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Surgeries that require general anesthesia occur in 1.5-2% of gestations. Isoflurane is frequently used because of its lower possibility of affecting fetal growth. Therefore, we examined the isoflurane anesthesia-induced effects on maternal hemodynamic and vascular changes. We hypothesized that isoflurane would enhance endothelium-dependent vasodilation as a consequence of increased nitric oxide and decreased metalloproteinases (MMPs). Female rats (n=28) were randomized into 4 groups (7 rats/group): conscious (non-anesthetized) non-pregnant group, non-pregnant anesthetized group, conscious pregnant group, and pregnant anesthetized group. Anesthesia was performed on the 20th pregnancy day, and hemodynamic parameters were monitored. Nitric oxide metabolites, gelatinolytic activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9, and the vascular function were assessed. Isoflurane caused no significant hemodynamic changes in pregnant compared with non-pregnant anesthetized group. Impaired acetylcholine-induced relaxations were observed only in conscious non-pregnant group (by approximately 62%) versus 81% for other groups. Phenylephrine-induced contractions were greater in endothelium-removed aorta segments of both pregnant groups (with or without isoflurane) compared with non-pregnant groups. Higher nitric oxide metabolites were observed in anesthetized pregnant in comparison with the other groups. Reductions in the 75 kDa activity and concomitant increases in 64 kDa MMP-2 isoforms were observed in aortas of pregnant anesthetized (or not) groups compared with conscious non-pregnant group. Isoflurane anesthesia shows stable effects on hemodynamic parameters and normal MMP-2 activation in pregnancy. Furthermore, there were increases in nitric oxide bioavailability, suggesting that isoflurane provides protective actions to the endothelium in pregnancy.

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Cellular response to redox imbalance is crucial for organismal health. microRNAs are implicated in stress responses. ALG-1, the C. elegans ortholog of human AGO2, plays an essential role in microRNA processing and function. Here we investigated the mechanisms governing ALG-1 expression in C. elegans and the players controlling lifespan and stress resistance downstream of ALG-1. We show that upregulation of ALG-1 is a shared feature in conditions linked to increased longevity (e.g., germline-deficient glp-1 mutants). ALG-1 knockdown reduces lifespan and oxidative stress resistance, while overexpression enhances survival against pro-oxidant agents but not heat or reductive stress. R02D3.7 represses alg-1 expression, impacting oxidative stress resistance at least in part via ALG-1. microRNAs upregulated in glp-1 mutants (miR-87-3p, miR-230-3p, and miR-235-3p) can target genes in the protein disulfide isomerase pathway and protect against oxidative stress. This study unveils a tightly regulated network involving transcription factors and microRNAs which controls organisms' ability to withstand oxidative stress.

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The global shrimp market holds substantial prominence within the food industry, registering a significant USD 24.7 billion in worldwide exportation in 2020. However, the production of a safe and high-quality product requires consideration of various factors, including the potential for allergenic reactions, occurrences of foodborne outbreaks, and risks of spoilage. Additionally, the exploration of the recovery of bioactive compounds (e.g., astaxanthin [AX], polyunsaturated fatty acids, and polysaccharides) from shrimp waste demands focused attention. Within this framework, this review seeks to comprehend and assess the utilization of high-intensity ultrasound (HIUS), both as a standalone method and combined with other technologies, within the shrimp industry. The objective is to evaluate its applications, limitations, and prospects, with a specific emphasis on delineating the impact of sonication parameters (e.g., power, time, and temperature) on various applications. This includes an examination of undesirable effects and identifying areas of interest for current and prospective research. HIUS has demonstrated promise in enhancing the extraction of bioactive compounds, such as AX, lipids, and chitin, while concurrently addressing concerns such as allergen reduction (e.g., tropomyosin), inactivation of pathogens (e.g., Vibrio parahaemolyticus), and quality improvement, manifesting in reduced melanosis scores and improved peelability. Nonetheless, potential impediments, particularly related to oxidation processes, especially those associated with lipids, pose a hindrance to its widespread implementation, potentially impacting texture properties. Consequently, further optimization studies remain imperative. Moreover, novel applications of sonication in shrimp processing, including brining, thawing, and drying, represent a promising avenue for expanding the utilization of HIUS in the shrimp industry.

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This study aimed to obtain optimized mixture with three essential oils (EOs) for maximum antioxidant activity through the augmented simplex-centroid mixture design and evaluate the effect of this optimized blend on total aerobic psychrotrophic count (TAPC), lipid and protein oxidation, instrumental color parameters and texture profile in rainbow trout fillets at refrigerated storage for nine days. Considering the DPPH and FRAP assays, the ideal EO blend was 66% lemongrass and 34% oregano. During refrigerated storage, this blend at 2000 ppm was equally effective as BHT (100 ppm) (p > 0.05), mitigating the discoloration (a* and b*), lipid, and protein oxidation in 38.83%, 12.95%, 76.13%, and 35.13%, respectively, besides shows greater effectiveness for preserving texture changes (p < 0.05) and extending the shelf life in 13 h. The lemongrass + oregano EO blend reveals a promising natural alternative to enhance the quality of rainbow trout fillets under refrigerated storage. Furthermore, the multiresponse optimization showed to be a strong ally in enabling the use of these EOs by food industries.

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Intertissue RNA transport recently emerged as a novel signaling mechanism. In mammals, mounting evidence suggests that small RNA transfer between cells is widespread and used in various physiological contexts. In the nematode C. elegans, a similar mechanism is conferred by the systemic RNAi pathway. Members of the Systemic RNA Interference Defective (SID) family act at different steps of cellular RNA uptake and export. The limiting step in systemic RNA interference (RNAi) is the import of extracellular RNAs via the conserved double-stranded (dsRNA)-gated dsRNA channel SID-1. To better understand the role of RNAs as intertissue signaling molecules, we modified the function of SID-1 in specific tissues of C. elegans. We observed that sid-1 loss-of-function mutants are as healthy as wild-type worms. Conversely, overexpression of sid-1 in C. elegans intestine, muscle, or neurons rendered worms short-lived. The effects of intestinal sid-1 overexpression were attenuated by silencing the components of systemic RNAi sid-1, sid-2 and sid-5, implicating systemic RNA signaling in the lifespan reduction. Accordingly, tissue-specific overexpression of sid-2 and sid-5 also reduced worm lifespan. Additionally, an RNAi screen for components of several non-coding RNA pathways revealed that silencing the miRNA biogenesis proteins PASH-1 and DCR-1 rendered the lifespan of worms with intestinal sid-1 overexpression similar to controls. Collectively, our data support the notion that systemic RNA signaling must be tightly regulated, and unbalancing that process provokes a reduction in lifespan. We termed this phenomenon Intercellular/Extracellular Systemic RNA imbalance (InExS).

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Volatile anesthetics may cause vascular dysfunction; however, underlying effects are unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether sevoflurane and isoflurane affect vascular function, nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability, and biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation. Wistar rats were divided into three experimental groups: Not anesthetized (control group) or submitted to anesthesia with isoflurane (Iso group) or sevoflurane (Sevo group). Hemodynamic parameters were monitored during anesthesia, and blood gas values and biochemical determinants were analyzed. Isometric contractions were recorded in aortic rings. Vasoconstriction induced by potassium chloride (KCl) and phenylephrine (Phe) were measured. No differences in hemodynamic parameters and blood gasses variables were observed. Impaired KCl and Phe-induced contractions were observed in endothelium-intact aorta of Sevo compared to Iso and Control groups. Redox imbalance was found in Sevo and Iso groups. Reduced NO bioavailability and increased activity of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) were observed in Sevo, but not in the Iso group. While reduced IL-10 and IL-1ß were observed in Sevo, increases in IL-1ß in the Iso group were found. Sevoflurane, but not isoflurane, anesthesia impairs vasocontraction, and reduced NO and cytokines and increased MMP-2 activity may be involved in vascular dysfunction after sevoflurane anesthesia.

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Non-human primates contribute to the spread of yellow fever virus (YFV) and the establishment of transmission cycles in endemic areas, such as Brazil. This study aims to investigate virological, histopathological and immunohistochemical findings in livers of squirrel monkeys (Saimiri spp.) infected with the YFV. Viremia occurred 1-30 days post infection (dpi) and the virus showed a predilection for the middle zone (Z2). The livers were jaundiced with subcapsular and hemorrhagic multifocal petechiae. Apoptosis, lytic and coagulative necrosis, steatosis and cellular edema were also observed. The immune response was characterized by the expression of S100, CD11b, CD57, CD4 and CD20; endothelial markers; stress and cell death; pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines, as well as Treg (IL-35) and IL-17 throughout the experimental period. Lesions during the severe phase of the disease were associated with excessive production of apoptotic pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IFN-γ and TNF-α, released by inflammatory response cells (CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes) and associated with high expression of molecules of adhesion in the inflammatory foci observed in Z2. Immunostaining of the local endothelium in vascular cells and the bile duct was intense, suggesting a fundamental role in liver damage and in the pathogenesis of the disease.

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Analytical assurance of coffees' geographical indication (GI) authenticity is essential for producers and consumers. In this way, chemometric methods, electrochemical techniques, and 3D printed sensors become attractive to assure the coffee's quality. These sensors are low-cost, fast, and simple, with the possibility of miniaturization and portability. Therefore, 3D printed electrodes with chemometrics were used to classify-three Brazilian coffees from regions with GI. Further, Au/Gpt-PLA electrodes with partial least squares regression were used to detect the blending of GI coffee with traditional coffee. Soft independent modelling of class analogies coupled with cyclic voltammetry had the best performance, with 91-95% accuracy, specificity of 94-100%, and 80-83% sensitivity. Furthermore, the calibration models detected and quantified traditional coffee in all three coffees from regions with GI. The detection limits ranged from 1.4 to 10% (w/w), and quantification 4.6-32%, depending on the specific coffee.

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Brazilian Amazon contains over 30,000 plant species and foods rich in bioactive compounds such as terpenes, phenolic acids, alkaloids, and flavonoids, of potential health benefits (antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiparasitic, anticancer, gastroprotection, prebiotic effects, among others). The existence of residues from non-edible parts of plants (leaves, roots, stems, branches, barks) or fruit wastes (peel, bagasse, seeds) in the agri-food industry and its supply chain is an important challenge in food loss and waste management. In this critical review several Amazon species, focusing on extracts/essential oils from nonedible parts or wastes, were analyzed in terms of phytochemicals, biological activity, and underlying mechanisms. We hope this review emphasizes the importance of Amazon's sustainability initiatives on population health due to the potential shown against cancer, infectious diseases, and prevention of oral diseases. It is urgent to think about the conversion of amazon food wastes and co-products into high-added-value raw materials to develop novel drugs, food packaging systems, or nutraceutical foods.

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The aim of the present study was to evaluate the sensory acceptability limit of refrigerated fish through a multivariate approach, involving classic physicochemical and bacteriological indicators and considering different consumer profiles. The results of the survival analysis demonstrated that, in general, consumers still considered the fish to be suitable for purchase (4.128 days of storage), despite being microbiologically unsuitable for consumption. However, the subsequent division of consumers into clusters indicated that women and individuals with high income and education levels tend to reject fish with few days of storage (3.650 days), mainly due to discoloration, despite still being microbiologically suitable for consumption. Thus, these segments present a safer behavior regarding the purchase of fresh fish. The influence of different frequencies of fish consumption and age of consumers on the assessment of fish freshness was not clarified. The responsibility for ensuring safe and healthy products at the point of sale must lie with the producers and distributors. However, improving consumers' ability to make good choices when buying fresh fish would bring social and economic benefits related to public health and to the seafood industry, because it would enable them to make relevant claims and demand their rights.

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The growth of spoilage and pathogenic bacteria during storage represents significant losses in marketing raw milk cheeses. Thus, reducing NaCl in these products is challenging, as sodium has a critical antimicrobial role. Despite advances in non-thermal technologies, the short shelf life still limits the availability of raw goat cheese. Thus, combined preservation methods can be promising because their synergies can extend shelf life more effectively. In this context, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied to variables to investigate the effect of pequi waste extract (PWE), a native Brazilian fruit, combined with UV-C radiation (CEU) and vacuum packaging (CEV) on the preservation of low-sodium raw goat cheese. CEV samples had lower loadings for Staphylococcus subsp. and Enterobacteriaceae than other treatments in PC2, having a count's reduction up to 3-fold (P < 0.05) compared to vacuum alone. In contrast, CEU showed an increase of up to 1.2-fold on staphylococcal count compared to UV-C alone. Still, the addition of PWE to UV-C-treated cheeses resulted in 8.5% protein loss. Furthermore, PWE, especially in CEV, delayed post-acidification during storage. It made CEV up to 4.5 and 1.6-fold more stable for color and texture, respectively than vacuum alone. These data strongly suggest that PWE may be a novel and promising synergistic agent in the microbial and physicochemical preservation of low-sodium raw milk cheese when combined with the vacuum.

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In the present study a single screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) and chemometric techniques were utilized for forensic differentiation of Brazilian American lager beers. To differentiate Brazilian beers at the manufacturer and brand level, the classification techniques: soft independent modeling of class analogy (SIMCA), partial least squares regression discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), and support vector machines discriminant analysis (SVM-DA) were tested. PLS-DA model presented an inconclusive assignment ratio of 20%. On the other hand, SIMCA models had a 0 inconclusive rate but an sensitivity close to 85%. While the non-linear technique (SVM-DA) showed an accuracy of 98%, with 95% sensitivity and 98% specificity. The SPCE-SVM-DA technique was then used to distinguish at brand level two highly frauded beers. The SPCE coupled with SVM-DA performed with an accuracy of 97% for the classification of both brands. Therefore, the proposed electrochemicalsensor configuration has been deemed an appropriate tool for discrimination of American lager beers according to their producer and brands.

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The use of skim milk is a strategy to increase goat milk yogurt acceptability. However, it can negatively affect yogurt rheology because fat plays a vital role in dairy structural integrity. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effects of fat replacers on the rheological, physical, and sensory parameters of low-fat cupuassu goat milk yogurts during refrigerated storage (28 days). Five goat milk yogurts formulations were carried out: whole yogurt (WY), skim yogurt (SY), skim yogurt with inulin (SIY), skim yogurt with maltodextrin (SMY), and skim yogurt with whey protein (SWY). Treatments were subjected to bacterial counts, chemical composition, pH, water holding capacity, instrumental color and texture, rheological and sensory analyses. All samples showed reducing pH values, water holding capacity, and L* and b* value during storage. Regarding texture, the firmness and consistency decreased during storage. On the other hand, the viscosity index significantly increased during refrigerated storage time. Moreover, all treatments exhibited viscoelastic behaviour. In addition, SIY and SMY showed the highest apparent viscosity. Furthermore, SIY, SMY, and SWY formulations exhibited positive sensory scores for appearance, color, aroma, texture, and viscosity. However, the overall acceptability and purchase intention did not differ statistically between WY and the fat-replacement treatments (SIY, SMY, and SWY). These results indicate that fat substitutes improved the quality of skimmed formulations. Thus, inulin and maltodextrin have the potential as functional fat replaces to produce low-fat goat milk yogurts.

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This study aimed to investigate Brazilian consumers' perception concerning foods processed by ultraviolet (UV) radiation and ultrasound (US) and define consumer segments considering their socioeconomic characteristics and eating habits towards industrialized products through free word association tasks answered by 1004 participants via an online platform. UV- and US-treated foods were more frequently related to unfamiliar words/terms (21.51 and 36.95%) and negative associations (36.25 and 26.70%) than positive ones (29.89 and 24.20%), respectively. Unfamiliarity and health risk concerns were more reported for US-treated foods by women aged 18-25 and ≥46 with low income, and low and frequent industrialized products consumption, as well as for UV-treated foods by consumers ≤35 years old with low and medium income, and low and frequent industrialized products consumption. This indicates that more clear and trustworthy information is needed before introducing these products in the Brazilian market, mainly for potential target consumer groups identified in this study.

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Despite evidence of health benefits from kefir administration, a systematic review with meta-analysis on bioactive compounds associated with these benefits is still absent in the literature. Kefir is fermented milk resulting from the metabolism of a complex microbiota in symbiosis. Recent researches have investigated the bioactive compounds responsible for the preventive and therapeutic effects attributed to kefir. However, differences in functional potential between industrial and artisanal kefir are still controversial. Firstly, we identified differences in the microbial composition among both types of kefir. Available evidence concerning the action of different bioactive compounds from kefir on health, both from in vitro and in vivo studies, was subsequently summarized to draw a primary conclusion of the dose and the intervention time for effect, the producer microorganisms, the precursor in the milk, and the action mechanism. Meta-analysis was performed to investigate the statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) between intervention and control and between both types of kefir for each health effect studied. In summary, the bioactive compounds more commonly reported were exopolysaccharides, including kefiran, bioactive peptides, and organic acids, especially lactic acid. Kefir bioactive compounds presented antimicrobial, anticancer, and immune-modulatory activities corroborated by the meta-analysis. However, clinical evidence is urgently needed to strengthen the practical applicability of these bioactive compounds. The mechanisms of their action were diverse, indicating that they can act by different signaling pathways. Still, industrial and artisanal kefir may differ regarding functional potential-OR of 8.56 (95% CI: 2.27-32.21, P ≤ .001)-according to the observed health effect, which can be associated with differences in the microbial composition between both types of kefir.

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Beer is one of the oldest and most consumed beverages worldwide, and recent trends point to increased consumption of functional beers. However, there is a lack in the scientific literature on the effects of adding functional adjuncts in distinct steps of the manufacturing process and its implications on the final physicochemical and sensorial profile. Therefore, the present review analyzes the ingredients used and their insertion stage to achieve a functional beer with bioactive compounds, higher antioxidant activity, and improved sensory characteristics. The addition of fruits, herbal extracts, plants, and mushrooms in beers was documented. Furthermore, adjuncts were successfully added in wort boiling, fermentation, maturation, and packaging. The wort boiling step stands out among these four due to the superior extraction of phenolic compounds from the added adjuncts. On the other hand, adjunct addition in the maturation step induced low increases in antioxidant and phenolic content of the respective enriched beers. Fruits represented the majority of adopted adjuncts among the studies evaluated. Furthermore, the addition of fruits represented a positive increment in the beer's volatile profile and an increase in sensory acceptability. A gap in the literature was found regarding the analysis of phenolic compounds with appropriate techniques such as HPLC-MS. Furthermore, there is a need to study the bioavailability of the incorporated bioactive compounds to prove the health claims inferred about these beers. In conclusion, functional beers are a little-explored relevant field, with potential for new studies.

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Dengue fever is re-emerging worldwide, however the reasons of this new emergence are not fully understood. Our goal was to report the incidence of dengue in one of the most populous States of Brazil, and to assess the high-risk areas using a spatial and spatio-temporal annual models including geoclimatic, demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. An ecological study with both, a spatial and a temporal component was carried out in Sao Paulo State, Southeastern Brazil, between January 1st, 2007 and December 31st, 2019. Crude and Bayesian empirical rates of dengue cases following by Standardized Incidence Ratios (SIR) were calculated considering the municipalities as the analytical units and using the Integrated Nested Laplace Approximation in a Bayesian context. A total of 2,027,142 cases of dengue were reported during the studied period. The spatial model allocated the municipalities in four groups according to the SIR values: (I) SIR<0.8; (II) SIR 0.8<1.2; (III) SIR 1.2<2.0 and SIR>2.0 identified the municipalities with higher risk for dengue outbreaks. "Hot spots" are shown in the thematic maps. Significant correlations between SIR and two climate variables, two demographic variables and one socioeconomical variable were found. No significant correlations were found in the spatio-temporal model. The incidence of dengue exhibited an inconstant and unpredictable variation every year. The highest rates of dengue are concentrated in geographical clusters with lower surface pressure, rainfall and altitude, but also in municipalities with higher degree of urbanization and better socioeconomic conditions. Nevertheless, annual consolidated variations in climatic features do not influence in the epidemic yearly pattern of dengue in southeastern Brazil.

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Several food contact materials (FCMs) contain non-intentionally added substances (NIAS), and most of the substances that migrate from plastic food packaging are unknown. This review aimed to situate the main challenges involving unknown NIAS in plastic food packaging in terms of identification, migration tests, prediction, sample preparation, determination methods and risk assessment trials. Most studies have identified NIAS in plastic materials as polyurethane adhesives (PU), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyester coatings, polypropylene materials (PP), multilayers materials, plastic films, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), recycled materials, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE). Degradation products are almost the primary source of NIAS in plastic FCMs, most from antioxidants as Irganox 1010 and Irgafos 168, following by oligomers and side reaction products. The NIAS assessment in plastics FCMs is usually made by migration tests under worst-case conditions using food simulants. For predicted NIAS, targeted analytical methods are applied using GC-MS based methods for volatile NIAS and GC-MS and LC-MS based methods for semi- and non-volatile NIAS; non-targeted methods to analyze unknown NIAS in plastic FCMs are applied using GC and LC techniques combined with QTOF mass spectrometry (HRMS). In terms of NIAS risk assessment and prioritization, the threshold of toxicological concern (TTC) concept is the most applied tool for risk assessment. Bioassays with sensitive analytical techniques seem to be an efficient method to identify NIAS and their hazard to human exposure; the combination of genotoxicity testing with analytical chemistry could allow the Cramer class III TTC application to prioritize unknown NIAS. The scientific justification for implementing a molecular weight-based cut-off (<1000 Da) in the risk assessment of FCMs should be reevaluated. Although official guides and opinions are being issued on the subject, the whole chain's alignment is needed, and more specific legislation on the steps to follow to get along with NIAS.

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The presence of DNA methylation marks within genic intervals, also called gene body methylation, is an evolutionarily-conserved epigenetic hallmark of animal and plant methylomes. In social insects, gene body methylation is thought to contribute to behavioural plasticity, for example between foragers and nurse workers, by modulating gene expression. However, recent studies have suggested that the majority of DNA methylation is sequence-specific, and therefore cannot act as a flexible mediator between environmental cues and gene expression. To address this paradox, we examined whole-genome methylation patterns in the brains and ovaries of young honey bee workers that had been subjected to divergent social contexts: the presence or absence of the queen. Although these social contexts are known to bring about extreme changes in behavioral and reproductive traits through differential gene expression, we found no significant differences between the methylomes of workers from queenright and queenless colonies. In contrast, thousands of regions were differentially methylated between colonies, and these differences were not associated with differential gene expression in the subset of genes examined. Methylation patterns were highly similar between brain and ovary tissues and only differed in nine regions. These results strongly indicate that DNA methylation is not a driver of differential gene expression between tissues or behavioral morphs. Finally, despite the lack of difference in methylation patterns, queen presence affected the expression of all four DNA methyltransferase genes, suggesting that these enzymes have roles beyond DNA methylation. Therefore, the functional role of DNA methylation in social insect genomes remains an open question.

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