Innovative infrastructure to access Brazilian fungal diversity using deep learning.

In the present investigation, we employ a novel and meticulously structured database assembled by experts, encompassing macrofungi field-collected in Brazil, featuring upwards of 13,894 photographs representing 505 distinct species. The purpose of utilizing this database is twofold: firstly, to furnish training and validation for convolutional neural networks (CNNs) with the capacity for autonomous identification of macrofungal species; secondly, to develop a sophisticated mobile application replete with an advanced user interface. This interface is specifically crafted to acquire images, and, utilizing the image recognition capabilities afforded by the trained CNN, proffer potential identifications for the macrofungal species depicted therein. Such technological advancements democratize access to the Brazilian Funga, thereby enhancing public engagement and knowledge dissemination, and also facilitating contributions from the populace to the expanding body of knowledge concerning the conservation of macrofungal species of Brazil.

Home language environment in relation to language outcome in Brazilian toddlers who are hard of hearing and controls with typical hearing - a pilot study including reliability analyses of the LENA recording system / Ambiente doméstico de linguagem em relação ao resultado de linguagem em crianças brasileiras com deficiência auditiva e controles com crianças com audição típica - um estudo piloto incluindo análises de confiabilidade do sistema de gravação LENA

ABSTRACT Purpose The purpose of this pilot study was to explore the home language environment and language outcome of Brazilian toddlers who were hard of hearing, (HH) and controls with typical hearing (TH), and investigate the reliability of using the LENA recording system within a Brazilian Portuguese context. Methods Fourteen families participated in the study (seven children who were HH and seven controls with TH. Each family contributed with one all-day recording. A smaller portion of the recordings of the typically hearing toddlers were manually transcribed by two transcribers. An interrater agreement was conducted, and then the human transcript results were compared against the LENA-generated data for three measures: Adult Words (AW), Child Vocalizations (CV) and Conversational Turns (CT). Results Data analyses revealed a moderate to strong interrater agreement for CV and AW. Weak to moderate agreement was found between the LENA estimates and the means of the human counts for CV and AW. Seemingly, LENA overestimated human counts for AW and underestimated numbers of CV. Comparative analysis suggested similarities in the language and listening environment of the two groups (TH vs. HoH). Children's language development was supported by higher numbers of parent-child interactions (CT). Conclusion The findings imply that LENA may contribute as an ecologically valid tool in preventive family-centered intervention programs for Brazilian toddlers who are hard of hearing and their families, although further validation studies are needed.

RESUMO Objetivo O objetivo deste estudo piloto foi explorar o ambiente da língua doméstica e os resultados linguísticos de crianças brasileiras com deficiência auditiva comparando com crianças ouvintes e investigar a confiabilidade do uso do sistema de registro LENA no contexto do português brasileiro. Método Quatorze famílias participaram do estudo (sete com deficiência auditiva e sete controles com audição típica). Cada família contribuiu com uma gravação durante o tempo de vigilia. Uma parte menor das gravações das crianças com audição normal foi transcrita manualmente por dois transcritores. Um acordo entre avaliadores foi realizado e, em seguida, os resultados da transcrição humana foram comparados com os dados gerados pelo LENA para três medidas: Palavras de Adultos (PA), Vocalizações Infantis (VI) e Turnos de Conversação (TC). Resultados As análises de dados revelaram uma concordância entre avaliadores moderada a forte para VI e PA. Foi encontrada concordância de fraca a moderada entre as estimativas de LENA e as médias das contagens humanas para VI e AW. Aparentemente LENA superestimou contagens humanas para PA e subestimou números de VI. A análise comparativa sugeriu semelhanças na linguagem e no ambiente auditivo dos dois grupos. O desenvolvimento da linguagem das crianças foi apoiado por um maior número de interações pais-filhos (TC). Conclusão Os achados sugerem que o LENA pode contribuir como uma ferramenta ecologicamente válida em programas de intervenção preventiva centrada na família para crianças brasileiras com deficiência auditiva e suas famílias, embora mais estudos de validação sejam necessários.

Home language environment in relation to language outcome in Brazilian toddlers who are hard of hearing and controls with typical hearing - a pilot study including reliability analyses of the LENA recording system.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this pilot study was to explore the home language environment and language outcome of Brazilian toddlers who were hard of hearing, (HH) and controls with typical hearing (TH), and investigate the reliability of using the LENA recording system within a Brazilian Portuguese context. METHODS: Fourteen families participated in the study (seven children who were HH and seven controls with TH. Each family contributed with one all-day recording. A smaller portion of the recordings of the typically hearing toddlers were manually transcribed by two transcribers. An interrater agreement was conducted, and then the human transcript results were compared against the LENA-generated data for three measures: Adult Words (AW), Child Vocalizations (CV) and Conversational Turns (CT). RESULTS: Data analyses revealed a moderate to strong interrater agreement for CV and AW. Weak to moderate agreement was found between the LENA estimates and the means of the human counts for CV and AW. Seemingly, LENA overestimated human counts for AW and underestimated numbers of CV. Comparative analysis suggested similarities in the language and listening environment of the two groups (TH vs. HoH). Children's language development was supported by higher numbers of parent-child interactions (CT). CONCLUSION: The findings imply that LENA may contribute as an ecologically valid tool in preventive family-centered intervention programs for Brazilian toddlers who are hard of hearing and their families, although further validation studies are needed.

Proteostasis Response to Protein Misfolding in Controlled Hypertension.

Hypertension is the most determinant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Early intervention and future therapies targeting hypertension mechanisms may improve the quality of life and clinical outcomes. Hypertension has a complex multifactorial aetiology and was recently associated with protein homeostasis (proteostasis). This work aimed to characterize proteostasis in easy-to-access plasma samples from 40 individuals, 20 with controlled hypertension and 20 age- and gender-matched normotensive individuals. Proteostasis was evaluated by quantifying the levels of protein aggregates through different techniques, including fluorescent probes, slot blot immunoassays and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). No significant between-group differences were observed in the absolute levels of various protein aggregates (Proteostat or Thioflavin T-stained aggregates; prefibrillar oligomers and fibrils) or total levels of proteostasis-related proteins (Ubiquitin and Clusterin). However, significant positive associations between Endothelin 1 and protein aggregation or proteostasis biomarkers (such as fibrils and ubiquitin) were only observed in the hypertension group. The same is true for the association between the proteins involved in quality control and protein aggregates. These results suggest that proteostasis mechanisms are actively engaged in hypertension as a coping mechanism to counteract its pathological effects in proteome stability, even when individuals are chronically medicated and presenting controlled blood pressure levels.

Endothelial Progenitor Cell Response to Acute Multicomponent Exercise Sessions with Different Durations.

It is widely accepted that exercise training has beneficial effects on vascular health. Although a dose-dependent relation has been suggested, little is known about the effects of different exercise durations on endothelial markers. This study aimed to assess the effect of single exercise sessions with different durations in the circulating levels of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and endothelial cells (CECs) among adults with cardiovascular risk factors. Ten participants performed two multicomponent exercise sessions, one week apart, lasting 30 and 45 min (main exercise phase). Before and after each exercise session, blood samples were collected to quantify EPCs and CECs by flow cytometry. The change in EPCs was significantly different between sessions by 3.0% (95% CI: 1.3 to 4.7), being increased by 1.8 ± 1.7% (p = 0.009) in the 30 min session vs. −1.2 ± 2.0% (p > 0.05) in the 45 min session. No significant change was observed in CECs [−2.0%, 95%CI: (−4.1 to 0.2)] between the sessions. In conclusion, a multicomponent exercise session of 30 min promotes an acute increase in the circulating levels of EPCs without increasing endothelial damage (measured by the levels of CECs) among adults with cardiovascular risk factors.

Reduced Levels of Circulating Endothelial Cells and Endothelial Progenitor Cells in Patients with Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction.

BACKGROUND: Endothelial dysfunction has been suggested as a potential mechanism contributing to the development and progression of heart failure (HF). Levels of circulating endothelial cells (CECs), endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), and hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) have been recognized as useful markers of vascular damage and endothelial repair in response to tissue injury. AIMS: To evaluate the circulating levels of EPCs, CECs, and HSPCs among patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). METHODS: In 82 individuals (42 patients with HFrEF and 42 age-matched subjects without established cardiovascular disease), peripheral blood was drawn and levels of EPCs, CECs, and HSPCs were quantified by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Patients with HFrEF showed lower levels of circulating EPCs (5.28 × 10-3 ± 6.83 × 10-4% vs. 7.76 × 10-3 ± 4.91 × 10-4%, p ≤0.001) and CECs (5.11 × 10-3 ± 7.87 × 10-4% vs. 6.51 × 10-3 ± 5.21 × 10-4%, p = 0.005) when compared to the age-matched group. Circulating levels of HSPCs were not significantly different between groups (p = 0.590). Additionally, the number of EPCs and CECs was significantly higher in HFrEF patients with overweight/obesity (n = 24) compared to patients with normal weight (n = 17). CONCLUSION: Circulating levels of EPCs and CECs were significantly decreased in patients with HFrEF in comparison to age-matched subjects without established cardiovascular disease, suggesting that the levels of CECs and EPCs may be potential biomarkers of the cellular response to vascular injury in patients with HFrEF.

Influence of pupillary dynamics on the defocus curve of eyes implanted with diffractive multifocal lenses: a randomized study / Influência da dinâmica pupilar na curva de desfoco de olhos implantados com lentes multifocais difrativas: um estudo randomizado

ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate the influence of pupil dynamics on the defocus profile and area-of-focus of eyes implanted with a diffractive multifocal intraocular lens (IOL). Methods: This prospective randomized trial was conducted at the Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil. Thirty-eight patients were randomly assigned to receive the multifocal SN6AD1 (n=20) or the aspheric monofocal SN60WF (aIOL) (n=18) IOLs bilaterally. Dynamic pupillometry, visual acuity for distance and near, corrected and uncorrected, and a defocus profile were assessed postoperatively. The area-of-focus was calculated using an empirical polynomial model of the defocus profile. Results: Sixteen patients (32 eyes) in the multifocal SN6AD1 group and 17 patients (34 eyes) in the aspheric monofocal SN60WF group completed the 1-year follow-up. There were no significant between-group differences in monocular uncorrected distance or near visual acuity. The defocus profiles of the mfIOL group showed a double peak, whereas those of the aspheric monofocal SN60WF group showed only one peak, which is typical for a monofocal intraocular lens. The area-of-focus of the aIOL group (4.66 ± 1.51 logMARxD) was significantly different from that of the multifocal SN6AD1 (1.99 ± 1.31 logMARxD). Pupil size at maximum contraction after exposure to a flash of 30 cd/m2 for 1 second was significantly correlated with a better area-of-focus in the multifocal SN6AD1 group (r=0.54; p=0.0017), whereas this was not the case in the aspheric monofocal SN60WF group. Conclusion: These findings indicate that in eyes implanted with an multifocal SN6AD1, the smaller the pupil size, the better is the area-of-focus and hence the better is the visual performance. This correlation was not found for the aspheric monofocal SN60WF.(AU)

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a influência da dinâmica pupilar na curva de desfoco de olhos implantados com lente intraoculares multifocais difrativas. Métodos: Estudo prospectivo e randomizado realizado na Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto - Universidade de São Paulo - Departamento de Oftalmologia. Trinta e oito pacientes foram aleatoriamente designados para receber bilateralmente lentes intraoculares SN6AD1 (n=20) (mfIOL) ou SN60WF (n=18) (aIOL). Além da acuidade visual para longe e perto, corrigida e não corrigida, e curva de desfoco, foi ainda realizada pupilometria dinâmica. A área sob a curva de desfoco foi calculada usando um modelo polinomial empírico. Resultados: Um total de 16 e 17 pacientes (n=32 e 34 olhos) completaram 1 ano de seguimento nos grupos mfIOL e aIOL, respectivamente. Não houve diferenças significativas entre grupos para as acuidades visuais seja para longe ou perto. As curvas de desfoco do grupo mfIOL mostraram um pico duplo; enquanto o SN60WF mostrou apenas um pico, típico para uma lente intraoculares monofocal. A média da área sob a curva de desfoco do grupo aIOL foi (4,66 ± 1,51 logMAR.dp), e essa é estatisticamente significante diferente da métrica do grupo mfIOL (1,99 ± 1,31 logMAR.dp). A pupila na contração máxima após a exposição a um flash de 30 cd/m2 por 1 segundo foi significativamente correlacionada com uma melhor área de foco no grupo mfIOL (r=0,54; p=0,0017), essa relação não foi observada para o grupo aIOL. Conclusão: Estes dados indicam que quanto menor a pupila durante contração, melhor é a área sob a curva de desfoco e, portanto, o desempenho visual dos olhos implantados com essa mfIOL. Esta correlação não foi encontrada para lentes intraoculares monofocais.(AU)

Influence of pupillary dynamics on the defocus curve of eyes implanted with diffractive multifocal lenses: a randomized study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the influence of pupil dynamics on the defocus profile and area-of-focus of eyes implanted with a diffractive multifocal intraocular lens (IOL). METHODS: This prospective randomized trial was conducted at the Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil. Thirty-eight patients were randomly assigned to receive the multifocal SN6AD1 (n=20) or the aspheric monofocal SN60WF (aIOL) (n=18) IOLs bilaterally. Dynamic pupillometry, visual acuity for distance and near, corrected and uncorrected, and a defocus profile were assessed postoperatively. The area-of-focus was calculated using an empirical polynomial model of the defocus profile. RESULTS: Sixteen patients (32 eyes) in the multifocal SN6AD1 group and 17 patients (34 eyes) in the aspheric monofocal SN60WF group completed the 1-year follow-up. There were no significant between-group differences in monocular uncorrected distance or near visual acuity. The defocus profiles of the mfIOL group showed a double peak, whereas those of the aspheric monofocal SN60WF group showed only one peak, which is typical for a monofocal intraocular lens. The area-of-focus of the aIOL group (4.66 ± 1.51 logMARxD) was significantly different from that of the multifocal SN6AD1 (1.99 ± 1.31 logMARxD). Pupil size at maximum contraction after exposure to a flash of 30 cd/m2 for 1 second was significantly correlated with a better area-of-focus in the multifocal SN6AD1 group (r=0.54; p=0.0017), whereas this was not the case in the aspheric monofocal SN60WF group. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that in eyes implanted with an multifocal SN6AD1, the smaller the pupil size, the better is the area-of-focus and hence the better is the visual performance. This correlation was not found for the aspheric monofocal SN60WF.

Regular Exercise Participation Contributes to Better Proteostasis, Inflammatory Profile, and Vasoactive Profile in Patients With Hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Physical exercise is a well-established strategy to control blood pressure. Nonetheless, its effects on protein homeostasis in individuals with hypertension are not clearly defined. AIMS: Evaluate proteostasis, quality of life, and inflammation, oxidative stress, and vasoactive biomarkers in adults with hypertension regarding reported exercise habits. METHODS: Twenty individuals were recruited in a health-care centre, 10 regular exercisers (age: 68.3 ± 4.2 years) and 10 age-matched individuals without regular exercise participation (age: 67.7 ± 5.1 years). Proteostasis and the levels of ubiquitin, heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), matrix metalloproteinases 2 (MMP-2), tissue inhibitor of MMP-2 (TIMP-2), connexin 43 (Cx43) and extracellular superoxide dismutase-3 (SOD-3) were assessed in plasma using immunoblotting techniques (western blot or slot blot) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Quality of life was assessed using the Short Form 36 (SF-36) version 2.0 questionnaire. RESULTS: Significant higher levels of interleukin (IL)-6 (P = 0.014), eNOS (P = 0.011), Cx43 (P = 0.020), TIMP-2 (P = 0.038), and SOD-3 (P = 0.001), with a fold increase of 1.5, 1.2, 2.1, 1.3, and 1.2, respectively, were found in the exercise group. The overall quality of life (60.1 ± 4.3 vs. 53.2 ± 5.9, P = 0.009), as well as mental health domain (59.4 ± 7.9 vs. 50.7 ± 7.2, P = 0.024) were significantly higher in the exercise group. Multivariate analysis by FTIR showed that the age-matched group is characterized by peaks related with antiparallel ß-sheet, whereas exercise group is characterized by peaks related to random coils, ß-sheet, and α-helix. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with regular exercise participation showed better proteostasis, quality of life, inflammatory profile, antioxidant defenses, and eNOS levels.

Haigis and SRKT formulae accuracy for intentional myopic overcorrection.

PURPOSE: To investigate the influence of preoperative biometric parameters on the accuracy of Haigis and SRKT formulae in predicting postoperative target refraction. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 108 eyes (70 patients) underwent uneventful phacoemulsification surgery with implant of Alcon-SN60WF intraocular lens (IOL). Forty-five eyes were intentionally targeted to myopia (-0.75 to -1.25 dpt), while the others targeted between 0 and -0.75 dpt. Preoperative axial length and keratometry (K) were measured with optical biometry (LENSTAR-Haag-Streit). Postoperative spherical equivalent was assessed 3 ± 2 months after surgery. RESULTS: There is a significant correlation between the mean keratometry (K) and the Haigis-SRKT prediction differences (P < 0.001; r = 0.749). Linear regression indicates that a decrease of 1 diopter (D) on K implies an increase of 0.23 D on the difference between formulae prediction. K alone does not influence the prediction error for both formulas. The difference between the two formulae is dependent on K (r = -0.75; P < 0.01). Moreover, eyes with K <43.75 targeted at myopia (n = 23) showed a significant myopic shift of -0.26 ± 0.09 dpt (P < 0.05) with Haigis, but a hyperopic shift of 0.24 ± 0.09 dpt (P < 0.05) with SRKT. CONCLUSION: Divergences between Haigis and SRKT formulae cause uncertainty in choosing the IOL. Our results indicate that, in eyes with lower preoperative K, an IOL targeted at myopia might result in a small, but significant myopic shift with the Haigis formula, while a hyperopic shift with the SRKT formula.

ExoU-induced redox imbalance and oxidative stress in airway epithelial cells during Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumosepsis.

ExoU is a potent proinflammatory toxin produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a major agent of severe lung infection and sepsis. Because inflammation is usually associated with oxidative stress, we investigated the effect of ExoU on free radical production and antioxidant defense mechanisms during the course of P. aeruginosa infection. In an experimental model of acute pneumonia, ExoU accounted for increased lipid peroxidation in mice lungs as soon as 3 h after intratracheal instillation of PA103 P. aeruginosa strain. The contribution of airway cells to the generation of a redox imbalance was assessed by in vitro tests carried out with A549 airway epithelial cells. Cultures infected with the ExoU-producing PA103 P. aeruginosa strain produced significantly increased concentrations of lipid hydroperoxides, 8-isoprostane, reactive oxygen intermediates, peroxynitrite and nitric oxide (NO), when compared to cells infected with exoU-deficient mutants. Overproduction of NO by PA103-infected cells likely resulted from overexpression of both inducible and endothelial NO synthase isoforms. PA103 infection was also associated with a significantly increased activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and decreased levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), a major antioxidant compound. Our findings unveil another potential mechanism of tissue damage during infection by ExoU-producing P. aeruginosa strains.

Avaliação da adequação às boas práticas em unidades de alimentação e nutrição / Evaluation of good practices procedures in food services

Com o objetivo de avaliar a adoção das boas práticas foi realizado um estudo transversal em nove Unidades de Alimentação e Nutrição (UAN), aplicando-se a lista de verificação proposta pela Resolução RDC275/2002. Cinco blocos de perguntas foram utilizados para avaliação, no total de 157 itens referentes às edificações e as instalações; equipamentos, móveis e utensílios; manipuladores; produção e transporte dos alimentos; e documentação. As UAN foram classificadas em grupos segundo os critérios estabelecidos no item D da RDC 275/2002 (Grupo 1: 76 a 100 de adequação; Grupo 2: 51 a 75; Grupo 3: 0 a 50). Avaliou-se, ainda, a adequação de itens considerados imprescindíveis para a qualidade sanitária dos alimentos, tais como lavatórios exclusivos para higienização das mãos instalados na área de manipulação de alimentos e adoção de medidas para minimizar o risco de contaminação cruzada. Das UAN avaliadas, 88,9 (n =8) foram classificadas no Grupo 1. Os blocos referentes a ‘manipuladores’ e ‘produção e transporte dos alimentos’ atingiram, respectivamente, 97,6 e 84,7 de adequação. A maioria dos itens imprescindíveis obteve adequação de 88,9 a 100. Apesar da boa classificação geral das UAN, foram detectadas falhas nos itens relativos a ‘edificação e instalações’ e ‘equipamentos, móveis e utensílios’.

Associação entre HPV e câncer peniano: revisão da literartura / Association between HPV with penile carcinoma: a review

Este artigo consiste em uma revisão do tema associação entre o papilomavírus humano (HPV) eo câncer peniano.