Electrophysiology and 3D-imaging reveal properties of human intracardiac neurons and increased excitability with atrial fibrillation.

Altered autonomic input to the heart plays a major role in atrial fibrillation (AF). Autonomic neurons termed ganglionated plexi (GP) are clustered on the heart surface to provide the last point of neural control of cardiac function. To date the properties of GP neurons in humans are unknown. Here we have addressed this knowledge gap in human GP neuron structure and physiology in patients with and without AF. Human right atrial GP neurons embedded in epicardial adipose tissue were excised during open heart surgery performed on both non-AF and AF patients and then characterised physiologically by whole cell patch clamp techniques. Structural analysis was also performed after fixation at both the single cell and at the entire GP levels via three-dimensional confocal imaging. Human GP neurons were found to exhibit unique properties and structural complexity with branched neurite outgrowth. Significant differences in excitability were revealed between AF and non-AF GP neurons as measured by lower current to induce action potential firing, a reduced occurrence of low action potential firing rates, decreased accommodation and increased synaptic density. Visualisation of entire GPs showed almost all neurons are cholinergic with a small proportion of noradrenergic and dual phenotype neurons. Phenotypic distribution differences occurred with AF including decreased cholinergic and dual phenotype neurons, and increased noradrenergic neurons. These data show both functional and structural differences occur between GP neurons from patients with and without AF, highlighting that cellular plasticity occurs in neural input to the heart that could alter autonomic influence on atrial function. KEY POINTS: The autonomic nervous system plays a critical role in regulating heart rhythm and the initiation of AF; however, the structural and functional properties of human autonomic neurons in the autonomic ganglionated plexi (GP) remain unknown. Here we perform the first whole cell patch clamp electrophysiological and large tissue confocal imaging analysis of these neurons from patients with and without AF. Our data show human GP neurons are functionally and structurally complex. Measurements of action potential kinetics show higher excitability in GP neurons from AF patients as measured by lower current to induce action potential firing, reduced low firing action potential rates, and decreased action potential accommodation. Confocal imaging shows increased synaptic density and noradrenergic phenotypes in patients with AF. Both functional and structural differences occur in GP neurons from patients with AF that could alter autonomic influence on atrial rhythm.

Heterogeneity of sensitization profiles and clinical phenotypes among patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis in Southern European countries-The @IT.2020 multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Pollen allergy poses a significant health and economic burden in Europe. Disease patterns are relatively homogeneous within Central and Northern European countries. However, no study broadly assessed the features of seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) across different Southern European countries with a standardized approach. OBJECTIVE: To describe sensitization profiles and clinical phenotypes of pollen allergic patients in nine Southern European cities with a uniform methodological approach. METHODS: Within the @IT.2020 multicenter observational study, pediatric and adult patients suffering from SAR were recruited in nine urban study centers located in seven countries. Clinical questionnaires, skin prick tests (SPT) and specific IgE (sIgE) tests with a customized multiplex assay (Euroimmun Labordiagnostika, Lübeck, Germany) were performed. RESULTS: Three hundred forty-eight children (mean age 13.1 years, SD: 2.4 years) and 467 adults (mean age 35.7 years SD: 10.0 years) with a predominantly moderate to severe, persistent phenotype of SAR were recruited. Grass pollen major allergenic molecules (Phl p 1 and/or Phl p 5) ranged among the top three sensitizers in all study centers. Sensitization profiles were very heterogeneous, considering that patients in Rome were highly poly-sensitized (sIgE to 3.8 major allergenic molecules per patient), while mono-sensitization was prominent and heterogeneous in other cities, such as Marseille (sIgE to Cup a 1: n = 55/80, 68.8%) and Messina (sIgE to Par j 2: n = 47/82, 57.3%). Co-sensitization to perennial allergens, as well as allergic comorbidities also broadly varied between study centers. CONCLUSIONS: In Southern European countries, pollen allergy is heterogeneous in terms of sensitization profiles and clinical manifestations. Despite the complexity, a unique molecular, multiplex, and customized in-vitro IgE test detected relevant sensitization in all study centers. Nevertheless, this geographical diversity in pollen allergic patients imposes localized clinical guidelines and study protocols for clinical trials of SAR in this climatically complex region.

Earliest known hominin activity in the Philippines by 709 thousand years ago.

Over 60 years ago, stone tools and remains of megafauna were discovered on the Southeast Asian islands of Flores, Sulawesi and Luzon, and a Middle Pleistocene colonization by Homo erectus was initially proposed to have occurred on these islands1-4. However, until the discovery of Homo floresiensis in 2003, claims of the presence of archaic hominins on Wallacean islands were hypothetical owing to the absence of in situ fossils and/or stone artefacts that were excavated from well-documented stratigraphic contexts, or because secure numerical dating methods of these sites were lacking. As a consequence, these claims were generally treated with scepticism 5 . Here we describe the results of recent excavations at Kalinga in the Cagayan Valley of northern Luzon in the Philippines that have yielded 57 stone tools associated with an almost-complete disarticulated skeleton of Rhinoceros philippinensis, which shows clear signs of butchery, together with other fossil fauna remains attributed to stegodon, Philippine brown deer, freshwater turtle and monitor lizard. All finds originate from a clay-rich bone bed that was dated to between 777 and 631 thousand years ago using electron-spin resonance methods that were applied to tooth enamel and fluvial quartz. This evidence pushes back the proven period of colonization 6 of the Philippines by hundreds of thousands of years, and furthermore suggests that early overseas dispersal in Island South East Asia by premodern hominins took place several times during the Early and Middle Pleistocene stages1-4. The Philippines therefore may have had a central role in southward movements into Wallacea, not only of Pleistocene megafauna 7 , but also of archaic hominins.

Understanding beliefs about inhaled medication in patients with persistent asthma: a cross-sectional analysis of the INSPIRERS studies.

Summary: Background. Identifying factors influencing adherence, such as patients' beliefs about medication, is essential for effective asthma management. This study aims to assess and gain insight into the beliefs of patients with asthma regarding inhaled medication. Methods. This is a secondary analysis of the INSPIRERS studies. Patients aged ≥ 13 y.o., with persistent asthma and a prescription for inhaled controller were recruited from 60 primary and secondary care centres in Portugal from 2017 to 2020. Demographic and clinical characteristics were collected in a face-to-face visit. The Specific-Beliefs about Medicine Questionnaire was administered 1-week later by telephone interview. Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to explore relations between patients' beliefs and characteristics. Results. A total of 552 participants (mean 32.8 ± 17.3 y.o.; 64.5% female) were analysed. The Necessity score (Median 19 [p25-p75 16,22]) was significantly higher than the Concerns score (15 [16,22], p less than 0.001), resulting in a positive Necessity-Concern differential (Median 4 [0,7]). Acceptance (high necessity, low concerns) characterized 61% of participants, while 19% were ambivalent (high necessity, high concerns). Adolescents exhibited lower Necessity (Median 16 vs 20; p less than 0.001) and Concerns scores (Median 11 vs 15; p = 0.002) than adults. In primary care setting, patients had significantly lower Necessity (Median 18 vs 19; p = 0.027) and Concerns (Median 14 vs 15; p = 0.05) compared to the secondary care. Conclusions. A predominantly positive perception of inhaled asthma medication necessity was found, although ambivalence or indifference exists in about 1/5 of patients. Our findings highlight the importance of personalized approaches to address beliefs and optimise patient education.

Diffraction grating enhanced photoluminescence from etching-free erbium thin films.

Micro-structuration by etching is commonly used in integrated optics, adding complex and costly processing steps that can also potentially damage the device performance, owing to degradation of the etched sidewalls. For diffraction grating fabrication, different strategies have been developed to avoid etching, such as layer deposition on a structured surface or grating deposition on top of active layers. However, etching remains one of the best processes for making high aspect ratio diffraction gratings. In this work, we have developed fully structured diffraction gratings (i.e., like fully etched gratings) using lift-off based processing performed in pulsed laser deposited layers, since the combination of both techniques is of great interest for making micro-structures without etching. We have first studied the influence of the lithography doses in the lift-off process, showing that (1) micrometric spatial resolution can be achieved and (2) the sidewall angle can be controlled from 50° to 150° in 0.5 µm thick layers. Using such optimizations, we have then fabricated Er-doped Y2O3 uniaxial diffraction gratings with different periods ranging from 3 to 8 µm. The fabricated devices exhibit emission and reflectivity properties as a function of the collection angle in good agreement with the modeling, with a maximum luminescence enhancement of ×15 compared with an unstructured layer at a wavelength of 1.54 µm. This work thus highlights lift-off based processing combined with pulsed laser deposition as a promising technique for etch-free practical applications, such as luminescence enhancement in Er-doped layers.

Effect of carvacrol antioxidant capacity on oocyte maturation and embryo production in cattle.

Carvacrol (C10H14O), an efficient phenolic antioxidant substance for several cell types, may become a useful antioxidant for female germ cells and embryo culture. This study investigates the effects of carvacrol supplementation on bovine oocytes in in vitro maturation (IVM) and embryo production. In total, 1222 cumulus-oocyte complexes were cultured in TCM-199+ alone (control treatment) or supplemented with carvacrol at the concentrations of 3 µM (Carv-3), 12.5 µM (Carv-12.5), or 25 µM (Carv-25). After IVM, the oocytes were subjected to in vitro fertilization and embryo production, and the spent medium post-IVM was used for evaluating the levels of reactive oxygen species and the antioxidant capacity (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate and 2,2'-azinobis-3-ethyl-benzothiozoline-6-sulphonic acid quantification). A greater (P < 0.05) antioxidant potential was observed in the spent medium of all carvacrol-treated groups compared with the control medium. Moreover, the addition of carvacrol to the maturation medium did not affect (P > 0.05) blastocyst production on days 7 and 10 of culture; however, the total number of cells per blastocyst was reduced (P < 0.05) in two carvacrol-treated groups (Carv-3 and Carv-25). In conclusion, carvacrol demonstrated a high antioxidant capacity in the spent medium after oocyte maturation; however, although embryo production was not affected, in general, carvacrol addition to IVM medium reduced the total number of cells per blastocyst. Therefore, due to the high antioxidant capacity of carvacrol, new experiments are warranted to investigate the beneficial effects of lower concentrations of carvacrol on embryo production in cattle and other species.

Influenza vaccination strategy in acute coronary syndromes: the VIP-ACS trial.

AIMS: To evaluate whether a strategy of double-dose influenza vaccination during hospitalization for an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) compared with standard-dose outpatient vaccination (as recommended by current guidelines) would further reduce the risk of major cardiopulmonary events. METHODS AND RESULTS: Vaccination against Influenza to Prevent cardiovascular events after Acute Coronary Syndromes (VIP-ACS) was a pragmatic, randomized, multicentre, active-comparator, open-label trial with blinded outcome adjudication comparing two strategies of influenza vaccination following an ACS: double-dose quadrivalent inactivated vaccine before hospital discharge vs. standard-dose quadrivalent inactivated vaccine administered in the outpatient setting 30 days after randomization. The primary outcome was a hierarchical composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, stroke, unstable angina, hospitalization for heart failure, urgent coronary revascularization, and hospitalization for respiratory causes, analysed by the win ratio method. Patients were followed for 12 months. During two influenza seasons, 1801 participants were included at 25 centres in Brazil. The primary outcome was not different between groups, with 12.7% wins in-hospital double-dose vaccine group and 12.3% wins in the standard-dose vaccine group {win ratio: 1.02 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.79-1.32], P = 0.84}. Results were consistent for the key secondary outcome, a hierarchical composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction and stroke [win ratio: 0.94 (95% CI: 0.66-1.33), P = 0.72]. Time-to-first event analysis for the primary outcome showed results similar to those of the main analysis [hazard ratio 0.97 (95% CI: 0.75-1.24), P = 0.79]. Adverse events were infrequent and did not differ between groups. CONCLUSION: Among patients hospitalized with an ACS, double-dose influenza vaccination before discharge did not reduce cardiopulmonary outcomes compared with standard-dose vaccination in the outpatient setting. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov number: NCT04001504.

Self-reported adverse reactions to subcutaneous airborne allergen immunotherapy: a real-life, single center study.

Summary: Background. To estimate the prevalence of self-reported adverse reactions (AdR) to subcutaneous airborne allergen immunotherapy (SCIT) and to describe factors associated with its occurrence. Methods. Real-life, observational, descriptive study of all patients treated with SCIT at a Portuguese allergy unit between 03/2017 and 06/2019, and who answered ≥ 1 time to a pre-SCIT evaluation questionnaire assessing the occurrence of local and/or systemic AdR in the previous administration. Results. 939 questionnaires from 231 patients (42% female, 35% with asthma) were included. Most (60%) SCIT preparations had multiple allergens with concentration adjusted to prevent dilution (MA-NoDil), 26% were single allergen with standard concentration (SA-SC), 10% single allergen with higher than standard concentration (SA-HC), and 4% mixtures without concentration adjustment (MA-Dil). SCIT-related AdR were self-reported in 313 (33%) administrations, 97% at the injection site and 11% grade 1 systemic symptoms. In a multivariable model, being a female and having asthma were associated with higher risk of AdR. MA-NoDil SCIT presented a lower risk of AdR compared to SA-SC SCIT. Conclusions. SCIT-related AdR were self-reported in 1/3 of the administrations, most at the injection site. The risk of AdR was higher in females and in patients with asthma. The lower risk of adverse reactions observed in SCIT preparations with multiple allergens with no dilutional effect should be further explored in future, targeted studies.

PERSPECTIVE: Potential and reality of cryopreserving somatic cells of wild felids for conservation.

The loss of biodiversity caused by anthropogenic actions is also a reality for the members of the Felidae family. Except for the domestic cat, all felid species have some degree of threat of extinction in their natural habitat. For this reason, felids have been included in conservation-related studies. This scenario has aroused increasing interest in the formation of somatic cell banks, which when efficiently implemented can be used in preservation strategies for the species. Nevertheless, one of the important steps in the formation of these banks is the understanding of the technical principles and variations involved in cryopreservation techniques, especially because cryopreservation increases the possibilities for Assisted Reproduction Technologies (ARTs) by making the use of biological materials independent of time and space. In wild felids, several species already have promising results in the formation of somatic cell banks, and studies aimed at better viability rates have been constantly proposed, as well as new species have been studied. In some species, aspects involved in successful cryopreservation are already well defined, and slow freezing associated with cryoprotectant solutions composed of intra- and extracellular substances is the most useful approach. The aim of this review was to present the main parameters involved in the elaboration of a somatic cell cryopreservation protocol and their effects, as well as to address the main results achieved for different wild felids. Doi.org/10.54680/fr23510110112.

Interactions among sucrose and concentrations of serum fetal bovine on the cryopreservation of somatic cells derived from red-rumped agoutis.

BACKGROUND: The synergistic action among the different extracellular cryoprotectants could improve somatic cell quality after thawing and provide bases for the formation of biobanks for red-rumped agoutis. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the interactions among sucrose (SUC) and concentrations of serum fetal bovine (FBS) on the cryopreservation of somatic cells derived from red-rumped agoutis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cells were cryopreserved with 10% dimethyl sulfoxide and different concentrations of FBS (10%, 40%, and 90%) with or without 0.2 M SUC, totaling six comparison groups. Non-cryopreserved cells were used as a control. Cells were evaluated for viability, metabolic activity, proliferative activity, reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential and apoptosis levels. RESULTS: No difference was observed among cryopreserved with DMSO containing (10FBS, 10FBS-SUC, 40FBS, 40FBS-SUC, 90FBS, 90FBS-SUC) and non-cryopreserved groups for viability, metabolic activity, proliferative activity, and ROS levels. Interestingly, only cells cryopreserved with 90% FBS and SUC maintained the mitochondrial membrane potential like the control. This indicates that at high concentrations of FBS, SUC contributes to the maintenance of this parameter in cryopreserved cells. Moreover, at concentrations of 10% and 40% of FBS, SUC contributed to the maintenance of viability evaluated by the levels of apoptosis evaluated after thawing. In summary, we verified that 90% FBS and 0.2 M SUC promote greater ability of cells after thawing. Additionally, SUC positively acts in cryopreservation solutions containing 10% and 40% FBS. CONCLUSION: This information is essential to an understanding of the mechanisms involved in the interactions of extracellular cryoprotectants in somatic cell cryopreservation solutions of red-rumped agoutis. DOI: 10.54680/fr23210110212.

Effects of vitrification techniques on the formation of skin cryobank of the ocelot (Leopardus pardalis).

BACKGROUND: Skin cryobanks represent important tools for the conservation of the maximum genetic representation of a population, especially those with a certain degree of threat to extinction, such as the ocelot. A relevant step towards the proper establishment of these banks is the definition of adequate cryopreservation techniques for the conservation of the skin. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the effects of two different techniques [direct vitrification in cryovials (DVC) and solid-surface vitrification (SSV)] for the preservation of ear skin derived from ocelot. MATERIALS & METHODS: For both techniques, we vitrified the ear skin using Dulbeccos modified Eagles medium with 3.0 M dimethyl sulfoxide, 0.25 M sucrose, and 10% fetal bovine serum. Non-cryopreserved tissues were used as control (control group). All tissues were analyzed for their morphometric characteristics by conventional histology and morphological / functional analysis by cell ability during the culture. RESULTS: While tissues cryopreserved by DVC showed similar values for dermis thickness and number of perinuclear halos to the control, tissues cryopreserved by SSV showed similarities to the control regarding the number of melanocytes, percentage of collagen fibers, and numbers of viable cells by apoptosis analysis. Additionally, none of the vitrification techniques affected stratum corneum thickness, number of keratinocytes, tissue proliferative activity, cell viability, or metabolism. CONCLUSION: Both vitrification techniques (DVC and SSV) can be used for the conservation of ocelot skin; however, SSV guarantees a higher cellular quality after in vitro tissue culture in most of the parameters evaluated, such as viability, metabolism, and apoptosis analysis. doi.org/10.54680/fr23110110412.

Fungal Planet description sheets: 1550-1613.

Novel species of fungi described in this study include those from various countries as follows: Argentina, Neocamarosporium halophilum in leaf spots of Atriplex undulata. Australia, Aschersonia merianiae on scale insect (Coccoidea), Curvularia huamulaniae isolated from air, Hevansia mainiae on dead spider, Ophiocordyceps poecilometigena on Poecilometis sp. Bolivia, Lecanora menthoides on sandstone, in open semi-desert montane areas, Sticta monlueckiorum corticolous in a forest, Trichonectria epimegalosporae on apothecia of corticolous Megalospora sulphurata var. sulphurata, Trichonectria puncteliae on the thallus of Punctelia borreri. Brazil, Catenomargarita pseudocercosporicola (incl. Catenomargarita gen. nov.) hyperparasitic on Pseudocercospora fijiensis on leaves of Musa acuminata, Tulasnella restingae on protocorms and roots of Epidendrum fulgens. Bulgaria, Anthracoidea umbrosae on Carex spp. Croatia, Hymenoscyphus radicis from surface-sterilised, asymptomatic roots of Microthlaspi erraticum, Orbilia multiserpentina on wood of decorticated branches of Quercus pubescens. France, Calosporella punctatispora on dead corticated twigs of Aceropalus. French West Indies (Martinique), Eutypella lechatii on dead corticated palm stem. Germany, Arrhenia alcalinophila on loamy soil. Iceland, Cistella blauvikensis on dead grass (Poaceae). India, Fulvifomes maritimus on living Peltophorum pterocarpum, Fulvifomes natarajanii on dead wood of Prosopis juliflora, Fulvifomes subazonatus on trunk of Azadirachta indica, Macrolepiota bharadwajii on moist soil near the forest, Narcissea delicata on decaying elephant dung, Paramyrothecium indicum on living leaves of Hibiscus hispidissimus, Trichoglossum syamviswanathii on moist soil near the base of a bamboo plantation. Iran, Vacuiphoma astragalicola from stem canker of Astragalus sarcocolla. Malaysia, Neoeriomycopsis fissistigmae (incl. Neoeriomycopsidaceae fam. nov.) on leaf spots on flower Fissistigma sp. Namibia, Exophiala lichenicola lichenicolous on Acarospora cf. luederitzensis. Netherlands, Entoloma occultatum on soil, Extremus caricis on dead leaves of Carex sp., Inocybe pseudomytiliodora on loamy soil. Norway, Inocybe guldeniae on calcareous soil, Inocybe rupestroides on gravelly soil. Pakistan, Hymenagaricus brunneodiscus on soil. Philippines, Ophiocordyceps philippinensis parasitic on Asilus sp. Poland, Hawksworthiomyces ciconiae isolated from Ciconia ciconia nest, Plectosphaerella vigrensis from leaf spots on Impatiens noli-tangere, Xenoramularia epitaxicola from sooty mould community on Taxus baccata. Portugal, Inocybe dagamae on clay soil. Saudi Arabia, Diaporthe jazanensis on branches of Coffea arabica. South Africa, Alternaria moraeae on dead leaves of Moraea sp., Bonitomyces buffels-kloofinus (incl. Bonitomyces gen. nov.) on dead twigs of unknown tree, Constrictochalara koukolii on living leaves of Itea rhamnoides colonised by a Meliola sp., Cylindromonium lichenophilum on Parmelina tiliacea, Gamszarella buffelskloofina (incl. Gamszarella gen. nov.) on dead insect, Isthmosporiella africana (incl. Isthmosporiella gen. nov.) on dead twigs of unknown tree, Nothoeucasphaeria buffelskloofina (incl. Nothoeucasphaeria gen. nov.), on dead twigs of unknown tree, Nothomicrothyrium beaucarneae (incl. Nothomicrothyrium gen. nov.) on dead leaves of Beaucarnea stricta, Paramycosphaerella proteae on living leaves of Protea caffra, Querciphoma foliicola on leaf litter, Rachicladosporium conostomii on dead twigs of Conostomium natalense var. glabrum, Rhamphoriopsis synnematosa on dead twig of unknown tree, Waltergamsia mpumalanga on dead leaves of unknown tree. Spain, Amanita fulvogrisea on limestone soil, in mixed forest, Amanita herculis in open Quercus forest, Vuilleminia beltraniae on Cistus symphytifolius. Sweden, Pachyella pulchella on decaying wood on sand-silt riverbank. Thailand, Deniquelata cassiae on dead stem of Cassia fistula, Stomiopeltis thailandica on dead twigs of Magnolia champaca. Ukraine, Circinaria podoliana on natural limestone outcrops, Neonematogonum carpinicola (incl. Neonematogonum gen. nov.) on dead branches of Carpinus betulus. USA, Exophiala wilsonii water from cooling tower, Hygrophorus aesculeticola on soil in mixed forest, and Neocelosporium aereum from air in a house attic. Morphological and culture characteristics are supported by DNA barcodes. Citation: Crous PW, Costa MM, Kandemir H, et al. 2023. Fungal Planet description sheets: 1550-1613. Persoonia 51: 280-417. doi: 10.3767/persoonia.2023.51.08.

Solutions for the sustainability of the food production and consumption system.

Due to the increasing population, there is high concern about whether the current food system will be able to provide enough healthy food for 10 billion people by 2050. The general opinion is that it is possible to feed this population, but the food system requires major transformations on behalf of promoting sustainability, reducing food waste and stimulating a change toward diets healthy for humans and also sustainable for the planet. This article will review some detected problems in food production and consumption. In food production, current problems like destruction of land ecosystems, overfishing or generation of high amounts of residues stand out. Some solutions have been described, such as implement the agroecology, improve productivity of aquaculture or re-valorization of by-products. In food consumption, the main problems are the food fraud and the unhealthy dietary patters, whose main solutions are the standardization along food chain and education on healthy lifestyles. Concluding, food system should change toward more sustainable practices and behaviors in other to ensure the subsistence of the present and the future generations.

Genome-wide interaction study reveals epistatic interactions for beef lipid-related traits in Nellore cattle.

Gene-gene interactions cause hidden genetic variation in natural populations and could be responsible for the lack of replication that is typically observed in complex traits studies. This study aimed to identify gene-gene interactions using the empirical Hilbert-Schmidt Independence Criterion method to test for epistasis in beef fatty acid profile traits of Nellore cattle. The dataset contained records from 963 bulls, genotyped using a 777 962k SNP chip. Meat samples of Longissimus muscle, were taken to measure fatty acid composition, which was quantified by gas chromatography. We chose to work with the sums of saturated (SFA), monounsaturated (MUFA), polyunsaturated (PUFA), omega-3 (OM3), omega-6 (OM6), SFA:PUFA and OM3:OM6 fatty acid ratios. The SNPs in the interactions where P < 10 - 8 were mapped individually and used to search for candidate genes. Totals of 602, 3, 13, 23, 13, 215 and 169 candidate genes for SFAs, MUFAs, PUFAs, OM3s, OM6s and SFA:PUFA and OM3:OM6 ratios were identified respectively. The candidate genes found were associated with cholesterol, lipid regulation, low-density lipoprotein receptors, feed efficiency and inflammatory response. Enrichment analysis revealed 57 significant GO and 18 KEGG terms ( P < 0.05), most of them related to meat quality and complementary terms. Our results showed substantial genetic interactions associated with lipid profile, meat quality, carcass and feed efficiency traits for the first time in Nellore cattle. The knowledge of these SNP-SNP interactions could improve understanding of the genetic and physiological mechanisms that contribute to lipid-related traits and improve human health by the selection of healthier meat products.

The use of remote care during the Coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: a perspective of Portuguese and Spanish physicians.

Summary: This study aimed to characterise how the follow-up of outpatients was done during the first months of COVID-19 pandemic by a multidisciplinary group of physicians involved in an asthma mHealth project. A cross-sectional study based on a web survey was conducted. The survey was sent to 123 physicians working at secondary care centres of Portugal and Spain, that participate in the INSPIRERS project. A total of 65 physicians completed the survey (53% response rate). They had a mean of 18 (11) years of clinical practice and 14% were residents. More than half were allergists (58%), 22% pulmonologists and 20% paediatricians. Most were working in Portugal (89%) and in public hospitals (88%). All were conducting consultations: 71% presential (median [p25 , p75] duration 30 [20, 30] min), 91% telephonic (15 [10, 20] min) and 20% video consultations (20 [10, 28] min). The median duration of presential consultations was significantly higher than pre-COVID-19 (20 [20, 30] min; p = 0.021). From the physicians conducting video consultations, 92% were allergists and only 54% considered that their institution provided adequate conditions. The physicians of the INSPIRERS group used telephonic consultations as the main alternative to presential ones and 1/5 used video consultations. These results suggest the need to rethink clinical follow-up services for outpatients in the near future increasing the use of telemedicine, especially video consultations.

Allergen sensitization associates with worse lung function parameters.

Summary: Objective. To assess the association between the number of allergen sensitizations and lung function variables in individuals with airway symptoms. Methods. Retrospective study with all individuals who performed lung function and skin-prick tests at CUF-Porto (01/2011-06/2016). Six allergen groups were considered. % predicted Pre-Bronchodilator test (BD) and % change after BD were analysed for spirometry and plethysmography parameters. Results. A total of 1293 individuals were included, 54% (n = 698) adults and 69% (n = 891) with sensitization to ≥ 1 allergen group. % FEV1 was significantly higher and % change in FEV1 significantly lower in non-sensitized individuals. % sRaw was higher in polysensitized (vs non-sensitized). Conclusions. The presence of allergen sensitizations was significantly associated with worse key lung function parameters.

Cinchona bark and quinine in the Portuguese official pharmacopoeias (1794-2001).

Cinchona bark (bark from plants of the genus Cinchona with antimalarial activity) and its alkaloid quinine were widely used to treat intermittent fevers. This paper aims to quantitatively analyze the presence of Cinchona bark, quinine and other Cinchona bark-derived substances in the Portuguese official pharmacopoeias published between 1794 and 2001. The analysis showed that the Pharmacopêa Portugueza (1876) is the Portuguese official pharmacopeia with the highest percentage of medicines containing Cinchona bark (2.61%). The Farmacopeia Portuguesa IV (1935) is the official pharmacopeia with the highest percentage of quinine-containing medicines (2.34%). Medicines made from Cinchona bark are present in the Portuguese official pharmacopoeias until the Farmacopeia Portuguesa IV (1946). Medicines made from quinine have been present in Portuguese official pharmacopoeias since the Codigo Pharmaceutico Lusitano (1835).

Scattering modes of skyrmions in a bilayer system with ferromagnetic coupling.

Magnetic skyrmions are quasiparticle-like textures that are topologically different from a single domain magnetization state. Their topological protection, combined with the low current density needed to move them, make these objects relevant to be used as information storage structures. In such a context, the analysis of the interactions between skyrmions is interesting and relevant for future applications. In this work, through micromagnetic simulations and numerical calculations, we studied the interaction between two skyrmions living on different parallel ferromagnetic racetracks connected by an exchange-like interaction. The upper and lower racetracks are separated by a height offset and the interaction between the upper and the lower skyrmion is analyzed in terms of the magnetic and geometrical parameters. Three states are predicted, as a function of these parameters: scattered or free skyrmions, bound skymions, and annihilated skyrmions. Our results, presented in a phase diagram, demonstrate that even in the case here called free skyrmions, there is a small and brief interaction when both are close enough, but the skyrmion in the top layer does not drag the skyrmion in the bottom layer. For bound skyrmions, both keep linked during larger times. In the latter case, there are strong changes in the velocity of the skyrmions induced by the effect of a higher effective mass when both are coupled.

In silico approach of modified melanoma peptides and their immunotherapeutic potential.

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer with increasing incidence worldwide and high lethality. Conventional forms of treatment are not effective in advanced cancer stages. Hence, immunotherapeutic approaches have been tested to modulate immune response against tumor cells. Some vaccine models using tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) such as glycoprotein 100 (gp100) have been studied, but their expected effectiveness has not been shown until now. Antigen immunogenicity is a crucial point to improve the immune response, and therefore mutations are inserted in peptide sequences. It is possible to understand the interactions which occur between peptides and immune system molecules through computer simulation, and this is essential in order to guide efficient vaccine models. In this work, we have calculated the interaction binding energies of crystallographic data based on modified gp100 peptides and HLA-A*0201 using density functional theory (DFT) and the molecular fractionation with conjugated caps (MFCC) approach. Our results show the most relevant residue-residue interactions, the impact of three mutations in their binding sites, and the main HLA-A*0201 amino acids for peptide-HLA binding.

Pyroligneous acid from Mimosa tenuiflora and Eucalyptus urograndis as an antimicrobial in dairy goats.

AIMS: To evaluate the applicability of the Mimosa tenuiflora and Eucalyptus urograndis pyroligneous acids (PAs) as alternative antiseptics in dairy goats. METHODS AND RESULTS: Cytotoxicity was evaluated in vitro using bacteria, as well as in vivo using goats, and the influence of PAs on the physicochemical parameters of fresh milk were examined. The cytotoxicity of PAs was evaluated in terms of morphology, cell viability and metabolic activity of goat tegumentary cells. The PA of M. tenuiflora had results similar to those of 2% iodine. For the in vitro tests, strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were used with the well technique, demonstrating inhibition halos greater than 9 mm. In the in vivo test, 15 animals were used per phase of the experiment, and the plate counting technique showed that there was antiseptic action of both extracts, with emphasis on the M. tenuiflora PA. Physicochemical analysis of the milk showed that neither PAs interfered with its physical-chemical parameters. CONCLUSIONS: The PA of M. tenuiflora presented potential as an alternative antiseptic in dairy goats. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study demonstrates the use of PA as an antimicrobial agent in animals.