Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Patogenicidade de Meloidogyne javanica em alface em função do tamanho de células de bandeja e idade de transplante das mudas - DOI: 10.4025/actasciagron.v28i2.1115

The root-knot nematode Meloidogyne species are important diseases of lettuce crop. This one being improved by transplanting as the seedling gets resistance with age. Aiming to get the maximum benefit out of this crop management strategy, combinations of tray cell size and seedling transplanting age were evaluated. The completely randomized experimental design was adopted in a factorial scheme (3 x 3 x 2) + 2, with eight replications. The treatments were the combination of three seedling ages, three tray cell size (with and without inoculation conditions of 10 5 eggs of Meloidogyne javanica per plant), and two check treatment directly sowing (whether inoculated or not). It was observed that the largest cells allowed to transplant older seedling, but with no resistance increase. The reduction of the growth on plants from directly sowing, in function of parasitism, was 54.4%, and on the transplanted ones was 28.8%. Thus, the stage of seedling showed to be critical, and the transplanting, despite the seedling age, could be considered a strategy to be added to the integrated management of nematode in lettuce crop.
Neonatal Clonazepam Administration Induced Long-Lasting Changes in GABAA and GABAB Receptors

Benzodiazepines (BZDs) are widely used in patients of all ages. Unlike adults, neonatal animals treated with BZDs exhibit a variety of behavioral deficits later in life; however, the mechanisms underlying these deficits are poorly understood. This study aims to examine whether administration of clonazepam (CZP; 1 mg/kg/day) in 7–11-day-old rats affects Gama aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic receptors in both the short and long terms. Using RT-PCR and quantitative autoradiography, we examined the expression of the selected GABAA receptor subunits (α1, α2, α4, γ2, and δ) and the GABAB B2 subunit, and GABAA, benzodiazepine, and GABAB receptor binding 48 h, 1 week, and 2 months after treatment discontinuation. Within one week after CZP cessation, the expression of the α2 subunit was upregulated, whereas that of the δ subunit was downregulated in both the hippocampus and cortex. In the hippocampus, the α4 subunit was downregulated after the 2-month interval. Changes in receptor binding were highly dependent on the receptor type, the interval after treatment cessation, and the brain structure. GABAA receptor binding was increased in almost all of the brain structures after the 48-h interval. BZD-binding was decreased in many brain structures involved in the neuronal networks associated with emotional behavior, anxiety, and cognitive functions after the 2-month interval. Binding of the GABAB receptors changed depending on the interval and brain structure. Overall, the described changes may affect both synaptic development and functioning and may potentially cause behavioral impairment.
Impact of temperature on bite force and bite endurance in the leopard iguana (Diplolaemus leopardinus) in the Andes Mountains

ABSTRACT In ectotherms, temperature exerts a strong influence on the performance of physiological and ecological traits. One approach to understanding the impact of rising temperatures on animals and their ability to cope with climate change is to quantify variation in thermal-sensitive traits. Here, we examined the thermal biology, temperature dependence and thermal plasticity of bite force (endurance and magnitude) in Diplolaemus leopardinus, an aggressive and territorial lizard endemic to Mendoza province, Argentina. Our results indicate that this lizard behaves like a moderate thermoregulator that uses the rocks of its environment as the main heat source. Bite endurance was not influenced by head morphometry and body temperature, whereas bite force was influenced by head length and jaw length, and exhibited thermal dependence. Before thermal acclimation treatments, the maximum bite force for D. leopardinus occurred at the lowest body temperature and fell sharply with increasing body temperature. After acclimation treatments, lizards acclimated at higher temperatures exhibited greater bite force. Bite force showed phenotypic plasticity, which reveals that leopard iguanas are able to maintain (and even improve) their bite force under a rising-temperature scenario. Summary: Leopard iguanas bite during prey capture, defense, sexual competition and copulation. Experimental data show they would maintain or improve bite performance at the higher temperatures projected in climate-change scenarios.
Biochemical Characteristics and a Genome-Scale Metabolic Model of an Indian Euryhaline Cyanobacterium with High Polyglucan Content

Marine cyanobacteria are promising microbes to capture and convert atmospheric CO2 and light into biomass and valuable industrial bio-products. Yet, reports on metabolic characteristics of non-model cyanobacteria are scarce. In this report, we show that an Indian euryhaline Synechococcus sp. BDU 130192 has biomass accumulation comparable to a model marine cyanobacterium and contains approximately double the amount of total carbohydrates, but significantly lower protein levels compared to Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 cells. Based on its annotated chromosomal genome sequence, we present a genome scale metabolic model (GSMM) of this cyanobacterium, which we have named as iSyn706. The model includes 706 genes, 908 reactions, and 900 metabolites. The difference in the flux balance analysis (FBA) predicted flux distributions between Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 and Synechococcus sp. BDU130192 strains mimicked the differences in their biomass compositions. Model-predicted oxygen evolution rate for Synechococcus sp. BDU130192 was found to be close to the experimentally-measured value. The model was analyzed to determine the potential of the strain for the production of various industrially-useful products without affecting growth significantly. This model will be helpful to researchers interested in understanding the metabolism as well as to design metabolic engineering strategies for the production of industrially-relevant compounds.
Leukamenin E Induces K8/18 Phosphorylation and Blocks the Assembly of Keratin Filament Networks Through ERK Activation

Leukamenin E is a natural ent-kaurane diterpenoid isolated from Isodon racemosa (Hemsl) Hara that has been found to be a novel and potential keratin filament inhibitor, but its underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here, we show that leukamenin E induces keratin filaments (KFs) depolymerization, largely independently of microfilament (MFs) and microtubules (MTs) in well-spread cells and inhibition of KFs assembly in spreading cells. These effects are accompanied by keratin phosphorylation at K8-Ser73/Ser431 and K18-Ser52 via the by extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) pathway in primary liver carcinoma cells (PLC) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Moreover, leukamenin E increases soluble pK8-Ser73/Ser431, pK18-Ser52, and pan-keratin in the cytoplasmic supernatant by immunofluorescence imaging and Western blotting assay. Accordingly, leukamenin E inhibits the spreading and migration of cells. We propose that leukamenin E-induced keratin phosphorylation may interfere with the initiation of KFs assembly and block the formation of a new KFs network, leading to the inhibition of cell spreading. Leukamenin E is a potential target drug for inhibition of KFs assembly.
Tetraploidy-Associated Genetic Heterogeneity Confers Chemo-Radiotherapy Resistance to Colorectal Cancer Cells

Tetraploidy, or whole-genome duplication, is a common phenomenon in cancer and preludes chromosome instability, which strongly correlates with disease progression, metastasis, and treatment failure. Therefore, it is reasonable to hypothesize that tetraploidization confers multidrug resistance. Nevertheless, the contribution of whole-genome duplication to chemo-radiotherapy resistance remains unclear. Here, using isogenic diploid and near-tetraploid clones from three colorectal cancer cell lines and one non-transformed human epithelial cell line, we show a consistent growth impairment but a divergent tumorigenic potential of near-tetraploid cells. Next, we assessed the effects of first-line chemotherapeutic drugs, other commonly used agents and ionizing radiation, and found that whole-genome duplication promoted increased chemotherapy resistance and also conferred protection against irradiation. When testing the activation of apoptosis, we observed that tetraploid cells were less prone to caspase 3 activation after treatment with first-line chemotherapeutic agents. Furthermore, we found that pre-treatment with ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3 related (ATR) inhibitors, which targets response to replication stress, significantly enhanced the sensitivity of tetraploid cells to first-line chemotherapeutic agents as well as to ionizing radiation. Our findings provide further insight into how tetraploidy results in greater levels of tolerance to chemo-radiotherapeutic agents and, moreover, we show that ATR inhibitors can sensitize near-tetraploid cells to commonly used chemo-radiotherapy regimens.
Prevention of postanesthetic shivering under subarachnoid block for cesarean section: A randomized, controlled study comparing tramadol versus ondansetron

Background: Shivering is a frequent undesirable event in patients undergoing cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia. Postanesthetic shivering has a multitude of deleterious effects and different methods have been used to prevent it. We therefore compare the efficacy of ondansetron to that of tramadol in preventing postanesthetic shivering in women undergoing cesarean section under subarachnoid block. Aim: Comparison of the efficacy of ondansetron to that of tramadol in preventing postanesthetic shivering in women undergoing cesarean section under subarachnoid block. Subject and Methods: This is a prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study. The patients (n = 109) were randomly allocated to three groups according to the study drugs, namely tramadol 50 mg group (Group T), ondansetron 4 mg group (Group O), and saline 4 ml group (Group S) using envelope randomization. Statistical analyses were done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences 20.0. Results: A total of 100 patients completed the study (33 in Group S, 33 in Group T, and 34 in Group O). The three groups were comparable with respect to demographic characteristics. Shivering was observed in 16 (48.5%) of the patients in Group S; 13 (39.4%) patients in Group T, and in only 2 (5.9%) patients in Group O. The differences in incidence of shivering were statistically significant between Groups O and S (P = 0.000) and Groups O and T (P = 0.001) but not between Groups T and S (P = 0.460). The differences across the groups were not statistically significant in terms of incidence of intraoperative hypotension, bradycardia, and the cumulative amount of ephedrine consumed. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that ondansetron is superior to tramadol in preventing shivering under spinal anesthesia in women undergoing cesarean section.
Building a Nomogram for Prediction of Prostate Cancer in Patients With Preoperatively Suspected Prostate Cancer

Background/Aim: Expanded indications for patients with preoperatively suspected prostate cancer (PC) undergoing theranostic robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (T-RARP) are reported. We aimed to build a nomogram of T-RARP to predict final pathologically proven PC. This study reviewed data of 153 patients that underwent T-RARP for suspected PC performed by the same surgeon. Patients and Methods: Patients' preoperative demographic and clinical characteristics included age, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, PSA density (PSAD), history of acute urinary retention (AUR), abnormal digital rectal examination (DRE) of the prostate, and Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) classification at 3-T multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Logistic regression with backward elimination was used to select potential risk factors. Results: Based on Harrell's guidelines, we chose seven variables for our final model: Age, DRE corresponding with MRI, AUR, PSAD, prostate-specific antigen velocity (PSAV), PI-RADS, and biopsy pathology. A nomogram for prediction of adenocarcinoma was developed. The original C-index for the nomogram was 0.80 (95% confidence interval=0.74-0.89). The cut-off of the nomogram score for predicting PC was 50 (sensitivity=55.4%; specificity=91.9%). The receiver operating characteristic curve of the model analysis showed an area under the curve of 0.801. Conclusion: A nomogram was produced using age, DRE-corresponding MRI, AUR, PSAD, PSAV, PI-RADS, and biopsy pathology. A preoperative nomogram prediction of prostate adenocarcinoma can help the patient and his family understand the possibility of PC and assist them in their decision-making.
Combined Use of Lachancea thermotolerans and Schizosaccharomyces pombe in Winemaking: A Review

The combined use of Lachancea thermotolerans and Schizosaccharomyces pombe is a new winemaking biotechnology that aims to solve some modern industrial oenology problems related to warm viticulture regions. These areas are characterized for producing musts with high levels of sugar that can potentially be converted into wines with elevated ethanol contents, which are usually associated with high pH levels. This biotechnology was reported for the first time in 2015, and since then, several scientific articles have been published regarding this topic. These reported scientific studies follow an evolution similar to that performed in the past for Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Oenococcus oeni; they start by reporting results for basic winemaking parameters at the beginning, later continuing with more advanced parameters. This review compares the results of different researchers that have applied this new biotechnology and have studied wine quality parameters such as ethanol, glycerol, malic acid, lactic acid, amino acids, aroma compounds, or anthocyanins. It is shown that the new biotechnology is repeatedly reported to solve specific winemaking problems such as the lack of acidity, biogenic amines, ethyl carbamate, or undesirable color losses. Such results highlight this biotechnology as a promising option for warm viticulture areas.
Body mass variation is negatively associated with brain size: Evidence for the fat‐brain trade‐off in anurans

Species can evolve diverse strategies to survive periods of uncertainty. Animals may either invest in energy storage, allowing them to decrease foraging costs, such as locomotion or risk of predation, or they may invest in better cognitive abilities helping them to flexibly adapt their behavior to meet novel challenges. Here, we test this idea of a fat‐brain trade‐off in 38 species of Chinese anurans by relating the coefficient of variation of body mass (CVbodymass; as an indicator of how much animals invest into storage over the season) to brain anatomical features. After correcting for shared ancestry and body mass, we found a negative relationship between relative brain size and CVbodymass. This indicates that anurans seem to trade‐off physiological and cognitive buffering during energy shortages. As similar patterns have been reported in arboreal mammals and primates our findings suggest that the fat‐brain trade‐off, where animals either invest into physiological or cognitive strategies to survive harsh conditions, may be a general pattern across vertebrates.
Can We Accurately Measure Axial Segment Coordination during Turning Using Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs)?

Camera-based 3D motion analysis systems are considered to be the gold standard for movement analysis. However, using such equipment in a clinical setting is prohibitive due to the expense and time-consuming nature of data collection and analysis. Therefore, Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) have been suggested as an alternative to measure movement in clinical settings. One area which is both important and challenging is the assessment of turning kinematics in individuals with movement disorders. This study aimed to validate the use of IMUs in the measurement of turning kinematics in healthy adults compared to a camera-based 3D motion analysis system. Data were collected from twelve participants using a Vicon motion analysis system which were compared with data from four IMUs placed on the forehead, middle thorax, and feet in order to determine accuracy and reliability. The results demonstrated that the IMU sensors produced reliable kinematic measures and showed excellent reliability (ICCs 0.80–0.98) and no significant differences were seen in paired t-tests in all parameters when comparing the two systems. This suggests that the IMU sensors provide a viable alternative to camera-based motion capture that could be used in isolation to gather data from individuals with movement disorders in clinical settings and real-life situations.
Two-Year Outcomes of the New Low-cost Nonvalved Aurolab Aqueous Drainage Implant in Refractory Glaucoma

Purpose: This study aimed to report the 2-year surgical outcomes in terms of efficacy and safety of the relatively new, indigenously manufactured, low-cost nonvalved drainage device Aurolab Aqueous Drainage Implant (AADI) in the management of refractory glaucomas in the Indian population. Methods: A retrospective review of consecutive patients older than 12 years, who underwent nonvalved glaucoma drainage device surgery via AADI, was performed by a single fellowship-trained surgeon, between January 2014 and January 2018, who had at least 12 months of documented postoperative follow-up. Outcome Measures: Primary—intraocular pressure (IOP). Secondary—number of antiglaucoma medication (AGM), LogMAR best-corrected visual acuity and complications. Complete success was defined as IOP ≥5 and ≤21 mm Hg; qualified success was defined as fulfilling the above criteria with the use of AGM. Failure was defined as the inability to fulfill the IOP criteria, loss of perception of light, explantation, or any additional glaucoma surgery. Results: A total of 48 eyes of 46 patients were included with a median follow-up of 24 months (quartile 1=16, quartile 3=31.25; interquartile range=15.25) (mean=24.9 mo; SD=10.1). The IOP and number of AGM required was significantly lower at every timepoint postoperatively (P<0.001). The median LogMAR best-corrected visual acuity remained unchanged (P=0.307). Complications occurred in 21 patients (43.7%); some eyes had >1 complication. Complete success was seen in 56.3%; overall success was 87.5%. Conclusions: The safety and efficacy of the new nonvalved glaucoma drainage device, AADI, remain in its second year after implantation. Still further follow-up is recommended, as it has the ability to breach the cost barrier in newly industrialized nations worldwide
Retrospective single‐centre experience on the effect of the DAWN trial on the utilisation pattern, diagnostic yield and accuracy of CT perfusions performed for suspected acute stroke

The recent DAWN trial created a paradigm shift in acute stroke treatment from ‘time‐based’ criteria (within 6 hours) to ‘tissue‐based’ criteria dependent on advanced neuroimaging such as CT perfusion (CTP). This has expanded the thrombectomy window from 6 to 24 hours and has major implications for healthcare providers involved in acute stroke management. Our aim is to characterise changes in the utilisation, diagnostic yield and accuracy of CTP in the diagnosis of acute stroke in the year following the DAWN trial.
Freezing Tolerance and Injury in Grapevines

Summary Grapes, due to their wide distribution, are one of the temperate fruit crops most frequently damaged by freezing temperatures. Freezing injury can result in decreases in yield and substantial economic losses to grape growers, subsequently impacting fruit wholesalers, wineries, distributors, and related industries. Freeze damage is not limited to the northern or southern limits of the production range. Freezing injury can occur in spring, fall, or winter in many of the grape growing regions. An understanding of the mechanisms involved in freezing tolerance, acclimation, and deacclimation in grapevines is needed to match cultivars appropriately with growing sites, improve cultural practices that minimize freezing injury, and aid in breeding and selecting cultivars with improved freezing tolerance. The ability to avoid or tolerate freezing temperatures includes a complex set of traits that is influenced by the inherent genetic characteristics of the grapevine and its interaction with the environment. In the present review, the mechanisms of freezing tolerance in grapevines are summarized and discussed in relation to the influence of genotype, phenological development, and environmental factors.
COVID-19 and Older People in Asia: AWGS Calls to Actions.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has casted a huge impact on global public health and economy. In this challenging situation, older people are vulnerable to the infection and the secondary effects of the pandemic and need special attentions. To evaluate the impacts of COVID-19 on older people, it is important to balance the successful pandemic control and active management of secondary consequences. These considerations are especially salient in the Asian context, with its diversity among countries in terms of sociocultural heritage, healthcare setup and availability of resources. Thus, the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia summarized the considerations of Asian countries focusing on responses and difficulties in each country, impacts of health inequity related to COVID-19 pandemic and proposed recommendations for older people which are germane to the Asian context. More innovative services should be developed to address the increasing demands for new approaches to deliver health care in the difficult times and to establish resilient health care systems for older people. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Association between malnutrition, clinical parameters and health-related quality of life in elderly hospitalized patients with Parkinson’s disease: A cross-sectional study

Objective This study aimed to explore the association between malnutrition, clinical parameters, and health-related quality of life in elderly hospitalized patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Methods Cross-sectional study of 92 hospitalized elderly patients with PD (mean age 73.6 ± 6.7 years) without dementia. The Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) was used to evaluate nutritional status. Motor impairment and non-motor symptoms burden (Movement Disorder Society-sponsored revision of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale [MDS-UPDRS], Non-Motor Symptoms Questionnaire, and Hoehn & Yahr staging), depression (Becks Depression Inventory-II), and health-related quality of life (PD quality of life Questionnaire-39) were assessed. Results Every second patient was malnourished or at risk of malnutrition. In the multivariable analysis, male gender, longer disease duration, higher Hoehn & Yahr and depression were associated with total MNA score. Besides non-motor symptoms and motor impairment, malnutrition was an independent predictor of poor health-related quality of life. In the multivariate analysis, malnutrition had a statistically significant effect on emotional well-being, mobility, social support, stigmatization, and cognition. The strongest association was found between malnutrition and emotional well-being. Conclusion Elderly male persons with longer PD duration and higher disease stages are more likely to be malnourished or at risk for malnutrition. Malnutrition was mainly associated with poor emotional well-being, suggesting that treatment of depression and anxiety beside diet and physical activity can help improving nutrition status in these subjects. The MNA should not be used independent of other measures of cognition and depression in people with advanced PD.