The molecular dialog between oomycete effectors and their plant and animal hosts

Funding Information: This work was supported by European Union's HORIZON 2020 Research programme under the Grant Agreement no. 766048 “PROTECTA”, University of Aberdeen (PvW), Wageningen University and Research (VGAAV) , the BBSRC [ BB/P020224/1 , BB/M026566/1 (MS, PvW)], Newton Fund GRP Aquaculture [ BB/N005058/1 (PvW)], and the Peruvian Council for science, technology and technological innovation (CONCYTEC) FONDECYT contract 129–2017 .Peer reviewedPublisher PD

The prominence of social responsibility disclosure in Portuguese companies’ web pages

This study investigates Portuguese companies’ use of the Internet to communicate social responsibility information, and the factors that affect this use. It examines the characteristics of companies that influence the prominence of social responsibility information on the Internet. Firm-specific factors that explain SRD by companies operating in a European country in which capital market fund raising is not regarded to be an important source of financing are analysed. The results are interpreted through the lens of a “political economy” framework which combines stakeholder and legitimacy theories perspectives, according to which companies disclose social responsibility information to present a socially responsible image so that they can legitimise their behaviours to their stakeholder groups and influence the external perception of reputation. Results suggest that a theoretical framework combining stakeholder and legitimacy theories may provide an explanatory basis for SRD by Portuguese companies. However, this study does not provide us with enough evidence to determine that the prominence given to CSR activities by Portuguese companies in their websites is linked to relationships with their stakeholder

Diversidade fenotípica e qualidade das carcaças de caprinos crioulos com potencial genético quanto à resistência à verminose

The objective of this work was to phenotypically characterize creole goats of the Moxotó, Azul, Canindé, Repartida, Marota, and Graúna breeds, comparing them with the Boer, Anglo Nubian, and Alpine exotic breeds, to identify the genetic groups of greater potential for carcass quality and resistance to infection caused by worm. Data on morphometric measurements were obtained for the count of worm eggs in grams of feces (WEGF), Famacha score, carcass measurements, and body weight from 308 animals, in a farm in the state of Piauí, Brazil. Repartida goats showed the highest average for wither height (61.55 cm) and rump height (62.16 cm), and Moxotó goats had the greatest ear length (13.45 cm). The Moxotó breed showed the highest means for carcass and body weight. The lowest average for body weight was observed in Azul goats (24.35 kg), and the lowest WEGF was detected in Repartida goats (200 eggs per gram of feces). The average Famacha score was 2.77. Average linkage was the method that best summarized the information on the morphometric and carcass data. The use of morphometric and carcass measurements provides satisfactory results in the phenotypic characterization of the animals. The Brazilian creole goats, which are considered resistant to worm infection and show high-quality carcass traits, may be indicated for conservation and genetic breeding programs.O objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar fenotipicamente caprinos crioulos das raças Moxotó, Azul, Canindé, Repartida, Marota e Graúna, em comparação às raças exóticas Boer, Anglo Nubiana e Alpina, para identificar grupos genéticos de maior potencial para qualidade de carcaça e resistência à verminose. Dados de medidas morfométricas foram obtidos quanto à contagem de ovos de vermes por grama de fezes (OVGF), ao escore Famacha, às medidas de carcaça e ao peso corporal de 308 animais de uma fazenda no Estado do Piauí. Os caprinos Repartida apresentaram a maior média de altura de cernelha (61,55 cm) e altura de garupa (62,16 cm), e os caprinos Moxotó, o maior comprimento de orelha (13,45 cm). A raça Moxotó apresentou as maiores médias de carcaça e peso corporal. O menor peso corporal médio foi dos caprinos Azul (24,35 kg), e o menor valor de OVGF foi o dos caprinos Repartida (200 ovos por grama de fezes). Para o escore Famacha, a média foi 2,77. O método da ligação média foi o que melhor resumiu a informação dos dados morfométricos e de carcaça. O uso de medidas morfométricas e de carcaça apresentou resultados satisfatórios na caracterização fenotípica dos animais. Os caprinos crioulos, considerados resistentes à verminose e com características de carcaça de boa qualidade, poderão ser indicados para programas de conservação e melhoramento genético

Decreased Fatty Acid Transporter FABP1 and Increased Isoprostanes and Neuroprostanes in the Human Term Placenta: Implications for Inflammation and Birth Weight in Maternal Pre-Gestational Obesity.

The rise in prevalence of obesity in women of reproductive age in developed and developing countries might propagate intergenerational cycles of detrimental effects on metabolic health. Placental lipid metabolism is disrupted by maternal obesity, which possibly affects the life-long health of the offspring. Here, we investigated placental lipid metabolism in women with pre-gestational obesity as a sole pregnancy complication and compared it to placental responses of lean women. Open profile and targeted lipidomics were used to assess placental lipids and oxidised products of docosahexaenoic (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA), respectively, neuroprostanes and isoprostanes. Despite no overall signs of lipid accumulation, DHA and AA levels in placentas from obese women were, respectively, 2.2 and 2.5 times higher than those from lean women. Additionally, a 2-fold increase in DHA-derived neuroprostanes and a 1.7-fold increase in AA-derived isoprostanes were seen in the obese group. These changes correlated with a 70% decrease in placental FABP1 protein. Multivariate analyses suggested that neuroprostanes and isoprostanes are associated with maternal and placental inflammation and with birth weight. These results might shed light on the molecular mechanisms associated with altered placental fatty acid metabolism in maternal pre-gestational obesity, placing these oxidised fatty acids as novel mediators of placental function

Violência doméstica: o atendimento nos serviços de urgência e emergência

O estudo aborda os fatores predisponentes para a violência doméstica, como é feita a identificação destes casos e o manejo médico e multiprofissional de atendimento para que se obtenha o diagnóstico, o tratamento e o acompanhamento de forma adequada. Trata-se de uma revisão da literatura, descritiva e retrospectivo com coleta de dados no período entre 2013 e 2023, tendo como bases Pubmed e Scielo. Por tanto este trabalho teve como objetivo identificar como é feito o atendimento às vítimas de violência doméstica pelo médico e equipe multiprofissional nas unidades de serviço de urgência e emergência. O artigo reforça a importância de se seguir uma série de medidas para que se tenha o suporte apropriado para o fluxo de vítimas nos setores de urgência e emergência

Genetic parameters for marbling and body score in Anglonubian goats using Bayesian inference via threshold and linear models

Objective The aim of this study was to estimate (co) variance components and genetic parameters for categorical carcass traits using Bayesian inference via mixed linear and threshold animal models in Anglonubian goats. Methods Data were obtained from Anglonubian goats reared in the Brazilian Mid-North region. The traits in study were body condition score, marbling in the rib eye, ribeye area, fat thickness of the sternum, hip height, leg perimeter, and body weight. The numerator relationship matrix contained information from 793 animals. The single- and two-trait analyses were performed to estimate (co) variance components and genetic parameters via linear and threshold animal models. For estimation of genetic parameters, chains with 2 and 4 million cycles were tested. An 1,000,000-cycle initial burn-in was considered with values taken every 250 cycles, in a total of 4,000 samples. Convergence was monitored by Geweke criteria and Monte Carlo error chain. Results Threshold model best fits categorical data since it is more efficient to detect genetic variability. In two-trait analysis the contribution of the increase in information and the correlations between traits contributed to increase the estimated values for (co) variance components and heritability, in comparison to single-trait analysis. Heritability estimates for the study traits were from low to moderate magnitude. Conclusion Direct selection of the continuous distribution of traits such as thickness sternal fat and hip height allows obtaining the indirect selection for marbling of ribeye

Covid-19 e impactos por Síndrome de Burnout em profissionais de saúde no Brasil: Covid-19 and impacts by Burnout Syndrome on healthcare professionals in Brazil

Síndrome de Burnout consiste em um distúrbio mental caracterizado por esgotamentos físico e psicológico crônicos devido à altas cargas de trabalho, sob pressão constante. Em dezembro de 2019, na cidade de Wuhan (República Popular da China), surgiu, até então, de modo desconhecido, o que se considerou, posteriormente, o primeiro caso mundial de SARS-COV-2. Rapidamente, o vírus se espalhou por todo o mundo, sendo declarada pela OMS (Organização Mundial de Saúde), no início de 2020, uma Pandemia. No Brasil, o primeiro caso foi registrado em 25 de janeiro de 2020, e trouxe, para o país e sua população, prejuízos econômicos e, sobretudo, de saúde pública e privada. Diante do exposto, o presente estudo tem como principal objetivo analisar a relação entre a Pandemia da COVID-19 e o desencadeamento da Síndrome de Burnout nos profissionais de saúde no Brasil.&nbsp

Características termorreguladoras de ovinos da raça Dorper criados em condições climáticas de Meio-Norte do Brasil / Thermoregulatory characteristics of Dorper sheep reared in climatic conditions in the Mid-North region of Brazil

O objetivo com esse estudo foi avaliar as respostas fisiológicas de ovinos da raça Dorper criados em condições climáticas de Meio-Norte do Brasil. Para isso, foram utilizadas 12 fêmeas em idade adulta com peso de 35,00±5,00 kg distribuídas em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com quatro tratamentos compostos por diferentes horários do dia, e 12 repetições por tratamento. Foram mensurados os parâmetros fisiológicos, frequência respiratória (FR), frequência cardíaca (FC), temperatura retal (TR) e temperatura superficial média (TSM) dos animais e as variáveis climáticas, temperatura (TA) e umidade relativa do ar (UA). O índice de temperatura de globo negro e umidade (ITGU) foi calculado usando os valores da temperatura do termômetro de globo negro e do ponto de orvalho. A análise revelou efeito de horário do dia (P<0,05) para as variáveis climáticas, o ITGU e os parâmetros fisiológicos estudados. Os animais apresentaram nos horários das 11:00 às 11:30 h e das 14:30 às 15:00 h as maiores médias para o parâmetro TSM. Mas, não houve diferença significativa (P>0,05) entre os horários do dia para os parâmetros FR e FC. Os animais criados nas condições climáticas de Meio-Norte do Brasil conseguiram manter a temperatura corporal dentro do limite basal médio em detrimento do aumento das frequências respiratória e cardíaca

Effect of aliskiren on post-discharge outcomes among diabetic and non-diabetic patients hospitalized for heart failure: insights from the ASTRONAUT trial

Aims The objective of the Aliskiren Trial on Acute Heart Failure Outcomes (ASTRONAUT) was to determine whether aliskiren, a direct renin inhibitor, would improve post-discharge outcomes in patients with hospitalization for heart failure (HHF) with reduced ejection fraction. Pre-specified subgroup analyses suggested potential heterogeneity in post-discharge outcomes with aliskiren in patients with and without baseline diabetes mellitus (DM). Methods and results ASTRONAUT included 953 patients without DM (aliskiren 489; placebo 464) and 662 patients with DM (aliskiren 319; placebo 343) (as reported by study investigators). Study endpoints included the first occurrence of cardiovascular death or HHF within 6 and 12 months, all-cause death within 6 and 12 months, and change from baseline in N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) at 1, 6, and 12 months. Data regarding risk of hyperkalaemia, renal impairment, and hypotension, and changes in additional serum biomarkers were collected. The effect of aliskiren on cardiovascular death or HHF within 6 months (primary endpoint) did not significantly differ by baseline DM status (P = 0.08 for interaction), but reached statistical significance at 12 months (non-DM: HR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.64-0.99; DM: HR: 1.16, 95% CI: 0.91-1.47; P = 0.03 for interaction). Risk of 12-month all-cause death with aliskiren significantly differed by the presence of baseline DM (non-DM: HR: 0.69, 95% CI: 0.50-0.94; DM: HR: 1.64, 95% CI: 1.15-2.33; P < 0.01 for interaction). Among non-diabetics, aliskiren significantly reduced NT-proBNP through 6 months and plasma troponin I and aldosterone through 12 months, as compared to placebo. Among diabetic patients, aliskiren reduced plasma troponin I and aldosterone relative to placebo through 1 month only. There was a trend towards differing risk of post-baseline potassium ≥6 mmol/L with aliskiren by underlying DM status (non-DM: HR: 1.17, 95% CI: 0.71-1.93; DM: HR: 2.39, 95% CI: 1.30-4.42; P = 0.07 for interaction). Conclusion This pre-specified subgroup analysis from the ASTRONAUT trial generates the hypothesis that the addition of aliskiren to standard HHF therapy in non-diabetic patients is generally well-tolerated and improves post-discharge outcomes and biomarker profiles. In contrast, diabetic patients receiving aliskiren appear to have worse post-discharge outcomes. Future prospective investigations are needed to confirm potential benefits of renin inhibition in a large cohort of HHF patients without D

Canagliflozin and renal outcomes in type 2 diabetes and nephropathy

BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes mellitus is the leading cause of kidney failure worldwide, but few effective long-term treatments are available. In cardiovascular trials of inhibitors of sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2), exploratory results have suggested that such drugs may improve renal outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS In this double-blind, randomized trial, we assigned patients with type 2 diabetes and albuminuric chronic kidney disease to receive canagliflozin, an oral SGLT2 inhibitor, at a dose of 100 mg daily or placebo. All the patients had an estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of 30 to &lt;90 ml per minute per 1.73 m2 of body-surface area and albuminuria (ratio of albumin [mg] to creatinine [g], &gt;300 to 5000) and were treated with renin–angiotensin system blockade. The primary outcome was a composite of end-stage kidney disease (dialysis, transplantation, or a sustained estimated GFR of &lt;15 ml per minute per 1.73 m2), a doubling of the serum creatinine level, or death from renal or cardiovascular causes. Prespecified secondary outcomes were tested hierarchically. RESULTS The trial was stopped early after a planned interim analysis on the recommendation of the data and safety monitoring committee. At that time, 4401 patients had undergone randomization, with a median follow-up of 2.62 years. The relative risk of the primary outcome was 30% lower in the canagliflozin group than in the placebo group, with event rates of 43.2 and 61.2 per 1000 patient-years, respectively (hazard ratio, 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.59 to 0.82; P=0.00001). The relative risk of the renal-specific composite of end-stage kidney disease, a doubling of the creatinine level, or death from renal causes was lower by 34% (hazard ratio, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.53 to 0.81; P&lt;0.001), and the relative risk of end-stage kidney disease was lower by 32% (hazard ratio, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.54 to 0.86; P=0.002). The canagliflozin group also had a lower risk of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke (hazard ratio, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.67 to 0.95; P=0.01) and hospitalization for heart failure (hazard ratio, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.47 to 0.80; P&lt;0.001). There were no significant differences in rates of amputation or fracture. CONCLUSIONS In patients with type 2 diabetes and kidney disease, the risk of kidney failure and cardiovascular events was lower in the canagliflozin group than in the placebo group at a median follow-up of 2.62 years