Guanidinium substitution-dependent phase transitions, ionic conductivity, and dielectric properties of MAPbI3.

Despite the proven enhancement of MAPbI3 optoelectronic properties and stability by guanidinium substitution, divergences persist regarding fundamental knowledge on this system. This work shows that GAxMA1-xPbI3 solid solutions have guanidinium content-dependent phase transitions, dielectric permittivities, ionic conductivities, activation energies, and relaxation times.

Relapsing polychondritis associated with heart block.

OBJECTIVE: The present article aims at describing a rare case of an RP patient who evolved with heart block and was successfully treated with corticoid pulse therapy, without the need for pacemaker insertion. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A systematic research on relapsing polychondritis (RP) and heart block (HB) published in PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Sciences, LILACS, and Scielo from 1966 to August 2020 was performed. RESULTS: It was found 10 studies on RP associated with HB, and we added a case. Most were male (7/10) with ages 30 to 66 years old. RP disease duration was 1 week-6 years. In most cases (7/10), the RP was active when the HB occurred. A complete HB was observed in 4/7, followed by type II degree block in 3/7, and one patient had a sinus node dysfunction. Most patients received glucocorticoids. A pacemaker was inserted in 4/9 cases. Good outcome was observed in 3/9 patients and mortality in 2/10. CONCLUSIONS: We report the first case of an RP patient who had a heart block and was successfully treated with methylprednisolone pulse therapy. The authors suggest that in these RP cases, an attempt with a glucocorticoid pulse therapy may be offered to treat the heart block and prevent the insertion of a pacemaker.

Negativization of antinuclear, anti-dsDNA, and anti-chromatin antibodies after vitamin D supplementation in a lupus patient.

BACKGROUND: A previous study have evaluated that antinuclear antibodies (ANA) negativization is linked to low lupus disease activity. AIM: To describe a lupus patient who evolved with negativization of ANA, anti-dsDNA, and anti-chromatin antibodies after vitamin D supplementation. METHOD: Case report. RESULTS: A 56-year-old female patient, diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus since 2015 characterized by typical malar erythema, photosensitivity, polyarthritis, leucopenia, positive antinuclear antibody, anti-dsDNA, and anti-chromatin antibody. She received hydroxychloroquine and prednisone. After 1 year, corticotherapy was tapered off, and no clinical evidence of lupus activity was registered (SLEDAI = 0). However, ANA remained positive with a titer of 1:640 with a homogeneous pattern, and positive anti-dsDNA 1/20 and anti-chromatin 97 Units (normal range: <20 Units) remained all-time positive. Treatment with vitamin D 25,000 IU/day was initiated, and during follow-up, anti-chromatin and anti-dsDNA disappeared. In 2019, the patient was asymptomatic, keeping SLEDAI = 0, negative anti-dsDNA and anti-chromatin, and surprisingly the ANA turned negative, which was confirmed on several occasions until now. CONCLUSION: This case adds knowledge to the understanding that negative antinuclear antibodies appear to be associated with a better prognosis in lupus patients. Furthermore, the use of vitamin D seems to be a complementary therapeutic tool for this purpose.

Recording and erasure of photorefractive holograms in undoped BTO crystal at moderate to high intensities of 639.7 nm laser under action of 532 nm laser pre-illumination.

We investigate recording and erasure of photorefractive holographic gratings in an undoped Bi12TiO20 crystal in a moderate to high intensity regime of the recording beams at 639.7 nm without and with the action of laser pre-illumination at 532 nm. The detected hologram without pre-illumination indicates the participation of two photorefractive electronic gratings in its recording process, and the diffracted signal by itself exhibits a fivefold enhancement when the total intensity increases from 38.4 to 214.5 mW/cm2. The dependence of the measured total diffraction efficiency on intensity was investigated and showed linear behavior. At least three gratings are present in the regime of pre-illumination and participate in the writing and erasure of holographic mechanisms. Two of them are electronic, and one is hole-based, with a phase difference of Δϕ between them. The theoretical approach used to analyze the total diffraction efficiency based upon the photorefractivity standard model, and considering the presence of the three gratings, showed good agreement with the holographic erasure experimental data and permitted us to compute Δϕ, which exhibited strong and unusual dependence on the total intensity.

Vitamin D Supplementation Seems to Improve Fibromyalgia Symptoms: Preliminary Results.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency have been reported in fibromyalgia. However, to the best of our knowledge, only one study has evaluated the role of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] supplementation on fibromyalgia symptoms. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the effects of 3 months of 25(OH)D supplementation on symptoms of fibromyalgia. METHODS: This study included 11 female patient. Demographic and clinical data, tender points, visual analog scale results, and pre- and post-serum levels of 25(OH)D supplementation were analyzed. The levels of 25(OH)D were measured by a radioimmunologic test. RESULTS: Patients with fibromyalgia diagnosis and 25(OH)D values ≤ 30 ng/ml were recruited to receive 50,000 IU of oral vitamin D once every week for 3 months. The disease was diagnosed based on the American College of Rheumatology criteria. The median age of all patients was 48.5 (28-67) years and 63.4% were Caucasian. Disease duration varied from 1-10 years. The 25(OH)D levels increased significantly after 3 months, 18.4 (15.5-25.8) ng/ml vs. 33.8 (28-58) ng/ml, P = 0.01. Interestingly, an improvement of visual analog scale scores was observed at 3 months, 90 (0-100) vs. 30 (0-80), P = 0.002. Eight patients (72.2%) responded that they experienced a very significant improvement in symptoms. In addition, a trend for reduction of the number of tender points was observed after 3 months, 17 (11-18) vs. 10 (0-18), P = 0.07. CONCLUSIONS: The 25(OH)D levels and disease symptoms in patients with fibromyalgia and vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency seem to improve with vitamin D supplementation.

Frequency of psychological alterations in primary antiphospholipid syndrome: preliminary study.

Objectives To detect the frequency of psychological alterations in primary antiphospholipid syndrome patients. Methods Thirty-six primary antiphospholipid syndrome patients were analyzed by a psychological interview using a standard protocol and review of medical charts. Clinical manifestations, associated comorbidities, antiphospholipid antibodies, and treatment were also evaluated. Results The mean age was 44.2 ± 10.8 years, 29 (80%) were women and 29 (80%) were of Caucasian race. The mean duration of disease was 7.3 ± 5.2 years. The frequency of the presence of psychological alterations was 97.1%. Family dependence was observed in 14 (40%), memory loss in 12 (34.3%), social losses in 12 (34.3%), sexual limitations in seven (20%), sadness in six (17.1%), severe speech limitation in four (11.4%), anxiety in three (8.6%), learning difficulty in two (5.7%), generalized phobia in two (5.7%), suicide ideation in one (2.6%), agoraphobia in one (2.6%), and obsessive-compulsive disorder in one (2.6%). Conclusion This study demonstrated that almost all primary antiphospholipid syndrome patients have psychological alterations. These data reinforce the need for psychological evaluation in primary antiphospholipid syndrome patients.

Susceptibility of Biomphalaria glabrata submitted to concomitant infection with Angiostrongylus costaricensis and Schistosoma mansoni / Suscetibilidade de Biomphalaria glabrata submetida à infecção concomitante com Angiostrongylus costaricensis e Schistosoma mansoni

Abstract The easy adaptation of Angiostrongylus costaricensis, nematode responsible for abdominal angiostrongyliasis to several species of terrestrial and freshwater molluscs and the differences observed in the interactions of trematodes with their intermediate hosts have induced us to study the concomitant infection of Biomphalaria glabrata with Schistosoma mansoni and A. costaricensis. Prior exposure of B. glabrata to A. costaricensis (with an interval of 48 hours), favored the development of S. mansoni, observing higher infection rate, increased release of cercariae and increased survival of molluscs, when compared to molluscs exposed only to S. mansoni. Prior exposure of B. glabrata to A. costaricensis and then to S. mansoni also enabled the development of A. costaricensis since in the ninth week of infection, higher amount of A. costaricensis L3 larvae was recovered (12 larvae / mollusc) while for molluscs exposed only to A. costaricensis, the number of larvae recovered was lower (8 larvae / mollusc). However, pre-exposure of B. glabrata to S. mansoni (with an interval of 24 hours), and subsequently exposure to A. costaricensis proved to be very harmful to B. glabrata, causing extensive mortality of molluscs, reduced pre-patent period to release cercariae and greater recovery of L3 A. costaricensis larvae.

Resumo A facilidade de adaptação do Angiostrongylus costaricensis, nematódeo responsável pela angiostrongiliase abdominal, a diversas espécies de moluscos terrestres e dulciaquícolas e as divergências observadas nas interações dos trematódeos com seus hospedeiros intermediários nos induziu a estudar a infecção concomitante de Biomphalaria glabrata com Schistosoma mansoni e A. costaricensis. A exposição prévia de B. glabrata ao A. costaricensis (com intervalo de 48 horas), favoreceu o desenvolvimento do S. mansoni observando-se elevação da taxa de infecção, maior liberação de cercárias e maior sobrevivência dos moluscos, quando comparado com os moluscos expostos somente ao S. mansoni. A exposição de B. glabrata previamente ao A. costaricensis e posteriormente ao S. mansoni também facilitou o desenvolvimento do A. costaricensis uma vez que na nona semana de infecção foi recuperada maior quantidade de larvas L3 de A. costaricensis, enquanto nos moluscos expostos somente ao A. costaricensis, o número de larvas recuperadas foi menor . Entretanto a pré-exposição de B. glabrata ao S. mansoni (com intervalo de 24 horas), e posteriormente a exposição ao A. costaricensis mostrou-se muito prejudicial à B. glabrata provocando grande mortalidade dos moluscos, redução do período pré-patente para liberação de cercárias e maior recuperação de larvas L3 de A. costaricensis.

Susceptibility of Biomphalaria glabrata submitted to concomitant infection with Angiostrongylus costaricensis and Schistosoma mansoni.

The easy adaptation of Angiostrongylus costaricensis, nematode responsible for abdominal angiostrongyliasis to several species of terrestrial and freshwater molluscs and the differences observed in the interactions of trematodes with their intermediate hosts have induced us to study the concomitant infection of Biomphalaria glabrata with Schistosoma mansoni and A. costaricensis. Prior exposure of B. glabrata to A. costaricensis (with an interval of 48 hours), favored the development of S. mansoni, observing higher infection rate, increased release of cercariae and increased survival of molluscs, when compared to molluscs exposed only to S. mansoni. Prior exposure of B. glabrata to A. costaricensis and then to S. mansoni also enabled the development of A. costaricensis since in the ninth week of infection, higher amount of A. costaricensis L3 larvae was recovered (12 larvae / mollusc) while for molluscs exposed only to A. costaricensis, the number of larvae recovered was lower (8 larvae / mollusc). However, pre-exposure of B. glabrata to S. mansoni (with an interval of 24 hours), and subsequently exposure to A. costaricensis proved to be very harmful to B. glabrata, causing extensive mortality of molluscs, reduced pre-patent period to release cercariae and greater recovery of L3 A. costaricensis larvae.

Assessment of the repellent effect of Lippia alba essential oil and major monoterpenes on the cattle tick Rhipicephalus microplus.

The control of Rhipicephalus microplus (Ixodida: Ixodidae) is achieved using synthetic acaricides. However, resistant tick populations are widespread around the world. Plant essential oils can act as repellents, keeping ticks away from hosts and decreasing the selection pressure on synthetic acaricides. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro repellent effect of Lippia alba essential oil on R. microplus larvae. Leaves from two L. alba genotypes maintained under the same agronomic and environmental conditions were collected. Essential oil was extracted by hydrodistillation and analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The major monoterpenes detected in the chemical analysis were commercially acquired and tested. For the repellency test, a glass rod was vertically fixed to measure active climbing of approximately 30 R. microplus larvae aged 14-21 days in response to essential oils and monoterpenes. Repellency was evaluated at 1 h, 3 h and 5 h after treatment. Variation in repellent action was detected between the genotypes. The major monoterpenes identified in the essential oils (limonene and carvone) showed low repellent effects in comparison with intact essential oils. Thus, the present results showed that L. alba essential oil contains bioactive compounds with great repellent activity against ticks that varies according to the plant genotype.

Overexpression of the activated form of the AtAREB1 gene (AtAREB1ΔQT) improves soybean responses to water deficit.

Abscisic acid-responsive element binding protein (AREB1) is a basic domain/leucine zipper transcription factor that binds to the abscisic acid (ABA)-responsive element motif in the promoter region of ABA-inducible genes. Because AREB1 is not sufficient to direct the expression of downstream genes under non-stress conditions, an activated form of AREB1 (AREB1ΔQT) was created. Several reports claim that plants overexpressing AREB1 or AREB1ΔQT show improved drought tolerance. In our studies, soybean plants overexpressing AREB1ΔQT were characterized molecularly, and the phenotype and drought response of three lines were accessed under greenhouse conditions. Under conditions of water deficit, the transformed plants presented a higher survival rate (100%) than those of their isoline, cultivar BR 16 (40%). Moreover, the transformed plants displayed better water use efficiency and had a higher number of leaves than their isoline. Because the transgenic plants had higher stomatal conductance than its isoline under well-watered conditions, it was suggested that the enhanced drought response of AREB1ΔQT soybean plants might not be associated with altered transpiration rates mediated by ABA-dependent stomatal closure. However, it is possible that the smaller leaf area of the transgenic plants reduced their transpiration and water use, causing delayed stress onset. The difference in the degree of wilting and percentage of survival between the 35S-AREB1ΔQT and wildtype plants may also be related to the regulation of genes that protect against dehydration because metabolic impairment of photosynthesis, deduced by an increasing internal CO2 concentration, was not observed in the transgenic plants.

Autoimmune primary ovarian insufficiency.

Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) is defined as sustained amenorrhea, increased follicle-stimulating hormone and low estrogen levels, whereas diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) is characterized as regular menses and alterations of ovarian reserve tests. POI of autoimmune origin may be associated with adrenal autoimmunity, non-adrenal autoimmunity or isolated. This autoimmune disease is characterized by serum ovarian, adrenocortical or steroidogenic cell autoantibodies. POI of adrenal autoimmune origin is the most frequent type observed in 60-80% of patients. Clinically, amenorrhea is the hallmark of POI, however before menstruation stops completely, irregular cycles occur. Infertility, hot flushes, vaginal atrophy, and dyspareunia are also common. Autoimmune oophoritis is characterized by mononuclear inflammatory cell infiltrate in the theca cells of growing follicles, with early stage follicles without lymphocytic infiltration. This infiltrate includes plasma, B and T-cells. A novel classification criterion for autoimmune POI/DOR is proposed subdividing in three distinct categories (possible, probable and confirmed) according to autoantibodies, autoimmune disease and ovarian histology. Unfortunately, up to date guidelines for the treatment of autoimmune oophoritis are not available. Strategies to POI treatment include hormone replacement and infertility therapy. Assisted conception with donated oocytes has been proven to achieve pregnancy by intra cytoplasmic sperm injection in POI women.

Diagnosis and classification of autoimmune orchitis.

Autoimmune orchitis is characterized by testis inflammation and the presence of specific antisperm antibodies (ASA). It is classified in two categories. Primary autoimmune orchitis is defined by infertility and asymptomatic orchitis associated with ASA (100%) directed to the basement membrane or seminiferous tubules in infertile men, without any systemic disease and usually asymptomatic. Secondary autoimmune orchitis is characterized by symptomatic orchitis and/or testicular vasculiti`s associated with a systemic autoimmune disease, particularly vasculitis. These patients typically demonstrate testicular pain, erythema and/or swelling. ASA in secondary autoimmune orchitis have been reported in up to 50% of patients, especially in systemic lupus erythematosus patients. The pathogenesis of primary as well as secondary autoimmune orchitis is still unknown. Although the etiology is likely to be multifactorial, testicular inflammation, infection or trauma may induce T cell response with pro-inflammatory cytokine production with a consequent blood-testis-barrier permeability alteration, ASA production and apoptosis of spermatocytes and spermatids. ASA is known to cause immobilization and/or agglutination of spermatozoa, which may block sperm-egg interaction resulting in infertility. Assisted reproduction has been used as an efficient option in primary cases and immunosuppressive therapy for secondary autoimmune orchitis, although there is no double-blind, randomized trial to confirm the efficacy of any treatment regimens for these conditions.