Metal levels in waste pickers in Brasilia, Brazil: hair and nail as exposure matrices.

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to compare workplace conditions and metal exposures in 431 waste pickers who worked nearby at the Estrutural Dump in Brasilia utilizing hair (n = 310) and nail (n = 355) as matrices of exposure. Waste pickers were grouped according to their workplace (open waste dump: G1 and sorting plants: G2). Hair and nail samples were collected and analyzed using ICP-MS. The work duration in the facilities was significantly different between the groups with averages of 16.46 (8.48) yrs and 9.26 (6.28) yrs for hair donors in G1 and G2, and 15.92 (7.72) yrs and 8.55 (5.77) yrs for toenail donors in G1 and G2, respectively. The arithmetic means (µg/g) of cadmium, copper, lead, and manganese in hair were significantly higher in G2 (0.076 ± 0.133; 19.61 ± 18.16; 2.27 ± .56 and 3.87 ± 5.59, respectively) compared to G1 (0.069 ± 0.235; 15.72 ± 15.18; 1.72 ± 4.04 and 3.65 ± 5.5, respectively). Concentrations of arsenic, barium, cadmium, copper, cobalt, lead, manganese, and molybdenum in nail were significantly higher in G2 (0.57 ± 0.39; 22.74 ± 42.06; 0.1 ± 0.08; 22.7 ± 51.60; 0.48 ± 0.45; 4.69 ± 9.43; 19.07 ± 20.75; 1.80 ± 1.76, respectively) compared to G1 (0.40 ± 0.28; 15.32 ± 22.31; 0.08 ± 0.11; 11.91 ± 16.25; 0.37 ± 0.37; 3.94 ± 15.04; 13.01 ± 19.08; 1.16 ± 1.80, respective. Our findings suggest that the studied population was exposed to toxic metals and indicates the need for chemical exposure prevention policies to monitor chemical risk exposures in waste pickers.

The role of early functional neuroimaging in predicting neurodevelopmental outcomes in neonatal encephalopathy.

Reliably assessing the early neurodevelopmental outcomes in infants with neonatal encephalopathy (NE) is of utmost importance to advise parents and implement early and personalized interventions. We aimed to evaluate the accuracy of neuroimaging modalities, including functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in predicting neurodevelopmental outcomes in NE. Eighteen newborns with NE due to presumed perinatal asphyxia (PA) were included in the study, 16 of whom underwent therapeutic hypothermia. Structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and fMRI during passive visual, auditory, and sensorimotor stimulation were acquired between the 10th and 14th day of age. Clinical follow-up protocol included visual and auditory evoked potentials and a detailed neurodevelopmental evaluation at 12 and 18 months of age. Infants were divided according to sensory and neurodevelopmental outcome: severe, moderate disability, or normal. Structural MRI findings were the best predictor of severe disability with an AUC close to 1.0. There were no good predictors to discriminate between moderate disability versus normal outcome. Nevertheless, structural MRI measures showed a significant correlation with the scores of neurodevelopmental assessments. During sensorimotor stimulation, the fMRI signal in the right hemisphere had an AUC of 0.9 to predict absence of cerebral palsy (CP). fMRI measures during auditory and visual stimulation did not predict sensorineural hearing loss or cerebral visual impairment. CONCLUSION: In addition to structural MRI, fMRI with sensorimotor stimulation may open the gate to improve the knowledge of neurodevelopmental/motor prognosis if proven in a larger cohort of newborns with NE. WHAT IS KNOWN: • Establishing an early, accurate neurodevelopmental prognosis in neonatal encephalopathy remains challenging. • Although structural MRI has a central role in neonatal encephalopathy, advanced MRI modalities are gradually being explored to optimize neurodevelopmental outcome knowledge. WHAT IS NEW: • Newborns who later developed cerebral palsy had a trend towards lower fMRI measures in the right sensorimotor area during sensorimotor stimulation. • These preliminary fMRI results may improve future early delineation of motor prognosis in neonatal encephalopathy.

Post-transcriptional silencing of Bos taurus prion family genes and its impact on granulosa cell steroidogenesis.

Prion proteins constitute a major public health concern, which has partly overshadowed their physiological roles in several scenarios. Indeed, these proteins were implicated in male fertility but their role in female fertility is relatively less explored. This study was designed to evaluate the role of SPRN and PRNP prion family genes in bovine follicular steroidogenesis pathways. Post-transcriptional SPRN and PRNP silencing with siRNAs was established in bovine granulosa cell (GC) in vitro culture, and gene expression and progesterone and estradiol concentrations were evaluated. SPRN knockdown, led to a downregulation of CYP11A1 mRNA levels (2.1-fold), and PRNP knockdown led to an upregulation of SPRN mRNA levels (2.3-fold). CYP19A1 expression and estradiol synthesis was not detected in any experimental group. Finally, SPRN knockdown led to a mild reduction in progesterone production in GCs and this was the only experimental group that did not exhibit an increment in progesterone levels after 48 h of culture. As a conclusion, it was possible to detect the expression of the SPRN gene in bovine GCs, a potential interaction between SPRN and PRNP regulation, and the impact of SPRN expression on CYP11A1 and progesterone levels. These findings bring new insights into the role of these genes in ovarian steroidogenesis and female reproductive physiology.

Herpesvirus and neurological manifestations in patients with severe coronavirus disease.

BACKGROUND: Certain clinical manifestations of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) mimic those associated with human herpesvirus (HHV) infection. In this study, we estimated the prevalence of herpesvirus in patients with COVID-19 and determined if coinfection is associated with poorer outcomes and neurological symptoms. METHODS: We analyzed samples of 53 patients diagnosed with COVID-19. The samples were evaluated for the presence of alphaherpesviruses, betaherpesviruses, and gammaherpesviruses, and the viral loads were quantified using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) method. RESULTS: Among the patients, in 79.2% had detection at least one type of herpesvirus. HHV-6 (47.2%), cytomegalovirus (43.3%), and HHV-7 (39.6%) showed the highest detection rates. Patients with a high severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) load were more likely to show herpes simplex virus 1 detection (p = 0.037). Among patients coinfected with SARS-CoV-2 and HHVs, 26.4% showed central nervous system-associated neurological symptoms and herpetic manifestations. A statistically significant association was observed between neurological changes and HHV-6 detection (p = 0.034). CONCLUSIONS: The findings showed a high prevalence of herpesvirus in patients with COVID-19. Furthermore, even though SARS-CoV-2 and HHV coinfection was not associated with poorer outcomes, the findings demonstrated the association between neurological symptoms and HHV-6 detection.

1,8-Cineole ameliorates right ventricle dysfunction associated with pulmonary arterial hypertension by restoring connexin43 and mitochondrial homeostasis.

For the first time, the present study unravels a cardiospecific therapeutic approach for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH), a disease with a very poor prognosis and high mortality rates due to right ventricle (RV) dysfunction. We first established a new in vitro model of high-pressure-induced hypertrophy that closely resembles heart defects associated with PAH and validated our in vitro findings on a preclinical in vivo model of monocrotaline (MCT)-induced PAH. Our results showed the in vitro antihypertrophic effect of 1,8-cineole, a monoterpene widely found in several essential oils. Also, a decrease in RV hypertrophy and fibrosis, and an improvement in heart function in vivo was observed, when 1,8-cineole was applied topically. Furthermore, 1,8-cineole restored gap junction protein connexin43 distribution at the intercalated disks and mitochondrial functionality, suggesting it may act by preserving cardiac cell-to-cell communication and bioenergetics. Overall, our results point out a promising therapeutic compound that can be easily applied topically, thus paving the way for the development of effective cardiac-specific therapies to greatly improve PAH outcomes.

Buffy Coat Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals Alterations in Host Cell Protein Synthesis and Cell Cycle in Severe COVID-19 Patients.

Transcriptome studies have reported the dysregulation of cell cycle-related genes and the global inhibition of host mRNA translation in COVID-19 cases. However, the key genes and cellular mechanisms that are most affected by the severe outcome of this disease remain unclear. For this work, the RNA-seq approach was used to study the differential expression in buffy coat cells of two groups of people infected with SARS-CoV-2: (a) Mild, with mild symptoms; and (b) SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), who were admitted to the intensive care unit with the severe COVID-19 outcome. Transcriptomic analysis revealed 1009 up-regulated and 501 down-regulated genes in the SARS group, with 10% of both being composed of long non-coding RNA. Ribosome and cell cycle pathways were enriched among down-regulated genes. The most connected proteins among the differentially expressed genes involved transport dysregulation, proteasome degradation, interferon response, cytokinesis failure, and host translation inhibition. Furthermore, interactome analysis showed Fibrillarin to be one of the key genes affected by SARS-CoV-2. This protein interacts directly with the N protein and long non-coding RNAs affecting transcription, translation, and ribosomal processes. This work reveals a group of dysregulated processes, including translation and cell cycle, as key pathways altered in severe COVID-19 outcomes.

Blockade of microglial adenosine A2A receptor suppresses elevated pressure-induced inflammation, oxidative stress, and cell death in retinal cells.

Glaucoma is a retinal degenerative disease characterized by the loss of retinal ganglion cells and damage of the optic nerve. Recently, we demonstrated that antagonists of adenosine A2A receptor (A2A R) control retinal inflammation and afford protection to rat retinal cells in glaucoma models. However, the precise contribution of microglia to retinal injury was not addressed, as well as the effect of A2A R blockade directly in microglia. Here we show that blocking microglial A2A R prevents microglial cell response to elevated pressure and it is sufficient to protect retinal cells from elevated pressure-induced death. The A2A R antagonist SCH 58261 or the knockdown of A2A R expression with siRNA in microglial cells prevented the increase in microglia response to elevated hydrostatic pressure. Furthermore, in retinal neural cell cultures, the A2A R antagonist decreased microglia proliferation, as well as the expression and release of pro-inflammatory mediators. Microglia ablation prevented neural cell death triggered by elevated pressure. The A2A R blockade recapitulated the effects of microglia depletion, suggesting that blocking A2A R in microglia is able to control neurodegeneration in glaucoma-like conditions. Importantly, in human organotypic retinal cultures, A2A R blockade prevented the increase in reactive oxygen species and the morphological alterations in microglia triggered by elevated pressure. These findings place microglia as the main contributors for retinal cell death during elevated pressure and identify microglial A2A R as a therapeutic target to control retinal neuroinflammation and prevent neural apoptosis elicited by elevated pressure.

Health conditions and occupational risks in a novel group: waste pickers in the largest open garbage dump in Latin America.

BACKGROUND: The inadequate management of solid waste impacts populations' health and quality of life, and disproportionately affects developing countries. This study aims to describe a protocol for epidemiological diagnosis, the purpose being to estimate the prevalence of chronic and communicable and non communicable diseases in waste pickers, and the occupational and environmental risk factors to which these are exposed. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study, based on survey design in an area of extreme social vulnerability - the largest garbage dump in Latin America. Using a multidimensional research protocol, divided in three stages: 1- The identification of the subjects, and the scheduling of tests; 2- Situational diagnosis through interviews, anthropometric evaluation, measuring blood pressure, collecting hair and nail samples to detect exposure to heavy metals and undertaking laboratory tests; 3- The return of the waste pickers to receive the test results, followed by referral to the health team and to report occupational accidents. RESULTS: One thousand twenty-five waste pickers undertook tests and interviews. The majority were women (67.0%), with 36-45 years old (45.7%), and 96.0% had children. In total, 27.3% of the participants did not attend to any school and 47.7% were educated only up to primary level. The majority of waste pickers (68.70%) reported accidents and most of them (89.69%) were related to sharp objects. The mean time working in this open dump was 15 years. According the anthropometric measure, 32.6% were overweight and 21.1% were obese. The most common reported diseases were: osteomuscular disorders (78.7%); arboviruses (28.6%); episodic diarrhea (24.9%); hypertension (24.2%); bronchitis (14.3%); intestinal worms (12.6%) and diabetes (10.1%). According to the blood tests, the values outside the reference limits were: Uric acid (23.89%); creatinine (54.06%); GGT range (16.04%); SGOT - Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase (5.29%); SGPT - serum Glutamic-Pyruvic Transaminase (35.52%). CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to evaluate multiple risks and diseases in the majority of waste pickers working in the largest garbage dump of a continent. These findings highlight the importance to address urgently the environmental, social and health impacts related to the management of solid waste in developmental countries to protect these workers and their families.

The influence of personal and organisational factors on entrepreneurship intention: An application in the health care sector.

AIMS: This study sought to contribute to research on entrepreneurial intention by identifying which constructs of the entrepreneurial profile and internal conditions of health care organisations support entrepreneurship and contribute to the entrepreneurial intention of these organisations' employees. BACKGROUND: In addition to psychological attributes, cognitive processes, motivations, sociodemographic and professional characteristics, and entrepreneurial skills, the literature indicates that internal conditions of organisations also contribute to explaining entrepreneurial intention. METHODS: To evaluate this model empirically, the primary data were collected with questionnaires distributed to nurses in two public hospitals-the Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro Hospital Center and the Local Health Unit of the Northeast. A total of 638 nurses filled out the questionnaire. The data were analysed using inferential and regression analyses. RESULTS: The results suggest that the dimensions related to personal attributes, namely, motivation and entrepreneurial skills, are the constructs that best explain the entrepreneurial intention of these professionals within their organisations. CONCLUSIONS: A broad discussion is needed about how to implement internal conditions that promote an intrapreneurial and innovative culture in health care organisations. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Health care organisation administrators need to prioritise intrapreneurship while structuring their management strategies, thereby creating favourable internal conditions (e.g., support, autonomy, rewards, time availability and appropriate organisational procedures) that enhance their nurses' entrepreneurial intention.

OLFM4, KNG1 and Sec24C identified by proteomics and immunohistochemistry as potential markers of early colorectal cancer stages.

BACKGROUND: Despite recent advances in colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnosis and population screening programs, the identification of patients with preneoplastic lesions or with early CRC stages remains challenging and is important for reducing CRC incidence and increasing patient's survival. METHODS: We analysed 76 colorectal tissue samples originated from early CRC stages, normal or inflamed mucosa by label-free proteomics. The characterisation of three selected biomarker candidates was performed by immunohistochemistry on an independent set of precancerous and cancerous lesions harbouring increasing CRC stages. RESULTS: Out of 5258 proteins identified, we obtained 561 proteins with a significant differential distribution among groups of patients and controls. KNG1, OLFM4 and Sec24C distributions were validated in tissues and showed different expression levels especially in the two early CRC stages compared to normal and preneoplastic tissues. CONCLUSION: We highlighted three proteins that require further investigations to better characterise their role in early CRC carcinogenesis and their potential as early CRC markers.

Ischaemia-induced autophagy leads to degradation of gap junction protein connexin43 in cardiomyocytes.

GJIC (gap junction intercellular communication) between cardiomyocytes is essential for synchronous heart contraction and relies on Cx (connexin)-containing channels. Increased breakdown of Cx43 has been often associated with various cardiac diseases. However, the mechanisms whereby Cx43 is degraded in ischaemic heart remain unknown. The results obtained in the present study, using both HL-1 cells and organotypic heart cultures, show that simulated ischaemia induces degradation of Cx43 that can be prevented by chemical or genetic inhibitors of autophagy. Additionally, ischaemia-induced degradation of Cx43 results in GJIC impairment in HL-1 cells, which can be restored by autophagy inhibition. In cardiomyocytes, ubiquitin signals Cx43 for autophagic degradation, through the recruitment of the ubiquitin-binding proteins Eps15 (epidermal growth factor receptor substrate 15) and p62, that assist in Cx43 internalization and targeting to autophagic vesicles, via LC3 (light chain 3). Moreover, we establish that degradation of Cx43 in ischaemia or I/R (ischaemia/reperfusion) relies upon different molecular players. Indeed, degradation of Cx43 during early periods of ischaemia depends on AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase), whereas in late periods of ischaemia and I/R Beclin 1 is required. In the Langendorff-perfused heart, Cx43 is dephosphorylated in ischaemia and degraded during I/R, where Cx43 degradation correlates with autophagy activation. In summary, the results of the present study provide new evidence regarding the molecular mechanisms whereby Cx43 is degraded in ischaemia, which may contribute to the development of new strategies that aim to preserve GJIC and cardiac function in ischaemic heart.

Prophylactic systemic P2X7 receptor blockade prevents experimental colitis.

BACKGROUND: The P2X7 receptor (P2X7-R) is a non-selective adenosine triphosphate-gated cation channel present in epithelial and immune cells, and involved in inflammatory response. Extracellular nucleotides released in conditions of cell stress or inflammation may function as a danger signal alerting the immune system from inflammation. We investigated the therapeutic action of P2X7-R blockade in a model of inflammatory bowel disease. METHODS: Rats with trinitrobenzene sulfonic (TNBS) acid-induced colitis were treated with the P2X7-R antagonists A740003 or brilliant blue G (BBG) through intra-peritoneal (IP) or intra-colonic (IC) injection prior to colitis induction. Clinical and endoscopic follow-up, histological scores, myeloperoxidase activity, densities of collagen fibers and goblet cells were evaluated. P2X7-R expression, NF-kappa B and Erk activities, and densities of T-cells and macrophages were analyzed by immunoperoxidase. The inflammatory response was determined by measuring inflammatory cytokines in cultures of colon explants, by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Colonic apoptosis was determined by the TUNEL assay. RESULTS: IP-BBG significantly attenuated the severity of colitis, myeloperoxidase activity, collagen deposition, densities of lamina propria T-cells and macrophages, while maintaining goblet cell densities. IP-BBG inhibited the increase in P2X7-R expression in parallel with apoptotic rates. TNF-α and interleukin-1ß stabilized in low levels, while TGF-ß and interleukin-10 did not change following IP-BBG-therapy. Colonic NF-kappa-B and Erk activation were significantly lower in IP-BBG-treated animals. Prophylactic IP-A740003 also protected rats against the development of TNBS-colitis. CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic systemic P2X7-R blockade is effective in the prevention of experimental colitis, probably due to a systemic anti-inflammatory action, interfering with a stress-inflammation amplification loop mediated by P2X7-R.

To beat or not to beat: degradation of Cx43 imposes the heart rhythm.

The main function of the heart is to pump blood to the different parts of the organism, a task that is efficiently accomplished through proper electric and metabolic coupling between cardiac cells, ensured by gap junctions (GJ). Cardiomyocytes are the major cell population in the heart, and as cells with low mitotic activity, are highly dependent upon mechanisms of protein degradation. In the heart, both the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) and autophagy participate in the fine-tune regulation of cardiac remodelling and function, either in physiological or pathological conditions. Indeed, besides controlling cardiac signalling pathways, UPS and autophagy have been implicated in the turnover of several myocardial proteins. Degradation of Cx43, the major ventricular GJ protein, has been associated to up-regulation of autophagy at the onset of heart ischemia and ischemia/reperfusion (I/R), which can have profound implications upon cardiac function. In this review, we present recent studies devoted to the involvement of autophagy and UPS in heart homoeostasis, with a particular focus on GJ.

Conjugated linoleic acid improves oocyte cryosurvival through modulation of the cryoprotectants influx rate.

BACKGROUND: In cryopreservation, oocytes are subjected to extreme hyperosmotic conditions, inducing large volume changes that, along with an abrupt temperature drop, interfere with their developmental competence. Our objectives in this work were to find conditions enabling an increase in oocyte cryosurvival and subsequent development. METHODS: Abattoir-derived bovine oocytes were cultured without (Control group) or with trans-10,cis-12 conjugated linoleic acid isomer (CLA group). Comparative observations were made for 1) the oocyte developmental competence after exposure to cryoprotectants followed or not by vitrification/warming, 2) the oocyte membrane permeability to water (using the non-permeant cryoprotectant sucrose) and 3) the oocyte membrane permeability to two cryoprotectants (ethylene glycol, EG, and dimethyl sulfoxide, DMSO). Mature oocytes cultured with or without CLA and vitrified/warmed or only exposed to cryoprotectants without vitrification were subjected to in vitro fertilization; embryo culture proceeded until the blastocyst stage. The oocyte membrane permeabilities to water and cryoprotectants were estimated using mature oocytes subjected to hyperosmotic challenges. For water permeability, 200 mM sucrose was used, whereas for the cryoprotectant permeability, a 10 % solution of both EG and DMSO was used. The data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure and Student's T-test. RESULTS: CLA supplementation improves the developmental competence of vitrified/warmed and cryoprotectants exposed oocytes (p < 0.01) and reduces their membrane permeability to water (37 %, p < 0.001) and to cryoprotectants (42 %, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: By slowing the fluxes of water and of permeant cryoprotectants, CLA contributed to improved oocyte cryosurvival and post-thawed viability. This isomer supplementation to the maturation media should be considered when designing new protocols for oocyte cryopreservation.

AMSH-mediated deubiquitination of Cx43 regulates internalization and degradation of gap junctions.

Gap junctions (GJs) are specialized cell-cell contacts formed by connexins (Cxs), which provide direct intercellular communication between eukaryotic cells. Although Cx43 has long been known to be a substrate for ubiquitination, the reversal of this modification by deubiquitylases (DUBs) has never been described. Here we report that the DUB-associated molecule with the SH3 domain of STAM (AMSH) interacts with Cx43 and mediates its deubiquitination. In this study, we demonstrate that Cx43 is modified with lysine 63-linked polyubiquitin chains and that these increase the interaction between Cx43 and AMSH. We also show that AMSH is recruited to GJ plaque sites at the plasma membrane, where it mediates the deubiquitination of Cx43. Using siRNA depletion or overexpression of a catalytically inactive mutant of AMSH, we show that by decreasing Cx43 deubiquitination, both the internalization and degradation rate of Cx43 are increased. Overall, these data strongly suggest that AMSH-mediated deubiquitination of Cx43 protects GJs from degradation.

A Spongy Appetite: A Case of Pica.

Pica is an eating disorder defined as the compulsive and repeated ingestion of substances that have no nutritional value for at least one month. This condition may be hard to diagnose without complications, as a high degree of suspicion is needed. The subject in this case was a teenager who presented with asthenia and unspecific abdominal pain. The etiological workup showed no abnormalities other than mild anemia and iron and folate deficiencies. After a thorough anamnesis, the patient's mother mentioned sporadic ingestion of synthetic mattress foam since childhood, which had become more frequent in the previous year. With this key information, it was possible to establish a diagnosis before serious complications occurred and thus help the patient get the necessary assistance by referring them to pediatrics, nutrition, and child and adolescent psychiatry consultations. This case report highlights the importance of a detailed anamnesis, particularly when dealing with unspecific symptoms, exploring the possibility of disorders that are rarely thought of, such as pica. It also recaps how important it is to address sensitive topics like eating disorders and create an open environment with no judgment, as these attitudes are crucial to ensuring the correct diagnosis and providing the best care for patients.

Effect of Urolithin A on Bovine Sperm Capacitation and In Vitro Fertilization.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a critical role in the functional competence of sperm cells. Conversely, excessive generation of ROS can impair sperm function, including their fertilization ability. Urolithin A (UA), a gut bacteria-derived metabolite produced from the transformation of ellagitannins, with anti-aging and antioxidant properties, was investigated for the first time in bovine sperm cells in the present study. Firstly, different doses of UA (0, 1, and 10 µM; 8-16 sessions) were used during the capacitation process of frozen-thawed bovine sperm. Sperm motility was assessed using optical microscopy and CASA. Sperm vitality (eosin-nigrosin), ROS, and ATP levels, as well as mitochondrial membrane potential (JC1) and oxygen consumption were evaluated. A second experiment to test the effect of different doses of UA (0, 1, and 10 µM; 9 sessions) in both the capacitation medium, as above, and the fertilization medium, was also implemented. The embryonic development and quality were evaluated. UA, at a concentration of 1 µM, significantly improved sperm movement quality (p < 0.03). There was a trend towards an increase in the oxygen consumption rate (OCR) of capacitated sperm with 1 µM and 10 µM UA supplementation. Moreover, an increase in ATP levels (p < 0.01) was observed, accompanied by a reduction in ROS levels at the higher UA concentration. These results suggest that UA may enhance spermatozoa mitochondrial function, modifying their metabolic activity while reducing the oxidative stress. Also, the number of produced embryos appears to be positively affected by UA supplementation, although differences between the bulls may have mitigated this effect. In conclusion, presented results further support previous findings indicating the potential therapeutic value of UA for addressing reproductive sub/infertility problems and improving ART outcomes. In addition, our results also reinforce the important bull effect on ART and that male sperm bioenergetic parameters should be used to predict spermatozoa functionality and developmental potential.

Unveiling microbial worlds: exploring viral metagenomics among waste pickers at Latin America's largest dumpsite.

Waste pickers constitute a marginalized demographic engaged in the collection of refuse, facing considerable occupational hazards that heighten their susceptibility to contract infectious diseases. Moreover, waste pickers contend with societal stigmatization and encounter barriers to accessing healthcare services. To explore the viral profile of waste pickers potentially linked to their occupational environment, we conducted a metagenomic analysis on 120 plasma specimens sampled from individuals employed at the Cidade Estrutural dumpsite in Brasilia city, Brazil. In total, 60 blood donors served as a comparative control group. Specimens were pooled and subjected to Illumina NextSeq 2000 sequencing. Viral abundance among waste pickers revealed the presence of significant pathogens, including HIV, HCV, and Chikungunya, which were not detected in the control group. Additionally, elevated levels of anelloviruses and Human pegivirus-1 were noted, with a comparable incidence in the control group. These findings underscore the utility of metagenomics in identifying clinically relevant viral agents within underserved populations. The implications of this study extend to informing public health policies aimed at surveilling infectious diseases among individuals facing socioeconomic disparities and limited access to healthcare resources.

Inhibition of ovine in vitro fertilization by anti-Prt antibody: hypothetical model for Prt/ZP interaction.

BACKGROUND: The impact of prion proteins in the rules that dictate biological reproduction is still poorly understood. Likewise, the role of prnt gene, encoding the prion-like protein testis specific (Prt), in ram reproductive physiology remains largely unknown. In this study, we assessed the effect of Prt in ovine fertilization by using an anti-Prt antibody (APPA) in fertilization medium incubated with spermatozoa and oocytes. Moreover, a computational model was constructed to infer how the results obtained could be related to a hypothetical role for Prt in sperm-zona pellucida (ZP) binding. METHODS: Mature ovine oocytes were transferred to fertilization medium alone (control) or supplemented with APPA, or pre-immune serum (CSerum). Oocytes were inseminated with ovine spermatozoa and after 18 h, presumptive zygotes (n=142) were fixed to evaluate fertilization rates or transferred (n=374) for embryo culture until D6-7. Predicted ovine Prt tertiary structure was compared with data obtained by circular dichroism spectroscopy (CD) and a protein-protein computational docking model was estimated for a hypothetical Prt/ZP interaction. RESULTS: The fertilizing rate was lower (P=0.006) in APPA group (46.0+/-6.79%) when compared to control (78.5+/-7.47%) and CSerum (64.5+/-6.65%) groups. In addition, the cleavage rate was higher (P<0.0001) in control (44.1+/-4.15%) than in APPA group (19.7+/-4.22%). Prt CD spectroscopy showed a 22% alpha-helical structure in 30% (m/v) aqueous trifluoroethanol (TFE) and 17% alpha in 0.6% (m/v) TFE. The predominant alpha-helical secondary structure detected correlates with the predicted three dimensional structure for ovine Prt, which was subsequently used to test Prt/ZP docking. Computational analyses predicted a favorable Prt-binding activity towards ZP domains. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicates that the presence of APPA reduces the number of fertilized oocytes and of cleaved embryos. Moreover, the CD analysis data reinforces the predicted ovine Prt trend towards an alpha-helical structure. Predicted protein-protein docking suggests a possible interaction between Prt and ZP, thus supporting an important role for Prt in ovine fertilization.