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Objective: To describe the genome of Achromobacter genogroup 20 and explore the presence of resistance determinants. Methods: Isolate 413638 was identified through nrdA and MLST analysis. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed according CLSI 2024. NGS was conducted using Illumina MiSeq, on the NextSeq500 platform with 150 bp paired-end reads, and de novo assembly was assessed using Unicycler (Galaxy). Coding sequences were predicted and confirmed with RAST and BLAST, and resistance determinants were evaluated using Resfinder and manual curation. All Achromobacter spp. genomes were obtained from NCBI, and the presence of blaOXA was investigated. Average nucleotide identity (ANI) and tetranucleotide analysis (TETRA) were calculated. Phylogenetic analysis of the new OXA variant was conducted against other species-specific markers in Achromobacter. Results: Isolate 413638 was identified as Achromobacter genogroup 20 ST365, showing resistance to third- and fourth-generation cephalosporins, aminoglycosides, and fluoroquinolones. The genome included coding sequences for three putative β-lactamases (one new OXA type-class D β -lactamase and two new class C), 32 efflux pump proteins, two aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes and a dihydropteroate synthase; also, substitutions in parC and parE were detected. The OXA enzyme, designated OXA-1238 (PP446293), differs from OXA-114a by 85 amino acids, with 69% identity. In silico analysis found OXA-1238 variants in three additional Achromobacter spp. genomes, with 97% identity. Based on ANI and tetra analysis, the three genomes corresponded to Achromobacter genogroup 20. Conclusion: Several resistance markers were found, probably contributing to the resistance profile observed in Achromobacter genogroup 20 ST365. The new OXA variant identified, OXA-1238, could constitute a useful molecular marker for species identification.

Biodegradable electronics is an incipient need in order to mitigate the alarming increase of electronic waste worldwide caused by capillary penetration of electronic devices and sensors. Flexibility, solution processability, low capital expenditure, and energy-efficient processes, which are distinctive features of organic printed electronics, have to be complemented by a sustainable sourcing and end-of-life of materials employed. This requirement calls for solutions where materials, especially substrates that typically represent the largest volume, can be biodegraded in the environment with no harm, yet assuring that no precious resources are dispersed. In this work, the bioderived and biodegradable biopolymer polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) was used as a substrate, cast from an acetic acid solution, for all-organic field effect transistors (OFETs) based on an inkjet printed polymer semiconductor. The OFETs showed small device-to-device variation, a proper current modulation with ION/IOFF of about 1.2·103, mobility values as high as 0.07 cm2/Vs in saturation regime and channel length/width normalized leakage currents in the order of nA, which remained almost unaltered also after intensive mechanical stresses upon bending and rolling. Such mechanical stability and flexibility, together with the biodegradability and bioderivation, make PHB an appealing candidate for the development of sustainable printed bioelectronics, with widespread future applications in the biomedical and food packaging sector.

The lack of knowledge and ecological challenges in the reproduction of Cerrado graminoids has prevent the commercial production of native seedling, complicating efforts to restore the Cerrado. This study aimed to assess the survival of vegetative tillers from clonal propagation of five native caespitose graminoid species from the Cerrado. We collected ten adult plants (matrices) per species in of a cerrado sensu stricto area, located at São Carlos – SP, to be used as source of clonal units (tillers). A total of 68 tillers per specie were separated and transplanted into containers, with survival monitored under nursery conditions for 60 days. Axonopus pellitus, Bulbostylis hirtella and Aristida jubata showed survival rates close to 70%, while Aristida setifolia and Andropogon bicornis had survival rates below 12%. These results suggest that tiller transplanting could be a viable method for commercial production of certain Cerrado graminoids, contributing to the of this biome.

Environmental Flow Assessment is crucial, when assessing the impact of water withdrawal on riverine habitat. Still, standard methods to tackle such exercise are not available hitherto, while several techniques were developed generally to be tailored ad hoc for the considered case study. Here, we propose a multi-criteria approach, usable to quantify Environmental Flow, and uncertainty thereby, basing upon a hydraulic model of the river, and habitat viability for a given target fish species. Six criteria are considered that gather 3 classes of constraints for fish development. • Geometric, and biological constraints Fish show to cherish specific areas of the river, changing with discharge level (criterion I), they need a least water level to move comfortably (criterion II), with some degree of interconnection along the whole river bed (criterion III). • Riverbed quality Fine sediments (criterion IV) and gravel (criterion V) would be washed away to avoid clogging of spawning areas, and to clean and reset the gap system. • Macro-benthos requirement (criterion VI) Benthic invertebrates, i.e. preys of target fish, need a minimum flow velocity to form a community. Finally, a table is generated to compare optimal values of each criterion, supporting the choice of a “globally viable” EF value.

Dieffenbachia sp. is one of the most used plants in pots for decoration. There is little technical information about its production. The appropriate use of fertilizers and balanced fertilization is one of the main production factors that help in the rapid development of plants and their technical and economic aspects. Taking into account the need to carry out more studies related to the nutrition of the species, this work aimed to evaluate the use of mineral fertilizers (conventional or controlled release), organic or organomineral in the production of Dieffenbachia sp. in pots. The experiment was conducted for one year, under a 70% shade cloth, in a completely randomized design, with seven treatments and six replications. The treatments consisted of the following fertilizers: CT (Control – without fertilizer); MF (Mineral - 10-10-10), CRF (Controlled release mineral - 14-14- 14), PCRF (Partially controlled release mineral - 15-05-28), MFMi (Mineral with micronutrients - 12-05-18), OM (Organomineral – 08-05-23) and O (Organic). The variables measured in the experiment consisted of measuring the plant‘s vertical height, leaf width and determining the chlorophyll index (IC) a and b. Only the three-month controlled release fertilizer (CRF) provided gains in growth and green color (chlorophyll index) in Dieffenbachia sp., grown in pots, compared to the absence of fertilization (CT). The three-month controlled release fertilizer (CRF) was the treatment that obtained the best values, impacting the production of Dieffenbachia sp., both in aspects relating to plant height and color, attributes that increase the value of the product at the time of marketing.

ABSTRACT Introduction: One-stage bilateral total hip replacement has gained popularity due to its advantages, which include its lower cost, anesthetic time, hospitalization, and recovery. Objective: to show the clinical result of one-stage bilateral total hip replacement. Methodology: A case series of patients who underwent one-stage bilateral total hip arthroplasty. The medical records of 100 patients were evaluated from 2001 to 2022. The posterolateral route was chosen for the procedures. Of the 100 replaced prostheses, 85% were hybrid and 15 were cemented. Procedures averaged 180 minutes in length. Results: The average length of stay totaled three days. No deaths occurred in the 100 evaluated patients. Complications showed 1% rate of venous and pulmonary thromboembolism, one case of late dislocation (after three months. It was twice reduced and later revised), five cases of hematoma (5%. They were drained on the third postoperative day. Moreover, two occurred in both hips). Conclusion: One-stage bilateral total hip replacement has advantages but it must be performed on carefully selected patients and by a qualified team. Evidence level IV, Case reports.

In this study, we validated the "ReadFree tool", a computerised battery of 12 visual and auditory tasks developed to identify poor readers also in minority-language children (MLC). We tested the task-specific discriminant power on 142 Italian-monolingual participants (8-13 years old) divided into monolingual poor readers (N = 37) and good readers (N = 105) according to standardised Italian reading tests. The performances at the discriminant tasks of the "ReadFree tool" were entered into a classification and regression tree (CART) model to identify monolingual poor and good readers. The set of classification rules extracted from the CART model were applied to the MLC's performance and the ensuing classification was compared to the one based on standardised Italian reading tests. According to the CART model, auditory go-no/go (regular), RAN and Entrainment100bpm were the most discriminant tasks. When compared with the clinical classification, the CART model accuracy was 86% for the monolinguals and 76% for the MLC. Executive functions and timing skills turned out to have a relevant role in reading. Results of the CART model on MLC support the idea that ad hoc standardised tasks that go beyond reading are needed.

Abstract Background In the last decade the development of new PSMA-ligand based radiopharmaceuticals for the imaging and therapy of prostate cancer has been a highly active and important area of research. The most promising derivative in terms of interaction with the antigen and clinical properties has been found to be “PSMA-617”, and its lutetium-177 radiolabelled version has recently been approved by EU and USA regulatory agencies for therapeutic purposes. For the above reasons, the development of new derivatives of PSMA-617 radiolabelled with fluorine-18 may still be of great interest. This paper proposes the comparison of two different PSMA-617 derivatives functionalized with NODA and RESCA chelators, respectively, radiolabelled via [18F]AlF2+ complexation. Results The organic synthesis of two PSMA-617 derivatives and their radiolabelling via [18F]AlF2+ complexation resulted to proceed efficiently and successfully. Moreover, stability in solution and in plasma has been evaluated. The whole radiosynthesis procedure has been fully automated, and the final products have been obtained with radiochemical yield and purity potentially suitable for clinical studies. The biodistribution of the two derivatives was performed both in prostate cancer and glioma tumour models. Compared with the reference [18F]F-PSMA-1007 and [18F]F-PSMA-617-RESCA, [18F]F-PSMA-617-NODA derivative showed a higher uptake in both tumors, faster clearance in non-target organs, and lower uptake in salivary glands. Conclusion PSMA-617 NODA and RESCA derivatives were radiolabelled successfully via [18F]AlF2+ chelation, the former being more stable in solution and human plasma. Moreover, preclinical biodistribution studies showed that [18F]F-PSMA-617-NODA might be of potential interest for clinical applications.

In the frame of a comprehensive investigation of historical earthquakes of Anatolia, we propose a re-appraisal of four major earthquakes/sequences occurred after 1000 AD (1114/1115, 1269, 1513/1514 and 1544), which could be considered as predecessors of the earthquakes of February 6, 2023. The main purpose is to provide reliable parameter values for the investigated earthquakes. Our investigation consisted of: retrieving and analysing the main primary historical sources; identifying the localities mentioned and assessing macroseismic intensity; determining earthquake parameters (location, magnitude and – where possible – the source azimuth) with the repeatable and transparent “Boxer” method, after properly calibrating the relevant coefficient by considering recent earthquakes of the Anatolian region. Our investigations show that the 1114 earthquake can be considered as a predecessor of the main 2023 earthquake, although the latter ruptured a larger area; the earthquake of 1544 may be a predecessor of the second event of 2023, February; and that the background of the 1513/1514 earthquake is so poor that a lot of care is required while handling the currently available parameters. In conclusion, we also compare our results with the findings of paleoseismological investigation and discuss how they contribute to understanding the rupture history of the East Anatolian Fault.

In locally advanced (LA) laryngeal/hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LHSCC), larynx preservation (LP) strategies aim at the cure of the disease while preserving a functional larynx, thus avoiding total laryngectomy and the associated impact on the quality of life. In the last decades, apart from transoral and open-neck organ preservation approaches, several non-surgical regimens have been investigated: radiotherapy alone, alternate, concurrent or sequential chemoradiation, and bioradiotherapy. Despite major progress, the identification of reliable and effective predictors for treatment response remains a clinical challenge. This review examines the current state of LP in LA-LHSCC and the need for predictive factors, highlighting the importance of the PRESERVE trial in addressing this gap. The PRESERVE trial represents a pivotal initiative aimed at finding the optimal therapy for laryngeal preservation specific to each patient through a retrospective analysis of data from previous LP trials and prospectively validating findings. The goal of the PRESERVE trial is to develop a comprehensive predictive classifier that integrates clinical, molecular, and multi-omics data, thereby enhancing the precision and efficacy of patient selection for LP protocols.

Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage (EIPH) is a common pulmonary disease among racehorses, diagnosed by the detection of blood in the trachea after strenuous exercise or the presence of hemosiderophages in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Although the latter is considered the most sensitive method to diagnose EIPH, it is perceived as a less practical and more invasive procedure compared to tracheal wash (TW) collection among racehorse trainers. The present retrospective study aimed to verify the agreement between Tracheal wash and BALF cytology in assessing EIPH in racehorses. For this purpose, cytological data from 172 patients regarding hemosiderophage percentage, hemosiderin score, and percentage of recent, intermediate, and old EIPH were reviewed, and the simplified Total Hemosiderin Score (sTHS) was calculated. Non-parametric statistical tests were used to assess the difference and the correlation between TW and BALF. The two cytological methods strongly agreed in evaluating EIPH in racehorses for hemosiderophage percentage (ρ = 0.89, p < 0.001), hemosiderin score (k = 0.63, p < 0.001), sTHS (ρ = 0.87, p < 0.001), percentage of recent EIPH (ρ = 0.95, p < 0.001), intermediate EIPH (ρ = 0.92, p < 0.001), and old EIPH (ρ = 0.85, p < 0.001). In conclusion, TW showed to be a reliable method, which might substitute BALF in assessing EIPH in racehorses.

Abstract Human natural killer T cells (NKTs) are innate-like T lymphocytes increasingly used for cancer immunotherapy. Here we show that human NKTs expressing the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-12 (IL-12) undergo extensive and sustained molecular and functional reprogramming. Specifically, IL-12 instructs and maintains a Th1-polarization program in NKTs in vivo without causing their functional exhaustion. Furthermore, using CD62L as a marker of memory cells in human NKTs, we observe that IL-12 maintains long-term CD62L-expressing memory NKTs in vivo. Notably, IL-12 initiates a de novo programming of memory NKTs in CD62L-negative NKTs indicating that human NKTs circulating in the peripheral blood possess an intrinsic differentiation hierarchy, and that IL-12 plays a role in promoting their differentiation to long-lived Th1-polarized memory cells. Human NKTs engineered to co-express a Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) coupled with the expression of IL-12 show enhanced antitumor activity in leukemia and neuroblastoma tumor models, persist long-term in vivo and conserve the molecular signature driven by the IL-12 expression. Thus IL-12 reveals an intrinsic plasticity of peripheral human NKTs that may play a crucial role in the development of cell therapeutics.

A dengue, infecção caracterizada por ciclos epidêmicos que se repetem a cada 3 a 5 anos, figura como um dos problemas de maior destaque, tendo em vista sua progressiva expansão em número de casos e extensão geográfica. Em que pese sua vasta distribuição geográfica, é nas Américas e Sudeste Asiático que a doença incide de forma mais intensa. No contexto de surtos e epidemias, as infecções transmitidas pelos doadores podem representar um grande desafio devido à falta de dados, na literatura, de uma política clara para triagem dos doadores e dos possíveis desfechos indesejáveis. Casos de transmissão provável e confirmada têm sido relatados em receptores de diferentes órgãos. Embora o total de casos descritos seja pequeno, é importante considerar a possibilidade de subnotificação e o aumento substancial do risco desse evento, especialmente nos períodos em que a transmissão da dengue atinge níveis epidêmicos na população. Com base na escassa literatura, porém baseada em estratégias adotadas em outros países que já experimentaram epidemias de dengue com transmissão do vírus por meio de transplante de órgãos, a Comissão de Infecção em Transplante (COINT) da Associação Brasileira de Transplante (ABTO) sugere triagem de doadores e candidatos a transplante com o uso combinado de NS1/IgM no sangue e critérios para o aceite do doador e do candidato.

Acetone-stabilized Au- and Sn-solvated metal atoms (SMAs) were used as to obtain Au- and AuSn-supported catalysts by simple impregnation on a reducible (TiO2) and a non-reducible (Al2O3) metal-oxide. Their catalytic behaviour was investigated for cyclohexane oxidation to cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone (KA oil), and their morphological and physical properties were studied by TEM, STEM-EDS and 119Sn-Mössbauer spectroscopy. The catalytic results firstly demonstrated that the bare supports played a role on the reaction mechanism, slowing down the formation of the oxidation products and directing the radical formation. Hereinafter, the comparison between the monometallic Au-supported catalysts and the corresponding bimetallic Au-Sn catalysts allowed for the understanding of the potential role of Sn. 119Sn-Mössbauer characterization analyses showed the presence of SnO2, which was recognized to favour the electrons’ exchange to form radicals, interacting with oxygen. Such interaction, in particular, could be favoured by the co-presence of Au. Moreover, the same metal composition on the catalyst surface resulted in a different catalytic behaviour depending on the support.

Abstract Background Poor performance is a multifactorial syndrome of racehorses, commonly associated with subclinical disorders, which can be diagnosed by exercise testing. Objectives Describe the prevalence of medical causes of poor performance in Standardbreds unassociated with lameness, and evaluate their relationships with fitness variables measured by exercise treadmill test. Animals Hospital population of 259 nonlame Standardbred trotters referred for poor performance. Methods The horses' medical records were retrospectively reviewed. Horses underwent a diagnostic protocol including resting examination, plasma lactate concentration, treadmill test with continuous ECG and assessment of fitness variables, creatine kinase activity, treadmill endoscopy, postexercise tracheobronchoscopy, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), and gastroscopy. The prevalence of different disorders was evaluated, including cardiac arrhythmias, exertional myopathies, dynamic upper airway obstructions (DUAOs), exercise‐induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH), moderate equine asthma (MEA), and gastric ulcers (EGUS). The associations of these disorders with fitness variables were investigated individually and using multivariable models. Results Moderate equine asthma and EGUS were the most common disorders, followed by EIPH, DUAOs, cardiac arrhythmias, and exertional myopathies. Hemosiderin score was positively correlated with BAL neutrophils, eosinophils, and mast cells; increased creatine kinase activity was associated with BAL neutrophilia, DUAOs, premature complexes, and squamous gastric disease. Treadmill velocity at a plasma lactate concentration of 4 mmol/L and at heart rate of 200 beats per minute was negatively affected by BAL neutrophilia, multiple DUAOs, exertional myopathies, and squamous gastric disease. Conclusions The multifactorial nature of poor performance was confirmed, with MEA, DUAOs, myopathies and EGUS representing the main diseases involved in fitness impairment.

Abstract The observation that different effectors can execute the same movement suggests functional equivalences driven by limb independent representation of action in the central nervous system. A common invariant motor behavior is the speed and curvature coupling (the 1/3 power law), a low dimensional (abstract) descriptor of movement which is resilient to different sensorimotor contexts. Our purpose is to verify the consistency of such motor equivalence during a drawing task, by testing the effect of manual dominance and movement speed on motor performance. We hypothesize that abstract kinematic variables are not the most resistant to speed or limb effector changes. The results show specific effects of speed and hand side on the drawing task. Movement duration, speed-curvature covariation, and maximum velocity were not significantly affected by hand side, while geometrical features were strongly speed and limb dependent. However, intra-trial analysis performed over the successive drawing movements reveals a significant hand side effect on the variability of movement vigor and velocity-curvature relationship (the 1/3 PL). The identified effects of speed and hand dominance on the kinematic parameters suggest different neural strategies, in a pattern that does not go from the most abstract to the least abstract component, as proposed by the traditional hierarchical organization of the motor plan.

We here propose a simple and fast hands-on activity requiring limited equipment, to introduce students of various levels (bachelor's or high school) and backgrounds (from science to arts) to the chemistry of color. The different colors of stained glass are replicated through the deposition, on ordinary glass slides, of silica coatings colored by addition of metal ions and nanoparticles. A silica sol is used as a matrix to embed metal ions, followed by an "in situ" reduction activated by thermal treatment on a hot plate. The formation of metal nanoparticles by this procedure induces plasmonic colors in the glass coating, thus "mimicking" the ancient procedure of stained-glass fabrication through a simple and quick method. Characterization of the colored glass by optical spectroscopy is also presented. This easily reproducible activity demonstrates basic concepts of redox reactions, chemistry of color, and plasmonic nanoparticles. Thanks to its interdisciplinary character and immediate and tangible results, this activity is well-suited for teaching laboratories for bachelor's and high school students as well as for public engagement activities.

Implementing shortened one-compartment iohexol plasma clearance models for GFR measurement is crucial since the gold standard inulin renal clearance technique and the reference two-compartment, 10-hour, 16-samplings iohexol plasma clearance method are clinically unfeasible. Inulin may precipitate anaphylactic shock. Four-hour and 8-hour one-compartment iohexol plasma clearance models with Bröchner-Mortensen correction provide accurate GFR measurements in patients with estimated GFR (eGFR) > or ≤40 mL/min/1.73m2, respectively. We compared the performance of the simplified 5-hour, 4-samplings, two-compartment population pharmacokinetic model (popPK) with the performance of the reference two-compartment 10-hour iohexol method in 16 patients with GFR 15.2 to 56.5 mL/min/1.73 m2. We also compared the performance of shortened (5, 6 and 7-hour) one-compartment models with the performance of the standard 8-hour one-compartment model in 101 patients with eGFR ≤40 mL/min/1.73 m2. The performance of popPK and shortened methods versus reference methods was evaluated by total deviation index (TDI), concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) and coverage probability (CP). TDI 90% indicated adequate performance. TDI, CCC and CP of popPK were 11.11%, 0.809 and 54.10%, respectively. All shortened, one-compartment models overestimated the GFR (p

Eu3+-doped lead fluorophosphate glass samples were prepared in the ternary system (40-x)NaPO3-xWO3-60PbF2 by the melt-quenching method. The influence of the NaPO3/WO3 ratio on the thermal and structural properties as well as on the ability of these compositions to crystallize as glass-ceramics containing lead fluoride phase β-PbF2 was investigated. Thermal properties and characteristic temperatures were determined by DSC and used to define suitable heat-treatment temperatures for selective crystallization. The corresponding crystalline phases and average crystallite sizes were determined by X-ray diffraction. Structural changes versus composition were also studied by Raman spectroscopy. UV-visible absorption spectra were used to determine the bandgap energies versus composition. Specific compositions exhibiting β-PbF2 crystallization were selected and Eu3+ emission spectra were used to check the Eu3+ environment and crystallization state as a function of heat-treatment conditions and glass composition. The results suggest that progressive β-PbF2 crystallization promotes a higher symmetry and lower phonon energy environment of Eu3+ resulting in longer excited state lifetimes only for WO3 richer compositions.

Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) transformation from EGFR mutant adenocarcinoma is a rare entity that is considered to be a new phenotype of SCLC. While transformation from adenocarcinoma (ADC) with EGFR exon 19 deletions and exon 21 L858R point mutations has been described, to our knowledge, no cases of transformation to SCLC from exon-18-mutated ADC have been reported. We reported a clinical case of a patient with exon-18-EGFR-transformed SCLC, and we performed a systematic review of the literature.

O transplante de órgãos sólidos demanda imunossupressão potente que confere ao receptor susceptibilidade a diversos patógenos virais, podendo culminar em quadros disseminados com grande potencial de gravidade. Entre essas infecções, meningoencefalites requerem terapia direcionada e urgente. Entretanto, os dados em receptores de transplante renal são escassos. Paciente masculino, 60 anos, em pós-operatório recente de transplante renal de doador falecido. Em uso de tacrolimo (10 mg/dia), micofenolato sódico (1440 mg/dia) e prednisona (15 mg/dia). Após 30 dias do transplante evolui com dor em região lombar esquerda com irradiação para abdome, seguido de lesões vesiculares sob base eritematosa em regiões de dermátomos L1-L2, mal-estar, episódios de pré-síncope e astenia. Iniciado tratamento ambulatorial com aciclovir oral, sob hipótese de herpes zoster. Evolui com confusão mental, rebaixamento do nível de consciência e fala arrastada, sendo admitido com necessidade de intubação orotraqueal para proteção de via aérea. Tomografia de crânio sem anormalidades, iniciado ceftriaxona e aciclovir endovenoso. Mantido metilprednisolona e suspensos demais imunossupressores. Líquor evidenciou pleocitose moderada de predomínio linfomonocitário e hiperproteinorraquia, aumento de hemácias e consumo de glicose. Antígeno de cryptococcus, culturas de bactérias, micobactérias e fungos resultaram negativas. Suspenso ceftriaxona e mantido aciclovir endovenoso por 14 dias. Paciente apresenta resolução das lesões cutâneas e melhora progressiva do quadro neurológico. Realizado ainda diagnóstico de infecção por citomegalovírus (CMV) por PCR sérico, também tratada na internação. Posteriormente, evidenciada detecção de VZV por PCR em líquor, sendo confirmada meningoencefalite por VZV. Resultados: Foram negativos para CMV, EBV, HHV-6 e HSV 1 e 2. Recebe alta após 2 meses, com recuperação neurológica e renal. Existem poucos relatos na literatura de pacientes em pós-operatório de transplante renal com encefalite causada por Varicela Zoster. Em imunossuprimidos, o quadro é usualmente acompanhado de lesões cutâneas que sugerem o diagnóstico. É aventado que a coinfecção por CMV possa aumentar o risco de disseminação do VZV, como no caso descrito. Ressaltamos a importância da suspeição para condução adequada e obtenção do diagnóstico por técnicas de biologia molecular, a fim de evitar a progressão para sequelas neurológicas.

A mucormicose é um grupo de infecções causadas por fungos da ordem Mucorales, sendo o Rhizopus oryzae o agente mais comum. Acometem principalmente pacientes imunodeprimidos, como portadores de diabetes mellitus descompensados, transplantados de órgãos sólidos, pacientes em quimioterapia e corticoterapia. A apresentação clínica é variável, onde as infecções rino-órbito-cerebrais e pulmonares são as síndromes mais comuns. A forma rinocerebral está mais associada ao diabetes, enquanto a forma pulmonar é mais presente em indivíduos portadores de neoplasias sob quimioterapia ou submetidos a transplante. O relato de caso abaixo, descreve a evolução de um paciente imunossuprimido após transplante renal com mucormicose pulmonar. Paciente masculino, 34 anos, portador de doença renal crônica dialítica, submetido a transplante renal em 26/05/2022. Apresentou atraso de função do enxerto, e episódios de pielonefrite com tratamento guiado por cultura. Após decretada falência de enxerto, foi internado em 02/09/22 para transplantectomia. Na ocasião, relatava tosse com expectoração escurecida há cerca de duas semanas, além de calafrios, inapetência e náuseas. Em tomografia de tórax, extensa cavitação em lobo superior direito com paredes espessas e nível hidroaéreo, além de nódulo escavado diminuto em lobo superior esquerdo adjacente a brônquio. Crescimento de Rhizopus sp em cultura de lavado broncoalveolar, além de RT-PCR para covid-19 positivo em swab nasofaríngeo. Após um mês de tratamento com anfotericina B, paciente mantinha sintomas e lesão cavitada em imagem de tórax, sendo indicado ressecção cirúrgica via toracotomia. Devido ao acometimento de lobos superior e médio, houve indicação de pneumectomia direita. Em 28/10, apresentou insuficiência respiratória aguda hipoxêmica e enfisema subcutâneo, sendo submetido a intubação orotraqueal, por provável fístula de coto brônquico. No mesmo dia evoluiu com parada cardiorrespiratória, sem resposta às medidas de reanimação. O caso evidencia a importância e gravidade da mucormicose pulmonar como diagnóstico diferencial de infecção oportunista em imunossuprimidos. Ainda há um grande subdiagnóstico da doença visto que o diagnóstico microbiológico e histopatológico é de difícil realização. Quando suspeitada, faz-se necessária intervenção urgente visto que a mortalidade associada a mucormicose mantém-se elevada mesmo com tratamento adequado.

Introdução/objetivo: A expansão do tratamento preventivo da tuberculose (TPT) é estratégica na meta de eliminação da doença como problema de saúde pública até 2035. Este estudo avaliou a cascata de cuidado da infecção tuberculosa latente (ILTB) em pacientes transplantados de órgãos sólidos e transplante de células pluripotentes hematopoiéticas (TCPH) em um hospital de referência. Métodos: Estudo descritivo, transversal, epidemiológico operacional; foram incluídos pacientes candidatos/transplantados notificados para ILTB no período de janeiro de 2009 a julho de 2022. Resultados: Considerando os pacientes transplantados no período de estudo foram notificados 5,18% casos de ILTB; dentre os transplantados hepáticos (TxH), 7,03%, nos transplantados renais (TxR), 6,3%, nos TCPH, 0,95% e nenhum no transplante cardíaco. Foram avaliados 194 pacientes com ILTB: 74 candidatos à transplante hepático (TxH), 114 candidatos a transplante renal (TxR) e seis candidatos a TCPH. O diagnóstico de ILTB foi realizado por meio do teste tuberculínico em 84,02% dos pacientes, nos demais foi embasado na história clínica e exame radiológico. O regime terapêutico consistiu em isoniazida (6-9H) em 97,42%, rifampicina (4R) em 1,55% e rifapentina associada a isoniazida (3HP) em um caso. O tratamento foi concluído em 82,47% deles; 3,1% dos pacientes tiveram o tratamento suspenso por toxicidade. Após o tratamento para ILTB, apenas um paciente desenvolveu TB ativa. Conclusão: No grupo avaliado foram detectadas lacunas na cascata de cuidado associadas ao diagnóstico da ILTB, suprimento irregular do PPD, ausência de método alternativo e pactuação das diretrizes para a garantia da TPT de forma precoce em grupos com alto risco de adoecimento. O regime com 6-9H foi efetivo e seguro, poucos pacientes utilizaram os regimes 4R e 3HP.

Summary: Large GWAS indicated that genetic factors influence the response to SARS-CoV-2. However, sex, age, concomitant diseases, differences in ancestry, and uneven exposure to the virus impacted the interpretation of data. We aimed to perform a GWAS of COVID-19 outcome in a homogeneous population who experienced a high exposure to the virus and with a known infection status. We recruited inhabitants of Bergamo province—that in spring 2020 was the epicenter of the SARS-Cov-2 pandemic in Europe—via an online questionnaire followed by personal interviews. Cases and controls were matched by age, sex and risk factors. We genotyped 1195 individuals and replicated the association at the 3p21.31 locus with severity, but with a stronger effect size that further increased in gravely ill patients. Transcriptome-wide association study highlighted eQTLs for LZTFL1 and CCR9. We also identified 17 loci not previously reported, suggestive for an association with either COVID-19 severity or susceptibility.

Introduction: Existing literature presents varying perspectives on the impact of COVID-19 on liver transplant recipients.However, no research has specifically investigated the role of gender differences in the manifestation of COVID-19 among liver transplant recipients. This study aims to examine the effects of COVID-19 on liver transplant recipients, with a focus on gender differences in disease presentation and progression. Methods: Conducted as a multicenter historical cohort study, this research collected patient records through an online questionnaire. Assessing COVID-related mortality was the main objective. Additionally, demographic, clinical, and laboratory data pertaining to disease presentation and progression werecollected. Results: The study included a total of 283 patients, of whom 76 were female and 206 were male. The median follow-up period for males was 99 days (IQR 38-283), while for females, it was 126 days (IQR 44-291). A higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease was observed in males (p=0.002). Females frequently experienced a loss of smell (p=0.021), whereas males commonly exhibited fever (p=0.031). Levels of ALT and gamma-glutamyl transferase were significantly elevated in males (p=0.008 and 0.004, respectively). Although there was a trend towards increased mortality in males, it did not reach statistical significance. Conclusion: This study is the first attempt to investigate gender differences in COVID-19 among liver transplant recipients. Our findings highlight the need for a comprehensive and personalised approach to treating this patient population and underscore the importance of further elucidating the disease presentation in these individuals.

Abstract Three‐dimensional (3D) imaging techniques (e.g., confocal microscopy) are commonly used to visualize in vitro models, especially microvasculature on‐a‐chip. Conversely, 3D analysis is not the standard method to extract quantitative information from those models. We developed the μVES algorithm to analyze vascularized in vitro models leveraging 3D data. It computes morphological parameters (geometry, diameter, length, tortuosity, eccentricity) and intravascular flow velocity. μVES application to microfluidic vascularized in vitro models shows that they successfully replicate functional features of the microvasculature in vivo in terms of intravascular fluid flow velocity. However, wall shear stress is lower compared to in vivo references. The morphological analysis also highlights the model's physiological similarities (vessel length and tortuosity) and shortcomings (vessel radius and surface‐over‐volume ratio). The addition of the third dimension in our analysis produced significant differences in the metrics assessed compared to 2D estimations. It enabled the computation of new indices, such as vessel eccentricity. These μVES capabilities can find application in analyses of different in vitro vascular models, as well as in vivo and ex vivo microvasculature.

In horses, quantitative assessment of gait parameters, as with the use of inertial measurement units (IMUs) systems, might help in the decision-making process. However, it requires financial investment, is time-consuming, and lacks accuracy if displaced. An innovative artificial intelligence marker-less motion tracking system (AI-MTS) may overcome these limitations in the field. Our aim was to compare the level of agreement and accuracy between both systems and visual clinical assessment. Twenty horses underwent locomotion analysis by visual assessment, IMUs, and AI-MTS systems, under the following conditions: straight hard (SH), straight soft (SS), left and right circle hard (LCH, RCH), and soft (LCS, RCS). A greater number of horses were considered sound by clinical examination, compared to those identified as symmetric by the two gait analysis systems. More limbs were considered asymmetric by the AI-MTS compared to IMUs, suggesting its greater sensitivity. The greatest agreement between the two systems was found for the difference between two minima in vertical head position in SH, while the lowest for the difference between two minima in vertical pelvis position in SS, reflecting the difficulties in assessing asymmetry of the hindlimbs. It is unknown what degree of asymmetry is clinically relevant, suggesting that more consistent use in training horses may help determine the thresholds for asymmetry. Some degree of asymmetry may be clinically relevant, suggesting its regular use in training horses.