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Soybean ( Glycine max ) is one of the major world commodities. In order to increase the soybean yields, it has been searched drought-tolerant cultivars, once the drought is the major constraint to soybean grown. Therefore, it is crucial to elucidate the molecular mechanisms associated with drought tolerance. Here, the in silico approach allowed us to identify 12 genes belonging to six different transcription factor families in soybean that have been associated with key events on drought response. The expression pattern of each gene was investigated by qPCR in root samples of drought-sensitive and drought-tolerant cultivars undergoing drought stress in pot-based (PSys) and hydroponic (HSys) cultivation systems. GmaxMYC2- like 2 was induced under abrupt drought conditions in HSys in both cultivars, whereas GmaxAREB1- like 1 and GmaxDREB2A -like were highly induced only in the PSys. However, GmaxMYB2 -like 1, GmaxMYB2 -like 2, GmaxRD26 / NAC- like 1, GmaxRD26 / NAC -like 2, GmaxAREB1 -like 2, and GmaxDREB1A- like were upregulated in both systems, while the GmaxHB6- like and GmaxHB13 -like are repressed under all of the investigated conditions. Exogenous abscisic acid (ABA) treatment was used to identify those genes belonging to the ABA-dependent drought response. The genes identified in this work have potential application for the improvement of drought resistance in soybean and markers for breeding programs.

Soybean (Glycine max) is one of the major world commodities. In order to increase the soybean yields, it has been searched drought-tolerant cultivars, once the drought is the major constraint to soybean grown. Therefore, it is crucial to elucidate the molecular mechanisms associated with drought tolerance. Here, the in silico approach allowed us to identify 12 genes belonging to six different transcription factor families in soybean that have been associated with key events on drought response. The expression pattern of each gene was investigated by qPCR in root samples of drought-sensitive and drought-tolerant cultivars undergoing drought stress in pot-based (PSys) and hydroponic (HSys) cultivation systems. GmaxMYC2-like 2 was induced under abrupt drought conditions in HSys in both cultivars, whereas GmaxAREB1-like 1 and GmaxDREB2A-like were highly induced only in the PSys. However, GmaxMYB2-like 1, GmaxMYB2-like 2, GmaxRD26/NAC-like 1, GmaxRD26/NAC-like 2, GmaxAREB1-like 2, and GmaxDREB1A-like were upregulated in both systems, while the GmaxHB6-like and GmaxHB13-like are repressed under all of the investigated conditions. Exogenous abscisic acid (ABA) treatment was used to identify those genes belonging to the ABA-dependent drought response. The genes identified in this work have potential application for the improvement of drought resistance in soybean and markers for breeding programs.

Background Runs of homozygosity (ROH) are continuous homozygous segments of the DNA sequence. They have been applied to quantify individual autozygosity and used as a potential inbreeding measure in livestock species. The aim of the present study was (i) to investigate genome-wide autozygosity to identify and characterize ROH patterns in Gyr dairy cattle genome; (ii) identify ROH islands for gene content and enrichment in segments shared by more than 50% of the samples, and (iii) compare estimates of molecular inbreeding calculated from ROH (F ROH ), genomic relationship matrix approach (F GRM ) and based on the observed versus expected number of homozygous genotypes (F HOM ), and from pedigree-based coefficient (F PED ). Results ROH were identified in all animals, with an average number of 55.12 ± 10.37 segments and a mean length of 3.17 Mb. Short segments (ROH 1–2 Mb ) were abundant through the genomes, which accounted for 60% of all segments identified, even though the proportion of the genome covered by them was relatively small. The findings obtained in this study suggest that on average 7.01% (175.28 Mb) of the genome of this population is autozygous. Overlapping ROH were evident across the genomes and 14 regions were identified with ROH frequencies exceeding 50% of the whole population. Genes associated with lactation ( TRAPPC9 ), milk yield and composition (IRS2 and ANG ), and heat adaptation ( HSF1 , HSPB1, and HSPE1 ), were identified. Inbreeding coefficients were estimated through the application of F ROH , F GRM , F HOM , and F PED approaches. F PED estimates ranged from 0.00 to 0.327 and F ROH from 0.001 to 0.201. Low to moderate correlations were observed between F PED -F ROH and F GRM -F ROH , with values ranging from −0.11 to 0.51. Low to high correlations were observed between F ROH -F HOM and moderate between F PED -F HOM and F GRM -F HOM . Correlations between F ROH from different lengths and F PED gradually increased with ROH length. Conclusions Genes inside ROH islands suggest a strong selection for dairy traits and enrichment for Gyr cattle environmental adaptation. Furthermore, low F PED- F ROH correlations for small segments indicate that F PED estimates are not the most suitable method to capture ancient inbreeding. The existence of a moderate correlation between larger ROH indicates that F ROH can be used as an alternative to inbreeding estimates in the absence of pedigree records.

Blood coagulation is a vital process for humans and other species. Following an injury to a blood vessel, a cascade of molecular signals is transmitted, inhibiting and activating more than a dozen coagulation factors and resulting in the formation of a fibrin clot that ceases the bleeding. In this process, the Coagulation factor V (FV) is a master regulator, coordinating critical steps of this process. Mutations to this factor result in spontaneous bleeding episodes and prolonged hemorrhage after trauma or surgery. Although the role of FV is well characterized, it is unclear how single-point mutations affect its structure. In this study, to understand the effect of mutations, we created a detailed network map of this protein, where each node is a residue, and two residues are connected if they are in close proximity in the three-dimensional structure. Overall, we analyzed 63 point-mutations from patients and identified common patterns underlying FV deficient phenotypes. We used structural and evolutionary patterns as input to machine learning algorithms to anticipate the effects of mutations and anticipated FV-deficiency with fair accuracy. Together, our results demonstrate how clinical features, genetic data and in silico analysis are converging to enhance treatment and diagnosis of coagulation disorders.

Background The benefits of physical activity (PA) and adequate sleep are well documented, and their importance strengthens with the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and multimorbidity (MM). Interventions to promote physical activity and sleep that use commercial activity trackers may be useful non-pharmacological approaches to managing individual health; however, limited evidence exists on their use to improve physical activity in older adult patients with MM. Methods This study aims to measure the effects of behavioral change techniques (BCTs) delivered by a wearable device on physical activity and quality of sleep (QS) in older adult patients with MM. We designed an open-label randomized controlled trial with participants recruited through primary care and a specialist outpatient clinic. Participants must be more than 65 years old, have MM, and have access to smartphones. All eligible participants will receive PA promotion content and will be randomly assigned to wear a smartwatch. The primary outcome will be the participants’ PA measurement at baseline and at six months using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire - Short Form (IPAQ-SF). Secondary outcomes will include changes in the participants’ frailty status, biometric measurements, quality of life, and biopsychosocial assessments. A sample size of 40 participants per arm was calculated to detect group differences, with 50 participants planned to recruit and randomize into each arm. Discussion This study aims to contribute to a better understanding of PA patterns and the impact of wearable-based PA interventions in patients with MM. In addition, we aim to contribute to more knowledge about the relationship between PA patterns, Patient Reported Outcomes Measures (PROMs), and healthcare resource utilization in patients with MM. To achieve this, the study will leverage a locally developed PROMs registry and assess data from participants’ medical records, in order to understand the added impact of wearable data and medical information data on predicting PROMs and unplanned hospital admissions. Trial registration NCT05777291

Leukemias are neoplasms that affect hematopoietic cells, which are developed by genetic alterations (mutations) that lead to the loss of proliferation control mechanisms (maturation and/or cell death). The α4β1 integrin receptor is a therapeutic target for inflammation, autoimmune diseases and lymphoid tumors. This study was carried out to search through the antagonists-based virtual screening for α4β1 receptor. Initially, seventeen (17) structures were selected (based on the inhibitory activity values, IC50) and the structure with the best value was chosen as the pivot. The pharmacophoric pattern was determined from the online PharmaGist server and resulted in a model of score value equal to 97.940 with 15 pharmacophoric characteristics that were statistically evaluated via Pearson correlations, principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA). A refined model generated four pharmacophoric hypotheses totaling 1.478 structures set of Zinc_database. After, the pharmacokinetic, toxicological and biological activity predictions were realized comparing with pivot structure that resulted in five (ZINC72088291, ZINC68842860, ZINC14365931, ZINC09588345 and ZINC91247798) structures with optimal in silico predictions. Therefore, future studies are needed to confirm antitumor potential activity of molecules selected this work with in vitro and in vivo assays.

Aim Identification of priority conservation areas and evaluation of coverage of the current protected areas are urgently needed to halt the biodiversity loss. Identifying regions combining similar environmental traits (climate regions) and species assemblages (biogroups) is needed for conserving the biodiversity patterns and processes. We identify climate regions and biogroups and map species diversity across the Sahara-Sahel, a large geographical area that exhibits wide environmental heterogeneity and multiple species groups with distinct biogeographical affinities, and evaluate the coverage level of current network of protected areas for biodiversity conservation. Location Sahara-Sahel, Africa. Methods We use spatially explicit climate data with the principal component analysis and model-based clustering techniques to identify climate regions. We use distributions of 1147 terrestrial vertebrates (and of 125 Sahara-Sahel endemics) and apply distance clustering methods to identify biogroups for both species groups. We apply reserve selection algorithms targeting 17% of species distribution, climate regions and biogroups to identify priority areas and gap analysis to assess their representation within the current protected areas. Results Seven climate regions were identified, mostly arranged as latitudinal belts. Concentrations of high species richness were found in the Sahel, but the central Sahara gathers most endemic and threatened species. Ten biogroups (five for endemics) were identified. A wide range of biogroups tend to overlap in specific climate regions. Identified priority areas are inadequately represented in protected areas, and six new top conservation areas are needed to achieve conservation targets. Main conclusions Biodiversity distribution in Sahara-Sahel is spatially structured and apparently related to environmental variation. Although the majority of priority conservation areas are located outside the areas of intense human activities, many cross multiple political borders and require internationally coordinated efforts for implementation and management. Optimized biodiversity conservation solutions at regional scale are needed. Our work contradicts the general idea that deserts are uniform areas and provide options for the conservation of endangered species.

The Amazon Basin is an unquestionable biodiversity hotspot, containing the highest freshwater biodiversity on earth and facing off a recent increase in anthropogenic threats. The current knowledge on the spatial distribution of the freshwater fish species is greatly deficient in this basin, preventing a comprehensive understanding of this hyper-diverse ecosystem as a whole. Filling this gap was the priority of a transnational collaborative project, i.e . the AmazonFish project - https://www.amazon-fish.com/ . Relying on the outputs of this project, we provide the most complete fish species distribution records covering the whole Amazon drainage. The database, including 2,406 validated freshwater native fish species, 232,936 georeferenced records, results from an extensive survey of species distribution including 590 different sources ( e.g . published articles, grey literature, online biodiversity databases and scientific collections from museums and universities worldwide) and field expeditions conducted during the project. This database, delivered at both georeferenced localities (21,500 localities) and sub-drainages grains (144 units), represents a highly valuable source of information for further studies on freshwater fish biodiversity, biogeography and conservation. Measurement(s) Diversity • Fish • spatial pattern Technology Type(s) digital curation Factor Type(s) geographic location Sample Characteristic - Organism fish Sample Characteristic - Environment drainage basin Sample Characteristic - Location Amazon Basin Machine-accessible metadata file describing the reported data: https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.11920800

To address if corneal biomechanical behavior has a predictive value for the presence of glaucomatous optical neuropathy in eyes with high myopia. This observational cross-sectional study included 209 eyes from 108 consecutive patients, divided into four groups: high myopia and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) - HMG, n = 53; high myopia without POAG - HMNG, n = 53; non-myopic with POAG - POAG, n = 50; non-myopic and non-POAG- NMNG, n = 53. Biomechanical assessment was made through a Scheimpflug-camera-based technology. Receiver operating characteristic curves were made for the discrimination between groups. Multivariable logistic regression models were performed to address the predictive value of corneal biomechanics for the presence of glaucoma. Areas Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic (AUROCs) above 0.6 were found in 6 parameters applied to discriminate between HMG and HMNG and six parameters to discriminate between POAG and NMNG. The biomechanical models with the highest power of prediction for the presence of glaucoma included 5 parameters with an AUROC of 0.947 for eyes with high myopia and 6 parameters with an AUROC of 0.857 for non-myopic eyes. In the final model, including all eyes, and adjusted for the presence of high myopia, the highest power of prediction for the presence of glaucoma was achieved including eight biomechanical parameters, with an AUROC of 0.917. Corneal biomechanics demonstrated differences in eyes with glaucoma and mainly in myopic eyes. A biomechanical model based on multivariable logistic regression analysis and adjusted for high myopia was built, with an overall probability of 91.7% for the correct prediction of glaucomatous damage.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an important pathogen associated with a wide variety of infections in humans. The ability of MRSA to infect companion animals has gained increasing attention in the scientific literature. In this study, 334 dogs were screened for MRSA in two cities located in Rio de Janeiro State. The prevalence of MRSA in dogs was 2.7%. Genotyping revealed isolates from sequence types (ST) 1, 5, 30, and 239 either colonizing or infecting dogs. The genome of the canine ST5 MRSA (strain SA112) was compared with ST5 MRSA from humans—the main lineage found in Rio de Janeiro hospitals—to gain insights in the origin of this dog isolate. Phylogenetic analysis situated the canine genome and human strain CR14-035 in the same clade. Comparative genomics revealed similar virulence profiles for SA112 and CR14-035. Both genomes carry S. aureus genomic islands νSAα, νSAβ, and νSAγ. The virulence potential of the canine and human strains was similar in a Caenorhabditis elegans model. Together, these results suggest a potential of canine MRSA to infect humans and vice versa. The circulation in community settings of a MRSA lineage commonly found in hospitals is an additional challenge for public health surveillance authorities.