Maternal Low-Protein Diet During Nursing Leads to Glucose-Insulin Dyshomeostasis and Pancreatic-Islet Dysfunction by Disrupting Glucocorticoid Responsiveness in Male Rats.

Both perinatal malnutrition and elevated glucocorticoids are pivotal triggers of the growing global pandemic of metabolic diseases. Here, we studied the effects of metabolic stress responsiveness on glucose-insulin homeostasis and pancreatic-islet function in male Wistar offspring whose mothers underwent protein restriction during lactation. During the first two weeks after delivery, lactating dams were fed a low-protein (4% protein, LP group) or normal-protein diet (22.

Radiometric evaluation of Ouratea miersii (Planch.) Engl. From the Municipal Natural Park of Niterói, Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest remnant.

Concern about radiation exposure to non-human biota and the environment has increased since the 1990s, resulting in several publications by UNSCEAR, IAEA, ICRP, among other agencies, which highlighted significant gaps in knowledge regarding non-human biota and resulted in the establishment of Reference Animals and Plants (RAPs). In Brazil, the Atlantic Forest biome has vast biodiversity, but there is a lack of information on the radiometric profile of plant species growing there. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the radiometric profile of Ouratea miersii (Malpighiales), endemic to the Atlantic Rainforest, collected in the State of Rio de Janeiro, city of Niterói, at the Municipal Natural Park (PARNIT), which covers a region of protected Atlantic Rainforest.

Carbohydrate-Binding Mechanism of the Coagulant Lectin from Seeds (cMoL) Is Related to the Dimeric Protein Structure.

This study characterized the binding mechanisms of the lectin cMoL (from Moringa oleifera seeds) to carbohydrates using spectroscopy and molecular dynamics (MD). The interaction with carbohydrates was studied by evaluating lectin fluorescence emission after titration with glucose or galactose (2.0-11 mM).

Monitoring cotton squares with opened and/or yellowed bracts to determine the need and efficency of chemical control against the cotton boll weevil.

The technique of terrestrial sampling of boll weevil (BW) populations is expensive and inefficient over large areas, but may be cheaper and more efficient without involving the manipulation of cotton squares. The aim of this study was to develop a technique to sampling cotton squares based on the observation of opened and/or yellowing bracts to determine the need and efficacy of chemical control of BW in cotton crops. The first experiment aimed to estimate the ratio between the number of cotton squares with opened and/or yellowed bracts and that of squares with BW oviposition punctures.

Tailoring Hydrogel Structures: Investigating the Effects of Multistep Cellulose Defibrillation on Polyvinyl Alcohol Composites.

Defibrillating cellulose through various grinding steps and incorporating it into hydrogels introduces unique properties that warrant thorough exploration. This study investigates cellulose defibrillation at different steps (15-120) using an ultra-fine friction grinder, blended with high-molecular-weight polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and crosslinked via freeze-thawing. A critical discovery is the influence of defibrillation on the hydrogel structure, as evidenced by reduced crystallinity, thermal degradation, and the enhanced swelling of PVA chains.

Predicting the Need for Blood Transfusions in Cardiac Surgery: A Comparison between Machine Learning Algorithms and Established Risk Scores in the Brazilian Population.

Introduction: Blood transfusion is a common practice in cardiac surgery, despite its well-known negative effects. To mitigate blood transfusion-associated risks, identifying patients who are at higher risk of needing this procedure is crucial. Widely used risk scores to predict the need for blood transfusions have yielded unsatisfactory results when validated for the Brazilian population.

Mixing property of symmetrical polygonal billiards.

The present work consists of a numerical study of the dynamics of irrational polygonal billiards. Our contribution reinforces the hypothesis that these systems can be strongly mixing, although never demonstrably chaotic, and discusses the role of rotational symmetries on the billiards boundaries. We introduce a biparametric polygonal billiard family with only C_{n} rotational symmetries.

Determining the nanostructure and main axis of gly-his-gly fibrils using the amide I' bands in FTIR, VCD, and Raman spectra.

The zwitterionic tripeptide glycyl-histidine-glycine (GHG) has been shown to self-assemble into visible crystalline fibrils that form a gel-supporting network with a very high storage modulus. Here we elaborate on the theory and experimental setup behind our novel approach employed to determining the main fibril axis for these gel-forming fibrils by simulating the amide I band profile for infrared absorption (IR), vibrational circular dichroism (VCD), and visible Raman scattering. We also highlight that combining these three vibrational spectroscopies can help in validating structures that are solved using powder x-ray diffraction analysis (PXRD).

Nanofibrillated cellulose originated from Rhododendron ponticum to produce scaffolds using 3D printing for biomedical applications.

Rhododendron ponticum is an invasive species that spreads rapidly and is described as one of the biggest threats to peatlands in Ireland. This study offers an innovative approach to utilizing Rhododendron waste. Initially, sawdust was submitted to a bleaching treatment and the nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) was obtained using two different methods: ultra-fine friction grinding and twin-screw extrusion with the assistance of TEMPO (2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy) pre-treatment.

Breaking bad news in neurology: assessing training, perceptions, and preparedness among residency programs in Brazil.

Objective: • Neurology trainees and program directors recognized a lack of structured breaking bad news training. • Program directors reported that many factors hinder the implementation of breaking bad news education. • Trainees felt capable of breaking bad news, but most did not have lectures, simulations, nor feedback.

Effects of supplementation of tropical fruit processing by-products on lipid profile, retinol levels and intestinal function in Wistar rats.

Fruits agro-industrial by-products may have a great variety of bioactive compounds that promote health. Thus, the effects of supplementation with acerola, cashew and guava processing by-products for 28 days on retinol level, lipid profile and on some aspects related to intestinal function in rats were investigated. The animals supplemented with different fruit by-products presented similar weight gain, faecal pH values and intestinal epithelial structures; however, they showed higher moisture and Lactobacillus spp.

Influence of central sidechain on self-assembly of glycine-x-glycine peptides.

Low molecular weight gelators (LMWGs) are the subject of intense research for a range of biomedical and engineering applications. Peptides are a special class of LMWG, which offer infinite sequence possibilities and, therefore, engineered properties. This work examines the propensity of the GxG peptide family, where x denotes a guest residue, to self-assemble into fibril networks changes in pH and ethanol concentration.

Albendazole is effective for controlling monogenean parasites of the gills of Piaractus brachypomus (Serrasalmidae) and Megaleporinus macrocephalus (Anostomidae).

Monogenean infestations can cause high mortality in farmed fish and therefore significant economic losses. The present study investigated the efficacy of albendazole in therapeutic baths against monogeneans of Piaractus brachypomus Cuvier, 1818 and Megaleporinus macrocephalus (Garavello & Britski, 1988). For both fish, a 24 hours therapeutic bath with albendazole concentrations of 150, 300 and 500 mg/L were tested against monogeneans from the gills.

Differential diagnosis between autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disorders with emphasis on the preschool period.

Background: Neurodevelopmental disorders are a heterogeneous group of conditions that manifest as delays or deviations in the acquisition of expected developmental milestones and behavioral changes. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in communication and social interaction and by repetitive and restricted patterns of behavior, interests and activities. The aim of this review is to discuss the clinical features of the differential diagnoses of ASD that are prevalent among preschoolers, focusing on their similarities and disparities.

Formulation and Evaluation of Fenbendazole Extended-Release Extrudes Processed by Hot-Melt Extrusion.

This study aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of hot-melt extrusion in the development of extended-release formulations of Fenbendazole (Fen) dispersed in PEO/PCL blend-based matrices. Their thermal, physical, chemical and viscosity properties were assessed by differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis/derivative thermogravimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction spectroscopy, and melt flow index. Drug dispersion was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy with electron dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and drug release was evaluated by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy.

Forbidden Secondary Structures Found in Gel-Forming Fibrils of Glycylphenylalanylglycine.

The zwitterionic l-tripeptide glycylphenylalanylglycine self-assembles into very long crystalline fibrils in an aqueous solution, which causes the formation of an exceptionally strong gel phase (' ∼ 5 × 10 Pa). The Rietveld refinement analysis of its powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) pattern reveals a unit cell with four peptides forming a 222 space group and adopting an inverse polyproline II conformation, that is, a right-handed helical structure that occupies the "forbidden" region of the Ramachandran plot. This unusual structure is stabilized by a plethora of intermolecular interactions facilitated by the large number of different functional groups of the unblocked tripeptide.

Intrauterine malnutrition disrupts leptin and ghrelin milk hormones, programming rats.

Herein, we assessed milk hormones, the biochemical composition of milk, and its association with neonatal body weight gain and metabolic homeostasis in weaned rats whose mothers were undernourished in the last third of pregnancy. From the 14th day of pregnancy until delivery, undernourished mothers had their food restricted by 50% (FR50), whereas control mothers were fed ad libitum. The litter size was adjusted to eight pups, and rats were weaned at 22 days old.

Characterization of Gels and Films Produced from Pinhão Seed Coat Nanocellulose as a Potential Use for Wound Healing Dressings and Screening of Its Compounds towards Antitumour Effects.

The reuse of agro-industrial waste assumes great importance today. Pinhão is the seed of , which is native to the mountains of southern Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina. The coat is a by-product of this seed and is rich in phenolic compounds.

Seeds of Cucurbita maxima and Carica papaya are effective for controlling monogeneans in the gills of Leporinus macrocephalus.

This study was carried out to evaluate the anthelminthic efficacy of seeds of Cucurbita maxima and Carica papaya for controlling monogeneans in the gills of Leporinus macrocephalus, besides hepatosomatic and splenosomatic index and condition factor of host. The fish were fed with seeds of C. maxima or C.

Proposal of a new method for the risk scoring and categorization of Brazilian food services.

Risk scores are used worldwide to predict foodborne disease (FBD) outbreaks in the food service industry. This study aims to develop and validate a new method for the calculation of the FBD risk score for the checklist used to categorize food service outlets. The proposed novel method is based on a risk score for each item using a risk matrix (consequence × probability), overcoming the limitations of the previous scoring process used during the World Cup in Brazil, which was based on a factorial analysis.

Development, Survival and Reproduction of (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Fed an Artificial Diet or on Cotton, Castor Bean and Corn Leaves.

The polyphagy of (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) renders its control difficult because variations in the phenology of host plants grown in different seasons of the year and near each other can facilitate the movement of this pest between crops. The objective of this work was to examine certain biological characteristics of fed on an artificial diet or on cotton, castor bean, or corn leaves. The experimental design was in randomized blocks, with four treatments represented by caterpillars fed an artificial diet (T1) or pieces of cotton (T2), castor bean (T3) or corn (T4) leaves with five replications (five caterpillars per replication).

RNAi-induced silencing of the succinate dehydrogenase subunits gene in Colletotrichum abscissum, the causal agent of postbloom fruit drop (PFD) in citrus.

The citrus crop is one of the most important culture worldwide, being Brazil the world highest producer of sweet oranges. The challenge for this culture is the constant attack by several pathogens that cause economically losses. Among the fungal diseases the post-bloom fruit drop causes dramatically losses in production, characterized by damages in the blossoms that causes fruit infeasibility and early drop, one of the causal agent is Colletotrichum abscissum.

Molecular characterization of DTUs of the triatomine species in a Chagas disease endemic area.

is the etiological agent of Chagas disease, a neglected tropical infection with great public health importance. This protozoan has triatomine insects as vector but may also be transmitted through blood transfusion, organ transplants, ingestion of contaminated food, or congenitally. It has a heterogeneous population classified into Discrete Typing Units (DTUs), TcI-TcVI and TcBat.

Time-reversal-invariant hexagonal billiards with a point symmetry.

A biparametric family of hexagonal billiards enjoying the C_{3} point symmetry is introduced and numerically investigated. First, the relative measure r(ℓ,θ;t) in a reduced phase space was mapped onto the parameter plane ℓ×θ for discrete time t up to 10^{8} and averaged in tens of randomly chosen initial conditions in each billiard. The resulting phase diagram allowed us to identify fully ergodic systems in the set.