P2X7 receptor contributes to long-term neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment in sepsis-surviving mice

Introduction: sepsis is defined as a multifactorial debilitating condition with high risks of death. The intense inflammatory response causes deleterious effects on the brain, a condition called sepsis-associated encephalopathy. Neuroinflammation or pathogen recognition are able to stress cells, resulting in ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) release and P2X7 receptor activation, which is abundantly expressed in the brain. The P2X7 receptor contributes to chronic neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory diseases; however, its function in long-term neurological impairment caused by sepsis remains unclear. Therefore, we sought to evaluate the effects of P2X7 receptor activation in neuroinflammatory and behavioral changes in sepsis-surviving mice. Methods: sepsis was induced in wild-type (WT), P2X7−/− , and BBG (Brilliant Blue G)-treated mice by cecal ligation and perforation (CLP). On the thirteenth day after the surgery, the cognitive function of mice was assessed using the novel recognition object and Water T-maze tests. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, microglial and astrocytic activation markers, and cytokine production were also evaluated. Results: Initially, we observed that both WT and P2X7−/− sepsis-surviving mice showed memory impairment 13 days after surgery, once they did not differentiate between novel and familiar objects. Both groups of animals presented increased AChE activity in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex. However, the absence of P2X7 prevented partly this increase in the cerebral cortex. Likewise, P2X7 absence decreased ionized calcium-binding protein 1 (Iba−1 ) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) upregulation in the cerebral cortex of sepsis-surviving animals. There was an increase in GFAP protein levels in the cerebral cortex but not in the hippocampus of both WT and P2X7−/− sepsis-surviving animals. Pharmacological inhibition or genetic deletion of P2X7 receptor attenuated the production of Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and Interleukin-10 (IL-10). Conclusion: the modulation of the P2X7 receptor in sepsis-surviving animals may reduce neuroinflammation and prevent cognitive impairment due to sepsisassociated encephalopathy, being considered an important therapeutic target

Repercussão da terapia de suplementação de proteína em detrimento das alterações na composição muscular de idosos: uma revisão: Repercussion of protein supplementation therapy to the detriment of changes in muscle composition in the elderly: a review

INTRODUÇÃO: O ato de envelhecer traz consigo inúmeras mudanças fisiológicas, dentre elas, destaca-se a sarcopenia, que por vezes pode levar a perda da capacidade funcional, podendo prejudicar a mobilidade e por fim acarretar em acidentes graves ou mortes. A atual concentração diária recomendada de proteína por quilograma não foi projetada para uma população em fase de envelhecimento, o que pode levar a uma concentração de proteína insuficiente. A suplementação proteica surgiu como forma alternativa de preservar a manutenção muscular. OBJETIVO: Analisar os efeitos da suplementação proteica na manutenção da capacidade funcional muscular na população idosa. METODOLOGIA: Para tanto, foi realizada uma revisão integrativa da literatura de aspecto qualitativo, no qual, a partir de uma pesquisa em bases de dados selecionadas, baseou-se em estudos que apresentaram efeitos da suplementação proteica na manutenção da capacidade funcional muscular de idosos. Ao final foram selecionados seis estudos que contemplavam o tema em questão. RESULTADOS E DISCUSSÃO: A melhora do estado nutricional está relacionada ao desempenho muscular, com base nisso, foram analisados nos estudos os seguintes aspectos: ganho de massa muscular, exercício físico em jejum, membros inferiores, velocidade da marcha e outros parâmetros funcionais e 25-hidroxivitamina D, todos colocando-se em comparação com a suplementação proteica como forma intervencionista e de manutenção da capacidade funcional muscular. Ainda, foi realizada uma análise da suplementação dietética com aminoácidos de cadeia ramificada (BCAAs) em relação a desnutrição. CONCLUSÃO: A análise dos dados supracitados revelou a relevância da busca pela melhoria na qualidade de vida e bem-estar da população senil, de maneira que o consumo diário recomendado de proteína seja preconizado como principal medida para manutenção da massa muscular nesta parcela populacional. Deve-se estimular o consumo diário de alimentos ricos em proteínas, tais como carnes, ovos, leite e derivados e suplementos alimentares, quando sua prescrição se faz necessária. Diante da corroboração da sarcopenia no aumento da incidência de quedas em idosos, se faz necessário orientar e estimular a população senil para a prática regular de exercício físico resistido, além do acompanhamento de equipe multidisciplinar

Wheat response to zinc treated seeds and soil zinc application

O trigo é um dos principais constituintes da dieta da humanidade. Nesta perspetiva, assume particular importância o enriquecimento do grão em nutrientes que possam colmatar carências nutricionais, como é o caso do zinco (Zn). De acordo com a Organização Mundial de Saúde diarreia e pneumonia são duas importantes causas de mortalidade infantil que podem estar associadas a deficiência em zinco. Cerca de 40% da população mundial não atingirá as recomendações diárias de zinco. O zinco é um elemento essencial também para as plantas, onde exerce papel relevante associado a fenómenos de transferência de eletrões em reações de oxidação-redução e na ativação de enzimas. Contudo, na perspetiva da biofortificação interessa saber se é possível aumentar a concentração em zinco nas partes comestíveis, que no caso do trigo é o grão. Neste trabalho reportam-se resultados de um ensaio de biofortificação agronómica em que se estudou o efeito de sementes biofortificadas e da aplicação de Zn solo em adubação de cobertura (3 datas de aplicação e 3 doses) em três variedades de trigo (Jordão, Roxo e Nabão). Nas fases vegetativas o crescimento das plantas não foi afetado pelos tratamentos às sementes ou ao solo. Na colheita, os parâmetros de produção avaliados (massa do hectolitro de grão, peso de 1000 grãos, produção de grão, produção de palha, produção total e índice de colheita) não foram significativamente influenciados pelos tratamentos de zinco às sementes ou ao solo. A produção de grão aproximou-se de 5500 kg ha-1 e não variou significativamente entre variedades. Contudo, o peso de 1000 grãos foi significativamente mais baixo na cv. Nabão e mais elevado na cv. Roxo. Os tratamentos com zinco às sementes e ao solo parecem não influenciar o desempenho da cultura do trigo.Wheat is one of the main constituents of mankind's diet. In this perspective, the enrichment of the grain in nutrients that can fill nutritional deficiencies, such as zinc (Zn), is of particular importance. According to the World Health Organization diarrhea and pneumonia are two important causes of infant mortality that may be associated with zinc deficiency. About 40% of the world's population will not meet the recommended daily zinc intake. Zinc is also an essential element for plants, where it plays a relevant role associated with electron transfer phenomena in oxidation-reduction reactions and in the activation of enzymes. However, from the perspective of biofortification, it is important to know whether it is possible to increase the concentration of zinc in the edible parts, which in the case of wheat is the grain. This work reports the results of an agronomic biofortification trial in which the effect of biofortified seeds and the application of Zn to the soil (3 application dates and 3 rates) were studied in three wheat varieties (Jordão, Roxo and Nabão). In the vegetative phases the growth of the plants was not affected by the treatments to the seeds or to the soil. At the harvest, the evaluated production parameters (mass of the hectoliter of grain, weight of 1000 grains, grain yield, straw production, total production and harvest index) were not significantly influenced by the treatments of zinc to the seeds or to the soil. Grain production approached 5500 kg ha-1 and did not vary significantly between varieties. However, the weight of 1000 grains was significantly lower in the cv. Nabão and higher in cv. Roxo. Zinc treatments to seeds and soil do not appear to influence wheat crop performance.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Wheat response to zinc treated seeds and soil zinc application

De acordo com a Organização Mundial de Saúde diarreia e pneumonia são duas importantes causas de mortalidade infantil que podem estar associadas a deficiência em zinco (Zn). O Zn é um elemento essencial para as plantas, onde exerce papel estrutural e é co-factor de mais de 300 enzimas. Na perspetiva da biofortificação, interessa saber se é possível aumentar a concentração em Zn nas partes comestíveis das plantas. Neste trabalho reportam-se resultados de um ensaio de biofortificação agronómica em que se estudou o efeito de sementes previamente biofortificadas e da aplicação de Zn ao solo em três datas e três doses em adubação de cobertura, nas cultivares ‘Jordão’, ‘Roxo’ e ‘Nabão’. Nas fases vegetativas os tratamentos não influenciaram o crescimento das plantas. Na colheita, os parâmetros massa do hectolitro de grão, peso de 1000 grãos, produção de grão, produção de palha, produção total e índice de colheita mostraram pouca sensibilidade ao uso de sementes tratadas com Zn e à aplicação de Zn ao solo. De igual forma, a concentração de Zn no grão não foi significativamente influenciada pelos tratamentos. As maiores aplicações de Zn ao solo originaram concentrações médias de Zn no grão mais elevadas mas sem diferenças significativas para o tratamento menos fertilizado (42,4 e 37,7 mg kg-1, respetivamente). A aplicação de Zn ao solo aumentou de forma significativa a concentração de Zn na palha (14,7 e 25,5 mg kg-1, nas modalidades menos e mais fertilizadas). Neste estudo, a tentativa de biofortificação com Zn através de sementes tratadas e da aplicação de Zn ao solo teve um resultado modesto. Contudo, o resultado não põe em questão o potencial da biofortificação agronómica. A fraca resposta à aplicação de Zn terá sido devida à boa disponibilidade natural do elemento no solo.According to the World Health Organization diarrhea and pneumonia are two important causes of infant mortality that may be associated with zinc (Zn) deficiency. Zn is also an essential element for plant growth. In plants it has a structural role and is a co-factor of more than 300 enzymes. From the perspective of biofortification, it is important to know whether it is possible to increase the concentration of Zn in the edible plant parts. This work reports the results of an agronomic biofortification trial in which the effect of biofortified seeds and the application of Zn to the soil (3 application dates and 3 rates) were studied in three wheat varieties, ‘Jordão’, ‘Roxo’ and ‘Nabão’. In the vegetative phases, plant growth was not affected by the Zn treatments. At the harvest, the evaluated production parameters (mass of the hectoliter of grain, weight of 1000 grains, grain yield, straw production, total production and harvest index) showed little sensitivity to the use of seeds treated with Zn and to the application of Zn to the soil. Likewise, the concentration of Zn in the grain was not significantly influenced by the treatments. The higher soil Zn applications resulted in higher mean grain Zn concentrations but without significant differences to the other treatments (37.7 and 42.4 mg kg-1 in the less and more fertilized treatments). The application of Zn to the soil significantly increased the concentration of Zn in straw (14.7 and 25.5 mg kg-1, in the less and more fertilized treatments). In this study, the attempt of Zn biofortification through treated seeds and the application of Zn to the soil had a modest result. However, the result does not question the potential of agronomic biofortification. The poor response to Zn application would have been due to the natural high availability of the element in this soil.Os autores agradecem à Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT, Portugal) e ao FEDER, programa PT2020, pelo suporte financeiro ao CIMO UID/AGR/00690/2013info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Effectiveness of first-wave protease inhibitors in hepatitis C virus genotype 1 infection: a multicenter study in Brazil

Abstract INTRODUCTION: In 2013, combination therapy using peginterferon, ribavirin, and boceprevir or telaprevir was introduced to treat hepatitis C virus genotype 1 infection in Brazil. The effectiveness of this therapy in four Brazilian regions was evaluated. METHODS: Clinical and virological data were obtained from patients of public health institutions in five cities, including sustained virological response (SVR) and side effects. Patients with advanced fibrosis (F3/4), moderate fibrosis (F2) for > 3 years, or extra-hepatic manifestations were treated according to Ministry of Health protocol. Treatment effectiveness was verified by using bivariate and multivariate analysis; p-values of < 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: Of 275 patients (64.7% men; average age, 57 years old), most (61.8%) were treatment-experienced; 53.9% had subgenotype 1a infection, 85.1% had advanced fibrosis, and 85.5% were treated with telaprevir. SVR was observed in 54.2%. Rapid virological response (RVR) was observed in 54.6% of patients (data available for 251 patients). Overall, 87.5% reported side effects and 42.5% did not complete treatment. Skin rash, severe infection, and death occurred in 17.8%, 2.5%, and death in 1.4% of cases, respectively. SVR was associated with treatment completion, RVR, and anemia. CONCLUSIONS: The effectiveness of hepatitis C virus triple therapy was lower than that reported in phase III clinical trials, possibly owing to the prioritized treatment of patients with advanced liver fibrosis. The high frequency of side effects and treatment interruptions observed supported the decision of the Brazilian authorities to suspend its use when safer and more effective drugs became available in 2015

Effectiveness of first-wave protease inhibitors in hepatitis C virus genotype 1 infection: a multicenter study in Brazil

<div><p>Abstract INTRODUCTION: In 2013, combination therapy using peginterferon, ribavirin, and boceprevir or telaprevir was introduced to treat hepatitis C virus genotype 1 infection in Brazil. The effectiveness of this therapy in four Brazilian regions was evaluated. METHODS: Clinical and virological data were obtained from patients of public health institutions in five cities, including sustained virological response (SVR) and side effects. Patients with advanced fibrosis (F3/4), moderate fibrosis (F2) for > 3 years, or extra-hepatic manifestations were treated according to Ministry of Health protocol. Treatment effectiveness was verified by using bivariate and multivariate analysis; p-values of < 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: Of 275 patients (64.7% men; average age, 57 years old), most (61.8%) were treatment-experienced; 53.9% had subgenotype 1a infection, 85.1% had advanced fibrosis, and 85.5% were treated with telaprevir. SVR was observed in 54.2%. Rapid virological response (RVR) was observed in 54.6% of patients (data available for 251 patients). Overall, 87.5% reported side effects and 42.5% did not complete treatment. Skin rash, severe infection, and death occurred in 17.8%, 2.5%, and death in 1.4% of cases, respectively. SVR was associated with treatment completion, RVR, and anemia. CONCLUSIONS: The effectiveness of hepatitis C virus triple therapy was lower than that reported in phase III clinical trials, possibly owing to the prioritized treatment of patients with advanced liver fibrosis. The high frequency of side effects and treatment interruptions observed supported the decision of the Brazilian authorities to suspend its use when safer and more effective drugs became available in 2015.</p></div

Brazilian Flora 2020: Leveraging the power of a collaborative scientific network

International audienceThe shortage of reliable primary taxonomic data limits the description of biological taxa and the understanding of biodiversity patterns and processes, complicating biogeographical, ecological, and evolutionary studies. This deficit creates a significant taxonomic impediment to biodiversity research and conservation planning. The taxonomic impediment and the biodiversity crisis are widely recognized, highlighting the urgent need for reliable taxonomic data. Over the past decade, numerous countries worldwide have devoted considerable effort to Target 1 of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC), which called for the preparation of a working list of all known plant species by 2010 and an online world Flora by 2020. Brazil is a megadiverse country, home to more of the world's known plant species than any other country. Despite that, Flora Brasiliensis, concluded in 1906, was the last comprehensive treatment of the Brazilian flora. The lack of accurate estimates of the number of species of algae, fungi, and plants occurring in Brazil contributes to the prevailing taxonomic impediment and delays progress towards the GSPC targets. Over the past 12 years, a legion of taxonomists motivated to meet Target 1 of the GSPC, worked together to gather and integrate knowledge on the algal, plant, and fungal diversity of Brazil. Overall, a team of about 980 taxonomists joined efforts in a highly collaborative project that used cybertaxonomy to prepare an updated Flora of Brazil, showing the power of scientific collaboration to reach ambitious goals. This paper presents an overview of the Brazilian Flora 2020 and provides taxonomic and spatial updates on the algae, fungi, and plants found in one of the world's most biodiverse countries. We further identify collection gaps and summarize future goals that extend beyond 2020. Our results show that Brazil is home to 46,975 native species of algae, fungi, and plants, of which 19,669 are endemic to the country. The data compiled to date suggests that the Atlantic Rainforest might be the most diverse Brazilian domain for all plant groups except gymnosperms, which are most diverse in the Amazon. However, scientific knowledge of Brazilian diversity is still unequally distributed, with the Atlantic Rainforest and the Cerrado being the most intensively sampled and studied biomes in the country. In times of “scientific reductionism”, with botanical and mycological sciences suffering pervasive depreciation in recent decades, the first online Flora of Brazil 2020 significantly enhanced the quality and quantity of taxonomic data available for algae, fungi, and plants from Brazil. This project also made all the information freely available online, providing a firm foundation for future research and for the management, conservation, and sustainable use of the Brazilian funga and flora

NEOTROPICAL CARNIVORES: a data set on carnivore distribution in the Neotropics

Mammalian carnivores are considered a key group in maintaining ecological health and can indicate potential ecological integrity in landscapes where they occur. Carnivores also hold high conservation value and their habitat requirements can guide management and conservation plans. The order Carnivora has 84 species from 8 families in the Neotropical region: Canidae; Felidae; Mephitidae; Mustelidae; Otariidae; Phocidae; Procyonidae; and Ursidae. Herein, we include published and unpublished data on native terrestrial Neotropical carnivores (Canidae; Felidae; Mephitidae; Mustelidae; Procyonidae; and Ursidae). NEOTROPICAL CARNIVORES is a publicly available data set that includes 99,605 data entries from 35,511 unique georeferenced coordinates. Detection/non-detection and quantitative data were obtained from 1818 to 2018 by researchers, governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations, and private consultants. Data were collected using several methods including camera trapping, museum collections, roadkill, line transect, and opportunistic records. Literature (peer-reviewed and grey literature) from Portuguese, Spanish and English were incorporated in this compilation. Most of the data set consists of detection data entries (n = 79,343; 79.7%) but also includes non-detection data (n = 20,262; 20.3%). Of those, 43.3% also include count data (n = 43,151). The information available in NEOTROPICAL CARNIVORES will contribute to macroecological, ecological, and conservation questions in multiple spatio-temporal perspectives. As carnivores play key roles in trophic interactions, a better understanding of their distribution and habitat requirements are essential to establish conservation management plans and safeguard the future ecological health of Neotropical ecosystems. Our data paper, combined with other large-scale data sets, has great potential to clarify species distribution and related ecological processes within the Neotropics. There are no copyright restrictions and no restriction for using data from this data paper, as long as the data paper is cited as the source of the information used. We also request that users inform us of how they intend to use the data