Human iPSC 4R tauopathy model uncovers modifiers of tau propagation.

Tauopathies are age-associated neurodegenerative diseases whose mechanistic underpinnings remain elusive, partially due to a lack of appropriate human models. Here, we engineered human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived neuronal lines to express 4R Tau and 4R Tau carrying the P301S MAPT mutation when differentiated into neurons. 4R-P301S neurons display progressive Tau inclusions upon seeding with Tau fibrils and recapitulate features of tauopathy phenotypes including shared transcriptomic signatures, autophagic body accumulation, and reduced neuronal activity. A CRISPRi screen of genes associated with Tau pathobiology identified over 500 genetic modifiers of seeding-induced Tau propagation, including retromer VPS29 and genes in the UFMylation cascade. In progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and Alzheimer's Disease (AD) brains, the UFMylation cascade is altered in neurofibrillary-tangle-bearing neurons. Inhibiting the UFMylation cascade in vitro and in vivo suppressed seeding-induced Tau propagation. This model provides a robust platform to identify novel therapeutic strategies for 4R tauopathy.

Human iPSC 4R tauopathy model uncovers modifiers of tau propagation.

Tauopathies are age-associated neurodegenerative diseases whose mechanistic underpinnings remain elusive, partially due to lack of appropriate human models. Current human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived neurons express very low levels of 4-repeat (4R)-tau isoforms that are normally expressed in adult brain. Here, we engineered new iPSC lines to express 4R-tau and 4R-tau carrying the P301S MAPT mutation when differentiated into neurons. 4R-P301S neurons display progressive Tau inclusions upon seeding with Tau fibrils and recapitulate features of tauopathy phenotypes, including shared transcriptomic signatures, autophagic body accumulation, and impaired neuronal activity. A CRISPRi screen of genes associated with Tau pathobiology identified over 500 genetic modifiers of Tau-seeding-induced Tau propagation, including retromer VPS29 and the UFMylation cascade as top modifiers. In AD brains, the UFMylation cascade is altered in neurofibrillary-tangle-bearing neurons. Inhibiting the UFMylation cascade suppressed seeding-induced Tau propagation. This model provides a powerful platform to identify novel therapeutic strategies for 4R tauopathy.

How Deep Can the Endophytic Mycobiome Go? A Case Study on Six Woody Species from the Brazilian Cerrado.

Elucidating the complex relationship between plants and endophytic fungi is very important in order to understand the maintenance of biodiversity, equity, stability, and ecosystem functioning. However, knowledge about the diversity of endophytic fungi from species of the native Brazilian Cerrado biome is poorly documented and remains largely unknown. These gaps led us to characterize the diversity of Cerrado endophytic foliar fungi associated with six woody species (Caryocar brasiliense, Dalbergia miscolobium, Leptolobium dasycarpum, Qualea parviflora, Ouratea hexasperma, and Styrax ferrugineus). Additionally, we investigated the influence of host plant identities on the structure of fungal communities. Culture-dependent methods coupled with DNA metabarcoding were employed. Irrespective of the approach, the phylum Ascomycota and the classes Dothideomycetes and Sordariomycetes were dominant. Using the cultivation-dependent method, 114 isolates were recovered from all the host species and classified into more than 20 genera and 50 species. Over 50 of the isolates belonged to the genus Diaporthe, and were distributed into more than 20 species. Metabarcoding revealed the phyla Chytridiomycota, Glomeromycota, Monoblepharomycota, Mortierellomycota, Olpidiomycota, Rozellomycota, and Zoopagomycota. These groups are reported for the first time as components of the endophytic mycobiome of Cerrado plant species. In total, 400 genera were found in all host species. A unique leaf endophytic mycobiome was identified in each host species, which differed not only by the distribution of fungal species, but also by the abundance of shared species. These findings highlight the importance of the Brazilian Cerrado as a reservoir of microbial species, and emphasize how endophytic fungal communities are diversified and adapted.

Prediction of fatty acid composition in intact and minced fat of European autochthonous pigs breeds by near infrared spectroscopy.

The fatty acids profile has been playing a decisive role in recent years, thanks to technological, sensory and health demands from producers and consumers. The application of NIRS technique on fat tissues, could lead to more efficient, practical, and economical in the quality control. The study aim was to assess the accuracy of Fourier Transformed Near Infrared Spectroscopy technique to determine fatty acids composition in fat of 12 European local pig breeds. A total of 439 spectra of backfat were collected both in intact and minced tissue and then were analyzed using gas chromatographic analysis. Predictive equations were developed using the 80% of samples for the calibration, followed by full cross validation, and the remaining 20% for the external validation test. NIRS analysis of minced samples allowed a better response for fatty acid families, n6 PUFA, it is promising both for n3 PUFA quantification and for the screening (high, low value) of the major fatty acids. Intact fat prediction, although with a lower predictive ability, seems suitable for PUFA and n6 PUFA while for other families allows only a discrimination between high and low values.

Análisis de la respuesta a la pandemia provocada por la COVID-19 en centros residenciales geriátricos de Andalucía / Analysis of the response to the pandemic caused by COVID-19 in geriatric residential centers in Andalucía

La enfermedad por COVID-19 ha afectado a más de 163 millones de personas alrededor de todo el mundo, azotando con mayor incidencia y gravedad a la población mayor que vivía en residencias para personas mayores. La población mayor ha sido la mayor víctima debido a la edad avanzada, a las enfermedades crónicas y al déficit que presenta su sistema inmunitario, todo esto sumado al riesgo de residir en un centro gerontológico, y supone el 25% del total de decesos por COVID-19 en Andalucía. Objetivo: Conocer los factores que han influido en el ámbito residencial geriátrico para que la situación de pandemia haya tenido efectos más graves sobre los residentes. Metodología: Se ha realizado una investigación cuantitativa, un estudio descriptivo observacional, a través de la realización de cuestionario autoadministrado en 20 residencias de la comunidad autónoma de Andalucía analizando lo sucedido desde el inicio de la emergencia sanitaria hasta el 15 de marzo de 2021. Resultados: Los resultados más destacables mostraron dependencia entre el tipo de aislamiento, los recursos humanos disponibles y el modelo de cuidados utilizado, con la incidencia de la pandemia por COVID 19 y los ingresos hospitalarios de residentes y profesionales. Conclusiones: Se hace visible la necesidad de implementar un modelo de cuidados específico centrado en las necesidades de la persona mayor, contando con los recursos humanos necesarios y con la correcta adecuación del entorno para llevar a cabo, si fuese necesario, distintos tipos de aislamiento (AU)

The COVID-19 disease has affected more than 163 million people around the world, hitting the elderly population that lived in nursing homes with greater incidence and severity. The elderly population has been the greatest victim, due to advanced age, chronic diseases and the deficit of their immune system, added to the risk of residing in a gerontological center, accounting for 25% of all deaths from COVID-19 in Andalusia. Objective: to know the factors that have influenced the geriatric residential environment so that the pandemic situation has had more serious effects on residents. Methodology: A quantitative investigation, descriptive observational study, has been carried out, through the completion of a self-administered questionnaire 20 residences of the autonomous community of Andalusia, analyzing what happened from the beginning of the health emergency until March 15, 2021. Results: The most remarkable results showed Dependence between the type of isolation, the human resources available and the care model used, with the incidence of the COVID 19 pandemic and the hospital admissions of residents and professionals. Conclusions: The need to implement a specific care model focused on the needs of the elderly becomes visible, with the necessary human resources and the correct adaptation of the environment to carry out different types of isolation if necessary (AU)

Caracterización del impacto del evento en profesionales de la salud / Characterization of the impact of the event on health professionals / Caracterizando o impacto do evento sobre os profissionais de saúde

La pandemia por COVID-19 generó diversas consecuencias que afectaron la salud física y emocional de la población, siendo los profesionales de la salud los más afectados porque tuvieron la misión de afrontar la atención de todos los que padecieron la enfermedad, además tuvieron que enfrentar la escasez de equipos de protección y de personal. Objetivo. El objetivo de la investigación fue caracterizar el impacto de la pandemia por COVID-19 en los profesionales de la salud que trabajan en hospitales y centros de atención de Lima y provincias. Materiales y método. Investigación cuantitativa, descriptiva, no experimental y transversal. La recolección de los datos se realizó mediante la escala Impacto del estresor (EIE-R) versión española. La población de estudio fue de 624, luego se extrajo una muestra de 394 profesionales sanitarios, recogidos bajo muestreo no probabilístico. Resultados. Se halló que el 47,5% de los profesionales manifestó un impacto leve; el 52, 6% reporto impacto que va de moderado a severo, además se identificó que el contagio por COVID-19 fue el factor significativamente asociado al impacto del evento (p-valor 0.025). Conclusiones. Se identificó que la pandemia por COVID-19 ha generado un impacto en la salud de los profesionales que estuvieron al frente de la atención; se observó una prevalencia del impacto mayor en las trabajadoras que en el personal masculino.

The COVID-19 pandemic generated several consequences that affected the physical and emotional health of the population, being the health professionals the most affected because they had the mission to deal with the care of all those who suffered from the disease, in addition they had to face the shortage of protective equipment and personnel. Objective. The objective of the research was to characterize the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health professionals working in hospitals and health care centers in Lima and the provinces. Materials and Method. Quantitative, descriptive, non-experimental, cross-sectional research. Data were collected using the Spanish version of the Stressor Impact Scale (EIE-R). The study population was 624, then a sample of 394 health professionals was drawn, collected under non-probabilistic sampling. Results. It was found that 47.5% of the professionals reported a mild impact; 52.6% reported an impact ranging from moderate to severe, and it was also identified that infection by COVID-19 was the factor significantly associated with the impact of the event (p-value 0.025). Conclusions. It was identified that the COVID-19 pandemic has generated an impact on the health of the professionals who were in charge of the care; a higher prevalence of the impact was observed in female workers than in male personnel.

A pandemia COVID-19 gerou diversas conseqüências que afetaram a saúde física e emocional da população, sendo os profissionais de saúde os mais afetados porque tinham a missão de lidar com o cuidado de todos aqueles que sofriam da doença, além de ter que enfrentar a escassez de equipamentos e pessoal de proteção. Objetivo. O objetivo da pesquisa era caracterizar o impacto da pandemia COVID-19 sobre os profissionais de saúde que trabalham em hospitais e centros de atendimento em Lima e nas províncias. Materiais e método. Pesquisa quantitativa, descritiva, não-experimental, de corte transversal. A coleta de dados foi realizada utilizando a versão espanhola da Escala de Impacto Stressor (EIE-R). A população do estudo era de 624 pessoas, depois foi retirada uma amostra de 394 profissionais de saúde, coletada sob amostragem não-probabilística. Resultados. Foi constatado que 47,5% dos profissionais relataram um impacto leve; 52,6% relataram impacto moderado a severo, e a infecção por COVID-19 foi identificada como o fator significativamente associado ao impacto do evento (p-valor 0,025). Conclusões. Foi identificado que a pandemia da COVID-19 teve um impacto sobre a saúde dos profissionais que estavam encarregados dos cuidados; uma prevalência maior do impacto foi observada nas trabalhadoras do que no pessoal masculino.

Insights into the xylan degradation system of Cellulomonas sp. B6: biochemical characterization of rCsXyn10A and rCsAbf62A.

Valorization of the hemicellulose fraction of plant biomass is crucial for the sustainability of lignocellulosic biorefineries. The Cellulomonas genus comprises Gram-positive Actinobacteria that degrade cellulose and other polysaccharides by secreting a complex array of enzymes. In this work, we studied the specificity and synergy of two enzymes, CsXyn10A and CsAbf62A, which were identified as highly abundant in the extracellular proteome of Cellulomonas sp. B6 when grown on wheat bran. To explore their potential for bioprocessing, the recombinant enzymes were expressed and their activities were thoroughly characterized. rCsXyn10A is a GH10 endo-xylanase (EC 3.2.1.8), active across a broad pH range (5 to 9), at temperatures up to 55 °C. rCsAbf62A is an α-L-arabinofuranosidase (ABF) (EC 3.2.1.55) that specifically removes α-1,2 and α-1,3-L-arabinosyl substituents from arabino-xylo-oligosaccharides (AXOS), xylan, and arabinan backbones, but it cannot act on double-substituted residues. It also has activity on pNPA. No differences were observed regarding activity when CsAbf62A was expressed with its appended CBM13 module or only the catalytic domain. The amount of xylobiose released from either wheat arabinoxylan or arabino-xylo-oligosaccharides increased significantly when rCsXyn10A was supplemented with rCsAbf62A, indicating that the removal of arabinosyl residues by rCsAbf62A improved rCsXyn10A accessibility to ß-1,4-xylose linkages, but no synergism was observed in the deconstruction of wheat bran. These results contribute to designing tailor-made, substrate-specific, enzymatic cocktails for xylan valorization. KEY POINTS: • rCsAbf62A removes α-1,2 and α-1,3-L-arabinosyl substituents from arabino-xylo-oligosaccharides, xylan, and arabinan backbones. • The appended CBM13 of rCsAbf62A did not affect the specific activity of the enzyme. • Supplementation of rCsXyn10A with rCsAbf62A improves the degradation of AXOS and xylan.

Tau interactome maps synaptic and mitochondrial processes associated with neurodegeneration.

Tau (MAPT) drives neuronal dysfunction in Alzheimer disease (AD) and other tauopathies. To dissect the underlying mechanisms, we combined an engineered ascorbic acid peroxidase (APEX) approach with quantitative affinity purification mass spectrometry (AP-MS) followed by proximity ligation assay (PLA) to characterize Tau interactomes modified by neuronal activity and mutations that cause frontotemporal dementia (FTD) in human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neurons. We established interactions of Tau with presynaptic vesicle proteins during activity-dependent Tau secretion and mapped the Tau-binding sites to the cytosolic domains of integral synaptic vesicle proteins. We showed that FTD mutations impair bioenergetics and markedly diminished Tau's interaction with mitochondria proteins, which were downregulated in AD brains of multiple cohorts and correlated with disease severity. These multimodal and dynamic Tau interactomes with exquisite spatial resolution shed light on Tau's role in neuronal function and disease and highlight potential therapeutic targets to block Tau-mediated pathogenesis.

speciesLink: rich data and novel tools for digital assessments of biodiversity / speciesLink: dados valiosos e ferramentas inovadoras para avaliações digitais da biodiversidade

Abstract speciesLink is a large-scale biodiversity information portal that exists thanks to a broad collaborative network of people and institutions. CRIA's involvement with the scientific community of Brazil and other countries is responsible for the significant results achieved, currently reaching more than 15 million primary biodiversity data records, 95% of which are associated with preserved specimens and about 25% with high-quality digital images. The network provides data on over 200,000 species, of which over 110,000 occur in Brazil. This article describes thematic networks within speciesLink, as well as some of the most useful tools developed. The importance and contributions of speciesLink are outlined, as are concerns about securing stable budgetary support for such biodiversity data e-infrastructures. Here we review the value of speciesLink as a major source of biodiversity information for research, education, informed decision-making, policy development, and bioeconomy.

Resumo speciesLink é um portal de informações em larga escala sobre biodiversidade, que existe graças a uma ampla rede colaborativa de pessoas e instituições. O envolvimento do CRIA com a comunidade científica do Brasil e de outros países é responsável pelos resultados expressivos alcançados, atingindo atualmente mais de 15 milhões de registros de dados primários de biodiversidade, sendo 95% associados a espécimes preservados e cerca de 25% a imagens digitais de alta qualidade. A rede fornece dados sobre mais de 200.000 espécies, das quais mais de 110.000 ocorrem no Brasil. Este artigo descreve as redes temáticas do speciesLink, bem como algumas das ferramentas mais úteis desenvolvidas. A importância e as contribuições do speciesLink são destacadas, assim como as preocupações em garantir um apoio financeiro estável para e-infraestruturas de dados sobre biodiversidade. Aqui revisamos o valor do speciesLink como uma das principais fontes de informação sobre biodiversidade para pesquisa, educação, tomada de decisão, desenvolvimento de políticas e bioeconomia.

Epithelial phenotype restoring drugs suppress macular degeneration phenotypes in an iPSC model.

Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), a blinding eye disease, is characterized by pathological protein- and lipid-rich drusen deposits underneath the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and atrophy of the RPE monolayer in advanced disease stages - leading to photoreceptor cell death and vision loss. Currently, there are no drugs that stop drusen formation or RPE atrophy in AMD. Here we provide an iPSC-RPE AMD model that recapitulates drusen and RPE atrophy. Drusen deposition is dependent on AMD-risk-allele CFH(H/H) and anaphylatoxin triggered alternate complement signaling via the activation of NF-κB and downregulation of autophagy pathways. Through high-throughput screening we identify two drugs, L-745,870, a dopamine receptor antagonist, and aminocaproic acid, a protease inhibitor that reduce drusen deposits and restore RPE epithelial phenotype in anaphylatoxin challenged iPSC-RPE with or without the CFH(H/H) genotype. This comprehensive iPSC-RPE model replicates key AMD phenotypes, provides molecular insight into the role of CFH(H/H) risk-allele in AMD, and discovers two candidate drugs to treat AMD.

Covid-19: un reto para los estudiantes de Enfermería en la educación en el trabajo / COVID-19: a challenge for Nursing students in the on-the-job training

RESUMEN Introducción: en las prácticas docentes de Enfermería de la educación en el trabajo, que se realizan en centros hospitalarios, los estudiantes y enfermeros están expuestos al contagio por covid-19. De ahí que se haga necesaria la preparación de este personal para ejercer su labor de un modo exitoso en medio de un escenario complejo. Objetivo: evaluar el enfrentamiento a la covid-19 por parte de educandos y personal de enfermería en las prácticas de la educación en el trabajo. Materiales y métodos: se realizó una investigación de intervención y desarrollo en el Servicio de Neurocirugía del Hospital Universitario Clínico Quirúrgico Comandante Faustino Pérez Hernández, de Matanzas, entre septiembre y octubre de 2020, período de rebrote de la covid. Para ello se trabajó con el universo constituido por 12 pacientes, 12 cuidadores y 6 educandos de 5to año de la carrera de Licenciatura en Enfermería. El estudio se dividió en tres etapas: diagnóstica, entrenamiento y evaluación. Se utilizó la entrevista. Resultados: predominó en los pacientes el grupo etario de 40 a 49 años, con 41,66 % del género masculino. En los cuidadores predominó el femenino, y la edad de 50 a 59 años. El entrenamiento resultó efectivo en un 58,33 %. Conclusiones: la prevención y el autocuidado fueron respuestas estratégicas positivas como formas de actuación en los educandos y el resto del personal que participó en la investigación. La labor asistencial educativa minimizó el riesgo epidemiológico en los pacientes y cuidadores, y logró un incremento en la percepción de riesgo de contraer la enfermedad (AU).

ABSTRACT Introduction: students and nurses are exposed to contagion by COVID-19 during the Nursing teaching practices of on-the-job training carried out in hospitals. Therefore, it is necessary train these staff to carry out their work successfully in the middle of a difficult scenario. Objective: to evaluate COVID-19 facing by students and nursing staff in the practices of on-the-job training. Materials and methods: an intervention and development research was conducted in the Neurosurgery Service of the University Hospital Comandante Faustino Pérez Hernández, of Matanzas, between September and October 2020, period of COVID-19 resurgence. For that we worked with a universe of 12 patients, 12 caregivers and 6 5th-year students of Nursing degree. The study was divided into three stages: diagnosis, training and evaluation. The interview was used. Results: the 40-49 age group predominated among patients, with 41.66 % of the male gender. Among caregivers, female gender predominated and 50-59 age group. The training was effective at 58.33 %. Conclusions: prevention and self-care were positive strategic answers as forms of action in students and the rest of the staff involved in the research. The educational aid work minimized the epidemiological risk in patients and caregivers, and achieved an increase in risk perception of contracting the disease (AU).

Seasonal and long-term effects of nutrient additions and liming on the nifH gene in cerrado soils under native vegetation.

Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) represents the main input source of N in tropical savannas. BNF could be particularly important for Brazilian savannas (known as Cerrado) that show a highly conservative N cycle. We evaluated the effects of seasonal precipitation and nutrient additions on the nifH gene abundance in soils from a long-term fertilization experiment in a Cerrado's native area. The experiment consists of five treatments: (1) control, (2) liming, (3) nitrogen (N), (4) nitrogen + phosphorus (NP), and (5) phosphorus (P) additions. The nifH gene sequence was related to Bradyrhizobium members. Seasonal effects on N-fixing potential were observed by a decrease in the nifH relative abundance from rainy to dry season in control, N, and NP treatments. A significant reduction in nifH abundance was found in the liming treatment in both seasons. The findings evidenced the multiple factors controlling the potential N-fixing by free-living diazotrophs in these nutrient-limited and seasonally dry ecosystems.

Relación entre variables psicológicas y lesiones deportivas en lanzadores de béisbol / Relação entre habilidades psicológicas e lesões desportivas em lançadores de beisebol / Relationship between psychological variables and sports injuries in baseball pitchers

RESUMEN Se realizó un estudio transversal, descriptivo y correlacional para determinar la relación entre variables psicológicas y lesiones en 34 lanzadores de béisbol de diferentes niveles competitivos. Se describieron las lesiones mediante análisis de frecuencias y distribución porcentual, así como media, desviación típica, asimetría y curtosis para las variables psicológicas; se realizó además la prueba de normalidad mediante K-S para una muestra. Se compararon las variables psicológicas entre grupos de lanzadores mediante Anova de un factor y se analizó la relación entre ambos grupos de variables mediante el coeficiente de correlación de Pearson. Se compararon las variables psicológicas en relación a las lesiones, empleando la prueba t para muestras independientes y Anova de un factor en cada caso, con un intervalo de confianza del 95 % donde p≤0.05. Fueron empleados el cuestionario de aspectos deportivos y lesiones, inventario de ansiedad rasgo-estado, inventario de ansiedad estado en competencia e inventario psicológico de ejecución deportiva. Se obtuvo una marcada presencia de lesiones y un perfil psicológico donde la ansiedad-rasgo, el control de la atención, la autoconfianza, el nivel motivacional y el control de afrontamiento positivo constituyen los puntos fuertes, existiendo diferencias en la ansiedad, según el nivel competitivo. Excepto el control de la actitud, las habilidades psicológicas mostraron relación con las lesiones. Los lanzadores con mayor cantidad y gravedad de lesiones durante las competencias presentan mayor ansiedad. Se concluye afirmando que la preparación psicológica del lanzador de béisbol debe poseer la finalidad de optimizar su rendimiento deportivo y preservar su estado de salud.

RESUMO Foi realizado um estudo transversal, descritivo e correlacional para determinar a relação entre variáveis psicológicas e lesões em 34 lançadores de beisebol de diferentes níveis competitivos. As lesões foram descritas por análise de frequência e distribuição percentual, assim como média, desvio padrão, enviesamento e curtose para as variáveis psicológicas; o teste de normalidade K-S também foi realizado para a amostra. As variáveis psicológicas foram comparadas entre grupos de pitchers através de um fator único. Anova e a relação entre ambos os grupos de variáveis foi analisada por meio do coeficiente de correlação de Pearson. As variáveis psicológicas foram comparadas em relação às lesões, utilizando o teste t para amostras independentes e um fator Anova em cada caso, com um intervalo de confiança de 95 %, em que p≤0.05. Foi utilizado o questionário de aspectos e lesões desportivas, inventário de ansiedade do estado do traço, inventário de ansiedade do estado na competição e inventário psicológico do desempenho desportivo; uma presença marcada de lesões e um perfil psicológico onde a ansiedade do traço, o controlo da atenção, a autoconfiança, o nível motivacional e o controlo positivo da resposta constituem os pontos fortes obtidos, com diferenças na ansiedade, de acordo com o nível competitivo. Com restrição do controlo de atitude, as capacidades psicológicas mostraram relação com lesões. Os lançadores com maior quantidade e gravidade de lesões durante as competições apresentam maior ansiedade. Conclui-se que a preparação psicológica do lançador de beisebol deve ter o propósito de otimizar o seu desempenho desportivo e preservar a sua saúde.

ABSTRACT A cross-sectional, descriptive and correlational study was carried out to determine the relationship between psychological variables and injuries in 34 baseball pitchers of different competitive levels. Injuries were described by frequency analysis and percentage distribution, as well as mean, standard deviation, asymmetry and kurtosis for psychological variables; the K-S normality test was also performed for the sample. The psychological variables were compared between groups of pitchers by means of a one-factor Anova and the relationship between both groups of variables was analyzed by means of Pearson's correlation coefficient. Psychological variables were compared in relation to injuries, using the t-test for independent samples and one-factor Anova in each case, with a confidence interval of 95 % where p≤0.05. The questionnaire of sports aspects and injuries, trait-state anxiety inventory, state anxiety inventory in competition and psychological inventory of sports performance were used; a marked presence of injuries and a psychological profile where trait-anxiety, attention control, self-confidence, motivational level and positive coping control constitute the strong points were obtained, with differences in anxiety, according to the competitive level. Except for attitude control, psychological skills showed a relationship with injuries. The throwers with greater number and severity of injuries during the competitions present greater anxiety. It is concluded by affirming that the psychological preparation of the baseball pitcher should have the purpose of optimizing his sports performance and preserving his state of health.

Dual RNAseq analyses at soma and germline levels reveal evolutionary innovations in the elephantiasis-agent Brugia malayi, and adaptation of its Wolbachia endosymbionts.

Brugia malayi is a human filarial nematode responsible for elephantiasis, a debilitating condition that is part of a broader spectrum of diseases called filariasis, including lymphatic filariasis and river blindness. Almost all filarial nematode species infecting humans live in mutualism with Wolbachia endosymbionts, present in somatic hypodermal tissues but also in the female germline which ensures their vertical transmission to the nematode progeny. These α-proteobacteria potentially provision their host with essential metabolites and protect the parasite against the vertebrate immune response. In the absence of Wolbachia wBm, B. malayi females become sterile, and the filarial nematode lifespan is greatly reduced. In order to better comprehend this symbiosis, we investigated the adaptation of wBm to the host nematode soma and germline, and we characterized these cellular environments to highlight their specificities. Dual RNAseq experiments were performed at the tissue-specific and ovarian developmental stage levels, reaching the resolution of the germline mitotic proliferation and meiotic differentiation stages. We found that most wBm genes, including putative effectors, are not differentially regulated between infected tissues. However, two wBm genes involved in stress responses are upregulated in the hypodermal chords compared to the germline, indicating that this somatic tissue represents a harsh environment to which wBm have adapted. A comparison of the B. malayi and C. elegans germline transcriptomes reveals a poor conservation of genes involved in the production of oocytes, with the filarial germline proliferative zone relying on a majority of genes absent from C. elegans. The first orthology map of the B. malayi genome presented here, together with tissue-specific expression enrichment analyses, indicate that the early steps of oogenesis are a developmental process involving genes specific to filarial nematodes, that likely result from evolutionary innovations supporting the filarial parasitic lifestyle.

Bacteria and Archaea Communities in Cerrado Natural Pond Sediments.

Natural ponds in the Brazilian Cerrado harbor high biodiversity but are still poorly studied, especially their microbial assemblage. The characterization of the microbial community in aquatic environments is fundamental for understanding its functioning, particularly under the increasing pressure posed by land conversion and climate change. Here, we aim to characterize the structure (abundance, richness, and diversity) and composition of the Bacteria and Archaea in the sediment of two natural ponds belonging to different basins that primarily differ in size and depth in the Cerrado. Sediment samples were collected in the dry and rainy seasons and the transition periods between both. The structure and composition of Bacteria and Archaea were assessed by 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing. We identified 45 bacterial and four archaeal groups. Proteobacteria and Acidobacteria dominated the bacterial community, while Euryarchaeota and Thaumarchaeota dominated the archaeal community. Seasonal fluctuations in the relative abundance of microbial taxa were observed, but pond characteristics were more determinant to community composition differences. Microbial communities are highly diverse, and local variability could partially explain the microbial structure's main differences. Functional predictions based in 16S rRNA gene accessed with Tax4Fun indicated an enriched abundance of predicted methane metabolism in the deeper pond, where higher abundance of methanogenic archaea Methanocella, Methanosaeta, and Methanomicrobiaceae was detected. Our dataset encompasses the more comprehensive survey of prokaryotic microbes in Cerrado's aquatic environments. Here, we present basic and essential information about composition and diversity, for initial insights into the ecology of Bacteria and Archaea in these environments.

Chemotherapy and Immunosuppressant Therapy-Induced Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is an entity which is characterized by acute to subacute onset of neurological symptoms like altered mental status, seizures, headaches and other focal neurological deficits. It is diagnosed with the help of MRI findings which typically involve the subcortical white matter of parieto-occipital lobes. In this review, we will discuss the various etiologies and risk factors including some of the most common chemotherapeutic agents and immunosuppressant agents associated with this disorder. We will discuss the mechanism of actions and side effect profiles of a few drugs and their role in causation of PRES. This review article discusses if there is any difference in presentation and imaging findings of PRES caused by cytotoxic agents versus caused by other etiologies. It also highlights the difficulty in management of PRES caused by cytotoxic agents as the discontinuation of these drugs could be life-threatening due to graft rejections or graft versus host disease.

Gastroesophageal Reflux and Its Association With Atrial Fibrillation: A Traditional Review.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common gastroenterology disease; both are highly encountered daily in clinical practice. Since both share common predisposing factors, we can conclude that there is a link between them. To date, the precise mechanism of reflux disease as a possible cause of atrial fibrillation remains uncertain. However, some possibilities can be postulated, such as the inflammation process, and sympathovagal imbalance represents the main factors for how GERD can initiate AF. Vigorous aerobic exercise in healthy people can bring about acidic esophageal reflux, which is a common risk factor for AF. Various inflammatory markers such as C-reaction protein (CRP) and interleukins have been a central role in initiating AF. A large hiatal hernia (HH) can cause direct compression on the left atrium that is possibly predisposing to atrial arrhythmogenesis. It has been sporadically reported that using a proton pump inhibitor to treat GERD in patients with coexisting AF has a noticeable effect on decreasing symptoms of AF and recurrence with less cost and side effects.

The Influence of Pro-inflammatory Cytokines and Genetic Variants in the Development of Fibromyalgia: A Traditional Review.

Fibromyalgia is a complex syndrome characterized by widespread chronic pain, without any obvious etiology, and it is often accompanied by a constellation of symptoms such as fatigue, sleep disturbances and cognitive dysfunction, to name a few. The syndrome may be associated with a variety of autoimmune and psychiatric conditions. Fibromyalgia can occur with other musculoskeletal pathologies and its symptoms can overlap with other chronic painful conditions such as chronic myofascial pain syndromes seen in cervical and lumbar spinal osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease. Gene polymorphisms have been related to a decreased pain threshold and an increased susceptibility to disorders associated with chronic pain. Some of those genetic variants might trigger the onset of fibromyalgia. Researchers are looking into the possible factors that might contribute to its pathophysiology. It is important to study the connections between pro-inflammatory cytokines and genetic variants in pain-related genes and their roles in predisposition and development of fibromyalgia. The objective of this review article is to provide a brief overview of the pro-inflammatory cytokines commonly associated with fibromyalgia, as well as to look into the genes that have shown some level of involvement in the development of fibromyalgia and its symptomatology.

Seasonal Variations in Soil Microbiota Profile of Termite (Syntermes wheeleri) Mounds in the Brazilian Tropical Savanna.

Eusocial animals, such as the termites, often build a nest-like structure called a mound that provides shelter with stable internal conditions and protection against predators. Termites are important components of the Brazilian Cerrado biota. This study aimed to investigate the bacterial community composition and diversity of the Syntermes wheeleri termite-mound soil using culture-independent approaches. We considered the vertical profile by comparing two different mound depths (mound surface and 60 cm) and seasonality with samplings during the rainy and dry seasons. We compared the mound soil microbiota to the adjacent soil without the influence of the mound to test the hypothesis that the Cerrado soil bacterial community was more diverse and more susceptible to seasonality than the mound soil microbiota. The results support the hypothesis that the Cerrado soil bacterial community is more diverse than the mound soil and also has a higher variability among seasons. The number of observed OTUs (Operational Taxonomic Units) was used to express bacterial richness, and it indicates that soil moisture has an effect on the community distribution and richness of the Cerrado samples in comparison to mound samples, which remain stable across seasons. This could be a consequence of the protective role of the mound for the termite colony. The overall community taxonomic profile was similar between soil samples, especially when compared to the taxonomic composition of the Syntermes wheeleri termite's gut, which might be explained by the different characteristics and functionality between the soil and the gut microbial community.