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Many factors influence the structure of natural assemblages. Species interaction and environmental factors may generate deterministic patterns, whereas dispersal and ecological drift may generate stochastic patterns. We used pond systems to understand how deterministic and stochastic factors interact and influence tadpole assemblages at different spatial scales. We used variation partitioning and a co-occurrence analysis to evaluate how local environment heterogeneity, species interaction, and spatial variables affected species composition at local and regional scales in Brazilian savanna. Both deterministic and stochastic processes were important to explain tadpole distribution at regional scale, but with a greater contribution of stochastic factors. At local scales, environmental and niche traits were more important to explain tadpole distribution into the habitats. We demonstrate that in Brazilian Cerrado, species composition can be explained by the 'MacArthur paradox,' in which niche processes are important at local scales, whereas dispersal constraints and population processes lead to stochastic patterns in species distribution at large spatial scales. Key words: Anuran larvae, environmental heterogeneity, co-occurrence, geographical scale, community ecology, 1. Introduction Multiple factors and processes can influence the distribution patterns of biological communities (Leibold and Chase 2018), such as historical events, interspecific interactions (Elton 1927; MacArthur and Levins 1967), [...]

Excessive fructose consumption is associated with the incidence of obesity and systemic inflammation, resulting in increased oxidative damage and failure to the function of brain structures. Thus, we hypothesized that fructose consumption will significantly increase inflammation, oxidative damage, and mitochondrial dysfunction in the mouse brain and, consequently, memory damage. The effects of different fructose concentrations on inflammatory and biochemical parameters in the mouse brain were evaluated. Male Swiss mice were randomized into four groups: control, with exclusive water intake, 5%, 10%, and 20% fructose group. The 10% and 20% fructose groups showed an increase in epididymal fat, in addition to higher food consumption. Inflammatory markers were increased in epididymal fat and in some brain structures. In the evaluation of oxidative damage, it was possible to observe significant increases in the hypothalamus, prefrontal cortex, and hippocampus. In the epididymal fat and in the prefrontal cortex, there was a decrease in the activity of the mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes and an increase in the striatum. Furthermore, short memory was impaired in the 10% and 20% groups but not long memory. In conclusion, excess fructose consumption can cause fat accumulation, inflammation, oxidative damage, and mitochondrial dysfunction, which can damage brain structures and consequently memory. Key words: fructose, obesity, inflammation, oxidative damage, mitochondrial respiratory chain, Introduction Over the past few decades, a phenomenon called nutritional transition has been dictating new dietary behaviors in different populations (Souza 2010). Epidemiological and, consequently, behavioral factors triggered habits linked [...]

Classical scoring functions may exhibit low accuracy in determining ligand binding affinity for proteins. The availability of both protein–ligand structures and affinity data make it possible to develop machine‐learning models focused on specific protein systems with superior predictive performance. Here, we report a new methodology named SAnDReS that combines AutoDock Vina 1.2 with 54 regression methods available in Scikit‐Learn to calculate binding affinity based on protein–ligand structures. This approach allows exploration of the scoring function space. SAnDReS generates machine‐learning models based on crystal, docked, and AlphaFold‐generated structures. As a proof of concept, we examine the performance of SAnDReS‐generated models in three case studies. For all three cases, our models outperformed classical scoring functions. Also, SAnDReS‐generated models showed predictive performance close to or better than other machine‐learning models such as KDEEP, CSM‐lig, and ΔVinaRF20. SAnDReS 2.0 is available to download at https://github.com/azevedolab/sandres. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to translate the Brief Autism Mealtime Behaviour Inventory (BAMBI) questionnaire to Brazilian Portuguese, in order to provide a tool to be used in clinic routine that encourages the evaluation of the feeding behaviour of patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The final sample contained 410 participants, the mean age was 9.58 [plus minus] 1.2 and the majority of participants were male (95%). Validation of this questionnaire allows a structured evaluation for this population to be integrated not only into the clinical routine but also to help parent's interventions about the eating problems and possible consequences. This is of utmost importance, since parents are reporting the nutritional aspects more often, and studies indicate that up to 80% of ASD patients may present feeding behavior problems.

AbstractPurposeMaterials and methodsResultsConclusions\nIMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONThis study aims to adapt and validate the Foot Health Status Questionnaire, developed by Bennett et al., in Portuguese patients with diabetic foot.A cross-sectional study was conducted with 143 patients with diabetic foot. A principal component analysis with oblique rotation and a confirmatory factor analysis using structural equation modeling were performed.The Portuguese version of the FHSQ (FHSQ-PT) in patients with diabetic foot remains equal to the original version, although with all factors correlated with each other. All scales presented high internal consistency values (pain: ω = 0.884; function: ω = 0.890; general foot health: ω = 0.910; and footwear: ω = 0.702), except for the footwear scale, although with a minimum acceptable coefficient. The FHSQ-PT scales showed good convergent validity and good discriminant validity. The FHSQ-PT scales were also able to discriminate between male and female patients as well as between patients with an active diabetic foot ulcer from those who did not.The results of the validated FHSQ-PT for Portuguese patients with diabetic foot showed good psychometric properties, being a useful, objective, and small instrument that may be used in clinical practice by health professionals without consuming too much time.Diabetic foot ulcer has been consistently reported to be associated to lower health-related quality of life, impairing the patient’s everyday function.Validated comprehensive measures that assess specific dimensions related to foot health in patients with diabetic foot are needed.The Portuguese version of the Foot Health Status Questionnaire (FHSQ-PT) showed good psychometric properties.FHSQ-PT is a useful short instrument that may be used to measure foot health status in clinical practice by health professionals who provide care to patients with diabetic foot.Diabetic foot ulcer has been consistently reported to be associated to lower health-related quality of life, impairing the patient’s everyday function.Validated comprehensive measures that assess specific dimensions related to foot health in patients with diabetic foot are needed.The Portuguese version of the Foot Health Status Questionnaire (FHSQ-PT) showed good psychometric properties.FHSQ-PT is a useful short instrument that may be used to measure foot health status in clinical practice by health professionals who provide care to patients with diabetic foot. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Diabetic foot is one of the most serious complications of diabetes and foot ulcer recurrence has been associated with poor foot care. Educational programs may work as a vehicle for promoting knowledge and adequate foot self-care behaviors, reducing potential ulcerative complications in the diabetic foot, and promoting a better quality of life. This study protocol will analyze the impact of two different educational strategies – an instructive video (Experimental Group 1) compared to a foot care leaflet with real-time guided reading (Experimental Group 2) and standard care (Control Group) – on adherence and knowledge about diabetic foot care and patients' perception of their foot health. This study is a Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial of a non-pharmacological treatment. Participants need to have a diabetic foot diagnosis and attend a Diabetic Foot Multidisciplinary Consultation at two hospitals from the North of Portugal. Participants will be assessed at the first appointment of the diabetic foot consultation (T0), two weeks after (T1), and three months later, at follow-up (T2). Primary outcomes will be adherence and knowledge about diabetic foot care and general foot health. Secondary outcomes will be illness representations regarding diabetic foot. The results of this study will inform educational interventions to decrease diabetic foot ulcers, amputation rates, and the costs associated with both, contributing to foot care adherence and improve patient's quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]