Transcriptomic Analysis of Skin Color in Anole Lizards

Color and color pattern are critical for animal camouflage, reproduction, and defense. Few studies, however, have attempted to identify candidate genes for color and color pattern in squamate reptiles, a colorful group with over 10,000 species. We used comparative transcriptomic analyses between white, orange, and yellow skin in a color-polymorphic species of anole lizard to 1) identify candidate color and color-pattern genes in squamates and 2) assess if squamates share an underlying genetic basis for color and color pattern variation with other vertebrates. Squamates have three types of chromatophores that determine color pattern: guanine-filled iridophores, carotenoid- or pteridine-filled xanthophores/erythrophores, and melanin-filled melanophores. We identified 13 best candidate squamate color and color-pattern genes shared with other vertebrates: six genes linked to pigment synthesis pathways, and seven genes linked to chromatophore development and maintenance. In comparisons of expression profiles between pigment-rich and white skin, pigment-rich skin upregulated the pteridine pathway as well as xanthophore/erythrophore development and maintenance genes; in comparisons between orange and yellow skin, orange skin upregulated the pteridine and carotenoid pathways as well as melanophore maintenance genes. Our results corroborate the predictions that squamates can produce similar colors using distinct color-reflecting molecules, and that both color and color-pattern genes are likely conserved across vertebrates. Furthermore, this study provides a concise list of candidate genes for future functional verification, representing a first step in determining the genetic basis of color and color pattern in anoles

ACP-TX-I and ACP-TX-II, two novel phospholipases A(2) isolated from trans-pecos copperhead agkistrodon contortrix pictigaster venom: biochemical and functional characterization

This work reports the purification and biochemical and functional characterization of ACP-TX-I and ACP-TX-II, two phospholipases A(2) (PLA(2)) from Agkistrodon contortrix pictigaster venom. Both PLA(2)s were highly purified by a single chromatographic step on a C-18 reverse phase HPLC column. Various peptide sequences from these two toxins showed similarity to those of other PLA(2) toxins from viperid snake venoms. ACP-TX-I belongs to the catalytically inactive K49 PLA(2) class, while ACP-TX-II is a D49 PLA(2), and is enzymatically active. ACP-TX-I PLA(2) is monomeric, which results in markedly diminished myotoxic and inflammatory activities when compared with dimeric K49 PLA(2)s, confirming the hypothesis that dimeric structure contributes heavily to the profound myotoxicity of the most active viperid K49 PLA(2)s. ACP-TX-II exhibits the main pharmacological actions reported for this protein family, including in vivo local myotoxicity, edema-forming activity, and in vitro cytotoxicity. ACP-TX-I PLA(2) is cytotoxic to A549 lung carcinoma cells, indicating that cytotoxicity to these tumor cells does not require enzymatic activity11CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQ163536/2013-

Differences in Inflammatory Cytokine Profile in Obesity-Associated Asthma: Effects of Weight Loss

Obesity and asthma are associated with systemic inflammation maintained by mediators released by adipose tissue and lung. This study investigated the inflammatory serum mediator profile in obese subjects (O) (n = 35), non-obese asthma (NOA) patients (n = 14), obese asthmatics (OA) (n = 21) and healthy controls (HC) (n = 33). The effect of weight loss after bariatric surgery (BS) was examined in 10 OA and 31 O subjects. We analyzed serum markers including leptin, adiponectin, TGF-?1, TNFR2, MCP-1, ezrin, YKL-40, ST2, IL-5, IL-9, and IL-18. Compared with HC subjects, the O group showed increased levels of leptin, TGF-?1, TNFR2, MCP-1, ezrin, YKL-40, and ST2; the OA group presented increased levels of MCP-1, ezrin, YKL-40, and IL-18, and the NOA group had increased levels of ezrin, YKL-40, IL-5, and IL-18. The higher adiponectin/leptin ratio in NOA with respect to OA subjects was the only significant difference between the two groups. IL-9 was the only cytokine with significantly higher levels in OA with respect to O subjects. TNFR2, ezrin, MCP-1, and IL-18 concentrations significantly decreased in O subjects after BS. O, OA, and NOA showed distinct patterns of systemic inflammation. Leptin and adiponectin are regulated in asthma by obesity-dependent and-independent mechanisms. Combination of asthma and obesity does not result in significant additive effects on circulating cytokine levels. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Infecções sexualmente transmissíveis na população ribeirinha: prevalência e comportamento de risco

Introduction: The riparians population is considered vulnerable to Sexually Transmitted Infections due to restrictions related to access to health, information and education.Objective: To analyze the prevalence of self-reported Sexually Transmitted Infections among the riparians population and associated sociodemographic and behavioral factors.Material and Method: Cross-sectional, analytical study, conducted with 250 riparians dwellers from João Pessoa, Paraiba state, from June to October 2019. Data were collected through interviews using a structured questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was performed. The research was approved by the Research Ethics Committee under opinion number 3,340,273.Results: The prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infections was 20.8%. Male ribs (OR=3.27; CI95%:1.74-6.15), who reported sexual intercourse with sex workers (OR=6.54; CI95%:3.05-14.0) and illicit drug use (OR 2.13; CI95%:1.10-4.13) were more likely to develop sexually transmitted infection.Conclusions: High prevalence of sexually transmitted infections and presence of risk behaviors among riparians. Screening, early diagnosis and health education is essential for discontinuation of the transmission chain.Introducción: La población ribereña se considera vulnerable a las infecciones de transmisión sexual debido a cambios relacionados con el acceso a la salud, la información y la educación.Objetivo: Analizar la prevalencia de infecciones de transmisión sexual autoinformadas en una población ribereña y los factores sociodemográficos y conductuales asociados.Material y Método: Estudio transversal, analítico, realizado con 250 habitantes ribereños de João Pessoa, en el estado de Paraíba, de junio a octubre de 2019. Los datos fueron recolectados a través de entrevistas mediante un cuestionario estructurado. Se realizó un análisis de regresión logística. La investigación fue aprobada por el Comité de Ética en Investigación con el dictamen número 3.340.273.Resultados: La prevalencia de Infecciones de Transmisión Sexual fue de 20,8%. Hombres habitantes de la ribera (OR = 3,27; IC del 95%: 1,74-6,15), que informaron haber tenido relaciones sexuales con una trabajadora sexual (OR = 6,54; IC del 95%: 3,05-14,0) y uso de drogas ilícitas (OR 2,13; IC del 95%: 1.10-4.13) disipación mayores posibilidades de desarrollar una infección de transmisión sexual.Conclusiones: Alta prevalencia de riesgo de transmisión sexual y presencia de tendencia de riesgo entre los habitantes de las riberas. El cribado, el diagnóstico precoz y la educación sanitaria son fundamentales para interrumpir la transmisión.Introdução: A população ribeirinha é considerada vulnerável às Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis devido às restrições relacionadas ao acesso à saúde, informação e educação.Objetivo: Analisar a prevalência de Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis autorreferidas entre a população ribeirinha e fatores sociodemográficos e comportamentais associados. Material e Método: Estudo transversal, analítico, realizado com 250 ribeirinhos de João Pessoa, no estado da Paraíba, no período de junho a outubro de 2019. Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevista com a utilização de questionário estruturado. Realizou-se análise de regressão logística. A pesquisa foi aprovada pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa sob número de parecer 3.340.273.Resultados: A prevalência de Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis foi de 20,8%. Ribeirinhos do sexo masculino (OR=3,27;IC95%: 1,74-6,15), que relataram relação sexual com profissional do sexo (OR=6,54;IC95%:3,05-14,0) e uso de droga ilícita (OR 2,13; IC95%: 1,10-4,13) apresentaram maiores chances de desenvolver alguma infecção sexualmente transmissível. Conclusões: Alta prevalência de infecções sexualmente transmissíveis e presença de comportamentos de risco entre os ribeirinhos. Rastreio, diagnóstico precoce e educação em saúde é fundamental para descontinuação da cadeia de transmissão

Evolutionary history, biogeography, and a new species of Sphoeroides (Tetraodontiformes: Tetraodontidae): how the major biogeographic barriers of the Atlantic Ocean shaped the evolution of a pufferfish genus

ABSTRACT: Tetraodontidae is the most speciose family of Tetraodontiformes and is represented by fish popularly known as pufferfishes. They are characterized by modified jaws with four dental plates and the ability to inflate their bodies. Tetraodontids are distributed throughout the world and have a wide range of habitat use. One of its genera, Sphoeroides, shows a biogeographical pattern, with 19 of its 21 species restricted to coastal regions of the Americas. Although represented in large-scale phylogenies, the evolutionary history and biogeography of the genus have not been explored in detail. The present study aims to understand the historical and biogeographic processes that shaped the evolutionary history of Sphoeroides. Including samples from all biogeographic regions of its occurrence, we reconstruct a phylogenetic/biogeographic history hypothesis for the genus. Our results show that Sphoeroides is a paraphyletic group comprising Colomesus; indicate a central role of the biogeographic barriers of the Atlantic Ocean in the diversification of the genus; and identified a cryptic species in Brazilian waters, formally known as S. spengleri, described here through integrative taxonomy. We also propose nomenclatural changes given the position of Colomesus deeply nested within Sphoeroides.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Efeitos do método isostretching na função respiratória e postura de respiradores bucal

Introduction: Mouth breathing interferes with tonicity, posture, mobility and sensitivity of phonoarticulatory organs, which may generate vicious oral habits. Objective: Assessing the posture and the breathing capacity of mouth breathers submitted to the isostretching technique. Methods: A prospective, quasi-experimental study in which the posture of 17 children was assessed by photogrammetry and the respiratory parameters were evaluated by cirtometry; manovacuometry and peak flow. The children were evaluated before the first session and successively after 12 sessions of isostretching technique. Results: There was a change in the sternoclavicular angles (Initial: 3.57±1.54, Final 2.08±0.93; p=0.003), anterosuperior (Initial: 3.31±2.51, Final: 2.00±1.26; p= 0.001) and posterosuperior (Initial: 2.99±2.22, Final 1.62±1.92, p= 0.009) iliac spine, maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) (Initial: 79.29±16.11; Final 91.17±17.80; p= 0.001) and in the Peak Flow (Initial: 279.41±72.92, Final 310.91±66.65; p= 0.01). Conclusion: Treatment with isostretching was effective to improve the respiratory capacity and to change the postural angles.Introdução: A respiração bucal interfe na tonicidade, na postura, na mobilidade e na sensibilidade de órgãos fonoarticulatórios, podendo gerar hábitos orais viciosos. Objetivo: Avaliar a capacidade respiratória e a postura de respiradores bucais submetidos à técnica de isostretching. Métodos: Estudo prospectivo e quasi-experimental, em que a postura de 17 crianças foi avaliada por fotogrametria e os parâmetros respiratórios avaliados pela cirtometria; pela manovacuometria, e por peak flow. As crianças foram avaliadas inicialmente e ao final de 12 sessões da técnica isostretching. Resultados: Houve mudança nos ângulos esternoclavicular (Inicial: 3,571,54; Final 2,080,93, p= 0,003); espinha ilíaca ântero-superior (Inicial: 3,312,51; Final: 2,001,26, p= 0,001) e posterosuperior (Inicial: 2,992,22; Final 1,621,92, p= 0,009) e na pressão expiratória máxima (PEmáx) (Inicial: 79,2916,11; Final 91,1717,80, p= 0,001) e Peak Flow (Inicial: 279,4172,92; Final 310,9166,65, p= 0,01). Conclusão: O tratamento com isostretching foi eficaz para melhorar a capacidade respiratória e para alterar ângulos posturais

O USO DE MÍDIAS DIGITAIS E O DESENVOLVIMENTO DE SINTOMAS DE AUTISMO NA INFÂNCIA: Uma revisão integrativa

The increase in screen use by children has raised concerns among experts due to its potential impacts on cognitive and social development. Concurrently, there has been a significant rise in the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In this context, this review aimed to explore the relationship between excessive screen use in childhood and the emergence of autism-like symptoms, which could lead to misdiagnosis. Through an integrative review, 5 databases were accessed, and 36 studies were selected for initial analysis. Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria and their results were described. Excessive screen use in childhood appears to be associated with deficits in social communication, impaired eye contact, sensory-motor delays, behavioral and learning problems, lack of self-control and emotional intelligence, as well as sleep disturbances. These symptoms may be exacerbated in children with ASD. Parents often use screens to calm, distract, or educate their children. Interventions that reduce screen time have shown improvements in autism symptoms in both children with and without ASD. Excessive screen use in childhood may cause or exacerbate symptoms similar to those of ASD. These findings highlight the need for careful evaluations in ASD diagnoses to prevent excessive screen use from being a confounding factor. It is crucial to acknowledge the current limitations of research due to methodological variations, which necessitates more comprehensive and long-term studies for a clearer understanding of these relationships.El aumento del uso de pantallas por parte de los niños ha generado preocupación entre los especialistas debido a los posibles impactos en el desarrollo cognitivo y social. Paralelamente, se ha observado un aumento significativo en el diagnóstico del Trastorno del Espectro Autista (TEA). En este contexto, la presente revisión buscó explorar la relación entre el uso excesivo de pantallas en la primera infancia y la aparición de síntomas similares al autismo, lo que podría generar diagnósticos erróneos. Mediante una revisión integradora, se accedieron a 5 bases de datos y se seleccionaron 36 estudios para un análisis inicial. Once estudios cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión y se describieron sus resultados. El uso excesivo de pantallas en la infancia parece estar asociado con déficits en la comunicación social, contacto visual deteriorado, retraso sensoriomotor, problemas de comportamiento y aprendizaje, falta de autocontrol e inteligencia emocional, además de causar trastornos del sueño. Estos síntomas pueden intensificarse en niños con TEA. Las madres frecuentemente utilizan pantallas para calmar, distraer o educar a sus hijos. Las intervenciones que reducen el tiempo de pantalla han mostrado mejoras en los síntomas del autismo tanto en niños sin TEA como con TEA. El uso excesivo de pantallas en la primera infancia puede causar o intensificar síntomas similares al TEA. Estos hallazgos destacan la necesidad de evaluaciones exhaustivas en los diagnósticos de TEA, para evitar que la influencia del uso excesivo de pantallas sea un factor confusor. Es crucial reconocer las limitaciones actuales de la investigación debido a sus variaciones metodológicas, lo que requiere estudios más amplios y a largo plazo para una comprensión más clara de estas relaciones.O aumento do uso de telas por crianças tem gerado preocupação entre especialistas devido aos possíveis impactos no desenvolvimento cognitivo e social. Em paralelo, tem-se percebido um aumento significativo no diagnóstico de Transtorno do Espectro Autista (TEA). Nesse contexto, a presente revisão buscou explorar a relação entre o uso excessivo de telas na primeira infância e o surgimento de sintomas semelhantes aos do autismo, o que pode gerar diagnósticos equivocados. Por meio de uma revisão integrativa, foram acessadas 5 bases de dados e selecionados 36 estudos para uma análise inicial. Onze estudos atenderam aos critérios de inclusão e tiveram seus resultados descritos. O uso excessivo de telas na infância parece estar associado a déficits de comunicação social, contato visual prejudicado, atraso sensorimotor, problemas de comportamento e aprendizagem, falta de autocontrole e de inteligência emocional, além de causar distúrbios do sono. Esses sintomas podem ser exacerbados em crianças com TEA. Pais frequentemente utilizam telas para acalmar, distrair ou educar seus filhos. Intervenções que reduzem o tempo de tela mostraram melhorias nos sintomas de autismo tanto em crianças sem TEA quanto com TEA. O uso excessivo de telas na primeira infância pode causar ou intensificar sintomas semelhantes aos do TEA. Esses achados destacam a necessidade de avaliações criteriosas nos diagnósticos de TEA, a fim de evitar que a influência do uso excessivo de tela seja um fator confundidor. É crucial reconhecer as limitações atuais das pesquisas devido às suas variações metodológicas, o que requer estudos mais abrangentes e de longo prazo para uma compreensão mais clara dessas relações

The traditional knowledge on stingless bees (Apidae: Meliponina) used by the Enawene-Nawe tribe in western Brazil

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This paper presents the Enawene-Nawe Society's traditional knowledge about stingless bees. The Enawene-Nawe are an Aruak speaking people, indigenous to the Meridian Amazon. Specifically, they live in the Jurema River hydrological basin, located in the northwestern region of the Mato Grosso state.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The stingless bees were sampled from two ecologically similar regions in the interior of Enawene-Nawe Land. The first sampling took place around the village, i.e., adjacent to houses, by the edge of the Iquê River, next to food leftovers, around human excrement, and simply when the insects were found flying or reposing on a human body. The second round of sampling happened from 29/10 to 02/11/94, during an expedition for honey collection that took place throughout the ciliar bushes of the Papagaio River, an important tributary of Juruena River. We sampled bees adjacent to their nests following the beehive inspection or during the honey extraction.</p> <p>In this work, the main bee species of the sub tribe Meliponina, which were handled by the Enawene-Nawe, was identified, and a brief ethnographic description of the honey collection expeditions and its social-cosmologic meaning for the group was done.</p> <p>Results and Discussion</p> <p>Similar to other indigenous people in Brazil, the Enawene-Nawe recognized 48 stingless bee species. They identified each bee species by name and specified each one's ecological niche. A brief ethnographic description of the honey collection expeditions and bees' social-cosmologic meaning for the group is included.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We concluded that, as an example of other indigenous people, the Enawene-Nawe classify and identify the bees based not only on their structure and morphological aspects but also on the ecological, etiological, and social characteristics of the species.</p