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Background: Sarcoidosis is a multisystemic syndrome of uncertain etiology with abnormal respiratory findings in approximately 90% of cases. Spirometry is the most common lung function test used for assessing lung function in diagnosis and monitoring pulmonary health. Respiratory oscillometry allows a simple alternative for the analysis of respiratory abnormalities. Integer-order and fractional-order modeling have increasingly been used to interpret measurements obtained from oscillometry, offering a detailed description of the respiratory system. In this study, we aimed to enhance our understanding of the pathophysiological changes in sarcoidosis and assess the diagnostic accuracy of these models., Methods: This observational study includes 25 controls and 50 individuals with sarcoidosis divided into normal to spirometry (SNS) and abnormal spirometry (SAS). The diagnostic accuracy was evaluated by investigating the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC)., Results: The integer-order model showed significant airway and total resistance increases in the SNS and SAS groups. There was a reduction in compliance and an increase in peripheral resistance in the SAS group (p < 0.001). The fractional-order model showed increased energy dissipation and hysteresivity in the SNS and SAS groups. Correlation analysis revealed significant associations among model and spirometric parameters, where the strongest associations were between total resistance and FEV 1 (r: -0.600, p = 0.0001). The diagnostic accuracy analysis showed that total resistance and hysteresivity were the best parameters, reaching an AUC = 0.986 and 0.938 in the SNS and SAS groups, respectively., Conclusion: The studied models provided a deeper understanding of pulmonary mechanical changes in sarcoidosis. The results suggest that parameters obtained through the studied models enhance evaluation and enable better management of these patients. Specifically, total resistance and hysteresivity parameters demonstrated diagnostic potential, which may be beneficial for the early identification of individuals with sarcoidosis, even when spirometry results are within normal ranges., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: The study protocol was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Pedro Ernesto University Hospital of the State University of Rio de Janeiro (456/1997-CEP/HUPE). All participants signed an informed consent to participate and for publication, and the study was conducted following the Declaration of Helsinki and Resolution 466/12 of the National Health Council – Brazil. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests. Clinical trial number: Not applicable., (© 2025. The Author(s).)

Choroidal osteoma is a rare, benign, osseous choristoma presenting as an orange-yellow, well-defined fundus mass. It presents unilaterally in most cases, has a predilection for the female sex, and favor a juxtapapillary location, becoming clinically manifest when it involves the macula. Almost 60% of eyes with osteoma may suffer significant visual loss. Choroidal osteomas can easily be mistaken for other conditions with similar presentations. We herein report two rare cases presentation of choroidal osteoma: a 74-year-old male with 2-year blurred vision in the right eye (RE) initially misdiagnosed with age-related macular degeneration received intravitreal injections and after a multimodal evaluation, following cataract surgery in RE, confirmed to be choroidal osteoma and a 19-year-old female with a history of choroidal hemangioma presented with blurred vision in her left eye (LE), with examination revealed an irregular orange-yellow lesion along the superotemporal arcade with serous macular detachment, later diagnosed as choroidal osteoma., Competing Interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article., (© 2024 Machado et al.)

Background: The management of endodontic infections is a complex challenge, mainly due to the involvement of diverse microorganisms and their by-products. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of N-acetylcysteine (NAC), calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH) 2 ), and their combined application as intracanal medications in combating Enterococcus faecalis , Escherichia coli , and lipopolysaccharides (LPS) from E. coli ., Methods: A total of 60 single-rooted human teeth were carefully selected and divided into six groups. These tooth canals were deliberately exposed to E. faecalis (ATCC 29212) and E. coli (ATCC 25922) to induce biofilm formation. Subsequently, the specimens were treated with NAC, Ca(OH) 2 , or a combination of both substances. Three samples of the root canals were collected at three moments: the first sample (S1) was to confirm the initial contamination, the second sample (S2) was immediately post-instrumentation, and the third sample (S3) was collected after the use of the intracanal medication. The antimicrobial efficacy of these intracanal medications was assessed by enumerating colony-forming units per milliliter (CFU/mL). In addition to this, the kinetic chromogenic Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL) assay by Lonza was used to quantify LPS from E. coli . Data tested for normality; then, Kruskal-Wallis and Friedman tests were used, and Dunn's for multiple comparisons., Results: The findings of this study showed significant reductions in the microbial load of E. faecalis and E. coli by S3. Notably, there were no statistically significant differences among the treatment groups concerning these microorganisms. However, it was observed that only the combination of NAC and Ca(OH) 2 led to a noteworthy decrease in the quantity of E. coli's LPS after 7-days, demonstrating a statistically significant difference from the other treatment groups. NAC + Ca(OH) 2 combination, applied for a duration of 7-days, proved to be more suitable in reducing the presence of E. faecalis , E. coli , and LPS from E. coli within the context of endodontic infections., Competing Interests: Amjad Abu Hasna is an Academic Editor for PeerJ., (© 2024 Khoury et al.)

Background/objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of ProDesign Logic files 45.01 and 50.01 on apical foramen wear and shape transformation after foraminal enlargement at tooth length (TL) and 1 mm beyond., Methods: Sixty freshly extracted single-rooted lower human premolars teeth were distributed randomly into five groups ( n = 12): Group 1 (40.05 WL) (control): No foraminal enlargement, Group 2 (45.01 TL): Specimens underwent foraminal enlargement with 45.01 Prodesign Logic file at TL; Group 3 (45.01 TL + 1): Specimens underwent foraminal enlargement with 45.01 Prodesign Logic file at 1 mm beyond TL; Group 4 (50.01 TL): Specimens underwent foraminal enlargement with 50.01 Prodesign Logic file at TL; Group 5 (50.01 TL + 1): Specimens underwent foraminal enlargement with 50.01 Prodesign Logic file at 1 mm beyond TL. Scanning electron microscopy was used to evaluate apical foramen variations and shape alterations. Data were analyzed by Student's t -test, Kruskal-Wallis, and Mann-Whitney test., Results: Significant differences ( p < 0.01) were observed among all tested groups compared to the control group in terms of the average worn area of the apical foramen. Foraminal enlargement led to significant shape transformation, resulting in round-shaped foramina., Conclusion: ProDesign Logic 45.01 and 50.01 files at TL causes notable wear and round-shaped foramina.

We describe the geographical variation in tree species composition across Amazonian forests and show how environmental conditions are associated with species turnover. Our analyses are based on 2023 forest inventory plots (1 ha) that provide abundance data for a total of 5188 tree species. Within-plot species composition reflected both local environmental conditions (especially soil nutrients and hydrology) and geographical regions. A broader-scale view of species turnover was obtained by interpolating the relative tree species abundances over Amazonia into 47,441 0.1-degree grid cells. Two main dimensions of spatial change in tree species composition were identified. The first was a gradient between western Amazonia at the Andean forelands (with young geology and relatively nutrient-rich soils) and central-eastern Amazonia associated with the Guiana and Brazilian Shields (with more ancient geology and poor soils). The second gradient was between the wet forests of the northwest and the drier forests in southern Amazonia. Isolines linking cells of similar composition crossed major Amazonian rivers, suggesting that tree species distributions are not limited by rivers. Even though some areas of relatively sharp species turnover were identified, mostly the tree species composition changed gradually over large extents, which does not support delimiting clear discrete biogeographic regions within Amazonia., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), chlorhexidine (CHX), and the glycolic extract of propolis (GEP) as endodontic irrigants and of calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH) 2 ], CHX, or Ca(OH) 2 + CHX as intracanal medications on the capacity of the lipoteichoic acid (LTA) of Enterococcus faecalis in macrophages' proinflammatory cytokines production. Freshly extracted 108 human single-rooted teeth were used in this study. The LTA of E. faecalis was standardized in double-distilled pyrogen-free water (250 µg/mL) and inoculated into the specimens subdivided into nine subgroups (n = 12). Cultures of murine macrophages (RAW 264.7) were treated with 30 µL of each sample collected from root canals and incubated (37 °C, 5% CO 2 ) for 24 h. Lastly, anti-TNF-α, anti-IL-6, anti-IP-10, anti-MIP-1α, anti-G-CSF, and anti-IL-1β DuoSet kits were used to perform an ELISA assay. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey test ( p ≥ 0.05). It was found that 1% NaOCl was the most effective irrigant in reducing the capacity of LTA in cytokines production, followed by 12% GEP and 2% CHX, respectively. Ca(OH) 2 + CHX presented the best results when associated with NaOCl or GEP. Thus, NaOCl or GEP associated with Ca(OH) 2 + CHX were effective in reducing the capacity of LTA in different macrophages pro-inflammatory cytokines production.

Considering the high frequency of malignant breast tumors, there is a growing search for new therapeutic strategies that control neoplastic growth and dissemination, combined with fewer adverse reactions. Therefore, this study evaluated the effects of ozone therapy in female dogs with mammary cancer undergoing chemotherapy treatment. Twenty-five canines diagnosed with malignant mammary neoplasia were divided into two groups: one treated with carboplatin alone ( n = 11) and the other with carboplatin associated with ozone therapy ( n = 14). Clinical and laboratory evaluations, mastectomy, analysis of the oxidative profile based on total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and serum concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA), survival rate, and quality of life were performed. Animals in the ozone therapy group had higher concentrations of red blood cells and platelets, significantly improving the survival rate and quality of life. Furthermore, adverse reactions were less intense and frequent in this group, which was associated with an increase in TAC and a reduction in MDA. These results indicate that the combination of carboplatin and ozone therapy represents a promising complementary treatment for female dogs with mammary cancer, as it was associated with fewer adverse reactions and a better oxidative profile.

Aim: The purpose of this study is to undertake an integrative literature review in order to determine the prevalence, etiology, and reactivation of oral HSV infection in patients receiving chemotherapy (CT)., Methods: The study was carried out in the PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Virtual Health Library, and Scopus databases, using the descriptors "Herpes Simplex", "Viral Diseases", "Mouth", and "Antineoplastic Agents"., Results: The findings suggest that HSV infection is widespread in this group of patients and can be severe. HSV infection is frequent in CT patients, and treatment should begin as soon as it is feasible, utilizing antivirals to avoid future difficulties, as patients are immunocompromised., Conclusion: It is critical for health professionals to be fully informed on the dangers and treatment choices available, with the most appropriate therapy for each circumstance. Furthermore, more recent research with acceptable methodological rigor is required to better quantify the prevalence of HSV in these patients., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (Copyright © 2024 Carvalho et al.)

As part of the European Bioanalysis Forum's continued commitment to develop young scientists beyond their scientific skills, we also focus on soft skills and a community responsibility during the Young Scientist Symposia, with the Science Café. In previous years, we have focused on topics such as sustainability (green lab) or the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on career development. At the ninth Young Scientist Symposium, the Science Café roundtables focused on the work-life balance and how caring for it can be beneficial for both the individual and the company. Feedback from a premeeting survey and from the discussions during the roundtables can be an important addition to personal and professional development. If organizations are not already focusing on the importance of a healthy work-life balance, they can be inspired to include some aspects of the outcome of the Science Café discussions when developing their staff toward future (scientific) leadership.

Trees structure the Earth's most biodiverse ecosystem, tropical forests. The vast number of tree species presents a formidable challenge to understanding these forests, including their response to environmental change, as very little is known about most tropical tree species. A focus on the common species may circumvent this challenge. Here we investigate abundance patterns of common tree species using inventory data on 1,003,805 trees with trunk diameters of at least 10 cm across 1,568 locations 1-6 in closed-canopy, structurally intact old-growth tropical forests in Africa, Amazonia and Southeast Asia. We estimate that 2.2%, 2.2% and 2.3% of species comprise 50% of the tropical trees in these regions, respectively. Extrapolating across all closed-canopy tropical forests, we estimate that just 1,053 species comprise half of Earth's 800 billion tropical trees with trunk diameters of at least 10 cm. Despite differing biogeographic, climatic and anthropogenic histories 7 , we find notably consistent patterns of common species and species abundance distributions across the continents. This suggests that fundamental mechanisms of tree community assembly may apply to all tropical forests. Resampling analyses show that the most common species are likely to belong to a manageable list of known species, enabling targeted efforts to understand their ecology. Although they do not detract from the importance of rare species, our results open new opportunities to understand the world's most diverse forests, including modelling their response to environmental change, by focusing on the common species that constitute the majority of their trees., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Using 2.046 botanically-inventoried tree plots across the largest tropical forest on Earth, we mapped tree species-diversity and tree species-richness at 0.1-degree resolution, and investigated drivers for diversity and richness. Using only location, stratified by forest type, as predictor, our spatial model, to the best of our knowledge, provides the most accurate map of tree diversity in Amazonia to date, explaining approximately 70% of the tree diversity and species-richness. Large soil-forest combinations determine a significant percentage of the variation in tree species-richness and tree alpha-diversity in Amazonian forest-plots. We suggest that the size and fragmentation of these systems drive their large-scale diversity patterns and hence local diversity. A model not using location but cumulative water deficit, tree density, and temperature seasonality explains 47% of the tree species-richness in the terra-firme forest in Amazonia. Over large areas across Amazonia, residuals of this relationship are small and poorly spatially structured, suggesting that much of the residual variation may be local. The Guyana Shield area has consistently negative residuals, showing that this area has lower tree species-richness than expected by our models. We provide extensive plot meta-data, including tree density, tree alpha-diversity and tree species-richness results and gridded maps at 0.1-degree resolution., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Oxytocin (OXT), a pro-social peptide, is increasingly recognized as a potential protective substance against drug addiction. In the context of ethanol, previous research has shown OXT's properties in reducing self-administration, alleviating motor impairment in rodents, and reducing craving in humans. However, its role in behavioral sensitization, a neuroadaptive response resulting from repeated drug exposure linked to an increased drug incentive, remains unexplored. OXT is recognized for its role in regulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, in which corticosterone is acknowledged as a significant factor in the development of behavioral sensitization. This study aimed to investigate the effects of carbetocin (CBT), an analogue of OXT, on the expression of behavioral sensitization to ethanol and the concurrent alterations in plasma corticosterone levels in male and female Swiss mice. We also aimed to confirm previous studies on OXT's impact on ethanol consumption in male mice, but with a focus on CBT, using the two-bottle choice model and the drinking in the dark (DID) methodology. For the sensitization study, the mice received either ethanol (1.8 g/kg, i.p.) or saline treatments daily for 15 consecutive days, followed by treatment with carbetocin (0.64 mg/kg, i.p.) or a vehicle for 6 days. Subsequently, on day 22, all the animals underwent an ethanol challenge to assess the expression of behavioral sensitization. The plasma corticosterone levels were measured on days 21 and 22. The CBT effectively prevented the expression of ethanol-induced behavioral sensitization in both male and female subjects, with no alterations having been detected in their corticosterone levels. In the ethanol consumption study, following an initial phase of ethanol acquisition, the male mice underwent a 6-day treatment with CBT i.p. or saline before being re-exposed to ethanol. We also found a reduction in their ethanol consumption due to the CBT treatment. In conclusion, carbetocin emerges as a promising and effective intervention for mitigating ethanol-induced behavioral sensitization and reducing ethanol intake, highlighting its potential significance in alcohol addiction treatment.

The Near Attack Conformation (NAC) approach states that the efficiency of an enzyme-catalyzed reaction depends on the prior attainment of optimal conditions for substrate atom organization and positioning for bond formation. These conditions are prerequisites for the transition state (TS) in which the involved atoms are within the van der Waals range of contact and positioned at an angle similar to that achieved after bond formation. The successful application of this approach to investigate the reactivation mechanism of acetylcholinesterase inhibited by nerve agents has contributed to a better understanding of this mechanism and demonstrated consistent corroboration with experimental data. In this article, we summarize the accomplishments achieved thus far and outline future perspectives., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To evaluate the results obtained with an artificial intelligence-based software for predicting the risk of malignancy in breast masses from ultrasound images., Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective, single-center study evaluating 555 breast masses submitted to percutaneous biopsy at a cancer referral center. Ultrasonographic findings were classified in accordance with the BI-RADS lexicon. The images were analyzed by using Koios DS Breast software and classified as benign, probably benign, low to intermediate suspicion, high suspicion, or probably malignant. The histological classification was considered the reference standard., Results: The mean age of the patients was 51 years, and the mean mass size was 16 mm. The radiologist evaluation had a sensitivity and specificity of 99.1% and 34.0%, respectively, compared with 98.2% and 39.0%, respectively, for the software evaluation. The positive predictive value for malignancy for the BI-RADS categories was similar between the radiologist and software evaluations. Two false-negative results were identified in the radiologist evaluation, the masses in question being classified as suspicious by the software, whereas four false-negative results were identified in the software evaluation, the masses in question being classified as suspicious by the radiologist., Conclusion: In our sample, the performance of artificial intelligence-based software was comparable to that of a radiologist.

Background: This systematic review aimed to conduct a complete investigation of the demographic aspects, clinicopathological features, degrees of epithelial dysplasia, and malignant transformation rate of actinic cheilitis., Methods: The study was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42020201254). A search without year and language restrictions was performed using PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Virtual Health Library, Scopus, Web of Science, and gray literature. Studies that provided information on patients with actinic cheilitis were included, excluding those with general information on other diseases or other types of cheilitis. Risk of bias was explored using the Joanna Briggs Institute tool. Narrative and quantitative data syntheses were performed using meta-analyses and subgroup analyses. Association tests were also performed., Results: Thirteen studies (728 patients) were included. The most prevalent clinical signs were dryness (99%), blurred demarcation between the lip vermilion and skin (82%), scaling (69%), and atrophy (69%). Regarding epithelial dysplasia, a prevalence of mild dysplasia (34.2%), followed by moderate (27.5%), and severe (14.9%). The malignant transformation rate was 14%. Crusts, ulcerations, and erythematous areas were associated with lip carcinoma (p < 0.001), and scaling was associated with actinic cheilitis (p < 0.001)., Conclusions: This study revealed several features of actinic cheilitis, providing an overview of the disease. It is suggested that new studies help develop policy guides for the standardization of clinical criteria, enabling more rigorous and homogeneous analysis of actinic cheilitis., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Background: We evaluated the evolution of mouth opening before and after radiotherapy of the head and neck in patients using intraoral stents., Materials and Methods: Twenty-one patients with head and neck cancer who were indicated for radiotherapy participated in this study. Maximum interincisal opening measurements were performed before and after radiotherapy. Paired analyses of the pre- and post-radiotherapy groups were performed using paired samples t-tests and correlation analyses using Spearman's correlation test, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant., Results: Paired analyses of the pre- and post-radiotherapy groups revealed a statistically significant reduction in post-radiotherapy maximum interincisal opening (p < 0.001). However, only four individuals were diagnosed with trismus after radiotherapy. Regarding the correlation tests, no statistically significant differences were observed between the differences in pre- and post-radiotherapy maximum interincisal opening values and the study variables., Conclusion: The use of prosthetic devices during head and neck radiotherapy can reduce radiation doses in areas of no interest, thereby preventing the acute and late toxicities associated with cancer therapy., Competing Interests: Conflict of interests None declared., (© 2023 Greater Poland Cancer Centre.)

Background: Myocardial bridges (MB) are anatomical anomalies with possible clinical repercussions; hence, their understanding deserves attention., Objective: To determinate the prevalence and characterize MB in human hearts from the state of Ceará. Methods: Fifty hearts of adult human cadavers from the Medicine School of Federal University of Ceará, Brazil. The hearts were dissected to identify MBs that pass over part of the coronary artery. The segment of the artery (proximal, middle, and distal) with a bridge was identified. The external diameter of the artery at the proximal and distal points of the MB was measured. The length and thickness of the MB were also measured with an electronic caliper. The muscle index (MMI) of the MB was calculated as the product of length and thickness expressed in millimeters. The significance level adopted in the statistical analysis was 5%., Results: MB was confirmed in 40% of sample. Approximately one third of the sample had only 1 MB. MB was most frequently found over the anterior interventricular branch of the left coronary artery (59.25%, p=0.02), and its prevalence in other branches was much lower (22.23%). The most affected segments of arteries were the superior (44.44%) and medium (40.74%). The mean diameter of arteries proximal to the MB was 2.38±0.97mm (range=0.78-5.15mm), and the diameter distal to the MB was 1.71±0.75mm (range=0.42-3.58mm). The length was measured as mean=8.55±5.27mm, while the mean thickness was 0.89±0.33mm., Conclusion: A high prevalence of MB is more likely to affect the left coronary artery system with larger MMI than other affected branches.

Objective: To assess the outcome of extubation in COVID-19 patients and the use of noninvasive ventilation in the weaning process., Methods: This retrospective, observational, single-center study was conducted in COVID-19 patients aged 18 years or older who were admitted to an intensive care unit between April 2020 and December 2021, placed under mechanical ventilation for more than 48 hours and progressed to weaning. Early extubation was defined as extubation without a spontaneous breathing trial and immediate use of noninvasive ventilation after extubation. In patients who underwent a spontaneous breathing trial, noninvasive ventilation could be used as prophylactic ventilatory assistance when started immediately after extubation (prophylactic noninvasive ventilation) or as rescue therapy in cases of postextubation respiratory failure (therapeutic noninvasive ventilation). The primary outcome was extubation failure during the intensive care unit stay., Results: Three hundred eighty-four extubated patients were included. Extubation failure was observed in 107 (27.9%) patients. Forty-seven (12.2%) patients received prophylactic noninvasive ventilation. In 26 (6.8%) patients, early extubation was performed with immediate use of noninvasive ventilation. Noninvasive ventilation for the management of postextubation respiratory failure was administered to 64 (16.7%) patients., Conclusion: We found that COVID-19 patients had a high rate of extubation failure. Despite the high risk of extubation failure, we observed low use of prophylactic noninvasive ventilation in these patients.

In a time of rapid global change, the question of what determines patterns in species abundance distribution remains a priority for understanding the complex dynamics of ecosystems. The constrained maximization of information entropy provides a framework for the understanding of such complex systems dynamics by a quantitative analysis of important constraints via predictions using least biased probability distributions. We apply it to over two thousand hectares of Amazonian tree inventories across seven forest types and thirteen functional traits, representing major global axes of plant strategies. Results show that constraints formed by regional relative abundances of genera explain eight times more of local relative abundances than constraints based on directional selection for specific functional traits, although the latter does show clear signals of environmental dependency. These results provide a quantitative insight by inference from large-scale data using cross-disciplinary methods, furthering our understanding of ecological dynamics., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

PBDEs are toxic, lipophilic, hydrophobic, and persistent artificial chemicals, characterized by high physical and chemical stability. Although PBDEs are known to disturb hormone signaling, many effects of 2,2',4,4',5 - pentain polybrominated diphenyl ethers (BDE-99) in fish remain unclear. The current study investigates the effects of BDE-99 in Oreochromis niloticus where sixty-four juvenile fish were orally exposed to 0.294, 2.94, 29.4 ng g -1 of BDE-99, every 10 days, during 80 days. The results showed histopathological findings in liver and kidney, increasing acetylcholinesterase activity in muscle, disturbs in the antioxidant system in liver and brain and decreasing the plasmatic levels of vitellogenin in females. According to multivariate analysis (IBR), the higher doses are related to the interaction of oxidative and non-oxidative enzymes. The present study provided evidence of deleterious effects after sub-chronic exposure of BDE 99 to O. niloticus, increasing the knowledge about its risk of exposure in fish., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

The present study aimed to determine whether cumulus cells (CC) biopsy, acquired before or after in vitro maturation (IVM), presents similar gene expression pattern and if would compromises oocyte quality. First, immature cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were distributed: (1) maturated in groups (control); (2) individually maturated, but not biopsied; (3) subjected to CC biopsy before maturation and individually matured; (4) individually matured and submitted to CC biopsy after maturation; (5) individually matured and CC biopsied before and after maturation. Secondly, candidate genes, described as potential markers of COCs quality, were quantified by RT-qPCR in CCs before and after IVM. After in vitro fertilization (IVF), zygotes were tracked and sorted regarding their developmental potential: fully developed to embryo, cleaved and arrested, and not-cleaved. The COC’s biopsy negatively affects embryo development (p < 0.05), blastocyst cell number (p < 0.05), and apoptotic cell ratio (p < 0.05), both before and after IVM. The PTGS2, LUM, ALCAM, FSHR, PGR, SERPINE2, HAS2, and PDRX3 genes were differentially expressed (p < 0.05) on matured CCs. Only PGR gene (p = 0.04) was under-expressed on matured CCs on Not-Cleaved group. The SERPINE2 gene was overexpressed (p = 0.01) in the Cleaved group on immature CCs. In summary, none of the selected gene studies can accurately predict COC’s fate after fertilization.

This prospective study aimed to evaluate the effect of metronomic cyclophosphamide on carboplatin’s tolerability, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics in dogs with mammary carcinoma. Sixteen female dogs with mammary carcinoma were divided into groups: 300 mg/m2 intravenous (i.v.) carboplatin therapy (G1 = 8) or 300 mg/m2 i.v. carboplatin which was associated with 12.5 mg/m2 oral cyclophosphamide in a metronomic regimen (G2 = 8). The investigated animals underwent a clinical evaluation, a mastectomy, a carboplatin chemotherapy, and serial blood sampling for the pharmacokinetic analysis. The adverse events and survival rates were monitored. A non-compartmental analysis was applied to calculate the pharmacokinetic parameters of carboplatin in the 2nd and 4th chemotherapy cycles. Carboplatin PK showed high interindividual variability with a 10-fold variation in the area under the plasma concentration−time curve (AUC) in G1. The systemic plasma exposure to carboplatin was equivalent in both of the treatments considering the AUC and maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) values. Although the red blood cells (p < 0.0001), platelets (p = 0.0005), total leukocytes (p = 0.0002), and segmented neutrophils (p = 0.0007) were reduced in G2, the survival rate increased (p = 0.0044) when it was compared to G1. In conclusion, adding low daily doses of cyclophosphamide to a carboplatin therapy showed promising outcomes in female dogs with mammary tumors.

The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro the effect of calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)2], 2% chlorhexidine gel (CHX) on macrophages (RAW 264.7) to produce pro-inflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide after pretreatment with lipoteichoic acid (LTA) of Enterococcus faecalis. Forty-eight human single-rooted teeth were instrumented with R25.08 (RECIPROC) and sterilized by gamma irradiation. LTA was inoculated in the root canal of each specimen for 96 hours. Specimens were instrumented with 40.06 and 50.05 (RECIPROC) and medicated with: I) Pyrogen-free saline solution (SS); II) 2% CHX gel; III) Ca(OH)2 + SS; or IV) Ca(OH)2 + CHX for 14 days. Three samples (S) were performed of the root canal of each specimen at: S1) immediately after instrumentation; S2) after Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA); S3) after intracanal medication removal. Subsequent quantification of cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, MIP-1α, IP-10, G-CSF and IL-6) by immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and nitric oxide by the Griess method was carried-out. Data were submitted to a normality test and then analyzed with one-way ANOVA and Tukey test with a significance level of 5% using GraphPad Prism 6. Ca(OH)2 + SS and Ca(OH)2 + CHX presented lower levels of TNF-α, TNF-α, IL-6, G-CSF and nitric oxide. Ca(OH)2 + SS was the most effective in reducing MIP-1α. CHX was effective in reducing IL-6 and G-CSF. Therefore, the combined intracanal medication of calcium hydroxide and chlorhexidine is effective in reducing the cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, G-CSF and nitric oxide.

Objective: Is the AMH level correlated with age and number of mature oocytes retrieved from stimulated cycles?, Methods: This descriptive, retrospective, observational study included the data of about 1500 patients submitted to Assisted Reproductive Technology treatments in a clinic in Brazil between July 2012 and April 2019. Patients not submitted to IVF and/or without AMH level records were excluded. The study included women with fertility issues aged 20-50 years submitted to IVF. A total of 733 patients were included. The patients were divided by age into three groups (≤35 years old; 36-39 years old; ≥40 years old)., Results: The mean AMH concentration ranged from 2.65 to 1.35 ng/mL and was significantly different between the groups. The mean total number of retrieved oocytes ranged from 9.5 to 5.42 and was significantly different between the groups. The mean number of mature oocytes ranged from 7.14 to 4.58. There was no significant difference in the number of mature oocytes between patients aged 36-39 years and ≥40 years. Negative correlations were observed between patient age and total number of retrieved oocytes (-0.3354) and number of mature oocytes (-0.2839). AMH was negatively correlated with age (-0.3257), although positive correlations with total number of oocytes (0.6702) and number of mature oocytes (0.5770) were observed., Conclusions: This is the largest study performed with Brazilian patients to correlate AMH levels, age, number of oocytes, and number of mature oocytes from controlled ovarian stimulation cycles. Our data showed that as age increases, AMH levels, number of retrieved oocytes, and number of mature oocytes decrease significantly. However, no significant difference in number of mature oocytes was observed when patients aged 36-39 and ≥40 years were compared. In addition, a positive correlation was found between serum AMH levels and total number of retrieved and mature oocytes from stimulated cycles.

Purpose: Currently, there is an increasing tendency to refer only complex aneurysms for microsurgery. The formation of new neurosurgeons dedicated to open vascular neurosurgery becomes challenging in a situation in which complex aneurysms must be dealt with early in the career, raising questions about the safety of the learning curve., Methods: We analyzed the characteristics and surgical results of the first 300 consecutively treated patients after subarachnoid hemorrhage by a single neurosurgeon. The incidence of surgical complications and clinical outcomes during the learning curve were analyzed, looking for critical periods regarding patient safety. Microsurgical operative times were also studied., Results: A high frequency of wide-necked aneurysms was observed (70.3%), and, as a result, large (> 10 mm), MCA and paraclinoid aneurysms were overrepresented. A statistically significant correlation between surgical experience and clinical outcomes was observed, with progressive surgical experience resulting in a lower incidence of unfavorable outcomes. We also observed a higher frequency of major surgical complications, unfavorable clinical outcomes, and lower complete occlusion rates among the first 40 patients. Microsurgical operative times progressively and significantly decreased during the learning curve., Conclusions: We observed a high prevalence of wide-necked aneurysms. Young neurosurgeons must be trained and prepared to deal with these aneurysms early in their careers. Although we observed a decrease in unfavorable results with cumulative surgical experience, the first 40 cases were associated with higher rates of major surgical complications, worse clinical outcomes, and lower complete occlusion rates, indicating that this period may be more critical to patient safety., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Austria, part of Springer Nature.)

This study aimed at evaluating volumetrically gaps and voids of calcium-silicate based materials of different generations and handling properties (BC—Endosequence BC RRM-Fast Set Condensable Putty, MTA—ProRoot MTA, and BIO—Biodentine) in simulated furcal perforations in an ex vivo setup by microcomputed tomography (Micro-CT) analysis. Thirty-six extracted human mandibular molars with sound furcation areas were selected. Standardized perforations were created in the furcation area of the pulp chamber using #4 diamond burs. The specimens were randomly assigned to three groups (BC, MTA and BIO; n = 12). Samples were then scanned (SkyScan 1172; Bruker-microCT, Kontich, Belgium), and three-dimensional (3D) images reconstructed. The relative volume of gaps (VG%) and voids (VV%) present on each material was calculated. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s HSD test (p < 0.05). Mean VG% for BC, MTA, and BIO groups were, respectively, 0.513%, 1.128%, 1.460%, with BC presenting statistically (p < 0.05) fewer gaps formation than the other groups. Mean VV% were, respectively, 0.018%, 0.037%, and 0.065%. The was no statistical difference regarding VV%. There were no gap-free and void-free samples. BC group had the lowest VG% among the groups with a significant statistical difference (p < 0.05).

Listening to samba percussion often elicits feelings of pleasure and the desire to move with the beat-an experience sometimes referred to as "feeling the groove"- as well as social connectedness. Here we investigated the effects of performance timing in a Brazilian samba percussion ensemble on listeners' experienced pleasantness and the desire to move/dance in a behavioral experiment, as well as on neural processing as assessed via functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Participants listened to different excerpts of samba percussion produced by multiple instruments that either were "in sync", with no additional asynchrony between instrumental parts other than what is usual in naturalistic recordings, or were presented "out of sync" by delaying the snare drums (by 28, 55, or 83 ms). Results of the behavioral experiment showed increasing pleasantness and desire to move/dance with increasing synchrony between instruments. Analysis of hemodynamic responses revealed stronger bilateral brain activity in the supplementary motor area, the left premotor area, and the left middle frontal gyrus with increasing synchrony between instruments. Listening to "in sync" percussion thus strengthens audio-motor interactions by recruiting motor-related brain areas involved in rhythm processing and beat perception to a higher degree. Such motor related activity may form the basis for "feeling the groove" and the associated desire to move to music. Furthermore, in an exploratory analysis we found that participants who reported stronger emotional responses to samba percussion in everyday life showed higher activity in the subgenual cingulate cortex, an area involved in prosocial emotions, social group identification and social bonding., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Engel, Hoefle, Monteiro, Moll and Keller.)

The low-grade inflammation associated with metabolic syndrome (MS) triggers functional and structural alterations in several organs. Whereas lung function impairment is well reported for older adult population, the effect of MS on functional and immunological responses in the lungs remains unclear. In this cross-sectional study we determined whether MS alters pulmonary function, and immunological responses in older adults with MS. The study sample consisted of older adults with MS (68 ± 3 years old; n = 77) and without MS (67 ± 3 years old; n = 77). Impulse oscillometry was used to evaluate airway and tissue resistance, and reactance. Biomarkers of inflammation and fibrosis were assessed in the blood and in breath condensate. The total resistance of the respiratory system (R5Hz; p < 0.009), and the resistance of the proximal (R20Hz; p < 0.001) and distal (R5Hz-R20Hz; p < 0.004) airways were higher in MS individuals compared to those without MS. Pro-inflammatory (leptin, IL-1beta, IL-8, p < 0.001; TNF-alpha, p < 0.04) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (adiponectin, IL-1ra, IL-10, p < 0.001), anti-fibrotic (relaxin 1, relaxin 3, Klotho, p < 0.001) and pro-fibrotic (VEGF, p < 0.001) factors were increased in sera and in breath condensate individuals with MS. The results show that MS adversely affect lung mechanics, function, and immunological response in older adults. The data offer a metabolic basis for the inflammaging of the lungs and suggest the lungs as a potential therapeutic target for controlling the immune response and delaying the onset of impaired lung function in older adults with MS., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Objective: To develop and validate a terminological subset of the International Classification for Nursing Practice for COVID-19 patients in critical care., Method: This is a methodological study, which followed the guidelines of the Brazilian method, using the Basic Human Needs as a theoretical model. Content validation was performed by 25 specialist nurses using the Delphi technique., Results: A total of 73 diagnoses and their respective nursing results were prepared. Of these, 62 statements had a Content Validity Index ≥ 0.80, with the need for oxygenation having the highest number of statements. Of the 210 nursing interventions developed, and after suggestions from experts, 150 interventions reached an index ≥ 0.80 and comprised the terminological subset., Conclusion: The terminological subset developed showed statements that were validated by specialist nurses and, therefore, are relevant to the nurse's clinic in the critical care scenario associated with Covid-19.

Litter is an ecological, economic, and social problem that impacts marine environments around the world. To create prevention and mitigation measures to solve this issue, it is necessary to understand the amounts and sources of this type of pollution. Cassino Beach is an extensive sandy beach located in South Brazil (∼220 km in length) that presents multiple uses, such as touristic, portuary and fishery activities. In order to evaluate the spatial and seasonal variation of litter amounts, types and sources at Cassino Beach, litter (>2.5 cm) was collected over 27 months at two urban and two non-urban sites. At each site, the litter present in three 200 m 2 areas was sampled and evaluated. A total of 19,457 items were collected, mostly composed by plastic (∼88%). Paper, metal, and cloth items were also present, but in low amounts. Fragments and cigarette butts were the major types of plastic litter, with abundances of 28.4% and 17.0%, respectively. Urban sites presented higher amounts of litter, with those related to beach use being more common, emphasizing the contribution of beachgoers to litter input at these sites. During the summer season, when beach use increases, the highest total litter concentration was found. Undefined and/or beach use-related sources were dominant in all sites and seasons. Mapping the predominant materials, types and potential sources of litter creates important baseline data that can contribute not only to beach monitoring, but also to the development of litter reduction strategies., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To compare the inflammatory and oxidative stress (OS) states of adults with bronchiectasis with those of healthy controls and correlate inflammatory and OS levels with lung function and physical capacity., Methods: This study used a cross-sectional design. Seventy-four adults with bronchiectasis (age: 49±15 years, forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1]: 52.5±25.6%) and 42 healthy controls (age: 44±17 years, FEV1: 95.9±14.0%) performed cardiopulmonary exercise tests and incremental shuttle walking tests. Their physical activity in daily life, inflammatory cytokine, and antioxidant levels in plasma were measured., Results: Compared to that of the controls, the levels of interleukin (IL)-6 (p<0.001), IL-10 (p<0.001), carbonylated proteins (p=0.001), and superoxide anions (p=0.046) were significantly increased in adults with bronchiectasis. Catalase activity was also reduced in this group (p<0.001). The inflammatory markers IL-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α correlated negatively with aerobic capacity (r=-0.408, r=-0.308, and r=-0.207, respectively). We observed similar correlations with OS markers (thiobarbituric acid and carbonyls; r=-0.290 and r=0.379, respectively), and these markers also significantly correlated with the aerobic capacity., Conclusions: Adults with bronchiectasis presented an increased systemic inflammatory response that correlated negatively with physical capacity.

Background: Dental trauma affects especially schoolchildren and adolescents. Educators, the responsible for the first appointment, have a fundamental role in the prognosis of dental avulsion that occurred in this environment., Aim: To evaluate the educational approaches for assessing knowledge and actions in response to dental avulsion among educators., Settings and Design: This cross-sectional and quanti-qualitative study included 197 teachers and 24 pedagogical coordinators (PCs), from the public schools of Pato Branco, Paraná, Brazil., Methods: A questionnaire was initially administered regarding the knowledge about avulsion to all participants. Teachers just read a manual and answered the questionnaire after 30 days. PCs were divided into (n = 12): G1 - manual + fictitious scenario of avulsion and G2 - active methodology + fictitious scenario. The questionnaire was re-administered to all., Statistical Analysis: Quantitative data were analyzed statistically. For the qualitative stage, two questions were proposed and the Bardin's analysis was performed., Results: For teachers, knowledge about avulsion increased after the intervention (P < 0.001), except as related to cleaning the tooth (P = 0.21). Activities involving G1 and G2 also led to an increase in knowledge, but no difference occurred in this increase between the approaches (P = 0.14). Qualitative analysis highlighted the need for calm and for performing actions that could favor a good prognosis in cases of avulsion., Conclusions: The level of knowledge increased after interventions, but no significant differences between the educational approaches were found., Competing Interests: None

Introduction: New therapeutic alternatives for pain relief include the use of phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors, which could prevent the transmission of painful stimuli by neuron hyperpolarization via nitric oxide (NO)/cyclic 3',5'-guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) pathway. The present work investigated the antinociceptive activity of a new PDE5 inhibitor, lodenafil carbonate, in inflammatory and neuropathic pain models., Methods and Results: Although no effect was detected on neurogenic phase of formalin test in mice, oral administration of lodenafil carbonate dose-dependently reduced reactivity in the inflammatory phase (200.6 ± 39.1 to 81.9 ± 18.8 s at 10 μmol/kg, p= 0.0172) and this effect was totally blocked by NO synthase inhibitor, L-Nω-nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME). Lodenafil carbonate (10 μmol/kg p.o.) significantly reduced nociceptive response as demonstrated by increased paw withdrawal latency to thermal stimulus (from 6.8 ± 0.7 to 10.6 ± 1.3 s, p= 0.0006) and paw withdrawal threshold to compressive force (from 188.0 ± 14.0 to 252.5 ± 5.3 g, p<0.0001) in carrageenan-induced paw inflammation model. In a spinal nerve ligation-induced neuropathic pain, oral lodenafil carbonate (10 μmol/kg) also reversed thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia by increasing paw withdrawal latency from 17.9 ± 1.5 to 22.8 ± 1.9 s (p= 0.0062) and paw withdrawal threshold from 26.0 ± 2.8 to 41.4 ± 2.9 g (p= 0.0196). These effects were reinforced by the reduced GFAP (3.4 ± 0.5 to 1.4 ± 0.3%, p= 0.0253) and TNF-alpha (1.1 ± 0.1 to 0.4 ± 0.1%, p= 0.0111) stained area densities as detected by immunofluorescence in ipsilateral dorsal horns., Conclusion: Lodenafil carbonate demonstrates important analgesic activity by promoting presynaptic hyperpolarization and preventing neuroplastic changes, which may perpetuate chronic pain, thus representing a potential treatment for neuropathic pain., Competing Interests: Professor Gisele Zapata-Sudo report grants from CNPq, grants from FAPERJ, grants from Cristália Produtos Químicos e Farmacêuticos, outside the submitted work. The authors report no other conflicts of interest in this work., (© 2021 Vieira et al.)

The manatee family encompasses three extant congeneric species: Trichechus senegalensis (African manatee), T. inunguis (Amazonian manatee), and T. manatus (West Indian manatee). The fossil record for manatees is scant, and few phylogenetic studies have focused on their evolutionary history. We use full mitogenomes of all extant manatee species to infer the divergence dates and biogeographical histories of these species and the effect of natural selection on their mitogenomes. The complete mitochondrial genomes of T. inunguis (16,851 bp), T. senegalensis (16,882 bp), and T. manatus (16,882 bp), comprise 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes (rRNA - 12S and 16S), and 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNA), and (D-loop/CR). Our analyses show that the first split within Trichechus occurred during the Late Miocene (posterior mean 6.56 Ma and 95% HPD 3.81-10.66 Ma), followed by a diversification event in the Plio-Pleistocene (posterior mean 1.34 Ma, 95% HPD 0.1-4.23) in the clade composed by T. inunguis and T. manatus; T. senegalensis is the sister group of this clade with higher support values (pp > 0.90). The branch-site test identified positive selection on T. inunguis in the 181st position of the ND4 amino acid gene (LRT = 6.06, p = 0.0069, BEB posterior probability = 0.96). The ND4 gene encodes one subunit of the NADH dehydrogenase complex, part of the oxidative phosphorylation machinery. In conclusion, our results provide novel insight into the evolutionary history of the Trichechidae during the Late Miocene, which was influenced by geological events, such as Amazon Basin formation.

Angiosarcoma of the breast accounts for less than 1% of breast tumors. This tumor may be primary or secondary to previous radiation therapy and it is also named "radiogenic angiosarcoma of the breast", which is still a rare entity with a poor prognosis. So far, there are only 307 cases reported about these tumors in the literature. We present a case of a 73-year-old woman with a prior history of breast-conserving treatment of right breast cancer, exhibiting mild pinkish skin changes in the ipsilateral breast. Her mammography was consistent with benign alterations (BI-RADS 2). On incisional biopsy specimens, hematoxylin-eosin showed atypical vascular lesion and suggested immunohistochemisty for diagnostic elucidation. Resection of the lesions was performed and histology showed radiogenic angiosarcoma. The patient underwent simple mastectomy. Immunohistochemistry was positive for antigens related to CD31 and CD34, and C-MYC oncogene amplification, confirming the diagnosis of angiosarcoma induced by breast irradiation. A delayed diagnosis is an important concern. Initial skin changes in radiogenic angiosarcoma are subtle, therefore, these alterations may be confused with other benign skin conditions such as telangiectasia. We highlight this case clinical aspects with the intention of alerting to the possibility of angiosarcoma of the breast in patients with a previous history of adjuvant radiation therapy for breast cancer treatment. Sixteen months after the surgery the patient remains asymptomatic.

Sarcoidosis is a multi-systemic granulomatous disease. Affected individuals can show spontaneous healing, develop remission with drug treatment within 2 years, or become chronically ill. Our main goal was to identify features that are related to prognosis.The study consisted of 101 patients, recruited at a single center, who were already diagnosed with sarcoidosis at the start of the study or were diagnosed within 48 months. Ninety individuals were followed-up for at least 24 months and were classified according to clinical outcome status (COS 1 to 9). Those with COS 1-4 and COS 5-9 were classified as having favorable and unfavorable outcomes, respectively. Unconditional logistic regression analyses were conducted to define which variables were associated with sarcoidosis outcomes. Subsequently, we established a scoring system to help predict the likelihood of a favorable or unfavorable outcome.Of our patients, 48% developed a chronic form of the disease (COS 5-9). Three clinical features were predictive of prognosis in sarcoidosis. We built a score-based model where the absence of rheumatological markers (1 point), normal pulmonary functions (2 points), and the presence of early respiratory symptoms manifestations (2 points) were associated with a favorable prognosis. We predicted that a patient with a score of 5 had an 86% (95% confidence interval [CI] 74%-98%) probability of having a favorable prognosis, while those with scores of 4, 3, 2, 1, and 0 had probabilities of 72% (95% CI 59-85%), 52% (95% CI 40-63%), 31% (95% CI 17-44%), 15% (95% CI 2-28%), and 7% (95% CI 0-16%) of having a favorable prognosis, respectively. Thus, our easy-to-compute algorithm can help to predict prognosis of sarcoidosis patients, facilitating their management.

The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causes COVID-19, a highly pathogenic viral infection threatening millions. The majority of the individuals infected are asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic showing typical clinical signs of common cold. However, approximately 20% of the patients can progress to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), evolving to death in about 5% of cases. Recently, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) has been shown to be a functional receptor for virus entry into host target cells. The upregulation of ACE2 in patients with comorbidities may represent a propensity for increased viral load and spreading of infection to extrapulmonary tissues. This systemic infection is associated with higher neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio in infected tissues and high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines leading to an extensive microthrombus formation with multiorgan failure. Herein we investigated whether SARS-CoV-2 can stimulate extracellular neutrophils traps (NETs) in a process called NETosis. We demonstrated for the first time that SARS-CoV-2 in fact is able to activate NETosis in human neutrophils. Our findings indicated that this process is associated with increased levels of intracellular Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) in neutrophils. The ROS-NET pathway plays a role in thrombosis formation and our study suggest the importance of this target for therapy approaches against disease.

Many studies suggest a protective role of phenolic compounds in mood disorders. We aimed to assess the effect of Euterpe oleracea (açaí) seed extract (ASE) on anxiety induced by periodic maternal separation (PMS) in adult male rats. Animals were divided into 6 groups: control, ASE, fluoxetine (FLU), PMS, PMS+ASE, and PMS+FLU. For PMS, pups were separated daily from the dam for 3 h between postnatal day (PN) 2 and PN21. ASE (200 mg·kg -1 ·day -1 ) and FLU (10 mg·kg -1 ·day -1 ) were administered by gavage for 34 days after stress induction, starting at PN76. At PN106 and PN108, the rats were submitted to open field (OF) and forced swim tests, respectively. At PN110, the rats were sacrificed by decapitation. ASE increased time spent in the center area in the OF test, glucocorticoid receptors in the hypothalamus, tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TRKB) levels in the hippocampus, and nitrite levels and antioxidant activity in the brain stem (PMS+ASE group compared with PMS group). ASE also reduced plasma corticotropin-releasing hormone levels, adrenal norepinephrine levels, and oxidative damage in the brain stem in adult male offspring submitted to PMS. In conclusion, ASE treatment has an anti-anxiety effect in rats submitted to PMS by reducing hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis reactivity and increasing the nitric oxide (NO)-brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)-TRKB pathway and antioxidant defense in the central nervous system. Novelty ASE has anti-anxiety and antioxidant effects in early-life stress. ASE reduces hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis reactivity. The anxiolytic effect of ASE may involve activation of the NO-BDNF-TRKB pathway in the central nervous system.

Introduction: Moderate aerobic exercise training accelerates the resolution of lung fibrosis in a model of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. However, whether it can inhibit the development of lung fibrosis is unknown., Materials and Methods: C57Bl/6 mice were distributed into four groups: Control (Co), Exercise (Exe), Bleomycin (Bleo), and Bleomycin+Exercise (Bleo+Exe). A single bleomycin dose (1.5 UI/kg) was administered orotracheally and treadmill exercise started in the same day, enduring for 4 weeks, 5x/week, 60 minutes/session, at moderate intensity. Lung mechanics, systemic and pulmonary inflammation, and lung remodeling were evaluated. Lung homogenates were used to evaluate the antioxidant status., Results: Total cells, macrophages, lymphocytes, and neutrophils numbers, in agreement with IL-6 levels, were higher in the BAL and serum of Bleo group, compared to other groups. In addition, lung levels of LTB4 in Bleo were higher than other groups, whereas SOD activity and nitric oxide levels in exercised groups (Exe and Exe+Bleo) compared to the Bleo group. Lung GPX activity was lower in Bleo and Exe+Bleo groups compared to others. Exe and Exe+Bleo groups also showed higher IL-10 expression by lung macrophages than other groups, whereas TGF- β expression was higher in Exe, Bleo, and Exe+Bleo groups compared to control. CCR7 expression was induced only in the Exe group. However, exercise did not improve lung remodeling and mechanics, or serum and pulmonary levels of VEGF, IGF-1, and TGF- β ., Conclusion: Aerobic exercise training initiated concomitantly with induction of pulmonary fibrosis reduces lung and systemic inflammation but fails to inhibit lung fibrosis and mechanics impairment., Competing Interests: All authors declare no conflict of interest related to this publication., (Copyright © 2020 Elias El-Mafarjeh et al.)

Resistin is associated with metabolic, inflammatory, and neoplastic disorders, and is also considered a prognostic marker in human oncology. Canine mammary tumors have epidemiological, clinical, biological, and genetic characteristics similar to those of women and are proposed as a comparative study model. Here, we evaluate the serum levels of resistin in female dogs with or without mammary carcinoma in mixed tumors (CBMT) and its correlation with the proliferative potential of the tumor, obesity, and survival. Eighty dogs grouped according to the presence (50) or absence (30) of CBMT, reproductive status and body condition were assessed for weight, fat percentage, and canine body mass index. The characteristic of the proliferative potential of the tumor (Ki-67) was evaluated. Ki-67 levels ( p = 0.024), staging ( p = 0.004), and grade ( p = 0.016) influenced the survival of the female dogs. Through a multifactorial analysis, it could be seen that the parameters proliferation index (Ki-67) ( p = 0.044) and staging ( p = 0.036) influenced the survival of the animals. Neutered and overweight dogs from the control and CBMT groups showed hyperresistinemia. Ki-67 expression and resistin levels in dogs with CBMT were higher in overweight dogs than in dogs with normal weight ( p = 0.0001). The survival rate of dogs with CBMT, obese and with high levels of resistin (8,400 μg L -1 ) was lower when compared to those with lower levels of resistin. These results showed an important relationship between hyperresistinemia, tumor proliferative potential and excessive body fat, suggesting that resistin levels may act as an interesting prognostic marker in patients with CBMT., (Copyright © 2020 Nicchio, Barrouin-Melo, Machado, Vieira-Filho, Santos, Martins-Filho, Barbosa, Barral, Portela, Damasceno and Estrela-Lima.)

Aim: The aim was to compare cyclic fatigue, torsional failure, and flexural resistance of NiTi endodontic files: Hyflex CM (HYF), Genius files (GEN), WaveOne Gold (WOG), and ProTaper Universal (PTU)., Materials and Methods: Fifteen files of each brand were used in cyclic fatigue test and other fifteen files for flexural test and torsional failure test. To the cyclic fatigue test, used torque limit and revolutions per minute were set according to the respective manufacturer guidelines. The test was performed under deionized water at 36°C, and all files were tested in a 3 mm radius of curvature with an angle of curvature of 60°, time of the fracture was recorded. Torsional fatigue test was performed in the torsional machine (Instron MT, USA), recording the fractured time and torque data by the machine software. Flexural fatigue test was performed in 60° of curvature. All data were statistically analyzed by one-way analysis of variance, and Tukey test for multiple comparisons., Results: Cyclic fatigue (seconds)= HYF: 744.1 ± 231.9/GEN: 477.3 ± 220.5/WO: 278.4 ± 57.0/PTU: 152.4 ± 65.2; torsional failure (N × cm)= HYF: 6.85 ± 1.484/GEN: 6.55 ± 0.828/WOG: 5.73 ± 0.360/PTU: 4.43 ± 0.900; flexural resistance (N × mm)= HYF: 0.33 ± 0.294/GEN: 0.19 ± 0.136/WOG: 0.98 ± 0.216/PTU: 1.85 ± 0.276., Conclusion: HYF and GEN showed the best results for cyclic fatigue, torsional failure, and flexural resistance, followed by WOG and PTU., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2021 Journal of Conservative Dentistry.)

This study aimed to compare the effect of conventional irrigation (CI) and passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI) with 17% EDTA and QMiX on the maximum depth and percentage of sealer penetration into the dentinal tubules by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and to describe the cleaning of root canal walls by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Eighty single-rooted human mandibular premolars were instrumented and randomly assigned to four groups (n = 20): EDTA + CI, QMiX + CI, EDTA + PUI, and QMiX + PUI. Ten samples from each group were examined by SEM (2,000×) and the remaining 40 roots were filled with a single gutta-percha cone and AH Plus sealer mixed with 0.1% rhodamine B for analysis by CLSM (10×). Images were assessed at distances of 2 mm (apical), 5 mm (middle), and 8 mm (coronal) from the apex with the Leica Application Suite V4.10 software. The EDTA + PUI and QMiX + PUI protocols presented higher rates of debris/smear layer removal in the apical and middle thirds. The PUI was superior to CI in the maximum depth of sealer penetration at the middle third. The QMiX + PUI group had a higher percentage of sealer penetration at the apical third. The PUI and QMiX protocol improved debris/smear layer removal and tubular dentin sealer penetration.

Amazonian forests are extraordinarily diverse, but the estimated species richness is very much debated. Here, we apply an ensemble of parametric estimators and a novel technique that includes conspecific spatial aggregation to an extended database of forest plots with up-to-date taxonomy. We show that the species abundance distribution of Amazonia is best approximated by a logseries with aggregated individuals, where aggregation increases with rarity. By averaging several methods to estimate total richness, we confirm that over 15,000 tree species are expected to occur in Amazonia. We also show that using ten times the number of plots would result in an increase to just ~50% of those 15,000 estimated species. To get a more complete sample of all tree species, rigorous field campaigns may be needed but the number of trees in Amazonia will remain an estimate for years to come.

The objective of this study was to assess the use of infrared thermography as a microclimate-evaluating tool and an estimate of the thermal comfort provided by four types of tree to cattle under grazing conditions in the central region of Brazil. The experiment was conducted at the Embrapa Beef Cattle Company, in Campo Grande, MS, Brazil, from June to August 2015. Evaluations were carried out over four consecutive days, at 1-hour intervals, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (local time; GMT - 4:00). Infrared thermography images of tree crowns and soil surface underneath them from the shadow projection of four tree species native to the Brazilian cerrado (savannah-like) biome were obtained. The microclimate was assessed by estimation of thermal indices: temperature and humidity index, black globe, and radiation thermal load. The previous was calculated based on records of air temperature, dew point temperature, black globe temperature, air relative humidity, wind speed, and solar radiation. The geometrical settings of the trees were assessed for each tree component. Five thematic groups were formed based on multiple factor analysis that summarizes three synthetic analytical dimensions to explain the total variance among the studied elements and the existing correlations between groups. Positive linear correlations were found between thermography and the temperature measurements, thermal comfort indices, and radiation, suggesting that infrared thermography can be used as a tool for estimating and monitoring the microclimate and thermal comfort, presenting a potential use of measurement in agroforestry systems.

Marine turtle hybridization is usually sporadic and involves reports of only a few individuals; however, Brazilian populations have high hybridization rates. Here we investigated the presence of hybrids in morphologically identified immature hawksbills (Eretmochelys imbricata) along the South Western Atlantic (SWA). We sequenced one mitochondrial (D-Loop) and three nuclear DNA (RAG1, RAG2, and CMOS) markers to better understand the patterns and characteristics of hybrids. We identified 22 hybrids (n = 270), 11 of them at the extreme South of the SWA. Uruguay had the highest hybrid frequency in the SWA (~37.5%) followed by southern Brazil with 30%. These are common areas for loggerheads (Caretta caretta) but uncommon for hawksbills, and these hybrids may be adopting the behavior of loggerheads. By analyzing nuclear markers, we can infer that 50% of the sampled hybrids are first generation (F1) and 36% are the result of backcrosses between hybrids and pure E. imbricata (> F1). We also report for the first time immature E. imbricata x Lepidochelys olivacea hybrids at the Brazilian coast. Considering the high frequency of hybrids in the SWA, continuous monitoring should be performed to assess the fitness, genetic integrity, and extent of changes in the gene pools of involved populations.

This study aimed to evaluate sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), limewater (LW), and Polymyxin B (PMB) as irrigants over MMP-3, MMP-8 and MMP-9. Thirty-three patients with apical periodontitis of single-rooted teeth were treated according to three-experimental groups (n=11): group-1: 2.5% NaOCl was used as irrigant; group-2: 2.5% NaOCl for the first two files and LW: [0.14% Ca(OH)2] for the last two files; group-3: 2.5% NaOCl for the first two files and PMB for the last two files. The association of Ca(OH)2 and CHX was used as an intracanal medication in all groups. Four root canal samplings (S) were collected: S1) immediately after access cavity; S2) after biomechanical preparation; S3) after EDTA application; and S4) after removal of the intracanal medication. After quantification of MMP-3, MMP-8, and MMP-9, the data were analyzed by Friedman and Kruskal-Wallis tests and completed by Dunn test (5%). Regardless the used irrigant, there was no difference in reducing MMP-3 or MMP-8 (P=0,5273, P=0,7048 respectively). However, in reducing MMP-9 (P=0,0246) the NaOCl group was the most effective followed by NaOCl+LW group and NaOCl+PMB group respectively. The intracanal medication [Ca(OH)2 + CHX] with the NaOCl and NaOCl+LW was effective in reducing MMP-8 (P<0,0001, P=0,0025) and MMP-9 (P=0,0007, P=0,0047) respectively, but not for the group of NaOCl+PMB which was not effective in reducing MMP-8 or MMP-9 (P=0,1718, P=0,1953) respectively. NaOCl and NaOCl+LW were effective in reducing MMP-9 levels, and this effectivity could be improved by the use of the intracanal medication [Ca(OH)2 + CHX] in reducing MMP-8 and MMP-9 levels.

Objective: This clinical study sought to evaluate the effectiveness of passive ultrasonic activation (PUA) in eliminating microorganisms in primary endodontic infection (PEI) after instrumentation of root canals using microbiological culture and checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization., Methodology: Twenty root canals with PEI and apical periodontitis were selected. The root canals were instrumented and then randomly divided into 2 groups, according to the irrigation method: PUA and conventional needle irrigation (CNI). Microbiological samples were collected before instrumentation (S1), after instrumentation (S2) and after irrigation with 17% EDTA (S3). The samples were subjected to anaerobic culture technique and checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization analysis., Results: A statistically significant difference was found between CNI (23.56%) and PUA (98.37%) regarding the median percentage values for culturable bacteria reduction (p<0.05). In the initial samples, the most frequently detected species was S. constellatus (50%), and after root canal treatment was E. faecalis (50%)., Conclusion: Both treatments significantly decreased the number of bacterial species compared with the initial sample. However, no statistical difference in the total microbial load between PUA and CNI groups was detected. The number of cultivable anaerobic bacteria reduced significantly using PUA, and the bacterial composition and number of bacterial species after using either CNI or PUA was similar.