The Farther the Better: Effects of Multiple Environmental Variables on Reef Fish Assemblages along a Distance Gradient from River Influences

The conservation and management of site-attached assemblages of coastal reefs are particularly challenging because of the tremendous environmental variation that exists at small spatial scales. In this sense, understanding the primary sources of variation in spatial patterns of the biota is fundamental for designing effective conservation policies. We investigated spatial variation in fish assemblages around the windward and leeward sides of coastal islands situated across a gradient of riverine influence (13 km in length). Specifically, relationships between rocky reef fish assemblages and benthic, topographic and physical predictors were assessed. We hypothesized that river induced disturbances may overcome local habitat features in modeling spatial patterns of fish distribution. Fish assemblages varied primarily due to the strong directional gradient of riverine influence (22.6% of the estimated components of variation), followed by topographic complexity (15%), wave exposure (9.9%), and benthic cover (8%). The trophic structure of fish assemblages changed from having a high abundance of invertebrate feeders in macroalgae-dominated reefs close to river mouths to a high proportion of herbivores, planktivores and invertebrate feeder species in reefs with large boulders covered by epilithic algal matrices, as the distance from rivers increased. This gradient led to an increase of 4.5-fold in fish richness and fish trophic group diversity, 11-fold in fish biomass and 10-fold in fish abundance. Our results have implications for the conservation and monitoring of assemblages patchily distributed at small spatial scales. The major role of distance from river influences on fish assemblages rather than benthic cover and topographic complexity suggest that managing land-based activities should be a conservation priority toward reef restoration.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Univ Fed Rural Rio de Janeiro, Dept Biol Anim, Lab Ecol Peixes, Campus Seropedica, Seropedica, RJ, BrazilUniv Fed Rural Rio de Janeiro, Dept Ciencias Meio Ambiente, Campus Tres Rios, Seropedica, RJ, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Inst Mar, Lab Ecol & Conservacao Marinha, Campus Baixada Santista, Santos, SP, BrazilLaboratório de Ecologia e Conservação Marinha, Instituto do Mar, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Campus Baixada Santista, Santos, SP, BrazilWeb of Scienc

The effectiveness of pilates training interventions on older adults’ balance: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Pilates training intervention programs have gained attention as a potential approach to enhancing balance in older adults, thereby reducing the risk of falls. In light of these considerations, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to critically evaluate the existing evidence and determine the effect of Pilates training intervention programs on older adults’ balance. Materials and Methods: The literature was searched through the PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases from inception until July 2023. The primary keywords used for the literature search included “elderly” or “older adults” and “pilates training” and “balance”. Results: The systematic review through qualitative analysis showed robust evidence about the efficacy of Pilates intervention programs in improving older adults’ balance. The pooled meta-analysis of static and dynamic balance showed that eight (53%) out of a total fifteen analyzed interventions presented a significant effect of Pilates in improving the participants’ balance, without between-study heterogeneity. In addition, the meta-analysis regarding dynamic balance showed that six (67%) out of nine analyzed interventions presented a significant effect of Pilates in improving the participants’ balance, without heterogeneity between studies. Similarly, the meta-analysis regarding static balance showed that four (50%) out of eight analyzed studies presented significant effects on the older adults’ balance, where moderate between-study heterogeneity was found. Sensitivity analysis showed that three studies reduced the between-study heterogeneity (19, 17.6, and 17%), regressing from moderate to low heterogeneity, p < 0.05. Conclusions: This systematic review and meta-analysis underscores the potential of Pilates training as a valuable intervention to enhance balance in the elderly populationThis work is supported by national funding through the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P., under the project UIDB/04045/2020.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Evaluation the best condition of Fibrinolytic protease production using factorial design by Streptomyces sp DPUA 1573

XI Reunião Regional Nordeste da SBBq | 4th International Symposium in Biochemistry of Macromolecules and BiotechnologyFibrinolytic enzymes have the ability to degrade fibrin clots formed for avoiding intravascular thrombosis. In the pharmaceutical industry there is a search for new fibrinolytic agent that reduces the production cost and increasing productivity. The use of microorganism for enzyme production, such as the genus Streptomyces has been reported. Streptomyces is a Gram-positive bacteria, responsible for producing many bioactive compounds and extracellular enzymes of pharmaceutical interest. This study aimed to evaluated the production of fibrinolytic protease by Streptomyces sp DPUA 1573. Microbial cells were cultivated in the ISP2 for 48 hours, after this period the strains were inoculated in MS2 (soybean medium) that according with factorial design 24 (concentrations of soybean 0.5; 1.0 and 1.5%, glucose 0; 0.5 and 1.0% and different speeds 150 rpm; 200 rpm and 250 rpm and temperature 28C; 30C and 32C). The factorial design was analyzed by variance analysis (anova) and the glucose concentration showed a positive and significative effect. The results showed that the variable interaction had significant effect. that the best condition was composed 1.5% soybean, 1% glucose, 28 ºC and 150 speed in 48 hours, with production fibrinolytic 1391.66 U/mL. These values were higher than those reported in the literature. However these results show the biggest potencial in production fibrinolytic enzyme by Streptomyces.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

An integrated view on monitoring and compensation for dynamic optical networks: from management to physical layer

A vertical perspective, ranging from management and routing to physical layer options, concerning dynamic network monitoring and compensation of impairments (M&C), is given. Feasibility, reliability, and performance improvements on reconfigurable transparent networks are expected to arise from the consolidated assessment of network management and control specifications, as a more accurate evaluation of available M&C techniques. In the network layer, physical parameters aware algorithms are foreseen to pursue reliable network performance. In the physical layer, some new M&C methods were developed and rating of the state-of-the-art reported in literature is given. Optical monitoring implementation and viability is discussed.Publicad

Fibrinolytic protease production by new Streptomyces sp. DPUA 1576 from Amazon lichens

Background: Streptomyces sp. DPUA 1576 from Amazon lichens was studied to protease and fibrinolytic production. A 22 factorial experimental design was applied to optimize its protease enzyme production using two independent variables, namely soybean flour and glucose concentrations. Results: The optimal conditions to obtain high protease production (83.42 U/mL) were 1.26% soybean flour and 1.23% glucose concentration. A polynomial model was fitted to correlate the relationship between the two variables and protease activity. In relation to fibrinolytic activity, the highest activity of 706.5 mm2 was obtained at 1.7% soybean flour and 1.0% glucose concentration, which was 33% higher than plasmin. Fibrinolytic production was not optimized in the studied conditions. Conclusions: These results show that the optimization of the culture medium can enhance protease production, thus becoming a good process for further research. In addition, Streptomyces sp. DPUA 1576, isolated from Amazon lichens, might be a potential strain for fibrinolytic protease production

Fibrinolytic protease production by new Streptomyces sp. DPUA 1576 from amazon lichens

Background Streptomyces sp. DPUA 1576 from Amazon lichens was studied to protease and fibrinolytic production. A 22 factorial experimental design was applied to optimize its protease enzyme production using two independent variables, namely soybean flour and glucose concentrations. Results The optimal conditions to obtain high protease production (83.42 U/mL) were 1.26% soybean flour and 1.23% glucose concentration. A polynomial model was fitted to correlate the relationship between the two variables and protease activity. In relation to fibrinolytic activity, the highest activity of 706.5 mm2 was obtained at 1.7% soybean flour and 1.0% glucose concentration, which was 33% higher than plasmin. Fibrinolytic production was not optimized in the studied conditions. Conclusions These results show that the optimization of the culture medium can enhance protease production, thus becoming a good process for further research. In addition, Streptomyces sp. DPUA 1576, isolated from Amazon lichens, might be a potential strain for fibrinolytic protease production.The authors thank CAPES (National Council for the Improvement of Higher Education) for the scholarship and CNPq/RENORBIO (National Counsel of Technological and Scientific Development, N. 55146/2010-3) and FACEPE (Fundacao de Amparo a Ciencia e Tecnologia do Estado de Pernambuco, 0158-2.12/11) for the financial support

Purification of a lectin from Cratylia mollis crude extract seed by a single step PEG/phosphate aqueous two-phase system

The partitioning and purification of lectins from the crude extract of Cratylia mollis seeds (Cramoll 1,4) was investigated in aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS). A factorial design model (24) was used to evaluate the influence of polyethylene glycol (PEG) molar mass (15008000g/mol), PEG concentration (12.517.5% w/w), phosphate (1015% w/w) concentration, and pH (68) on the differential partitioning, purification factor, and yield of the lectin. Polymer and salt concentration were the most important variables affecting partition of lectin and used to find optimum purification factor by experimental BoxBehnken design together with the response surface methodology (RSM). ATPS showed best conditions composed by 13.9% PEG1500, 15.3% phosphate buffer at pH 6, which ensured purification factor of 4.70. Sodium dodecyl sulfatepolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed a single band of protein with 26.1kDa. Furthermore, results demonstrated a thermostable lectin presenting activity until 60°C and lost hemagglutinating activity at 80°C. According to the obtained data it can be inferred that the ATPS optimization using RSM approach can be applied for recovery and purification of lectins.We are grateful to the following bodies for the grants awarded: CAPES (Coordination for the Improvement of Level Personnel Superior); FACEPE (Pernambuco Science and Technology Foundation): Researcher's scholarship grant: BFP-0017-5.05/18 CNPq (National Council for Scientific Development and Technological) process: 427153/2016-6 and we also thank the reviewers for their valuable comments and suggestions as these helped us to improve the manuscript.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Effects of endurance racing on horse plasma extracellular particle miRNA

Background: Physical exercise is an essential factor in preventing and treating metabolic diseases by promoting systemic benefits throughout the body. The molecular factors involved in this process are poorly understood. Micro RNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that inhibit mRNA transcription. MiRNAs, which can participate in the benefits of exercise to health, circulate in plasma in extracellular particles (EP). Horses that undergo endurance racing are an excellent model to study the impact of long-duration/low intensity exercise in plasma EP miRNAs. Objectives: To evaluate the effects of 160 km endurance racing on horse plasma extracellular particles and their miRNA population. Study design: Cohort study. Methods: We collected plasma from five Arabian horses during five time-points of an endurance ride. Extracellular particles were purified from plasma and characterised by electron microscopy, resistive pulse sensing (qNano) and western blotting. Small RNAs were purified from horse plasma EP, and sequencing was performed. Results: Endurance racing increased EP concentration and average diameter compared to before the race. Western blotting showed a high concentration of extracellular vesicles proteins 2 hours after the race, which returned to baseline 15 hours after the race. MicroRNA differential expression analysis revealed increasing levels of eca-miR-486-5p during and after the race, and decreasing levels of eca-miR-9083 after the end. Conclusions: This study adds new data about the variation in plasma EP concentrations after long-distance exercise and brings new insights about the roles of exercise-derived EP miRNAs during low-intensity endurance exercise

Screening, production and biochemical characterization of a new fibrinolytic enzyme produced by Streptomyces sp. (Streptomycetaceae) isolated from Amazonian lichens

Thrombosis is a pathophysiological disorder caused by accumulation of fibrin in the blood. Fibrinolytic proteases with potent thrombolytic activity have been produced by diverse microbial sources. Considering the microbial biodiversity of the Amazon region, this study aimed at the screening, production and biochemical characterization of a fibrinolytic enzyme produced by Streptomyces sp. isolated from Amazonian lichens. The strain Streptomyces DPUA1576 showed the highest fibrinolytic activity, which was 283 mm2. Three variables at two levels were used to assess their effects on the fibrinolytic production. The parameters studied were agitation (0.28 - 1.12 g), temperature (28 - 36 ºC) and pH (6.0 - 8.0); all of them had significant effects on the fibrinolytic production. The maximum fibrinolytic activity (304 mm2) was observed at 1.12 g, 28 ºC, and pH of 8.0. The crude extract of the fermentation broth was used to assess the biochemical properties of the enzyme. Protease and fibrinolytic activities were stable during 6 h, at a pH ranging from 6.8 to 8.4 and 5.8 to 9.2, respectively. Optimum temperature for protease activity ranged between 35 and 55 °C, while the highest fibrinolytic activity was observed at 45 ºC. Proteolytic activity was inhibited by Cu2+ and Co2+ ions, phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF) and pepstatin A, which suggests that the enzyme is a serine protease. Enzymatic extract cleaved fibrinogen at the subunits A-chain, A-chain, and -chain. The results indicated that Streptomyces sp. DPUA 1576 produces enzymes with fibrinolytic and fibrinogenolytic activity, enzymes with an important application in the pharmaceutical industry.The authors grateful acknowledge the financial support of Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Pernambuco (FACEPE, Pernambuco, Brazil, N. 0158-2.12/11), CNPq/ RENORBIO (National Counsel of Technological and Scientific Development, N.55146/2010-3) and National Council for the Improvement of Higher Education (CAPES, Brazil) for the scholarship. The author thanks editor and reviewers for their review and comments.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio