The Araguaia River as an Important Biogeographical Divide for Didelphid Marsupials in Central Brazil

The riverine barrier model suggests that rivers play a significant role in separating widespread organisms into isolated populations. In this study, we used a comparative approach to investigate the phylogeography of 6 didelphid marsupial species in central Brazil. Specifically, we evaluate the role of the mid-Araguaia River in differentiating populations and estimate divergence time among lineages to assess the timing of differentiation of these species, using mitochondrial DNA sequence data. The 6 didelphid marsupials revealed different intraspecific genetic patterns and structure. The 3 larger and more generalist species, Didelphis albiventris, Didelphis marsupialis, and Philander opossum, showed connectivity across the Araguaia River. In contrast the genetic structure of the 3 smaller and specialist species, Gracilinanus agilis, Marmosa (Marmosa) murina, and Marmosa (Micoureus) demerarae was shaped by the mid-Araguaia. Moreover, the split of eastern and western bank populations of the 2 latter species is consistent with the age of Araguaia River sediments formation. We hypothesize that the role of the Araguaia as a riverine barrier is linked to the level of ecological specialization among the 6 didelphid species and differences in their ability to cross rivers or disperse through the associated habitat types.FCT PhD grants: (SFRH/BD/24767/2005, SFRH/BD/23191/2005); Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) PhD scholarship; Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tenológico (CNPq, Brazil) research grants; European Funds (COMPETE)

TRATAMENTO DA COVID-19 -PROTOCOLOS ATUAIS E PERSPECTIVAS FUTURAS

Considering the relevance of covid-19 today, this study aimed to point out the main drugs that have become the target of study and clinical use in the treatment of the disease. The literature narrative review methodology on treatments previously tested for covid-19 was used, bringing together the most relevant and robust studies on each drug. Of the drugs evaluated, some had a positive influence on the healing time and reduction of symptoms caused by the disease. Among the drugs studied, remdesivir was the most prominent, reducing the time spent in the ICU and also the mortality rate. Heparin had a great positive influence linked to cases with a tendency to develop thrombosis. Dexamethasone demonstrated the power to reduce the chance of mortality and ivermectin acted in reducing the duration of the disease. Other drugs such as Azithromycin and Hydroxychloroquine have not been shown to be effective in studies of greater relevance and no data has been found to justify their use for the treatment of Covid-19. Despite the small amount of data to prove its effect against Covid-19, have shown positive potential and reduced the length of stay of patients in the hospital. To date, no specific medications have been approved to treat covid-19. The treatment of the disease focuses mainly on supportive care. However, Our bibliographic research has shown that some protocols demonstrate a positive outcome when compared to treatment without the use of any drugs.Teniendo en cuenta la relevancia de covid-19 hoy en día, este estudio tenía como objetivo señalar los principales fármacos que se convirtieron en el objetivo de estudio y uso clínico en el tratamiento de la enfermedad. Utilizamos la metodología de revisión narrativa de la literatura sobre los tratamientos probados hasta ahora para el covid-19, donde se reunieron los estudios de mayor relevancia y robustez en cada fármaco. De los medicamentos evaluados, algunos tuvieron una influencia positiva en el tiempo de curación y disminución de los síntomas causados por la enfermedad. Entre los fármacos estudiados, el remdesivir fue el más destacado, reduciendo el tiempo empleado en la UCI y también la tasa de mortalidad. La heparina mostró una gran influencia positiva relacionada con casos con tendencia a desarrollar trombosis. Dhashasone mostró poder para reducir las posibilidades de mortalidad e ivermectina actuó en la reducción de la duración de la enfermedad. Otros medicamentos como la azitromicina y la hidroxicloroquina no fueron eficaces en estudios de mayor relevancia y no se encontraron datos que justificaran su uso para el tratamiento de Covid-19.  A pesar de la pequeña cantidad de datos que demuestran su efecto contra Covid-19, los interferones presentaron un potencial positivo y redujeron la duración de la estancia de los pacientes en el hospital. Hasta la fecha, no se ha aprobado ningún medicamento específico para tratar el covid-19. El tratamiento de la enfermedad se centra principalmente en la atención de apoyo. Considerando a relevância da covid-19 na atualidade, este trabalho teve como objetivo apontar as principais drogas que se tornaram alvo de estudo e uso clínico no tratamento da doença. Foi utilizada a metodologia de revisão narrativa da literatura sobre os tratamentos até então testados para a covid-19, onde se reuniu os estudos de maior relevância e robustez sobre cada medicamento. Das drogas avaliadas, algumas apresentaram influência positiva no tempo de cura e diminuição dos sintomas causados pela doença. Dentre os medicamentos estudados, o remdesivir foi o de maior destaque, reduzindo o tempo de permanecia na UTI e também a taxa de mortalidade. A heparina, apresentou grande influência positiva ligada aos casos com tendência ao desenvolvimento de trombose. A dexametasona demonstrou poder de redução da chance de mortalidade e a ivermectina atuou na redução do tempo de duração da doença. Outras drogas como Azitromicina e Hidroxicloroquina não se mostraram eficazes nos estudos de maior relevância e não foram encontrados dados que justificassem seu uso para o tratamento da Covid-19.  Apesar da pouca quantidade de dados que comprovem seu efeito contra a Covid-19, os interferons apresentaram potencial positivo e   reduziram o tempo de permanência dos pacientes no hospital. Até o momento, nenhum medicamento específico foi aprovado para tratar a covid-19. O tratamento da doença se concentra principalmente nos cuidados de suporte. Contudo, nossa pesquisa bibliográfica evidenciou que alguns protocolos medicamentosos apresentaram um desfecho positivo quando comparado ao tratamento sem a utilização de nenhum fármaco

Chemical and bioactive characterization of Impatiens balsamina L. pink flowers and their application in a Portuguese pastry product

The rose petals of the species Impatiens balsamina L. were investigated. In this way the nutritional composition, phenolic profile and its bioactive composition were evaluated. Next, the extract obtained was applied to a product of the Portuguese pastry "bombocas". Proving to be a possible promising natural colour for the food industry.The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) for financial support through national funds FCT/MCTES to CIMO (UIDB/00690/2020); national funding by FCT, P.I., through the institutional and individual scientific employment program-contract for L. Barros, R. Calhelha, M.I. Dias and J. Pinela’s (CEECIND/01011/2018) contracts, respectively; research contract of C. Caleja (Project AllNatt, POCI- 01-0145-FEDER- 030463); and to FEDER-Interreg España-Portugal program for financial support through the project TRANSCoLAB 0612_TRANS_CO_LAB_2_P, BIOMA (POCI_01_0247_FEDER_046112) and Green Health (Norte- 01-0145-FEDER-000042. This work has been supported by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of Republic of Serbia (451-03-68/2020-14/200007).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Prevalence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C among diabetes mellitus type 2 individuals

Diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) patients have higher risk to be infected with parenterally transmitted viruses, like hepatitis B or C virus. This study aims to determine HBV and HCV infection prevalence in DM2 patients from Northeast and Southeast Brazil. A total of 537 DM2 patients were included, 194 (36.12%) males and 343 (63.87%) females, with mean age of 57.13 +/- 11.49 years. HBV and HCV markers were determined using serological and molecular analysis, and risk factors were evaluated in a subgroup from Southeast (n = 84). Two HBV acute (HBsAg+/anti-HBc-) and one HBV chronic case (HBsAg+/anti-HBc+) were found. Six individuals (1.1%) were isolated anti-HBc, 37 (6.9%) had HBV infection resolved (anti-HBc+/anti-HBs+), 40 (7.4%) were considered HBV vaccinated (anti-HBc-/anti-HBs+). Thirteen patients (2.42%) had anti-HCV and 7 of them were HCV RNA+. In the subgroup, anti-HBc positivity was associated to age and anti-HCV positivity was associated to age, time of diabetes diagnosis, total bilirubin, indirect bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase at bivariate analysis, but none of them was statistically significant at multivariate analysis. As conclusion, low prevalence of HBV and high prevalence HCV was found in DM2 patients142CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQFUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - FAPESPFundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ)Carlos Chagas Filho Foundation for Research Support of the State of Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ); Brazilian National Counsel of Technological and Scientific Development (CNPq)National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq); Coordination of Improvement of Higher Level Personnel; Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ

Chemical composition and bioactive characterisation of Impatiens walleriana

The attractive colour characteristics of the flowers of the species Impatiens walleriana have been arousing great interest in the food industry, which is looking for potential natural sources of colouring ingredients. In this sense, the present work focused on the chemical and bioactive characterization of pink and orange flowers of I. walleriana. The phenolic compounds were determined by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS; in addition, different bioactivities (antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxicity) were also analysed. Both samples studied showed significant amounts of phenolic compounds, especially phenolic acids, flavonoids, and anthocyanins, which justifies the excellent performance in the different bioactivities studied. The orange variety, despite having a greater variety of phenolic compounds, showed a total amount of compounds lower than the pink variety. Overall, the flowers of I. walleriana emerge as a promising resource to be explored by the food industry.The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) for financial support by national funds FCT/MCTES to CIMO (UIDB/00690/2020). M.I. Dias, R.C. Calhelha, C. Perreira, and L. Barros would like to thank the national funding by FCT, P.I., through the institutional scientific employment program-contract for their contracts; To the project AllNat for the contract of C. Caleja (Project AllNat POCI-01-0145-FEDER-030463) and to the Project Mobilizador Norte-01-0247-FEDER-024479: ValorNatural® for the contract of E. Pereira. The authors are also grateful to FEDER-Interreg España-Portugal programme for financial support through the project TRANSCoLAB 0612_TRANS_CO_LAB_2_P and to European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Regional Operational Program North 2020, within the scope of Project Mobilizador Norte-01-0247-FEDER-024479: ValorNatural® and Norte-01-0145-FEDER-000042: GreenHealth. This work has also been supported by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of Republic of Serbia (451-03-68/2020-14/200007).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Study on the potential application of Impatiens balsamina l. flowers extract as a natural colouring ingredient in a pastry product

Flowers of the genus Impatiens are classified as edible; however, their inclusion in the human diet is not yet a common practice. Its attractive colours have stirred great interest by the food industry. In this sense, rose (BP) and orange (BO) I. balsamina flowers were nutritionally studied, followed by an in-depth chemical study profile. The non-anthocyanin and anthocyanin profiles of extracts of both flower varieties were also determined by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to a diode array and mass spectrometry detector (HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS). The results demonstrated that both varieties presented significant amounts of phenolic compounds, having identified nine non-anthocyanin compounds and 14 anthocyanin compounds. BP extract stood out in its bioactive properties (antioxidant and antimicrobial potential) and was selected for incorporation in “bombocas” filling. Its performance as a colouring ingredient was compared with the control formulations (white filling) and with E163 (anthocyanins) colorant. The incorporation of the natural ingredient did not cause changes in the chemical and nutritional composition of the product; and although the colour conferred was lighter than presented by the formulation with E163 (suggesting a more natural aspect), the higher antioxidant activity could meet the expectations of the current high-demand consumer.This research was funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Regional Operational Program North 2020, within the scope of Project GreenHealth—Digital strategies in biological assets to improve well-being and promote green health, Norte-01-0145-FEDER- 000042. This work has also been supported by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia (451-03-68/2020-14/200007). The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) for financial support by national funds FCT/MCTES to CIMO (UIDB/00690/2020); national funding by F.C.T. and P.I., through the institutional scientific employment program-contract for M.I. Dias, C. Pereira, R.C. Calhelha, and L. Barros contracts, and through the individual scientific employment program-contract for M. Carocho contract (CEECIND/00831/2018) and to the Project Mobilizador Norte-01-0247-FEDER-024479: ValorNatural® for the contract of E. Pereira.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Aproveitamento do resíduo comestível do pescado: Aplicação e viabilidade

O setor pesqueiro consiste em uma atividade econômica de grande importância no Brasil e no mundo. Estima-se que aproximadamente um bilhão de pessoas tenham sua sobrevivência atrelada à produção, beneficiamento e comercialização do pescado. Hoje, um dos principais obstáculos da cadeia produtiva é o reduzido aproveitamento do resíduo gerado a partir do processamento do pescado. Cerca de 60% do volume total processado é responsável pela geração de resíduos, enquanto apenas 40% destina-se à alimentação humana. O resíduo gerado por plantas beneficiadoras pode ser convertido em produtos comerciais de alto valor agregado ou em matéria-prima para processos secundários. O aproveitamento deste material é importante, pois trata-se de proteína animal de excelente qualidade nutricional. A utilização de resíduos comestíveis, além de diminuir custos e aumentar a eficiência de produção, minimiza os problemas de poluição ambiental oriundos da falta de destino adequado. O presente artigo tem como objetivo realizar uma revisão de literatura verificando como este assunto vem sendo abordado e trabalhado no Brasil, no âmbito da indústria de beneficiamento de pescado

Optimizing the Monitoring of Urban Fruit-Bearing Flora with Citizen Science:An Overview of the Pomar Urbano Initiative

The "Pomar Urbano" (Urban Orchard) project focuses on the collaborative monitoring of fruit-bearing plant species in urban areas throughout Brazil.The project collected a list of 411 fruit-bearing plant species (Soares et al. 2023), both native and exotic varieties found in Brazil. This list was selected from two main sources: the book Brazilian Fruits and Cultivated Exotics (Lorenzi et al. 2006) and the book series Plants for the Future, which includes volumes specifically dedicated to species of economic value in different regions of Brazil, namely the South (Coradin et al. 2011), Midwest (Vieira et al. 2016), Northeast (Coradin et al. 2018) and North (Coradin et al. 2022). To ensure broad geographic coverage, the project spans all 27 state capitals of Brazil. The data collection process relies on the iNaturalist Umbrella and Collection projects. Each state capital has a single collection project, including the fruit-bearing plant species list, and the locality restriction to that specific city. For example, the collection project Pomar Paulistano gathers data from the city of São Paulo. The Umbrella Project Urban Orchard was set to track data from all 27 collection projects.We firmly believe that these fruit-bearing plant species possess multifaceted value that extends beyond mere consumption. As such, we have assembled a dynamic and multidisciplinary team comprising professionals from various institutions across Brazil in a collaborative effort that encompasses different dimensions of biodiversity value exploration and monitoring, especially phenological data.One facet of our team is focused on creating products inspired by the diverse array of Brazilian fruit-bearing plants. Their work spans across sectors of the creative industry, including fashion, painting, and graphic design to infuse these natural elements into innovative and sustainable designs (Fig. 1 and Fig. 2).A group of nutrition and health scientists in conjunction with communication and marketing professionals is working to produce engaging media content centered around food recipes that incorporate Brazilian fruits (Fig. 3). These recipes primarily feature the fruit-bearing plants most frequently observed on iNaturalist in the city of São Paulo, allowing us to showcase the local biodiversity while promoting culinary diversity. Some of these recipes are based on the book Brazilian Biodiversity: Flavors and Aromas (Santiago and Coradin 2018). This book is an extensive compendium of food recipes that use fruits derived from native Brazilian species

Avaliação da anticoagulação oral com varfarina em hospital universitário: Evaluation of oral anticoagulation with warfarin in a university hospital

Introdução: A varfarina constitui um dos principais fármacos utilizados na prevenção de fenômenos embólicos. Como o seu metabolismo é influenciado por diversos fatores, a sua efetividade terapêutica é avaliada pelo TTR (Time in Terapeutic Range) do INR (Razão Normalizada Internacional) do tempo de protrombina. Todavia, tem sido relatada grande variabilidade do TTR entre os serviços de cardiologia. Objetivos: Avaliar o TTR de um ambulatório de anticoagulação e identificar os fatores impeditivos para se atingir o TTR ≥ 60%. Metodologia: Foram avaliados 130 prontuários de pacientes tratados com varfarina, no Hospital da Universidade Federal de Sergipe (HU-UFS), localizado na cidade de Aracaju/SE, no período de janeiro de 2017 a dezembro de 2019. Foram coletados os principais achados demográficos, clínicos e os INR do período do estudo. As variáveis quantitativas foram descritas como média ± desvio padrão, e a comparação entre os grupos foi realizada por meio do teste t de Student. As variáveis categóricas foram sumarizadas como número absoluto e percentagens e a comparação mediante os testes Qui quadrado (X²) e exato de Fischer, quando apropriado. Para análise das variáveis associadas ao TTR < 60%, foi utilizada a regressão logística, por intermédio do método “forward stepwise” e “backward stepwise”. Resultados: Os pacientes tinham idade média de 57,6 ± 16,2 anos e 88 (67,7%) voluntários exibiam fibrilação atrial. A média do TTR foi de 64,4%.  A chance de apresentar TTR ≤ 60% foi: 1,69 vezes nos indivíduos do sexo feminino, 1,92 vezes nos portadores de diabetes mellitus (DM), 1,95 vezes em pacientes com trombofilia e 2,17 vezes naqueles que apresentaram acidente vascular cerebral (AVC). Conclusão: Os pacientes tratados com varfarina no HU-UFS exibiram o excelente TTR de 64%. Por outro lado, as mulheres e os portadores, de DM, AVC e trombofilia, tiveram maior chance de apresentar TTR < 60%