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Yeast and fibrolytic enzymes serve as additives incorporated into the nutrition of ruminants to regulate rumen fermentation and increase the digestibility of fiber, thereby enhancing the efficiency of rumen fermentation. Two experiments were conducted to assess the impact of five diets: a control diet without additives, diets with yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) or exogenous fibrolytic enzymes (EFE), and diets with a blend of 0.7yeast + 0.3EFE or 0.7EFE + 0.3Yeast (based on recommended levels in g/kg of total DM). In the first experiment, 40 five-month-old Santa Ines lambs (mean weight 25.0 ± 1.3 kg) were distributed in a completely randomized design (5 treatments and 8 lambs) for 81 days to evaluate performance, ingestive behaviour, and serum metabolites. In the second experiment, 25 Santa Ines male lambs weighing 25.7 ± 4.1 kg were housed in metabolic cages, in a randomized design with 5 treatments and 5 lambs, evaluating digestibility, nitrogen balance, and rumen pH. EFE supplementation increased intakes of dry matter (DM), total digestible nutrients (TDN), and apNDF (mean of 38.1, 5.26, and 27%, respectively) compared to yeast or the 0.7yeast-0.3EFE blend. Feed conversion was most efficient (mean of 27.1%) in lambs fed Yeast, 0.7EFE + 0.3yeast, and the control diet. Lambs fed 0.7yeast + 0.3EFE spent less time eating (mean of 16.5%) and more time idling (mean of 10.75%), whereas EFE-fed lambs spent more time eating (mean of 19.73%), and 0.7EFE + 0.3yeast-fed lambs spent more time ruminating (mean of 20.14%). Control group lambs chewed and ruminated less (means of 24.64 and 17.21%, respectively) compared to other treatments. Lambs on the 0.7yeast + 0.3EFE blend had higher eating and rumination efficiency rates for DM and apNDF (mean of 19.11 and 17.95%, respectively) compared to other additive treatments or individual additives. They also exhibited lower (means 7.59 g/d) urinary N excretion, with improved N retention (mean 3185 g/d) compared to the control group. There were significant effects on serum albumin and cholesterol concentrations, with the 0.7yeast + 0.3EFE blend showing higher albumin (mean 4.08 g/dL) levels, while diets without additives and yeast-EFE blends had higher cholesterol (mean of 62.51 g/dL) concentrations. Including Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast along with 0.7 yeast + 0.3 EFE blend is recommended when feeding similar lamb diets to those used herein because it improves the efficiency of intake, rumination of DM and NDF, and nitrogen utilization without affecting the lamb performance.

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Peruvian fava beans (PFB) are used in traditional cuisine as a nutrient-rich, flavorful, and textural ingredient; however, little is known about their industrial properties. This study evaluated the physicochemical, nutritional, and techno-functional characteristics of PFB varieties: Verde, Quelcao, and Peruanita. PFB exhibited distinct physical characteristics, quality parameters, and morphology. The color patterns of the seed coat and the hardness were the main parameters for distinguishing them. Nutritionally, all three samples exhibited high protein (23.88-24.88 g/100 g), with high proportion of essential amino acids, high dietary fiber (21.74-25.28 g/100 g), and mineral content. They also contain polyphenols (0.79-1.25 mg GAE/g) and flavonoids (0.91-1.06 mg CE/g) with antioxidant potential (16.60-21.01 and 4.68-5.17 µmol TE/g for ABTS and DPPH assays, respectively). Through XRD measurements, the semi-crystalline nature of samples was identified, belonging to the C-type crystalline form. Regarding techno-functionality, PFB flours displayed great foaming capacity, with Verde variety being the most stable. Emulsifying capacity was similar among samples, although Peruanita was more stable during heating. Upon heating with water, PFB flours reached peak viscosities between 175 and 272 cP, and final viscosities between 242 and 384 cP. Quelcao and Verde formed firmer gels after refrigeration. Based on these results, PFB would be useful to developing innovative, nutritious, and healthy products that meet market needs.

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In the context of hydroelectric plants, this article emphasizes the imperative of robust monitoring strategies. The utilization of fiber-optic sensors (FOSs) emerges as a promising approach due to their efficient optical transmission, minimal signal attenuation, and resistance to electromagnetic interference. These optical sensors have demonstrated success in diverse structures, including bridges and nuclear plants, especially in challenging environments. This article culminates with the depiction of the development of an array of sensors featuring Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBGs). This array is designed to measure deformation and temperature in protective grids surrounding the turbines at the Santo Antônio Hydroelectric Plant. Implemented in a real-world scenario, the device identifies deformation peaks, indicative of water flow obstructions, thereby contributing significantly to the safety and operational efficiency of the plant.

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Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum, Malvaceae) is the most important fiber crop in the world. There are published records of many fungal pathogens attacking Gossypium spp., causing numerous diseases, including powdery mildews. Recently, in 2022, non-cultivated spontaneous G. hirsutum plants bearing powdery mildews symptoms were found at roadsides in two municipalities of the state of Minas Gerais (Brazil): Varginha and Ubá. Such localities are situated ca. 260 km apart, suggesting a broader distribution of this fungus-host association in Brazil. Samples were taken to the laboratory, and an Ovulariopsis-like, asexual stage of Phyllactinia, was identified forming amphigenous colonies, that were more evident, white and cottony, abaxially. Morphological and molecular data- of the ITS and LSU regions- have shown that colonies from those two samples were of the same fungus species, belonging to a previously unknown species of Erysiphaceae (Ascomycota). The fungus fits into the Phyllactinia clade and is described herein as the new species Phyllactinia gossypina sp. nov. This new species belongs to the 'basal Phyllactinia group', a lineage that includes species known only from the Americas. This report expands the list of pathogenic fungi on cotton. It is early to anticipate whether this new powdery mildew represents a threat to cultivated cotton, which is a major crop in Brazil. Nevertheless, further studies about its infectivity to commercial cotton varieties are recommended, since all known Erysiphaceae are specialized obligate plant parasites and several species cause major losses to important crops.

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Vegetable fibers are increasingly used in biocomposites, but there is a need for further development in utilizing by-products like cocoa husks. Three-dimensional printing, through Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF), is advancing rapidly and may be of great interest for applying biocomposite materials. This study focuses on developing innovative and fully biodegradable filaments for the FFF process. PLA filaments were prepared using cellulose fibers derived from cocoa husks (5% mass ratio). One set of filaments incorporated fibers from untreated husks (UCFFs), while another set utilized fibers from chemically treated husks (TCFFs). The fabricated materials were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) techniques, and they were also tested for tensile strength. ANOVA reveals that both UCFFs and TCFFs significantly predict tensile strength, with the UCFFs demonstrating an impressive R2 value of 0.9981. The optimal tensile strength for the filament test specimens was 16.05 MPa for TCFF8 and 13.58 MPa for UCFF8, utilizing the same printing parameters: 70% infill and a layer thickness of 0.10 mm. Additionally, there was an 18% improvement in the tensile strength of the printed specimens using the filaments filled with chemically treated cocoa husk fibers compared to the filaments with untreated fibers.

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Natural fiber reinforcements have the potential to enhance mechanical properties, thereby improving performance and durability in various applications. In this study, we comprehensively evaluated the impact of environmental degradation over 120 days on reprocessed polypropylene (PP) reinforced with corn husk fiber (CHF) composites. The manufactured systems underwent rigorous analysis using various techniques, including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and tensile testing. These analyses revealed that climatic conditions significantly influenced (p < 0.05) the mechanical properties of all systems. Photodegradation led to surface morphological changes and chemical structures. Regardless, adding CHF filler proved a key factor, as it allowed for less susceptibility to environmental degradation than the reprocessed matrix. These findings, therefore, provide robust evidence supporting the feasibility of using CHF composites for manufacturing agricultural containers.

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Bakery products, especially bread, exist in many homes worldwide. One of the main reasons for its high consumption is that the main raw material is wheat, a cereal that can adapt to a wide variety of soils and climates. However, the nutritional quality of this raw material decreases during its industrial processing, decreasing the value of fibers, proteins, and minerals. Therefore, bread has become a product of high interest to increase its nutritional value. Due to the high consumption of bread, this paper provides a general description of the physicochemical and rheological changes of the dough, as well as the sensory properties of bread by incorporating alternative flours such as beans, lentils, and soy (among others). The reviewed data show that alternative flours can improve fiber, macro, and micronutrient content. The high fiber content reduces the quality of the texture of the products. However, new processing steps or cooking protocols, namely flour proportions, temperature, cooking, and fermentation time, can allow adjusting production variables and optimization to potentially overcome the decrease in sensory quality and preserve consumer acceptance.

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Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging tractography is a non-invasive technique that produces a collection of streamlines representing the main white matter bundle trajectories. Methods, such as fiber clustering algorithms, are important in computational neuroscience and have been the basis of several white matter analysis methods and studies. Nevertheless, these clustering methods face the challenge of the absence of ground truth of white matter fibers, making their evaluation difficult. As an alternative solution, we present an innovative brain fiber bundle simulator that uses spline curves for fiber representation. The methodology uses a tubular model for the bundle simulation based on a bundle centroid and five radii along the bundle. The algorithm was tested by simulating 28 Deep White Matter atlas bundles, leading to low inter-bundle distances and high intersection percentages between the original and simulated bundles. To prove the utility of the simulator, we created three whole-brain datasets containing different numbers of fiber bundles to assess the quality performance of QuickBundles and Fast Fiber Clustering algorithms using five clustering metrics. Our results indicate that QuickBundles tends to split less and Fast Fiber Clustering tends to merge less, which is consistent with their expected behavior. The performance of both algorithms decreases when the number of bundles is increased due to higher bundle crossings. Additionally, the two algorithms exhibit robust behavior with input data permutation. To our knowledge, this is the first whole-brain fiber bundle simulator capable of assessing fiber clustering algorithms with realistic data.

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OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study is to compare the optic coherence tomography (OCT) parameters of the healthy and affected sides of patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) and to investigate the relationships between these and the improvement in hearing levels. METHODS: A bilateral eye evaluation of patients diagnosed with ISSNHL was performed with OCT. The ganglion cell complex (GCC) and retina nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness values were recorded and the differences between the two eyes were examined. RESULTS: An evaluation was made of 39 patients with a mean age of 44.82 ± 14.90 years. The RNFL thickness of the eyes was determined to be mean 89.87 ± 3.65 µm on the affected side and 103.87 ± 3.98 µm on the healthy control side (p = 0.0001). The mean GCC was determined to be mean 90.46 ± 3.49 µm on the affected side and 103.77 ± 3.96 µm on the healthy control side (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: A statistically significant difference was observed between the healthy and affected eyes of patients with ISSNHL with respect to mean GCC and mean RNFL thickness. OCT could be a useful technique for measuring this neural degeneration.

OBJETIVO: Comparar e investigar los parámetros de la tomografía de coherencia óptica (OCT) de los lados sanos y afectados de pacientes con pérdida auditiva neurosensorial súbita idiopática (PANSI). MÉTODO: La evaluación ocular bilateral de los pacientes diagnosticados con PANSI se realizó con OCT. Se registraron los valores de espesor del complejo de células ganglionares (CCG) y de la capa de fibras nerviosas de la retina (CFNR), y se examinaron las diferencias entre los dos ojos. RESULTADOS: Se evaluaron 39 pacientes, con una edad media de 44.82 ± 14.90 años. Se determinó que el grosor de la CFNR de los ojos era una media de 89.87 ± 3.65 µm en el lado afectado y 103.87 ± 3.98 µm en el lado de control sano (p = 0.0001). Se determinó que el CCG medio era 90.46 ± 3.49 µm en el lado afectado y 103.77 ± 3.96 µm en el lado de control sano (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONES: Se encontró una diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre los ojos sanos y afectados de pacientes con PANSI con respecto al CCG medio y al espesor medio de la CFNR. La OCT podría ser una técnica útil para medir esta degeneración neuronal.

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BACKGROUND: ATTR (ATTRv) amyloidosis neuropathy is characterized by progressive sensorimotor and autonomic nerve degeneration secondary to amyloid deposition caused by a misfolded transthyretin protein (TTR). Small nerve fiber neuropathy is an early clinical manifestation of this disease resulting from the dysfunction of the Aδ and C small nerve fibers. Tafamidis, a selective TTR stabilizer, has proven its efficacy in the earlier stages of hATTR. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical course and utility of cutaneous pathological biomarkers in patients with ATTR amyloidosis treated with tafamidis compared to control patients. METHODS: Forty patients diagnosed with early stages of ATTRv amyloidosis (polyneuropathy disability [PND] scores 0-II) underwent small and large nerve fiber neurological evaluations, and annual skin biopsies for intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD) and amyloid deposition index (ADI) estimation. Thirty patients were allocated to receive tafamidis, and 10 patients served as controls. Tafamidis pharmacokinetics analysis was performed in patients who received the treatment. RESULTS: At baseline, 12% of patients in stage PND 0 and 28% in PND I displayed small nerve fiber denervation in the distal thigh, whereas 23% and 38%, respectively, in the distal leg. Similarly, 72% and 84% had amyloid deposition in the distal thigh and 56% and 69% in the distal leg. Following 1 year of treatment, the tafamidis group showed significant clinical improvement compared to the control group, revealed by the following mean differences (1) -9.3 versus -4 points (p = <.00) in the patient's neuropathy total symptom score 6 (NTSS-6) questionnaire, (2) -2.5 versus +2.8 points (p = <.00) in the Utah Early Neuropathy Score (UENS), and (3) +1.2°C versus -0.6 (p = .01) in cold detection thresholds. Among the patients who received tafamidis, 65% had stable or increased IENFD in their distal thigh and 27% in the distal leg. In contrast, all patients in the control group underwent denervation. The ADI either decreased or remained constant in 31% of the biopsies in the distal thigh and in 24% of the biopsies in the distal leg of the tafamidis-treated patients, whereas it rose across all the biopsies in the control group. At the 4-year follow-up, the tafamidis group continued to display less denervation in the distal thigh (mean difference [MD] of -3.0 vs. -9.3 fibers/mm) and the distal leg (mean difference [MD] -4.9 vs. -8.6 fibers/mm). ADI in tafamidis-treated patients was also lower in the distal thigh (10 vs. 30 amyloid/mm2) and the distal leg (23 vs. 40 amyloid/mm2) compared to control patients. Plasma tafamidis concentrations were higher in patients with IENFD improvement and in patients with reduced amyloid deposition. Patients without amyloid deposition in the distal leg at baseline displayed delayed disease progression at 4 years. CONCLUSIONS: Cutaneous IENFD and amyloid deposition assessments in the skin of the distal thigh and distal leg are valuable biomarkers for early diagnosis of ATTR amyloidosis and for measuring the progression of small nerve fiber neuropathy. Early treatment with tafamidis slows the clinical progression of the disease, skin denervation, and amyloid deposition in the skin. Higher plasma concentrations of tafamidis are associated with better disease outcomes, suggesting that increasing the drug dose could achieve better plasma concentrations and response rates. This study describes the longest small nerve fiber neuropathy therapeutic trial with tafamidis and is the first to report small fiber symptoms, function, and structural assessments as outcomes.

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