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6-Fluoro-2-(aryl)quinoline-4-carboxylic acids 1-11 were synthesized via Pfitzinger reactions between 5-fluoroisatin and methyl aryl ketones. The molecules were studied regarding the impact of their substituent patterns (a-e) on their optical and bioactivity properties. All compounds were fluorescent in solution and had significant solvatochromic behavior, measured in tetrahydrofuran, dichloromethane, dimethylsulfoxide, acetonitrile, methanol, and water at different pHs. Compounds emitted in a broad spectral range from ultraviolet to green, with quantum efficiencies, varying from very weak (ex.: <0.5 % for 1a in DMSO and MeOH) to moderate-strong (∼35 % for 11e in dichloromethane). A biomonitoring of the synthetized compounds reveals antimicrobial and larvicidal (Aedes aegypti mosquitoes) profile. Gram-positive bacterial and fungal species showed greater sensitivity to the 11e, that presented both bactericidal and fungicidal nature. This compound with a methylenedioxy substituent showed favourable interactions with Dehydrosqualene synthase (DQS) and Squalene synthase (SQS), well-validated antimicrobial targets, considering key residues in the complex formation. The molecule also presented a good larvicidal profile, ranking second in terms of significant LC50 values. Thus, 11e has demonstrated an advantage scaffold for future biological tests in other organisms or at the cellular level., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2025 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Mother's own milk (MOM) is the most complete nutritional resource for newborns. In cases where mothers are unable to produce sufficient milk or cannot breastfeed, the preferred alternative is pasteurized donor human milk (PDM), which is routinely provided by human milk banks. PDM offers a superior range of nutritional and immunological elements compared to any commercially available formula. However, to ensure biosafety, PDM undergoes pasteurization, a process that inactivates commensal microbiota and reduces certain bioactive compounds. This study presents a protocol designed to restore the microbiota of PDM using MOM as a microbial source, adapting the approach to a real-world clinical setting. The protocol was implemented in a clinical trial conducted at a maternity hospital and its associated human milk bank, with the aim of providing personalized donor milk to preterm infants whose mothers cannot produce sufficient milk. The methodology involves inoculating PDM with 10% of MOM, followed by incubation at 37 °C for 4 h. Microbiological analysis demonstrated successful bacterial growth in the inoculated milk (IM) post incubation, with the microbiota profile of the reconstituted milk (RM) closely resembling that of MOM, indicating effective microbiota restoration. These results suggest that the reconstitution protocol is feasible for implementation in neonatal care, with the potential to enhance the nutritional and immunological quality of PDM, thereby supporting the health and development of non-breastfed newborns.

Orofacial pain is one of the most common causes of chronic pain leading to physical and cognitive disability. Several clinical and pre-clinical studies suggest that chronic pain results in cognitive impairment. However, there is a lack of meta-analyses examining the effects of orofacial pain models on behavioral learning and memory in rodents. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate whether orofacial pain models can impair learning and memory in rodents. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023355502). We used CAMARADES and SYRCLE to estimate the quality and the publication bias by using Egger's and Begg's test. Here, 21 studies were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. We included 12 studies with trigeminal neuralgia models, 4 with migraine-like pain models, 4 with tooth nociception, and 1 with acute orofacial pain model. Spontaneous nociception and facial mechanical allodynia were observed in orofacial pain models. Regarding spatial learning we detected that latency to find the platform in the Morris water maze (MWM) was increased in orofacial pain models (related to facial mechanical allodynia or spontaneous nociception). Although the mean quality of the articles was high, we identify publication bias in the Begg's test for the time in the quadrant in the MWM. Our findings revealed that spontaneous nociception and facial mechanical allodynia in orofacial pain models contribute to the working memory and spatial learning dysfunction. Therefore, further studies are still needed to evaluate the influence of sex, age, social isolation, and environmental enrichment in orofacial pain-related learning and memory., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2025 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

There are discrepancies in resources and expertise available between pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) in Brazil that likely significantly impact the clinical outcomes of patients. The goal of this study was to evaluate the impact of telemedicine rounding support in two public PICUs located in the North and Northeast regions of Brazil. Our intervention involves telehealth rounds connecting two "level II" PICUs with specialist doctors from a hospital of recognized excellence. A before-and-after study was carried out to evaluate telemedicine's impact on PICUs between December 2018 and July 2019. Nine hundred and forty patients were evaluated during this period (426 pre-telemedicine, 514 post-telemedicine). The intervention occurred through telerounds between the command center and the ICUs assisted by telemedicine. In unit A, the implementation of telemedicine reduced the mortality rate from 18.86% to 9.29%, while in unit B, it decreased from 10.76% to 9.72%. There was no change in the median length of stay in unit A, but in unit B, it increased from 6 to 8 days. Logistic regression analysis confirmed a significant reduction in mortality in unit A (odds ratio (OR) 0.50; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.29-0.86). The study found a positive correlation between adherence to telemedicine recommendations and mortality reduction across both units. This suggests that telemedicine can effectively improve outcomes in PICUs, particularly in regions with limited health-care resources., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Syphilis, a global healthcare burden, is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the spirochete Treponema pallidum , a spiral-shaped, Gram-negative obligate human pathogen. Despite its easy identification and treatability, the disease affects over 50 million people worldwide, with 8 million new cases in the 15-49 age group annually, as per the WHO 2024 report. If left untreated, syphilis progresses through its primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary stages, causing severe complications like neurosyphilis, congenital syphilis, and organ damage. The first-line treatment, penicillin, faces challenges, including logistical issues, shortages, allergic reactions, and patient non-compliance. Secondary treatment options are sparse, and there are reported cases of T. pallidum strains resistant to those antibiotics. The absence of an effective vaccine for syphilis has led to efforts to control its spread through sexual education, condom usage, and post-exposure prophylaxis with doxycycline, which raises concerns about antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The continued reliance on penicillin and the increasing rates of doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (DoxyPEP) use have both contributed to concerns about AMR development. Recent works pointing to emerging antibiotic resistance and treatment failures highlight the urgent need for new antibiotics to manage syphilis effectively and reduce dependency on penicillin. This review has focused on the shortcomings and limitations of penicillin treatment, recently identified antimicrobial-resistant strains of T. pallidum , and case studies where its application failed to treat the disease adequately.

The development of the human neocortex is highly dynamic, involving complex cellular trajectories controlled by gene regulation 1 . Here we collected paired single-nucleus chromatin accessibility and transcriptome data from 38 human neocortical samples encompassing both the prefrontal cortex and the primary visual cortex. These samples span five main developmental stages, ranging from the first trimester to adolescence. In parallel, we performed spatial transcriptomic analysis on a subset of the samples to illustrate spatial organization and intercellular communication. This atlas enables us to catalogue cell-type-specific, age-specific and area-specific gene regulatory networks underlying neural differentiation. Moreover, combining single-cell profiling, progenitor purification and lineage-tracing experiments, we have untangled the complex lineage relationships among progenitor subtypes during the neurogenesis-to-gliogenesis transition. We identified a tripotential intermediate progenitor subtype-tripotential intermediate progenitor cells (Tri-IPCs)-that is responsible for the local production of GABAergic neurons, oligodendrocyte precursor cells and astrocytes. Notably, most glioblastoma cells resemble Tri-IPCs at the transcriptomic level, suggesting that cancer cells hijack developmental processes to enhance growth and heterogeneity. Furthermore, by integrating our atlas data with large-scale genome-wide association study data, we created a disease-risk map highlighting enriched risk associated with autism spectrum disorder in second-trimester intratelencephalic neurons. Our study sheds light on the molecular and cellular dynamics of the developing human neocortex., Competing Interests: Competing interests: A.R.K. is a co-founder, consultant and director of Neurona Therapeutics. J.L. is a co-founder and a member of the scientific advisory board of SensOmics, Inc. The other authors declare no competing interests., (© 2025. The Author(s).)

Background: NETosis is recognized as an important source of autoantigens. Therefore, we hypothesized whether the pristane-induced lupus mice model shows early activation of neutrophils, the presence of low-density granulocytes (LDGs), and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) release, which could contribute to the development of a lupus phenotype., Methods: Twelve female wild-type Balb/c mice were intraperitoneally injected with pristane (n = 6; pristane group) or saline (n = 6; control group). Five days after the injection, blood, peritoneal lavage, bone marrow, and spleen samples were collected for flow cytometry analyses of activated neutrophils (Ly6G+CD11b+), LDGs (CD15+CD14low), and NETs release (Sytox Green+)., Results: The pristane-induced mice group had a significantly increased number of blood activated neutrophils and LDGs as well as NETs released by these cells compared to the saline-injected control group and the basal values determined 12 days before the injection. The pristane group also had a significantly increased number of activated neutrophils, LDGs, and NETs released compared to the control group for the peritoneal lavage and bone marrow, except total cell count in spleen., Conclusions: We demonstrated early changes in the innate immune response such as an increased number of activated neutrophils and LDGs and mainly increased NETosis in the pristane-induced mice model which may be considered as the primary event triggering lupus development., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2025 Carrasco et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Context: The outcomes related to cardiovascular risk (CVR) in patients with the nonclassical form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (NCAH) are unknown, especially those related to therapeutic options, including low doses of glucocorticoids or oral contraceptive pills., Objectives: To analyze CVR by markers of atherosclerosis in females with the nonclassical form according to therapeutic options., Design and Setting: A cross-sectional study at a tertiary center., Patients and Methods: Forty-seven females with NCAH (33.4 ± 10 years) were subdivided into group 1 (G1) (n = 28) treated with dexamethasone (0.14 ± 0.05 mg/m2/day), group 2 (G2) (n = 19) treated with oral contraceptive pills, and group 3 (G3) (30 matched controls). CVR was analyzed through serum lipids, the Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), inflammatory cytokines levels, and quantitative image evaluations [pulse wave velocity (PWV), endothelial function by flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), carotid intima media thickness (CIMT), and visceral fat (VAT) by abdominal tomography]., Results: There were no statistically significant differences in BMI, HOMA-IR, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, or triglyceride levels among groups (P > .05). Serum interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels were higher in G1 than in G2 (P = .048), and interleukin 8 (IL-8) levels were higher in G1 than in G2/3 (P = .008). There were no statistically significant differences in VAT, PWV, FMD, or CIMT among groups (P > .05). In multivariable regression analysis, there was no statistically significant association between glucocorticoid dose and evaluated outcomes., Conclusion: Adult females with NCAH did not show increased CVR using methodologies for detection of precocious atherosclerosis. Although patients receiving dexamethasone therapy had increased IL-6 and IL-8 levels, these data were not associated with radiological markers of atherosclerosis. Our cohort was composed of young adults and should be reevaluated in a long-term follow-up., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Endocrine Society.)

Background: This study investigated the self-rated general health, mental health, and work absenteeism among patients with laboratory-confirmed chikungunya., Methods: Telephone interviews were conducted with 63 patients ≥22 months after infection., Results: Patients who reported (N=42) or did not report (N=21) chronic arthralgia, defined by duration ≥90 days, had different frequencies for low scores for general health (68.3% vs. 30.0%, respectively; prevalence ratio, 95% confidence interval: 2.3, 1.1-4.6), symptoms of depression (31.7% vs. 15.0%; 2.1, 0.7-6.6), symptoms of anxiety (43.9% vs. 35.0%; 1.3, 0.6-2.5), and work absenteeism (76.5% and 40.0%; 1.9, 0.9-4.2)., Conclusions: Chikungunya chronic arthralgia impacts long-term health and work.

Santa Quitéria, a city in northeastern Brazil, faces significant challenges in ensuring the availability of potable water due to its semi-arid climate and limited water resources. This study investigates the radiological quality of surface waters commonly used by the population for drinking and by animals for hydration. Water samples were collected from six different locations over a 25-month period, and the concentrations of naturally occurring radionuclides were measured using spectrophotometric analysis, total alpha, and gross beta counting. The mean activity concentrations of U nat , 226 Ra, 210 Pb, 232 Th, and 228 Ra were determined to be 9.89∙10 -2 , 5.35∙10 -2 , 5.86∙10 -2 , 6.89∙10 -3 , and 2.81∙10 -3 Bq∙L -1 , respectively. Statistical methods, such as cluster and factor analysis, were applied to understand the distribution patterns of these radionuclides. The study also estimated dose rates from radionuclide intake, with a maximum value of 108.5 µSv·y -1 , and compared the results against dose limits set by relevant organizations. Furthermore, the risks of morbidity and mortality from radionuclide intake were assessed, revealing the need for optimization at one sampling point where the health risks exceeded intervention thresholds., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Canine leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease whose agents are transmitted through the bites of infected phlebotomine sand flies. This disease is endemic in tropical and subtropical regions, including Brazil. However, information on its prevalence in dogs in some Brazilian states remains limited. This study aimed to assess the seroprevalence of canine leishmaniasis in Rio Branco, Brazil. Blood samples were collected from 375 dogs aged > 6 months. Two distinct serological methods, dual path platform test (DPP) and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), were used to investigate the occurrence of anti-Leishmania spp. antibodies. The results showed a seroprevalence of 38.1%, indicating that the disease occurred in this region. Blood samples considered positive in at least one of the serological methods were subjected to conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which confirmed the presence of infection in 28.3% (106/375) of the total samples. This is the first study to provide detailed information on the seroprevalence of canine leishmaniasis in dogs in Rio Branco, highlighting the importance of disease surveillance and control. Effective actions, such as education campaigns on sand fly prevention and control measures, are necessary to reduce the occurrence of canine and human leishmaniasis in cities.

The Brazilian western Amazon is experiencing its largest laboratory-confirmed Oropouche virus (OROV) outbreak, with more than 6,300 reported cases between 2022 and 2024. In this study, we sequenced and analyzed 382 OROV genomes from human samples collected in Amazonas, Acre, Rondônia and Roraima states, between August 2022 and February 2024, to uncover the origin and genetic evolution of OROV in the current outbreak. Genomic analyses revealed that the upsurge of OROV cases in the Brazilian Amazon coincides with spread of a novel reassortant lineage containing the M segment of viruses detected in the eastern Amazon region (2009-2018) and the L and S segments of viruses detected in Peru, Colombia and Ecuador (2008-2021). The novel reassortant likely emerged in the Amazonas state between 2010 and 2014 and spread through long-range dispersion events during the second half of the 2010s. Phylodynamics reconstructions showed that the current OROV spread was driven mainly by short-range (< 2 km) movements consistent with the flight range of vectors. Nevertheless, a substantial proportion (22%) of long-range (>10 km) OROV migrations were also detected, consistent with viral dispersion by humans. Our data provide a view of the unprecedented spread and evolution of OROV in the Brazilian western Amazon region., Competing Interests: Competing interests: All authors declare that no conflicts of interest exist., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature America, Inc.)

This is the first reported case of Bertiella mucronata infection in a black-and-gold howler monkey (Alouatta caraya) in Brazil. The present study confirms the widespread of B. mucronata in South America and suggest that black-and-gold howler monkeys may serve as viable reservoirs for B. mucronata., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Products from stingless bees are rich reservoirs of microbial diversity, including yeasts with fermentative potential. Previously, two Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains, JP14 and IP9, were isolated from Jataí (Tetragonisca angustula) and Iraí (Nannotrigona testaceicornis) bees, respectively, aiming at mead production. Both strains presented great osmotic and sulfite tolerance, and ethanol production, although they have a high free amino nitrogen demand. Herein, their genomes were sequenced, assembled, and annotated, and the variants were compared to the S. cerevisiae S288c reference strain. The final assembly of IP9 and JP14 presented high N50 and BUSCO scores, and more than 6430 protein-coding genes. Additionally, nQuire predicted the ploidy of IP9 as diploid, but the results were not enough to determine the ploidy of JP14. The mitochondrial genomes of IP9 and JP14 presented the same gene content as S288c but the genes were rearranged and fragmented in different patterns. Meanwhile, the genes with mutations of high impact (e.g., indels, gain of stop codon) for both yeasts were enriched for transmembrane transport, electron transfer, oxidoreductase, heme binding, fructose, mannose, and glucose transport, activities related to the respiratory chain and sugar metabolism. The IP9 strain presented copy number gains in genes related to sugar transport and cell morphogenesis; in JP14, genes were enriched for disaccharide metabolism and transport, response to reactive oxygen species, and polyamine transport. On the other hand, IP9 presented copy number losses related to disaccharide, thiamine, and aldehyde metabolism, while JP14 presented depletions related to disaccharide, oligosaccharide, asparagine, and aspartate metabolism. Notably, both strains presented a killer toxin gene, annotated from the assembling of unmapped reads, representing a potential mechanism for the control of other microorganisms population in the environment. Therefore, the annotated genomes of JP14 and IP9 presented a high selective pressure for sugar and nitrogen metabolism and stress response, consistent with their isolation source and fermentative properties., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The biodiversity crisis is a global phenomenon, and measures to monitor, stop, and revert the impacts on species' extinction risk are urgently needed. Megadiverse countries, especially in the Global South, are responsible for managing and protecting Earth's biodiversity. Various initiatives have started to sequence reference-level genomes or perform large-scale species detection and monitoring through environmental DNA. Here, we outline the Genomics of the Brazilian Biodiversity (GBB) consortium that is contributing to public policies on the conservation and management of Brazilian species. We describe our unique public-private governance and lessons in setting up a genomic consortium in a megadiverse country of continental scale. We explore the challenges while sharing knowledge for similar initiatives in the Global South. Ultimately, we aim to encourage Brazilian institutions and other megadiverse countries to invest and participate in large-scale genomic initiatives, demonstrating their commitment to preserving and monitoring their exceptional natural heritage while contributing to global biodiversity conservation., Competing Interests: Declaration of interests The authors declare no competing interests., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) has been applied to determine salivary biomarkers with high sensitivity and cost-effectiveness. Our study aimed to test the hypothesis that the spectral profile of saliva demonstrates distinct vibrational modes corresponding to different exercise protocols, thereby facilitating exercise monitoring. Saliva samples were collected from trained male subjects at three intervals: pre-exercise, post-exercise, and 3 h post-exercise. The protocols included acute sessions of continuous exercise (CE), high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE), and resistance exercise (RE). ATR-FTIR analysis revealed that salivary biochemical components changed uniquely with each exercise protocol. Specific spectral vibrational modes were identified as potential biomarkers for each exercise type. Notably, the salivary spectrum pattern of CE closely resembled that of HIIE, whereas RE showed minor alterations. Furthermore, we attempted to apply an algorithm capable of distinguishing the spectral range that differentiates the exercise modalities. This pioneering study is the first to compare changes in saliva spectra following different exercise protocols and to suggest spectrum peaks of vibrational modes as markers for specific types of exercises. We emphasize that the spectral wavenumbers identified by FTIR could serve as practical markers in distinguishing between different exercise modalities, with sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy correlating with the metabolic changes induced by exercise. Therefore, this study contributes a panel of ATR-FTIR spectral wavenumbers that can be referenced as a spectral signature capable of distinguishing between resistance and endurance exercises., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Objectives: Since peri-implantitis is an increasing and prevalent concern in clinical practice and there is no consensus regarding the best therapeutic protocol, this study evaluated the knowledge and behaviours of dentists working in Implantology regarding implant-related infections modulating factors and therapeutic protocols used in the management of peri-implantitis., Methods: Cross-sectional study was conducted with 86 Brazilian Implantology clinicians. Data were collected using a structured and online questionnaire evaluating socioeconomic characteristics, education, work/clinical practice, knowledge and attitudes regarding the risk factors and management of peri-implantitis. The reliability of the questionnaire was evaluated by test-retest technique. The questionnaire was developed based on the last consensus on peri-implant diseases (2018) and the current evidence related to implant-related infections. Descriptive, bivariate and logistic regression analyses were conducted adopting a significance level of 5%., Results: In this study, 89.5% of included dentists reported that already treated patients with peri-implantitis. Approximately 80% of dentists use antibiotics and mouth rinses during the treatment, and surgical procedures seem the main choice to treat peri-implantitis (91.8%) by dentists. As a preventive approach, 94.2% of dentists reported that routinely assessed biofilm accumulation in the follow-up visits after implant placement. Logistic regression showed that the self-reported ability to treat peri-implantitis was statistically (p < 0.05) higher among dentists who reported abilities to diagnose the disease and use laser for peri-implantitis treatment., Conclusion: Dentists working in Implantology have a good level of knowledge and behaviors in the management of peri-implantitis. However, the lack of consensus regarding the best treatment protocols may reflect dentist's behaviours because different treatment protocols have been used by evaluated clinicians., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Objective: To translate and validate the Facial Feminization Surgery Outcomes Evaluation in Brazilian Portuguese., Methods: A standard back-translation method was applied to obtain the final Brazilian Portuguese language version. In total, 21 Brazilian native Portuguese speakers transgender women with surgical intent and 21 Brazilian native Portuguese speakers transgender women without surgical intent were included in the study. The FFSOE was administered to both groups and all patients underwent a test-retest two weeks later., Results: The FFSOE showed a high internal consistency with Cronbach's alpha greater than 0.8. The test-retest reliability was high with repeated measures being highly correlated in all items, except for item 3, where the difference was significant (p =  0.027)., Conclusion: The FFSOE showed reliability, internal consistency and reproducibility in the evaluations. It is easy to understand and quick to apply, making it a simple tool for pre- and post-operative assessment in facial feminization surgeries. THE OXFORD 2011 LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: Level 4., (Copyright © 2024 Associação Brasileira de Otorrinolaringologia e Cirurgia Cérvico-Facial. Published by Elsevier España S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a common psychiatric condition characterized by persistent and excessive worry, often accompanied by dysautonomic symptoms that significantly impact patients' well-being. Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive compound derived from cannabis, has shown potential as an anxiolytic through its partial agonism of the 5HT-1A receptor and its negative allosteric modulation of CB1 receptors, which may help mitigate the anxiogenic effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This study evaluates the impact of CBD on individuals diagnosed with various anxiety disorders, comparing its effects to placebo and conventional pharmaceutical treatments through a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). A systematic search of RCTs published between 2013 and 2023 was conducted across three databases using the terms "cannabidiol" and "anxiety". Out of the 284 articles identified, 11 met the eligibility criteria. The studies reviewed varied widely in terms of the types of anxiety disorders and CBD dosages examined, leading to results that were often contradictory. Despite these conflicting outcomes, the data suggest that CBD may reduce anxiety with minimal adverse effects when compared to a placebo. However, further RCTs with improved methodologies, encompassing a broad range of doses and continuous CBD administration across specific anxiety disorders, are needed. Unlike previous studies and meta-analyses, this review encompasses a broader spectrum of anxiety disorders and a variety of study designs and dosages, providing a more nuanced understanding of CBD's potential efficacy across different conditions.

Background: Research suggests a link between the urban built environment and blood pressure, potentially mediated by physical activity. This study aims to investigate the relationship between perceived neighborhood characteristics and blood pressure in older adults, as well as the mediating role of walking in this relationship., Methods: Data from the third wave of the EpiFloripa Aging Cohort Study in Florianopolis, Brazil (2017-2019; n = 1335) were used for this cross-sectional analysis. Blood pressure was measured using digital devices, and hypertension diagnosis relied on healthcare professionals' information. The neighborhood environment was assessed with the Abbreviated Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale, while walking was evaluated with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Multilevel logistic regression analyzed the association between the neighborhood environment, blood pressure, and hypertension. Structural equation modeling assessed the mediation effect of walking., Results: Hypertension prevalence was 85.3 %, with 69.0 % having objectively measured elevated blood pressure. Results showed that older adults perceiving better infrastructure for physical activity (OR: 0.88; CI: 0.78-0.99), increased safety in their neighborhood (OR: 0.88; CI: 0.79-0.99), traffic security (OR: 0.88; CI: 0.78-0.99) and better overall perception of the environment (OR: 0.73; IC: 0.55-0.98) had a lower likelihood of self-reported hypertension. The association between self-reported hypertension and overall perception of the environment was partially explained by leisure-time walking (β = -0.01; p < 0.05)., Conclusion: Our findings suggest that public policies promoting the establishment of safe and supportive spaces for physical activity emerge as essential measures in the prevention and management of hypertension in older adults., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Introduction: Probiotics provide therapeutic benefits not only in the gut but also other mucosal organs, including the lungs., Objective and Design: To evaluate the effects of the probiotic strain L. delbrueckii UFV-H2b20 oral administration in an experimental murine model of A. fumigatus pulmonary infection. BALB/c mice were associated with L. delbrueckii and infected with Aspergillus fumigatus and compared with non-associated group., Methods: We investigated survival, respiratory mechanics, histopathology, colony forming units, cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage, IgA in feces, efferocytosis, production of reactive oxygen species and the cell population in the mesenteric lymph nodes., Results: L. delbrueckii induces tolerogenic dendritic cells, IL-10 + macrophages and FoxP3 + regulatory T cells in mesenteric lymph nodes and increased IgA levels in feces; after infection with A. fumigatus, increased survival and decreased fungal burden. There was decreased lung vascular permeability without changes in the leukocyte profile. There was enhanced neutrophilic response and increased macrophage efferocytosis. L. delbrueckii-treated mice displayed more of FoxP3 + Treg cells, TGF-β and IL-10 levels in lungs, and concomitant decreased IL-1β, IL-17 A, and CXCL1 production., Conclusion: Uur results indicate that L. delbrueckii UFV H2b20 ingestion improves immune responses, controlling pulmonary A. fumigatus infection. L. delbrueckii seems to play a role in pathogenesis control by promoting immune regulation., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Robertsonian chromosomes are a type of variant chromosome found commonly in nature. Present in one in 800 humans, these chromosomes can underlie infertility, trisomies, and increased cancer incidence. Recognized cytogenetically for more than a century, their origins have remained mysterious. Recent advances in genomics allowed us to assemble three human Robertsonian chromosomes completely. We identify a common breakpoint and epigenetic changes in centromeres that provide insight into the formation and propagation of common Robertsonian translocations. Further investigation of the assembled genomes of chimpanzee and bonobo highlights the structural features of the human genome that uniquely enable the specific crossover event that creates these chromosomes. Resolving the structure and epigenetic features of human Robertsonian chromosomes at a molecular level paves the way to understanding how chromosomal structural variation occurs more generally, and how chromosomes evolve.

The paper describes the development of an open-source, low-cost, wearable hand myoelectrical orthosis (neuro-orthosis) device for people with hand disabilities. The device uses functional electrical stimulation (FES) driven by myoelectrical signals (MES) to assist hand movements, enabling users to perform daily activities with greater ease and independence. The device comprises a forearm-wearable device developed using the 3D additive manufacturing principle, allowing user customization. Fixed non-disposable electrodes are attached to the myoelectrical orthosis, aiding the correct positioning for the user. The whole control system is stand-alone, and parameters can be controlled by Bluetooth communication, making the device wireless. The paper describes the MES-FES device's design, development, and testing, including its technical specifications, usability, and effectiveness. The open-source project aims to provide an accessible and affordable solution for people with spinal cord lesions while contributing to the growing research on noninvasive muscle-machine interfaces.

Dietary sodium restriction increases plasma triglycerides (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) concentrations as well as causing insulin resistance and stimulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and the sympathetic nervous system. Stimulation of the angiotensin II type-1 receptor (AT1) is associated with insulin resistance, inflammation, and the inhibition of adipogenesis. The current study investigated whether aerobic exercise training (AET) mitigates or inhibits the adverse effects of dietary sodium restriction on adiposity, inflammation, and insulin sensitivity in periepididymal adipose tissue. LDL receptor knockout mice were fed either a normal-sodium (NS; 1.27% NaCl) or a low-sodium (LS; 0.15% NaCl) diet and were either subjected to AET for 90 days or kept sedentary. Body mass, blood pressure (BP), hematocrit, plasma TC, TG, glucose and 24-hour urinary sodium (U Na ) concentrations, insulin sensitivity, lipoprotein profile, histopathological analyses, and gene and protein expression were determined. The results were evaluated using two-way ANOVA. Differences were not observed in BP, hematocrit, diet consumption, and TC. The LS diet was found to enhance body mass, insulin resistance, plasma glucose, TG, LDL-C, and VLDL-TG and reduce U Na , HDL-C, and HDL-TG, showing a pro-atherogenic lipid profile. In periepididymal adipose tissue, the LS diet increased tissue mass, TG, TC, AT1 receptor, pro-inflammatory macro-phages contents, and the area of adipocytes; contrarily, the LS diet decreased anti-inflammatory macrophages, protein contents and the transcription of genes related to insulin sensitivity. The AET prevented insulin resistance, but did not protect against dyslipidemia, adipose tissue pro-inflammatory profile, increased tissue mass, AT1 receptor expression, TG, and TC induced by the LS diet.

Biodiversity data, particularly species occurrence and abundance, are indispensable for testing empirical hypothesis in natural sciences. However, datasets built for research programmes do not often meet FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable) principles, which raises questions about data quality, accuracy and availability. The 21 st century has markedly been a new era for data science and analytics and every effort to aggregate, standardise, filter and share biodiversity data from multiple sources have become increasingly necessary. In this study, we propose a framework for refining and conforming secondary biodiversity data to FAIR standards to make them available for use such as macroecological modelling and other studies. We relied on a Darwin Core base model to standardise and further facilitate the curation and validation of data related including the occurrence and abundance of multiple taxa of a region that encompasses estuarine ecosystems in an ecotonal area bordering the easternmost Amazonia. We further discuss the significance of feeding standardised public data repositories to advance scientific progress and highlight their role in contributing to the biodiversity management and conservation., Competing Interests: No conflict of interest to declare Disclaimer: This article is (co-)authored by any of the Editors-in-Chief, Managing Editors or their deputies in this journal., (Nubia Marques, Carla Danielle de Melo Soares, Daniel de Melo Casali, Erick Cristofore Guimarães, Fernanda Guimarães Fava, João Marcelo da Silva Abreu, Ligiane Martins Moras, Letícia Gomes da Silva, Raphael Matias, Rafael Leandro de Assis, Rafael Fraga, Sara Miranda Almeida, Vanessa Guimarães Lopes, Verônica Oliveira, Rafaela Missagia, Eduardo Costa Carvalho, Nikolas Jorge Carneiro, Ronnie Alves, Pedro Souza-Filho, Guilherme Oliveira, Margarida Miranda, Valéria da Cunha Tavares.)

The present work investigated the anxiolytic effect of the alkaloid fraction (AF II) from the root bark of Mimosa tenuiflora . Female Swiss mice of 6 weeks old were used in this study. The animals were divided into three groups: 0.9% NaCl (vehicle group, s.c.), AF II (6 mg/kg, s.c.), and diazepam - DZP (5 mg/kg, s.c.). The light/dark box and elevated plus maze tests evaluated the animal anxiety. DMT was identified by the HPLC method. AF II showed significant anxiolytic effects in the two behavioural tests used.

Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes exist in multiple copies arranged in tandem arrays known as ribosomal DNA (rDNA). The total number of gene copies is variable, and the mechanisms buffering this copy number variation remain unresolved. We surveyed the number, distribution, and activity of rDNA arrays at the level of individual chromosomes across multiple human and primate genomes. Each individual possessed a unique fingerprint of copy number distribution and activity of rDNA arrays. In some cases, entire rDNA arrays were transcriptionally silent. Silent rDNA arrays showed reduced association with the nucleolus and decreased interchromosomal interactions, indicating that the nucleolar organizer function of rDNA depends on transcriptional activity. Methyl-sequencing of flow-sorted chromosomes, combined with long read sequencing, showed epigenetic modification of rDNA promoter and coding region by DNA methylation. Silent arrays were in a closed chromatin state, as indicated by the accessibility profiles derived from Fiber-seq. Removing DNA methylation restored the transcriptional activity of silent arrays. Array activity status remained stable through the iPS cell re-programming. Family trio analysis demonstrated that the inactive rDNA haplotype can be traced to one of the parental genomes, suggesting that the epigenetic state of rDNA arrays may be heritable. We propose that the dosage of rRNA genes is epigenetically regulated by DNA methylation, and these methylation patterns specify nucleolar organizer function and can propagate transgenerationally.

Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) is a rare, multisystemic, inflammatory, non-Langerhans cell histiocytic neoplasm. The discovery of recurrent and somatic mutations in the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway, most commonly BRAF V600E , has led to a reclassification of ECD from an inflammatory disorder to a neoplastic process. It is now included in the revised 2016 World Health Organization classification of hematopoietic tumors and in the Langerhans group in the revised 2016 Histiocytosis Classification of the Histiocyte Society. When symptomatic, ECD most commonly manifests with bone pain and fatigue. Also, neurologic manifestations, central diabetes insipidus, exophthalmos, and periorbital xanthelasma-like lesions are frequently encountered. Pathologic findings may vary depending on the site of biopsy and may display a spectrum of features. Thus, due to the diverse clinical presentation and variable histologic findings, imaging can often show the first sign of the disease. Radiologic findings are, however, interpreted in conjunction with clinical and histologic findings to establish the diagnosis of ECD. From providing classic findings that facilitate diagnosis to helping radiologists determine the extent of disease and predicting a prognosis, the role of radiology in ECD has evolved with the understanding of the disease itself. Insights into the molecular pathogenesis and the development of targeted therapeutic agents along with approval of vemurafenib and cobimetinib have necessitated revision of the guidelines for the management of ECD. The authors discuss various radiologic findings of ECD and differential diagnoses by using an organ system-based approach and briefly describe the revised consensus recommendations for evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment based on the International Medical Symposia on ECD from a radiologist's perspective. © RSNA, 2024 Supplemental material is available for this article. The full digital presentation is available online.

Aims: This systematic review aimed to investigate the occurrence of moderate and severe adverse drug reactions (ADRs) to antimicrobials among hospitalized children., Methods: The PubMed/Medline, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, Lilacs and CINAHL databases were searched in April 2023 to systematically review the published data describing the characteristics of moderate and severe ADRs to antimicrobials among hospitalized children. The search was carried out without date restrictions, up to the search date (April, 2023)., Results: At the end of the selection process, 30 articles met the inclusion criteria. Cutaneous reactions were the primary serious clinical manifestations in most articles (19/30), followed by erythema multiforme (71 cases), Stevens-Johnson syndrome (72 cases), and toxic epidermal necrolysis (22 cases). The main antimicrobials involved in moderate and severe ADRs were penicillins, cephalosporins and sulfonamides. Regarding the primary outcomes, 30% (9/30) of the articles reported deaths, and 46.7% (14/30) of studies reported increased lengths of hospital stay, need for intensive care, and transfer to another hospital. Regarding the main interventions, 10% (3/30) of the articles mentioned greater monitoring, suspension, medication substitution or prescription of specific medications for the symptomatology., Conclusions: The findings of this review could be used to identify areas for improvement and help health professionals and policymakers develop strategies. In addition, we emphasize the importance of knowing about ADRs so that there is adequate management to avoid undesirable consequences., (© 2024 British Pharmacological Society.)

Traumatic spinal cord injury is a major cause of disability for which there are currently no fully effective treatments. Recent studies using epidural electrical stimulation have shown significant advances in motor rehabilitation, even when applied during chronic phases of the disease. The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of epidural electric stimulation in the motor recovery of rats with spinal cord injury. Furthermore, we aimed to elucidate the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying motor recovery. First, we improved upon the impact spinal cord injury model to cause severe and permanent motor deficits lasting up to 2 months. Next, we developed and tested an implantable epidural spinal cord stimulator device for rats containing an electrode and an implantable generator. Finally, we evaluated the efficacy of epidural electrical stimulation on motor recovery after spinal cord injury in Wistar rats. A total of 60 animals were divided into the following groups: (i) severe injury with epidural electrical stimulation (injury + stim, n = 15), (ii) severe injury without stimulation (group injury, n = 15), (iii) sham implantation without battery (sham, n = 15), and (iv) a control group, without surgical intervention (control, n = 15). All animals underwent weekly evaluations using the Basso, Beattie, Bresnahan (BBB) locomotor rating scale index, inclined plane, and OpenField test starting one week before the lesion and continuing for eight weeks. After this period, the animals were sacrificed and their spinal cords were explanted and prepared for histological analysis (hematoxylin-eosin) and immunohistochemistry for NeuN, β-III-tubulin, synaptophysin, and Caspase 3. Finally, NeuN-positive neuronal nuclei were quantified through stereology; fluorescence signal intensities for β-tubulin, synaptophyin, and Caspase 3 were quantified using an epifluorescence microscope. The injury + stim group showed significant improvement on the BBB scale compared with the injured group after the 5th week ( p < 0.05). Stereological analysis showed a significantly higher average count of neural cells in the injury + stim group in relation to the injury group (1783 ± 2 vs. 897 ± 3, p < 0.001). Additionally, fluorescence signal intensity for synaptophysin was significantly higher in the injury + stim group in relation to the injury group (1294 ± 46 vs. 1198 ± 23, p < 0.01); no statistically significant difference was found in β-III-tubulin signal intensity. Finally, Caspase 3 signal intensity was significantly lower in the stim group (727 ± 123) compared with the injury group (1225 ± 87 p < 0.05), approaching levels observed in the sham and control groups. Our data suggest a regenerative and protective effect of epidural electrical stimulation in rats subjected to impact-induced traumatic spinal cord injury.

The development of the human neocortex is a highly dynamic process and involves complex cellular trajectories controlled by cell-type-specific gene regulation 1 . Here, we collected paired single-nucleus chromatin accessibility and transcriptome data from 38 human neocortical samples encompassing both the prefrontal cortex and primary visual cortex. These samples span five main developmental stages, ranging from the first trimester to adolescence. In parallel, we performed spatial transcriptomic analysis on a subset of the samples to illustrate spatial organization and intercellular communication. This atlas enables us to catalog cell type-, age-, and area-specific gene regulatory networks underlying neural differentiation. Moreover, combining single-cell profiling, progenitor purification, and lineage-tracing experiments, we have untangled the complex lineage relationships among progenitor subtypes during the transition from neurogenesis to gliogenesis in the human neocortex. We identified a tripotential intermediate progenitor subtype, termed Tri-IPC, responsible for the local production of GABAergic neurons, oligodendrocyte precursor cells, and astrocytes. Remarkably, most glioblastoma cells resemble Tri-IPCs at the transcriptomic level, suggesting that cancer cells hijack developmental processes to enhance growth and heterogeneity. Furthermore, by integrating our atlas data with large-scale GWAS data, we created a disease-risk map highlighting enriched ASD risk in second-trimester intratelencephalic projection neurons. Our study sheds light on the gene regulatory landscape and cellular dynamics of the developing human neocortex., Competing Interests: Competing interests: A.R.K. is a co-founder, consultant, and director of Neurona Therapeutics. The remaining authors declare no competing interests.

Chagas disease (CD), caused by the flagellated protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), affects approximately 7 million people worldwide and is endemic in Latin America, especially among socioeconomically disadvantaged populations. Since the 1960s, only two drugs have been commercially available for treating this illness: nifurtimox (NFX) and benznidazole (BZN). Although these drugs are effective in the acute phase (AP) of the disease, in which parasitemia is usually high, their cure rates in the chronic phase (CP) are low and often associated with several side effects. The CP is characterized by a subpatent parasitaemia and absence of clinical symptoms in the great majority of infected individuals. However, at least 30 % of the individuals will develop potentially lethal symptomatic forms, including cardiac and digestive manifestations. For such reason, in the CP the treatment is usually symptomatic and typically focuses on managing complications such as arrhythmias, heart failure, or digestive problems. Therefore, the need for new drugs or therapeutic approaches using BZN or NFX is extremely urgent. This review presents the main clinical trials, especially in the CP, which involve BZN and NFX in different treatment regimens. Additionally, other therapies using combinations of these drugs with other substances such as allopurinol, itraconazole, ravuconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole and amiodarone are also reported. The importance of early diagnosis, especially in pediatric patients, is also discussed, emphasizing the need to identify the disease in its early stages to improve the chances of successful treatment., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

The urgent need for a simple and cost-effective thermochemical process to produce biochar has prompted this study. The aim was to develop a straightforward thermochemical process under O 2 -limited conditions for the production of coconut-based biochar (CBB) and to assess its ability to remove methylene blue (MB) through adsorption, comparing it with CBB produced by slow pyrolysis. CBBs were obtained under different atmospheric conditions (O 2 -limited, muffle furnace biochar (MFB); and inert, pyrolytic reactor biochar (PRB)), at 350, 500, and 700 °C, and for 30 and 90'. MFB and PRB were characterized using FTIR, RAMAN, SEM, EDS, and XRD analyses. Adsorption tests were conducted using 1.0 g L -1 of MFB and PRB, 10 mg L -1 of MB at 25 °C for 48 h. Characterization revealed that atmospheric conditions significantly influenced the yield and structural features of the materials. PRB exhibited higher yields and larger cavities than MFB, but quite similar spectral features. Adsorption tests indicated that MFB and PRB had q t values of 33.1 and 9.2 mg g- 1 , respectively, which were obtained at 700 °C and 90', and 700 °C and 30', respectively. This alternative method produced an innovative and promising lignocellulose-based material with great potential to be used as a biosorbent., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Parkinson's disease (PD) is estimated to impact up to 1 % of the global population aged 60 years and older. Among the non-motor manifestations of idiopathic PD, radicular neuropathic pain emerges as a noteworthy concern due to its potential for debility in affected individuals. In, this systematic review and meta-analysis we aimed to evaluate the prevalence of radicular neuropathic pain and thus provide evidence of how this painful symptom affects the lives of patients with idiopathic PD. We registered the research protocol for this study in PROSPERO (CRD42022327220). We searched the Embase, Scopus, and PubMed platforms for studies on PD and neuropathic pain until April 2023. The search yielded 36 articles considered to have a low risk of bias. The prevalence of radicular neuropathic pain in patients with PD was 12.7 %, without a difference when we consider the duration of diagnosis (cut-off < 7 years) or levodopa dosage (cut-off <600 mg/dL). Moreover, there was no variation in the prevalence of radicular neuropathic pain regarding a Hoehn and Yahr stage cut-off of <2.5 or >2.5. Of note, a limited number of patients received pain treatment (21.5 %). We also found that the source of publication bias is the use of the Ford criteria (FC), suggesting that this type of diagnostic criteria may contribute to an underdiagnosis of radicular neuropathic pain in patients with PD. This study underlines the necessity for a more discerning and comprehensive approach to the diagnosis and management of radicular neuropathic pain in patients with idiopathic PD., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Gabriela Trevisan reports financial support was provided by Coordination of Higher Education Personnel Improvement. Gabriela Trevisan reports a relationship with Coordination of Higher Education Personnel Improvement that includes: funding grants. If there are other authors, they declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

One of the most common complications of neurogenic bladder secondary to spinal cord injury (SCI) is urinary incontinence, which is possibly related to bladder-emptying methods and changes in quality of life. This study aimed to identify the occurrence of this complication in adults with SCI and analyze its relationship with bladder-emptying methods, satisfaction, and lifestyle. This is a quantitative, exploratory, and cross-sectional study. The variables were collected using the Bowel and Bladder Treatment Index during a telephone interview with 290 participants from February to November 2021. According to the results, 70% of the participants were male and 74.1% performed clean intermediate catheterization (CIC) as the main bladder-emptying method. Moreover, 55.6% were considered incontinent in the last year. Emptying by normal urination and bladder reflex triggering had a statistically significant relationship with urinary incontinence. A statistical association was observed between all the variables of satisfaction and lifestyle with urinary incontinence. Although CIC reduced urine leakage, a considerable number of participants still presented with frequent urine leakage. Urinary incontinence had a negative impact on satisfaction with the bladder-emptying method, effectiveness of bladder management, quality of life, and personal and social relationships.

Familial partial lipodystrophy (FPLD) is a very rare genetic disease characterized by insulin resistance due to a loss of subcutaneous fat from the extremities together with a progressive storage of fat around the face and neck and inside the abdomen. In over 50% of cases, molecular genetic testing reveals pathogenic variants in two nuclear genes, LMNA and PPARG. The case reported here refers to a woman phenotypically diagnosed with FPLD, who presented with diabetes and multiple cervical lipomatosis and in whom no variant had been found in the nuclear genes classically associated with this syndrome that could explain her phenotype. Genetic sequencing using a target panel containing 48 nuclear genes related to monogenic diabetes plus the whole mitochondrial genome revealed the mitochondrial variant m.A8344G in 84.1% heteroplasmy. Following molecular diagnosis, her phenotype was expanded with the recognition of additional clinical characteristics: mild sensorineural hearing loss, proximal myopathy, fatigue, cognitive impairment, sensory ataxia, cardiac abnormalities and, finally, muscle biopsy findings compatible with mitochondrial disease. Therefore, careful and detailed phenotypic and genotypic reanalysis proved crucial in improving molecular diagnosis in FPLD., Competing Interests: Disclosure: no potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Spondias tuberosa Arruda (Anacardiaceae), popularly known as umbuzeiro or imbuzeiro, is a fruit tree native to the semiarid region of Brazil. The extractive harvesting of its fruits contributes significantly to the economy, generating an annual revenue of approximately $4,2 million. The present study aimed to assess the spatial pattern, allometric variations, fruit measurements, and genetic diversity of trees within a remaining forest of the Caatinga biome, with a focus on intrapopulation analysis. We used intersimple repeated sequence markers and the second-order function density of neighbours to determine the genetic and spatial structure. The density of neighbours was highest within a 10-meter radius. Biometric analyses revealed average fruit lengths of 31.12 mm (±0.22), diameters of 28.68 mm (±0.25), and fresh masses of 15.56 g (±0.33). Diaspores exhibited an average length, diameter, and thickness of 19.27 mm, 13.95 mm, and 11.14 mm, respectively, with a fresh mass of 2.28 g. Notably, the fresh mass demonstrated the highest coefficient of variation. Ten molecular markers were selected, generating 103 highly polymorphic loci (99.03%) with an average informative content of 0.45. Nei's diversity index (0.37) and Shannon's index (0.55) indicated moderate genetic diversity. Furthermore, Bayesian analysis revealed a population structure with two distinct genetic groups. The Infinite Allele and Mutation Step Models suggested a significant historical decline in population size, indicative of a genetic bottleneck. As a result, proactive in situ conservation strategies, including establishing protected natural areas, become essential, considering the socioeconomic significance of the species. Additionally, it is recommended to establish germplasm banks for ex situ conservation and the development of managed cultivation initiatives to reduce the pressure on native populations of S. tuberosa caused by extraction., Competing Interests: The authors declare they have no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Raiane Pereira de Sales et al.)

A greater understanding of factors influencing fertility is essential to improve pregnancy rates and reduce the occurrence of embryonic mortality in beef herds. The objective of the current study was to evaluate retrospective data of pregnancy per artificial insemination (P/AI) and pregnancy loss in Nelore females subjected to timed-AI (TAI) in Brazil. Data from 40,104 TAI collected from six breeding seasons (2016-2022) were analyzed, and the effects of animal category (e.g., classification based on age and parity), farm, month of parturition, sire, sire breed (Nelore vs Angus), estrus expression at TAI, animal temperament, and body condition scores (BCS) were evaluated. P/AI and pregnancy loss were affected (P < 0.001) by animal category. There was also an effect of farm (P = 0.0013) on P/AI and pregnancy loss (P = 0.001), as P/AI ranged from 49.28% and 55.58% and pregnancy loss from 3.37% to 6.89% across the herds evaluated. Month of parturition also affected (P < 0.001) P/AI and was higher for cows that became pregnant at the beginning of the previous breeding season. Calmer animals, presenting lower velocity scores while exiting the chute following TAI, achieved higher P/AI (P < 0.001). Lower BCS at TAI was associated (P < 0.001) with increased pregnancy loss, and BCS gain following AI was associated (P < 0.001) with reduced rates of embryonic mortality. There was a major effect (P < 0.001) of sire on P/AI and pregnancy loss, as P/AI ranged from 11% to 79%, and embryonic mortality from 0% to 40% for the bulls used in the study, highlighting the importance of the sire fertility on overall pregnancy success. Results from the current study reinforce the idea that animal age and parity at the beginning of the breeding season, BCS at the onset of estrous synchronization, BCS gain following AI, estrus expression at TAI, sire, and month of parturition are important factors influencing P/AI and rates of embryonic mortality in beef herds., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

In endemic areas for canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL), the occurrence of coinfection with other pathogens, such as Ehrlichia spp., has been associated with worsening of the clinical condition. The study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of histological changes in the myocardia of dogs naturally infected with Leishmania chagasi with or without coinfection with Ehrlichia spp.. We evaluated paraffin-embedded myocardial sections from 31 dogs, affected by either L. chagasi alone or coinfected with L. chagasi and Ehrlichia spp., to compare the extent and degree of cardiac damage. The blocks were divided into two groups. G1 (dogs infected only by L. chagasi) and G2 (dogs coinfected with L. chagasi and Ehrlichia spp.). The right atrium free wall, right ventricle free wall, left ventricle, and interventricular septum of all groups were evaluated. Cardiac alterations were observed in 41.93% (52/124) of the fragments evaluated and inflammatory infiltrate was the most common pattern found. The G2 group showed a higher incidence of myocarditis, with 61.53% (32/52), compared to the G1 group, in which 20 out of 72 cases (27.7%) exhibited histopathological changes (p <0.05). These findings confirmed that coinfection can potentiate cardiac damage in dogs.

The COVID-19 pandemic represented a huge obstacle for public health and demonstrated weaknesses in surveillance and health promotion systems around the world. Its etiological agent, SARS-CoV-2, of zoonotic origin, has been the target of several studies related to the control and prevention of outbreaks and epidemics of COVID-19 not only for humans but also for animals. Domestic animals, such as dogs and cats, have extensive contact with humans and can acquire the infection both naturally and directly from humans. The objective of this article was to summarize the seroprevalence findings of SARS-CoV-2 in dogs and cats and correlate them with the strength of infection risk between each of them. This is a systematic review and meta-analysis following the recommendations of PRISMA 2020. The search and selection of papers was carried out using in vivo experimental works with animals using the descriptors (MeSH/DeCS) "Animal", "Public Health", "SARS-CoV-2" and "Pandemic" (together with AND) in English, Portuguese or Spanish for Science Direct, PUBMED, LILACS and SciELO databases. The ARRIVE checklist was used for methodological evaluation and the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis v2.2 software with the Difference Risk (RD) test to evaluate statistical inferences (with subgroups by continent). Cats showed greater susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 compared to dogs both in a joint analysis of studies (RD = 0.017; 95% CI = 0.008-0.025; p < 0.0001) and in the American subgroup (RD = 0.053; 95% CI = 0.032-0.073; p < 0.0001), unlike the lack of significant difference on the European continent (RD = 0.009; 95% CI = -0.001-0.018; p = 0.066). Therefore, it was observed that cats have a greater interest in health surveillance due to the set of biological and ecological aspects of these animals, but also that there are a set of factors that can influence the spread and possible spillover events of the virus thanks to the anthropozoonotic context.

In Santa Quitéria City, part of the population uses surface water for potation. These waters do not undergo any treatment before consumption. As the region has a deposit of uranium, assessing water quality becomes important. In the present study, the uranium activity concentration (AC) in becquerels per liter was determined in water samples from six points. Univariate statistics showed differences between the soluble and the particulate fraction (soluble AC > particulate AC). The particulate fraction showed no variation in AC among the six points. On the other hand, the soluble fraction and the total fraction presented different ACs between them. The multivariate statistics allowed to separate the soluble from the particulate fraction of the points. The same tools applied to the total fraction made it possible to differentiate the sampling points, grouping them ((#1, #2); (#3, #4), and (#5, #6)). The maximum mean value of AC found was 0.177 Bq∙L -1 , corresponding to 25% of the chemical toxicity limit (0.72 Bq∙L -1 ). The maximum mean dose rate, 2.25 µSv∙year -1 , is lower than the considered negligible dose rate (> 10 µSv∙year -1 ). The excess lifetime cancer risk was 10 -6 , two orders of magnitude smaller than the threshold considered for taking action. The assessment parameters used in this work indicate that the risk due to the uranium intake by the local population is negligible., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

The development of novel phytotoxic compounds has been an important aim of weed control research. In this study, we synthesized fluorinated chalcone derivatives featuring both electron-donating and electron-withdrawing groups. These compounds were evaluated both as inhibitors of the photosystem II (PSII) electron chain as well as inhibitors of the germination and seedling growth of Amaranthus plants. Chlorophyll a (Chl a) fluorescence assay was employed to evaluate their effects on PSII, while germination experiments were conducted to assess their impact on germination and seedling development. The results revealed promising herbicidal activity for (E)-3-(4-bromophenyl)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (7 a) and (E)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-phenylprop-2-en-1-one (7 e). Compounds 7 a and 7 e exhibited a reduction in Chl a parameters associated with performance indexes and electron transport per reaction center. This reduction suggests a decrease in PSII activity, attributed to the blockage of electron flow at the quinone pool. Molecular docking analyses of chalcone derivatives with the D1 protein of PSII revealed a stable binding conformation, wherein the carbonyl and fluorine groups interacted with Phe265 and His215 residues, respectively. Additionally, at a concentration of 100 μM, compound 7 e demonstrated pre- and post-emergent herbicidal activity, resulting in a reduction of the seed germination index, radicle and hypocotyl lengths of Amaranthus weeds., (© 2024 Wiley‐VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.)

Aim: This study aimed to explore the association of gross motor coordination (GMC) with a matrix of biocultural factors in prepubescent children, taking into account weight status, somatic maturation, sociodemographic variables, and type of school., Methods: One hundred twenty-nine prepubescent children, of both sexes, aged between 8.00 and 8.99, were assessed for GMC (Körperkoordinationstest Für Kinder - KTK), weight status, biological maturation (predicted mature stature), sex, mother's education level and type of school. Binary logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between higher values of KTK and associated biocultural factors., Results: Normoponderal children are more likely to attain better total KTK scores than those with overweight or obesity (OR: 2.942; LC 95%: 1.189, 7.280). In addition, children who are more advanced in terms of biological maturation exhibited significantly lower odds of being in the high KTK category than their less advanced peers (OR: 0.670; LC 95%: 0.474,0.946). Sex, mother's education level and the type of school are not associated with higher performance on KTK., Conclusion: Weight status and biological maturation are associated with motor competence in prepubescent children. Future studies should consider additional correlates to better understand the complex interactions between biological, psychosocial and behavioral factors in the prediction of motor competence., (© 2023 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

During the COVID-19 pandemic, internalizing and externalizing symptoms have impacted the quality of life of children and adolescents. This cross-sectional study evaluated children's quality of life using parental reports, observing associations with mental health problems and sociodemographic variables. Some behavioral measures were linked to lower quality of life, particularly depression symptoms, relationship problems, and inattention. Multiple regression models indicated that reduced children's quality of life ( R 2 = 36%) was associated with higher levels of internalizing ( r  = -0.46) and externalizing ( r  = -0.23) behavioral problems and younger parents ( r  = -0.08). Children with previous mental disorder diagnoses had lower quality of life than those without ( p  < 0.001). In summary, children's quality of life during the COVID-19 pandemic was linked to current mental health, parental age, and previous history of mental disorders., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interestsThe authors declared the following potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: All authors certify that they have no affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial or non-financial interest in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.

Neurodegenerative diseases are associated with diverse symptoms, both motor and mental. Genetic and environmental factors can trigger neurodegenerative diseases. Chemicals as pesticides are constantly used in agriculture and also domestically. In this regard, pyrethroids (PY), are a class of insecticides in which its main mechanism of action is through disruption of voltage-dependent sodium channels function in insects. However, in mammals, they can also induce oxidative stress and enzyme dysfunction. This review investigates the association between PY and neurodegenerative diseases as Alzheimer's, Huntington's, Parkinson's, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, and Autism in animal models and humans. Published works using specific and non-specific models for these diseases were selected. We showed a tendency toward the development and/or aggravating of these neurodegenerative diseases following exposure to PYs. In animal models, the biochemical mechanisms of the diseases and their interaction with the insecticides are more deeply investigated. Nonetheless, only a few studies considered the specific model for each type of disease to analyze the impacts of the exposure. The choice of a specific model during the research is an important step and our review highlights the knowledge gaps of PYs effects using these models reinforcing the importance of them during the design of the experiments., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)