Photobiomodulation reduces the cytokine storm syndrome associated with Covid-19 in the zebrafish model

Although the exact mechanism of the pathogenesis of COVID-19 is not fully understood, oxidative stress and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines have been highlighted as playing a vital role in the pathogenesis of the disease. In this sense, alternative treatments are needed to reduce the inflammation caused by COVID-19. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the potential effect of red PBM as an attractive therapy to downregulate the cytokine storm caused by COVID-19 from a zebrafish model. RT-PCR analyses and protein-protein interaction prediction among SARS-CoV-2 and Danio rerio proteins showed that rSpike was responsible for generating systemic inflammatory processes with significantly increased pro-inflammatory (il1b, il6, tnfa, and nfkbiab), oxidative stress (romo1) and energy metabolism (slc2a1a, coa1) mRNA markers, with a pattern like those observed in COVID-19 cases in humans. On the other hand, PBM treatment decreased the mRNA levels of these pro-inflammatory and oxidative stress markers compared with rSpike in various tissues, promoting an anti-inflammatory response. Conversely, PBM promotes cellular and tissue repair of injured tissues and significantly increases the survival rate of rSpike-inoculated individuals. Additionally, metabolomics analysis showed that the most impacted metabolic pathways between PBM and the rSpike-treated groups were related to steroid metabolism, immune system, and lipids metabolism. Together, our findings suggest that the inflammatory process is an incisive feature of COVID-19, and red PBM can be used as a novel therapeutic agent for COVID-19 by regulating the inflammatory response. Nevertheless, the need for more clinical trials remains, and there is a significant gap to overcome before clinical trials.publishedVersio

Respostas ecofisiológicas de cafeeiros submetidos ao deficit hídrico para concentração da florada no Cerrado de Minas Gerais

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de diferentes períodos de imposição do deficit hídrico sobre a concentração da florada do cafeeiro (Coffea arabica), bem como sobre as trocas gasosas, a produtividade, a maturação e a qualidade dos grãos. As cultivares Catuaí Vermelho IAC 144 e Bourbon Amarelo J9 foram avaliadas conforme os seguintes tratamentos: não irrigado (NI), irrigado continuamente (IC), e suspensão da irrigação em 1/7/2010 (D1) e em 1/8/2010 (D2), com retorno desta em 24/9/2010. Cerca de três dias após a retomada da irrigação, registrou-se a ocorrência de uma "chuva de florada", com precipitação de 69 mm. O potencial hídrico foliar de antemanhã (Ψam) nas cultivares Catuaí Vermelho IAC 144 e Bourbon Amarelo J9, em 22/9, foi de -0,59 e -0,82 MPa, -0,53 e -0,79 MPa, e -0,34 e -0,49 MPa, para os tratamentos NI, D1 e D2, respectivamente. O percentual máximo de botões florais no estádio E4, imediatamente antes da ocorrência da chuva, não foi afetado pelos níveis de deficit impostos durante o inverno, independentemente das cultivares. Os níveis moderados de deficit hídrico impostos pelos tratamentos (Ψam ~ -0,80 MPa) produziram pouco ou nenhum efeito sobre as trocas gasosas, a taxa de florescimento ou a uniformidade de maturação - percentagem de cerejas de 66% -, e a produtividade e a classificação dos grãos, de ambas as cultivares. O efeito dos diferentes tratamentos sobre o status hídrico dos botões florais não se sobrepõe ao efeito da chuva de florada, que foi determinante para sua abertura

Geometría y pérdidas de carga en inyectores Venturi mediante la dinámica de fluidos computacional

[EN] To determine the influence of geometry on the hydrodynamic behavior of Venturi injectors, using computational fluid dynamics techniques, we studied, at the Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain, the geometric parameters that exert the most influence on head losses: the relationship between throat diameter and nozzle (β), nozzle angle (α1) and diffuser angle (α2). In addition, three throat morphologies (B1: nozzle-throat and throat-diffuser with a sharp edge; B2: nozzle-diffuser with a zero-length, sharp-edge throat; B3: nozzle-throat and throat-diffuser with rounded edge). We analyzed their influence on the velocity distribution and differential pressure between inlet and throat (DP/γ), throat and outlet (Δhv/γ), and outlet and throat ((P3-P2)/γ). The development of the velocity profile from the throat is slower the greater β is and the lower α2 is. DP/γ decreases with β, increases with α1 and varies little with α2. Δhv/γ decreases with β and increases with α1 and α2. (P3-P2)/γ decreases with β and increases with α1 and α2. Geometry B3 decreases the losses and delays the onset of cavitation. Thus, the lower β and the higher α2, the greater the losses; however, the influence of α1 is less clear. The rounded edges produce lower head losses.[ES] Estudio de la influencia de la geometría en el comportamiento hidrodinámico de inyectores Venturi mediante técnicas de dinámica de fluidos computacional. Para determinar la influencia de la geometría en el comportamiento hidrodinámico de inyectores Venturi, mediante técnicas de dinámica de fluidos computacional, se estudió, en la Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, España, los parámetros geométricos que más influencian las pérdidas de carga: relación entre diámetro de la garganta y tobera (β), ángulo de la tobera (α1) y ángulo del difusor (α2). Además, tres morfologías de la garganta (B1: tobera-garganta y garganta-difusor en arista viva; B2: tobera-difusor con garganta de longitud nula y en arista viva; B3: tobera-garganta y garganta-difusor en arista redondeadas). Se ha analizado su influencia en la distribución de velocidad y en la presión diferencial entre entrada y garganta (DP/γ), garganta y salida (∆hv/γ), y salida y garganta ((P3-P2)/γ). El desarrollo del perfil de velocidades a partir de la garganta es más lento cuanto mayor es β y menor es α2. DP/γ disminuye con β, aumenta con α1 y es poco variable con α2. ∆hv/γ disminuye con β y aumenta con α1 y α2. (P3-P2)/γ disminuye con β y α1, yaumenta con y α2. La geometría B3 disminuye las pérdidas y retarda la aparición de la cavitación. Así, cuanto menor es β y cuanto mayor es α2, mayores son las pérdidas de carga, sin embargo, la influencia de α1 no es tan clara. Las aristas redondeadas producen menores perdidas de cargaThe authors would like to thank the “Conselleria d'Empresa, Universitat i Ciència” of Generalitat Valenciana – Spain.Manzano Juarez, J.; Palau, CV.; De Azevedo, BM.; Do Bomfim, GV.; Vasconcelos, DV. (2016). Geometry and head loss in Venturi injectors through Computational Fluid Dynamics. Engenharia Agrícola. 36(3):482-491. doi:10.1590/1809-4430-Eng.Agric.v36n3p482-491/2016S482491363Baylar, A., Aydin, M., Unsal, M., & Ozkan, F. (2009). Numerical Modeling of Venturi Flows for Determining Air Injection Rates Using Fluent V6.2. Mathematical and Computational Applications, 14(2), 97-108. doi:10.3390/mca14020097Chan, L., Chin, C., Soria, J., & Ooi, A. (2014). Large eddy simulation and Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes calculations of supersonic impinging jets at varying nozzle-to-wall distances and impinging angles. International Journal of Heat and Fluid Flow, 47, 31-41. doi:10.1016/j.ijheatfluidflow.2014.02.005Dantas Neto, J., Maciel, J. L., Alves, A. de S., Azevedo, C. A. V. de, Fernandes, P. D., & Lima, V. L. A. de. (2013). Teores de macronutrientes em folhas de goiabeira fertirrigada com nitrogênio. Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agrícola e Ambiental, 17(9), 962-968. doi:10.1590/s1415-43662013000900008Rezende, R., Helbel Júnior, C., Souza, R. S. de, Antunes, F. M., & Frizzone, J. A. (2010). Crescimento inicial de duas cultivares de cafeeiro em diferentes regimes hídricos e dosagens de fertirrigação. Engenharia Agrícola, 30(3), 447-458. doi:10.1590/s0100-69162010000300009Sanderse, B., Pijl, S. P., & Koren, B. (2011). Review of computational fluid dynamics for wind turbine wake aerodynamics. Wind Energy, 14(7), 799-819. doi:10.1002/we.458Santos, L. D. C., Zocoler, J. L., Justi, A. L., Silva, A. O., & Correia, J. D. S. (2012). ESTUDO COMPARATIVO DA TAXA DE INJEÇÃO EM INJETOR DO TIPO VENTURI COM E SEM VÁLVULA DE RETENÇÃO. IRRIGA, 1(01), 145. doi:10.15809/irriga.2012v1n01p145Sun, Y., & Niu, W. (2012). Simulating the Effects of Structural Parameters on the Hydraulic Performances of Venturi Tube. Modelling and Simulation in Engineering, 2012, 1-7. doi:10.1155/2012/458368Uribe, R. A. M., Gava, G. J. de C., Saad, J. C. C., & Kölln, O. T. (2013). Ratoon sugarcane yield integrated drip-irrigation and nitrogen fertilization. Engenharia Agrícola, 33(6), 1124-1133. doi:10.1590/s0100-69162013000600005Vasata, D., Galante, G., Rizzi, R. L., & Zara, R. A. (2011). Solução computacional do problema da cavidade cúbica através das equações de Navier-Stokes tridimensionais. Revista Brasileira de Ensino de Física, 33(2), 1-10. doi:10.1590/s1806-11172011000200013Yeoh, G. H., Liu, C., Tu, J., & Timchenko, V. (2012). Computational Fluid Dynamics and Its Applications 2012. Modelling and Simulation in Engineering, 2012, 1-2. doi:10.1155/2012/61061

NEOTROPICAL XENARTHRANS: a data set of occurrence of xenarthran species in the Neotropics

Xenarthrans – anteaters, sloths, and armadillos – have essential functions for ecosystem maintenance, such as insect control and nutrient cycling, playing key roles as ecosystem engineers. Because of habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting pressure, and conflicts with 24 domestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their full distribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, ten anteaters, and six sloths. Our dataset includes the families Chlamyphoridae (13), Dasypodidae (7), Myrmecophagidae (3), Bradypodidae (4), and Megalonychidae (2). We have no occurrence data on Dasypus pilosus (Dasypodidae). Regarding Cyclopedidae, until recently, only one species was recognized, but new genetic studies have revealed that the group is represented by seven species. In this data-paper, we compiled a total of 42,528 records of 31 species, represented by occurrence and quantitative data, totaling 24,847 unique georeferenced records. The geographic range is from the south of the USA, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of the Neotropics, to its austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regarding anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla has the most records (n=5,941), and Cyclopes sp. has the fewest (n=240). The armadillo species with the most data is Dasypus novemcinctus (n=11,588), and the least recorded for Calyptophractus retusus (n=33). With regards to sloth species, Bradypus variegatus has the most records (n=962), and Bradypus pygmaeus has the fewest (n=12). Our main objective with Neotropical Xenarthrans is to make occurrence and quantitative data available to facilitate more ecological research, particularly if we integrate the xenarthran data with other datasets of Neotropical Series which will become available very soon (i.e. Neotropical Carnivores, Neotropical Invasive Mammals, and Neotropical Hunters and Dogs). Therefore, studies on trophic cascades, hunting pressure, habitat loss, fragmentation effects, species invasion, and climate change effects will be possible with the Neotropical Xenarthrans dataset

Escolas Técnicas do SUS (ETSUS) no Brasil: regulação da integração ensino serviço e sustentabilidade administrativa

O objetivo deste artigo foi discutir a sustentabilidade administrativa das Escolas Técnicas do SUS (ETSUS) a partir do princípio da integração ensino serviço, que traz uma nova dimensão do trabalho na saúde ainda não regulada pela administração pública brasileira. Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa, por meio de um estudo de caso. A pesquisa foi realizada por meio de questionário semiestruturado junto aos gestores das ETSUS, abordando aspectos institucionais, administrativos e de gestão do trabalho. O universo amostral foi de 6 ETSUS pertencentes à Rede de Escolas Técnicas do SUS (RET-SUS). As ETSUS apresentaram gestão e planejamento centralizados e execução descentralizada de sua atividade fim, em sua maioria sem autonomia administrativa e altamente dependente de financiamento do governo federal. Segundo os gestores das escolas, a falta de regulação da atividade docente por servidor público fragiliza a gestão das ETSUS. Estas instituições apresentam problemas de gestão relacionados à integração ensino serviço, que precisa ser regulamentada para conferir sustentabilidade às escolas e evitar contradições com a legislação brasileira.The scope of this study was to discuss the administrative sustainability of Brazil's Vocational Health Schools (ETSUS) based on the principle of teaching and service integration, which brings a new dimension to healthcare work as yet unregulated by Brazilian public administration. It was a qualitative study using case study methodology. The research involved a semi-structured questionnaire given to ETSUS managers addressing institutional, administrative, and work management aspects. The sample was composed of 6 ETSUS that belong to the Network of Vocational Health Schools (RET-SUS). The ETSUS showed centralized planning and management, and decentralized implementation of their core activities. The majority did not have administrative autonomy and relied heavily on funding from the federal government. According to ETSUS managers, the lack of regulation of teaching activities by civil servants weakens the management of ETSUS. The ETSUS have managerial problems related to teaching-service integration, which has to be regulated in order to guarantee the sustainability of these schools and avoid conflicts with Brazilian legislation