XMEA: A New Hybrid Diamond Multielectrode Array for the In Situ Assessment of the Radiation Dose Enhancement by Nanoparticles.

This work presents a novel multielectrode array (MEA) to quantitatively assess the dose enhancement factor (DEF) produced in a medium by embedded nanoparticles. The MEA has 16 nanocrystalline diamond electrodes (in a cell-culture well), and a single-crystal diamond divided into four quadrants for X-ray dosimetry. DEF was assessed in water solutions with up to a 1000 µg/mL concentration of silver, platinum, and gold nanoparticles. The X-ray detectors showed a linear response to radiation dose (r2 ≥ 0.9999). Overall, platinum and gold nanoparticles produced a dose enhancement in the medium (maximum of 1.9 and 3.1, respectively), while silver nanoparticles produced a shielding effect (maximum of 37%), lowering the dose in the medium. This work shows that the novel MEA can be a useful tool in the quantitative assessment of radiation dose enhancement due to nanoparticles. Together with its suitability for cells' exocytosis studies, it proves to be a highly versatile device for several applications.

Effect of the diet on performance characteristics and quality of meat fat of lamb by principal component analysis

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of use of agroindustrial co-products in the diet of lambs on the performance and nutritional quality of meat fat. Twenty lambs were distributed into four experimental groups: control diet (C) or diets containing cottonseed (CS), sunflower meal (SFM), and castor cake (CC). During the experimental period, data on dry matter consumption (DMC) and total weight gain (TWG) were collected. After slaughter, samples of Logissimus dorsi (LD) muscle were taken for fatty acids and cholesterol analysis. Diets C and CS provided similar characteristics of fat quality and animal performance. However, SFM and CC diets tend to form isolated groups, with different fat and performance characteristics. The SFM diet results in meat with a higher saturated fatty acids and cholesterol content. The CC diet is related to improved performance characteristics and lower cholesterol content. In conclusion, the inclusion of CC in the experimental diets provided, in the proportions used in this experiment, better characteristics of animal performance and meat fat quality.(AU)

Effect of the diet on performance characteristics and quality of meat fat of lamb by principal component analysis

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of use of agroindustrial co-products in the diet of lambs on the performance and nutritional quality of meat fat. Twenty lambs were distributed into four experimental groups: control diet (C) or diets containing cottonseed (CS), sunflower meal (SFM), and castor cake (CC). During the experimental period, data on dry matter consumption (DMC) and total weight gain (TWG) were collected. After slaughter, samples of Logissimus dorsi (LD) muscle were taken for fatty acids and cholesterol analysis. Diets C and CS provided similar characteristics of fat quality and animal performance. However, SFM and CC diets tend to form isolated groups, with different fat and performance characteristics. The SFM diet results in meat with a higher saturated fatty acids and cholesterol content. The CC diet is related to improved performance characteristics and lower cholesterol content. In conclusion, the inclusion of CC in the experimental diets provided, in the proportions used in this experiment, better characteristics of animal performance and meat fat quality.

Estradiol and estrogen receptor α in the mPOA and MeA in dwarf hamster (Phodopus campbelli) fathers.

E2 and its alpha receptor (ERα) have an essential role in the regulation of maternal behavior. In dwarf hamster (Phodopus campbelli), E2 facilitates the display of paternal care, and it is possible that ERα is part of the neuroendocrine mechanisms that regulate this behavior. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of copulation, cohabitation with the pregnant mate and the presence of the pups on paternal behavior, circulating E2 levels and the presence of ERα in the medial preoptic area (mPOA) and medial amygdala (MeA) in dwarf hamsters. Eight males were mated with intact females (IFs), 8 with tubally ligated females (TLFs) and 8 with ovariectomized females (OFs). In males mated with IFs, paternal behavior tests were performed after copulation, halfway through pregnancy and 24 h after the birth of their pups. Males mated with TLFs were subjected to paternal behavior tests at equivalent periods as the males mated with IFs. In males mated with OFs, paternal behavior tests were performed on days 1, 5 and 10 of cohabitation. After the last paternal behavior tests, blood samples were taken for quantification of E2 by radioimmunoassay (RIA), and the brains were dissected to determine ERα immunoreactivity (ir) in the mPOA and MeA. Fathers mated with IFs had higher serum E2 concentrations and more ERα-ir cells in the mPOA than those of males mated with TLFs and OFs. These results suggest that E2 and its ERα may be associated with paternity in the dwarf hamster.

Digenic Variants as Possible Clinical Modifier of Primary Familial Brain Calcification Patients.

Primary familial brain calcification (PFBC), widely known as Fahr's disease, is a rare disorder caused by pathogenic variants in SLC20A2, PDGFB, PDGFRB, XPR1, or MYORG genes. It is characterized by ectopic brain calcification, mostly affecting basal ganglia, thalamus, and cerebellum. PFBC patients can present a wide spectrum of symptoms including cognitive, neuropsychiatric, and motor alterations. However, it is well established that PFBC individuals also present high clinical heterogeneity, though the genetic cause of this phenotypic is not understood. Recently, Wang et al. (Front Cell Neurosci. https://doi.org/10.3389/fncel.2019.00250, 2019) reported on the role of MEA6 gene in cerebellar development and motor performance, also citing that MEA6 might be linked to PFBC. A MEA6 variant was described in 2007 as a PFBC candidate gene in an American family. However, this family was later linked to the SLC20A2 gene discarding the MEA6 as a PFBC-gene and also some members were confirmed as phenocopy. Additionally, five independent studies have been shown that variants in a second gene, not related to PFBC, were identified in PFBC patients, promoting a complex and heterogeneous phenotype. Thus, further investigation is required to explain whether and how MEA6 contributes to the clinical presentation in this American family. Finally, this letter highlights the possible digenic influence on clinical heterogeneity of PFBC patients, and such a possibility might advance our understanding of PFBC phenotypes.

Characterization of Retinal Functionality at Different Eccentricities in a Diurnal Rodent.

Although the properties of the neurons of the visual system that process central and peripheral regions of the visual field have been widely researched in the visual cortex and the LGN, they have scarcely been documented for the retina. The retina is the first step in integrating optical signals, and despite considerable efforts to functionally characterize the different types of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), a clear account of the particular functionality of cells with central vs. peripheral fields is still wanting. Here, we use electrophysiological recordings, gathered from retinas of the diurnal rodent Octodon degus, to show that RGCs with peripheral receptive fields (RF) are larger, faster, and have shorter transient responses. This translates into higher sensitivity at high temporal frequencies and a full frequency bandwidth when compared to RGCs with more central RF. We also observed that imbalances between ON and OFF cell populations are preserved with eccentricity. Finally, the high diversity of functional types of RGCs highlights the complexity of the computational strategies implemented in the early stages of visual processing, which could inspire the development of bio-inspired artificial systems.

Green alga cultivation with monoethanolamine: Evaluation of CO2 fixation and macromolecule production.

This study aimed to assess the growth of Chlorella strains isolated from adverse environments at various concentrations of monoethanolamine (MEA), evaluating the CO2 fixation and macromolecule production. For this purpose, the green algae Chlorella sp. and Chlorella fusca LEB 111 were tested against five concentrations of MEA: 50, 75, 100, 200 and 300 mg L-1. The strain C. fusca LEB 111 exhibited higher tolerance to MEA as well as higher accumulation of dissolved inorganic carbon and efficiency of CO2 utilization (approximately 37.0% w w-1) with the addition of 100 and 150 mg L-1 of MEA. In addition, the highest carbohydrate productivity and the highest lipid productivity were obtained with 50 and 100 mg L-1 of MEA, respectively. Thus, the absorbent increased the carbon concentration in the medium, and its use in culture can be exploited by C. fusca LEB 111 to produce higher macromolecule concentrations.

Propriedades sensoriais e físico-químicas de patê de frango com teor reduzido de sal / Sensory and physical-chemical properties of chicken pate with reduced salt content

O objetivo deste estudo foi de verificar a aceitabilidade sensorial de patês de frango elaborados com diferentes teores de cloreto de sódio (NaCl), cloreto de potássio (KCl) e glutamatomonossódico (GM) e avaliar a composição físico-química do produto. Na Etapa 1, avaliaram-secinco formulações de patê, com adição de NaCl e KCl (de 0 a 1 %). Na Etapa 2, foram avaliadas as mesmas formulações com adição de GM (0,2 %). Na Etapa 1, não houve diferença significativa para os atributos aparência, aroma, textura e cor. Contudo, para as características sabor, aceitação global e intenção de compra a amostra contendo KCl (1 %) recebeu menores notas do que aquela sem adição de KCl. Na Etapa 2, os produtos apresentaram aumento na aceitabilidade após adição de GM. Foi possível reduzir 75 % de sódio nos patês de frango(NaCl - 0,25 % e KCl - 0,75 %), e obter amostra com aceitação sensorial semelhante ao produto padrão e maior possibilidade de adição de KCl, principalmente em conjunto com o GM.

This study aimed at assessing the sensory acceptability of chicken pate made with different concentrations of sodium chloride (NaCl), potassium chloride (KCl) and monosodium glutamate (MG), and the physical-chemical features of the product were evaluated. In the Step 1, five pate formulations with addition of NaCl and KCl (0 to 1 %) were assessed. The Step 2 analyzed these same formulations but containing MG (0.2 %). In Step 1, no significant difference was found for the attributes appearance, aroma, texture and color. As for taste, overall acceptance and purchase intent characteristics, the sample containing KCl (1 %) received lower scores than that KCl-free formulation. In Step 2, the formulated products showed an increase in the acceptability after adding MG. It was feasible to reduce 75 % of sodium in the chicken pates (NaCl - 0.25 % and KCl - 0.75 %), and to get a sample with the sensory acceptance similar to the standard product, and being achievable to add KCl, specially in conjunction with MG.

El consumo de carne como tendencia cultural en la Amazonía colombiana / Meat consumption as a cultural trend in the Colombian Amazon basin / EO consumo de carne como uma tendência cultural na Amazônia colombiana

La identificación de tendencias en el consumo de carne resulta indispensable para los planes de establecimiento y asesoría de los sistemas de producción zootécnica, especialmente en zonas de alto impacto ambiental como la Amazonía colombiana. El estudio presentado en este artículo identifica las tendencias globales de consumo de carne, a partir de una muestra poblacional obtenida en la ciudad Amazónica de Florencia, capital del departamento del Caquetá. En el mismo, se concluyó un bajo interés por aspectos relacionados con adecuadas condiciones de manejo y sacrifico de animales, a pesar de considerar este factor como condicionante de la calidad del producto; entre otros resultados, se identifica claramente que el consumo de carne, principalmente de res, obedece a cuestiones culturales y sociales, y no a las características organolépticas del producto o su precio. Con relación al consumo de carne de monte, a partir del análisis de preferencia y precio, en el marco de la inexistencia de zoocriaderos en lo zona o cerca de ella, se deduce la ilegalidad de su proveniencia, y se concluye un desconocimiento pleno de los riegos ambientales, zoonóticos y legales, que acarrea este delito.

Identifying trends in meat consumption is indispensable for establishing plans and advice to animal production systems, especially in areas of high environmental impact such as the Colombian Amazon basin. This study identifies global trends in meat consumption from a sample obtained in the Amazonian city of Florencia, capital of Caquetá province. Lack of interest was observed among the population about proper management conditions and slaughter of animals, despite they considered these factors to be determinant of product quality. The study clearly identified that meat consumption, especially beef, depends more on cultural and social issues than price or organoleptic characteristics of the product. From a preference and price analysis, and considering the lack of wild animal farming in or near the area, we assume all game meat consumed in the area is of illegal origin. Consumers of wild meat are not aware of the environmental, zoonotic and legal risks associated with this offense.

Identificar tendências do consumo de carne é essencial para os quadros de pessoal e conselhos de sistemas de produção animal, especialmente em áreas de alto impacto ambiental, como a Amazônia colombiana. O estudo apresentado neste artigo identifica as tendências mundiais em consumo de carne a partir de uma amostra da população obtida na cidade amazônica de Florença, capital do departamento de Caquetá. Nos mesmos aspectos de juro baixas condições adequadas de manejo e abate de animais, apesar de considerar este fator como determinante da qualidade do produto é concluída; entre outros resultados, identifica claramente que o consumo de carne, especialmente carne, devido a questões culturais e sociais, e não com as características organolépticas do produto ou seu preço. No que diz respeito ao consumo de carne de animais selvagens, a partir da análise de preferência e preço, no contexto da ausência de zoocriaderos na ou perto da área a ele, o ilícita do seu proveniência é claro, e cheio de ignorância, conclui-se ambiental, zoonótico e riscos legais que implica este crime.

Role of connexin channels in the retinal light response of a diurnal rodent.

Several studies have shown that connexin channels play an important role in retinal neural coding in nocturnal rodents. However, the contribution of these channels to signal processing in the retina of diurnal rodents remains unclear. To gain insight into this problem, we studied connexin expression and the contribution of connexin channels to the retinal light response in the diurnal rodent Octodon degus (degu) compared to rat, using in vivo ERG recording under scotopic and photopic light adaptation. Analysis of the degu genome showed that the common retinal connexins present a high degree of homology to orthologs expressed in other mammals, and expression of Cx36 and Cx43 was confirmed in degu retina. Cx36 localized mainly to the outer and inner plexiform layers (IPLs), while Cx43 was expressed mostly in cells of the retinal pigment epithelium. Under scotopic conditions, the b-wave response amplitude was strongly reduced by 18-ß-glycyrrhetinic acid (ß-GA) (-45.1% in degu, compared to -52.2% in rat), suggesting that connexins are modulating this response. Remarkably, under photopic adaptation, ß-GA increased the ERG b-wave amplitude in degu (+107.2%) while reducing it in rat (-62.3%). Moreover, ß-GA diminished the spontaneous action potential firing rate in ganglion cells (GCs) and increased the response latency of ON and OFF GCs. Our results support the notion that connexins exert a fine-tuning control of the retinal light response and have an important role in retinal neural coding.

Avaliação da adequação alimentar de creches pública e privada no contexto do programa nacional de alimentação escolar / Assessment of diet adequacy at public and private daycare centers within the national program of school feeding

Everyone agrees on the importance of eating at pre-school age, mainlydue to both the physical and cognitive developments. This paper focusedon analyzing the diet adequacy concerning energy, macronutrients,vitamins A and C, iron and calcium, as well as the acceptance of themeals offered by public and private daycare centers. Direct weighing wasadopted in order to obtain the availability of the food offered at lunch, inthree non-consecutive days. The assessment of the nutritional suitabilitywas held according to the National Program of School Feeding, "PNAE",as for the energy and proteins, and also Dietary Reference Intakes as forthe micronutrients. The hedonic scale was utilized to check the acceptanceof the meal. The energy availability in the private daycare center did notreach the pattern established by "PNAE"; regarding proteins, the valuesexceeded the recommended level in both daycare centers, and the valuesfor calcium were inadequate. In both centers, the acceptance was between the hedonic terms "I liked it" and "indifferent". More attention needs to be paid concerning energy availability at the private daycare center. Although the calcium supply is not enough in both places, it is important to highlight that lunch is not considered a source meal for this mineral. Observations concerning calcium supply throughout the day are suggested once the kids usually spend most of the time at these institutions.

Es ampliamente reconocida la importancia de la alimentación en la edad preescolar en función, principalmente, del desarrollo físico y cognitivo. El objetivo fue analizar la composición alimentaria en relación a energía,macronutrientes, vitaminas A y C, fi erro y calcio; así como la aceptación de la merienda ofrecida en los jardines infantiles públicos y particulares. La cantidad ofrecida en el almuerzo fue evaluada por pesada directa delalimento durante tres días no consecutivos. El cálculo de la composición nutricional fue realizado de acuerdo al Programa Nacional deAlimentación Escolar/PNAE para energía, proteína, y Dietary Reference Intakes para micronutrientes. Se utilizó escala hedónica para verifi car la aceptación de la merienda. La disponibilidad de energía del jardínparticular no atendió el valor establecido por el PNAE; con respecto a la proteína, en los dos jardines, los valores excedieron al establecido,y para el calcio presentaron valores inadecuados. En ambos la aceptación estuvo entre los términos hedónicos "me gustó" e "indiferente".La disponibilidad energética requiere mayor atención en el jardín particular. A pesar de la disponibilidad insufi ciente de calcio en las dosinstituciones, vale resaltar que el almuerzo no es considerado como la fuente principal de este mineral. Se sugiere mayor observación encuanto a la disponibilidad del mismo a lo largo del día, ya que los niños permanecen allí la mayor parte del tiempo.

É consensual a importância da alimentação na idade pré-escolar em função, principalmente, do desenvolvimento físico e cognitivo. Objetivou-seanalisar a adequação alimentar quanto à energia, macronutrientes, vitaminas A e C, ferro e cálcio; bem como a aceitação da merenda oferecida em creche pública e privada. Adotou-se a pesagem direta para se obter a disponibilidade dos alimentos oferecidos no almoço, em três dias não consecutivos. A avaliação da adequação nutricional foirealizada segundo o Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar/PNAE para energia e proteína, e Dietary Reference Intakes para micronutrientes. Utilizou-se escala hedônica para verificar a aceitação da refeição.A disponibilidade de energia da creche privada não atendeu ao valor estabelecido pelo PNAE; para proteína, nas duas creches, os valoresexcederam ao preconizado, e para o cálcio apresentaram-se inadequados. Em ambas a aceitação esteve entre os termos hedônicos "gostei" e "indiferente". A disponibilidade energética necessita de maior atenção na creche privada. Apesar de a oferta do cálcio serinsuficiente nas duas creches, vale ressaltar que o almoço não é considerado refeição fonte deste mineral. Sugere-se a necessidade de observações quanto à oferta do mesmo ao longo do dia, uma vez que as crianças comumente permanecem a maior parte do tempo nestas instituições.