal mass transfer resistance, analysed as a distributed parameter model, was found to better represent the experimental data. This fact enabled the simulation of the process according to the variation of time and space, which contributed to the better understanding of the adsorption process.

For many centuries human populations have been suffering and trying to fight with disease-bearing mosquitoes. Emerging and reemerging diseases such as Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya affect billions of people around the world and recently has been appealing to control with chemical pesticides. Malathion (MT) is one of the main pesticides used against mosquitoes, the vectors of these diseases. This study aimed to assess cytotoxicity and mutagenicity of the malathion for the bioindicator Allium cepa L. using a multivariate and integrative approach. Moreover, an appendix table was compiled with all available literature of insecticides assessed by the Allium cepa system to support our discussion. Exposures during 48h to 0.5 mg mL-1 and 1.0 mg mL-1 MT were compared to the negative control (distilled water) and positive control (MMS solution at 10 mg L-1). The presence of chromosomal aberrations, micronuclei frequency, and mitotic index abnormalities was evaluated. Anaphase bridges were the alterations with higher incidence and presented a significantly elevated rate in the concentration of 0.5 mg mL-1, including when compared to the positive control. The integrative discriminant analysis summarizes that MT in assessed concentrations presented effects like the positive control, corroborating its potential of toxicity to DNA. Therefore, it is concluded that MT in its pure composition and in realistic concentrations used, has genotoxic potential in the biological assessment of A. cepa cells. The multivariate integrative analysis was fundamental to show a whole response of all data, providing a global view of the effect of MT on DNA.

The spatial variability and behavioural aspects of compost-bedded pack barns remain unknown in subtropical regions. In this study, we investigated whether spatial variability occurs in the thermal environment of a compost barn and how the behaviour of dairy cows with different numbers of lactations differs in this system. The spatial sampling design comprised a grid of 108 locations inside the facility. At each location, we measured air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and bed temperature at 9:00, 12:00, and 15:00. We performed 24-h behavioural observations. Regarding spatial variability, the north face showed high air temperature values, and the distribution of relative humidity varied from the north to the south face. Kriging maps revealed a high bedding temperature trend, indicating heterogeneous ventilation management. Primiparous cows visited the water trough during the hottest hours of the day, whereas multiparous cows displayed a higher probability of walking during these periods. In conclusion, we observed a heterogeneous management of ventilation through the spatial distribution of the thermal environment inside the compost-bedded pack barn, with multiparous cows exhibiting dominance over primiparous cows seeking environmental resources.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological response to heat stress and ingestive behavior of Jersey cows in silvopasture and conventional pasture grazing systems. The experiment was carried out during the warm season, spanning spring, summer, and fall seasons in the Brazilian subtropical climate zone. Twelve lactating Jersey cows were observed in rotational grazing on Cynodon nlemfuensis Vanderyst and Panicum maximum Jacq. Treatments were composed of different grazing systems (silvopasture and conventional pasture). The silvopasture grazing system had eucalyptus trees (Eucalyptus grandis Hill ex Maiden) with an average height of ≈ 10 m and row spacing of 20 m. In the conventional pasture grazing system, there were no rows of eucalyptus and no other type of tree or structure to provide shade to the animals. During the summer and fall periods of evaluation, the silvopasture animals presented a lower respiratory rate, whereas during the spring and fall evaluation periods, these animals presented a lower rectal temperature. Cattle in the silvopasture showed longer grazing times at night (+21.65 min) and overall (+36.00 min) and remained lying down (ruminating and resting) for longer (+ 73.07 min) than conventional pasture grazing system animals. In addition, the animals in the silvopasture had a lower water intake (3.12 L/100 kg BW). The silvopasture grazing system improved the welfare of the grazing Jersey cows, as evidenced by the improvement in physiological response to heat stress, increased grazing time and decreased standing time (resting + ruminanting) when compared to cows in the conventional pasture grazing system.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the population structure of Brazilian buffaloes using of pedigree information. The pedigree used in the analyses included records of 16,915 animals. The population parameters were obtained through the ENDOG software. The estimates of mean of inbreeding (F) and average relatedness (AR) coefficients were 3.22% and 5.99%, respectively. The average generation interval was 6.39 years. The effective number of founders and ancestors was 28 and 22, respectively. In this study, we concluded that the selection of individuals with lower AR is necessary to avoid an increase in matings between inbreeding individuals in this population, in order to obtain greater genetic gain by selection.

Anthropogenic activities promote changes in community structure and decrease the species abundance of amphibians. The aim of this study was to assess potential alterations in the antioxidant system and cholinesterase activity, histopathological and oxidative damage in Lithobates catesbeianus tadpoles exposed to water from the Cascavel River, in Southern Brazil. Water samples (140 L each) were collected from the headwater, urban and rural areas of the river. Tadpoles were acclimated for seven days. After acclimatization tadpoles were reared in water from the river, except for the control aquarium. After seven days, a portion of the liver was removed and prepared for cholinesterase (ChE), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and lipid peroxidation (LPO) analysis; another part of the tissue was prepared for histological examination. An elevation of CAT activity was observed for water from both urban and rural environments. A decrease in LPO reaction was detected, mainly among the tadpoles exposed to water from the rural area. These alternations can cause delay the metamorphosis and lead to metabolic dysfunction, interfering in survival capacity and diminishing, not only individual fitness, but that of the whole population.

Techniques for counting ovariole number in virgin and mated Apis mellifera L. queens have been described in previous studies. Having a systematic and fast way to collect this measurement can help accelerate bee breeding programs, because selection decisions can be taken faster. The aim of this work was to develop an efficient histological method to preserve ovaries that allows assessing the number of ovarioles in newly emerged virgin queens, and also in mated queens, in a shorter time than the methods already published. The proposed method resulted in images suitable for ovariole counting in both newly emerged and mated queens, and the total histological process took less than 10 h. This method provides the optimization of the histological procedure for research breeding programs that use ovariole number as selection criteria for improving reproduction and production traits., (© The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America.)

Biomass attachment and growth are important factors for the startup and stability of fixed-film biological reactors being proposed to recycle wastewater for potable water use in manned space activity. Eight different biofilm support media commonly used in wastewater treatment plants, aquaculture, and aquariums were compared for their relative ability to support attachment and growth of nitrifiers, denitrifiers, and anaerobic ammonia oxidizing (anammox) bacteria biomass. Accumulated total biomass was determined by comparing dry weight of each media before and after culturing of biomass. Fluorescence In-Situ Hybridization (FISH) analysis was used to quantify the proportion and relative activity of each organism group on each media. Measurements of dry biomass normalized to several media properties showed polyether polyurethane foam to have the highest extent of specific biomass attachment and colonization. Six of the eight media were able to sustain a population of anammox bacteria that was more abundant than the other cohorts., (Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Modern agriculture, practiced after the "green revolution" worldwide, aims to maximize production in order to provide food for the growing world population. Thus, farmers are required to modernize their practices through the mechanization of land use and, above all, the use of chemical pesticides to control agricultural pests. However, in addition to combating the target pest, chemical pesticides indirectly affect a wide range of species, including humans, leading to health damage. Among the main problems caused by the use of pesticides is the genotoxicity caused by chronic exposure. The present study aims to verify the occurrence of genetic damage in farmers who are occupationally exposed to agrochemicals compared to people of other professions that do not use toxic substances (control group). The research was conducted with 36 male participants (18 farmers and 18 control group, ages 24 ⁻ 71 for the farmer group and 22 ⁻ 61 for the control group). The comet assay and micronucleus test results revealed a higher rate of genetic damage in the group of farmers than in the control group. A questionnaire answered by the farmers showed that the Personal Protect Equipment (PPE) is used incorrectly or not used. In summary, our results indicate that farmers are exposed to occupational hazards. To mitigate this risk, we conducted awareness campaigns to notify the farmers of the risks and highlight the importance of using PPE correctly. Intensive efforts and training are thus required to build an awareness of safety practices and change the attitudes of farm workers in the hope of preventing harmful environmental and anthropogenic effects., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

The common bean is characterized by high sensitivity to drought and low productivity. Breeding for drought resistance in this species involves genes of different genetic groups. In this work, we used a SEA 5 x AND 277 cross to map quantitative trait loci associated with drought tolerance in order to assess the factors that determine the magnitude of drought response in common beans. A total of 438 polymorphic markers were used to genotype the F8 mapping population. Phenotyping was done in two greenhouses, one used to simulate drought and the other to simulate irrigated conditions. Fourteen traits associated with drought tolerance were measured to identify the quantitative trait loci (QTLs). The map was constructed with 331 markers that covered all 11 chromosomes and had a total length of 1515 cM. Twenty-two QTLs were discovered for chlorophyll, leaf and stem fresh biomass, leaf biomass dry weight, leaf temperature, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per plant, seed weight, days to flowering, dry pod weight and total yield under well-watered and drought (stress) conditions. All the QTLs detected under drought conditions showed positive effects of the SEA 5 allele. This study provides a better understanding of the genetic inheritance of drought tolerance in common bean.

Sugary kefir beverage is produce by fermenting raw sugar solution with kefir grains, the latter consisting of polysaccharide and microorganisms. This beverage, with great consumption in countries such as USA, Japan, France, and Brazil, represents a promising market to functional cultured drinks. This paper reviews the microbial diversity and interaction, kinetics, safety, and bioactivities of sugary kefir fermentation. The literature reviewed here demonstrates that sugary kefir possesses a similar microbial association relative to traditional milk kefir fermentation, especially among lactic acid bacteria and yeast species, such as Lactobacillus, Leuconostoc, Kluyveromyces, Pichia, and Saccharomyces. However, a selective pressure at species level is generally observed, as, for example, the stimulation of Saccharomyces species metabolism, leading to a high content of alcohol in the final product. This also seems to stimulate the growth of acetic acid bacteria that benefit of increased ethanol production to acetic acid metabolism. Existing reports have suggested important bioactivities associated with sugary kefir beverage consumption, such as antimicrobial, antiedematogenic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, cicatrizing, and healing activities. Other alternative non-dairy substrates, such as fruits, vegetables, and molasses, have also been tested for adaptation of kefir grains and production of functional beverages with distinct sensory characteristics. This diversification is of crucial importance for the production of new probiotic products to provide people with special needs (lactose intolerance) and vegan consumers., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The functional response (i.e. the relationship between consumers' intake rate and resource density) is central in plant-herbivore interactions. Its shape and the biological processes leading to it have significant implications for both foraging theory and ecology of grazing systems. A type IV functional response (i.e. dome-shaped relationship) of short-term intake rate of dry matter (intake while grazing) has rarely been reported for large herbivores and the conditions that can lead to it are poorly understood. We report a type IV functional response observed in heifers grazing monocultures of Cynodon sp. and Avena strigosa. The mechanisms and consequences of this type of functional response for grazed system dynamics are discussed. Intake rate was higher at intermediate than at short or tall sward heights in both grass species. The type IV functional response resulted from changes in bite mass instead of a longer time needed to encounter and process bites. Thus, the decrease of intake rate of dry matter in tall swards is not explained by a shift from process 3 (potential bites are concentrated and apparent) to process 2 (potential bites are apparent but dispersed, Spalinger & Hobbs 1992). Bite mass was smaller in tall than in intermediate swards due to a reduction of bite volume possibly caused by the greater proportion of stem and sheath acting as a physical barrier to bite formation. It is generally accepted that potential bites are abundant and apparent in most grassland and meadow systems, as they were in the present experiments. Therefore, a type IV response of intake rate not directly related to digestive constraints may determine the dynamics of intake and defoliation under a much larger set of conditions than previously thought. These results have implications for foraging theory and stability of grazing systems. For example, if animals prefer patches of intermediate stature that yield the highest intake rate, grazing should lead to the widely observed bimodal distribution of plant mass per unit area, even when tall patches are not of significantly lower digestive quality than the pasture average., (© 2017 The Authors. Journal of Animal Ecology © 2017 British Ecological Society.)

The common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is the world's most important legume for human consumption. Anthracnose (ANT; Colletotrichum lindemuthianum) and angular leaf spot (ALS; Pseudocercospora griseola) are complex diseases that cause major yield losses in common bean. Depending on the cultivar and environmental conditions, anthracnose and angular leaf spot infections can reduce crop yield drastically. This study aimed to estimate linkage disequilibrium levels and identify quantitative resistance loci (QRL) controlling resistance to both ANT and ALS diseases of 180 accessions of common bean using genome-wide association analysis. A randomized complete block design with four replicates was performed for the ANT and ALS experiments, with four plants per genotype in each replicate. Association mapping analyses were performed for ANT and ALS using a mixed linear model approach implemented in TASSEL. A total of 17 and 11 significant statistically associations involving SSRs were detected for ANT and ALS resistance loci, respectively. Using SNPs, 21 and 17 significant statistically associations were obtained for ANT and angular ALS, respectively, providing more associations with this marker. The SSR-IAC167 and PvM95 markers, both located on chromosome Pv03, and the SNP scaffold00021&#95;89379, were associated with both diseases. The other markers were distributed across the entire common bean genome, with chromosomes Pv03 and Pv08 showing the greatest number of loci associated with ANT resistance. The chromosome Pv04 was the most saturated one, with six markers associated with ALS resistance. The telomeric region of this chromosome showed four markers located between approximately 2.5 Mb and 4.4 Mb. Our results demonstrate the great potential of genome-wide association studies to identify QRLs related to ANT and ALS in common bean. The results indicate a quantitative and complex inheritance pattern for both diseases in common bean. Our findings will contribute to more effective screening of elite germplasm to find resistance alleles for marker-assisted selection in breeding programs.

Coenzyme Q (Q) is an isoprenylated benzoquinone electron carrier required for electronic transport in the mitochondrial respiratory chain, shuttling electrons from complexes I and II to complex III. Q synthesis requires proteins termed Coq (Coq1-Coq11). Coq7p is part of the multimeric complex involved in Q synthesis catalyzing the hydroxylation of demethoxy-Q6 (DMQ6), the last monooxygenase step in Q synthesis with a catalytic center containing a carboxylate-bridged di-iron at the active site of the enzyme. Here we indicate a group of Coq7p residues that modulate protein activity: D53, R57, V111 and S114. R57, V111 and S114 are very conserved residues; V111 and S114 are present in separated communities of amino acid correlation analysis. The coq7 double mutant V111G/S114A and S114E show respiratory deficiency at non permissive temperature, DMQ6 accumulation and lower content of Q6. Therefore we conclude that phosphomimetic S114E inhibit Coq7p activity, and propose that S114 phosphorylation is required to move a non-structured loop of 25 amino acids between helix 2 and 3, and that affects the di-iron coordination in Coq7p catalytic center., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. and Société Française de Biochimie et Biologie Moléculaire (SFBBM). All rights reserved.)

Estimation of the energy capacity of a microbial cell mass on the basis of its lipid content and elemental composition can be used for the comparative evaluation of different microbial sources of biodiesel. Lipomyces starkeyi cell mass concentration reached 94.6 g/L with 37.4% of lipids in a fed-batch process using xylose and urea as substrates. The fatty acid composition of the yeast oil was quite similar to that of palm oil. L. starkeyi converted more than 80% of the energy contained in xylose into cell mass energy yield. The approach used in this study makes it possible to determine the energy of a cell mass by its elemental composition. A heat of combustion (Q c) of 25.7 (kJ/g) was obtained for the cell mass after 142 h of fed-batch cultivation, which represents approximately 56% of the energy content of diesel oil (45.4 kJ/g). The Q c of the triacylglycerols produced was 48.9 (kJ/g), indicating the potential of this oleaginous yeast for biodiesel production. Our work developed here provides a simple and efficient tool for characterization of this cell mass to further our understanding of its use as a feedstock for bioenergy production.

The lesser mealworm beetle, Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), is an important insect pest. The insect acts as a disease vector and reservoir, negatively affecting the health of birds and humans, and harming poultry husbandry. Controlling the lesser mealworm is generally based on using synthetic chemical insecticides, which are sometimes ineffective, and is limited due to market concerns regarding the toxicity of chemical residues in food products. In this context, the present study aimed to evaluate the potential for the combination of physical and chemical methods to control A. diaperinus. Bioassays were conducted using poultry bedding and known populations of beetle adults and larvae. The treatments consisted of the isolated application of 400 g/m2 hydrated lime; 20% added moisture (distilled water); temperature increase to 45°C; an insecticide composed of cypermethrin, chlorpyrifos, and citronellal; and a combination of these factors. Beetle mortality was measured at 7 and 10 d of treatment. The hydrated lime and moisture treatments alone did not control A. diaperinus. Raising the temperature of the poultry bedding to 45°C effectively controlled both larvae (90±6%) and adults (90±4%). The use of insecticide provided adequate control of A. diaperinus in the conditions of the bioassay (93±2% and 68±5% for adults and larvae, respectively). The combination of the studied factors led to the total control of larvae and adults after 7 d of treatment., (© 2015 Poultry Science Association Inc.)