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.

Predictors of functional capacity as measured by the Glittre activities of daily living test in women with rheumatoid arthritis.

Although pulmonary involvement is the most common extra-articular manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), traditional pulmonary function tests (PFTs) do not show a good correlation with the field tests usually performed in these patients. In recent decades, measurement of ventilation distribution heterogeneity through the nitrogen single-breath washout (N2SBW) test and evaluation of functional capacity during exercise using the Glittre activities of daily living test (GA-T) have been increasingly used. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate predictors of GA-T outcomes in women with RA considering demographic, anthropometric, clinical, functional variables, and chest computed tomography (CT) findings. Forty-three women with RA underwent the GA-T, the N2SBW test, spirometry, measurement of the diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLco), measurement of respiratory muscle strength, and evaluation of physical function of the lower and upper limbs through the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI). Chest CT scans were analyzed retrospectively. The GA-T time showed significant correlations with the DLco (rs=-0.397, P=0.008), forced vital capacity/DLco (rs=0.307, P=0.044), phase III slope of the N2SBW test (SIIIN2, rs=0.644, P<0.0001), and the HAQ-DI (rs=0.482, P=0.001). Disease extent as assessed by chest CT was associated with the GA-T time. On multiple regression analysis, the SIIIN2 and HAQ-DI were the only predictors of the GA-T time, explaining 40% of its variability. Thus, ventilation distribution heterogeneity and worse physical function substantially explain the variability in GA-T time in women with RA and varying extents of disease on chest CT.

Predictors of functional capacity as measured by the Glittre activities of daily living test in women with rheumatoid arthritis

Although pulmonary involvement is the most common extra-articular manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), traditional pulmonary function tests (PFTs) do not show a good correlation with the field tests usually performed in these patients. In recent decades, measurement of ventilation distribution heterogeneity through the nitrogen single-breath washout (N2SBW) test and evaluation of functional capacity during exercise using the Glittre activities of daily living test (GA-T) have been increasingly used. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate predictors of GA-T outcomes in women with RA considering demographic, anthropometric, clinical, functional variables, and chest computed tomography (CT) findings. Forty-three women with RA underwent the GA-T, the N2SBW test, spirometry, measurement of the diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLco), measurement of respiratory muscle strength, and evaluation of physical function of the lower and upper limbs through the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI). Chest CT scans were analyzed retrospectively. The GA-T time showed significant correlations with the DLco (rs=-0.397, P=0.008), forced vital capacity/DLco (rs=0.307, P=0.044), phase III slope of the N2SBW test (SIIIN2, rs=0.644, P<0.0001), and the HAQ-DI (rs=0.482, P=0.001). Disease extent as assessed by chest CT was associated with the GA-T time. On multiple regression analysis, the SIIIN2 and HAQ-DI were the only predictors of the GA-T time, explaining 40% of its variability. Thus, ventilation distribution heterogeneity and worse physical function substantially explain the variability in GA-T time in women with RA and varying extents of disease on chest CT.

Two new species of Collembola (Arthropoda: Hexapoda) from Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Two new species of Collembola are described, full body chaetotaxy is given. Ptenothrix dalii sp. nov. and Seira pietata sp. nov. were originally found in metalogenic areas covered with transitional vegetation of savanna and forest in Minas Gerais, Southeastern Brazil. Ptenothrix dalii sp. nov. is part of the "gracilis-group" of species, with large, blunt macrochaetae on head and body. Seira pietata sp. nov. is part of the "andensis-group" of species, lacking macrochaeta on abdominal segment I.

Electrome alterations in a plant-pathogen system: Toward early diagnosis.

This work aimed to verify the existence of patterns on the electrophysiological systemic responses of tomato plants inoculated with a pathogenic fungus in an environment with controlled light and temperature. Electrical signalling was measured before and after inoculation in the same plants, and data were analysed with time series techniques and approximate multi-scale entropy (ApEn). Machine learning algorithms were utilised in order to classify data before and after infection throughout the five days of experiments. The obtained results have shown that it is possible to distinguish differences in the plant's electrome activity before and after the fungus inoculation. In some cases, we have found scale invariance quantified by the power law decay in the distribution histogram. We also found a higher degree of internal organisation quantified by ApEn. The results of the classification algorithms achieved higher accuracy of infection detection at the initial stage of pathogen recognition by the plant. Besides, this study showed evidence that long-distance electrical signalling is likely involved in the plant-pathogen interaction, since signals were obtained in the stem and the inoculum applied on the plant leaves. This might be useful for the early detection of plant infections.

Antimyotoxic Activity of Synthetic Peptides Derived from Bothrops atrox Snake Gamma Phospholipase A2 Inhibitor Selected by Virtual Screening.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have aimed to identify molecules that inhibit the toxic actions of snake venom phospholipases A2 (PLA2s). Studies carried out with PLA2 inhibitors (PLIs) have been shown to be efficient in this assignment. OBJECTIVE: This work aimed to analyze the interaction of peptides derived from Bothrops atrox PLIγ (atPLIγ) with a PLA2 and to evaluate the ability of these peptides to reduce phospholipase and myotoxic activities. METHODS: Peptides were subjected to molecular docking with a homologous Lys49 PLA2 from B. atrox venom modeled by homology. Phospholipase activity neutralization assay was performed with BthTX-II and different ratios of the peptides. A catalytically active and an inactive PLA2 were purified from the B. atrox venom and used together in the in vitro myotoxic activity neutralization experiments with the peptides. RESULTS: The peptides interacted with amino acids near the PLA2 hydrophobic channel and the loop that would be bound to calcium in Asp49 PLA2. They were able to reduce phospholipase activity and peptides DFCHNV and ATHEE reached the highest reduction levels, being these two peptides the best that also interacted in the in silico experiments. The peptides reduced the myotubes cell damage with a highlight for the DFCHNV peptide, which reduced by about 65%. It has been suggested that myotoxic activity reduction is related to the sites occupied in the PLA2 structure, which could corroborate the results observed in molecular docking. CONCLUSION: This study should contribute to the investigation of the potential of PLIs to inhibit the toxic effects of PLA2s.

Ventilation distribution, pulmonary diffusion and peripheral muscle endurance as determinants of exercise intolerance in elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive and disabling disease that has been associated with aging. Several factors may potentially impair performance during exercise in elderly patients with COPD. This study was conducted to evaluate what characteristics related to lung function, peripheral muscle strength and endurance can predict the performance of elderly patients with COPD during cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). Forty elderly patients with COPD underwent resting lung function tests, knee isokinetic dynamometry, and CPET. Three models were developed to explain the variability in peak oxygen uptake (VO(2) peak) after controlling for age as an independent confounder. The pulmonary function model showed the highest explained variance (65.6 %); in this model, ventilation distribution (p<0.001) and pulmonary diffusion (0.013) were found to be independent predictors. Finally, the models that included the muscle strength and endurance variables presented explained variances of 51 % and 57.4 %, respectively. In these models that involved muscular dysfunction, however, only the endurance variables were found to be independent predictors (p<0.05). In conclusion, ventilation distribution and pulmonary diffusion, but not the degree of airway obstruction, independently predict CPET performance in elderly patients with COPD. In addition, peripheral muscle endurance, but not strength, also predicts CPET performance in these subjects.

Serologic evidence for Schmallenberg virus circulation at high altitude, Central Portugal, 2015-2016.

A few years after the initial 2011 large scale Schmallenberg virus (SBV) epidemic that affected Europe, a subsequent decrease in new SBV infections was observed presumably associated with natural substitution of previously exposed animals. In the present work, a 2-year prospective serosurvey was performed to evaluate SBV circulation in a population of sheep living at high altitude in the central region of Portugal and with restricted movement. Blood from a representative sample of 168 autochthonous sheep was collected in 2015 and again in 2016, and tested for the presence of anti-SBV IgG by ELISA. Of the 2015 sample collection, seven animals tested positive for anti-SBV IgG, corresponding to a seroprevalence of 4.2% while of the 2016 sample collection, 10 presented SBV antibodies, showing a seroprevalence of 6.0% (p = 0.619). Results show that SBV is endemic in sheep of central Portugal, even in herds at high altitude locations. When comparing anti-SBV seroprevalences of 2015/2016 found in this study, to one detected in 2014 in the same region, a steep decrease could be observed (p < 0.001). This is in accordance with what has been documented in Western European countries, where a decrease in the number of SBV-infected sheep has been found, a fact which may pose a new threat for SBV re-emergence.

Sensitivity for palpating lumbopelvic soft- tissues and bony landmarks and its associated factors: A single-blinded diagnostic accuracy study.

BACKGROUND: Evidence on the diagnostic performance of palpatory methods and possible confounding factors is scarce. OBJECTIVES: To examine the sensitivity of palpatory methods for location of lumbopelvic landmarks and to assess its association with personal characteristics. METHODS: Eighty-three participants (41 men, 55.6 (16.5) years, 25.9 (4.8) kg/m2 [mean (SD)]) were enrolled in this single-blinded study. Fourteen body and softy-tissue landmarks were sequentially palpated from the spinous process of L4 to the ischial tuberosity. CT-scan images were used to assess what landmark was located. RESULTS: Sensitivity for location was in range 22-86% for soft-tissues and 26-69% for bony landmarks. Reduction in sensitivity was observed from the quadratus lumborum to the inferior and lateral angle of the sacrum (86-26% and 75-33%, left and right sides, respectively). Palpations of L4 and L5 spinous processes were systematically more cephalic than other landmarks. Gender was weakly correlated to almost all landmarks (rp⁢b= 0.333 or weaker). Body mass index was weakly correlated to the accurate location of ILAS and quadratus lumborum, great trochanter, PSIS, and piriformis (rp⁢b=-0.307 or weaker). CONCLUSIONS: Systematic and propagation errors were present using sequential palpatory methods. Palpation in men was more sensitive and higher BMI was associated with lower sensitivity for lumbopelvic landmarks.

Osmotic stress decreases complexity underlying the electrophysiological dynamic in soybean.

Studies on plant electrophysiology are mostly focused on specific traits of single cells. Inspired by the complexity of the signalling network in plants, and by analogy with neurons in human brains, we sought evidence of high complexity in the electrical dynamics of plant signalling and a likely relationship with environmental cues. An EEG-like standard protocol was adopted for high-resolution measurements of the electrical signal in Glycine max seedlings. The signals were continuously recorded in the same plants before and after osmotic stimuli with a -2 MPa mannitol solution. Non-linear time series analyses methods were used as follows: auto-correlation and cross-correlation function, power spectra density function, and complexity of the time series estimated as Approximate Entropy (ApEn). Using Approximate Entropy analysis we found that the level of temporal complexity of the electrical signals was affected by the environmental conditions, decreasing when the plant was subjected to a low osmotic potential. Electrical spikes observed only after stimuli followed a power law distribution, which is indicative of scale invariance. Our results suggest that changes in complexity of the electrical signals could be associated with water stress conditions in plants. We hypothesised that the power law distribution of the spikes could be explained by a self-organised critical state (SOC) after osmotic stress.

Seated limits-of-stability of athletes with disabilities with regard to competitive levels and sport classification.

In this study, we asked whether wheelchair rugby (WR) classification and competitive level influence trunk function of athletes with disabilities, in terms of seated limits-of-stability (LoS). Twenty-eight athletes were recruited from international- and national-level WR teams, with each group exhibiting marked differences in years of sports practice and training volume. Athletes were also distributed into three groups according their classification: low-point (0.5-1.5-point); mid-point (2.0-2.5-point); and high-point (3.0-3.5-point). Athletes were asked to sit on a force platform and to lean the body as far as possible in eight predefined directions. Center of pressure (COP) coordinates were calculated from the ground reaction forces acquired with the force platform. LoS were computed as the area of ellipse adjusted to maximal COP excursion achieved for the eight directions. ANOVAs reveal that LoS were not different when international- and national-level players were compared (P=.744). Nevertheless, LoS were larger in players from the high-point group than from the low-point group (P=.028), with the mid-point group being not different from both (P>.194). In summary, (i) competitive level does not impact LoS measures and (ii) LoS are remarkably distinct when comparing both extremes of the WR classification range. Our results suggest that, as a training-resistant measure, LoS could be a valid assessment of trunk impairment, potentially contributing to the development of an evidence-based WR classification.

Mother-to-Child Transmission of Human T-Cell Lymphotropic Viruses-1/2: What We Know, and What Are the Gaps in Understanding and Preventing This Route of Infection.

Although human T-cell lymphotropic viruses (HTLV-1/2) were described over 30 years ago, they are relatively unknown to the public and even to healthcare personnel. Although HTLV-1 is associated with severe illnesses, these occur in only approximately 10% of infected individuals, which may explain the lack of public knowledge about them. However, cohort studies are showing that a myriad of other disease manifestations may trouble infected individuals and cause higher expenditures with healthcare. Testing donated blood for HTLV-1/2 started soon after reliable tests were developed, but unfortunately testing is not available for women during prenatal care. Vertical transmission can occur before or after birth of the child. Before birth, it occurs transplacentally or by transfer of virus during cesarean delivery, but these routes of infection are rare. After childbirth, viral transmission occurs during breastfeeding and increases with longer breastfeeding and high maternal proviral load. Unlike the human immunodeficiency virus types 1 and 2, HTLV is transmitted primarily through breastfeeding and not transplacentally or during delivery. In this study, we review what is currently known about HTLV maternal transmission, its prevention, and the gaps still present in the understanding of this process.

Virulence factors and infection ability of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from a hydropathic facility and respiratory infections.

AIMS: To compare the virulence pool and acute infection ability of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from a hydropathic facility, used to treat respiratory conditions by inhalation of untreated natural mineral water, with clinical isolates from respiratory infections. METHODS AND RESULTS: Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from a hydropathic facility and from respiratory infections were typed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Nonclonal representatives of each population were selected. 18 virulence-encoding genes were screened by polymerase chain reaction and statistically compared by multiple correspondence analysis. Homogeneous distribution of genes between populations but higher genetic association in aquatic isolates was observed, as well as distinct virulence pool according to location in the water system. Acute infection ability of selected isolates from each population, in Galleria mellonella model, showed lower LD50 of the majority of the hydropathic isolates and significant variations in LD50 of biofilm isolates from different equipments. CONCLUSIONS: Hydrotherapy Ps. aeruginosa isolates present similar virulence to isolates from respiratory infections. Hydrotherapy users may be exposed to different microbiological risks when using different treatment equipments. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Twenty-one million people use hydropathic facilities in Europe, and the majority present risk factors to pneumonia. This study demonstrates the health risk associated with this practice. Revision of European regulations should be considered.

Suplementação de aminoácidos para redução da proteína bruta em dietas para leitões desmamados aos 21 dias de idade / Supplementation of amino acids to reduce crude protein in diets for piglets weaned at 21 days

Avaliou-se o efeito da suplementação de aminoácidos industriais para redução de proteína bruta (PB) em dietas para leitões desmamados aos 21 dias de idade sobre o desempenho e sobre as variáveis morfofisiológicas, utilizando-se 126 leitões com peso inicial de 6,05±0,35kg. Os animais foram distribuídos em delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso, com seis tratamentos (24,0; 23,0; 22,0; 21,0; 20,0; 19,0% de PB), sete repetições e três animais por unidade experimental. Não houve efeito significativo da redução de proteína bruta da dieta sobre o ganho de peso médio diário, o consumo de ração diário e a conversão alimentar, e o pH do estômago também não sofreu influência, mas houve diminuição do pH do duodeno. Os pesos relativos do baço e do fígado, a altura de vilosidades e a profundidade de criptas no duodeno, jejuno e íleo não foram influenciados, enquanto o peso do pâncreas diminuiu com a redução da proteína bruta da dieta.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of amino acid supplementation for the reduction of crude protein (CP) in diets for piglets weaned at 21 days of age on performance and morphophysiological parameters of 126 piglets with an initial weight of 6.05±0.35kg. The animals were divided into a randomized block experimental design with six treatments (24.0, 23.0, 22.0, 21.0, 20.0, 19.0% CP), seven replicates and three animals per experimental unit. It was found that there was no significant effect of reducing crude protein in the diet on the piglets' average daily weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion (FC). It was also found that the reduction of protein did not influence the pH of the stomach, however, the pH of the duodenum decreased with the reduction of CP. The relative weights of the spleen, liver and villus height and crypt depth in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum were not affected, whereas pancreatic weight decreased with the reduction of crude protein in diets.

Níveis de fósforo disponível em dietas para suínos dos 15 aos 30kg / Available phosphorus levels in diets for pigs from 15 to 30kg

Avaliou-se a suplementação de dietas com fósforo disponível (Pd) para suínos selecionados para deposição de carne, utilizando-se 100 leitões com média de peso inicial de 15,03±0,33kg, distribuídos em delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos, cinco repetições e quatro animais por unidade experimental. Os tratamentos foram dieta basal sem suplementação de fosfato bicálcico e outras quatro dietas obtidas pela suplementação da dieta basal com fosfato bicálcico, resultando em cinco concentrações de Pd, 0,106; 0,221; 0,310; 0,406; e 0,493%. As porcentagens de Pd influenciaram o consumo diário de ração, que aumentou de forma linear. O ganho de peso diário aumentou e a conversão alimentar melhorou de forma quadrática até a suplementação máxima de 0,450 e 0,390% de Pd, respectivamente. Não houve efeito da suplementação das dietas sobre a resistência óssea. As porcentagens de Pd influenciaram de forma quadrática os teores de cálcio e de fósforo nos ossos, que aumentaram até a adição máxima de 0,388 e 0,369% de Pd, respectivamente. Não houve efeito da porcentagem de Pd sobre o teor de cinza óssea. Suínos dos 15 aos 30kg exigem maior concentração de Pd para máximo ganho de peso (0,450% ou 5,33g/dia) e melhor conversão alimentar (0,390% ou 4,52g/dia) em relação às recomendações atuais.

The supplementation of diets with available phosphorus (aP) for pigs selected for meat deposition was evaluated, using 100 commercial hybrid piglets, 50 castrated males and 50 females, with average initial weight of 15.03±0.33kg allotted in a randomized block design with five treatments, five replicates, and four pigs, 2 males and 2 females per experimental unit. The treatments were a basal diet and other four diets obtained through basal diet supplementation with dicalcium phosphate to obtain five aP concentrations, 0.106, 0.221, 0.310, 0,406, and 0.493%. The percentages of aP influenced daily feed intake, which increased linearly. Daily weight gain increased and feed conversion improved quadratically up to 0.450 and 0.390% maximum responses. There was no effect of diet supplementation on bone strength. The percentages of aP influenced the calcium and phosphorus contents in the bones, which increased quadratically up to 0.388 and 0.369% maximum responses, respectively. There was no effect of aP percentage in the bone ashe content. Pigs from 15 to 30kg require greater amount of aP in the diet for maximal weight gain (0.450% or 5.33g/d) and greatest feed conversion (0.390% or 4.52g/d) compared to current requirements.

Alzheimer random walk model: two previously overlooked diffusion regimes.

A non-Markovian one-dimensional random walk model is studied with emphasis on the phase-diagram, showing all the diffusion regimes, along with the exactly determined critical lines. The model, known as the Alzheimer walk, is endowed with memory-controlled diffusion, responsible for the model's long-range correlations, and is characterized by a rich variety of diffusive regimes. The importance of this model is that superdiffusion arises due not to memory per se, but rather also due to loss of memory. The recently reported numerically and analytically estimated values for the Hurst exponent are hereby reviewed. We report the finding of two, previously overlooked, phases, namely, evanescent log-periodic diffusion and log-periodic diffusion with escape, both with Hurst exponent H=1/2. In the former, the log-periodicity gets damped, whereas in the latter the first moment diverges. These phases further enrich the already intricate phase diagram. The results are discussed in the context of phase transitions, aging phenomena, and symmetry breaking.

Substituição de milho por glicerina bruta em dietas para suínos em terminação / Substitution of corn for crude glycerin in diets for finishing pigs

Avaliou-se o efeito da substituição do milho por glicerina bruta em dietas para suínos em terminação. Foram utilizados 80 suínos, machos castrados, híbrido comercial, com média de peso de 67kg, em um experimento em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos e oito repetições, com dois animais por unidade experimental. Os tratamentos foram: 0,0; 4,0; 8,0; 12,0 e 16,0% de glicerina bruta em substituição ao milho nas dietas. A substituição do milho por glicerina bruta não afetou as características de desempenho (P>0,05). Observaram-se efeito linear crescente de tratamento (P<0,05) sobre a espessura de toucinho na carcaça e efeito linear decrescente de tratamento (P<0,05) sobre a perda de líquido no descongelamento e na força de cisalhamento. A glicerina bruta pode substituir em até 16,0% do milho da dieta para suínos em terminação, sem prejuízos do desempenho e rendimento de carcaça, com melhoras na qualidade da carne.

We evaluated the effect of replacing corn with crude glycerin in diets for finishing pigs. We used 80 pigs, steers, commercial hybrids, with an average weight of 67kg, in an experiment with a completely randomized design with five treatments and eight replicates of two animals per experimental unit. The treatments were 0.0, 4.0, 8.0, 12.0, and 16.0% crude glycerin as a replacement for maize in diets. The substitution of corn with crude glycerin did not affect performance characteristics (P>0.05). We observed an increasing linear effect of the treatment (P<0.05) on backfat thickness and decreasing linear effect of the treatment (P<0.05) on the loss of fluid in the thawing and shearing force. The crude glycerin can replace up to 16.0% of the corn diet for finishing pigs without loss of performance and carcass yield, with improvements in meat quality.

Inclusão de lisina digestível em dietas para leitoas dos 60 aos 100 dias de idade / Digestible lysine inclusion in diets for gilts from 60 to 100 days of age

Foi realizado um experimento utilizando-se 300 leitoas, com peso inicial de 25,00±0,54kg, para avaliar os efeitos da porcentagem de lisina digestível sobre o desempenho e a composição da carcaça de leitoas dos 60 aos 100 dias de idade. Os animais foram distribuídos em delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos 0,65; 0,75; 0,85; 0,95 e 1,05% de lisina digestível, cinco repetições e 12 animais por unidade experimental. Não se observou efeito significativo dos tratamentos sobre o consumo de ração diário e o rendimento de carcaça das leitoas. A porcentagem de lisina da dieta influenciou o consumo de lisina digestível e o ganho de peso diário, que aumentaram de forma linear. O aumento na concentração de lisina digestível da dieta melhorou de forma linear a conversão alimentar e aumentou a quantidade de carne magra da carcaça. A porcentagem de lisina influenciou a espessura de toucinho das leitoas, que reduziu de forma quadrática até a porcentagem estimada de 0,87% de lisina digestível. A inclusão de 1,05% de lisina digestível na dieta, correspondente ao consumo de lisina digestível de 18,50g/dia, proporciona os melhores resultados de desempenho e quantidade de carne na carcaça de leitoas dos 60 aos 100 dias de idade.

The experiment was conducted with 300 gilts with initial weight of 25.00±0.54kg, from 60 to 100 days of age, to evaluate the effects of digestible lysine percentages on performance and carcass traits of the animals. The gilts were allotted in a randomized block design, with five treatments (percentages of digestible lysine), five replicates, and twelve animals per experimental unit. The treatments applied were 0.65; 0.75; 0.85; 0.95 and 1.05% of digestible lysine. No effects of treatments on the daily feed intake of the gilts were observed. A linear increase on digestible lysine intake as a result of increasing the concentration of digestible lysine in the diet was verified. The increase in dietary digestible lysine concentration resulted in a linear increase of daily weight gain. The increase of digestible lysine concentrations in the diet resulted in a linear improvement of feed conversion and in a linear increase in the amount of lean meat in the carcass. There was no effect of digestible lysine concentration on gilts' carcass traits. The amount of lean meat in the carcass of pigs increased linearly with the increase of the percentage of digestible lysine in the diets. The percentage of digestible lysine influenced the back fat thickness of the gilts which decreased quadratically up to 0.87% digestible lysine maximum response. The inclusion of 1.05% digestible lysine in the diet, corresponding to a daily intake of 18.5 g digestible lysine provides the greatest performance results and amount of lean meat in the carcass of gilts from 60 to 100 days of age.

Weakly anomalous diffusion with non-Gaussian propagators.

A poorly understood phenomenon seen in complex systems is diffusion characterized by Hurst exponent H ≈ 1/2 but with non-Gaussian statistics. Motivated by such empirical findings, we report an exact analytical solution for a non-Markovian random walk model that gives rise to weakly anomalous diffusion with H = 1/2 but with a non-Gaussian propagator.

Body mass index increase, serum leptin, adiponectin, neuropeptide Y and lipid levels during treatment with olanzapine and haloperidol.

INTRODUCTION: Body mass index (BMI) increase is an undesired effect associated with antipsychotics, and crucial for patients' global health and treatment compliance. We aimed to investigate the relation between BMI during olanzapine or haloperidol treatments and leptin, neuropeptide Y (NPY), adiponectin and lipid serum levels. METHODS: In this 9-month, randomized and naturalist study, 34 male patients, 18 on olanzapine and 16 on haloperidol group were enrolled, all were under monotherapy. Patient outcome was evaluated with positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS) at every 3-month period. In each visit, BMI, leptin, NPY, lipid, olanzapine or haloperidol levels were also monitored. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Leptin levels positively correlated with BMI in olanzapine (r=0.64, p<0.001) and haloperidol (r=0.73, p<0.001) groups; only in olanzapine patients, the former also correlated with PANSS score (r=0.54, p<0.05). NPY levels negatively correlated with olanzapine levels (r=− 0.65, p<0.01). Adiponectin levels had not significantly varied. CONCLUSION: Antipsychotics probably interfere on leptin and NPY signalling ways and disturb these hormones in eating behaviour control.