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ABSTRACT A comprehensive overview of Scarabaeoidea in Brazil is provided based on the Taxonomic Catalogue of the Brazilian Fauna (CTFB). Data in CTFB include 2,532 valid species within 345 genera, belonging to 21 subfamilies and 10 families. Those have been described by 272 authors from 1758 to 2023. Among these authors, Carl Hermann Conrad Burmeister (1807-1892), George Frey (1902-1976), Friedrich Ohaus (1864-1946), Julius Moser (1863-1929), and Edgar von Harold (1830-1886) stand out as the most prolific, collectively accounting for approximately 43% of all known Brazilian species of Scarabaeoidea. For taxa occurring in Brazil, we also provide a dichotomous key for use identifying Scarabaeoidea families and subfamilies, along with diagnosis, remarks, and comments on their natural history.

Since graphene and its derivatives discovery, the desire to develop accessible production methods and obtain high-quality materials to enable its production on an industrial scale has increased research interest in this field, and in techniques aiming a deep characterization of these materials. Based on this, the present study proposes a great reduction of time in the process steps of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) production. By using micronized graphite as the precursor, the exfoliation and reduction time were reduced, 67 and 75% respectively, without compromising rGO properties. Regarding the number of layers, the carbon structures presented results between 7 (rGO) and 10 (graphene oxide), being the best result of 8 layers after 10 minutes of exfoliation. Moreover, the electrical conductivity methodology proposed in this article was based on statistical analysis. The electrical conductivity of suspensions with 0.5% w/w of carbon structures was between 3400 and 3700 µS.cm-1. Thus, this study opens the way for obtaining graphene oxides by the modified Hummers’ method and shorter process time in exfoliation and reduction steps using micronized graphite as the precursor, and it also provides a methodology to determine the electrical conductivity of suspensions to assist these materials characterization without prior elimination of the solvent.

Background: Propolis possesses many bioactive compounds that could modulate the gut microbiota and reduce the production of uremic toxins in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) undergoing hemodialysis (HD). This clinical trial aimed to evaluate the effects of propolis on the gut microbiota profile and uremic toxin plasma levels in HD patients. These are secondary analyses from a previous double-blind, randomized clinical study, with 42 patients divided into two groups: the placebo and propolis group received 400 mg of green propolis extract/day for eight weeks. Indole-3 acetic acid (IAA), indoxyl sulfate (IS), and p-cresyl sulfate (p-CS) plasma levels were evaluated by reversed-phase liquid chromatography, and cytokines were investigated using the multiplex assay (Bio-Plex Magpix®). The fecal microbiota composition was analyzed in a subgroup of patients (n = 6) using a commercial kit for fecal DNA extraction. The V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene was then amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using short-read sequencing on the Illumina NovaSeq PE250 platform in a subgroup. Forty-one patients completed the study, 20 in the placebo group and 21 in the propolis group. There was a positive correlation between IAA and TNF-α (r = 0.53, p = 0.01), IL-2 (r = 0.66, p = 0.002), and between pCS and IL-7 (r = 0.46, p = 0.04) at the baseline. No significant changes were observed in the values of uremic toxins after the intervention. Despite not being significant, microbial evenness and observed richness increased following the propolis intervention. Counts of the Fusobacteria species showed a positive correlation with IS, while counts of Firmicutes, Lentisphaerae, and Proteobacteria phyla were negatively correlated with IS. Two months of propolis supplementation did not reduce the plasma levels of uremic toxins (IAA, IS, and p-CS) or change the fecal microbiota.

Depression and anxiety disorders, prevalent neuropsychiatric conditions that frequently coexist, limit psychosocial functioning and, consequently, the individual’s quality of life. Since the pharmacological treatment of these disorders has several limitations, the search for effective and secure antidepressant and anxiolytic compounds is welcome. Vitamin D has been shown to exhibit neuroprotective, antidepressant, and anxiolytic properties. Therefore, this study aimed to explore new molecular targets of calcitriol, the active form of vitamin D, through integrated bioinformatic analysis. Calcitriol targets were predicted in SwissTargetPrediction server (2019 version). The disease targets were collected by the GeneCards database searching the keywords “depression” and “anxiety”. Gene ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) were used to analyze the intersections of targets. Network analyses were carried out using GeneMania server (2023 version) and Cytoscape (V. 3.9.1.) software. Molecular docking predicted the main targets of the network and Ligplot predicted the main intermolecular interactions. Our study showed that calcitriol may interact with multiple targets. The main targets found are the vitamin D receptor (VDR), histamine H3 receptor (H3R), endocannabinoid receptors 1 and 2 (CB1 and CB2), nuclear receptor NR1H3, patched-1 (PTCH1) protein, opioid receptor NOP, and phosphodiesterase enzymes PDE3A and PDE5A. Considering the role of these targets in the pathophysiology of depression and anxiety, our findings suggest novel putative mechanisms of action of vitamin D as well as new promising molecular targets whose role in these disorders deserves further investigation.

IntroductionThree in vitro experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of increasing levels of Enterococcus faecium and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (DFM1) and increasing levels of Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus subtilis (DFM2) on in vitro ruminal fermentation parameters in three different dietary scenarios.MethodsFor Exp. 1, the basal diet consisted of 25:75 roughage:concentrate ratio (R:C) and was composed by 5 treatments: control (no additive), 2 levels of DFM1 (1X = 1.9 mg and 5X = 9.0 mg), and 2 levels of DFM2 (1X = 3.8 mg and 5X = 19 mg). The Exp. 2 consisted of a 41:59 R:C diet and was composed by 5 treatments: control (no additive) and 2 levels of DFM1 (1X = 3.8 mg and 5 X = 19 mg) and 2 levels of DFM2 (1X = 5.6 mg and 5X = 28 mg). The Exp. 3 consisted of a 100:0 R:C diet [Brachiaria (syn. Urochloa brizantha)] and was composed by the same treatments described in Exp. 1. The DFM1 contained 3.5 × 109 CFU per g of Enterococccus faecium and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, whereas the DFM2 contained Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus subtilis at 3.2 × 109 CFU per g. In each Exp., an in vitro gas production (GP) system with 43-bottles (AnkomRF) was used in four consecutive 48 or 72-h fermentation batches to evaluate total GP (TGP), kinetics and fermentation profiles, methane (CH4), and carbon dioxide (CO2).ResultsFor Exp 1, DFM1 increased quadratically TGP at 24 and 48-h, which reflected in a greater in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD). The concentrations of ammonia-N, CH4, and CO2 (mmol/g of IVOMD) reduced quadratically as DFM1 increased. For Exp. 2, DFM1 inclusion reduced butyrate concentration and acetate to propionate ratio. Regarding GHG emissions, DFM1 and DFM2 quadratically reduced CH4 and CO2 emission per IVOMD (mmol/g of IVOMD). For Exp. 3, DFM1 increased quadratically TGP at 48h with no impact on IVOMD. Otherwise, DFM2 increased linearly TGP at 24 and 48h which reflected in a greater IVOMD. The inclusion of DFM1 increased linearly iso-valerate and branched-chain volatile fatty acids (BCVFA) concentration and DFM2 addition increased BCVFA quadratically.DiscussionOverall, addition of DFM1 [Enterococccus faecium (5 × 109 CFU per g) + Saccharomyces cerevisiae (5 × 109 CFU per g)] or DFM2 [Bacillus licheniformis + Bacillus subtilis (3.2 × 109 CFU per g)] might enhance the fermentation process in the rumen and decrease greenhouse gas emissions in a dose-dependent manner, though the results are contingent on the specific type of diet.

Abstract Plant-atmosphere exchange fluxes of CO2 measured with the Eddy covariance method are used extensively for the assessment of ecosystem carbon budgets worldwide. The present paper describes eddy flux measurements for a managed upland grassland in Central France studied over two decades (2003–2021). We present the site meteorological data for this measurement period, and we describe the pre-processing and post-processing approaches used to overcome issues of data gaps, commonly associated with long-term EC datasets. Recent progress in eddy flux technology and machine learning now paves the way to produce robust long-term datasets, based on normalised data processing techniques, but such reference datasets remain rare for grasslands. Here, we combined two gap-filling techniques, Marginal Distribution Sampling (short gaps) and Random Forest (long gaps), to complete two reference flux datasets at the half-hour and daily-scales respectively. The resulting datasets are valuable for assessing the response of grassland ecosystems to (past) climate change, but also for model evaluation and validation with respect to future global change research with the carbon-cycle community.

Abstract How species interact with human‐disturbed environments is a central focus of conservation biology. Within disturbed landscapes, regenerating forests have potential to provide habitat for forest species, especially as increasing amounts of primary forest are lost. As secondary forest regenerates beside primary forest, it increases habitat heterogeneity. However, relatively little is known about the influence of habitat heterogeneity on space use. In this study, we analyzed the topography and vertical vegetation structure of regenerating forest, small forest fragments, and undisturbed rainforest in the central Amazon to determine (1) how these structural characteristics influence understory mixed‐species flock space use and (2) how the vegetative preferences of flocks varied across a disturbance gradient. We first used behavioral observations to quantify the vertical foraging niche of flocks and then associated variation in horizontal space use with the three‐dimensional features of forest structure. Surprisingly, we found that flock space use was not consistently associated with any variable, even though available habitat differed both within and across forest types. Overall, the best predictors were elevation and leaf area density within the subcanopy (16–25 m), yet most flock foraging occurred in the midstory (6–15 m). Together, these results indicate that while flocks may have certain habitat preferences, these preferences are flexible or idiosyncratic and do not correspond to a specific vertical profile. For example, flocks spent a disproportionate amount of time in low elevations when available, but not all flocks had access to low‐lying areas within their home ranges. Although other studies show flock size and diversity can be highly sensitive to habitat disturbance, mixed‐species flocks demonstrate remarkable plasticity as a unit, virtually saturating undisturbed and disturbed forest at our site, as long as regeneration has passed a certain threshold.

Springtails are omnipresent soil arthropods, vital for ecosystems. In the first global assessment of springtails, this study shows a 20-fold biomass difference between the tundra and the tropics, with distinct temperature-related patterns for diversity and metabolism that suggest climate change may restructure the functioning of soil biodiversity.

Mathematical modeling was employed in order to optimize pad-batch process using C. longa natural dyestuff applied in dyeing of cotton, against the conventional dyeing by exhaustion with the same dyestuff under best applications parameters recommended by dyestuff supplier. Ecological costs, consumption of water, electrical, and thermal energy, were assessed. The application of the model in the studied process versus the conventional process demonstrated that is possible to obtain an economy of 1.418 × 106 J kg‒1 of energy, in addition to an economy of 95% in water consumption, without significant detriment in the color fastness assessed.

Essential oils from Amazonian species are gaining increasing interest worldwide due to their medicinal and cosmetic applications; however, the relation among the chemical constituents and their biological properties are not well explored. Therefore, the present research aims to obtain an understanding of the bioactivity of chemical compounds in the essential oils of plants from the Annonaceae family (Bocageopsis pleiosperma, Onychopetalum amazonicum, Unonopsis duckei, U. floribunda, U. rufescens, U.stipitata, U. guatterioides, Duguetia flagellaris and Xylopia benthamii). By means of gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry, in vitro cytotoxic and anti-lipase assays, principal component analysis and molecular docking, it was possible to establish the main compounds that may be responsible for the cytotoxic effect of O. amazonicum and B. pleiosperma. Moreover, the anti-lipase potential of D. flagellaris was also established, as well as its composition related to the activity. Thus, by the employed strategy, allo-aromadendrene, cryptomerione, δ-cadinene and β-bisabolene were suggested as plausible cytotoxic agents against cancer cell lines, and dehydroaromadendrene, spathulenol and elemol, against lipase. The present study provides significant information on the chemical profile and bioactivity studies of Amazon Annonaceae aromatic plants.

The involvement of central and peripheral inflammation in the pathogenesis and prognosis of major depressive disorder (MDD) has been demonstrated. The increase of pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-18, and TNF-α) in individuals with depression may elicit neuroinflammatory processes and peripheral inflammation, mechanisms that, in turn, can contribute to gut microbiota dysbiosis. Together, neuroinflammation and gut dysbiosis induce alterations in tryptophan metabolism, culminating in decreased serotonin synthesis, impairments in neuroplasticity-related mechanisms, and glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity. This review aims to highlight the inflammatory mechanisms (neuroinflammation, peripheral inflammation, and gut dysbiosis) involved in the pathophysiology of MDD and to explore novel anti-inflammatory therapeutic approaches for this psychiatric disturbance. Several lines of evidence have indicated that in addition to antidepressants, physical exercise, probiotics, and nutraceuticals (agmatine, ascorbic acid, and vitamin D) possess anti-inflammatory effects that may contribute to their antidepressant properties. Further studies are necessary to explore the therapeutic benefits of these alternative therapies for MDD.

High Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) warheads and ammunitions are frequently produced by explosive casting inside an axis-symmetric mold with an inverted conical geometry in the basis. In order to prevent manufacturing defects, the solidification process must be controlled. In this study, a dimensionless solidification model has been proposed to investigate the heat transfer considering the natural convection inside the liquid explosive and the numerical simulations were performed by using COMSOL Multiphysics and Modeling Software, employing trinitrotoluene (TNT) thermophysical properties. The effect of three different boundary conditions on the top of the mold have been evaluated: convection, adiabatic and isothermal. It has been observed that solidification process was faster for convection case and slower for isothermal case, while an intermediary total solidification time value was found for adiabatic case. Moreover, liquid explosive was completely surrounded by solid explosive during the solidification process for convection case and also for adiabatic case through the end of the process. Otherwise, it was not observed for isothermal case. The natural convection effects promoted a vortex inside the liquid explosive, accelerating the heat transfer process. It has been concluded that isothermal mold top boundary condition should be preferred to prevent manufacturing defects, avoiding high thermal stress.

Introduction: One of the most critical complications in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) is the progression to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The dynamics of clonal evolution in MDS and how acquired mutations can be used as biomarkers to track disease progression remains under investigation. Objective and method: Herein, we investigated the frequency of common myeloid clonal mutations (FLT3, NPM1, JAK2, IDH1 and IDH2) in 88 patients with MDS and 35 AML patients with myelodysplasia-related changes, followed at a single reference center in northeastern Brazil. Results: Overall, 9/88 (10%) of the MDS patients and 9/35 (26%) of the secondary AML patients had at least one mutation. While the JAK2 V617F mutation was the most frequent in the MDS patients, the FLT3, NPM1, IDH1 and IDH2 mutations were more frequently found in the secondary AML group. Furthermore, there was a higher frequency of FLT3, NPM1, IDH1 and IDH2 mutations in MDS patients classified as high-risk subtypes than in those of lower risk. Conclusion: Despite the limited sample size, our data suggest that mutations in FLT3, NPM1, IDH1 and IDH2 genes could be potential biomarkers to detect early disease progression in MDS.

The use of biokerosene stands out for its potential to reduce environmental impacts on aviation’s use. One of the most promising and advanced routes for industrial use is the hydroprocessing of fatty acid esters (HEFA), and, although the biokerosene production is still more expensive than the conventional kerosene, many studies are focusing on process improvement and the development of catalysts with higher efficiencies. One possible approach to cost reduction of this route is the use of residual raw materials and one reactor, which can replace commonly used vegetable oils and reduce hydrogen consumption. In order to find better yields at lower costs, this work aims to simulate, optimize and verify the economic viability of the production of biojet fuel by HEFA route through a single-step process with reduction in hydrogen consumption, and using soybean acid oil as a residual raw material. The base simulation was developed using the Aspen Plus V10 software®, with literature data. Subsequently, different reactor conditions were tested, varying the hydrogen/oil ratio, pressure and temperature in the reactor to determine the optimal operating conditions to produce a high-quality biofuel. In addition, an energy integration analysis was carried out to reduce energy and utilities consumption, as well as CO2 emission analysis to verify environmental impacts for this route compared to fossil aviation kerosene. Finally, a preliminary economic analysis was performed, and an estimate of the investment required for the installation of a manufacturing unit was calculated.

Introduction: We investigated the mediating role of leisure activity engagement as marker of cognitive reserve in the relation between neighborhood socio-economic position (SEP) and cognitive decline over 6 years. Methods: The study analyzed longitudinal data from 897 older adults who participated in the two waves (2011 and 2017) of the Vivre-Leben-Vivere (VLV) survey in Switzerland (M = 74.33 years in the first wave). Trail Making Test parts A and B were administered in both waves. Leisure activity engagement was assessed during interviews. Neighborhood SEP was derived from the Swiss Neighborhood Index of Socio-Economic Position (Swiss-SEP), provided by the Swiss National Cohort (SNC). Results: Latent change score modeling revealed that 42.5% of the relationship between higher neighborhood SEP and smaller cognitive decline was mediated via a higher frequency of leisure activities in the first wave. Conclusion: Neighborhood SEP constitutes an important contextual factor potentially influencing the pathways of cognitive reserve accumulation and, therefore, should be taken into account to better understand their effects on cognitive decline in old age.

Summary: Matrin3 is an RNA-binding protein that regulates diverse RNA-related processes, including mRNA splicing. Although Matrin3 has been intensively studied in neurodegenerative diseases, its function in cancer remains unclear. Here, we report Matrin3-mediated regulation of mitotic spindle dynamics in colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. We comprehensively identified RNAs bound and regulated by Matrin3 in CRC cells and focused on CDC14B, one of the top Matrin3 targets. Matrin3 knockdown results in increased inclusion of an exon containing a premature termination codon in the CDC14B transcript and simultaneous down-regulation of the standard CDC14B transcript. Knockdown of CDC14B phenocopies the defects in mitotic spindle dynamics upon Matrin3 knockdown, and the elongated and misoriented mitotic spindle observed upon Matrin3 knockdown are rescued upon overexpression of CDC14B, suggesting that CDC14B is a key downstream effector of Matrin3. Collectively, these data reveal a role for the Matrin3/CDC14B axis in control of mitotic spindle dynamics.

Hydrogels are ubiquitous in nature and technology. Controlling their mechanical properties and under-standing their complex microstructure is critical e.g. for 3D bioprinting or tissue engineering applications. Here a generic design concept for tuning the elasticity of extrudable gels at given polymer or particle concentration is presented. Targeted micro-phase separation leading to micro-heterogeneities (1–100 µm) yields high gel strength allowing for extrusion of uniform filaments with high shape accuracy as long as the heterogeneity length scale is small compared to the extruded filament diameter (>500 μm). Micro-mechanical and structural heterogeneity was enhanced in alginate hydrogels by accelerating crosslinking kinetics, corresponding to gel elasticity variation of more than two orders of magnitude (17 Pa to 2300 Pa), enabling filament extrusion (1046 µm) with high shape fidelity. Introducing poly(vinylalcohol) into gelatin gels resulted in more heterogeneous materials with a 2-fold increase in elasticity (951 Pa to 1993 Pa) and thinner filaments (908 µm to 590 µm). Higher ionic strength in Laponite-based hydrogels induced nanoparticle aggregation, leading to higher elasticity (857 Pa to 2316 Pa) enabling smooth filament extrusion. Eliminating the often tacitly assumed hydrogel uniformity on the microscale provides additional degrees of freedom to achieve high gel strength without increasing polymer, particle or crosslinker concentration.

PurposeThe study aimed to analyze the influence of chemotherapy on health biomarkers and examine the relationship between phase angle (PhA) and oxidative stress.MethodsA prospective study was performed. Women who were starting chemotherapy were recruited. Also, this study included a control group of women without cancer. Bioelectrical impedance multiple-frequency (BIS) analysis, 24h food recall, and blood samples were collected at 2-time points: diagnosis (T0) and after one month of completion of therapy (T1) for the main study group and one-time point for the control group. T-tests or Mann-Whitney Wilcoxon Test was used to compare variables. Linear regression analysis was conducted to test if PhA is related to the dependent variables after adjusting for age and body mass index.Results119 women were included (61 with breast cancer and 58 healthy). There was no difference between the groups concerning anthropometrics, fat mass, and fat-free mass. Breast cancer patients had a worsening in PhA (pConclusionOur findings show that PhA is an easy and affordable tool that correlates oxidative stress markers in breast cancer patients, regardless of age or body mass index.

BackgroundThe global health crisis caused by COVID-19 has drastically changed human society in a relatively short time. However, this crisis has offered insights into the different roles that such a worldwide virus plays in the lives of people and how those have been affected, as well as eventually proposing new solutions. From the beginning of the pandemic, technology solutions have featured prominently in virus control and in the frame of reference for international travel, especially contact tracing and passenger locator applications. ObjectiveThe objective of this paper is to study specific areas of technology acceptance and adoption following a unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) research model. MethodsWe presented a research model based on UTAUT constructs to study the determinants for adoption of COVID-19–related apps using a questionnaire. We tested the model via confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM) using travelers’ data from an insular tourist region. ResultsOur model explained 90.3% of the intention to use (N=9555) and showed an increased understanding of the vital role of safety, security, privacy, and trust in the usage intention of safety apps. Results also showed how the impact of COVID-19 is not a strong predictor of adoption, while age, education level, and social capital are essential moderators of behavioral intention. ConclusionsIn terms of scientific impact, the results described here provide important insights and contributions not only for researchers but also for policy and decision makers by explaining the reasons behind the adoption and usage of apps designed for COVID-19.

Enquadramento: A satisfação dos enfermeiros de reabilitação com o trabalho contribui para o desempenho individual, a qualidade e segurança dos cuidados prestados aos clientes e para o sucesso organizacional, sendo crucial a sua avaliação. Objetivo: Analisar a satisfação dos enfermeiros de reabilitação com o trabalho, no Serviço de Saúde da Região Autónoma da Madeira, EPE. Metodologia: Estudo quantitativo, transversal, exploratório-descritivo e analítico. Utilizamos a Escala de Satisfação dos Enfermeiros para a colheita de dados. A análise estatística incluiu estatística descritiva simples. Obteve-se parecer favorável da comissão de ética para a saúde (Parecer n.º 25/2019). Resultados: Globalmente 97,35% dos enfermeiros estão moderadamente satisfeitos com o trabalho. Relativamente às dimensões 43, 36% dos participantes referem estar satisfeitos com a “valorização profissional” e 51,33% encontram-se insatisfeitos com a “valorização e remuneração salarial”. Conclusão: A maioria dos participantes estão moderadamente satisfeitos. Deve-se atender à satisfação global e às suas dimensões, principalmente, à satisfação com as “chefias”, “organizações e recursos”, “valorização e remuneração” e “dotações”, para potenciar a satisfação com o trabalho.

This research work aimed at developing an edible biopolymeric microcapsular wrapping (EBMW) integrating lytic bacteriophage particles for Salmonella enterica, with potential application in poultry feed for biocontrol of that pathogen. This pathogen is known as one of the main microorganisms responsible for contamination in the food industry and in foodstuff. The current techniques for decontamination and pathogen control in the food industry can be very expensive, not very selective, and even outdated, such as the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics that end up selecting resistant bacteria. Hence, there is a need for new technologies for pathogen biocontrol. In this context, bacteriophage-based biocontrol appears as a potential alternative. As a cocktail, both phages were able to significantly reduce the bacterial load after 12 h of treatment, at either multiplicity of infection (MOI) 1 and 10, by 84.3% and 87.6%, respectively. Entrapment of the phage virions within the EBMW matrix did not exert any deleterious effect upon their lytic activity. The results obtained showed high promise for integration in poultry feed aiming at controlling Salmonella enterica, since the edible biopolymeric microcapsular wrapping integrating lytic bacteriophage particles developed was successful in maintaining lytic phage viability while fully stabilizing the phage particles.

The biodiesel production process has been widely studied and had many improvements regarding reaction conversion and cost reduction. However, most processes in this field share a common problem, the formation of glycerol as the side product. There are still many concerns involving glycerol use and demand, as the growth in biodiesel production inevitably raises glycerol formation as well. Nevertheless, the rapid growth in glycerol availability has led to price fluctuations, and, sometimes, the crude glycerol formed is even discarded as a waste product. Considering this constant problem, one option would be to indirectly use glycerol inside the biodiesel production process. One way to achieve this proposal is to convert this product to mainly hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide and then convert these gases to methanol. In this study, a biodiesel production process from residual oil is proposed as well as glycerol processing to convert this side product to methanol, using it as a reactant in the same unit. The proposed process will minimize waste production by recycling the raw materials in excess from the biodiesel reaction and also the converted side product. Here, the biodiesel and glycerol processing units are thoroughly analyzed and optimized. Energy integration is also considered to reduce utility usage. A final economic evaluation is made to verify if the conversion of glycerol to methanol is economically feasible and compare the economic aspects of glycerol processing instead of selling or disposing it. The use of a circular biodiesel industry is a promising reality that could help reduce waste disposal and encourage new findings and alternatives to improve the conversion of such wastes into value-added products.

Aims: We investigated whether the longitudinal relation between memory complaints and subsequent decline in executive functioning over 6 years differed by leisure activity engagement as major contributor to cognitive reserve in old age. Methods: We analyzed longitudinal data from 897 older adults (M = 74.33 years) tested on the Trail Making Test (TMT) in two waves 6 years apart. Participants reported information on memory complaints and leisure activity engagement. Results: There was a significant interaction of memory complaints with leisure activity engagement on latent change in executive functioning. Specifically, only for individuals with less (but not those with greater) leisure activity engagement, memory complaints significantly predicted a steeper subsequent decline in executive functioning across 6 years (i.e., increases in TMT completion time). Conclusion: The role of memory complaints as an early predictor of decline in executive functioning seems to vary by individuals’ cognitive reserve.

Abstract Background There are few publications on occurrence of nonthyroidal illness syndrome in foals and on the prognostic value of cortisol and thyroid hormone (TH) concentrations in newborn foals. Objectives To determine serum cortisol and TH concentrations (total and free thyroxine: T4 and FT4; total and free triiodothyronine: T3 and FT3) in foals born from mares with placentitis, to determine their association with survival, and their use as prognostic markers. Animals A cohort of 29 newborn foals comprising 5 Control, 14 Low‐risk, and 10 Sick foals were evaluated over the first week of life. Methods In this prospective study foals born to mares with experimentally‐induced placentitis were assigned to Low‐risk or Sick groups while foals born to control mares were classified as Control based on clinical findings. Foals were also classified as Term (n = 13), Dysmature (n = 7), or Premature (n = 9), and survival rate was recorded. Serum cortisol and TH hormone concentrations were measured at 0, 12, 24, 48, and 168 hours of life. Results Sick non‐surviving foals had lower (P

Aiming to understand the impact of hardening on the biological potential of bean protein and peptides, we evaluated the antioxidant and vasorelaxant properties of common beans after and before hardening. It was also evaluated the effect of extrusion and autoclaving in the biological potential of hardened beans. In general, hardening caused a reduction from 13.5 to 39.6% on the antioxidant activity of the peptide-rich fractions. On the other hand, hardening did not strongly interfere with the vascular reactivity in thoracic aorta rings, being observed maximal relation varying from 801% to 84.7%. The thermal treatment caused a general increase in the antioxidant and vasorelaxant potential of these fractions, being observed EC50 values ranging from 0.22 mg mL−1 to 0.26 mg mL−1. We can conclude that hardening did not seem to affect definitively the bioactivity of the obtained peptide-rich fractions. Finally, this study allows suggesting practical applications of extrusion as a thermal process in the production of functional food ingredients, and as ready-to-eat products presenting nutraceutical potential. In addition, autoclaving can be used as a pre-treatment of the hardened grains aiming to use them as whole grains with potentialized benefits for human health.

The purposes of this study were twofold: (1) to describe a new technological solution for the rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries based on virtual reality (VR) gaming, and (2) to analyze the variation in rated perceived exertion (RPE) and heart rate (HR) of the participants when undergoing a rehabilitation session based on different VR games. Thirty-seven participants aged 23.7 ± 7.0 years tested during five customized VR games to provide a complete rehabilitation session after a musculoskeletal injury. The results of the Friedman test indicated a statistically significant difference in RPE scale and HR across the five VR games throughout a complete rehabilitation session (χ2 (4, n = 35) = 75.59; p < 0.001 and χ2 (4, n = 35) = 27.75, p < 0.001, respectively). RPE and HR increased significantly from Game 1 to Game 2 (z = −5.16, p < 0.001), from Game 1 to Game 3 (z = −5.05, p < 0.001), from Game 1 to Game 4 (z = −4.87, p < 0.001), and from Game 1 to Game 5 (z = −3.61, p < 0.001). Moreover, the results showed a high perceived usability of the system, greater intrinsic motivation to perform the rehabilitation exercises, a high level of immersion, and a good experience in the VR gaming environment. Our study stimulates extended intervention programs following-up on this immersive virtual reality rehabilitation system to support soccer players recovering from musculoskeletal injuries.

Physical activity and exercise contribute to the accumulation of cognitive reserve, which is instrumental for preserving cognitive health in old age. In a large sample of 701 older adults (mean age = 70.36 years), we investigated whether the relationship between having experienced a fall in the past and lower performance in cognitive functioning was mediated via less physical activity engagement as a cognitive reserve contributor. General cognition was assessed using the mini-mental state examination (MMSE), long-term memory using a word-pair delayed recall test and working memory using a backward digit-span test. In face-to-face interviews, individuals reported information on falls during the past 12 months and their habitual physical activity engagement. Our analyses demonstrated that the relationship between having experienced a fall in the past and lower performance in the cognitive functioning measures was partly mediated (by 16.3% for general cognition, 30.6% for long-term memory, and 33.1% for working memory, respectively) via less physical activity engagement. In conclusion, we suggest as a core bio-psychological mechanism that experiencing a fall at an older age is a critical life event that hinders sufficient physical activity engagement and thereby impedes cognitive reserve build-up, resulting in lower cognitive functioning outcomes.

ABSTRACT: The present study was aimed at subtyping of Stx1 and Stx2 genes and characterization of antimicrobial resistance in 106 Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains isolated from cattle and sheep feces. PCR was used to determine the subtypes, and the disk-diffusion method was used to evaluate the antimicrobial resistance. Ten antibiotics from five different classes were tested. Among the isolates of bovine origin, two subtypes of Stx1 (Stx1a and Stx1c), and four subtypes of Stx2 (Stx2a, Stx2b, Stx2c, and Stx2d) were identified. In isolates of sheep origin, two subtypes of Stx1 (Stx1a and Stx1c), and four subtypes of Stx2 (Stx2a, Stx2b, Stx2c, and Stx2 g) were identified. The results obtained suggest the presence of high diversity in Stx1 and Stx2 genes. Further, 96.6% (57/59) of bovine fecal strains and 89.4% (42/47) of sheep fecal strains showed resistance to at least one tested antibiotic. In both animal species, most strains were multidrug-resistant (MDR) (67.8% in cattle and 59.6% in sheep), with no significant difference between host animals. Adult animals were eight times more likely to have STEC with greater pathogenic potential. STEC with the highest pathogenic potential were three times more likely to be multidrug-resistant than STEC with the lowest pathogenic potential. The data reported in this study suggests the occurrence of strains with high potential pathogenicity in the region studied. Therefore, the ruminants of this region are carriers of strains that can cause infections in humans.

Abstract Background Asthma is a complex disorder with multiple phenotypes which can influence its severity and response to treatment. The TH17 lymphocytes producing IL-17A and IL17-F cytokines, may have a role on asthma inflammation. The aim of our study was to evaluate the association between genetic variants in IL17 pathway genes with asthma and atopy markers. Materials and methods Genotyping was performed using a commercial panel in 1245 participants of SCAALA cohort. The study included 91 SNVs in IL-17 pathway genes. Logistic regressions for asthma and atopy markers were performed using PLINK 1.9. In silico analyses were performed using rSNPbase, RegulomeDB, and Gtex portal for in silico gene expression. Results and discussion The T allele of rs1974226 in IL17A was positively associated with asthma (OR: 1.37; 95% CI 1.02–1.82). Also, the T allele of rs279548 was positively associated with asthma (OR: 1.30; 95% CI 1.02–1.64), atopy (OR: 1.62; 95% CI 1.05–2.50) and increased expression of the IL17RC in lung and whole blood tissues. The others genetic variants in the IL17 pathways genes were associated with both protection and risk for asthma development as well as with IgE levels. Conclusion The genetic variants in IL-17-related genes are associated with the atopic asthma phenotype and IgE production.

Introduction: With vulnerable aging, gait speed (GS) undergoes progressive changes, becoming slower. In this process, cognitive performance (CP) and physical function (PF) both play an important role. This study aims (1) to investigate the association between CP and PF with GS and (2) to examine whether CP and PF mediate the association between age and GS in a large sample of Brazilian older adults. Methods: A cross-sectional study analyzed 697 individuals (mean age 70.35 ± 6.86 years) from the state of Amazonas. The CP was evaluated by the COGTEL test battery, PF by the Senior Fitness Test battery, and GS with the 50-foot Walk Test. Results: Older adults with a lower CP and PF had a 70% and 86% chance of slow GS, respectively. When CP and PF were placed simultaneously as mediators, the direct effect estimated by the model revealed a non-significant relationship between age and GS. Specifically, CP and PF mediated the association between age and GS, at approximately 12% and 98%, respectively. Conclusions: CP and PF show the potential to estimate GS performance among older adults. Moreover, CP and PF indicated a negative and direct association between age and slow GS, especially PF.

The use of residual oils as raw materials to produce fatty esters in the biodiesel industry is of great interest, as it may improve both the economic and environmental aspects of a process. The use of these residual materials in biofuel production can aggregate value to something that would otherwise be solely disposed of and, as they have lower costs related to the refined oil, its use could reduce operating costs in the industry. However, these resources usually present high free fatty acid (FFA) content. Therefore, considering the traditional biodiesel production process, these fatty acids must be removed before entering the transesterification reactor due to soap formation, which reduces the reaction yield. As a result, to remove these FFA, one of the most common procedures is through the inclusion of a previous step, the esterification reaction. In both esterification and transesterification, short-chain alcohols are generally used to promote FFA and triglycerides conversion into long-chain esters. Concerning the influence associated with the choice of different alcohols, there is a wide variety of process analyses presented in the literature focusing on using only one type of alcohol, usually methanol or ethanol, in both reactions. Nevertheless, the study of a biodiesel production process evaluating the possibility of using the two alcohols at distinct parts in the process is a significant gap to be filled. In this study, an in-depth analysis of the esterification and transesterification reaction kinetics using methanol and ethanol was carried out as a possible optimization variable. In addition, the process simulation concerning the use of different alcohols for each reaction was performed. Several conditions were tested in both reactors before the final alcohol selection, and the use of methanol in the esterification and ethanol in the transesterification reaction presented the most promising results, indicating that a hybrid process concerning alcohol use may bring significant advantages to the process. To validate this theory, a complete process and economic analysis were carried out, evaluating not only the results obtained from the reaction but also the purification steps. Another essential aspect considered in the project is the fatty acid content in the oil, which may vary according to storage conditions and prior use. Thus, the impact due to this fluctuation in the economic aspects was verified. With the simulated base project, different optimizations were made to reduce the entire process's equipment and operational costs. An energy analysis was also developed with the inclusion of energy-saving heat exchangers, which reduced utility costs. Finally, an economic evaluation of the final process was obtained to assess the main variables affecting the project and its payback time. It is essential to say that the kinetic study was based on the content present in the literature, and the simulation was performed on the software Aspen Plus® V10, including the energy and economic analyses. Considering the importance of optimizing the industrial process for biodiesel production and improving its economic aspects, the main target of this study is to demonstrate how the use of different alcohols for the esterification and transesterification reactions may enrich these previously reported vital aspects.

Controlling the inflammatory response to restore tissue homeostasis is a crucial step to maintain tooth vitality after pathogen removal from caries-affected dental tissues. The nuclear peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor beta/delta (PPARβ/δ) is a ligand-activated transcription factor with emerging anti-inflammatory roles in many cells and tissues. However, its expression and functions are poorly understood in human dental pulp cells (hDPCs). Thus, this study evaluated PPARβ/δ expression and assessed the anti-inflammatory effects evoked by activation of PPARβ/δ in lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) induced hDPCs. Our results showed that hDPCs constitutively expressed PPARβ/δ mRNA/protein, and treatment with LPS increased PPARβ/δ mRNA expression. The selective PPARβ/δ agonist GW0742 significantly decreased inflammation-related mRNA expression in hDPCs (IL6, IL1β, TNFα, MMP1, and MMP2) and RAW264.7 cells (Il6 and Tnfα). Further, PPARβ/δ agonist attenuated MMP2/9 gelatinolytic activity in hDPCs. Previously LPS-conditioned hDPCs increased the migration of RAW264.7 cells through the membrane of a Transwell coculture system. Conversely, pretreatment with GW0742 markedly decreased macrophage recruitment. These findings provide among the first evidence that hDPCs express PPARβ/δ. In addition, they suggest that activation of PPARβ/δ by GW0742 can attenuate some cellular and molecular in vitro aspects related to the inflammatory process, pointing out to investigate its potential target role in dental pulp inflammation.

The respiratory epithelium is highly complex, and its composition varies along the conducting airways and alveoli. In addition to their primary function in maintaining the respiratory barrier and lung homeostasis for gas exchange, epithelial cells interact with inhaled pathogens, which can manipulate cell signaling pathways, promoting adhesion to these cells or hosting tissue invasion. Moreover, pathogens (or their products) can induce the secretion of chemokines and cytokines by epithelial cells, and in this way, these host cells communicate with the immune system, modulating host defenses and inflammatory outcomes. This review will focus on the response of respiratory epithelial cells to two human fungal pathogens that cause systemic mycoses: Aspergillus and Paracoccidioides. Some of the host epithelial cell receptors and signaling pathways, in addition to fungal adhesins or other molecules that are responsible for fungal adhesion, invasion, or induction of cytokine secretion will be addressed in this review.

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are often associated with polysomes, indicating coding potential. However, only a handful of endogenous proteins encoded by putative lncRNAs have been identified and assigned a function. Here, we report the discovery of a putative gastrointestinal-tract-specific lncRNA (LINC00675) that is regulated by the pioneer transcription factor FOXA1 and encodes a conserved small protein of 79 amino acids which we termed FORCP (FOXA1-Regulated Conserved Small Protein). FORCP transcript is undetectable in most cell types but is abundant in well-differentiated colorectal cancer (CRC) cells where it functions to inhibit proliferation, clonogenicity, and tumorigenesis. The epitope-tagged and endogenous FORCP protein predominantly localizes to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). In response to ER stress, FORCP depletion results in decreased apoptosis. Our findings on the initial characterization of FORCP demonstrate that FORCP is a novel, conserved small protein encoded by a mis-annotated lncRNA that regulates apoptosis and tumorigenicity in well-differentiated CRC cells.

ABSTRACT Introduction and objective: We verified the main hematological and biochemical alterations during the chemotherapy treatment for women with cervical cancer. Material and method: A retrospective, analytical and cross-sectional test was performed. The sample consisted of 39 medical records of women who underwent chemotherapy in the period from January to December 2016. The effects of hematological toxicities were evaluated according to erythrogram, leukogram, and platelet parameters, in relation to biochemical toxicities, using levels of serum marker (urea, creatinine, transaminases). Results: It was evidenced that among the chemotherapy protocols used, cisplatin showed a leukogram and plateletgram of 1.06 and 2.09 chances, respectively, for the development of leucopenia and thrombocytopenia during treatment. Conclusion: It was not possible to identify the degree of toxicity of the adverse effects of the treatment, because when these effects were registered in the medical record, they appeared without description, making it difficult to evaluate the degree of toxicity presented.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of Hypericum perforatum (hypericum) on cognitive behavior and neurotrophic factor levels in the brain of male and female rats. Methods: Male and female Wistar rats were treated with hypericum or water during 28 days by gavage. The animals were then subjected to the open-field test, novel object recognition and step-down inhibitory avoidance test. Nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and glial cell-line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) levels were evaluated in the hippocampus and frontal cortex. Results: Hypericum impaired the acquisition of short- and long-term aversive memory in male rats, evaluated in the inhibitory avoidance test. Female rats had no immediate memory acquisition and decreased short-term memory acquisition in the inhibitory avoidance test. Hypericum also decreased the recognition index of male rats in the object recognition test. Female rats did not recognize the new object in either the short-term or the long-term memory tasks. Hypericum decreased BDNF in the hippocampus of male and female rats. Hypericum also decreased NGF in the hippocampus of female rats. Conclusions: The long-term administration of hypericum appears to cause significant cognitive impairment in rats, possibly through a reduction in the levels of neurotrophic factors. This effect was more expressive in females than in males.

Aims: The present study set out to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Cognitive Telephone Screening Instrument (COGTEL) in 2 different samples of older adults. Methods: We assessed COGTEL in 116 older adults, with retest after 7 days to evaluate the test-retest reliability. Moreover, we assessed COGTEL in 868 older adults to evaluate convergent validity to the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Results: Test-retest reliability of the COGTEL total score was good at 0.85 (p < 0.001). Latent variable analyses revealed that COGTEL and MMSE correlated by 0.93 (p < 0.001), indicating convergent validity of the COGTEL. Conclusion: The present analyses suggest COGTEL as a brief, reliable, and valid instrument for capturing interindividual differences in cognitive functioning in epidemiological and aging studies, with the advantage of covering more cognitive domains than traditional screening tools such as the MMSE, as well as differentiating between individual performance levels, in healthy older adults.

Cytoglobin (Cygb) is a hexacoordinate protein, associated with the transport of oxygen, nitric oxide scavenging, tumor suppression and protection against oxidative stress and inflammation. This protein is expressed in brain areas including the preoptic area (POA) of the anterior hypothalamus, the region responsible for the regulation of body temperature. In this study, we show that Cygb is upregulated in the rat hypothalamus 2.5 h and 5 h after intravenous administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). We investigated the effect of treatment with Cygb in POA primary cultures stimulated with LPS for 4 h. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured and the results showed that Cygb reduced the concentrations of both cytokines. We further observed a decrease in immunoreactivity of the inflammatory transcription factor nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), but not NF-IL6 and STAT3, in the nucleus of Cygb-treated POA cells. These findings suggest that Cygb attenuates the secretion of IL-6 and TNF-α in LPS-stimulated POA primary cultures via inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathway, indicating that this protein might play an important role in the control of neuroinflammation and fever.

Secondary metabolites from natural products are a potential source of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs), which is a key enzyme in the treatment of many neurodegenerative diseases. Inspired by the reported activities of isoquinoline-derivative alkaloids herein we report the design, one step synthesis and evaluation by capillary enzyme reactor (ICER) of benzyl analogs (1a–1e) of the tetrahydroprotoberberine alkaloid stepholidine, which is abundant in Onychopetalum amazonicum. Docking analysis based on the crystal structure of Torpedo californica AChE (TcAChE) indicated that π-π interactions were dominant in all planned derivatives and that the residues from esteratic, anionic and peripheral subsites of the enzyme played key interaction roles. Due to the similarities observed when compared with galantamine in the AChE complex, the results suggest that ligand-target interactions would increase, especially for the N-benzyl derivatives. From a series of synthesized compounds, the alkaloids (7R,13aS)-7-benzylstepholidine (1a), (7S,13aS)-7-benzylstepholidine (1b), and (S)-10-O-benzylstepholidine (1d) are reported here for the first time. The on flow bioaffinity chromatography inhibition assay, based on the quantification of choline, revealed the N-benzylated compound 1a and its epimer 1b to be the most active, with IC50 of 40.6 ± 1 and 51.9 ± 1 μM, respectively, and a non-competitive mechanism. The proposed approach, which is based on molecular docking and bioaffinity chromatography, demonstrated the usefulness of stepholidine as a template for the design of rational AChEIs and showed how the target-alkaloid derivatives interact with AChE.

Purpose: Intratumoral genetic heterogeneity (ITGH) is a common feature of solid tumors. However, little is known about the effect of neoadjuvant chemoradiation (nCRT) in ITGH of rectal tumors that exhibit poor response to nCRT. Here, we examined the impact of nCRT in the mutational profile and ITGH of rectal tumors and its adjacent irradiated normal mucosa in the setting of incomplete response to nCRT.Methods and Materials: To evaluate ITGH in rectal tumors, we analyzed whole-exome sequencing (WES) data from 79 tumors obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). We also compared matched peripheral blood cells, irradiated normal rectal mucosa and pre and post-treatment tumor samples (PRE-T and POS-T) from one individual to examine the iatrogenic effects of nCRT. Finally, we performed WES of 7 PRE-T/POST-T matched samples to examine how nCRT affects ITGH. ITGH was assessed by quantifying subclonal mutations within individual tumors using the Mutant-Allele Tumor Heterogeneity score (MATH score).Results: Rectal tumors exhibit remarkable ITGH that is ultimately associated with disease stage (MATH score stage I/II 35.54 vs. stage III/IV 44.39, p = 0.047) and lymph node metastasis (MATH score N0 35.87 vs. N+ 45.79, p = 0.026). We also showed that nCRT does not seem to introduce detectable somatic mutations in the irradiated mucosa. Comparison of PRE-T and POST-T matched samples revealed a significant increase in ITGH in 5 out 7 patients and MATH scores were significantly higher after nCRT (median 41.7 vs. 28.8, p = 0.04). Finally, we were able to identify a subset of “enriched mutations” with significant changes in MAFs between PRE-T and POST-T samples. These “enriched mutations” were significantly more frequent in POST-T compared to PRE-T samples (92.9% vs. 7.1% p < 0.00001) and include mutations in genes associated with genetic instability and drug resistance in colorectal cancer, indicating the expansion of tumor cell subpopulations more prone to resist to nCRT.Conclusions: nCRT increases ITGH and may result in the expansion of resistant tumor cell populations in residual tumors. The risk of introducing relevant somatic mutations in the adjacent mucosa is minimal but non-responsive tumors may have potentially worse biological behavior when compared to their untreated counterparts. This was an exploratory study, and due to the limited number of samples analyzed, our results need to be validated in larger cohorts.

Abstract Objectives: To study the reliability/stability of the Cognitive Telephone Screening Instrument (COGTEL) for the assessment of cognitive functions, and to investigate the concurrent validity (that is, the relationship between the COGTEL scores and external variables, such as level of education and MMSE results) in a pilot study of elderly persons residing in the community in the municipal regions of Apuí, Fonte Boa and Manaus (Amazonas, Brazil). Method: This pilot study included 90 elderly persons (29 men and 61 women) aged 60-85 years of age [68.2 (± 6.7)]. The COGTEL, the MMSE and socio-economic survey were applied in the form of two interviews, a week apart and under the same conditions. Results: The test-retest intraclass correlation coefficient of the COGTEL total score (and respective six subtests), MMSE and educational level ranged from acceptable to high (0.708 < R

Soil processes such as decomposition are mainly performed by soil biota. Although soils worldwide are extremely biodiverse, the relationship between decomposers (fauna and microorganisms), and ecosystem function is poorly understood. Collembola are abundant and ubiquitous microarthropods that are found in terrestrial ecosystems. They can affect the amount of biomass and the activity of microbial communities, either directly through selectively feeding on fungi and bacteria, or indirectly by dissemination of microbial propagules, and the alteration of nutrient availability. However, despite the functional role they play in belowground food webs, the interactions between natural assemblages of soil microbes and Collembola receive little attention. This study, conducted in microcosm conditions, examines the effects of two distinct natural assemblages of functional groups of Collembola (ep- and euedaphic) upon microbial communities using PLFA markers and their associated soil functions (e.g., enzymatic activities and C mineralization rate) over a 2-month period. Our principal objective was to determine whether different functional groups of Collembola had varying effects on microbial soil community abundance, structure and activity, resulting in potentially important effects on ecosystem processes. Our findings show that the interactions of the functional groups of Collembola with microbial communities vary significantly whether they are alone or combined. A distinct response in the composition of the microbial communities was found at the end of the 2-month period. The communities were significantly different from each other in terms of PLFA marker composition. We found that the epedaphic species were related to and promoted Gram+ bacteria whereas euedaphic species were related to Gram- bacterial markers. This had further repercussions on soil function, such as nutrient recycling. Combining both functional groups did not lead to a complementary effect on soil microbial properties, with a drastically different outcome between the first and the second month of the experiment. Additional research dealing with the interactions between decomposers using natural assemblages will help to predict the functional outcomes of soil biota structure and composition.

Macroalgae belong to a diverse group of organisms that could be exploited for biomolecule application. Among the biocompounds found in this group, mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) are highlighted mainly due to their photoprotection, antioxidant properties, and high photo and thermo-stability, which are attractive characteristics for the development of cosmeceutical products. Therefore, here we revise published data about MAAs, including their biosynthesis, biomass production, extraction, characterization, identification, purification, and bioactivities. MAAs can be found in many algae species, but the highest concentrations are found in red macroalgae, mainly in the order Bangiales, as Porphyra spp. In addition to the species, the content of MAAs can vary depending on environmental factors, of which solar radiation and nitrogen availability are the most influential. MAAs can confer photoprotection due to their capacity to absorb ultraviolet radiation or reduce the impact of free radicals on cells, among other properties. To extract these compounds, different approaches can be used. The efficiency of these methods can be evaluated with characterization and identification using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), associated with other apparatus such as mass spectrometry (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Therefore, the data presented in this review allow a broad comprehension of MAAs and show perspectives for their inclusion in cosmeceutical products.

A series of novel functionalized methyl 3-(hetero)arylthieno[3,2-b]pyridine-2-carboxylates 2a–2h were synthesized by C-C Pd-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling of methyl 3-bromothieno[3,2-b]pyridine-2-carboxylate with (hetero)aryl pinacol boranes, trifluoro potassium boronate salts or boronic acids. Their antitumoral potential was evaluated in two triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell lines—MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468, by sulforhodamine B assay. Their effects on the non-tumorigenic MCF-12A cells were also evaluated. The results demonstrated that three compounds caused growth inhibition in both TNBC cell lines, with little or no effect against the non-tumorigenic cells. The most promising compound was further studied concerning possible effects on cell viability (by trypan blue exclusion assay), cell proliferation (by bromodeoxyuridine assay) and cell cycle profile (by flow cytometry). The results demonstrated that the GI50 concentration of compound 2e (13 μM) caused a decreased in MDA-MB-231 cell number, which was correlated with a decreased in the % of proliferating cells. Moreover, this compound increased G0/G1 phase and decreased S phases, when compared to control cells (although was not statistic significant). Interestingly, compound 2e also reduced tumor size using an in ovo CAM (chick chorioallantoic membrane) model. This work highlights the potential antitumor effect of a novel methyl 3-arylthieno[3,2-b]pyridine-2-carboxylate derivative.

This study aimed to test an observational momentary time sampling tool to estimate in-class moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), in terms of validity, reliability and agreement between observational momentary time sampling and accelerometry, and to develop a regression equation to estimate MVPA from observational momentary time sampling. The sample comprised 78 pupils (38 girls), mean age 14.0 ± 1.1 years. Measurements were taken in three similar Physical Education classes, on three different days. To monitor MVPA, we applied the observational momentary time sampling method. Students wore an ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometer. Reliabilities were determined by the intraclass correlations, the agreement between methods was analyzed using the Bland–Altman method, and a multiple regression analysis was performed to estimate the equation. The observational momentary time sampling showed good reliability across time (0.59 < r < 0.72, p < 0.001). It was significantly correlated with accelerometry (r = 0.51, p < 0.001). The MVPA assessed via accelerometer could be predicted from the following equation: Y = 44.3 + 0.47⋅(MVPA observational momentary time sampling method) + 8.0⋅(sex; with 0 = girls and 1 = boys). This observational momentary time sampling method is a stable and reliable tool to estimate MVPA. A regression equation using the score of observational momentary time sampling and sex can be used to better estimate the real MVPA.

Since their original discovery in 1914, ionic liquids (IL) have been widely examined and explored in chemistry due to their unique physical and chemical properties. Ionic liquids are collectively known as organic salts and have melting points of 100 °C or under. The molten salts most employed in analytical chemistry, including gas chromatography (GC), consist of an organic cation paired with an organic or inorganic anion. This class of materials exhibits negligible vapor pressure and may have their properties (e.g.thermal stability and selectivity) structurally tuned by imparting different moieties to the cation/anion. Currently, there are an estimated 1018possible combinations of IL. In this context, the prospection of highly selective IL-based stationary phases for gas-liquid chromatography has enabled high peak capacity and efficient separations of many critical pairs in complex samples. In this review, we present and discuss fundamental characteristics of ionic liquids and introduce important solvation models for gas-liquid systems. In addition, recent advances and applications of IL in conventional and multidimensional gas chromatography are outlined.