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• After a colorectal surgery for endometriosis in an expert center, 70% of patients had left the operating room with a prophylactic abdominal drainage. • Nine percent of the patients experienced a severe postoperative complication (Clavien Dindo ≥ II). • After propensity score matching, the presence of an abdominal drainage was significantly associated with a longer hospital stay. • After propensity score matching, the presence of an abdominal drainage was significantly associated with a higher rate of postoperative complications. To assess the benefit of prophylactic abdominal drainage (AD) after colorectal surgery for endometriosis. We conducted a retrospective study of 215 patients who underwent colorectal surgery for endometriosis using a mini-invasive approach in our center from February 2019 to July 2023. A propensity score matched (PSM) analysis (1:1 ratio) identified two groups of patients with similar characteristics. Postoperative outcomes were then compared. In the unmatched cohort, 151 patients (70 %) had AD at the end of surgery and 64 (30 %) did not. Clinical characteristics and surgical procedures were comparable between the groups after PSM. After PSM, AD was associated with a longer hospital stay (p < 0.001) and a greater number of postoperative complications (p = 0.03). There were no differences for readmission, repeat surgery, or severe postoperative complications. In this retrospective cohort of patients undergoing colorectal resection for endometriosis using a mini-invasive approach, prophylactic AD was not found to be beneficial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glioblastomas exhibit remarkable heterogeneity at various levels, including motility modes and mechanoproperties that contribute to tumor resistance and recurrence. In a recent study using gridded micropatterns mimicking the brain vasculature, glioblastoma cell motility modes, mechanical properties, formin content, and substrate chemistry are linked. Now is presented, SP2G (SPheroid SPreading on Grids), an analytic platform designed to identify the migratory modes of patient‐derived glioblastoma cells and rapidly pinpoint the most invasive sub‐populations. Tumorspheres are imaged as they spread on gridded micropatterns and analyzed by this semi‐automated, open‐source, Fiji macro suite that characterizes migration modes accurately. SP2G can reveal intra‐patient motility heterogeneity with molecular correlations to specific integrins and EMT markers. This system presents a versatile and potentially pan‐cancer workflow to detect diverse invasive tumor sub‐populations in patient‐derived specimens and offers a valuable tool for therapeutic evaluations at the individual patient level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sleep is vital for health and wellbeing across the lifecourse. Ethnic differences have been observed with regards to the prevalence and predictors of self-reported sleep problems. An understanding of sleep experiences with ageing and across ethnicities is required to better support older people. Open-ended interviews were conducted with 23 people living in Aotearoa/New Zealand aged 61–92 years (12 Māori and 11 non-Māori) concerning current sleep status, changes over their lifecourse and personal strategies for supporting good sleep. Participants typically expressed satisfaction with current sleep (usually pertaining to duration) or feelings that sleep was compromised (usually pertaining to waking function). Comparisons to a socially perceived 'ideal' sleep were common, with sleep transitions presented as a gradual and accepted part of ageing. Participants resisted medicalising sleep disruptions in older age. While participants were aware of ways to enhance their sleep, many acknowledged engaging in practices that undermined it. Unique insights from some Māori participants indicated that sleep disruptions were not so readily pathologised compared to Western views and that sleeplessness could provide opportunity for cultural or spiritual connection. Common narratives underpinning the themes were: 'You don't need as much sleep when you're older', 'Sleep just fits in' and 'Having the time of my life'. Findings provide personal experiences and cultural interpretations relating to sleep and ageing. This provides the foundation for future participatory research to co-design sleep health messages which are meaningful for ageing well across ethnicities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bladder cancer (BCa) is a common type of cancer that affects the urinary bladder. The early detection and management of BCa is critical for successful treatment and patient outcomes. In recent years, researchers have been exploring the use of biomarkers as a non-invasive and effective tool for the detection and monitoring of BCa. One such biomarker is programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), which is expressed on the surface of cancer cells and plays a crucial role in the evasion of the immune system. Studies have shown that the PD-L1 expression is higher in BCa tumors than in healthy bladder tissue. Additionally, PD-L1 expression might even be detected in urine samples in BCa patients, in addition to the examination of a histological sample. The technique is being standardized and optimized. We reported how BCa patients had higher urinary PD-L1 levels than controls by considering BCa tumors expressing PD-L1 in the tissue specimen. The expression of PD-L1 in urinary BCa cells might represent both a diagnostic and a prognostic tool, with the perspective that the PD-L1 expression of exfoliate urinary cells might reveal and anticipate eventual BCa recurrence or progression. Further prospective and longitudinal studies are needed to assess the expression of PD-L1 as a biomarker for the monitoring of BCa patients. The use of PD-L1 as a biomarker for the detection and monitoring of BCa has the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes by allowing for earlier detection and more effective management of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants are continuously exposed to combinations of abiotic and biotic stressors. While much is known about responses to individual stressors, understanding of plant responses to combinations of stressors is limited. The effects of combined exposure to drought and UV radiation are particularly relevant in the context of climate change. In this study it was explored whether UV-exposure can be used as a tool to prime stress-resistance in plants grown under highly protected culture conditions. It was hypothesised that priming mint plantlets (Mentha spicata L.) with a low-dose of UV irradiance can alleviate the drought effect caused by a change in humidity upon transplanting. Plants were grown for 30 days on agar in sealed tissue culture containers. During this period, plants were exposed to ~ 0.22 W m−2 UV-B for 8 days, using either UV-blocking or UV- transmitting filters. Plants were then transplanted to soil and monitored for a further 7 days. It was found that non-UV exposed mint plants developed necrotic spots on leaves, following transfer to soil, but this was not the case for plants primed with UV. Results showed that UV induced stress resistance is associated with an increase in antioxidant capacity, as well as a decrease in leaf area. UV-induced stress resistance can be beneficial in a horticultural setting, where priming plants with UV-B can be used as a tool in the production of commercial crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a lethal interstitial lung disease of unknown etiology with a poor prognosis. It is a chronic and progressive disease that has a distinct radiological and pathological pattern from common interstitial pneumonia. The use of immunosuppressive medication was shown to be completely ineffective in clinical trials, resulting in years of neglect of the immune component. However, recent developments in fundamental and translational science demonstrate that immune cells play a significant regulatory role in IPF, and macrophages appear to be among the most crucial. These highly plastic cells generate multiple growth factors and mediators that highly affect the initiation and progression of IPF. In this review, we will provide an update on the role of macrophages in IPF through a systemic discussion of various regulatory mechanisms involving immune receptors, cytokines, metabolism, and epigenetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a rare interstitial lung disease with a poor prognosis. Chronic microinjuries, mainly caused by environmental factors to an aging alveolar epithelium, would lead to the aberrant differentiation and accumulation of aberrant mesenchymal cells with a contractile phenotype, known as fibrosis-associated myofibroblasts, which trigger abnormal extracellular matrix accumulation and fibrosis. The origin of those pathological myofibroblasts in pulmonary fibrosis is not fully understood to date. Lineage tracing methods using mouse models have opened new avenues for studying cell fate in a pathological context. This review aims to present a nonexhaustive list of different potential sources of those harmful myofibroblasts during lung fibrosis, based on these in vivo approaches, and considering the normal and fibrotic lung cellular atlas recently established by single-cell RNA sequencing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early assessment of malnutrition in cancer patients is essential. This study analyzed the accuracy of the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) and the Subjective Global Assessment (SGA), in diagnosing malnutrition, considering the Patient Generated-SGA (PG-SGA) as a reference, and the impact of malnutrition on hospital days. We conducted a prospective cohort study in 183 patients with gastrointestinal, head and neck, and lung cancer. Malnutrition was assessed within 48 h, of hospital admission according to the SGA, PG-SGA, and GLIM. Accuracy tests and regression analysis were performed to assess the criterion validity of the GLIM and SGA for diagnosing malnutrition. Malnutrition was diagnosed in 57.3% (SGA), 86.3% (PG-SGA), and 74.9% (GLIM) of the inpatients. The median of hospitalization was 6 (3–11) days, with 47% hospitalized > 6 day. The SGA presented the best accuracy (AUC = 0.832) than the GLIM (AUC = 0.632) compared to PG-SGA. Patients diagnosed with malnutrition by SGA, GLIM, and PG-SGA remained hospitalized for 2.13, 3.19, and 4.56 day more than well-nourished patients, respectively. Compared to PG-SGA, the SGA presents good accuracy and adequate specificity (>80%). Malnutrition evaluated by SGA, PG-SGA, and GLIM was associated with more days of hospitalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

La coelioscopie a constitué une révolution pour la chirurgie de l'endométriose, faisant de cette voie d'abord un standard indiscutable. L'arrivée de la chirurgie robotique, durant la première décennie des années 2000, a constitué un pas technologique significatif. Rapidement, les chirurgiens de l'endométriose se sont approprié cet outil et ont démontré la faisabilité pour l'ensemble des techniques spécifiques à cette pathologie. Les données cliniques ne prouvent aujourd'hui que la non-infériorité du robot sur la coelioscopie. Les atteintes rectales, et notamment celles du bas rectum, les atteintes diaphragmatiques et les atteintes des racines sacrées et du nerf sciatique sont particulièrement contraignantes pour le chirurgien et risquées pour la patiente. En extrapolant les avantages du robot déjà démontrés dans d'autres spécialités, notamment en termes de préservation nerveuse, ces formes d'endométrioses complexes devraient bénéficier de cette technologie et plus encore le chirurgien. Laparoscopy has been a revolution in endometriosis surgery, making this approach an indisputable standard. The arrival of robotic surgery in the first decade of the 2000s was a significant technological step forward. Endometriosis surgeons quickly adopted this tool and demonstrated feasibility for all surgeries specific to this pathology. The clinical data today only prove that the robot is not inferior to laparoscopy. Rectal involvement, especially of the lower rectum, diaphragmatic involvement, and involvement of the sacral roots and the sciatic nerve are particularly constraining for the surgeon and risky for the patient. By extrapolating the advantages of the robot already demonstrated in other specialties, notably in terms of nerve preservation, these forms of complex endometriosis should benefit from this technology and the surgeon even more. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endometriosis is defined by the presence of endometrial-like tissue (glands and stroma) outside of the uterine cavity. According to the HAS and European recommendations of ESHRE, surgery is a complementary therapeutic option whose indication becomes legitimate in response to failure of (i) medicinal therapies (hormonal and non-hormonal analgesics), (ii) supports, or AMP techniques. The main problem in practice is to define the benefit/risk of the intervention as well as possible with the patient, to specify its timing in the patient's care pathway. If various clinical situations seem easier to understand from a surgical point of view, questions remain about the number of surgeries in a patient's care pathway (particularly ovarian surgery and its consequences on the ovarian reserve), their incomplete nature or sometimes at risk of complications, which raises many issues. We propose to summarize in this work the evidence available to date in the literature related to the feasibility of excision surgery of endometriotic lesions, and to discuss its aspiration to be "unique, planned and concerted". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The period of the Crusades has often been considered as an epoch of eschatological fervor for the Christians who participated to this enterprise, a mission that aimed to reconquer the holy places from the Muslims. Such a zeal, however, did not affect only Christians, but also the Jewish communities that lived in Europe, in the Byzantine empire and in the Holy Land. This paper focuses on the Jewish literary production during the Crusades, aiming to demonstrate that the eschatological texts were functional in order to explain persecutions, battles, clash of civilizations and religions. These happenings were interpreted as events anticipating the final era, the time of the advent of the Messiah(s) who would gather the exiles, redeem the Jewish people, reconquer Jerusalem and restore the supremacy of Israel. In other words, this period of crisis was understood as a sequence of events that were part of a divine plan leading to the redemption of Israel. The texts that are taken in consideration are Aggadat Mašiah, The Prayer of R. Šim'on b. Yoh'ai and 'Otot ha- Mašiah. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In vitro culturing can generate plants with a distorted morphology. Some distortions affect the plant's survival after transfer to an ex vitro environment, while others can affect the aesthetic value. Therefore, exogenous hormones are often applied in in vitro cultures to modulate plant architecture. In this study, it was hypothesised that regulatory effects of UV-B radiation on plant morphology can be exploited under in vitro conditions, and that UV exposure will result in sturdier, less elongated plants with more branches and smaller leaves, mediated by changes in plant hormones. Plants were grown in tissue-culture containers and exposed to ~0.22 W m−2 UV-B for 8 days. Subsequently, plants were transferred to soil and monitored for a further 7 days. Results show that UV induced a marked change in architecture with a significant increase in axillary branches, and reductions in leaf area, plant height and root weight. These changes were associated with significant alterations in concentrations of hormones, including IAA, GA7, GA3 and iP–9–G. Changes in hormone concentrations suggest a regulatory, rather than a stress response to UV-B. Therefore, it is proposed that the application of UV in in vitro culture can be an innovative approach to manipulate plant architecture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

UV-B and UV-A radiation are natural components of solar radiation that can cause plant stress, as well as induce a range of acclimatory responses mediated by photoreceptors. UV-mediated accumulation of flavonoids and glucosinolates is well documented, but much less is known about UV effects on carotenoid content. Carotenoids are involved in a range of plant physiological processes, including photoprotection of the photosynthetic machinery. UV-induced changes in carotenoid profile were quantified in plants (Arabidopsis thaliana) exposed for up to ten days to supplemental UV radiation under growth chamber conditions. UV induces specific changes in carotenoid profile, including increases in antheraxanthin, neoxanthin, violaxanthin and lutein contents in leaves. The extent of induction was dependent on exposure duration. No individual UV-B (UVR8) or UV-A (Cryptochrome or Phototropin) photoreceptor was found to mediate this induction. Remarkably, UV-induced accumulation of violaxanthin could not be linked to protection of the photosynthetic machinery from UV damage, questioning the functional relevance of this UV response. Here, it is argued that plants exploit UV radiation as a proxy for other stressors. Thus, it is speculated that the function of UV-induced alterations in carotenoid profile is not UV protection, but rather protection against other environmental stressors such as high intensity visible light that will normally accompany UV radiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The rise in mental health problems in the population directly or indirectly because of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a major concern. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare independent predictors of symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Brazilians one month after the implementation of measures of social distancing.Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed using a web-based survey. The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) were the outcomes. Data were gathered regarding demographics, social distancing, economic problems, exposure to the news of the pandemic, psychiatric history, sleep disturbances, traumatic situations, and substance use. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test - Consumption (AUDIT-C) was also administered. The predictors of the symptoms were investigated using hierarchical multiple linear regression.Results: Of a sample of 3587 participants, approximately two-thirds considered that their mental health worsened after the beginning of the social restriction measures. The most important predictors of the symptoms investigated were the intensity of the distress related to the news of the pandemic, younger age, current psychiatric diagnosis, trouble sleeping, emotional abuse or violence, and economic problems.Conclusions: These results confirmed the hypothesis that the pandemic impacted the mental health of the population and indicated that the level of distress related to the news was the most important predictor of psychological suffering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fructose is a monosaccharide of great interest to industries. The easiest way to produce crystalline fructose from its aqueous solution is adding ethanol to the solution, which narrows the large metastable zone width and reduces the solution viscosity and the fructose solubility in water, increasing yields of crystallization. Studies in the literature though are limited to those of solubility, kinetics, and characterization of product, not including economic or environmental effects. This study addresses steps to integrate the whole productive system. A thermal analysis of the solution showed that exposing the solution to temperatures equal or above 104 °C has adverse effects on crystallization and should be avoided. The experimental study also showed that using 90 wt.% ethanol aqueous solution leads to the best yields and a well-defined morphology of fructose crystals – yields of 97%, roundness of 7.25 and mean size of 95.00 µm in the best experiment. However, the cost of ethanol represents almost 80% of the gross income of the plant, if ethanol is not recycled. An integrated system is then proposed considering the separation and reuse of ethanol and mother-liquor. Among those evaluated, the optimal operating conditions conducts to a minimal cost of 99.40 US$/tonne of fructose, which has a value of 796 US$/tonne. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seroma or lymphocele remains the most common complication after mastectomy and lymphadenectomy for breast cancer. Many different techniques are available to prevent this complication: wound drainage, reduction of the dead space by flap fixation, use of various types of energy, external compression dressings, shoulder immobilization or physical activity, as well as numerous drugs and glues. We searched MEDLINE, clinicaltrials.gov, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases for publications addressing the issue of prevention of lymphocele or seroma after mastectomy and axillary lymphadenectomy. Quality was assessed using Hawker's quality assessment tool. Incidence of seroma or lymphocele were collected. Fifteen randomized controlled trials including a total of 1766 patients undergoing radical mastectomy and axillary lymphadenectomy for breast cancer were retrieved. The incidence of lymphocele or seroma in the study population was 24.2% (411/1698): 25.2% (232/920) in the test groups and 23.0% (179/778) in the control groups. Neither modification of surgical technique (RR 0.86; 95% CI [0.72, 1.03]) nor application of a medical treatment (RR 0.96; 95% CI [0.72, 1.29]) was effective in preventing lymphocele. On the contrary, decreasing the drainage time increased the risk of lymphocele (RR 1.88; 95% CI [1.43, 2.48). There was no publication bias but the studies were of medium to low quality. To conclude, despite the heterogeneity of study designs, drainage appears to be the most effective technique, although the overall quality of the data is low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context Malnutrition has a negative impact on patients with cancer. Identifying risk, nutritional status, and functional capacity can contribute to adequate and early nutritional therapy, which can reduce unfavorable clinical outcomes. Objective To evaluate and summarize the main instruments of nutritional assessment and functional capacity and associate their results with clinical outcomes in hospitalized patients with cancer. Data sources A systematic search was performed in the PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, SciELO, and LILACS databases. Studies in which researchers evaluated and compared screening, nutritional assessment, and functional capacity instruments and their associations with clinical outcomes were included. Data extraction The data were extracted by 2 independent reviewers. Results A total of 29 studies met the inclusion criteria (n = 20 441 individuals). The Nutritional Risk Screening-2002 (NRS-2002) and Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) were the most common tools used for nutritional assessment. High nutritional risk according to the NRS-2202 and worse nutritional status according to the PG-SGA and Subjective Global Assessment were positively associated with a longer hospital stay and mortality. Low functional capacity, according to handgrip strength, was associated with longer hospital stay and nutrition impact symptoms. Conclusions Tools such as the NRS-2002, PG-SGA, Subjective Global Assessment, and handgrip strength assessment are efficacious for assessing unfavorable clinical outcomes in hospitalized patients with cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Generalization is an adaptive process that allows animals to deal with threatening circumstances similar to prior experiences. Systems consolidation is a time-dependent process in which memory loses it precision concomitantly with reorganizational changes in the brain structures that support memory retrieval. In this, memory becomes progressively independent from the hippocampus and more reliant on cortical structures. Generalization, however, may take place much faster in adult animals depending on the presence of sex hormones. Notwithstanding its relevance, there are few studies on sex differences in memory modulation. Here, a contextual fear discrimination task was used to investigate the onset of memory generalization and hippocampus-independence in adolescent male and female rats (P42-49). Subjects were tested 2, 7, 14, 21, or 28 days after training, with females showing memory generalization from day 21 on, whereas males surprisingly unable to discriminate contexts at any time. Ovariectomized (OVX) females, however, displayed an early onset of generalization. Consistently, pretest pharmacological blocking of dorsal hippocampus was able to impair memory retrieval in females, but not in males, which indicate that precise memory is dependent on the hippocampus. To our notice, this is the first report of a memory systems consolidation process--expressed in its two dimensions, neuroanatomical and qualitative--in adolescent female rats, and one that can also be accelerated by the reduction of sex hormones through ovariectomy. It is also unprecedented that despite adolescent male rats being able to remember fear learning, they did not discriminate contexts with any precision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The objective of this research was to identify the existence of a relationship between intellectual capital, individual absorptive capacity and the innovation performance of the Federal Institute of Santa Catarina's technical-administrative civil servants. Methodology: Self-administered questionnaires were used as a data collection instrument, applied to the institution's technical-administrative staff, resulting in a sample of 314 respondents. In the data analysis, structural equation modeling was used. The final quantitative analysis structure resulted in 28 variables, distributed among the constructs proposed by the research. Relevance: the relevance of the study lies in the fact that individuals play a role in the creation, transfer and absorption of knowledge, thus factors at the individual level represent an antecedent for performance; therefore, at the time when the codification of knowledge occurs or expands, through assimilation, acquisition, transformation and application, a direct contribution to increasing organizational effectiveness also occurs. Results: The results showed that human capital, structural capital and relational capital influence the individual absorptive capacity, from the perspective of the institution's technical-administrative staff, with the most relevant relationship being that of human capital. Originality/Theoretical contribution: The responses indicated that the innovation performance -- analyzed based on the creation and implementation of ideas -- is influenced by the individual absorptive capacity. Therefore, through the results obtained, contributions to management were proposed that could contribute to the influence between the constructs, and consequently, to the individual and organizational performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents the skills necessary for the accounting professional and a guide (framework) to guide the formation of work teams that enhance the development of skills in Accounting students submitted to active teaching methodologies. A systematic literature review was carried out to identify the relevant skills to be investigated in research in Accounting students. After the execution of a pilot test, a controlled quasiexperiment was carried out, based on the active teaching methodology of Challenge Based Learning (CBL), and questionnaires were applied to groups of Accounting students. A total of 251 students from five Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the southern region of Brazil participated in the research. In the analysis of the results, tests of variance (ANOVA), chi-square, Tukey's test and descriptive analyzes were performed to confirm the research hypothesis. A systematic review of the literature presents the skills that must be developed in accounting training, and the results of the article present the main variables in the formation of work teams that promote the development of these skills through the use of active teaching methodologies. The contributions, in addition to the literature review, are to provide a guide to subsidize and guide the formation of work teams to boost the development of these skills. In the practical field, the article indicates which variables, in the formation of work teams, can boost the development of skills with a satisfactory degree of intensity, guiding educational initiatives based on active teaching methodologies, serving in the academic field as a reference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Integrated crop–livestock–forestry systems can be an alternative to monoculture pastures; however, the effect of the arboreal component on tillering and tussock dynamics of understorey grass canopy is not well understood. Aims: Our objective was to evaluate the patterns of tillering dynamics, population stability and tussock distribution of Piatã palisadegrass (Urochloa brizantha) as affected by contrasting shading regimes in the Brazilian Amazon biome. Methods: The following three shading regimes were assessed: pasture with no trees (no shading, NS), moderate shading (MS, 338 trees ha−1), and intense shading (IS, 714 trees ha−1). Pastures were rotationally grazed by dairy heifers. Paddocks from MS and IS were stratified into three sampling strips, including two closer to the tree rows (i.e. lateral) and one between the two lateral strips (i.e. central). Two methods for monitoring sward canopy light interception (LI) were used for IS regime, namely, LI taken under the tree canopy (i.e. inside) and LI was taken above the tree canopy (i.e. outside). Key results: Relative to NS, there was a reduction in photosynthetically active radiation transmittance of 18.1% and 37.1% on MS and 49.9% and 52.0% on IS for central and lateral shading strips respectively. Overall, the increase in shading level was associated with a decrease in average tussock perimeter, tiller population density, and an increase in the frequency of bare ground. Conclusions: Our findings clearly indicate the key role of the light environment as a determinant of Piatã palisadegrass horizontal structure. Implications: It highlights the importance of planning the levels of tree density and layout in areas of crop–livestock–forestry integration. Integrated crop–livestock–forestry systems can be an alternative to recover degraded pastures areas. However, the effect of the arboreal component on tillering and tussock dynamics of the understorey grass canopy is not well understood. Our findings clearly indicate the key role of the light environment as a determinant of Piatã palisadegrass horizontal structure and highlight the importance of carefully planning the levels of tree density and layout in areas of crop–livestock–forestry integration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Weight loss is frequently reported in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and may be associated with worse outcomes in these patients. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between body mass index (BMI) and weight loss, and outcomes over 1 year in patients with IPF. Methods: Data were included from placebo patients enrolled in ASCEND (NCT01366209) and CAPACITY (NCT00287716 and NCT00287729), and all patients in INSPIRE (NCT00075998) and RIFF Cohort A (NCT01872689). An additional analysis included data from pirfenidone-treated patients. Outcomes (annualized change in percent predicted forced vital capacity [%FVC], percent predicted carbon monoxide diffusing capacity, 6-min walk distance, St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire total score, hospitalization, mortality, and serious adverse events) were analyzed by baseline BMI (<25 kg/m2, 25 kg/m2–<30 kg/m2, or ≥30 kg/m2) and annualized percent change in body weight (no loss, >0–<5% loss, or ≥5% loss). Results: Placebo-treated patients with a baseline BMI <25 kg/m2 or annualized weight loss may experience worse outcomes versus those with a baseline BMI ≥25 kg/m2 or no weight loss. The proportion of placebo-treated patients who experienced a relative decline of ≥10% in %FVC or death up to 1 year post-randomization was highest in patients with a baseline BMI <25 kg/m2. Pirfenidone-treated patients with an annualized weight loss ≥5% may also experience worse outcomes versus those with no weight loss. Conclusions: Patients with a baseline BMI <25 kg/m2 or annualized weight loss of >0–<5% or ≥5% may experience worse outcomes over 1 year versus those with a baseline BMI ≥25 kg/m2 or no weight loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food allergy (FA) in young children is often associated with eczema, frequently directed to egg/cow milk allergens and has a higher chance of resolution, while FA that persists in older children has less chance of resolution and is less clearly associated with atopy. Children with FA (n = 62) and healthy controls (n = 28) were categorized into "younger" (≤5 years) and "older" (>5 years). Mass spectrometry-based untargeted metabolomic profiling as wells as cytokine profiling were performed on plasma samples in FA children in each age group. Younger FA children manifested unique alterations in bile acids, polyamine metabolites and chemokines associated with Th2 responses, while older FA children displayed pronounced changes in long chain fatty acids, acylcarnitines and proinflammatory cytokines. FA children of different ages manifest unique metabolic changes which may reflect at least in part pathogenic mechanisms and environmental influences operative at different time points in the disease course. • Distinct metabolomic profiles characterize recently established food allergy as compared to persistent food allergy. • Food allergy in young children is associated with marked alteration of microbiome-related metabolites, including polyamines. • Food allergy in older children is associated with marked alteration of lipid mediators, including PUFAs and acyl carnitines. • Polyamines are uniquely altered in early stages of food allergy and represent novel candidate food allergy biomarkers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To assess perioperative outcomes, complications, and rate of uretero–ileal anastomotic stricture (UAS) in patients undergoing retrosigmoid ileal conduit after radical cystectomy (RC). Patients and Methods: Clinical records of consecutive patients receiving retrosigmoid ileal conduit after open RC for bladder cancer between March 2016 and June 2020 at two academic centres were prospectively collected. Two expert surgeons performed all cases. Operating room (OR) time, estimated blood loss (EBL), transfusion rate, and 90‐day postoperative complications classified according to the Clavien–Dindo system, were assessed. In particular, rate of UAS, defined as upper urinary tract dilatation requiring endourological or surgical management, was evaluated. Results: A total of 97 patients were analysed. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) OR time was 245 (215–290) min, median (IQR) EBL was 350 (300–500) mL, and blood transfusions were given to 15 (15.5%) cases. There were no intraoperative complications. There were 90‐day postoperative complications in 33 patients (34%), being major (Grade III–V) in 19 (19.6%). Two patients died from early postoperative complications. At a median (IQR) follow‐up of 25 (14–40) months, there was only one case (1%) of UAS, involving the right ureter and requiring an open uretero–ileal re‐implantation. Conclusion: The retrosigmoid ileal conduit is a safe and valid option for non‐continent urinary diversion after RC, ensuring a very low risk of UAS at an intermediate‐term follow‐up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Camels are vital to food production in the drylands of the Horn of Africa, with milk as their main contribution to food security. A major constraint to camel milk production is mastitis, inflammation of the mammary gland. The condition negatively impacts milk yield and quality as well as household income. A leading cause of mastitis in dairy camels is Streptococcus agalactiae, or group B Streptococcus (GBS), which is also a commensal and pathogen of humans and cattle. It has been suggested that extramammary reservoirs for this pathogen may contribute to the occurrence of mastitis in camels. We explored the molecular epidemiology of GBS in camels using a cross-sectional study design for sample collection and phenotypic, genomic and phylogenetic analysis of isolates. Among 88 adult camels and 93 calves from six herds in Laikipia County, Kenya, GBS was detected in 20% of 50 milk samples, 25% of 152 nasal swabs, 8% of 90 oral swabs and 3% of 90 rectal swabs, but not in vaginal swabs. Per camel herd, two to four sequence types (ST) were identified using Multi Locus Sequence Typing (MLST). More than half of the isolates belonged to ST617 or its single-locus variant, ST1652, with these STs found across all sample types. Capsular serotype VI was detected in 30 of 58 isolates. In three herds, identical STs were detected in milk and swab samples, suggesting that extramammary sources of GBS may contribute to the maintenance and spread of GBS within camel herds. This needs to be considered when developing prevention and control strategies for GBS mastitis. The high nasal carriage rate, low recto-vaginal carriage rate, and high prevalence of serotype VI for GBS in camels are in stark contrast to the distribution of GBS in humans and in cattle and reveal hitherto unknown ecological and molecular features of this bacterial species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Neotropical region, euphonias (Euphonia spp., Fringillidae) are the quintessential example of specialized bird frugivores, making the bulk of feeding visits to certain mistletoes (Phoradendron spp., Santalaceae) and epiphytes in the genus Rhipsalis (Cactaceae), whose fruits have high water and low sugar and protein concentrations. Surprisingly, a mechanistic explanation for such specialized, otherwise rare, relationships is lacking. Using captive birds and artificial diets, we contrasted euphonias with frugivorous tanagers in the genus Thraupis (Thraupidae), which rarely eats Rhipsalis fruits, to test the hypothesis that the digestive capacity of euphonias entails them to exploit such low‐energy fruits. We expected that compensatory feeding in response to decreasing energy density would occur only in euphonias, whose higher reliance on fruits would entail a lower nitrogen requirement than the tanagers. Euphonias and tanagers were both able to compensate energy intake as sugar density decreased, and both species had the same mass‐corrected energy intake at any given sugar concentration. Similarly, euphonias and tanagers did not differ in mass‐corrected maintenance nitrogen requirement. Therefore, the physiological traits we investigated do not explain euphonias' specialization on Rhipsalis fruits. The fast rates of fruit passage typical of specialized avian frugivores as euphonias that entail the processing of a large volume of fruits and the putative better abilities of such birds to deal with secondary compounds likely present in Rhipsalis fruits are other possible mechanisms that should be considered in future studies to unveil the mechanisms underlying the intriguing specialized relationships between euphonias and certain fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We collected the largest spectroscopic catalog of RR Lyrae (RRLs) including ≈20,000 high-, medium-, and low-resolution spectra for ≈10,000 RRLs. We provide the analytical forms of radial velocity curve (RVC) templates. These were built using 36 RRLs (31 fundamentalâ€"split into three period binsâ€"and five first-overtone pulsators) with well-sampled RVCs based on three groups of metallic lines (Fe, Mg, Na) and four Balmer lines (H α , H β , H Îł , H δ ). We tackled the long-standing problem of the reference epoch to anchor light-curve and RVC templates. For the V -band, we found that the residuals of the templates anchored to the phase of the mean magnitude along the rising branch are ∼35% to ∼45% smaller than those anchored to the phase of maximum light. For the RVC, we used two independent reference epochs for metallic and Balmer lines and we verified that the residuals of the RVC templates anchored to the phase of mean RV are from 30% (metallic lines) up to 45% (Balmer lines) smaller than those anchored to the phase of minimum RV. We validated our RVC templates by using both the single-point and the three phase point approaches. We found that barycentric velocities based on our RVC templates are two to three times more accurate than those available in the literature. We applied the current RVC templates to Balmer lines RVs of RRLs in the globular NGC 3201 collected with MUSE at VLT. We found the cluster barycentric RV of V Îł = 496.89 ± 8.37(error) ± 3.43 (standard deviation) km sâˆ'1, which agrees well with literature estimates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chrysanthemum is one of the most commercialized flower species in Brazil, however, there is little information related to the correct water management of the crop. Thus, the work seeks to determine the crop evapotranspiration (ETc) and obtain the cultural coefficients (Kc) of the pot chrysanthemum, in addition to assessing the water use efficiency (EUA) of the crop under different irrigation managements. The experiment was conducted in a protected environment in Santa Maria-RS, which a completely randomized design (DIC) was used, with five treatments based on the capacity of water retention in the vessel (CRV) (40, 60, 80, 100 and 120% CRV), with 16 repetitions, each pot was considered one repetition. ETc was determined by weighing Lysymetry, ETo was calculated by six different equations: Benevides-Lopez, Camargo, Linacre, Jensen-Haise, Hargreaves and Ivanov. Kc was obtained by the relationship between ETc and ETo. The evapotranspiration of the culture ranged between 153 and 264 mm. There was no significant difference in the EUA between the treatments studied. The average Kc was 0.98 for the vegetative phase, 1.29 from the beginning of the reproductive phase to the point of commercialization and 0.85 until the end of the reproductive phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Streptococcus, (GBS)) is the leading cause of mastitis (inflammation of the mammary gland) among dairy camels in Sub-Saharan Africa, with negative implications for milk production and quality and animal welfare. Camel milk is often consumed raw and presence of GBS in milk may pose a public health threat. Little is known about the population structure or virulence factors of camel GBS. We investigated the molecular epidemiology of camel GBS and its implications for mastitis control and public health. Results: Using whole genome sequencing, we analysed 65 camel milk GBS isolates from 19 herds in Isiolo, Kenya. Six sequence types (STs) were identified, mostly belonging to previously described camel-specific STs. One isolate belonged to ST1, a predominantly human-associated lineage, possibly as a result of interspecies transmission. Most (54/65) isolates belonged to ST616, indicative of contagious transmission. Phylogenetic analysis of GBS core genomes showed similar levels of heterogeneity within- and between herds, suggesting ongoing between-herd transmission. The lactose operon, a marker of GBS adaptation to the mammary niche, was found in 75 % of the isolates, and tetracycline resistance gene tet(M) in all but two isolates. Only the ST1 isolate harboured virulence genes scpB and lmb, which are associated with human host adaptation. Conclusions: GBS in milk from Kenyan camel herds largely belongs to ST616 and shows signatures of adaptation to the udder. The finding of similar levels of within- and between herd heterogeneity of GBS in camel herds, as well as potential human-camel transmission highlights the need for improved internal as well as external biosecurity to curb disease transmission and increase milk production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We provide the largest and most homogeneous sample of α-element (Mg, Ca, Ti) and iron abundances for field RR Lyrae (RRLs; 162 variables) by using high-resolution spectra. The current measurements were complemented with similar abundances available in the literature for 46 field RRLs brought to our metallicity scale. We ended up with a sample of old (t ≥ 10 Gyr), low-mass stellar tracers (208 RRLs: 169 fundamental, 38 first overtone, and 1 mixed mode) covering 3 dex in iron abundance (−3.00 ≤ [Fe/H] ≤ 0.24). We found that field RRLs are ∼0.3 dex more α poor than typical halo tracers in the metal-rich regime ([Fe/H] ≥ −1.2), while in the metal-poor regime ([Fe/H] ≤ −2.2) they seem to be on average ∼0.1 dex more α enhanced. This is the first time that the depletion in α elements for solar iron abundances is detected on the basis of a large, homogeneous, and coeval sample of old stellar tracers. Interestingly, we also detected a close similarity in the [α/Fe] trend between α-poor, metal-rich RRLs and red giants (RGs) in the Sagittarius dwarf galaxy as well as between α-enhanced, metal-poor RRLs and RGs in ultrafaint dwarf galaxies. These results are supported by similar elemental abundances for 46 field horizontal branch stars. These stars share with RRLs the same evolutionary phase and the same progenitors. This evidence further supports the key role that old stellar tracers play in constraining the early chemical enrichment of the halo and, in particular, in investigating the impact that dwarf galaxies have had in the mass assembly of the Galaxy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Online monitoring of the solid phase in industrial processes of sugar crystallization is still a challenge. Laser backscattering is one of the most promising techniques; however, the measured chord length distribution (CLD) does not have a physical meaning of crystal size. This work converted sucrose CLD measured by an online sensor into particle size distribution (PSD) using an artificial neural network (ANN). CLD and suspension concentration of 116 experiments were the input to the ANN and PSD was its output. The trained ANN exhibited a coefficient of variation between experimental and calculated PSD of 0.998. Data of experimental sucrose crystallization was used to validate the model, resulting in a maximum deviation of 0.090 mm in mean size and 6.16% in the coefficient of variation of distribution. This model may be used to improve both industrial processes (process optimization and control) and laboratory studies (kinetics determination). [Display omitted] • Real-time monitoring of particle size distribution in sugar suspension. • Laser-backscattering use is limited to a particle size of 0.85 mm. • For sucrose particles, the limit is 0.159 mm. • Absolute deviation in mean size of 0.013 mm and 0.02% in coefficient of variation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic lung disease of unknown etiology with minimal treatment options. Repetitive alveolar epithelial injury has been suggested as one of the causative mechanisms of this disease. Type 2 alveolar epithelial cells (AEC2) play a crucial role during fibrosis by functioning as stem cells able to repair epithelial damage. The DNA demethylase Tet methylcytosine dioxygenase 2 (TET2) regulates the stemness of multiple types of stem cells, but whether it also affects the stemness of AEC2 during fibrosis remains elusive. To study the role of TET2 in AEC2 during fibrosis, we first determined TET2 protein levels in the lungs of IPF patients and compared TET2 expression in AEC2 of IPF patients and controls using publicly available data sets. Subsequently, pulmonary fibrosis was induced by the intranasal administration of bleomycin to wild‐type and AEC2‐specific TET2 knockout mice to determine the role of TET2 in vivo. Fibrosis was assessed by hydroxyproline analysis and fibrotic gene expression. Additionally, macrophage recruitment and activation, and epithelial injury were analyzed. TET2 protein levels and gene expression were downregulated in IPF lungs and AEC2, respectively. Bleomycin inoculation induced a robust fibrotic response as indicated by increased hydroxyproline levels and increased expression of pro‐fibrotic genes. Additionally, increased macrophage recruitment and both M1 and M2 activation were observed. None of these parameters were, however, affected by AEC2‐specific TET2 deficiency. TET2 expression is reduced in IPF, but the absence of TET2 in AEC2 cells does not affect the development of bleomycin‐induced pulmonary fibrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clarifying underlying user information needs by asking clarifying questions is an important feature of modern conversational search systems. However, evaluation of such systems through answering prompted clarifying questions requires significant human effort, which can be time-consuming and expensive. In our recent work, we proposed an approach to tackle these issues with a user simulator, USi. Given a description of an information need, USi is capable of automatically answering clarifying questions about the topic throughout the search session. However, while the answers generated by USi are both in line with the underlying information need and in natural language, a deeper understanding of such utterances is lacking. Thus, in this work, we explore utterance formulation of large language model (LLM)–based user simulators. To this end, we first analyze the differences between USi, based on GPT-2, and the next generation of generative LLMs, such as GPT-3. Then, to gain a deeper understanding of LLM-based utterance generation, we compare the generated answers to the recently proposed set of patterns of human-based query reformulations. Finally, we discuss potential applications as well as limitations of LLM-based user simulators and outline promising directions for future work on the topic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We performed the largest and most homogeneous spectroscopic survey of field RR Lyraes (RRLs). We secured ≈6300 high-resolution (HR, R ∼ 35,000) spectra for 143 RRLs (111 fundamental, RRab; 32 first-overtone, RRc). The atmospheric parameters were estimated by using the traditional approach and the iron abundances were measured by using an LTE line analysis. The resulting iron distribution shows a well-defined metal-rich tail approaching solar iron abundance. This suggests that field RRLs experienced a complex chemical enrichment in the early halo formation. We used these data to develop a new calibration of the ΔS method. This diagnostic, based on the equivalent widths of Ca ii K and three Balmer (Hδ,γ,β) lines, traces the metallicity of RRLs. For the first time, the new empirical calibration: (i) includes spectra collected over the entire pulsation cycle; (ii) includes RRc variables; (iii) relies on spectroscopic calibrators covering more than three dex in iron abundance; and (iv) provides independent calibrations based on one/two/three Balmer lines. The new calibrations were applied to a data set of both SEGUE-SDSS and degraded HR spectra totalling 6451 low-resolution (R ∼ 2000) spectra for 5001 RRLs (3439 RRab, 1562 RRc). This resulted in an iron distribution with a median η = −1.55 ± 0.01 and σ = 0.51 dex, in good agreement with literature values. We also found that RRc are 0.10 dex more metal-poor than RRab variables, and have a distribution with a smoother metal-poor tail. This finding supports theoretical prescriptions suggesting a steady decrease in the RRc number when moving from metal-poor to metal-rich stellar environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The model was fitted to six soybean cultivars used in the State of Rondônia. • First-ever systematic use of soil, crop and climate data in SCRO region. • Model accurately simulates vegetative and reproductive stages, and crop yield. Agricultural models are useful tools for predicting phenology, biomass, and crop yield under different environmental conditions during the growth period. Notwithstanding their use in the Southern Cone of Rondônia (southern Amazon, Brazil) is still limited. Thus, the objective in this work was to calibrate and validate the CROPGRO-Soybean model with soybean data collected in harvests of 2017 to 2019, being the data from the first growing period devoted to model calibration, and crop data from 2018/2019 to model validation. Six soybean cultivars were planted at the municipality of Vilhena, State of Rondônia, Brazil. The model was parameterized using climatic, hydric and physical soil properties, and growth data of the evaluated soybean cultivars. To evaluate the accuracy of model prediction we used the coefficient of determination (r2), percentage difference (Pd), root mean square error (RMSE), and Willmott's index of agreement (d-value). The model accurately simulates the vegetative and reproductive stages, and the yields of the soybean cultivars under the climatic conditions of the Southern Cone of Rondônia. However, the CROPGRO-Soybean model tended to overestimate soil moisture content especially in upper soil layer (0.0–0.1 m depth). Taking the observed data, as the baseline, the model predicted the time to flowering, first pod, seeding, and physiological maturity, with a discrepancy of just one to seven days. In most of the soybean cultivars (five of the six cultivar evaluated), the differences between observed and simulated yields (growing cycle of 2018/2019 – validation harvest) ranged from –6 % to (underestimation) to 27 % (overestimation). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • MIC-DV was proposed for food digestion and fluorine determination by ISE. • LOQ values for F after MIC-DV were lower than the AOAC method. • F-ISE determination was carried out directly in the absorbing solution without dilution. • MIC-DV was whiter than MIC and AOAC methods according to WAC principles. This work presents the first report of the application of microwave-induced combustion in disposable vessels (MIC-DV) as a simple and fast sample preparation step for fluoride determination by ion-selective electrode (ISE) in leguminous seeds and oilseeds samples. Several experimental conditions of MIC-DV were evaluated, such as sample mass, absorbing solution, volume of combustion igniter, purging time with oxygen, and the use of successive combustion cycles. The accuracy of MIC-DV/ISE method was evaluated by comparing the results obtained by microwave-induced combustion and determination by ion chromatography, with agreements ranged from 94 to 106%. The method allowed to achieve relatively low limits of quantification (8.3 to 16 µg g−1) comparing to AOAC method (40 µg g−1), besides the use of small amounts of reagents, less handling of digests, making the method greener and with portable features comparing to other methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human induced pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) resemble fetal cardiomyocytes and electrical stimulation (ES) has been explored to mature the differentiated cells. Here, we hypothesize that ES applied at the beginning of the differentiation process, triggers both differentiation of the hiPSC-CMs into a specialized conduction system (CS) phenotype and cell maturation. We applied ES for 15 days starting on day 0 of the differentiation process and found an increased expression of transcription factors and proteins associated with the development and function of CS including Irx3, Nkx2.5 and contactin 2, Hcn4 and Scn5a, respectively. We also found activation of intercalated disc proteins (Nrap and β-catenin). We detected ES-induced CM maturation as indicated by increased Tnni1 and Tnni3 expression. Confocal micrographs showed a shift towards expression of the gap junction protein connexin 40 in ES hiPSC-CM compared to the more dominant expression of connexin 43 in controls. Finally, analysis of functional parameters revealed that ES hiPSC-CMs exhibited faster action potential (AP) depolarization, longer intracellular Ca2+ transients, and slower AP duration at 90% of repolarization, resembling fast conducting fibers. Altogether, we provided evidence that ES during the differentiation of hiPSC to cardiomyocytes lead to development of cardiac conduction-like cells with more mature cytoarchitecture. Thus, hiPSC-CMs exposed to ES during differentiation can be instrumental to develop CS cells for cardiac disease modelling, screening individual drugs on a precison medicine type platform and support the development of novel therapeutics for arrhythmias. Image 1 • Electrical stimulation during differentiation drives hiPSC-CMs fate and maturation. • Electrical stimulated (ES) hiPSC-CMs resemble cardiac specialized conduction cells. • ES-led maturation results in increased myofibrils and intercalated discs proteins. • ES hiPSC-CMs display a functional profile resembling cardiac conduction cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the present research is to outline the panorama of quantitative methods employed in research on the measurement of absorptive capacity. The sample of this study is composed by eight articles. It is a bibliographical research, with bibliometric analysis, whose results show that most of the publications analyzed use non-parametric hypothesis tests and confirmatory factor analysis, with 87.5% and 75% of occurrences, respectively. Cronbach's alpha was the most mentioned method of reliability analysis - of data collection instrument - (87.5%). Four studies created their instrument of data collection, and only one of them did not indicate about the pre-test. The most recurrent variable was the "flow of knowledge between units", a term supported by the literature. Finally, although not all publications clarify in detail their methodological choices, it was possible to quantify certain occurrences, which could support future research on quantitative research concerning the subject of measurement of absorptive capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The age of cancer as an isolated single-cell concept is now behind us. It is now established that epithelial ovarian cancer, like other cancers, interacts with the healthy bystander cells to influence them and takes advantage of their nutritional, immunological, disseminating and other capacities. This interaction has become a therapeutic target, as shown by the numerous studies on this subject. Intraperitoneal chemo-hyperthermia has been part of the therapeutic armamentarium for some time yet its efficiency in ovarian cancer has only been recently proven in a randomized controlled trial. However, its therapeutic performance is not revolutionary and epithelial ovarian cancer maintains a high mortality. In this review, we studied the impact of HIPEC on the microenvironment and vice versa to determine whether it could be the key to this lukewarm efficacy. We began by exploring the modalities of HIPEC and establishing the reasons that make this treatment topical. Then, we examined its impact on each element of the tumor environment to obtain a global view of the resistance mechanisms at work in HIPEC. • There is no consensus on hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) modalities. • HIPEC has an impact on the whole tumor microenvironment. • HIPEC has both negative and positive effect on tumor environment and its anti-tumoral activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to identify self-incompatibility (S) alleles of advanced breeding selections of apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.). The Salleles of 42 apple genotypes were analyzed by markers using allele-specific PCR amplification and amplicons digested with restriction endonucleases. Among the screened genotypes were cultivars, advanced selections, and accessions of the Apple Germplasm Bank of Epagri (Caçador, Santa Catarina, Brazil). Two S-alleles were identified in 36 genotypes, and only one S-allele was determined in the other six genotypes. In all, eleven S-alleles were identified among all the genotypes evaluated. The S3 and S5 alleles were most frequent (30.2% and 18.6%, respectively). The identification of S-alleles using molecular markers in important apple tree genotypes is useful for determination of compatible parents for breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The state of Rio Grande do Sul (RS) is the third largest sunflower producer in Brazil. This study verified the existence of linear relationships between grain yield, oil content, and oil yield in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) genotypes evaluated in RS. The data on grain yield (GY), oil content (OC), and oil yield (OY) were obtained from 73 sunflower cultivar trials in 21 municipalities in RS from 1999 to 2018. Scatter diagrams were createdto investigate the relationships between the variables GY, OC, and OY. Then, Pearson's linear correlation coefficient (r) was calculated between the variables, and the Student's t-test was performed at a 5% significance level. There is a positive and significant linear relationship between PG and OY. However, no linear relationship was found between grain yield and oil content in sunflower genotypes. Additionally, a positive linear association of high magnitude (r = 0.9672) was observed between grain yield and oil yield, while a low magnitude (r = 0.2245) was found between oil content and oil yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have performed a detailed spectral analysis of the inner halo Galactic globular cluster (GC) NGC 6723 using high-resolution (R |${\approx }$| 22 000–48 000) spectra for for 11 red giant branch stars collected with MIKE (Magellan) and FEROS (MPG/ESO). This globular is located at the minimum of the bimodal metallicity distribution of GCs, which suggests that it might be an excellent transitional system between metal-intermediate and metal-rich GCs. In spite of its metal-intermediate status, it is characterized by an extended horizontal branch and by a large number of RR Lyrae stars. We investigated abundances of a variety of species, including light, |$\alpha$| -, Fe-peak, and neutron-capture elements. We found a mean metallicity |${}[\mathrm{Fe/H}]=-0.93 \pm 0.05$|  dex and typical |$\alpha$| -enrichment (⁠|${}[\alpha /\mathrm{Fe}] \approx 0.39$|⁠) that follows the trend of metal-poor and metal-intermediate GCs. The same outcome applies for light metals (Na, Al), Fe-peak (V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu) and s / r -process elements (Ba, Eu), and for the classical anticorrelation: Na–O and Mg–Al. The current findings further support the evidence that the chemical enrichment of NGC 6723 is more in line with metal-intermediate GCs and their lower metallicity counterparts, and it does not bring forward the prodrome of the metal-rich regime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Male lower urinary tract symptoms are frequently due to benign prostatic enlargement. Medical therapy is strongly recommended in patients with moderate to severe symptoms. Lower urinary tract symptoms may require a different medical approach using drugs with different mechanisms of action. Alpha-1 blockers, muscarinic receptor antagonists and phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors are the most frequently used drugs. 5-Alpha reductase inhibitors are commonly prescribed to reduce prostate volume and to prevent benign prostatic hyperplasia progression. Currently, medical treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic enlargement can be tailored according to different symptom characteristics and severity, and to different patient comorbidities and preferences. For this reason, the decision-making process should be based on an accurate patient counselling with detailed clarification of potential benefits and, above all, potential side effects of different drugs. This non-systematic review of the literature presents an update of the current options for medical treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic enlargement, helping urologists in the decision-making and counselling process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Locus coeruleus (LC) projections to the hippocampus play a critical role in learning and memory. However, the precise timing of LC-hippocampus communication during learning and which LC-derived neurotransmitters are important for memory formation in the hippocampus are currently unknown. Although the LC is typically thought to modulate neural activity via the release of norepinephrine, several recent studies have suggested that it may also release dopamine into the hippocampus and other cortical regions. In some cases, it appears that dopamine release from LC into the hippocampus may be more important for memory than norepinephrine. Here, we extend these data by characterizing the phasic responses of the LC and its projections to the dorsal hippocampus during trace fear conditioning in mice. We find that the LC and its projections to the hippocampus respond to task-relevant stimuli and that amplifying these responses with optogenetic stimulation can enhance long-term memory formation. We also demonstrate that LC activity increases both norepinephrine and dopamine content in the dorsal hippocampus and that the timing of hippocampal dopamine release during trace fear conditioning is similar to the timing of LC activity. Finally, we show that hippocampal dopamine is important for trace fear memory formation, while norepinephrine is not. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Corynebacterium diphtheriae species complex comprises seven bacterial species, including Corynebacterium ulcerans , a zoonotic pathogen from multiple animal species. In this work, we characterise phenotypically and genotypically isolates belonging to two C. ulcerans lineages. Results from phylogenetic analyses, in silico DNA–DNA hybridization (DDH) and MALDI-TOF spectra differentiate lineage 2 from C. ulcerans lineage 1, which, together with their distinct transmission dynamics (probable human-to-human vs animal-to-human), indicates that lineage 2 is a separate Corynebacterium species, which we propose to name Corynebacterium ramonii. This species is of particular medical interest considering that its human-to-human transmission is likely, and that some C. ramonii isolates carry the diphtheria toxin gene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The neonicotinoid imidacloprid was promoted in the market because of widespread resistance to other insecticides, plus its low mammalian impact and higher specific toxicity towards insects. This study aimed to evaluate the immunomodulatory effect of imidacloprid on macrophages. RAW 264.7 cells were incubated to 0–4000 mg/L of imidacloprid for 24 and 96 h. Imidacloprid presented a concentration-dependent cytotoxicity after 24 h and 96 h incubation for MTT reduction (3-(4,5-dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl)− 2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) (EC 50 519.6 and 324.6 mg/L, respectively) and Neutral Red (3-amino-7-dimethylamino-2-methylphenazine hydrochloride) assays (EC 50 1139.0 and 324.2 mg/L, respectively). Moreover, imidacloprid decreased the cells' inflammatory response and promoted a mitochondrial depolarization. The complex II and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activities in RAW 264.7 cells incubated with imidacloprid increased more at 24 h. These results suggest that imidacloprid exerts an immunomodulatory effect and mitochondria can act as regulator of innate immune responses in the cytotoxicity mediated by the insecticide in RAW 264.7 cells. [Display omitted] • A commercial formulation of imidacloprid impaired the inflammatory response in RAW 264.7 cells; • The immunotoxic effects were associated with long term exposure to imidacloprid; • The mitochondria is a primary target of imidacloprid cytotoxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

La pseudo-polyarthrite rhizomélique (PPR) est une maladie inflammatoire dont le diagnostic est parfois difficile et la tomographie par émissions de positrons au 18-fluorine fluorodésoxyglucose couplée à un scanner (18F-FDG-TEP/TDM) pourrait être utile. Nous avons voulu analyser l'utilité de la 18F-FDG-TEP/TDM pour le diagnostic de la PPR. Il s'agit d'une étude rétrospective, observationnelle, de personnes atteintes de PPR qui ont eu une 18F-FDG-TEP/TDM. Un groupe témoin a également été analysé. Nous avons évalué les caractéristiques cliniques et la 18F-FDG-TEP/TDM. Seize sites ont été étudiés. Le nombre de sites présentant une captation significative de FDG, la valeur maximale moyenne de captation standardisée (SUVmax) et la SUVmax la plus élevée ont été évalués pour chaque patient. Les données de 123 patients atteints de PPR (37 sous corticostéroïdes (CST)) ont été analysées. Parmi eux, 85 patients présentaient un premier épisode de PPR. Par rapport aux 75 témoins, les patients atteints de PPR nouvellement diagnostiquée présentaient un nombre moyen ± SD plus élevé de sites avec une captation FDG significative (11,3 ± 3,3 contre 0,9 ± 1,1, p < 0,001) et des scores SUVmax plus élevés (p < 0,001). Une valeur seuil de 5 sites hypermétaboliques a donné une sensibilité de 96,5 % et une spécificité de 100 %. Pour le score SUVmax total, une valeur seuil de 3 présentait la meilleure sensibilité (92,6 %) et spécificité (86,1 %). Les patients PPR naïfs de CST avaient des niveaux de CRP (p < 0,001), un nombre de sites avec une captation FDG significative (p < 0,001) et un score SUVmax (p < 0,01) significativement plus élevés. En revanche, l'artérite à cellules géantes (ACG) était plus souvent observée chez les patients recevant une corticothérapie que chez les patients naïfs de CST (27 % vs 8 %, p < 0,01). Nos résultats montrent que le nombre de sites hypermétaboliques ou la quantification du SUVmax pourraient être utiles pour le diagnostic de PPR, et que la corticothérapie pourrait affecter les résultats de la 18F-FDG-TEP/TDM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the relationship among personality (according to Cloninger’s psychobiological model), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, trait resilience and quality of life (QoL) in people who were exposed to the Kiss nightclub fire. Methods: 188 participants were assessed with the Posttraumatic Checklist–civilian version (PCL-C), the Resilience Scale (RS), the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI), the World Health Organization Quality of Life–Bref (WHOQOL-Bref), and the WHOQOL-100 Spirituality, religiousness, and personal beliefs (WHOQOL-100-SRPB). Data were analyzed in a dimensional approach, with correlation analysis, multiple linear regression and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), with PCL-C, RS, and WHOQOL-Bref dimensions as dependent variables. Results: Multiple linear regression showed that PTSD symptoms were predicted by harm avoidance (β = .34, p < .001), self-directedness (β = -.28, p < .01), and self-transcendence (β = .24, p < .01). Trait resilience was predicted by harm avoidance (β = -.38, p < .01), self-directedness (β = .20, p < .05), and self-transcendence (β = .18, p < .05). Also, PTSD symptoms had considerable negative effect on all dimensions of QoL. Self-transcendence was a positive predictor of subjective and spiritual QoL. SEM showed that QoL was predicted by PTSD symptoms (β = -.52, p < .001), trait resilience (β = .30, p < .001), cooperativeness (β = .135, p = 0.40), and self-directedness (β = .27, p < .01). The effect of self-directedness on QoL was mediated by PTSD symptoms and trait resilience. PTSD symptoms also mediated the relationship between trait resilience and QoL, and RS mediated the relationship of personality and PTSD symptoms. Conclusion: The study gives insights on prediction of PTSD severity, trait resilience and QoL from temperament and character traits, in a sample of people exposed to the Kiss nightclub fire. Harm avoidance was the most influent trait on PTSD symptoms and trait resilience. Self-directedness was the most import trait related to QoL, still that it was more related to PTSD severity than personality traits. Self-transcendence had positive effects on both PTSD symptoms and trait resilience, indicating a coping style that may coexist with psychopathology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current cancer diagnosis involves the use of nuclear morphology and chromatin condensation signatures for accurate advanced stage classification. While such diagnostic approaches rely on high resolution imaging of the cell nucleus using expensive microscopy systems, developing portable mobile microscopes to visualize nuclear and chromatin condensation patterns is desirable at clinical settings with limited infrastructure. In this study, we develop a portable fluorescent mobile microscope capable of acquiring high resolution images of the nucleus and chromatin. Using this we extracted nuclear morphometric and chromatin texture based features and were able to discriminate between normal and cancer cells with similar accuracy as wide-field fluorescence microscopy. We were also able to detect subtle changes in nuclear and chromatin features in cells subjected to compressive forces, cytoskeletal perturbations and cytokine stimulation, thereby highlighting the sensitivity of the portable microscope. Taken together, we present a versatile platform to exploit nuclear morphometrics and chromatin condensation features as physical biomarkers for point-of-care diagnostic solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caloric restriction (CR) improves health and life span in animal models. Although CR effects in adult life are well described, little is known about effects on offspring when applied during gestation. Pregnancy is a remarkable period of life, alterations in this stage lead to lifelong consequences, some of which, associated to redox unbalance. Furthermore, gestational overweight is a growing issue that can lead to detrimental outcomes. To address this issue, we divided pregnant rats into control (ad libitum food) and CR groups, which received 20% less food than control. Micronutrients consumption was equalized between groups by oral gavage. Cerebellum, prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and hypothalamus were evaluated on post-natal day (PND) 0, 7, 21, and 60. We observed increased oxidants content on PND0 in all brain structures, except for the cerebellum. Key enzymatic antioxidant defenses showed decreased activity on PND0. Interestingly, on PND60, we observed a positive modulation of most antioxidant enzymes, especially on the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Non-enzymatic antioxidant defenses were decreased at birth and increased during development and adult age. Lipid peroxidation was increased at birth on most structures, and the effect was abolished thereafter. In the prefrontal cortex, lipid peroxidation was unaltered at birth and diminished thereafter, while protein oxidation was increased on PND0 and decreased on PND60. Protein oxidation was also decreased in the cerebellum at adult age. Our results shown controlled gestational CR to improve antioxidant defenses and protect offspring's brain from oxidative stress, especially in adulthood, as a result of developmental metabolic programming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]