Structure of Langmuir Monolayers of Perfluorinated Fatty Acids: Evidence of a New 2D Smectic C Phase.

Due to the characteristic chain rigidity and weak intermolecular interactions of perfluorinated substances, the phase diagram of Langmuir monolayer formed by perfluorinated molecules has been interpreted so far as displaying only two phases, a 2D gas (G) and a liquid condensed (LC). However, in this work, we presented Grazing Incidence X-ray Diffraction measurements, which exhibit two diffraction peaks on the transition plateau: One is the signature of the hexagonal structure of the LC phase, the second one is associated to the low-density fluid phase and is thus more ordered than expected for a 2D gas or a typical fluid phase. Atomistic molecular dynamics simulations, performed on the transition plateau, revealed the existence of clusters in which domains of vertical molecules organized in a hexagonal lattice coexist with domains of parallel lines formed by tilted molecules, a new structure that could be described as a "2D smectic C" phase. Moreover, the diffraction spectrum calculated from the simulation trajectories compared favorably with the experimental spectra, fully validating the simulations and the proposed interpretation. The results were also in agreement with the thermodynamic analysis of the fluid phase and X-ray Reflectivity experiments performed before and after the transition between these two phases.

Identification of Mycobacterium species and Rhodococcus equi in peccary lymph nodes.

Mycobacterium species and the virulence-associated proteins (vapA, vapB, and vapN genes) of Rhodococcus equi isolated from 330 lymph nodes of collared peccaries (Tayassu tajacu) and white-lipped peccaries (Tayassu pecari) intended for human consumption were investigated. Thirty-six (10.9%) R. equi strains were isolated; 3.3% (n = 11/330) were from white-lipped peccary lymph nodes, and 7.6% (25/330) were from collared peccary lymph nodes. Among the 11 isolates of R. equi from the white-lipped peccaries, 90.9% (n = 10/11) were obtained from the mesenteric lymph nodes, and only 9.1% (n = 1/10) were obtained from the mediastinal lymph nodes. In the 25 isolates of R. equi obtained from the collared peccaries, 40.0% (n = 10/25) were recovered from the mesenteric lymph nodes, 36% (n = 9/25) from the submandibular lymph nodes, and 24.0% (n = 6/25) from the mediastinal lymph nodes. No vapA, vapB, or vapN genes (plasmidless) or three host-associated types (pVAPA, pVAPB, and pVAPN) were identified among the R. equi isolates. Mycobacterium species were isolated in 3.03% (n = 10/330) of all the lymph nodes analyzed. Among the 10 mycobacterial isolates, 60% (n = 6/10) were from the white-lipped peccary lymph nodes, and 40% (n = 4/10) were from the collared peccary lymph nodes. Ten Mycobacterium species were detected by PCR-PRA with a predominance of M. avium type 1. Sequencing of the hsp65 and rpob genes revealed mycobacteria that were saprophytic (M. sinense and M. kumamotonense) and potentially pathogenic (M. colombiense and M. intracellulare) to humans and animals. To our knowledge, this is the first description of R. equi and/or mycobacterial species identified in the lymph nodes of peccary specimens. R. equi (plasmidless) and the mycobacterial species described here have been reported as causes of pulmonary and extrapulmonary infections in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised humans.

Prototheca blaschkeae subsp. brasiliensis subsp. nov., isolated from cow milk.

A strain of an achlorophyllic alga, named PR24T, was isolated from cow milk samples from the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Based on 18S rDNA, 28S rRNA, D1/D2 region of the LSU rDNA and SSU rRNA gene sequence similarities, this strain was found to be a member of the genus Prototheca and closely related to Protothecablaschkeae SAG2064T. However, the novel strain could easily be distinguished from recognized Prototheca species by internal transcribed spacer, species-specific PCR, single-strand conformation polymorphism-PCR analysis and phenotypic characteristics. The inability to grow in Sabouraud broth at pH 4.0 and the different cellular fatty acid composition clearly distinguished PR24T from the reference strain of P. blaschkeae. The combination of genotypic and phenotypic data indicates that strain PR24T represents a subspecies of P. blaschkeae, for which the name Prototheca blaschkeae subsp. brasiliensis subsp. nov. is proposed. The respective type strain is PR24T (=DSM 103592T=IHEM 26958T).

MCM3 could be a better marker than Ki-67 for evaluation of dysplastic oral lesions: an immunohistochemical study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to identify the expression of MCM3, Ki-67 and p27 in normal mucosa, leucoplakia and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and determine whether altered expression could serve as a prognostic marker of a malignant progression of dysplastic lesions. METHODS: The samples were collected from 37 patients with oral leucoplakia (13 with mild dysplasia - MLD, 12 with moderate dysplasia - MD and 12 with severe dysplasia - SD). Eleven samples of mouth floor mucocele (M) and 50 floor mouth and tongue samples OSCC of untreated patients were included in this study. Immunohistochemical expression of MCM3, Ki-67 and p27 of all the groups was analysed. Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn's test were used to determine differences among groups, and a Pearson's correlation test was used to evaluate the correlation between the proteins. RESULTS: Ki-67 expression was higher in OSCC than M (P < 0.001) and MLD (P < 0.01) groups, and there was a lower expression in M compared with MD and SD (P < 0.05). Regarding p27, its expression was lower in OSCC compared with M, MD and SD. MCM3 expression was lower in M compared with SD and OSCC (P < 0.001), and MLD showed a lower expression when compared SD (P < 0.01) and OSCC (P < 0.001). Moreover, a better correlation was observed between the proteins MCM3 and p27 than between Ki-67 and p27 proteins when all lesions were examined together. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that MCM3 could be a better marker than Ki-67 for evaluation of dysplastic oral lesions.

Effect of low-level laser therapy on metalloproteinase MMP-2 and MMP-9 production and percentage of collagen types I and III in a papain cartilage injury model.

Osteoarthritis (OA) resulting from injury or disease is associated with increased levels of several matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which degrade all components of the complex extracellular matrix in the cartilage. The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on papain-induced joint damage in rats by histopathology and analysis of metalloproteinase 2 and 9 production. Sixty male Wistar rats were randomly distributed into four groups of 15 animals: (1) non-injury negative control, (2) injury positive control, (3) treated with LLLT at 50 mW, and (4) treated with LLLT at 100 mW. OA was induced in animals using papain (4 % solution) followed by treatment with LLLT. After 7, 14, and 21 days, the animals were euthanized. The articular lavage was collected and centrifuged; then, the supernatant was stored prior to protein analysis by western blot. The material was stained with hematoxylin and eosin for histopathological analysis, and Picrosirius Red was used to estimate the percentage of collagen fibers. To determine normal distribution, ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc test were used for comparison between and within each group at each time period. All data are expressed as mean and standard deviation values, with the null hypothesis considered as p < 0.05. Both laser groups (50 and 100 mW) were effective in tissue repair, decreasing collagen type III expression and increasing type I expression in all experimental periods; however, LLLT at 50 mW reduced metalloproteinase 9 more than at 100 mW in 21 days. LLLT at 50 mW was more efficient in the modulation of matrix MMPs and tissue repair.

Comparative analysis of two low-level laser doses on the expression of inflammatory mediators and on neutrophils and macrophages in acute joint inflammation.

Synovial membrane inflammation plays an important role in osteoarthritis (OA) pathophysiology. The synovial tissue of patients with initial OA is characterized by mononuclear cell infiltration and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and other mediators of joint injury. The study aims to evaluate the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) at doses of 2 and 4 J on joint inflammation in rats induced by papain through histopathological analysis, differential counts of inflammatory cells; gene expression of IL-1ß, IL-6, and IL-10; and TNF-α protein expression. Male Wistar rats (20) were randomly divided (5 animals each) into a negative control group, an inflammation injury positive control group, a 2-J LLLT group subjected to injury and treated with 2 J of LLLT, and a 4-J LLLT group subjected to injury and treated with 4 J of LLLT. The animals were subjected to joint inflammation (4 % papain solution) and treated with LLLT. On the day of euthanasia, articular lavage was collected and centrifuged. The supernatant was analyzed for TNF-α protein expression by ELISA and IL-1ß, IL-6, and IL-10 mRNA by RT-PCR. The joint tissue was also examined histologically. ANOVA with Tukey's post hoc test was used for comparisons. All data were expressed as means ± S.D. (p < 0.05). Both laser modalities were efficient in reducing cellular inflammation and decreasing the expression of IL-1ß and IL-6. However, the 2-J treatment led to more reduction in TNF-α than the 4-J treatment. A single application of LLLT with 2 J was more efficient in modulating inflammatory mediators and inflammatory cells.

Long-term administration of omeprazole in mice: a study of behavior, inflammatory, and oxidative stress alterations with focus on central nervous system.

Chronic use of omeprazole has been linked to central effects alongside with the global concern of increasing appearance of neuropsychiatric disorders. This study aimed to identifying behavioral, inflammatory, and oxidative stress alterations after long-term administration of omeprazole. C57BL/6 mice were divided in groups: OME and Sham, each received either solutions of omeprazole or vehicle, administered for 28 days by gavage. Results observed in the omeprazole-treated mice: Decrease in the crossing parameter in the open field, no change in the motor performance assessed by rotarod, an immobility time reduction in the forced swimming test, improved percentage of correct alternances in the Ymaze and an exploration time of the novel object reduction in the novel object recognition. Furthermore, a reduced weight gain and hippocampal weight were observed. There was an increase in the cytokine IL1-ß levels in both prefrontal cortex (PFC) and serum, whereas TNF-α increased only in the PFC. Nitrite levels increased in the hippocampus (HP) and PFC, while malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels decreased. These findings suggest that omeprazole improves depressive-like behavior and working memory, likely through the increase in nitrite and reduction in MDA levels in PFC and HP, whereas, the impairment of the recognition memory is more likely to be related to the reduced hippocampal weight. The diminished weight gain might be associated with the IL-1ß increased levels in the peripheral blood. Altogether, omeprazole showed to have the potential to impact at central level and inflammatory and oxidative parameters might exert a role between it.

Wound-healing effects of low-level laser therapy in diabetic rats involve the modulation of MMP-2 and MMP-9 and the redistribution of collagen types I and III.

The present study aimed to determine if LLLT restores the balance between mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9) and also the balance between collagen types I and III during the healing process of diabetic wounds. One hundred and twenty male Wistar rats were distributed in Control (untreated non-diabetic rats: UND); Laser (laser treated in non-diabetic rats: LTND); Diabetic (diabetic rats non-laser treated rats: UD); and Diabetic+ Laser (diabetic rats laser treated: DLT) groups. The diabetes model using streptozotocin efficiently induced diabetes, as demonstrated through increased levels of blood glucose. Diode laser (50 mW, 660 nm, 4 J/cm(2), 80 s) was applied a single time after scare induction. Twenty-four hours after LLLT application, rats were euthanized, the scarred areas were collected for MMP-2 and MMP-9 mRNA analysis and also for histological analysis (inflammation and types I and III collagen). The results demonstrated that scare in untreated diabetic rats significantly increased the MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression compared with that in non-diabetic rats (p < 0.05), while LLLT significantly reduced MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression compared with that in untreated diabetic rats (p < 0.05). To conclude, the results also showed that LLLT was able to alter the expression of MMP-9 as well as accelerate the production of collagen and increase the total percentage of collagen type III in diabetic animals.

Low-level laser therapy in different stages of rheumatoid arthritis: a histological study.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease of unknown etiology. Treatment of RA is very complex, and in the past years, some studies have investigated the use of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in treatment of RA. However, it remains unknown if LLLT can modulate early and late stages of RA. With this perspective in mind, we evaluated histological aspects of LLLT effects in different RA progression stages in the knee. It was performed a collagen-induced RA model, and 20 male Wistar rats were divided into 4 experimental groups: a non-injured and non-treated control group, a RA non-treated group, a group treated with LLLT (780 nm, 22 mW, 0.10 W/cm(2), spot area of 0.214 cm(2), 7.7 J/cm(2), 75 s, 1.65 J per point, continuous mode) from 12th hour after collagen-induced RA, and a group treated with LLLT from 7th day after RA induction with same LLLT parameters. LLLT treatments were performed once per day. All animals were sacrificed at the 14th day from RA induction and articular tissue was collected in order to perform histological analyses related to inflammatory process. We observed that LLLT both at early and late RA progression stages significantly improved mononuclear inflammatory cells, exudate protein, medullary hemorrhage, hyperemia, necrosis, distribution of fibrocartilage, and chondroblasts and osteoblasts compared to RA group (p < 0.05). We can conclude that LLLT is able to modulate inflammatory response both in early as well as in late progression stages of RA.

Clinical and electrocardiographic outcomes evaluated by telemedicine of outpatients with clinical suspicion of COVID-19 treated with chloroquine compounds in Brazil†.

Aims: To evaluate clinical and electrocardiographic outcomes of patients with COVID-19, comparing those using chloroquine compounds (chloroquine) to individuals without specific treatment. Methods: Outpatients with suspected COVID-19 in Brazil who had at least one tele-electrocardiography (ECG) recorded in a telehealth system were enrolled in two arms (Group 1: chloroquine and Group 2: without specific treatment) and one registry (Group 3: other treatments). Outcomes were assessed through follow-up calls (phone contact, days 3 and 14) and linkage to national mortality and hospitalization databases. The primary outcome was composed of: hospitalization, intensive care admission, mechanical ventilation, and all-cause death, and the ECG outcome was the occurrence of major abnormalities by the Minnesota code. Significant variables in univariable logistic regression were included in 4 models: 1-unadjusted; 2-adjusted for age and sex; 3-model 2 + cardiovascular risk factors and 4-model 3 + COVID-19 symptoms. Results: In 303 days, 712 (10.2%) patients were allocated in group 1, 3,623 (52.1%) in group 2 and 2,622 (37.7%) in group 3; 1,969 had successful phone follow-up (G1: 260, G2: 871, and G3: 838). A late follow-up ECG was obtained for 917 (27.2%) patients [group 1: 81 (11.4%), group 2: 512 (14.1%), group 3: 334 (12.7%)]. In adjusted models, chloroquine was independently associated with greater chance of the composite clinical outcome: phone contact (model 4): OR = 3.24 (95% CI 2.31-4.54), p < 0.001. Chloroquine was also independently associated with higher mortality, assessed by phone + administrative data (model 3): OR = 1.67 (95% CI 1.20-2.28). However, chloroquine did not associate with the occurrence of major ECG abnormalities [model 3; OR = 0.80 (95% CI 0.63-1.02, p = 0.07)]. Abstracts with partial results of this work was accepted in the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions, November 2022, in Chicago, IL, USA. Conclusion: Chloroquine was associated with a higher risk of poor outcomes in patients suspected to have COVID-19 when compared to those who received standard care. Follow-up ECGs were obtained in only 13.2% of patients and did not show any significant differences in major abnormalities amongst the three groups. In the absence of early ECG changes, other side effects, late arrhythmias or deferral of care may be hypothesized to explain the worse outcomes.

Klebsiella-induced infections in domestic species: a case-series study in 697 animals (1997-2019).

Klebsiella species, particularly K. pneumoniae, are well-known opportunistic enterobacteria related to complexity of clinical infections in humans and animals, commonly refractory to conventional therapy. The domestic animals may represent a source of the pathogenic and multidrug-resistant Klebsiella species to humans. Nevertheless, most studies involving Klebsiella-induced infections in domestic animals are restricted to case reports or outbreaks. We retrospectively investigated selected epidemiological data, clinical aspects, and in vitro susceptibility pattern of 697 non-repetitive Klebsiella infections in livestock and companion species (1997-2019). The isolates were obtained from different clinical disorders from dogs (n = 393), cattle (n = 149), horses (n = 98), cats (n = 27), pigs (n = 22), sheep (n = 5), goats (n = 2), and buffalo (n = 1), except four isolates from subclinical bovine mastitis. Urinary (223/697 = 32%), enteric (117/697 = 16.8%), mammary (85/697 = 12.2%), reproductive (85/697 = 12.2%), and respiratory disorders (67/697 = 9.6%) were the most common clinical manifestations. Other miscellaneous clinical pictures (116/697 = 16.6%) included abscesses, otitis, hepatitis, conjunctivitis, pyodermitis, sepsis, and encephalitis. Norfloxacin (183/245 = 74.7%) and gentamicin (226/330 = 68.5%) were the most effective antimicrobials. High in vitro resistance of the isolates was seen to ampicillin (326/355 = 91.8%), amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (25/62 = 40.3%), and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (100/252 = 39.7), and multidrug resistance to ≥ 3 classes of antimicrobials was found in 20.4% (142/697) isolates. Wide variety of clinical manifestations of Klebsiella-induced infections was observed, with a predominance of urinary, enteric, mammary, reproductive, and respiratory tract disorders, reinforcing opportunistic behavior of agent. Poor in vitro efficacy was observed to some conventional antimicrobials and ~ 20% of isolates exhibited resistance pattern, reinforcing the need for proper use of drugs on therapy approaches in domestic animals to avoid multidrug-resistant bacteria, an emergent global concern.

Coproparasitologic survey of gastrointestinal parasites in a captive leopard geckos collection (Eublepharis macularius).

An increase in exotic animal imports has been noticed in the last decades worldwide. In this scenario, reptiles represent a quite popular group of interest as exotic pets. However, they can harbor pathogens that under inadequate captivity conditions can lead to disease expression and sometimes death. This study performed coprological analysis to investigate gastrointestinal parasites in a private collection of leopard geckos (E. macularius) relating the results with husbandry practices. Twenty-three geckos of 1 to 5 years, weighing 30-65 g, of both sexes were used. Freshly voided fecal samples were collected and centrifugal fecal float technique was performed using Sheather's sugar solution. 65,21% animals were positive for gastrointestinal parasites. No animal presented any clinical signs but previous loss was reported in the colony. Among affected animals, 93,3% presented oxyurid eggs, 33,33% Strongyloidea eggs and 26,66% presented mite eggs. Four animals were infected with both nematodes. The groups found are commonly reported in captive reptiles and, due to their direct life cycle, reinfection is common in captive animals. The husbandry practices proved to be insufficient and preventive measures such as quarantine were not adopted by the owner, which can compromise not only the reptiles health but also people who deal with them.

Chondroprotective effect of melatonin and strontium ranelate in animal model of osteoarthritis.

PURPOSE: To analyze the action of strontium ranelate (SR) and melatonin in isolation or in association in knees, liver and kidneys of rats Wistar with induced osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: Thirty male rats were induced to OA through an anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT), and treated with melatonin and SR in isolation or in association. Morphological, histopathological, histochemical and morphometric analysis were realized of the structure of the articular capsule, as well as histopathological analysis of liver and kidneys from the animals. RESULTS: The experimental model was successful. The association of the drugs presented chondroprotective pharmacodynamics. However, more successful results were identified from analysis of animals in which received melatonin in isolation, regarding biochemical parameters of glutamic oxalacetic transaminase. The prepared slide samples of liver and kidneys from groups submitted to the isolated use of SR and melatonin or the association of these drugs presented no differences, when compared to the control group. DISCUSSION: The administration of the drugs presented chondroprotective effect and prevented from the aggravation of articulate damages, and was not capable of modifying the histology of liver or kidneys. This finding suggests a safe association for the treatment of OA, however it requires further investigation in order to expand therapeutic perspectives regarding improvements of the quality of life of individuals in our society.

Compliance of indoor air quality during sleep with legislation and guidelines - A case study of Lisbon dwellings.

This study aimed to provide a comprehensive characterisation of the indoor air quality during the sleeping period of 10 couples at Lisbon dwellings, using a multi-pollutant approach, and to understand how the compliance with legislation and guidelines was to assure a good indoor air quality. The assessment of indoor air quality was conducted in the cold season using real time monitors during the sleeping period for comfort parameters (temperature and relative humidity) and air pollutants (carbon dioxide - CO2, carbon monoxide - CO, formaldehyde - CH2O, total volatile organic compounds - VOCs, and particulate matter - PM2.5 and PM10), together with active sampling of bioaerosols (fungi and bacteria) before and after the sleeping period. Lower compliance (less than 50% of the cases) with the Portuguese legislation was found for temperature, CO2 (3440 ± 1610 mg m-3), VOCs (1.79 ± 0.99 mg m-3) and both bioaerosol types. In 70% of the cases, PM2.5 (15.3 ± 9.1 µg m-3) exceeded the WHO guideline of 10 µg m-3. All bedrooms presented air change rates above the recommended minimum value of 0.7 h-1, highlighting that a good indoor air quality during sleep is not guaranteed.

Nontuberculous mycobacteria in milk from positive cows in the intradermal comparative cervical tuberculin test: implications for human tuberculosis infections.

Although the tuberculin test represents the main in vivo diagnostic method used in the control and eradication of bovine tuberculosis, few studies have focused on the identification of mycobacteria in the milk from cows positive to the tuberculin test. The aim of this study was to identify Mycobacterium species in milk samples from cows positive to the comparative intradermal test. Milk samples from 142 cows positive to the comparative intradermal test carried out in 4,766 animals were aseptically collected, cultivated on Lowenstein-Jensen and Stonebrink media and incubated for up to 90 days. Colonies compatible with mycobacteria were stained by Ziehl-Neelsen to detect acid-fast bacilli, while to confirm the Mycobacterium genus, conventional PCR was performed. Fourteen mycobacterial strains were isolated from 12 cows (8.4%). The hsp65 gene sequencing identified M. engbaekii (n=5), M. arupense (n=4), M. nonchromogenicum (n=3), and M. heraklionense (n=2) species belong to the Mycobacterium terrae complex. Despite the absence of M. tuberculosis complex species in the milk samples, identification of these mycobacteria highlights the risk of pathogen transmission from bovines to humans throughout milk or dairy products, since many of mycobacterial species described here have been reported in pulmonary and extrapulmonary diseases both in immunocompetent and immunocompromised people.

lncRNAs are associated with polysomes during adipose-derived stem cell differentiation.

Over the past few years, an increasing number of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been identified in mammalian genomes. Most of these lncRNAs are expressed at low levels in different human cell types. lncRNAs are found not only in the nucleus but are also enriched in the cytosolic fraction and are associated with translating polysomes. Expression of lncRNAs that have putative roles in cell differentiation has been identified in embryonic and adult stem cells. Nevertheless, the mechanisms by which lncRNAs operate in the cell are still poorly understood.Here, we studied the expression of the subpopulation of lncRNAs that are associated with polysomes in adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs) during their commitment to adipocytes. We established that lncRNAs and protein coding genes have similar expression levels. The relatively comparable expression of these transcripts could be a particular feature of hASCs. We then show that lncRNAs are associated with polysomes in undifferentiated and early differentiating cells, which was confirmed by quantitative RT-PCR. The association of lncRNAs with polysomes was also comparable to that of mRNAs. Our results suggest that the presence of lncRNAs in the polysomal RNA fraction is not the result of random association. We observed that a high percentage of lncRNAs are actively mobilized to or from polysomes during early stages of adipogenesis. Moreover, we found several lncRNAs that can potentially target miRNAs relevant to adipogenesis.

Downregulation of the protein synthesis machinery is a major regulatory event during early adipogenic differentiation of human adipose-derived stromal cells.

Commitment of adult stem cells involves the activation of specific gene networks regulated from transcription to protein synthesis. Here, we used ribosome profiling to identify mRNAs regulated at the translational level, through both differential association to polysomes and modulation of their translational rates. We observed that translational regulation during the differentiation of human adipose-derived stromal cells (hASCs, also known as adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells), a subset of which are stem cells, to adipocytes was a major regulatory event. hASCs showed a significant reduction of whole protein synthesis after adipogenic induction and a downregulation of the expression and translational efficiency of ribosomal proteins. Additionally, focal adhesion and cytoskeletal proteins were downregulated at the translational level. This negative regulation of the essential biological functions of hASCs resulted in a reduction in cell size and the potential of hASCs to migrate. We analyzed whether the inactivation of key translation initiation factors was involved in this observed major repression of translation. We showed that there was an increase in the hypo phosphorylated forms of 4E-BP1, a negative regulator of translation, during early adipogenesis. Our results showed that extensive translational regulation occurred during the early stage of the adipogenic differentiation of hASCs.

Neonatal biometry and characterization of Amazonian Turtle nests (Podocnemis expansa)

The present study aimed to study the reproduction of the Amazon turtle (Podocnemis expansa) through the evaluation of the reproductive parameters of adult females. This study was carried out in the Crixás-Açu River, municipality of Mundo Novo, state of Goiás, Brazil. In September, the biometrics of 20 females were evaluated during the spawning period. Their nests were marked for subsequent evaluation of hatchlings, measuring the distances of each nest to the river and vegetation. The second stage consisted of the evaluation of hatchlings and characterization of nests after egg hatching. The datawere tested using the Pearson Correlation to measure the degree of linear correlation between the variables analyzed, such as the parameters of females, hatchlings, nests, and eggs. Nest depth was positively correlated with the number of eggshells found. We also found a correlation between the number of eggsshells and the distance of nests to the vegetation. Although moderate, this result indicates that as the distance to the vegetation increases, the number of eggshells found in nests decreases. The spawning site for Amazon turtle breeding is crucial to determine a higher number of eggshatching and better development of hatchlings. However, the literature is still very scarce regarding the choice of spawning grounds and the influence that vegetation may have on the development of freshwater turtle hatchlingsin Brazil.

Nonendodontic lesions misdiagnosed as apical periodontitis lesions: series of case reports and review of literature.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to analyze cases referred from a reference service in oral pathology that were initially misdiagnosed as periapical lesions of endodontic origin and to perform a review of the literature regarding lesions located in the apical area of teeth with a nonendodontic source. METHODS: A survey was made of clinical cases derived from the service of oral pathology from 2002 to 2012. The pertinent literature was also reviewed using ScienceDirect and PubMed databases. The lesions were grouped into benign lesions mimicking endodontic periapical lesions (BLMEPLs), malignant lesions mimicking endodontic periapical lesions (MLMEPLs), and Stafne bone cavities. The clinical presentations were divided into lesions with swelling without pain, lesions with swelling and pain, and lesions without swelling but presenting with pain. RESULTS: The results showed that 66% (37/56) of cases represented benign lesions, 29% (16/56) malignant lesions, and 5% (3/56) Stafne bone cavities. The most commonly reported BLMEPLs were ameloblastomas (21%) followed by nasopalatine duct cysts (13.5%). The most frequently cited MLMEPLs were metastatic injuries (31.5%) followed by carcinomas (25%). The main clinical presentation of BLMEPLs was pain, whereas that of MLMEPLs was swelling associated with pain; Stafne bone cavities displayed particular clinical findings. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical and radiologic aspects as well as the analysis of the patients' medical history, pulp vitality tests, and aspiration are essential tools for developing a correct diagnosis of periapical lesions of endodontic origin. However, if the instruments mentioned earlier indicate a lesion of nonendodontic origin, a biopsy and subsequent histopathological analysis are mandatory.