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Heart rate variability : from recording precautions to applicability to physical exercise.
(2022) Souza, Perciliany Martins de; Araújo, Cássia Regina Vieira; Mocaiber, Izabela; Norte, Carlos Eduardo; Becker, Lenice Kappes; Souza, Gabriela Guerra Leal de
Aim: This narrative review sought to address heart rate variability (HRV) based on concepts and definitions, methods of recording and processing signals, signal interpretation, influencing factors, and applicability to physical exercise. Methods: Bibliographic survey of works published between 2000 and 2022 in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Scielo databases. Results: HRV is a non-invasive method for measuring the action of the autonomic nervous system in the heart and has been used as a marker of physical and mental health. HRV measurements can be performed by recording an electrocardiogram or frequency meter, which allows the extraction of several HRV parameters using linear and non-linear methods. Conclusion: HRV is a variable that can be influenced by several factors, and its role can be explained based on four theories. Physical training can be used as a marker of exercise intensity control.
Metabolomic and elemental profiling of blood serum in bladder cancer.
(2022) Ossoliński, Krzysztof; Ruman, Tomasz; Copié, Valérie; Tripet, Brian P.; Nogueira, Leonardo Brandão; Nogueira, Katiane de Oliveira Pinto Coelho; Kołodziej, Artur; Altamer, Aneta Płaza; Ossolinska, Anna; Ossolinski, Tadeusz; Nizioł, Joanna
Bladder cancer (BC) is one of the most frequently diagnosed types of urinary cancer. Despite advances in treatment methods, no specific biomarkers are currently in use. Targeted and untargeted profiling of metabolites and elements of human blood serum from 100 BC patients and the same number of normal controls (NCs), with external validation, was attempted using three analytical methods, i.e., nuclear magnetic resonance, gold and silver-109 nanoparticle-based laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (LDI-MS), and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). All results were subjected to multivariate statistical analysis. Four potential serum biomarkers of BC, namely, isobutyrate, pyroglutamate, choline, and acetate, were quantified with proton nuclear magnetic resonance, which had excellent predictive ability as judged by the area under the curve (AUC) value of 0.999. Two elements, Li and Fe, were also found to distinguish between cancer and control samples, as judged from ICP-OES data and AUC of 0.807 (in validation set). Twenty-five putatively identified compounds, mostly related to glycans and lipids, differentiated BC from NCs, as detected using LDI-MS. Five serum metabolites were found to discriminate between tumor grades and nine metabolites between tumor stages. The results from three different analytical platforms demonstrate that the identified distinct serum metabolites and metal elements have potential to be used for noninvasive detection, staging, and grading of BC.
New insights into plant natriuretic peptide evolution : from the lysogenic conversion in Xanthomonas to the lateral transfer to the whitefly Bemisia tabaci.
(2022) Patané, José Salvatore Leister; Moreira, Leandro Marcio; Teixeira, Marcus de Melo; Martins Junior, Joaquim; Setubal, João Carlos; Varani, Alessandro de Mello
Plant natriuretic peptide-like (PNP) are signaling molecules related to adaptive responses to stress. The Arabidopsis thaliana PNP (AtPNP-A) is capable of modulating catalase 2 (CAT2) and rubisco activase (RCA) activity in some circumstances. Interestingly, many plant-pathogens co-opted PNP-like molecules to their benefit. For instance, the citrus pathogen Xanthomonas citri carries a PNP-like (XacPNP) that can mimic and regulate plant homeostasis, and many phytopathogenic fungi carry effectors (e.g., Ave1 and AvrLm6) that are indeed PNP-like homologs. This work investigates the PNP-like evolution across the tree of life, revealing many parallel gains and duplications in plant and fungi kingdoms. All PNP-like proteins in the final dataset are structurally similar, containing the AtPNP-A active domains modulating CAT2 activity and RCA interaction. Comparative genomics evinced that XacPNP is a lysogenic conversion factor associated with a Myoviridae-like prophage identified in many Xanthomonas species. Surprisingly, a PNP-like homolog was identified in Bemisia tabaci, an important agricultural pest, being to date the second example of lateral gene transfer (LGT) from plant to the whitefly. Moreover, the Bemisia PNP-like homolog can also be considered a potential new effector of this phloem-feeding insect. Noteworthy, the whiteflies infest many plants carrying PNP-like copies and interact with some of their bacterial and fungal pathogens, strongly suggesting complex recipient/donor traits of PNP by LGT and bringing new insights into the evolution of host-pathogen arms race across the tree of life.
Cardiac changes in spontaneously hypertensive rats : modulation by aerobic exercise.
(2023) Teles, Maria Cecília; Portes, Alexandre Martins Oliveira; Coelho, Bianca Iara Campos; Resende, Letícia Teresinha; Isoldi, Mauro César
Systemic arterial hypertension is a multifactorial clinical condition characterized by high and sustained levels of blood pressure. For a better understanding of the pathophysiology of hypertension, studies are conducted with spontaneously hypertensive animals, which allow the investigation of physiological changes that in most cases cannot be studied in humans. In these animals, myocardial remodeling, increased pro-inflammatory markers, redox imbalance and contractile dysfunctions that lead to changes in cardiac function can be observed. However, it can be inferring that aerobic training improves cardiac function and cardiomyocyte contractility, in addition to controlling inflammation and reducing oxidative stress in cardiac muscle, despite this, the precise mechanisms by which physical exercise improves cardiovascular control are not fully understood. In this review, we provide an overview of the pathophysiological changes that affect the heart of spontaneously hypertensive animals and their modulation by aerobic exercise.
The impact of a violent community on mental health and the benefits of a sport program for social development.
(2023) Fernandes Junior, Orlando; Silva Júnior, Ruy Marra da; Ramos, Lucas Rego; Gama, Tamires M.; Lobo, Isabela; Souza, Gabriela Guerra Leal de; Sanchez, Tiago Arruda
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of a violent environment on mental health and the impact of a sport for social development (SSD) program on quality of life, mental distress symptoms, and heart rate variability (HRV). HRV and psychometric data were measured from 20 men professional athletes assisted by the SSD and 20 men living in the same violent community. The comparison of groups revealed greater sympathetic parameters of HRV, positive affect, and quality of life in the SSD group. Multiple regression analysis showed that the quality of life in the SSD group was positively predicted by positive affect, while in the control group the quality of life was negatively predicted by their history of traumatic events. Both groups reported high levels of exposure to traumatic events and posttraumatic stress symptoms. However, this study demonstrates the benefits of SSD programs in mental health.
The different impacts of COVID-19 on the mental health of distinct health care worker categories.
(2022) Machado, Arthur Viana; Gonçalves, Raquel Menezes; Gama, Camila Monteiro Fabricio; Vilete, Liliane Maria Pereira; Berger, William; Passos, Roberta Benitez Freitas; Mendlowicz, Mauro Vito; Souza, Gabriela Guerra Leal de; Pereira, Mirtes Garcia; Mocaiber, Izabela; Oliveira, Letícia de
The present study sought to explore the factors associated with the odds of having probable depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to traumatic COVID-19 experiences and their impact on health care workers in distinct categories. In this cross-sectional study, 1843 health care workers (nurses, nurse technicians, physicians, physical therapists, and other healthcare workers) were recruited via convenience sampling. A survey was administered to obtain information regarding sociodemographic, occupational, and mental health status. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression were used for the analyses. Being a nurse technician was associated with an odds ratio of 1.76 for probable PTSD. No relation was observed between health care worker categories and the odds of probable depression. Additionally, being female and not receiving adequate PPE were related to greater odds of having probable PTSD and depression.
Understanding the synergistic antioxidant mechanism of a layered double hydroxide–lycopene composite by spectroscopic techniques.
(2023) González Rojas, Norma Alejandra; Moisés, Fermín Paul Pacheco; Cruz Ramos, José Alfonso; Bezerra, Frank Silva; Carbajal Arízaga, Gregorio Guadalupe
Lycopene is one of the most powerful natural antioxidants with demonstrated capacity to protect and reduce risks against some diseases. It has also been used as additive in polymers for packaging. Hydrophobicity is the main disadvantage of this compound, especially to prepare edible formulations and assimilation in the body; to improve this, emulsions have been formulated although they provide a low content of lycopene. For this study, we prepared a hybrid composite material with layered double hydroxides (LDHs) and 54% of lycopene. The composite is easily dispersed in water and when subjected to aqueous media to simulate a pass through stomach (pH 1.2), small intestine (pH 6.8) and large intestine (pH 7.4), where the composite released 84.5%, 92.8 and 96.7% of lycopene, respectively. The composite was analyzed in each step. The antioxidant capacity of the composite was similar to that of pure lycopene, although the content of lycopene was partial. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) indicated that the cations from LDH particles also contribute to capture unpaired electrons, thus producing a synergy in the antioxidant activity. Further, UV–vis and infrared spectroscopies demonstrated that the lycopene molecule was protected within along the pass through the three simulated media. This composite is an alternative vehicle to prepare lycopene supplements for oral consumption, maximizing the stability, and enhancing the release and therapeutic profle. This composite is also an alternative antioxidant additive for polymers or biofuels.
High-flow nasal cannula compared with continuous positive airway pressure : a bench and physiological study.
(2022) Vieira, Fernando; Bezerra, Frank Silva; Coudroy, Remi; Schreiber, Annia; Telias, Irene; Dubo, Sebastián; Cavalot, Giulia; Pereira, Sergio Martins; Piraino, Thomas; Brochard, Laurent Jean
High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is extensively used for acute respiratory failure. However, questions remain regarding its physiological effects. We explored 1) whether HFNC produced similar effects to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP); 2) possible explanations of respiratory rate changes; 3) the effects of mouth opening. Two studies were conducted: a bench study using a manikin’s head with lungs connected to a breathing simulator while delivering HFNC flow rates from 0 to 60 L/min; a physiological crossover study in 10 healthy volunteers receiving HFNC (20–60 L/min) with the mouth open or closed and CPAP 4 cmH2O delivered through face mask. Nasopharyngeal and esophageal pressures were measured; tidal volume and flow were estimated using calibrated electrical impedance tomography. In the bench study, nasopharyngeal pressure at end-expiration reached 4 cmH2O with HFNC at 60 L/min, whereas tidal volume decreased with increasing flow. In volunteers with HFNC at 60 L/min, nasopharyngeal pressure reached 6.8 cmH2O with mouth closed and 0.8 cmH2O with mouth open; P < 0.001. When increasing HFNC flow, respiratory rate decreased by lengthening expiratory time, tidal volume did not change, and effort decreased (pressure-time product of the respiratory muscles per minute); effort was equivalent between CPAP and HFNC 40 L/min and became lower at 60 L/min (P = 0.045). During HFNC with mouth closed, and not during CPAP, resistance to breathing was increased, mostly during expiration. In conclusion, mouth closure during HFNC induces a positive nasopharyngeal pressure proportional to flow rate and an increase in expiratory resistance that might explain the prolonged expiration and reduction in respiratory rate and effort, and contribute to physiological benefits. NEW & NOTEWORTHY High-flow nasal cannula generates positive airway pressure and reduces respiratory rate. Our findings confirm these physiological effects when the mouth is kept closed. An increased resistance to breathing induces a longer expiratory phase, which leads to decreased respiratory rate and minute ventilation, and therefore to a decreased respiratory workload, counterbalancing the increased pressure-time product per liter. These effects are less apparent with the mouth open and are not observed with continuous positive airway pressure.
Netzahualcoyonol from Salacia multiflora (Lam.) DC. (Celastraceae) roots as a bioactive compound against gram-positive pathogens.
(2022) Nizer, Waleska Stephanie da Cruz; Ferraz, Ariane Coelho; Moraes, Thaís de Fátima Silva; Lima, William Gustavo de; Santos, Josana Pereira dos; Duarte, Lucienir Pains; Magalhães, Cíntia Lopes de Brito; Vieira Filho, Sidney Augusto; Magalhães, José Carlos de
The expression of virulence factors, such as biofilm formation, in association with the acquisition of resistance to multiple drugs, has evidenced the need for new and effective antimicrobial agents against Staphylococcus aureus. The evaluation of the pharmacological properties of plant-derived compounds is a promising alternative to the development of new antimicrobials. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the antibacterial, antibiofilm, and the synergistic and cytotoxic effects of netzahualcoyonol isolated from Salacia multiflora (Lam.) DC. roots. Netzahualcoyonol presented bacteriostatic (1.56–25.0 mg/mL) and bactericidal (25.0–400.0 mg/mL) effects against Gram-positive bacteria, disrupted the biofilm of S. aureus, and presented a synergistic effect after its combination with b-lactams and aminoglycosides. The low cytotoxicity of netzahualcoyonol (Selectivity Index (SI) for S. aureus (2.56), S. saprophyticus (20.56), and Bacillus subtilis (1.28)) suggests a good security profile. Taken together, these results show that netzahualcoyonol is promising for the development of a new effective antibacterial agent.
Lactobacillus delbrueckii UFV-H2b20 increases IFN-γ production and CD39+CD73+ Treg cell numbers in lungs, and protects mice against experimental allergic asthma.
(2022) Andrade, Ana Clara Matoso Montuori de; Silva, Ana Elisa Nolasco e; Malacco, Nathalia Luisa Sousa de Oliveira; Vaz, Leonardo Gomes; Afonso, Luís Carlos Crocco; Russo, Remo de Castro; Vieira, Leda Quercia; Santos, Liliane Martins dos
Asthma is a disorder characterized by airflow obstruction, inflammation, declining airway function, bronchial hyperresponsiveness and tissue remodelling. Probiotics are defined as “live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host”. The use of probiotics is becoming increasingly studied and recent evidence has suggested that it may provide therapeutic benefits in asthma and other diseases. Lactobacillus delbrueckii UFV-H2b20 fulfils all the requirements to be classified as probiotic. Previous studies have already shown the ability of L. delbrueckii UFV-H2b20 to stimulate the immune system. Our objective was to evaluate the protective effects of L. delbrueckii UFV-H2b20 in experimental allergic asthma. We used a murine model of ovalbumin-induced allergic airway inflammation to mimic allergic asthma. Oral treatment with L. delbrueckii UFV-H2b20 improves respiratory parameters and inhibits the inflammatory response in the lungs by decreasing the numbers of inflammatory monocytes, eosinophils and alveolar macrophages, as well as IgE levels. Treatment increased the IFN-γ/IL-4 cytokine ratio. Levels of IL-10 in the lungs were also increased in treated animals. Our results also showed that the probiotic administration increases the number of CD39+CD73+ T regulatory lymphocytes in the lung, suggesting a role for purinergic signals in the regulation of inflammation promoted by the treatment. Understanding the mechanisms of modulation of the immune system by probiotics could allow the development of probiotic preparations that are safe and have a direct action. Our results suggest that oral administration of L. delbrueckii UFV-H2b20 could be helpful to treat chronic inflammatory airway diseases, such as asthma.
Hydrothermal pre‑treatment followed by anaerobic digestion for the removal of tylosin and antibiotic resistance agents from poultry litter.
(2023) Paranhos, Aline Gomes de Oliveira; Pereira, Andressa Rezende; Coelho, Letícia Dias Nunes; Silva, Silvana de Queiroz; Aquino, Sergio Francisco de
Hydrothermal pretreatment (HPT) followed by anaerobic digestion (AD) is an alternative for harvesting energy and removing organic contaminants from sewage sludge and animal manure. This study investigated the use, in an energetically sustainable way, of HPT and AD, alone or combined, to produce methane and remove tylosin and antimicrobial resistance genes (ARG) from poultry litter (PL). The results showed that HPT at 80 °C (HPT80), followed by single-stage AD (AD-1S), led to the production of 517.9±4.7 NL CH4 kg VS−1, resulting in 0.11 kWh kg PL−1 of electrical energy and 0.75 MJ kg PL−1 of thermal energy, thus supplying 33.6% of the energy spent on burning frewood at a typical farm. In this best-case scenario, the use of HPT alone reduced tylosin concentration from PL by 23.6%, while the process involving HPT followed by AD-1S led to the removal of 91.6% of such antibiotic. The combined process (HPT80+AD-1S), in addition to contributing to reduce the absolute and relative abundances of ARG ermB (2.13 logs), intI1 (0.39 logs), sul1 (0.63 logs), and tetA (0.74 logs), led to a signifcant removal in the relative abundance of tylosin-resistant bacteria present in the poultry litter.
Dispersion and persistence of antimicrobial resistance genes among Staphylococcus spp. and Mammaliicoccus spp. isolated along a swine manure treatment plant.
(2023) Silva, Priscila Martins; Dias, Camila de Paula; Vilar, Lucas Cecílio; Silva, Silvana de Queiroz; Rossi, Ciro César; Marval, Marcia Giambiagi de
Staphylococcus spp. and Mammaliicoccus spp. colonize the skin and mucosa of humans and other animals and are responsible for several opportunistic infections. Staphylococci antibiotic resistance may be present in the environment due to the spread of treated and untreated manure from the livestock industry due to antibiotic use to disease control or growth promoter. In this work, we analyzed the species distribution and antimicrobial susceptibility of Staphylococcus and Mammaliicoccus species along diferent sites of a swine manure treatment plant from Southeastern Brazil. Bacterial colonies were obtained on mannitol salt agar, selected after catalase test and Gram staining, and fnally identifed by mass spectrometry and sequencing of the tuf gene. According to the results, S.cohnii and S. simulans were the most prevalent species. Antibiotic resistance test revealed that several strains were resistant to multiple drugs, with high levels of chloramphenicol resistance (98%), followed by erythromycin (79%), tetracycline (73%), gentamicin (46%), ciprofoxacin (42%), cefoxitin (18%), sulfamethoxazole+trimethoprim (12%), and linezolid (4%). In addition, gene detection by PCR showed that all strains carried at least 2 resistance genes and one of them carried all 11 genes investigated. Using the GTG5-PCR approach, a high genetic similarity was observed between some strains that were isolated from diferent points of the treatment plant. Although some were seemingly identical, diferences in their resistance phenotype and genotype suggest horizontal gene transfer. The presence of resistant bacteria and resistance genes along the treatment system highlights the potential risk of contamination by people in direct contact with these animals and the soil since the efuent is used as a biofertilizer in the surrounding environment.
Inhalation of dimethyl fumarate-encapsulated solid lipid nanoparticles attenuate clinical signs of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and pulmonary inflammatory dysfunction in mice.
(2022) Pinto, Bárbara Fernandes; Ribeiro, Lorena Natasha Brito; Silva, Gisela Bevilacqua Rolfsen Ferreira da; Freitas, Camila Simões de; Rocha, Lucas Kraemer; Oliveira, Fabrício Marcus Silva; Clímaco, Marianna Carvalho; Mourão, Flavio Afonso Gonçalves; Santos, Gabryella Soares Pinheiro dos; Béla, Samantha Ribeiro; Gurgel, Isabella Luísa da Silva; Leite, Fábio de Lima; Oliveira, Anselmo Gomes de; Vilela, Maura Regina Silva da Páscoa; Lima, Onésia Cristina Oliveira; Soriani, Frederico Marianetti; Fujiwara, Ricardo Toshio; Birbrair, Alexander; Russo, Remo de Castro; Tavares, Juliana Carvalho
Rationale: The FDA-approved Dimethyl Fumarate (DMF) as an oral drug for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) treatment based on its immunomodulatory activities. However, it also caused severe adverse effects mainly related to the gastrointestinal system. Objective: Investigated the potential effects of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) containing DMF, administered by inhalation on the clinical signs, central nervous system (CNS) inflammatory response, and lung function changes in mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Materials and methods: EAE was induced using MOG35–55 peptide in female C57BL/6J mice and the mice were treated via inhalation with DMF-encapsulated SLN (CTRL/SLN/DMF and EAE/SLN/DMF), empty SLN (CTRL/SLN and EAE/SLN), or saline solution (CTRL/saline and EAE/saline), every 72 h during 21 days. Results: After 21 days post-induction, EAE mice treated with DMF-loaded SLN, when compared with EAE/saline and EAE/SLN, showed decreased clinical score and weight loss, reduction in brain and spinal cord injury and inflammation, also related to the increased influx of Foxp3+ cells into the spinal cord and lung tissues. Moreover, our data revealed that EAE mice showed signs of respiratory disease, marked by increased vascular permeability, leukocyte influx, production of TNF-α and IL-17, perivascular and peribronchial inflammation, with pulmonary mechanical dysfunction associated with loss of respiratory volumes and elasticity, which DMF-encapsulated reverted in SLN nebulization. Conclusion: Our study suggests that inhalation of DMF-encapsulated SLN is an effective therapeutic protocol that reduces not only the CNS inflammatory process and disability progression, characteristic of EAE disease, but also protects mice from lung inflammation and pulmonary dysfunction.
Thermoregulatory responses, heart rate, and the susceptibility to anxiety in obese animals subjected to stress.
(2023) Santos, Áquila Rodrigues Costa; Abreu, Aline Rezende Ribeiro de; Noronha, Sylvana Izaura Salyba Rendeiro de; Reis, Thayane Oliveira; Santos, Daisy Motta; Chianca Júnior, Deoclécio Alves; Silva Junior, Luiz Gonzaga da; Menezes, Rodrigo Cunha Alvim de; Rodrigues, Cibele Velloso
Obesity and stress are related to cardiovascular diseases. Rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD) show increased cardiovascular reactivity to emotional stress and altered defensive behavioral responses. Indeed, changes in thermoregulatory responses in an aversive environment are observed in these animals. However, studies aimed at clarifying the physiological mechanisms linking obesity, stress hyperreactivity and behavioral changes are needed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in thermoregulatory responses, heart rate, and the susceptibility to anxiety in obese animals subjected to stress. Nine-week high-fat diet protocol was effective in inducing obesity by increasing weight gain, fat mass, adiposity index, white epididymal, retroperitoneal, inguinal and brown adipose tissue. Animals induced to obesity and subjected to stress (HFDS group) by the intruder animal method showed increases in heart rate (HR), core body temperature and tail temperature. HFDS showed an increase in the first exposure to the closed arm (anxiety-like behavior) in elevated T-Maze (ETM). The groups did not differ with respect to panic behavior assessed in the ETM and locomotor activity in the open field test. Our study shows that HFDS animals presented increased reactivity to stress with higher stress hyperthermia and anxious behavior. Thus, our results present relevant information regarding stress responsiveness and behavioral changes in obese animals.
Monocrotaline induces acutely cerebrovascular lesions, astrogliosis and neuronal degeneration associated with behavior changes in rats : a model of vascular damage in perspective.
(2023) Silva, Adriana Lopes da; Oliveira, Joana da Luz; Nascimento, Ravena Pereira do; Santos, Letícia Oliveira; Araújo, Fillipe Mendes de; Santos, Balbino Lino dos; Santana, Rejane Conceição; Moreira, Eduardo Luiz Trindade; Batatinha, Maria José Moreira; Alves, Iura Muniz; Velozo, Eudes da Silva; Victor, Maurício Moraes; Assis, Adriano Martimbianco de; Almeida, Roberto Farina de; Souza, Diogo Onofre Gomes de; Silva, Victor Diogenes Amaral da; Costa, Silvia Lima
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are secondary plant metabolites playing an important role as phytotoxins in the plant defense mechanisms and can be present as contaminant in the food of humans and animals. The PA monocrotaline (MCT), one of the major plant derived toxin that affect humans and animals, is present in a high concentration in Crotalaria spp. (Leguminosae) seeds and can induce toxicity after consumption, characterized mainly by hepatotoxicity and pneumotoxicity. However, the effects of the ingestion of MCT in the central nervous system (CNS) are still poorly elucidated. Here we investigated the effects of MCT oral acute administration on the behavior and CNS toxicity in rats. Male adult Wistar were treated with MCT (109 mg/Kg, oral gavage) and three days later the Elevated Pluz Maze test demonstrated that MCT induced an anxiolytic-like effect, without changes in novelty habituation and in operational and spatial memory profiles. Histopathology revealed that the brain of MCT-intoxicated animals presented hyperemic vascular structures in the hippocampus, parahippocampal cortex and neocortex, mild perivascular edema in the neocortex, hemorrhagic focal area in the brain stem, hemorrhage and edema in the thalamus. MCT also induced neurotoxicity in the cortex and hippocampus, as revealed by Fluoro Jade-B and Cresyl Violet staining, as well astrocyte reactivity, revealed by immunocytochemistry for glial fibrillary acidic protein. Additionally, it was demonstrated by RT-qPCR that MCT induced up-regulation on mRNA expression of neuroinflammatory mediator, especially IL1β and CCL2 in the hippocampus and cortex, and down-regulation on mRNA expression of neurotrophins HGDF and BDNF in the cortex. Together, these results demonstrate that the ingestion of MCT induces cerebrovascular lesions and toxicity to neurons that are associated to astroglial cell response and neuroinflammation in the cortex and hippocampus of rats, highlighting CNS damages after acute intoxication, also putting in perspective it uses as a model for cerebrovascular damage.
Nicotine exposure through breastfeeding affects brainderived neurotrophic factor and synaptic proteins levels in the brain of stressed adult female mice.
(2022) Pereira Júnior, Antonio Alves; Amorim, Gabriel Estevam Santos de; Garcia, Raphael Caio Tamborelli; Ribeiro, Jessyca Milene; Silva, Alessandra Oliveira; Almeida, Carolina Aparecida de Faria; Ceron, Carla Speroni; Ruginsk, Silvia Graciela; Rodrigues, José Antunes; Elias, Lucila Leico Kagohara; Dias, Marcos Vinícios Salles; Marcourakis, Tania; Torres, Larissa Helena
Nicotine has been used during pregnancy and lactation as a tobacco harm reduction strategy. However, it is unclear whether nicotine exposure during a critical development period negatively impacts stress responses in adulthood. This study investigated how nicotine, administered via breastfeeding, affects the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), synaptic proteins levels, and anxiety-like behavior in adult female mice subjected to stress. Female Swiss mice were exposed to saline or nicotine (8 mg/kg/day) through breastfeeding between their fourth and 17th postnatal days (P) via implanted osmotic mini pumps. The unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) protocol was performed during their adulthood (P65) for 10 consecutive days, followed by the elevated plus maze (EPM) test 1 day after the protocol. Animals were euthanized and their blood, collected for plasma corticosterone measurements and their brain structures, dissected for BDNF and synaptic proteins analyses. We found no significant differences in corticosterone levels between groups (Saline/Nonstress, Nicotine/Non-stress, Saline/Stress, and Nicotine/Stress). The UCMS protocol hindered weight gain. Mice exposed to nicotine through breastfeeding with or without the UCMS protocol in adulthood showed higher grooming and head dipping frequency; decreased BDNF levels in cerebellum and striatum; increased postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD-95), synapsin I, and synaptophysin levels in cerebellum; and decreased PSD-95 and synapsin I levels in brainstem. Our results indicate that nicotine exposure through breastfeeding leads to long-lasting behavioral effects and synaptic protein changes, most of which were independent of the UCMS protocol, even after a long nicotine-free period, highlighting the importance of further studies on nicotine exposure during development.
Effect of inoculum composition on the microbial community involved in the anaerobic digestion of sugarcane bagasse.
(2023) Pereira, Andressa Rezende; Assis, Nathália Vercelli de; Paranhos, Aline Gomes de Oliveira; Lima, Diego Roberto Sousa; Baeta, Bruno Eduardo Lobo; Aquino, Sergio Francisco de; Silva, Silvana de Queiroz
In anaerobic digestion (AD), the choice of inoculum type seems to be relevant for methane production for complex substrates, such as lignocellulosic material. Previous work demonstrated that the addition of fresh manure and ruminal fluid to anaerobic sludge improved methane productivity and kinetics of AD of crude sugarcane bagasse (CSB). Considering that the improvement of methane production could be a result of a more adapted microbial community, the present study performed the Next Generation Sequencing analysis to identify changes in the microbiome of anaerobic sludge inoculum, resulting from fresh manure and ruminal fluid addition. In comparison with AD performed only with anaerobic sludge inoculum (50:50, U), accumulated methane production was 15% higher with anaerobic sludge plus ruminal fluid inoculum (50:50, UR) and even higher (68%) with anaerobic sludge with fresh bovine manure inoculum (50:50, UFM), reaching the value of 143 NmLCH4.gVS −1 . Clostridium species were highly abundant in all inocula, playing an important role during the hydrolysis and fermentation of CSB, and detoxifying potential inhibitors. Microbial composition also revealed the occurrence of Pseudomonas and Anaerobaculum at UFM inoculum that seem to have contributed to the higher methane production rate, mainly due to their hydrolytic and fermentative ability on lignocellulosic substrates. On the other hand, the presence of Alcaligenes might have had a negative effect on methane production due to their ability to perform methane oxidation.
Dissection of schistosome tissues under LC–MS compatible preservative conditions for quantitative proteomics.
(2023) Neves, Leandro Xavier; Wilson, R. Alan; Brownridge, Philip; Holman, Stephen W.; Harman, Victoria Margaret Elizabeth; Eyers, Claire E.; Beynon, Robert J.; Borges, William de Castro
Schistosomes are blood flukes with specialised tissues and organs, each one playing a pivotal role in perpetuating the parasite life cycle. Herein, we describe a detailed methodology for preserving the proteome of adult Schistosoma mansoni worms during manual dissection for enrichment of tissues associated with the parasite's alimentary tract. We provide step-by-step directions for specimen storage and dissection while in preservative solution, tissue homogenisation, protein extraction and digestion using a methodology fully compatible with downstream quantitative liquid chromatography– mass spectrometry analysis. Our methodology uses label-free and QconCAT-based absolute quantification for detection of S. mansoni oesophageal gland products proposed as vaccine candidates. Through stabilisation of the proteome and minimising sample degradation during dissection our approach has allowed us to access the hidden proteome of target tissues not readily available from total lysates because of their small volume. This protocol can be replicated or adapted to other Schistosoma species lacking quantitative proteomics characterisation of specialised tissues for discovery of proteins with potential diagnostic and therapeutic utility.
Enhancing biobased volatile fatty acids production from olive mill solid waste by optimization of pH and substrate to inoculum ratio.
(2023) Fonseca, Yasmim Arantes da; Camargos, Adonai Bruneli de; Gomes, Gustavo Silva Magalhães; Lomar, Priscila Fregulia; Silva, Silvana de Queiroz; Gurgel, Leandro Vinícius Alves; Baeta, Bruno Eduardo Lobo
The pH and substrate-to-inoculum ratio (S/I) are important parameters in the anaerobic fermentation of agroindustrial residues, and therefore the optimization of these two parameters is needed for a stable, efficient, and sustainable reactor operation. In this work, the parameters pH (5–9) and S/I (0.5–3 gVS gVS−1 ) were optimized to produce biobased volatile fatty acids (VFAs) from hydrothermally pretreated olive mill solid waste (HPOMSW). The response variables evaluated in the Doehlert design were total VFAs concentration (tVFAs) (mg L−1 ) and amounts (%) of isobutyric, butyric, isovaleric, and valeric acids on the VFAs profile. The pH was the variable that most influenced the mixed culture fermentation of HPOMSW, proving to be a key parameter in the process. Microbial community analyses of conditions 1 (S/I = 3 gVS gVS−1 and pH = 7) and 4 (S/I = 1.13 gVS gVS−1 and pH = 5) showed that Proteobacteria and Firmicutes accounted for more than 87% of the total microorganisms identified for both conditions. In addition, the second-order model best fitted the experimental data for the VFAs production at the desirable condition (S/I = 3 gVS gVS−1 and pH = 8).
A potential role of cholinergic dysfunction on Impaired Colon Motility in experimental intestinal Chagas disease.
(2022) Ricci, Mayra Fernanda; Béla, Samantha Ribeiro; Barbosa, Joana Lobato; Moraes, Michele Macedo; Mazzeti, Ana Lia; Bahia, Maria Terezinha; Horta, Laila Sampaio; Santiago, Helton da Costa; Cruz, Jader dos Santos; Capettini, Luciano dos Santos Aggum; Arantes, Rosa Maria Esteves
Background/Aims Chagasic megacolon is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, which promotes in several cases, irreversible segmental colonic dilation. This alteration is the major anatomic-clinical disorder, characterized by the enteric nervous system and muscle wall structural damage. Herein, we investigate how T. cruzi-induced progressive colonic structural changes modulate the colonic contractile pattern activity. Methods We developed a murine model of T. cruzi-infection that reproduced long-term modifications of the enlarged colon. We evaluated colonic and total intestinal transit time in animals. The patterns of motor response at several time intervals between the acute and chronic phases were evaluated using the organ bath assays. Enteric motor neurons were stimulated by electric field stimulation. The responses were analyzed in the presence of the nicotinic and muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonists. Western blot was performed to evaluate the expression of nicotinic and muscarinic receptors. The neurotransmitter expression was analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results In the chronic phase of infection, there was decreased intestinal motility associated with decreased amplitude and rhythmicity of intestinal contractility. Pharmacological tests suggested a defective response mediated by acetylcholine receptors. The contractile response induced by acetylcholine was decreased by atropine in the acute phase while the lack of its action in the chronic phase was associated with tissue damage, and decreased expression of choline acetyltransferase, nicotinic subunits of acetylcholine receptors, and neurotransmitters. Conclusions T. cruzi-induced damage of smooth muscles was accompanied by motility disorders such as decreased intestinal peristalsis and cholinergic system response impairment. This study allows integration of the natural history of Chagasic megacolon motility disorders and opens new perspectives for the design of effective therapeutic.

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