Publications by authors named "Rafael S de Souza"

The latticework structure known as the cosmic web provides a valuable insight into the assembly history of large-scale structures. Despite the variety of methods to identify the cosmic web structures, they mostly rely on the assumption that galaxies are embedded in a Euclidean geometric space. Here, we present a novel cosmic web identifier called sconce (pherical and ic osmic wb finder) that inherently considers the 2D (RA, DEC) spherical or the 3D (RA, DEC, ) conic geometry.

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The overarching biological impact of microbiomes on their hosts, and more generally their environment, reflects the co-evolution of a mutualistic symbiosis, generating fitness for both. Knowledge of microbiomes, their systemic role, interactions, and impact grows exponentially. When a research field of importance for planetary health evolves so rapidly, it is essential to consider it from an ethical holistic perspective.

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We conducted this study to determine whether fallopian tube anatomy can predict the likelihood of pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes after tubal sterilization reversal. We built a flexible, non-parametric, multivariate model via generalized additive models to assess the effects of the following tubal parameters observed during tubal reparative surgery: tubal lengths; differences in tubal segment location and diameters at the anastomosis sites; and fibrosis of the tubal muscularis. In this study, population, age, and tubal length-in that order-were the primary factors predicting the likelihood of pregnancy.

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Background: Approximately 70% of cancer-related deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. In addition to social and racial inequalities, treatment options in these countries are usually limited because of the lack of trained staff and equipment, limited patient access to health services, and a small number of clinical guidelines.

Objectives: The Brazilian Society of Surgical Oncology developed this guideline to address these barriers and guide physicians treating patients with endometrial cancer (EC) in regions with limited resources and few specialized centers.

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Microbiome analysis using metagenomic sequencing has revealed a vast microbial diversity associated with plants. Identifying the molecular functions associated with microbiome-plant interaction is a significant challenge concerning the development of microbiome-derived technologies applied to agriculture. An alternative to accelerate the discovery of the microbiome benefits to plants is to construct microbial culture collections concomitant with accessing microbial community structure and abundance.

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Plant microbiome and its manipulation herald a new era for plant biotechnology with the potential to benefit sustainable crop production. However, studies evaluating the diversity, structure and impact of the microbiota in economic important crops are still rare. Here we describe a comprehensive inventory of the structure and assemblage of the bacterial and fungal communities associated with sugarcane.

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Sequencing plant genomes are often challenging because of their complex architecture and high content of repetitive sequences. Sugarcane has one of the most complex genomes. It is highly polyploid, preserves intact homeologous chromosomes from its parental species and contains >55% repetitive sequences.

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IL-13 is a cytokine known to play a role in several pulmonary diseases, including asthma and fibrosis. The role of IL-13 in the context of pulmonary changes induced by helminth infection is unclear. Rats experimentally infected with Strongyloides venezuelensis and treated with anti-IL-13 neutralizing antibody were used to evaluate the role of IL-13 on functional and inflammatory changes of host lungs, and on parasite control.

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Strongyloides venezuelensis migrates through the lungs and induces airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR). The present study evaluated the role of C-fibers in mediating airway inflammation and AHR after infection of rats with S. venezuelensis.

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Alterations in lung function and pulmonary symptoms have been described in patients infected with helminths with a lung cycle. We have previously shown that infection with the nematode Strongyloides venezuelensis induced a significant increase in airway hyperreactivity in infected rats. The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that bronchodilation during the lung phase of parasite migration would favor completion of the life cycle and infection indices.

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