Zootechnical data analysis in a breeding animal facility: tracing the patterns of mouse production

Ferreira Eloiza K. G. D.,Mazzarotto Giovanny A. C. A.,Silveira Guilherme F. 한국실험동물학회 2021 Laboratory Animal Research Vol.37 No.1

With the enactment of the Brazilian Law Arouca 11,794/2008 and Decree 6.899/2009, there has been an urgent need for changes in the processes related to animal experimentation in Brazil; in particular, there is a need for improvements in enhancements of the lab animal management. To improve the management capacity of the Lab animal facility of the Carlos Chagas Institute’s Laboratory Animals Science (LAS), BioterC software was developed and implemented in 2014 for tracking mouse laboratory colonies. Five years after the implementation of this software, we sought to analyze the information in the database originated from BioterC using the Exploratory Analysis Data methodology (EDA). This article aims to identify animal breeding patterns using a data mining tool (Data Science) with Python programming language.The results show that from September 2014 to June 2019, under the license IACUC number LW- 6/17, 15.106 animals were produced. The C57BL/6, BALB/c and Swiss strains were the most frequently produced strains. The distribution of births due to crosses between these strains showed a median of 6 to 10 animals, depending on the genetic homozygosis and heterozygosis of the animal. The median number of days of mating was 35 days. In the sexing period, the records reported a median of 19 days. A total of 393 requests for animals from internal and external laboratories were registered. It was noted that approximately half of the animals produced to meet the demand for orders were discarded. Of the 15,106 animals, 38% were requested for animal experimentation, 58% were discarded and 4% did not have an outcome recorded in the data.This volume of data provides an initial view of the information retrieval capabilities contained in BioterC, allowing for unique breeding knowledge by installing laboratory animals.

In Vitro Evaluation of the Genotoxic Activity and Apoptosis Induction of the Extracts of Roots and Leaves from the Medicinal Plant Coccoloba mollis (Polygonaceae)

Marcela S. Tsuboy,Juliana C. Marcarini,Rodrigo C. Luiz,Iuri B. Barros,Dalva T. Ferreira,Lu´cia R. Ribeiro,Ma´rio S. Mantovani 한국식품영양과학회 2010 Journal of medicinal food Vol.13 No.3

Coccoloba mollis (Family Polygonaceae) is a medicinal plant popularly used in cases of memory loss, stress, insomnia, anemia, impaired vision, and sexual impotence, but the scientific literature, to date, lacks studies on the biological effects of this species, particularly with regard to cytotoxicity and induction of DNA damage. The aim of the present study was to assess in vitro (in hepatic HTC cells) ethanolic extracts of the roots and leaves of C. mollis for cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and induction of apoptosis. For these evaluations the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) cytotoxicity assay, comet assay, micronucleus test with cytokinesis block, and an in situ test for detection of apoptotic cells with acridine orange staining were used. The results showed that the extract obtained from the roots of C. mollis is more cytotoxic than that obtained from the leaves and that the reduction in cell viability observed in the MTT assay was a result, at least in part, from the induction of apoptosis. Both extracts induced DNA damage at a concentration of 20μg/mL in the comet assay, but no genotoxicity was detected with any of the treatments carried out in the micronucleus test.

Oral methylmercury intoxication aggravates cardiovascular risk factors and accelerates atherosclerosis lesion development in ApoE knockout and C57BL/6 mice

Silva Janayne L.,Leocádio Paola C. L.,Reis Jonas M.,Campos Gianne P.,Capettini Luciano S. A.,Foureaux Giselle,Ferreira Anderson J.,Windmöller Cláudia C.,Santos Flávia A.,Oriá Reinaldo B.,Crespo-López 한국독성학회 2021 Toxicological Research Vol.37 No.3

Methylmercury (MeHg) intoxication is associated with hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and atherosclerosis by mechanisms that are not yet fully understood. We investigated the effects of MeHg intoxication in atherosclerosis-prone (ApoE-KO) and resistant C57BL/6 mice. Mice were submitted to carotid stenosis surgery (to induce atherosclerosis faster) and received water or MeHg solution (20 mg/L) for 15 days. Tail plethysmography was performed before and after MeHg exposure. Food and MeHg solution intakes were monitored weekly. On the 15th day, mice were submitted to intravital fluorescence microscopy of mesenteric vasculature to observe in vivo leukocyte rolling and adhesion. Results showed that despite the high hair and liver Hg concentrations in the MeHg group, food and water (or MeHg solution) consumption and liver function marker levels were similar to those in controls. MeHg exposure increased total cholesterol, the atherogenic (non-HDL) fraction and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. MeHg exposure also induced inflammation, as seen by the increased rolling and adhered leukocytes in the mesenteric vasculature. Atherosclerosis lesions were more extensive in the aorta and carotid sites of MeHg-ApoE knockout mice. Surprisingly, MeHg exposure also induced atherosclerosis lesions in C57BL/6 mice, which are resistant to atherosclerosis formation. We concluded that MeHg intoxication might represent a risk for cardiovascular diseases since it accelerates atherogenesis by exacerbating several independent risk factors.

Optimization of hemicellulose recovery from black liquor using ZnO/PES ultrafiltration membranes in crossflow mode

Manorma Sharma,Cátia V.T. Mendes,Patrícia Alves,Licínio M. Gando-Ferreira 한국공업화학회 2022 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.114 No.-

Black liquor, one of the by-products of pulp and paper industry, is an underexplored resource with greatpotential for the recovery of valuable biopolymers such as lignin and hemicelluloses. In this work, thehemicellulose was recovered from this liquor, containing 17 % of total dissolved solids, using ZnO/polyethersulfone ultrafiltration membrane. The hemicellulose was concentrated into the retentatestream while lignin was permeated through these membranes. The effects of transmembrane pressure(1 to 4 bar), time (up to 8 h) and crossflow velocity (0.1 and 0.2 m/s) were studied for ultrafiltration processoperating in crossflow mode. The highest rejection of hemicellulose was achieved up to 90.7 ± 1.9 %at 4 bar. At 3 bar, the yield of hemicellulose was 90 % and 84 % for the volume reduction up to 60 % and78 %, respectively. Mathematical modeling was applied to analyze the membrane fouling mechanismresponsible for the flux reduction during filtration at constant pressure, as well as to predict the changesin hemicellulose and lignin concentration during the filtration process.

Design and development of a digital platform for seasonal jobs: Improving the hiring process

Nuno Martins,Sérgio Dominique-Ferreira,Cátia Lopes 한국마케팅과학회 2022 마케팅과학연구 Vol.32 No.3

The seasonality of employment in tourism consists of challenges of hiring. The primary goal of this study was to develop a digital recruitment platform for the tourism industry. A two-step multidimensional approach was applied to the challenge. The first step was based on benchmarking and interviews with key stakeholders. The second step was based on visual identity factors, prototyping, and usability tests. Authors found that it was possible to develop a simple and intuitive digital platform that positively adjusted the dynamic hiring process for seasonal jobs. Improvements to the platform should include new metrics, such as evaluation of candidates who used this platform previously, based on different elements, such as emotional intelligence. In this way, profile matching could be optimized, and the platform tool would become more robust and useful. This study’s medium- and high-fidelity models of a digital platform to be utilized in human resources tasks are the new additions to toolkits that may streamline HR functions.

<i>In vitro</i>and<i>in vivo</i>downregulation of C3 by lipoteichoic acid isolated from<i>Lactobacillus plantarum</i>K8 suppressed cytokine-mediated complement system activation

Jeon, Boram,Kim, Hye Rim,Kim, Hangeun,Chung, Dae Kyun,Ferreira, Cé,lia Oxford University Press 2016 FEMS microbiology letters Vol.363 No.14

Effective Parameters for Gait Analysis in Experimental Models for Evaluating Peripheral Nerve Injuries in Rats

Ivair Matias Júnior,Priscila Medeiros,Renato Leonardo de Freita,Hilton Vicente-César,José Raniery Ferreira Junior,Hélio Rubens Machado,Rafael Menezes-Reis 대한척추신경외과학회 2019 Neurospine Vol.16 No.2

Objective: Chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve is a peripheral nerve injury widely used to induce mononeuropathy. This study used machine learning methods to identify the best gait analysis parameters for evaluating peripheral nerve injuries. Methods: Twenty-eight male Wistar rats (weighing 270±10 g), were used in the present study and divided into the following 4 groups: CCI with 4 ligatures around the sciatic nerve (CCI-4L; n=7), a modified CCI model with 1 ligature (CCI-1L; n=7), a sham group (n=7), and a healthy control group (n=7). All rats underwent gait analysis 7 and 28 days postinjury. The data were evaluated using Kinovea and WeKa software (machine learning and neural networks). Results: In the machine learning analysis of the experimental groups, the pre-swing (PS) angle showed the highest ranking in all 3 analyses (sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operating characteristics curve using the Naive Bayes, k-nearest neighbors, radial basis function classifiers). Initial contact (IC), step length, and stride length also performed well. Between 7 and 28 days after injury, there was an increase in the total course time, step length, stride length, stride speed, and IC, and a reduction in PS and IC-PS. Statistically significant differences were found between the control group and experimental groups for all parameters except speed. Interactions between time after injury and nerve injury type were only observed for IC, PS, and IC-PS. Conclusion: PS angle of the ankle was the best gait parameter for differentiating nonlesions from nerve injuries and different levels of injury.

Nocturia is the Lower Urinary Tract Symptom With Greatest Impact on Quality of Life of Men From a Community Setting

Eduardo de Paula Miranda,Cristiano Mendes Gomes,Fábio César Miranda Torricelli,José de Bessa Júnior,José Everton de Castro,Bruno Roberto da Silva Ferreira,Ariel Gustavo Scafuri,Homero Bruschini,Miguel 대한배뇨장애요실금학회 2014 International Neurourology Journal Vol.18 No.2

Purpose: Lower urinary tract symptoms are numerous, but the specific impact of each of these symptoms on the quality of life (QoL) has not been evaluated in community-dwelling men. An assessment of these symptoms and their effects on QoL was the focus of this study. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study with 373 men aged >50 years from a community setting. Patients completed the International Prostate Symptom Score questionnaire, which includes questions on each of the specific urinary symptoms and a question addressing health-related QoL that are graded from 0 to 5. We used the Pearson correlation test to assess the impact of each symptom on QoL. Results: Nocturia (58.9%) was the most prevalent urinary symptom. The mean score was 0.9±1.4 for incomplete emptying, 1.0±1.5 for frequency, 0.9±1.3 for intermittency, 0.8±1.3 for urgency, 1.0±1.5 for weak stream, 0.5±1.0 for straining, and 2.0±1.6 for nocturia. Nocturia and frequency were the only symptoms associated with poorer QoL, with nocturia showing a stronger association. Conclusions: Nocturia affects 50% of community dwelling men aged >50 years, and is the lower urinary tract symptom with the greatest negative impact on QoL.

Geriatric and Gerontology Research: A Scientometric Investigation of Open Access Journal Articles Indexed in the Scopus Database

Luiz Sinésio Silva Neto,Thiago dos Santos Rosa,Matheus Dias Freire,Hugo de Luca Correa,Raymundo Célio Pedreira,Fellipe Camargo Ferreira Dias,Daniel Vicentini de Oliveira,Neila Barbosa Osório 대한노인병학회 2023 Annals of geriatric medicine and research Vol.27 No.3

Background: Scientometric analyses of specific topics in geriatrics and gerontology have grown robustly in scientific literature. However, analyses using holistic and interdisciplinary approaches are scarce in this field of research. This article aimed to demonstrate research trends and provide an overview of bibliometric information on publications related to geriatrics and gerontology. Methods: We identified relevant articles on geriatrics and gerontology using the search terms “geriatrics,” “gerontology,” “older people,” and “elderly.” VOSviewer was used to perform bibliometric analysis. Results: A total of 858 analyzed articles were published in 340 journals. Among the 10 most contributory journals, five were in the United States, with the top journal being the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. The United States was the leading country in research, followed by Japan, Canada, and the United Kingdom. A total of 5,278 keywords were analyzed. In the analysis of research hotspots, the main global research topics in geriatrics and gerontology were older adults (n=663), education and training (n=471), and adults aged 80 years (n=461). These were gradually expanded to include areas related to caring for older adults, such as geriatric assessments (n=395). Conclusion: These results provide direction for fellow researchers to conduct studies in geriatrics and gerontology. In addition, they provide government departments with guidance for formulating and implementing policies that affect older adults, not only in setting academic and professional priorities but also in understanding key topics related to them.

Mineral content in fishes in the lower course of the itapecuru river in the state of Maranhão, Brazil

Heliene Leite Ribeiro Porto,Antonio Carlos Leal de Castro,James Werllen de Jesus Azevedo,Leonardo Silva Soares,Cássia Fernanda Chagas Ferreira,Marcelo Henrique Lopes Silva,Helen Roberta Silva Ferreira 한국화학공학회 2017 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.34 No.7

Concentrations of calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, selenium and nickel were determined in the muscle tissue of seven species of fish (Plagioscion squamosissimus, Geophagus surinamensis, Prochilodus lacustres, Curimata sp., Schizodon dissimilis, Ageneiosus ucayalensis and Hypostomus plecostomus) collected from the lower course of the Itapecuru River in the state of Maranhão, Brazil. The samples were digested in a nitricperchloric solution and analyzed using an inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer, with the construction of specific calibration curves for each element. The highest concentrations of constituent minerals were found for phosphorus, potassium, nickel and magnesium (399.83, 144.60, 90.20 and 29.49mg 100 g−1, respectively) in G. surinamensi, P. lacustres and Curimata sp. The lowest concentrations were found for copper, zinc, iron and selenium (0.12, 0.51, 1.05 and 8.31mg 100 g−1, respectively) in Curimata sp., S. dissimilis, A. ucayalensis and P. squamosissimus. The concentrations of all minerals can be considered low and are below the maximum limit established by Brazilian legislation for the human ingestion of fish meat. A comparison of the seven species of fish investigated revealed no statistically significant differences regarding the concentrations of minerals, suggesting that size and different dietary habits do not exert an influence on absorption. The low concentrations of metals, such as Fe, Cu, Zn and Ni, may be related to the environmental conditions of the mouth of the river, which receives ocean inputs that produce particular tide cycles with a strong dispersion capacity, thereby diminishing residence time in the water column and reducing the availability of these metals to species of fish.