Communication: Transient Anion States Of Phenol…(h₂o)n (n = 1, 2) Complexes: Search For Microsolvation Signatures.

We report on the shape resonance spectra of phenol-water clusters, as obtained from elastic electron scattering calculations. Our results, along with virtual orbital analysis, indicate that the well-known indirect mechanism for hydrogen elimination in the gas phase is significantly impacted on by microsolvation, due to the competition between vibronic couplings on the solute and solvent molecules. This fact suggests how relevant the solvation effects could be for the electron-driven damage of biomolecules and the biomass delignification [E. M. de Oliveira et al., Phys. Rev. A 86, 020701(R) (2012)]. We also discuss microsolvation signatures in the differential cross sections that could help to identify the solvated complexes and access the composition of gaseous admixtures of these species.14105110

Revisiting the male-produced aggregation pheromone of the lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae): identification of a six-component pheromone from a Brazilian population

The lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus Panzer 1797 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), is a cosmopolitan insect pest affecting poultry production. Due to its cryptic behavior, insecticide control is usually not efficient. Thus, sustainable and effective methods would have an enormous and positive impact in poultry production. The aim of this study was to confirm the identity of the male-produced aggregation pheromone for a Brazilian population of A. diaperinus and to evaluate its biological activity in behavioral assays. Six male-specific compounds were identified: (R)-limonene (1), (E)-ocimene (2), 2-nonanone (3), (S)-linalool (4), (R)-daucene (5), all described before in an American population, and a sixth component, (E,E)-α-farnesene (6), which is apparently exclusive to a Brazilian population. Y-Tube bioassays confirmed the presence of a male-produced aggregation pheromone and showed that all components need to be present in a similar ratio and concentration as emitted by male A. diaperinus to produce a positive chemotactic response

Limited risk of Zika virus transmission by five Aedes albopictus populations from Spain

Background: Aedes albopictus, the Asian tiger mosquito, is an exotic invasive species in Europe. It has substantial public health relevance due to its potential role in transmitting several human pathogens. Out of the European coun‑ tries, Spain has one of the highest risk levels of autochthonous arbovirus transmission due to both the high density of Ae. albopictus and the extensive tourist infux from vector-endemic areas. This study aims to investigate the suscep‑ tibility of fve Ae. albopictus populations from mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands to a Brazilian Zika virus (ZIKV) strain. Methods: The F1 generation of each Ae. albopictus population was orally challenged with a ZIKV-infected blood meal (1.8×106 PFU/ml). At 7 and 14 days post-infection (dpi), mosquito bodies (thorax and abdomen) and heads were individually analysed through RT-qPCR to determine the infection rate (IR) and dissemination rate (DR), respectively. The saliva of infected mosquitoes was inoculated in Vero cells and the transmission rate was assessed by plaque assay or RT-qPCR on ~33 individuals per population. Results: The IR and DR ranged between 12–88%, and 0–60%, respectively, suggesting that ZIKV is capable of cross‑ ing the midgut barrier. Remarkably, no infectious viral particle was found in saliva samples, indicating a low ability of ZIKV to overcome the salivary gland barrier. A subsequent assay revealed that a second non-infective blood meal 48 h after ZIKV exposure did not infuence Ae. albopictus vector competence. Conclusions: The oral experimental ZIKV infections performed here indicate that Ae. albopictus from Spain become infected and disseminate the virus through the body but has a limited ability to transmit the Brazilian ZIKV strain through biting. Therefore, the results suggest a limited risk of autochthonous ZIKV transmission in Spain by Ae. albopictusinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Leaf Epidermal Descriptors of Forage from Caatinga, NE Brazil

In the Brazilian semi-arid region, the predominant vegetation is the Caatinga, which has a diversity of plant species, some endemic and presenting forage potential. The characterization of the plant anatomy is important for animal diet studies, using a microhistological technique (Scott and Dahl 1980) for estimating the diet botanical composition from ruminant faeces. This paper determined leaf epidermal descriptors for Caatinga species using microscopic slides

Narrativas dos profissionais dos ensinos pré-escolar e primeiro ciclo face às crianças com necessidades educativas especiais: o outro lado da história

[Resumo] As debilidades na formação dos educadores e professores quanto as NEE sao uma importante variável influenciadora na e para a construção de urna equidade educativa. Registe-se a afirmação proferida na Declaras;ao de Salamanca: "a preparação adequada de todo o pessoal educativo é o factor chave na promosção das escolas inclusivas." Toma-se imprescindível conhecermos as formas de pensar, de actuar, a diversidade de sentimentos e estratégias que os profissionais poderao demonstrar como resultado de lidarem com uma criança com NEE, para que possamos melhor compreender e interpretar a direcs;ao para a construção de um diálogo efectivo de parceria educacional. Pretende-se, assim, através de urna metodologia qualitativa - análise de narrativas - o desenvolvimento de um programa de forma<;ao que promova desenvolvimento de atitudes positivas face a escola inclusiva, a aquisis;ao de novas competencias de ensino, que permita aos profissionais serem mais responsivos as necessidades educativas das criança

Angiotensin-(1–7)/Mas axis integrity is required for the expression of object recognition memory

AbstractIt has been shown that the brain has its own intrinsic renin–angiotensin system (RAS) and angiotensin-(1–7) (Ang-(1–7)) is particularly interesting, because it appears to counterbalance most of the Ang II effects. Ang-(1–7) exerts its biological function through activation of the G-protein-coupled receptor Mas. Interestingly, hippocampus is one of the regions with higher expression of Mas. However, the role of Ang-(1–7)/Mas axis in hippocampus-dependent memories is still poorly understood. Here we demonstrated that Mas ablation, as well as the blockade of Mas in the CA1-hippocampus, impaired object recognition memory (ORM). We also demonstrated that the blockade of Ang II receptors AT1, but not AT2, recovers ORM impairment of Mas-deficient mice. Considering that high concentrations of Ang-(1–7) may activate AT1 receptors, nonspecifically, we evaluate the levels of Ang-(1–7) and its main precursors Ang I and Ang II in the hippocampus of Mas-deficient mice. The Ang I and Ang II levels are unaltered in the whole hipocampus of MasKo. However, Ang-(1–7) concentration is increased in the whole hippocampus of MasKo mice, as well as in the CA1 area. Taken together, our findings suggest that the functionality of the Ang-(1–7)/Mas axis is essential for normal ORM processing

Incidence of malignant lesions in patients with clinically benign thyroid nodules: observational and prospective study in a cohort of 50 patients followed during two years

INTRODUCTION: To study the frequency of malignant lesions in patients with clinically benign thyroid nodules and the value of the repetition of fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB). METHODS: Observational and prospective 2-year study in a cohort of 50 patients with clinically benign thyroid nodules. Patients were initially submitted to clinical examination, ultrasound (US) and FNAB1 patients, followed by a second FNAB and US. RESULTS: Palpation is not a good test for diagnosis and follow-up of thyroid nodules. On the other hand, the initial consideration that these patients should harbor benign lesions is a very useful parameter, since 47/50 patients (94%) did not present malignant lesions during the follow-up. FNAB1 and FNAB2 were concordant in 33/39 patients when FNAB1 was negative (85%); 11 patients were operated, 8 by suspicious FNAB and 3 due to nodule growth. We observed 2 patients with non-invasive papillary microcarcinoma and 1 patient with papillary carcinoma outside of the main nodules. CONCLUSION: there was concordance between initial clinical benign diagnosis, FNAB and the follow-up. In one case there was a papillary carcinoma. In addition, ultrasonography should be considered for all patients with suspected thyroid nodules. Finally, we demonstrated that a second cytology usually confirms the result of the first cytology in benign thyroid nodules.OBJETIVOS: Verificar a ocorrência de lesões malignas em pacientes com nódulos tiroidianos clinicamente benignos e o valor da repetição da citologia aspirativa da tiróide (PAAF). MÉTODOS: Estudo observacional prospectivo por 2 anos em coorte de 50 mulheres com nódulos tiroidianos clinicamente benignos, com exame clínico, ultra-sonografia (US) e PAAF inicial, seguidas por acompanhamento clínico, US e repunção dos mesmos nódulos (PAAF2). RESULTADOS: A palpação não é bom método para o seguimento dos nódulos quando comparada ao US. O quadro clínico foi parâmetro de confiança, pois 47/50 pacientes (94%) evoluíram sem malignidade durante o seguimento. PAAF1 e PAAF2 concordaram em 33/39 pacientes quando PAAF1 foi negativa (85%); 11 pacientes foram operadas, 8 por PAAF suspeita e 3 por aumento do volume nodular durante o seguimento. O anátomo-patológico (AP) foi benigno nas lesões suspeitas (8 adenomas e 3 bócios colóides). Houve 2 casos de microcarcinoma papilífero não invasivo em área distante dos nódulos e 1 caso de carcinoma papilífero não invasivo em bócio multi-nodular. CONCLUSÕES: Houve concordância entre características clínicas de benignidade com PAAF, US e acompanhamento clínico ou cirurgia; numa paciente encontramos carcinoma papilífero. O US deve ser considerado em pacientes com suspeita de nódulos de tiróide ao exame clínico; na maioria das vezes quando o resultado da PAAF1 é negativo para malignidade, o segundo exame citológico confirma o primeiro.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de Medicina Departamento de MedicinaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de Medicina Departamento de Otorrinolaringologia e Cirurgia de Cabeça e PescoçoUNIFESP, EPM, Depto. de MedicinaUNIFESP, EPM, Depto. de Otorrinolaringologia e Cirurgia de Cabeça e PescoçoSciEL

Taekwondo athletes have better postural control than handball and american football athletes / Atletas de taekwondon têm melhor controle postural do que atletas de handebol e futebol americano

Introduction: Postural control is an important prerequisite for an athlete’s performance in sport. In addition, the postural control system contributes to injury prevention. Deficits in this system can lead to body instability and overload of musculoskeletal structures generating dysfunction and pain. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate postural control in three different sports modalities: taekwondo, handball, and American football. Methods: All athletes performed a one-legged stance/balance test on a force platform in the right and left lower limbs. Three tests of thirty seconds each were performed with eyes open. The mean of the three tests was used to measure the parameters of postural control, pressure center and velocity of anteroposterior and mediolateral displacements. Results: Significant differences were observed among the three groups in all analyzed parameters (P=<0.04). Post-hoc analysis revealed that taekwondo athletes had better postural control (P=<0.035) of lower limbs compared to the other two modalities. There were no significant differences between handball and American football. Conclusion: Taekwondo athletes have better postural control during the one-legged stance/balance test than handball and American football athletes. Introdução: O controle postural é um pré-requisito importante para o desempenho do atleta no esporte. Além disso, o sistema de controle postural contribui para a prevenção de lesões. Déficits nesse sistema podem levar a instabilidade corporal e sobrecarga das estruturas musculoesqueléticas, gerando disfunção e dor. Objetivos: A proposta deste estudo foi avaliar o controle postural em três diferentes modalidades esportivas: taekwondo, handebol e futebol americano. Métodos: Todos os atletas executaram o teste de equilíbrio unipodal sobre uma plataforma de força nos membros inferiores direito e esquerdo. Foram realizados três testes de trinta segundos cada, com os olhos abertos. A média dos três testes foi utilizada para mensurar os parâmetros de controle postural, centro de pressão e velocidade dos deslocamentos anteroposteriores e mediolaterais. Resultados: Diferenças significativas foram observadas entre os três grupos em todos os parâmetros analisados (P = <0,04). A análise post hoc revelou que os atletas de taekwondo tiveram melhor controle postural (P = < 0,035) dos membros inferiores em comparação com as outras duas modalidades. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas entre o handebol e o futebol americano. Conclusão: Os atletas do taekwondo têm melhor controle postural durante o teste de equilíbrio unipodal do que os atletas do handebol e do futebol americano