Enhancing evaluation of bull fertility through multivariate analysis of sperm.

Computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) has become the predominant tool for assessing bull semen in AI programs. Despite such popularity CASA's ability to predict fertility has been limited, especially when emphasis is based on single motion characteristics. Our hypothesis is that numerical sets of CASA measures provide a more effective method to differentiate the potential fertilization capacity of bulls and that bulls can be clustered based on sets of CASA measures.

Acute Response of Calcium Lactate Supplementation on the Athletic Performance of Soccer Players Under the Age of 15.

Purpose: To determine the acute response of lactate supplementation on athletic performance.

Method: Fifteen athletes under the age of 15 performed the following 4 sessions in a nonrandomized order: (1) familiarization, (2) control, (3)  participants ingested calcium lactate (21.5 mg·kg-1 body mass), and (4) participants ingested a placebo (PLA, calcium carbonate, 21.

Novel Dihydropteridinone Derivatives As Potent Inhibitors of the Understudied Human Kinases Vaccinia-Related Kinase 1 and Casein Kinase 1δ/ε.

Vaccinia-related kinase 1 (VRK1) and the δ and ε isoforms of casein kinase 1 (CK1) are linked to various disease-relevant pathways. However, the lack of tool compounds for these kinases has significantly hampered our understanding of their cellular functions and therapeutic potential. Here, we describe the structure-based development of potent inhibitors of VRK1, a kinase highly expressed in various tumor types and crucial for cell proliferation and genome integrity.

NLC-Based Sunscreen Formulations with Optimized Proportion of Encapsulated and Free Filters Exhibit Enhanced UVA and UVB Photoprotection.

The topical use of sunscreens is recommended for avoiding the damaging effects of UV radiation. However, improvements are still needed in the existing products to enhance their photoprotection effectiveness and safety. This involves minimizing the use of chemical UV filters while providing enhanced and prolonged photoprotection.

Peptide-based self-assembled monolayers (SAMs): what peptides can do for SAMs and .

Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) represent highly ordered molecular materials with versatile biochemical features and multidisciplinary applications. Research on SAMs has made much progress since the early begginings of Au substrates and alkanethiols, and numerous examples of peptide-displaying SAMs can be found in the literature. Peptides, presenting increasing structural complexity, stimuli-responsiveness, and biological relevance, represent versatile functional components in SAMs-based platforms.

Estimation of genetic parameters for reproductive indices in sheep.

This study aimed to estimate two reproductive efficiency indices in sheep based on the ratio between litter weight (at birth and weaning) and dam weight, as well as their genetic parameters. Phenotypic and pedigree data comprising the period from 1990 to 2018 were obtained from the Santa Inês sheep database of Embrapa Tabuleiros Costeiros. For estimation of the genetic parameters of the indices, a repeatability model was applied in single- and two-trait analyses by a Bayesian approach.

Bioclimatic thermal stress indices and their relationships with andrological characteristics in hair rams.

This study evaluated relationships among reproductive parameters and the bioclimatic indices: temperature and humidity index (THI), equivalent temperature index (ETI), black globe temperature and humidity index (BGTHI), and thermal comfort index (TCI), during the first 45 days of spermatogenesis (SP-45) and during the 15 days of sperm transit through the epididymis (STP-15) that preceded the reproductive assessments (ReA). Such information is useful in determining the optimal breeding season in Northeast Brazil. Santa Inês rams (n = 25) underwent two ReA in three periods of the year (D-P = dry; R-P = rainy and RD-P = rainy/dry transition), and the bioclimatic indices were calculated at the corresponding SP-45 and STP-15 timepoints prior to each ReA.

Incorporation of Biotechnologies into Gene Banking Strategies to Facilitate Rapid Reconstitution of Populations.

National animal gene banks that are responsible for conserving livestock, poultry, and aquatic genetic resources need to be capable of utilizing a broad array of cryotechnologies coupled with assisted reproductive technologies to reconstitute either specific animals or populations/breeds as needed. This capability is predicated upon having sufficient genetic diversity (usually encapsulated by number of animals in the collection), units of germplasm or tissues, and the ability to reconstitute animals. While the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO 2012, 2023) developed a set of guidelines for gene banks on these matters, those guidelines do not consider applications and utilization of newer technologies (e.

From Policies to Practices: Factors Related to the Use of Inclusive Practices in Portugal.

Inclusion is considered a foundation for quality education, and teachers' inclusive practices are essential for success in mainstream classrooms. Portugal has been making progressive improvements in its policies for inclusive education, although there is little consistency in school practices within or between schools. Moreover, data identifying the personal and career variables relevant to teachers' inclusive practices in Portugal are scarce.

The leaf idioblastome of the medicinal plant Catharanthus roseus is associated with stress resistance and alkaloid metabolism.

Catharanthus roseus leaves produce a range of monoterpenoid indole alkaloids (MIAs) that include low levels of the anticancer drugs vinblastine and vincristine. The MIA pathway displays a complex architecture spanning different subcellular and cell type localizations, and is under complex regulation. As a result, the development of strategies to increase the levels of the anticancer MIAs has remained elusive.

The chloroplast protein HCF164 is predicted to be associated with Coffea S9 resistance factor against Hemileia vastatrix.

To explore the connection between chloroplast and coffee resistance factors, designated as S1 to S9, whole genomic DNA of 42 coffee genotypes was sequenced, and entire chloroplast genomes were de novo assembled. The chloroplast phylogenetic haplotype network clustered individuals per species instead of S factors. However, for the first time, it allowed the molecular validation of Coffea arabica as the maternal parent of the spontaneous hybrid "Híbrido de Timor".

Improving cancer immunotherapy co-delivering checkpoint blockade and thrombospondin-1 downregulator.

The use of checkpoint-blockade antibodies is still restricted in several malignancies due to the modest efficacy, despite considerable success in anti-tumor immunotherapy. The poor response of cancer cells to immune destruction is an essential contributor to the failure of checkpoint therapy. We hypothesized that combining checkpoint therapy with natural-product chemosensitizer could enhance immune response.

Effects of a Portuguese social-emotional learning program on the competencies of elementary school students.

Introduction: It is widely recognized that socio-emotional learning (SEL) interventions can contribute to supporting students' positive development of socio-emotional skills (SES) and positive relationships with peers and teachers. Thus, interest in promoting students' SES through universal evidence-based programs is spreading around the world, including in Portuguese schools.

Methods: This quasi-experimental study examines the efficacy of a SEL classroom-based program, infused into the curriculum, on students' communication, self-regulation, and classroom peer relationships.

Association between different soy lecithin-based extenders and freezing rates in ram semen cryopreservation.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of the association between glycine-milk (GM) based extenders made with different concentrations of soy lecithin (SL) and freezing rates (FR) on semen quality after thawing. Pooled semen from rams (n = 12) were diluted in GM extenders with 20% egg yolk (EY-20%) or with different concentrations of SL: 0.5% (SL-0.

Structuring supramolecular hyaluronan hydrogels via peptide self-assembly for modulating the cell microenvironment.

The use of synthetic extracellular matrices (ECMs) in fundamental cell culture studies has been instrumental for investigating the interplay between cells and matrix components. To provide cells with a more native environment , it is desirable to design matrices that are biomimetic and emulate compositional and structural features of natural ECMs. Here, the supramolecular fabrication of peptide-hyaluronan (HA) hydrogels is presented as potential ECM surrogates, combining native HA and rationally designed cationic amphipatic peptides [(KI)K, lysine (K), isoleucine (I), n ​= ​2-6] whose mechanical properties and microstructure are tunable by the peptide sequence.

Embracing complexity in biomaterials design.

Animate materials, man-made materials behaving like living systems, are attracting enormous interest across a range of sectors, from construction and transport industry to medicine. In this leading opinion article, we propose that embracing complexity in biomaterials design offers untapped opportunities to create biomaterials with innovative life-like properties that extend their capabilities and unleash new paradigms in medical treatment.

Effects of cell concentration during cryopreservation on the post-thaw quality of Santa ines ram sperm.

Background: Non-surgical artificial insemination techniques for sheep may benefit from larger numbers of sperm in the insemination dose because the ewe cervix is convoluted and often cannot be traversed with an insemination gun resulting in deposition of the sperm at the os cervix.

Objective: To compare a range of sperm concentrations when cryopreserving semen from Santa Ines rams and determine the effects of this on post-thaw quality.

Materials And Methods: One ejaculate from each ram (n = 10) was diluted to four sperm concentrations to obtain the following groups: G-400, G-800, G-1200, and G-1600 x 10 sperm/mL.

Persistence of symptoms and return to work after hospitalization for COVID-19.

Many patients hospitalized with COVID-19 were unable to return to work or their return was delayed due to their health condition. The aim of this observational study was to evaluate the impact of moderate-to-severe and critical COVID-19 infection on persistence of symptoms and return to work after hospital discharge. In this study, two thirds of hospitalized patients with pulmonary involvement reported persistence of symptoms six months after COVID-19 infection, such as memory loss (45.

Bioinformatic Tools for Exploring the SUMO Gene Network: An Update.

Plant sumoylation research has seen significant advances in recent years, particularly since high-throughput proteomic strategies have enabled the discovery of more than one thousand SUMO targets. In the present chapter, we update the previously reported SUMO (small ubiquitin-related modifier) gene network (SGN) to its v4 iteration. SGN is a curated assembly of Arabidopsis thaliana genes that have been functionally associated with sumoylation, from SUMO pathway components to targets and interactors.

Postural Adjustments in HTLV-1 Infected Patients during a Self-Initiated Perturbation.

Background: Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) infection can be associated with tropical spastic paraparesis (TSP/HAM), which causes neurological myelopathy and sensory and muscle tone alterations, leading to gait and balance impairments. Once trunk perturbation is predicted, the motor control system uses anticipatory and compensatory mechanisms to maintain balance by recruiting postural muscles and displacement of the body's center of mass.

Methods: Twenty-six participants (control or infected) had lower limb muscle onset and center of pressure (COP) displacements assessed prior to perturbation and throughout the entire movement.

Deep Q-network for social robotics using emotional social signals.

Social robotics represents a branch of human-robot interaction dedicated to developing systems to control the robots to operate in unstructured environments with the presence of human beings. Social robots must interact with human beings by understanding social signals and responding appropriately to them. Most social robots are still pre-programmed, not having great ability to learn and respond with actions adequate during an interaction with humans.

Use of logistic models to evaluate the response of superovulation treatment and embryo production in Santa Inês ewes.

The study aimed to verify the influence of the FecG mutation in superovulated ewes and to evaluate the probability of logistic models to determine the response capacity of these ewes to superovulatory treatment. Santa Inês ewes (n = 29) were genotyped for the FecG mutation and separated for their genotype group in carriers of the mutant E allele (FecG, FecG) and non-carrier (FecG) alleles. The ewes underwent hormonal treatment for superovulation.

Regulation of the Zinc Deficiency Response in the Legume Model .

The zinc deficiency response in is regulated by F-group basic region leucine-zipper (F-bZIP) transcription factors, and there is evidence of evolutionary conservation of this regulatory network in land plants. Fundamental knowledge on the zinc homeostasis regulation in crop species will contribute to improving their zinc nutritional value. Legumes are protein-rich crops, used worldwide as part of traditional diets and as animal forage, being therefore a good target for micronutrient biofortification.

CACHE (Critical Assessment of Computational Hit-finding Experiments): A public-private partnership benchmarking initiative to enable the development of computational methods for hit-finding.

One aspirational goal of computational chemistry is to predict potent and drug-like binders for any protein, such that only those that bind are synthesized. In this Roadmap, we describe the launch of Critical Assessment of Computational Hit-finding Experiments (CACHE), a public benchmarking project to compare and improve small molecule hit-finding algorithms through cycles of prediction and experimental testing. Participants will predict small molecule binders for new and biologically relevant protein targets representing different prediction scenarios.