Search Results (226)

Enhanced colony nutrition can support brood development, resulting in better physiological conditions and increased resilience in adult honey bees, particularly under stress. This study investigated the effects of colony nutrition and adult dietary supplementation with green propolis on bee health under fungicide exposure. Colonies were managed under food restriction or nutritional supplementation for 22 weeks. Newly emerged bees from each colony were then caged and fed protein diets consisting of honey-pollen patties contaminated or not with fungicide, and sucrose sugar syrup with or without aqueous green propolis extract. Bees from supplemented colonies showed greater body weight, higher hemolymph protein levels, and higher consumption of protein food after seven days in cages. Fungicide exposure reduced hemolymph protein levels, altered the expression of detoxification and immune-related genes, and significantly decreased bee survival. Interestingly, propolis supplementation alone changed gene expression patterns and slightly reduced longevity compared to bees not exposed to propolis or fungicide. However, under fungicide stress, bees that ingested propolis survived longer, indicating a protective effect. While colony nutritional supplementation clearly promotes honey bee resilience against fungicide exposure, feeding propolis also showed promising effects, though further studies are needed to determine an optimal dietary concentration. Full article

The sterol demethylation inhibitors (DMIs) are among the most widely used fungicides for controlling black Sigatoka (Mycosphaerella fijiensis) and yellow Sigatoka (Mycosphaerella musicola) in banana plantations in Brazil. Black Sigatoka is considered more important due to causing yield losses of up to 100% in commercial banana crops under predisposing conditions. In contrast, yellow Sigatoka is important due to its widespread occurrence in the country. This study aimed to determine the current sensitivity levels of Mf and Mm populations to DMI fungicides belonging to the chemical group of triazoles. Populations of both species were sampled from commercial banana plantations in Registro, Vale do Ribeira, São Paulo (SP), Ilha Solteira, Northwestern SP, and Janaúba, Northern Minas Gerais, and were further characterized phenotypically. Additionally, allelic variation in the CYP51 gene was analyzed in populations of these pathogens to identify and characterize major mutations and/or mechanisms potentially associated with resistance. Sensitivity to the triazoles propiconazole and tebuconazole was determined by calculating the 50% inhibitory concentration of mycelial growth (EC₅₀) based on dose–response curves ranging from 0 to 5 µg mL⁻¹. Variation in sensitivity to fungicides was evident with all nine Mf isolates showing moderate resistance levels to both propiconazole or tebuconazole, while 11 out of 42 Mm strains tested showed low to moderate levels of resistance to these triazoles. Mutations leading to CYP51 substitutions Y136F, Y461N/H, and Y463D in Mm and Y461D, G462D, and Y463D in Mf were associated with low or moderate levels of resistance to the triazoles. Interestingly, Y461H have not been reported before in Mm or Mf populations, and this alteration was found in combination with V106D and A446S. More complex CYP51 variants and CYP51 promoter inserts associated with upregulation of the target protein were not detected and can explain the absence of highly DMI-resistant strains in Brazil. Disease management programs that minimize reliance on fungicide sprays containing triazoles will be needed to slow down the further evolution and spread of novel CYP51 variants in Mf and Mm populations in Brazil. Full article

Producing seeds in the organic production system still requires a lot of information regarding the fertilization and nutritional requirements. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the dry mass and macronutrient accumulation curve in lettuce for seed production, aiming at cultivation in an organic system. The treatments consisted of two phosphorus doses (320 and 800 kg ha⁻¹ of P₂O₅, Yoorin^® thermophosphate source). The crisp lettuce plants, cultivar Solaris, were collected at eight stages (0, 14, 28, 42, 56, 70, 84, and 98 days after transplanting—DAT) for an analysis of the proposed characteristics. A nonlinear sigmoid regression curve was fitted and the results demonstrated continuous plant growth, accompanied by a gradual increase in dry matter throughout the experimental period, regardless of the phosphorus dose studied. The vegetative part of the lettuce plant shows slow initial growth, followed by acceleration up to the beginning of flowering (70 DAT), and stabilization after this period. The reproductive part of the lettuce plant begins to grow from 56 DAT, increasing the daily nutrient demand until the end of the seed maturation and harvest at 98 DAT. The dose of 800 kg ha⁻¹ of P₂O₅, the lettuce plant accumulated 1527.7, 308.2, 2922.6, 1658.4, 416.0, and 197.6 mg per plant of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and S, respectively. The dose of 320 kg ha⁻¹ of P₂O₅, the lettuce plant accumulated 1743.1, 256.9, 2575.7, 1210.2, 358.8, and 185.5 mg per plant of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and S, respectively. The greatest demand for nutrients in the plant occurred between 55 and 88 DAT. Full article

This review aims to increase attention on present water quality issues on Central Asia, finding gaps in the literature on ways to address treatment needs, and help ensure future use of Central Asia surface waters and groundwater for all beneficial uses. Central Asia is a landlocked region known for its harsh climatic conditions and scarce water resources, despite being home to some of the world’s largest internal drainage basins. The available literature suggests that increasing salinity has rendered water unsuitable for irrigation and consumption; hazardous trace elements are found throughout Central Asia, most often associated with mining and industrial sources; and that legacy pesticides influence water quality, particularly in agriculturally influenced basins. This study also focuses on the effects of municipal and industrial wastewater discharge. Additionally, the impact of inadequately treated wastewater on water resources is analyzed through a review of available data and reports regarding surface and groundwater quantity and quality. Given the challenges of water scarcity and accessibility, the reuse of treated wastewater is becoming increasingly important, offering a valuable alternative that necessitates careful oversight to ensure public health, environmental sustainability, and water security. However, due to insufficient financial and technical resources, along with underdeveloped regulatory frameworks, many urban areas lack adequate wastewater treatment facilities, significantly constraining their safe and sustainable reuse. Proper management of wastewater effluent is critical, as it directly influences the quality of both surface and groundwater, which serve as key sources for drinking water and irrigation. Due to their persistent and biologically active nature even at trace levels, we discuss contaminants of emerging concern such as antibiotics, pharmaceuticals, and modern agrochemicals. This review thus highlights gaps in the literature reporting on impacts of wastewater inputs to water quality in Central Asia. It is recommended that future research and efforts should focus on exploring sustainable solutions for water quality management and pollution control to assure environmental sustainability and public health. Full article

Laser technology is widely regarded as a highly effective method for welding thermoplastic polymers due to its precision, cleanliness, and versatility. This study investigates the effects of laser power and scanning speed on the through-thickness hardness of polypropylene plates, analyzing the heat-affected zone (HAZ) and hardness variations along the depth of the weld bead. Using the Trumpf Trudisk 6602 laser source, multiple polypropylene passes were made with different power levels (200 W and 300 W) and scanning speeds (5, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 mm/s). The results indicate a direct correlation between laser power and scanning speed in the final width and depth of the weld bead. Furthermore, results indicate that higher scanning speeds and lower power promote a more uniform distribution of hardness across the thickness. This study contributes to understanding laser-assisted welding processes in polymeric materials, providing information on the influence of different laser parameters on weld quality and resulting material properties. Full article

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are known for their antimicrobial properties, and can be synthesized through various routes. We used both chemical synthesis and green synthesis from the biomass of black soldier larvae (Hermetia illucens). To test the antimicrobial potential of these nanoparticles, we employed an in vitro test, with CFU counting, and also used the worm Caenorhabditis elegans as an in vivo model. C. elegans were infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and treated with AgNPs from both syntheses. These AgNPs exhibited absorption spectrum peaks around 400 nm and sizes of 8 ± 3.5 (chemical) and 11 ± 4.7 nm (green). P. aeruginosa-infected worms, without treatment with AgNPs, achieved 100% mortality within 3 days, while AgNPs-treated worms survived until the end of the experiment, with no statistical differences compared to the non-infected worms of the control group. The results demonstrate that nanoparticles produced from H. illucens biomass have antimicrobial capacity, reducing bacterial growth in vitro and being able to protect C. elegans from infection by P. aeruginosa, similar to those produced by chemical synthesis. However, AgNPs from green synthesis are less harmful to the environment while maintaining their antimicrobial potential. Full article

Additive manufacturing with polylactic acid (PLA) presents significant potential for the electrical sector, especially in rapid prototyping and customized component fabrication. While PLA is valued for its biodegradability and ease of processing, its limited thermal stability and poor electrical conductivity restrict its use in high-performance applications. This study investigates the enhancement of PLA through the incorporation of conductive and thermally resistant fillers, aiming to expand its functional properties. Advances in multimaterial and 4D printing are also explored as strategies to increase the applicability of PLA in the production of sensors, flexible circuits, and tailored electrical devices. The findings support PLA’s potential as a sustainable, high-value material for next-generation electrical manufacturing. Full article

The rapid growth of the global population has led to significant environmental impacts, driven by the unsustainable extraction of resources and waste generation. To address these challenges, the valorisation of by-products from different industries is crucial for maximising resource efficiency, reducing waste, and promoting sustainable practices. In this study, a comprehensive characterisation of the physicochemical properties of plant-based by-products, including rice husk (RH), oregano stalks (OS), eucalyptus leaves (EL), and almond shells (AS), was conducted. The analyses of the residues showed that, despite the similarities regarding cellulose and lignin content in all materials, RH and OS present a higher cellulose content, while EL and AS contain a greater percentage of oils. Additionally, calcium and potassium were identified as the metals at higher concentrations in all residues. The EL and RH present significant hydrophobic properties compared to the other analysed residues, showcased by their lower wettability. The morphological analyses of the waste residues revealed that OS and RH particles exhibit fibrous characteristics with heterogeneous sizes, while EL is a blend of fibrous and amorphous particles, and AS is composed of smaller particles with irregular shapes. All the residues retained their antioxidant properties over a 12-month storage period, with no degradation due to grinding. The composition and physicochemical properties of these residues highlight their potential to be used in distinct industries, including construction, transport, and textiles, promoting a circular economy and supporting a more sustainable environment. Full article

Background: The cost and uptake of cancer medications dispensed as take-home treatments are not well understood. Therefore, in this study, we describe trends and the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the utilization and cost of take-home cancer medications dispensed through the public payer system in Ontario, Canada. Methods: We conducted a repeated cross-sectional time-series analysis examining monthly and fiscal-year trends in the utilization and cost of take-home cancer medications reimbursed by the public payer between 1 April 2017 and 31 March 2021, in Ontario, Canada. Our primary outcome was per-beneficiary spending. Total public payer spending and the number of unique beneficiaries who were dispensed take-home cancer medications were reported as secondary outcomes. All outcomes were reported overall and stratified by drug class. We used autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) models to assess the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on the aforementioned trends. Results: Annual per-beneficiary spending on take-home cancer medications increased by 32.8% (from CAD 4422 in 2017/18 to CAD 6579 in 2020/21) over the study period. The rise in per-beneficiary spending was driven by the cost of medications within the small-molecule targeted therapy and immunotherapy drug classes, which accounted for three-quarters of total public payer spending on take-home cancer medications in 2020/21 despite being dispensed to less than 8% of beneficiaries. Upon the declaration of emergency for SARS-CoV-2, a short-term decline in per-beneficiary spending (CAD −179 per month; p-value < 0.01) was observed between March and June 2020. This temporary decline was driven by an increase in the number of beneficiaries (5582 per month; p-value < 0.01) receiving low-cost take-home cancer medications within the cytotoxic chemotherapy and hormonal therapy drug class without a corresponding rise in public payer spending. Conclusion: Future research should investigate barriers to the widespread uptake of take-home cancer medications during periods of public emergencies, particularly for high-cost drugs. Full article

Background/objectives: Schistosomiasis is caused by flatworms of the genus Schistosoma, for which mollusks of the genus Biomphalaria are intermediate hosts. Niclosamide (NCL) is a molluscicide recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for control of Biomphalaria. Although effective, it is expensive and environmentally toxic, which raises concerns regarding its widespread use. As a result, we explored new synthetic substances as alternative strategies for controlling Biomphalaria glabrata. We evaluated the molluscicidal activity of 2-(1H-py-razol-1-yl)-1,3,4-thiadiazole and 2-(4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-1,3,4-thiadiazole derivatives against B. glabrata snails and embryos, as well as Schistosoma cercariae (infective larvae). Methods: Adult and young snails were added to 24-well plates containing 20 synthetic compounds from the PDAN series for initial screening over 96 h at a concentration of 100 ppm. Water and NCL (2 ppm) were used as the negative and positive controls, respectively. Active compounds in the adult B. glabrata assay were selected for the tests vs. embryos and cercariae. Results: In the initial screen, only PDAN 52 (63 ± 4%) and 79 (12 ± 3%) showed molluscicidal activity at a concentration of 100 ppm up to 48 h. Consequently, we selected only PDAN 52. The LC₅₀ value found in the tests on embryos after 24 h of treatment was 20 ± 2 ppm and, after 48 h, it was 4 ± 0.5 ppm. Against cercariae, we measured an LC₅₀ value of 68 ± 5 ppm after 4 h of treatment. PDAN 52 did not induce marked toxicity against a second mollusk, Physella acuta, after 48 h of exposure. Conclusions: We highlight the promising molluscicidal activity of PDAN 52 against different developmental stages of the mollusk, B. glabrata, as well the infective larvae of Schistosoma mansoni. Full article

Background: Cervical cancer is highly prevalent among women in Amazonas, Brazil, mainly due to low screening coverage, and is diagnosed at a late stage, which compromises the treatment efficacy and survival rates. After treatment, recurrence is frequent, and there are few follow-up options to detect it. This highlights the urgent need for less-invasive biomarkers to monitor affected patients. Methods: This study employed real-time PCR, targeting the E7 gene of HPV types 16 and 18 to analyze cell-free DNA from plasma samples from 39 cervical cancer patients treated at the Oncology Control Center Foundation in Amazonas, Brazil. Results: cf-HPV 16 DNA was detected in 54% of the samples before treatment. The socioeconomic and behavioral data showed that 46.2% of the patients had low educational levels, 77% reported having a low income, 79.5% experienced an early sexual activity onset, and 15.4% had never undergone cytological screening. Persistence or recurrence occurred in 30.8% of cases over 4–33 months of follow-up, with cf-HPV DNA detectable in 75% of these cases. Conclusions: cf-HPV DNA in plasma is a promising biomarker for post-treatment surveillance, facilitating the earlier detection of persistence/recurrence. Incorporating this biomarker into clinical protocols could enhance outcomes and survival, particularly in underserved regions like the Amazon, where the access to healthcare is limited. Full article

In the history of yellow fever (YF) outbreaks in Brazil, howler monkeys (Alouatta sp.) and marmosets (Callithrix sp.) have been among the most affected genera, exhibiting significant hepatic injuries similar to those seen in humans. However, limited information exists regarding yellow fever virus (YFV) infection in their central nervous system (CNS). To address this gap, an epidemiological study was conducted to assess tissue changes, viral detection, and cytokine profiles in the brains of both neotropical primate species when they are naturally infected with YFV. A total of 22 brain samples from these species (8 from Alouatta sp. and 14 from Callithrix sp.) showing infection with YFV in the liver via immunohistochemistry (IHC) were selected. From them, YFV antigen detection occurred in 35.7% (5/14) of Callithrix sp. brain samples and 87.5% (7/8) of Alouatta sp. samples, with a higher frequency of viral antigen quantification in Callithrix sp. Both species exhibited similar CNS lesions, characterized by congestion, low hemorrhage, limited inflammatory infiltration interstitial and perivascular edema associated with neuronal degeneration, neurophagy, and higher cell death (necrosis and apoptosis) quantification. Pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine profiles were balanced, with TNF-α and IL-1β playing a key role in inflammation, while IL-10 and IL-13 exhibited a prominent role in immunomodulation, suggesting an anti-inflammatory modulation typical of flaviviruses occurs. This study demonstrates that YFV can induce CNS lesions in neotropical primates, establishing it as a secondary target of viral tropism. These findings highlight the importance of collecting nervous tissue during epizootics, particularly in Callithrix sp., as such tissue is often overlooked despite its critical role in disease monitoring. Full article

Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum chagasi infections range from asymptomatic (AS) to severe visceral leishmaniasis (VL). One of the manifestations is an atypical non-ulcerated cutaneous leishmaniasis (NUCL), which occurs in some locations of Central America with few cases of VL. We conducted a transcriptomic analysis of cell-mediated immunity (CMI) on blood samples from NUCL, AS, VL patients from Amapala, Honduras, and healthy controls. RNA-seq revealed a similar perturbation of gene expression in NUCL and AS. Eight gene signatures of CMI were found in NUCL involved in CD8⁺ T lymphocyte infiltration, reactive oxygen species generation, PD-1 receptor ligand, inflammasome assembly, chemotaxis, complement receptor and suppressor immune cell infiltration. NUCL was distinguished from VL by its up-regulation of differently expressed genes (DEGs) related to T lymphocyte exhaustion, adhesion and transmigration of leukocytes, and down-regulation of oxidative stress genes. In contrast, VL exhibited up-regulated DEGs involved in antigen cross-presentation, and similar to VL from Brazil, down-regulated DEGs involved in innate immunity. Corroborating the transcriptome findings, both the Leishmanin skin test, and the immunopathology of NUCL skin lesion defined NUCL as a proinflammatory condition, intermediate between the AS and VL clinical outcomes. That condition may be the underlying element for the benign nature of the NUCL. Full article

Baru nut oil (Dipteryx alata Vogel) is a lipidic extract from a species endemic to the Cerrado biome, renowned for its antioxidant potential. This study aimed to develop a nanoemulsion containing baru nut oil (BNON) using lecithin and polysorbate 80, and to evaluate its antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity. The physicochemical properties of BNON were characterized, and its cytotoxicity was assessed in human erythrocytes and keratinocytes. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using the DPPH method and inhibition of AAPH-induced hemolysis. BNON exhibited a droplet size of 530.1 ± 20.48 nm, a polydispersity index of 0.496 ± 0.057, and a zeta potential of −35.7 ± 2.19 mV. Free baru nut oil showed no cytotoxicity to keratinocytes or erythrocytes within the concentration ranges tested (1.0–0.031 mg/mL and 0.8–0.006 mg/mL, respectively). In contrast, BNON displayed cytotoxic effects on keratinocytes and erythrocytes only at the highest tested concentration. Atomic force microscopy analysis of erythrocytes from the hemolysis assay revealed normal morphology for cells treated with free oil at 0.8 mg/mL, whereas cells treated with BNON at the same concentration exhibited a slightly widened concave center. Free oil at 0.8 mg/mL significantly protected erythrocytes from AAPH-induced hemolysis, while BNON did not. However, BNON (5 mg/mL) demonstrated free radical scavenging activity, quantified at 0.0074 mg Trolox equivalents/mg via the DPPH assay. These findings suggest that baru nut oil has potential as an antioxidant product, although further optimization of the nanoformulation is required. Full article

This work presents an innovative method for detecting the respiratory patterns of subjects walking on a treadmill, by leveraging the capabilities of deep learning (DL) technologies and a dual-radar setup. The study aims to overcome the challenge of accurately capturing respiratory rates in subjects performing body movements, a scenario less addressed in prior studies. By employing two radars operating at $5.8$ GHz for motion mitigation, this study compares the efficacy of dual-radar configurations against a single-radar setup. The study employs DL algorithms based on convolutional autoencoders to mitigate the low-quality demodulated radar signals by reconstructing the respiratory signal. The models are trained with data from a single subject and data from 15 subjects, attaining average absolute errors of $0.29$ and $4.59$ Respiration Per Minute (RPM), respectively, allowing to conclude that the use of DL algorithms enhances the accuracy of respiratory signal detection when compared with arctangent demodulation, even in cases where radar data contain minimal information regarding vital signals. Full article