Lactobacillus delbrueckii CIDCA 133 fermented milk modulates inflammation and gut microbiota to alleviate acute colitis.

Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis CIDCA 133 is a health-promoting bacterium that can alleviate gut inflammation and improve the epithelial barrier in a mouse model of mucositis. Despite these beneficial effects, the protective potential of this strain in other inflammation models, such as inflammatory bowel disease, remains unexplored. Herein, we examined for the first time the efficacy of Lactobacillus delbrueckii CIDCA 133 incorporated into a fermented milk formulation in the recovery of inflammation, epithelial damage, and restoration of gut microbiota in mice with dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis. Oral administration of Lactobacillus delbrueckii CIDCA 133 fermented milk relieved colitis by decreasing levels of inflammatory factors (myeloperoxidase, N-acetyl-ß-D-glucosaminidase, toll-like receptor 2, nuclear factor-κB, interleukins 10 and 6, and tumor necrosis factor), secretory immunoglobulin A levels, and intestinal paracellular permeability. This immunobiotic also modulated the expression of tight junction proteins (zonulin and occludin) and the activation of short-chain fatty acids-related receptors (G-protein coupled receptors 43 and 109A). Colonic protection was effectively associated with acetate production and restoration of gut microbiota composition. Treatment with Lactobacillus delbrueckii CIDCA 133 fermented milk increased the abundance of Firmicutes members (Lactobacillus genus) while decreasing the abundance of Proteobacteria (Helicobacter genus) and Bacteroidetes members (Bacteroides genus). These promising outcomes influenced the mice's mucosal healing, colon length, body weight, and disease activity index, demonstrating that this immunobiotic could be explored as an alternative approach for managing inflammatory bowel disease.

Challenges of Congenital Heart Surgery in Brazil: It is Time to Designate Pediatric Congenital Heart Surgery Subspecialty.

Congenital heart disease (CHD) affects eight to ten out of every 1,000 births, resulting in approximately 23,057 new cases in Brazil in 2022. About one in four children with CHD requires surgery or other procedures in the first year of life, and it is expected that approximately 81% of these children with CHD will survive until at least 35 years of age. Professionals choosing to specialize in CHD surgery face numerous challenges, not only related to mastering surgical techniques and the complexity of the diseases but also to the lack of recognition by medical societies as a separate subspecialty. Furthermore, families face difficulties when access to services capable of providing treatment for these children. To address these challenges, it is essential to have specialized hospitals, qualified professionals, updated technologies, sustainable industry, appropriate financing, quality assessment systems, and knowledge generation. The path to excellence involves specialization across all involved parties. As we reflect on the importance of Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery and Congenital Heart Diseases establishing themselves as a subspecialty of Cardiovascular Surgery, it is essential to look beyond our borders to countries like the United States of America and United Kingdom, where this evolution is already a reality. This autonomy has led to significant advancements in research, education, and patient care outcomes, establishing a care model. By following this path in Brazil, we not only align our practice with the highest international standards but also demonstrate our maturity and the ability to meet the specific needs of patients with CHD and those with acquired childhood heart disease.

Mitochondrial function in skeletal muscle contributes to reproductive endothermy in tegu lizards (Salvator merianae).

AIM: In cyclic climate variations, including seasonal changes, many animals regulate their energy demands to overcome critical transitory moments, restricting their high-demand activities to phases of resource abundance, enabling rapid growth and reproduction. Tegu lizards (Salvator merianae) are ectotherms with a robust annual cycle, being active during summer, hibernating during winter, and presenting a remarkable endothermy during reproduction in spring. Here, we evaluated whether changes in mitochondrial respiratory physiology in skeletal muscle could serve as a mechanism for the increased thermogenesis observed during the tegu's reproductive endothermy. METHODS: We performed high-resolution respirometry and calorimetry in permeabilized red and white muscle fibers, sampled during summer (activity) and spring (high activity and reproduction), in association with citrate synthase measurements. RESULTS: During spring, the muscle fibers exhibited increased oxidative phosphorylation. They also enhanced uncoupled respiration and heat production via adenine nucleotide translocase (ANT), but not via uncoupling proteins (UCP). Citrate synthase activity was higher during the spring, suggesting greater mitochondrial density compared to the summer. These findings were consistent across both sexes and muscle types (red and white). CONCLUSION: The current results highlight potential cellular thermogenic mechanisms in an ectothermic reptile that contribute to transient endothermy. Our study indicates that the unique feature of transitioning to endothermy through nonshivering thermogenesis during the reproductive phase may be facilitated by higher mitochondrial density, function, and uncoupling within the skeletal muscle. This knowledge contributes significant elements to the broader picture of models for the evolution of endothermy, particularly in relation to the enhancement of aerobic capacity.

The Role of Consumerism in Pharmacy Education.

The notion of consumerism and that students are customers of pharmacy colleges was explored by proponents and opponents of the idea. First, a working definition of a "customer" in pharmacy education is pondered with respect to the roles and responsibilities of students and schools/colleges of pharmacy. Second, the pros and cons of "student-centered" education are considered in the light of students and their families being consumers of the educational experience. Third, the duality of student-centered education is discussed including student engagement/disengagement in their learning, professional/unprofessional behaviors, and shared/individual responsibilities. Lastly, learning and teaching environment dynamics are discerned when higher education becomes more student-centric and how that may affect the overall outcome of the student and the goals of pharmacy educational programs.

Serological Profile for Major Respiratory Viruses in Unvaccinated Cows from High-Yielding Dairy Herds.

This study aims to determine the serological profile of high-yielding dairy cows for four main viruses (bovine alphaherpesvirus 1 (BoAHV1), bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), bovine parainfluenza virus 3 (BPIV3), and bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV)) related to bovine respiratory disease (BRD) in cattle herds worldwide. In this survey, 497 blood serum samples were collected from non-vaccinated dairy cows without clinical respiratory signs in 39 herds in the central-eastern mesoregion of Paraná State, South Brazil. The presence of neutralizing antibodies was determined by virus neutralization (VN) tests. VN antibodies against BoAHV1, BVDV, BPIV3, and BRSV were detected in 355 (71.4%), 280 (56.3%), 481 (96.8%), and 315 (63.4%) serum samples, respectively. The frequencies of seropositive herds for BoAHV1, BVDV, BPIV3, and BRSV were 79.5 (n = 31), 82.0 (n = 32), 100 (n = 39), and 84.6% (n = 33), respectively. The frequencies of seropositive cows varied according to the type of herd management and the number of cows in the herd. The detection of VN antibodies in unvaccinated dairy cattle herds demonstrated the endemic circulation of the four viruses in the herds evaluated. For BRD prevention, it is recommended to implement a vaccination program for cows that provides passive immunity in calves and active immunity in cows.

Global distribution patterns and geographic range of Cymothoa Fabricius, 1793 (Isopoda: Cymothoidae) associated with host fish.

Over recent years, fish parasites of the genus Cymothoa Fabricius, 1793, have received increased attention due to both their ecological and their economic importance to aquaculture and fishery. As the studies about Cymothoa have increased this improve our understanding on the host specificity and distribution of these parasites. The aim of this paper was to review the current global geographic distribution, distribution patterns and parasite-host interactions patterns of Cymothoa spp. associated with fish from marine and brackish water bodies around the world. A total of 144 samples were analyzed, from which 23 species of Cymothoa were found parasitizing 84 teleost fish species of 35 families and 20 orders. Most of these parasites were found in the mouth of the host fish, including in wild fish. The highest occurrence of parasites was found in host species belonging to the families Carangidae and Lutjanidae. Host specificity was an important factor in the geographic distribution of Cymothoa species as also environmental temperature. Cymothoa indica, Cymothoa exigua and Cymothoa excisa were the species with lowest specificity for host family and widest geographic distribution.

The alternative enzymes-bearing tunicates lack multiple widely distributed genes coding for peripheral OXPHOS subunits.

The respiratory chain alternative enzymes (AEs) NDX and AOX from the tunicate Ciona intestinalis (Ascidiacea) have been xenotopically expressed and characterized in human cells in culture and in the model organisms Drosophila melanogaster and mouse, with the purpose of developing bypass therapies to combat mitochondrial diseases in human patients with defective complexes I and III/IV, respectively. The fact that the genes coding for NDX and AOX have been lost from genomes of evolutionarily successful animal groups, such as vertebrates and insects, led us to investigate if the composition of the respiratory chain of Ciona and other tunicates differs significantly from that of humans and Drosophila, to accommodate the natural presence of AEs. We have failed to identify in tunicate genomes fifteen orthologous genes that code for subunits of the respiratory chain complexes; all of these putatively missing subunits are peripheral to complexes I, III and IV in mammals, and many are important for complex-complex interaction in supercomplexes (SCs), such as NDUFA11, UQCR11 and COX7A. Modeling of all respiratory chain subunit polypeptides of Ciona indicates significant structural divergence that is consistent with the lack of these fifteen clear orthologous subunits. We also provide evidence using Ciona AOX expressed in Drosophila that this AE cannot access the coenzyme Q pool reduced by complex I, but it is readily available to oxidize coenzyme Q molecules reduced by glycerophosphate oxidase, a mitochondrial inner membrane-bound dehydrogenase that is not involved in SCs. Altogether, our results suggest that Ciona AEs might have evolved in a mitochondrial inner membrane environment much different from that of mammals and insects, possibly without SCs; this correlates with the preferential functional interaction between these AEs and non-SC dehydrogenases in heterologous mammalian and insect systems. We discuss the implications of these findings for the applicability of Ciona AEs in human bypass therapies and for our understanding of the evolution of animal respiratory chain.

Remediation through the coordinated use of local rice husk residues for the selective adsorption of iron and nickel in real landfill leachate.

Herein, we demonstrate the prospects of tackling several environmental problems by transforming a local rice husk residue into an effective adsorbent, which was then applied for the treatment of real landfill leachate (LL). The study focused on establishing (i) the effect of simple washing on morphological aspects, (ii) evaluating target adsorption capacity for total iron (Fe) and nickel (Ni), (iii) determining regeneration and reuse potential of the adsorbent and (iv) complying to the requirements of worldwide legislations for reuse of treated LL wastewater. The adsorbent was prepared by employing a simple yet effective purification process that can be performed in situ. The LL was collected post-membrane treatment, and the characterizations revealed high concentrations of Fe, Ni, and organic matter content. The simple washing affected the crystallinity, resulting in structural alterations of the adsorbents, also increasing the porosity and specific surface. The adsorption process for Ni occurred naturally at pH 6, but adjusting the pH to 3 significantly improved removal efficiency and adsorption capacity for total Fe. The kinetics were accurately described by the pseudo-second-order model, while the Langmuir model provided a better fit for the isotherms. The adsorbent was stable for 5 reuses, and the metals adsorbed were recovered through basic leaching. The removal capacities achieved underscore the remarkable effectiveness of the process, ensuring the treated LL wastewater meets rigorous global environmental legislations for safe use in irrigation. Thus, by employing the compelling methods herein optimized it is possible to refer to the of solving three environmental problems at once.

Epidemiological and Financial Aspects of Hospitalizations for Bacterial Meningitis in Brazil.

Introduction: Understanding the epidemiology and cost implications of acute bacterial meningitis is crucial for effective health planning, timely treatment implementation, and comprehensive patient support measures, as well as for determining appropriate hospital expenses. Therefore, we conducted an analysis of hospitalization cases for bacterial meningitis in Brazil from January 2008 to December 2019. Methods: This is a descriptive ecological study that utilized the Hospital Information System of Brazil's National Unified Health System (SIH/SUS) database. The variables included sex, region, age group, hospitalizations, deaths, lethality rate, and hospital service expenses. The data were tabulated to focus specifically on the epidemiological aspect of bacterial meningitis. Results: During the study period, there were 20,207 hospitalizations for bacterial meningitis in Brazil. Men accounted for a higher number of cases, with 11,690 (57.67%), while women had a higher lethality rate of 10.64%. The Southeast region had the highest percentage of both hospitalizations (45.78%) and deaths (46.42%). Bacterial meningitis remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly in children under 5 years of age. Notably, the elderly and the Northeast region showed higher rates of lethality. The total expenditure on hospital services exceeded 43 million in Brazilian real, with the highest expenditure observed in 2019 and the lowest in 2011. Conclusion: A higher prevalence of the disease was observed in males, in children under 1-year-old and in the southeast region. Hospital expenditures were found to be substantial and increasing over time, underscoring the significance of early diagnosis and the promotion of vaccination campaigns.

Recombinant probiotic Lactococcus lactis delivering P62 mitigates moderate colitis in mice.

Introduction and objective: p62 is a human multifunctional adaptor protein involved in key cellular processes such as tissue homeostasis, inflammation, and cancer. It acts as a negative regulator of inflammasome complexes. It may thus be considered a good candidate for therapeutic use in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), such as colitis. Probiotics, including recombinant probiotic strains producing or delivering therapeutic biomolecules to the host mucosal surfaces, could help prevent and mitigate chronic intestinal inflammation. The objective of the present study was to combine the intrinsic immunomodulatory properties of the probiotic Lactococcus lactis NCDO2118 with its ability to deliver health-promoting molecules to enhance its protective and preventive effects in the context of ulcerative colitis (UC). Material and methods: This study was realized in vivo in which mice were supplemented with the recombinant strain. The intestinal barrier function was analyzed by monitoring permeability, secretory IgA total levels, mucin expression, and tight junction genes. Its integrity was evaluated by histological analyses. Regarding inflammation, colonic cytokine levels, myeloperoxidase (MPO), and expression of key genes were monitored. The intestinal microbiota composition was investigated using 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing. Results and discussion: No protective effect of L. lactis NCDO2118 pExu:p62 was observed regarding mice clinical parameters compared to the L. lactis NCDO2118 pExu: empty. However, the recombinant strain, expressing p62, increased the goblet cell counts, upregulated Muc2 gene expression in the colon, and downregulated pro-inflammatory cytokines Tnf and Ifng when compared to L. lactis NCDO2118 pExu: empty and inflamed groups. This recombinant strain also decreased colonic MPO activity. No difference in the intestinal microbiota was observed between all treatments. Altogether, our results show that recombinant L. lactis NCDO2118 delivering p62 protein protected the intestinal mucosa and mitigated inflammatory damages caused by dextran sodium sulfate (DSS). We thus suggest that p62 may constitute part of a therapeutic approach targeting inflammation.

Effects of intra-articular injection of platelet-rich plasma on the inflammatory process and histopathological characteristics of cartilage and synovium in animals with osteoarthritis: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis (OA) affects the entire joint, causing structural changes in articular cartilage, subchondral bone, ligaments, capsule, synovial membrane, and periarticular muscles that afflicts millions of people globally, leading to persistent pain and diminished quality of life. The intra-articular use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is gaining recognition as a secure therapeutic approach due to its potential regenerative capabilities. However, there is controversial clinical data regarding efficacy of PRP for OA treatment. In this context, gathering scientific evidence on the effects of PRP in treating OA in animal models could provide valuable insights into understanding its impact on aspects like cartilage health, synovial tissue integrity, and the inflammatory process in affected joints. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess the effects of PRP injections on inflammation and histopathological aspects of cartilage and synovium in animal models of OA through a comprehensive systematic review with meta-analysis. METHODS: A electronic search was conducted on Medline, Embase, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, LILACS, and SciELO databases for relevant articles published until June 2022. A random-effects meta-analysis was employed to synthesize evidence on the histological characteristics of cartilage and synovium, as well as the inflammatory process. The GRADE approach was utilized to categorize the quality of evidence, and methodological quality was assessed using SYRCLE's RoB tool. RESULTS: Twenty-one studies were included in the review, with twelve of them incorporated into the meta-analysis. PRP treatment demonstrated superior outcomes compared to the control group in terms of cartilage histology (very low quality; p = 0.0002), synovium histology (very low quality; p < 0.0001), and reductions in proinflammatory markers, including IL-1 (low quality; p = 0.002), IL-6 (very low quality; p < 0.00001), and TNF-α (very low; p < 0.00001). However, PRP treatment did not yield a significant impact on PDGF-A levels (very low quality; p = 0.81). CONCLUSION: PRP appears capable of reducing proinflammatory markers (IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α) and mitigating cartilage and synovium damage in animals with OA. However, the levels of evidence of these findings are low to very low. Therefore, more rigorous studies with larger samples are needed to improve the quality of evidence. PROSPERO REGISTRATION: CRD42022250314.

Effects of physical exercise on muscle function of the knee, pain and quality of life in postmenopausal women with knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review with meta-analysis.

Objective of this study was to investigate the effects of physical exercise on muscle function of the knee, pain and quality of life in postmenopausal women with knee osteoarthritis (OA). An electronic search was conducted of the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, LILACS and PEDro databases for relevant articles published up to September 2023. Only randomized clinical trials with interventions involving physical exercise of any modality in postmenopausal women with knee OA were included. This review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses and the Cochrane Recommendations. Methodological quality of the studies selected was assessed using the PEDro scale and the evidence was synthesized using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation scale. Among the 169 articles identified, five were included in the present systematic review and enabled meta-analysis of the outcomes physical function, pain and stiffness. The findings demonstrated the effectiveness of physical exercise in improving physical function, assessed through the Six-Minute Walk Test and the WOMAC scale's physical function domain, compared to the control group. However, no significant differences were observed in pain or stiffness outcomes between the treatment and control groups. Unfortunately, insufficient data precluded a meta-analysis for knee muscle function and quality of life outcomes. Despite the potential of physical exercise to enhance physical function in postmenopausal women with knee OA, the study highlights a lack of standardization in assessment tools and tests, limiting the feasibility of meta-analysis. PROSPERO REGISTRATION: CRD42022316476.

VAS1-mediated nitrogen reshuffling in aromatic amino acid homeostasis.

Aromatic amino acids (AAAs) are essential for synthesis of proteins and numerous plant natural products, yet how plants maintain AAA homeostasis remains poorly understood. Wu et al. reported that the aminotransferase VAS1 plays a role in AAA homeostasis by transferring nitrogen from AAAs to non-proteinogenic amino acids, 3-carboxytyrosine and 3-carboxyphenylalanine.

Physiological and Biochemical Aspects of Silicon-Mediated Resistance in Maize against Maydis Leaf Blight.

Maydis leaf blight (MLB), caused by the necrotrophic fungus Bipolaris maydis, has caused considerable yield losses in maize production. The hypothesis that maize plants with higher foliar silicon (Si) concentration can be more resistant against MLB was investigated in this study. This goal was achieved through an in-depth analysis of the photosynthetic apparatus (parameters of leaf gas exchange chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence and photosynthetic pigments) changes in activities of defense and antioxidative enzymes in leaves of maize plants with (+Si; 2 mM) and without (-Si; 0 mM) Si supplied, as well as challenged and not with B. maydis. The +Si plants showed reduced MLB symptoms (smaller lesions and lower disease severity) due to higher foliar Si concentration and less production of malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide, and radical anion superoxide compared to -Si plants. Higher values for leaf gas exchange (rate of net CO2 assimilation, stomatal conductance to water vapor, and transpiration rate) and Chl a fluorescence (variable-to-maximum Chl a fluorescence ratio, photochemical yield, and yield for dissipation by downregulation) parameters along with preserved pool of chlorophyll a+b and carotenoids were noticed for infected +Si plants compared to infected -Si plants. Activities of defense (chitinase, ß-1,3-glucanase, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, polyphenoloxidase, peroxidase, and lipoxygenase) and antioxidative (ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione reductase) enzymes were higher for infected +Si plants compared to infected -Si plants. Collectively, this study highlights the importance of using Si to boost maize resistance against MLB considering the more operative defense reactions and the robustness of the antioxidative metabolism of plants along with the preservation of their photosynthetic apparatus.

Guide catheter extension use are associated with higher procedural success in chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary interventions.

BACKGROUND: Guide catheter extensions (GCEs) increase support and facilitate equipment delivery, but aggressive instrumentation may be associated with a higher risk of complications. AIM: Our aim was to assess the impact of GCEs on procedural success and complications in patients submitted to chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: We analyzed data from the multicenter LATAM CTO Registry. Procedural success was defined as <30% residual stenosis and TIMI 3 distal flow. Major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) was defined as the composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, target vessel revascularization, and stroke. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to compare outcomes with and without GCE use. RESULTS: From August 2010 to August 2021, 3049 patients were included. GCEs were used in 438 patients (14.5%). In unadjusted analysis, patients in the GCE group were older and had more comorbidities. The median J-CTO score and its components were higher in the GCE group. After PSM, procedural success was higher with GCE use (87.7% vs. 80.5%, p = 0.007). The incidence of coronary perforation (odds ratio [OR]: 1.46, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.78-2.71, p = 0.230), bleeding (OR: 1.99, 95% CI: 0.41-2.41, p = 0.986), in-hospital death (OR: 1.39, 95% CI: 0.54-3.62, p = 0.495) and MACCE (OR: 1.07, 95% CI: 0.52-2.19, p = 0.850) were similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: In a contemporary, multicenter cohort of patients undergoing CTO PCI, GCEs were used in older patients, with more comorbidities and complex anatomy. After PSM, GCE use was associated with higher procedural success, and similar incidence of adverse outcomes.

Brain Mitochondria as a Therapeutic Target for Carnosic Acid.

Carnosic acid (CA), a diterpene obtained mainly from Rosmarinus officinalis and Salvia officinalis, exerts antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects in mammalian cells. At least in part, those benefits are associated with the ability that CA modulates mitochondrial physiology. CA attenuated bioenergetics collapse and redox impairments in the mitochondria obtained from brain cells exposed to several toxicants in both in vitro and in vivo experimental models. CA is a potent inducer of the major modulator of the redox biology in animal cells, the transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), which controls the expression of a myriad of genes whose products are involved with cytoprotection in different contexts. Moreover, CA upregulates signaling pathways related to the degradation of damaged mitochondria (mitophagy) and with the synthesis of these organelles (mitochondrial biogenesis). Thus, CA may be considered an agent that induces mitochondrial renewal, depending on the circumstances. In this review, we discuss about the mechanisms of action by which CA promotes mitochondrial protection in brain cells.

Effect of physical therapy interventions in individuals with primary thumb carpometacarpal osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effect of physiotherapeutic interventions in individuals with thumb primary CMC OA on the outcomes of pain, hand function, grip or pinch strength. METHODS: RCTs that used some type of physiotherapeutic intervention compared to a passive or active control group were included. The quality of the evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach and, for the calculation of the meta-analysis, the standardized difference of means (SMD) was used. RESULTS: Nineteen studies (n = 1477) were included and eight studies (n = 568) underwent meta-analysis. Orthosis intervention was superior to passive control group for pain improvement (SMD = -1.02, p = 0.03, very low evidence), grip strength (SMD = 0.45, p = 0.02, very low evidence) and pinch strength (SMD = 1.78, p = 0.01, very low evidence), but there was no improvement in hand function (p = 0.54). The use of a neoprene orthosis was similar to the use of a thermoplastic orthosis in improving pain (p = 0.38), hand function (p = 0.50), grip strength (p = 0.42) and pinch strength (p = 0.14). The use of short thermoplastic orthosis was also similar to long thermoplastic orthosis in improving pain (p = 0.88) and hand function (p = 0.58). CONCLUSION: The use of orthoses is superior to no intervention in all outcomes, exception hand function.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONThe use of orthosis is recommended for the treatment of patients with rhizoarthrosisUse of orthosis is better than no intervention in improving pain, grip and pinch strength.The type of orthosis (neoprene or thermoplastic, short or long thermoplastic) does not affect the clinical improvement of the individual to the outcomes of pain, hand physical function, grip and pinch strength.

Boosting life sciences research in Brazil: building a case for a local Drosophila stock center.

Drosophila melanogaster is undoubtedly one of the most useful model organisms in biology. Initially used in solidifying the principles of heredity, and establishing the basic concepts of population genetics and of the synthetic theory of evolution, it can currently offer scientists much more: the possibility of investigating a plethora of cellular and biological mechanisms, from development and function of the immune system to animal neurogenesis, tumorigenesis and beyond. Extensive resources are available for the community of Drosophila researchers worldwide, including an ever-growing number of mutant, transgenic and genomically-edited lines currently carried by stock centers in North America, Europe and Asia. Here, we provide evidence for the importance of stock centers in sustaining the substantial increase in the output of Drosophila research worldwide in recent decades. We also discuss the challenges that Brazilian Drosophila scientists face to keep their research projects internationally competitive, and argue that difficulties in importing fly lines from international stock centers have significantly stalled the progression of all Drosophila research areas in the country. Establishing a local stock center might be the first step towards building a strong local Drosophila community that will likely contribute to all areas of life sciences research.

Ascending aortic rupture incidentally revealed at the cath lab: surprising, rare, and life-threatening.

An 80-year-old woman who was an active smoker with neglected long-term hypertension, but no known previous aortic or connective tissue disorders, presented to the emergency department complaining of sudden chest pain associated with cardiogenic shock.

Valorization of winemaking residues as biochar for removing Ni(II) from real industrial painting process effluent in a fixed-bed column.

In this work, the adsorption of nickel ions from a real effluent from a metal-mechanic industry was investigated in a fixed-bed column using biochar. Biochar was prepared from winemaking residues originating from the Beifiur® composting process. The use of wine industry residues as precursor materials for biochar production is established in biomass residue valorization using the existing logistics and the lowest possible number of manipulations and pre-treatments. The results found in the work showed that the optimal conditions for nickel adsorption in fixed-bed columns were bed height (Z) of 7 cm, initial nickel concentration (C0) of 1.5 mg L-1, and flow rate (Q) of 18 mL min-1. In this condition, the maximum adsorption capacity of the column was 0.452 mg g-1, the mass transfer zone (Zm) was 3.3 cm, the treated effluent volume (Veff) was 9.72 L, and the nickel removal (R) was 92.71%. The Yoon-Nelson and BDST dynamic models were suitable to represent the breakthrough curves of nickel adsorption. Finally, the fixed-bed column adsorption using biochar from winemaking residues proved to be a promising alternative for nickel removal from real industrial effluents.