Detecting Network Communities: An Application to Phylogenetic Analysis

This paper proposes a new method to identify communities in generally weighted complex networks and apply it to phylogenetic analysis. In this case, weights correspond to the similarity indexes among protein sequences, which can be used for network construction so that the network structure can be analyzed to recover phylogenetically useful information from its properties. The analyses discussed here are mainly based on the modular character of protein similarity networks, explored through the Newman-Girvan algorithm, with the help of the neighborhood matrix . The most relevant networks are found when the network topology changes abruptly revealing distinct modules related to the sets of organisms to which the proteins belong. Sound biological information can be retrieved by the computational routines used in the network approach, without using biological assumptions other than those incorporated by BLAST. Usually, all the main bacterial phyla and, in some cases, also some bacterial classes corresponded totally (100%) or to a great extent (>70%) to the modules. We checked for internal consistency in the obtained results, and we scored close to 84% of matches for community pertinence when comparisons between the results were performed. To illustrate how to use the network-based method, we employed data for enzymes involved in the chitin metabolic pathway that are present in more than 100 organisms from an original data set containing 1,695 organisms, downloaded from GenBank on May 19, 2007. A preliminary comparison between the outcomes of the network-based method and the results of methods based on Bayesian, distance, likelihood, and parsimony criteria suggests that the former is as reliable as these commonly used methods. We conclude that the network-based method can be used as a powerful tool for retrieving modularity information from weighted networks, which is useful for phylogenetic analysis

Sleep complaints among Brazilian senior citizens from municipalities with different Human Development Indices

PURPOSE: To compare the occurrence of sleep complaints among senior citizens resident in the local communities of two municipalities with differing Human Development Indices (HDIs): Campinas, State of São Paulo (IDH = 0.852) and Parnaíba, State of Piauí (IDH = 0.674). METHOD: Descriptive study as part of the multicentric project going by the name of Frailty among Brazilian Senior Citizens (Fragilidade em Idosos Brasileiros - FIBRA). A total of 988 senior citizens were analysed, making use of a social and demographic questionnaire about sleep problems (Nottingham Health Profile); questions about naps (Minnesota Leisure Activity Questionnaire). The Chi-Square and Mann-Whitney tests were used in the analysis of the data, at a significance level of 5% (pOBJETIVO: comparar la ocurrencia de quejas de sueño en mayores residentes en la comunidad de dos municipios con diferentes Índices de Desarrollo Humano (IDH): Campinas (IDH=0,852) y Parnaíba (IDH=0,674). MÉTODO: estudio descriptivo parte integrante del proyecto multicéntrico Fragilidad en Mayores Brasileños (FIBRA). Fueron evaluados 988 de edad, utilizándose cuestionario sociodemográfico, cuestiones sobre quejas de sueño (Perfil de Salud de Nottingham); cuestiones sobre sueños (Minnesota Leisure Activity Questionnaire). Los testes Jue-cuadrado y Mann Whitney fueron utilizados en el análisis de datos, con nivel de significancia del 5% (pOBJETIVO: comparar a ocorrência de queixas de sono em idosos residentes na comunidade de dois municípios com diferentes índices de desenvolvimento humano (IDH): Campinas, SP, (IDH=0,852) e Parnaíba, PI, (IDH=0,674). MÉTODO: estudo descritivo, parte integrante do projeto multicêntrico Fragilidade em Idosos Brasileiros (Fibra). Foram avaliados 988 idosos, utilizando-se questionário sociodemográfico, questões sobre queixas de sono (Perfil de Saúde de Nottingham); questões sobre cochilo (Minnesota Leisure Activity Questionnaire). Os testes qui-quadrado e Mann-Whitney foram utilizados na análise de dados, com nível de significância de 5% (p<0,05). RESULTADOS: os idosos de Parnaíba apresentaram maiores porcentagens de queixas de sono se comparados aos idosos de Campinas. Houve associação significativa entre município e número de queixas de sono, sono não restaurador, despertar precoce, dificuldade para manter e para iniciar o sono. CONCLUSÃO: os enfermeiros devem intervir na promoção da saúde com ações que minimizem ou previnam esses problemas relativos ao sono

Wildfire, deforestation and health in tropical rainforest areas: a scoping review protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Wildfires and deforestation potentially have direct effects on multiple health outcomes as well as indirect consequences for climate change. Tropical rainforest areas are characterised by high rainfall, humidity and temperature, and they are predominantly found in low-income and middle-income countries. This study aims to synthesise the methods, data and health outcomes reported in scientific papers on wildfires and deforestation in these locations. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will carry out a scoping review according to the Joanna Briggs Institute's (JBI) manual for scoping reviews and the framework proposed by Arksey and O'Malley, and Levac et al. The search for articles was performed on 18 August 2023, in 16 electronic databases using Medical Subject Headings terms and adaptations for each database from database inception. The search for local studies will be complemented by the manual search in the list of references of the studies selected to compose this review. We screened studies written in English, French, Portuguese and Spanish. We included quantitative studies assessing any human disease outcome, hospitalisation and vital statistics in regions of tropical rainforest. We exclude qualitative studies and quantitative studies whose outcomes do not cover those of interest. The text screening was done by two independent reviewers. Subsequently, we will tabulate the data by the origin of the data source used, the methods and the main findings on health impacts of the extracted data. The results will provide descriptive statistics, along with visual representations in diagrams and tables, complemented by narrative summaries as detailed in the JBI guidelines. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study does not require an ethical review as it is meta-research and uses published, deidentified secondary data sources. The submission of results for publication in a peer-reviewed journal and presentation at scientific and policymakers' conferences is expected. STUDY REGISTRATION: Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/pnqc7/)

Modulatory effects of Tabebuia impetiginosa (Lamiales, Bignoniaceae) on doxorubicin-induced somatic mutation and recombination in Drosophila melanogaster

The wing Somatic Mutation and Recombination Test (SMART) in D. melanogaster was used to study genotoxicity of the medicinal plant Tabebuia impetiginosa. Lapachol (naphthoquinone) and β-lapachone (quinone) are the two main chemical constituents of T. impetiginosa. These compounds have several biological properties. They induce apoptosis by generating oxygen-reactive species, thereby inhibiting topoisomerases (I and II) or inducing other enzymes dependent on NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1, thus affecting cell cycle checkpoints. The SMART was used in the standard (ST) version, which has normal levels of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes, to check the direct action of this compound, and in the high bioactivation (HB) version, which has a high constitutive level of CYP enzymes, to check for indirect action in three different T. impetiginosa concentrations (10%, 20% or 40% w/w). It was observed that T. impetiginosa alone did not modify the spontaneous frequencies of mutant spots in either cross. The negative results observed prompted us to study this phytotherapeuticum in association with the reference mutagen doxorubicin (DXR). In co-treated series, T. impetiginosa was toxic in both crosses at higher concentration, whereas in the HB cross, it induced a considerable potentiating effect (from ~24.0 to ~95.0%) on DXR genotoxity. Therefore, further research is needed to determine the possible risks associated with the exposure of living organisms to this complex mixture

Perfil dos cuidadores de idosos com alterações cognitivas em diferentes contextos de vulnerabilidade social

O objetivo deste estudo foi caracterizar os cuidadores de idosos com alterações cognitivas, usuários de Unidades de Saúde da Família (USF), residentes em diferentes contextos de vulnerabilidade social. Foram realizadas entrevistas domiciliárias (N=72), utilizando um instrumento previamente elaborado, contendo dados de caracterização socioeconômica e demográfica. Todos os cuidados éticos foram observados. Os resultados mostram que os cuidadores dos idosos que vivem em contextos de alta vulnerabilidade social são em sua maioria mulheres, adultas, casadas, com ensino fundamental incompleto e não trabalham fora de casa. Moram com o idoso, apresentam relação estreita com ele e não contam com ajuda de profissionais. Dados semelhantes foram encontrados no contexto de baixa vulnerabilidade social, exceto que contam com apoio de um cuidador formal. Considerar o perfil dos cuidadores de idosos com alterações cognitivas morando em diferentes contextos de vulnerabilidade social pode fornecer subsídios para as USF formularem estratégias mais específicas de cuidado aos cuidadores