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The ability of some pathogenic bacterial species to form biofilms on surfaces of equipment and utensils is of great concern to the food industry since they represent a continuous source of contamination in food processing environments. In this review, the factors involved in the formation of microbial biofilms are highlighted, along with a discussion on the preventive disinfection procedures recommended to avoid the attachment of microbial cells on surfaces of equipment and utensils in food processing areas. Relevant articles published in the last 10 years (2012-present) were selected in PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar. Methods for assessing the adhesion and biofilm formation ability of strains isolated from surfaces in the food industry environment are also presented.

Seismic design of bridges in some respects is more complex than other structures especially due to, in some cases, the a priori unknown shape of the displacement profile of the structure. Bridges of irregular nature and of a certain length can have transversal horizontal displacement profiles (THDP) of the deck that are very dependent on higher frequency modes. Furthermore, the THDP might change significantly during the earthquake action, due to loss of stiffness of some elements rather than others. This makes most nonlinear static pushover methods inaccurate and introduces difficulties in the seismic design of these structures. In this study, several RC bridges which vary in length and irregularity, are analysed with nonlinear dynamic analysis and optimized via genetic algorithms with performance and cost as objectives in the longitudinal and transversal directions separately. The optimized solutions are analysed in terms of their effective stiffness and compared with each other. The results show correlation between the displacement of the stiffer piers and the overall effective stiffness of the structure. This correlation is closely linked to other parameters such as the relative stiffness index. The results and the parameters allow to identify cases in which the bridges develop “long bridge behaviour” in the THDP of the bridge, and also in which situations the longitudinal and transversal peak displacement of critical piers are similar, which is useful knowledge to optimize seismic design in terms of cost and performance. Practical recommendations for the optimization of the seismic design of irregular bridges are offered.

Background Aflatoxins are groups of mycotoxins that can be generally found in foods, particularly cereals and nuts. Cereal-based baby foods are important energy supplement sources, though the possibility of mycotoxin contamination in these products have been reported frequently. Scope and approach this systematic review and meta-analysis study was designed to survey the occurrence rate of aflatoxins in cereal-based baby food products and conduct a risk assessment with the data gathered. Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, AGRICOLA, and Google Scholar were searched systematically from 2000 to 2020. Key findings and conclusions The overall prevalence of aflatoxins was counted as 23% (95% CI: 15–32%). A highly severe heterogeneity of results was observed, and no subgroups could explore the source for this outcome. In contrast, African countries' subgroups and assessment methods applying for aflatoxins determination were the primary sources of prevalence changes. Also, risk assessment results indicated that baby food consumption induces risk for consumers, and roughly 75% of the world's baby's population is at risk considering the Margin of Exposure (MoE)

A monumental tetrastyle canopy (four columns topped by a hollow cap overlaying a statue), built in 1948 at the centre of Kathmandu, Nepal, has suffered full collapse during the April 25, 2015 Mw7.8...

Background The initial stages of human life including the fetal period, infancy and early childhood are the most critical periods of human growth and development. Due to immature immune system and rapid development phase, this is the most sensitive phase to health challenges. The exposure to xenobiotics of high toxicity, such as aflatoxins (AFs), can interfere with normal development of the body and potentially lead to severe health complications. Scope and approach This article provides a comprehensive review on the occurrence and health implications of AFs exposure in the early stages of life, including the impacts on child growth, development, immune and hepatic systems. The mechanisms involved in AFs’ toxicity and control measures in infant foods are also described, along with a discussion on recent intervention strategies to mitigate the early life exposure to dietary AFs. Key findings and conclusions Human AFs exposure via utero and through breast milk, infant formula milk and infant foods has been linked to a number of health implications including adverse birth outcomes, impaired growth and development, suppressed immune system, and hepatic dysfunction, especially in African and Asian countries. The occurrence of AFs in infant foods in developing countries, even when reasonably strict regulations are in place, indicate that much needs to be done to ensure the proper implementation of the regulations, in order to achieve significant reductions in exposure. This carries with it many economic and cultural challenges that need to be addressed, including implementation of good agricultural practices and intervention programs aiming to supplement nutrients to reduce child malnutrition and decrease the consumption of aflatoxin-contaminated foods.

In this review, formation of biofilms and the available data on enzyme-based preparations to control microbial biofilms in dairy processing environments are presented. Mature biofilms, especially those formed by pathogenic bacteria, have increased resistance to biocides, hence stressing the importance of stringent hygienic procedures. Proteases, amylases, cellulases and DNAses are among the most recently studied enzymes that could be associated with the main biocides used in the dairy industry to increase the effect of removal of biofilm. However, addi-tional studies should be conducted to select the best cost-benefit combinations of selected enzymes and biocides to remove efficiently biofilms in dairy processing environments.

Background The consumption of acrylamide through different types of food products can be correlated with cancer risk. In this study, the correlation between high oral intake of acrylamide and breast cancer risk was assessed with the aid of meta-analysis. Scope and approach Some of the databases such as Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and Embase were screened to up to September 2019 in order to retrieve the related articles. Therefore, ten articles with 57 studies (data-reports) were included in the current meta-analysis. Also, the relative risks (RRs) of breast cancer for high vs low intake acrylamide were calculated by a fixed-effects model (FEM). Also, the publication bias was assessed using Begg and Egger tests. Key findings and conclusions The pooled relative risk (RRs) of breast cancer was significance (RR = 0.95; 95%CI: 0.92–0.97) with low heterogeneity (I2: 0.0%, P-value: 0.994). Significant RRs in all women subgroup was observed as a marginally significant (0.95, 95%CI: 0.92–0.98), however, RRs was not significant in never-smoking women subgroup (0.93, 95%CI: 0.86–1.01). Additionally, no significant RRs were found in all hormone receptors. Moreover, no significant difference among RRs in body mass index (BMI) status subgroups (BMI

Aflatoxins are mycotoxins produced as secondary fungal metabolites. Among them, aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) stands out due to its genotoxic and mutagenic potential, being a potent initiator of carcinogenesis. In this review, the outcomes from the published literature in the past 10 years on the effects of AFB1 pathophysiological mechanisms on embryological and fetal development are discussed. In several animal species, including humans, AFB1 has a teratogenic effect, resulting in bone malformations, visceral anomalies, lesions in several organs, and behavioral and reproductive changes, in addition to low birth weight. The mutagenic capacity of AFB1 in prenatal life is greater than in adults, indicating that when exposure occurs in the womb, the risk of the development of neoplasms is higher. Studies conducted in humans indicate that the exposure to this mycotoxin during pregnancy is associated with low birth weight, decreased head circumference, and DNA hypermethylation. However, as the actual impacts on humans are still unclear, the importance of this issue cannot be overemphasized and studies on the matter are essential.

Introduction/Background* Endometrial cancer is the fourth most common malignancy among women and the most frequent gyneacological cancer in developed countries. Generally it is associated with a favourable prognosis mainly because most cases are diagnosed at an early stage. This work aims to evaluate the real-life data of an oncological center. Methodology Retrospective analysis of data from patients diagnosed and treated in our institution, from January 2009 to December 2019. Result(s)* During this period, 217 patients were diagnosed with endometrial cancer, with a median age at diagnosis of 67 years. Regarding clinical staging, the majority of them were in early stage disease – FIGO I/II (69%, n=149) and mainly endometrioid histological subtype (71%. n=154). High-risk endometrial cancer was seen in 41,9% of the patients (n=91). From these, 36,3% (n=33) were treated with adjuvant radiotherapy, with or without braquitherapy, and 56% (n=51) also received chemotherapy (carboplatin + paclitaxel) before radiation treatment. Recorrence occured in 23 patients, mainly FIGO stage IIIC1. Overall, relapse was detected in 36 patients (16,6%) – 15 patients with loco-regional disease and 21 with distant metastasis – with a median progression free survival of 12 months. Histology was found to be the major risk factor (p=0,05) for recorrence. To date, the number of deaths was 64 (29,5%), but 15 patients died from other causes. In multivariate analysis, the independent prognostic factos were histology (p=0,01), FIGO stage (p=0,05) and limphovascular involvement (p=0,00), with the last one being the most significant (B=1,077). Overall survival was 82,3% and 72,2% at 2 and 5 years, respectively. From the 217 patients 61,8% (n=133) are under follow-up, showing no signs of recorrence. Conclusion* Although endometrial cancer is generaly diagnosed at an early stage, differences in patient characteristics and histopathological features of the disease impact on both prognosis and treatment approach. Over the past few decades, several studies have demonstrated the prognostic importance of different parameters including histological subtype and grade, stage of disease and lymphovascular involvement. Taking into account the advances in the oncology setting, the future will probably be focused on the molecular profile of endometrial cancer.

Objetivo Avaliar o perfil dos pacientes com Sindrome Mielodisplasica (SMD) diagnosticados e tratados no setor de hematologia do Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein (HIAE). Material e metodos Estudo retrospectivo, de levantamento em prontuario de dados de pacientes com diagnostico de SMD no HIAE entre 2001 e 2020. Inclusao: Pacientes acima dos 18 anos em seguimento medico e tratamento no HIAE, com diagnostico realizado ou confirmado (caso diagnostico externo) em nossa instituicao. Exclusao: Incapacidade de determinar retrospectivamente pelo prontuario informacoes sobre o diagnostico ou tratamento do paciente. Resultados Revisamos retrospectivamente os prontuarios de 202 pacientes com diagnostico de SMD em nosso servico, apenas 86 preenchiam os criterios de inclusao. O predominio e do sexo masculino (53,5%), com mediana de idade de 66 anos ao diagnostico e aproximadamente 33% apresentava o historico pessoal de tabagismo ativo ou previo. Segundo a classificacao de 2016 da OMS, a maioria (25%) dos pacientes enquadrava-se como displasia de multilinhagem, 27% apresentaram alto e muito alto risco de desfecho negativo conforme a classificacao do IPSS-R (Revised International Prognosis Scoring System) e 51% possuiam dependencia transfusional. Apenas 29 pacientes possuiam resultado de mutacoes mieloides, destes, 27,5% (n = 8) portavam pelo menos uma das alteracoes moleculares de pior prognostico (RUNX1, ASXL1, TP53). As terapias mais utilizadas foram os agentes estimuladores de granulocitos e analogos de eritropoietina como primeira linha de tratamento em 50% dos pacientes; seguida pelos hipometilantes na progressao em 48% deles. Em nossa amostra, 26% (n = 22) apresentou evolucao leucemica e 33% (n = 28) dos pacientes seguiu para transplante de medula ossea alogenico. A sobrevida global (SG) e sobrevida livre de eventos (SLE) encontradas foram de aproximadamente 43 e 33 meses, respectivamente. Discussao A Sindrome Mielodisplasica (SMD) e uma doenca clonal adquirida da medula ossea, marcada por citopenias perifericas associada a displasia de uma ou mais linhagens. Opcoes terapeuticas sao os agentes hipometilantes e imunomoduladores como a Lenalidomida, principalmente nos pacientes com delecao do 5q. Essas medicacoes, porem, nao estao disponiveis no cenario do Sistema Unico de Saude (SUS) brasileiro, o que dificulta o acesso e impacta no tratamento em nosso pais. Nao possuimos registros nacionais sobre incidencia e prognostico dos pacientes tratados. A analise do banco de dados Norte Americano (SEER), realizado por XiaoMei e colegas, se assemelha ao de nossa populacao (predominio de pacientes acima de 60 anos, do sexo masculino e com sobrevida global media inferior a 3 anos). Sabemos que a avaliacao prognostica depende de fatores como risco citogenetico e perfil de mutacoes, porem, nao foi objetivo deste trabalho fazer esta correlacao. Conhecer as caracteristicas e desfecho de nossa populacao permite identificar pontos de melhoria e aprimorar fluxos diagnosticos e terapeuticos. Conclusao Apresentamos neste trabalho o perfil epidemiologico e prognostico dos pacientes portadores de SMD tratados no Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, que se assemelha com o apresentado em literatura internacional.

Seismic behaviour factors represent the ratio between the strength of a structure, assuming it always maintains an elastic behaviour, and the strength demand with plastic behaviour and consequent loss of stiffness, at the seismic target displacement. This value is closely related to ductility and to energy dissipation due to hysteretic behaviour. The use of behaviour factors allows to design structures with elastic models, without having to explicitly account for material non-linearity while taking advantage of ductility. However, the definition of these values is not easy, and is dependent on several factors. In bridges, these factors can be, among others, regularity of the bridge in terms of pier height, concrete and steel quality, size of elements and amount of steel reinforcement, pier confinement, etc. These factors influence ductility demand and available ductility in different ways and through multi-objective optimization (MOO), the infrastructure solutions that maximize the use of the available ductility under a given earthquake action and for a given bridge superstructure, pier height scheme and ductility class according to Eurocode 8—part 2, can be obtained. Those optimized solutions, which are obtained through the minimization of steel and concrete in the piers as concurrent objectives, are associated with the maximum behaviour factors that can be used in the design of a given bridge and can be compared with the values recommended by EC8—part 2. Without loss of generality, the methodology is applied to a set of case-studies composed of RC bridges with four 30-m spans and circular piers, analysed in the longitudinal direction and without accounting for abutment effects. With the results from the MOO, the behaviour factors associated to solutions with different ductility levels and pier irregularity schemes are calculated and equations are derived, relating the obtained behaviour factors with a pier irregularity measure and ductility level. The results also show the importance of the choice of stiffness used in the design process.

Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen which occurs mainly in ready-to-eat food products, especially in artisanal products manufactured from raw milk such as some types of cheese, meat products and leafy vegetables. L. monocytogenes requires special attention in the food industry because of its ability to survive under adverse conditions and form biofilms on different surfaces in food processing environments. The potential for product contamination by L. monocytogenes strains in the industrial environment emphasizes the importance of preventive measures in the food industry. This review presents an overview on the main characteristics, pathogenicity and occurrence data of L. monocytogenes in Brazilian foods. The main prevention measures to avoid contamination by L. monocytogenes in foods are also highlighted, especially the adoption of quality assurance programs by the food industry.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of crude protein degradability and corn processing on lactation performance, milk protein composition, milk ethanol stability (MES), heat coagulation time (HCT) at 140°C, and the efficiency of N utilization for dairy cows. Twenty Holstein cows with an average of 162 ± 70 d in milk, 666 ± 7 kg of body weight, and 36 ± 7.8 kg/d of milk yield (MY) were distributed in a Latin square design with 5 contemporaneous balanced squares, 4 periods of 21 d, and 4 treatments (factorial arrangement 2 × 2). Treatment factor 1 was corn processing [ground (GC) or steam-flaked corn (SFC)] and factor 2 was crude protein (CP) degradability (high = 10.7% rumen-degradable protein and 5.1% rumen-undegradable protein; low = 9.5% rumen-degradable protein and 6.3% rumen-undegradable protein; dry matter basis). A significant interaction was observed between CP degradability and corn processing on dry matter intake (DMI). When cows were fed GC with low CP degradability, DMI increased by 1.24 kg/d compared with cows fed GC with high CP degradability; however, CP degradability did not change DMI when cows were fed SFC. Similar interactions were observed for MY, HCT, and lactose content. When cows were fed GC diets, high CP degradability reduced MY by 2.3 kg/d, as well as HCT and lactose content, compared with low CP degradability. However, no effect of CP degradability was observed on those variables when cows were fed SFC diets. The SFC diets increased dry matter and starch total-tract digestibility and reduced β-casein (CN) content (% total milk protein) compared with GC diets. Cows fed low-CP degradability diets had higher glycosylated κ-CN content (% total κ-CN) and MES, as well as milk protein content, 3.5% fat-corrected milk, and efficiency of N for milk production, than cows fed high-CP degradability diets. Therefore, GC and high-CP degradability diets reduced milk production and protein stability. Overall, low CP degradability increased the efficiency of dietary N utilization and MES, probably due to changes in casein micelle composition, as CP degradability or corn processing did not change the milk concentration of ionic calcium. The GC diets increased β-CN content, which could contribute to reducing HTC when cows were fed GC and high-CP degradability diets.

The aim of this study was to conduct a first evaluation on the co-occurrence of aflatoxins (AF) M1, B1, B2, G1 and G2; fumonisins (F) B1 and B2; deoxynivalenol (DON); de-epoxydeoxinivalenol (DOM-1); ochratoxin A (OTA); zearalenone (ZEN); α-zearalenol (α-ZEL); and β-zearalenol (β-ZEL) in 68 samples of fluid milk consumed in Pirassununga, São Paulo, Brazil. The probable daily intake (PDI) was also calculated for each mycotoxin evaluated. Mycotoxins were determined by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Sixty-two (91.2%) samples contained at least one type of mycotoxin. AFM1 was found in 6 samples (8.8%), and none of them presented concentrations above the Brazilian maximum permitted level in milk (500 ng/L). Low levels of non-regulated mycotoxins DOM-1, OTA, FB1, FB2, α-ZEL and β-ZEL were found in 6 (8.8%), 17 (25%), 10 (14.7%), 3 (4.4%), 39 (57.4%) and 28 (41.2%) samples of milk, respectively. None of the PDIs calculated for the quantified mycotoxins were above recommended values, indicating low exposure through milk consumption in the area studied. However, 21 samples (30.9%) contained 2–4 types of mycotoxins, which warrants concern about the potential adverse effects of mycotoxin mixtures in milks.

The aetiology of pulmonary nodules is varied, with malignant lesions being the most important and requiring rapid diagnosis and treatment. However, although clinical presentation and imaging may suggest a specific diagnosis, it should be kept in mind that some benign pathologies mimic more serious disease. A 50-year-old man presented with left pleuritic chest pain. A CT scan showed an ipsilateral pulmonary spiculated nodule. Pneumonia was assumed and the patient was started on antibiotic therapy. In the absence of improvement, positron emission tomography and a transthoracic aspiration biopsy were performed. Lung cancer was diagnosed and the patient underwent an upper lobectomy. However, examination of the surgical specimen showed no malignancy. LEARNING POINTS: Although complementary diagnostic exams are increasingly available and widely used, they may produce false positive or false negative results. A correct diagnostic approach can lead to an incorrect diagnosis. The preoperative diagnosis of pulmonary nodules can be a challenge.

Heresenes is a mummified 25th Dynasty (ca. 746–653 B.C.) Egyptian woman from Luxor, Egypt. Nondestructive evaluation through computerized tomography (CT) showed a failed attempt at excerebration, leaving Heresenes’s meninges and brain in situ. The brain structure shows numerous millimetric dense calcific nodules, a CT brain pattern dubbed “starry night,” which is consistent with a diagnosis of neurocysticercosis in a nodular calcified stage. A similar speckled pattern in the upper spinal cord and in the heart supports the identification of a disseminated stage of this parasitic disease. If this were the case, then this would be the oldest documented case of this disease known in ancient Egypt, and the first nondestructive radiological diagnosis of it in a completely wrapped Egyptian mummy.Heresenes est une femme Égyptienne momifiée de la 25e dynastie (c. 746 aC–653 aC). L'évaluation non destructive par tomodensitométrie (TDM) a montré l'échec de la tentative d'excérébration, laissant les méninges et le cerveau d'Heresenes in situ. La structure cérébrale présente de nombreux nodules calciques denses millimétriques, une apparence en TDM surnommé «nuit étoilée», ce qui est cohérent avec un diagnostic de neurocysticercose dans un stade nodulaire calcifié. Un motif similaire dans la moelle épinière supérieure et dans le coeur soutien l´identification dun processus disséminé de cette maladie parasitaire. Si tel était le cas, ce serait le plus ancien cas documenté de cette maladie connue dans l'Égypte ancienne, et le premier diagnostic radiologique non destructif dans une momie égyptienne complètement enveloppée.

Splenosis is a benign condition which results from the self-implantation of splenic tissue on intra or extraperitoneal surfaces, after splenic trauma or splenectomy. Patients are usually asymptomatic but may present with varied symptoms related to the implantation site. The diagnosis is a challenge because abdominal splenosis can mimic several diseases, including neoplasm. The gold standard examination for its diagnosis is scintigraphy with 99mTc-labelled heat-denatured erythrocyte. When splenosis is found in an asymptomatic patient, surgical removal is not indicated. A 57-year-old male patient presented with sporadic epigastric pain and a suspected mass in the recto-sigmoid transition. Abdominal ultrasound, CT and MRI identified this mass, its characteristics and location, but failed to distinguish its nature. However, given the patient’s past history of splenectomy and because the mass showed a similar sign to that of the splenic parenchyma, a hypothesis of abdominal splenosis was raised, which was confirmed by scintigraphy with 99mTc-labelled heat-denatured erythrocyte. In this case, the diagnosis was obtained before the patient was subjected to more invasive procedures, which are associated with high morbidity, and, as in most cases, no targeted intervention was necessary. LEARNING POINTS: Increasing numbers of cases of abdominal trauma will result in more frequent splenosis. Diagnosis is sometimes complex as splenosis mimics several diseases. The usual complementary imaging studies often fail to diagnose this entity so clinical suspicion is fundamental for correct diagnosis and treatment.

Consumption of foods containing mycotoxins, as crucial groups of naturally occurring toxic agents, could pose significant health risks. While the extensive scientific literature indicates that prevention of contamination by toxigenic fungi is one of the best ways to reduce mycotoxins, detoxifying strategies are useful for improving the safety of food products. Nowadays, the food and pharmaceutical industries are using the concept of combined technologies to enhance the product yield by implementing emerging techniques, such as ultrasound, ohmic heating, moderate electric field (MEF), pulsed electric field (PEF) and high-pressure processing, during the fermentation process. While the application of emerging technologies in improving the fermentation process is well explained in this literature, there is a lack of scientific texts discussing the possibility of mycotoxin degradation through the interaction effects of emerging technologies and fermentation. Therefore, this study was undertaken to provide deep insight into applying emerging processing technologies in fermentation, mechanisms and the prospects of innovative combinations of physical and biological techniques for mycotoxins' detoxification. Among various emerging technologies, ultrasound, ohmic heating, MEF, PEF, and cold plasma have shown significant positive effects on fermentation and mycotoxins detoxification, highlighting the possibility of interactions from such combinations to degrade mycotoxins in foods.

For this research communication, 90 samples of a Brazilian dairy were combined into four groups (raw material, final product, food-contact and non-food contact surfaces) and analyzed by metataxonomics based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The results showed high alpha-diversity indexes for final product and non-food contact surfaces but, overall, beta-diversity indexes were low. The samples were separated in two main clusters, and the core microbiota was composed by Macrococcus, Alkaliphilus, Vagococcus, Lactobacillus, Marinilactibacillus, Streptococcus, Lysinibacillus, Staphylococcus, Clostridium, Halomonas, Lactococcus, Enterococcus, Bacillus and Psychrobacter. These results highlight that rare taxa occur in dairies, and this may aid the development of strategies for food protection.

This study aimed to characterize endometrial cancer regarding cancer stem cells (CSC) markers, regulatory and differentiation pathways, tumorigenicity and glucose metabolism. Endometrial cancer cell line ECC1 was submitted to sphere forming protocols. The first spheres generation (ES1) was cultured in adherent conditions (G1). This procedure was repeated and was obtained generations of spheres (ES1, ES2 and ES3) and spheres-derived cells in adherent conditions (G1, G2 and G3). Populations were characterized regarding CD133, CD24, CD44, aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), hormonal receptors, HER2, P53 and β-catenin, fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose ([18F]FDG) uptake and metabolism by NMR spectroscopy. An heterotopic model evaluated differential tumor growth. The spheres self-renewal was higher in ES3. The putative CSC markers CD133, CD44 and ALDH expression were higher in spheres. The expression of estrogen receptor (ER)α and P53 decreased in spheres, ERβ and progesterone receptor had no significant changes and β-catenin showed a tendency to increase. There was a higher 18F-FDG uptake in spheres, which also showed a lower lactate production and an oxidative cytosol status. The tumorigenesis in vivo showed an earlier growth of tumours derived from ES3. Endometrial spheres presented self-renewal and differentiation capacity, expressed CSC markers and an undifferentiated phenotype, showing preference for oxidative metabolism. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Aflatoxins are secondary metabolites produced by fungi of the genusAspergillus, which occur naturally in cereals like corn, beans and rice. Aflatoxin B1causes an extensive number of toxic effects in animals and humans. This mycotoxin is a stable term and can act in low concentrations due to their higher toxicity. Management to prevent commodities aflatoxin contamination is essential during the production, mainly in pre- and post-harvest steps. A number of essential oils and aqueous plant extracts have been reported to be fungal growth inhibitors and may provide an attractive alternative to prevent aflatoxin contamination in foods. Thus, the aim of this review is to highlight recent data on thein vitroantifungal activity of essential oils and aqueous extracts from plants and discuss the perspectives of their use in food products.

Introdução: A caracterização de massas renais através da realização de biópsia antes do tratamento cirúrgico é atualmente uma opção. Sem esta caracterização prévia doentes com massas renais benignas podem ser submetidos a cirurgias desnecessárias. O objetivo foi determinar a acuidade diagnóstica e a segurança da biópsia de massas renais. Material e Métodos: Estudo prospetivo uni-institucional de 38 doentes submetidos a biópsia de massa renal no período compreendido entre julho de 2014 e maio de 2016. Resultados: A biópsia foi diagnóstica em 76,3% (n = 29) dos casos. Em 21,7% (n = 6) das biópsias diagnósticas, a análise histológica demonstrou lesões benignas. Nos doentes submetidos a cirurgia verificou-se uma concordância global de 100% entre o resultado da biópsia e o resultado patológico da peça cirúrgica. A taxa de complicações foi de 5,3% (n = 2), ambas classificadas como grau I na escala Clavien-Dindo. Conclusão: A biópsia de massas renais mostrou elevada acuidade diagnóstica e segurança, podendo evitar a realização de cirurgias desnecessárias. Este procedimento poderá vir a fazer parte da avaliação prévia à decisão de tratamento em doentes com massas renais.

Objectives This study aimed to characterize mammospheres from hormonal receptor (HR) positive and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), hypothesizing a differential profile of CSC and differentiation markers, and a stemness enrichment when successive sphere forming-protocols are performed. Methods Breast cancer cells MCF-7 and HCC1806 were submitted to sphere-forming protocols. The first sphere generation (MS1) was cultured in adherent conditions (G1). This procedure was repeated and generations of mammospheres (MS1, MS2, and MS3) and sphere-derived cells in adherent conditions (G1, G2, and G3) were obtained. The mammosphere forming capacity, self-renewal, area and doubling time were evaluated. Flow cytometry regarding CD133, CD24, and CD44 and western-blot regarding aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), hormonal receptors and P53 expression was performed. Results Breast cancer cell lines harboured the capacity to form spheres, which originated derived adherent populations. The sphere-forming capacity was enhanced in HCC1806-MS3 compared to MS1. Self-renewal was higher in MCF-7 mammospheres, which also had an increased area. The putative CSC markers CD133 showed tendency to be enhanced in mammospheres but the CD44+/CD24-/low phenotype was not identified. The expression of ALDH was greater in mammospheres from MCF-7 and HCC1806 than in the respectively derived adherent cells. The expression of oestrogen receptor (ER)-α, progesterone receptor (PR) and P53 decreased in MCF-7 spheres. ER-β expression was lower in mammospheres from both cell lines compared with parental and derived adherent populations. Conclusions Loss of HR and P53 expression in HR-positive mammospheres evidences the minor population of CSC which shares characteristics with the TNBC phenotype.

Graphical abstract, Highlights • The first study of hepatic aflatoxin residues in the Brazilian population. • AFB1 levels ranged from 10 to 418 pg/g in 27.1% of diseased liver samples (N = 48). • Residual AFB1 in liver negatively affected the p53 and protein Rb pathways in HCC. • AFB1 exposure can contribute for the progression of cirrhotic liver diseases., In this study, hepatic biopsies from autopsy cases in São Paulo, Brazil, showing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC, n = 8), cirrhosis associated with viral hepatitis (VC, n = 20), cirrhosis associated with alcoholism (AC, n = 20), and normal livers (NL or controls, n = 10) were subjected to determination of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and its main metabolites, and of markers of hepatic carcinogenesis Only non-metabolized AFB1 was detected in 13 samples (27.1%, N = 48) of liver disorders (HCC, VC and AC), at levels between 10.0 and 418.0 pg/g (mean: 76.6 ± 107.7 pg/g). Immuno-labeling of p53, cyclin D1, p21, β-catenin, and Prohibitin (PB) increased mainly in HCC patients, in relation to the controls. AFB1+ samples of HCC presented higher expressions of p53, cyclin D1, p21, and β-catenin compared with AFB1-livers. In contrast, p27, p16, and Rb immuno-labeling decreased in HCC, VC, and AC samples, compared with NL, with lowest values in AFB1+ samples for all liver disorders. Compared with NL, gene expression of cyclin D1 and PB in AFB1+ samples of HCC and AC were also higher, along with higher gene expression of p21 in VC and AC AFB1+ livers. Results indicated that patients with liver disorders were exposed to dietary aflatoxins, and that residual AFB1 in liver negatively affected the p53 and protein Rb pathways in HCC. Moreover, the presence of AFB1 in cirrhotic livers warrants concern about the potential contribution of dietary aflatoxin to disease progression during VC and AC.

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis is understood to be a delayed allergic reaction to the repeated exposure of a usually innocent inhaled agent, causing inflammatory damage to the pulmonary parenchyma, alveoli and terminal bronchioles. With ongoing exposure, it can cause respiratory compromise and pulmonary fibrosis. Recognizing the heterogeneity of the causative agents and the low incidence of the disease, we considered it important to report the case of a greenhouse worker who developed a Cladosporium sp. related hot-tub lung hypersensitivity pneumonitis. We believe it to be the first reported case of a greenhouse occupational hypersensitivity pneumonitis due to Cladosporium sp. LEARNING POINTS Enquiring about environmental and occupational exposure during anamnesis is fundamental, particularly when addressing respiratory tract symptoms. The mainstay management of hypersensitivity pneumonitis is based on eviction of the offending agent and control of inflammation, currently with corticosteroids. Antigen source removal may entail important psychological, social and economic consequences for the patient and will need a multidisciplinary approach.

Objective This case-study provides a summary of skeletal lesions seen in a case of diagnosed juvenile pulmonary tuberculosis with extensive multifocal bony lesions. Materials Skeleton of a 9-year-old girl who died in the 1940s in Lisbon, Portugal. The remains of this individual are part of the Lisbon skeletal reference collection curated at the National Museum of Natural History and Science. Methods Lesions and paleopathological conditions were identified and documented through macroscopic, radiographic, computed tomographic, and mammographic analysis. Results The skeleton shows a variety of lytic lesions on the ribs and thoracic vertebrae including complete destruction of the bodies and fusion of the vertebral arches of four vertebrae, kyphosis, and scoliosis. Further pathological conditions were identified, including bone erosion, premature fusion of the left femoral head and greater trochanter, and abnormal size and shape changes to the lower limbs including loss of bone mass and stunting of the long bones. Conclusions Skeletal lesions are indicative of spondylitis, Pott’s disease, and prolonged bedrest. Significance This case is one of the few examples of confirmed juvenile pulmonary tuberculosis with skeletal lesions prior to the antibiotic era. As such, it provides a reference for the skeletal abnormalities which may be observed in archaeological tuberculosis cases. Limitations Pulmonary tuberculosis was recorded as cause of death, however there is no documentation to know the length of illness period or the existence of any comorbidities. Suggestions for further research Consideration of multi-focal lesions is recommended when analyzing individuals with suspected tuberculosis.

Background: Breast milk is considered an essential food segment for children up to 6 months; however, it can be contaminated with some mycotoxins, such as aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) and ochratoxin A (OTA) as a consequence of ingestion of dietary mycotoxins by lactating mothers. Moreover, the health of infants can be threatened due to simultaneous exposure to a mixture of mycotoxins mainly due to their potential synergistic effects. Scope and approach: An overview of the prevalence of mycotoxins in breast milk and infant formula, fruit- and cereal-based products as routine diets of infants during the last 10 years, besides the associated health risks, were presented. In this regard, the relevant citations published in international databases such as PubMed, Science direct from 2008 to 2019 were screened by the aid of a systematic review approach. Key findings and conclusions: The high prevalence of AFM1 and OTA in breast milk reported in several countries highlighted the extent of mycotoxin occurrence in the diet of lactating mothers. Furthermore, the exposure rates of infants to mycotoxins in breast milk and infant formula while generated a margin of exposure values lower than 10,000, indicating a huge public health concern. Thus, reducing the dietary exposure of mycotoxins for lactating mothers and approaching the required controlling steps during the processing and distribution of infant formulas are crucial. Further studies are recommended to evaluate the health risks to infants due to dietary exposure to multiple mycotoxins in infant foods. Highlights: Assessment of 73 studies on mycotoxin occurrence in breast milk and infant foods during 2008–2019; AFM1 and OTA were the main occurring mycotoxins in breast milk and infant foods; High health risks associated with the exposure of children to dietary aflatoxins; Co-occurrence of mycotoxins in fruit products and cereal-based infant formula should be a concern. The authors would like to thank Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) for the fellowship (Grant #2017/12956-2). A.S. Sant'Ana acknowledges the financial support from CNPq (Grant #302763/2014-7, #305804/2017-0) and CAPES (Financial code 01). This work was also supported by the National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Projeto Incentivo de Estudos de Biomonitorização Humana de Âmbito Nacional | BioMAN [BioMAN/DAN/01] and CESAM, through the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia [UID/AMB/50017/2013], national funds, and the co-funding by the FEDER [POCI-01-0145-FEDER-00763], within the PT2020 Partnership. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES:The advent of minimally invasive surgical techniques has enabled the reduction of morbidity associated with surgical treatment of renal lithiasis. However, there is not ...

Recent advances in microalgae biotechnology have proven that these microorganisms contain a number of bioactive molecules, that can be used as food additives that help prevent disease. The green microalga Chlorella vulgaris presents several biomolecules, such as lutein and astaxanthin, with antioxidant capacity, which can play a protective role in tissues. In this study, we produced and analyzed a C. vulgaris functional alcoholic beverage (produced using a traditional Brazilian alcoholic beverage, cachaça, and C. vulgaris biomass). Assays were conducted in vitro by radical scavenging tests, and in vivo, by modeling cortical spreading depression in rat brains. Scavenging radical assays showed that consumption of the C. vulgaris alcoholic beverage had a DPPH inhibition of 77.2%. This functional alcoholic beverage at a concentration of 12.5 g L-1 significantly improved cortical spreading depression velocity in the rat brains (2.89 mm min-1), when compared with cachaça alone (3.68 mm min-1) and control (distilled water; 3.25 mm min-1). Moreover, animals that consumed the functional beverage gained less weight than those that consumed just alcohol and the control groups. These findings suggest that the C. vulgaris functional alcoholic beverage plays a protective physiologic role in protecting brain cells from the effects of drinking ethanol.

In this study, the changes in oncogenic and tumor suppressor signaling pathways in liver and their association with serum and urinary biomarkers of aflatoxin exposure were evaluated in Wistar rats fed diets containing aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) for 90 days. Rats were divided into four groups (n = 15 per group) and assigned to dietary treatments containing 0 (control), 50 (AFB50), 100 (AFB100) and 200 μg AFB1 kg−1 diet (AFB200). Multiple preneoplastic foci of hepatocytes marked with glutathione-S-transferase-placental form (GST-P) were identified in AFB100 and AFB200 groups. Hepatocellular damage induced by AFB1 resulted in overexpression of cyclin D1 and β-catenin. The liver expression of retinoblastoma (Rb) and p27Kip1 decreased in AFB100 and AFB200 groups, confirming the favorable conditions for neoplastic progression to hepatocellular carcinoma. All samples from rats fed AFB1-contaminated diets had quantifiable AFB1-lysine in serum or urinary AFM1 and AFB1-N7-guanine, with mean levels of 20.42–50.34 ng mL−1, 5.31–37.68 and 39.15–126.37 ng mg−1 creatinine, respectively. Positive correlations were found between AFB1-lysine, AFM1 or AFB1-N7-guanine and GST-P+, β-catenin+ and cyclin D1+ hepatocytes, while Rb + cells negatively correlated with those AFB1 exposure biomarkers. The pathways evaluated are critical molecular mechanisms of AFB1-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in rats.

The effect of cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAPP) on three strains of Staphylococcus aureus and one strain of Listeria monocytogenes on gel discs was studied. A plasma jet operating in argon was used and exposure times were from 5 to 120 s. Bacteria had been isolated from dairy environments. In comparison, peracetic acid (PAA, 0.5% v/v) applied on cell suspensions at the same treatment times was studied. The cell viability was measured by flow cytometry and the culturable cells were determined by plate count technique. PAA reduced nearly 7 log cycles of both microorganisms after a short time (10 s). Concurrently, membrane permeabilization, RNA and DNA damage, and lack of esterase activity could be demonstrated. CAPP showed a mild biocidal effect with a maximum reduction of 1–2 log cycle after 120 s, and no significant impact on membrane permeabilization, RNA and DNA damage, or esterase activity. Therefore, for the selected processing parameters, PAA remains as more effective treatment in terms of inactivating pathogenic bacteria in dairy environments, reaching ~7 log cycles reductions. Further studies should determine the effect of higher CAPP exposure times on S. aureus and L. monocytogenes strains.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMT) were previously included in the âinflammatory pseudotumorsâ family, but have emerged as a distinct entity recently. The management of IMT may be challenging due to its intermediate malignant potential. We present a case of a young patient with an asymptomatic retroperitoneal mass with some imaging findings that could point to the IMT diagnosis pre-operatively. After two failed attempts to fully characterize the lesion by percutaneous and surgical biopsy, surgical resection was conducted and the final diagnosis was achieved. Keywords: Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor, MIBG, Hypervascular mass, Retroperitoneal mass

ResumoIntroduçãoA estenose ureterointestinal é uma complicação relativamente frequente após derivações urinárias. A correção laparoscópica raramente é usada, embora seja uma opção terapêutica.ObjetivoMostrar a técnica cirúrgica, passo a passo, da correção laparoscópica da estenose ureteral/ureterointestinal.MétodosFoi apresentado um vídeo de uma correção laparoscópica de uma estenose ureteral distal num paciente submetido a cistectomia radical laparoscópica com confeção neobexiga ortotópica.ResultadosFoi possível a correção laparoscópica da estenose distal do ureter direito, com bons resultados e sem complicações.ConclusãoA abordagem laparoscópica mostrou‐se eficaz para o tratamento da estenose ureter/anastomose ureterointestinal e deve ser considerada uma boa opção de tratamento.AbstractIntroductionThe ureterointestinal stenosis is a relatively frequent complication after urinary diversions. The laparoscopic approach is rarely used but stay a therapeutic option.PurposeShow the surgical technique, step by step, of the laparoscopic ureteral/ureterointestinal estenosis correction.MethodsA vídeo of a distal ureteral stenosis laparoscopic correction, on a patient that undergone laparoscopic radical cystectomy with orthotopic neobladder confection, was presented.ResultsIt was possible the laparoscopic correction of a distal right ureter estenosis with good results and no complications.ConclusionThe laparoscopic approach proved effective for treating ureter/ureterointestinal anastomosis stenosis and should be taken as a good option of treatment.

Coffee is among one of the most consumed beverages in the world and is also susceptible to contamination by mycotoxins and heavy metals. In this study, the concentration of aflatoxins and selected heavy metals were quantified in roasted and ground coffee bean samples from markets in Pakistan. Furthermore, an activated carbon-based filter was tested for removal of aflatoxins and heavy metals from the coffee. The impact of the filtration system on the caffeine content and sensory properties of coffee was also measured. Findings of this study indicated that aflatoxins and heavy metals especially lead are prevalent in coffee samples available in the markets of Pakistan, above the maximum allowable limits. Furthermore, activated carbon has significant potential to act as a filter for the removal of aflatoxins and heavy metals in coffee.

The early regression of corpora lutea (ERCL) is a functional alteration that occurs more often in animals subjected to multiple ovulation followed by embryo transfer (MOET) technique. Although it is mainly reported in goats, sheep are also susceptible to this disorder. The ERCL may compromise the quality and viability of embryos, and even embryonic recovery rate. Thus, the non-diffusion of the animal genetic material on a commercial scale increases costs, decreasing efficiency. This study aimed to assess the occurrence of ERCL in embryo donor ewes subjected to the MOET programs in different seasons. The research was carried out in a commercial herd in São Luís do Paraitinga city (23°22′S and 45°26′W), Brazil, over 4 years (2017–2020). Forty-four Dorper multiparous ewes aged between 3 and 9 years old and with body condition score (BCS) between 2 and 4.5 (1 to 5 scale) were used. Each ewe was used at least once for MOET and a maximum of 5 times, totalling 104 procedures. Regardless of the day of the oestrous cycle or anovulatory period (Day 0), ewes received a conventional superovulatory protocol consisting of an intravaginal device treatment with 0.33mg of progesterone (CIDR®, Zoetis). On Day 7, the device was replaced with a new one and ewes administered i.m. 0.24mg of sodium cloprostenol (Sincrocio®, Ourofino). The superovulatory treatment [256mg of FSH (Folltropin®, Vetoquinol)] started on Day 12 and consisted of decreasing doses (20, 20, 15, 15, 10, 10, 5, and 5%) administered intramuscularly (IM) every 12h for 4 days plus 200IU of equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG, Novormon®, Zoetis) at device removal on Day 14 and 0.1mg of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (Fertagyl®, MSD) IM 1 day later (Day 15). Laparoscopic AI was performed twice on Day 16 using cooled semen. Five days after AI, ovaries were assessed by laparoscopy to check the presence and viability of corpora lutea (CL). Ewes that had avascular CL (pinkish to whitish colour) were classified as ERCL and embryo collection was not performed. The occurrence of ERCL in each season and category of BCS was checked by either chi-squared or Fisher test. Logistic regression was performed according to the incidence of ERCL in each category of age. Values of P0.05) among seasons: breeding (10/43: 23%), transition (10/36, 28%), or anoestrous (6/25, 24%). There was no difference in ERCL incidence in ewes presenting different BCS categories: lower/thin (2 to 2.5: 3/12, 25%); average/good (3 to 3.5: 15/66, 22%) and higher/fat (4 to 4.5: 8/26, 31%). Indeed, there was no association (P>0.05) between ERCL and age. In conclusion, a relevant occurrence of ERCL was detected in superovulated embryo donor ewes but this incidence was not associated with season, age, or BCS of Dorper ewes. These data highlight the importance of pharmacological measures to control ERCL in MOET protocols for commercial sheep herds.

We describe herein herpesvirus-associated genital lesions in a Guiana dolphin ( Sotalia guianensis) from the northern Brazilian coast. Papillary lesions on the vulva, with epithelial hyperplasia, swollen keratinocytes, and intranuclear inclusions, were positive for a herpesvirus ( Gammaherpesvirinae subfamily).

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG on growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes, inoculated alone or in combination on surface of Minas Frescal cheeses, during storage for 21 days at 7 °C. Survival percentages of each individual bacterial species after exposure to in vitro simulated gastrointestinal conditions (SGC) were also determined. The addition of L. rhamnosus did not affect (P > 0.05) pH, moisture, fat, protein and texture profile of Minas Frescal cheeses. L. rhamnosus was able to survive in suitable counts (>6 Log CFU/g) in cheeses from the 7th day of storage, with high survival (>74.6–86.4%) after SGC. An inhibitory effect of L. rhamnosus on L. monocytogenes was observed in cheeses (decrease of 1.1–1.6 Log CFU/g) and after SGC (20% reduction in the survival). No inhibitory effect of L. rhamnosus was observed on S. aureus counts (P > 0.05), and this microorganism did not survive the exposure to SGC. In conclusion, the addition of L. rhamnosus in Minas Frescal cheese has a potential for L. monocytogenes inhibition. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the mechanisms involved in the inhibition process and determine the survival ability of the bacterial species evaluated in in vivo experiments.

Microalgae are considered one of the most promising raw materials for the development of high value products for pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and cosmetic industries, as well as being potential sources of protein, vitamins, and minerals for human consumption. Hence, the present research focuses extraction of antioxidant and antimicrobial compounds from Scenedesmus subspicatus using solvents of different polarities. Different solvents such as ethanol, methanol, butanol, acetone, dimethyl sulfoxide, and water were used to extract compounds from the green microalgae S. subspicatus and then they were examined for phytochemical screening, antioxidant activity, and antimicrobial properties. In vitro free radical quenching and total antioxidant activity of extracts were investigated with 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl and compared with catequin and gallic acid as positive controls. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated in gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. Aqueous extracts and dimethyl sulfoxide presented better performance in phytochemical analysis. This result showed consistency in the sequential tests. The antioxidant activity was also better using the two solvents cited above. The extracts acetone, water, and dimethyl sulfoxide showed ability to inhibit the growth of Bacillus subtilis. However, only dimethyl sulfoxide inhibited the growth of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli. Use of the aqueous extract, proven its effectiveness, is an economic protocol and avoids the use of toxic substances.

Due to the dangerous toxic effects of mycotoxin ingestion via food products, several studies were performed in order to estimate human exposure to dietary mycotoxins as important factor in risk ass...

BACKGROUND In urology, lasers are used in a variety of endoscopic procedures such as ureteroscopy and retrograde renal surgery for stone fragmentation of urinary calculi and ablation of urothelial tumors. To perform these procedures, guidewires are used as a preliminary safe-mainstay for referencing the urinary tract. This study aims to determine the effect of two different lasers: holmium:YAG (Ho:YAG) and thulium:YAG (Tm:YAG) lasers on metal guidewires with PTFE coating (PTFE), nitinol guidewires with hydrophilic coating (Hydrophilic) and nitinol guidewires with hydrophilic listed coating (Zebra). METHODS Different combinations of frequency (5, 10 and 12 Hz) and energy per pulse (0.5, 1.5, and 2.6 J) of Ho:YAG laser were applied on the three kinds of guidewires in two experiments (50 J vs. 100 J of total energy). For the Tm:YAG laser three power levels (5, 35, and 70 W) with a total energy of 100 J were applied to the guidewires. The degree of damage (0 to 5) of the guidewire was assessed after each laser application. RESULTS A higher degree of injury of guidewires was related to higher values of total energy used for the Ho:YAG laser (P=0.036), and to higher values of power applied with the Tm:YAG (P=0.051). The most resistant guidewire to Ho:YAG laser energy was Zebra, followed by PTFE and Hydrophilic (P

The development of more efficient sanitizers for reducing the biofilm produced by pathogenic bacteria is of great importance, especially in the food industry. The aim of this study was to conduct a preliminary evaluation of the efficiency of oleuropein (OLE), extracted from olive leaves, and peracetic acid (PAA), alone or in combination, to inactivate biofilms formed by a strong biofilm-producer strain of Listeria monocytogenes (ATCC 7644). A disk diffusion method was also used to assess the susceptibility of the ATCC 7644 strain cells to OLE and/or PAA. Triplicate biofilm assays were prepared on stainless steel coupons (1x1 cm 2 ) during 48 h without stirring. After incubation, the stainless steel was washed (NaCl 0.85%) and immersed in solutions of OLE (5.0 mg/mL) and/or PAA (2.0%) for 1 min. After 1-min treatment, the disinfectant solutions were removed from the tube. Two mL of sodium thiosulfate 0.1 M was placed in the tube to stop reaction. The inactivation of biofilms was assessed by confocal laser scanning microscopy. L. monocytogenes cells tested in the disk diffusion method was not susceptible to OLE (inhibition zone (IZ) = 6 mm), although its susceptibility was intermediate for PAA (IZ = 8.67 mm) and higher for PAA+OLE (IZ = 14 mm). Compared with PAA, OLE alone in contact with biofilms had also lower bactericidal activity on the biofilms. However, the treatment of OLE in combination with PAA resulted in greater inactivation of L. monocytogenes cells in biofilms. Results indicate a potential application of OLE for enhancing the bactericidal effect of PAA against L. monocytogenes biofilms , although further studies are necessary to understand the mechanisms of action of OLE in combination with commercial chemical sanitizers.

Irtieru is a male mummy enclosed in cartonnage, dating to the Third Intermediate Period in the Egyptian collection of the Museu Nacional de Arqueologia in Lisbon. The computed tomography scans of this mummy showed a small dense bean-shaped structure at the left lumbar region. Its anatomical location, morphologic and structural analysis support a diagnosis of end-stage renal tuberculosis. If this diagnosis is correct, this will be the oldest example of kidney tuberculosis, and the first one recorded in an intentionally mummified ancient Egyptian.

A series of very shallow earthquakes occurred in the late afternoon of May 11, 2011 near the city of Lorca and 55 km from Murcia in Spain. The main shock (Mw 5.2) occurred at 17:47 (UTC), causing 9 deaths and over 250 injured with widespread damage and panic. The strong motion generated by the event was recorded in the town of Lorca near the epicenter. It was a short duration record with peak ground acceleration higher than 0.37 g. In the vicinity of the recorded motion (360 m), there is an obelisk composed of 11 frustums resting on a 1-m-high foundation with a total height of 5.71 m. The general motion observed after the event was of the order of 1 cm (translation) for most interfaces, while at the upper two, the motion was of rotation of 2° to 4° in the counterclockwise direction seen from above. In order to understand the behavior of such a structure, numerical simulations of the obelisk were performed with the discrete element code 3DEC, employing a rigid block model. The deformation is assumed to be concentrated at the joints between the blocks, governed in the linear range by the joint stiffness parameters, in the normal and shear directions. In the nonlinear range, a purely frictional behavior is adopted, without tensile strength. An elastic joint was introduced at the base of the model, simulating the deformability of the foundation. The global model deformability was calibrated by means of in situ dynamic characterization. Dynamic analyses were performed, taking into account the large displacement effects that govern the block rocking motion, applying the recorded seismic motion in the 3 directions. Parametric studies were undertaken to assess the influence of the various input parameters. The model results are compared with the observed permanent displacements of the structure.

Mycotoxins are secondary fungi metabolites that induce acute and chronic toxic effects in humans and animals. Simultaneous contamination of cereal-based products by multiple mycotoxins has been increasingly reported, including in food products usually consumed by children. Although some previous authors assessed the health risk of children exposed to multiple mycotoxins, scarce data are available on the risk associated with the ingestion of multiple mycotoxins through different food products. MYCOMIX, a national funded project, intended to contribute to fill this gap. The present study aimed to overview the risk assessment of multiple mycotoxins performed under MYCOMIX, assessing for the first time, the risk associated with the exposure to 13 mycotoxins in breakfast cereals, infant cereals and biscuits consumed by children from Lisbon region, Portugal. Results on mycotoxins occurrence showed that 94% of samples were contaminated with at least one mycotoxin, although at levels below the legislated limits. Co-contamination was observed in 75% of the analysed samples. Estimated aflatoxins exposure suggested a potential adverse health effect for percentiles of intake above or equal to P50. The obtained results suggested that future research actions should be set in motion in order to protect children health. This research was performed under the MYCOMIX project “Exploring the toxic effects of mixtures of mycotoxins in infant food and potential health impact” (PTDC/DTP-FTO/0417/2012), and CESAM funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) (UID/AMB/50017/2013), through national funds, and the co-funding by the FEDER (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-00763), within the PT2020 Partnership Agreement and Compete 2020. Sara Cunha and José Fernandes thanks REQUIMTE FCT and FEDER through the project UID/QUI/50006/2013 - POCI/01/0145/FEDER/007265 with financial support from FCT/MEC through national funds and co-financed by FEDER, under the Partnership Agreement PT2020. Ricardo Assunção also thanks to “BioMAN | Incentivo de Estudos de Biomonitorização Humana de Âmbito Nacional” (BioMAN/DAN/01). Sara C. Cunha acknowledges FCT for IF/01616/2015 contract. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion