Structure-Based Protein Assembly Simulations Including Various Binding Sites and Conformations.

Many biological functions are mediated by large complexes formed by multiple proteins and other cellular macromolecules. Recent progress in experimental structure determination, as well as in integrative modeling and protein structure prediction using deep learning approaches, has resulted in a rapid increase in the number of solved multiprotein assemblies. However, the assembly process of large complexes from their components is much less well-studied. We introduce a rapid computational structure-based (SB) model, GoCa, that allows to follow the assembly process of large multiprotein complexes based on a known native structure. Beyond existing SB Go̅-type models, it distinguishes between intra- and intersubunit interactions, allowing us to include coupled folding and binding. It accounts automatically for the permutation of identical subunits in a complex and allows the definition of multiple minima (native) structures in the case of proteins that undergo global transitions during assembly. The model is successfully tested on several multiprotein complexes. The source code of the GoCa program including a tutorial is publicly available on Github: https://github.com/ZachariasLab/GoCa. We also provide a web source that allows users to quickly generate the necessary input files for a GoCa simulation: https://goca.t38webservices.nat.tum.de.

All-Inorganic sp-Chain Ligands: Isoelectronic B/N Analogues of E. O. Fischer's Alkynylcarbynes.

Borylation of a tungsten-bound N2 ligand and halide abstraction provides access to a cationic complex with an unprecedented linear NNBR ligand. This complex undergoes [3+2] cycloaddition with azides, and an unexpected chain-extension reaction with an iminoborane, leading to a complex with a five-atom B/N chain. These two [NNBR]-containing complexes, inorganic analogues of E. O. Fischer's alkynylcarbynes, are very rare examples of molecules containing all-inorganic chains of sp-hybridized atoms.

Enamel erosion control by strontium-containing TiO2- and/or MgO-doped phosphate bioactive glass.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of strontium-containing titanium- and/or magnesium-doped phosphate bioactive glass on the control of dental erosion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty fragments of human enamel were divided into five groups: negative control, 45S5 bioglass, strontium-containing Ti-doped phosphate bioactive glass (PBG-Ti), strontium-containing Mg-doped phosphate bioactive glass (PBG-Mg), and strontium-containing Ti- and Mg-doped phosphate bioactive glass (PBG-TiMg). The specimens underwent cycles of erosive challenge twice daily for 5 days with 1 mL of citric acid for 2 min followed by 1 mL of the suspension with bioactive substances for 3 min. After the cycles, profilometry, roughness and microhardness testing, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were performed. The following statistical tests were used: one-way ANOVA (profile, roughness, and surface microhardness (%VMS) data variation), Tukey's HSD (%VMS), Games-Howell test (profilometry), Student's t test (roughness), and Pearson's correlation between the variables. RESULTS: The lower loss of enamel surface and lower %VMS was observed in the PBG-Mg and PBG-TiMg groups, and only the PBG-Mg group showed similar roughness between baseline and eroded areas (p > 0.05). On SEM micrographs, PBG-Ti and PBG-Mg groups showed lower apparent demineralization. CONCLUSION: All bioactive materials protected the enamel against erosion. However, strontium-containing phosphate bioactive glasses showed lower enamel loss, and the presence of Mg in these bioactive glasses provided a greater protective effect. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Experimental strontium-containing phosphate bioactive glasses are effective in controlling enamel erosion. The results obtained in this study will guide the development of new dental products.

Do Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy and Low-Level Laser Therapy Minimize Postoperative Pain and Edema After Molar Extraction?

PURPOSE: This study was designed to examine the efficacy of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in reducing postoperative pain and edema after molar extractions. METHODS: The investigators designed a single-blind randomized controlled study and enrolled subjects requiring extraction of at least one of the first or second molars. They were randomized to one of the following four groups: control group, aPDT group, LLLT group, and aPDT and LLLT group. Patients were blinded to the group assigned. The outcome variables were postoperative pain and edema. Pain intensity was measured on a visual analog scale (recorded every day for 7 days after tooth extraction). Facial edema was assessed by measuring the perimeter between the tragus, base of the jaw, and labial commissure, which was recorded once before surgery and then on the third and seventh days after surgery. Other variables were age, sex, ethnicity, decayed/missing/filled teeth, and tooth types. Appropriate univariate and bivariate statistics were computed and statistical significance was set at a value of P < .05. RESULTS: The sample was composed of 40 patients with a mean age of 41.25 ± 13.97 years and 25 (62.5%) of them were women. There were 10 subjects in each treatment group. The mean of postoperative pain within the groups was associated with a significant continuous decrease over time (P < .05). Postoperative pain was lowest in the aPDT + LLLT group in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th, and 7th day after tooth extraction (P < .05). There were no significant differences in edema among the groups (P > .05). CONCLUSION: The combined use of aPDT and LLLT was effective in reducing postoperative pain. These procedures can be applied in everyday surgical practice.

BthTX-I, a phospholipase A2-like toxin, is inhibited by the plant cinnamic acid derivative: chlorogenic acid.

Snakebite is a significant health concern in tropical and subtropical regions, particularly in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, resulting in more than 2.7 million envenomations and an estimated one hundred thousand fatalities annually. The Bothrops genus is responsible for the majority of snakebite envenomings in Latin America and Caribbean countries. Accidents involving snakes from this genus are characterized by local symptoms that often lead to permanent sequelae and death. However, specific antivenoms exhibit limited effectiveness in inhibiting local tissue damage. Phospholipase A2-like (PLA2-like) toxins emerge as significant contributors to local myotoxicity in accidents involving Bothrops species. As a result, they represent a crucial target for prospective treatments. Some natural and synthetic compounds have shown the ability to reduce or abolish the myotoxic effects of PLA2-like proteins. In this study, we employed a combination approach involving myographic, morphological, biophysical and bioinformatic techniques to investigate the interaction between chlorogenic acid (CGA) and BthTX-I, a PLA2-like toxin. CGA provided a protection of 71.8% on muscle damage in a pre-incubation treatment. Microscale thermophoresis and circular dichroism experiments revealed that CGA interacted with the BthTX-I while preserving its secondary structure. CGA exhibited an affinity to the toxin that ranks among the highest observed for a natural compound. Bioinformatics simulations indicated that CGA inhibitor binds to the toxin's hydrophobic channel in a manner similar to other phenolic compounds previously investigated. These findings suggest that CGA interferes with the allosteric transition of the non-activated toxin, and the stability of the dimeric assembly of its activated state.

Cross-cultural adaptation of the Activities of Daily Living Questionnaire-Brazil in Parkinson's disease.

BACKGROUND: Culturally adapted measures to assess the performance of activities of daily living (ADL) in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) are limited in Brazil. OBJECTIVE: To adapt the ADL Questionnaire to the Brazilian culture and to analyze its reproducibility in individuals with PD. METHODS: The ADL Questionnaire was translated and cross-culturally adapted to Brazilian Portuguese language. Reproducibility was analyzed using test-retest reliability and agreement values. The test-retest reliability of the individual items and total scores were calculated. The limits of agreement were verified using the Bland-Altman plot. The standard error of measurement (SEM) and the minimum detectable change (MDC) were calculated. Patients who were classified on a score of 1-4 on the modified Hoehn and Yahr scale were eligible. RESULTS: No divergence was identified between the original and the adapted version, which demonstrated adequate semantic and conceptual equivalence. The Bland-Altman plot showed no systematic changes in the mean test-retest scores. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was 0.98 (95% confidence interval [95%CI] 0.93-0.99), and all individual items showed good levels of reliability (>0.60). The SEM (SEM%) and MDC (MDC%) values were 3.0 (6.75%) and 8.2 (18.7%), respectively. These values are within the recommended values. CONCLUSIONS: The ADL-Brazil Questionnaire is a reliable instrument to be used for clinical and research purposes to assess self-perceptions of ADL performance in individuals with PD.

Crotalus Neutralizing Factor (CNF) inhibits the toxic effects of Crotoxin at mouse neuromuscular preparations.

Crotalus Neutralizing Factor (CNF) was the first phospholipase A2 inhibitor isolated from the plasma of the South American rattlesnake (Crotalus durissus terrificus). Previous biochemical and biophysical studies demonstrate an interaction of CNF with Crotoxin (CTX), the main toxic component in the venom of these snakes. CTX promotes the blockade of neuromuscular transmission by a sum of neurotoxic and myotoxic activities. However, the ability of CNF to inhibit these activities has not been shown until the present study. We performed a myographic study to compare the neuromuscular effects of CTX and the mixture CTX plus CNF in mice phrenic nerve-diaphragm muscle preparations. CTX (5 µg/mL) alone, or pre-incubated with CNF (5, 20 or 50 µg/mL) for 15 min was added to the preparations and maintained throughout the experimentation period. Myotoxicity was assessed by light microscopic analysis of diaphragm muscle after myographic study. CTX (5 µg/mL) blocked both indirectly and directly evoked twitches in neuromuscular preparations. In addition, CTX induced histological alterations in diaphragm muscle. Pre-incubation with CNF (50 µg/mL) abolished both the muscle-paralyzing and muscle-damaging activities of CTX. Therefore, the present study confirms, through functional studies, the antiophidic potential of CNF.

Varespladib (LY315920) prevents neuromuscular blockage and myotoxicity induced by crotoxin on mouse neuromuscular preparations.

Varespladib (LY315920) is a synthetic phospholipase A2 (PLA2) inhibitor that has been demonstrating antiophidic potential against snake venoms that present PLA2 neurotoxins. In this study, we evaluate the capacity of Varespladib to inhibit the neuromuscular effects of crotoxin (CTX), the main toxic component of Crotalus durissus terrificus snake venom, and its PLA2 subunit (CB). We performed a myographic study to compare the neuromuscular effects of CTX or CB and the mixture of these substances plus Varespladib in mice phrenic nerve-diaphragm muscle preparations. CTX (5 µg/mL), CB (20 µg/mL), or toxin-inhibitor mixtures pre-incubated with different concentration ratios of Varespladib (1:0.25; 1:0.5; 1:1; w/w) were added to the preparations and maintained throughout the experimentation period. Myotoxicity was assessed by light microscopic analysis of diaphragm muscle after myographic study. CTX and CB blocked the nerve-evoked twitches, and only CTX induced histological alterations in diaphragm muscle. Pre-incubation with Varespladib abolished the muscle-paralyzing activity of CTX and CB, and also the muscle-damaging activity of CTX. These findings emphasize the clinical potential of Varespladib in mitigating the toxic effects of C. d. terrificus snakebites and as a research tool to advance the knowledge of the mechanism of action of snake toxins.

Nandrolone stimulates MyoD expression during muscle regeneration in the condition of myonecrosis induced by Bothrops jararacussu venom poisoning.

Myonecrosis with permanent loss of muscle mass is a relevant local toxic effect following envenomation with Bothrops jararacussu snake venom. Regeneration of adult skeletal muscle involves the activation of satellite cells, a process regulated by myogenic regulatory factors (MRF). MyoD is an MRF involved in both proliferation and differentiation of satellite cells. Androgens are modulators of skeletal muscle, known to increase muscle mass and strength. This study examined the hypothesis that anabolic androgens improve the muscle regeneration process in mice following envenomation by Bothrops jararacussu snake venom. Myonecrosis was induced by venom injection (30 microg/50 microl in physiological solution) over the extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles of mice. Nandrolone (ND) (6 mg/kg, sc) was administered after 12 h, 7 d, and 14 d following venom injection. The histological changes in EDL muscle at 1, 3, 7, and 21 d after muscle injury were analyzed by light microscopy. Cross-sectional areas of fibers were measured. MyoD was evaluated by immunofluorescence technique. Histological examination revealed the presence of a regeneration process in ND-treated animals, characterized by the appearance of some myotubes at 3 d, and numerous myotubes at 7 d from venom injection. Nandrolone treatment reduced the frequency of small fibers at 7 and 21 d after venom administration, and increased the frequency of large fibers at 7 d postinjury. Nandrolone also significantly augmented the expression of MyoD-positive cells at 7 and 21 d after envenomation. These results suggest that ND accelerates muscle regeneration and indicate the involvement of MyoD in this process.

Genetic variants in the LPL and GPIHBP1 genes, in patients with severe hypertriglyceridaemia, detected with high resolution melting analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Pathogenic variants in lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored high-density lipoprotein-binding protein 1 (GPIHBP1) have been described in patients with severe hypertriglyceridaemia. We aimed to optimise high resolution melting (HRM) assays to detect the presence of functional variants in these genes. METHODS: One hundred and sixteen patients with severe hypertriglyceridaemia were studied. HRM assays were optimised to scan exons and splice junctions in LPL and GPIHBP1. Sanger sequencing was the reference method. Next-generation-sequencing (NGS) was performed in five patients, including one with Familial Chylomicronemia syndrome (FCS). RESULTS: We identified 15 different variants in LPL and 6 in GPIHBP1. The variants revealed with NGS were also detected with HRM, including a rare premature stop codon in LPL (p.Trp421*) and two LPL pathogenic variants in the patient with FCS (p.His80Arg + p.Gly215Glu). Having multiple functional variant alleles was associated with pancreatitis onset at younger ages and higher baseline triglycerides. CONCLUSIONS: Our HRM assays detected the presence of functional gene variants that were confirmed with Sanger and NGS sequencing. The presence of multiple functional variant alleles was associated with differences in the clinical profile. Therefore, these assays represent a reliable, cost-effective tool that can be used to complement the NGS approach for gene scanning.

Investigating Genetic Factors Contributing to Variable Expressivity of Class I 17p13.3 Microduplication.

17p13.3 microduplications are rare copy number variations (CNVs) associated with variable phenotypes, including facial dysmorphism, developmental delay, intellectual disability, and autism. Typically, when a recognized pathogenic CNV is identified, other genetic factors are not considered. We investigated via whole-exome sequencing the presence of additional variants in four carriers of class I 17p13.3 microduplications. A 730 kb 17p13.3 microduplication was identified in two half-brothers with intellectual disability, but not in a third affected half-brother or blood cells from their normal mother (Family A), thus leading to the hypothesis of maternal germline mosaicism. No additional pathogenic variants were detected in Family A. Two affected siblings carried maternally inherited 450 kb 17p13.3 microduplication (Family B); the three carriers of the microduplication exhibited microcephaly and learning disability/speech impairment of variable degrees. Exome analysis revealed a variant of uncertain significance in RORA, a gene already linked to autism, in the autistic boy; his sister was heterozygous for a CYP1B1 pathogenic variant that could be related to her congenital glaucoma. Besides, both siblings carried a loss-of-function variant in DIP2B, a candidate gene for intellectual disability, which was inherited from their father, who also exhibited learning disability in childhood. In conclusion, additional pathogenic variants were revealed in two affected carriers of class I 17p13.3 microduplication (Family B), probably adding to their phenotypes. These results provided new evidence regarding the contribution of RORA and DIP2B to neurocognitive deficits, and highlighted the importance of full genetic investigation in carriers of CNV syndromes with variable expressivity. Finally, we suggest that microcephaly may be a rare clinical feature also related to the presence of the class I 17p13.3 microduplication.

Determination of TNF-a Gene Polymorphisms on Skeletal Pattern in Class II Malocclusion.

Bone development and growth is a non-going, life-long process, varying greatly among individuals and much of this variation could be modulated by genetic factors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between the polymorphisms in the TNF-a gene and skeletal class II malocclusion. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in TNF-a (rs1799724; rs1800629) gene were studied in 79 skeletal class II malocclusion and 102 skeletal class I malocclusion subjects from Straight Wire Group of Studies on Orthodontics and Functional Orthopedics for Maxillary from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Genotyping of these selected polymorphisms was carried out by TaqMan real-time PCR using genomic DNA extracted from buccal cells. All allele and genotype frequencies were compared between the groups using the PLINK® software in a free, in a dominant and in a recessive model using a chi-square test (p≤0.05). There was no significant association of TNF-a (rs1799724; rs1800629) genotype and allele distribution with skeletal class II malocclusion. Regardless of the dominant or recessive genetic model, the preferential genotype associations for rs1799724 and rs1800629 was insignificant. In conclusion, no evidence of association is apparent between genetic polymorphisms involving TNF-a and skeletal class II malocclusion or the position of the maxilla and mandible in the postero-anterior direction.

Paralyzing and myotoxic effects of a recombinant bothropstoxin-I (BthTX-I) on mouse neuromuscular preparations.

As a first step to investigate the structure-function relationship of bothropstoxin-I (BthTX-I), a myotoxin from Bothrops jararacussu snake venom, our group previously cloned a recombinant toxin (rBthTX-I) in Escherichia coli. The aim of this work was to characterize the biological activities of this rBthTX-I (1.0 microM) in both phrenic-diaphragm and extensor digitorum longus preparations in vitro, by means of myographic and morphologic techniques. Native BthTX-I (1.0 microM) was used as a standard. The influence of heparin (27.5 microg/ml) upon the biological activities of both toxins was also investigated. rBthTX-I had similar effects to the native toxin inducing blockage of both directly and indirectly evoked contractions in phrenic-diaphragm preparations, and muscle damage characterized by edema, round fibers, and cell areas devoid of myofibrils. Interestingly the paralyzing activity of rBthTX-I was slightly more potent than the native toxin. Heparin prevented paralyzing and myotoxic effects of both the native and recombinant toxins. This work shows that rBthTX-I was expressed in a fully active form, and presents a biological profile similar to the native toxin.

Cross-cultural adaptation of the activities of daily living questionnaire-Brazil in parkinson's disease / Adaptação transcultural do questionário de atividades de vida diária-Brasil para doença de parkinson

ABSTRACT Background: Culturally adapted measures to assess the performance of activities of daily living (ADL) in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) are limited in Brazil. Objective: To adapt the ADL Questionnaire to the Brazilian culture and to analyze its reproducibility in individuals with PD. Methods: The ADL Questionnaire was translated and cross-culturally adapted to Brazilian Portuguese language. Reproducibility was analyzed using test-retest reliability and agreement values. The test-retest reliability of the individual items and total scores were calculated. The limits of agreement were verified using the Bland-Altman plot. The standard error of measurement (SEM) and the minimum detectable change (MDC) were calculated. Patients who were classified on a score of 1-4 on the modified Hoehn and Yahr scale were eligible. Results: No divergence was identified between the original and the adapted version, which demonstrated adequate semantic and conceptual equivalence. The Bland-Altman plot showed no systematic changes in the mean test-retest scores. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was 0.98 (95% confidence interval [95%CI] 0.93-0.99), and all individual items showed good levels of reliability (>0.60). The SEM (SEM%) and MDC (MDC%) values were 3.0 (6.75%) and 8.2 (18.7%), respectively. These values are within the recommended values. Conclusions: The ADL-Brazil Questionnaire is a reliable instrument to be used for clinical and research purposes to assess self-perceptions of ADL performance in individuals with PD.

RESUMO Antecedentes: Medidas adaptadas transculturalmente para avaliar o desempenho nas atividades de vida diária (AVD) em indivíduos com doença de Parkinson (DP) são limitadas no Brasil. Objetivo: Adaptar transculturalmente o Questionário AVD e analisar sua reprodutibilidade em indivíduos com DP. Métodos: O Questionário AVD foi traduzido e adaptado transculturalmente para o português do Brasil. A reprodutibilidade foi analisada usando a confiabilidade teste-reteste e os valores de concordância. A confiabilidade dos itens individuais e as pontuações totais foram calculadas. Os limites de concordância foram verificados usando o gráfico Bland-Altman. O erro padrão da medida (EPM) e a diferença mínima detectável (DMD) foram calculadas. Pacientes classificados nos estágios 1-4 da escala de Hoehn e Yahr foram elegíveis. Resultados: Não foi identificada divergência entre a versão original e a versão adaptada, que demonstrou equivalência semântica e conceitual adequada. O gráfico Bland-Altman não mostrou mudanças sistemáticas nas pontuações médias do teste-reteste. O coeficiente de correlação intraclasse (CCI) foi de 0,98 (intervalo de confiança de 95% [IC95%] 0,93-0,99) e todos os itens individuais apresentaram bons níveis de confiabilidade (>0,60). Os valores do EPM (EPM%) e DMD (DMD%) foram 3,0 (6,75%) e 8,2 (18,7%), respectivamente. Esses valores estão em conformidade com os valores recomendados. Conclusões: O Questionário AVD-Brasil é um instrumento confiável para uso clínico e de pesquisa para avaliar a autopercepção do desempenho nas AVD em indivíduos com DP.

Síndrome Kawasaki temporalmente relacionado a COVID-19 (Síndrome Kawasaki- Like) en pacientes pediátricos / Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome temporally related to COVID-19 (Kawasaki-like Syndrome) in Pediatric Patients

Introducción: El Síndrome Multisistémico Inflamatorio surge como manifestación de COVID-19 en la edad pediátrica, con diversos fenotipos dentro de los cuales se encuentra un Síndrome similar a Kawasaki, que responde a terapéutica habitual para la enfermedad clásica. Reporte de casos: Se reportan dos casos procedentes de la ciudad de Chiclayo, con edades de 7 y 9 años, sexo femenino, historia de contactos probables y confirmados para COVID-19, y una de las pacientes con serología positiva IgG e imágenes tomográficas compatibles con COVID-19 en resolución. Ambas cumplieron con criterios de Síndrome Multisistémico Inflamatorio Pediátrico y Enfermedad de Kawasaki clásica, además con respuesta favorable a terapéutica habitual, sin complicaciones y en seguimiento actual. Conclusiones: los casos reportados responden a terapéutica habitual y las características de presentación contribuirán a la documentación de dicha patología emergente en la comunidad científica.

Introduction: The Inflammatory Multisystemic Syndrome arises as a manifestation of COVID-19 in the pediatric age, with diverse phenotypes within which a Kawasaki-like Syndrome is found, which responds to the usual therapy for classic disease. Case report: Two cases from Chiclayo city, 7 and 9 years old, female sex, history of probable and confirmed contacts for COVID-19, and one of the patients with positive IgG serology and compatible tomographic images with COVID-19 in resolution. Both met criteria forPediatric Inflammatory Multisystemic Syndrome and classic Kawasaki Disease, in addition with a favorable response to usual therapy, without complications and in current follow-up. Conclusions: the reported cases respond to usual therapy and the presentation characteristics will contribute to the documentation of this emerging pathology in the scientific community.

Neuromuscular effects of venoms and crotoxin-like proteins from Crotalus durissus ruruima and Crotalus durissus cumanensis.

A myographic study was performed to compare the neuromuscular effects of venoms and crotoxin-like proteins from Crotalus durissus ruruima and Crotalus durissus cumanensis in mice phrenic-diaphragm preparation. It was concluded that both venoms present neurotoxic activity as a consequence of their crotoxin content. Furthermore, crotoxin from C.d. cumanensis is more potent than that from C.d. ruruima venom. At the concentration range in which both venoms express neurotoxic activity, only C.d. cumanensis venom also manifest a direct myotoxic effect that probably involves the synergic participation of other components than crotoxin.

Determination of tnf-a gene polymorphisms on skeletal pattern in class ii malocclusion

Abstract Bone development and growth is a non-going, life-long process, varying greatly among individuals and much of this variation could be modulated by genetic factors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between the polymorphisms in the TNF-a gene and skeletal class II malocclusion. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in TNF-a (rs1799724; rs1800629) gene were studied in 79 skeletal class II malocclusion and 102 skeletal class I malocclusion subjects from Straight Wire Group of Studies on Orthodontics and Functional Orthopedics for Maxillary from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Genotyping of these selected polymorphisms was carried out by TaqMan real-time PCR using genomic DNA extracted from buccal cells. All allele and genotype frequencies were compared between the groups using the PLINK® software in a free, in a dominant and in a recessive model using a chi-square test (p≤0.05). There was no significant association of TNF-a (rs1799724; rs1800629) genotype and allele distribution with skeletal class II malocclusion. Regardless of the dominant or recessive genetic model, the preferential genotype associations for rs1799724 and rs1800629 was insignificant. In conclusion, no evidence of association is apparent between genetic polymorphisms involving TNF-a and skeletal class II malocclusion or the position of the maxilla and mandible in the postero-anterior direction.

Resumo O desenvolvimento e crescimento ósseo é um processo contínuo, que dura toda a vida, variando muito entre os indivíduos e grande parte dessa variação pode ser modulada por fatores genéticos. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a associação entre os polimorfismos no gene TNF-a e a má oclusão da classe II esquelética. Polimorfismos no gene TNF-a (rs1799724; rs1800629) foram estudados em 79 indivíduos com má oclusão esquelética de classe II e 102 indivíduos com má oclusão esquelética classe I do Grupo de Estudos em Ortodontia e Ortopedia Funcional dos Maxilares do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. A genotipagem destes polimorfismos foi realizada por PCR em tempo real, através de DNA genômico extraído de células bucais. Todas as frequências alélicas e genotípicas foram comparadas entre os grupos utilizando o software PLINK® em um modelo livre, dominante e recessivo. Foi aplicado o teste do qui-quadrado (p≤0,05). Não houve associação significativa na distribuição genotipica e alélica do gene TNF-a (rs1799724; rs1800629) com a má oclusão de classe II esquelética. Independentemente do modelo genético dominante ou recessivo, as associações genotípicas preferenciais para rs1799724 e rs1800629 foram insignificantes. Pode-se concluir que, não existe evidência de associação entre polimorfismos genéticos envolvendo TNF-a e má oclusão esquelética de classe II ou a posição da maxila e mandíbula na direção póstero-anterior.

Cerebelite aguda com herniação tonsilar: relato de caso / Acute cerebellitis with tonsillar herniation: a case report

A cerebelite aguda é uma síndrome inflamatória rara frequentemente caracterizada por rápida disfunção cerebelar. Neste estudo relatamos os achados de imagem do caso de uma criança com cerebelite aguda, herniação tonsilar e hidrocefalia hipertensiva. O agente etiológico não foi descoberto. O tratamento foi conservador, com manitol e corticoide. A análise evolutiva por imagem demonstrou resolução do quadro clínico sem sequelas.

Acute cerebellitis is a rare inflammatory syndrome frequently characterized by fast onset of cerebellar dysfunction. The present case report describes imaging findings in a child with acute cerebellitis, tonsillar herniation and hypertensive hydrocephalus. The etiologic agent has not been determined. A conservative management was adopted, with corticoid and diuretic drugs. Imaging follow-up demonstrated resolution of the clinical condition with no sequela.

Deposição de calda em eucalipto utilizando pulverização pneumática / Deposition of sauce in eucalyptus spray using pneumatic

O eucalipto é uma das espécies de maior importância dentro do sistema brasileiro de produção da madeira. A área plantada tem aumentado anualmente, com isso as pragas passam a exigir maiores investimentos. O trabalho foi conduzido no Município de Belo Oriente-Minas Gerais, no campo de reflorestamento de Eucalyptus grandis da Celulose Nipo-Brasileira (CENIBRA). Foram conduzidos dois experimentos variando a vazão de ar do ventilador que foram 11300 m3 h-1 e 13250 m3 h -1, alterando a rotação na Tomada de Potência de 540 para 650 rpm. As aplicações foram realizadas utilizando três índices de volumétricos, três alturas no dossel e três posições na planta em relação ao pulverizador. O objetivo foi determinar a deposição da calda nas folhas do eucalipto. As folhas com corante alimentício Azul Brilhante foram acondicionadas em sacos plásticos e lavadas em 100 mL de água destilada para leitura da absorção no espectrofotômetro. As aplicações foram realizadas com um pulverizador de jato projetado adaptado para direcionar o jato de ar verticalmente a alturas superiores a 20 metros. O pulverizador utilizado mostrou-se eficiente para aplicação de fitossanitários em árvores adultas de eucalipto. Porém, o aumento no volume de ar não aumentou a deposição da calda.

Eucalyptus is a species of great importance in the Brazilian system of production of wood. The area planted has increased annually, with the plagues that will demand larger investments. The work was conducted in Belo Oriente, Minas Gerais, in the field of reforestation of Eucalyptus grandis Celulose Nipo-Brasileira (CENIBRA). Two experiments were conducted by varying the flow of air from the fan who was 11300 m3 h-1 and 13250 m3 h-1, changing the rotation of the power socket 540 to 650 rpm. The applications were performed using three indices of volumetric three heights in the canopy and three positions at the plant in relation to the spray. The objective was to determine the spray deposition on leaves of the eucalyptus. Leaves with Brilliant Blue food dye were placed in plastic bags and washed in 100 mL of distilled water to reading the absorption spectrophotometer. The applications were performed with a spray jet adapted designed to direct the jet of air vertically to heights exceeding 20 meters. The sprayer was efficient for the application of pesticides in adult trees of eucalyptus. However, the increase in air volume did not increase the deposition of solution.