Acute heart failure due to myocarditis in Takayasu's arteritis.

Takayasu's arteritis (TA) is a granulomatous vasculitis that involves the aortic artery and its branches, resulting in stenosis, occlusion, and aneurysmal dilatation. Cardiovascular involvement is one of the main complications and a major cause of mortality in these patients. Herein, we describe the case of a woman with TA who presented with severe acute heart failure secondary to myocarditis and responded well to immunosuppressive therapy.

Natural antioxidants: salinity atenuators and bio-stimulants.

Salinity limits the growth and productivity of crops, to reverse these effects, natural pigments with antioxidant bioactivity can be studied, such as turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) and paprika (Capsicum annum L.). Therefore, it aimed to evaluate turmeric and paprika as possible saline stress attenuators and biostimulants during germination and initial development of smooth lettuce seedlings. In the laboratory, the seeds were treated for 1 hour with a solution of paprika and turmeric at doses 0 (negative control), 1, 2, 3 and 4 g L-1, and placed on a substrate with saline solution of sodium chloride 4 g L-1 (-0,4 Mpa), and a positive control, composed of dry seeds arranged in a substrate moistened with distilled water. Physiological quality analysis were carried out, and for the dose that showed the best result (4 g L-1), the treated seeds were grown in a greenhouse, and received weekly applications via foliar with a 4 g L-1 solution for turmeric and paprika. After the crop cycle, morphometric analyzes were performed. The turmeric and paprika solutions were analyzed by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) to identify the presence of bioactive substances. The turmeric doses were not efficient in overcoming the effects of salinity on seeds and seedlings, which was attributed to the low solubility of turmeric in water. Paprika, although it did not provide the biostimulant effect, was efficient in attenuating the effects of excess salt, at a concentration of 4 g L-1, promoting increases in physiological quality. In HPLC, a very low signal response was noted in relation to samples composed of turmeric and paprika solutions, indicating a low percentage of soluble compounds, which compromises bioactivity, and leads to the need for further analyses using surfactants and/or other solvents with which there is greater affinity.

"The blue catheter" - case report.

The ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement procedure is common throughout the world, with a prevalence of approximately 30,000 procedures per year in the United States (5). However, the rate of complications is still important and must be remembered, with a percentage of 11 to 25% after the first year of implantation. Abdominal complications are described in 5-47% of the cases (6), and the abdominal pseudocyst is one of them. We present the case of a patient colonized by multidrug-resistant bacteria, who underwent exteriorization surgery of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Intraoperatively, a blue coloration was observed in the catheter, a phenomenon previously described in urinary infections (1)(2) but not before in pathologies of the central nervous system. Our objective is to present an atypical case of dysfunction of the ventriculoperitoneal shunt, whose diagnosis couldbe evidenced through the coloration of the catheter exteriorized in surgery.

Diabetes, hemoglobin A1c, and cognitive performance in older adults: is there any impact of frailty? Evidence from the ELSI-Brazil study

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between diabetes and cognitive performance in a nationally representative study in Brazil. We also aimed to investigate the interaction between frailty and diabetes on cognitive performance. A cross-sectional analysis of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil) baseline data that included adults aged 50 years and older was conducted. Linear regression models were used to study the association between diabetes and cognitive performance. A total of 8,149 participants were included, and a subgroup analysis was performed in 1,768 with hemoglobin A1c data. Diabetes and hemoglobin A1c levels were not associated with cognitive performance. Interaction of hemoglobin A1c levels with frailty status was found on global cognitive z-score (P-value for interaction=0.038). These results suggested an association between higher hemoglobin A1c levels and lower cognitive performance only in non-frail participants. Additionally, undiagnosed diabetes with higher hemoglobin A1c levels was associated with both poor global cognitive (β=-0.36; 95%CI: -0.62; -0.10, P=0.008) and semantic verbal fluency performance (β=-0.47; 95%CI: -0.73; -0.21, P=0.001). In conclusion, higher hemoglobin A1c levels were associated with lower cognitive performance among non-frail participants. Higher hemoglobin A1c levels without a previous diagnosis of diabetes were also related to poor cognitive performance. Future longitudinal analyses of the ELSI-Brazil study will provide further information on the role of frailty in the association of diabetes and glycemic control with cognitive decline.

Diabetes, hemoglobin A1c, and cognitive performance in older adults: is there any impact of frailty? Evidence from the ELSI-Brazil study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between diabetes and cognitive performance in a nationally representative study in Brazil. We also aimed to investigate the interaction between frailty and diabetes on cognitive performance. A cross-sectional analysis of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil) baseline data that included adults aged 50 years and older was conducted. Linear regression models were used to study the association between diabetes and cognitive performance. A total of 8,149 participants were included, and a subgroup analysis was performed in 1,768 with hemoglobin A1c data. Diabetes and hemoglobin A1c levels were not associated with cognitive performance. Interaction of hemoglobin A1c levels with frailty status was found on global cognitive z-score (P-value for interaction=0.038). These results suggested an association between higher hemoglobin A1c levels and lower cognitive performance only in non-frail participants. Additionally, undiagnosed diabetes with higher hemoglobin A1c levels was associated with both poor global cognitive (ß=-0.36; 95%CI: -0.62; -0.10, P=0.008) and semantic verbal fluency performance (ß=-0.47; 95%CI: -0.73; -0.21, P=0.001). In conclusion, higher hemoglobin A1c levels were associated with lower cognitive performance among non-frail participants. Higher hemoglobin A1c levels without a previous diagnosis of diabetes were also related to poor cognitive performance. Future longitudinal analyses of the ELSI-Brazil study will provide further information on the role of frailty in the association of diabetes and glycemic control with cognitive decline.

Is Periodontal and Peri- Implant Disease Associated with Fixed Partial Denture Use? A 25-year Prospective Case Series.

INTRODUCTION: The association of the periodontium with the fixed prosthesis is the basis of prosthetic rehabilitation. This prospective case series aimed to evaluate periodontal health through the relation between periodontal/peri-implant disease progression and the use of fixed partial dentures (FPDs). METHODS: Probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), gingival index (GI), and plaque index (PI) on either teeth or implants were evaluated at up to 25-year follow-up and compared with the baseline. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier test (p⟨0.05). RESULTS: The prospective evaluation showed that the patients maintained adequate periodontal health. Failure (severe periodontal stages) occurred in 12.5% of patients. The survival rate for 107 teeth/implants was 80.48%. The comparisons for clinical parameters revealed no statistically significant difference (p⟩ 0.05). At T1, the measurements for anterior and posterior regions, respectively, were PD =2.7mm and 3.1mm; CAL= 3.3mm and 3.6mm; GI=0.5 (both regions); and PI=0.79 and 0.62. Periodontal/peri-implant disease progression did not relate to the use of prostheses. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with more frequent follow-up appointments and lower GI and PI showed periodontal health for longer periods. Patients with different oral hygiene levels present different periodontal disease progression. Periodic hygiene control and motivation are vital factors for extensive oral rehabilitation success.

Dopamine depletion in wistar rats with epilepsy / Depleção da dopamina em ratos wistar com epilepsia

The dopamine content in cerebral structures has been related to neuronal excitability and several approaches have been used to study this phenomenon during seizure vulnerability period. In the present work, we describe the effects of dopamine depletion after the administration of 6-hidroxidopamine (6-OHDA) into the substantia nigra pars compacta of male rats submitted to the pilocarpine model of epilepsy. Susceptibility to pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus (SE), as well as spontaneous and recurrent seizures (SRSs) frequency during the chronic period of the model were determined. Since the hippocampus is one of main structures in the development of this experimental model of epilepsy, the dopamine levels in this region were also determined after drug administration. In the first experiment, 62% (15/24) of 6-OHDA pre-treated rats and 45% (11/24) of those receiving ascorbic acid as control solution progressed to motor limbic seizures evolving to SE, after the administration of pilocarpine. Severeness of seizures during the model´s the acute period, was significantly higher in epileptic experimental rats (56.52%), than in controls (4.16%). In the second experiment, the frequency of seizures in the model's chronic phase did not significantly change between groups. Our data show that dopamine may play an important role on seizure severity in the pilo's model acute period, which seems to be due to dopamine inhibitory action on motor expression of seizure.

O conteúdo de dopamina nas estruturas cerebrais tem sido relacionado à excitabilidade neuronal e várias abordagens têm sido utilizadas para estudar este fenômeno durante o período de vulnerabilidade às crises. No presente trabalho, descrevemos os efeitos da depleção de dopamina após a administração de 6-hidroxidopamina (6-OHDA) na região pars compacta da substância negra de ratos submetidos ao modelo de epilepsia com pilocarpina. A susceptibilidade ao estado de mal epiléptico induzido pela pilocarpina, bem como a frequência de crises espontâneas e recorrentes durante o período crônico do modelo foi determinada. Sendo o hipocampo uma das principais estruturas afetadas no desenvolvimento desse modelo experimental de epilepsia, os níveis de dopamina nessa região foram determinados após a administração da droga. No primeiro experimento, 62% (15/24) dos ratos pré-tratados com 6-OHDA e 45% (11/24) daqueles que receberam ácido ascórbico como solução controle evoluíram para crises límbicas motoras e para o estado de mal epiléptico, após a administração de pilocarpina. A gravidade das crises durante o período agudo do modelo foi significativamente maior nos ratos epilépticos experimentais (56,52%) do que nos ratos controle (4,16%). No segundo experimento, não houve diferença significante entre os grupos quanto à frequência de crises na fase crônica do modelo. Nossos dados mostraram que a dopamina pode desempenhar um papel importante na gravidade das crises na fase aguda da pilo, o que parece ser exercido por sua ação inibitória da dopamina sobre a expressão motora das crises.

Quercetin inhibits neutrophil extracellular traps release and their cytotoxic effects on A549 cells, as well the release and enzymatic activity of elastase and myeloperoxidase / Quercetina inibe a liberação das armadilhas extracelulares dos neutrófilos e a atividade tóxica delas sobre células A549

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) were first reported as a microbicidal strategy for activated neutrophils. Through an immunologic response against several stimuli, neutrophils release their DNA together with proteins from granules, nucleus, and cytoplasm (e.g., elastase and myeloperoxidase). To date, NETs have been implicated in tissue damage during intense inflammatory processes, mainly when their release is dependent on oxygen radical generation. Flavonoids are antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents; of these, quercetin is commonly found in our daily diet. Therefore, quercetin could exert some protective activity against tissue damage induced by NETs. In our in vitro assays, quercetin reduced NETs, myeloperoxidase (MPO), and elastase release from neutrophils stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). The activity of these enzymes also decreased in the presence of quercetin. Quercetin also reduced the cytotoxic effect of NETs on alveolar cells (A549 cell line). Further, in silico assays indicated favorable interactions between quercetin and NET proteins (MPO and elastase). Overall, our results demonstrate that quercetin decreases deleterious cellular effects of NETs by reducing their release from activated neutrophils, and diminishing the enzymatic activity of MPO and elastase, possibly through direct interaction.

As armadilhas extracelulares de neutrófilos (NETs) foram relatadas pela primeira vez como uma estratégia microbicida para neutrófilos ativados. Por meio de uma resposta imunológica contra vários estímulos, os neutrófilos liberam seu DNA ligado a proteínas de grânulos, núcleo e citoplasma (por exemplo, elastase e mieloperoxidase). Até o momento, os NETs têm sido implicadas em danos aos tecidos durante processos inflamatórios intensos, principalmente quando sua liberação depende da geração de radicais de oxigênio. Os flavonóides são agentes antioxidantes e anti-inflamatórios, e destes, a quercetina é comumente encontrada em nossa dieta diária. Portanto, a quercetina pode exercer alguma atividade protetora contra o dano tecidual induzido por NETs. Em nossos ensaios in vitro, a quercetina reduziu a liberação das NETs, mieloperoxidase (MPO) e elastase a partir de neutrófilos estimulados com forbol 12-miristato 13-acetato (PMA). A atividade dessas enzimas também foi diminuída na presença de quercetina. A quercetina também reduziu o efeito citotóxico dos NETs sobre células alveolares (linha celular A549). Além disso, os ensaios in silico indicaram interações favoráveis entre a quercetina e as proteínas da NET (MPO e elastase). No geral, nossos resultados demonstram que a quercetina diminui os efeitos deletérios das NETs, reduzindo sua liberação à partir de neutrófilos ativados e diminuindo a atividade enzimática de MPO e elastase, possivelmente por meio de interação direta.

Physiological responses of tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) fed diets supplemented with silage from fish and vegetables residues / Respostas fisiológicas de tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) alimentado com dietas suplementadas com silagem de resíduos de pescado e vegetais

The demand for products to replace high-cost raw materials, such oil and fish meal, in the manufacture of feed for use in aquaculture, while also guaranteeing the nutritional quality of the diets, is increasing. Silage produced with fish and vegetables residues is a low-cost and efficient protein source. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the physiological and biochemical responses of tambaqui fingerlings fed four different levels of silage included in commercial feed with 28% crude protein, over two periods: 45 and 90 days. Each treatment was carried out over three replications, with 10 tambaqui in each 100 L experimental tank. At the end of each established period, blood samples were collected from five animals from each repetition to determine the hematological and biochemical variables. Body weight and total length, hepatosomatic and liposomal indices and hematocrit of specimens fed with diets supplemented with silage did not exhibit significant changes in both assessment period. After 45 days of feeding, the hemoglobin concentration increased when tambaqui were fed a diet including 20% silage. The red blood cell count, mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin did not change between treatments in either period. The total protein concentrations increased significantly in the plasma of tambaqui fed with diets with the inclusion of 5 and 10% of silage, evaluated after feeding for 45 days. It was found that the groups which had silage included in their diet did not exhibit significant alterations in the evaluated parameters, and the diet was therefore not consider harmful to the health of tambaqui. Therefore, the use of silage as a feed supplement during tambaqui farming is a sustainable alternative for producers, as it leads to a reduction of impacts of fish and vegetables waste disposal.

A procura por insumos que substituam produtos de alto custo, como óleo e farinha de peixe, na fabricação de rações para uso na aquicultura é crescente, sendo necessário garantir a qualidade nutricional das dietas. A silagem produzida a partir de resíduos de pescado e de vegetais apresenta-se como uma alternativa de baixo custo e eficiente fonte proteica. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar as respostas fisiológicas e bioquímicas de alevinos de tambaqui alimentados com quatro níveis de inclusão de silagem em ração comercial com 28% de proteína bruta, em dois períodos: 45 e 90 dias. Cada tratamento foi realizado em três repetições, com 10 tambaquis em cada caixa experimental de 100 L. Ao término de cada período estabelecido, amostras sanguíneas foram coletadas de cinco animais de cada repetição para determinação das variáveis hematológicas e bioquímicas. Peso, comprimento total e índices hepatossomático e lipossomático de espécimes alimentados com silagem não mostraram alterações significativas em ambos os períodos de avaliação, bem como os valores de hematócrito. A concentração de hemoglobina de tambaqui após 45 dias de alimentação aumentou quando foi fornecida dieta com inclusão de 20% de silagem. A contagem de eritrócitos, volume corpuscular médio e hemoglobina corpuscular média não apresentaram alterações entre os tratamentos, em ambos os períodos. As proteínas totais aumentaram significativamente no plasma de tambaquis que receberam dietas com inclusão de 5 e 10% de silagem, avaliados após 45 dias de alimentação. Evidenciou-se que os grupos com inclusão de silagem na dieta não apresentaram alterações significativas nos parâmetros avaliados, assim não sendo prejudiciais à higidez do tambaqui. Portanto, o uso da silagem como suplemento alimentar durante o cultivo do tambaqui é uma alternativa sustentável para produtores, por promover a redução do descarte de resíduos de pescado e da agricultura.

Physiological responses of tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) fed diets supplemented with silage from fish and vegetables residues

Abstract The demand for products to replace high-cost raw materials, such oil and fish meal, in the manufacture of feed for use in aquaculture, while also guaranteeing the nutritional quality of the diets, is increasing. Silage produced with fish and vegetables residues is a low-cost and efficient protein source. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the physiological and biochemical responses of tambaqui fingerlings fed four different levels of silage included in commercial feed with 28% crude protein, over two periods: 45 and 90 days. Each treatment was carried out over three replications, with 10 tambaqui in each 100 L experimental tank. At the end of each established period, blood samples were collected from five animals from each repetition to determine the hematological and biochemical variables. Body weight and total length, hepatosomatic and liposomal indices and hematocrit of specimens fed with diets supplemented with silage did not exhibit significant changes in both assessment period. After 45 days of feeding, the hemoglobin concentration increased when tambaqui were fed a diet including 20% silage. The red blood cell count, mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin did not change between treatments in either period. The total protein concentrations increased significantly in the plasma of tambaqui fed with diets with the inclusion of 5 and 10% of silage, evaluated after feeding for 45 days. It was found that the groups which had silage included in their diet did not exhibit significant alterations in the evaluated parameters, and the diet was therefore not consider harmful to the health of tambaqui. Therefore, the use of silage as a feed supplement during tambaqui farming is a sustainable alternative for producers, as it leads to a reduction of impacts of fish and vegetables waste disposal.

Resumo A procura por insumos que substituam produtos de alto custo, como óleo e farinha de peixe, na fabricação de rações para uso na aquicultura é crescente, sendo necessário garantir a qualidade nutricional das dietas. A silagem produzida a partir de resíduos de pescado e de vegetais apresenta-se como uma alternativa de baixo custo e eficiente fonte proteica. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar as respostas fisiológicas e bioquímicas de alevinos de tambaqui alimentados com quatro níveis de inclusão de silagem em ração comercial com 28% de proteína bruta, em dois períodos: 45 e 90 dias. Cada tratamento foi realizado em três repetições, com 10 tambaquis em cada caixa experimental de 100 L. Ao término de cada período estabelecido, amostras sanguíneas foram coletadas de cinco animais de cada repetição para determinação das variáveis hematológicas e bioquímicas. Peso, comprimento total e índices hepatossomático e lipossomático de espécimes alimentados com silagem não mostraram alterações significativas em ambos os períodos de avaliação, bem como os valores de hematócrito. A concentração de hemoglobina de tambaqui após 45 dias de alimentação aumentou quando foi fornecida dieta com inclusão de 20% de silagem. A contagem de eritrócitos, volume corpuscular médio e hemoglobina corpuscular média não apresentaram alterações entre os tratamentos, em ambos os períodos. As proteínas totais aumentaram significativamente no plasma de tambaquis que receberam dietas com inclusão de 5 e 10% de silagem, avaliados após 45 dias de alimentação. Evidenciou-se que os grupos com inclusão de silagem na dieta não apresentaram alterações significativas nos parâmetros avaliados, assim não sendo prejudiciais à higidez do tambaqui. Portanto, o uso da silagem como suplemento alimentar durante o cultivo do tambaqui é uma alternativa sustentável para produtores, por promover a redução do descarte de resíduos de pescado e da agricultura.

Antimicrobial potential of extracts from leaves and culms of an Amazonian native bamboo.

Antibiotics have shown less efficiency against resistance of pathogenic microorganisms. As a result, research centers have sought therapeutic alternatives against multidrug resistance of bacteria to antibiotics, one of which is using plant extracts. Bamboo extracts are used for several medicinal purposes. This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial potential of hydroalcoholic extracts of culms and leaves of the species Guadua aff. lynnclarkiae on strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. We evaluated the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). Only the leaves of G. aff. lynnclarkiae showed a bactericidal effect for all tested strains with MBC ranging from 1.55 mg ml-1 to 25 mg ml-1. The culms had bacteriostatic action with MIC ranging from 1.55 mg ml-1 to 6.25 mg ml-1, and bactericidal action at the concentration of 6.25 mg ml-1 only for S. aureus. This study provides bases for the use of this Amazonian native bamboo in bioprospecting.

Evaluating the dissemination of evolutionary biology concepts in medicine.

Darwin's theory of evolution, which is based on variation, heredity, and selection, includes all biological fields and spreads to other areas such as philosophy. Medicine is an example of how the evolutionary perspective can greatly improve the understanding of concepts in an area, as human health and pathological conditions are under the effect of evolution. Evolutionary medicine is an emerging paradigm for understanding human heterogeneity, health, and diseases. Nevertheless, there are indications that medical research and practice are only marginally affected by these ideas. Here, we investigate how concepts of biological evolution are employed in medical research. We use a bibliometric approach to look for the presence and frequency of biological evolution-related concepts in medical articles. The distribution of these concepts over the years is analyzed according to the medical specialty and the impact of the journal. Our data showed that: i) only a small percentage of articles in medical journals have an evolutionary perspective; ii) medical journals where these evolution-based articles are published focus on basic science, theoretical medicine, and less frequently, on applied medicine; iii) these articles are mostly from the microbiology, immunology, neurology, psychology, behavior, and oncology fields; and iv) viruses are the most frequently covered microorganisms, followed by bacteria, fungi, and protozoans. The collection of our results, considering the importance of evolutionary medicine in the medical field, highlights the need for a decisive change in perspective in medical research.

Status of paratuberculosis in beef cattle In Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil / [Status da paratuberculose em bovinos de corte no Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil]

RESUMO A paratuberculose em bovinos de corte já foi diagnosticada no estado do Rio Grande do Sul, mas relatada em apenas um rebanho. Nesse contexto, o objetivo desta pesquisa é verificar se a paratuberculose pode ser detectada em rebanhos de bovinos de corte de diferentes mesorregiões do RS, por meio do teste ELISA. As amostras foram coletadas de bovinos provenientes de seis mesorregiões, entre elas as maiores produtoras de bovinos de corte do RS. Apenas duas amostras foram classificadas como suspeitas no teste de ELISA, as outras 391 amostras foram negativas. Os resultados demonstram baixa detecção da doença nas mesorregiões testadas, com apenas 0,5% das amostras com resultado suspeito. Assim, esses dados demonstram que a enfermidade é pouco frequente nos rebanhos testados e que um programa de controle pode ser implementado de forma viável e economicamente lucrativa.

Antimicrobial resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from patients with pneumonia during the COVID-19 pandemic and pre-pandemic periods in Northeast Brazil.

Healthcare-related infections caused by resistant microorganisms are a severe public health problem and are becoming increasingly prevalent in the hospital environment, especially Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This work aimed to evaluate the resistance profile of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to antimicrobials before the COVID-19 pandemic and during the pandemic period. Bacteria strains were obtained from tracheal aspiration, sputum, and bronchoalveolar lavage for diagnosis and phenotypic characterization. Matrix assisted laser-desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALD-TOF MS) was used to identify strains. Automated Phoenix and VITEK® 2 Compact system and the disc diffusion method were performed to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility profile. A total of 41,000 medical reports from adult patients with pneumonia were analyzed. Of these, 951 patients were positive for P. aeruginosa, of which 373 were related to the pre-pandemic period and 578 to the pandemic period. Older men (≥60 years) were more prevalent in both periods. P. aeruginosa strains were resistant to imipenem in both periods: 38.8 and 42.5%, respectively, followed by meropenem (34.2 and 39.2%), ciprofloxacin (33.6 and 36.7%), and levofloxacin (34.9 and 43.5%). Intensive care units had the highest percentage of affected patients (62 and 65%) compared with other sectors, with a prevalence of 71% in the public network before COVID-19 and 59% during the pandemic. Our data showed a prevalence of P. aeruginosa in elderly patients in both the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods. In addition, an increase in P. aeruginosa resistance to beta-lactams, quinolones, carbapenems, and cephalosporins was observed during the COVID-19 pandemic compared with the period before the pandemic, especially in ICUs.

The use of Artificial Intelligence in predicting Respiratory Syncytial Virus-inhibiting flavonoids.

Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus (hRSV) infection results in death and hospitalization of thousands of people worldwide each year. Unfortunately, there are no vaccines or specific treatments for hRSV infections. Screening hundreds or even thousands of promising molecules is a challenge for science. We integrated biological, structural, and physicochemical properties to train and to apply the concept of artificial intelligence (AI) able to predict flavonoids with potential anti-hRSV activity. During the training and simulation steps, the AI produced results with hit rates of more than 83%. The better AIs were able to predict active or inactive flavonoids against hRSV. In the future, in vitro and/or in vivo evaluations of these flavonoids may accelerate trials for new anti-RSV drugs, reduce hospitalizations, deaths, and morbidity caused by this infection worldwide, and be used as input in these networks to determine which parameter is more important for their decision.

Estimating genetic parameters of reproductive, carcass, and meat quality traits in Polled Nellore cattle.

Considering the economic and commercial efficiency of the beef production chain, the yield and quality of the meat produced must also be included in breeding programs. For the Nellore breed, including the polled herd, these aspects have not been much studied. The aim of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for scrotal circumference adjusted to 365 (SC365) and 450 (SC450) days of age, age at first calving (AFC), accumulated productivity (AP), stayability (STAY), longissimus muscle area (LMA), thickness of subcutaneous fat over the 12th-13th ribs (BF), thickness of subcutaneous fat over the rump (RF), and shear force measured by Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) of polled Nellore cattle. Bayesian analyses were performed by adopting a linear animal model, whereas STAY analyses used the linear threshold model. Heritability estimates were 0.31 (SC365), 0.37 (SC450), 0.16 (AFC), 0.25 (AP), 0.16 (STAY), 0.30 (LMA), 0.13 (BF), 0.24 (RF), and 0.15 (WBSF), indicating moderate response to selection. Genetic and residual correlations between SC365 and SC450 were high (0.91 and 0.74, respectively), as well as the genetic correlations of AP with SC365, SC450, AFC, and STAY (0.61, 0.62, - 0.69, and 0.83, respectively). Genetic and residual correlations of WBSF with reproductive and carcass characteristics exhibited high standard deviations, however favorable. Based on the results, it is expected that in the medium term, animals with greater sexual precocity will also have greater accumulated productivity and longer permanence of females in the herd, along with superior carcass traits. However, due to the low heritabilities and small genetic associations with reproductive traits, fat thickness characteristics (BF and RF) will still require direct selection.

The relationship between loneliness and healthy aging indicators in Brazil (ELSI-Brazil) and England (ELSA): sex differences.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to estimate five harmonized healthy aging indicators covering functional ability and intrinsic capacity among older women and men from Brazil and England and evaluate their association with loneliness. STUDY DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional study. METHODS: We used two nationally representative samples of men and women aged ≥60 years from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil) wave 2 (2019-2021; n = 6929) and the English Longitudinal Study of Aging wave 9 (2018-2019; n = 5902). Healthy aging included five separate indicators (getting dressed, taking medication, managing money, cognitive function, and handgrip strength). Loneliness was measured by the 3-item University of California Loneliness Scale. Logistic regression models stratified by sex and country were performed. RESULTS: Overall, age-adjusted healthy aging indicators were worse in Brazil compared with England for both men and women. Considering functional ability, loneliness was negatively associated with all indicators (ranging from odds ratio [OR] = 0.26, [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.13-0.52] in English men regarding the ability to take medication to OR = 0.49 [95% CI 0.27-0.89] in Brazilian women regarding the ability to manage money). Considering intrinsic capacity, loneliness was negatively associated with a higher cognitive function (OR = 0.72; 95% CI 0.55-0.95 in English women) and a higher handgrip strength (OR = 0.61; 95% CI 0.45-0.83 in Brazilian women). Lonely women demonstrated lower odds of a higher number of healthy aging indicators than men in both countries. CONCLUSIONS: Country-specific social environments should be targeted by public policies to decrease loneliness and promote healthy aging later in life.

Relationship between histopathological lesions and oxidative stress in mice infected with Angiostrongylus costaricensis.

This study describes changes in oxidative stress (OS) parameters in mice experimentally infected with Angiostrongylus costaricensis, which causes abdominal angiostrongyliasis. For this, 28 Swiss mice were used, divided into two groups (G1 and G2), with 14 animals each. Of these, eight were infected with ten infective larvae each, by gavage, and six were used as a control group. Mice from G1 and G2 were euthanized at 14 days and 24 days post-infection, respectively. Tissue samples were used for histopathological analysis and blood (serum) samples were taken to assess the levels of proteins, non-protein thiols (NPTs) and nitric oxide (NO), from centrifugation and subsequent collection of aliquots of the supernatant. Among OS parameters, infected mice in both groups had higher NO levels than the control group, due to the presence of: eosinophil infiltrate in the liver and intestine; pancreatitis; and intestinal granuloma. However, the infected mice of both groups showed a reduction in the levels of NPTs, in relation to the control group, due to the presence of: eosinophilic infiltrate in the liver and intestine; and intestinal granuloma. Our results suggest that A. costaricensis infection has important effects on the intestine, liver and pancreas, and the analyses were performed from the tissue of these organs. The mechanisms for these changes are related to the decrease in the body's main antioxidant defences, as demonstrated by the reduction of NPTs, thus contributing to the development of more severe tissue damage. Thus, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between histopathological lesions and markers for OS.