Effect of Multiple Firings on the Microshear Bond Strength Between a Translucent Zirconia and a Resin Cement.

PURPOSE: This study investigated the microshear bond strength between a resin cement and a translucent zirconia subjected to multiple characterization firings. METHODS AND MATERIALS: 5Y-PSZ zirconia blocks (Katana UTML) were sliced, sintered (1550°C, 2 h), and randomly divided into six groups (n=10) according to the number of characterization firings (0, 1, 2, 3, 5, or 10) and aging (baseline or after thermocycling). Each characterization firing was performed at 750°C for 1 minute. The ceramic surfaces were all sandblasted with 50 µm Al2O3 and silanized. Then, cylinders of resin cement (0.96 mm diameter × 2 mm height) were bonded onto their surfaces. The baseline samples were immersed in distilled water for 24 hours before the microshear bond strength (µSBS) tests. The aged samples were tested after 5000 thermocycles in water (5°C-55°C). The failure modes were classified as adhesive, predominantly adhesive, or cohesive. Scanning electron microscope images of the failure modes and the ceramic surfaces after the firings were taken. The µSBS data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test. RESULTS: The number of characterization firings and aging affected the bond strength. The highest bond strength values were observed from the 2-firing group at baseline. The µSBS results after 1, 2, or 3 characterization firings were similar at baseline and after aging. On the other hand, 0, 5, and 10 firings revealed the lowest bond strengths. The most frequent failures were adhesive and predominantly adhesive. Zirconia grains were not affected by the multiple firings. CONCLUSION: One to three characterization firings after sintering improve the bond strength of 5Y-PSZ to the resin cement when compared to none or several (five or ten) firing cycles.

WGA-LP: a pipeline for whole genome assembly of contaminated reads.

SUMMARY: Whole genome assembly (WGA) of bacterial genomes with short reads is a quite common task as DNA sequencing has become cheaper with the advances of its technology. The process of assembling a genome has no absolute golden standard and it requires to perform a sequence of steps each of which can involve combinations of many different tools. However, the quality of the final assembly is always strongly related to the quality of the input data. With this in mind we built WGA-LP, a package that connects state-of-the-art programs for microbial analysis and novel scripts to check and improve the quality of both samples and resulting assemblies. WGA-LP, with its conservative decontamination approach, has shown to be capable of creating high quality assemblies even in the case of contaminated reads. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: WGA-LP is available on GitHub (https://github.com/redsnic/WGA-LP) and Docker Hub (https://hub.docker.com/r/redsnic/wgalp). The web app for node visualization is hosted by shinyapps.io (https://redsnic.shinyapps.io/ContigCoverageVisualizer/). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.

Oviductal fluid counterbalances the negative effect of high temperature on sperm in an ectotherm model.

Global warming is affecting biodiversity; however, the extent to which animal reproductive processes respond to predicted temperature increments remains largely unexplored. The thermal environment has a pronounced impact on metabolic rates of ectotherms; therefore, an interesting question to assess is whether temperature increase might affect specific reproductive mechanisms like sperm performance in ectotherms. Moreover, in many species, oviductal fluid (OF) is known to regulate and maintain sperm quality; however, the role of OF in relation to the effects of high temperature on sperm remains unclear. Our aim was to experimentally test the effect of increased temperature on sperm velocity, swimming path and percentage of motility in neutral conditions at ejaculation (without OF) and in female's reproductive tract fluid (with OF), in a social ectotherm lizard model, Tropidurus spinulosus, which has specific thermal requirements for reproduction. Our results suggest that a rising temperature associated with global warming (+4°C) affects negatively sperm dynamics and survival. However, OF ameliorated the harmful effects of high temperature. This is an important point, as this study is the first to have tested the role of OF in preserving sperm from a warmer pre-fertilization environment. These results contribute to our understanding of how thermal environment changes might affect post-copulatory reproductive mechanisms. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.

qPCR and qRT-PCR analysis: Regulatory points to consider when conducting biodistribution and vector shedding studies.

Gene and cell therapy fields have experienced remarkable growth during the past decade. Demands for preclinical and clinical safety assessments of these cell and gene therapy test articles (TAs) have effectively increased the necessity for regulated biodistribution, vector shedding, gene expression, and/or pharmacokinetics bioanalysis studies. Guidance documents issued from numerous international regulatory authorities recommend the use of quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and/or quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR (qRT-PCR) assays due to their highly sensitive and robust target-specific detection. However, only preclinical biodistribution assay sensitivity is specified in these documents. Criteria such as accuracy, precision, and repeatability are not yet defined. This guidance void has resulted in several conflicting institutional interpretations of essential parameters necessary for the development and validation of robust assays to support safety assessments of gene and cell therapy TAs. There is an urgent need for an ongoing discussion among bioanalytical scientists in this field to generate a "best practice" consensus around preclinical and clinical qPCR/qRT-PCR assay design. With regard to this need, we offer critical points to consider when developing, validating, running sample analysis, and reporting qPCR/qRT-PCR assays.

Diagnostic value of cutaneous manifestation of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

BACKGROUND: One of the challenging aspects of SARS-CoV-2 infection is its diverse multisystemic disease presentation. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the diagnostic value of cutaneous manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 infection and investigate their duration and timing in relation to other COVID-19 symptoms. METHODS: We used data from 336 847 UK users of the COVID Symptom Study app to assess the diagnostic value of body rash or an acral rash in SARS-CoV-2 infection, and data from an independent online survey of 11 544 respondents to investigate skin-specific symptoms and collect their photographs. RESULTS: Using data from the app, we show significant association between skin rashes and a positive swab test result (odds ratio 1·67, 95% confidence interval 1·42-1·97). Strikingly, among the respondents of the independent online survey, we found that 17% of SARS-CoV-2-positive cases reported skin rashes as the first presentation, and 21% as the only clinical sign of COVID-19. Together with the British Association of Dermatologists, we have compiled a catalogue of images of the most common skin manifestations of COVID-19 from 400 individuals (https://covidskinsigns.com), which we have made publicly available to assist clinicians in recognition of this early clinical feature of COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS: Skin rashes cluster with other COVID-19 symptoms, are predictive of a positive swab test, and occur in a significant number of cases, either alone or before other classical symptoms. Recognizing rashes is important in identifying new and earlier cases of COVID-19.

¿Qué venden los kioscos escolares al implementar la ley sobre composición nutricional de los alimentos y su publicidad? / What do school kiosks sell when implemented the law about food nutritional composition and advertisement?

El rápido aumento de la obesidad infantil se ha asociado al elevado consumo de alimentos procesados de alta densidad energética e insuficiente actividad física. Chile el año 2016, implementó la Ley 20.606 sobre Composición Nutricional de los Alimentos y su Publicidad, que prohíbe la publicidad de alimentos altos en calorías, grasas saturadas, azúcares y sodio para los niños menores de 14 años y la venta de estos alimentos al interior de las escuelas. El objetivo de este trabajo fue identificar los cambios en la oferta y consumo de alimentos de los kioscos escolares en escuelas públicas de Chile con la implementación de la Ley 20.606 sobre Composición Nutricional de los Alimentos y su Publicidad. Se hizo so de un estudio longitudinal. La muestra provino del estudio "Efectividad de una intervención en alimentación y actividad física orientada a controlar la obesidad en niños pertenecientes a escuelas públicas en escuelas de tres regiones del país" (estudio KIND), alcanzando 351 escolares de 8 a 14 años pertenecientes a tres escuelas municipalizadas. Para analizar la oferta en el kiosco se registraron en una base Excel todos los alimentos junto a su aporte nutricional, para el consumo de alimentos, se aplicó la encuesta utilizada en el estudio KIND y la medición del estado nutricional fue realizada por nutricionistas previamente estandarizadas. Se utilizó de la línea base la información obtenida en el estudio KIND, obtenida el año 2015 y se comparó con el año 2017 a través de Test de Mac Nemar y Test de proporciones para una muestra. Todos los análisis se realizaron con STATA 15 (Copyright 1984-2009 StataCorp). Los alimentos procesados y ultra procesados (84,8%) siguen siendo los más ofertados dentro de los kioscos en donde destacan los snacks dulces y los caramelos, manteniéndose la oferta al interior y exterior de las escuelas. Los grupos de alimentos que los niños prefieren comprar y traer desde la casa en ambos periodos analizados son los snacks dulces y las bebidas y jugos azucarados. Con la implementación de la Ley 20.606, disminuyó la variedad de alimentos ofertados altos en nutrientes críticos, sin embargo, se mantiene la oferta de alimentos ultra procesados y procesados en los kioscos escolares.

The fast growth in childhood obesity has been linked to the increased intake of high energy density processed food and poor physical activity. In 2016 in Chile the law 20.606 about Food Nutritional Composition and Advertisement, forbids the advertising of food with high calories, saturated fats, sugars, and sodium for children younger than 14 years and the sale of these food products inside schools. This work aimed to identify changes in the food supply and consumption in public school kiosks from Chile with the addition of the law 20.606 about Food Nutritional Composition and Advertisement. A longitudinal study was performed. The sample came from the study "Effectiveness of a food and physical activity intervention oriented to control obesity in children belonging to public schools from three regions of the country" (KIND study), reaching 351 students from 8 to 14 years belonging to three municipal schools. To analyze the supply at the kiosk, every food product along with its nutritional content was registered in an Excel base, for the intake of food it was used the survey from the KIND study and the nutritional state measurement was made by nutritionist standardized in advance. We used the baseline of the data obtained from the KIND study, this data was gathered in 2015 and we compared it to the one from 2017 using the Mac Nemar Test and the Test for proportions of a sample. Every analysis was made with STATA 15 (Copyright 1984-2009 StataCorp). Processed and ultra-processed food (84.8%) still is the most offered in the kiosks where the sweet snacks and candy are featured, keeping the supply at the inside and outside of schools. The foods that children prefer to buy and bring from home in both analyzed periods are the sweet snacks and sugary drinks and juices. With the addition of the law 20.606, the variety of the high critical nutrient food decreased, however, the supply of processed and ultra-processed food in school kiosks still remains.

Sexual dichromatism and color diversity in the spiny lava lizard Tropidurus spinulosus using lizard visual modelling.

Colors are important vehicles for social signals in many taxa. In Squamata, previous studies have linked color characteristics and chromatic diversity to sexual selection and, particularly, species showing male-biased body size dimorphism also showed male-biased dichromatism and color diversity. Sexual dichromatism may occur in body regions used for conspecific communication and it may be expressed at wavelengths, such as ultraviolet, easily perceivable by conspecifics. We tested this prediction in a social lizard model, Tropidurus spinulosus, using spectrophotometry and visual modelling which enable colors to be interpreted as the individuals of the same taxon see them. Our results indicate that sexual dichromatism occurs in the ventral regions and the flanks, which are the body regions involved in sexual displays. Males show greater color diversity, having larger color volumes and more contrasting colors. These findings reinforce the idea that sexual selection towards males is coupled with the evolution of male-biased, diverse, coloration which could act as a signal in social reproductive contexts.

Gradenigo's syndrome in a four-year-old patient: a rare diagnosis in the modern antibiotic era.

OBJECTIVE: This study gives details of a rare case of petrous apicitis that presented as Gradenigo's syndrome and was managed surgically. METHOD: This study presents a case report and review of the literature. RESULTS: A four-year-old female was admitted for failure to thrive following recent sinusitis. Physical examination was positive for right sided facial pain, photophobia and right abducens nerve palsy. Subsequent magnetic resonance imaging revealed a 1.3 × 1.7 × 1.4 cm abscess encompassing the right Meckel's cave. A computed tomography scan showed petrous apicitis and otomastoiditis, confirming Gradenigo's syndrome. The patient was taken to the operating theatre for right intact canal wall mastoidectomy with myringotomy and tube placement. She was discharged on six weeks of ceftriaxone administered by a peripherally inserted central catheter line. At a two-week post-operative visit, she showed notable improvement in neuropathic symptoms. CONCLUSION: This study presents a rare case of petrous apicitis managed surgically without the need for a craniotomy or transcochlear procedure.

Magnetic Force Sensing Using a Self-Assembled Nanowire.

We present a scanning magnetic force sensor based on an individual magnet-tipped GaAs nanowire (NW) grown by molecular beam epitaxy. Its magnetic tip consists of a final segment of single-crystal MnAs formed by sequential crystallization of the liquid Ga catalyst droplet. We characterize the mechanical and magnetic properties of such NWs by measuring their flexural mechanical response in an applied magnetic field. Comparison with numerical simulations allows the identification of their equilibrium magnetization configurations, which in some cases include magnetic vortices. To determine a NW's performance as a magnetic scanning probe, we measure its response to the field profile of a lithographically patterned current-carrying wire. The NWs' tiny tips and their high force sensitivity make them promising for imaging weak magnetic field patterns on the nanometer-scale, as required for mapping mesoscopic transport and spin textures or in nanometer-scale magnetic resonance.

Imaging Stray Magnetic Field of Individual Ferromagnetic Nanotubes.

We use a scanning nanometer-scale superconducting quantum interference device to map the stray magnetic field produced by individual ferromagnetic nanotubes (FNTs) as a function of applied magnetic field. The images are taken as each FNT is led through magnetic reversal and are compared with micromagnetic simulations, which correspond to specific magnetization configurations. In magnetic fields applied perpendicular to the FNT long axis, their magnetization appears to reverse through vortex states, that is, configurations with vortex end domains or in the case of a sufficiently short FNT with a single global vortex. Geometrical imperfections in the samples and the resulting distortion of idealized magnetization configurations influence the measured stray-field patterns.

Association between speech-language, general cognitive functioning and behaviour problems in individuals with Williams syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Williams syndrome (WS) phenotype is described as unique and intriguing. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between speech-language abilities, general cognitive functioning and behavioural problems in individuals with WS, considering age effects and speech-language characteristics of WS sub-groups. METHODS: The study's participants were 26 individuals with WS and their parents. General cognitive functioning was assessed with the Wechsler Intelligence Scale. Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test, Token Test and the Cookie Theft Picture test were used as speech-language measures. Five speech-language characteristics were evaluated from a 30-min conversation (clichés, echolalia, perseverative speech, exaggerated prosody and monotone intonation). The Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL 6-18) was used to assess behavioural problems. RESULTS: Higher single-word receptive vocabulary and narrative vocabulary were negatively associated with CBCL T-scores for Social Problems, Aggressive Behaviour and Total Problems. Speech rate was negatively associated with the CBCL Withdrawn/Depressed T-score. Monotone intonation was associated with shy behaviour, as well as exaggerated prosody with talkative behaviour. WS with perseverative speech and exaggerated prosody presented higher scores on Thought Problems. Echolalia was significantly associated with lower Verbal IQ. No significant association was found between IQ and behaviour problems. Age-associated effects were observed only for the Aggressive Behaviour scale. CONCLUSIONS: Associations reported in the present study may represent an insightful background for future predictive studies of speech-language, cognition and behaviour problems in WS.

The use of TightRope fixation for ankle syndesmosis injuries: our experience.

PURPOSE: Ten percentage of all ankle fractures sustain an associated syndesmotic injury. TightRope is a relatively new technique for syndesmosis fixation, characterized by a non-absorbable FibreWire held tight between two cortical metal buttons. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results obtained with the use of this device. METHODS: From January 2011 to December 2015, 54 patients with ankle diastases were treated. Eighteen patients were excluded from the study. Fractures of the fibula or tibia requiring fixation were internally fixed using standard AO techniques. Preoperative and the most recent postoperative ankle radiographs were reassessed for measurements of the tibiofibular clear space (TFCS), medial clear space (MCS) and tibiofibular overlap (TFO). Clinical outcomes were assessed at the time of follow-up using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, a self-administered Foot and Ankle Disability Index (FADI) score and patients satisfaction. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 28, 64 months. Mean values for MCS, TFCS and TFO were 1.51-1.53 and 0.25 cm, respectively. The mean AOFAS score was 93.11, and the mean FADI score was 130.11. Twenty-nine (80.6 %) patients reported their outcome as excellent or very good. CONCLUSIONS: TightRope technique can achieve flexible fixation of the syndesmosis and permit full range of motion of the tibiofibular joint. Patients can start rehabilitation exercise at an early stage after operation. The results of this study indicate that TightRope fixation is a valid option for syndesmotic injuries.

Determination of Flower Constancy in Bombus atratus Franklin and Bombus bellicosus Smith (Hymenoptera: Apidae) through Palynological Analysis of Nectar and Corbicular Pollen Loads.

The flower constancy (the visit to a single plant species during a foraging trip) in pollinator insects is a theme widely discussed in behavioral ecology and has an important implication in the evolution of angiosperms. This behavior was studied in the bumblebees Bombus atratus Franklin and Bombus bellicosus Smith through palynological analysis of the nectar and pollen loads of individuals captured while foraging in a restricted area. In both species, there were more individuals with constant flights than with non-constant ones, although in the nectar loads of B. atratus there were no significant differences between individuals with each flight types. It was verified that the nectar loads of the individuals that made either constant or non-constant flights did not differ in the number of pollen grains they contained. Considering this measurement as an estimate for flight duration, the results would indicate that the probability of changing between plant species during nectar collection is independent of the foraging trip duration. In both species, most individuals who collected nectar and/or pollen from more than one plant species visited just two plant species. In these cases, the pollen of one plant species was predominant. In the bumblebees in which it was possible to analyze nectar and pollen loads, the botanical origin of both resources was the same or they shared the principal species (with the exception of two individuals), showing that bumblebees do not often use a botanical source in an exclusive way to collect nectar and another to collect pollen.

Hemodynamic and biochemical alterations in dogs with lymphoma after induction of chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Doxorubicin is a common antineoplastic agent with dose-dependent cardiotoxic adverse effects, and pre-existing myocardial dysfunction is a contraindication to its use. OBJECTIVES: To systematically define the hemodynamic and biochemical alterations in dogs undergoing chemotherapy for newly diagnosed lymphoma and assess the reversibility of these alterations with fluid administration. ANIMALS: Twenty-one client-owned dogs with newly diagnosed lymphoma were evaluated 1 week after induction of chemotherapy. Underlying degenerative valve disease was exclusionary. Eighteen healthy age- and weight-matched dogs were used as controls. METHODS: Physical examination, blood pressure by Doppler, echocardiography, and biochemical evaluation (routine serum biochemistry, plasma renin activity and aldosterone concentrations, plasma and urine osmolalities, and urine electrolyte concentrations) were measured in dogs with lymphoma and compared to controls. Dogs with lymphoma received crystalloids IV at 6 mL/kg/h for 24 hours. All variables were reassessed at 4 and 24 hours. Deuterium oxide dilution and bromide dilution were used to determine total body water and extracellular water space, respectively. RESULTS: Baseline echocardiograms showed significantly smaller chamber dimensions in dogs with lymphoma compared to controls. These changes were reversed by fluid administration. Systolic blood pressure and urine sodium concentration were significantly increased, and bromide dilution space, PCV, urine specific gravity, and urine potassium concentration were significantly decreased compared to controls. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Echocardiographic and biochemical abnormalities in dogs with lymphoma appear consistent with volume depletion, and may be the result of systemic hypertension and subsequent pressure natriuresis.

Endovascular treatment of CCSVI in patients with multiple sclerosis: clinical outcome of 462 cases.

Although it is still debated whether chronic cerebro-spinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) plays a role in multiple sclerosis (MS) development, many patients underwent endovascular treatment (ET) of CCSVI. The objective of the study is to evaluate the outcome and safety of ET in Italian MS patients. Italian MS centers that are part of the Italian MS Study Group were all invited to participate to this retrospective study. A structured questionnaire was used to collect detailed clinical data before and after the ET. Data from 462 patients were collected in 33 centers. ET consisted of balloon dilatation (93 % of cases) or stent application. The mean follow-up duration after ET was 31 weeks. Mean EDSS remained unchanged after ET (5.2 vs. 4.9), 144 relapses occurred in 98/462 cases (21 %), mainly in RR-MS patients. Fifteen severe adverse events were recorded in 3.2 % of cases. Given the risk of severe adverse events and the lack of objective beneficial effects, our findings confirm that at present ET should not be recommended to patients with MS.

Nanogel vaccines targeting dendritic cells: contributions of the surface decoration and vaccine cargo on cell targeting and activation.

Dendritic cells (DCs) play crucial roles in initiating and promoting immune defences, providing a pivotal target for vaccines. Although nanoparticle/nanogel-based delivery vehicles are showing potential for delivering vaccines to the immune system, there is little information on their characteristics of interaction with DCs. While particle uptake by DCs has been shown, the mechanism of cell targeting has not been studied. Moreover, it is still unclear how particle surface decoration influences the handling of such vaccines by DCs. Accordingly, chitosan nanogels carrying a model antigen, ovalbumin (ova), were analysed for interaction with and processing by DCs. Nanogel surfaces decorated with alginate (alg) or mannosylated alginate (alg-man), were used for targeting particular DC receptors. DC uptake of particles was observed, being dependent on endosomal-based processes. Inhibiting PI3-kinase or lipid raft activities impaired the uptake, which was only reduced, indicating the involvement of more than one endocytic pathway; notably, this was observed with both nanogel-delivered or free ova. Importantly, surface decoration of particles was less influential on particle uptake, contrasting with the ova cargo which played the major role. Such influence of the vaccine cargo has to date been largely ignored. When receptors interacting directly with ova were blocked, this altered the uptake of alg-nanogels and alg-man-nanogels carrying ova. The nanogels did have an influential role, in that modulation of DC functional activity owed more to the nanogel structure. Using an in vitro restimulation assay with ova-specific lymphocytes, nanogel-delivered and free ova were similarly effective at inducing specific antibody. Nanogel-delivered ova with mannose surface decoration was superior to free ova for inducing interferon-γ production by T-lymphocytes. Together, the data demonstrates that particle-based vaccine delivery should consider the influences of both the surface decoration and the vaccine cargo; each can influence different aspects of the interaction with DCs. Such combined influences are likely to impinge on the characteristics of the immune response induced.

On the nonlinear threshold versus distance in long-haul highly-dispersive coherent systems.

We show that the accumulation rate of nonlinearity in highly-dispersive long-haul coherent links can also be measured from the nonlinear threshold decrease rate, and provide simulations of such rates for both single- and cross-channel effects. We then show how the estimated rate can be used for the overall system design.