Integrating Modular Pipelines with End-to-End Learning: A Hybrid Approach for Robust and Reliable Autonomous Driving Systems.

Autonomous driving navigation relies on diverse approaches, each with advantages and limitations depending on various factors. For HD maps, modular systems excel, while end-to-end methods dominate mapless scenarios. However, few leverage the strengths of both. This paper innovates by proposing a hybrid architecture that seamlessly integrates modular perception and control modules with data-driven path planning. This innovative design leverages the strengths of both approaches, enabling a clear understanding and debugging of individual components while simultaneously harnessing the learning power of end-to-end approaches. Our proposed architecture achieved first and second place in the 2023 CARLA Autonomous Driving Challenge's SENSORS and MAP tracks, respectively. These results demonstrate the architecture's effectiveness in both map-based and mapless navigation. We achieved a driving score of 41.56 and the highest route completion of 86.03 in the MAP track of the CARLA Challenge leaderboard 1, and driving scores of 35.36 and 1.23 in the CARLA Challenge SENSOR track with route completions of 85.01 and 9.55, for, respectively, leaderboard 1 and 2. The results of leaderboard 2 raised the hybrid architecture to the first position, winning the edition of the 2023 CARLA Autonomous Driving Competition.

What does scientometry tell us about mercury toxicology and its biological impairments?

Mercury is a toxic pollutant that poses risks to both human and environmental health, making it a pressing public health concern. This study aimed to summarize the knowledge on mercury toxicology and the biological impairments caused by exposure to mercury in experimental studies and/or diagnosis in humans. The research was conducted on the main collection of Web of Science, employing as a methodological tool a bibliometric analysis. The selected articles were analyzed, and extracted data such as publication year, journal, author, title, number of citations, corresponding author's country, keywords, and the knowledge mapping was performed about the type of study, chemical form of mercury, exposure period, origin of exposure, tissue/fluid of exposure measurement, mercury concentration, evaluation period (age), mercury effect, model experiments, dose, exposure pathway, and time of exposure. The selected articles were published between 1965 and 2021, with Clarkson TW being the most cited author who has also published the most articles. A total of 38% of the publications were from the USA. These studies assessed the prenatal and postnatal effects of mercury, emphasizing the impact of methylmercury on neurodevelopment, including motor and cognitive evaluations, the association between mercury and autism, and an evaluation of its protective effects against mercury toxicity. In observational studies, the blood, umbilical cord, and hair were the most frequently used for measuring mercury levels. Our data analysis reveals that mercury neurotoxicology has been extensively explored, but the association among the outcomes evaluated in experimental studies has yet to be strengthened. Providing metric evidence on what is unexplored allows for new studies that may help governmental and non-governmental organizations develop guidelines and policies.

Immune response in paper wasp workers: Task matters more than age.

Workers of social hymenopterans (ants, bees and wasps) display specific tasks depending on whether they are younger or older. The relative importance of behavior and age in modulating immune function has seldom been addressed. We compared the strength of encapsulation-melanization immune response (hereafter melanotic encapsulation) in paper wasps displaying age polyethism or experimentally prevented from behavioral specialization. Foragers of Polybia paulista had higher melanotic encapsulation than guards, regardless of their age. Nevertheless, melanotic encapsulation decreased with age when wasps were prevented from behavioral specialization. Thus, in this species, worker melanotic encapsulation seems more sensitive to task than age. Foraging is considered one of the riskier behaviors in terms of pathogen exposure, so upregulating melanotic encapsulation in foragers can possibly improve both individual and colony-level resistance against infections.

Can different agents reduce the damage caused by bleaching gel to pulp tissue? A systematic review of basic research.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of different topical/systemic agents in reducing the damage caused by bleaching gel to pulp tissue or cells. Materials and Methods: Electronic searches were performed in July 2023. In vivo and in vitro studies evaluating the effects of different topical or systemic agents on pulp inflammation or cytotoxicity after exposure to bleaching agents were included. The risk of bias was assessed. Results: Out of 1,112 articles, 27 were included. Nine animal studies evaluated remineralizing/anti-inflammatories agents in rat molars subjected to bleaching with 35%-38% hydrogen peroxide (HP). Five of these studies demonstrated a significant reduction in inflammation caused by HP when combined with bioglass or MI Paste Plus (GC America), or following KF-desensitizing or Otosporin treatment (n = 3). However, orally administered drugs did not reduce pulp inflammation (n = 4). Cytotoxicity (n = 17) was primarily assessed using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay on human dental pulp cells and mouse dental papilla Cell-23 cells. Certain substances, including sodium ascorbate, butein, manganese chloride, and peroxidase, were found to reduce cytotoxicity, particularly when applied prior to bleaching. The risk of bias was high in animal studies and low in laboratory studies. Conclusions: Few in vivo studies have evaluated agents to reduce the damage caused by bleaching gel to pulp tissue. Within the limitations of these studies, it was found that topical agents were effective in reducing pulp inflammation in animals and cytotoxicity. Further analyses with human pulp are required to substantiate these findings. Trial Registration: PROSPERO Identifier: CRD42022337192.

Neurotoxicology of alcohol: a bibliometric and science mapping analysis.

Alcohol consumption is common in many societies and has increased considerably, resulting in many socioeconomic and public health problems. In this sense, studies have been carried out in order to understand the mechanisms involved in alcohol consumption and related harmful effects. This study aimed to identify and map the knowledge and to perform bibliometric analysis of the neurotoxicology of alcohol based on the 100 most cited articles. A search was carried out in the Web of Science Core Collection database and information was extracted regarding the journal, authors, keywords, year of publication, number of citations, country and continent of the corresponding author. For each selected manuscript, the study design, alcohol exposure model, dose, period of exposure, and effect on the central nervous system and research hotspots were mapped. The journal with the highest number of publications was Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research (n = 11 papers), the author who contributed the most was Crews FT (n = 8 papers), the studies had a total of 288 keywords and 75% of the publications were from the United States of America. The experimental studies evaluated the effects of prenatal and postnatal exposure and were conducted in rats and mice using doses ranging from 2.5 to 14 g/kg/day, with administration by subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, intragastric, or inhalation route or with free access through drinking bottles. Among the studies mapped, the oldest one (1989) aimed to understand the systemic damage and mechanisms of action involved, while the most recent focused on understanding the receptors and mechanisms involved in addiction, as well as genetic factors. Our results show the panorama of the most widespread scientific production in the scientific community on the neurotoxicology of ethanol, a high prevalence was observed in studies that addressed fetal alcohol syndrome and/or the effects of ethanol on neurodevelopment.

Protein kinases on carbon metabolism: potential targets for alternative chemotherapies against toxoplasmosis.

The apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii is the causative agent of toxoplasmosis, a global disease that significantly impacts human health. The clinical manifestations are mainly observed in immunocompromised patients, including ocular damage and neuronal alterations leading to psychiatric disorders. The congenital infection leads to miscarriage or severe alterations in the development of newborns. The conventional treatment is limited to the acute phase of illness, without effects in latent parasites; consequently, a cure is not available yet. Furthermore, considerable toxic effects and long-term therapy contribute to high treatment abandonment rates. The investigation of exclusive parasite pathways would provide new drug targets for more effective therapies, eliminating or reducing the side effects of conventional pharmacological approaches. Protein kinases (PKs) have emerged as promising targets for developing specific inhibitors with high selectivity and efficiency against diseases. Studies in T. gondii have indicated the presence of exclusive PKs without homologs in human cells, which could become important targets for developing new drugs. Knockout of specific kinases linked to energy metabolism have shown to impair the parasite development, reinforcing the essentiality of these enzymes in parasite metabolism. In addition, the specificities found in the PKs that regulate the energy metabolism in this parasite could bring new perspectives for safer and more efficient therapies for treating toxoplasmosis. Therefore, this review provides an overview of the limitations for reaching an efficient treatment and explores the role of PKs in regulating carbon metabolism in Toxoplasma, discussing their potential as targets for more applied and efficient pharmacological approaches.

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass pouch outlet reduction using argon plasma coagulation to treat weight regain: a randomized controlled trial with a sham control group.

Background and study aims A comparative study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of argon plasma coagulation (APC) therapy in treating post Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) weight regain and the incidence of complications related to this procedure, using a sham treatment group as a control. Patients and methods Forty-one patients with a minimum weight regain of 10 kg and a minimum postoperative time of 36 months were randomized into two groups. Results In the APC group (n = 21), the mean initial weight was 100.4 kg and the mean weight regain was 24.94 kg. In the sham group (n = 20), the mean initial weight was 103.65 kg, and the mean weight regain was 25.18 kg. Anastomotic stenosis occurred only after the first APC session. The results for the comparison of APC with the sham group showed a percentage weight regain loss of 63.95 compared to -.65, and weight loss of 15.02 and -0.57), percentage total weight loss of 14.46 and -0.62, excess weight loss of 54.32 % and -2.34 %), and BMI reduction of 5.38 and -0.21, with P  < 0.0001 for all the comparisons. In the APC group, there was a significant reduction in HbA1c (5.66 % to 4.96 %) and triglycerides (153.20 mg/dL to 132.20 mg/dL). Conclusions This study indicates that APC outlet pouch reduction outperforms sham treatment in terms of weight loss for patients presenting weight regain after RYGB.

Aerobic Physical Training Attenuates Oxidative Stress in the Spinal Cord of Adult Rats Induced by Binge-like Ethanol Intake.

Binge drinking is the most frequent consumption pattern among young adults and remarkably changes the central nervous system; thus, research on strategies to protect it is relevant. This study aimed to investigate the detrimental effects of binge-like EtOH intake on the spinal cord of male rats and the potential neuroprotective effects provided by moderate-intensity aerobic physical training. Male Wistar rats were distributed into the 'control group', 'training group', 'EtOH group', and 'training + EtOH'. The physical training protocol consisted of daily 30-min exercise on a treadmill for 5 consecutive days followed by 2 days off during 4 weeks. After the fifth day of each week, distilled water ('control group' and 'training group') or 3 g/kg of EtOH diluted at 20% w/v ('EtOH group' and 'training + EtOH group') was administered for 3 consecutive days through intragastric gavage to simulate compulsive consumption. Spinal cord samples were collected for oxidative biochemistry and morphometric analyses. The binge-like EtOH intake induced oxidative and tissue damage by decreasing reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, increasing lipid peroxidation (LPO), and reducing motor neurons (MN) density in the cervical segment. Even under EtOH exposure, physical training maintained GSH levels, reduced LPO, and prevented MN reduction at the cervical segment. Physical training is a non-pharmacological strategy to neuroprotect the spinal cord against oxidative damage induced by binge-like EtOH intake.

Antibody cross-reactivity and evidence of susceptibility to emerging Flaviviruses in the dengue-endemic Brazilian Amazon.

OBJECTIVES: Several Flaviviruses can co-circulate. Pre-existing immunity to one virus can modulate the response to a heterologous virus; however, the serological cross-reaction between these emerging viruses in dengue virus (DENV)-endemic regions are poorly understood. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed among the residents of Manaus city in the state of Amazonas, Brazil. The serological response was assessed by hemagglutination inhibition assay (HIA), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and neutralization assay. RESULTS: A total of 74.52% of the participants were immunoglobulin G-positive (310/416), as estimated by lateral flow tests. Overall, 93.7% of the participants were seropositive (419/447) for at least one DENV serotype, and the DENV seropositivity ranged between 84.8% and 91.0%, as determined by HIA. About 93% had antiyellow fever virus 17D-reactive antibodies, whereas 80.5% reacted to wild-type yellow fever virus. Zika virus (ZIKV) had the lowest seropositivity percentage (52.6%) compared with other Flaviviruses. Individuals who were DENV-positive with high antibody titers by HIA or envelope protein domain III enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay reacted strongly with ZIKV, whereas individuals with low anti-DENV antibody titers reacted poorly toward ZIKV. Live virus neutralization assay with ZIKV confirmed that dengue serogroup and ZIKV-spondweni serogroup are far apart; hence, individuals who are DENV-positive do not cross-neutralize ZIKV efficiently. CONCLUSION: Taken together, we observed a high prevalence of DENV in the Manaus-Amazon region and a varying degree of cross-reactivity against emerging and endemic Flaviviruses. Epidemiological and exposure conditions in Manaus make its population susceptible to emerging and endemic arboviruses.

Dental Caries and Salivary Oxidative Stress: Global Scientific Research Landscape.

This study aimed to analyze the research trends on salivary oxidative stress associated with dental caries and to perform bibliometric approaches for existing publications on this association. A search was performed using the Web of Science Core Collection, without any restriction of language or publication year. The number of periodicals with the most published articles in this theme, most published authors and keywords were mapped; other metrics were also evaluated such as the countries that have more research on the subject and the period in which there were more publications on the subject. During the knowledge mapping, the most frequent experimental designs were analyzed, type of saliva collection, stage of caries disease, evaluated oxidative parameters were retrieved and analyzed from each manuscript. Between the 43 selected articles, the Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry was the periodical appearing the most with 4 published articles. The authors who published the most were Celec, P., Tothova, L., Hegde, A.M., Shetty, S., Antoniali, C., and Pessan, JP with three articles each, and a total of 180 keywords representing the evolution of the theme. India and Asia were found to be the country and continent with most publications, respectively. Most articles collected non-stimulated total saliva, with total antioxidant capacity being the parameter most often evaluated. The type of study that appeared the most was cross-sectional studies, and articles published in the period of 2017-2022 were the most frequent. Studies show that dental caries can be associated to the changes in salivary oxidative biochemistry with an increase in lipid peroxidation, a biomarker of oxidative damage, and an increase in antioxidant capacity in chronic caries, in response to cariogenic challenge. Some studies evidence the reduction of lipid peroxidation after treatment of the carious lesion. Our findings reveal worldwide research trends, as well as a clearer knowledge of the evolution and future scenarios of this issue, also showing the mechanisms associating dental caries with changes in salivary oxidative biochemical parameters are not clear.

Proof-of-concept randomized phase II non-inferiority trial of simple versus type B2 hysterectomy in early-stage cervical cancer ≤2 cm (LESSER).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the non-inferiority and safety of simple hysterectomy in early stage (<2 cm) cervical cancer. METHODS: This proof-of-concept randomized phase II non-inferiority trial was performed between May 2015 and April 2018 in three oncological centers in Northeast Brazil. Patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) 2009 stages IA2-IB1 cervical cancer and tumors ≤2 cm were treated with either simple or modified radical hysterectomy (Querleu-Morrow type B2). Intention-to-treat analysis was carried out. The primary endpoint was 3-year disease-free survival and secondary endpoints were overall survival, operative outcomes, adjuvant therapy, and patient's health-related quality of life (QoL). RESULTS: A total of 40 patients underwent either simple hysterectomy (n=20) or modified radical hysterectomy (n=20). All patients except three underwent open procedures (n=37/40, 92.5%). At a median follow-up of 52.1 months (IQR 43.9-60.1), 3-year disease-free survival was 95% (95% CI 68% to 99%) after simple hysterectomy and 100% (95% CI 100% to 100%) after modified radical hysterectomy (log-rank p=0.30). The corresponding 5-year overall survival rates were 90% (95% CI 64% to 97%) and 91% (95% CI 50% to 98%), respectively (log-rank p=0.46). The operative time was shorter after simple hysterectomy than after modified radical hysterectomy (150 min (IQR 137.5-180) vs 199.5 min (IQR 140-230); p=0.003), with a trend towards a longer time for vesical catheterization removal (1 day (IQR 1-1) vs 1 day (IQR 1-2); p=0.043). There was no post-operative mortality and the rates of post-operative complications were not statistically different between arms (15% and 25%; p=0.69). QoL questionnaires were received from only 17 patients (42.5%), with no major differences observed over time between the surgical arms. CONCLUSIONS: Simple hysterectomy is safe and potentially non-inferior to the radical surgery in patients with early-stage cervical cancer ≤2 cm. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02613286.

Exposure to tolerable concentrations of aluminum triggers systemic and local oxidative stress and global proteomic modulation in the spinal cord of rats.

The tolerable aluminum (Al) intake levels for humans are constantly under review by regulatory agencies due to novel pre-clinical evidence on the neurotoxicity of prolonged Al exposure; however, little is known about the effects of Al on the spinal cord. This study aimed to investigate potential adverse effects on both spinal cord and systemic biochemical balance after prolonged exposure to a low dose of Al. Twenty adult rats were distributed in the control (distilled water) and exposed group (8.3 mg of AlCl3/kg/day). After 60 days, both blood and spinal cord samples were collected for oxidative stress and proteomic analyses. In plasma and erythrocytes, glutathione level was not different between groups; however, exposure to AlCl3 significantly decreased glutathione level in the spinal cord. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances levels in the plasma and spinal cord of animals from the control group were significantly lower than those animals exposed to AlCl3. Exposure to AlCl3 significantly modulated the expression of proteins associated with the cell cycle, stimulus-response, cytoskeleton, nervous system regulation, protein activity, and synaptic signaling. Therefore, prolonged exposure to a low dose of Al triggered oxidative stress and proteomic changes that may affect spinal cord homeostasis.

Biological Activity of Copaiba in Damage to the Alveolar Bone in a Model of Periodontitis Induced in Rats.

Several studies have investigated the effects of natural products in the treatment of diseases. Traditional Amazonian populations commonly use copaiba due to its well-known anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and healing properties. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of systemic administration of copaiba oleoresin (Copaifera reticulata Ducke) on ligature-induced periodontitis in rats. To do so, 21 adult rats were divided into three groups (n = 7 each): a control group, ligature-induced periodontitis group, and ligature-induced periodontitis group treated with copaiba oleoresin (200 mg/kg/day). The ligature remained from day 0 to 14, and the copaiba oleoresin was administered via oral gavage during the last seven days. On day 14, the animals were euthanized, and mandibles were collected for histopathological evaluation and microcomputed tomography analysis. Our data showed that the administration of copaiba considerably reduced the inflammatory profile. Moreover, copaiba oleoresin limited alveolar bone loss, increased trabecular thickness and bone-to-tissue volume ratio, and decreased the number of trabeculae compared with those of the untreated experimental periodontitis group. Our findings provide pioneering evidence that supports the potential of copaiba oleoresin in reducing periodontitis-induced alveolar bone damage in rats.

Açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) Attenuates Oxidative Stress and Alveolar Bone Damage in Experimental Periodontitis in Rats.

Açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) juice is rich in phenolic compounds with high antioxidant capacity. It has been observed that the use of antioxidants may be an additional strategy to nonsurgical periodontal therapy as well as to prevent alveolar bone loss. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the effects of açaí supplementation on experimental periodontitis in rats. Twenty male Rattus norvegicus (Wistar) rats were assigned into control, açaí, experimental periodontitis, and experimental periodontitis with açaí supplementation groups. Periodontitis was induced by placing ligatures around the lower first molars. Animals in the açaí groups received 0.01 mL/g of clarified açaí juice for 14 days by intragastric gavage. At the end of the experimental period, blood was collected to assess the reduced glutathione (GSH), Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), and lipid peroxidation (TBARS) levels. Moreover, hemimandibles were analyzed by micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) for alveolar bone loss and bone quality. Açaí supplementation increased blood total antioxidant capacity and decreased lipid peroxidation. It also reduced alveolar bone loss when compared to the experimental periodontitis group. Moreover, clarified açaí per se modulated the oxidative biochemistry and bone microstructure. Thus, açaí may be considered a viable alternative for managing periodontal oxidative stress and preventing alveolar bone loss.

ZIKV-envelope proteins induce specific humoral and cellular immunity in distinct mice strains.

Recent outbreaks of Zika virus (ZIKV) infection have highlighted the need for a better understanding of ZIKV-specific immune responses. The ZIKV envelope glycoprotein (EZIKV) is the most abundant protein on the virus surface and it is the main target of the protective immune response. EZIKV protein contains the central domain (EDI), a dimerization domain containing the fusion peptide (EDII), and a domain that binds to the cell surface receptor (EDIII). In this study, we performed a systematic comparison of the specific immune response induced by different EZIKV recombinant proteins (EZIKV, EDI/IIZIKV or EDIIIZIKV) in two mice strains. Immunization induced high titers of E-specific antibodies which recognized ZIKV-infected cells and neutralized the virus. Furthermore, immunization with EZIKV, EDI/IIZIKV and EDIIIZIKV proteins induced specific IFNγ-producing cells and polyfunctional CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Finally, we identified 4 peptides present in the envelope protein (E1-20, E51-70, E351-370 and E361-380), capable of inducing a cellular immune response to the H-2Kd and H-2Kb haplotypes. In summary, our work provides a detailed assessment of the immune responses induced after immunization with different regions of the ZIKV envelope protein.

The Relationship between Exercise and Salivary Oxidative Stress: A Systematic Review.

Salivary content has been reported as a potential biomarker for oxidative stress assessments especially in context of exercise-induced oxidative stress. This systematic review following PRISMA guidelines aimed to evaluate the effects of physical exercise and changes promoted in oxidative stress identified in saliva. METHODS: Studies published up to May 2022 were searched in online databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, LILACS, OpenGrey, and Google Scholar). Risk of bias evaluation were performed using the Quality Assessment Tool for Before-After (Pre-Post) Studies with No Control Group. RESULTS: A total of 473 references were identified and 22 considered eligible. In this case 14 studies reported increase of antioxidant parameters in saliva while eight studies demonstrated increased lipid peroxidation after exercise. Regarding nitrite levels, two studies showed higher levels after exercise. The quality of evidence was very low due to high heterogeneity, inconsistency and indirectness among studies according Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation analysis. CONCLUSION: Increase of oxidative stress and antioxidant activity in saliva appears to be present after exercise, especially at moderate intensity. However, the wide variety of methods leads to divergent data. For precision in salivary assessments, new research with larger sample sizes and better participant matching are recommended.

Maternal Fluoride Exposure Exerts Different Toxicity Patterns in Parotid and Submandibular Glands of Offspring Rats.

There is currently a controversial and heated debate about the safety and ethical aspects of fluoride (F) used for human consumption. Thus, this study assessed the effects of prenatal and postnatal F exposure of rats on the salivary glands of their offspring. Pregnant rats were exposed to 0, 10, or 50 mg F/L from the drinking water, from the first day of gestation until offspring weaning (42 days). The offspring rats were euthanized for the collection of the parotid (PA) and submandibular (SM) glands, to assess the oxidative biochemistry and to perform morphometric and immunohistochemical analyses. F exposure was associated with a decrease in the antioxidant competence of PA in the 10 mg F/L group, contrasting with the increase observed in the 50 mg F/L group. On the other hand, the antioxidant competence of the SM glands was decreased at both concentrations. Moreover, both 10 and 50 mg F/L groups showed lower anti-α-smooth muscle actin immunostaining area in SM, while exposure to 50 mg F/L was associated with changes in gland morphometry by increasing the duct area in both glands. These findings demonstrate a greater susceptibility of the SM glands of the offspring to F at high concentration in comparison to PA, reinforcing the need to adhere to the optimum F levels recommended by the regulatory agencies. Such findings must be interpreted with caution, especially considering their translational meaning.

Strontium-loaded titanium-15molybdenum surface improves physicochemical and biological propertiesin vitro.

The titanium alloy composition and microdesign affect the dynamic interplay between the bone cells and titanium surface in the osseointegration process. The current study aimed to evaluate the surface physicochemical properties, electrochemical stability, and the metabolic response of the MC3T3-E1 cells (pre-osteoblast cell line) cultured onto titanium-15molybdenum (Ti-15Mo) discs treated with phosphoric acid (H3PO4) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and/or strontium-loading by the hydrothermal method. The x-ray dispersive energy spectroscopy (EDS) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed no trace of impurities and the possible formation of hydrated strontium oxide (H2O2Sr), respectively. The confocal laser microscopy (CLSM) analysis indicated that titanium samples treated with strontium (Sr) showed greater surface roughness. The acid/alkali treatment prior to the hydrothermal Sr deposition improved the surface free energy and resistance to corrosion of the Ti-15Mo alloy. The acid/alkali treatment also provided greater retention of the Sr particles on the Ti-15Mo surfaces accordingly with inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) analysis. The AlamarBlue and fluorescence analysis indicated noncytotoxic effects against the MC3T3-E1 cells, which allowed cells' adhesion and proliferation, with greater cells' spreading in the Sr-loaded Ti-15Mo samples. These findings suggest that Sr deposition by the hydrothermal method has the potential to enhance the physicochemical properties of the Ti-15Mo previously etched with H3PO4and NaOH, and also improve the initial events related to cell-mediated bone deposition.

Conservative approach to masking a darkened tooth with a direct composite resin restoration: a case report with 5-year follow-up.

The objective of this case report is to describe a direct conservative technique for restoring the esthetics and function of a severely discolored endodontically treated tooth. A 25-year-old man presented with an esthetic complaint about severe darkening of his endodontically treated maxillary left central incisor. The tooth had adequate sound tooth structure, so the placement of a conservative direct composite resin veneer was proposed. The preparation included minimal removal of tooth structure, and a photoactivating opacifier was placed to mask the darkened substrate prior to restoration with composite resin. The restorative composite resin was placed with an incremental layering technique, restoring form, function, and esthetics. A routine follow-up examination 5 years after placement of the veneer revealed that it still provided satisfactory function and esthetics despite slight incisal wear and loss of brightness. The placement of direct composite resin veneers in association with opacifying pigments is a simple, low-cost alternative for providing immediate esthetic restoration of teeth with severe color change without extensive removal of tooth structure.

Silent circulation of Chikungunya virus among pregnant women and newborns in the Western Brazilian Amazon before the first outbreak of chikungunya fever.

The prevalence of immunity to Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) in pregnant women and newborns in the Western Brazilian Amazon was assessed at a time when previous studies did not report chikungunya fever in the area. In 435 asymptomatic pregnant women and 642 healthy unrelated newborns, the presence of IgM and IgG antibodies to CHIKV were determined by a commercial ELISA. All participants were negative to IgM anti-CHIKV. Anti-CHIKV IgG was identified in 41 (9.4%) pregnant women and 66 (10.3%) newborns. The presence of anti-CHIKV IgG was positively associated with the lowest socioeconomic status in pregnant women (OR 2.54, 95% CI 1.15-5.62, p=0.021) and in the newborns' mothers (OR 5.10, 95% CI 2.15-12.09, p< 0.001). Anti-CHIKV IgG was also associated with maternal age in both, the pregnant women (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.00-1.11, p=0.037) and the newborns'mothers (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.03-1.12, p=0.001). Pregnancy outcomes in which the mother or the newborn was anti-CHIKV IgG positive proceeded normally. Negative CHIKV serology was associated with being positive for DENV antibodies and having had malaria during pregnancy. These findings showed that there was already a silent circulation of CHIKV in this Amazon region before the first outbreak of chikungunya fever. Furthermore, seropositivity for CHIKV was surprisingly frequent (10%) in both, pregnant women and newborns, affecting mainly low-income women.