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As the most species‐rich vertebrate group, fish provide an array of opportunities to investigate the link between ecological interactions and the evolution of behavior and cognition, yet, as an animal model, they are relatively underutilized in studies of comparative cognition. To address this gap, we developed a fully automated platform for behavioral experiments in aquatic species, GoFish. GoFish includes closed‐loop control of task contingencies using real‐time video tracking, presentation of visual stimuli, automatic food reward dispensers, and built‐in data acquisition. The hardware is relatively inexpensive and accessible, and all software components of the platform are open‐source. GoFish facilitates experimental automation, allowing for customization of high‐throughput protocols and the efficient acquisition of rich behavioral data. We hope this platform proves to be a useful tool for the research community, facilitating refined, reproducible behavioral experiments on aquatic species in comparative cognition, behavioral ecology, and neuroscience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A recent study published data on the growth performance, relative weights of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract, liver histology, serum biochemistry, and hematological parameters for turkey poults fed an experimental diet contaminated with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and humic acids (HA) extracted from vermicompost. The negative effects of AFB1 (250 ng AFB1/g of feed) were significantly reduced by HA supplementation (0.25% w/w), suggesting that HA might be utilized to ameliorate the negative impact of AFB1 from contaminated diets. The present study shows the results of the remaining variables, as an extension of a previously published work which aimed to evaluate the impact of HA on the intestinal microbiota, gut integrity, ileum morphometry, and cellular immunity of turkey poults fed an AFB1-contaminated diet. For this objective, five equal groups of 1-day-old female Nicholas-700 turkey poults were randomly assigned to the following treatments: negative control (basal diet), positive control (basal diet + 250 ng AFB1/g), HA (basal diet + 0.25% HA), HA + AFB1 (basal diet + 0.25% HA + 250 ng AFB1/g), and Zeolite (basal diet + 0.25% zeolite + 250 ng AFB1/g). In the experiment, seven replicates of ten poults each were used per treatment (n = 70). In general, HA supplementation with or without the presence of AFB1 showed a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the number of beneficial butyric acid producers, ileum villi height, and ileum total area, and a significant reduction in serum levels of fluorescein isothiocyanate–dextran (FITC-d), a marker of intestinal integrity. In contrast, poults fed with AFB1 showed a significant increase in Proteobacteria and lower numbers of beneficial bacteria, clearly suggesting gut dysbacteriosis. Moreover, poults supplemented with AFB1 displayed the lowest morphometric parameters and the highest intestinal permeability. Furthermore, poults in the negative and positive control treatments had the lowest cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity response. These findings suggest that HA supplementation enhanced intestinal integrity (shape and permeability), cellular immune response, and healthier gut microbiota composition, even in the presence of dietary exposure to AFB1. These results complement those of the previously published study, suggesting that HA may be a viable dietary intervention to improve gut health and immunity in turkey poults during aflatoxicosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A laboratory experiment has been developed to illustrate environmental and sustainability aspects, focusing on the wastewater treatment by means of superparamagnetic nanoparticles functionalized with humic acid. The experiment, conducted by a group of high school students, involves nanoparticle synthesis and minor characterization, followed by their interaction with typical metal ion contaminants in water. Coordination chemistry concepts were explored to help students understand the experiment, using competitive agents, such as ammonia, for recovering and recycling the nanoparticles, highlighting the great affinity of humic acid for the metal ions.

The selection of components within a formulation or for treatment must stop being arbitrary and must be focused on scientific evidence that supports the inclusion of each one. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to obtain a formulation based on ascorbic acid (AA) and Eudragit FS 30D microparticles containing curcumin–boric acid (CUR–BA) considering interaction studies between the active components carried out via Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to minimize antagonistic effects, and comprehensively and effectively treat turkey poults infected with Salmonella enteritidis (S. enteritidis). The DSC and FTIR studies clearly demonstrated the interactions between AA, BA, and CUR. Consequently, the combination of AA with CUR and/or BA should be avoided, but not CUR and BA. Furthermore, the Eudragit FS 30D microparticles containing CUR–BA (SD CUR–BA MP) showed a limited release of CUR–BA in an acidic medium, but they were released at a pH 6.8–7.0, which reduced the interactions between CUR–BA and AA. Finally, in the S. enteritidis infection model, turkey poults treated with the combination of AA and SD CUR–BA MP presented lower counts of S. enteritidis in cecal tonsils after 10 days of treatment. These results pointed out that the use of an adequate combination of AA and CUR–BA as an integral treatment of S. enteritidis infections could be a viable option to replace the indiscriminate use of antibiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An adsorbent material derived from alfalfa leaves was prepared and further characterized, and its efficacy for removing aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) was investigated. Characterization consisted of the use of attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM), X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), point of zero charge (pHpzc), zeta potential (ζ-potential), UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and spectral analysis. To determine the adsorption capacity against AFB1 (250 ng AFB1/mL), pH-dependent and avian intestinal in vitro models were used. The adsorbent inclusion percentage was 0.5% (w/w). In general, the pH-dependent model gave adsorption percentages of 98.2%, 99.9%, and 98.2%, evaluated at pH values of 2, 5, and 7, respectively. However, when the avian intestinal model was used, it was observed that the adsorption percentage of AFB1 significantly decreased (88.8%). Based on the characterization results, it is proposed that electrostatic, non-electrostatic, and the formation of chlorophyll-AFB1 complexes were the main mechanisms for AFB1 adsorption. From these results, it can be concluded that the adsorbent derived from alfalfa leaves could be used as an effective material for removing AFB1 in in vitro digestion models that mimic the physiological reality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of the USP IV apparatus (flow-through cell) has gained acceptance in recent years due to its versatility and ability to discriminate due to its hydrodynamic conditions. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to develop a discriminative dissolution method in the USP IV apparatus using the open-loop configuration, as well as to propose a method to compare non-cumulative dissolution profiles obtained in the open-loop configuration considering kinetic parameters and validate its predictive power through its comparison with independent and dependent methods using five commercial immediate-release tablet drugs (one reference drug and four generic drugs) of metoprolol tartrate as a model drug. The comparison of the non-accumulated dissolution profiles consisted of determining the geometric ratio of Cmax, AUC0∞, AUC0Cmax, and Tmax (kinetic parameters) of the generic/reference drugs, whereby generic drugs "C" and "D" presented the highest probability of similarity since their 90% confidence intervals were included, or they were very close to the acceptance interval (80.00–125.00%). These results were consistent with the f2, bootstrap f2, and dissolution efficiency approaches (independent models). In conclusion, the proposed comparison method can be an important tool to establish similarity in dissolution profiles and to facilitate the development/selection of new formulations and positively ensure bioequivalence in clinical studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Red blood cell (RBC) group systems are depicted by antigens on the surface of RBCs, which when transfused to a recipient that lacks them, can result in alloimmunization. Thus, transfusion of matched RBC components to the recipient is recommended, especially for the more immunogenic blood group antigens, such as Rh (E, e, C, and c), Kell, Kidd, Duffy, and MNS. AIMS: The aim of this study was to perform the blood group genotyping from blood samples of 12 polytransfused patients whose phenotyping was inconclusive or incomplete. METHODS: The amplicons were amplified by polymerase chain reaction-sequence-specific primers for the following alleles: RHCE (RHCE * C, RHCE * c, RHCE * E, and RHCE * e), KEL (KEL * 01 and KEL * 02), FY (FY * 01 and FY * 02), and KID (JK * 01 and JK * 02), in addition to the GATAI-mutated gene (FY * 02N.01). RESULTS: Discrepancies were found in the Rh (E) and Kidd systems, in addition to cases of Fyb antigen silencing attributed to the GATA mutation, which was present in all individuals with Fy (a-b-) phenotype. The technique also solved the inconclusive phenotyping caused by mixed-field agglutination. CONCLUSION: The results show the contribution of blood group genotyping in complex immunohematology cases, optimizing the delivery of RBC components suitable for transfusion safety, and expanding the number of compatible donors for patients with the Fy (a-b) phenotype related to the FY (02N.01) allele. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vermicompost was used for humic acid (HA) preparation, and the adsorption of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) was investigated. Two forms of HA were evaluated, natural HA and sodium-free HA (SFHA). As a reference, a non-commercial zeolitic material was employed. The adsorbents were characterized by attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), zeta potential (ζ-potential), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and point of zero charge (pHpzc). The adsorbent capacity of the materials when added to an AFB1-contaminated diet (100 µg AFB1/kg) was evaluated using an in vitro model that simulates the digestive tract of chickens. Characterization results revealed the primary functional groups in HA and SFHA were carboxyl and phenol. Furthermore, adsorbents have a highly negative ζ-potential at the three simulated pH values. Therefore, it appears the main influencing factors for AFB1 adsorption are electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonding. Moreover, the bioavailability of AFB1 in the intestinal section was dramatically decreased when sorbents were added to the diet (0.2%, w/w). The highest AFB1 adsorption percentages using HA and SFHA were 97.6% and 99.7%, respectively. The zeolitic material had a considerable adsorption (81.5%). From these results, it can be concluded that HA and SFHA from vermicompost could be used as potential adsorbents to remove AFB1 from contaminated feeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aimed at improving the quality of school meals, the Sustainable School Program (SSP) implemented low-carbon meals, twice a week, in 155 schools of 4 municipalities, reaching more than 32,000 students. This study evaluated the environmental impact and nutritional viability of this intervention for this population. The 15 most repeated meals from the conventional and sustainable menus were selected, and we considered the school age group and number of meals served per student/day. Nutritional information was calculated using validated food composition tables, nutritional adequacy was assessed using National School Feeding Program (PNAE) requirements, the level of processing was considered using NOVA classification, and greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE) were estimated using food life cycle assessment (LCA) validated data. We found both conventional and sustainable food menus are equivalent, in terms of nutrients, except for calcium, iron, and magnesium. Sustainable food menus were cholesterol-free. However, there was a reduction of up to 17% in GHGE, depending on the school age group analysed. Considering the greater energy efficiency and lower environmental impact of these food menus, the SSP, therefore, demonstrates that a substantial reduction in climate impact is feasible, successful, and can be an inspiration to other regions globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The graph of irreducible parabolic subgroups is a combinatorial object associated to an Artin--Tits group A defined so as to coincide with the curve graph of the (n + 1)-times punctured disk when A is Artin's braid group on (n + 1) strands. In this case, it is a hyperbolic graph, by the celebrated Masur--Minsky's theorem. Hyperbolicity of the graph of irreducible parabolic subgroups for more general Artin--Tits groups is an important open question. In this paper, we give a partial affirmative answer. For n ≽ 3, we show that the graph of irreducible parabolic subgroups associated to the Artin--Tits group of spherical type Bn is also isomorphic to the curve graph of the (n + 1)-times punctured disk; hence, it is hyperbolic. For n ≽ 2, we show that the graphs of irreducible parabolic subgroups associated to the Artin--Tits groups of euclidean type An and Cn are isomorphic to some subgraphs of the curve graph of the (n + 2)-times punctured disk which are not quasi-isometrically embedded. We prove nonetheless that these graphs are hyperbolic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering the importance of hemocyte characterization for immunological studies, this work aimed to characterize the hemocyte types of Perna perna mussels combining transmission electron microscopy and flow cytometry with the classical optical microscopy. The results indicated four type of hemocytes: hyalinocytes, semigranulocytes, granulocytes and blast-like cells. [Display omitted] • Four types of haemocytes in the hemolymph of Perna perna • The semigranulocyte type was identified in this species for the first time. • Hyalinocytes form the majority in hemolymph of this species of mussel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Very elderly critically ill patients (ie, those older than 75 or 80 years) are an increasing population in intensive care units. However, patients with cancer have encompassed only a minority in epidemiological studies of very old critically-ill patients. We aimed to describe clinical characteristics and identify factors associated with hospital mortality in a cohort of patients aged 80 or older with cancer admitted to intensive care units (ICUs). Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study in 94 ICUs in Brazil. We included patients aged 80 years or older with active cancer who had an unplanned admission. We performed a mixed effect logistic regression model to identify variables independently associated with hospital mortality. Results: Of 4604 included patients, 1807 (39.2%) died in hospital. Solid metastatic (OR = 2.46; CI 95%, 2.01–3.00), hematological cancer (OR = 2.32; CI 95%, 1.75–3.09), moderate/severe performance status impairment (OR = 1.59; CI 95%, 1.33–1.90) and use of vasopressors (OR = 4.74; CI 95%, 3.88–5.79), mechanical ventilation (OR = 1.54; CI 95%, 1.25–1.89) and renal replacement (OR = 1.81; CI 95%, 1.29–2.55) therapy were independently associated with increased hospital mortality. Emergency surgical admissions were associated with lower mortality compared to medical admissions (OR = 0.71; CI 95%, 0.52–0.96). Conclusions: Hospital mortality rate in very elderly critically ill patients with cancer with unplanned ICU admissions are lower than expected a priori. Cancer characteristics, performance status impairment and acute organ dysfunctions are associated with increased mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heterogeneity is an increasingly appreciated feature of dopamine signaling in the striatum. Hamid et al. (2021) leverage a variety of imaging techniques to reveal striking spatiotemporal patterns of dopamine signals in mouse dorsal striatum. Time will tell what this means for reinforcement learning in the brain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]