Sociopolitical and economic elements to explain the environmental performance of countries.

The present research explains environmental performance using an ecological composite index as the dependent variable and focusing on two national dimensions: sociopolitical characteristics and economics. Environmental performance is measured using the Composite Index of Environmental Performance (CIEP) indicator proposed by García-Sánchez et al. (2015).

Translocation of metal ions from soil to tobacco roots and their concentration in the plant parts.

This paper presents a study on the translocation factors (TFs) and bioconcentration factors (BCFs) of copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), and arsenic (As) ions in roots, stems, and leaves of tobacco. The results revealed that during the tobacco growth, the roots are able to increase the sensitiveness of the physiological control, reducing the translocation of the metals Ni (0.38) and Pb (0.

Estimation of genetic diversity in a natural population of cambui tree (Myrciaria tenella O. Berg) using ISSR markers.

Cambui (Myrciaria tenella O. Berg) is a native species from Brazil, which belongs to the family Myrtaceae. Molecular characterization is one of the most used tools for the study of the biotechnological potential of species because the diversity level between individuals can be inferred.

Compatibility of caffeine, carvedilol, clomipramine hydrochloride, folic acid, hydrochlorothiazide, loperamide hydrochloride, methotrexate, nadolol, naltrexone hydrochloride and pentoxifylline in SyrSpend SF PH4 oral suspensions.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the compatibility of 10 commonly used active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) compounded in oral suspensions using a globally available suspending vehicle (SyrSpend SF PH4 liquid): caffeine 10.0 mg/mL, carvedilol 1.0 mg/mL, clomipramine hydrochloride 5.

Exclusive Primary Lesion of Oral Leishmaniasis with Immunohistochemical Diagnosis.

A case of oral leishmaniasis without cutaneous involvement affecting the upper alveolar ridge mucosa/gingiva and the hard palate is reported in a 41-year-old Brazilian man. Microscopic examination disclosed scarce amastigotes and the definitive diagnosis was facilitated by immunohistochemical analysis. The clinical presentation of this lesion is unusual and underlies the importance of considering leishmaniasis in the differential diagnosis of oral lesions, especially in endemic areas.

Minimizing discordances in automated classification of fractionated electrograms in human persistent atrial fibrillation.

Ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation (persAF) targeting complex fractionated atrial electrograms (CFAEs) detected by automated algorithms has produced conflicting outcomes in previous electrophysiological studies. We hypothesize that the differences in these algorithms could lead to discordant CFAE classifications by the available mapping systems, giving rise to potential disparities in CFAE-guided ablation. This study reports the results of a head-to-head comparison of CFAE detection performed by NavX (St.

The polynuclear complex CuIpy loaded in mesoporous silica: photophysics, theoretical investigation, and highly sensitive oxygen sensing application.

The polynuclear complex CuIpy has been largely studied in solution and in the powder form due to its interesting luminescent properties, which are largely dependent on temperature and pressure. In this work, we present the synthesis of the complex and its wet impregnation in a mesoporous silica host obtained by sol-gel methodology. For optimized loadings, the well-dispersed guest molecules exhibit strong interaction with molecular oxygen, resulting in a significant quenching of the luminescence.

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in Cellular Drug Transporters Are Associated with Intolerance to Antiretroviral Therapy in Brazilian HIV-1 Positive Individuals.

Adverse reactions are the main cause of treatment discontinuation among HIV+ individuals. Genes related to drug absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) influence drug bioavailability and treatment response. We have investigated the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 29 ADME genes and intolerance to therapy in a case-control study including 764 individuals.

Quality by design (QbD), Process Analytical Technology (PAT), and design of experiment applied to the development of multifunctional sunscreens.

Multifunctional formulations are of great importance to ensure better skin protection from harm caused by ultraviolet radiation (UV). Despite the advantages of Quality by Design and Process Analytical Technology approaches to the development and optimization of new products, we found in the literature only a few studies concerning their applications in cosmetic product industry. Thus, in this research work, we applied the QbD and PAT approaches to the development of multifunctional sunscreens containing bemotrizinol, ethylhexyl triazone, and ferulic acid.

Spatial distribution of scorpions according to the socioeconomic conditions in Campina Grande,State of Paraíba, Brazil.

Introduction: Due to its frequency and morbidity, such as that caused by scorpions have achieved public health importance in certain regions of the world. The present exploratory ecological study aimed to characterize the epidemiological profile and spatial distribution of scorpion stings in Campina Grande, State of Paraíba in Northeastern Brazil.

Methods: Geographical information system techniques were used to record the scorpion stings, and Google Earth software, Track Maker, and ArcGIS 10 Esri were used as geocoding databases.

Methods for assessing the quality of mammalian embryos: How far we are from the gold standard?

Morphological embryo classification is of great importance for many laboratory techniques, from basic research to the ones applied to assisted reproductive technology. However, the standard classification method for both human and cattle embryos, is based on quality parameters that reflect the overall morphological quality of the embryo in cattle, or the quality of the individual embryonic structures, more relevant in human embryo classification. This assessment method is biased by the subjectivity of the evaluator and even though several guidelines exist to standardize the classification, it is not a method capable of giving reliable and trustworthy results.

Altered expression of the tachykinins substance P/neurokinin A/hemokinin-1 and their preferred neurokinin 1/neurokinin 2 receptors in uterine leiomyomata.

Objective: To study the expression levels of tachykinins and tachykinin receptors in uterine leiomyomas and matched myometrium.

Design: Laboratory study.

Setting: University research laboratories and academic hospital.

Atypical Mansonella ozzardi Microfilariae from an Endemic Area of Brazilian Amazonia.

Mansonellosis is endemic in several regions of Africa, the Caribbean, and Latin America. Mansonella ozzardi and Mansonella perstans have been reported in Latin America, including the Amazon region. A morphological and molecular microfilariae study was performed in Pauini (Brazil).

Detection of antibodies to Oropouche virus in non-human primates in Goiânia City, Goiás.

Introduction: Arboviruses are associated with human disease, and non-human primates (NHPs) are important primary hosts. This study shows the detection of antibodies to Oropouche virus (OROV) in NHPs either living in urban parks or acclimatized at the Wild Animal Screening Center, Goiânia city.

Methods: Fifty blood samples were analyzed by hemagglutination-inhibition and neutralization assays.

Endophytic cultivable bacterial community obtained from the Paullinia cupana seed in Amazonas and Bahia regions and its antagonistic effects against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides.

Guarana (Paullinia cupana var. sorbilis) is a plant from the Amazonas region with socio-economic importance. However, guarana production has been increasingly affected by unfavorable conditions resulting from anthracnose, caused by the Colletotrichum fungal genus, which primarily affects mainly the Amazonas region.

Serum Levels of Substance P and Mortality in Patients with a Severe Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Substance P (SP), a member of tachykinin family, is involved in the inflammation of the central nervous system and in the appearance of cerebral edema. Higher serum levels of SP have been found in 18 patients with cerebral ischemia compared with healthy controls. The aim of our multi-center study was to analyze the possible association between serum levels of SP and mortality in ischemic stroke patients.

Physiological characterization and true-to-typeness evaluation of in vitro and ex vitro seedlings of Pinus elliottii: A contribution to breeding programs.

Pinus elliottii var. elliottii is a pine species with enormous economic value particularly for timber and resin industries, and is subject of high pressure for genetic improvement and cloning elite genotypes. We have recently developed a robust micropropagation protocol for this species.

LD Motif Recognition by Talin: Structure of the Talin-DLC1 Complex.

Cell migration requires coordination between integrin-mediated cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix and force applied to adhesion sites. Talin plays a key role in coupling integrin receptors to the actomyosin contractile machinery, while deleted in liver cancer 1 (DLC1) is a Rho GAP that binds talin and regulates Rho, and therefore actomyosin contractility. We show that the LD motif of DLC1 forms a helix that binds to the four-helix bundle of the talin R8 domain in a canonical triple-helix arrangement.

Phylodynamics of DENV-1 reveals the spatiotemporal co-circulation of two distinct lineages in 2013 and multiple introductions of dengue virus in Goiás, Brazil.

Dengue virus type 1 (DENV-1) was the first serotype introduced in Brazil, during in the 1980s. Since then, this virus has spread in the Brazilian territory, causing several outbreaks. In 2013 the highest number of dengue cases was notified, when compared to the previous years in Brazil, and the state of Goiás reported over 160 thousand cases.

Effectiveness of an aquatic exercise program and low-level laser therapy on articular cartilage in an experimental model of osteoarthritis in rats.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of an aquatic exercise program and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) (associated or not) on degenerative modifications and inflammatory mediators on the articular cartilage using an experimental model of knee OA.

Method: Forty male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups: knee OA - without treatment (OA); OA plus exercise program group (OAE); OA plus LLLT (OAL); OA plus exercise program associated with LLLT (OAEL). Trained rats performed a water-jumping program carrying a load equivalent to 50-80 % of their body mass strapped to their chest.

Direct visualization of the thermomagnetic behavior of pseudo-single-domain magnetite particles.

The study of the paleomagnetic signal recorded by rocks allows scientists to understand Earth's past magnetic field and the formation of the geodynamo. The magnetic recording fidelity of this signal is dependent on the magnetic domain state it adopts. The most prevalent example found in nature is the pseudo-single-domain (PSD) structure, yet its recording fidelity is poorly understood.

Expression of Tachykinins and Tachykinin Receptors and Interaction with Kisspeptin in Human Granulosa and Cumulus Cells.

The neurokinin B/NK3 receptor (NK3R) and kisspeptin/kisspeptin receptor (KISS1R), two systems which are essential for reproduction, are coexpressed in human mural granulosa (MGC) and cumulus cells (CCs). However, little is known about the presence of other members of the tachykinin family in the human ovary. In the present study, we analyzed the expression of substance P (SP), hemokinin-1 (HK-1), NK1 receptor (NK1R), and NK2 receptor (NK2R) in MGCs and CCs collected from preovulatory follicles of oocyte donors at the time of oocyte retrieval.

CD36 is expressed in a defined subpopulation of neurons in the olfactory epithelium.

The sensory neurons in the olfactory epithelium (OSNs) are equipped with a large repertoire of olfactory receptors and the associated signal transduction machinery. In addition to the canonical OSNs, which express odorant receptors (ORs), the epithelium contains specialized subpopulations of sensory neurons that can detect specific information from environmental cues and relay it to relevant neuronal circuitries. Here we describe a subpopulation of mature OSNs in the main olfactory epithelium (MOE) which expresses CD36, a multifunctional receptor involved in a series of biological processes, including sensory perception of lipid ligands.

Analysis of translational errors in frame-based and frameless cranial radiosurgery using an anthropomorphic phantom.

Objective: To evaluate three-dimensional translational setup errors and residual errors in image-guided radiosurgery, comparing frameless and frame-based techniques, using an anthropomorphic phantom.

Materials And Methods: We initially used specific phantoms for the calibration and quality control of the image-guided system. For the hidden target test, we used an Alderson Radiation Therapy (ART)-210 anthropomorphic head phantom, into which we inserted four 5mm metal balls to simulate target treatment volumes.

Enlarging Red Blood Cell Distribution Width During Hospitalization Identifies a Very High-Risk Subset of Acutely Decompensated Heart Failure Patients and Adds Valuable Prognostic Information on Top of Hemoconcentration.

Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) may serve as an integrative marker of pathological processes that portend worse prognosis in heart failure (HF). The prognostic value of RDW variation (ΔRDW) during hospitalization for acute heart failure (AHF) has yet to be studied.We retrospectively analyzed 2 independent cohorts: Centro Hospitalar do Porto (derivation cohort) and Lariboisière hospital (validation cohort).