Correlation analysis using teaching and learning analytics.

Data analytics techniques have been gaining more space in the scientific environment with applications in various areas of knowledge, including education. This paper aims to analyse data taken from a questionnaire of the Organization for Economic Development Cooperation (OECD) given to teachers and school managers. In this questionnaire, school environment issues are assessed, specifically: school environment, professional development, school leadership, and efficient management. As a methodology, Teaching and Learning Analytics (TLA) was used, particularly correlation analysis, which enables the extraction of useful information from raw data, relating issues that interfere with the teaching and learning relationship, besides specific analysis of student learning. The results obtained about the school environment are not linear. They do not present moderate or a solid linear correlation, making it impossible to validate and integrate answers related to the statements of the themes and sub-themes chosen for this analysis. In this sense, the research found dichotomous observations that mirrored many controversies and insecurities, enabling considerations about possible school scenarios and their effective practices.

Involvement of human monogenic cardiomyopathy genes in experimental polygenic cardiac hypertrophy.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy thickens heart muscles, reducing functionality and increasing risk of cardiac disease and morbidity. Genetic factors are involved, but their contribution is poorly understood. We used the hypertrophic heart rat (HHR), a unique normotensive polygenic model of cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure, to investigate the role of genes associated with monogenic human cardiomyopathy. We selected 42 genes involved in monogenic human cardiomyopathies to study: 1) DNA variants, by sequencing the whole genome of 13-wk-old HHR and age-matched normal heart rat (NHR), its genetic control strain; 2) mRNA expression, by targeted RNA-sequencing in left ventricles of HHR and NHR at 5 ages (2 days old and 4, 13, 33, and 50 wk old) compared with human idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy data; and 3) microRNA expression, with rat microRNA microarrays in left ventricles of 2-day-old HHR and age-matched NHR. We also investigated experimentally validated microRNA-mRNA interactions. Whole-genome sequencing revealed unique variants mostly located in noncoding regions of HHR and NHR. We found 29 genes differentially expressed in at least 1 age. Genes encoding desmoglein 2 ( Dsg2) and transthyretin ( Ttr) were significantly differentially expressed at all ages in the HHR, but only Ttr was also differentially expressed in human idiopathic cardiomyopathy. Lastly, only two microRNAs differentially expressed in the HHR were present in our comparison of validated microRNA-mRNA interactions. These two microRNAs interact with five of the genes studied. Our study shows that genes involved in monogenic forms of human cardiomyopathies may also influence polygenic forms of the disease.

Increased lactate threshold after five weeks of treadmill aerobic training in rats.

The aim of the present study was to analyse the lactate threshold (LT) changes in rats submitted to an aerobic treadmill-training programme. Twenty-five Wistar rats were divided into two groups: a sedentary control group (CG), and a trained group (TG) submitted to an aerobic training during 5 weeks. All the animals were submitted to an incremental treadmill exercise test in order to determine LT. There was an increase in the maximum running speed in the TG (from 32.25 ± 1.27 to 47.75 ± 3.13 m.min-1 - p = 0.001), and running speed at LT (from 26.21 ± 1.15 to 35.30 ± 2.24 m.min-1 - p = 0.004), a part from the reduction in blood lactate at LT. LT can be determined in rats, and aerobic training induced positive oxidative physiological adaptations in the animals.

Increased lactate threshold after five weeks of treadmill aerobic training in rats / Aumento do limiar de lactato após cinco semanas de treinamento aeróbio em esteira em ratos

The aim of the present study was to analyse the lactate threshold (LT) changes in rats submitted to an aerobic treadmill-training programme. Twenty-five Wistar rats were divided into two groups: a sedentary control group (CG), and a trained group (TG) submitted to an aerobic training during 5 weeks. All the animals were submitted to an incremental treadmill exercise test in order to determine LT. There was an increase in the maximum running speed in the TG (from 32.25 ± 1.27 to 47.75 ± 3.13 m.min–1 – p = 0.001), and running speed at LT (from 26.21 ± 1.15 to 35.30 ± 2.24 m.min–1 – p = 0.004), a part from the reduction in blood lactate at LT. LT can be determined in rats, and aerobic training induced positive oxidative physiological adaptations in the animals.

O objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar as mudanças no limiar de lactato (LL) em ratos submetidos a um programa de treinamento aeróbio em esteira. Vinte e cinco ratos Wistar foram divididos em dois grupos: um grupo controle sedentário (CG), e um grupo treinado (GT) submetido a um treinamento aeróbio durante 5 semanas. Todos os animais foram submetidos a um teste de exercício incremental em esteira, a fim de determinar o LL. Houve um aumento na velocidade máxima de corrida no GT (de 32,25 ± 1,27 para 47,75 ± 3,13 m.min–1 - p = 0,001), e velocidade de corrida no LL (de 26,21 ± 1,15 para 35,30 ± 2,24 m.min–1 - p = 0,004), além da redução na concentração de lactato no LL. O LL pode ser determinado em ratos e o treinamento aeróbio induziu a adaptações fisiológicas oxidativas positivas nos animais.

Structural characterization and in vivo evaluation of retinyl palmitate in non-ionic lamellar liquid crystalline system.

Carrier systems for lipophilic drugs, such as the liquid crystalline systems (LCS) have been extensively studied to improve effect and selectivity. Retinyl palmitate (RP) is widely used in pharmaceutical and cosmetics products to improve the skin elasticity. The aim of this study was the development, characterization and the in vivo effectiveness of RP in non-ionic LCS structures. LCS containing polyether functional siloxane as oil phase, silicon glycol copolymer as surfactant and water in the ratio 30:10:60, with and without RP were studied. The results of the polarized light microscopy, small-angle X-ray scattering and rheology analysis indicated the presence of typical LCS structures with lamellar arrangement. Regardless of the presence of RP, the rheological studies showed the pseudo plastic behavior of the systems. However, highest hysteresis area was verified when comparing the system in the presence and in the absence of RP. Stability study SAXS monitored, carried out up to 30 days in various storage temperature conditions (25±2 °C, 37±2 °C and 5±2 °C) demonstrated the great structural stability of the LCS systems. The in vivo effectiveness analysis suggests that the RP-loaded LCS provided a significant reduction of the orbicular wrinkles in human volunteers (P=0.048).

Avaliação da interação de compostos ativos hidratantes com modelo de biomembrana de Crotalus durissus por meio de calorimetria exploratória diferencial e espectroscopia RAMAN / Study of the interaction of moisturizers with a Crotalus durissus biomembrane by differential scanning calorimetry and RAMAN spectroscopy

O objetivo foi verificar as alterações no estrato córneo em modelos alternativos de membrana após a aplicação de ativos hidratantes envolvendo métodos biofísicos. O modelo de biomembrana utilizado foi a muda de pele de Crotalus durissus e os ativos hidratantes foram: uréia, silício orgânico, extrato vegetal de Imperata cylindrica, reação de xilitol e glicose e componentes de NMF. Os resultados da avaliação das alterações do modelo por meio de Espectroscopia Raman com Transformada de Fourier sugerem que os ativos hidratantes confirmam segurança necessária, pois não alteraram de forma acentuada a estrutura do estrato córneo. Utilizando-se Calorimetria Exploratória Diferencial pode-se indicar que a solução de silício orgânico e o gel hidrofílico com uréia apresentaram melhor poder hidratante.

The objective of this research was to use biophysical techniques to investigate the alterations induced in a biomembrane model of the stratum corneum by the application of moisturizers. The biomembrane was obtained from the skin shed by the rattlesnake Crotalus durissus and the active moisturizing compounds were: urea, dimethylsilanol hyaluronate, Imperata cylindrical plant extract, carbohydrates and natural moisturizing factors (NMF components). Results from FT-Raman spectroscopy suggested that the moisturizers were safe, since they did not promote modifications in the structure of the stratum corneum. Differential scanning calorimetry results indicated that the solution containing the organic silicon compound and the gel with urea showed the best hydrating effects on the stratum corneum.

Avaliação da estabilidade físico-química de emulsão acrescida de uréia dispersada, ou não, em propilenoglicol / Evaluation of the physicochemical stability of emulsion containing urea, added directly or premixed in propylene glycol

Normalmente uma formulação pode ser manipulada de diversas maneiras, devendo-se sempre optar pela técnica que forneça o produto mais estável e homogêneo. Alguns farmacêuticos a fim de facilitar e acelerar a manipulação dispersam a uréia em propilenoglicol antes de proceder a homogeneização da mesma no veículo, enquanto outros profissionais acreditam que essa técnica pode ocasionar instabilidade física no produto final e por isso acrescentam o veículo diretamente na uréia. Logo, o objetivo deste estudo foi analisar o comportamento reológico e a estabilidade física de formulações acrescidas de 10% de uréia manipuladas com, ou sem, a adição de propilenoglicol. Foi realizado o estudo de Estabilidade acelerada, com duração de 180 dias. As formulações foram armazenadas em temperatura ambiente (25ºC±2), geladeira (5ºC±2) e estufa (37ºC±2) e as leituras foram feitas nos tempos 24 horas (T1), 15 dias (T15) e 180 dias (T180), onde foram analisadas as características organolépticas, teste de centrífuga, determinação do pH, viscosidade e comportamento reológico. Os resultados obtidos neste estudo mostraram que a presença do propilenoglicol melhorou a estabilidade física da emulsão acrescida de uréia, a longo prazo.

Normally, an emulsion can be prepared in several ways, the method of choice invariably being the one that provides the most stable and homogeneous product. Some pharmamacists, in order to facilitate and accelerate the manipulation, disperse the urea in propylene glycol before proceeding to its homogenization in the vehicle, while others believe that this method can lead to physical instability in the final product and for that reason they add the vehicle directly to the urea. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the rheological behavior and the physical stability of formulations containing 10% urea, prepared with, or without, the prior addition of propylene glycol to the urea. An accelerated stability test was carried out over a period of 180 days. The formulations were stored at room temperature (25±2ºC), refrigerated (5±2ºC) and incubated at blood temperature (37±2ºC) and assessed after 24 hours (T1), 15 days (T15) and 180 days (T180), when the organoleptical characteristics, pH, viscosity and rheological behavior were recorded, along with data from the centrifuge test. The results showed that premixing the urea in propylene glycol improved the physical stability of the emulsion plus urea, in the long run.

Machado-Joseph disease enhances genetic fitness: a comparison between affected and unaffected women and between MJD and the general population.

BACKGROUND: Machado-Joseph disease (MJD SCA3), a spinocerebellar ataxia related to expansion of a CAG tract, has already been related to anticipation and meiotic drift. However, fitness of MJD carriers has been little studied. OBJECTIVE: To analyze genetic fitness of MJD patients, comparing them to their unaffected relatives and to the general population (GP) of origin. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 182 informants, belonging to 82 MJD families, agreed to participate in the study. Informants supplied data about 828 MJD patients. Number of children (NC), gender, age, school attainment, menarche and menopause were compared between general and emeritus (older than 45 years of age or deceased) groups. RESULTS: Mean NC of the GP and of MJD patients were respectively 1.90 and 2.93+/-2.3 (p = 0.0037). Comparisons within families also showed differences: the mean NC of unaffected and affected emeritus MJD women were, respectively, 2.68 and 3.89 (p = 0.0037). Affected MJD women had earlier mean ages at the delivery of their first child and menopause (p < 0.011 and 0.07, respectively). Among affected women those who did not have children had larger CAG tracts than those who had children (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: MJD enhances the fitness of its carriers, and this phenomenon seems to have a biological basis.

Survival estimates for patients with Machado-Joseph disease (SCA3).

Machado-Joseph disease (MJD), one of the most prevalent autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxias, is a neurodegenerative disease that starts during adulthood, with patients showing difficulties in gait, later becoming bedridden, and ultimately presenting premature death. There is, however, scarce data quantifying disease impact on patient survival. We investigated the overall survival of a large series of MJD patients and compared it with the survival of their asymptomatic relatives. A total of 412 affected and 413 unaffected individuals were ascertained from a consecutive sample of 82 families with a molecular diagnosis of MJD. Estimated mean survival time was 63.96 years [95% confidence interval (CI), 62.09-65.83] for the affected group and 78.61 years (95% CI, 74.75-82.47) for the unaffected group (p < 0.001). For a subset of 366 patients, mean age at onset was 36.37 years (95% CI, 35.21-37.53) and survival after disease onset was estimated as 21.18 years. Early onset and large CAG length predicted shorter overall survival times. This study presents quantitative data on the impact of MJD on overall survival, a phenomenon that is related to CAG length, age at onset, and year of birth.

Changes in ornithine decarboxylase activity in response to temperature stress and stimulation of juvenile hormone in Anastrepha fraterculus (Diptera, Tephritidae).

Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity was analyzed in Anastrepha fraterculus (Diptera) females (4 days old) submitted to temperature stress (6 degrees C and 20/6 degrees C) and the topical application of juvenile hormone (JH). ODC activity and ejaculatory apodeme measurements (length and width) were made in males (15 days old) after 6 degrees C stress. JH dose of 500 ng and incubation of 3, 7, and 18 h increased ODC activity. Females reared at 6 degrees C and 20/6 degrees C had higher ODC activity than those reared at 25 degrees C. The treatment of 6 degrees C and JH incubation for 1 h increased ODC activity when compared to 6 degrees C treatments only. However, the treatment of 20/6 degrees C only after 3 or 18 h of JH incubation resulted in higher ODC activity than controls (20/6 degrees C) or 20/6 degrees C plus 1 h of JH incubation. Males did not undergo differences in ODC activity when reared at 6 degrees C or 25 degrees C but the ejaculatory apodeme measurements was higher in those reared at 25 degrees C than in those reared at 6 degrees C. The results can be considered an adaptive process to environmental changes.

Ornithine decarboxylase activity during the development of Anastrepha fraterculus (Diptera, Tephritidae).

Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) (EC 4.1.1.17) is very important for polyamine biosynthesis, which is required for main biological events. In the present study, ODC activity was measured in samples of Anastrepha fraterculus's egg, larva, pupa body and abdomen, adult body, ovaries, and fat body of young females, and in ovaries of mature flies. The kinetic parameters (Km app and Vmax) for ODC activity were determined for pupa, larva, and young ovary. ODC activity showed fluctuations during A. fraterculus's life development. In its earlier stages, prior to emergence, the egg has high ODC-specific activity probably due to embryogenesis, which is characterized by a high rate of cell division. This enzyme activity is also significantly high in the ovary and fat body of young females possibly related to the increased oogenesis and vitellogenesis. The kinetic parameters (Km app and Vmax) had great variation. Our results using GTP showed that the great variation in kinetic parameters can be accounted for by post-translational modifications.