Garcinia macrophylla: a Promising Underutilized Source of Bioactive Compounds in the Amazonia - A Review.

Native species from the Amazonia are still unknown or underutilized and few information about their chemical and biological properties are available in the literature. Among the underutilized plant species in the Amazonia, Garcinia macrophylla can be seen as a promising source of bioactive compounds with relevant biological properties. The stem bark and leaves were the main investigated plant parts, mainly concerning the antioxidant, antibacterial, cytotoxicity and antidiabetic properties. However, the bioactive compounds and biological properties of the edible fruits were not yet reported. Systematic investigations covering the Amazonia biome, concerning plants and vegetables as strategic resources are of paramount importance for the sustainable development of the forest. Therefore, this review gathered the available information in the literature concerning general aspects, chemical profile and biological properties of G. macrophylla, for the first time, which highlighted that systematic and robust in vitro and in vivo research, are still needed to elucidate the phytochemical profiles and associated relevant biological properties.

Urban Advanced Mobility Dependability: A Model-Based Quantification on Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks with Virtual Machine Migration.

In the rapidly evolving urban advanced mobility (UAM) sphere, Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks (VANETs) are crucial for robust communication and operational efficiency in future urban environments. This paper quantifies VANETs to improve their reliability and availability, essential for integrating UAM into urban infrastructures. It proposes a novel Stochastic Petri Nets (SPN) method for evaluating VANET-based Vehicle Communication and Control (VCC) architectures, crucial given the dynamic demands of UAM. The SPN model, incorporating virtual machine (VM) migration and Edge Computing, addresses VANET integration challenges with Edge Computing. It uses stochastic elements to mirror VANET scenarios, enhancing network robustness and dependability, vital for the operational integrity of UAM. Case studies using this model offer insights into system availability and reliability, guiding VANET optimizations for UAM. The paper also applies a Design of Experiments (DoE) approach for a sensitivity analysis of SPN components, identifying key parameters affecting system availability. This is critical for refining the model for UAM efficiency. This research is significant for monitoring UAM systems in future cities, presenting a cost-effective framework over traditional methods and advancing VANET reliability and availability in urban mobility contexts.

Improvement of enzymatic saccharification by simultaneous pulping of sugarcane bagasse and washing of its cellulose fibers in a batch reactor.

A modification of the conventional batch organosolv process is proposed in a way where the solid biomass remains inside a basket, physically separated from the liquid phase, with the vapor promoting the fractionation of the biomass and the extracted compounds and fragments being washed down to the liquid phase. The modified organosolv process applied to sugarcane bagasse (SB-M) delivers a rich cellulosic solid phase that after enzymatic hydrolysis leads to a hydrolyzed with approximately 100 g L-1 of glucose. At the same enzymatic hydrolysis conditions, the conventional organosolv process (SB-C) delivers a hydrolyzed with 80 g L-1 of glucose, while the autohydrolysis process (SB-A) leads to 55 g L-1 of glucose. These different results are related to the cellulose content: SB-M (70%), SB-C (57%), e SB-A (44%), as well the reduced lignin content in the SB-M. The novelty of this study is the confirmation that it is possible to degrade lignin from sugarcane bagasse and simultaneously remove its fragments from the cellulose fibers in a batch reactor containing an internal basket. This study describes a simple and rapid protocol for the isolation of the main components of lignocellulosic biomass (cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin), which may lead to the study of new catalysts for the chemical transformation of these components separately or simultaneously to the step of pretreatment.

Plant Functional Dispersion, Vulnerability and Originality Increase Arthropod Functions from a Protected Mountain Mediterranean Area in Spring.

Plant diversity often contributes to the shape of arthropod communities, which in turn supply important ecosystem services. However, the current biodiversity loss scenario, particularly worrying for arthropods, constitutes a threat for sustainability. From a trait-based ecology approach, our goal was to evaluate the bottom-up relationships to obtain a better understanding of the conservation of the arthropod function within the ecosystem. Specifically, we aim: (i) to describe the plant taxonomic and functional diversity in spring within relevant habitats of a natural protected area from the Mediterranean basin; and (ii) to evaluate the response of the arthropod functional community to plants. Plants and arthropods were sampled and identified, taxonomic and functional indices calculated, and the plant-arthropod relationships analyzed. Generally, oak forests and scrublands showed a higher plant functional diversity while the plant taxonomic richness was higher in grasslands and chestnut orchards. The abundance of arthropod functional groups increased with the plant taxonomic diversity, functional dispersion, vulnerability and originality, suggesting that single traits (e.g., flower shape or color) may be more relevant for the arthropod function. Results indicate the functional vulnerability of seminatural habitats, the relevance of grasslands and chestnut orchards for arthropod functions and pave the way for further studies about plant-arthropod interactions from a trait-based ecology approach.

Coenzyme Q10 and melatonin protect cryopreserved equine sperm against lipoperoxidation.

The objective of the experiment was to evaluate the effect of the addition of different concentrations of the antioxidants Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and melatonin to equine semen freezing diluent, alone or in combination, during the cryopreservation process. Twenty ejaculates (n = 5 stallions) were divided in groups: Control (C, without the addition of antioxidants), melatonin 0.75 mM (MEL1), melatonin 1.5 mM (MEL2), CoQ10 40 µg/mL (Q1), CoQ10 200 µg/mL (Q2), and CoQ10 40 µg/mL+ 0.75 mM melatonin (Q1 +MEL1). Q1 and Q2 groups demonstrated intact plasma membrane and high mitochondrial membrane potential after 30 (M-30) and 60 (M-60) min of incubation compared with the control group (Q1: 64.8 % ± 9.9 %, Q2: 65.2 % ± 10.5 %, C: 55.1 % ± 10.0 %; M-30 and Q1: 63.3 % ± 10.4 %, Q2: 64.6 % ± 10.8 %, C: 53.1 ± 10.6 %; M-60; P < 0.05). Melatonin conferred greater membrane stability at all evaluated times compared with the control group (MEL1: 42.1 % ± 6.0 %; MEL2: 44.0 % ± 6.7 %, C: 35.9 % ± 5.9 %; M-0; MEL1: 40.8 % ± 5.6 %; MEL2: 42.6 % ± 7.2 %, C: 33.1 % ± 6.6 %; M-30 and MEL1: 37.5 % ± 7.4 %; MEL2: 39.1 % ± 7.2 %; C: 31.3 % ± 6.5 %; M-60; P < 0.05). The use of antioxidants alone or in combination resulted in lower levels of lipoperoxidation at all times evaluated compared with in the control group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, CoQ10 and melatonin were effective in the cryopreservation of equine semen by decreasing lipoperoxidation and promoting a higher percentage of spermatozoa with a high mitochondrial potential, total and progressive motility, and prevention of membrane lipid disorder.

Use Low Ozone Dosages has Positive Effects on the Cooling and Cryopreservation of Equine Semen.

The aim of this study was to determine an ozone dosage capable of inducing pro-oxidation, and to verify its action on sperm cells during the process of cooling and cryopreservation of equine semen. In this study, we evaluated the ozone concentrations of 2µg/mL,15µg/mL, 30µg/mL e 60 µg/mL added in equine semen cooling and freezing extenders. Samples were evaluated for sperm kinetics patterns, function of sperm structures and lipid peroxidation. In the experiment, the concentration of 15 µg/mL showed higher total and progressive motility when comparing to control (60.3±3 and 40.7±3.4 vs. 54.9±4 e 35.0±4.4, respectively, P < .05) at M24 of cooling; The concentration of 2 µg/mL showed higher percentage of intact plasma and acrosomal membrane when comparing to control at M24 (51.1±3.6 vs. 46.1±3.9, P < .05), M24 after 30 minutes of incubation (43.4±3.1 versus 32.4±2.6, P <.05). The concentration of 2 µg/mL showed higher percentage of intact plasma and acrosomal membrane (P <.05) comparing to control at moments M0 (43.5±5.0 vs. 36.3±3.5), M30 (41.0±3,7 vs. 35.3±2,9) e M60 (39.0±7.0 vs. 31.4±5.4). Thus, it can be concluded that low doses of ozone can lead to a positive response in the sperm kinetics patterns and sperm structures after sperm storage at low temperatures. Higher concentrations (30 and 60 µg/mL) were harmful in the cooling and cryopreservation of equine semen.

A network-based positive and unlabeled learning approach for fake news detection.

Fake news can rapidly spread through internet users and can deceive a large audience. Due to those characteristics, they can have a direct impact on political and economic events. Machine Learning approaches have been used to assist fake news identification. However, since the spectrum of real news is broad, hard to characterize, and expensive to label data due to the high update frequency, One-Class Learning (OCL) and Positive and Unlabeled Learning (PUL) emerge as an interesting approach for content-based fake news detection using a smaller set of labeled data than traditional machine learning techniques. In particular, network-based approaches are adequate for fake news detection since they allow incorporating information from different aspects of a publication to the problem modeling. In this paper, we propose a network-based approach based on Positive and Unlabeled Learning by Label Propagation (PU-LP), a one-class and transductive semi-supervised learning algorithm that performs classification by first identifying potential interest and non-interest documents into unlabeled data and then propagating labels to classify the remaining unlabeled documents. A label propagation approach is then employed to classify the remaining unlabeled documents. We assessed the performance of our proposal considering homogeneous (only documents) and heterogeneous (documents and terms) networks. Our comparative analysis considered four OCL algorithms extensively employed in One-Class text classification (k-Means, k-Nearest Neighbors Density-based, One-Class Support Vector Machine, and Dense Autoencoder), and another traditional PUL algorithm (Rocchio Support Vector Machine). The algorithms were evaluated in three news collections, considering balanced and extremely unbalanced scenarios. We used Bag-of-Words and Doc2Vec models to transform news into structured data. Results indicated that PU-LP approaches are more stable and achieve better results than other PUL and OCL approaches in most scenarios, performing similarly to semi-supervised binary algorithms. Also, the inclusion of terms in the news network activate better results, especially when news are distributed in the feature space considering veracity and subject. News representation using the Doc2Vec achieved better results than the Bag-of-Words model for both algorithms based on vector-space model and document similarity network.

Exome-Wide Search for Genes Associated With Central Nervous System Inflammatory Demyelinating Diseases Following CHIKV Infection: The Tip of the Iceberg.

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a re-emergent arbovirus that causes a disease characterized primarily by fever, rash and severe persistent polyarthralgia, although <1% of cases develop severe neurological manifestations such as inflammatory demyelinating diseases (IDD) of the central nervous system (CNS) like acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) and extensive transverse myelitis. Genetic factors associated with host response and disease severity are still poorly understood. In this study, we performed whole-exome sequencing (WES) to identify HLA alleles, genes and cellular pathways associated with CNS IDD clinical phenotype outcomes following CHIKV infection. The cohort includes 345 patients of which 160 were confirmed for CHIKV. Six cases presented neurological manifestation mimetizing CNS IDD. WES data analysis was performed for 12 patients, including the CNS IDD cases and 6 CHIKV patients without any neurological manifestation. We identified 29 candidate genes harboring rare, pathogenic, or probably pathogenic variants in all exomes analyzed. HLA alleles were also determined and patients who developed CNS IDD shared a common signature with diseases such as Multiple sclerosis (MS) and Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders (NMOSD). When these genes were included in Gene Ontology analyses, pathways associated with CNS IDD syndromes were retrieved, suggesting that CHIKV-induced CNS outcomesmay share a genetic background with other neurological disorders. To our knowledge, this study was the first genome-wide investigation of genetic risk factors for CNS phenotypes in CHIKV infection. Our data suggest that HLA-DRB1 alleles associated with demyelinating diseases may also confer risk of CNS IDD outcomes in patients with CHIKV infection.

Effects of ascorbic acid 2-glucoside and alpha-tocopherol on the characteristics of equine spermatozoa stored at 5°C.

The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of adding ascorbic acid 2-glucoside (AA2G), a water-soluble antioxidant and stable derivative of ascorbate, to the semen extender and compare it to the addition of vitamin C (Vit. C) and the fat-soluble antioxidant α-tocopherol (α-Toh), both individually and in combination, on the seminal variables of equine sperm submitted to cooling for 72 h. We used two ejaculates from 10 stallions and evaluated them for motility, membrane integrity, chromatin fragmentation, mitochondrial activity and lipid peroxidation. In the analysis of lipid peroxidation, the control group showed 2506.2 ± 796.4 ng malondialdehyde/108 sperm, which was higher (P < 0.05) than the groups treated with antioxidants. The average value of motility in the AA2G group was 68.4 ± 18.1%, which was higher (P < 0.05) than that observed in the control group (62.1 ± 16.2%). The variables membrane integrity, chromatin fragmentation and mitochondrial activity did not show significant difference (P > 0.05) between treatments. It was concluded that the antioxidants protected sperm cells from lipid peroxidation and that AA2G was effective during the cooling process of equine semen at 5°C for72 h, providing increased levels of total motility.

Insidious perforation of the rectum by a fallopian tube: the need to keep 'an open mind' when dealing with deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE).

Endometriosis is a benign chronic disease which can have different degrees of severity and can potentially affect any organ. Intestinal endometriosis occurs in 3%â€"37% of the cases, being more frequent in the rectosigmoid transition. Transmural involvement of intestinal endometriosis is extremely rare and is usually associated with recurrent abdominal pain. Due to the cyclical hormone influence, endometriosis implants may infiltrate the deeper layers of the intestinal wall and may lead to bowel obstruction or perforation. We present a case of transmural perforation of the rectum wall by an adjacent organ (left fallopian tube) that occurred insidiously in a patient with deep infiltrative endometriosis. A complete set of images is presented, regarding the preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative findings.

Culture-bound syndromes in Spanish speaking Latin America: the case of Nervios, Susto and Ataques de Nervios

Abstract Background Cultural issues are important for diagnostic validity between different countries; little has been addressed from Latin America and Caribbean countries (LAC). Objective To identify LAC studies on culture-bound syndromes (CBS) and extract potential empirical evidence about Susto,Nervios and Ataques de Nervios. Methods Search strategies were carried out in Medline, Embase, Lilacs, ISI and PsycINFO, covering 1992 to 2015. Inclusion criteria studies on CBS conducted on populations residing in LAC, LAC articles on diagnostic classification and culture, where LAC has been included. Exclusion criteria studies on Latin American migrants outside LAC. Content analysis used the system proposed by Guarnaccia and Rogler (1999): epidemiological, ethnographic and socio-demographic data and identification of comorbidities with other psychiatric disorders. Results Thirty one articles were selected out of 1.090. These CBS were selected out of 1aphic data and identification of comorbidities with other ps proposed by Guarnaccia diagnostic classification and cun panic disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder and presented more psychosocial vulnerability. Discussion Analysis showed that Nervios, Susto andAtaques de Nervios are important idioms of distress, associated with socio-economically vulnerable populations and comorbidities with other psychiatric conditions, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder. More studies are needed on their relation with stress and in more LAC countries.

Determination of the external mass transfer coefficient and influence of mixing intensity in moving bed biofilm reactors for wastewater treatment.

In moving bed biofilm reactors (MBBR), the removal of pollutants from wastewater is due to the substrate consumption by bacteria attached on suspended carriers. As a biofilm process, the substrates are transported from the bulk phase to the biofilm passing through a mass transfer resistance layer. This study proposes a methodology to determine the external mass transfer coefficient and identify the influence of the mixing intensity on the conversion process in-situ in MBBR systems. The method allows the determination of the external mass transfer coefficient in the reactor, which is a major advantage when compared to the previous methods that require mimicking hydrodynamics of the reactor in a flow chamber or in a separate vessel. The proposed methodology was evaluated in an aerobic lab-scale system operating with COD removal and nitrification. The impact of the mixing intensity on the conversion rates for ammonium and COD was tested individually. When comparing the effect of mixing intensity on the removal rates of COD and ammonium, a higher apparent external mass transfer resistance was found for ammonium. For the used aeration intensities, the external mass transfer coefficient for ammonium oxidation was ranging from 0.68 to 13.50 m d(-1) and for COD removal 2.9 to 22.4 m d(-1). The lower coefficient range for ammonium oxidation is likely related to the location of nitrifiers deeper in the biofilm. The measurement of external mass transfer rates in MBBR will help in better design and evaluation of MBBR system-based technologies.

Tomografia de coerência óptica: descrição da técnica e suas principais aplicações em oftalmologia / Optical coherence tomography: description of the technique and its main applications in ophthalmology

Neste trabalho faremos uma revisão bibliográfica em relação ao método de imagem OCT (Tomografia de Coerência Óptica) e as suas aplicações. Considerada uma das mais avançadas tecnologias que dispomos atualmente na oftalmologia, a OCT é uma técnica de diagnóstico, controle e seguimento, que nos permite o estudo de cortes histológicos da retina ao vivo e sem contato invasivo com o paciente.

In this article, we will review about the method of imaging OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography). Considered one of the most advanced technologies, it is a technique that allows us to study the histological retinal without invasive contact with the patient able to perform diagnosis, control and monitoring of certain eye diseases.

The contribution of Latin American and Caribbean countries on culture bound syndromes studies for the ICD-10 revision: key findings from a working in progress.

OBJECTIVE: This review aims to verify the scientific evidences for the inclusion of culture bound syndromes in the International Classification of Diseases towards its 11th edition based on studies from Latin American and Caribbean countries. METHOD: Studies were identified in Medline, LILACS and EMBASE databases for the period between 1992 and 2008, and then classified according to the type of study, to the mental disorder, country and number of publications per year. RESULTS: 163 studies were selected and classified: 33 in MedlLne, 90 in EMBASE e 40 in LILACS. The percentage of culture bound-syndrome corresponded to 9% in Medline, 12% in EMBASE e 2.5% in LILACS. Among fifteen studies on cultural bound syndromes, two were about "nervios and ataque de nervios", two about "susto", four about the relationship between religion beliefs, witchery, trance and mental disorders, one with a proposal for new diagnostic category, three about theoretic issues and three about the pathoplasty of mental disorders. CONCLUSION: The scarcity of studies on culture bound syndromes might be due to the indexation problems hindering the screening of studies; lack of interest on publishing such studies in indexed journals (publication bias) and due to difficulty to access them. There is no robust evidence identified among cross-cultural studies to recommend changes for International Classification of Diseases-11th edition.

A contribuição dos estudos transculturais dos países latino-americanos e caribenhos para a revisão da CID-10: resultados preliminares / The contribution of Latin American and Caribbean countries on culture bound syndromes studies for the ICD-10 revision: key findings from a working in progress

OBJETIVO: Esta revisão visa identificar as evidências dos estudos de países da América Latina e do Caribe para a inclusão das síndromes transculturais na versão da Classificação Internacional de Doenças para sua 11ª Edição. MÉTODO: Os estudos foram identificados nas bases do Medline, LILACS e EMBASE, no período de 1992 a 2008, e classificados segundo o tipo de estudo, tipo de transtorno, país e número de publicações por ano. RESULTADOS: Foram selecionadas e classificadas 163 publicações: 33 no Medline, 90 no EMBASE e 40 no LILACS. A percentagem das síndromes transculturais ("culture bound-syndrome") correspondeu a 9 por cento no Medline, 12 por cento no EMBASE e 2,5 por cento no LILACS. Dos 15 estudos sobre síndromes transculturais, dois eram sobre "nervios e ataque de nervios", dois sobre "susto", quatro sobre a relação entre crenças religiosas, "feitiçaria", transe e apresentação dos transtornos mentais, um sobre proposta de uma nova categoria diagnóstica, três artigos teóricos e três sobre psicopatoplastia dos transtornos mentais. CONCLUSÃO: A escassez de estudos sobre síndromes transculturais pode ter ocorrido pela dificuldade em rastrear os estudos por problema de indexação das publicações, falta de interesse em publicar tais estudos em periódicos indexados e a dificuldade de acesso às publicações. Dentre os estudos identificados, não há uma evidência clara que aponte quais modificações são necessárias nas classificações diagnósticas atuais.

OBJECTIVE: This review aims to verify the scientific evidences for the inclusion of culture bound syndromes in the International Classification of Diseases towards its 11th edition based on studies from Latin American and Caribbean countries. METHOD: Studies were identified in Medline, LILACS and EMBASE databases for the period between 1992 and 2008, and then classified according to the type of study, to the mental disorder, country and number of publications per year. RESULTS: 163 studies were selected and classified: 33 in MedlLne, 90 in EMBASE e 40 in LILACS. The percentage of culture bound-syndrome corresponded to 9 percent in Medline, 12 percent in EMBASE e 2.5 percent in LILACS. Among fifteen studies on cultural bound syndromes, two were about "nervios and ataque de nervios", two about "susto", four about the relationship between religion beliefs, witchery, trance and mental disorders, one with a proposal for new diagnostic category, three about theoretic issues and three about the pathoplasty of mental disorders. CONCLUSION: The scarcity of studies on culture bound syndromes might be due to the indexation problems hindering the screening of studies; lack of interest on publishing such studies in indexed journals (publication bias) and due to difficulty to access them. There is no robust evidence identified among cross-cultural studies to recommend changes for International Classification of Diseases-11th edition.

Papel do EEG em casos de suspeita ou diagnóstico de epilepsia / Value of EEG in suspected or diagnosis of epilepsy

O EEG tem sido usado, desde sua descoberta, como um importante método diagnóstico auxiliar, especialmente para a epilepsia. Avaliar o papel do EEG no diagnóstico de epilepsia, em uma clínica na cidade de Campina Grande (PB). Foram analisados 1015 formulários de admissão pré-exame, selecionando-se aqueles cujos motivos de solicitação referiam-se a pacientes portadores ou com suspeita de epilepsia. Foram analisados 259 laudos que se enquadravam na metodologia. Destes, 113 (43,6 por cento) foram anormais, com a ocorrência de descargas em 78 (30,1 por cento), sendo generalizadas em 30 (11,6 por cento), focais em 44 (17 por cento) e multifocais em 4 (1,5 por cento). Alentecimentos anormais ocorreram em 19 (7,3 por cento), sendo fociais em 11 (4,2 por cento) e generalizados em 8 (3,1 por cento). Assimetria dos ritmos de base ocorreu em 16 (6,2 por cento). O papel do EEG para o diagnóstico da epilepsia é importante na população estudada, sendo o seu índice de positividade semelhante a outros observados na literatura

Relação entre saturação de oxihemoglobina e gravidade da SAOS / Relation between oxyhemoglobine saturation and severity of OSAS

Uma das mais sérias complicações da SAOS é a oscilação da saturação de oxihemoglobina. O presente trabalho objetiva verificar a relação entre a gravidade da SAOS e o menor valor de saturação basal de oxihemoglobina (