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Epidemiological data regarding the incidence of secondary multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative infection in patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Brazil are still ambiguous. Thus, a case-control study was designed to determine factors associated with the acquisition of MDR Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) in patients with and without COVID-19 and describe the mortality rates and clinical features associated with unfavorable outcomes. In total, we assessed 280 patients admitted to Brazilian intensive care units from March/2020 to December/2021. During the study, 926 GNB were isolated. Out of those, 504 were MDR-GNB, representing 54.4% of the resistance rate. In addition, out of 871 patients positive for COVID-19, 73 had secondary MDR-GNB infection, which represented 8.38% of documented community-acquired GNB-MDR infections. The factors associated with patients COVID-19-MDR-GNB infections were obesity, heart failure, use of mechanical ventilation, urinary catheter, and previous use of β-lactams. Several factors associated with mortality were identified among patients with COVID-19 infected with MDR-GNB, including the use of a urinary catheter; renal failure; and the origin of bacterial cultures such as tracheal secretion, exposure to carbapenem antibiotics, and polymyxin. Mortality was significantly higher in patients with COVID-19-MDR-GNB (68.6%) compared to control groups, where COVID-19 was 35.7%, MDR-GNB was 50%, and GNB was 21.4%. Our findings demonstrate that MDR-GNB infection associated with COVID-19 has an expressive impact on increasing the case fatality rate, reinforcing the importance of minimizing the use of invasive devices and prior exposure to antimicrobials to control the bacterial spread in healthcare environments to improve the prognosis among critical patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Survivors of sepsis often develop long-term cognitive impairments. This review aimed at exploring the results of the behavioral tools and tests which have been used to evaluate cognitive dysfunction in different animal models of sepsis. Two independent investigators searched for sepsis- and cognition-related keywords. 6323 publications were found, of which 355 were selected based on their title, and 226 of these were chosen based on manuscript review. LPS was used to induce sepsis in 171 studies, while CLP was used in 55 studies. Inhibitory avoidance was the most widely used method for assessing aversive memory, followed by fear conditioning and continuous multi-trial inhibitory avoidance. With regard to non-aversive memory, most studies used the water maze, open-field, object recognition, Y-maze, plus maze, and radial maze tests. Both CLP and LPS models of sepsis were effective in inducing short- and long-term behavioral impairment. Our findings help elucidate the mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of sepsis-induced cognitive changes, as well as the available methods and tests used to study this in animal models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this in vivo study was to evaluate the accuracy of small-volume cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) imaging compared with conventional periapical radiography (CPR) in the diagnosis of vertical root fractures (VRFs) using exploratory surgery as the reference standard. Eighty-two dental records of 85 teeth with suspected VRFs that underwent CPR, CBCT imaging, and exploratory surgery were included. Two observers assessed CPR and CBCT images independently for the presence or absence of root fractures, and findings from the exploratory surgery were considered the reference standard. Diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and the receiver operating characteristic curve values were obtained. The effect of single- and multirooted teeth on diagnostic accuracy as well as the association between clinical symptoms and the presence of VRFs were also assessed. VRFs were surgically detected in 64 of the 85 teeth (75.3%), of which 62.5% were multirooted and 76.6% had intracanal posts. CBCT imaging was more sensitive and accurate (65.6% and 64%) than CPR (27.3% and 40.5%). Both CPR and CBCT diagnostic accuracies were higher in single- than multirooted teeth. Pain on percussion, a localized periodontal pocket, and tooth mobility were associated with the presence of VRFs (P <.05; odds ratio = 4.15, 13.5 and 4.1, respectively). The accuracy of CBCT imaging for the diagnosis of VRFs was poor, although it was higher than with CPR. Multirooted teeth in the presence of intracanal posts may limit its diagnostic value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of nitrogen fertilization can promote different morphological, productive, and efficient responses in forage cactus. Therefore, the objective was to determine the morphophysiological, productive, nutritional, and economic responses of the forage cactus clone Orelha de Elefante Mexicana (Opuntia stricta (Haw.) Haw.) subjected to four doses of nitrogen (N) under irrigated conditions in the semi-arid region. Four treatments were applied: 50 (T1), 150 (T2), 300 (T3), and 450 (T4) kg ha−1 of N. For growth analyses, biometry and biomass data were collected to determine phenology, rates morphophysiological characteristics, ideal cutting time, and fresh (FM) and dry (DM) yields. From data on soil moisture, physical-hydric properties, and productivity, the components of water balance, water use efficiency, and economic gain of the crop were calculated. From analyzes of forage cactus plant tissue, nutrient concentrations, biological utilization coefficient, and nutrient use efficiency were determined. The FM and MS yields showed a quadratic (cycle 1 and 2) and positive linear (cycle 3) response to the increase in nitrogen dose. In the first two cycles the maximum dose for FM was 286.19 kg N ha−1 and 413.33 kg N ha−1, to DM productivity the maximum dose was 299.12 kg N ha−1 and 416.79 kg N ha−1. The specific cladode area and the net assimilation rate had better responses at the lowest N doses (50 and 150 kg ha−1), and the absolute and relative growth rate, phenology, and cutting moment were under little influence of N levels. The concentrations and the coefficient of biological utilization of the nutrients showed a positive response to the quadratic model. For concentrations, nitrogen (T4 = 6.72 g N kg−1 DM), phosphorus (T1 = 6.28 g P kg−1 DM), and potassium (T1 = 33.18 g K kg−1 DM) showed significance at 5 % probability, and the quadratic model accounted for 99 % of the data variability. It was concluded that the clone characteristic influenced the relative and absolute growth rates more than the different nitrogen doses. Fertilization from 300 kg N ha−1 increased DM and FM productivity and nutrient concentrations. Lower doses of N were more efficient in DM production. Based on real evapotranspiration, N use efficiency increased with increasing doses, and for other nutrients, the greatest efficiencies occurred in cultivation periods with a smaller amount of water inserted into the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais (Motschulsky) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is the main pest of stored grains across tropical regions. An alternative strategy to the use of synthetic insecticides for the management of S. zeamais is the development of botanical insecticides based in the essential oils (EOs) from aromatic plants. In the present study, we evaluated the lethal and sublethal effects of the EO of Lippia sidoides (Cham.) and its major compounds (thymol and ρ-cymene) on different populations of S. zeamais . For this, we determined toxicity by fumigation of treatments of five populations from different Brazilian regions and assessed the lethal time and walking behavior for the most tolerant and susceptible populations. The lethal concentration required to kill 50% of S. zeamais populations ranged from 35.48 to 118.29 μL L −1 air for EO of L. sidoides , 65.00–91.23 μL L −1 air for thymol and 801.24 to 2188,83 μL L −1 air for ρ-cymene. Population from Jacarezinho was the most tolerant to treatments, while population of Rio Branco was the most susceptible one. The survival of S. zeamais populations was significantly affected by treatments and ρ-cymene showed the faster action on both Jacarezinho and Rio Branco populations (LT 50  = 0.3 h). The walking behavior of maize weevil showed that the EO of L. sidoides and thymol present repellent effect, however, ρ-cymene present attractive effect. Therefore, the EO of L. sidoides and its major compound thymol are promising source to develop bioinsecticides for the management of S. zeamais populations with different levels of resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inadequacy of highly glazed facade office buildings has been debatable for decades due to their impact on the internal environment comfort and energy consumption. One of the consequences noticed in the 50′s decade was the thermal discomfort caused by the non-uniform thermal environment. Despite the glass technology developments since then, buildings with ordinary laminated glass and unknown thermal properties became commonly accepted in Brazil's most populated cities in the low latitudes, opposing primary design recommendations. This work discusses this context based on the short-term thermal assessment of five case studies in a warm and humid climate, assuming regular occupation. The combination of the walk-through audit with thermal monitoring at the centre of office rooms and next to the facade resulted in comparing air and operative temperatures, and the PMV index, under different environment configurations. Surface temperature measurements with thermographic photos complemented the thermal analyses. The case studies confirmed different simultaneous thermal sensations between perimeter and centre zones. The perimeter zones barely reach PMV 0.5, achieved by the users' adaptations that mitigated the thermal radiation from the facades, obstructing the windows with internal shades or avoiding the window view by changing the layout. Therefore, the extensive use of window obstructions compromises other indoor environmental aspects, such as daylighting and exterior view, contradicting the architects' expectations of a transparent glass building. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Complexes [In(2Ac4Ph) 2 ]NO 3 ·H 2 O ( 1 ), [In(2Ac4 m ClPh) 2 ]NO 3 ·1.5H 2 O ( 2 ), [In(2Ac4 p ClPh) 2 ]NO 3 ·2H 2 O ( 3 ) and [In(2Ac4 p IPh) 2 ]NO 3 ·H 2 O ( 4 ) were obtained with N (4)-phenyl-2-acetylpyridine thiosemicarbazone (H2Ac4Ph), and its N (4)- meta -chlorophenyl-(H2Ac4 m ClPh), N (4)- para -chlorophenyl-(H2Ac4 p ClPh) and N (4)- para -iodophenyl-(H2Ac4 p IPh) derivatives. The crystal structures of [In(2Ac4Ph) 2 ]NO 3 ·MeOH ( 1a ), [In(2Ac4 m ClPh) 2 ]NO 3 ·EtOH·H 2 O ( 2a ) and [In(2Ac4 p ClPh) 2 ]·NO 3 ( 3a ) were determined. The cytotoxic effects of the thiosemicarbazone ligands and of complexes ( 1 – 4 ) were evaluated against HL-60, Jurkat and THP-1 leukemia cells and against MCF-7, MDA-MB-231 and HCT-116 solid tumor cells, as well as against mammalian healthy Vero cells. Upon coordination to indium(III) cytotoxicity increased in several cases. In addition, complex ( 1 ) was active in sub-micromolar doses against all tested cell lineages, with selectivity indexes (SI = IC 50 Vero /IC 50 tumor cell ) ranging from 3 (against THP-1 cells) to 144 (against HCT-116 cells). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Artificial neural networks have high predictive power of return on assets. • The assumption that prices absorbed all information immediately is false. • Building portfolios with consistently superior performance. • Formation of portfolios by the classification of probability of returns. • Use of asymmetric leptokurtic distributions in asset classification. This work aims to compare the performance of the traditional portfolios of the S&P500, Markowitz, and Sharpe with the multifractal trend fluctuation portfolios (MF-DFA) and portfolios of artificial neural networks with Student's asymmetric probability classification (ANN-t). In this study, we use daily data for S&P500 stocks between January 18, 2018, and July 12, 2022, where we backtest return and risk metrics such as annual volatility, Value at Risk, Sharpe Ratio, Sortino Ratio, Beta, and Jensen´s Alpha. For both return and risk, we obtain the results confirming that the ANN-t technique might indicate better investment entries, which contradicts the Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Ethnopharmacological relevance The search for natural agents that minimize obesity-associated disorders is receiving special attention. Parkinsonia aculeata L. (Caesalpineaceae) has long been used in Brazil as a hypoglycaemic herbal medicine, without any scientific basis. Aims of the study In this context, we aimed to use molecular and physiological methods to study the effect of a hydroethanolic extract partitioned with ethyl acetate from the aerial parts of Parkinsonia aculeata (HEPa/EtOAc) on insulin resistance in a mouse model of diet-induced obesity (DIO). Material and methods Firstly, C57BL/6J mice were fed either with standard rodent chow diet or a high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 consecutive weeks. Then, the animals were treated with HEPa/EtOAc at two doses (125 and 250 mg/kg/day) or metformin (200 mg/kg/day) for 16 days. At the end of the experiment, body weight, fat pad weight, fasting serum glucose (FSG), insulin (FSI) and leptin were measured. Homeostasis Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) was also calculated. Glucose, insulin and pyruvate tolerance tests were performed. The expression and phosphorylation of IRβ tyr , Akt ser473 , AMPKα and PGC1α in liver, muscle and adipose tissue were determined by Western blot analyses. Results Herein we demonstrate for the first time an improvement in insulin resistance following HEPa/EtOAc administration in obese mice, as shown by increased glucose, insulin and pyruvate tolerance, as well as an improvement in FSG, FSI, HOMA-IR and circulating leptin levels, which together are in part due to enhancement of the insulin signaling pathway in its main target tissues. Surprisingly, the increase in activation of the AMPKα-PGC1-α axis by HEPa/EtOAc was similar to that produced by metformin treatment in the liver and muscle tissues. Conclusion In conclusion, P. aculeata appears to be a source of therapeutic agent against obesity-related complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soy protein isolate (SPI), bovine whey protein (BWP) and egg white protein (EWP) were hydrolyzed with the protease Flavourzyme™ 500 L, and the interactions of these substrates for the inhibition of the relative lipid accumulation (RLA) in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes during differentiation was studied using a simplex-centroid mixture design. The results indicated that there were synergistic effects for mixtures of non-hydrolyzed and hydrolyzed proteins. The hydrolyzed mixture containing BWP (1/2) and EWP (1/2) at 800 µg mL −1 showed increases of up to 220 and 27% in their activities, respectively, compared to the isolated substrates, reaching a maximum RLA suppression of 15.5%. The treatment in which the two-day postconfluent 3T3-L1 preadipocytes received 1200 µg mL −1 of the mixture containing BWP (1/2) and EWP (1/2) at day zero and every two days afterwards until the end of the experiment at day eight was demonstrated to be more effective, reaching an RLA suppression of 47.9%. The results from the fractionation by ultrafiltration indicated that the non-fractionated sample of BWP (1/2) and EWP (1/2) was the most active for the anti-adipogenic activity and indicated that there is an important contribution of peptide fractions with various molecular sizes in the RLA suppression in 3T3-L1 cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following axotomy, the contact between motoneurons and muscle fibers is disrupted, triggering a retrograde reaction at the neuron cell body within the spinal cord. Together with chromatolysis, a hallmark of such response to injury is the elimination of presynaptic terminals apposing to the soma and proximal dendrites of the injured neuron. Excitatory inputs are preferentially eliminated, leaving the cells under an inhibitory influence during the repair process. This is particularly important to avoid glutamate excitotoxicity. Such shift from transmission to a regeneration state is also reflected by deep metabolic changes, seen by the regulation of several genes related to cell survival and axonal growth. It is unclear, however, how exactly synaptic stripping occurs, but there is substantial evidence that glial cells play an active role in this process. In one hand, immune molecules, such as the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I, members of the complement family and Toll-like receptors are actively involved in the elimination/reapposition of presynaptic boutons. On the other hand, plastic changes that involve sprouting might be negatively regulated by extracellular matrix proteins such as Nogo-A, MAG and scar-related chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans. Also, neurotrophins, stem cells, physical exercise and several drugs seem to improve synaptic stability, leading to functional recovery after lesion. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled ‘Neuroimmunology and Synaptic Function’. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: While the causes of falls in old hospitalized patients are multifactorial, medication has been considered as one of the most significant factors. Given the large impact that this phenomenon has on the lives of the elderly and organizations, it is important to explore such phenomenon in greater depth. Objective: The objective of this study was to explore the association between medication and falls and the recurrent falls (n≥2), and identify medication related risk for fall in hospitalized patients, in a large acute hospital. Design: Retrospective and quantitative study from June 2008 to December 2010. Setting: The study was conducted in a private hospital for acute patients in Lisbon, Portugal. Participants: The study included a sample of 214 episodes of fall event notifications which occurred in 193 patients. Methods: The current study was conducted through the “face to face consensus” technique which emerged the treatment groups to investigate. Regarding the data analysis we used Student's t test, ANOVA and Odds Ratio. In the violation of the premises for the use of parametric statistics we used the Kruskal–Wallis test. To assess the fall risk, and the medication-related fall risk, we used the Morse Fall Risk Scale, and the Medication Fall Risk Score. Results: Patients who received drugs from the therapy group of “Central Nervous System”, are 10 times more likely to have fall risk (OR 9. 90, 95% CI 1.6–60.63). Association was found between falls (OR 6.09, 95% CI 1.30–28.54) and its recurrence (OR 3.32, 95% CI 1.61–6.85), among patients receiving haloperidol and receiving tramadol for recurrent falls (OR 3.10, 95% CI 1.59–6.07). In 34% of the patients the medication fall risk score was 6 or higher. Conclusions: This current study allowed identifying medication-related risk factors for falls, that nurses should consider when prescribing interventions to prevent falls and its recurrence, when patients are admitted to acute care hospitals. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Aims: The search for natural agents that minimize obesity-associated disorders is receiving special attention. In this regard, the present study aimed to evaluate the prophylactic effect of Chlorella vulgaris (CV) on body weight, lipid profile, blood glucose and insulin signaling in liver, skeletal muscle and adipose tissue of diet-induced obese mice. Main methods: Balb/C mice were fed either with standard rodent chow diet or high-fat diet (HFD) and received concomitant treatment with CV for 12 consecutive weeks. Triglyceride, free fatty acid, total cholesterol and fractions of cholesterol were measured using commercial assay. Insulin and leptin levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Insulin and glucose tolerance tests were performed. The expression and phosphorylation of IRβ, IRS-1 and Akt were determined by Western blot analyses. Key findings: Herein we demonstrate for the first time in the literature that prevention by CV of high-fat diet-induced insulin resistance in obese mice, as shown by increased glucose and insulin tolerance, is in part due to the improvement in the insulin signaling pathway at its main target tissues, by increasing the phosphorylation levels of proteins such as IR, IRS-1 and Akt. In parallel, the lower phosphorylation levels of IRS-1ser307 were observed in obese mice. We also found that CV administration prevents high-fat diet-induced dyslipidemia by reducing triglyceride, cholesterol and free fatty acid levels. Significance: We propose that the modulatory effect of CV treatment preventing the deleterious effects induced by high-fat diet is a good indicator for its use as a prophylactic–therapeutic agent against obesity-related complications. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Introduction: Although physiotherapy is an integral part of the multiprofessional team in most ICUs there is only limited evidence concerning the effectiveness of its procedures. The objectives of this study were to verify if physiotherapy care provided within 24 h/day for hospitalized patients in the ICU reduce the length of stay, mechanical ventilation support, pulmonary infection and mortality compared to a physiotherapy care provided within 6 h/day. Methods: A cohort study was designed to assess differences between one hospital where patients were given physiotherapy care for 24 h/day and another hospital with only 6 h/ day. We considered the following as outcome measurements: clinical diagnosis, medication in use, presence of associated diseases, APACHE II and SOFA scores, ICU and mechanical ventilation length of stay, development of pulmonary infections and survival. Results: One hundred and forty-six patients were enrolled. Patients admitted in the service A presented a lower length of stay in mechanical ventilation (p < 0.0001), ICU stay (p = 0.0003), respiratory infections (p = 0.0043) than patients admitted in service B. No difference was found for APACHE II score (p = 0.8) and SOFA scores (p = 0.2) between groups. The mortality risk was OR 1.3 (1.01-2.33) (p = 0.04) for patients in the service B. Conclusion: The presence of a physiotherapist in the intensive care unit contributes decisively to the early recovery of the patient, reducing mechanical ventilation support need, number of hospitalization days, incidence of respiratory infection and risk of mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this paper, we consider the stochastic optimal control problem of discrete-time linear systems subject to Markov jumps and multiplicative noises under two criteria. The first one is an unconstrained mean–variance trade-off performance criterion along the time, and the second one is a minimum variance criterion along the time with constraints on the expected output. We present explicit conditions for the existence of an optimal control strategy for the problems, generalizing previous results in the literature. We conclude the paper by presenting a numerical example of a multi-period portfolio selection problem with regime switching in which it is desired to minimize the sum of the variances of the portfolio along the time under the restriction of keeping the expected value of the portfolio greater than some minimum values specified by the investor. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The cotton leaf worm, Alabama argillacea, is a key cotton pest in Brazil and is managed with repeated insecticide applications. Reports of insecticide control failures have recently increased, particularly with pyrethroids. The present work assessed the resistance status of A. argillacea to a number of different insecticides currently used in cotton crops. Bioassays were conducted to estimate the response of 2nd-instar A. argillacea populations to deltamethrin, chlorpyrifos, endosulfan, abamectin and spinosad. A leaf dip bioassay with diluted insecticide formulations was performed in the laboratory with five to nine populations depending on the insecticide. LC50 values were estimated by probit analysis after correction for control mortality data and used to calculate the resistance ratios (RR). All assessed populations exhibited varied and significant levels of resistance to all insecticides tested, but only moderate levels of resistance to deltamethrin were observed (RR = 52.3). The LC50 values for deltamethrin were higher than 30 mg/l for most populations, and above the field rate (12.5 mg/l). This suggests that the frequency of resistant individuals in these populations was likely above the critical frequency. There was low to moderate resistance to abamectin, chlorpyrifos, endosulfan and spinosad formulations (the highest RRs observed were 4.2, 8.4, 11.1 and 23.5, respectively). Despite the moderate levels of resistance to pyrethroids in A. argillacea, overall results indicate the presence of low to moderate resistance of A. argillacea to insecticides currently used against cotton pests in Brazil. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• The number of Lecythidaceae individuals decreased by > 1000, but basal area and biomass did not change significantly over 30 years. • Mortality is highest in the lower-lying, wetter habitats. • The most abundant species in the plot do not overlap in their habitat associations, nor do sister species. In this study, we analyze the demographic rates and biomass dynamics of Lecythidaceae in a 100-ha permanent forest plot in the Central Amazon. We characterize habitats in the plot, analyze the effect of habitat on tree density, species richness, and biomass and demographic dynamics, and quantify significant species habitat associations. The plot experienced a 13.2 % net loss of Lecythidaceae individuals (n = 1023) but aboveground biomass (AGB; Mg ha−1) did not differ between the two censuses. Growth rates averaged 1.2 mm year−1 with high intraspecific variation and differed significantly among species height classes. Stem density and species richness decreased in all six terra firme habitats and were significantly lower in both years in the flood disturbed habitat. Only the flood disturbed areas experienced a significant loss in AGB, along with the highest annual mortality, recruitment, and growth rates across the plot. The lower-lying habitats experienced higher mortality rates than the slopes and plateaus, suggesting too much moisture is a higher risk to Lecythidaceae individuals than drought in this plot. There were no overlapping habitat associations among sister species, or among the seven most abundant species, which suggests that terra firme habitat association provides a niche partitioning mechanism for closely related Lecythidaceae species. As intended with its establishment, this plot continues to provide integral baseline data for one of the most ecologically dominant and culturally significant tree families in the Amazon region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Peripheral nerve transection results in a disconnection of the neuron from its target. As a result, a series of metabolic changes occur in the cell body that may cause neuronal death, mainly by apoptotic mechanisms. Although neurons from neonatal animals are the most susceptible, peripheral, lesion-induced, neuronal loss also occurs in adults, and is particularly evident in mouse sensory neurons. However, differences in genetic background cause particular isogenic strains of mice to react unevenly to peripheral nerve lesion. In this work, we investigated the occurrence of apoptosis as well as the ultrastructural changes in the dorsal root ganglion sensory neurons and satellite cells of C57BL/6J and A/J mice 2 weeks after ipsilateral sciatic nerve transection at the mid-thigh level. C57BL/6J mice displayed a stronger sensory neuron chromatolytic reaction that resulted in an increased loss of neurons when compared with isogenic A/J mice (p <0.01). Additionally, most of the degenerating neurons displayed the classic features of apoptosis. These findings reinforced previous data obtained by the terminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase nick-end labeling (TUNEL) technique. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]