The impact of sputum quality on Xpert positivity in active case-finding for TB.

BACKGROUND: Studies evaluating sputum quality and Xpert® MTB/RIF positivity in the context of active case finding are scarce. We aimed to determine whether sputum quality is associated with Xpert positivity and whether the association differed according to demographic and clinical characteristics.METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis using data from a mass screening programme in Brazilian prisons was conducted from 2017 to 2021. We administered a standardised questionnaire, obtained a chest X-ray and collected a spot sputum sample for Xpert testing. Sputum quality was classified as 'salivary', 'mucoid/mucopurulent' or 'blood-stained'. We used log binomial regressions to estimate the relationship between sputum quality and Xpert positivity, assessing interactions with participant characteristics.RESULTS: Among 4,368 participants for whom sputum quality was assessed, 957 (21.9%) produced salivary specimens, 3,379 (77.4%) had mucoid/mucopurulent sputum and 32 (0.7%) had blood-stained sputum. Xpert positivity was higher among those with mucoid/mucopurulent sputum than among those with salivary samples (12.0% vs. 3.7%). Mucopurulent sputum independently predicted Xpert positivity among individuals with and without symptoms, current smoking and abnormal chest radiographs on CAD4TB.CONCLUSIONS: In our study, sputum appearance independently predicted Xpert positivity, and could be used together with chest X-ray and symptom screening to inform use of Xpert in individual or pooled testing.

Local allergic rhinitis in children: identification and characterization in a specialty outpatient clinic.

Summary: Background. Local Allergic Rhinitis (LAR) is a phenotype defined by rhinitis symptoms with negative responses to systemic sensitization tests but with an exclusively nasal allergic inflammatory response. Data on the pediatric age group is scarce, and no Latin American data has been published so far. Methods. Nasal Allergen Challenge (NAC) was performed with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Blomia tropicalis in six- to 18-year-old patients diagnosed with rhinitis and no systemic sensitization. NAC was monitored using subjective parameters and acoustic rhinometry. The study aimed to identify LAR in child and adolescent subjects previously diagnosed with non-allergic rhinitis (NAR) in a Brazilian specialty outpatient clinic (Allergy and Immunology). Results. During the study period, we analyzed 758 skin prick tests (SPT). Of those, 517 (68.2%) were diagnosed with rhinitis. Among those, 18.4% (95/517) had a negative SPT, meeting the criteria for inclusion in the study. Twenty-five patients underwent NAC, and 40% (10/25) of them, previously considered to have NAR, had a positive test and were reclassified as having LAR. Based on the analyzed characteristics, clinically differentiating LAR from NAR was impossible. Conclusions. This study represents the first investigation of LAR in child and adolescent subjects in Latin America, contributing significantly to the understanding of its prevalence and characteristics in this geographic area. Among a subgroup of patients lacking systemic sensitization submitted to NAC, 40% (10/25) demonstrated a positive NAC with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Blomia tropicalis, warranting their reclassification to LAR. NAC with multiple allergens has been proven safe and viable in pediatric populations, affirming its critical role in the accurate diagnosis of LAR.

Gingival neoplasms: a multicenter collaborative study of 888 patients in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the prevalence and clinicopathological features of a large series of gingival neoplasms in Brazil. MATERIAL AND METHODS:  All gingival benign and malignant neoplasms were retrieved from the records of six Oral Pathology Services in Brazil, during a 41-year period. Clinical and demographic data, clinical diagnosis, and histopathological data were collected from the patients' clinical charts. For statistical analysis, the chi-square, median test of independent samples and the U Mann-Whitney tests were used, considering a significance of 5%. RESULTS:  From 100,026 oral lesions, 888 (0.9%) were gingival neoplasms. There were 496 (55.9%) males, with a mean age of 54.2 years. Most cases (70.3%) were malignant neoplasms. Nodules (46.2%) and ulcers (38.9%) were the most common clinical appearance for benign and malignant neoplasms, respectively. Squamous cell carcinoma (55.6%) was the most common gingival neoplasm, followed by squamous cell papilloma (19.6%). In 69 (11.1%) malignant neoplasms, the lesions were clinically considered to be inflammatory or of infectious origin. Malignant neoplasms were more common in older men, appeared with larger size, and with a time of complaint shorter than benign neoplasms (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS:  Benign and malignant tumors may appear as nodules in gingival tissue. In addition, malignant neoplasms, especially squamous cell carcinoma, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of persistent single gingival ulcers.

Gender representation on environmental sciences editorial boards.

Gender representation in science has been extensively investigated by scientists from different disciplines and locations. Men continue to publish, collaborate, and obtain more citations than women. We investigated the relationship between Editor-in-Chief (EiC) and Editorial Boards' (EB) gender representation and the impact factor (IF) of environmental science journals (ESJ). We analyzed EiC/EB members of the top ESJ in the Web of Science databases that published at least 10,000 articles from their first publication until 2021. Binary gender information was assigned to 9153 members from 39 journals. IF ranged from 0.854 to 11.236 (x̅=5.05). Women represented 20 % of EiC positions and 23 % of EB members. Although, the majority of female EiC/EBs were represented in journals with an IF lower than the mean. No correlation was found between EiC's gender representation and the IF (p > 0.05). Regarding the hypothesis that female EiC was associated with EB gender equity, the link was not significant (p = 0.3). Our hypothesis of no association between gender proportion and IF was accepted for journals with IF>5 (p = 0.2) but rejected for IF.

Ultrasonographic scores for ileal Crohn's disease assessment: Better, worse or the same as contrast-enhanced ultrasound?

BACKGROUND: Intestinal ultrasound (IUS) is an increasingly used non-invasive tool to evaluate Crohn's disease (CD) activity. Recently, two IUS scores that evaluate inflammatory activity have emerged: the Simple Ultrasound Activity Score for CD (SUS-CD) and the International Bowel Ultrasound Segmental Activity Score (IBUS-SAS). We aimed to compare the accuracy of SUS-CD, IBUS-SAS and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in predicting inflammatory activity in the terminal ileum in ileocolonoscopy in CD patients. METHODS: Retrospective study including all consecutive CD patients submitted to IUS with CEUS directed to the terminal ileum performed by a single operator between April 2016 and March 2020. Segmental SUS-CD and IBUS-SAS were calculated. A time-intensity curve of the contrast bowel wall enhancement was created with measurement of peak intensity using CEUS. The CD endoscopic activity in ileocolonoscopy was graded by Simple Endoscopic Score for CD (SES-CD) as inactive (SES-CD < 7) or active (SES-CD ≥ 7). RESULTS: Fifty patients were included, 54.0% were female, with mean age of 34 ± 12 years, and most had isolated ileal disease (60.0%), and a nonstricturing, nonpenetrating behaviour (44.0%). Most of the patients (60.0%) had active endoscopic disease (SES-CD ≥ 7). SUS-CD and IBUS-SAS were not different between patients with active or inactive endoscopic disease (p = 0.15; 0.57, respectively), having a poor accuracy to correlate endoscopic activity (area under de curve (AUC) 0.62; 0.55, respectively). Peak intensity in CEUS was significantly different in patients with active or inactive endoscopic disease (p = 0.004), having a good accuracy to correlate endoscopic activity (AUC 0.80). CONCLUSION: Unlike CEUS, SUS-CD and IBUS-SAS were not able to accurately correlate endoscopic activity in terminal ileum in CD. Therefore, CEUS is a non-invasive emerging method that should be increasingly integrated in the ultrasonographic evaluation of CD patients.

Oral Kaposi sarcoma development is associated with HIV viral load, CD4+ count and CD4+/CD8+ ratio.

BACKGROUND: Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is an uncommon, multifocal and angioproliferative lesion, which demonstrates a poor prognosis. The aim of the present research was to explore the association of HIV viral load, CD4+ and CD8+ counts and the CD4+/CD8+ ratio on the risk of oral Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) development. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 62 patients were retrieved from March 2008 to October 2020 from the files of two oral pathology centres. Clinical, laboratory and follow-up data were retrieved from their medical files. Poisson regression was used to explore the role of history of immunosuppression and its association with oral KS development. A P-value <0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Sixty-two patients were included in the present study (32 with oral KS and 30 with no presentation of lesions anywhere on the body). Patients with oral KS presented a mean age of 32.6 years, and male patients were more affected. The hard palate (15 cases; 46.8%) was the main anatomical site affected. The lesions were mostly presented as swellings (13 cases; 40.6%) and nodules (12 cases; 37.5%). Systemic manifestations were also observed, including candidiasis (4 cases; 12.5%), bacterial infection (3 cases; 9.3%), tuberculosis (3 cases; 9.3%), herpes simplex (3 cases; 9.3%) and pneumonia (3 cases; 9.3%). A significant correlation was observed between HIV viral load, CD4+ count and the CD4+/CD8+ ratio with oral KS development. CONCLUSIONS: HIV viral load, CD4+ count and the CD4+/CD8+ ratio are associated with oral KS development.

Use of a stackable surgical guide to improve the accuracy of the lateral wall approach for sinus grafting in the presence of a sinus septum.

The identification and management of interfering maxillary sinus septa is essential to anticipate and prevent membrane perforation and other complications during sinus grafting. A computer-guided sinus approach based on a new magnetic stackable surgical guide was planned, to transfer the exact position of the septum and optimize the positioning of the lateral access windows. This technique reduces the risk of sinus membrane injury, thereby increasing the safety and efficacy of the procedure.

Airborne route and bad use of ventilation systems as non-negligible factors in SARS-CoV-2 transmission.

The world is facing a pandemic of unseen proportions caused by a corona virus named SARS-CoV-2 with unprecedent worldwide measures being taken to tackle its contagion. Person-to-person transmission is accepted but WHO only considers aerosol transmission when procedures or support treatments that produce aerosol are performed. Transmission mechanisms are not fully understood and there is evidence for an airborne route to be considered, as the virus remains viable in aerosols for at least 3 h and that mask usage was the best intervention to prevent infection. Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Systems (HVAC) are used as a primary infection disease control measure. However, if not correctly used, they may contribute to the transmission/spreading of airborne diseases as proposed in the past for SARS. The authors believe that airborne transmission is possible and that HVAC systems when not adequately used may contribute to the transmission of the virus, as suggested by descriptions from Japan, Germany, and the Diamond Princess Cruise Ship. Previous SARS outbreaks reported at Amoy Gardens, Emergency Rooms and Hotels, also suggested an airborne transmission. Further studies are warranted to confirm our hypotheses but the assumption of such way of transmission would cause a major shift in measures recommended to prevent infection such as the disseminated use of masks and structural changes to hospital and other facilities with HVAC systems.

Early Interaction of Alternaria infectoria Conidia with Macrophages.

Fungi of the genus Alternaria are ubiquitous indoor and outdoor airborne agents, and individuals are daily exposed to their spores. Although its importance in human infections and, particularly in respiratory allergies, there are no studies of how Alternaria spp. spores interact with host cells. Our aim was to study the early interaction of Alternaria infectoria spores with macrophages, the first line of immune defense. RAW 264.7 macrophages were infected with A. infectoria conidia, and the internalization and viability of conidia once inside the macrophages were quantified during the first 6 h of interaction. Live cell imaging was used to study the dynamics of this interaction. TNF-α production was quantified by relative gene expression, and the concentration of other cytokines (IL-1α, IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-4, IL-10, IL-17, GM-CSF and INF-γ) and a chemokine, MIP-1α, was quantified by ELISA. Conidia were rapidly internalized by macrophages, with approximately half internalized after 30 min of interaction. During the first 6 h of interaction, macrophages retained the ability to mitotically divide while containing internalized conidia. The classical macrophage-activated morphology was absent in macrophages infected with conidia, and TNF-α and other cytokines and chemokines failed to be produced. Thus, macrophages are able to efficiently phagocyte A. infectoria conidia, but, during the first 6 h, no effective antifungal response is triggered, therefore promoting the residence of these fungal conidia inside the macrophages.

Fed and fasted states on heart rate variability, hemodynamic heart rate and blood pressure in adults submitted to moderate aerobic exercise.

BACKGROUND: Heart rate variability (HRV) has proven to be a powerful non-invasive tool to investigate cardiac autonomic control and, seems to be influenced by nutritional status and exercise practice. However, the acute effects of fed or fasting states on HRV and blood pressure (BP) during low-to-moderate intensity aerobic exercise are currently unknown. Therefore, we investigated the baseline values and behavior of HRV, BP, and heart rate (HR) before and after low-to-moderate intensity aerobic exercise in fed and fasted states in healthy adults. METHODS: 12 healthy individuals with mean age (SD) 59.0 (9.1) years performed two tests on a treadmill at 80% of the mean velocity of the 6-min walking test separated by 48 h: 12 h fasted (FST) or 1 h fed (FED). HRV, BP and HR were analyzed at rest, posttest, and at the third, fifth, and seventh minutes of recovery. RESULTS: HRV and HR presented no significant alterations between nutritional conditions. HR at baseline was not different between nutritional conditions. Diastolic blood pressure was increased during the fasted baseline state. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the current study provide that 12 h overnight fasting does not seem to be enough to affect significant changes in the autonomic modulation in healthy adults submitted to low-to-moderate intensity aerobic exercise.

Bowel preparation for small bowel capsule endoscopy - The later, the better!

BACKGROUND: In small bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE), the presence of residue may compromise diagnostic accuracy. AIMS: To assess differences in quality of visualisation and diagnostic yield of SBCE using 3 different preparation protocols. METHODS: Prospective, randomized, blind, pilot study. Protocol A:Clear liquids diet the day before the examination with fasting from 8p.m.; Protocol B:Protocol A + 2 pouches of Moviprep®(polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution + sodium ascorbate) in 1 L of water from 8p.m. of the day before the examination; Protocol C: Protocol A + 2 pouches of Moviprep® in 1 L of water consumed after real-time confirmation of capsule arrival at small bowel. Small bowel preparation was classified by two experienced physicians, considering the percentage of the examination during which mucosal observation was adequate: Excellent(>90%); Good(90-75%); Fair(75-50%); Poor(<50%). RESULTS: 101 patients randomized to the 3 protocols (A 37, B 31, C 33 patients). Protocol C had an excellent/good small bowel preparation in a higher percentage of examinations for both readers(Reader 1-A:37.8% vs B:45.2% vs C:78.8%, p = 0.002 and Reader 2 -A:37.8% vs B:41.9% vs C:75.8%, p = 0.003). Also, protocol C had a higher detection of angioectasia (A:5.4% vs B:9.7% vs C:27.3%, p = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS: The administration of Moviprep® after the capsule had reached the small bowel was associated with a better small bowel preparation and a higher detection of angioectasia.

Morphobiological, morphometric and ultrastructural characterization of sylvatic Trypanosoma cruzi isolates from Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil / Caracterização morfobiológica, morfométrica e ultraestrutural de isolados silvestres de Trypanosoma cruzi do estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Abstract Triatoma vitticeps is a triatomine with geographic distribution restrict to Brazil, which exhibits high prevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi natural infection. Of special epidemiologic concern, this species often invades households in the states of Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo. The objective of this study was to evaluate morphological and ultrastructural parameters on three T. cruzi isolates obtained from wild T. vitticeps specimens. The growth and cell differentiation of the parasite was evaluated through epimastigote and trypomastigote forms obtained in the growth curves for three distinct isolates. The maximum growth showed differences at the 20th day of the curve. Our in vitro results show a heterogeneity, regarding these features for samples cultivated under the same conditions. Morphometric analyzes based on the shape of epimastigotes and trypomastigotes corroborated such differentiation. These results highlight the need of better understanding the meaning of this diversity under an eco-epidemiological perspective.

Resumo Triatoma vitticeps é um triatomíneo com distribuição geográfica restrita ao território brasileiro, apresentando alta prevalência de infecção natural pelo Trypanosoma cruzi. Esta espécie é relevante sob o ponto de vista epidemiológico por invadir domicílios com frequência nos estados do Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais e Espírito Santo. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar parâmetros morfológicos e ultraestruturais, em três isolados de T. cruzi obtidos a partir de triatomíneos silvestres. O crescimento e a diferenciação celular do parasita foi avaliado através das formas epimastigotas e tripomastigotas obtidas nas curvas de crescimento para os três isolados. O crescimento máximo mostrou diferenças no 20º dia da curva. Nossos resultados in vitro mostram uma heterogeneidade, em relação a essas características para amostras cultivadas nas mesmas condições. As análises morfométricas baseadas na conformação de epimastigotas e trypomastigotes corroboraram essa diferenciação. Estes resultados ressaltam a necessidade de uma melhor compreensão do significado desta diversidade sob uma perspectiva eco-epidemiológica.

Morphobiological, morphometric and ultrastructural characterization of sylvatic Trypanosoma cruzi isolates from Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil.

Triatoma vitticeps is a triatomine with geographic distribution restrict to Brazil, which exhibits high prevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi natural infection. Of special epidemiologic concern, this species often invades households in the states of Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo. The objective of this study was to evaluate morphological and ultrastructural parameters on three T. cruzi isolates obtained from wild T. vitticeps specimens. The growth and cell differentiation of the parasite was evaluated through epimastigote and trypomastigote forms obtained in the growth curves for three distinct isolates. The maximum growth showed differences at the 20th day of the curve. Our in vitro results show a heterogeneity, regarding these features for samples cultivated under the same conditions. Morphometric analyzes based on the shape of epimastigotes and trypomastigotes corroborated such differentiation. These results highlight the need of better understanding the meaning of this diversity under an eco-epidemiological perspective.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy: confirming the clinical benefits far beyond anthropometry.

OBJECTIVES: The real benefit of gastrostomy is still a matter of debate. We aimed to prospectively evaluate the global impact of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) in patients followed at a specialized multidisciplinary clinic, namely, the impact on the need for healthcare resources, anthropometric measures, pressure ulcers prevention and healing, and nutritional and hydration status. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From the 201 patients who underwent PEG between May 2011 and September 2014, 60 were included in a prospective study. Anthropometric, clinical, and laboratorial variables were collected and compared before and after PEG. Follow-up duration, mortality, and number of emergency department visits or hospital admissions were also assessed. RESULTS: Thirty-three (55.0%) patients were women and the median age was 79 years. The main indications for PEG were dementia (43.3%) and poststroke dysphagia (30.0%). Four months following PEG, significant decreases in the tricipital skinfold (P=0.002) and brachial perimeter (P=0.003) were found. A decrease in the mean number of hospitalizations (1.4 vs. 0.3; P<0.001) and visits to emergency department (2.2 vs. 1.1; P=0.003) was noted in the next 6 months after PEG compared with the previous semester. In 53.8% of patients with pressure ulcers, complete healing was observed after PEG. PEG was associated with increases in hemoglobin (P=0.024), lymphocytes (P=0.041), cholesterol (P=0.008), transferrin (P<0.001), albumin (P<0.001), and total proteins (P<0.001), and a decrease in serum sodium (P=0.001). CONCLUSION: Anthropometric values may not translate the early benefits of a gastrostomy. PEG decreases the need for hospital health care, facilitates healing of pressure ulcers, and induces biochemical changes that may reflect better nutrition and hydration.

Morphobiological, morphometric and ultrastructural characterization of sylvatic Trypanosoma cruzi isolates from Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil

Abstract Triatoma vitticeps is a triatomine with geographic distribution restrict to Brazil, which exhibits high prevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi natural infection. Of special epidemiologic concern, this species often invades households in the states of Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo. The objective of this study was to evaluate morphological and ultrastructural parameters on three T. cruzi isolates obtained from wild T. vitticeps specimens. The growth and cell differentiation of the parasite was evaluated through epimastigote and trypomastigote forms obtained in the growth curves for three distinct isolates. The maximum growth showed differences at the 20th day of the curve. Our in vitro results show a heterogeneity, regarding these features for samples cultivated under the same conditions. Morphometric analyzes based on the shape of epimastigotes and trypomastigotes corroborated such differentiation. These results highlight the need of better understanding the meaning of this diversity under an eco-epidemiological perspective.

Resumo Triatoma vitticeps é um triatomíneo com distribuição geográfica restrita ao território brasileiro, apresentando alta prevalência de infecção natural pelo Trypanosoma cruzi. Esta espécie é relevante sob o ponto de vista epidemiológico por invadir domicílios com frequência nos estados do Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais e Espírito Santo. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar parâmetros morfológicos e ultraestruturais, em três isolados de T. cruzi obtidos a partir de triatomíneos silvestres. O crescimento e a diferenciação celular do parasita foi avaliado através das formas epimastigotas e tripomastigotas obtidas nas curvas de crescimento para os três isolados. O crescimento máximo mostrou diferenças no 20º dia da curva. Nossos resultados in vitro mostram uma heterogeneidade, em relação a essas características para amostras cultivadas nas mesmas condições. As análises morfométricas baseadas na conformação de epimastigotas e trypomastigotes corroboraram essa diferenciação. Estes resultados ressaltam a necessidade de uma melhor compreensão do significado desta diversidade sob uma perspectiva eco-epidemiológica.

Equilíbrio acidobásico, parâmetros urinários e sanguíneos de gatos induzidos ao estresse e suplementados com composto antioxidante / Acid-base balance, urinary and blood parameters of cats stress-induced cats and supplemented with antioxidant compound

Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a suplementação do composto antioxidante comercial EconomasE (Alltech, Brasil ( AOX) sobre o equilíbrio acidobásico, os parâmetros urinários, o hemograma completo e a fragilidade osmótica de eritrócitos (FOE) de gatos estressados. Foram utilizados 24 gatos adultos (3,49±0,87kg), distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com quatro níveis (0, 250, 500, 750mg de AOX/kg de alimento na matéria seca) e seis repetições, durante o período de 80 dias. Os gatos foram induzidos ao estresse por meio da presença de cães próximo ao recinto experimental (agente estressor; AE), do 61º dia até o final do experimento. A pressão parcial de dióxido de carbono (pCO2) e o bicarbonato (HCO3 -) aumentaram linearmente (P<0,05) conforme o aumento da ingestão de AOX. Os maiores valores de dióxido de carbono total (tCO2) (P<0,05) foram observados nos gatos alimentados com 500 e 750mg de AOX/kg de dieta. As concentrações de hemoglobina foram maiores nos animais alimentados com 250 e 500mg de AOX/kg de dieta. Os parâmetros urinários e da FOE foram semelhantes nos gatos em todas as dietas. Esses dados indicam que a suplementação com AOX apresenta efeitos benéficos no equilíbrio acidobásico e na concentração de hemoglobina de gatos induzidos ao estresse.(AU)

This study aimed to evaluate the supplementation of a commercial antioxidant EconomasE (Alltech, Brazil - AOX) on the acid-base balance, urinary parameters, red blood count (RBC) and erythrocyte osmotic fragility (EOF) of stressed cats. Twenty-four adult cats (3.49±0.87kg) were distributed in a completely randomized design with four levels (0, 250, 500, 750mg AOX/kg feed dry matter) and six replicates for a period of 80 days. Cats were induced to stress through the presence of dogs in the experimental environment (stressor agent; AE) from the 61th day to the end. Partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2) and bicarbonate (HCO3) increased linearly (P<0.05) with increased intake of AOX. The highest values of total carbon dioxide (tCO2) (P<0.05) were observed in cats fed the 500 and 750mg AOX/kg diet. Hemoglobin concentration was higher (P<0.05) in animals fed the 250 and 500mg AOX/kg diet. The urinary parameters and EOF were similar among all diets. These data indicate that AOX supplementation has beneficial effects in acid-base balance and hemoglobin concentration of stress-induced cats.(AU)

Characterization and Low-Resolution Structure of an Extremely Thermostable Esterase of Potential Biotechnological Interest from Pyrococcus furiosus.

Enzymes isolated from extremophiles often exhibit superior performance and potential industrial applications. There are several advantages performing biocatalysis at elevated temperatures, including enhanced reaction rates, increased substrate solubility and decreased risks of contamination. Furthermore, thermophilic enzymes usually exhibit high resistance against many organic solvents and detergents, and are also more resistant to proteolytic attack. In this study, we subcloned and characterized an esterase from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus (Pf_Est) that exhibits optimal activity around 80 °C using naphthol-derived substrates and p-nitrophenyl palmitate (pNPP). According to the circular dichroism spectra, the secondary structure of P. furiosus esterase, which is predominantly formed by a ß-sheet structure, is very stable, even after incubation at 120°C. We performed SAXS to determine the low-resolution structure of Pf_Est, which is monomeric in solution at 80 °C and has a molecular weight of 28 kDa. The Km and V max values for this esterase acting on pNPP were 0.53 mmol/L and 6.5 × 10-3 U, respectively. Pf_Est was most active in the immiscible solvents and retained more than 50 % in miscible solvents. Moreover, Pf_Est possesses transesterification capacity, presenting better results when isobutanol was used as an acyl acceptor (2.69 ± 0.14 × 10-2 µmol/min mg) and the highest hydrolytic activity toward olive oil among different types of oils testes in this study. Collectively, these biophysical and catalytic properties are of interest for several biotechnological applications that require harsh conditions, including high temperature and the presence of organic solvents.

Oral physiology, nutrition and quality of life in diabetic patients associated or not with hypertension and beta-blockers therapy.

The relationship between type 2 diabetes oral physiology, nutritional intake and quality of life has not been fully elucidated. We assessed the impact of type 2 diabetes - exclusive or associated with hypertension with beta-blockers treatment - on oral physiology, mastication, nutrition and quality of life. This cross-sectional study was performed with 78 complete dentate subjects (15 natural teeth and six masticatory units minimum; without removable or fixed prostheses), divided into three groups: diabetics (DM) (n = 20; 45·4 ± 9·5 years), diabetics with hypertension and receiving beta-blockers treatment (DMH) (n = 19; 41·1 ± 5·1 years) and controls (n = 39; 44·5 ± 11·7 years) matched for gender, age and socioeconomic status. Blood glucose, masticatory performance, swallowing threshold, taste, food intake, stimulated and unstimulated salivary flow, pH and buffering capacity of saliva were assessed. Glycemia was higher in DM than in controls (P < 0·01). No differences were observed between DM and controls for nutrition and quality of life. Both stimulated and unstimulated salivary flow rate were lower in DMH (P < 0·01), which also presented the lowest number of teeth and masticatory units (P < 0·0001), and reduction in the number of chewing cycles (P < 0·01). Controls showed lower Decayed Missing Filled Teeth index (DMFT) scores in comparison with DMH (P = 0·021). Masticatory performance and saliva buffering capacity were similar among groups. Exclusive type 2 diabetes did not alter oral physiology, nutrition or quality of life. However, when hypertension and beta-blockers treatment were associated with diabetes, the salivary flow rate, chewing cycles and number of teeth decreased.

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3/Machado-Joseph disease: segregation patterns and factors influencing instability of expanded CAG transmissions.

Controversies about Mendelian segregation and CAG expansion (CAGexp) instabilities during meiosis in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3/Machado-Joseph disease (SCA3/MJD) need clarification. Additional evidence about these issues was obtained from the cohort of all SCA3/MJD individuals living in South Brazil. A survey was carried out to update information registered since 2001. Deaths were checked with the Public Information System, and data was made anonymous. Anticipation and delta-CAGexp from parent-offspring pairs, and delta-CAGexp between siblings were obtained. One hundred and fifty-nine families (94% of the entire registry) were retrieved, comprising 3725 living individuals as of 2015, 625 of these being symptomatic. Minimal prevalence was 6:100,000. Carriers of a CAGexp represented 65.6% of sibs in the genotyped offspring (p < 0.001). Median instability was larger among paternal than maternal transmissions, and instabilities correlated with anticipation (r = 0.38; p = 0.001). Age of the parent correlated to delta-CAGexp among 115 direct parent-offspring CAGexp transmissions (ρ = 0.23, p = 0.014). In 98 additional kindreds, the delta-CAGexp between 269 siblings correlated with their delta-of-age (ρ = 0.27, p < 0.0001). SCA3/MJD was associated with a segregation distortion favoring the expanded allele in our cohort. Instability of expansion during meiosis was weakly influenced by the age of the transmitting parent at the time of conception.