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Background/objectives The phase angle, expressed through bioelectrical impedance, has been studied as a prognostic marker in several health conditions. As this issue is still conflicting, the question whether this parameter correlates with mortality in the most diverse clinical situations remains. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the relationship between phase angle and mortality through a systematic review of the literature. Subjects/methods This research was conducted in electronic databases (Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane, Lilacs, Scielo, e Scopus), and included studies that had phase angle as a variable of interest and mortality/survival as an outcome. Data were extracted independently by two reviewers and disagreements were assessed by a third reviewer. Results Forty-eight of 455 papers were assessed and an amount of 42 showed a correlation between phase angle and mortality. Conclusions Phase angle seems to be a good indicator for mortality in many clinical situations and can be used in screening individuals prone to this outcome.

•Conduction system pacing, also termed physiologic pacing, is a novel alternative to biventricular resynchronization that may improve left ventricular remodeling while minimizing costs.•PhysioSync-HF is an investigator-led, randomized, multicenter clinical trial comparing conduction system pacing and biventricular resynchronization on heart failure-related outcomes in 179 patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and left bundle branch block.•Half of trial participants are women, and most are non-White, ensuring patient representativeness and generalizability. Cardiac resynchronization therapy reduces heart failure hospitalizations and mortality in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and left bundle branch block (LBBB). Conduction system pacing, which directly activates the His-Purkinje system, has emerged as a safe alternative to traditional biventricular resynchronization that may offer clinical benefits at lower costs. The PhysioSync-HF trial is an investigator-led, randomized, multicenter clinical trial designed to assess whether conduction system pacing is noninferior to biventricular resynchronization on heart failure-related outcomes in patients with HFrEF and LBBB. The study population consists of 179 adults with symptomatic heart failure (New York Heart Association [NYHA] class II-III), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤35%, and LBBB (QRS ≥130 ms). Patients were randomized 1:1 to receive conduction system pacing or biventricular resynchronization and followed for 12 months postprocedure. The primary endpoint is a hierarchy of all-cause death, any hospitalization for heart failure, any urgent visit for heart failure, and change in LVEF from baseline. The key secondary endpoint is the mean total direct medical cost per patient. Additional endpoints include assessments of health-related quality of life, functional capacity, and safety. Enrollment began in November 2022 and concluded in December 2023. PhysioSync-HF will determine whether conduction system pacing is noninferior to biventricular resynchronization on heart failure-related outcomes in patients with HFrEF with LBBB. NCT05572736. *In selected sites. 6MWT indicates 6-minute walk test; CPET, cardiopulmonary exercise test; ECG, electrocardiogram; EQ-5D, EuroQol Group 5-Dimensions questionnaire; HF, heart failure; KCCQ, Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire; LVEF, left ventricular ejection fraction. [Display omitted]

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) is a crop of significant socioeconomic importance, particularly in the semi-arid regions of Africa and America. However, its productivity has been adversely affected by viral diseases, including the cowpea aphid-borne mosaic virus (CABMV), a single-stranded RNA virus. It is known that the VPg protein interacts with the host’s translation initiation factor (eIF4E), promoting viral replication. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between mutations in the cowpea eIF4E gene and resistance to CABMV. Twenty-seven cultivars were screened by PCR and bioassays for presence/absence of mutations associated with resistance or susceptibility to Potyviruses. Of the cultivars with mutations previously associated with susceptibility, 88.24% exhibited viral symptoms, while 62.5% associated with resistance remained asymptomatic. The in silico analyses revealed that non-synonymous mutations (Pro68Arg, Gly109Arg) alter the structure of the eIF4E protein, reducing its affinity to VPg. Molecular dynamics simulations also pointed to an enhanced structural stability of eIF4E in resistant cultivars and reinforced, for the first time, key mutations and the functional role of the eIF4E gene in resistance to CABMV in cowpea. Our results offer valuable insights for virus disease management and for genetic improvement programs for this important crop.

 The leaf of the jaborandi (Pilocarpus microphyllus) is the part of the plant of economic interest, from which the pilocarpine is extracted, therefore, leaf production is the main variable that determines the productivity of this species. Pilocarpus leaf production can be managed during its development phase. Thus, the objective of the present study was to evaluate branch regeneration of jaborandi submitted to two types of cutting/pruning and different cropping systems. Prunings were carried out in jaborandi plants from different accessions from the Janorandi Active Germoplasm Bank (BGA), that were under different cropping systems, full sun and shade. With pruning shears, cuts were made 10 and 20 cm from the branch bifurcations. The results showed that regardless of the distances of the cuts in the jaborandi plants, the prunings benefited new shoots production and the harvest and influence on leaf production could be anticipated without harming the plant’s development. The drastic pruning performed on the species also stimulated efficient regeneration without damaging the plant, resulting in bigger leaf production, regardless of the pruning direction. It was also observed that jaborandi cultivation becomes more productive when it is grown under full sun regardless of the germplasm used, and the leaves can be harvested in all the months of the year.

Background Trypanosoma cruzi is dispersed in nature through many transmission mechanisms among a high diversity of vectors and mammalian species, representing particular behaviors and habitats. Thus, each locality has a unique set of conditions underlying the maintenance of this parasite in the wild. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the life-cycle of T. cruzi in free-ranging coatis from the central region of the Brazilian Pantanal using a multi-factorial approach. Methods Three methodological blocks were used in the present study: (i) We evaluated T. cruzi infection using serological (ELISA) and parasitological (hemoculture) tests in free-ranging coatis captured from October 2010 to March 2012. In addition, we characterized T. cruzi isolates as DTUs (Discrete Typing Units); (ii) We evaluated Trypanosoma infection in species of Triatoma and Rhodnius inhabiting coati arboreal nests from May to September 2012 using parasitological and molecular assays; and (iii) We analyzed a set of longitudinal data (from 2005 to 2012) concerning the effects of T. cruzi infection on this coati population. Herein, we investigated whether seasonality, host sex, and host age influence T. cruzi prevalence and patterns of infection. Results The 2010–2012 period presented high seroprevalence on coatis (72.0 % ELISA) and a high percentage of individuals with infectivity competence (20.5 % positive hemoculture). All isolates presented TcI band patterns, occurring in single ( n  = 3) and mixed infections (1 TcI/ T. rangeli ; 4 with undefined characterization). Both male and female individuals presented the same transmission potential, expressed as positive hemoculture, which was only detected in the summer. However, overall, the data (2005–2012) highlighted the importance of females for T. cruzi maintenance in the winter. Moreover, twenty-three (67.6 %) bugs from five coati nests (71.4 %) were infected with flagellated forms. Seventeen samples were characterized as T. cruzi (TcI and TcIII genotypes). Conclusion In the Pantanal region, T. cruzi is transmitted in a complex, multifactorial, dynamic and non-linear transmission web. The coati nests might be inserted in this web, acting as important transmission foci at the arboreal stratum to different mammal species with arboreal or scansorial behavior.

The white-rot fungus Pleurotus ostreatus was used for biological pretreatment of peach palm (Bactris gasipaes) lignocellulosic wastes. Non-treated and treated B. gasipaes inner sheaths and peel were submitted to hydrolysis using a commercial cellulase preparation from T. reesei. The amounts of total reducing sugars and glucose obtained from the 30 d-pretreated inner sheaths were seven and five times higher, respectively, than those obtained from the inner sheaths without pretreatment. No such improvement was found, however, in the pretreated B. gasipaes peels. Scanning electronic microscopy of the lignocellulosic fibers was performed to verify the structural changes caused by the biological pretreatments. Upon the biological pretreatment, the lignocellulosic structures of the inner sheaths were substantially modified, making them less ordered. The main features of the modifications were the detachment of the fibers, cell wall collapse and, in several cases, the formation of pores in the cell wall surfaces. The peel lignocellulosic fibers showed more ordered fibrils and no modification was observed after pre-treatment. In conclusion, a seven-fold increase in the enzymatic saccharification of the Bactris gasipaes inner sheath was observed after pre-treatment, while no improvement in enzymatic saccharification was observed in the B. gasipaes peel.

The cachara ( Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum ) is a Neotropical freshwater catfish from family Pimelodidae (Siluriformes) native to Brazil. The species is of relative economic importance for local aquaculture production and basic biological information is under development to help boost efforts to domesticate and raise the species in commercial systems. The complete cachara mitochondrial genome was obtained by assembling Illumina RNA-seq data from pooled samples. The full mitogenome was found to be 16,576 bp in length, showing the same basic structure, order, and genetic organization observed in other Pimelodidae, with 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rNA genes, 22 trNAs, and a control region. Observed base composition was 24.63% T, 28.47% C, 31.45% A, and 15.44% G. With the exception of NAD6 and eight tRNAs, all of the observed mitochondrial genes were found to be coded on the H strand. A total of 107 SNPs were identified in P. reticulatum mtDNA, 67 of which were located in coding regions. Of these SNPs, 10 result in amino acid changes. Analysis of the obtained sequence with 94 publicly available full Siluriformes mitogenomes resulted in a phylogenetic tree that generally agreed with available phylogenetic proposals for the order. The first report of the complete Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum mitochondrial genome sequence revealed general gene organization, structure, content, and order similar to most vertebrates. Specific sequence and content features were observed and may have functional attributes which are now available for further investigation.

A aplicação de eliciadores em plantas é utilizada em estudos de fisiologia para compreensão dos mecanismos de defesa ao ataque de herbívoros ou infecção por patógenos. Em virtude disso, foi avaliado o efeito do eliciador exógeno quitosana no sistema antioxidante enzimático de jaborandi (Piper mollicomum Kunth). Foram avaliadas as atividades das enzimas ascorbato peroxidase (APX), catalase (CAT) e superóxido dismutase (SOD) e as concentrações de peróxido de hidrogênio (H2O2) e malonaldeído (MDA), ambas análises para verificar a peroxidação lipídica. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos casualizados (DBC), constituído de um fatorial (5x2) composto pelos controles sem quitosana (plantas sem pulverização e plantas pulverizadas apenas com o solvente de diluição da quitosana) e concentrações de quitosana (2,5; 5,0 e 10,0 g L-1) em dois estádios de desenvolvimento foliar (em desenvolvimento e completamente expandida). Nas folhas completamente expandidas, o sistema antioxidante foi mais ativo. A CAT teve maior participação no sequestro de radicais livres, induzido pela aplicação da quitosana em ambos os estádios de desenvolvimento foliar. A APX foi induzida somente nas folhas completamente expandidas e na maior concentração de quitosana. O método do MDA foi melhor para evidenciar a diferença nos teores de peróxido de hidrogênio, em função do estresse induzido pela quitosana. De acordo com os resultados obtidos neste ensaio, pode-se sugerir que, nas plantas de jaborandi, as enzimas antioxidativas são requisitadas em resposta ao eliciador em questão, a quitosana, compondo, assim, o mecanismo de defesa dessas plantas.

Neurological complications affecting the central nervous system have been reported in adult patients infected by Zika virus (ZIKV) but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Here, we report that ZIKV replicates in human and mouse adult brain tissue, targeting mature neurons. ZIKV preferentially targets memory-related brain regions, inhibits hippocampal long-term potentiation and induces memory impairment in adult mice. TNF-α upregulation, microgliosis and upregulation of complement system proteins, C1q and C3, are induced by ZIKV infection. Microglia are found to engulf hippocampal presynaptic terminals during acute infection. Neutralization of TNF-α signaling, blockage of microglial activation or of C1q/C3 prevent synapse and memory impairment in ZIKV-infected mice. Results suggest that ZIKV induces synapse and memory dysfunction via aberrant activation of TNF-α, microglia and complement. Our findings establish a mechanism by which ZIKV affects the adult brain, and point to the need of evaluating cognitive deficits as a potential comorbidity in ZIKV-infected adults. Here, using ex-vivo human adult cortical tissue and a mouse model, the authors investigate the functional consequences of Zika virus (ZIKV) infection in the adult brain, and show that ZIKV causes synapse damage and altered brain function that impacts cognition via activation of innate and inflammatory factors.

Background: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is a promising approach to improve fibromyalgia (FM) symptoms, including cognitive impairment. This trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of home-based tDCS in treating cognitive impairment. Besides, we explored if the severity of dysfunction of the Descendant Pain Modulation System (DPMS) predicts the tDCS effect and if its effect is related to neuroplasticity changes as indexed by the brain-derivate-neurotrophic-factor (BDNF). Methods: This randomized, double-blind, parallel, sham-controlled clinical trial, single-center, included 36 women with FM, aged from 30 to 65 years old, assigned 2:1 to receive a-tDCS (n=24) and s-tDCS (n=12). Our primary outcome was executive attention, divided attention, working memory (WM), and cognitive flexibility evaluated by the Trail Making Test (TMT-B-A). We assessed the WM by Digits' subtest from the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS-III), executive functions (Controlled Oral Word Association Test (COWAT)), and quality of life (secondary outcomes). Intervention: 20-minute daily sessions of home-based tDCS for four weeks (total 20 sessions), 2 mA anodal-left (F3) and cathodal-right (F4) prefrontal stimulation with 35 cm2 carbon electrodes. Results: GLM revealed a main effect for treatment Wald χ2=6.176; Df=1; P=0.03 in the TMT-B-A. The a-tDCS improved cognitive performance. The effect size estimated Cohen’s d at treatment end in the TMT-B-A scores was large [-1.48, confidence interval (CI) 95%= -2.07 to -0.90]. Likewise, the a-tDCS effects compared to s-tDCS improved the performance in the WM, verbal and phonemic fluency, and improved scores on the quality-of-life scale. The impact of a-tDCS on the cognitive tests was positively correlated with the reduction in serum BDNF from baseline to treatment end. Besides, the reduction in the serum BDNF was positively correlated with the improvement in the quality of life due to FM symptoms. Conclusion: These findings revealed that daily treatment with a home-based tDCS device over l-DLPFC compared to sham stimulation over four weeks improved the cognitive impairment in FM. The a-tDCS at home was well-tolerated, underlining its potential as an alternative treatment for cognitive dysfunction. Besides, the a-tDCS effect is related to the severity of DPMS dysfunction and changes in neuroplasticity state.