Óleo Vivo – Programa de Conscientização, Coleta e Beneficiamento de Óleos e Gorduras Residuais, com Propósito de Produção de Biodiesel / Living Oil - Program for Awareness, Collection and Improvement of Waste Oils and Fats, for the Purpose of Biodiesel Production

Todos os dias, milhões de litros de óleos vegetais são utilizados por diversos estabelecimentos, na fritura de alimentos. Com o uso, o óleo sofre alterações físico-químicas (oxidação, polimerização e hidrólise) desencadeadas pelas altas temperaturas, presença de oxigênio e exposição à luz; consequentemente as partículas dos alimentos se desprendem, alterando sua cor, odor e sabor. No decorrer destas reações, as qualidades funcionais, sensoriais e nutricionais do óleo se modificam e podem comprometer a qualidade dos alimentos. Torna-se necessário então, sua substituição periódica, fazendo com que milhares de litros sejam descartados de forma incorreta no meio ambiente (rede de esgoto). A implantação de um programa de coleta e reciclagem de óleo residual (óleo de cozinha) para produção de biodiesel margeia os campos tecnológico, social e ambiental. Tecnológico pela pesquisa em biocombustíveis, ambiental pelo não descarte do óleo residual de forma inadequada e social pela conscientização da comunidade quanto ao descarte, recolhimento e uso adequado do óleo residual, com consequente geração de empregos e renda. Neste contexto o biodiesel produzido a partir de óleos residuais utilizados na cocção de alimentos, apresenta-se como uma alternativa para a substituição parcial ou total do Diesel de petróleo, pois é produzido a partir de fontes renováveis, é biodegradável e seus níveis de emissão de gases causadores do efeito estufa são bem inferiores. O principal objetivo deste projeto é reduzir o impacto ambiental causado pelo descarte incorreto do óleo oriundo dos processos de fritura de alimentos nos municípios de Itaúna, Paracatu e Vazante. Para tal finalidade A BChem Biocombustíveis em parceria com o grupo ENERBIO (Grupo de Pesquisa em Energias Renováveis e Biocombustíveis da Universidade de Itaúna), o GTA (Grupo de Tecnologias Ambientais do departamento de química da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais) e a Minerita Minérios, propõem a implantação de um programa de conscientização ambiental, coleta e beneficiamento de óleo residual com a finalidade de produção de biodiesel e glicerina

Pervasive gaps in Amazonian ecological research

Biodiversity loss is one of the main challenges of our time,1,2 and attempts to address it require a clear un derstanding of how ecological communities respond to environmental change across time and space.3,4 While the increasing availability of global databases on ecological communities has advanced our knowledge of biodiversity sensitivity to environmental changes,5–7 vast areas of the tropics remain understudied.8–11 In the American tropics, Amazonia stands out as the world’s most diverse rainforest and the primary source of Neotropical biodiversity,12 but it remains among the least known forests in America and is often underrepre sented in biodiversity databases.13–15 To worsen this situation, human-induced modifications16,17 may elim inate pieces of the Amazon’s biodiversity puzzle before we can use them to understand how ecological com munities are responding. To increase generalization and applicability of biodiversity knowledge,18,19 it is thus crucial to reduce biases in ecological research, particularly in regions projected to face the most pronounced environmental changes. We integrate ecological community metadata of 7,694 sampling sites for multiple or ganism groups in a machine learning model framework to map the research probability across the Brazilian Amazonia, while identifying the region’s vulnerability to environmental change. 15%–18% of the most ne glected areas in ecological research are expected to experience severe climate or land use changes by 2050. This means that unless we take immediate action, we will not be able to establish their current status, much less monitor how it is changing and what is being lostinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Pervasive gaps in Amazonian ecological research

Biodiversity loss is one of the main challenges of our time,1,2 and attempts to address it require a clear understanding of how ecological communities respond to environmental change across time and space.3,4 While the increasing availability of global databases on ecological communities has advanced our knowledge of biodiversity sensitivity to environmental changes,5,6,7 vast areas of the tropics remain understudied.8,9,10,11 In the American tropics, Amazonia stands out as the world's most diverse rainforest and the primary source of Neotropical biodiversity,12 but it remains among the least known forests in America and is often underrepresented in biodiversity databases.13,14,15 To worsen this situation, human-induced modifications16,17 may eliminate pieces of the Amazon's biodiversity puzzle before we can use them to understand how ecological communities are responding. To increase generalization and applicability of biodiversity knowledge,18,19 it is thus crucial to reduce biases in ecological research, particularly in regions projected to face the most pronounced environmental changes. We integrate ecological community metadata of 7,694 sampling sites for multiple organism groups in a machine learning model framework to map the research probability across the Brazilian Amazonia, while identifying the region's vulnerability to environmental change. 15%–18% of the most neglected areas in ecological research are expected to experience severe climate or land use changes by 2050. This means that unless we take immediate action, we will not be able to establish their current status, much less monitor how it is changing and what is being lost

Development of a weight-estimation model to use in pregnant criollo-type mares

<div><p>ABSTRACT: The aims of this study were: 1) to compare the tape weight and associated weight-estimation formula to evaluate weight gain in pregnant mares, and 2) to develop a mathematical model to estimate the weight of pregnant mares using body measurements. Thirty-four criollo-type mares were evaluated every two weeks during the middle and late pregnancy. The mares were weighed on a livestock scale, and we estimated body weight using tape weights and an associated body-weight estimation formula. Also, heart-girth circumference (heartgirth) and abdominal circumference were measured; the latter at the 12th intercostal space (12th ICS) and 18th rib (18th Rib), to use in a mathematical model to estimate the weight of pregnant mares. Observations were divided into three periods of pregnancy: 5th to 7 h month, 7th to 9 h month, and 9th to 11th month. Mares in late pregnancy showed an increase in actual weight and an increase in 12th ICS and 18th Rib measurements. Tape weight and body-weight estimation formula underestimated the weight of pregnant mares. However, the regression model using heart-girth circumference, 12th ICS, and 18th Rib measurements showed high correlation (r2 = 0.87, P<0.001) with actual weight. Finally, the alternative methods usually used in horses are not accurate to estimate body weight in pregnant mares. In conclusion, the regression model Y=-540.143 + (heartgirth x 3.068) + (12th ICS x 1.278) + (18th Rib x 0.944) can be used to estimate body weight in pregnant mares from the 5th to 11th months of pregnancy.</p></div

Differential role played by the MEK/ERK/EGR-1 pathway in orthopoxviruses vaccinia and cowpox biology

Appropriation of signalling pathways facilitates poxvirus replication. Poxviruses, as do most viruses, try to modify the host cell environment to achieve favourable replication conditions. In the present study, we show that the early growth response 1 gene (egr-1) is one of the host cell factors intensely modulated by the orthopoxviruses VV (vaccinia virus) and CPV (cowpox virus). These viruses stimulated the generation of both egr-1 mRNA and its gene product, throughout their entire replication cycles, via the requirement of MEK [mitogen-activated protein kinase/ERK (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase) kinase]/ERK pathway. We showed that, upon VV infection, EGR-1 translocates into the nucleus where it binds to the EBS (egr-1-binding site) positioned at the 5′ region of EGR-1-regulated genes. In spite of both viruses belonging to the same genus, several lines of evidence, however, revealed a remarkable contrast between them as far as the roles played by the MEK/ERK/EGR-1 pathway in their biological cycles are concerned. Hence (i) the knocking-down of egr-1 by siRNA (small interfering RNA) proved that this transcription factor is of critical relevance for VV biology, since a decrease of about one log cycle in virus yield was verified, along with a small virus plaque phenotype, whereas the gene silencing did not have a detrimental effect on either CPV multiplication or viral plaque size; (ii) while both pharmacological and genetic inhibition of MEK/ERK resulted in a significant decrease in VV yield, both approaches had no impact on CPV multiplication; and (iii) CPV DNA replication was unaffected by pharmacological inhibition of MEK/ERK, but phosphorylation of MEK/ERK was dependent on CPV DNA replication, contrasting with a significant VV DNA inhibition and VV DNA replication-independence to maintain ERK1/2 phosphorylation, observed under the same conditions

Atlas of Brazilian Snakes: Verified Point-Locality Maps to Mitigate the Wallacean Shortfall in a Megadiverse Snake Fauna

Accurate and detailed species distribution maps are fundamental for documenting and interpreting biological diversity. For snakes, an ecologically diverse group of reptiles, syntheses and detailed data on distribution patterns remain scarce. We present the first comprehensive collection of detailed, voucher-based, point-locality, range maps for all described and documented Brazilian snakes, withthe major aim of mitigating the Wallacean shortfall and as a contribution towards a better understanding of this rich, threatened, and poorly studied megadiverse fauna. We recorded a total of 412 snake species in Brazil on the basis of an extensive and verified point-locality database of 163,498 entries and 75,681 unique records (available here as Online Supporting Information). Our results reveal previously undocumented patterns of distribution, sampling effort, richness, and endemism levels, resulting in a more objective view of snake diversity in the Neotropics. Apart from these achievements, we understand that the most relevant and enduring contribution of the present atlas isto stimulate researchers to publish corrections, additions, and new discoveries.Fil: Nogueira, Cristiano C.. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Argolo, Antonio. Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz; BrasilFil: Arzamendia, Vanesa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto Nacional de Limnología. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto Nacional de Limnología; ArgentinaFil: Azevedo, Josué Anderson Rêgo. University of Gothenburg; SueciaFil: Barbo, Fausto Erritto. University of Gothenburg; SueciaFil: Bérnils, Renato S.. Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo; BrasilFil: Bolochio, Bruna E.. Universidad Federal Do Abc.; BrasilFil: Borges Martins, Marcio. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; BrasilFil: Brasil Godinho, Marcela. Universidad Federal Do Abc.; BrasilFil: Braz, Henrique. Governo do Estado de Sao Paulo. Secretaria da Saude. Instituto Butantan; BrasilFil: Buononato, Marcus A.. No especifíca;Fil: Cisneros Heredia, Diego F.. Universidad San Francisco de Quito; EcuadorFil: Colli, Guarino Rinaldi. Universidade do Brasília; BrasilFil: Costa, Henrique C.. Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora.; BrasilFil: Franco, Francisco. Governo do Estado de Sao Paulo. Secretaria da Saude. Instituto Butantan; BrasilFil: Giraudo, Alejandro Raul. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto Nacional de Limnología. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto Nacional de Limnología; ArgentinaFil: González, Rodrigo Cristián. Universidade Federal Do Estado Do Rio de Janeiro.; BrasilFil: Guedes, Thaís. University of Gothenburg; SueciaFil: Hoogmoed, Marinus S.. Museu Paraense Emi­lio Goeldi; BrasilFil: Marques, Otavio A.V.. Governo do Estado de Sao Paulo. Secretaria da Saude. Instituto Butantan; BrasilFil: Montingelli, Giovanna G.. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Passos, Paulo. Universidade Federal Do Estado Do Rio de Janeiro.; BrasilFil: Prudente, Ana. Museu Paraense Emi­lio Goeldi; BrasilFil: Rivas, Gilson A.. Universidad del Zulia; VenezuelaFil: Sanchez, Paola M.. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Serrano, Filipe C.. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Silva, Nelson J.. Pontificia Universidade Catolica de Goias; BrasilFil: Strüssmann, Christine. Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso; BrasilFil: Vieira Alencar, João Paulo S.. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Zaher, Hussam. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Sawaya, Ricardo. Universidad Federal Do Abc.; BrasilFil: Martins Pimentel, Márcio. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasi

Implementation of a Brazilian Cardioprotective Nutritional (BALANCE) Program for improvement on quality of diet and secondary prevention of cardiovascular events: A randomized, multicenter trial

Background: Appropriate dietary recommendations represent a key part of secondary prevention in cardiovascular disease (CVD). We evaluated the effectiveness of the implementation of a nutritional program on quality of diet, cardiovascular events, and death in patients with established CVD. Methods: In this open-label, multicenter trial conducted in 35 sites in Brazil, we randomly assigned (1:1) patients aged 45 years or older to receive either the BALANCE Program (experimental group) or conventional nutrition advice (control group). The BALANCE Program included a unique nutritional education strategy to implement recommendations from guidelines, adapted to the use of affordable and regional foods. Adherence to diet was evaluated by the modified Alternative Healthy Eating Index. The primary end point was a composite of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular death, cardiac arrest, myocardial infarction, stroke, myocardial revascularization, amputation, or hospitalization for unstable angina. Secondary end points included biochemical and anthropometric data, and blood pressure levels. Results: From March 5, 2013, to Abril 7, 2015, a total of 2534 eligible patients were randomly assigned to either the BALANCE Program group (n = 1,266) or the control group (n = 1,268) and were followed up for a median of 3.5 years. In total, 235 (9.3%) participants had been lost to follow-up. After 3 years of follow-up, mean modified Alternative Healthy Eating Index (scale 0-70) was only slightly higher in the BALANCE group versus the control group (26.2 ± 8.4 vs 24.7 ± 8.6, P <.01), mainly due to a 0.5-serving/d greater intake of fruits and of vegetables in the BALANCE group. Primary end point events occurred in 236 participants (18.8%) in the BALANCE group and in 207 participants (16.4%) in the control group (hazard ratio, 1.15; 95% CI 0.95-1.38; P =.15). Secondary end points did not differ between groups after follow-up. Conclusions: The BALANCE Program only slightly improved adherence to a healthy diet in patients with established CVD and had no significant effect on the incidence of cardiovascular events or death. © 2019 The Author