Avaliação clínica e estudo da vascularização corneal induzida pelas membranas de colágeno nativo e aniônico em córneas de coelhos

PURPOSE: To evaluate the corneal vascularization (CV) and the clinical aspects induced by interlamellar graft with native (NCM) and anionic (ACM) collagen membranes in rabbits corneas. METHODS: An interlamellar graft with a 0.25 x 0.25 cm NCM (group 1) or ACM (group 2) fragment was performed in the right eye (treated eye). In the left eye, an estromal tunnel was done (control eye). Sixteen rabbits were used, and they were subdivided into two experimental groups of eight animals each. The clinical evaluation was performed at the 1st, 3rd, 7th, 15th and 30th postoperative days. Corneal vascularization analysis was performed after 30 days by the Images Analizator System Leica Qwin-550®. RESULTS: After 7 days, corneal vascularization was observed at about 2.25 ± 0.71 mm (NCM) and at about 1.0 ± 1.69 mm (ACM), respectively, from the limbus in direction to the central cornea. After 15 days, CV increased in both groups (5.25 ± 1.03 mm - NCM; 2.0 ± 2.39 mm - ACM) and then progressively decreased until day 30 (2.25 ± 2.10 mm - NCM; 0.75 ± 2.12 mm - ACM). The statistical analysis indicated that the averages of the distances from the limb vessels to the grafts observed after 7 and 15 days had not differed statistically (p=0.17), and after 15 and 30 postoperative days had a tendency to differ statistically (p=0.09). The control eyes did not present any changes. CONCLUSION: The interlamellar graft with native and anionic collagen membranes induced corneal vascularization when applied to rabbit corneas, but anionic collagen membrane induced a smaller corneal vascularization when compared to native collagen membrane. Although further studies are required, the results found in this study demonstrated the usefulness of interlamellar graft with native and anionic collagen membranes in keratoplasties. These membranes consists in one more graft option for the surgical treatment of corneal repair in rabbits and others animals, when other forms of medical and surgical treatment are not effective.OBJETIVO: Avaliar os aspectos clínicos e vascularização corneal (VC) induzida pelo enxerto interlamelar das membranas de colágeno nativo (MCN) e de colágeno aniônico (MCA) em córneas de coelhos. MÉTODOS: Um fragmento com 0,25 x 0,25 cm de MCN (grupo 1) e MCA (grupo 2) foi realizado no olho direito (olho tratado) por enxertia interlamelar. No olho esquerdo (olho controle) foi realizado apenas um túnel estromal. No olho direito (olho controle) foi realizado apenas um túnel estromal. Dezesseis coelhos foram utilizados e foram divididos em dois grupos experimentais composto por oito animais cada. A avaliação clínica foi realizada aos 1, 3, 7, 15 e 30 dias de pós-operatório. A análise da vascularização corneal foi realizada após 30 dias pelo Sistema de analisador de imagens Leica Qwin-550®. RESULTADOS: Após 7 dias, a vascularização corneal do limbo em direção central da córnea observada foi de 2,25 ± 0,71 mm (MCN) e 1,0 ± 1,69 mm (ACM), respectivamente. Após 15 dias a vascularização corneal aumentou em ambos os grupos (5,25 ± 1,03 mm - MCN; 2,0 ± 2,39 mm - MCA), diminuindo até o 30º dia (2,25 ± 2,10 mm - MCN; 0,75 ± 2,12 mm - MCA). A análise estatística indicou que as médias das distâncias dos vasos do limbo em direção ao enxerto observadas após 7 e 15 dias não diferiram estatisticamente (p=0,17), e 15 e 30 dias de pós-operatório houve tendência a diferir estatisticamente (p=0,09). Os olhos controles não apresentaram nenhuma alteração. CONCLUSÃO: As membranas de colágeno nativo e de colágeno aniônico induzem a vascularização corneal quando aplicadas na córnea de coelhos por meio de enxertia interlamelar, mas membrana de colágeno ativo induz a pequena vascularização corneal quando comparada à membrana de colágeno aniônico. Embora estudos adicionais sejam necessários, os resultados encontrados no presente estudo demonstraram que as membranas de CN e CA possam ser úteis em ceratoplastias. Estas membranas consistem em mais uma opção de enxerto para o tratamento cirúrgico de reparo da córnea em coelhos e outros animais, quando não há resolução com outras formas de tratamento médico e cirúrgico.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

Nutrient cycling by cover crops and yield of soybean and rice in no-tillage

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a ciclagem de nutrientes por plantas de cobertura e a sua influência sobre o desempenho da rotação entre arroz de terras altas e soja. As culturas foram implantadas sob plantio direto, em Latossolo Vermelho distroférrico, na região do Cerrado de Goiás. As plantas de cobertura foram semeadas mecanicamente, também em plantio direto, após a colheita da soja (25/3/2008) e do arroz (7/4/2009). Utilizou-se o delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com parcelas subdivididas no tempo e quatro repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram das seguintes espécies de plantas de cobertura, além do pousio: Urochloa ruziziensis, U. brizantha, Pennisetum glaucum e U. ruziziensis + Cajanus cajan. A avaliação dos nutrientes remanescentes na palhada foi feita aos: 0, 15, 30, 60, 90 e 120 dias a partir da data da dessecação das plantas de cobertura. Urochloa ruziziensis e U. brizantha apresentaram maior eficiência no acúmulo e na liberação de nutrientes, principalmente quanto ao potássio. Urochloa ruziziensis é a espécie mais indicada como planta de cobertura antecessora à cultura do arroz de terras altas, em plantio direto. No entanto, nenhuma espécie de cobertura afeta significativamente a produtividade de grãos da soja.The objective of this work was to evaluate nutrient cycling by cover crops and its influence on the performance of the rotation between upland rice and soybean. The crops were sown under no‑tillage, in a Rhodic Haplustox, in the Cerrado region of the state of Goiás, Brazil. The cover crops were sown mechanically, also under no‑tillage, after the harvest of soybean (3/25/2008) and rice (4/7/2009). A randomized complete block design was used, split‑plotted in time, with four replicates. The treatments consisted of the following cover crop species, besides fallow: Urochloa ruziziensis, U. brizantha, Pennisetum glaucum and U. ruziziensis + Cajanus cajan. The evaluation of the remaining nutrient in straw was performed at 0, 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 days from the desiccation date of the cover crops. Urochloa ruziziensis and U. brizantha were the most efficient in the accumulation and release of nutrients, especially potassium. Urochloa ruziziensis is the most suited species for use as a cover crop previous to upland rice cultivation under no‑tillage. However, none of the cover crop species significantly affect soybean grain yield

APLICAÇÃO DE CONTROLADORES FUZZY E PROPORCIONAL PARA UM ROBÔ SEGUIDOR DE PAREDE AUTÔNOMO EM AMBIENTE ESTÁTICO

A navegação de robôs móveis apresenta uma vari- edade de problemas, como a presença de ruídos e distúrbios, necessidade de fusão sensorial e a dificuldade na obtenção do modelo matemático que representa as interações físicas do ambiente. Cabe ao sistema de controle prover comandos para a correta execução dos movimentos do robô, de forma a alcançar algum objetivo proposto mesmo diante das adversidades do ambiente. Este artigo apresenta a aplicação de diferentes tipos de sistemas de controle, como controladores fuzzy convencional, fuzzy hierárquico e proporcional, para a navegação de um robô seguidor de parede em ambiente estático, cujo objetivo é evitar colisões e manter o robô a uma distância segura da parede. Foram feitas simulações em dois ambientes 3D e um experimento real para validação da abordagem proposta. As simulações foram feitas por meio do simulador V-REP em associação com a linguagem C++, utilizando um robô diferencial autônomo munido de sensores ultrassônicos. O experimento real fez uso de sensores e da placa Arduíno acoplados ao chassi de um robô diferencial. Os resultados mostram que o objetivo é alcançado de forma satisfatória por todas as técnicas propostas

CASCUDINHO E FRANGOS DE CORTE: PARÂMETROS HEMATOLÓGICOS E BIOQUÍMICOS

Brazilian cutting farming has stood out every year, bringing important results to agribusiness. In 2019, Brazil produced 13.245 million tons of chicken meat. However, among the problems related to the activity, there is the presence of the insect plague Alphitobius diaperinus popularly known as cascudinho, being related to performance and health problems of birds. This study aimed to evaluate the presence of this insect in relation to hematological and biochemical parameters of broilers kept in a confined system. The study was developed in Rolim de Moura - RO, from May to July 2021, with 30 chicks, of the RO 95 lineage. The birds were reared up to 56 days, when blood was collected for hematological and biochemical evaluation. The data were evaluated using the F test at 5% probability. The presence of the cascudinho did not significantly influence the hematimetric parameters, although discrepant values for mean corpuscular hemoglobin, values below for hemoglobin, total erythrocyte count and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration were observed; and above the normal reference value for total plasma proteins. For leukocyte parameters, both treatments presented lower levels for lymphocytes, eosinophils and higher for thrombocytes, in relation to the reference values. For biochemistry, urea, creatinine and oxalacetic transaminase/aspartate aminotransferase, no statistical difference was observed. The insects did not remain in bed throughout the experimental period.La agricultura brasileña se ha destacado cada año, trayendo resultados importantes a la agroindustria. En 2019, Brasil produjo 13.245 millones de toneladas de carne de pollo. Sin embargo, entre los problemas relacionados con la actividad, se encuentra la presencia de la plaga de insectos Alphitobius diaperinus conocida popularmente como cascudinho, estando relacionada con problemas de rendimiento y salud de las aves. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar la presencia de este insecto en relación con los parámetros hematológicos y bioquímicos de los pollos de engorde mantenidos en un sistema confinado. El estudio se desarrolló en Rolim de Moura - RO, de mayo a julio de 2021, con 30 polluelos, del linaje RO 95. Las aves fueron criadas hasta 56 días, cuando se recolectó sangre para su evaluación hematológica y bioquímica. Los datos se evaluaron mediante la prueba F con una probabilidad del 5%. La presencia del cascudinho no influyó significativamente en los parámetros hematimétricos, aunque se observaron valores discrepantes para la hemoglobina corpuscular media, valores inferiores para la hemoglobina, recuento total de eritrocitos y concentración media de hemoglobina corpuscular; y por encima del valor de referencia normal para las proteínas plasmáticas totales. Para los parámetros leucocitarios, ambos tratamientos presentaron niveles más bajos para linfocitos, eosinófilos y mayores para trombocitos, en relación a los valores de referencia. Para la bioquímica, la urea, la creatinina y la transaminasa oxalacética/aspartato aminotransferasa, no se observaron diferencias estadísticas. Los insectos no permanecieron en cama durante todo el período experimental.A avicultura brasileira de corte tem se destacado a cada ano, trazendo resultados importantes ao agronegócio. No ano de 2019, o Brasil produziu 13,245 milhões de toneladas de carne de frango. Contudo, dentre os problemas relacionados com a atividade, ocorre a presença do inseto praga Alphitobius diaperinus conhecido popularmente como cascudinho, sendo relacionado a problemas de desempenho e sanidade das aves. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a presença deste inseto em relação aos parâmetros hematológicos e bioquímicos de frangos de corte mantidos em sistema confinado. O estudo foi desenvolvido em Rolim de Moura - RO, de maio a julho de 2021, com 30 pintainhos, da linhagem RO 95. As aves foram criadas até 56 dias, quanto se procedeu a coleta de sangue para a avaliação hematológicas e bioquímicas. Os dados foram avaliados através do teste F a 5% de probabilidade. A presença do cascudinho não influenciou de forma significativa os parâmetros hematimétricos, apesar de terem sido observados valores discrepantes para hemoglobina corpuscular média, valores abaixo para hemoglobina, contagem total de eritrócitos e concentração de hemoglobina corpuscular média; e acima do valor normal de referência para proteínas plasmáticas totais. Para os parâmetros leucocitários, ambos os tratamentos apresentaram níveis inferiores para linfócitos, eosinófilos e superiores para trombócitos, em relação aos valores de referência. Para a bioquímica, ureia, creatinina e transaminase oxalacética/ aspartato aminotransferase, não se observou diferença estatística. Os insetos não permaneceram na cama durante todo o período experimental

Genome wide linkage study, using a 250K SNP map, of Plasmodium falciparum infection and mild malaria attack in a Senegalese population

Multiple factors are involved in the variability of host's response to P. falciparum infection, like the intensity and seasonality of malaria transmission, the virulence of parasite and host characteristics like age or genetic make-up. Although admitted nowadays, the involvement of host genetic factors remains unclear. Discordant results exist, even concerning the best-known malaria resistance genes that determine the structure or function of red blood cells. Here we report on a genomewide linkage and association study for P. falciparum infection intensity and mild malaria attack among a Senegalese population of children and young adults from 2 to 18 years old. A high density single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) genome scan (Affimetrix GeneChip Human Mapping 250K-nsp) was performed for 626 individuals: i.e. 249 parents and 377 children out of the 504 ones included in the follow-up. The population belongs to a unique ethnic group and was closely followed-up during 3 years. Genome-wide linkage analyses were performed on four clinical and parasitological phenotypes and association analyses using the family based association tests (FBAT) method were carried out in regions previously linked to malaria phenotypes in literature and in the regions for which we identified a linkage peak. Analyses revealed three strongly suggestive evidences for linkage: between mild malaria attack and both the 6p25.1 and the 12q22 regions (empirical p-value = 5 x 10(-5) and 96 x 10(-5) respectively), and between the 20p11q11 region and the prevalence of parasite density in asymptomatic children (empirical p-value = 1.5 x 10(-4)). Family based association analysis pointed out one significant association between the intensity of plasmodial infection and a polymorphism located in ARHGAP26 gene in the 5q31-q33 region (p-value = 3.7 x 10(-5)). This study identified three candidate regions, two of them containing genes that could point out new pathways implicated in the response to malaria infection. Furthermore, we detected one gene associated with malaria infection in the 5q31-q33 region

The diversity and evolution of pollination systems in large plant clades: Apocynaceae as a case study

Background and Aims Large clades of angiosperms are often characterized by diverse interactions with pollinators, but how these pollination systems are structured phylogenetically and biogeographically is still uncertain for most families. Apocynaceae is a clade of >5300 species with a worldwide distribution. A database representing >10 % of species in the family was used to explore the diversity of pollinators and evolutionary shifts in pollination systems across major clades and regions. Methods The database was compiled from published and unpublished reports. Plants were categorized into broad pollination systems and then subdivided to include bimodal systems. These were mapped against the five major divisions of the family, and against the smaller clades. Finally, pollination systems were mapped onto a phylogenetic reconstruction that included those species for which sequence data are available, and transition rates between pollination systems were calculated. Key Results Most Apocynaceae are insect pollinated with few records of bird pollination. Almost three-quarters of species are pollinated by a single higher taxon (e.g. flies or moths); 7 % have bimodal pollination systems, whilst the remaining approx. 20 % are insect generalists. The less phenotypically specialized flowers of the Rauvolfioids are pollinated by a more restricted set of pollinators than are more complex flowers within the Apocynoids + Periplocoideae + Secamonoideae + Asclepiadoideae (APSA) clade. Certain combinations of bimodal pollination systems are more common than others. Some pollination systems are missing from particular regions, whilst others are over-represented. Conclusions Within Apocynaceae, interactions with pollinators are highly structured both phylogenetically and biogeographically. Variation in transition rates between pollination systems suggest constraints on their evolution, whereas regional differences point to environmental effects such as filtering of certain pollinators from habitats. This is the most extensive analysis of its type so far attempted and gives important insights into the diversity and evolution of pollination systems in large clades

Photography-based taxonomy is inadequate, unnecessary, and potentially harmful for biological sciences

The question whether taxonomic descriptions naming new animal species without type specimen(s) deposited in collections should be accepted for publication by scientific journals and allowed by the Code has already been discussed in Zootaxa (Dubois & Nemésio 2007; Donegan 2008, 2009; Nemésio 2009a–b; Dubois 2009; Gentile & Snell 2009; Minelli 2009; Cianferoni & Bartolozzi 2016; Amorim et al. 2016). This question was again raised in a letter supported by 35 signatories published in the journal Nature (Pape et al. 2016) on 15 September 2016. On 25 September 2016, the following rebuttal (strictly limited to 300 words as per the editorial rules of Nature) was submitted to Nature, which on 18 October 2016 refused to publish it. As we think this problem is a very important one for zoological taxonomy, this text is published here exactly as submitted to Nature, followed by the list of the 493 taxonomists and collection-based researchers who signed it in the short time span from 20 September to 6 October 2016

Multidifferential study of identified charged hadron distributions in ZZ-tagged jets in proton-proton collisions at s=\sqrt{s}=13 TeV

Jet fragmentation functions are measured for the first time in proton-proton collisions for charged pions, kaons, and protons within jets recoiling against a $Z$ boson. The charged-hadron distributions are studied longitudinally and transversely to the jet direction for jets with transverse momentum 20 $< p_{\textrm{T}} < 100$ GeV and in the pseudorapidity range $2.5 < \eta < 4$. The data sample was collected with the LHCb experiment at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1.64 fb$^{-1}$. Triple differential distributions as a function of the hadron longitudinal momentum fraction, hadron transverse momentum, and jet transverse momentum are also measured for the first time. This helps constrain transverse-momentum-dependent fragmentation functions. Differences in the shapes and magnitudes of the measured distributions for the different hadron species provide insights into the hadronization process for jets predominantly initiated by light quarks.Comment: All figures and tables, along with machine-readable versions and any supplementary material and additional information, are available at https://cern.ch/lhcbproject/Publications/p/LHCb-PAPER-2022-013.html (LHCb public pages