Chameleo : walk like a chameleon detection with AI

Extensive research over the last few years has revealed the potential of computational based models to understand animal behavior. However, computational ethology using reptiles as models is still under investigation. Chameleons are known to have slow arboreal locomotion and present a distinct movement of rocking back-and-forth in between periods of the traditional quadrupedal walk. This curious, and yet, under-investigated behavior known as “leaf movement”, has been observed in different species of the genus Chamaeleo. Here we present our work-in-progress and propose the means to quantitatively examine plausible gaits of chameleons using an Artificial Neural Network system named Chameleo. We recorded and labeled around 8 hours of chameleons moving horizontally on a rope in an experimental setup and aim to use this data for training and further testing of the Neural Network. We expect that Chameleo will be an accurate and reliable model for the identification and classification of chameleon locomotion. Furthermore, our long-term goals are to 1) adapt Chameleo to a wider range of lizard behaviors, 2) make the model available for the scientific community through a website where researchers will be able to add additional models and datasets to further explore reptile behavior, 3) contribute to the welfare of pet chameleons, and finally 4) encourage citizen science and thus conservation and environmental protection of the species

Biochemical diagnosis of aromatic-L-amino acid decarboxylase deficiency (AADCD) by assay of AADC activity in plasma using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

Aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC, EC 4.1.1.28) deficiency is a rare genetic disorder characterized by developmental delay, oculogyric crises, autonomic dysfunction and other problems, caused by biallelic mutations in the DDC gene leading to deficient activity of aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase, an enzyme involved in the formation of important neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin. A clinical development program of gene therapy for AADC deficiency is ongoing. An important step for the success of this therapy is the early and precise identification of the affected individuals, but it has been estimated that around 90% of the cases remain undiagnosed. The availability measurement of the AADC activity is mandatory for an accurate biochemical diagnosis. Based on these statements, our objectives were to develop a liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method suitable for the determination of the AADC activity, and to evaluate its capacity to confirm the deficiency of AADC in potential patients in Brazil. The AADC activities were measured in plasma samples of seven AADC deficient patients and 35 healthy controls, after enzymatic reaction and LC-MS/MS analysis of dopamine, the main reaction product. The results obtained showed clear discrimination between confirmed AADC deficient patients and healthy controls. The method presented here could be incorporated in the IEM laboratories for confirmation of the diagnosis of when a suspicion of AADC deficiency is present due to clinical signs and/or abnormal biomarkers, including when an increased level of 3-O-methyldopa (3-OMD) is found in dried blood spots (DBS) samples from high-risk patients or from newborn screening programs

Molecular-level understanding of interfacial carbonates in stabilizing CuO-ZnO(Al2O3) catalysts

A descriptor of active CuO-ZnO(Al2O3) methanol-synthesis and water–gas-shift catalysts is the presence of high-temperature carbonates (HT-CO3) in the oxidic catalyst precursor. Previous reports have shown that such HT-CO3 lead to an appropriate interaction between the oxides; as a result, a high Cu surface area (or Cu-Zn or Cu/ZnO interphase areas) can be achieved. Yet, their nature is not well understood. In this study, the nature of these carbonates was investigated by experimental and theoretical methods in the oxidic precatalyst. A calcined Cu-Zn-Al hydrotalcite model compound revealed to have well-dispersed ZnO and CuO phases, together with highly stable HT-CO3. It was hypothesized that these HT-CO3 groups may be placed at critical locations at nano-scale as a glue, thus avoiding the growth of the oxide crystallites during calcination. This is an excellent pre-condition to achieve a high Cu surface area (or Cu-Zn or Cu/ZnO interphase areas) upon reduction, and therefore a high activity. To prove that, first-principles calculations were carried out based on the density functional theory (DFT); alumina was not considered in the model as the experimental data showed it to be amorphous but it may still have an effect. Comprehensive calculations provided evidence that such carbonate groups favourably bind the CuO and ZnO together at the interface, rather than being isolated on the individual oxide surfaces. The results strongly suggest that the HT-CO3 groups are part of the structure, in the calcined precatalyst, where they would prevent thermal sintering through a bonding mechanism between CuO and ZnO particles, which is a novel interpretation of this important catalyst descriptor

Solvent Additive-Induced Deactivation of the Cu-ZnO(Al₂O₃)-Catalyzed γ-Butyrolactone Hydrogenolysis:A Rare Deactivation Process

[Image: see text] This work reports initial results on the effect of low concentrations (ppm level) of a stabilizing agent (2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol, BHT) present in an off-the-shelf solvent on the catalyst performance for the hydrogenolysis of γ-butyrolactone over Cu–ZnO-based catalysts. Tetrahydrofuran (THF) was employed as an alternative solvent in the hydrogenolysis of γ-butyrolactone. It was found that the Cu–ZnO catalyst performance using a reference solvent (1,4-dioxane) was good, meaning that the equilibrium conversion was achieved in 240 min, while a zero conversion was found when employing tetrahydrofuran. The deactivation was studied in more detail, arriving at the preliminary conclusion that one phenomenon seems to play a role: the poisoning effect of a solvent additive present at the ppm level (BHT) that appears to inhibit the reaction completely over a Cu–ZnO catalyst. The BHT effect was also visible over a commercial Cu–ZnO–MgO–Al(2)O(3) catalyst but less severe than that over the Cu–ZnO catalyst. Hence, the commercial catalyst is more tolerant to the solvent additive, probably due to the higher surface area. The study illustrates the importance of solvent choice and purification for applications such as three-phase-catalyzed reactions to achieve optimal performance

Correction to “Solvent Additive-Induced Deactivation of the Cu–ZnO(Al2O3)-Catalyzed γ-Butyrolactone Hydrogenolysis: A Rare Deactivation Process”

The authors regret that Figure 8 contained a typographic error in the original publication. The x-axis labels should have been labeled as Time (min) instead of Conversion (%). The discussion in the text is correct and remains valid. However, the wrong labeling of the axes can lead to confusion. Below, an amended Figure 8 can be found. The authors would like to apologize for any inconvenience caused. (Figure Presented).</p

Characteristics of Dysphagia in Infants with Microcephaly Caused by Congenital Zika Virus Infection, Brazil, 2015.

We summarize the characteristics of dysphagia in 9 infants in Brazil with microcephaly caused by congenital Zika virus infection. The Schedule for Oral Motor Assessment, fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing, and the videofluoroscopic swallowing study were used as noninstrumental and instrumental assessments. All infants had a degree of neurologic damage and showed abnormalities in the oral phase. Of the 9 infants, 8 lacked oral and upper respiratory tract sensitivity, leading to delays in initiation of the pharyngeal phase of swallowing. Those delays, combined with marked oral dysfunction, increased the risk for aspiration of food, particularly liquid foods. Dysphagia resulting from congenital Zika virus syndrome microcephaly can develop in infants >3 months of age and is severe

Avaliação do efeito antimicrobiano in vitro dos extratos etanólicos de Plectranthus neochilus e Cnidoscolus quercifolius

Avaliou-se o efeito antimicrobiano in vitro dos extratos etanólicos de Plectranthus neochilus e Cnidoscolus quercifolius de forma isolada e associadas. Na 1ª etapa, utilizaram-se os extratos em concentrações 1%, 2,5%, 5% e 10%. Na 2ª etapa, utilizaram-se apenas extratos brutos. Para o teste de sensibilidade dos extratos, utilizaram-se cepas padrão Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853. Nas duas etapas, realizaram-se os mesmos testes de sensibilidade. As placas foram semeadas e lidas após 24 horas de incubação em estufa a 37ºC. De acordo com os resultados, conclui-se que não houve atividade bacteriana dos extratos etanólicos estudados isolados, bem como associados diante das cepas padrão de Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli e Pseudomonas aeruginosa nas diferentes metodologias aplicadas quando comparadas com o antibiótico padrão (amicacina)

Avaliação clínica dos casos de otite externa em cães atendidos no hospital veterinário da Universidade Federal rural de Pernambuco / Clinical evaluation of external otite cases in dogs at the veterinary hospital of Universidade Federal rural de Pernambuco

Caracterizada por um processo inflamatório no conduto auditivo externo a otite externa afeta grande parte dos pacientes na rotina clinica veterinária. Com patogenicidade fungica ou bacteriana, seu tratamento deve ser escolhido com base nos resultados dos exames clínicos e laboratoriais, desde a limpeza do conduto auditivo com soluções salinas e ceruminolíticos,  terapias antibióticas tópicas ou sistêmicas até intervenções cirúrgicas em casos mais graves. Dos pacientes estudados 16,6% dos animais possuíam uma infecção mista por Pseudomonas ssp. + Malassezia pachydermatis, 33,3% possuíam uma infecção mista por Staphylococcus ssp. + Malassezia pachydermatis, 25% possuíam infecção por Staphylococcus e 25% dos animais possuíam uma infecção causada somente por Malassezia pachydermatis. No teste de sensibilidade in vitro aos antimicrobianos alopáticos revelou que a amostra de Pseudomonas ssp foi sensível a todos os antimicrobianos testados. O isolamento de Staphylococcus ssp., Pseudomonas ssp. e Malassezia pachydermatis do conduto auditivo de todos os cães deste estudo demonstra a participação destes nos quadros de otite externa. As diferenças de sensibilidade in vitro aos antimicrobianos testados reflete a necessidade da realização de cultura e antibiograma, sobretudo para as  otites recorrente

Ophthalmological findings in infants with microcephaly and presumable intra-uterus Zika virus infection

ABSTRACT Purpose: In 2015, a twenty-fold increase in the prevalence of microcephaly in Brazil was reported, and the Ministry of Health associated this abnormal prevalence with the maternal-fetal Zika virus (ZIKV) transmission. Methods: We assessed the ophthalmological findings of ten mothers and their infants that had been clinically diagnosed with ZIKV-related microcephaly and presented ocular abnormalities, born from May to December 2015. Results: Seven mothers (70.0%) referred symptoms during pregnancy (malaise, rash and arthralgia), of which six (85.7%) were in the first trimester. At the time of exam, no ophthalmological abnormalities were identified in the mothers and they did not report ocular symptoms during pregnancy. Serology was negative in all infants for Toxoplasmosis, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus, Syphilis and Human Immunodeficiency Viruses. Ocular findings included macular alterations (gross pigment mottling and/or chorioretinal atrophy) in fifteen eyes (75.0%), and optic nerve abnormalities (hypoplasia with double-ring sign, pallor, and/or increased cup-to-disk ratio) in nine eyes (45.0%). Conclusions: Patients presented normal anterior segment and important macular and optic nerve abnormalities. Further studies will assess the visual significance of these alterations

Metanálise dos fatores bioquímicos e urinálise relacionados a obesidade em cães: Methanalysis of biochemical factors and urinalysis related to obesity in dogs

A obesidade é uma doença crônica caracterizada por um acúmulo excessivo de gordura corporal, capaz de prejudicar a saúde e o bem-estar animal. Objetivou-se realizar um levantamento de banco de dados, através de indexadores tipo PUBVET; SciElo e Google Scholar, em busca da análise do perfil de algumas variáveis bioquímicas em cães, independente de raça, sexo, idade, coletando informações sobre as alterações ocasionadas no organismo pelo sobrepeso e/ou obesidade através da técnica estatística de metanálise. Dos exames utilizados para analisar a incidência de disfunções hepáticas e renais, 72,7% avaliaram exames bioquímicos e 63,6% utilizaram urinálise para a detecção das disfunções analisadas. Também foram avaliadas as distribuições das médias dos efeitos reportados por 11 estudos através de boxplots como se comporta o nível das variáveis de interesse entre os grupos de tratamento e controle. A mediana da creatinina entre os grupos de tratamento dos estudos foi maior do que nos grupos controle.&nbsp;&nbsp; A mediana dos níveis de colesterol nos grupos de tratamento foi&nbsp; maior do que no grupo controle. No efeito médio da obesidade sobre&nbsp; as disfunções renais hepáticas&nbsp; não foi um consenso. Um número expressivo de trabalhos não observou o efeito da obesidade em variáveis como colesterol e GGT