The COVID-19 laboratory response in Timor-Leste; a story of collaboration.

Timor-Leste is a small nation of 1.3 million people which shares a land border with Indonesia and is 550 km from Darwin, Australia. It is one of the poorest nations in Asia. The National Health Laboratory (NHL) and its network of smaller laboratories in Timor-Leste had limited capacity to perform molecular diagnostic testing before the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic began. With the support of international development partners, the NHL rapidly expanded its molecular testing service. From March 2020 to February 2022, over 200,000 molecular tests were performed; COVID-19 testing sites were established in hospital and community health center laboratories and all 13 municipalities, and the number of scientists and technicians at the molecular diagnostic laboratory at the NHL increased from five to 28 between 2019 and 2022. Molecular diagnostic testing for COVID-19 was successfully established at the NHL and in the municipalities. The molecular diagnostic laboratory at NHL is now equipped to respond to not only large-scale COVID-19 testing but also laboratory detection of other infectious diseases, preparing Timor-Leste for future outbreaks or pandemics.

The use of residual serum samples to perform serological surveillance of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in Dili and regional areas of Timor-Leste.

BACKGROUND: Lack of access to diagnostic testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection can limit disease surveillance in remote areas. Serological surveillance can indicate the true extent and distribution of infections in such settings. METHODS: This study monitored SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in residual serum samples salvaged from laboratories at five healthcare facilities across Timor-Leste from March to October 2021. RESULTS: Seroprevalence increased from 8.3% to 87.0% during the study period. Potential immunity gaps were identified among children aged 0-15 y (who had not been eligible for vaccination) and individuals aged >60 y. CONCLUSIONS: Efforts to vaccinate vulnerable individuals including older people should be maintained. Residual serum samples can be analysed to give local, contemporary information about the extent and distribution of antibodies to infections, especially SARS-CoV-2, in areas where epidemiological information is limited.

Modulation of oxidative neurometabolism in ischemia/reperfusion by nitrite.

Nitrite has been viewed essentially as an inert metabolic endpoint of nitric oxide (•NO). However, under certain conditions, nitrite can be a source of •NO. In the brain, this alternative source of •NO production independent of nitric oxide synthase activity may be particularly relevant in ischemia/reperfusion (I/R), where low oxygen availability limits enzymatic production of •NO. Notably, in vivo concentration of nitrite can be easily increased with diet, through the ingestion of nitrate-rich foods, opening the window for a therapeutic intervention based on diet. Considering the modulation of mitochondrial respiration by •NO, we have hypothesized that the protective action of nitrite in I/R may also result from modulation of mitochondrial function. We used high-resolution respirometry to evaluate the effects of nitrite in two in vitro models of I/R. In both cases, an increase in oxygen flux was observed following reoxygenation, a phenomenon that has been coined "oxidative burst". The amplitude of this "oxidative burst" was decreased by nitrite in a concentration-dependent manner. Additionally, a pilot in vivo study in which animals received a nitrate-rich diet as a strategy to increase circulating and tissue levels of nitrite also revealed that the "oxidative burst" was decreased in the nitrate-treated animals. These results may provide mechanistic support to the observation of a protective effect of nitrite in situations of brain ischemia.

Mutação missense de novo patogênica c. 2415C G (p. Asp805Glu) no gene ATP1A3 em paciente com hemiplegia alternante da infância com resposta favorável ao cloridrato de biperideno / A de novo missense pathogenic mutation c.2415C> G (p.Asp805Glu) in ATP1A3 gene in a patient with alternating hemiplegia of childhood with favorable response to biperiden hydrochloride

A Hemiplegia Alternante da Infância é um distúrbio neurológico grave e uma doença rara (1 em cada 100.000 recém-nascidos), caracterizado por ataques repetidos transitórios de hemiplegia episódica ou tetraplegia que podem durar minutos a horas, acompanhados por outros sintomas paroxísticos como anormalidades oculomotoras e autonômicas, distúrbios do movimento como ataxia, comprometimento cognitivo progressivo, convulsões, distonia e coreia. Os tratamentos atuais são amplamente sintomáticos. Neste relato de caso, apresentamos paciente do sexo feminino, 18 anos, na qual aos 10 meses apresentou o primeiro episódio aparente de crise convulsiva com versão ocular. O eletroencefalograma e tomografia computadorizada não revelaram anormalidades e foram administradas diversas medicações como fenobarbital, carbamazepina, valproato de sódio, topiramato, dicloridrato de flunarizina, clonazepam, cipro-heptadina e pizotifeno, todos sem resultado. Devidos aos sintomas extrapiramidais, paciente passou a utilizar biperideno, apresentando não só melhora da distonia, mas também no número de crises hemiplégicas. Aos 13 anos, ela foi diagnosticada com Hemiplegia Alternante da Infância na mutação patogênica missense de novo c.2415C G (p.Asp805Glu) no gene ATP1A3 apresentando boa resposta ao tratamento com cloridrato de biperideno. (AU)

Alternating hemiplegia of childhood is a severe neurological disorder and a rare disease (1 in 100,000 newborns), characterized by repeated transient attacks of episodic hemiplegia or tetraplegia that can last minutes to hours, accompanied by other paroxysmal symptoms such as oculomotor and autonomic abnormalities, movement disorders such as ataxia, progressive cognitive impairment, seizures, dystonia, and chorea. Current treatments are largely symptomatic. In this case report, we present a female patient, 18 years old, who presented the first apparent episode of seizure with ocular version at ten months of age. The electroencephalogram and CT scan revealed no abnormalities, and several medications such as phenobarbital, carbamazepine, sodium valproate, topiramate, flunarizine dihydrochloride, clonazepam, cyproheptadine and pizotifen were administered, all without result. Due to the extrapyramidal symptoms, the patient started using biperidene, showing improvement in dystonia and the number of hemiplegic seizures. At age 13, she was diagnosed with Alternating hemiplegia of Childhood in the pathogenic missense de novo mutation c.2415C>G (p.Asp805Glu) in the ATP1A3 gene showing a good response to treatment with biperidene hydrochloride. (AU)

Acute hepatic porphyria: when to perform liver transplantation?

. (AU)Acute hepatic porphyrias (AHPs) are inborn errors of hemebiosynthesis and its most common and severe type is the acute intermittent porphyria (AIP). AIP is an hereditary autosomal dominant disease caused by accumulated porphobilinogen deaminase (PBG) and delta aminolevulin acid (ALA) products. The main symptoms are severe abdominal pain, neuromuscular and psychiatric disturbances, nausea, vomiting, encephalopathy, tachycardia, seizures, tremors and hypertension, that usually are manifested by acute crises. The treatment is based on clinical management and in cases which the patient's quality of life is affected liver transplantation (LT) may be an alternative choice. We report the case of a patient with AHP presenting recurrent crisis leading to chronic symptoms occurrence and poor quality of life with progressive unresponsiveness to hemin treatment. Patient was submitted to LT as curative therapy proposal, but patient still presents some clinical manifestations that may indicate the possibility of a secondary cause to explain persistence of her symptoms despite of biochemical normalization of ALA and PBG. (AU)

As porfirias hepáticas agudas (PHA) compreendem um grupo de porfirias que apresentam erros inatos na biossíntese do grupo heme, sendo a mais severa e o tipo mais comum da PHA, a porfiria aguda intermitente (PAI). A PAI é uma doença autossômica dominante causada pelo acúmulo dos produtos porfobilinogênio deaminase (PBG) e ácido delta-aminolevulínico (ALA). Os principais sintomas são dor abdominal intensa, distúrbios neuromusculares e psiquiátricos, náuseas, vômitos, encefalopatia, taquicardia, febre, tremores e hipertensão, os quais normalmente são manifestados durante as crises agudas. O tratamento é baseado no manejo clínico de todos pacientes durante a crise. Para os casos em que a qualidade de vida do paciente é afetada negativamente, a terapêutica de transplante hepático poderá ser indicada. O objetivo do relato de caso é introduzir o tratamento de uma paciente com recorrentes crises agudas de porfiria e danos em sua qualidade de vida. Uma vez que a paciente não apresentou melhora após tratamento com hematina, foi submetida ao transplante hepático visando a cura da doença. Após o transplante, a paciente ainda apresentou alguns sintomas clínicos, necessitando reformular uma segunda hipótese para explicar a persistência de tais sintomas apesar da normalização dos níveis de ALA e PBG. (AU)

Hipoventilação relacionada ao sono de origem central secundária à deficiência de biotinidase: relato de caso / Sleep-related hypoventilation due to partial biotinidase deficiency: a case repor

RESUMO: A hipoventilação relacionada ao sono de origem central resulta em hipercapnia relacionada ao sono na vigência de condições normais do sistema respiratório e excluindo-se outros fatores. Os pacientes portadores dessa patologia podem se apresentar assintomáticos ou com queixas de cefaleia matinal, déficit cognitivo e fadiga, além de eventos como a observação de respiração superficial. No presente relato, descreve-se o caso de uma paciente de três anos, com exame físico geral e neurológico normais, desenvolvimento neuropsicomotor adequado, apresentando irregu-laridades respiratórias e bradicardia durante o sono. Encaminhada para investigação de distúrbios respiratórios do sono, sendo diagnosticada com hipoventilação relacionada ao sono. Através do estudo genético, evidenciou-se a deficiência de biotinidase como a possível causa da sintomatologia, comprovada por dosagens enzimáticas e teste genético molecular. O tratamento medicamentoso foi iniciado precocemente, determinando resolução dos sintomas descritos. A importância do presente relato se encontra na apresentação da deficiência da biotinidase com quadro cardiorrespiratório isolado em criança neurologicamente normal, ademais trata-se de um caso em que a etiologia de Breath-Holding Spells foi a deficiência dessa enzima. Correspondência sugerida pela resolução da hipoventila-ção central após a introdução da biotina. Além disso, nesse caso, os sintomas Apparent Life-Threatening Events, que aterrorizam o observador e até o profissional, foram solucionados com tratamento simples, a ingesta oral de biotina. Esse relato de caso corrobora com a expansão das possibilidades de manifestações fenotípicas das formas tardias de deficiência de biotinidase, como o fenótipo da Síndrome da Hipoventilação Central. (AU)

ABSTRACT: Idiopathic sleep-related hypoventilation occurs in individuals with hypercapnia during sleep in normal conditions of the respiratory system in the absence of other disorders. Patients with this condition may be asymptomatic or have complaints of morning headache, cognitive deficit and fatigue, and observation of shallow breathing. This report describes the case of a 3-year-old patient with normal physical and neurological exam, appropriate neuropsychomotor development, presenting breathing irregularities, and bradycardia during sleep. The patient was referred to an investigation for sleep respiratory disturbs and was diagnosed with hypoventilation related to sleep. The genetic study, done by enzymatic dosages and molecular genetic tests, showed the deficiency of biotinidase as a possible cause of symptomatology. The drug treatment was initiated early with the resolution of the symptoms. The present clinical report highlights the biotinidase deficiency with an isolated cardiorespiratory condition in a neurologically normal child, which also led to Breath-Holding Spells. This relation was suggested after central hypoventilation resolution following biotin introduction. Besides, Apparent Life-Threatening Events symptoms, which terrify the observer and even professionals, disappeared after the oral intake of biotin. Finally, this case report corroborates the expansion of possibilities for the phenotypic manifestations of late cases from biotinidase deficiency, as the SHC phenotyp. ((AU)

The bioactivity of neuronal-derived nitric oxide in aging and neurodegeneration: Switching signaling to degeneration.

The small and diffusible free radical nitric oxide (•NO) has fascinated biological and medical scientists since it was promoted from atmospheric air pollutant to biological ubiquitous signaling molecule. Its unique physical chemical properties expand beyond its radical nature to include fast diffusion in aqueous and lipid environments and selective reactivity in a biological setting determined by bioavailability and reaction rate constants with biomolecules. In the brain, •NO is recognized as a key player in numerous physiological processes ranging from neurotransmission/neuromodulation to neurovascular coupling and immune response. Furthermore, changes in its bioactivity are central to the molecular pathways associated with brain aging and neurodegeneration. The understanding of •NO bioactivity in the brain, however, requires the knowledge of its concentration dynamics with high spatial and temporal resolution upon stimulation of its synthesis. Here we revise our current understanding of the role of neuronal-derived •NO in brain physiology, aging and degeneration, focused on changes in the extracellular concentration dynamics of this free radical and the regulation of bioenergetic metabolism and neurovascular coupling.

WITHDRAWN: Recommendations for evaluation and management of pain in patients with mucopolysaccharidosis in Latin America.

The Publisher regrets that this article is an accidental duplication of an article that has already been published, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2018.03.023. The duplicate article has therefore been withdrawn. The full Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal can be found at https://www.elsevier.com/about/our-business/policies/article-withdrawal.

Detection of copy number variations in epilepsy using exome data.

Epilepsies are common neurological disorders and genetic factors contribute to their pathogenesis. Copy number variations (CNVs) are increasingly recognized as an important etiology of many human diseases including epilepsy. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) is becoming a standard tool for detecting pathogenic mutations and has recently been applied to detecting CNVs. Here, we analyzed 294 families with epilepsy using WES, and focused on 168 families with no causative single nucleotide variants in known epilepsy-associated genes to further validate CNVs using 2 different CNV detection tools using WES data. We confirmed 18 pathogenic CNVs, and 2 deletions and 2 duplications at chr15q11.2 of clinically unknown significance. Of note, we were able to identify small CNVs less than 10 kb in size, which might be difficult to detect by conventional microarray. We revealed 2 cases with pathogenic CNVs that one of the 2 CNV detection tools failed to find, suggesting that using different CNV tools is recommended to increase diagnostic yield. Considering a relatively high discovery rate of CNVs (18 out of 168 families, 10.7%) and successful detection of CNV with <10 kb in size, CNV detection by WES may be able to surrogate, or at least complement, conventional microarray analysis.

Inhibiting MYC binding to the E-box DNA motif by ME47 decreases tumour xenograft growth.

Developing therapeutics to effectively inhibit the MYC oncoprotein would mark a key advance towards cancer patient care as MYC is deregulated in over 50% of human cancers. MYC deregulation is correlated with aggressive disease and poor patient outcome. Despite strong evidence in mouse models that inhibiting MYC would significantly impact tumour cell growth and patient survival, traditional approaches have not yet yielded the urgently needed therapeutic agents that directly target MYC. MYC functions through its interaction with MAX to regulate gene transcription by binding to E-box DNA response elements of MYC target genes. Here we used a structure-based strategy to design ME47, a small minimalist hybrid protein (MHP) able to disrupt the MAX:E-box interaction/binding and block transcriptional MYC activity. We show that inducing ME47 expression in established tumour xenografts inhibits tumour growth and decreases cellular proliferation. Mechanistically, we show by chromatin immunoprecipitation that ME47 binds to E-box binding sites of MYC target genes. Moreover, ME47 occupancy decreases MYC:DNA interaction at its cognate E-box binding sites. Taken together, ME47 is a prototypic MHP inhibitor that antagonizes tumour cell growth in vitro and in vivo and inhibits the interaction of MYC with DNA E-box elements. These results support ME47's role as a MYC inhibitor and suggest that MHPs provide an alternative therapeutic targeting system that can be used to target transcription factors important in human diseases, including cancer.

Lysine-52 stabilizes the MYC oncoprotein through an SCFFbxw7-independent mechanism.

The oncogenic transcription factor c-MYC (MYC) is deregulated and often overexpressed in more than 50% of cancers. MYC deregulation is associated with poor prognosis and aggressive disease, suggesting that the development of therapeutic inhibitors targeting MYC would markedly impact patient outcome. MYC is highly regulated, with a protein and mRNA half-life of ~30 min. The most extensively studied pathway regulating MYC protein stability involves ubiquitylation and proteasomal degradation mediated by the E3-ligase, SCFFbxw7. Here we provide evidence for an SCFFbxw7-independent regulatory mechanism centred on the highly conserved lysine-52 (K52) within MYC Box I. This residue has been shown to be post-translationally modified by both ubiquitylation and SUMOylation, hinting at the interplay of post-translational modifications at this site and the importance of this residue. We demonstrate that mutation of K52 to arginine (R) renders the MYC protein more labile. Mechanistically, we show that the degradation pathway regulated by K52 is independent of the Cullin-RING ligase family of E3-ligases, which includes not only the canonical SCFFbxw7 but also other known MYC-targeting E3-ligases, such as SCFSkp2, SCFßTCRP, SCFFbxo28 and DCXTRUSS. Taken together, our data identify a novel regulatory pathway centred on K52 that may be exploited for the development of anti-MYC therapeutics.

Analysis of a fully penetrant spinocerebellar ataxia type 8 Brazilian family.

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 8 (SCA8) is a progressive neurological disorder caused by the expanded repeat CTA/CTG of two overlapping genes, ATXN8OS and ATXN8, expressed bidirectionally. Normal alleles have 15-50 repeats, and pathogenic alleles range from 71 to 1300 repeats. The disorder is relatively rare, accounting for about 2%-5% of the autosomal dominant forms of hereditary ataxia worldwide. However, the prevalence of disease-causing ATXN8OS/ATXN8 expansions is higher than the disease because of the reduced penetrance of the expanded allele. The aim of this study was to describe the first fully penetrant SCA8 family showing mixed Brazilian African and Amerindian origin. Eight members of this family were evaluated-the mother and seven offspring-through a complete neurological examination conducted at the Neurogenetics Clinic, HCFMRP-USP in Brazil. The number of CTA/CTG repeats was obtained after polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and fragment analysis. The haplotype analysis was conducted using a microsatellite marker, D13S1296, and four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), rs1831189, rs8002227, rs11841483, and rs72284461, all spanning a 70.1 Mb region on chromosome 13q21.3. The molecular analysis showed that the expansions ranged from 104 to 109 CTA/CTG repeats in the six affected individuals and were absent in two asymptomatic daughters (aged 53 and 40 years). Three SNPs cosegregate with the expanded alleles, confirming the connection between expansion and disease in this family. As the SCA8 diagnosis demands careful interpretation, we suggest the use of linkage analysis to observe segregation of the mutation, making more accurate its genotyping.

Expanding the genotypic spectrum of Perrault syndrome.

Perrault syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in both sexes and primary ovarian insufficiency in 46, XX karyotype females. Biallelic variants in five genes are reported to be causative: HSD17B4, HARS2, LARS2, CLPP and C10orf2. Here we present eight families affected by Perrault syndrome. In five families we identified novel or previously reported variants in HSD17B4, LARS2, CLPP and C10orf2. The proband from each family was whole exome sequenced and variants confirmed by Sanger sequencing. A female was compound heterozygous for a known, p.(Gly16Ser) and novel, p.(Val82Phe) variant in D-bifunctional protein (HSD17B4). A family was homozygous for mitochondrial leucyl aminocyl tRNA synthetase (mtLeuRS) (LARS2) p.(Thr522Asn), previously associated with Perrault syndrome. A further family was compound heterozygous for mtLeuRS, p.(Thr522Asn) and a novel variant, p.(Met117Ile). Affected individuals with LARS2 variants had low frequency SNHL, a feature previously described in Perrault syndrome. A female with significant neurological disability was compound heterozygous for p.(Arg323Gln) and p.(Asn399Ser) variants in Twinkle (C10orf2). A male was homozygous for a novel variant in CLPP, p.(Cys144Arg). In three families there were no putative pathogenic variants in these genes confirming additional disease-causing genes remain unidentified. We have expanded the spectrum of disease-causing variants associated with Perrault syndrome.

Evaluation of spinal posture using Microsoft Kinect™: A preliminary case-study with 98 volunteers.

This work proposes a novel approach to assess spinal curvature, by using Microsoft's Kinect™ to obtain 3D reconstructed models of subject's dorsal skin surface in different postures. This method is non-invasive, radiation-free and low-cost. The trial tests here presented intended to evaluate the reliability of this approach, by assessing the tendency of 98 volunteers to present scoliosis. The shoulder height difference was calculated for each subject's scan, by quantifying the angular slope of a line crossing both scapulae. The volunteers' average age was 24.7 years. Results showed that 68.37% of the volunteers revealed differences higher than 1° between the shoulders, having that their record in what concerns to loads and lesions proved to increase the angular slope. This initial approach shall establish the grounds for assessing spinal posture in pre-clinical or industrial ergonomics scans. Further studies shall include comparison versus traditional imaging methods and experienced clinical evaluation.

Determination of antipsychotic drugs in hospital and wastewater treatment plant samples by gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry.

The development and performance evaluation of a method for the simultaneous determination of six antipsychotic drugs in hospital effluents and wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) samples are herein presented. The method involves an off-line mixed mode (reversed-phase and strong cation exchange) solid phase extraction (SPE) with gas chromatography (GC) coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). The present methodology was validated following internationally accepted criteria, and the studied parameters included selectivity, linearity, limits of detection (LOD) and quantitation (LLOQ), instrumental limits, precision and accuracy, stability and recovery. The procedure was linear for concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 10µg/L (0.02 to 2µg/L for haloperidol), with determination coefficients higher than 0.99 for all analytes. Intra- and inter-day precision was lower than 15% for all analytes at the studied concentrations, while accuracy remained between a ±15% interval. Recoveries ranged from 31% to 83%. Low LODs were achieved, between 2 and 10ng/L, allowing a reliable identification of all analytes at trace levels, using only 50mL as sample volume. All studied parameters complied with the defined criteria and the method was successfully applied to gather preliminary results of the determination of antipsychotics on hospital effluents and on influent and effluent of WWTPs, opening perspectives for the study of their fate in the aquatic environment.

Heavy-flavour and quarkonium production in the LHC era: from proton-proton to heavy-ion collisions.

This report reviews the study of open heavy-flavour and quarkonium production in high-energy hadronic collisions, as tools to investigate fundamental aspects of Quantum Chromodynamics, from the proton and nucleus structure at high energy to deconfinement and the properties of the Quark-Gluon Plasma. Emphasis is given to the lessons learnt from LHC Run 1 results, which are reviewed in a global picture with the results from SPS and RHIC at lower energies, as well as to the questions to be addressed in the future. The report covers heavy flavour and quarkonium production in proton-proton, proton-nucleus and nucleus-nucleus collisions. This includes discussion of the effects of hot and cold strongly interacting matter, quarkonium photoproduction in nucleus-nucleus collisions and perspectives on the study of heavy flavour and quarkonium with upgrades of existing experiments and new experiments. The report results from the activity of the SaporeGravis network of the I3 Hadron Physics programme of the European Union 7[Formula: see text] Framework Programme.

Evaluation of the enzymatic activity and stability of commercial bromelain incorporated in topical formulations.

BACKGROUND: Bromelain is a mixture of proteolytic enzymes found in various tissues of the pineapple plant (Ananas comosus) and other species of Bromeliaceae. Owing to its proteolytic activity, bromelain has been used in the food, medical, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, for its cell renewal, anti-ageing, whitening and anti-cellulite properties. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the stability of bromelain (commercial powder) incorporated in topical formulations. METHODS: Bromelain was incorporated at three concentrations, 0.5%, 1.0% and 2.0%, in oil-in-water emulsion and gel, and stored for six months at varying stress conditions. Stability was accessed by measuring the changes in the protein content, enzymatic activity, viscosity, rheology, pH and colour of the selected formulations. RESULTS: The colour of all the samples changed after 180 days of incubation, indicating the concentration-dependence and temperature-sensitive nature of these formulations. No relationship was observed between the changes in the pH, temperature and luminosity exposure in all the samples. Gels proved to be the least preferred base for incorporation of bromelain for use as a topical formulation, owing to its inability to maintain the integrity of bromelain, thereby affecting the formulation characteristics. CONCLUSION: The emulsion-based formulations at all the concentrations of bromelain were more stable than the gel-based formulation over 180 days of evaluation, at a temperature of 5°C, protected from light.

Scaling of the dynamics of a homogeneous one-dimensional anisotropic classical Heisenberg model with long-range interactions.

The dynamics of quasistationary states of long-range interacting systems with N particles can be described by kinetic equations such as the Balescu-Lenard and Landau equations. In the case of one-dimensional homogeneous systems, two-body contributions vanish as two-body collisions in one dimension only exchange momentum and thus cannot change the one-particle distribution. Using a Kac factor in the interparticle potential implies a scaling of the dynamics proportional to N(δ) with δ=1 except for one-dimensional homogeneous systems. For the latter different values for δ were reported for a few models. Recently it was shown by Rocha Filho and collaborators [Phys. Rev. E 90, 032133 (2014)] for the Hamiltonian mean-field model that δ=2 provided that N is sufficiently large, while small N effects lead to δ≈1.7. More recently, Gupta and Mukamel [J. Stat. Mech. (2011) P03015] introduced a classical spin model with an anisotropic interaction with a scaling in the dynamics proportional to N(1.7) for a homogeneous state. We show here that this model reduces to a one-dimensional Hamiltonian system and that the scaling of the dynamics approaches N(2) with increasing N. We also explain from theoretical consideration why usual kinetic theory fails for small N values, which ultimately is the origin of noninteger exponents in the scaling.

Joubert syndrome: a model for untangling recessive disorders with extreme genetic heterogeneity.

BACKGROUND: Joubert syndrome (JS) is a recessive neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by hypotonia, ataxia, cognitive impairment, abnormal eye movements, respiratory control disturbances and a distinctive mid-hindbrain malformation. JS demonstrates substantial phenotypic variability and genetic heterogeneity. This study provides a comprehensive view of the current genetic basis, phenotypic range and gene-phenotype associations in JS. METHODS: We sequenced 27 JS-associated genes in 440 affected individuals (375 families) from a cohort of 532 individuals (440 families) with JS, using molecular inversion probe-based targeted capture and next-generation sequencing. Variant pathogenicity was defined using the Combined Annotation Dependent Depletion algorithm with an optimised score cut-off. RESULTS: We identified presumed causal variants in 62% of pedigrees, including the first B9D2 mutations associated with JS. 253 different mutations in 23 genes highlight the extreme genetic heterogeneity of JS. Phenotypic analysis revealed that only 34% of individuals have a 'pure JS' phenotype. Retinal disease is present in 30% of individuals, renal disease in 25%, coloboma in 17%, polydactyly in 15%, liver fibrosis in 14% and encephalocele in 8%. Loss of CEP290 function is associated with retinal dystrophy, while loss of TMEM67 function is associated with liver fibrosis and coloboma, but we observe no clear-cut distinction between JS subtypes. CONCLUSIONS: This work illustrates how combining advanced sequencing techniques with phenotypic data addresses extreme genetic heterogeneity to provide diagnostic and carrier testing, guide medical monitoring for progressive complications, facilitate interpretation of genome-wide sequencing results in individuals with a variety of phenotypes and enable gene-specific treatments in the future.

Antimicrobial and cytotoxic activity of red propolis: an alert for its safe use.

AIMS: Red propolis is a resinous product popularly consumed in Brazil as it improves health, and it is considered a nutraceutical. The objective of this study was to test the antimicrobial activity of eight samples of red propolis from Brazil and Cuba to assess the possibility of application of this natural product as an antimicrobial agent, along with a study of its cytotoxic activity against non-tumor cell lines to evaluate at which concentrations it could be safely used. METHODS AND RESULTS: The chemical profile of the samples was evaluated by UHPLC-MS. All the samples presented antimicrobial activity which was tested using agar diffusion and serial dilution methods; and these samples displayed a better activity against most Gram-negative bacteria with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) in the range between 6·25 µg ml(-1) and 500 µg ml(-1). However our studies also revealed an inherent cytotoxic effect against HaCaT human keratinocytes and BALBc 3T3. CONCLUSIONS: To have a noncytotoxic and safe use of red propolis, it is necessary to use a concentration below the IC50 cytotoxic values. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The traditional use of propolis does not necessarily guarantee its safety. The evaluation of the safety of bioactive natural products should always be considered together with the evaluation of the activity.