Anatomy of the mastoid triangle and morphometric sex differences.

OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to quantify the area of the mastoid triangle (MT) and assess potential morphometric differences between males and females. PATIENTS: The sample consisted of 244 dry human skulls, with biological sex known based on genetic analysis, collected from a medicolegal osteological database from Central-Western Brazil. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was observational, analytical, and cross-sectional. The skulls were analyzed using Heron's equation to calculate the area of the MT. The landmarks connecting each of the sides of the triangle were: Porion (Po)>Mastoidale (Ma)>Asterion (Ast). Morphometric references were calculated and compared based on sex. RESULTS: The area of the MT was nearly 14% larger in males compared to females (p<0.05). The mean MT area for the right and left sides of males were 684.11±93.25mm2 and 668.94±111.95mm2, respectively. In females, the mean MT for the right and left sides were 588.93±91.09mm2 and 582.88±102.98mm2, respectively. Right and left side measurements were significantly different (p<0.05), except for Po-Ast (p=0.232). CONCLUSION: Morphometric features regarding the MT were slightly different between males and females. Application of the MT as a dimorphic tool should be adjuvant. Moreover, this tool should be considered carefully, especially because the sex-based differences were statistically significant, but discrete between males and females.

Correction to: G3BP1 knockdown sensitizes U87 glioblastoma cell line to Bortezomib by inhibiting stress granules assembly and potentializing apoptosis.

In the initial online version of the article, author F.M. Soriani was missing. The original article has been corrected.

G3BP1 knockdown sensitizes U87 glioblastoma cell line to Bortezomib by inhibiting stress granules assembly and potentializing apoptosis.

INTRODUCTION: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most lethal form of gliomas. New therapies are currently in development to tackle treatment limitations such as chemotherapy resistance. One mechanism of resistance may be the stress granules (SG) assembly, a stress-related cellular response that allows cells to recruit and protect mRNAs during stress. SG are composed of various proteins, being G3BP1 a core element that enucleates and results in SG assembly. Here, we aimed to evaluate the effects of inhibiting the G3PB1 expression in the chemotherapeutical-induced cell death of the U87 glioblastoma cell line. MATERIALS AND METHODS: G3BP1 mRNA and protein expression were modulated with short-interference RNA (siRNA). The viability of U87 cells after Bortezomib (BZM), a proteasome inhibitor, and Temozolomide (TMZ), an alkylating agent, was assessed by MTT assay. Apoptosis was evaluated by staining cells with Annexin-V/7-AAD and analyzing by flow cytometry. Caspase-3 activation was evaluated by immunoblotting. The chorioallantoic membrane in vivo assay was used to evaluate angiogenesis. RESULTS: When G3BP1 was knocked-down, the SG assembly was reduced and the BZM-treated cells, but not TMZ-treated cells, had a significant increase in the apoptotic response. Corroborating this data, we observed increased Caspase-3 activation in the BZM-treated and G3BP1-knocked-down cells when compared to vehicle-treated and scramble-transfected cells. Worth mentioning, the conditioned culture medium of G3BP1-knocked-down BZM-treated cells inhibited angiogenesis when compared to controls. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest G3BP1 knockdown diminishes SG formation and stimulates BZM-induced apoptosis of U87 cells in vitro, in addition to inhibiting glioblastoma-induced angiogenesis in vivo.

Zika Virus Infection and Solid Organ Transplantation: A New Challenge.

Public health concerns exist surrounding the epidemic of the Zika virus (ZIKV) and the rapid growth of transplantation in developing countries, including endemic zones of active arbovirus transmission, as well as travel to such regions by potential organ donors and recipients. Few data exist regarding the clinical characteristics of ZIKV infection in immunocompromised hosts. Laboratory screening protocols for transplantation to differentiate ZIKV infections from other endemic viral diseases and for the detection of possible donor-derived infection have not been stated. The diagnosis of ZIKV infection remains a challenge, fueled by the lack of standardized commercially available diagnostic tests and validated reference diagnostic laboratories, as well as the limited duration of ZIKV viremia. In this small series, ZIKV infection in renal and liver recipients presented without rash, conjunctivitis, or neurological symptoms, and with abnormal graft function, thrombocytopenia, and bacterial superinfection. We report the first case series of ZIKV infection in solid organ recipients, with a description of clinical and laboratory features and therapeutic management.

Antioxidant activity and chemical composition of oleoresin from leaves and flowers of Brunfelsia uniflora.

In this study, the temperature and pressure of supercritical CO2 extraction were evaluated to obtain oleoresin of Brunfelsia uniflora leaves and flowers. The oleoresin compounds were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by three different methods. The highest oleoresin yields were 3.32% at 40°C and 200 bar for the leaves, and 1.03% at 60°C and 200 bar for the flowers. The main extracted compounds from leaves were phytol varying from 11.95 to 36.42% and α-tocopherol from 15.53 to 43.10%, and from flowers were geranyl linalool from 11.05 to 21.42% and α-amyrin from 9.66 to 22.12%. Oleoresin obtained at 60°C and 150 bar from leaves presented high antioxidant activity by DPPH (IC50 1.90 mg/mL) and by FRAP (1.8 µmol Fe2+/mg). ß-carotene/linoleic acid co-oxidation oleoresin from leaves at 0.25 mg/mL presented higher antioxidant activity than Trolox. The total phenolic content of the oleoresin from leaves ranged from 66.20 to 83.33 µg/mg and from flowers it was just up to 12.46 µg/mg. The extraction conditions affected yield, chemical composition, and antioxidant activity of oleoresin from leaves and flowers. This is the first report on the antioxidant activity of B. uniflora oleoresin from leaves and flowers and provides subsidies for potential applications in chemical, pharmaceutical, and food industries.

Nucleation, Growth Mechanism, and Controlled Coating of ZnO ALD onto Vertically Aligned N-Doped CNTs.

Zinc oxide thin films were deposited on vertically aligned nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (N-CNTs) by atomic layer deposition (ALD) from diethylzinc and water. The study demonstrates that doping CNTs with nitrogen is an effective approach for the "activation" of the CNTs surface for the ALD of metal oxides. Conformal ZnO coatings are already obtained after 50 ALD cycles, whereas at lower ALD cycles an island growth mode is observed. Moreover, the process allows for a uniform growth from the top to the bottom of the vertically aligned N-CNT arrays. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy demonstrates that ZnO nucleation takes place at the N-containing species on the surface of the CNTs by the formation of the Zn-N bonds at the interface between the CNTs and the ZnO film.

Influence of vascular endothelial growth factor and alpha-fetoprotein on hepatocellular carcinoma.

We evaluated the influence of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) -C936T polymorphism on prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), cirrhosis, and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Serum VEGF and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels were determined and used to characterize sensitivity and specificity. A total of 285 subjects were studied: 68 HCC, 118 cirrhosis, 43 HCV, and 56 healthy controls. Prevalence of the VEGF -C936T polymorphism and serum levels of VEGF and AFP were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. The genotype CC (frequencies between 63.24 and 76.79%; P > 0.05) and the C allele (absolute frequencies from 0.816 to 0.884, P > 0.05) were prevalent in all groups. Higher VEGF levels in HCC patients (588.0 ± 501.0 pg/mL) were observed, particularly in patients with the T allele in VEGF -C936T (764.4 ± 571.7 pg/mL) compared to those in the other groups (P < 0.05). The same trend occurred with AFP levels (HCC = 8.522 ± 23.830; cirrhosis = 12.7 ± 59.3; HCV = 4.6 ± 4.7; control = 2.7 ± 1.8 ng/mL; P = 0.005). Levels of VEGF and AFP showed sensitivity of 65 and 28% and specificity of 85 and 99%, respectively, for HCC patients. In conclusion, the VEGF -C936T polymorphism is not associated with HCC but the mutant allele (T) increases VEGF levels in HCC patients. VEGF could be a potential biomarker for HCC, while AFP could be used to distinguish between patients with HCC and cirrhosis or HCV.

Processing strategies for smart electroconductive carbon nanotube-based bioceramic bone grafts.

Electroconductive bone grafts have been designed to control bone regeneration. Contrary to polymeric matrices, the translation of the carbon nanotube (CNT) electroconductivity into oxide ceramics is challenging due to the CNT oxidation during sintering. Sintering strategies involving reactive-bed pressureless sintering (RB + P) and hot-pressing (HP) were optimized towards prevention of CNT oxidation in glass/hydroxyapatite (HA) matrices. Both showed CNT retentions up to 80%, even at 1300 °C, yielding an increase of the electroconductivity in ten orders of magnitude relative to the matrix. The RB + P CNT compacts showed higher electroconductivity by ∼170% than the HP ones due to the lower damage to CNTs of the former route. Even so, highly reproducible conductivities with statistical variation below 5% and dense compacts up to 96% were only obtained by HP. The hot-pressed CNT compacts possessed no acute toxicity in a human osteoblastic cell line. A normal cellular adhesion and a marked orientation of the cell growth were observed over the CNT composites, with a proliferation/differentiation relationship favouring osteoblastic functional activity. These sintering strategies offer new insights into the sintering of electroconductive CNT containing bioactive ceramics with unlimited geometries for electrotherapy of the bone tissue.

ALD/MLD coating of patterned vertically aligned carbon nanotube micropillars with Fe-NH2TP hybrids.

The creation of nanoscale organic-inorganic hybrid coatings with uniform architecture and high surface area, while maintaining their structural and morphological integrity, remains a significant challenge in the field. In this study, we present a novel solution, by utilizing Atomic/Molecular Layer Deposition (ALD/MLD) to coat patterned vertically aligned carbon nanotube micropillars with a conformal amorphous layer of Fe-NH2TP, which is a trivalent iron complex complexed with 2-amino terephthalate. The effectiveness of the coating is verified through multiple analytical techniques, including high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, scanning transmission electron microscopy, grazing incidence X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The Fe-NH2TP hybrid film exhibits hydrophobic properties, as confirmed by water contact angle measurements. Our findings contribute to advancing the understanding of how to grow high-quality one-dimensional materials using ALD/MLD and hold promise for future research in this area.

High-temperature Raman spectra of dipeptide α-L-aspartyl-L-alanine crystal.

Crystals of dipeptide α-L-aspartyl-L-alanine (α-Asp-Ala), C7H12N2O5, were studied under high-temperature conditions through vibrational spectroscopy (IR and Raman) and thermal analysis (Differential Scanning Calorimetry - DSC). From the analysis of the results, it is possible to conclude that: (i) the studied material undergoes a reversible order-disorder phase transition at 373 K on heating, where several changes were observed in the vibrational spectra, especially with vibrational modes of the units that participate directly of the hydrogen bonds; (ii) the phase transition undergone by the α-Asp-Ala crystal (about 373 K) involves changes in hydrogen bonds, possibly the rupture of at least one of them, and change in the conformation of the molecules in the unit cell.

Concurrent training with different aerobic exercises.

The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of using different intensities and types of aerobic exercise (i. e., cycle ergometer or running) during concurrent training on neuromuscular adaptations. A total of 44 young women were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 groups: concurrent strength and continuous running training (SCR, n=10), concurrent strength and interval running training (SIR, n=11), concurrent strength and continuous cycle ergometer training (SCE, n=11), or strength training only (STO, n=12). Each group trained twice a week during 11 weeks. The following strength measurements were made on all subjects before and after training period: maximal strength (1RM) in knee extension, bench press and leg press exercises; local muscular endurance (number of repetitions at 70% of 1 RM) in knee extension and bench press exercises; and isometric and isokinetic peak torque of knee extension. There were significant increases in the upper and lower-body 1 RM, isometric and isokinetic peak torque in all training groups (p<0.001), with no differences between groups. The present results suggest that in young women, concurrent training performed twice a week promotes similar neuromuscular adaptations to strength training alone, regardless of the type and the intensity in which the aerobic training is performed.

Outcomes and Allograft Survival of Patients Who Underwent a Second Kidney Transplant and Were Followed Up for 10 Years.

BACKGROUND: Kidney transplantation is the treatment of choice for end-stage kidney disease, and a second transplantation becomes an opportunity for a better chance for long-term survival and quality of life. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes and graft survival of patients transplanted a second time in comparison with single kidney transplant patients. METHODS: This retrospective observational study was conducted using a cohort of kidney transplant patients from 2008 to 2018. Fifty patients who underwent first transplant were randomly selected as group 1 (G1), and 31 patients who received a second kidney transplant as group 2 (G2). Outcomes, graft, and patient survival were assessed. RESULTS: G2 patients had higher proportions of rejection episodes and graft loss than G1. Fifteen (48.39%) patients from G2 maintained functioning grafts during follow-up, while 16 (51.61%) lost their grafts. The 10-year graft survival rate for patients with first transplant was 76.66%; it was 46.09% for retransplanted patients (P = 0.005). There was no statistically significant difference in patient survival between G1 and G2. CONCLUSIONS: Allograft survival rates of the first and second transplant with living donors had no statistically significant difference, but for deceased donors, poor graft survival was observed for the second allograft.

Use of non-clinical smile images for human identification: a systematic review.

Human identification using Forensic Dentistry occurs through comparative analysis of ante-mortem (AM) and post-mortem (PM) data. With the constant improvement of technology, photographs became a common source of AM data. When clinical dental records are not available, images showing the smile can be useful in human identification. The aim of this study was to investigate human identification techniques through the analysis of smile images in the available literature. Studies on human identification through the analysis of smile images were searched in the scientific literature. The search resulted in 4,043 studies. After screening, 14 studies were considered eligible. Eleven were case reports, two were pilot studies and one a technical note. From the eligible studies, in addition to the methodological data, information about the sample, used techniques and results regarding human identification were extracted. Three techniques were detected: direct comparison of morphological characteristics, AM/PM image overlap, and the analysis of smile lines. One or more associated techniques were used for human identification. Authors highlighted as a common limitation of the techniques the quality of the available images, the difficulty in reproducing PM the same images AM, and the eventual image modifications performed by the victim before posting in social media. Advantages included the low-cost aspect of the technique, as well as a potential fast and accurate procedure (depending on the quantity and quality of evidence). In general, studies considered the technique useful and adjuvant for human identification.

Eugenol Improves Follicular Survival and Development During in vitro Culture of Goat Ovarian Tissue.

This study evaluated the effects of different concentrations (10, 20, or 40 µM) of eugenol (EUG 10, EUG 20, or EUG 40), ascorbic acid (50 µg/mL; AA) or anethole (300 µg/mL; ANE 300) on the in-vitro survival and development of goat preantral follicles and oxidative stress in the cultured ovarian tissue. Ovarian fragments from five goats were cultured for 1 or 7 days in Alpha Minimum Essential Medium (α-MEM+) supplemented or not with AA, ANE 300, EUG 10, EUG 20 or EUG 40. On day 7 of culture, when compared to MEM, the addition of EUG 40 had increased the rate of follicular development, as observed by a decrease in the proportion of primordial follicles alongside with an increase in the rate of normally developing follicles. Furthermore, EUG 40 significantly increased both follicular and oocyte diameters. Subsequently, ovarian fragments from three goats were cultured for 1 or 7 days in α-MEM+ supplemented or not with AA, ANE 300 or EUG 40. All tested antioxidants, except ANE 300, were able to significantly decrease the levels of reactive oxygen species in the ovarian tissue, but EUG 40 could most efficiently neutralize free radicals. All ovarian tissues cultured in the presence of antioxidants, especially EUG 40, presented a significant decrease in H3K4me3 labeling, indicating a silencing of genes that play a role in the inhibition of follicular activation and apoptosis induction. When compared to cultured control tissues, both EUG 40 and ANE 300 significantly increased the intensity of calreticulin labeling in growing follicles. The mRNA relative expression of ERP29 and KDM3A was significantly increased when the culture medium was supplemented with EUG 40, indicating a response to ER stress experienced during culture. In conclusion, EUG 40 improved in-vitro follicle survival, activation and development and decreased ROS production, ER stress and histone lysine methylation in goat ovarian tissue.

In vitro- and in vivo-derived early antral follicles have comparable in vitro follicular growth and oocyte maturation rates in goats.

Recent in vitro follicle culture (IVFC) studies in caprine have yielded lower maturation rates using late preantral follicles compared to early antral follicles. Thus, research focusing on developing stage-specific customized culture systems able to improve the efficiency of IVFC for late preantral follicles are warranted. This study aimed to compare the morphometric features, estradiol production, and gene expression between early antral caprine follicles produced in vitro and in vivo. In vitro-derived early antral follicles were produced after a 6-day in vitro culture of late preantral follicles, while in vivo-derived early antral follicles were yielded immediately after isolation from the ovaries; antral follicles were, thereafter, cultured for 18 days. In vitro-derived antral follicles were cultured either in a medium developed for preantral follicles (PF medium) or in a medium developed for antral follicles (AF medium). In vivo-derived early antral follicles, on the other hand, were cultured in AF medium (Control treatment). Results demonstrated that in vitro-derived antral follicles cultured in PF medium produced higher estradiol concentration, and m-RNA expression for matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and insulin receptor when compared to both in vitro- and in vivo-derived antral follicles cultured in AF medium. Remarkably, in vitro-derived antral follicles cultured in PF medium had similar MII and oocytes ≥110 µm rates compared with in vivo-derived antral follicles (Control treatment). In conclusion, when cultured in a single and appropriate medium (i.e., PF medium), in vitro-derived early antral follicles had comparable oocyte maturation rates to the in vivo-derived early antral follicles.

Nano-targeting lessons from the SARS-CoV-2.

The lack of targeting efficacy has frequently led functionalized nanoparticles to accumulate in unwanted cells and tissues while boosting toxicity-related effects. Conversely, viruses are natural nanoparticles that precisely and responsively interact with the biological machinery through an effective-driven fashion. This interaction is enhanced by a meticulous spatial arrangement which results in a quasi-crystalline distribution of proteins on the viruses' surface. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, we propose to look at the SARS-CoV-2 nanoscale viral scaffold as an example of a highly-ordered architecture that must inspire and tailor the production of targeted synthetic nanoparticles.

Complicated Dengue Fever and Its Treatment Dilemmas: A Single-Center Experience in Sri Lanka.

Dengue is an arboviral infection that affects humanscausing significant morbidity and mortality in tropical countries. Our first patient who had diabetes presented with shock and was managed as dengue hemorrhagic fever with superadded sepsis which required noradrenalin plus broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics. The second patient developed severe bradycardia during the ascending limb of the critical phase with hemodynamic stability, which recovered on discharge. Third patient presented with severe and rapid leaking; we used intravenous albumin as an alternative colloid with good outcome. The fourth patient was a pregnant mother at term, and she went into spontaneous labor during the latter half of the critical phase. The fifth patient developed dengue hemorrhagic fever complicated with probable haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. She was treated with intravenous steroids andimmunoglobulin, yet succumbed on day 7. Conclusion. Dengue is an extremely challenging and dynamic disease, which can lead to many unusual complications.A high index of suspicion is key to diagnose and treat promptly.

In vitro exposure of sheep ovarian tissue to the xenoestrogens zearalenone and enterolactone: Effects on preantral follicles.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 1 µmol/L zearalenone (ZEN) and 1 µmol/L enterolactone (ENL), alone or in combination, on the survival and morphology of in vitro cultured ovarian preantral follicles. Ovaries from 10 sheep were collected at a local abattoir and fragmented, and the ovarian pieces were submitted to in vitro culture for 3 days in the presence or absence of the test compounds. The morphology of primordial and primary follicles was impaired by ZEN, whereas that of cultured secondary follicles was improved by ENL. However, the combination of ENL with ZEN impaired the quality of primary and secondary follicles. Both ZEN and ENL induced apoptosis, but only ZEN was responsible for oocyte autophagy. None of these xenoestrogens affected endoplasmic reticulum stress as observed by the unaltered expression of ERP29. Differently from ZEN, ENL increased the expression of the efflux transporter ABCG2. In conclusion, although ENL can counteract the negative effects of ZEN on primordial and primary follicles, this positive effect is not similar to that observed in ovarian tissue cultures in the presence of ENL alone.

Subgroup J avian leukosis virus neutralizing antibody escape variants contribute to viral persistence in meat-type chickens.

We have previously demonstrated a high incidence of chickens with persistent viremia even in the presence of neutralizing antibodies (V+A+) against the inoculated parental virus in commercial meat-type chickens inoculated at hatch with subgroup J avian leukosis virus (ALV J) field isolates. In this study, we used an ALV J molecular clone, ADOL pR5-4, to determine the role of neutralizing antibody (NAb) escape mutants in maintaining a high incidence of viral persistence, namely, V+A+ infection profile in commercial meat-type chickens. Chickens were housed as a flock in a pen or housed in isolation in solitary Horsfall-Bauer units for testing for NAb escape variants. The emergence of NAb escape variants was evaluated by sequential autologous virus neutralization (VN) (between virus and antibody from the same sampling period) and heterologous VN (between virus and antibody from preceding and succeeding sampling periods). Sequential virus isolates and corresponding antisera from 18 chickens were examined by VN matrix. In all chickens, autologous virus isolates were not neutralized by corresponding antisera. However, some of these resilient autologous virus isolates were neutralized by antibodies from subsequent sampling intervals. Nucleotide sequence analysis of consecutive isolates from three individually housed chickens with V+A+ infection profile revealed distinct changes within the envelope region, suggesting viral evolution to escape the host immune response. These results demonstrate that the emergence of antibody escape variants in commercial meat-type chickens contributes to ALV J persistence.

Panbiogeographical analysis of the shark genus Rhizoprionodon (Chondrichthyes, Carcharhiniformes, Carcharhinidae).

The distributional patterns of the seven species of Rhizoprionodon were analysed using the panbiogeographical method of track analysis. The individual tracks of Rhizoprionodon suggest that the genus is mainly an Indian-Atlantic Ocean group. Five generalized tracks were found: (1) Caribbean, defined by R. porosus and R. terraenovae; (2) eastern coast of South America, defined by R. porosus and R. lalandei; (3) Indian Ocean, defined by R. acutus and R. oligolinx; (4) north-western Australia, defined by R. acutus, R. oligolinx and R. taylori; (5) north-north-eastern Australia, defined by R. acutus and R. taylori. Only R. longurio was not included in any generalized track, and its distribution is restricted to the eastern Pacific Ocean. Two biogeographical nodes were found at the intersection of the generalized tracks 1 and 2 (Caribbean Sea) and generalized tracks 4 and 5 (north Australia). The generalized tracks overlap with those found in several unrelated marine taxa. Overall, the generalized tracks are associated with warm currents. The biogeographical nodes found (Caribbean and Australian) are coincident with the global distribution of mangroves.