Conformational analysis, stereoelectronic interactions and NMR properties of 2-fluorobicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-7-ols

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Four diastereoisomers of 2-fluorobicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-7-ols were computationally investigated by using quantum-chemical calculations, and their relative energies were analyzed on the basis of stereoelectronic interactions, particularly the presence or otherwise of the F center dot center dot center dot HO intramolecular hydrogen bond in the syn-exo isomer. It was found through NBO and AIM analyses that such an interaction contributes to structural stabilization and that the (1h)J(F),(H(O)) coupling constant in the syn-exo isomer is modulated by the n(F)->sigma*(OH) interaction, i.e., the quantum nature of the F center dot center dot center dot HO hydrogen bond.812271232Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

In vitro and in vivo performance of methacrylated gellan gum hydrogel formulations for cartilage repair

Methacrylated gellan gum (GGMA) formulation is proposed as a second‐generation hydrogel for controlled delivery of cartilage‐forming cells into focal chondral lesions, allowing immediate in situ retention of cells and 3D filling of lesion volume, such approach deemed compatible with an arthroscopic procedure. Formulation optimization was carried out in vitro using chondrocytes and adipose mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (ASCs). A proof‐of‐concept in vivo study was conducted using a rabbit model with induced chondral lesions. Outcomes were compared with microfracture or non‐treated control. Three grading scores were used to evaluate tissue repair after 8 weeks by macroscopic, histological and immunohistochemical analysis. Intense collagen type II and low collagen type I gene and protein expression were achieved in vitro by the ASC + GGMA formulation, in light with development of healthy chondral tissue. In vivo, this formulation promoted significantly superior de novo cartilage formation compared with the non‐treated group. Maintenance of chondral height and integration with native tissue was further accomplished. The physicochemical properties of the proposed GGMA hydrogel exhibited highly favorable characteristics and biological performance both in vitro and in vivo, positioning itself as an attractive xeno‐free biomaterial to be used with chondrogenic cells for a cost‐effective treatment of focal chondral lesions

Synergies for Improving Oil Palm Production and Forest Conservation in Floodplain Landscapes

Lowland tropical forests are increasingly threatened with conversion to oil palm as global demand and high profit drives crop expansion throughout the world’s tropical regions. Yet, landscapes are not homogeneous and regional constraints dictate land suitability for this crop. We conducted a regional study to investigate spatial and economic components of forest conversion to oil palm within a tropical floodplain in the Lower Kinabatangan, Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. The Kinabatangan ecosystem harbours significant biodiversity with globally threatened species but has suffered forest loss and fragmentation. We mapped the oil palm and forested landscapes (using object-based-image analysis, classification and regression tree analysis and on-screen digitising of high-resolution imagery) and undertook economic modelling. Within the study region (520,269 ha), 250,617 ha is cultivated with oil palm with 77% having high Net-Present-Value (NPV) estimates ($413/ha?yr–$637/ha?yr); but 20.5% is under-producing. In fact 6.3% (15,810 ha) of oil palm is commercially redundant (with negative NPV of $-299/ha?yr-$-65/ha?yr) due to palm mortality from flood inundation. These areas would have been important riparian or flooded forest types. Moreover, 30,173 ha of unprotected forest remain and despite its value for connectivity and biodiversity 64% is allocated for future oil palm. However, we estimate that at minimum 54% of these forests are unsuitable for this crop due to inundation events. If conversion to oil palm occurs, we predict a further 16,207 ha will become commercially redundant. This means that over 32,000 ha of forest within the floodplain would have been converted for little or no financial gain yet with significant cost to the ecosystem. Our findings have globally relevant implications for similar floodplain landscapes undergoing forest transformation to agriculture such as oil palm. Understanding landscape level constraints to this crop, and transferring these into policy and practice, may provide conservation and economic opportunities within these seemingly high opportunity cost landscapes

El masaje en la prevención y tratamiento del dolor muscular tardío: una revisión sistemática actualizada

Massage is one of the most widely used therapies for relieving delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). The aim of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of massage in the treatment of DOMS, for which a systematic review was carried out in the databases, Pubmed, Scopus, SportDiscus, Web of Science and the Google Scholar search engine using the words key words delayed onset muscle soreness and exercise induced muscle damage combined with massage. This study included 23 articles in which 78% showed a decrease in DOMS while in the remaining 22% there were no improvements or gotten worse. The analysis of these studies allows to conclude that massage is an effective therapy in the treatment of delayed onset muscle soreness.El masaje es una de las terapias más utilizadas para aliviar el dolor muscular tardío (DMT). El objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar la efectividad del masaje en el tratamiento del DMT, para lo cual se llevó a cabo una revisión sistemática en las bases de datos, Pubmed, Scopus, SportDiscus, Web of Science y el buscador Google académico, usando las palabras clave delayed onset muscle soreness y exercise induced muscle damage combinado con massage. Se incluyeron en el estudio 23 artículos en los cuales el 78% mostró disminución del DMT mientras que en el restante 22% no hubo mejoras o bien empeoró. El análisis de los estudios permite concluir que el masaje es una terapia efectiva en el tratamiento del dolor muscular tardío