Therapeutic yoga reduces pro-tumorigenic cytokines in cancer survivors.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic inflammation can remain many years after the completion of cancer treatment and is associated with cancer recurrence. The purpose of this study was to examine how a 16-week therapeutic yoga program (TYP) modulates the cytokine profile in heterogeneous cancer survivors. METHODS: Eligible participants were 18 years of age or older and clinically diagnosed with cancer. Consenting participants were asked to attend three, 75-min sessions weekly of TYP with meditation. Seventeen patients provided blood samples at baseline and end of study. Eight cytokines (interferon (IFN)-γ; interleukin (IL)-1b, IL-1ra, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10; and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α), three receptors (sIL-6R, sTNFRI, sTNFRII), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were quantified. RESULTS: Patients were 59.6 ± 7.3 years old; over half (56%) were overweight or obese BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2); majority were female (71%) and breast cancer survivors (65%), of which 44% were Hispanic. Marked reductions were observed in all cytokines except IL-4, with significant reductions (p < 0.05) found in IL-1b (- 13%) and IL-1ra (- 13%). No significant changes were observed in soluble cytokine receptors or CRP. CONCLUSIONS: TYP led to significant reduction in circulating cytokines associated with chronic inflammation in a heterogeneous sample of cancer survivors.

Adaptive SIR model for propagation of SARS-CoV-2 in Brazil.

We study the spreading of SARS-CoV-2 in Brazil based on official data available since March 22, 2020. Calculations are done via an adaptive susceptible-infected-removed (SIR) model featuring dynamical recuperation and propagation rates. We are able reproduce the number of confirmed cases over time with less than 5% error and also provide with short- and long-term predictions. The model can also be used to account for the epidemic dynamics in other countries with great accuracy.

Absolute basophil count is associated with time to recurrence in patients with high-grade T1 bladder cancer receiving bacillus Calmette-Guérin after transurethral resection of the bladder tumor.

BACKGROUND: Basophils, eosinophils and monocytes may be involved in BCG-induced immune responses and be associated with outcomes of bladder cancer patients receiving intravesical BCG. Our objective was to explore the association of baseline counts of basophils, eosinophils and monocytes with outcomes of patients with high-grade T1 bladder cancer receiving a standard course of intravesical BCG. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of patients with primary T1 HG/G3 bladder cancer. After re-TURBT, patients were treated with a 6-week course of intravesical BCG induction followed by intravesical BCG every week for 3 weeks given at 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30 and 36 months from initiation of therapy The analysis of potential risk factors for recurrence, muscle invasion and cancer-specific and overall survival was performed using univariable Cox regression models. Those factors that presented, at univariate analysis, an association with the event at a liberal p < 0.1, have been selected for the development of a multivariable model. RESULTS: A total of 1045 patients with primary T1 HG/G3 were included. A total of 678 (64.9%) recurrences, 303 (29.0%) progressions and 150 (14.3%) deaths were observed during follow-up. Multivariate analysis showed that logarithmic transformation of basophils count was associated with a 30% increment in the hazard of recurrence per unit increase of logarithmic basophils count (HR 1.30; 95% confidence interval 1.09-1.54; p = 0.0026). Basophil count modeled by quartiles was also significantly associated with time to recurrence [second vs. lower quartile HR 1.42 (1.12-1.79); p = 0.003, third vs. lower quartile HR 1.26 (1.01-1.57); p = 0.041; upper vs. lower quartile HR 1.36 (1.1-1.68); p = 0.005]. The limitations of a retrospective study are applicable. CONCLUSION: Baseline basophil count may predict recurrence in BCG-treated HG/G3 T1 bladder cancer patients. External validation is warranted.

Taking the inner route: spatial and demographic factors affecting vulnerability to COVID-19 among 604 cities from inner São Paulo State, Brazil.

Even though the impact of COVID-19 in metropolitan areas has been extensively studied, the geographic spread to smaller cities is also of great concern. We conducted an ecological study aimed at identifying predictors of early introduction, incidence rates of COVID-19 and mortality (up to 8 May 2020) among 604 municipalities in inner São Paulo State, Brazil. Socio-demographic indexes, road distance to the state capital and a classification of regional relevance were included in predictive models for time to COVID-19 introduction (Cox regression), incidence and mortality rates (zero-inflated binomial negative regression). In multivariable analyses, greater demographic density and higher classification of regional relevance were associated with both early introduction and increased rates of COVID-19 incidence and mortality. Other predictive factors varied, but distance from the State Capital (São Paulo City) was negatively associated with time-to-introduction and with incidence rates of COVID-19. Our results reinforce the hypothesis of two patterns of geographical spread of SARS-Cov-2 infection: one that is spatial (from the metropolitan area into the inner state) and another which is hierarchical (from urban centres of regional relevance to smaller and less connected municipalities). Those findings may apply to other settings, especially in developing and highly heterogeneous countries, and point to a potential benefit from strengthening non-pharmaceutical control strategies in areas of greater risk.

Heterologous expression of an alternative oxidase from Moniliophthora perniciosa in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: Antioxidant function and in vivo platform for the study of new drugs against witches' broom disease.

The fungus Moniliophthora perniciosa is the causal agent of witches' broom disease (WBD), one of the most devastating diseases of cacao, the chocolate tree. Many strategies to control WBD have been tested so far, including the use of agrochemicals such as the strobilurins. Strobilurins are fungicides of the QoI family, and they are used in the control of a wide array of fungal diseases in many different crops, including cereals, field crops, fruits, tree nuts, and vegetables. These drugs act by specifically inhibiting fungal respiration at the Qo site of complex III, which is a component of the main mitochondrial respiratory chain. However, M. perniciosa is resistant to this family of chemicals. It has been postulated that this resistant phenotype is, at least in part, a result of the strong ability of this fungus to counteract the oxidative stress generated by the impairment of the main mitochondrial respiratory chain, through the activation of an alternative oxidase (Mp-AOX). To test this hypothesis, we expressed functional mitochondria-localized Mp-AOX in the model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We demonstrated that heterologous expression of Mp-AOX strongly inhibits hydrogen peroxide production by mitochondria. It also diminishes the total cell amount of oxidized glutathione (GSSG), resulting in a fifty-fold higher GSH/GSSG ratio in cells expressing Mp-AOX than in wild type cells. In addition, Mp-AOX activity decreases yeast growth rate and leads to low biomass production. Therefore, we propose the use of this heterologous expression system to direct the development of new inhibitors of fungal AOX by comparing the differences in optical density of Mp-AOX-expressing cells in the presence and absence of potential AOX inhibitors. Together, our results confirm the antioxidant role of Mp-AOX and provide an in vivo platform to be used in the screening of new fungicides based on Mp-AOX inhibition.

Torsional behaviour of Reciproc and Reciproc blue instruments associated with their martensitic transformation temperatures.

AIM: To compare the martensitic transformation temperatures and torsional resistance behaviour of classic M-Wire Reciproc and Reciproc blue files (VDW, Munich, Germany). METHODOLOGY: M-Wire classic Reciproc R25 and Reciproc blue R25 instruments were used. Transformation temperatures were determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC-DSC 60, Shimadzu, Kyoto, Japan). Three samples with approximately 20 mg of each system were cooled to -120 °C and then heated to 100 °C and then cooled to -100 °C at a rate of 10 °C min-1 . The maximum torque values and angular deflection until fracture of new instruments (n = 10) were measured according to ISO 3630-1. Results were analysed statistically using the Student's t-test at a significance level of P < 0.05. RESULTS: DSC results revealed the absence of martensitic transformation for Reciproc instruments in the temperature range analysed. In both systems, the instruments were composed of a mixture of R-phase and austenite at room temperature. After torsional tests, Reciproc blue had significantly lower values for mean maximum torque at rupture (P < 0.05), although the angular deflection values were significantly higher than the Reciproc classic group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Both Reciproc and Reciproc blue instruments were composed of a mixture of R-phase and austenite. Reciproc Blue instruments had a greater angle of rotation to fracture but a lower torque to failure than M-Wire Reciproc instruments.

A cooperative transition from the semi-flexible to the flexible regime of polymer elasticity: Mitoxantrone-induced DNA condensation.

We report a high cooperative transition from the semi-flexible to the flexible regime of polymer elasticity during the interaction of the DNA molecule with the chemotherapeutic drug Mitoxantrone (MTX). By using single molecule force spectroscopy, we show that the force-extension curves of the DNA-MTX complexes deviate from the typical worm-like chain behavior as the MTX concentration in the sample increases, becoming straight lines for sufficiently high drug concentrations. The behavior of the radius of gyration of the complexes as a function of the bound MTX concentration was used to quantitatively investigate the cooperativity of the condensation process. The present methodology can be promptly applied to other ligands that condense the DNA molecule upon binding, opening new possibilities in the investigation of this type of process and, more generally, in the investigation of phase transitions in polymer physics.

Impairment of toll-like receptors 2 and 4 leads to compensatory mechanisms after sciatic nerve axotomy.

BACKGROUND: Peripheral nerve injury results in retrograde cell body-related changes in the spinal motoneurons that will contribute to the regenerative response of their axons. Successful functional recovery also depends on molecular events mediated by innate immune response during Wallerian degeneration in the nerve microenvironment. A previous study in our lab demonstrated that TLR 2 and 4 develop opposite effects on synaptic stability in the spinal cord after peripheral nerve injury. Therefore, we suggested that the better preservation of spinal cord microenvironment would positively influence distal axonal regrowth. In this context, the present work aimed to investigate the influence of TLR2 and TLR4 on regeneration and functional recovery after peripheral nerve injury. METHODS: Eighty-eight mice were anesthetized and subjected to unilateral sciatic nerve crush (C3H/HeJ, n = 22, C3H/HePas, n = 22; C57Bl6/J, n = 22 and TLR2(-/-), n = 22). After the appropriate survival times (3, 7, 14 days, and 5 weeks), all mice were killed and the sciatic nerves and tibialis cranialis muscles were processed for immunohistochemistry and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Gait analysis, after sciatic nerve crushing, was performed in another set of mice (minimum of n = 8 per group), by using the walking track test (CatWalk system). RESULTS: TLR4 mutant mice presented greater functional recovery as well as an enhanced p75(NTR) and neurofilament protein expression as compared to the wild-type strain. Moreover, the better functional recovery in mutant mice was correlated to a greater number of nerve terminal sprouts. Knockout mice for TLR2 exhibited 30 % greater number of degenerated axons in the distal stump of the sciatic nerve and a decreased p75(NTR) and neurofilament protein expression compared to the wild type. However, the absence of TLR2 receptor did not influence the overall functional recovery. End-point equivalent functional recovery in transgenic mice may be a result of enhanced axonal diameter found at 2 weeks after lesion. CONCLUSIONS: Altogether, the present results indicate that the lack of TLR2 or the absence of functional TLR4 does affect the nerve regeneration process; however, such changes are minimized through different compensatory mechanisms, resulting in similar motor function recovery, as compared to wild-type mice. These findings contribute to the concept that innate immune-related molecules influence peripheral nerve regeneration by concurrently participating in processes taking place both at the CNS and PNS.

Persistent and non-persistent strains of Listeria monocytogenes: A focus on growth kinetics under different temperature, salt, and pH conditions and their sensitivity to sanitizers.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of different conditions, including temperature (37 °C, 22 °C, and 4 °C), NaCl concentrations (2.5%, 4%, and 8%), and acidity (pH = 5), on the growth response of persistent and non-persistent isolates of Listeria monocytogenes. The resistance to two common sanitizers (benzalkonium chloride and hydrogen peroxide) was also investigated. A selected group of 41 persistent and non-persistent L. monocytogenes isolates recovered from three cheese processing plants during a previous longitudinal study was assembled. Average lag time was similar for persistent and non-persistent isolates grown at 37 °C, 22 °C and 4 °C but significantly shorter (p < 0.05) for persistent isolates grown at 2.5%, 4% and 8% NaCl, and at pH 5. Average growth rates were significantly higher (p < 0.05) for persistent than for non-persistent isolates when grown at 22 °C, 2.5%, 4% and 8% NaCl, and at pH 5. These results suggest that persistent strains may be better adapted to grow under stressful conditions frequently encountered in food processing environments than non-persistent strains. No relation between persistence and resistance to the tested sanitizers was found.

Diffusion-weighted MRI for imaging cell death after cytotoxic or apoptosis-inducing therapy.

BACKGROUND: Non-invasive serial imaging is desirable to detect processes such as necrotic and apoptotic cell death in cancer patients undergoing treatment. This study investigated the use of diffusion-weighted (DW-) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for imaging cell death induced by either a cytotoxic drug (irinotecan), or the apoptosis-inducing agent birinapant, in human tumour xenografts in vivo. METHODS: Nude mice bearing human SW620 colon carcinoma xenografts were treated with vehicle, irinotecan (50 mg kg(-1)) or birinapant (30 mg kg(-1)) for up to 5 days. DW-MRI was performed prior to and on days 1, 3 and 5 during treatment. Assessment of tumour apoptosis and necrosis ex vivo was used to validate the imaging findings. RESULTS: Both irinotecan and birinapant induced significant tumour growth delay. Irinotecan induced a small increase in the tumour apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) after 1 day, with a 20 and 30% increase at days 3 and 5 respectively. ADC was unchanged in the vehicle- and birinapant-treated tumours despite a growth delay in the latter. Histological analysis showed that irinotecan increased necrosis at days 3 and 5, and induced apoptosis after 1 day, compared with vehicle. Birinapant induced apoptosis after day 3, but had no effect on tumour necrosis. CONCLUSIONS: Tumour ADC changes after irinotecan treatment were associated with the induction of a mixture of necrotic and apoptotic cell death, whereas induction of apoptosis alone with birinapant was not sufficient to induce changes in tissue microstructure that were detectable with DW-MRI. ADC is a useful non-invasive biomarker for early detection of response to cytotoxic drugs, but false negatives may arise while detecting apoptotic response to birinapant.

Laser induced periodic surface structuring on Si by temporal shaped femtosecond pulses.

We investigated the effect of temporal shaped femtosecond pulses on silicon laser micromachining. By using sinusoidal spectral phases, pulse trains composed of sub-pulses with distinct temporal separations were generated and applied to the silicon surface to produce Laser Induced Periodic Surface Structures (LIPSS). The LIPSS obtained with different sub-pulse separation were analyzed by comparing the intensity of the two-dimensional fast Fourier Transform (2D-FFT) of the AFM images of the ripples (LIPSS). It was observed that LIPSS amplitude is more emphasized for the pulse train with sub-pulses separation of 128 fs, even when compared with the Fourier transform limited pulse. By estimating the carrier density achieved at the end of each pulse train, we have been able to interpret our results with the Sipe-Drude model, that predicts that LIPSS efficacy is higher for a specific induced carrier density. Hence, our results indicate that temporal shaping of the excitation pulse, performed by spectral phase modulation, can be explored in fs-laser microstructuring.

The association of HPV genotype with the regression, persistence or progression of low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions.

BACKGROUND: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a highly prevalent sexually transmitted virus causing cytological alterations that precede cervical cancer. Approximately 130 genotypes have been sequenced. Low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) are the most frequent cytological alteration and have an uncertain behavior. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the frequency of HPV types in LSIL and their association with the regression, persistence or progression of these lesions. METHODS: A cohort study of forty patients with LSIL cytology was conducted from December 2007 to March 2011. The follow-up lasted two years and included cytology and colposcopy. HPV detection was performed using PCR, and genotyping was performed using PCR-specific and RFLP techniques. RESULTS: DNA-HPV was detected in 87% (35/40) of the cases, with oncogenic HPV accounting for 76%; type 16 in 32% (11/35) and type 18 in 20%. LSIL regression, persistence and progression rates at the end of the study were 60%, 23% and 17%, respectively. There was 50% regression in lesions in the high oncogenic risk group (types 16 and 18). CONCLUSION: HPV 16 was the most frequent genotype found in LSIL. The persistence and progression of the LSIL were related to the persistence of oncogenic HPV. The longer the follow-up time, the lower the LSIL persistence rate and the higher its regression rate; the progression rate remained stable. In addition to the presence of oncogenic HPV, other factors are necessary for the progression of LSIL.

Non-thermal ion desorption from an acetonitrile (CH3CN) astrophysical ice analogue studied by electron stimulated ion desorption.

The incidence of high-energy radiation onto icy surfaces constitutes an important route for leading new neutral or ionized molecular species back to the gas phase in interstellar and circumstellar environments, especially where thermal desorption is negligible. In order to simulate such processes, an acetonitrile ice (CH3CN) frozen at 120 K is bombarded by high energy electrons, and the desorbing positive ions are analyzed by time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOF-MS). Several fragment and cluster ions were identified, including the Hn=1-3(+), CHn=0-3(+)/NHn=0-1(+); C2Hn=0-3(+)/CHn=0-3N(+), C2Hn=0-6N(+) ion series and the ion clusters (CH3CN)n=1-2(+) and (CH3CN)n=1-2H(+). The energy dependence on the positive ion desorption yield indicates that ion desorption is initiated by Coulomb explosion following Auger electronic decay. The results presented here suggest that non-thermal desorption processes, such as desorption induced by electronic transitions (DIET) may be responsible for delivering neutral and ionic fragments from simple nitrile-bearing ices to the gas-phase, contributing to the production of more complex molecules. The derived desorption yields per electron impact may contribute to chemical evolution models in different cold astrophysical objects, especially where the abundance of CH3CN is expected to be high.

Cheese-related listeriosis outbreak, Portugal, March 2009 to February 2012.

In Portugal, listeriosis has been notifiable since April 2014, but there is no active surveillance programme for the disease. A retrospective study involving 25 national hospitals led to the detection of an outbreak that occurred between March 2009 and February 2012. The amount of time between the start of the outbreak and its detection was 16 months. Of the 30 cases of listeriosis reported, 27 were in the Lisbon and Vale do Tejo region. Two cases were maternal/neonatal infections and one resulted in fetal loss. The mean age of the non-maternal/neonatal cases was 59 years (standard deviation: 17); 13 cases were more than 65 years old. The case fatality rate was 36.7%. All cases were caused by molecular serogroup IVb isolates indistinguishable by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and ribotype profiles. Collaborative investigations with the national health and food safety authorities identified cheese as the probable source of infection, traced to a processing plant. The magnitude of this outbreak, the first reported food-borne listeriosis outbreak in Portugal, highlights the importance of having an effective listeriosis surveillance system in place for early detection and resolution of outbreaks, as well as the need for a process for the prompt submission of Listeria monocytogenes isolates for routine laboratory typing.

Does PSA reduction after antibiotic therapy permits postpone prostate biopsy in asymptomatic men with PSA levels between 4 and 10 ng/mL?

PURPOSE: We investigated the effect of antibiotics on PSA in asymptomatic patients with mild PSA elevation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively evaluated, in a non-randomized design, 106 asymptomatic patients with PSA of 4-10 ng/mL, with a negative digital rectal examination and with no urinary tract infection evidence for 2 years. Patients were divided into two groups: those treated with antibiotics for 3 weeks (G1) and those who were not treated (G2). PSA was taken six weeks after and prostate biopsy was performed in all patients. RESULTS: PCa was diagnosed in 25 of 106 patients (23.6%): 16 (25.0%) in G1 and 9 (21.4%) in G2 (p>0.05). PSA normalization was experienced in 24.5%. In G1, PSA returned to <4 ng/mL in 15 (23.4%) patients compared to 11 (26%) patients in G2. In the patients with a positive biopsy, no significant variation was noted in PSA, fPSA, %fPSA and DPSA after antibiotic treatment. A significantly lower cancer detection rate was noted with decreased PSA, fPSA, and DPSA after antibiotic use. A PSA reduction rate of ≥ 10% occurred in 58.5%, and this was similar in both G1 and G2 groups. The sensibility, specificity and accuracy of PSA reduction of ≥ 10% were 31%, 23% and 25%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Empirical antibiotic therapy in asymptomatic male patients is not related to PSA reduction. The greater than 10% PSA reduction after antibiotic in this population cannot postpone prostate biopsy.

Risk factors for ocular toxoplasmosis in Brazil.

The aim of this study was to investigate risk factors for ocular toxoplasmosis (OT) in patients who received medical attention at a public health service. Three hundred and forty-nine consecutive patients, treated in the Outpatient Eye Clinic of Hospital de Base, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo state, Brazil, were enrolled in this study. After an eye examination, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies. The results showed that 25.5% of the patients were seronegative and 74.5% were seropositive for IgG anti-T. gondii antibodies; of these 27.3% had OT and 72.7% had other ocular diseases (OOD). The presence of cats or dogs [odds ratio (OR) 2.22, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.24-3.98, P = 0.009] and consumption of raw or undercooked meat (OR 1.77, 95% CI 1.05-2.98, P = 0.03) were associated with infection but not with the development of OT. Age (OT 48.2 ± 21.2 years vs. OOD: 69.5 ± 14.7 years, P < 0.0001) and the low level of schooling/literacy (OT vs. OOD: OR 0.414, 95% CI 0.2231-0.7692, P = 0.007) were associated with OT. The presence of dogs and cats as well as eating raw/undercooked meat increases the risk of infection, but is not associated with the development of OT.

The Influence of the Synthesis Method on the Characteristics of BaTiO3.

In this work, barium titanate powders were produced by sol-gel and sol-precipitation methods from metal alkoxides. In the sol-gel method, tetraisopropyl orthotitanate was mixed with 2-propanol, acetic acid and barium acetate, and the gel samples obtained were calcined at 600 °C, 800 °C and 1000 °C. Through the sol-precipitation method, tetraisopropyl orthotitanate was mixed with acetic acid and deionized water and precipitated by the addition of a concentrated solution of KOH. The products were calcined at various temperatures, and the microstructural and dielectric properties of the BaTiO3 prepared for the two processes were analyzed and compared. The results of these analyses allowed us to observe an increase in the tetragonal phase and the dielectric constant (15-50 at 20 kHz) with increasing temperatures in the samples produced by the sol-gel method, while the sample obtained by sol precipitation was cubic. The presence of BaCO3 is more evident in the sample produced by sol-precipitation, and the band gap of the products obtained did not show significant variation, changing the synthesis method (3.363-3.594 eV).

Apoptosis-modulatory miR-361-3p as a novel treatment target in endocrine-responsive and endocrine-resistant breast cancer.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most diagnosed cancer in women worldwide. In estrogen receptor (ER)-positive disease, anti-estrogens and aromatase inhibitors (AI) improve patient survival; however, many patients develop resistance. Dysregulation of apoptosis is a common resistance mechanism; thus, agents that can reinstate the activity of apoptotic pathways represent promising therapeutics for advanced drug-resistant disease. Emerging targets in this scenario include microRNAs (miRs). To identify miRs modulating apoptosis in drug-responsive and -resistant BC, a high-throughput miR inhibitor screen was performed, followed by high-content screening microscopy for apoptotic markers. Validation demonstrated that miR-361-3p inhibitor significantly increases early apoptosis and reduces proliferation of drug-responsive (MCF7), plus AI-/antiestrogen-resistant derivatives (LTED, TamR, FulvR), and ER- cells (MDA-MB-231). Importantly, proliferation-inhibitory effects were observed in vivo in a xenograft model, indicating the potential clinical application of miR-361-3p inhibition. RNA-seq of tumour xenografts identified FANCA as a direct miR-361-3p target, and validation suggested miR-361-3p inhibitor effects might be mediated in part through FANCA modulation. Moreover, miR-361-3p inhibition resulted in p53-mediated G1 cell cycle arrest through activation of p21 and reduced BC invasion. Analysis of publicly available datasets showed miR-361-3p expression is significantly higher in primary breast tumours vspaired normal tissue and is associated with decreased overall survival. In addition, miR-361-3p inhibitor treatment of BC patient explants decreased levels of miR-361-3p and proliferation marker, Ki67. Finally, miR-361-3p inhibitor showed synergistic effects on BC growth when combined with PARP inhibitor, Olaparib. Together, these studies identify miR-361-3p inhibitor as a potential new treatment for drug-responsive and -resistant advanced BC.

Does orthognathic surgery have an incidentally beneficial effect on mild or asymptomatic sleep apnoea?

A prospective study was performed to assess the effect of orthognathic surgery on mild obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) in patients with an underlying dentofacial deformity treated for occlusal and/or aesthetic reasons. As the main outcome variables, changes in upper airway volume and apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) were evaluated at 1 and 12 months of follow-up, in patients undergoing orthognathic surgery with widening movements of the maxillomandibular complex. Descriptive, bivariate, and correlation analyses were performed; significance was set at P < 0.05. Eighteen patients diagnosed with mild OSA were enroled (mean age 39.8 ± 10.0 years). An overall upper airway volume widening of 46.7% after orthognathic surgery was observed at 12 months of follow-up. The AHI decreased significantly from a median 7.7 events/hour preoperatively to 5.0 events/h at 12 months postoperative (P = 0.045), and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale score decreased from a median 9.5 preoperatively to 7 at 12 months postoperative (P = 0.009). A cure rate of 50% was obtained at 12 months of follow-up (P = 0.009). Despite the limited sample size, this study provides evidence that in patients with an underlying retrusive dentofacial deformity and mild OSA, a slight decrease in AHI is obtained after orthognathic surgery due to upper airway enlargement, which could be added as a beneficial effect of orthognathic surgery.

Behaviour of Listeria monocytogenes isolates through gastro-intestinal tract passage simulation, before and after two sub-lethal stresses.

The effects of previous exposure to sub-lethal acidic and osmotic stresses on the survival of Listeria monocytogenes during exposure to gastro-intestinal (GI) tract simulation, was investigated. Six L. monocytogenes strains isolated from cheeses were selected and exposed to high salt concentrations or acidic conditions and their viability compared in quick and slow digestions. The results demonstrated that (i) all isolates were more sensitive to the exposure to acidic than to osmotic sub-lethal conditions (ii) significant differences (p < 0.05) between the two types of digestion were observed; in slow digestion, the log reduction was higher for all the tested isolates (iii) all isolates were inhibited in the presence of bile salts for both types of digestion (iv) differences between quick and slow digestion were not observed (p > 0.05) after exposure to either osmotic or acidic stress (v) a higher cellular inactivation (p < 0.001) was observed during the passage through the GI tract simulation after exposure to osmotic than to acidic stresses and (vi) neither osmotic nor acidic sub-lethal stresses conferred resistance to simulated GI tract conditions.