Austropuccinia psidii uses tetrapolar mating and produces meiotic spores in older infections on Eucalyptus grandis.

Austropuccinia psidii is the causal agent of myrtle rust, a fungal disease that infects over 480 species in the Myrtaceae. A. psidii is a biotrophic pathogen that reproduces sexually and asexually. Sexual reproduction has been previously shown on Syzygium jambos and little is known about its reproductive biology on other hosts or whether populations that were formerly structured by host range can outcross on universally susceptible hosts. We investigated if mating genes in three genomes of A. psidii were under selection as a proxy for whether different strains can reproduce sexually on a shared host. We examined three homologs of the STE3.2 gene, sequences of which were near-identical in the three genomes, and the homeodomain locus, which contained two alleles of two homeodomain genes in each genome. A. psidii likely uses tetrapolar mating. Pheromone/receptor loci were distal to homeodomain loci, and based on haplotypes of a phased assembly, mate compatibility is regulated by multiallelic HD genes and biallelic STE3.2 genes; the third homolog of STE3.2 (STE3.2-1) was present in both haplotypes, and our study supports hypotheses this gene does not regulate mate recognition. Populations of A. psidii formerly structured by host range could potentially outcross on universal hosts based on their related mating genes, however this hypothesis should remain theoretical given the implications for biosecurity. Additionally, we searched for core meiotic genes in genomes of A. psidii, four species of Puccinia, and Sphaerophragmium acaciae through comparative genomics based on 136 meiosis-related orthologous genes modeled from Mycosarcoma maydis. Meiotic genes are conserved in rust fungi at family rank. We analyzed the expression of two meiotic and four mitotic genes of A. psidii on E. grandis over a 28-day time course to validate that identified meiotic genes were upregulated in teliospores. Three mitotic genes were significantly downregulated in samples collected 28 days after inoculation (DAI) compared to 14 DAI. Expression of meiotic genes was significantly up-regulated in samples collected 28 DAI compared to 14 DAI, indicating a temporal switch from production of uredinia (mitotic stage) to telia in the life cycle, which we hypothesize may be in response to leaf ageing.

Dietary and nutrient intake among participants of a Brazilian health promotion programme: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: Developing health promotion activities, aimed at healthy food intake, is essential for improving quality of life and reducing the prevalence of chronic diseases. Thus, the objective of this study is to describe both dietary and nutrient intake, according to length of participation in a health promotion service (Programa Academia da Saúde - PAS). DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was carried out with a representative sample of PAS units in vulnerable areas of the city. Dietary and nutrient intake were assessed, using the average of two 24-h recalls. Food was categorised according to the NOVA (a systematic grouping of all foods according to the nature, extent and purpose of the industrial processes they undergo) classification. The length of participation in PAS is presented in months and is then examined in tertiles for analysis. SETTING: Belo Horizonte - Brazil. PARTICIPANTS: 3372 adults (≥20 years). RESULTS: Users in the third tertile of PAS (24·4-61·6 months) experienced less energy intake, lipids and ultra-processed foods, and more culinary preparations, compared to others. Users in the second (10·1-24·3 months) and third tertiles of PAS had higher carbohydrate intake, Ca and vitamin C v those in the first tertile (0-10 months). CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that greater participation in PAS can improve dietary and nutrient intake, showing its potential to promote healthy lifestyles, prevent chronic diseases and offer longitudinal health care.

Consumption of ultra-processed foods and nutritional profile in a health promotion service of primary care.

OBJECTIVE: Describing the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF) and their association with the nutritional profiles among users of a health promotion service in a Brazilian city. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Public health promotion service of Primary Health Care in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. PARTICIPANTS: Totally, 3372 participants. RESULTS: UPF were found to contribute to 27·7 % of the diet's total energy. The highest consumption was associated with higher values for energy intake (1561·8 v. 1331·8 kcal/d; P < 0·01), energy density (1·7 v. 1·4 kcal/g; P < 0·01), total (32·5 v. 27·3 %; P < 0·01) and trans-fats (2·1 v. 1·2 %; P < 0·01) and Na (1001·6 v. 758·9 mg/1000 kcal; P < 0·01) and with lower values for proteins (14·9 v. 19·6 %; P < 0·01), mono-unsaturated fats (16·1 v. 20·1 %; P = 0·02), n-3 (0·9 v. 1·1 %; P < 0·01) and some vitamins and minerals when comparing individuals in the last quintile of energy contribution from UPF in relation to the first one. The prevalence rate of nutrient inadequacy aimed at preventing non-communicable diseases increased between 30 % and 100 % when compared with the values of the fifth to the first quintile of UPF consumption (P < 0·001). However, the participants had lower energy intake, energy density and Na and higher fibre consumption when compared to Brazilian population. CONCLUSIONS: Participants showed a high consumption of UPF, but also positive diet characteristics when compared with the national data. The results suggest the importance of health promotion services to promote healthy food and the need to include approaches to reduce UPF consumption.

Challenges for obesity management in a unified health system: the view of health professionals.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is an increasingly prevalent chronic condition. Its multiple causes and the complexity of its treatment pose challenges for health professionals. OBJECTIVE: To explore and describe the challenges for obesity management in the Brazilian Unified Health System according to health professionals. METHODS: An exploratory quantitative web-based study, carried out in 2018 with health professionals, developed from the first stage of a national project that aims to examine the management of obesity in Brazil. The questionnaire was self-applied. Invitations to participate in the research were sent by the Ministry of Health, Health Department of Minas Gerais and members of the research group. We collected data on sex, age, professional category, region and level of care. The challenges were investigated using a Likert scale and categorized into structure and work process. RESULTS: We evaluated 1323 professionals, of which about 45% were dietitians, 90.2% were women, and 83.1% self-reported working in primary health care. The main barriers cited included a high demand for curative and individual assistance, the presence of comorbidities, and the absence or insufficient access to instructional materials, professional qualification and lack of support. CONCLUSION: Obesity management is a critical challenge for all professionals. Barriers were related to the work process and structural aspects and reinforce the need to empower health teams. We propose that permanent education activities should be established, as well as the development of instructional materials that are applicable to routine work. Finally, the results may be used to develop policies and strategies to improve obesity management.

A systematic review of effects, potentialities, and limitations of nutritional interventions aimed at managing obesity in primary and secondary health care.

OBJECTIVES: Obesity has been identified as an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease and other chronic diseases. However, dietary treatment of obesity is far from being a closed issue. Therefore, it is critical to identify the most appropriate obesity management approaches. The aim of this review was to summarize the effects, potentialities, and limitations of nutritional interventions aimed at managing obesity in primary and secondary health care settings, highlighting the most effective strategies and theories. METHODS: This systematic review of randomized controlled trials evaluated nutritional interventions aimed at achieving weight loss in primary and secondary health care patients. All screening and extraction processes were conducted according to PRISMA. RESULTS: From an initial 7816 studies that were identified, 28 met the criteria and were included in the review. Most studies were conducted in a developed country in primary care, with a higher proportion of women. Most of the nutrition interventions maintained continuous contacts during follow-up, and telephone calls were the most commonly used technology. A physical activity component was included in most studies, and the most common dietary approaches used were energy restrictions, changes in macronutrient distribution, and diet self-monitoring. Regarding theories, interventions mainly incorporated Social Cognitive Theory and Motivational Interviewing. Most trials presented significant and moderate weight loss (~5%), in which the key contributors were behavioral theories, the dietary approach of calorie restriction, and interventions delivered by dietitians and psychologists. CONCLUSIONS: Most trials presented better weight loss results with the association of calorie restrictions and theory-based interventions delivered by dietitians or psychologists. We identified the need to develop interventions in other contexts, such as low- and middle-income countries; further trials comparing a theory- versus not-theory-driven intervention; group-based versus individually based intervention; and intervention using or not using technology.

Diversity of ants and mites in the diet of the Brazilian frog Chiasmocleis leucosticta (Anura: Microhylidae) / Diversidade de formigas e ácaros na dieta do anuro brasileiro Chiasmocleis leucosticta (Anura: Microhylidae)

Abstract We describe here the diet of the microhylid frog Chiasmocleis leucosticta based on the stomach contents of 72 individuals (47 males and 25 females) collected in pitfall traps at the Reserva Florestal de Morro Grande, state of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil. We identified 1,981 food items distributed in 13 prey categories of arthropods, mainly ants, mites and collembolans. Formicidae was the most abundant and frequent prey category, including 16 genera from seven subfamilies, and data on ant availability in the habitat suggest that C. leucosticta selects ants actively. The second main prey category was Acari, predominantly represented by mites of the suborder Oribatida. This is the first work identifying mites to the family level in the diet of a Microhylidae. There was no statistical difference between males and females regarding diet composition.

Resumo Descrevemos neste trabalho a dieta do anuro Chiasmocleis leucosticta, pertencente à família Microhylidae, com base no conteúdo estomacal de 72 indivíduos (47 machos e 25 fêmeas) coletados em armadilhas-de-queda na Reserva Florestal de Morro Grande, SP. Foram identificados 1981 itens alimentares, distribuídos em 13 categorias de artrópodes, especialmente formigas, ácaros e colêmbolos. Formicidae foi a categoria de presas mais abundante e frequente, incluindo 16 gêneros pertencentes a sete subfamílias. Os dados de disponibilidade de formigas no ambiente sugerem que C. leucosticta seleciona formigas ativamente. A segunda categoria de presas mais relevante foi Acari, predominantemente representada por ácaros da subordem Oribatida. Este é o primeiro trabalho que identifica os ácaros ao nível de família na dieta de um Microhylidae. Não houve diferença estatística entre machos e fêmeas quanto à composição da dieta.