The copper-responsive regulator CsoR is indirectly involved in Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens denitrification.

The soybean endosymbiont Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens harbours the complete denitrification pathway that is catalysed by a periplasmic nitrate reductase (Nap), a copper (Cu)-containing nitrite reductase (NirK), a c-type nitric oxide reductase (cNor), and a nitrous oxide reductase (Nos), encoded by the napEDABC, nirK, norCBQD, and nosRZDFYLX genes, respectively. Induction of denitrification genes requires low oxygen and nitric oxide, both signals integrated into a complex regulatory network comprised by two interconnected cascades, FixLJ-FixK2-NnrR and RegSR-NifA. Copper is a cofactor of NirK and Nos, but it has also a role in denitrification gene expression and protein synthesis. In fact, Cu limitation triggers a substantial down-regulation of nirK, norCBQD, and nosRZDFYLX gene expression under denitrifying conditions. Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens genome possesses a gene predicted to encode a Cu-responsive repressor of the CsoR family, which is located adjacent to copA, a gene encoding a putative Cu+-ATPase transporter. To investigate the role of CsoR in the control of denitrification gene expression in response to Cu, a csoR deletion mutant was constructed in this work. Mutation of csoR did not affect the capacity of B. diazoefficiens to grow under denitrifying conditions. However, by using qRT-PCR analyses, we showed that nirK and norCBQD expression was much lower in the csoR mutant compared to wild-type levels under Cu-limiting denitrifying conditions. On the contrary, copA expression was significantly increased in the csoR mutant. The results obtained suggest that CsoR acts as a repressor of copA. Under Cu limitation, CsoR has also an indirect role in the expression of nirK and norCBQD genes.

Antibody response dynamics to CoronaVac vaccine and booster immunization in adults and the elderly: A long-term, longitudinal prospective study.

Background: The long-term humoral immune response after vaccination varies between vaccines and is dependent on the accuracy of the antibody test. A better understanding of the vaccine immune response may help to define vaccination strategies against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Objective: To investigate the long-term immunological response to CoronaVac vaccine and determinants of breakthrough COVID-19 infection. Methods: A long-term, prospective cohort study involving vaccinated adult and elderly subjects was conducted to investigate the presence of anti-RBD-specific immunoglobulin (Ig)G, anti-nucleocapsid IgG and anti-spike trimeric protein IgG. Antibody level dynamics and risk factors associated with breakthrough COVID-19 infection were investigated. Results: In total, 3902 participants were included in this study. Vaccination with two doses of CoronaVac and a booster dose increased the levels of anti-RBD-specific IgG, anti-nucleocapsid IgG and anti-spike trimeric IgG significantly. In adults, anti-nucleocapsid IgG and anti-spike trimeric IgG levels decreased significantly 7 months after the second dose. In adults and the elderly, the levels of anti-spike trimeric IgG and anti-RBD IgG decreased significantly 4 and 6 months after the booster dose, respectively. Previous exposure to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and anti-spike trimeric IgG titres was independently associated with a lower probability of post-vaccination infection. Conclusions: A significant increase in antibody levels was found after two doses of CoronaVac and a booster dose. Antibody titres declined significantly 7 months post-vaccination in participants who did not receive a booster dose. Higher levels of antibodies and previous SARS-CoV-2 infection were associated with protection against breakthrough COVID-19.

Effect of Copper on Expression of Functional Genes and Proteins Associated with Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens Denitrification.

Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a powerful greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. Denitrification is one of the largest sources of N2O in soils. The soybean endosymbiont Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens is a model for rhizobial denitrification studies since, in addition to fixing N2, it has the ability to grow anaerobically under free-living conditions by reducing nitrate from the medium through the complete denitrification pathway. This bacterium contains a periplasmic nitrate reductase (Nap), a copper (Cu)-containing nitrite reductase (NirK), a c-type nitric oxide reductase (cNor), and a Cu-dependent nitrous oxide reductase (Nos) encoded by the napEDABC, nirK, norCBQD and nosRZDFYLX genes, respectively. In this work, an integrated study of the role of Cu in B. diazoefficiens denitrification has been performed. A notable reduction in nirK, nor, and nos gene expression observed under Cu limitation was correlated with a significant decrease in NirK, NorC and NosZ protein levels and activities. Meanwhile, nap expression was not affected by Cu, but a remarkable depletion in Nap activity was found, presumably due to an inhibitory effect of nitrite accumulated under Cu-limiting conditions. Interestingly, a post-transcriptional regulation by increasing Nap and NirK activities, as well as NorC and NosZ protein levels, was observed in response to high Cu. Our results demonstrate, for the first time, the role of Cu in transcriptional and post-transcriptional control of B. diazoefficiens denitrification. Thus, this study will contribute by proposing useful strategies for reducing N2O emissions from agricultural soils.

COVID-19 dynamics considering the influence of hospital infrastructure: an investigation into Brazilian scenarios.

COVID-19 dynamics is one of the most relevant subjects nowadays, and, in this regard, mathematical modeling and numerical simulations are of special interest. This paper describes COVID-19 dynamics based on a novel version of the susceptible-exposed-infectious-removed model. Removed population is split into recovered and death populations allowing a better comprehension of real situations. Besides, the total population is reduced based on the number of deaths. Hospital infrastructure is also included into the mathematical description allowing the consideration of collapse scenarios. Initially, a model verification is carried out calibrating system parameters with data from China outbreak that is considered a benchmark due the availability of data for the entire cycle. Afterward, Brazil outbreak is of concern, calibrating the model and developing numerical simulations. Results show several scenarios highlighting the importance of social isolation and hospital infrastructure. System dynamics has a strong sensitivity to transmission rate showing the importance of numerical simulations to guide public health decision strategies. Results also show that complex dynamical responses can emerge due to the oscillations of the transmission rate, being associated with distinct infection subsequent waves.

Salud y Enfermedad Mental: Del Corpus Hippocraticum a una aproximación termodinámica / Health and Mental Illness: From Corpus Hippocraticum to a thermodynamic approach

Se establece una relación entre conceptos básicos acerca de salud y enfermedad mental en los Tratados Hipocráticos y los elementos actuales de la termodinámica y de la cibernética, enlace que se formula a través de los aportes de autores como Maturana y Valera (autopoiesis y teleonomía) o Bergson (regularidades vs indeterminsmos). Se definen y caracterizan los fenómenos anancásticos y los estocásticos, destacándose su relación complementaria. Con un enfoque termodinámico se define a la enfermedad mental como una estructura que se impone hegemónicamente sobre el resto de las actividades mentales y consume la energía que regula el metabolismo restante de la persona afectada. Se aportan evidencias clínicas de las bondades de esta óptica, presentándose, por ejemplo, la ansiedad como una crisis entrópica y la depresión como interferencia de la teleonomía , al tiempo que los trastornos obsesivo-compulsivos son descritos desde una perspectiva cibernética. A lo largo del texto se le confiere mayor relevancia a la noción de la enfermedad mental como pathos hegemónico que absorbe recursos energéticos y disminuye las posibilidades de adaptación del afectado a su medio externo y de éxito en el afrontamiento de sus propias tensiones.

A link is traced between the basic concepts on health and mental illness in the Hippocratic Treaties and the current elements of thermodynamics and cybernetics, through the contributions of authors such as Maturana and Valera (autopoiesis and teleonomy) or Bergson (regularities vs. indeterminism). Anankastic and stochastic phenomena are defined and characterized, highlighting their complementary connection. Following a thermodynamic approach, a mental illness is defined as a structure that imposes itself on the rest of the mental activities and consumes the energy that regulates the remnants of the affected person s metabolism. Clinical evidences of the benefits of this perspective are given, presenting, for instance, anxiety as entropic crisis and depression as an interference of teleonomy , while obsessive-compulsive disorders are described from the cybernetic perspective. Throughout the text, the greatest relevance is conferred to the notion of mental illness as a hegemonic pathos that absorbs energy resources and diminishes the affected individuals possibilities of adaptation to their external environment, and of successfully coping with their own tensions.

Comparative study of some analytical methods to quantify lignin concentration in tropical grasses.

OBJECTIVE: Lignin plays a relevant role in the inhibition of cell wall (CW) structural carbohydrate degradation. Thus, obtaining accurate estimates of the lignin content in tropical plants is important in order to properly characterize the mechanism of lignin action on cell wall degradation. Comparing conflicting results between the different methods available for commercial use will bring insight on the subject. This way, providing data to better understand the relationship between lignin concentration and implications with tropical forage degradation. METHODS: Five grass species, Brachiaria brizantha cv Marandú, Brachiaria brizantha cv Xaraés (MG-5), Panicum maximum cv Mombaça, Pennisetum purpureum cv Cameroon and Pennisetum purpureum cv Napier, were harvested at five maturity stages. Acid detergent lignin (ADL), Klason lignin (KL), acetyl bromide lignin (ABL) and permanganate lignin (PerL) were measured on all species. Lignin concentration was correlated with in vitro degradability. RESULTS: Highly significant effects for maturity, lignin method and their interaction on lignin content were observed. The ADL, KL and ABL methods had similar negative correlations with degradability. The PerL method failed to reliably estimate the degradability of tropical grasses, possibly due to interference of other substances potentially soluble in the KMnO4 solution. CONCLUSION: ADL and KL methods use strong acid (H2SO4) and require determination of ash and N content in the lignin residues, therefore, increasing time and cost of analysis. The ABL method has no need for such corrections and is a fast and a convenient method for determination of total lignin content in plants, thus, it may be a good option for routine laboratory analysis.

Insights into soy lecithin and egg yolk-based extenders for chilling canine spermatozoa.

SummaryThe aim of this study was to compare different concentrations of soy lecithin (LEC0.01%, LEC0.05% and LEC0.1%) with egg yolk (Control) in cooling extenders during the storage of semen at 5ºC for 5 days. Twelve dogs (n = 12) were selected, and semen was cooled and assessed after 2, 24, 48, 72, 96 or 120 h. At each time point, sperm were analyzed for kinetic patterns (using computer-assisted sperm analysis), mitochondrial activity (3'3- diaminobenzidine assay), lipid peroxidation (TBARS assay), DNA fragmentation (SCSA®) and plasma and acrosome membrane integrity (eosin/nigrosin and fast green/rose Bengal stains, respectively). The Control group (1814.4 ± 197.2) presented the highest rates of lipid peroxidation at 120 h. Conversely, progressive motility (42.8 ± 4%), linearity (45.4 ± 1%), and VAP (88 ± 3%) were higher in the Control group. In addition, there was lower mitochondrial activity in the Control group at 72 h. Therefore, our data show that lecithin used at these concentrations was not able to maintain sperm viability at as high qualities as would egg yolk. Moreover, the decrease in high mitochondrial activity and the persistence of sperm motility may indicate a compensatory mechanism in canine spermatozoa (i.e., glycolytic pathway). Furthermore, these higher lipid peroxidation indexes could indicate the necessity for future therapy using extenders and antioxidants over a long cooling time for dog sperm.

Applications of Support Vector Machine (SVM) Learning in Cancer Genomics.

Machine learning with maximization (support) of separating margin (vector), called support vector machine (SVM) learning, is a powerful classification tool that has been used for cancer genomic classification or subtyping. Today, as advancements in high-throughput technologies lead to production of large amounts of genomic and epigenomic data, the classification feature of SVMs is expanding its use in cancer genomics, leading to the discovery of new biomarkers, new drug targets, and a better understanding of cancer driver genes. Herein we reviewed the recent progress of SVMs in cancer genomic studies. We intend to comprehend the strength of the SVM learning and its future perspective in cancer genomic applications.

Anthology of Venezuelan psychiatry.

Reception of Psychiatry in Venezuela since the 19th Century to the late 20th Century merits a historical approach. The following work proposes to research some of the very origins of Venezuelan psychiatry and its possible influence on contemporary mental health practice. Through documental research, the early works of local authors from the 19th Century through 20th Century finals: Carlos Arvelo, Lisandro Alvarado, Francisco Herrera Luque, Jose Luis Vethencourt and Jose Solanes, are subjected to study. This journey illustrates a descriptive panoramic view which allows to better comprenhend the current state of our psychiatry. In a brief introduction the most important events are described, since the arrival of Pinel's ideas, followed by the early research paperworks published and the beginnings of the academic teachings of this specialty in Venezuela and displaying the main contemporary research groups thorough the country.

Incisão vertical para remoção de osso autógeno da sínfise mentual: relato de dois casos clínicos / Vertical incision to autogenous bone removal from the mental symphysis: report of two clinical cases

O presente artigo apresenta o relato de dois casos clínicos onde através de uma técnica alternativa de incisão vertical foram removidos tecidos ósseos da região de sínfise mentual para aumento de volume ósseo em outra região para posterior reabilitação com implante osseo integrado. No primeiro relato em um paciente de 40 anos foi removido osso autógeno em bloco da sínfise mentual com a técnica da incisão vertical para aumento vertical na região da pré-maxila associado com biomaterial e posteriormente instalados dois implantes cilíndricos na região dos 12 e 22. O segundo relato, em paciente com 72 anos, removeu osso particulado da região de sínfise mentual e procedeu-se a enxertia do seio maxilar através da técnica da janela lateral e ambas as áreas utilizaram a técnica da incisão vertical.Constatou-se em ambos os casos minimização de edemas e sintomatologia dolorosa pós-operatórias e nenhum paciente relatou parestesia na região doadora, algo comum em casos com a remoção pela técnica tradicional.

This paper presents a report of two cases where using an alternative technique of vertical incision were removed bone tissue of the symphysis chin region to increase bone volume in another region for later rehabilitation with osseointegrated implant. The first report on a 40 year old patient was removed autogenous bone in the chin symphysis block with the vertical incision technique for vertical increase in pre maxilla associated with biomaterial and then installed two cylindrical implants in the region of 12 and 22. The second account in patients with 72 years removed particulate bone symphysis chin region and decided to graft the maxillarysinus through the lateral window technique and both areas have used the technique of vertical incision. It was found in both cases minimizing swelling and postoperative painful symptoms and no patients reported numbness in the donor area, something common in cases with removing the traditional technique.

A produção de conhecimento e o conceito de saúde numa graduação em educação física / Knowledge production and health concept at the undergraduate in physical education

Introdução: No âmbito acadêmico percebe-se grande valorização curricular do Projeto Pedagógico do Curso de Educação Física no que se refere à produção de conhecimento, a qual, em forma de Trabalho de Conclusão de Curso (TCC) pelo qual o graduando tenha a oportunidade de discutir com maior profundidade os conhecimentos desenvolvidos ao longo da graduação. "O TCC será proposto e desenvolvido de modo a referendar, aprofundar, enriquecer, recriar ou avançar a cultura acadêmica que está representada na Matriz Curricular para formação profissional no Curso de Graduação em Educação Física". Nesse sentido, apresenta-se como pertinente um estudo que permita a compreensão de como a saúde é entendida num curso com estas características de projeto pedagógico. Objetivos: pretendeu-se analisar o conceito de saúde presente nos trabalhos de conclusão de curso do curso de Educação Física da Universidade Federal de São Paulo - Campus Baixada Santista e evidenciar a relação do conceito de saúde com o Projeto Pedagógico de Curso de Educação Física da instituição. Método: para tanto foi desenvolvida uma análise documental de todos os trabalhos de conclusão de curso da instituição defendidos até 2015. O único critério de inclusão foi que o termo "saúde" deveria estar no título, em qualquer parte do resumo ou nas palavras-chave. A amostra consistiu em 62 trabalhos de conclusão de curso de 180 trabalhos existentes. Resultado e Discussão: o conceito de saúde presente nos trabalhos de conclusão de curso foi de perspectiva restrita, com ênfase na dimensão físico-biológica. Além disso, o conceito de saúde possuiu relação mais estreita com a tradição científica da área da EF do que com o projeto pedagógico do curso da instituição. Conclusão: embora haja limites sobre o conceito de saúde, concluiu-se que não há falha no modelo formativo proposto pela instituição, apenas um fator restrito sobre o conceito de saúde, que, inclusive, permeia outras áreas de formação. (AU)

Introduction: Academically it is perceived a great curriculum value of the Pedagogic Project for the Physical Education Course in relation to the production of knowledge, which, in the form of Course Conclusion Monography (TCC) by which the graduate student has the opportunity to discuss with greater depth knowledge developed during graduation. "The CBT will be proposed and developed to countersign, deepen, enrich, rebuild or move the academic culture that is represented in the Curriculum Matrix for training in undergraduate Physical Education course." In this sense, it is relevant to study how health is understood in a course with these pedagogical features. Objective: the aim of this study were to analyses the "health concept" in the Research Project for Course Completion as a final stage of undergraduate Physical Education course and to evaluate the relationship between this "health concept" with the Pedagogical Project Course this course investigated. Method: it was conducted a documental analysis of all Researches Projects for Course Completion at the Physical Education course of Universidade Federal de São Paulo - Campus Baixada Santista (from 2009 up 2015). The inclusion criteria was the presence of term "health" in the title, abstract or keywords. The sample consisted of 62 Researches Projects for Course Completion from a total of 180 researches. Result and discussion: as a result, the "health concept" present in Researches Projects for Course Completion was the restricted view with emphasis biological dimension. Besides, the "health concept" had relationship with the scientific tradition from Physical Education field than the Pedagogical Project Course from the Institution. Conclusion: although the "health concept" may be limited, the model of professional training by Institution is not failure but the "health concept" in all health fields is restrict. (AU)

Formação profissional em Educação Física e saúde na Universidade Federal de São Paulo / Professional formation in Physical Education and health at Universidade Federal de São Paulo

O objetivo deste texto é apresentar o curso de Bacharelado em Educação Física - Modalidade Saúde da Universidade Federal de São Paulo - Campus Baixada Santista. O referido curso iniciou suas atividades em 2006, almejando a formação de um profissional que esteja habilitado às demandas do universo do sistema de saúde. Em sua estrutura curricular, o curso apresenta 4 eixos: O ser humano em sua dimensão biológica; O ser humano e sua inserção social; Trabalho em Saúde, e; Aproximação à prática específica de Educação Física. Após formatura de quatro turmas o curso passa por avaliação de seu Projeto Pedagógico, entendendo a necessidade de adequações que permitam fortalecer a formação em Educação Física e saúde na instituição. Contudo, os resultados iniciais suportam a continuidade do projeto pedagógico, o qual se compreende adequado para a formação de um profissional disposto ao diálogo interdisciplinar e ao trabalho interprofissional no sistema de saúde.

The propose of this paper is to present the course of Bachelor of Physical Education - Health Modality of Federal University of São Paulo - Campus Baixada Santista. This course began activities in 2006, aiming the formation of a professional who is qualified to the demands of the health care´s universe. The curriculum of the course has 4 axes: The Human in its Biological Dimension; Human Being and their Social Integration; Health Work, and; Approach to the Specific Practice of Physical Education. After graduation of four classes, the course undergoes to a curricular reevaluation, understanding the need for adjustments for strengthening the formation in Physical Education and Health at the institution. However, the initial results support the continuity of the education program, which it shows suitable to the formation of a professional willing to the interdisciplinary dialogue and to the interprofessional work in the health system.

Laser phototherapy at high energy densities do not stimulate pre-osteoblast growth and differentiation.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of red and infrared lasers at high energy densities on pre-osteoblast MC3T3 proliferation and differentiation. BACKGROUND DATA: The acceleration of bone regeneration by low intensity laser irradiation may hold potential benefits in clinical therapy in orthopedics and dentistry. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cells were irradiated with red (660 nm) and infrared (780 nm) lasers (90 and 150 J/cm2, 40 mW). The control group did not receive irradiation. Cell growth was assessed by a colorimetric test (MTT) (24, 48, 72, 96 h) and cell differentiation was evaluated by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) quantification after growth in osteogenic medium (72, 96 h; 7, 14 days). RESULTS: None of the irradiation groups had an enhancement in cell growth (p<0.05). The production of ALP was not influenced by irradiation at any period of time (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The low intensity laser stimulated neither cell growth nor the production of alkaline phosphatase.

[Utility of capsule endoscopy with flexible spectral imaging color enhancement in the diagnosis of small bowel lesions]. / Utilidad del Flexible Spectral Imaging Enhancement de cápsula endoscópica en el diagnóstico de lesiones de intestino delgado.

INTRODUCTION: Capsule endoscopy (CE) is the technique of choice to detect small bowel lesions. Flexible spectral imaging color enhancement (FICE) software has recently been incorporated into the new RAPID 6.0 workstation, which allows three distinct patterns to be visualized in the mucosal structure according to different wavelengths. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether CE-FICE is more effective in detecting lesions than standard visualization. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty lesions were detected by CE in 41 consecutive patients in 2010. These patients were administered PillCamTM SB2 in our center and were classified into three groups: 1) vascular lesions and angiodysplasias (18 lesions), 2) erosions and ulcers (18 lesions) and 3) polyps and tumors (14 lesions). Subsequently, these lesions were independently analyzed with the available FICE patterns by three endoscopists, who assigned them a score according to the changes in the visualization of each FICE mode: +2, strong improvement; +1, slight improvement; 0, no relevant changes; -1, slight worsening; -2, clear worsening. When the sum of the scores of the three observers was 3 or more, visualization was considered to have improved; a score of 2 to -2 indicated no change; and a score of from -3 to -6 indicated poorer visualization. RESULTS: The FICE 1 mode improved visualization of angiodysplastic and vascular lesions in 16/18 patients (88.9%) and that of erosions/ulcers in 14/18 patients (77.8%). The FICE 2 mode improved these lesions in 88.9% and 55.5%, respectively. The FICE 3 mode only improved visualization of these lesions in 5/18 (27.7%) and 1/18 patients (5.5%), respectively. Likewise, the distinct FICE modes improved visualization of polyps/tumors in 2/14 (14.2%), 3/13 (21.4%) and 4/14 (28.5%) for FICE 1, 2 and 3, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The application of CE-FICE modes 1 and 2 could improve the characterization of angiodysplastic/vascular lesions and erosions or ulcers in small bowel lesions. However, FICE 3 seems to provide no significant advantages. None of the CE-FICE modes seems to improve the characterization of polyps and tumors.

Evaluation of different bowel preparations for small bowel capsule endoscopy: a prospective, randomized, controlled study.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: To obtain an adequate view of the whole small intestine during capsule endoscopy (CE) a clear liquid diet and overnight fasting is recommended. However, intestinal content can hamper vision in spite of these measures. Our aim was to evaluate tolerance and degree of intestinal cleanliness during CE following three types of bowel preparation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a prospective, multicenter, randomized, controlled study. Two-hundred ninety-one patients underwent one of the following preparations: 4 L of clear liquids (CL) (group A; 92 patients); 90 mL of aqueous sodium phosphate (group B; 89 patients); or 4 L of a polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution (group C; 92 patients). The degree of cleanliness of the small bowel was classified by blinded examiners according to four categories (excellent, good, fair or poor). The degree of patient satisfaction, gastric and small bowel transit times, and diagnostic yield were measured. RESULTS: The degree of cleanliness did not differ significantly between the groups (P = 0.496). Interobserver concordance was fair (k = 0.38). No significant differences were detected between the diagnostic yields of the CE (P = 0.601). Gastric transit time was 35.7 ± 3.7 min (group A), 46.1 ± 8.6 min (group B) and 34.6 ± 5.0 min (group C) (P = 0.417). Small-intestinal transit time was 276.9 ± 10.7 min (group A), 249.7 ± 13.1 min (group B) and 245.6 ± 11.6 min (group C) (P = 0.120). CL was the best tolerated preparation. Compliance with the bowel preparation regimen was lowest in group C (P = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: A clear liquid diet and overnight fasting is sufficient to achieve an adequate level of cleanliness and is better tolerated by patients than other forms of preparation.