This study investigates the cardioprotective effects of intense caloric restriction (ICR) from birth in ovariectomized rats, a model of estrogen deficiency mimicking menopause. Our findings demonstrate that ICR significantly improved both basal and post-ischemic cardiac function, even in the absence of estrogens. The restricted animals exhibited enhanced cardiac contractility and relaxation, particularly after ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, with superior functional recovery compared to control groups. Notably, ICR reduced key cardiometabolic risk factors, including blood pressure, heart rate, and adiposity, while improving glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. Additionally, while mitochondrial biogenesis remained unaffected, ICR preserved mitochondrial integrity by reducing the number of damaged mitochondria. This was linked to a reduction in oxidative stress, as evidenced by lower reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in the hearts of restricted animals. These results suggest that ICR offers a protective effect against cardiovascular dysfunction induced by estrogen depletion, potentially through enhanced antioxidant defenses and mitochondrial protection.

No presente trabalho apresentamos os primeiros registros de Tolypeutes tricinctus, o tatu-bola, no estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil. Este dado confirma estudos prévios de modelagem que abrangem a área de ocorrência da espécie para estas áreas de Cerrado e Caatinga no norte de Minas Gerais. Adicionalmente contribui para a elaboração de novos planos de manejo para a fauna da região que é adjacente ao Parque Nacional Grande Sertão Veredas.

Long-term neurofunctional outcomes after pediatric SARS-CoV-2 infection remain incompletely understood, particularly in relation to acute antiviral immune responses. This exploratory observational pilot study assessed neurofunctional performance approximately six months after infection and its association with acute nasopharyngeal interferon-related gene expression. Sixteen children aged 3–10 years with RT-qPCR-confirmed mild COVID-19 underwent cognitive, gross motor, and functional exercise assessments. Transcript abundance of IFNA2, IFNB1, IFNL2/3, IFI6, and OAS2 was evaluated by qPCR. Five children (31.25%) scored below the age-specific MMSE cutoff, and five of 14 children (35.71%) had below-average TGMD-2 performance. Thirteen completed the ISWT, achieving 53.95 ± 13.55% of the individually predicted distance. IFNB1, IFI6, and OAS2 were detected in all acute-phase samples, whereas IFNA2 and IFNL2/3 were not detected. No statistically significant associations were identified between the detected transcripts and subsequent neurofunctional outcomes. Although the small sample size, absence of pre-infection assessments, and lack of an uninfected comparison group limit interpretation of the findings, this pilot study provides preliminary descriptive data integrating acute mucosal interferon-related gene expression with subsequent neurofunctional assessments in children, supporting further investigation in larger, controlled cohorts.