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Brazilian wheat production is concentrated in the South region and does not fully meet the domestic demand for wheat. The Brazilian Cerrado has become an area of great potential for wheat cultivation due to investments in genetic improvement research. Thus, this study aimed to assess the growth and grain production of wheat cultivars in savannah soil in Roraima, Brazil. The experimental design consisted of randomized blocks with four treatments and five replications. The treatments consisted of the following wheat cultivars: TBIO Aton, TBIO Convicto, TBIO Duque, and TBIO Trunfo. The experimental unit was represented by an area of 18 m2 composed of 14 rows of 6 m, spaced at 20 cm, with approximately 100 plants per meter. The following variables were assessed: plant height, number of spikelets per spike, number of grains per spike, number of grains per spikelet, and grain yield. In general, the four cultivars showed good adaptation to the edaphoclimatic conditions of the Roraima savannah. The cultivars TBIO Convicto and TBIO Aton are superior to the others in terms of grain production. The industrial quality of the cultivars was favorable to the use of grains for the flour industry

William (“Bill”) M. Hamner, a pioneer of ethological studies of avian and aquatic organisms who changed the way we think, particularly about the gelatinous zooplankton that suffuse the world’s oceans, died on 06 June, age 84 (Figure 1). Bill’s innovative approach to investigating pelagic animals married simple observation with unconventional methods in novel situations. This work spanned a half-century, beginning when he boldly moved marine science off the deck of ships, out of undiscriminating trawls that tend to macerate specimens, away from the accessible intertidal zone, and into the blue water of the pelagic realm. Bill’s ethological approach defined much of his life’s work and took him to extreme tropical outposts, the frigid waters of the Antarctic, and the depths of the ocean, always with his life-long collaborator in science and life, Peggy Hamner.

O milho possui importância no cenário agrícola e é utilizado na alimentação humana e animal. O uso de sementes de qualidade é fundamental para o desempenho desta no campo. O tratamento de sementes com molibdênio pode contribuir para o aumento da capacidade produtiva e maior uniformidade do milho, desta maneira, a quantidade aplicada desse elemento nas sementes deve ser adequada para provir o desenvolvimento e a produção da cultura. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar os efeitos da aplicação de molibdênio e potássio sobre a germinação e o vigor de sementes de milho. A qualidade fisiológica das sementes foi avaliada por meio dos testes de germinação, primeira contagem, comprimento da plântula (parte aérea e raiz), massa da matéria seca de plântula, emergência e teste de frio. Foram realizados seis tratamentos (T1- T6) sendo, T1 ausente de molibdênio e potássio e os demais com diferentes dosagens do produto. As sementes foram tratadas com produto comercial composto por molibdênio e potássio. O delineamento foi inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições e seis tratamentos. Doses menores de molibdênio favoreceram uma maior porcentagem de plântulas normais. Verificou-se pelos testes de comprimento e massa seca das plântulas, que as sementes de milho foram influenciadas negativamente por doses crescentes de molibdênio e potássio. No teste de emergência em areia os tratamentos T5 e T6 apresentam um maior número de plântulas. A qualidade fisiológica das sementes de milho não foi influenciada significativamente pela aplicação de doses de Molibdênio e potássio na primeira contagem e germinação no teste de frio e no teste de germinação.

The cultivation of chili peppers (Capsicum spp.) plays a key role in the fresh vegetable, condiment, and preserve markets. The determination of the harvest season suitable for seed production is crucial to obtain high-quality seeds and ensure production success. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the harvest season of ‘dedo-de-moça BRS Mari’ hot peppers that provides the maximum seed physiological potential. The flowers in anthesis were labeled daily and the fruits were harvested 25, 40, 55, 70, 85, and 100 days after anthesis (DAA) and classified as green, yellowish green, orange, red, extreme red, and intense red, respectively. The seed physiological potential was determined by using the water content, dry matter, germination, first germination count, germination rate index, and accelerated aging tests. The seed dry matter increased steadily until 55 DAA (3.95 mg per seed), then increased slightly to 70 DAA (4.05 mg per seed), and stabilized from 85 to 100 DAA. The harvested seeds began to germinate at 55 DAA with approximately 40% germination, which peaked at 70 DAA with 87% germination; this value was maintained until 100 DAA. The highest values of the germination rate index were found at 70, 85, and 100 DAA. An increase in seed vigor was observed, based on the accelerated aging test, which peaked at 85 DAA and subsequently decreased. The peppers were harvested between 70 and 85 DAA and red to extreme red were found to be the most recommended colors to obtain ‘dedo-de-moça BRS Mari’ hot pepper seeds with high physiological potential.

Introduction: Unlicensed cosmetic procedures, which come at increased risk of infection and potential surgical complications, have introduced new challenges in healthcare. Physicians should be aware of presentations that may arise secondary to these procedures.Case Report: We describe a case in which a previously healthy, 28-year-old female presented with new-onset seizures and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in the setting of a recent cosmetic procedure with silicone injections to the gluteal region. The patient’s hospital course was complicated by altered mental status, respiratory failure, rapid hemodynamic compromise, and eventual death.Conclusion: In rare cases, one possible complication of cosmetic procedures is silicone embolism syndrome, which is characterized by pneumonitis, alveolar hemorrhage, and ARDS. The patient described in this report also experienced neurologic symptoms including seizure and altered mental status. This is a clinical diagnosis that relies upon thorough history-taking and detailed physical exam. Documentation on this phenomenon is limited, and medical management has not yet been standardized for this condition. Morbidity and mortality remain high.

Technical innovation in neuroscience introduced powerful tools for measuring and manipulating neuronal activity via optical, chemogenetic, and calcium-imaging tools. These tools were initially tested primarily in male animals but are now increasingly being used in females as well. In this review, we consider how these tools may work differently in males and females. For example, we review sex differences in the metabolism of chemogenetic ligands and their downstream signaling effects. Optical tools more directly alter depolarization or hyperpolarization of neurons, but biological sex and gonadal hormones modulate synaptic inputs and intrinsic excitability. We review studies demonstrating that optogenetic manipulations are sometimes consistent across the rodent estrous cycle but within certain circuits; manipulations can vary across the ovarian cycle. Finally, calcium-imaging methods utilize genetically encoded calcium indicators to measure neuronal activity. Testosterone and estradiol can directly modulate calcium influx, and we consider these implications for interpreting the results of calcium-imaging studies. Together, our findings suggest that these neuroscientific tools may sometimes work differently in males and females and that users should be aware of these differences when applying these methods.

BackgroundDyschromia can be associated with increased production and/or reduced clearance of pigmentation in the skin. Multiple pathways are involved in causality. A novel topical product was recently developed, which contains actives that have been validated through in-vitro and clinical studies to counteract pigmentation related to photodamage, PIH, and melasma. This study further evaluates the safety and efficacy of this product for facial dyschromia during an additional 3-month extension period following the completion of the previous 12-week multi-center trial.  Study Design: Subjects from the previous multi-center trial with mild to severe facial dyschromia at baseline were eligible to participate in this 3-month extension study upon completion of that trial. This extension study evaluated the continued use of the novel topical product with PATH-3 Technology (Alastin Skincare, Carlsbad, CA) over a 3-month period. Subjects who were previously randomized to the novel topical product continued using it and for those previously randomized to hydroquinone 4% discontinued its use. Both cohorts continued daily sunscreen use. Blinded investigators assessed subjects at follow-up visits at 16, 20, and 24 weeks.ResultsTwenty-six (26) subjects completed the extension phase of the pivotal trial, with 13 subjects in each of the AL and HQ-BREAK cohorts. Significant improvements were seen within the AL cohort from weeks 12 to 24 for facial dyschromia (P=0.0158) and skin tone/clarity/evenness (P=0.0067), while there were no significant improvements seen in the HQ-BREAK cohort. The HQ-BREAK cohort had more subjects who worsened with facial dyschromia and skin tone/clarity/evenness. For the mMASI, the HQ-BREAK cohort demonstrated regression at week 24 compared to week 12, while the AL cohort instead experienced continued improvement. This difference was found to be significant (P=0.02). No study-related adverse events were reported for either cohort.  Conclusion: A novel topical product designed to counteract various steps in pigmentation pathways using PATH-3 Technology has been demonstrated to be safe and effective in treating facial dyschromia on a long-term basis. In contrast to the significant rebound experienced by subjects with HQ, the AL cohort continued to demonstrate ongoing improvement. J Drugs Dermatol. 2024;23(1):1266-1270.     doi:10.36849/JDD.7622.

ABSTRACT: Third-generation cephalosporins such as ceftiofur are critically important antibiotics because human pathogens with resistance to these drugs contribute to high mortality rates. These antibiotics are also frequently given to dairy cattle for treating infections, emphasizing the critical role they play in both human and veterinary medicine. To investigate the effect of intramuscular ceftiofur treatment on the concentration of resistant bacteria in the gut, we focused on cows with metritis, a common bacterial infection that frequently requires antibiotic intervention. Twelve cows with metritis (cases) were enrolled and treated with intramuscular ceftiofur for 5 d along with 12 matched healthy cows that were not given ceftiofur (controls). Fecal samples were collected weekly from cows in both the case and control groups for 4 wk, starting before the treatment of the case group. Five fecal samples per cow were used for analysis (n = 120 samples). The abundance of gram-negative bacteria was quantified per sample after plating on MacConkey agar, which was also used to quantify the abundance of gram-negative bacteria with resistance to ceftiofur, ampicillin, and tetracycline. Interestingly, the case cows with metritis had a greater abundance of gram-negative bacteria than the control cows just before treatment, but no difference in abundance was observed between groups at wk 1–4. The abundance of ceftiofur-resistant gram-negative bacteria was also similar between the case and control cows immediately before treatment of the cases. However, a significant increase in abundance of ceftiofur-resistant gram-negative bacteria was observed in the case cows 1-wk after treatment that persisted through wk 3. Although the recovery of ampicillin- and tetracycline-resistant bacteria was similar between the 2 groups post-treatment, cases had significantly higher levels of ampicillin-resistant bacteria before treatment. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that metritis and intramuscular ceftiofur treatment can affect the abundance of cultivable gram-negative bacteria and ceftiofur-resistant populations that can persist for up to 3 wk. Judicious use practices are needed to ensure that ceftiofur and other critically important antibiotics are administered only when necessary to minimize the spread of resistance and safeguard public and animal health.

The purpose of this study was to examine factors that may influence middle school choir directors' (MSCDs) sense of self-efficacy. Survey participants (N = 448) who were members of one of three private and active MSCD social media groups completed a questionnaire designed to elicit responses about their senses of self-efficacy and demographic information. The highest rated items were about the ability to provide alternative explanations for confused students and to get students to follow classroom rules, while the lowest rated items were about assisting families in helping their children do well in school and motivating students who show low interest in schoolwork. A two-factor analysis accounted for 49.11% of the variance in which Factor 1 was related to teacher and classroom structures and Factor 2 was related to student and familial structures. For Factor 1, MSCDs who taught in public schools had higher outcomes than other colleagues. For Factor 2, MSCDs who taught in urban schools had higher outcomes. Effect sizes for both analyses were very low, which indicates a need to interpret these findings with caution and to further examine MSCDs' experiences. Specific implications for practice and future research are discussed.

O cultivo de pimentas (Capsicum spp.) representa um importante papel no mercado das olerícolas in natura, no segmento de condimentos, e conservas. A determinação do ponto ou intervalo adequado de colheita dos frutos para a produção de sementes é fundamental para a obtenção de sementes de qualidade e para garantir o sucesso da produção. Diante disso, objetivou-se determinar o estádio de colheita de frutos de pimenta ‘dedo-de-moça BRS Mari’ que proporcione o máximo potencial fisiológico das sementes. As flores em antese foram etiquetadas diariamente e os frutos foram colhidos aos 25, 40, 55, 70, 85 e 100 dias após a antese (DAA), classificados em verde, verde-amarelado, alaranjado, vermelho, vermelho extremo e intenso, respectivamente. O potencial fisiológico das sementes foi determinado pelos testes de teor de água, massa de matéria seca, germinação, primeira contagem de germinação, índice de velocidade de germinação e envelhecimento acelerado. A massa da matéria seca das sementes aumentou até os 55 DAA (3,95 mg por semente), após este período ocorreu um pequeno aumento até os 70 DAA (4,05 mg por semente) e dos 85 aos 100 DAA estabilizou. As sementes colhidas iniciaram a germinação aos 55 DAA com aproximadamente 40% e aos 70 DAA foi máxima de 87% com valores constantes até os 100 DAA. Os maiores valores de índice de velocidade de germinação foram obtidos aos 70, 85 e 100 DAA. Observou-se haver aumento do vigor pelo envelhecimento acelerado até os 85 DAA, onde o valor foi máximo com posterior redução. A colheita dos frutos a partir dos 70 DAA até os 85 DAA, coloração vermelha a vermelha extrema, é a mais recomendada para obtenção de sementes de pimenta ‘dedo-de-moça BRS Mari’ de alto potencial fisiológico.

Background: The term "weaponized autism" is frequently used on extremist platforms. To better understand this, we conducted a discourse analysis of posts on Gab, an alt-right social media platform. Methods: We analyzed 711 posts spanning 2018--2019 and filtered for variations on the term "weaponized autism". Results: This term is used mainly by non-autistic Gab users. It refers to exploitation of perceived talents and vulnerabilities of "Weaponized autists", described as all-powerful masters-of-technology who are devoid of social skills. The term "weaponized autism" is simultaneously glorified and derogatory. For some autistic people, the partial acceptance offered within this community may be preferable to lack of acceptance offered in society, which speaks to improving societal acceptance as a prevention effort.

IntroductionDespite recent advances, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients remain at high risk for recurrence and metastasis, which creates the need for innovative therapeutic approaches to improve patient outcomes. Cryoablation is a promising, less invasive alternative to surgical resection, capable of inducing tumor necrosis via freeze/thaw cycles. Necrotic cell death results in increased inflammatory signals and release of preserved tumor antigens, which have the potential to boost the local and systemic anti-tumor immune response. Thus, compared to surgery, cryoablation enhances the activation of T cells leading to an improved abscopal effect, defined as the occurrence of a systemic response after local treatment. We previously showed with a bilateral-tumor mouse model of TNBC that cryoablation of the primary tumor leads to increased infiltration of distant (abscopal) tumors by tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and decreased rates of recurrence and metastasis. However, the early drivers of the cryoablation generated abscopal effect are still unknown and knowledge of the mechanism could provide insight into improving the anti-tumor immune response through pharmacologic immune modulation in addition to cryoablation.MethodsOne million 4T1-12B-luciferase expressing cells were transplanted into the mammary fat pad of BALB/c mice. Two weeks later, left (primary) tumors were either resected or cryoablated. A week after the procedure, right (abscopal) and left tumors, along with spleen, tumor-draining lymph node and blood were collected and processed for flow cytometry and/or RNA-sequencing and immunofluorescence.ResultsHere we show that cryoablation of mouse mammary carcinomas results in smaller abscopal tumors that harbor increased frequencies of anti-tumor cells [such as natural killer (NK) cells], accompanied by a systemic increase in the frequency of migratory conventional type 1 dendritic cells (cDC1; CD103+ XCR1+), compared to resection. The changes in cell frequencies are mirrored by the immune gene signature of the abscopal tumors, with cryoablation inducing genes involved with NK cell activation and leukocyte-mediated toxicity, including IL11ra1 and Pfr1.ConclusionsThese results better define the early mechanisms through which cryoablation improves tumor elimination, which is mediated by enhanced frequencies of anti-tumoral cells such as NK and cDC1s at the abscopal tumor and in the spleen of mice treated with cryoablation, respectively.