Evolution and diversity of alpha-carbonic anhydrases in the mantle of the Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis)

The α-carbonic anhydrases (α-CAs) are a large and ancient group of metazoan-specific enzymes. They generate bicarbonate from metabolic carbon dioxide and through calcium carbonate crystal formation play a key role in the regulation of mineralized structures. To better understand how α-CAs contribute to shell mineralization in the marine Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) we characterized them in the mantle. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that mollusc α-CA evolution was affected by lineage and species-specific events. Ten α-CAs were found in the Mediterranean mussel mantle and the most abundant form was named, MgNACR, as it grouped with oyster nacreins (NACR). Exposure of the Mediterranean mussel to reduced water salinity (18 vs 37 ppt), caused a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in mantle esterase activity and MgNACR transcript abundance (p < 0.05). Protonograms revealed multiple proteins in the mantle with α-CA hydratase activity and mapped to a protein with a similar size to that deduced for monomeric MgNACR. Our data indicate that MgNACR is a major α-CA enzyme in mantle and that by homology with oyster nacreins likely regulates mussel shell production. We propose that species-dependent α-CA evolution may contribute to explain the diversity of bivalve shell structures and their vulnerability to environmental changes.Agência financiadora European Union 605051 Portuguese national funds from FCT - Foundation for Science and Technology UID/Multi/04326/2019 operational programmes CRESC Algarve 2020 and COMPETE 2020 through project EMBRC FCT UID/Multi/04326/2019 SFRH/BPD/79105/2011 SFRH/BPD/89811/2012 EMBRIC (European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme) 654008 CAPES, Brazil 88887.116718/2016-00 PT ALG-01-0145-FEDER-022121info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Analysis and verification of process variables as causes for macroinclusions and scrapping in a special steel melt shop

The technology used in manufacturing steel for mechanical constructions has made great progress in recent years, resulting in a remarkable reduction of the impurities in special steel. One of these impurities is known as macroinclusion, the presence of which can cause serious defects in the steel structure. In a melt shop, where the semi-finished product is formed, there are several variables that can cause the formation of impurities in the steel and must be controlled. Therefore, by analyzing the influence of the primary melt shop variables, including: the iron and manganese oxides of the ladle slag (FeO+MnO), the stopper rod level variation and the argon pressure in the shroud between ladle and tundish in continuous casting; it was possible to establish a relationship between scrap generation and these process variables, through the creation of an investigation method. As result it was possible to identify the scrapping relationship with the presence of high FeO and MnO contents in the slag, during ladle furnace starting operations, along with stopper rod level variation in the tundish

A ingestão de bebidas energéticas antes do exercício afeta a dinâmica não linear da recuperação da variabilidade da frequência cardíaca? Um ensaio randomizado, crossover, duplo-cego e controlado por placebo

Introduction and Objectives: Energy drinks (ED) are recognized to influence the behavior of the sympathetic and parasympathetic components of the autonomic nervous system. We intended to study the influence of ED on non-linear heart rate variability (HRV) following exercise. Material and Methods: This randomized, crossover, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial (Protocol number NCT02917889) was completed in a sample of 28 healthy males aged 24.11 ± 3.05 years (min-max 18-29). The first step involved the assessment of maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max). In the second protocol, the subjects received a placebo (250ml of water) or ED (250ml of energy drink) 15 minutes before the 30-minute exercise on a treadmill. In the third protocol, participants received the alternative protocol to the previous step. The nonlinear HRV were calculated at different times during the protocols. Results: Fractal analysis via Detrended Fluctuation Analysis (DFA) revealed that in the placebo protocol there was an increase in its values compared to recovery (Rec1) vs. Rest (Cohen's d= 1.42) and continued increasing in the last recording intervals: vs. Rec6 (Cohen's d= 0.70) and vs. Rec7 (Cohen's d= 0.85). In the ED protocol, the increase in DFA was only demonstrated when comparing Rec1 vs. Rest (Cohen’s d=1.78). Conclusion: ED intake prior to modest aerobic exercise triggered a slight acceleration of recovery.Introducción y Objetivo: Se sabe que las bebidas energéticas (DE) influyen en el comportamiento de los componentes simpático y parasimpático del sistema nervioso autónomo. Pretendemos estudiar la influencia de la DE en la variabilidad no lineal de la frecuencia cardíaca (VFC) después del ejercicio. Material y métodos: este ensayo clínico aleatorizado, cruzado, doble ciego, controlado con placebo (número de protocolo NCT02917889) se completó en una muestra de 28 hombres sanos de 24,11 ± 3,05 años (mín-máx 18-29). El primer paso involucró la evaluación del consumo máximo de oxígeno (VO2 max). En el segundo protocolo, los sujetos recibieron placebo (250 ml de agua) o ED (250 ml de bebida energética) 15 minutos antes de los 30 minutos de ejercicio en cinta rodante. En el tercer protocolo, los participantes recibieron el protocolo alternativo al paso anterior. La HRV no lineal se calculó en diferentes momentos durante los protocolos. Resultados: El análisis fractal vía Detrended Fluctuation Analysis (DFA) reveló que en el protocolo placebo hubo un incremento en sus valores en relación a la recuperación (Rec1) vs. En reposo (d de Cohen= 1,42) y siguió aumentando en los últimos intervalos de registro: vs. Rec6 (d de Cohen = 0,70) y vs. Rec7 (d de Cohen = 0,85). En el protocolo ED, el aumento de DFA solo se demostró al comparar Rec1 vs. Reposo (d de Cohen=1,78). Conclusión: la ingesta de DE antes del ejercicio aeróbico moderado desencadenó una ligera aceleración de la recuperación.Introduzione e obiettivo: è noto che le bevande energetiche (DE) influenzano il comportamento delle componenti simpatiche e parasimpatiche del sistema nervoso autonomo. Intendiamo studiare l'influenza dell'ED sulla variabilità non lineare della frequenza cardiaca (HRV) dopo l'esercizio. Materiale e metodi: questo studio clinico randomizzato, incrociato, in doppio cieco, controllato con placebo (numero di protocollo NCT02917889) è stato completato su un campione di 28 uomini sani di età compresa tra 24,11 ± 3,05 anni (min-max 18-29). Il primo passo ha comportato la valutazione del consumo massimo di ossigeno (VO2 max). Nel secondo protocollo, i soggetti hanno ricevuto placebo (250 ml di acqua) o ED (250 ml di bevanda energetica) 15 minuti prima dell'esercizio di 30 minuti sul tapis roulant. Nel terzo protocollo, i partecipanti hanno ricevuto il protocollo alternativo al passaggio precedente. L'HRV non lineare è stato calcolato in momenti diversi durante i protocolli. Risultati: L'analisi frattale tramite Detrended Fluctuation Analysis (DFA) ha rivelato che nel protocollo placebo c'era un aumento dei suoi valori in relazione al recupero (Rec1) vs. A riposo (d di Cohen= 1.42) e ha continuato ad aumentare negli ultimi intervalli di registrazione: vs. Rec6 (d di Cohen = 0.70) e vs. Rec7 (d di Cohen = 0,85). Nel protocollo ED, l'aumento di DFA è stato dimostrato solo confrontando Rec1 vs. Riposo (Cohen d=1.78). Conclusione: l'ingestione di DE prima di un moderato esercizio aerobico ha innescato una leggera accelerazione del recupero.Introdução e Objetivo: As bebidas energéticas (DE) são reconhecidas por influenciar o comportamento dos componentes simpáticos e parassimpáticos do sistema nervoso autônomo. Pretendemos estudar a influência da DE na variabilidade não linear da frequência cardíaca (VFC) após o exercício. Material e Métodos: Este ensaio clínico randomizado, cruzado, duplo-cego, controlado por placebo (número do protocolo NCT02917889) foi concluído em uma amostra de 28 homens saudáveis com idade de 24,11 ± 3,05 anos (min-max 18-29). A primeira etapa envolveu a avaliação do consumo máximo de oxigênio (VO2 máx). No segundo protocolo, os sujeitos receberam placebo (250ml de água) ou ED (250ml de energético) 15 minutos antes do exercício de 30 minutos em esteira. No terceiro protocolo, os participantes receberam o protocolo alternativo à etapa anterior. A VFC não linear foi calculada em momentos diferentes durante os protocolos. Resultados: A análise fractal via Detrended Fluctuation Analysis (DFA) revelou que no protocolo placebo houve um aumento em seus valores em relação à recuperação (Rec1) vs. Repouso (Cohen's d= 1,42) e continuou aumentando nos últimos intervalos de registro: vs. Rec6 (d de Cohen = 0,70) e vs. Rec7 (d de Cohen = 0,85). No protocolo ED, o aumento do DFA só foi demonstrado ao comparar Rec1 vs. Rest (Cohen’s d=1,78). Conclusão: A ingestão de DE antes do exercício aeróbico moderado desencadeou uma ligeira aceleração da recuperação.Introdução e Objetivo: As bebidas energéticas (DE) são reconhecidas por influenciar o comportamento dos componentes simpáticos e parassimpáticos do sistema nervoso autônomo. Pretendemos estudar a influência da DE na variabilidade não linear da frequência cardíaca (VFC) após o exercício. Material e Métodos: Este ensaio clínico randomizado, cruzado, duplo-cego, controlado por placebo (número do protocolo NCT02917889) foi concluído em uma amostra de 28 homens saudáveis com idade de 24,11 ± 3,05 anos (min-max 18-29). A primeira etapa envolveu a avaliação do consumo máximo de oxigênio (VO2 máx). No segundo protocolo, os sujeitos receberam placebo (250ml de água) ou ED (250ml de energético) 15 minutos antes do exercício de 30 minutos em esteira. No terceiro protocolo, os participantes receberam o protocolo alternativo à etapa anterior. A VFC não linear foi calculada em momentos diferentes durante os protocolos. Resultados: A análise fractal via Detrended Fluctuation Analysis (DFA) revelou que no protocolo placebo houve um aumento em seus valores em relação à recuperação (Rec1) vs. Repouso (Cohen's d= 1,42) e continuou aumentando nos últimos intervalos de registro: vs. Rec6 (d de Cohen = 0,70) e vs. Rec7 (d de Cohen = 0,85). No protocolo ED, o aumento do DFA só foi demonstrado ao comparar Rec1 vs. Rest (Cohen’s d=1,78). Conclusão: A ingestão de DE antes do exercício aeróbico moderado desencadeou uma ligeira aceleração da recuperação

Comparison of two combinations of opioid and non-opioid analgesics for acute periradicular abscess : a randomized clinical trial

Acute periradicular abscess is a condition characterized by the formation and propagation of pus in the periapical tissues and generally associated with debilitating pain. Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the overall analgesic effectiveness of two combinations of opioid and non-opioid analgesics for acute periradicular abscess. Material and Methods: This study included 26 patients who sought emergency care in a Brazilian dental school. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: Co/Ac - oral prescription of codeine (30 mg) plus acetaminophen (500 mg), every 4h, for 3 days or Tr/Ac - oral prescription of tramadol hydrochloride (37.5 mg) plus acetaminophen (500 mg) on the same schedule. Two factors were evaluated: (1) pain scores recorded by the patients in a pain diary 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h after treatment, using the Visual Analogue Scale; and (2) the occurrence of adverse effects. Results: In both groups, there was a reduction in pain scores over time. For the Co/Ac group, there was a significant reduction in the scores 12, 24,48, and 72 hours after treatment (P0.05), i.e.,both treatments were effective in controlling pain caused by APA; however, the combination of Tr/Ac caused more adverse reactions as two patients had to stop using the medication. Conclusion: This study suggests that, considering both analgesic efficacy and safety, the combination of codeine and acetaminophen is more effective to control moderate to severe pain from acute periradicular abscesses

Influence of strains and environmental cultivation conditions on the bioconversion of ergosterol and vitamin D 2 in the sun mushroom

The fungus Agaricus subrufescens is grown commercially in China, the USA, Brazil, Taiwan and Japan, among others. However, each country adopts a cultivation system that significantly influences the agronomical parameters and chemical composition of the harvested mushrooms. In this study, the influence of the cultivation process on the content of ergosterol and vitamin D2 was evaluated. RESULTS: Four commercial strains of A. subrufescens (ABL 04/49, ABL CS7, ABL 18/01 and ABL 19/01) and two environmental cultivation conditions (in the field and a controlled chamber with the absence of sunlight) were used. Infield cultivation, ABL CS7 and ABL 19/01 strains presented better agronomic parameters, whereas in a protected environment ABL 19/01, ABL 04/49 and ABL 18/01 demonstrated better performance, respectively. The highest biological efficiency value (64%) was provided by ABL 19/01 strain in a controlled environment. CONCLUSION: The highest content in ergosterol (990 mg kg−1) and vitamin D2 (36.8 mg kg−1) were observed in mushrooms obtained in the field from strain ABL 04/49, which presents reasonable agronomic parameters for cultivation.This research was funded by the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP No. 2017/22501-2 for CVS, 2019/12605-0 for DMMS and 2018/21492-2 for DCZ, 19/00419-8 for WGVJ). The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) for financial support through national funds FCT/MCTES to CIMO (UIDB/00690/2020); national funding by FCT, PI, through the institutional scientific employment program contracts for A Fernandes and L Barros. This work is funded by the European Structural and Investment Funds (FEEI) through the Regional Operational Program North 2020, within the scope of Project Mobilizador ValorNatural®.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Botanical fungicides in the control of soybean leaf diseases / Fungicidas botânicos no controle de doenças foliares na soja

The soybean cultivation (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) is responsible for the highest pesticides use in agriculture in Brazil. There is an environmental and social need to reduce the use of these substances in crops. The alternative products applied in agriculture such as plant extracts and essential oils, becomes necessary and indispensable, mainly in disease control. Among the plants studied, the Noni (Morinda citrifolia L.), has stood out in some studies, where relevant fungitoxic results have been demonstrated, however, there are still few works that prove its viability in the diseases management in field. Thus, this work aimed to evaluate the soybean diseases alternative control through the aqueous extracts and noni essential oil application, in plantings high and low disease pressure. Two field experiments were implemented, with soybean culture, evaluating leaf, fruit aqueous extract and noni essential oil as a fungicidal action. Foliar application of noni extracts and essential oil did not differ from fungicide in Asian Rust and Anthracnose control, in the 2016/17 crop, in both experiments. Soybean productivity was similar in treatments that received leaf extract (1748,8 Kg ha-1), essential oil (1762,5 Kg ha-1) and fungicides (2031,7 Kg ha-1). Where there was no large disease pressure all agronomic characteristics were equivalent, regardless of treatment. 

A systematic review to investigate whether birth weight affects the autonomic nervous system in adulthood

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between birth weight and the autonomic nervous system in adulthood through a systematic review. Data source: This is a systematic review of publications without limitation of year and language. We included studies involving the autonomic nervous system and birth weight in adults. Manuscripts were selected based on electronic searches of Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Web of Science Cochrane Library and Scopus databases, using “Autonomic Nervous System” OR “Heart Rate” OR “Heart Rate Variability” AND “Birth Weight” as a search strategy. This review is registered on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews — PROSPERO (ID: CRD42020165622). Data synthesis: We found 894 articles; 215 were excluded for duplicity. Of the remaining 679 studies, 11 remained. Two were excluded because they did not specifically treat the autonomic nervous system or birth weight. There were nine publications, two cohort and seven cross-sectional studies. The main findings were that extreme, very low, low or high birth weight may have some impact on the autonomic nervous system in adult life. Conclusions: Birth weight outside the normality rate may have a negative influence on the autonomic nervous system, causing autonomic dysfunction and increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases in adult life. Thus, the importance of the follow-up of health professionals from pregnancy to gestation and throughout life, with preventive care being emphasized. = Objetivo: Avaliar a relação entre o peso ao nascer e o sistema nervoso autônomo na vida adulta por meio de uma revisão sistemática. Fontes de dados: Esta é uma revisão sistemática de publicações, sem limitação de ano e idioma. Incluímos estudos envolvendo o sistema nervoso autônomo e peso ao nascer em adultos. Os manuscritos foram selecionados das bases de dados eletrônicos Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Web of Science Cochrane Library e Scopus, utilizando “Autonomic Nervous System” OR “Heart Rate” OR “Heart Rate Variability” AND “Birth Weight” como estratégia de busca. Esta revisão está registrada pelo International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews — PROSPERO (ID: CRD42020165622). Síntese dos dados: Nós encontramos 894 artigos. Deles, 215 foram excluídos por duplicidade. Entre os 679 remanescentes, 11 permaneceram, dos quais dois foram excluídos por não tratarem especificamente do sistema nervoso autônomo ou do peso ao nascer. Restaram nove publicações, sendo duas longitudinais e sete transversais. Os principais achados foram que o peso extremo baixo, muito baixo, baixo ou alto ao nascer pode ter algum impacto no sistema nervoso autônomo na vida adulta. Conclusões: O peso ao nascer fora da normalidade pode influenciar negativamente o sistema nervoso autônomo, causando disfunção autonômica e aumentando o risco de doenças cardiovasculares na vida adulta. Assim, ressalta-se a importância do acompanhamento dos profissionais de saúde desde a gravidez até a gestação, pré-natal e ao longo da vida, com cuidados preventivos para esta situação

Does energy drink intake before exercise affect nonlinear dynamics of heart rate variability recovery? : a randomized, crossover, double-blind and placebo-controlled trial

Introduction and Objectives: Energy drinks (ED) are recognized to influence the behavior of the sympathetic and parasympathetic components of the autonomic nervous system. We intended to study the influence of ED on non-linear heart rate variability (HRV) following exercise. Material and Methods: This randomized, crossover, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial (Protocol number NCT02917889) was completed in a sample of 28 healthy males aged 24.11 ± 3.05 years (min-max 18-29). The first step involved the assessment of maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max). In the second protocol, the subjects received a placebo (250ml of water) or ED (250ml of energy drink) 15 minutes before the 30-minute exercise on a treadmill. In the third protocol, participants received the alternative protocol to the previous step. The nonlinear HRV were calculated at different times during the protocols. Results: Fractal analysis via Detrended Fluctuation Analysis (DFA) revealed that in the placebo protocol there was an increase in its values compared to recovery (Rec1) vs. Rest (Cohen's d= 1.42) and continued increasing in the last recording intervals: vs. Rec6 (Cohen's d= 0.70) and vs. Rec7 (Cohen's d= 0.85). In the ED protocol, the increase in DFA was only demonstrated when comparing Rec1 vs. Rest (Cohen’s d=1.78). Conclusion: ED intake prior to modest aerobic exercise triggered a slight acceleration of recovery