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Luiz Tadeu Giollo-Junior,1,2 Luciana Neves Cosenso-Martin,2 Valquiria da Silva Lopes,2 Manoel Paz Landim,2 Leticia Aparecida Barufi Fernandes,2 Kleber Aparecido de Oliveira,2 Amanda Oliva Spaziani,2 Aleandra Polegati Santos,2 Marco Antonio Silva,2 Juan Carlos Yugar-Toledo,2 Jose Fernando Vilela-Martin2 1General Hospital at Brazilian Army, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil; 2Hypertension Clinic - Internal Medicine Department, State Medical School in Sao Jose do Rio Preto (FAMERP), Sao Jose do Rio Preto, São Paulo, BrazilCorrespondence: Jose Fernando Vilela-Martin, Hypertension Clinic - Internal Medicine Department, State Medical School in Sao Jose do Rio Preto (FAMERP), Ave Brig. Faria Lima 5416, São Jose do Rio Preto, 15090-000, São Paulo, Brazil, Email vilelamartin@uol.com.brAbstract: Resistant hypertension (RH) is characterized by being difficult to control, even with the use of various antihypertensive drugs and is associated with target organ lesions and other comorbidities. Thus, new treatment alternatives such as transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) can offer benefits to resistant hypertensive patients by reducing blood pressure (BP) in a non-invasive way and without the need for the association of more antihypertensive drugs. In this case, a patient with RH was submitted to three weekly applications of TENS on the stellate ganglion lasting 40 min each for 1 month. Peripheral and central hemodynamic assessments were performed by 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) before and after TENS applications. After completion of the TENS applications, significant reductions in office systolic (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) were observed. There was also a decrease in peripheral SBP and DBP in the 24‐h ABPM and sleep and SBP during wakefulness. Additionally, central parameters including central SBP and pulse wave velocity presented a significant reduction in the 24‐h ABPM, during the wakefulness and sleep. TENS is able to attenuate the sympathetic hyperactivity present in RH cases and decrease the peripheral and central hemodynamic parameters of a resistant hypertensive patient.Keywords: resistant hypertension, blood pressure, central hemodynamic, arterial stiffness, non-pharmacological therapy

Elizabeth do Espirito Santo Cestario,1,&ast; Jose Fernando Vilela-Martin,1,&ast; Luciana Neves Cosenso-Martin,1 Tatiane Azevedo Rubio,1 Jessica Rodrigues Roma Uyemura,1 Valquiria da Silva Lopes,1 Letícia Aparecida Barufi Fernandes,1 Lucia Helena Bonalume Tacito,2 Heitor Moreno Junior,3 Juan Carlos Yugar-Toledo1,&ast; 1Hypertension Clinic, Internal Medicine Department, Medical School in São José Do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São Paulo, Brazil; 2Endocrinology Division, Internal Medicine Department, Medical School in São José Rio Preto (FAMERP), São Paulo, Brazil; 3Cardiovascular Pharmacology Laboratory, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), São Paulo, Brazil&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Jose Fernando Vilela-Martin, Ave Brig Faria Lima 5416, Sao Jose do Rio Preto, São Paulo, SP, 15090-000, Brazil, Tel +55 17 32015727, Email vilelamartin@uol.com.brIntroduction: Hypertension is the most important modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease and a leading public health concern.Objectives: The primary aim was to compare sequential nephron blockade (SNB) versus dual renin-angiotensin system blockade (DRASB) plus bisoprolol in patients with resistant hypertension to observe reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) levels after 20 weeks of treatment.Material and Methods: This trial was an open-label, prospective, randomized, parallel-group, clinical study with optional drug up-titration. Participants were evaluated during five visits at 28-day intervals.Results: The mean age was 55.5 years in the SNB and 58.4 years in the DRASB + bisoprolol group (p=NS). Significant office BP reductions were observed in both groups. SNB group, SBP decreased from 174.5± 21.0 to 127.0± 14.74 mmHg (p< 0.0001), and DBP decreased from 105.3± 15.5 to 78.11± 9.28 mmHg (p< 0.0001). DRASB group, SBP decreased from 178.4± 21.08 to 134.4 ± 23.25 mmHg (p< 0.0001) and DBP decreased from 102.7± 11.07 to 77.33± 13.75 mmHg (p< 0.0001). Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) showed also significant SBP and DBP reductions in both groups (p< 0.0001).Conclusion: In patients with RHTN adherent to treatment, SNB and DRASB plus bisoprolol showed excellent therapeutic efficacy, although SNB was associated with earlier SBP reduction.Keywords: resistant hypertension, natriuretic agents, dual blockade of the renin-angiotensin system, bisoprolol

João Marcos de Menezes Zanatta, Luciana Neves Cosenso-Martin, Valquíria da Silva Lopes, Jéssica Rodrigues Roma Uyemura, Aleandra Marton Polegati Santos, Manoel Ildefonso Paz Landim, Juan Carlos Yugar-Toledo, José Fernando Vilela-Martin Internal Medicine Department, State Medical School at Sao Jose Do Rio Preto (FAMERP), Sao Jose Do Rio Preto, Sao Paulo, BrazilCorrespondence: José Fernando Vilela-MartinInternal Medicine Department, State Medical School at Sao Jose Do Rio Preto (FAMERP), 5416 Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima, Sao Jose Do Rio Preto, SP, 15090-000, BrazilTel +55 17 3201-5727Email vilelamartin@uol.com.brAbstract: Resistant hypertension (RH) is characterized by the use of three or more antihypertensive drugs without reaching the goal of controlling blood pressure (BP). For a definitive diagnosis of RH, it is necessary to exclude causes of pseudoresistance, including the white-coat effect, errors in BP measurement, secondary hypertension, therapeutic inertia, and poor adherence to lifestyle changes and pharmacological treatment. Herein, we report the history of a patient with long-standing uncontrolled BP, even when using seven antihypertensive drugs. Causes of secondary hypertension that justified the high BP levels were investigated, in addition to the other causes of pseudo-RH. In view of the difficult-to-control BP situation, it was decided to hospitalize the patient for better investigation. After 5 days, he had BP control with practically the same medications previously used. Finally, all factors related to the presence of pseudo-RH are discussed, especially poor adherence to treatment. Poor adherence to antihypertensive treatment is common in daily medical practice, and its investigation is of fundamental importance for better management of BP.Keywords: hypertension, resistant hypertension, medication adherence

BackgroundElectronic health (eHealth) refers to the use of information and communication technologies for health. It plays an increasingly important role in patients’ medication management. ObjectiveTo assess evidence on (1) whether eHealth for patients’ medication management can improve drug adherence and health outcomes in nonhospital settings and (2) which eHealth functions are commonly used and are effective in improving drug adherence. MethodsWe searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, EmCare, ProQuest, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and IEEE Xplore, in addition to other published sources between 2000 and 2018. We evaluated the studies against the primary outcome measure of medication adherence and multiple secondary health care outcome measures relating to adverse events, quality of life, patient satisfaction, and health expenditure. The quality of the studies included was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration’s Risk of Bias (RoB) tool. ResultsOur initial search yielded 9909 records, and 24 studies met the selection criteria. Of these, 13 indicated improvement in medication adherence at the significance level of P

The Atmospheric Boundary Layer (ABL) is the lowermost part of the troposphere. In this work, we analysed the combination of ABL height estimated continuously by three different remote sensing systems: a ceilometer, a Doppler lidar and a passive Microwave Radiometer, during a summer campaign, which was held in Granada from June to August 2016. This study demonstrates as the combined utilization of remote sensing systems, based on different tracers, can provide detailed information about the height of ABL and their sublayers.

A pesquisa teve por objetivo avaliar os componentes de produção e a produtividade do cultivar de arroz híbrido de sequeiro Ecco comparado as cultivares convencionais BRS Primavera, BRS Sertaneja e Cambará nos municípios de Vilhena e Cerejeiras-RO. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi inteiramente ao acaso com quatro repetições. Os experimentos foram instalados no mês de novembro de 2009, sendo um na Fazenda Experimental da Faculdade da Amazônia, no município de Vilhena-RO, localizada a uma latitude S 12º44'26" e a uma longitude 60º08'45" W, e o outro, também em Campo experimental da Faculdade da Amazônia no município de Cerejeiras-RO localizadoS 13°11'19.6" de latitude e W 060°51'43,9" de longitude.As variáveis avaliadas foram: perfilhamento, número de grãos inteiros e chochos por panícula, peso de 1000 grãos, produtividade em sacas de 60 kg por hectare e rendimento de grãos inteiros.O cultivar híbrido Ecco é o mais indicado para o cultivo nas duas regiões, pois apresentou melhor perfilhamento, maior eficiência no enchimento de grãos, maior peso de 1000 grãos e consequentemente maior produtividade nos dois municípios, além de um alto rendimento de grãos inteiros em relação aos outros cultivares

The Latin American Lidar Network, ALINE a.k.a LALINET is a federation lidar network established in 2008 which became a member of GALION/GAW program in 2013. Currently the network consists of 9 operational stations with the perspective of two more stations to be included. The network today covers more than 18 million Km2 and spans in latitude from -52° to 21° and in longitude from -78° to -47°. It should cover a larger area in the future as planned with the inclusion of more active stations.

We developed a study to determine the ideal level of inclusion of soybean oil (SBOil) in the diet without affecting the quantitative and qualitative parameters of the carcass and meat of lambs in a feedlot system; therefore, determining the ideal level of inclusion. Forty male lambs (Santa Inês breed) were used. The initial body weight and age averaged 34.88 ± 3.19 kg and 5 months, respectively. Experimental units (lambs) were randomly distributed in 5 different diets: inclusion levels of SBOil: 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 g/kg of dry matter (DM). The SOil inclusion reduced the DM intake (P < 0.001), Total digestible nutrients (P = 0.004), and crude protein (P < 0.001). Total weight gain (P < 0.001) decreased with the SBOil inclusion and subcutaneous fat thickness (P = 0.017) showed the same behaviour. The final body weight decreased by 42.9 g/kgDM until the inclusion level of 30 g/kgDM; from this level it was reduced by 145 g/kgDM. The hot and cold carcass weights (P = 0.013) decreased by 36.6 g/kgDM after including 30 g/kgDM of SBOil. Meat physicochemical composition was not altered (P > 0.05). Lower meat tenderness values ​​were obtained at the levels of 60 and 90 g/kgDM. The inclusion above 30 g/kgDM decreased meat tenderness. It is concluded that soybean oil should be included up to 30 g/kgDM in diets. It is important to note that with diets with 60% concentrate, SBOil levels greater than 30 g/kgDM promote yield losses., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

The objective of the current study was to evaluate the effects of soybean oil inclusion in diets on feeding behaviour, digestibility, performance, and blood metabolites of feedlot lambs. Forty non-castrated Santa Inês lambs with a mean age of 5 months and initial body weight of 34.88 ± 3.19 kg were used in a 40-day feeding trial. The lambs were distributed in five experimental diets with the inclusion of increasing soybean oil (SO) levels: 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 g/kg DM. The SO inclusion promoted a linear reduction in DM intake ( p < 0.001), crude protein (CP, p < 0.001), non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC, p < 0.001), and total digestible nutrients (TDN, p = 0.004). There was an increasing quadratic effect on the intake of ether extract (EE; p = 0.002) and decreasing for neutral detergent fiber ( p = 0.005). The soybean oil inclusion promoted the greater apparent digestibility of CP ( p = 0.016), EE ( p = 0.005), NDFom ( p < 0.001), and TDN ( p < 0.001); on the other hand, the apparent digestibility of NFC ( p = 0.005) was decreased. The average daily gain decreased ( p < 0.001) with SO inclusion. The SO inclusion increased feeding time ( p = 0.004), reduced the efficiency of DM rumination ( p = 0.001), and reduced the concentration of blood N-ureic ( p < 0.001). Considering the productive parameters, SO can be included in diets and it is recommended that we include SO of up to 41 g/kg DM in diets for fattening lambs as the ideal maximum level. The strategy implemented to adapt lambs to increasing levels of high-fat diet mitigated the detrimental effects of lipids on the rumen, with high-density energy intake being the constraining factor on performance.

Immunization with various Leishmania species lacking centrin induces robust immunity against a homologous and heterologous virulent challenge, making centrin mutants a putative candidate for a leishmaniasis vaccine. Centrin is a calcium-binding cytoskeletal protein involved in centrosome duplication in higher eukaryotes and Leishmania spp. lacking centrin are unable to replicate in vivo and are non-pathogenic. We developed a centrin -deficient Leishmania braziliensis ( LbCen -/- ) cell line and confirmed its impaired survival following phagocytosis by macrophages. Upon experimental inoculation into BALB/c mice, LbCen -/- failed to induce lesions and parasites were rapidly eliminated. The immune response following inoculation with LbCen -/- was characterized by a mixed IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-10 response and did not confer protection against L. braziliensis infection, distinct from L. major , L. donovani , and L mexicana centrin-deficient mutants. A prime-boost strategy also did not lead to a protective immune response against homologous challenge. On the contrary, immunization with centrin -deficient L. donovani ( LdonCen -/- ) cross-protected against L. braziliensis challenge, illustrating the ability of LdonCen -/- to induce the Th1-dominant protective immunity needed for leishmaniasis control. In conclusion, while centrin deficiency in L. braziliensis causes attenuation of virulence, and disrupts the ability to cause disease, it fails to stimulate a protective immune response.

An enterocutaneous fistula (ECF) is a complex medical issue that occurs when abnormal communication between the small intestine and the skin occurs. This can lead to the leakage of digestive contents, such as feces and food, onto the skin's surface. The case of an 86-year-old woman is presented, who developed high-output ECF after undergoing Hartmann surgery, intestinal transit reconstruction for perforated diverticulitis and incisional hernia treatment involving hernioplasty and polypropylene mesh. The patient had suffered from a serous-purulent discharge from a low-volume surgical wound for several years. Despite optimizing the patient's nutritional status, a laparotomy and small bowel resection were performed successfully. However, using vacuum dressing as a cover for the fistula in the lower gastrointestinal tract remains a subject of debate and limited research. No officially recognized international guidelines recommend its use for small bowel ECF., Competing Interests: None declared., (Published by Oxford University Press and JSCR Publishing Ltd. © The Author(s) 2023.)

Appearance modification is ancient, universal and influences other and self-perceptions. It has been rarely addressed how expectation of appearance modification would affect women's self-perception. We analyzed self-assessments of women without makeup and after having makeup professionally applied at four increasing levels (light, moderate, heavy 1, and heavy 2 makeup). In the simulation phase, women were treated with colorless cosmetics. Fifty Brazilian women (M age  = 24.26 years; SD = 5.53) rated themselves on attractiveness, health, self-esteem, femininity, satisfaction with appearance, age, dominance, confidence, and competence in all experimental conditions. Women in the simulation phase considered themselves more feminine, healthier, and with higher self-esteem than without makeup. In the real makeup phases, these ratings were higher than in the simulation phase. Appearance satisfaction and attractiveness did not differ between simulation and the real makeup phases, both being higher than without makeup. Confidence increased only in real makeup phases, but there was no effect on competence. Thus, real appearance modification and/or an expectation thereof can differently affect specific domains of self-evaluation., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is responsible for high morbidity and mortality rates. Citral has been studied in the pharmaceutical industry and has shown antimicrobial activity. This study aimed to analyze the antimicrobial activity of citral in inhibiting biofilm formation and modulating virulence genes, with the ultimate goal of finding a strategy for treating infections caused by MRSA strains. Citral showed antimicrobial activity against MRSA isolates with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values between 5 mg/mL (0.5%) and 40 mg/mL (4%), and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values between 10 mg/mL (1%) and 40 mg/mL (4%). The sub-inhibitory dose was 2.5 mg/mL (0.25%). Citral, in an antibiogram, modulated synergistically, antagonistically, or indifferent to the different antibiotics tested. Prior to evaluating the antibiofilm effects of citral, we classified the bacteria according to their biofilm production capacity. Citral showed greater efficacy in the initial stage, and there was a significant reduction in biofilm formation compared to the mature biofilm. qPCR was used to assess the modulation of virulence factor genes, and icaA underexpression was observed in isolates 20 and 48. For icaD, seg, and sei, an increase was observed in the expression of ATCC 33,591. No significant differences were found for eta and etb. Citral could be used as a supplement to conventional antibiotics for MRSA infections., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Maternal nutrition affects offspring physiology and behavior including susceptibility to mental health-related states. Perinatal high-fat diet (HFD) consumption has been associated with lower levels of serotonin as well as the development of anxiety-like and depression-like behaviors in offspring. The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the effects of maternal HFD during pregnancy and/or lactation on these behaviors and on some aspects of the serotonergic system. Criteria for eligibility included studies of offspring of rodents and non-human primates exposed to HFD at least during pregnancy and/or lactation, offspring that showed outcomes related to anxiety-like and depression-like behaviors and to the serotonergic system. The searches were realized in the LILACS, Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed databases. The systematic review protocol was registered on the CAMARADES website. The internal validity was assessed by the SYRCLE risk of bias tool. The Kappa index was used for analyzing agreement among the reviewers. In addition, the PRISMA statement was used to report this systematic review. Sixteen articles were included in this review. Most of which studied HFD prior to mating and during pregnancy and lactation. All studies analyzed outcomes related to emotional behavior; three analyzed outcomes related to serotonin system compounds. Maternal consumption of HFD was found to be associated with an inconsistent pattern of the expression of TPH2 as well as reduced the immunoreactivity of 5-HT in the prefrontal cortex and increased 5-HT1A receptor expression in the dorsal raphe of offspring. An association between an HFD and alterations in emotional behavior was found in most of the studies selected., (© 2021 International Society for Developmental Neuroscience.)

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different traditional or alternative energy and protein sources, associated or not, on feeding behavior, ruminal kinetics, and post-ruminal flow of nutrients. Besides, it was assessed diets' effects on different sites (reticulum and omasum) of buffaloes. Four ruminally cannulated male Murrah buffaloes (average initial weight of 637 ± 66.37 kg) were randomly distributed in a 4 × 4 Latin square design. Treatments were arranged as 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. The first factor evaluated was the inclusion of energy sources (ground corn and crude glycerin), and the second factor was the inclusion of protein sources (soybean meal and cottonseed cake). Buffaloes fed cottonseed cake had a higher content of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and potentially digestible detergent fiber (pdNDF) in the rumen environment than buffaloes fed soybean meal. There was a sampling site effect on rumen digestion rates of pdNDF, passage rates of indigestible neutral detergent fiber (iNDF), and pdNDF, and flow of iNDF. In this study, omasal collections were more representative. Total replacement of ground corn by crude glycerin promoted less NDF ruminal digestibility, and care should be taken to include this energy source. The cottonseed cake does not cause a difference in rumen dynamics and can totally replace soybean meal in feedlot buffaloes' diet.

Research in several Latin American countries points to violence, loss of traditional territories, and seeking education, health, and wage labor as key variables in triggering rural-urban migration among Indigenous people. This study presents an analysis of the migration patterns of Indigenous people in Brazil, compared to non-indigenous people, based on data from the most recent national census, conducted in 2010. Migration characteristics related to lifetime migration and recent migration were investigated by means of descriptive and multivariable logistic regression analyses. The findings pointed to complex mobility scenarios according to migrants' Indigenous status and geographical regions of origin and destination. Indigenous people living in urban areas presented high levels of mobility (approximately 50% lived in different municipalities from those where they were born), which were more pronounced than those of non-Indigenous people. Indigenous people living in rural areas presented the lowest levels of migration (approximately 90% residing in their municipality of birth). Statistical modeling confirmed the patterns observed in descriptive analysis, highlighting the marked mobility of Indigenous subjects in urban areas. We emphasize the limitations of using census data for characterizing Indigenous mobility profiles, although no other nationally representative data are available. The finding that the Indigenous population living in urban areas presents rates of migration higher than their non-Indigenous counterparts is particularly important for the planning and implementation of a broad range of public policies aimed at ethnic minorities in the country, including health, education, and housing initiatives., Competing Interests: Conflict of interestThe authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (© The Author(s) 2021.)

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of maternal exposure to a high-fat diet associated with neonatal administration of kaempferol on somatic growth, biochemical profile and feeding behavior in offspring., Materials and Methods: Wistar rats were distributed according to diet during pregnancy and lactation into Control (C; 3.4 kcal/g; 12% kcal/lipids) or High-fat (HFD; 4.6 kcal/g; 51% kcal/lipids) groups. In the offspring, vehicle (V) or kaempferol (K, 1 mg/kg) were administered from the 8th until the 21st postnatal day (PND). Maternal body weight (BW), caloric intake and adiposity were measured. In the offspring, somatic growth parameters were evaluated on the 7th, 14th, 21st, 25th and 30th PND, except for BW, which was measured from the 8th to the 21st and from the 25th to the 30th PND. Feeding behavior was assessed by food intake and behavioral satiety sequence (BSS) on the 30th PND. The biochemical profile and relative weight of adipose tissue of offspring were also measured., Key Findings: Dams exposed to HFD showed no difference in body weight and caloric intake but exhibited increased adiposity. Neonatal administration of kaempferol increased body weight after weaning and somatic growth in the offspring of HFD dams. Neonatal kaempferol also reduced adiposity and serum creatinine levels in offspring. Neither maternal diet nor kaempferol altered offspring feeding behavior., Significance: Neonatal administration of kaempferol promotes increased somatic growth post-weaning, reduces adiposity, and does not alter feeding behavior in offspring from high-fat dams., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest relating to the present article., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Ureaplasma diversum is a pathogen of cows that may cause intense inflammatory responses in the reproductive tract and interfere with bovine reproduction. The aims of this study were to evaluate the immune response of bovine blastocysts and macrophages to U. diversum infection and to evaluate the invasion capacity of this microorganism in bovine blastocysts. Methods: Viable and heat-inactivated U. diversum strains ATCC 49782 and CI-GOTA and their extracted membrane lipoproteins were inoculated in macrophages in the presence or absence of signaling blockers of Toll-Like Receptor (TLR) 4, TLR2/4, and Nuclear Factor KB (NF-κB). In addition, the same viable U. diversum strains were used to infect bovine blastocysts. RNA was extracted from infected and lipoprotein-exposed macrophages and infected blastocysts and assayed by qPCR to evaluate the expression of Interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF-α), TLR2 and TLR4 genes. U. diversum internalization in blastocysts was followed by confocal microscopy. Results: Both Ureaplasma strains and different concentrations of extracted lipoproteins induced a higher gene expression of IL-1β, TNF-α, TLR2, and TLR4 in macrophages ( p < 0.05) when compared to non-infected cells. The used blockers inhibited the expression of IL-1β and TNF-α in all treatments. Moreover, U. diversum was able to internalize within blastocysts and induce a higher gene expression of IL-1b and TNF- α when compared to non-infected blastocysts ( p < 0.05). Conclusion: The obtained results strongly suggest that U. diversum and its lipoproteins interact with TLR4 in a signaling pathway acting via NF-kB signaling to stimulate the inflammatory response. This is the first study to evaluate the in vitro immunological response of macrophages and bovine blastocysts against U. diversum . These results may contribute to a better understanding of the immunomodulatory activity and pathogenicity of this infectious agent.

This study aimed at identifying and comparing subjective risk perception regarding two different violent situations in urban roads: traffic accidents (i.e. crashes) and robberies. A robbery consists of subtracting something from someone, while seriously threatening the victim, or using violence. Robberies can be perpetrated either with or without the use of a weapon. This study was carried out in the city of Uberlândia, a medium size city in the state of Minas Gerais, south-east Brazil. A total of 383 people was interviewed at home in two boroughs of Uberlândia, using a questionnaire divided in five parts: a) personal information; b) description of crash involvement; c) description of robbery involvement; d) the chance of being involved in a crash and in a robbery within the next three years; e) willingness to pay for more safety in traffic or for more security against robberies; f) what causes more damage or harm to society, crashes or robberies. Descriptive figures are shown for the sample which reported 1.44 crashes/person. More than half of those involved in crashes (56%) were injured and 75% of these needed hospital care. There were 1.15 robberies/person. Only 7% of those involved in robberies were injured, none of them hospitalized. During robberies, 57.3% of the respondents were threatened with weapons. Car drivers were more subject to crashes (40%) and pedestrians were more subject to robberies (78%). Risk perception of being involved in a robbery within the next three years and when on the streets of the local borough is higher than crash risk perception. Respondents thought of dying in 25.5% of the crashes and in 46.3% of the robberies. A large group (63.7% of the sample) declared the willingness to pay for more personal security rather than for more traffic safety. Statistical analysis is presented in an attempt to study the relationship between variables. As expected, the respondents' subjective risk perception appears to contradict objective risk. Instinctively, interviewees might perceive robberies as a greater threat than crashes, perhaps reflecting lightly on the latter. In countries with high crash and violent incident statistics such results could be used to orientate traffic safety policies, education and campaigns, concentrating on the outcomes of crashes., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Entomological surveillance of sand fly vectors was carried out to support leishmaniasis prevention and control measures in areas affected by the São Francisco River Transposition Project., Methods: Sand flies were collected monthly between May 2011 and December 2014 in seven municipalities: Missão Velha, Brejo Santo, Lavras da Mangabeira, Iguatu, Mauriti, Jaguaribe and Jaguaretama, in dwellings, peridomicile and forest areas for three consecutive days, for a period of 12 h each day (18:00 to 06:00 h). Differences in species composition between sites were tested with Shannon's diversity index, the similarity between habitats was estimated by the Sørensen's qualitative similarity index and, for the most abundant species in each municipality, a standardized index of species abundance was applied. The influence of climatic factors on sand fly population densities was analyzed using Spearman's correlation coefficients., Results: A total of 214,213 sand fly specimens belonging to 18 species were captured. The most abundant species in all municipalities was Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva, 1912). The municipalities of Mauriti and Missão Velha stand out in terms of high species richness, with the latter exhibiting the greatest diversity. The number of sand flies in the Iguatu, Jaguaribe and Jaguaretama municipality was higher during the rainy months, whereas the populations declined in the drier months; the sand fly population density in other municipalities (Missão Velha, Brejo Santo, Lavras de Mangabeira and Mauriti) showed negative correlation with rainfall., Conclusions: This study confirms the presence of several Leishmania spp. vectors in the seven municipalities affected by the São Francisco River Transposition Project, with Lu. longipalpis being the most abundant species at all study sites. Vector populations in these municipalities should be monitored, ultimately to assess the associations between environmental changes and sand fly population dynamics and leishmaniasis transmission risk.

Background: Copy number variations (CNVs) have been shown to account for substantial portions of observed genomic variation and have been associated with qualitative and quantitative traits and the onset of disease in a number of species. Information from high-resolution studies to detect, characterize and estimate population-specific variant frequencies will facilitate the incorporation of CNVs in genomic studies to identify genes affecting traits of importance., Results: Genome-wide CNVs were detected in high-density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping data from 1,717 Nelore (Bos indicus) cattle, and in NGS data from eight key ancestral bulls. A total of 68,007 and 12,786 distinct CNVs were observed, respectively. Cross-comparisons of results obtained for the eight resequenced animals revealed that 92 % of the CNVs were observed in both datasets, while 62 % of all detected CNVs were observed to overlap with previously validated cattle copy number variant regions (CNVRs). Observed CNVs were used for obtaining breed-specific CNV frequencies and identification of CNVRs, which were subsequently used for gene annotation. A total of 688 of the detected CNVRs were observed to overlap with 286 non-redundant QTLs associated with important production traits in cattle. All of 34 CNVs previously reported to be associated with milk production traits in Holsteins were also observed in Nelore cattle. Comparisons of estimated frequencies of these CNVs in the two breeds revealed 14, 13, 6 and 14 regions in high (>20 %), low (<20 %) and divergent (NEL > HOL, NEL < HOL) frequencies, respectively., Conclusions: Obtained results significantly enriched the bovine CNV map and enabled the identification of variants that are potentially associated with traits under selection in Nelore cattle, particularly in genome regions harboring QTLs affecting production traits.

We obtained heritability and (co)variance component estimates for slaughter conformation scores at 420 days of age (SCS420), age at calving (first, AFC; second, ASC), calving occurrence until 38 months of age (CP38), weight at 420 days of age (W420), and scrotal circumference at 420 days (SC420) in Canchim (5/8 Charolais + 3/8 Zebu) cattle. A total of 23,168 records of Canchim animals, including 12,493 females and 10,675 males, were analyzed. SCS420 indicated carcass structure, muscle development, and subcutaneous fat deposition. The slaughter conformation score of each animal was relative to the whole contemporary group; 1 corresponded to the lowest expression of the trait and 6 to the highest. Heritabilities, and genetic and residual correlation estimates between SCS420 and reproductive and weight traits, were estimated by multitrait analyses using an animal model with Bayesian inference, employing a linear model for AFC, ASC, SC420, and W420 and a threshold model for CP38 and SCS420. Heritability estimates for SCS420, AFC, ASC, CP38, W420, and SC420 were 0.11, 0.15, 0.15, 0.15, 0.30, and 0.30, respectively. Genetic correlation estimates between SCS420 and the other traits were 0.08 (AFC), 0.58 (ASC), 0.08 (CP38), 0.43 (W420), and 0.17 (SC420). Visual slaughter conformation scores respond to individual selection and can be used as selection criteria in Canchim cattle. Selection to improve sexual precocity would not be effective in improving carcass conformation and composition, and selection for animals with high breeding values for yearling weight may improve slaughter conformation at the yearling stage.

Background: Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) has been shown to generate significant benefits in different clinical conditions; however, there is scarce information regarding acute clinical and hemodynamic effects., Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical, hemodynamic and electrocardiographic responses during a single short IMT session in patients enrolled in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation program (CRP)., Design: Cross-sectional study., Setting: Patients referred and regularly attending a non-hospital based medically-supervised exercise program., Population: One hundred and sixty patients patients who regularly performed inspiratory muscle training, Methods: A convenience sample of 21 elderly patients (16 men; 60-87 years of age) had an ECG continuously recorded and heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) measured before, during and one-minute after a single IMT session - two sets of 15 cycles with one-minute interval., Results: Comparing values obtained before, during second set and one-minute after IMT, no differences were found to HR (bpm) - 68±2 vs. 70±2 vs. 66±3 (P=0.05) and in systolic and diastolic BP (mm Hg) values, respectively, - 105±3 vs. 111±4 vs. 108±3 (P=0.06) and - 68±2 vs. 72±3 vs. 68±2 (P=0.14); (before, during second set and one-minute after TMI). During IMT, seven (33%) of patients presented minor cardiac arrhythmias, most of them isolated premature ventricular contractions. Additionally, no abnormal signs or symptoms were found., Conclusion: Apart of minor and clinically irrelevant ECG abnormalities seen in 1/3 of the patients, a short IMT session did not induce significant hemodynamic responses or relevant clinical abnormalities. Based on these results, for elderly patients involved in CPR, IMT seems to be clinically safe and continuous ECG monitoring did not seem to add significant or relevant information., Clinical Rehabilitation Impact: For elderly patients participating in CPR, short IMT sessions do not induce major hemodynamic responses and seem to be clinically safe. This is potentially useful information if IMT is to be prescribed in home-based programs.

High density genotyping panels have been used in a wide range of applications. From population genetics to genome-wide association studies, this technology still offers the lowest cost and the most consistent solution for generating SNP data. However, in spite of the application, part of the generated data is always discarded from final datasets based on quality control criteria used to remove unreliable markers. Some discarded data consists of markers that failed to generate genotypes, labeled as missing genotypes. A subset of missing genotypes that occur in the whole population under study may be caused by technical issues but can also be explained by the presence of genomic variations that are in the vicinity of the assayed SNP and that prevent genotyping probes from annealing. The latter case may contain relevant information because these missing genotypes might be used to identify population-specific genomic variants. In order to assess which case is more prevalent, we used Illumina HD Bovine chip genotypes from 1,709 Nelore (Bos indicus) samples. We found 3,200 missing genotypes among the whole population. NGS re-sequencing data from 8 sires were used to verify the presence of genomic variations within their flanking regions in 81.56% of these missing genotypes. Furthermore, we discovered 3,300 novel SNPs/Indels, 31% of which are located in genes that may affect traits of importance for the genetic improvement of cattle production.

A highly evolved relationship exists between the parasitic flatworm Schistosoma mansoni and its vertebrate hosts that include the use of host immune signals by parasites. The S. mansoni infection was studied in two strains of mice genetically selected, over 18 generations of assortative mating, for extreme phenotypes of susceptibility (TS) and resistance (TR) to immunological tolerance. The objective was to observe whether the different host genetic backgrounds affected the outcome of experimental schistosomiasis. Fecal egg excretion, tissue egg count, worm recovery, and adult worm morphology and morphometry were monitored throughout the period of infection. TR mice presented total fecal egg excretion and thickness of tegument in adult male worms significantly higher than TS mice. Therefore, the comparative analysis of mice with extreme phenotypes of immunological response turns out to be useful in host-parasite relationship studies. Our results suggest that the TR mouse immunological profile provides a more favorable environment for the development of S. mansoni.