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1.
J Feline Med Surg ; 26(6): 1098612X241248984, 2024 Jun.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38857445

RESUMO

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to evaluate minimally invasive diagnostic techniques, such as the semi-quantitative indirect IgG antibody enzyme immunoassay (EIA) using blood serum and the urinary lateral flow assay (LFA), for the detection of Histoplasma capsulatum in cats with histoplasmosis. METHODS: Eight client-owned domestic cats diagnosed with histoplasmosis were selected based on cytological, histopathological, mycological, molecular or antigenic techniques. The blood serum of these animals was tested in a semi-quantitative indirect IgG antibody EIA for the detection of H capsulatum. Urine samples were tested for H capsulatum antigen using LFA. RESULTS: Five cats were seropositive on IgG EIA (5/8, with diagnostic sensitivity equal to 62.5%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 24.5-91.5) and five cats were positive on H capsulatum antigen LFA (5/7, with diagnostic sensitivity equal to 71.4%; 95% CI 29.0-96.3). The combined diagnostic sensitivity when interpreted in parallel was 87.5% (7/8, 95% CI 47.3-99.7). The specificity for the anti-Histoplasma IgG EIA was 100% (95% CI 71.5-100) and for the H capsulatum antigen LFA it was also 100% (95% CI 71.5-100). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The semi-quantitative indirect IgG antibody EIA for the detection of H capsulatum in blood serum and the urinary LFA for the detection of the same agent emerge as new minimally invasive diagnostic techniques that can assist in the approach to disseminated and pulmonary feline histoplasmosis, especially when both techniques are considered together.


Assuntos
Doenças do Gato , Histoplasma , Histoplasmose , Sensibilidade e Especificidade , Gatos , Animais , Histoplasmose/veterinária , Histoplasmose/diagnóstico , Doenças do Gato/diagnóstico , Doenças do Gato/microbiologia , Histoplasma/isolamento & purificação , Histoplasma/imunologia , Masculino , Feminino , Anticorpos Antifúngicos/sangue , Técnicas Imunoenzimáticas/veterinária , Imunoglobulina G/sangue
2.
Diabetes Spectr ; 37(2): 139-148, 2024.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38756432

RESUMO

Objective: The objective of this study was to develop ANcam, a novel method for identifying acanthosis nigricans (AN) using a smartphone camera and computer-aided color analysis for noninvasive screening of people with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). Research Design and Methods: Adult and juvenile participants with or without diagnosed type 2 diabetes were recruited in Trinidad and Tobago. After obtaining informed consent, participants' history, demographics, anthropometrics, and A1C were collected and recorded. Three subject matter experts independently graded pictures of the posterior neck and upper back using the ANcam smartphone application and Burke methods. A correlation matrix investigated 25 color channels for association with hyperpigmentation, and the diagnostic thresholds were determined with a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Results: For the 227 participants with captured images and A1C values, the cyan/magenta/yellow/black (CMYK) model color channel CMYK_K was best correlated with IGT at an A1C cutoff of 5.7% (39 mmol/mol) (R = 0.45, P <0.001). With high predictive accuracy (area under the curve = 0.854), the cutoff of 7.67 CMYK_K units was chosen, with a sensitivity of 81.1% and a specificity of 70.3%. ANcam had low interrater variance (F = 1.99, P = 0.137) compared with Burke grading (F = 105.71, P <0.001). ANcam detected hyperpigmentation on the neck at double the self-reported frequency. Elevated BMI was 2.9 (95% CI 1.9-4.3) times more likely, elevated blood pressure was 1.7 (95% CI 1.2-2.4) times more likely, and greater waist-to-hip ratio was 2.3 (95% CI 1.4-3.6) times more likely with AN present. Conclusion: ANcam offers a sensitive, reproducible, and user-friendly IGT screening tool to any smartphone user that performs well with most skin tones and lighting conditions.

3.
Emerg Microbes Infect ; 13(1): 2315960, 2024 Dec.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38465644

RESUMO

ABSTRACTHistoplasmosis is an endemic mycosis in North America frequently reported along the Ohio and Mississippi River Valleys, although autochthonous cases occur in non-endemic areas. In the United States, the disease is provoked by two genetically distinct clades of Histoplasma capsulatum sensu lato, Histoplasma mississippiense (Nam1) and H. ohiense (Nam2). To bridge the molecular epidemiological gap, we genotyped 93 Histoplasma isolates (62 novel genomes) including clinical, environmental, and veterinarian samples from a broader geographical range by whole-genome sequencing, followed by evolutionary and species niche modelling analyses. We show that histoplasmosis is caused by two major lineages, H. ohiense and H. mississippiense; with sporadic cases caused by H. suramericanum in California and Texas. While H. ohiense is prevalent in eastern states, H. mississipiense was found to be prevalent in the central and western portions of the United States, but also geographically overlapping in some areas suggesting that these species might co-occur. Species Niche Modelling revealed that H. ohiense thrives in places with warmer and drier conditions, while H. mississippiense is endemic to areas with cooler temperatures and more precipitation. In addition, we predicted multiple areas of secondary contact zones where the two species co-occur, potentially facilitating gene exchange and hybridization. This study provides the most comprehensive understanding of the genomic epidemiology of histoplasmosis in the USA and lays a blueprint for the study of invasive fungal diseases.


Assuntos
Histoplasmose , Histoplasmose/epidemiologia , Histoplasma/genética , Genótipo , Genômica , Texas
4.
Emerg Infect Dis ; 29(9): 1864-1867, 2023 09.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37487168

RESUMO

A Vibrio cholerae O1 outbreak emerged in Haiti in October 2022 after years of cholera absence. In samples from a 2021 serosurvey, we found lower circulating antibodies against V. cholerae lipopolysaccharide in children <5 years of age and no vibriocidal antibodies, suggesting high susceptibility to cholera, especially among young children.


Assuntos
Cólera , Vibrio cholerae O1 , Criança , Humanos , Pré-Escolar , Cólera/epidemiologia , Haiti/epidemiologia , Anticorpos Antibacterianos , Vibrio cholerae O1/genética , Surtos de Doenças
6.
Nat Commun ; 14(1): 1809, 2023 03 31.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37002217

RESUMO

Plant productivity varies due to environmental heterogeneity, and theory suggests that plant diversity can reduce this variation. While there is strong evidence of diversity effects on temporal variability of productivity, whether this mechanism extends to variability across space remains elusive. Here we determine the relationship between plant diversity and spatial variability of productivity in 83 grasslands, and quantify the effect of experimentally increased spatial heterogeneity in environmental conditions on this relationship. We found that communities with higher plant species richness (alpha and gamma diversity) have lower spatial variability of productivity as reduced abundance of some species can be compensated for by increased abundance of other species. In contrast, high species dissimilarity among local communities (beta diversity) is positively associated with spatial variability of productivity, suggesting that changes in species composition can scale up to affect productivity. Experimentally increased spatial environmental heterogeneity weakens the effect of plant alpha and gamma diversity, and reveals that beta diversity can simultaneously decrease and increase spatial variability of productivity. Our findings unveil the generality of the diversity-stability theory across space, and suggest that reduced local diversity and biotic homogenization can affect the spatial reliability of key ecosystem functions.


Assuntos
Ecossistema , Pradaria , Biomassa , Biodiversidade , Reprodutibilidade dos Testes , Plantas
7.
medRxiv ; 2023 Feb 08.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36798289

RESUMO

After three years with no confirmed cholera cases in Haiti, an outbreak of Vibrio cholerae O1 emerged in October 2022. Levels of pre-existing antibodies provide an estimate of prior immunologic exposure, reveal potentially relevant immune responses, and set a baseline for future serosurveillance. We analyzed dried blood spots collected in 2021 from a population-weighted representative cross-sectional serosurvey in two communes in the Ouest Department of Haiti. We found lower levels of circulating IgG and IgA antibodies against V. cholerae lipopolysaccharide (LPS, IgG and IgA p<0.0001) in those below 5 years of age compared to those five years and older. Among a subset of patients with higher titers of antibodies, we were unable to detect any functional (vibriocidal) antibodies. In conclusion, the lack of detectable functional antibodies, and age-discordant levels of V. cholerae LPS IgG, suggest that populations in Haiti may be highly susceptible to cholera disease, especially among young children.

8.
Am J Dermatopathol ; 45(4): 237-241, 2023 Apr 01.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36805355

RESUMO

ABSTRACT: Prototheca species are achlorophyllic algae that are a rare cause of infection in humans. It most commonly causes localized cutaneous disease and rarely disseminated infection. Immunocompromised patients have the highest risk of disseminated protothecosis, with a higher mortality rate than localized cutaneous infections. At the species level, infections caused by Prototheca zopfii are reported less frequently than those caused by Prototheca wickerhamii. The diagnosis can be made using histopathology, culture, and molecular testing. There is no definitive evidence for an effective treatment, which currently consists of antifungals (primarily amphotericin B). With only a handful of cases of disseminated protothecosis reported worldwide that are caused by P. zopfii , we herein present an additional case of a postbone marrow transplant patient in the Midwest of the United States.


Assuntos
Infecções , Prototheca , Dermatopatias Infecciosas , Humanos , Infecções/diagnóstico , Infecções/etiologia , Infecções/patologia , Dermatopatias Infecciosas/complicações , Antifúngicos/uso terapêutico
9.
J Biomol Struct Dyn ; 41(5): 1603-1616, 2023 03.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36719113

RESUMO

COVID-19, a disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, is responsible for a pandemic since March 2020 and it has no cure. Therefore, herein, different theoretical methods were used to obtain potential candidates from herbal compounds to inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro). Initially, the 16 best-scored compounds were selected from a library containing 4066 ligands using virtual screening by molecular docking. Among them, six molecules (physalin B 5,6-epoxide (PHY), methyl amentoflavone (MAM), withaphysalin C (WPC), daphnoline or trilobamine (TRI), cepharanoline (CEP) and tetrandrine (TET)) were selected based on Lipinski's rule and ADMET analysis as criteria. These compounds complexed with the Mpro were submitted to triplicate 100 ns molecular dynamics simulations. RMSD, RMSF, and radius of gyration results show that the overall protein structure is preserved along the simulation time. The average ΔGbinding values, calculated by the MM/PBSA method, were -41.7, -55.8, -45.2, -38.7, -49.3, and -57.9 kcal/mol for the PHY-Mpro, MAM-Mpro, WPC-Mpro, CEP-Mpro, TRI-Mpro, and TET-Mpro complexes, respectively. Pairwise decomposition analyses revealed that the binding pocket is formed by His41-Val42, Met165-Glu166-Leu167, Asp187, and Gln189. The PLS regression model generated by QSPR analysis indicated that non-polar and polar groups with the presence of hydrogen bond acceptors play an important role in the herbal compounds-Mpro interactions. Overall, we found six potential candidates to inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 Mpro and highlighted key residues from the binding pocket that can be used for future drug design. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.


Assuntos
Tratamento Farmacológico da COVID-19 , COVID-19 , Fitoterapia , Inibidores de Proteases , SARS-CoV-2 , Humanos , COVID-19/terapia , Simulação de Acoplamento Molecular , Simulação de Dinâmica Molecular , Inibidores de Proteases/farmacologia , SARS-CoV-2/efeitos dos fármacos , Fitoterapia/métodos
10.
Microbiol Resour Announc ; 12(1): e0058122, 2023 Jan 24.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36598282

RESUMO

We report the complete genome sequence and predicted functional profile of Nocardia iowensis DSM 45197T. N. iowensis DSM 45197T is a spore-forming, mesophilic, Gram-positive bacterium that was isolated from garden soil in Osceola, Iowa, USA. This organism has been exploited for its production of glycocinnamolyspermidine antibiotics and biotransformation of xenobiotic substances. Other significant features of N. iowensis DSM 45197T include the first fully characterized carboxylic acid reductase (CAR) and the first bacterial nitric oxide synthase system. The genome sequence of N. iowensis DSM 45197T can facilitate further understanding of its function, as well as the pathogenesis of Nocardia spp. N. iowensis DSM 45197T has a genome size of 8.95 Mbp; about 46% of the coding sequences have no known homologues and were labeled hypothetical proteins. This finding implies further potential for biomedical and biotechnological research applications.

11.
J Pediatr ; 255: 236-239.e2, 2023 04.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36572175

RESUMO

This study assessed the association between standing intravenous acetaminophen and opioid exposure after cardiac surgery. Before vs after implementation of a standardized pain pathway, we report decreased opioid exposure, 0.38 milligram per kilogram of morphine equivalents [IQR 0.10-0.81] vs 0.26 milligram per kilogram of morphine equivalents [0.09-0.56] (P = .01) and increased acetaminophen exposure, 3 [2-4] vs 4 [4-5] doses (P < .001).


Assuntos
Acetaminofen , Analgésicos não Narcóticos , Humanos , Criança , Acetaminofen/efeitos adversos , Analgésicos Opioides/efeitos adversos , Dor Pós-Operatória/tratamento farmacológico , Morfina/uso terapêutico , Unidades de Terapia Intensiva Pediátrica , Analgésicos não Narcóticos/efeitos adversos
12.
J Comput Aided Mol Des ; 36(9): 687-705, 2022 09.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36117236

RESUMO

Blind predictions of octanol/water partition coefficients and pKa at 298.15 K for 22 drug-like compounds were made for the SAMPL7 challenge. Octanol/water partition coefficients were predicted from solvation free energies computed using electronic structure calculations with the SM12, SM8 and SMD solvation models. Within these calculations we compared the use of gas- and solution-phase optimized geometries of the solute. Based on these calculations we found that in general the use of solution phase-optimized geometries increases the affinity of the solutes for water as compared to octanol, with the use of gas-phase optimized geometries resulting in the better agreement with experiment. The pKa is computed using the direct approach, scaled solvent-accessible surface model, and the inclusion of an explicit water molecule, where the latter two methods have previously been shown to offer improved predictions as compared to the direct approach. We find that the use of an explicit water molecule provides superior predictions, and that the predicted macroscopic pKa is sensitive to the employed microstates.


Assuntos
Modelos Químicos , Octanóis , Solventes , Água , Octanóis/química , Soluções/química , Solventes/química , Termodinâmica , Água/química
13.
Pediatr Neurol ; 128: 33-44, 2022 03.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35066369

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: Our objective was to characterize the frequency, early impact, and risk factors for neurological manifestations in hospitalized children with acute severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection or multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). METHODS: Multicenter, cross-sectional study of neurological manifestations in children aged <18 years hospitalized with positive SARS-CoV-2 test or clinical diagnosis of a SARS-CoV-2-related condition between January 2020 and April 2021. Multivariable logistic regression to identify risk factors for neurological manifestations was performed. RESULTS: Of 1493 children, 1278 (86%) were diagnosed with acute SARS-CoV-2 and 215 (14%) with MIS-C. Overall, 44% of the cohort (40% acute SARS-CoV-2 and 66% MIS-C) had at least one neurological manifestation. The most common neurological findings in children with acute SARS-CoV-2 and MIS-C diagnosis were headache (16% and 47%) and acute encephalopathy (15% and 22%), both P < 0.05. Children with neurological manifestations were more likely to require intensive care unit (ICU) care (51% vs 22%), P < 0.001. In multivariable logistic regression, children with neurological manifestations were older (odds ratio [OR] 1.1 and 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07 to 1.13) and more likely to have MIS-C versus acute SARS-CoV-2 (OR 2.16, 95% CI 1.45 to 3.24), pre-existing neurological and metabolic conditions (OR 3.48, 95% CI 2.37 to 5.15; and OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.04 to 2.66, respectively), and pharyngeal (OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.16 to 2.64) or abdominal pain (OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.03 to 2.00); all P < 0.05. CONCLUSIONS: In this multicenter study, 44% of children hospitalized with SARS-CoV-2-related conditions experienced neurological manifestations, which were associated with ICU admission and pre-existing neurological condition. Posthospital assessment for, and support of, functional impairment and neuroprotective strategies are vitally needed.


Assuntos
COVID-19/complicações , Doenças do Sistema Nervoso/epidemiologia , SARS-CoV-2 , Síndrome de Resposta Inflamatória Sistêmica/epidemiologia , Doença Aguda , Adolescente , Encefalopatias/epidemiologia , Encefalopatias/etiologia , COVID-19/epidemiologia , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Cefaleia/epidemiologia , Cefaleia/etiologia , Humanos , Lactente , Unidades de Terapia Intensiva Pediátrica/estatística & dados numéricos , Modelos Logísticos , Masculino , Doenças do Sistema Nervoso/etiologia , Prevalência , Fatores de Risco , América do Sul/epidemiologia , Estados Unidos/epidemiologia
14.
J Pediatr ; 241: 36-41.e2, 2022 02.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34619115

RESUMO

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of a novel nurse-led transition intervention program designed for young adolescents (age 13-14 years) with congenital heart disease (CHD). We hypothesized that the intervention would result in improved self-management skills and CHD knowledge. STUDY DESIGN: Single-center cluster randomized controlled trial of a nurse-led transition intervention vs usual care. The intervention group received a 1-hour individualized session with a cardiology nurse, focusing on CHD education and self-management. The primary end point was change in TRANSITION-Q (transition readiness) score between baseline and 6 months. The secondary end point was change in MyHeart score (CHD knowledge). RESULTS: We randomized 60 participants to intervention (n = 30) or usual care (n = 30). TRANSITION-Q score (range 0-100) increased from 49 ± 10 at baseline to 54 ± 9.0 at 6 months (intervention) vs 47 ± 14 to 44 ± 14 (usual care). Adjusted for baseline score, TRANSITION-Q scores at 1 and 6 months were greater in the intervention group (mean difference 5.9, 95% CI 1.3-10.5, P = .01). MyHeart score (range 0-100) increased from 48 ± 24 at baseline to 71 ± 16 at 6 months (intervention) vs 54 ± 24 to 57 ± 22 (usual care). Adjusted for baseline score, MyHeart scores at 1 and 6 months were greater in the intervention group (mean difference 19, 95% CI 12-26, P < .0001). Participants aged 14 years had a greater increase in TRANSITION-Q score at 6 months compared with 13-year-old participants (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: A nurse-led program improved transition readiness and CHD knowledge among young adolescents. This simple intervention can be readily adopted in other healthcare settings. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02374892.


Assuntos
Cardiopatias Congênitas , Transição para Assistência do Adulto/organização & administração , Adolescente , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Educação de Pacientes como Assunto , Autogestão
15.
J Pediatr ; 240: 164-170.e1, 2022 01.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34474088

RESUMO

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate practice variation in pharmacologic management in the International Kawasaki Disease Registry (IKDR). STUDY DESIGN: Practice variation in intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy, anti-inflammatory agents, statins, beta-blockers, antiplatelet therapy, and anticoagulation was described. RESULTS: We included 1627 patients from 30 IKDR centers with maximum coronary artery aneurysm (CAA) z scores 2.5-4.99 in 848, 5.0-9.99 in 349, and ≥10.0 (large/giant) in 430 patients. All centers reported IVIG and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) as primary therapy and use of additional IVIG or steroids as needed. In 23 out of 30 centers, (77%) infliximab was also used; 11 of these 23 centers reported using it in <10% of their patients, and 3 centers used it in >20% of patients. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents were used in >10% of patients in only nine centers. Beta-blocker (8.8%, all patients) and abciximab (3.6%, all patients) were mainly prescribed in patients with large/giant CAAs. Statins (2.7%, all patients) were mostly used in one center and only in patients with large/giant CAAs. ASA was the primary antiplatelet modality for 99% of patients, used in all centers. Clopidogrel (18%, all patients) was used in 24 centers, 11 of which used it in >50% of their patients with large/giant CAAs. CONCLUSIONS: In the IKDR, IVIG and ASA therapy as primary therapy is universal with common use of a second dose of IVIG for persistent fever. There is practice variation among centers for adjunctive therapies and anticoagulation strategies, likely reflecting ongoing knowledge gaps. Randomized controlled trials nested in a high-quality collaborative registry may be an efficient strategy to reduce practice variation.


Assuntos
Anti-Inflamatórios não Esteroides/uso terapêutico , Aspirina/uso terapêutico , Imunoglobulinas Intravenosas/uso terapêutico , Fatores Imunológicos/uso terapêutico , Síndrome de Linfonodos Mucocutâneos/tratamento farmacológico , Pré-Escolar , Aneurisma Coronário/etiologia , Feminino , Humanos , Lactente , Masculino , Síndrome de Linfonodos Mucocutâneos/complicações , Padrões de Prática Médica , Sistema de Registros , Estudos Retrospectivos
16.
PLoS Negl Trop Dis ; 15(12): e0010042, 2021 12.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34919551

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: Cholera is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in low-resource and humanitarian settings. It is transmitted by fecal-oral route, and the infection risk is higher to those living in and near cholera cases. Rapid identification of cholera cases and implementation of measures to prevent subsequent transmission around cases may be an efficient strategy to reduce the size and scale of cholera outbreaks. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPLE FINDINGS: We investigated implementation of cholera case-area targeted interventions (CATIs) using systematic reviews and case studies. We identified 11 peer-reviewed and eight grey literature articles documenting CATIs and completed 30 key informant interviews in case studies in Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti, Yemen, and Zimbabwe. We documented 15 outbreaks in 12 countries where CATIs were used. The team composition and the interventions varied, with water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions implemented more commonly than those of health. Alert systems triggering interventions were diverse ranging from suspected cholera cases to culture confirmed cases. Selection of high-risk households around the case household was inconsistent and ranged from only one case to approximately 100 surrounding households with different methods of selecting them. Coordination among actors and integration between sectors were consistently reported as challenging. Delays in sharing case information impeded rapid implementation of this approach, while evaluation of the effectiveness of interventions varied. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: CATIs appear effective in reducing cholera outbreaks, but there is limited and context specific evidence of their effectiveness in reducing the incidence of cholera cases and lack of guidance for their consistent implementation. We propose to 1) use uniform cholera case definitions considering a local capacity to trigger alert; 2) evaluate the effectiveness of individual or sets of interventions to interrupt cholera, and establish a set of evidence-based interventions; 3) establish criteria to select high-risk households; and 4) improve coordination and data sharing amongst actors and facilitate integration among sectors to strengthen CATI approaches in cholera outbreaks.


Assuntos
Cólera/epidemiologia , Cólera/prevenção & controle , Cólera/transmissão , Congo/epidemiologia , Características da Família , Haiti/epidemiologia , Humanos , Higiene , Estudos Retrospectivos , Saneamento , Iêmen/epidemiologia , Zimbábue/epidemiologia
17.
PLoS One ; 16(11): e0258510, 2021.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34758037

RESUMO

The world's largest ammonite, Parapuzosia (P.) seppenradensis (Landois, 1895), fascinated the world ever since the discovery, in 1895, of a specimen of 1.74 metres (m) diameter near Seppenrade in Westfalia, Germany, but subsequent findings of the taxon are exceedingly rare and its systematic position remains enigmatic. Here we revise the historical specimens and document abundant new material from England and Mexico. Our study comprises 154 specimens of large (< 1 m diameter) to giant (> 1m diameter) Parapuzosia from the Santonian and lower Campanian, mostly with stratigraphic information. High-resolution integrated stratigraphy allows for precise cross-Atlantic correlation of the occurrences. Our specimens were analysed regarding morphometry, growth stages and stratigraphic occurrence wherever possible. Our analysis provides insight into the ontogeny of Parapuzosia (P.) seppenradensis and into the evolution of this species from its potential ancestor P. (P.) leptophylla Sharpe, 1857. The latter grew to shell diameters of about 1 m and was restricted to Europe in the early Santonian, but it reached the Gulf of Mexico during the late Santonian. P. (P.) seppenradensis first appears in the uppermost Santonian- earliest Campanian on both sides of the Atlantic. Initially, it also reached diameters of about 1 m, but gradual evolutionary increase in size is seen in the middle early Campanian to diameters of 1.5 to 1.8 m. P. (P.) seppenradensis is characterized by five ontogenetic growth stages and by size dimorphism. We therefore here include the many historic species names used in the past to describe the morphological and size variability of the taxon. The concentration of adult shells in small geographic areas and scarcity of Parapuzosia in nearby coeval outcrop regions may point to a monocyclic, possibly even semelparous reproduction strategy in this giant cephalopod. Its gigantism exceeds a general trend of size increase in late Cretaceous cephalopods. Whether the coeval increase in size of mosasaurs, the top predators in Cretaceous seas, caused ecological pressure on Parapuzosia towards larger diameters remains unclear.


Assuntos
Distribuição Animal , Evolução Biológica , Cefalópodes/anatomia & histologia , Cefalópodes/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Fósseis/história , Exoesqueleto , Animais , Tamanho Corporal , Cefalópodes/classificação , Inglaterra , Alemanha , Golfo do México , História do Século XIX , História Antiga , México , Reprodução
18.
Transl Anim Sci ; 5(4): txab144, 2021 Oct.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34632312

RESUMO

Brazilian beef systems contribute 14.9% of global beef production, therefore given climate change concerns, there is a clear need to reduce environmental impacts while maintaining economic viability. This study evaluated the hypothesis that steroid implant use in Brazilian beef cattle would reduce resource use, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and economic costs of production, thereby improving environmental and economic sustainability. A deterministic model based on beef cattle population demographics, nutrition and performance was used to quantify resource inputs and GHG emissions per 1.0 × 106 kg of hot carcass weight (HCW) beef. System boundaries extended from cropping input manufacture to cattle arriving at the slaughterhouse. Beef systems were modeled using herd population dynamics, feed and performance data sourced from producers in four Brazilian states, with additional data from global databases. Implants were used in calves, growing and finishing cattle at low (LI), medium (MI), and high (HI) levels of performance enhancement, compared to nonimplanted (NI) controls. Feed use results were used in combination with producer-derived input costs to assess the economic impacts of implant use, including production costs and returns on investment. Improved FCE, ADG, and carcass weights conferred by implant use reduced the number of cattle and the time taken to produce 1.0 × 106 kg HCW beef. Compared to NI controls, the quantities of feed, land, water and fossil fuels required to produce 1.0 × 106 kg HCW beef was reduced in implanted cattle, with reductions proportional to the performance-enhancing effect of the implant (HI > MI > LI). Implant use reduced GHG emissions per 1.0 × 106 kg HCW beef by 9.4% (LI), 12.6% (MI), or 15.8% (HI). Scaling up the MI effects to represent all eligible Brazilian cattle being implanted, revealed avoided GHG emissions equivalent to the annual exhaust emissions of 62.0 × 106 cars. Economic impacts of implant use reflected the environmental results, resulting in a greater margin for the producers within each system (cow-calf through to finishing). The 6.13% increase in kg of HCW beef produced generates a cost reduction of 3.76% and an increase in the return on invested capital of 4.14% on average. Implants offer the opportunity for Brazilian beef producers to demonstrate their dedication to improving environmental and economic sustainability through improved productivity, although care must be taken to avoid negative trade-offs.

19.
BMC Nutr ; 7(1): 53, 2021 Aug 23.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34420524

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: Existing studies show that consuming food consistent with one's culture reduces cardiometabolic risk. However, few studies have assessed whether these dietary choices influence sleep health. Accordingly, this study assessed how Mexican food consumption by individuals of Mexican descent residing at the US-Mexico border, was associated with various measures of sleep, after accounting for acculturation. METHODS: Data were provided by 100 adults between the ages of 18-60, in the city of Nogales, AZ. Questionnaires were provided in either Spanish or English. Acculturation was assessed with the Acculturation Scale for Mexican-Americans (ARSMA-II), with an additional question, asking how often "my family cooks Mexican foods." Frequency of cooking Mexican food was coded as either "yes" or "no." Sleep was assessed, using validated measures that include the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and sleep duration with the item "how many hours of actual sleep did you get at night?" Regression models estimated the associations between sleep health variables as outcomes and consumption of Mexican food as the independent variable. Covariates included age, sex, and acculturation scores. Parental education level was also included, as an indicator of childhood socioeconomic status and since food culture likely involves parents. RESULT: We found that among individuals who identified as Mexican-Americans who consumed culturally-consistent foods, was associated with, on average, 1.41 more hours of sleep (95% CI 0.19, 2.62; p = 0.024) and were less likely to report snoring (OR: 0.25; 95% CI 0.07, 0.93; p = 0.039). Consuming Mexican food was not associated with sleep quality, insomnia severity or sleepiness. CONCLUSION: Individuals of Mexican descent residing at the US-Mexico border who regularly consumed Mexican food, reported more sleep and less snoring. Mexican acculturation has been shown previously to improve sleep health. This is likely due to consumption of a culturally- consistent diet. Future studies should examine the role of acculturation in sleep health, dietary choices, and subsequent cardiometabolic risk.

20.
BMC Genomics ; 22(1): 551, 2021 Jul 19.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34281511

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: Theobroma cacao is a major source of flavonoids such as catechins and their monomers proanthocyanidins (PAs), widely studied for their potential benefits in cardiovascular diseases. Light has been shown to promote plant secondary metabolite production in vitro. In this study, cacao cells cultured in 7.5 L stirred tank photobioreactors (STPs) were exposed to a change of white to blue LED lights for 28 days (d). RESULTS: Transcriptomic analyses were performed in three time points comparing changing expression patterns, after cell exposure to white light (d0-VS-d14), after a shift from white to blue light (d14-VS-d15), and after an extended period of blue light for the following 15 days (d15-VS-d28). Under white light, there was enrichment in metabolic pathways associated with cell growth (carbon, glycolysis, and amino acid biosynthesis) accompanied by a significant increase in the PAs content. In the shift to blue light, further increase in PAs content was observed concomitantly with the significant expression of TWO-COMPONENT RESPONSE REGULATOR genes involved in the early stress responses via circadian clock and hormone pathways. Under blue light exposure, we observed a depletion of PAs content associated with ROS-mediated stress pathways. CONCLUSIONS: Light effects on large-scale cell cultures in photobioreactors are complex and pleiotropic; however, we have been able to identify key regulatory players upstream cacao flavonoid biosynthesis in STPs, including TWO-COMPONENT SYSTEM and ROS-signaling genes. The crosstalk between flavonoid biosynthesis and regulatory networks led to understand the dynamics of flavonoid production and degradation in response to light-driven ROS signals. This can be used to optimize the time, and the yield of in vitro targeted metabolites in large-scale culture systems.


Assuntos
Cacau , Cacau/genética , Flavonoides , Regulação da Expressão Gênica de Plantas , Fotobiorreatores , Transcriptoma
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