Initial inflammatory response after the pulpotomy of rat molars with MTA or ferric sulfate

Purpose: To compare, both qualitatively and quantitatively, the inflammatory cells, vascular density and IL-6 immunolabeled cells present in the pulp after pulpotomy with white MTA versus 15.5% ferric sulfate (FS). Methodology: Forty-eight mandibular first molars from 24 Wistar rats were divided into MTA or FS groups and subdivided according to the period after pulpotomy procedure (24, 48 and 72 hours). Four teeth (sound and untreated) were used as controls. Histological sections were obtained and assessed through the descriptive analysis of morphological aspects of pulp tissue and the quantification of inflammatory cells, vascular density and interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression. Data were statistically analyzed (p<0.05). Results: The number of inflammatory cells was similar in both groups, being predominantly localized at the cervical radicular third. In the MTA group, increased inflammation was observed at 48 hours. Vascular density was similar in both groups and over time, being predominant in the medium radicular third. No correlation was found between the number of inflammatory cells and the vascular density. Pulp tissue was more organized in MTA-treated teeth. In both groups, a weak to moderate IL-6 expression was detected in odontoblasts and inflammatory cells. Comparing both groups, there was a greater IL-6 expression in the cervical radicular third of teeth treated with MTA at 24 hours and in the medium and apical thirds at 72 hours, while in the FS group a greater IL-6 expression was found in the apical third at 24 hours. Conclusion: The MTA group presented better histological features and greater IL-6 expression than the FS group. However, no difference was observed between the groups regarding the inflammatory status and vascularization, suggesting the usefulness of FS as a low-cost alternative to MTA

Brazilian underutilised species to promote dietary diversity, local food procurement, and biodiversity conservation: a food composition gap analysis

Abstract Background Brazil is home to a large portion of the world's biodiversity, but, paradoxically, the country's agriculture and food security are very reliant on exotic or introduced crops or species. Native species are being neglected and forgotten with natural landscapes and traditional foods being replaced by monocultures of commodity crops and pasture for livestock, causing habitat and biodiversity loss. At the same time, Brazil faces dietary simplification and high levels of malnutrition. Much of the neglected native biodiversity is highly nutritious and exploring these food sources could help provide sustainable solutions to diversifying diets, tackling malnutrition problems, and promoting agricultural development through local food procurement, while also promoting biodiversity conservation and climate change adaptation and resilience. However, notable knowledge and evidence gaps still need to be addressed to better integrate biodiversity for enhancing food and nutrition security, including scientific data on the nutritional value and composition of native underutilised species. In Brazil, the Biodiversity for Food and Nutrition (BFN) project generated food composition data, developed recipes, and increased appreciation and awareness of the value of underutilised, nutrient-rich biodiversity through strategic research partnerships with universities and research institutes. Methods For this food composition gap analysis of native Brazilian biodiversity, the BFN project established partnerships with universities and research institutes for the generation of food composition data (macronutrients, vitamins, and minerals) and the development of recipes for 70 native underutilised species of fruits and vegetables of economic potential. Food composition data was gathered by doing a literature review, using compilation methods developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the International Network for Food Data Systems. Food composition analysis is being done for data that was missing or incomplete. Data is being made available on a food composition and recipes database developed with the Information System on Brazilian Biodiversity. Findings From May, 2014, to March, 2016, the nine partner universities in Brazil compiled existing food composition data for 59 of the 70 selected indigenous Brazilian fruit and vegetable species for which data were available. Food composition analysis is being done for missing or incomplete data (especially for vitamins, minerals, and dietary fibre) for all 70 species and will be finalised in 2018. Results thus far show that many of the studied species are high in vitamins, such as the high concentrations of vitamin A encountered in the pulp of peach palm (Bactris gasipaes; 317 μg retinol activity equivalent [RAE] per 100 g), tucuma (Astrocaryum aculeatum; 808 μg RAE per 100 g) and buriti (Mauritia flexuosa; 1204 μg RAE per 100 g). High vitamin C concentrations were found in the pulp of camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia; 1620 mg/100 g), guabiroba (Campomanesia xanthocarpa; 428 mg/100 g) and mangaba (Hancornia speciosa; 209 mg/100 g). Protein concentrations were high in seeds of chicha (Sterculia striata; 19 g/100 g), pequi (Caryocar brasiliense; 29 g/100 g) and baru (Dipteryx alata; 29 mg/100 g). Interpretation The data is being used as an advocacy tool for promoting native species in public initiatives including policy incentives for improving their production and market chains. By working through regional partners, capacities were developed in different regions, directly engaging more than 100 students and professors. These groups act as multipliers, building additional human capacity and operating as opinion leaders and policy advisors, including the provision of research and technical backstopping for municipal managers, school managers, nutritionists, and cooks responsible for implementing the National School Feeding Programme, thus the partnership is likely to favour the inclusion of biodiversity in school meals. Funding Global Environment Facility

Prediction equation of peak oxygen uptake for the modified shuttle test in healthy adolescents

Given the gap in the literature regarding the peakof oxygen consumption (VO2peak) for adolescents of bothsexes, this study aimed to propose an equation to predict theVO2peak in healthy adolescents using the Modified ShuttleTest (MST). This is a cross-sectional study with 84 healthyadolescents between 12 and 18 years old, female and male.The MST is an external paced test, in which the speedincreases at each minute. Two MST were performed withat least 30 minutes of rest between them. The test with thelongest walked distance was considered for analysis. VO2wasdirectly monitored by an open circuit spirometry. Mean agewas 14.67±1.82 and the walked distance was 864.86±263.48m.Variables included in the prediction equation were walkeddistance and sex, explaining the VO2peak variability of 53% during MST performance. The prediction equation for VO2 peak with the MST was: predicted VO2 peak=18.274+(0.18×Distance Walked, meters)+(7.733×Sex); R2=0.53 and p<0.0001 (sex: 0 for girls, 1 for boys). This MST equation, proposed to predict VO2 peak in healthy adolescents of both sexes, can be used as a reference to assess exercise capacity in healthy adolescents and to investigate cardiopulmonary function in adolescents with reduced functional capacity.Dada una laguna en la literatura con respecto a laecuación para predecir el consumo máximo de oxígeno (VO2) enadolescentes de ambos sexos, el objetivo de este estudio es proponeruna ecuación para predecir el VO2máximo en adolescentes sanosusando el shuttle test modificado (MST). Se trata de un estudiotransversal, realizado con 84 adolescentes sanos con edades entre12 y 18 años, de ambos sexos. El MST es una prueba de campo dictadapor una señal sonora que indica el aumento de velocidad cadaminuto. Se realizaron dos MST con al menos 30 minutos de descansoentre ellos. Para el análisis se consideró la prueba con mayor distanciarecorrida. El monitoreo del VO2fue realizado directamente porespirometría de circuito abierto. La edad media fue de 14,67±1,82 años;y la distancia recorrida, de 864,86±263,48m. Las variables incluidasen la ecuación de predicción fueron la distancia recorrida y el sexo,que explicaron el 53% de la variabilidad del VO2máximo durante larealización del MST. La ecuación de referencia para el VO2máximopredicho con el MST fue VO2máximo previsto=18,274+(0,18×Distanciarecorrida, en metros)+(7,733×Sexo); R2=0,53 y p<0,0001 (sexo:0 para chicas, 1 para chicos). La ecuación MST propuesta parapredecir el VO2 máximo en adolescentes sanos de ambos sexospuede utilizarse como una referencia para evaluar la capacidadde ejercicio en adolescentes sanos y para investigar la funcióncardiopulmonar en adolescentes con capacidad funcional reducidaDada a lacuna na literatura quanto à equação de predição do pico de consumo de oxigênio (VO2 ) para adolescentes de ambos os sexos, o objetivo deste estudo é propor uma equação para predizer o VO2 pico em adolescentes saudáveis utilizando o shuttle test modificado (MST). Trata-se de um estudo transversal realizado com 84 adolescentes saudáveis entre 12 e 18 anos, do sexo feminino e masculino. O MST é um teste de campo ditado por um sinal sonoro que indica o aumento da velocidade a cada minuto. Dois MSTs foram realizados com pelo menos 30 minutos de descanso entre eles. O teste com a maior distância percorrida foi o considerado para análise. O VO2 foi monitorado diretamente por uma espirometria de circuito aberto. A média de idade foi de 14,67±1,82 anos, e a de distância percorrida foi de 864,86±263,48m. As variáveis 2 incluídas na equação de predição foram distância percorrida e sexo, que explicaram 53% da variabilidade do VO2 pico durante a realização do MST. A equação de referência para o VO2 pico previsto com o MST foi VO2 pico predito=18,274+(0,18×Distância percorrida, em metros)+(7,733×Sexo); R2 =0,53 e p<0,0001 (sexo: 0 para meninas, 1 para meninos). A equação do MST proposta para predizer o VO2 pico em adolescentes saudáveis de ambos os sexos pode ser usada como referência para avaliar a capacidade de exercício em adolescentes saudáveis e investigar a função cardiopulmonar em adolescentes com capacidade funcional reduzida

Prediction equation of peak oxygen uptake for the modified shuttle test in healthy adolescents

ABSTRACT Given the gap in the literature regarding the peak of oxygen consumption (VO2peak) for adolescents of both sexes, this study aimed to propose an equation to predict the VO2peak in healthy adolescents using the Modified Shuttle Test (MST). This is a cross-sectional study with 84 healthy adolescents between 12 and 18 years old, female and male. The MST is an external paced test, in which the speed increases at each minute. Two MST were performed with at least 30 minutes of rest between them. The test with the longest walked distance was considered for analysis. VO2 was directly monitored by an open circuit spirometry. Mean age was 14.67±1.82 and the walked distance was 864.86±263.48m. Variables included in the prediction equation were walked distance and sex, explaining the VO2peak variability of 53% during MST performance. The prediction equation for VO2peak with the MST was: predicted VO2peak=18.274+(0.18×Distance Walked, meters)+(7.733×Sex); R2=0.53 and p<0.0001 (sex: 0 for girls, 1 for boys). This MST equation, proposed to predict VO2peak in healthy adolescents of both sexes, can be used as a reference to assess exercise capacity in healthy adolescents and to investigate cardiopulmonary function in adolescents with reduced functional capacity

Ruminant fat intake improves gut microbiota, serum inflammatory parameter and fatty acid profile in tissues of Wistar rats

Research Areas: Science & Technology - Other TopicsThis study tested the hypothesis that naturally and industrially produced trans-fatty acids can exert distinct efects on metabolic parameters and on gut microbiota of rats. Wistar rats were randomized into three groups according to the diet: CONT-control, with 5% soybean oil and normal amount of fat; HVF-20% of hydrogenated vegetable fat (industrial); and RUM-20% of ruminant fat (natural). After 53 days of treatment, serum biochemical markers, fatty acid composition of liver, heart and adipose tissue, histology and hepatic oxidative parameters, as well as gut microbiota composition were evaluated. HVF diet intake reduced triglycerides (≈ 39.39%) and VLDL levels (≈ 39.49%). Transfatty acids levels in all tissue were higher in HVF group. However, RUM diet intake elevated amounts of anti-infammatory cytokine IL-10 (≈ 14.7%) compared to CONT, but not to HVF. Furthermore, RUM intake led to higher concentrations of stearic acid and conjugated linoleic acid in all tissue; this particular diet was associated with a hepatoprotective efect. The microbial gut communities were signifcantly diferent among the groups. Our results show that ruminant fat reversed the hepatic steatosis normally caused by high fat diets, which may be related to the remodelling of the gut microbiota and its anti-infammatory potential.info: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 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

Anais do V Encontro Brasileiro de Educomunicação: Educação midiática e políticas públicas

A presente coletânea, que chega ao público através de um suporte digital, tem como objetivo disponibilizar os papers, bem como os relatos de experiências educomunicativas apresentados durante o V ENCONTRO BRASILEIRO DE EDUCOMUNICAÇÃO, que teve como tema central: “Educação Midiática e Políticas Públicas”. O evento foi realizado em São Paulo, entre 19 e 21 de setembro de 2013, a partir de uma parceria entre o NCE/USP - Núcleo de Comunicação e Educação da USP, a Licenciatura em Educomunicação da ECA/USP, a ABPEducom – Associação Brasileira de Pesquisadores e Profissionais da Educomunicação e a FAPCOM – Faculdade Paulus de Tecnologia e Comunicação, que ofereceu seu campus, na Vila Mariana, para os atos do evento. Os presentes anais disponibilizam o texto de abertura, de autoria do coordenador geral do evento, denominado “Educação midiática e políticas públicas: vertentes históricas da emergência da Educomunicação na América Latina”. Na sequência, apresentam 61 papers sobre aspectos específicos da temática geral, resultantes de pesquisas na área, seguidos de 27 relatos de práticas educomunicativas, em nível nacional

ATLANTIC EPIPHYTES: a data set of vascular and non-vascular epiphyte plants and lichens from the Atlantic Forest

Epiphytes are hyper-diverse and one of the frequently undervalued life forms in plant surveys and biodiversity inventories. Epiphytes of the Atlantic Forest, one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world, have high endemism and radiated recently in the Pliocene. We aimed to (1) compile an extensive Atlantic Forest data set on vascular, non-vascular plants (including hemiepiphytes), and lichen epiphyte species occurrence and abundance; (2) describe the epiphyte distribution in the Atlantic Forest, in order to indicate future sampling efforts. Our work presents the first epiphyte data set with information on abundance and occurrence of epiphyte phorophyte species. All data compiled here come from three main sources provided by the authors: published sources (comprising peer-reviewed articles, books, and theses), unpublished data, and herbarium data. We compiled a data set composed of 2,095 species, from 89,270 holo/hemiepiphyte records, in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, recorded from 1824 to early 2018. Most of the records were from qualitative data (occurrence only, 88%), well distributed throughout the Atlantic Forest. For quantitative records, the most common sampling method was individual trees (71%), followed by plot sampling (19%), and transect sampling (10%). Angiosperms (81%) were the most frequently registered group, and Bromeliaceae and Orchidaceae were the families with the greatest number of records (27,272 and 21,945, respectively). Ferns and Lycophytes presented fewer records than Angiosperms, and Polypodiaceae were the most recorded family, and more concentrated in the Southern and Southeastern regions. Data on non-vascular plants and lichens were scarce, with a few disjunct records concentrated in the Northeastern region of the Atlantic Forest. For all non-vascular plant records, Lejeuneaceae, a family of liverworts, was the most recorded family. We hope that our effort to organize scattered epiphyte data help advance the knowledge of epiphyte ecology, as well as our understanding of macroecological and biogeographical patterns in the Atlantic Forest. No copyright restrictions are associated with the data set. Please cite this Ecology Data Paper if the data are used in publication and teaching events. © 2019 The Authors. Ecology © 2019 The Ecological Society of Americ