Environmental variation often drives evolutionary processes like population differentiation, local adaptation and speciation. We used genome-scale data to investigate the contribution of environmental variation to evolution of the North Caribbean bark anole (Anolis distichus), a widespread common lizard that exhibits impressive phenotypic variation across varying habitats on the island of Hispaniola. We obtained new double-digest restriction-associated DNA sequence data (ddRADseq) from nearly 200 individuals and used 53 GIS data layers representing a range of environmental variables.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Metabolic bone disease (MBD) of newborns (NB) is characterized by tissue reduction and inadequate postnatal bone mineralization with clinical, laboratory, and/or radiologic repercussions between the third and twelfth weeks of postnatal life, which, in its most severe forms, can lead to a growth deficit and fractures. The aim of our study is to evaluate the incidence of MBD in premature patients receiving parenteral nutrition for >15 days in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and assess their clinical and laboratory characteristics.
Methods: Single-center retrospective cohort study.
Introduction: Stress occurs more frequently in groups in which the degree of responsibility and decision-making power play notable roles in society, such as professors and health professionals.
Objectives: To measure and understand the stress of professors in the undergraduate course of Medicine and Dentistry of a private educational institution in northeastern Brazil.
Methods: Observational, descriptive and exploratory study with a quantitative approach was conducted between November 2018 and September 2019.
Color and pattern are often critical to survival and fitness, but we know little about their genetic architecture and heritability in groups like reptiles. We investigated the genetic architecture for the pattern of the dewlap-an extensible throat fan important for communication-in anole lizards. We studied the Hispaniolan bark anole (Anolis distichus)-a species that exhibits impressive intraspecific dewlap polymorphism across its range-by conducting multigenerational experimental crosses with 2 populations, one with a solid pale yellow dewlap and another with an orange dewlap surrounded by a yellow margin.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFStaphylococci are well-known opportunistic pathogens associated with suppurative diseases in humans and animals. Antimicrobial resistance is an emergent threat to humans and animals worldwide. This study investigated the prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus spp.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAnimals (Basel)
November 2023
The vitrification of ovarian follicles is a strategic tool that may contribute to advances in aquaculture and the conservation of many important species. Despite the difficulties inherent to the cryopreservation of oocytes, some successful protocols have been developed for different species, but little is known about the capacity of oocytes to develop after thawing. Therefore, the profiles of the reproductive pathway genes and fatty acid membrane composition during the initial stages of development were analyzed in fresh ovarian follicles and follicles after the vitrification process.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAnimals (Basel)
October 2023
Purpose: The number of medical schools in Brazil has increased in recent years; however, vacancies for specialization in ophthalmology probably have not kept up with the growing demand. This study wants to estimate the increase in medical schools, the demand for ophthalmology specialization, and evaluate learning opportunities in ophthalmology.
Methods: This was a retrospective study with research from the Ministry of Education and Brazilian Council of Ophthalmology database from 2002 to 2021.
Microwave-assisted wet digestion (MAWD) using only HO was proposed for oxidizing active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) for hypertension treatment and subsequent determination by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Diltiazem hydrochloride (DIL) presented the most refractory characteristic for oxidation using MAWD-HO. This proposed MAWD-HO method was validated for specificity, accuracy, and precision according to United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Chapter 233 guidelines.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA simple, fast and promising sample preparation method based on microwave-induced combustion in disposable vessels (MIC-DV) was developed for Cl and S determination in crude oil by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The MIC-DV consists of a new approach of conventional microwave-induced combustion (MIC). For the combustion, crude oil was pipetted on a disk of filter paper and placed on a quartz holder, followed by the addition of igniter solution (40 μL of 10 mol L NHNO).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWe studied the demographic and clinical predictors associated with keratoconus progression in a pediatric population. Retrospective cohort study. We evaluated 305 eyes without previous surgeries from 168 patients, 9 to < 18 years old, and with a minimum 36-month follow-up in a hospital corneal ambulatory.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn this study, a miniaturized liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) method for pre-concentration of Na, K, Ca, and Mg in crude oil was proposed. Analytes in crude oil were quantitatively extracted to the aqueous phase, followed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) determination. The following parameters were evaluated: type of extraction solution, sample mass, heating temperature and time, stirring time, centrifugation time, and the use of toluene and chemical demulsifier.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFUltraviolet light at wavelengths from 254 to 283 nm/has been reported to effectively suppress powdery mildews in several crops, including some cucurbits. Its use to suppress powdery mildew () specifically in cantaloupe has not been previously reported. We evaluated the foregoing technology in cantaloupe fields for suppression of powdery mildew and possible effects on plant growth and yield.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe α-Klotho is an anti-aging protein that, when overexpressed, extends the life span in humans and mice. It has an anti-inflammatory and protective action on renal cells by inhibiting NF-κB activation and production of inflammatory cytokines in response to TNF-α. Furthermore, studies have shown the neuroprotective effect of α-Klotho against neuroinflammation on different conditions, such as aging, animal models of neurodegenerative diseases, and ischemic brain injury.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRapid technological improvements are democratizing access to high quality, chromosome-scale genome assemblies. No longer the domain of only the most highly studied model organisms, now non-traditional and emerging model species can be genome-enabled using a combination of sequencing technologies and assembly software. Consequently, old ideas built on sparse sampling across the tree of life have recently been amended in the face of genomic data drawn from a growing number of high-quality reference genomes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: Data on multidisciplinary programs dedicated to home parenteral nutrition (HPN) in Latin America are limited. This study describes the results of the first multidisciplinary pediatric intestinal rehabilitation program for HPN at a public tertiary hospital in Brazil.
Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients aged 0-18 years with intestinal failure (IF) who required parenteral nutrition (PN) for >60 days between January/2014 and December/2020.
Phospholipids (PL) are membrane components composed of fatty acids (FA), while triglycerides (TG) are a main source of energy and essential FA. Polyunsaturated FA (PUFA), such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), are essential for marine carnivorous fish; thus, an 8-week experiment was performed to evaluate the influence of DHA and EPA, provided as PL and TG, on the morphophysiology of juveniles. A basal diet was manufactured, and DHA and EPA in PL form (PL1-low amount PL2-high amount) and TG form (TG1-low amount; TG2-high amount) were added.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDespite the technological advancements in Virtual Reality (VR), users are constantly combating feelings of nausea and disorientation, the so-called cybersickness. Cybersickness symptoms cause severe discomfort and hinder the immersive VR experience. Here we investigated cybersickness in 360-degree head-mounted display VR.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn this study, the microwave-induced combustion (MIC) method was evaluated for the sample preparation of the most consumed mushroom species in Brazil (Champignon, Shiitake, and Shimeji) and further halogen determination by ion chromatography (IC). For this, sample mass, combustion aid mass, and absorbing solution (HO and 50 mmol·L, 100 mmol·L, or 150 mmol·L NHOH) were evaluated. Bromine and iodine concentrations, determined by IC, were lower than the limits of detection (LODs, Br: 6 mg·kg and I: 24 mg·kg).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis work assesses scale effects in designing a biorefinery from Sargassum muticum seaweed by applying a detailed process modeling methodology. Two process conversion units were simulated: one considering anaerobic digestion steps for producing biogas and generating electricity (base project), and the other with residual seaweed solids sold as fertilizer (alternative project). A comprehensive economic analysis was performed to estimate the minimum selling price of the process's main product (fucoidan extract).
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