Description of Corynebacterium hiratae sp. nov. isolated from a human tissue bone a novel member of Corynebacterium Genus.

BACKGROUND: Corynebacterium spp. are widely disseminated in the environment, and they are part of the skin and mucosal microbiota of animals and humans. Reports of human infections by Corynebacterium spp. have increased considerably in recent years and the appearance of multidrug resistant isolates around the world has drawn attention. OBJECTIVES: To describe a new species of Corynebacterium from human tissue bone is described after being misidentified using available methods. METHODS: For taxonomic analyses, phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA and rpoB genes, in silico DNA-DNA hybridization, average nucleotide and amino acid identity, multilocus sequence analysis, and phylogenetic analysis based on the complete genome were used. FINDINGS: Genomic taxonomic analyzes revealed values of in silico DNA-DNA hybridization, average nucleotide and amino acids identity below the values necessary for species characterization between the analyzed isolates and the closest phylogenetic relative Corynebacterium aurimucosum DSM 44532T. MAIN CONCLUSIONS: Genomic taxonomic analyzes indicate that the isolates analyzed comprise a new species of the Corynebacterium genus, which we propose to name Corynebacterium hiratae sp. nov. with isolate 332T (= CBAS 826T = CCBH 35,014T) as the type strain.

Partial replacement of mineral fertilisers with animal manures in an apple orchard: Effects on GHG emission.

Partial replacement of mineral fertilisers (MF) with animal manures is a good alternative to reduce MF use and increase both nutrient cycling in agriculture and soil organic matter. However, the adoption of this practice must not lead to increased environmental impacts. In this two-year study conducted in an apple orchard, MF were partially replaced with various animal manures, including cattle slurry (CS), acidified cattle slurry (ACS), solid cattle manure (CsM), or poultry manure (PM), and their impacts on greenhouse gas emission (GHG: CO2, N2O and CH4) were examined. A control (CTRL) receiving only MF served as the baseline, representing the conventional scenario in orchard fertilisation. Overall, replacing MF with manures increased GHG emissions, with the magnitude of the impacts depending on the specific characteristics of the manures and the amount of nutrients and organic matter applied. Comparing to the CTRL, application of ACS and CS led to higher CH4 and N2O emissions, while PM application increased both N2O and CO2 emissions. In contrast, replacement with PM and CsM decreased CH4 emissions. Nevertheless, results varied between the two years, influenced by several factors, including soil conditions. While acidification showed potential to mitigate CH4 emissions, it also led to increased N2O emissions compared to CS, particularly in 2022, suggesting the need for further investigation to avoid emission trade-offs. Replacement with CS (20.49 t CO2-eq ha-1) and CsM (20.30 t CO2-eq ha-1) showed comparable global warming potential (GWP) to the conventional scenario (CTRL, 19.49 t CO2-eq ha-1), highlighting their potential as viable MF substitutes.

Improving chestnut physicochemical properties through fermentation - Development of chestnut Amazake.

The increased awareness of population regarding the impact of consumption habits is leading to interest in new, innovative, diversified and health promoting foods. In this work, two new amazake fermented products were developed with chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.), using rice or chestnut koji as source of glycolytic enzymes. The analysis of the amazakes evolution showed improvements in chestnuts physicochemical characteristics. The fermented products presented higher values of soluble protein, sugars, starches, antioxidant capacity, and similar values of ascorbic acid for chestnut koji amazake. The adhesiveness increased, which is related to the enhanced concentrations of sugars and starches. The evolution into less structured products was observed in the firmness followed by a consistent decrease of the viscoelastic moduli. The developed chestnut amazakes can represent a suitable alternative to traditional amazake, creating an opportunity for valorisation of chestnut industrial by-products, as new, tasty, and nutritive fermented products with potential functional characteristics.

Evaluation of the fertilizer potential of Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus obliquus grown in agricultural drainage water from maize fields.

Producing microalgae with agricultural drainage water (ADW) allows recycling water and nutrients, with the production of a biofertilizer, avoiding receiving waters' contamination. Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus obliquus were cultivated using ADW and standard media supplementation and presented higher productivities, relatively to the control industrial growth medium (using freshwater). Selected strains were grown outdoors in pilot flat panel photobioreactors, reaching 2.20 g L-1 for S. obliquus and 1.15 g L-1 for C. vulgaris, and degrading herbicides in the ADW to non-quantifiable concentrations. The potential of the C. vulgaris and S. obliquus suspensions to replace 50% of nitrogen (N) mineral fertilization of lettuce (0.5 g pot-1) was evaluated through a pot trial, also using a 2-times (1.0 g pot-1) and 5-times (2.5 g pot-1) higher dose, applied 31 days before lettuce transplanting. Even the lower dose of N, applied via C. vulgaris or S. obliquus suspensions, was able to provide significantly higher lettuce fresh matter yield, relatively to the mineral fertilized control. Soil enzymatic activities were improved, with significantly higher dehydrogenase, ß-glucosidase, and acid phosphatase activities for the 2.5 g pot-1 dose, more marked for S. obliquus, which was also able to increase soil organic matter content. Both the non-fertilized control and microalgae fertilized pots led to similar soil electrical conductivities, 3-fold lower than in the N-mineral fertilized pots, evidencing the capacity of microalgae fertilizers to avoid soil secondary salinization. Results suggest benefits from using ADW from maize cultivation to produce C. vulgaris or S. obliquus suspensions, that can be further used as liquid organic slow-release fertilizer.

New insights into microbial interactions and putative competitive mechanisms during the hydrogen production from tequila vinasses.

This study aimed to characterize the prokaryotic community and putative microbial interactions involved in hydrogen (H2) production during the dark fermentation (DF) process, applying principal components analysis (PCA) to correlate changes in operational, physicochemical, and biological variables. For this purpose, a continuous stirred-tank reactor-type digester fed with tequila vinasses was operated at 24, 18, and 12 h of hydraulic retention times (HRTs) to apply organic loading rates of 20, 36, and 54 g-COD L-1 d-1, corresponding to stages I, II, and III, respectively. Results indicated high population dynamics for Archaea during the DF process toward a decrease in total sequences from 6299 to 99. Concerning the Bacteria community, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were dominant reaching a relative abundance of 57.67%, while dominant H2-producing bacteria (HPB) decreased from 25.76% to 21.06% during stage III. Putative competitive exclusion mechanisms such as competition for substrates, bacteriocins production, and micronutrient depletion carried out by Archaea and non-H2-producing bacteria (non-HPB), especially LAB, could negatively impact the dominance of HPB such as Ethanoligenens harbinense and Clostridium tyrobutyricum. As a consequence, low maximal volumetric H2 production rate (672 mL-H2 L-1 d-1) and yield (3.88 mol-H2 assimilated sugars-1) were obtained. The global scenario obtained by PCA correlations suggested that C. tyrobutyricum positively impacted H2 molar yield through butyrate fermentation using the butyryl-CoA:acetate CoA transferase pathway, while the most abundant HPB E. harbinense decreased its relative abundance at the shortest HRT toward the dominance of non-HPB. This study provides new insights into the microbial interactions and helps to better understand the DF performance for H2 production using tequila vinasses as substrate. KEY POINTS: • E. harbinense and C. tyrobutyricum were responsible for H2 production. • Clostridiales used acetate and butyrate fermentations for H2 production. • LAB won the competition for sugars against Clostridiales during DF. • Putative bacteriocins production and micronutrients depletion could favor LAB.

Improving nutritional quality of unripe tomato through fermentation by a consortium of yeast and lactic acid bacteria.

BACKGROUND: Portugal is one of the main producers of industrial tomato and tomato paste, an important intermediate ingredient used in many added-value foods. The tomato processing industry rigorously selects the fruits by colour during mechanical harvest, picking only completely ripe fruits to produce high quality tomato paste. The latest available data shows that about 1.12 × 108 kg yr-1 of non-red/not-ripe tomatoes are left in the field, representing a major side product/field residue with great impact on the environment and for tomato producers. RESULTS: The aim of the work was to use fermentation by a consortium of yeast and lactic acid bacteria to improve the nutritional quality of unripe tomato paste. A consortium of Lactobacillus plantarum, Leuconostoc mesenteroides and Kluyveromyces marxianus was selected, producing an acidic paste with olive-like flavours after 4 days of fermentation. Nutritional characterization revealed a significant improvement (P < 0.05) in the content of ascorbic acid and antioxidant potential. In addition, ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) analysis showed that the fermented green tomato paste content in glycoalkaloid α-tomatine represents no hazard to the consumer. CONCLUSION: Therefore, the obtained fermented green tomato paste can be further used to produce new food products, such as salad dressings and sauces. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Perfil clínico-epidemiológico da dengue no município de anápolis - goiás entre os anos de 2016 a 2020 / Clinical-epidemiological profile of dengue in the municipality of anápolis - goiás from 2016 to 2020 / Perfil clínico-epidemiológico del dengue en el municipio de anápolis - goiás de 2016 a 2020

RESUMO Objetivo: descrever o perfil clínico epidemiológico da dengue em Anápolis, Goiás - BR entre os anos 2016 a 2020. Métodos: estudo descritivo de natureza quantitativa. Foram utilizados dados da ficha de notificação de dengue cadastrada no Departamento de Vigilância Epidemiológica. Utilizado o teste qui-quadrado com nível de significância cinco (5%) (p<0,05). Resultados: foram notificados 27.544 casos com o pico em 2019, sendo 54,2% do sexo feminino, faixa etária de 25 a 44 anos 36,7% e cor parda 70,3%. Dos casos ocorridos, 97,7% não foram hospitalizados, predominaram a dengue clássica em 98% e obteve-se cura em 99,9% dos casos. Houve diferença significativa em relação à faixa etária e à classificação da dengue, hospitalização e evolução clínica (p= 0,001). Conclusão: evidencia-se que a dengue é prevalente em Anápolis, sendo necessárias estratégias de prevenção e controle do vetor, principalmente, nos períodos de sazonalidade.

ABSTRACT Objective: to describe the clinical epidemiological profile of dengue in Anápolis, Goiás - BR between the years 2016 to 2020. Methods: descriptive study of a quantitative nature. Data from the dengue notification form registered in the Epidemiological Surveillance Department were used. Chi-square test was used with significance level five (5%) (p<0.05). Results: 27,544 cases were notified with the peak in 2019, being 54.2% female, age group 25 to 44 years 36.7% and brown color 70.3%. Of the cases that occurred, 97.7% were not hospitalized, classic dengue predominated in 98% and cure was obtained in 99.9% of cases. There was a significant difference regarding age group and dengue classification, hospitalization, and clinical evolution (p= 0.001). Conclusion: It is evident that dengue is prevalent in Anápolis, and strategies of prevention and control of the vector are necessary, especially during seasonal periods.

RESUMEN Objetivo: describir el perfil clínico epidemiológico del dengue en Anápolis, Goiás - BR entre los años 2016 a 2020. Métodos: estudio descriptivo de carácter cuantitativo. Se utilizaron datos de la ficha de notificación de dengue registrada en el Departamento de Vigilancia Epidemiológica. Se utilizó la prueba de chi-cuadrado con un nivel de significación del cinco (5%) (p<0,05). Resultados: Se notificaron 27.544 casos con el pico en 2019, siendo el 54,2% mujeres, el grupo de edad de 25 a 44 años el 36,7% y el color marrón el 70,3%. De los casos ocurridos, el 97,7% no fueron hospitalizados, el dengue clásico predominó en el 98% y se obtuvo la curación en el 99,9% de los casos. Hubo una diferencia significativa con respecto al grupo de edad y la clasificación del dengue, la hospitalización y la evolución clínica (p= 0,001). Conclusión: se evidencia que el dengue es prevalente en Anápolis, siendo necesarias estrategias de prevención y control del vector, principalmente, en los periodos de sazonalidad.

A deep descriptor for cross-tasking EEG-based recognition.

Due to the application of vital signs in expert systems, new approaches have emerged, and vital signals have been gaining space in biometrics. One of these signals is the electroencephalogram (EEG). The motor task in which a subject is doing, or even thinking, influences the pattern of brain waves and disturb the signal acquired. In this work, biometrics with the EEG signal from a cross-task perspective are explored. Based on deep convolutional networks (CNN) and Squeeze-and-Excitation Blocks, a novel method is developed to produce a deep EEG signal descriptor to assess the impact of the motor task in EEG signal on biometric verification. The Physionet EEG Motor Movement/Imagery Dataset is used here for method evaluation, which has 64 EEG channels from 109 subjects performing different tasks. Since the volume of data provided by the dataset is not large enough to effectively train a Deep CNN model, it is also proposed a data augmentation technique to achieve better performance. An evaluation protocol is proposed to assess the robustness regarding the number of EEG channels and also to enforce train and test sets without individual overlapping. A new state-of-the-art result is achieved for the cross-task scenario (EER of 0.1%) and the Squeeze-and-Excitation based networks overcome the simple CNN architecture in three out of four cross-individual scenarios.

Development and physicochemical characterization of a new grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) miso.

BACKGROUND: Western consumers interest in Eastern fermented foods has been growing, due to their nutritional and healthy properties. In this study, new sweet misos and salty misos were produced using grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) - traditional Portuguese legume from local producers - to promote its consumption and preservation. The evolution of the new misos was evaluated in comparison to traditional miso (made from soybean), through analysis of the chemical composition, colour, texture and linear viscoelastic behaviour. RESULTS: Throughout the fermentation process, the ascorbic acid and phenolic compounds content - with important nutritional value - increased in all misos, mainly in misos produced using grass pea, besides, grass pea sweet miso presented the fastest evolution and darkest colour. The texture parameters (firmness and adhesiveness) of misos decreased over time: grass pea sweet miso showed the highest firmness reduction (51.63 N to 6.52 N) and soybean sweet miso the highest adhesiveness reduction (27.76 N to 3.11 N). Viscoelastic moduli also decreased, reflecting a reduction in the degree of internal structuring for all misos. However, grass pea misos presented more structured internal systems with faster maturation kinetics than soybean misos, for which stabilization started earlier. CONCLUSION: Two innovative misos were developed from grass pea. After 4 months, the texture parameters and viscoelastic moduli for grass pea misos, were similar to the control misos made from soybean, showing that grass pea can be used as a raw material to produce a sustainable miso with potentially healthy properties. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Atividade e participação de crianças e adolescentes com osteogênese imperfeita segundo a Classificação Internacional de Funcionalidade, Incapacidade e Saúde: perfil de incapacidade / Activity and participation of children and adolescents with osteogenesis imperfecta according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health: disability profile

A osteogênese imperfeita (OI) é um grupo de condições raras que gera repercussões no tecido conjuntivo caracterizada principalmente por fragilidade óssea, afetando o sistema locomotor e levando a disfunções nas estruturas e funções do corpo, consequentemente, interferindo nas suas atividades e participação social. O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever o perfil de funcionalidade pela Classificação Internacional de Funcionalidade, Incapacidade e Saúde (CIF), sob o enfoque de atividades e participação de crianças e adolescentes com OI. A pesquisa foi do tipo transversal, de caráter observacional e descritivo. Foi realizada uma entrevista estruturada aplicada pelo pesquisador através de questionário baseado em lista reduzida da CIF para a população com OI, com 31 responsáveis/ pacientes apresentando as formas intermediária e grave de OI (48,3% do tipo 3 e 51,6% do tipo IV), com idade mediana de 12 anos (7-22), atendidos no Centro de Referência para tratamento de Osteogênese Imperfeita do Rio de Janeiro, localizado no Instituto Nacional de Saúde da Mulher, da Criança e do Adolescente Fernandes Figueira (CROI-IFF). Observamos nesta pesquisa, que, muitos pacientes tiveram limitações em diversas atividades básicas da vida diária, o que ficou ainda mais evidente no capítulo de mobilidade que destacou a dificuldade desses indivíduos em sua locomoção. Mesmo em indivíduos mais velhos houve limitações em atividades como: preparar sua própria refeição e atividades da vida doméstica, o que evidencia a dependência deles em sua vida diária. Foi evidente em muitos indivíduos da amostra a restrição na participação em grande parte das variáveis do capítulo da vida comunitária, social e física. Com a descrição da prevalência de incapacidade relacionada aos domínios de atividade e participação, segundo a CIF, de crianças e adolescentes com os tipos. Com a descrição da prevalência de incapacidade relacionada aos domínios de atividade e participação, segundo a CIF, de crianças e adolescentes com os tipos mais graves de OI, podemos observar que além de apresentarem déficits em funções e estruturas do corpo, muitos também tiveram limitações em atividades e restrições na participação social. Os capítulos que demonstraram maior prevalência de incapacidade foram: "Mobilidade", "autocuidado", "atividades da vida doméstica" e "vida comunitária, social e física". O que ressalta a importância no manejo destes pacientes através do cuidado multiprofissional continuado com abordagem interdisciplinar, podendo refletir em ações de promoção de saúde, prevenção de danos, educação permanente, tratamento e reabilitação.

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a group of rare conditions that generate repercussions on the connective tissue, mainly characterized by bone fragility, affecting the locomotors system and leading to dysfunctions in body structures and functions, consequently interfering with their activities and social participation. The aim of this study was to describe the functionality profile according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), under the focus of activities and participation of children and adolescents with OI. The research was cross-sectional, observational and descriptive. A structured interview was conducted by the researcher through a questionnaire based on a short list of the ICF for the population with OI, with 31 guardians/patients presenting the intermediate and severe forms of OI (48.3% of type 3 and 51.6% of the type IV), with a median age of 12 years (7-22), treated at the Centro de Referência para tratamento de Osteogênese Imperfeita do Rio de Janeiro, located in Instituto Nacional de Saúde da Mulher, da Criança e do Adolescente Fernandes Figueira (CROI-IFF). We observed in this research that many patients have limitations in basic activities of daily living, which was even more evident in the chapter on mobility, which highlighted the necessary difficulty in their locomotion. Even in older people, there are limitations in activities such as preparing food and household activities, which shows their dependence on their daily life. It was evident in many of the exclusion from the sample the restriction in participation in most of the variables in the chapter on community, social and physical life. Therefore, the prevalence of disability related to the domains of activity and participation, according to the ICF, of children and adolescents with the most severe types of OI emerged from the research. Thus, we can observe that, in addition to presenting deficits in body functions and structures, many also affect activities and restrictions on social participation. The chapters that showed the highest prevalence of disability were "Mobility", "self-care", "household activities" and "community, social and physical life". What emphasizes the importance of managing these patients through continued multidisciplinary care with an interdisciplinary approach, which may reflect on actions of health promotion, damage prevention, continuing education, treatment and rehabilitation.

Adenosine A2A and A3 Receptors as Targets for the Treatment of Hypertensive-Diabetic Nephropathy.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) and hypertension are prime causes for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) that often coexist in patients, but are seldom studied in combination. Kidney adenosine levels are markedly increased in diabetes, and the expression and function of renal adenosine receptors are altered in experimental diabetes. The aim of this work is to explore the impact of endogenous and exogenous adenosine on the expression/distribution profile of its receptors along the nephron of hypertensive rats with experimentally-induced diabetes. Using spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) rats rendered diabetic with streptozotocin (STZ), we show that treatment of SHR-STZ rats with an agonist of adenosine receptors increases A2A immunoreactivity in superficial glomeruli (SG), proximal tubule (PCT), and distal tubule (DCT). Differently, treatment of SHR-STZ rats with a xanthinic antagonist of adenosine receptors decreases adenosine A3 immunoreactivity in SG, PCT, DCT, and collecting duct. There is no difference in the immunoreactivity against the adenosine A1 and A2B receptors between the experimental groups. The agonist of adenosine receptors ameliorates renal fibrosis, probably via A2A receptors, while the antagonist exacerbates it, most likely due to tonic activation of A3 receptors. The reduction in adenosine A3 immunoreactivity might be due to receptor downregulation in response to prolonged activation. Altogether, these results suggest an opposite regulation exerted by endogenous and exogenous adenosine upon the expression of its A2A and A3 receptors along the nephron of hypertensive diabetic rats, which has a functional impact and should be taken into account when considering novel therapeutic targets for hypertensive-diabetic nephropathy.

Neuroprotective epi-drugs quench the inflammatory response and microglial/macrophage activation in a mouse model of permanent brain ischemia.

BACKGROUND: Activation of NF-kappaB RelA deacetylated at the lysine residues, except the lysine 310, drives pro-apoptotic transcription in noxious brain ischemia. We showed that the sinergistic combination of the histone deacetilase inhibitor MS-275 with the sirtuin 1 activator resveratrol, at very low doses, restores normal RelA acetylation and elicit neuroprotection in mice subjected to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) and primary cortical neurons exposed to oxygen-glucose-deprivation (OGD). The present study aims at corroborating the neuroprotective potential of the epigenetic treatment in a model of permanent brain ischemia and investigate its effect on post-ischemic inflammation and microglia activation. METHODS: Male mice subjected to permanent occlusion of the distal MCAO (pMCAO) were treated with vehicle or MS-275 (20 µg/kg) and resveratrol (680 µg/kg) i.p. immediately after the ischemia. Microglia-containing mixed glial cultures were prepared from the brain of 1-3-day-old mice. Primary cortical neurons were prepared from 15-day-old embryonic mice. RESULTS: MS-275 and resveratrol in combination, but not individually, reduced infarct volume and neurological deficits evaluated 48 h after the pMCAO. At 24 h, the treatment inhibited the RelA binding to Nos2 promoter, reduced the elevated expression of Nos2, Il6, Il1b, Mrc1 and Ym1 and the leukocytes infiltration in the ischemic area. The effect was nonpermanent. The treatment did not limit the sustained leukocyte infiltration or Nos2 and Il1b transcription observed at 7 days. Though, it induced alternative activation markers of microglia/macrophages, Arg1, Ym1 and Fcgr2b that could be added to Mrc1, Tgfb1 and Trem2 spontaneously increased at 7 days after ischemia. At 24 hours the drug treatment quenched the microglia/macrophages activation in the ischemic cortical sections, as shown by the recovered ramified morphology and lowered iNOS or CD68 immunoreactivity in Iba1-positive cells. Both microglia and astrocytes in mixed glial cultures, but not pure astrocytes, displayed signs of activation and iNOS-immunoreactivity when treated with a conditioned medium (NCM) from OGD-exposed cortical neurons. The epigenetic drugs limited the OGD-NCM-mediated activation. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that single treatment with MS-275 and resveratrol can reduce stroke-mediated brain injury and inflammation observed 2 days after the pMCAO and put the rational to test repeated administration of the drugs. The anti-inflammatory property of MS-275 and resveratrol combination can be ascribed to both primary direct inhibition of microglia/macrophage activation and secondary glial/macrophages inhibition mediated by neuroprotection.

Early Season Symptoms on Stem, Inflorescences and Flowers of Grapevine Associated with Botryosphaeriaceae Species.

Botryosphaeria dieback caused by several Botryosphaeriaceae species is one of the most important grapevine trunk diseases affecting vineyards worldwide. These fungi cause wedge-shaped perennial cankers and black streaking of the wood and have also been associated with intervein leaf chlorosis, dried or mummified berries, and eventually, the death of the plant. Early season symptoms may sometimes be disregarded by growers, being mistaken with symptoms from other diseases such as downy mildew or botrytis rot. Currently, few studies are available to determine what species may be causing these early season symptoms in grapevines. During the 2018 season, during the flowering period, grapevine samples showing necrosis on green shoots, dried inflorescences, and flowers, were collected in vineyards throughout the central regions of Portugal. Isolations were performed from symptomatic organs, and twenty-three isolates of Botryosphaeriaceae were selected. An analysis of the ITS and part of the translation elongation factor 1-α sequences was performed, revealing that the two main species apparently responsible for these symptoms were Diplodia seriata and Neofusicoccum parvum. In pathogenicity tests conducted on 1-year-old plants grown under controlled conditions in a greenhouse and on field-grown clusters, symptoms were reproduced, confirming the pathogenic behavior of the selection of isolates.

The contribution of DNA databases for stored sexual crimes evidences in the central of Brazil.

Accumulation of sexual assault evidences unsubmitted to forensic DNA testing raises concern and it favors low rates of sexual crimes resolution. However, with the advent of DNA databases, these evidences have provided valuable information for investigations. In Brazil, the use of DNA databases is recent and few studies assessed their contribution to criminal resolution. In this regard, this study aimed to evaluate the potential of the DNA Database of Goias State, Central Brazil (BPG-SPTC/GO) in the resolution of sexual crimes without suspects through the insertion of profiles obtained from stored untested evidences collected between 2004 and 2018. Samples were submitted to DNA extraction by differential lysis, followed by the amplification of STR autosomal markers, capillary electrophoresis analysis in the ABI 3500 genetic analyzer and insertion in the BPG-SPTC/GO using CODIS 7 software. The rate of eligible samples for insertion and rates related to the obtained matches were evaluated. Statistical analyses were performed with Epi Info ™ v.7 and BioEstat 5.0 software. A total of 275 samples were submitted to DNA testing, 202 out of them (73.5%) presented eligible profiles for insertion. A total of 176 (64%; 176/202) were inserted, one crime scene profile from each case. Overall, 60 hits were generated, all series sexual matches; a higher prevalence of forensic hits was detected (81.7%; 49/60) and a total of 32 criminal investigations were assisted (18.2%; 32/176). As the use of DNA databases in Brazil is recent and Brazilian criminal law has stringent requirements, our results reinforce that the use of DNA databases for stored sexual crimes evidences is a feasible forensic tool and that the increasing of the number of both types of profiles in DNA databases, evidences and criminals, causes positive reflects on the number of matches generated. However, further studies are necessary to evaluate if this effectiveness reflects positively on conviction rates of sexual crimes.

Male lineages in Brazilian populations and performance of haplogroup prediction tools.

The use of Y-chromosomal genetic markers in forensic investigations demands the establishment of reliable and representative DNA databases of different reference populations. The genetic characterization of the Y chromosome variation in human populations requires the analyses of haplotype frequencies allied to haplogroup determination. The present study aimed to contribute to the Brazilian database by providing 1,382 Yfiler Plus individual profiles, from 11 Brazilian states. The Yfiler Plus markers showed high haplotype diversities in all Brazilian populations (>0.9970), allowing high intra-population discrimination in forensic investigations. Pairwise genetic distances showed a homogeneity between Brazilian populations (FST ≤ 0.0043; non-differentiation p-values ≥ 0.0212), indicating that admixed populations from Brazil can be represented in a single Yfiler Plus haplotype database, for forensic purposes. The performance of Haplogroup Predictor and NevGen software in haplogroup prediction based on Yfiler Plus and Yfiler haplotypes was evaluated in a subset of 416 Brazilian samples that were also genotyped for 51 Y-SNPs. In 25% of the samples, no classification or errors were found for at least one of the prediction tools or marker sets. NevGen presented lower error rates (5.52% and 8.65% with Yfiler Plus and Yfiler, respectively) than Haplogroup Predictor (16.11% with Yfiler Plus and 13.70% with Yfiler). In conclusion, both haplogroup prediction tools can be useful to direct the SNP typing, but present large error rates to be used in forensic analysis, especially in predicting African haplogroups in admixed South American populations.

Caracterização de pacientes com acidente vascular encefálico em atendimento fisioterapêutico em uma universidade pública / Characterization of patients with encephalic vascular accident in physiotherapeutic care in a public university / Caracterización de pacientes con accidente vascular encefálico en atención fisioterapéutica en una universidad pública

O acidente vascular encefálico (AVE) pode levar a alterações funcionais nas áreas sensitiva, motora, cognitiva e de comunicação. Ocorre através de alterações vasculares do encéfalo, originadas de uma suspensão do fluxo sanguíneo que causa danos celulares irreversíveis, podendo ser dividido em isquêmico ou hemorrágico. O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar o perfil epidemiológico e clínico dos pacientes com acidente vascular encefálico atendidos pela fisioterapia em uma clínica escola de instituição pública na região Centro-Oeste do Brasil. Trata-se de um estudo de corte transversal, descritivo, com abordagem quantitativa. Após aprovação do Comitê de Ética, foram tabulados e analisados os dados dos prontuários, através de um formulário estruturado no programa Excel. Os resultados mostraram que, dos 138 indivíduos, 60,15% eram do sexo masculino, e a idade média foi de 59,53 anos. De acordo com a etiologia, 45,3% sofreram AVE isquêmico; 52,5% possuíam hemiplegia à direita, e 16,55% tiveram múltiplos AVE; 78,98% eram hipertensos; 97,1% utilizavam medicamentos. Em relação ao diagnóstico funcional, a maioria possuía déficit de equilíbrio (39,9%); o objetivo fisioterapêutico mais frequente foi melhorar a amplitude de movimento (96,4%), e a conduta prevalente foi o alongamento (65,9%). Concluiu-se que como a incidência de AVE na população e o desenvolvimento de tecnologias assistivas vêm aumentando a cada dia, menos pacientes morrem por conta do AVE, por isso, faz-se necessário o desenvolvimento de estratégias de prevenção primária, como campanhas educativas, além da prevenção secundária, que por meio da fisioterapia precoce, pode reduzir a proporção de pacientes com incapacidades e melhorar a funcionalidade desses indivíduos.

Stroke can lead to functional changes in the sensory, motor, cognitive and communication areas. It occurs through vascular alterations of the brain originated from a suspension of the blood flow that causes irreversible cellular damages, being able to be divided into ischemic or hemorrhagic. This study aimed to identify the epidemiological and clinical profile of stroke patients cared at physical therapy teams in a public institution school in the Midwest region of Brazil. This is a cross-sectional, descriptive study with a quantitative approach. After approval by the Ethics Committee, the data of the medical records were tabulated and analyzed using a form structured in the Excel program. The results showed that of the 138 individuals, 60.15% were males and the mean age was 59.53 years. According to the etiology, 45.3% suffered from ischemic stroke; 52.5% had right hemiplegia, and 16.55% had multiple strokes; 78.98% were hypertensive; 97.1% used drugs. Regarding the functional diagnosis, most patients had an equilibrium deficit (39.9%); the most frequent physiotherapeutic objective was to improve range of motion (96.4%), and the prevalent conduct was elongation (65.9%). In conclusion, although the incidence of stroke in the population and the development of assistive technologies are increasing each day, fewer patients die due to stroke, therefore, it is necessary to develop primary prevention strategies such as educational campaigns, in addition to of secondary prevention that, through early physiotherapy, can reduce the proportion of patients with disabilities and improve the functionality of these individuals.

El accidente vascular encefálico (AVE) puede llevar a cambios funcionales en las áreas sensitiva, motora, cognitiva y comunicación. Se produce a través de cambios vasculares del encéfalo originado por una suspensión del flujo sanguíneo que causa daños celulares irreversibles, los cuales se dividen en isquémico o hemorrágico. El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar el perfil epidemiológico y clínico de los pacientes con accidente vascular encefálico atendidos por la fisioterapia de institución pública de la región centro-oeste de Brasil. Este es un estudio de corte transversal, descriptivo, cuantitativo. Después de la aprobación del comité de ética, fueron tabulados y analizados los datos de los registros clínicos mediante un formulario en el programa Excel. Los resultados mostraron que, de los 138 individuos, el 60,15% eran del sexo masculino y el promedio de edad fue de 59,53 años. De acuerdo con la etiología, el 45,3% sufrió AVE isquémico; El 52,5% tenía hemiplejía a la derecha, y el 16,55% tuvo múltiples AVE; El 78,98% eran hipertensos; El 97,1% utilizaban medicamentos. En relación al diagnóstico funcional, la mayoría tenía déficit de equilibrio (39,9%); el objetivo fisioterapéutico más frecuente fue mejorar la amplitud de movimiento (96,4%), y la conducta prevalente fue el estiramiento (65,9%). Se concluyó que como la incidencia de AVE en la población y el desarrollo de tecnologías asistidas vienen aumentando cada día, menos pacientes mueren a causa de AVE, por lo que se hace necesario el desarrollo de estrategias de prevención primaria como campañas educativas, además de la prevención secundaria que, por medio de la fisioterapia precoz, puede reducir la proporción de pacientes con discapacidades y mejorar la funcionalidad de estos individuos.

Diabetes downregulates renal adenosine A2A receptors in an experimental model of hypertension.

Studies on diabetic nephropathy rarely take into account that the co-existence of diabetes and hypertension is frequent and further aggravates the prognosis of renal dysfunction. Adenosine can activate four subtypes of adenosine receptors (A1, A2A, A2B and A3) and has been implicated in diabetic nephropathy. However, it is not known if, in hypertensive conditions, diabetes alters the presence/distribution profile of renal adenosine receptors. The aim of this work was to describe the presence/distribution profile of the four adenosine receptors in six renal structures (superficial/deep glomeruli, proximal/distal tubules, loop of Henle, collecting tubule) of the hypertensive kidney and to evaluate whether it is altered by diabetes. Immunoreactivities against the adenosine receptors were analyzed in six renal structures from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR, the control group) and from SHR rats with diabetes induced by streptozotocyin (SHR-STZ group). Data showed, for the first time, that all adenosine receptors were present in the kidney of SHR rats, although the distribution pattern was specific for each adenosine receptor subtype. Also, induction of diabetes in the SHR was associated with downregulation of adenosine A2A receptors, which might be relevant for the development of hypertensive diabetic nephropathy. This study highlights the adenosine A2A receptors as a potential target to explore to prevent and/or treat early diabetes-induced hyperfiltration, at least in hypertensive conditions.

A Polyphenol-Enriched Supplement Exerts Potent Epigenetic-Protective Activity in a Cell-Based Model of Brain Ischemia.

Bioactive components, due in part to their epigenetic properties, are beneficial for preventing several human diseases including cerebrovascular pathologies. However, no clear demonstration supports the idea that these molecules still conserve their epigenetic effects when acting at very low concentrations reproducing the brain levels achieved after oral administration of a micronutrient supplement. In the present study, we used a cellular model of brain ischemia to investigate the neuroprotective and epigenetic activities of a commercially available micronutrient mixture (polyphenol-enriched micronutrient mixture, PMM) enriched in polyphenols ((-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate, quercetin, resveratrol), α-lipoic acid, vitamins, amino acids and other micronutrients. Mimicking the suggested dietary supplementation, primary cultures of mouse cortical neurons were pre-treated with PMM and then subjected to oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD). Pre-treatment with PMM amounts to provide bioactive components in the medium in the nanomolar range potently prevented neuronal cell death. The protection was associated with the deacetylation of the lysin 310 (K310) on NF-κB/RelA as well as the deacetylation of H3 histones at the promoter of Bim, a pro-apoptotic target of ac-RelA(K310) in brain ischemia. Epigenetic regulators known to shape the acetylation state of ac-RelA(K310) moiety are the histone acetyl transferase CBP/p300 and the class III histone deacetylase sirtuin-1. In view of that evidence, the protection we here report unveils the efficacy of bioactive components endowed with either inhibitory activity on CBP/p300 or stimulating activity on the AMP-activated protein kinase⁻sirtuin 1 pathway. Our results support a potential synergistic effect of micronutrients in the PMM, suggesting that the intake of a polyphenol-based micronutrient mixture can reduce neuronal vulnerability to stressful conditions at concentrations compatible with the predicted brain levels reached by a single constituent after an oral dose of PMM.

Patterns of sweetness preference in red wine according to consumer characterisation.

The preference for sweet taste in red wine was examined according to consumer categories of age, gender, drinking experience and personality type (Big-5 personality-test). A total of 114 subjects revealed their preferences for sweetness after tasting dry red wine spiked with equal concentrations of glucose and fructose at 2g/L, 4g/L, 8g/L, 16g/L and 32g/L, following an ascending forced choice paired comparison method (2-AFC). The overall preference for sweetness was shown within the range of 4.8 to 21.9g/L, with maximal liking at 8g/L. Three patterns of response to sweetness were observed (sweet dislikers, sweet likers and indifferent to sweet) according to the different categories of consumers. Differences (p>0.05) were not found in sweetness preference among the categories up to 16g/L sugar except for the trait extraversion at 8g/L, where low extraverts showed a higher proportion of responses preferring the sweeter sample. Most significant differences were found only under the highest tasted concentration (32g/L). Females and novices preferred sweeter samples (p<0.05) when compared with the response of males and experienced consumers, respectively.