Explore the vast range of titles available.

Objective To assess the impact of daily cane use during gait in relation to pain, function, general health and energy expenditure among patients with knee osteoarthritis. Method Sixty-four patients were randomly assigned to an experimental group (EG) or control group (CG). The EG used a cane every day for 2 months, whereas the CG did not use a cane in this period. The first outcome was pain and the second were function (Lequesne and WOMAC), general health (SF-36) and energy expenditure (gas analysis during the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) with and without a cane). Evaluations were performed at baseline, 30 and 60 days. Results The groups were homogeneous for all parameters at baseline. Compared with the CG, the EG significantly improved pain (ES 0.18), function - Lequesne (ES 0.13), some domains of SF-36 (role physical, ES 0.07 and bodily pain, ES 0.08) and distance on the 6MWT with the cane (ES 0.16). At the end of the 6MWT with the cane, the EG significantly improved energy expenditure (ES 0.21), carbon dioxide production (ES 0.12) and metabolic equivalents (ES 0.15) compared with the CG. Conclusion A cane can be used to diminish pain, improve function and some aspects of quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis. The prescription of a cane should take into account the substantial increase in energy expenditure in the first month of use, whereas energy expenditure is no longer a factor for concern by the end of the second month due to adaptation to cane use. The trial was registered in clinicaltrials.gov (NCT00698412).

CHD4 is an essential, widely conserved ATP-dependent translocase that is also a broad tumour dependency. In common with other SF2-family chromatin remodelling enzymes, it alters chromatin accessibility by repositioning histone octamers. Besides the helicase and adjacent tandem chromodomains and PHD domains, CHD4 features 1000 residues of N- and C-terminal sequence with unknown structure and function. We demonstrate that these regions regulate CHD4 activity through different mechanisms. An N-terminal intrinsically disordered region (IDR) promotes remodelling integrity in a manner that depends on the composition but not sequence of the IDR. The C-terminal region harbours an auto-inhibitory region that contacts the helicase domain. Auto-inhibition is relieved by a previously unrecognized C-terminal SANT-SLIDE domain split by ~150 residues of disordered sequence, most likely by binding of this domain to substrate DNA. Our data shed light on CHD4 regulation and reveal strong mechanistic commonality between CHD family members, as well as with ISWI-family remodellers. CHD4 is an essential chromatin remodelling enzyme in complex organisms. Here the authors demonstrate that CHD4 activity is regulated both positively and negatively by distinct auxiliary domains, revealing parallels with other chromatin remodellers.

Inspired by the recent TOTEM data for the elastic proton–proton (pp) scattering at \\[s =\\] 8 and 13 TeV, we update previous studies of the differential cross sections using the Phillips–Barger (PB) model, which parametrizes the amplitude in terms of a small number of free parameters. We demonstrate that this model is able to describe the recent pp data on a statistically acceptable way. Additionally, we perform separate fits of the pp data for each center-of-mass energy and propose a parametrization for the energy dependence of the parameters present in the PB model. As a consequence, we are able to present the PB predictions for the elastic proton–proton cross section at \\[s = 546\\] GeV and 1.8 TeV, which are compared with the existing antiproton–proton (\\[pp\\]) data. We show that the PB predictions, constrained by the pp data, are not able to describe the \\[pp\\] data. In particular, the PB model predicts a dip in the differential cross section that is not present in the \\[pp\\] data. Such result suggests the contribution of the Odderon exchange at high energies.

Small peptides with aromatic nuclei at the N-terminus have been shown to form bioactive, biocompatible, and biodegradable supramolecular peptide hydrogels. Novel heterocycle–dipeptide conjugates with potential biological activity or application as drug carriers were synthesized by using S-(benzo[b]thiophene) and N,S-(thieno [2,3-b]pyridine and thieno[2,3-b]quinoline) heterocycles as N-protective groups for dipeptides l-Phe-l-Phe and l-Phe-l-Leu. The synthesis involved coupling heterocyclic carboxylic acids with trifluoroacetate salts of ethyl l-phenylalanyl-l-phenylalaninate and ethyl l-phenylalanyl- l-leucinate using HBTU and Et3N, producing the corresponding six N-heterocycle–dipeptide ester conjugates, which were then hydrolyzed to the carboxylic acids. These conjugates were subjected to gelation tests in water starting from 0.4 wt% concentration of the conjugates, using a pH-lowering method with GdL. Among them, only the conjugate of benzo[b]thiophene with l-Phe-l-Phe-OH formed a hydrogel, with a gelation critical concentration of 0.15 wt% (GdL 0.6%) and a final pH of 6.8, which is important for biological applications. The hydrogel was characterized by STEM, revealing nanofibers with an average thickness of 17 nm that assemble into a 3D network capable of trapping water. Further rheological analysis demonstrated its viscoelastic behavior (G′ = 3.03 × 103 Pa; G″ = 3.28 × 102 Pa), comparable to the extracellular matrix of certain human tissues, crucial for biomedical applications.

Landfill leachates are high-strength complex mixtures containing dissolved organic matter, ammonia, heavy metals, and sulfur species, among others. The problem of leachate treatment has subsisted for some time, but an efficient and cost-effective universal solution capable of ensuring environmental resources protection has not been found. Aerobic granular sludge (AGS) has been considered a promising technology for biological wastewater treatment in recent years. Granules’ layered structure, with an aerobic outer layer and an anaerobic/anoxic core, enables the presence of diverse microbial populations without the need for support media, allowing simultaneous removal of different pollutants in a single unit. Besides, its strong and compact arrangement provides higher tolerance to toxic pollutants and the ability to withstand large load fluctuations. Furthermore, its good that settling properties allow high biomass retention and better sludge separation. Nevertheless, AGS-related research has focused on carbon-nitrogen-phosphorus removal, mainly from sanitary sewage. This review aims to summarize and analyze the main findings and problems reported in the literature regarding AGS application to landfill leachate treatment and identify the knowledge gaps for future applications.

Root-knot nematodes (RKNs), Meloidogyne spp., represent a serious threat to coffee production in Brazil. Although Meloidogyne exigua is widely spread in southern Minas Gerais, a major region of coffee production, no major yield losses have been reported for this nematode. Due to the risk of introducing other more aggressive nematode species into coffee fields, such as M. incognita and M. paranaensis, a survey for Meloidogyne spp. in coffee fields was carried out in this region. Based on esterase phenotypes and SCAR markers, RKNs were detected in 37.7% of samples, of which M. exigua and M. incognita were present in 31.1% and 2.2% of samples, respectively. Mixed populations were observed in 4.4% of samples, i.e. M. exigua + M. incognita + M. paranaensis, or M. exigua + M. incognita. Meloidogyne exigua was the most prevalent species and occurred in majority of counties. Using SCAR markers, M. incognita is reported for the first time in coffee fields located in three counties (Três Pontas, Coqueiral and Aguanil) in southern Minas Gerais. Nematode containment strategies are recommended for this region.

Abstract The pre-plant burndown of Conyza spp. is a fundamental practice to mitigate weed competition with soybean. However, in light of reports of biotypes resistant to 2,4-D, the search for new options of post-emergent herbicides becomes essential. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of post-emergent herbicides on the leaf structure and chemical control of Conyza spp. with heights greater than 10 cm in soybean pre-plant desiccation. A field experiment was conducted following a randomized block design, with seven treatments and four replicates. For the control data, only mesotrione + atrazine and chlorimuron resulted in control percentages lower than 80%. Regarding scanning electron microscopy (SEM), trichomes were denser on the adaxial leaf surface, while stomata predominated on the abaxial side, though both were present on both surfaces. Their distribution showed tendencies of clustering and randomness, with no consistent pattern linked to the treatments. Slight, non-significant variations in trichome density occurred, especially with halauxifen + diclosulam. The control and halauxifen + diclosulam treatments exhibited higher trichome intensity and less structural damage, whereas fluroxypyr + clethodim, dicamba, and triclopyr resulted in lower intensity and trichome disruption. Consequently, fluroxypyr + clethodim, triclopyr, dicamba, and halauxifen + diclosulam were effective in desiccating Conyza spp., with the first two causing trichome damage via plasmolysis. Resumo A dessecação pré-plantio de Conyza spp. é uma prática fundamental para mitigar a competição de plantas daninhas com a soja. No entanto, diante de relatos de biótipos resistentes ao 2,4-D, a busca por novas opções de herbicidas pós-emergentes torna-se essencial. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o efeito de herbicidas pós-emergentes na estrutura foliar e no controle químico de Conyza spp. com altura superior a 10 cm na dessecação pré-plantio da soja. Foi conduzido um experimento em campo com delineamento em blocos casualizados, com sete tratamentos e quatro repetições. Nos dados de controle, apenas mesotriona + atrazina e clorimuron resultaram em percentuais de controle inferiores a 80%. Quanto à microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), os tricomas apresentaram maior densidade na superfície adaxial da folha, enquanto os estômatos predominaram na face abaxial, embora ambos estivessem presentes em ambas as superfícies. A distribuição mostrou tendências de agrupamento e aleatoriedade, sem padrão consistente associado aos tratamentos. Ocorreram variações leves e não significativas na densidade de tricomas, especialmente com halauxifen + diclosulam. Os tratamentos controle e halauxifen + diclosulam exibiram maior intensidade de tricomas e menos danos estruturais, enquanto fluroxipir + clethodim, dicamba e triclopyr resultaram em menor intensidade e interrupção dos tricomas. Consequentemente, fluroxipir + clethodim, triclopyr, dicamba e halauxifen + diclosulam foram eficazes na dessecação de Conyza spp., com os dois primeiros causando danos aos tricomas via plasmólise.

Abstract The herbicide mixture diclosulam + halauxifen appears to be an alternative for the control of Conyza spp.; however, the spray volume may result in different spray deposition effects on the target and, therefore, on the control. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of different spray volumes of diclosulam + halauxifen on the control of and damage to the leaf surface of Conyza spp. The experiment was conducted in the field in a randomized block design with four replications. Diclosulam + halauxifen (23.52 g ai ha-1 + 6.32 g ae ha-1) was applied to Conyza spp. at average heights greater than 10 cm, followed by sequential application of glufosinate ammonium (500 g ai ha-1) after 14 days. Different spray volumes (200, 150, 100, 80 and 50 L ha-1) were used. The percentage of droplet coverage was evaluated using hydrosensitive paper and analyzed using DropScan software. After 24 hours of initial application, the leaves were collected for scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Although the different spray volumes did not affect the control, faster necrosis effects were observed at 150 and 200 L ha-1. Moreover, the trichome and stomatal density decreased at a spray volume of 200 L ha-1, indicating greater initial damage at this spray volume. Thus, increased spray spray volumes result in increased spray spray deposition, damage to leaf structures and consequently increased control speed. Resumo O herbicida diclosulam + halauxifen parece ser uma alternativa para o controle de Conyza spp.; no entanto, o volume de pulverização pode resultar em diferentes efeitos de deposição do spray no alvo e, portanto, no controle. Portanto, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o impacto de diferentes volumes de pulverização de diclosulam + halauxifen no controle e danos à superfície foliar de Conyza spp. O experimento foi conduzido a campo em um delineamento de blocos ao acaso com quatro repetições. Diclosulam + halauxifen (23.52 g ia ha-1 + 6.32 g ea ha-1) foi aplicado em Conyza spp. em alturas médias maiores que 10 cm, seguido de aplicação sequencial de glufosinato de amônio (500 g ia ha-1) após 14 dias. Foram utilizados diferentes volumes de pulverização (200, 150, 100, 80 e 50 L ha-1). A porcentagem de cobertura de gotículas foi avaliada usando papel hidrossensível e analisada usando o software DropScan. Após 24 horas da aplicação inicial, as folhas foram coletadas para microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). Embora os diferentes volumes de pulverização não tenham afetado o controle, foram observados efeitos de necrose mais rápidos em 150 e 200 L ha-1. Além disso, a densidade de tricomas e estômatos diminuiu em um volume de pulverização de 200 L ha-1, indicando maior dano inicial neste volume de pulverização. Assim, o aumento dos volumes de pulverização resulta em aumento da deposição de spray, danos às estruturas foliares e, consequentemente, aumento da velocidade de controle.

Cyclic peptide library screening technologies show immense promise for identifying drug leads and chemical probes for challenging targets. However, the structural and functional diversity encoded within such libraries is largely undefined. We have systematically profiled the affinity, selectivity, and structural features of library-derived cyclic peptides selected to recognize three closely related targets: the acetyllysine-binding bromodomain proteins BRD2, -3, and -4. We report affinities as low as 100 pM and specificities of up to 10⁶-fold. Crystal structures of 13 peptide–bromodomain complexes reveal remarkable diversity in both structure and binding mode, including both α-helical and β-sheet structures as well as bivalent binding modes. The peptides can also exhibit a high degree of structural preorganization. Our data demonstrate the enormous potential within these libraries to provide diverse binding modes against a single target, which underpins their capacity to yield highly potent and selective ligands.