The floral development of the allotetraploid Coffea arabica L. correlates with a small RNA dynamic reprogramming.

Noncoding and coding RNAs are key regulators of plant growth, development, and stress responses. To investigate the types of transcripts accumulated during the vegetative to reproductive transition and floral development in the Coffea arabica L., we sequenced small RNA libraries from eight developmental stages, up to anthesis. We combined these data with messenger RNA and PARE sequencing of two important development stages that marks the transition of an apparent latent to a rapid growth stage. In addition, we took advantage of multiple in silico tools to characterize genomic loci producing small RNAs such as phasiRNAs, miRNAs, and tRFs. Our differential and co-expression analysis showed that some types of small RNAs such as tRNAs, snoRNAs, snRNAs, and phasiRNAs preferentially accumulate in a stage-specific manner. Members of the miR482/miR2118 superfamily and their 21-nucleotide phasiRNAs originating from resistance genes show a robust co-expression pattern that is maintained across all the evaluated developmental stages. Finally, the majority of miRNAs accumulate in a family stage-specific manner, related to modulated hormonal responses and transcription factor expression.

Differential diagnosis of exanthematous viruses during the 2022 Mpox outbreak in Minas Gerais, Brazil.

The monkeypox virus (MPXV) outbreak, primarily endemic to Africa, has spread globally, with Brazil reporting the second-highest number of cases. The emergence of MPXV in non-endemic areas has raised concerns, particularly due to the co-circulation of other exanthematous viruses such as varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and molluscum contagiosum virus (MOCV). To perform an accurate differential diagnosis of MPXV during the ongoing outbreak in Minas Gerais, Brazil, a 5PLEX qPCR assay targeting orthopoxviruses (OPV), VZV, and MOCV was used to retrospectively analyze all clinical samples that tested negative for MPXV in the initial screening conducted at Funed. In summary, our study analyzed 1,175 clinical samples received from patients suspected of MPXV infection and found a positivity rate of 33.8% (397 samples) for MPXV using the non-variola qPCR assay. Testing the 778 MPXV-negative clinical samples using the 5PLEX qPCR assay revealed that 174 clinical samples (22.36%) tested positive for VZV. MOCV DNA was detected in 13 and other OPV in 3 clinical samples. The sequencing of randomly selected amplified clinical samples confirmed the initial molecular diagnosis. Analysis of patient profiles revealed a significant difference in the median age between groups testing positive for MPXV and VZV and a male predominance in MPXV cases. The geographic distribution of positive cases was concentrated in the most populous mesoregions of Minas Gerais state. This study highlights the challenges posed by emerging infectious diseases. It emphasizes the importance of epidemiological surveillance and accurate diagnosis in enabling timely responses for public health policies and appropriate medical care. IMPORTANCE: Brazil ranks second in the number of cases during the global monkeypox epidemic. The study, conducted in Minas Gerais, the second most populous state in Brazil with over 20 million inhabitants, utilized differential diagnostics, revealing a significant number of positive cases for other exanthematous viruses and emphasizing the need for accurate diagnoses. During the study, we were able to assess the co-circulation of other viruses alongside monkeypox, including varicella-zoster virus, molluscum contagiosum virus, and other orthopoxviruses. The significance of the research is underscored by the concentration of positive cases in populous areas, highlighting the challenges posed by emerging infectious diseases. This demographic context further amplifies the importance of the research in guiding public health policies and medical interventions, given the substantial population at risk. The study not only addresses a global concern but also holds critical implications for a state with such a large population and geographic expanse within Brazil. Overall, the study emphasizes the pivotal role of surveillance and precise diagnosis in guiding effective public health responses and ensuring appropriate medical interventions.

Unveiling the phenology and associated floral regulatory pathways of Humulus lupulus L. in subtropical conditions.

MAIN CONCLUSION: The hop phenological cycle was described in subtropical condition of Brazil showing that flowering can happen at any time of year and this was related to developmental molecular pathways. Hops are traditionally produced in temperate regions, as it was believed that vernalization was necessary for flowering. Nevertheless, recent studies have revealed the potential for hops to flower in tropical and subtropical climates. In this work, we observed that hops in the subtropical climate of Minas Gerais, Brazil grow and flower multiple times throughout the year, independently of the season, contrasting with what happens in temperate regions. This could be due to the photoperiod consistently being inductive, with daylight hours below the described threshold (16.5 h critical). We observed that when the plants reached 7-9 nodes, the leaves began to transition from heart-shaped to trilobed-shaped, which could be indicative of the juvenile to adult transition. This could be related to the fact that the 5th node (in plants with 10 nodes) had the highest expression of miR156, while two miR172s increased in the 20th node (in plants with 25 nodes). Hop flowers appeared later, in the 25th or 28th nodes, and the expression of HlFT3 and HlFT5 was upregulated in plants between 15 and 20 nodes, while the expression of HlTFL3 was upregulated in plants with 20 nodes. These results indicate the role of axillary meristem age in regulating this process and suggest that the florigenic signal should be maintained until the hop plants bloom. In addition, it is possible that the expression of TFL is not sufficient to inhibit flowering in these conditions and promote branching. These findings suggest that the reproductive transition in hop under inductive photoperiodic conditions could occur in plants between 15 and 20 nodes. Our study sheds light on the intricate molecular mechanisms underlying hop floral development, paving the way for potential advancements in hop production on a global scale.

Thirty days of double-strain probiotic supplementation increases monocyte phagocytosis in marathon runners.

Marathon runners, subjected to intense training regimes and prolonged, exhaustive exercises, often experience a compromised immune response. Probiotic supplementation has emerged as a potential remedy to mitigate the impact of prolonged exercise on athletes. Consequently, this study sought to assess the influence of probiotic supplementation on monocyte functionality both before and after the official marathon race. Twenty-seven runners were randomly and double-blindly assigned to two groups: Placebo-PLA (n=13) and Probiotic-PRO (n=14). Over thirty days, both groups received supplements-PLA sachets containing maltodextrin (5g/day) and PRO sachets containing 1 x 1010 CFU Lactobacillus acidophilus and 1 x 1010 CFU Bifidobacterium bifidum subsp. lactis. Blood samples were collected, and immunological assays, including phagocytosis, hydrogen peroxide production, cytokine levels, and monocyte immunophenotyping, were conducted at four different intervals: Baseline (start of supplementation/thirty days pre-marathon), 24h-Before (one-day pre-marathon), 1h-After (1h post-marathon), and 5d-After (five days post-marathon). Monocyte populations remained consistent throughout the study. A notable increase in phagocytosis was observed in the PRO group after thirty days of supplementation. Upon LPS stimulation, both PRO and PLA groups exhibited decreased IL-8 production. However, after the marathon race, IL-15 stimulation demonstrated increased levels of 5d-After, while IL-1-ß, IL-8, IL-10, IL-15, and TNF-α varied across different intervals, specifically within the PRO group. Probiotic supplementation notably enhanced the phagocytic capacity of monocytes. However, these effects were not sustained post-marathon.

ELViM: Exploring Biomolecular Energy Landscapes through Multidimensional Visualization.

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations provide a powerful means of exploring the dynamic behavior of biomolecular systems at the atomic level. However, analyzing the vast data sets generated by MD simulations poses significant challenges. This article discusses the energy landscape visualization method (ELViM), a multidimensional reduction technique inspired by the energy landscape theory. ELViM transcends one-dimensional representations, offering a comprehensive analysis of the effective conformational phase space without the need for predefined reaction coordinates. We apply the ELViM to study the folding landscape of the antimicrobial peptide Polybia-MP1, showcasing its versatility in capturing complex biomolecular dynamics. Using dissimilarity matrices and a force-scheme approach, the ELViM provides intuitive visualizations, revealing structural correlations and local conformational signatures. The method is demonstrated to be adaptable, robust, and applicable to various biomolecular systems.

Interfering factors in the diagnosis of Senecavirus A.

BACKGROUND: Senecavirus A (SV-A) is an RNA virus that belongs to the genus Senecavirus within the family Picornaviridae. This study aimed to analyze factors that can influence the molecular diagnosis of Senecavirus A, such as oligonucleotides, RNA extraction methods, and RT-qPCR kits. METHODS: Samples from suspected cases of vesicular disease in Brazilian pigs were analyzed for foot-and-mouth disease, swine vesicular disease, and vesicular stomatitis. All tested negative for these diseases but positive for SV-A. RT-qPCR tests were used, comparing different reagent kits and RNA extraction methods. Sensitivity and repeatability were evaluated, demonstrating efficacy in detecting SV-A in clinical samples. RESULTS: In RNA extraction, significant reduction in Cq values was observed with initial dilutions, particularly with larger supernatant volumes. Trizol and Maxwell showed greater sensitivity in automated equipment protocols, though results varied in tissue tests. RT-qPCR kit comparison revealed differences in amplification using viral RNA but minimal differences with plasmid DNA. Sensitivity among methods was comparable, with slight variations in non-amplified samples. Repeatability tests showed consistent results among RT-qPCRs, demonstrating similarity between methods despite minor discrepancies in Cq values. CONCLUSIONS: Trizol, silica columns, and semi-automated extraction were compared, as well as different RT-qPCR kits. The study found significant variations that could impact the final diagnosis.

Molecular characterization of Chikungunya virus recovered from patients in the Maranhão state, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an arbovirus from the Togaviridae family which has four genotypes: West African (WA), East/Central/South African (ECSA) and Asian/Caribbean lineage (AL) and Indian Ocean Lineage (IOL). The ECSA genotype was first registered in Brazil in Feira de Santana and spread to all Brazilian regions. This study reports the characterization of CHIKV isolates recovered from sera samples of fifty patients from seventeen cities in Maranhão, a state from Brazilian northeast region and part of the Legal Amazon area. METHODS AND RESULTS: Primers were developed to amplify the partial regions coding structural proteins (E1, E3, E2, 6 K, and Capsid C). The consensus sequences have 2871 bp, covering approximately 24% of the genome. The isolates were highly similar (> 99%) to the ECSA isolate from Feira de Santana (BHI3734/H804698), presenting 30 non-synonymous mutations in E1 (5.95%), 18 in E2 (4.46%), and 1 in E3 (3.03%), taking the BHI3734/H804698 isolate as standard. Although the mutations described have not previously been related to increased infectivity or transmissibility of CHIKV, in silico analysis showed changes in physicochemical characteristics, antigenicity, and B cell epitopes of E1 and E2. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate the importance of molecular approaches for monitoring the viral adaptations undergone by CHIKV and its geographic distribution.

An electrogram-guided transvenous temporary pacemaker implant simulator.

INTRODUCTION: Transvenous temporary pacemaker (TvTP) implantation is a critical procedure often performed under time limitations, playing a crucial role in patient survival. However, the amount of training provided for resident cardiologists is variable, due to the availability of patients. Thus, the use of simulators for this cardiologic procedure could be used as training tools. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to develop a simulator system for TvTP implantation based on electrograms, called ETTIS (Electrogram-guided Transvenous Temporary-pacemaker Implantation Simulator), and to evaluate its educational potential and cardiology residents' perceived learning efficacy as a training tool. METHODOLOGY: The development of the ETTIS involved three stages: (1) Adaptation of an anatomical mannequin; (2) Design and manufacture of electronic circuits and software capable of identifying the catheter contact site within the heart chambers and reproducing electrograms in both surfaces (mode-on) and intracavitary (mode-off); (3) To evaluate its educational potential, a modified Likert questionnaire was administered to nine cardiology experts. Additionally, to evaluate the perceived learning efficacy, another modified Likert questionnaire was given to six cardiology residents both before and after training with the ETTIS. Descriptive statistics with measures of position and dispersion were employed, and the weighted Kappa test was used for agreement analysis. RESULTS: A high rate of acceptance (over 90%) was found among experts who evaluated the ETTIS. The cardiology residents showed significant self-perceived learning gains, as evidenced by a lack of agreement between their responses to a questionnaire before and after training. CONCLUSION: The ETTIS is a promising tool for medical training, displaying both educational potential and efficacy. It has been shown to be effective in learning a variety of skills, including cardiac catheterization and electrophysiology. Additionally, the ETTIS is highly engaging and allows cardiology residents to practice in a safe and controlled environment.

Photosynthetic Costs and Impact on Epidemiological Parameters Associated with Ht Resistance Genes in Maize Lines Infected with Exserohilum turcicum.

Northern corn leaf blight, caused by Exserohilum turcicum, is mainly controlled by the use of resistant cultivars. Maize lines carrying individual resistance genes B37Ht1, B37Ht2, B37Ht3, and B37Htn1 express different defense symptoms having an impact on the photosynthetic activity, the accumulation of reactive oxygen species, and epidemiological parameters. Plants were inoculated with a race 0 isolate of E. turcicum conferring a compatible interaction with B37 and incompatible interactions with plants carrying resistance genes. Five days postinoculation (dpi), the resistant lines displayed a reduction in leaf CO2 assimilation of 30 to 80% compared with healthy plants. At 14 dpi, inoculated plants of B37Ht1 showed a significant decrease in leaf CO2 assimilation, similar to B37 (up to 94%). The instantaneous carboxylation efficiency was significantly reduced on inoculated plants of the lines B37Ht2, B37Ht3, and B37Htn1 (54 to 81%) at 5 dpi. Curiously, the reduction in carboxylation efficiency for B37 and B37Ht1 (up to 95%) was higher at 14 dpi than at 5 dpi (up to 81%). At 6 dpi, low levels of H2O2 were detected in B37Ht1, in contrast to B37Htn1, where a high H2O2 level and peroxidase activity were observed. The sporulation rate on B37Ht1, B37Ht3, and B37Htn1 decreased by 92% compared with the susceptible control, whereas strong sporulation occurred in lesions on line B37Ht2. The resistance in maize to E. turcicum conferred by Ht resistance genes is associated with photosynthetic costs and may have quite contrasting effects on host physiology and major epidemiological parameters, such as sporulation, which contributes inoculum for secondary infections.

Molecular and morphometric study of Brazilian populations of Psychodopygus davisi.

In this study, we analysed the molecular and morphometric differences of several populations of the putative sand fly vector Psychodopygus davisi (Root, 1934) (Diptera, Psychodidae, Phlebotominae) in Brazil. We amplified the 658 base pair fragments of the DNA barcoding region-cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene-for 57 specimens of P. davisi and three specimens of Psychodopygus claustrei (Abonnenc, Léger & Fauran, 1979). We merged our data with public sequences of the same species available from GenBank. Then, the combined dataset-87 sequences and 20 localities-was analysed using population structure analysis and different species delimitation approaches. Geometric morphometry of wings was performed for 155 specimens of P. davisi populations from the North, Midwest and Southeast Brazilian regions, analysing the differences in centroid sizes and canonical variates. Molecular analysis indicated high intraspecific genetic distance values for P. davisi (maximum p distance = 5.52%). All algorithms identified P. davisi and P. claustrei as distinct molecular taxonomic units, despite the low interspecific distance (p distance to the nearest neighbour = 4.79%). P. davisi sequences were split into four genetic clusters by population structure analysis and at least five genetic lineages using intermediate scenarios of the species delimitation algorithms. The species validation analysis of BPP strongly supported the five-species model in our dataset. We found high genetic diversity in this taxon, which is in agreement with its wide geographic distribution in Brazil. Furthermore, the wing analysis showed that specimens from the Southeast Region of Brazil are different from those in the North and the Midwest. The evolutionary patterns of P. davisi populations in Brazil suggest the presence of candidate species, which need to be validated in future studies using a more comprehensive approach with both genomic data and morphological characters.

Single and combination immunotherapy with chemotherapy and the risk of AKI in patients with solid cancer.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Acute kidney injury (AKI) has emerged as an important toxicity among patients with advanced cancer treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors. The aim of this study was to describe the incidence, risk factors and mortality of AKI in patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors alone or in combination with another form of immunotherapy or chemotherapy. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: We included all patients who received immune checkpoint inhibitors alone or in combination with another form of immunotherapy or chemotherapy at AC Camargo Cancer Center from January 2015 to December 2019. AKI was defined as a ≥ 1.5 fold increase in creatinine from baseline within 12 months of immune checkpoint inhibitor initiation. We assessed the association between baseline demographics, comorbidities, medications and risk of AKI using a competing risk model, considering death as a competing event. RESULTS: We included 614 patients in the analysis. The mean age was 58.4 ± 13.5 years, and the mean baseline creatinine was 0.8 ± 0.18 mg/dL. AKI occurred in 144 (23.5%) of the patients. The most frequent AKI etiologies were multifactorial (10.1%), hemodynamic (8.8%) and possibly immunotherapy-related (3.6%). The likelihood of AKI was greater in patients with genitourinary cancer (sHR 2.47 95% CI 1.34-4.55 p < 0.01), with a prior AKI history (sHR 2.1 95% CI 1.30-3.39 p < 0.01) and taking antibiotics (sHR 2.85 95% CI 1.54-5.27 p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, genitourinary cancer, previous AKI and antibiotics use were associated with a higher likelihood of developing AKI.

Could an increased risk of obstructive sleep apnoea be one of the determinants associated with disability in individuals with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases?

PURPOSE: To investigate a possible association between the risk of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and disability in individuals with cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases. METHODS: Cross-sectional study was conducted with 373 individuals (313 with cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases and 60 healthy). Disability was assessed by the 12-item World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS), and the risk of OSA was assessed by STOP-BANG. Anxiety and depression symptoms, daytime sleepiness, and cognition were assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). RESULTS: Greater disability was found in individuals with intermediate or high risk of OSA, considering healthy individuals (p=0.03), or individuals diagnosed with arrhythmia (p<0.01) or coronary artery disease (p=0.04). A high risk of OSA and higher WHODAS scores was significant among women as well as between OSA risk categories (p<0.01). Cognitive deficit and level of education also showed differences between OSA risk categories. Age, depression, and sleepiness were also associated with the subjects' disability (p<0.01). Gamma regression model showed higher WHODAS scores in female, in those with intermediate and high risk of OSA, and in those with depressive symptoms and cognitive deficit. Age also showed a correlation with higher WHODAS scores. The presence of all investigated cardio and cerebrovascular diseases showed an increase in the WHODAS score, implying a greater disability compared to healthy individuals. CONCLUSION: Moderate and high risk of OSA is associated with disability, as well as gender, age, depressive symptoms, cognitive deficit, and cardiovascular diseases.

Pathological findings and differential diagnoses of lymph node diseases in slaughtered cattle in Brazil: A study of 2000 samples.

Slaughterhouse inspections play a crucial role in the sanitary control of zoonoses and foodborne diseases. This study aimed to identify and analyze the frequencies of lymph node diseases in cattle slaughtered for human consumption, using the samples sent to the anatomic pathology service of the Federal Laboratory for Agricultural Defense (Laboratório Federal de Defesa Agropecuária), Minas Gerais, Brazil, from January 2015 to September 2022. In total, 2000 lymph node samples were analyzed, and additional information was individually retrieved. Lesions were most frequently identified in thoracic lymph nodes. Bacterial isolation and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) were performed using samples suspected of tuberculosis. Tuberculosis cases accounted for 89.3% of the samples. Histopathology was more sensitive than other ancillary tests for diagnosing tuberculosis. Paraffin-embedded tissues from lymphoma cases were subjected to immunophenotyping using anti-CD3 and anti-CD79a immunohistochemistry. Frozen and/or paraffin-embedded tissues from lymphoma cases were used to identify the enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL) retrovirus through qPCR. Other diagnoses included primary (T- and B-cell lymphoma) and metastatic neoplasms (squamous cell carcinoma, pulmonary adenocarcinoma, undifferentiated carcinoma, undifferentiated adenocarcinoma, undifferentiated sarcoma, undifferentiated round cell tumor, mesothelioma, hepatic carcinoid, meningioma, and seminoma), actinogranulomas (pyogranulomatous lymphadenitis [actinobacillosis and actinomycosis]), idiopathic lymphadenitis (neutrophilic and/or histiocytic, granulomatous, and suppurative), and miscellaneous nonspecific lymphadenopathies (depletion/lymphoid atrophy, lymphangiectasia, erythrocyte drainage, parasitic eosinophilic lymphadenitis, follicular hyperplasia, and toxic granulomatous lymphadenitis). The combination of histopathology with complementary techniques is important for successful diagnosis, especially in complex cases of high epidemiological, economic, and zoosanitary importance, such as tuberculosis and EBL.

Effects of high temperature and LPS injections on the hemocytes of the crab Neohelice granulata.

Temperature fluctuations, particularly elevated temperatures, can significantly affect immune responses. These fluctuations can influence the immune system and alter its response to infection signals, such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Therefore, this study was designed to investigate how high temperatures and LPS injections collectively influence the immune system of the crab Neohelice granulata. Two groups were exposed to 20 °C (control) or 33 °C for four days. Subsequently, half were injected with 10 µL of physiological crustacean (PS), while the rest received 10 µL of LPS [0.1 mg.kg-1]. After 30 min, the hemolymph samples were collected. Hemocytes were then isolated and assessed for various parameters using flow cytometry, including cell integrity, DNA fragmentation, total hemocyte count (THC), differential hemocyte count (DHC), reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, lipid peroxidation (LPO), and phagocytosis. Results showed lower cell viability at 20 °C, with more DNA damage in the same LPS-injected animals. There was no significant difference in THC, but DHC indicated a decrease in hyaline cells (HC) at 20 °C following LPS administration. In granular cells (GC), an increase was observed after both PS and LPS were injected at the same temperature. In semi-granular cells (SGC), there was a decrease at 20 °C with the injection of LPS, while at a temperature of 33 °C, the SGC there was a decrease only in SGC injected with LPS. Crabs injected with PS and LPS at 20 °C exhibited higher levels of ROS in GC and SGC, while at 33 °C, the increase was observed only in GC and SGC cells injected with LPS. A significant increase in LPO was observed only in SGC cells injected with PS and LPS at 20 °C and 33 °C. Phagocytosis decreased in animals at 20 °C with both injections and exposed to 33 °C only in those injected with LPS. These results suggest that elevated temperatures induce changes in immune system parameters and attenuate the immune responses triggered by LPS.

Association of polymorphism in leptin receptor gene with susceptibility of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

PURPOSE: Abnormal leptin bioavailability has play key roles in the etiology of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Both leptin and its receptor levels may be modulated by the presence of genetic polymorphisms. This study aimed to evaluate the role of polymorphisms in the leptin (LEP) and its main receptor (LEPR) genes in the AIS susceptibility in girls. METHODS: A retrospective case-control study was conducted with 189 AIS and 240 controls. LEP rs2167270 and LEPR rs2767485 polymorphisms were genotyped using a TaqMan validated assay. Associations were evaluated by odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: The AIS group showed a predominance of girls under 18 years old (n = 140, 74.1%), 148 (78.3%) had low or normal BMI, 111 (58.7%) had Cobb ≥ 45º and 130 (68.7%) were skeletally mature. Minor allele frequencies of rs2167270 and rs2767485 were 35.7% and 18.3%, for AIS and 35.6% and 25.4% for controls, respectively. LEPR rs2767485 T and TC + TT were associated with higher risk of AIS (OR = 1.53; 95% CI = 1.09-2.13 and OR = 1.84; 95% CI = 1.69-2.01, respectively), since CC genotype was only present in the control group. In addition, the LEP rs2167270 GA + AA was more frequent in low weight group (BMI ≤ 24.9) of girls with AIS. There was no significant association between LEP rs2167270 and AIS susceptibility, and LEPR rs2767485 and BMI. CONCLUSION: The LEPR rs2767485 was associated with the genetic susceptibility of AIS and LEP rs2167270 with low BMI. These data can contribute to the identification of genetic biomarkers to improve the diagnosis and treatment.

The Effectiveness and Safety of Leadless Pacemakers: An Updated Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Leadless pacemakers (LPs) are promising alternatives to traditional transvenous pacemakers (TVPs), but their comparative effectiveness and safety in clinical outcomes remain uncertain. METHODS: We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane, and ClinicalTrials.gov for studies comparing LPs and TVPs. A restricted maximum likelihood random-effects model was used for all outcomes. Heterogeneity was assessed using I2 statistics. We performed a subgroup analysis with studies with multivariate-adjusted data. RESULTS: We included 21 studies involving 47,229 patients, of whom 12,199 (25.8%) underwent LP implantation. Compared with TVPs, LPs were associated with a significantly lower risk of overall complications (OR 0.61; 95% CI 0.45-0.81; p < 0.01), dislodgement (OR 0.34; 95% CI 0.20-0.56; p < 0.01), and pneumothorax (OR 0.27; 95% CI 0.16-0.46; p < 0.01). No significant difference in all-cause mortality was observed in the overall analysis (OR 1.43; 95% CI 0.65-3.15; p = 0.35) and in studies with multivariate-adjusted data (OR 1.34; 95% CI 0.65-2.78; p = 0.43). However, LPs were associated with a higher risk of pericardial effusion (OR 2.47; 95% CI 1.39-4.38; p < 0.01) and cardiac tamponade (OR 3.75; 95% CI 2.41-5.83; p < 0.01). LPs also demonstrated a lower pacing capture threshold (MD -0.19 V; 95% CI [-0.23 V]-[-0.16 V]; p < 0.01), but no significant difference in impedance (MD 32.63 ohms; 95% CI [-22.50 ohms]-[87.76 ohms]; p = 0.25). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that LPs were associated with lower overall complication rates and similar effectiveness to TVPs. However, randomized controlled trials are warranted to validate these results.

Detection of carbon nanotubes in bovine raw milk through Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy.

The potential use of carbon-based methodologies for drug delivery and reproductive biology in cows raises concerns about residues in milk and food safety. This study aimed to assess the potential of Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy and discriminant analysis using partial least squares (PLS-DA) to detect functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) in bovine raw milk. Oxidized MWCNT were diluted in milk at different concentrations from 25.00 to 0.01 µg/mL. Raman spectroscopy measurements and PLS-DA were performed to identify low concentrations of MWCNT in milk samples. The PLS-DA model was characterized by the analysis of the variable importance in projection (VIP) scores. All the training samples were correctly classified by the model, resulting in no false-positive or false-negative classifications. For test samples, only one false-negative result was observed, for 0.01 µg/mL MWCNT dilution. The association between Raman spectroscopy and PLS-DA was able to identify MWCNT diluted in milk samples up to 0.1 µg/mL. The PLS-DA model was built and validated using a set of test samples and spectrally interpreted based on the highest VIP scores. This allowed the identification of the vibrational modes associated with the D and G bands of MWCNT, as well as the milk bands, which were the most important variables in this analysis.

Low-laser action analysis associated with Himatanthus drasticus extract in wound healing.

The aim of this study was to analyze the healing action of low-intensity laser therapy associated with Himatanthus drasticus in wound healing in mice. The study was experimental, analytical, controlled, randomized, and prospective. Twenty Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control with injury, injury + laser, wound + Himatanthus drasticus, and wound + laser + Himatanthus drasticus. The animals underwent surgical skin wounds on their backs, and different treatments were applied based on the group. The healing process was evaluated histologically through the analysis of collagen fibers, neovascularization, and inflammatory reaction. The results showed that low-intensity laser therapy and Himatanthus drasticus treatment improved the healing process in terms of collagen synthesis, decreased inflammatory cell migration, fibroblast proliferation, neovascularization, wound size reduction, and edema reduction. However, the combination of laser and Himatanthus drasticus did not show significant improvement compared to individual treatments. There were no statistical differences in polymorphonuclear cells between the treatment groups. Low-intensity laser therapy and Himatanthus drasticus have demonstrated positive properties in improving the healing process. Further research is needed to better understand their individual and combined effects. The study contributes to the exploration of alternative wound healing methods and encourages further investigation in this field.

Graphene and Natural Products: A Review of Antioxidant Properties in Graphene Oxide Reduction.

This review article addresses the antioxidant properties of different natural products, including ascorbic acid, gallic acid, oxalic acid, L-glutathione (GSH), bacteriorhodopsin, green tea polyphenols, glucose, hydroxycinnamic acid, ethanoic acid, betanin, and L-glutathione, in the reduction of graphene oxide (rGO). rGO can cause damage to cells, including oxidative stress and inflammation, limiting its application in different sectors that use graphene, such as technologies used in medicine and dentistry. The natural substances reviewed have properties that help reduce this damage, neutralizing free radicals and maintaining cellular integrity. This survey demonstrates that the combination of these antioxidant compounds can be an effective strategy to minimize the harmful effects of rGO and promote cellular health.

Genetic Mutations and Mitochondrial Redox Signaling as Modulating Factors in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: A Scoping Review.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a heart condition characterized by cellular and metabolic dysfunction, with mitochondrial dysfunction playing a crucial role. Although the direct relationship between genetic mutations and mitochondrial dysfunction remains unclear, targeting mitochondrial dysfunction presents promising opportunities for treatment, as there are currently no effective treatments available for HCM. This review adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines. Searches were conducted in databases such as PubMed, Embase, and Scopus up to September 2023 using "MESH terms". Bibliographic references from pertinent articles were also included. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is influenced by ionic homeostasis, cardiac tissue remodeling, metabolic balance, genetic mutations, reactive oxygen species regulation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. The latter is a common factor regardless of the cause and is linked to intracellular calcium handling, energetic and oxidative stress, and HCM-induced hypertrophy. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy treatments focus on symptom management and complication prevention. Targeted therapeutic approaches, such as improving mitochondrial bioenergetics, are being explored. This includes coenzyme Q and elamipretide therapies and metabolic strategies like therapeutic ketosis. Understanding the biomolecular, genetic, and mitochondrial mechanisms underlying HCM is crucial for developing new therapeutic modalities.