Calcium pyruvate in the attenuation of the water deficit on the agro-industrial quality of ratoon sugarcane.

Sugarcane is one of the largest agricultural commodities when considering the export volume and the number of jobs generated. Sugarcane production in the Brazilian Northeast region is generally low due to several factors, including the irregular rainfall distribution, which highlights the importance of studies aimed at mitigating the deleterious effects of water stress. In this scenario, this study aimed to evaluate calcium pyruvate as a water deficit attenuator on the agro-industrial quality of sugarcane in the second cycle of cultivation. The experiment was conducted out under greenhouse conditions of the Federal University of Campina Grande, where five sugarcane commercial genotypes tested (G1- RB863129, G2- RB92579, G3- RB962962, G4- RB021754, and G5- RB041443) and three irrigation management strategies (E1- full irrigation, E2- water deficit with application of 30 mM of calcium pyruvate, and E3- water deficit without calcium pyruvate application), distributed in randomized blocks in 5 × 3 factorial arrangement with three replications. The RB021754 genotype under water deficit and without foliar application of calcium pyruvate increased the fiber content (13.2%) and the sugarcane moist cake weight (143.5 g). The effects of water deficit in sugarcane genotypes are attenuated by the exogenous application of 30 mM of calcium pyruvate, with benefits on the polarized sucrose content, apparent sucrose content of the juice, soluble solids content, purity, corrected cane POL, total recoverable sugars, and stem mass in relation to plants under water deficit without calcium pyruvate application.

Do Dipteryx alata Vogel seedlings recover the quality and the photosynthetic and antioxidant responses in the post-flooding? / Mudas de Dipteryx alata Vogel recuperam a qualidade e as respostas fotossintéticas e antioxidantes no pós-alagamento?

Dipteryx alata Vogel is a tree species widely found in Cerrado, settling preferentially in well drained soils. Studies related to ecophysiology of D. alata may contribute to the decision making about using seedlings of this species in projects aimed at the recovery of degraded areas where seasonal flooding happens. This study aimed to assess the effects of flooding on photosynthetic and antioxidant metabolism and quality of D. alata seedlings cultivated or not under flooding during four assessment periods (0, 20, 40, and 60 days), followed by 100 days after the end of each assessment period (0+100, 20+100, 40+100, and 60+100 days), allowing verifying the potential for post-flooding recovery. Flooded plants showed lower photosynthetic efficiency than non-flooded plants, regardless of the periods of exposure. However, this efficiency was recovered in the post-flooding, with values similar to that of the non-flooded seedlings. Moreover, the damage to FV/FM was evidenced by an increase in the period of exposure to flooding, but recovery was also observed at this stage of the photosynthetic metabolism. Seedling quality decreased under flooding, not varying between periods of exposure, but remained lower although the increase observed in the post-flooding period, with no recovery after flooding. The occurrence of hypertrophied lenticels associated with physiological changes and an efficient antioxidant enzyme system might have contributed to the survival and recovery of these seedlings. Thus, this species is sensitive to flooding stress but capable of adjusting and recovering metabolic characteristics at 100 days after the suspension of the water stress, but with no recovery in seedling quality. Thus, we suggested plasticity under the cultivation condition and determined that the time of 100 days is not enough for the complete resumption of growth.

Dipteryx alata Vogel é uma arbórea de ampla ocorrência no Cerrado, se estabelecendo preferencialmente em solos bem drenados. Estudos referentes à ecofisiologia de D. alata em podem contribuir para a tomada de decisão sobre o uso de mudas dessa espécie em programas de recuperação de áreas degradadas sujeitas a alagamento temporário. Objetivamos com essa pesquisa avaliar os efeitos do alagamento no metabolismo fotossintético e antioxidante, além da qualidade de mudas dessa espécie, cultivadas ou não sob alagamento durante quatro períodos de avaliação (0, 20, 40 e 60 dias) seguidos de 100 dias após o término de cada período (0+100, 20+100, 40+100, 60+100 dias), possibilitando verificar o potencial de recuperação pós-alagamento. Observamos que as plantas alagadas apresentaram menor eficiência fotossintética e danos em FV/FM entretanto houve recuperação dessas características no pós alagamento. A qualidade das mudas reduziu sob alagamento não variando entre os períodos de exposição e embora tenha aumentado no pós-alagamento manteve-se menor não se recuperando. A ocorrência de lenticelas hipertrofiadas associadas a alterações fisiológicas e um eficiente sistema enzimático antioxidante devem ter contribuído para a sobrevivência e recuperação metabólica dessas mudas. Diante disso, sugerimos que a espécie é sensível ao estresse por alagamento, mas capaz de se ajustar e recuperar as características metabólicas 100 dias após a suspensão deste estresse hídrico, no entanto a qualidade da mudas não apresentou recuperação, assim, sugerimos plasticidade diante da condição de cultivo e ressaltamos que o tempo de 100 dias não é suficiente para a completa retomada do crescimento.

Do Dipteryx alata Vogel seedlings recover the quality and the photosynthetic and antioxidant responses in the post-flooding?

Abstract Dipteryx alata Vogel is a tree species widely found in Cerrado, settling preferentially in well drained soils. Studies related to ecophysiology of D. alata may contribute to the decision making about using seedlings of this species in projects aimed at the recovery of degraded areas where seasonal flooding happens. This study aimed to assess the effects of flooding on photosynthetic and antioxidant metabolism and quality of D. alata seedlings cultivated or not under flooding during four assessment periods (0, 20, 40, and 60 days), followed by 100 days after the end of each assessment period (0+100, 20+100, 40+100, and 60+100 days), allowing verifying the potential for post-flooding recovery. Flooded plants showed lower photosynthetic efficiency than non-flooded plants, regardless of the periods of exposure. However, this efficiency was recovered in the post-flooding, with values similar to that of the non-flooded seedlings. Moreover, the damage to FV/FM was evidenced by an increase in the period of exposure to flooding, but recovery was also observed at this stage of the photosynthetic metabolism. Seedling quality decreased under flooding, not varying between periods of exposure, but remained lower although the increase observed in the post-flooding period, with no recovery after flooding. The occurrence of hypertrophied lenticels associated with physiological changes and an efficient antioxidant enzyme system might have contributed to the survival and recovery of these seedlings. Thus, this species is sensitive to flooding stress but capable of adjusting and recovering metabolic characteristics at 100 days after the suspension of the water stress, but with no recovery in seedling quality. Thus, we suggested plasticity under the cultivation condition and determined that the time of 100 days is not enough for the complete resumption of growth.

Resumo Dipteryx alata Vogel é uma arbórea de ampla ocorrência no Cerrado, se estabelecendo preferencialmente em solos bem drenados. Estudos referentes à ecofisiologia de D. alata em podem contribuir para a tomada de decisão sobre o uso de mudas dessa espécie em programas de recuperação de áreas degradadas sujeitas a alagamento temporário. Objetivamos com essa pesquisa avaliar os efeitos do alagamento no metabolismo fotossintético e antioxidante, além da qualidade de mudas dessa espécie, cultivadas ou não sob alagamento durante quatro períodos de avaliação (0, 20, 40 e 60 dias) seguidos de 100 dias após o término de cada período (0+100, 20+100, 40+100, 60+100 dias), possibilitando verificar o potencial de recuperação pós-alagamento. Observamos que as plantas alagadas apresentaram menor eficiência fotossintética e danos em FV/FM entretanto houve recuperação dessas características no pós alagamento. A qualidade das mudas reduziu sob alagamento não variando entre os períodos de exposição e embora tenha aumentado no pós-alagamento manteve-se menor não se recuperando. A ocorrência de lenticelas hipertrofiadas associadas a alterações fisiológicas e um eficiente sistema enzimático antioxidante devem ter contribuído para a sobrevivência e recuperação metabólica dessas mudas. Diante disso, sugerimos que a espécie é sensível ao estresse por alagamento, mas capaz de se ajustar e recuperar as características metabólicas 100 dias após a suspensão deste estresse hídrico, no entanto a qualidade da mudas não apresentou recuperação, assim, sugerimos plasticidade diante da condição de cultivo e ressaltamos que o tempo de 100 dias não é suficiente para a completa retomada do crescimento.

Do Dipteryx alata Vogel seedlings recover the quality and the photosynthetic and antioxidant responses in the post-flooding? / Mudas de Dipteryx alata Vogel recuperam a qualidade e as respostas fotossintéticas e antioxidantes no pós-alagamento?

Abstract Dipteryx alata Vogel is a tree species widely found in Cerrado, settling preferentially in well drained soils. Studies related to ecophysiology of D. alata may contribute to the decision making about using seedlings of this species in projects aimed at the recovery of degraded areas where seasonal flooding happens. This study aimed to assess the effects of flooding on photosynthetic and antioxidant metabolism and quality of D. alata seedlings cultivated or not under flooding during four assessment periods (0, 20, 40, and 60 days), followed by 100 days after the end of each assessment period (0+100, 20+100, 40+100, and 60+100 days), allowing verifying the potential for post-flooding recovery. Flooded plants showed lower photosynthetic efficiency than non-flooded plants, regardless of the periods of exposure. However, this efficiency was recovered in the post-flooding, with values similar to that of the non-flooded seedlings. Moreover, the damage to FV/FM was evidenced by an increase in the period of exposure to flooding, but recovery was also observed at this stage of the photosynthetic metabolism. Seedling quality decreased under flooding, not varying between periods of exposure, but remained lower although the increase observed in the post-flooding period, with no recovery after flooding. The occurrence of hypertrophied lenticels associated with physiological changes and an efficient antioxidant enzyme system might have contributed to the survival and recovery of these seedlings. Thus, this species is sensitive to flooding stress but capable of adjusting and recovering metabolic characteristics at 100 days after the suspension of the water stress, but with no recovery in seedling quality. Thus, we suggested plasticity under the cultivation condition and determined that the time of 100 days is not enough for the complete resumption of growth.

Resumo Dipteryx alata Vogel é uma arbórea de ampla ocorrência no Cerrado, se estabelecendo preferencialmente em solos bem drenados. Estudos referentes à ecofisiologia de D. alata em podem contribuir para a tomada de decisão sobre o uso de mudas dessa espécie em programas de recuperação de áreas degradadas sujeitas a alagamento temporário. Objetivamos com essa pesquisa avaliar os efeitos do alagamento no metabolismo fotossintético e antioxidante, além da qualidade de mudas dessa espécie, cultivadas ou não sob alagamento durante quatro períodos de avaliação (0, 20, 40 e 60 dias) seguidos de 100 dias após o término de cada período (0+100, 20+100, 40+100, 60+100 dias), possibilitando verificar o potencial de recuperação pós-alagamento. Observamos que as plantas alagadas apresentaram menor eficiência fotossintética e danos em FV/FM entretanto houve recuperação dessas características no pós alagamento. A qualidade das mudas reduziu sob alagamento não variando entre os períodos de exposição e embora tenha aumentado no pós-alagamento manteve-se menor não se recuperando. A ocorrência de lenticelas hipertrofiadas associadas a alterações fisiológicas e um eficiente sistema enzimático antioxidante devem ter contribuído para a sobrevivência e recuperação metabólica dessas mudas. Diante disso, sugerimos que a espécie é sensível ao estresse por alagamento, mas capaz de se ajustar e recuperar as características metabólicas 100 dias após a suspensão deste estresse hídrico, no entanto a qualidade da mudas não apresentou recuperação, assim, sugerimos plasticidade diante da condição de cultivo e ressaltamos que o tempo de 100 dias não é suficiente para a completa retomada do crescimento.

Human papillomavirus infection and lung adenocarcinoma: special benefit is observed in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors.

BACKGROUND: Human papilloma virus (HPV) has been associated with the development and modulation of response in a series of neoplasms. In the case of lung adenocarcinoma, its role in etiology and pathogenesis is still controversial. Considering that this infection brings foreign epitopes, it could be of prognostic significance in patients with lung adenocarcinoma treated with immunotherapy. METHODS: In a retrospective cohort study we evaluated the presence of HPV genomic material in lung adenocarcinoma primary lesions with the INNO-LiPA platform. Viral replication was also evaluated by detecting the presence of oncoprotein E6/E7 messenger RNA (mRNA) by quantitative RT-PCR. To confirm possible hypotheses regarding viral oncogenesis, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF1) were evaluated with stromal fibrosis and immunoscore. RESULTS: A total of 133 patients were included in the analysis, of whom 34 tested positive for HPV, reaching an estimated prevalence of 25.6% [95% confidence interval (CI) 18.2% to 32.9%]. E6/7 mRNA was identified in 28 out of the 34 previously positive cases (82.3%). In immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-treated patients, the median overall survival reached 22.3 months [95% CI 19.4 months- not reached (NR)] for HPV-negative and was not reached in HPV-positive (HPV+) ones (95% CI 27.7-NR; P = 0.008). With regard to progression-free survival, HPV- patients reached a median of 9.2 months (95% CI 7.9-11.2 months) compared to 14.3 months (95% CI 13.8-16.4 months) when HPV was positive (P = 0.001). The overall response rate for HPV+ patients yielded 82.4% compared to 47.1% in negative ones. No differences regarding programmed death-ligand 1, VEGF, HIF1, stromal fibrosis, or immunoscore were identified. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with HPV+ lung adenocarcinoma, a significant benefit in overall response and survival outcomes is observed.

Do Dipteryx alata Vogel seedlings recover the quality and the photosynthetic and antioxidant responses in the post-flooding?

Dipteryx alata Vogel is a tree species widely found in Cerrado, settling preferentially in well drained soils. Studies related to ecophysiology of D. alata may contribute to the decision making about using seedlings of this species in projects aimed at the recovery of degraded areas where seasonal flooding happens. This study aimed to assess the effects of flooding on photosynthetic and antioxidant metabolism and quality of D. alata seedlings cultivated or not under flooding during four assessment periods (0, 20, 40, and 60 days), followed by 100 days after the end of each assessment period (0+100, 20+100, 40+100, and 60+100 days), allowing verifying the potential for post-flooding recovery. Flooded plants showed lower photosynthetic efficiency than non-flooded plants, regardless of the periods of exposure. However, this efficiency was recovered in the post-flooding, with values similar to that of the non-flooded seedlings. Moreover, the damage to FV/FM was evidenced by an increase in the period of exposure to flooding, but recovery was also observed at this stage of the photosynthetic metabolism. Seedling quality decreased under flooding, not varying between periods of exposure, but remained lower although the increase observed in the post-flooding period, with no recovery after flooding. The occurrence of hypertrophied lenticels associated with physiological changes and an efficient antioxidant enzyme system might have contributed to the survival and recovery of these seedlings. Thus, this species is sensitive to flooding stress but capable of adjusting and recovering metabolic characteristics at 100 days after the suspension of the water stress, but with no recovery in seedling quality. Thus, we suggested plasticity under the cultivation condition and determined that the time of 100 days is not enough for the complete resumption of growth.

Sonic Activation of a Desensitizing Gel Prior to In-Office Bleaching.

This double-blind, randomized, and controlled clinical trial evaluated the effect of sonic activation during the application of a desensitizing agent (DA) containing 5% potassium nitrate and 2% sodium fluoride on the occurrence of tooth sensitivity (TS) associated with in-office dental bleaching. Treatment with or without sonic activation of the DA was randomly assigned to one-half of the maxillary teeth of 34 patients in a split-mouth design. On the side without sonic activation (noSA), the DA was applied and maintained in contact with the teeth for 10 minutes. On the sonic activation side (SA), the DA was activated 30 seconds per tooth. The DA application was followed by application of 35% hydrogen peroxide in two bleaching sessions separated by a one-week interval. The primary outcome was the absolute risk of TS, recorded using a numeric rating scale and a visual analog scale. Color was evaluated with a digital spectrophotometer and a value-oriented shade guide. No significant difference between treatments was observed in the absolute risk of TS, which occurred in 93% (p=1.00) of both noSA and SA groups. The TS intensity was higher in the 24-hour interval after sessions, for both treatments, without differences between them. There was no difference in the color change for the treatments, with the average change in number of shade guide units of the Vita Classical scale of 6.35 for both (p=0.87). Sonic activation of DA containing 5% potassium nitrate and 2% sodium fluoride did not reduce the absolute risk and intensity of TS associated with in-office bleaching.

Texture analysis of cone beam computed tomography images reveals dental implant stability.

The aim of this study was to characterize the alveolar bone of edentulous maxillary sites using texture analysis (TA) of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images and to correlate the results to the insertion torque, thus verifying whether TA is a predictive tool of final implant treatment. This study was conducted on patients who had received single implants in the maxilla (46 implants) 1year earlier and whose torque values were properly recorded. Three cross-sections of the sites were selected on CBCT scans. Two regions of interest (ROIs) corresponding to the implant bone site and peri-implant bone were also outlined, according to virtual planning. The CBCT scans were exported to MaZda software, where the two ROIs were delimited following the previously demarcated contours. Values for the co-occurrence matrix were calculated for TA. With regard to the insertion torque value, there was a direct correlation with the contrast of the peri-implant bone (P<0.001) and an inverse correlation with the entropy of the implant bone site (P=0.006). A greater contrast indicates a greater torque value for insertion of the implants, and there is a possible association with a lower entropy value of the implant-bone interface.

Avaliação da eficácia do sistema rigeneracon no tratamento de lesões de calvária em ratos / [Evaluation of the efficacy of the rigeneracon system in the treatment of calvary injuries in rats]

Defeitos ósseos constituem um problema de saúde global. O sistema Rigenera permite a extração de microenxertos ricos em células-tronco mesenquimais (CTMs). Objetivou-se avaliar o processo de regeneração óssea por enxertos obtidos pelo sistema Rigenera em defeitos críticos na calvária de ratos. Foram utilizados 18 ratos Wistar, machos, pesando 285±29g, distribuídos em três grupos (n=6), sendo cada animal controle de si mesmo, denominados G15-Controle e G15-Tratado (15 dias); G30-Controle e G30-Tratado (30 dias) e G60-Controle e G60-Tratado (60 dias). Foram realizadas duas lesões de 5mm de diâmetro em cada antímero da calvária. Nos grupos tratados, foram utilizados microenxertos autólogos de cartilagem xifoide, obtidos pelo sistema Rigenera. O defeito contralateral serviu como controle em todos os animais. Os animais foram eutanasiados aos 15, 30 e 60 dias após a cirurgia, e as amostras foram processadas para a histoquímica. Nos grupos controle, não foram observados sinais de regeneração óssea, enquanto nos grupos tratamento foram verificadas áreas de formação óssea e tecido mesenquimal ativado. O sistema Rigenera foi eficiente na obtenção de microenxertos autólogos, para terapia celular em defeito crítico de calvária de ratos. Com o aprimoramento do protocolo, o sistema Rigenera poderá ser amplamente utilizado no tratamento de lesões ósseas.(AU)

Bone defects are a global health problem. The Rigenera system allows the extraction of micro grafts rich in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The objective of this study was to evaluate the bone regeneration process by grafts obtained by the Rigenera system in defects in the rats calvarian. Eighteen male Wistar rats were used, weighing 285 ± 29g, distributed in three groups (n = 6), where each animal was treatment and control, called G15-Control and G15-Treated (15 days); G30-Control and G30-Treated (30 days) and G60-Control and G60-Treated (60 days). Two 5mm diameter lesions were performed on each calvaria side. In the treated groups, autologous micrograft from xiphoid cartilage, obtained by the Rigenera system, were used. The other defect served as a control in all animals. The animals were euthanized at 15, 30 and 60 days after the surgery and the samples were processed for histochemistry. In the control groups, no signs of bone regeneration were observed, while in the treatment groups, areas of bone formation and activated mesenchymal tissue were verified. The Rigenera system was efficient in obtaining autologous micrograft for cell therapy in a critical calvaria defect in rats. Rigenera system can be widely used in the treatment of bone injuries.(AU)

Airborne-particle Abrasion and Dentin Bonding: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The literature reviewed suggests that airborne particle abrasion has no negative effects on the bond strength of resin-based materials to dentin and that a positive influence on dentin bond strength was only achieved in specific air-abrasion conditions. SUMMARY: In this systematic review the authors investigated how airborne-particle abrasion (APA) using aluminum oxide affects the bond strength of resin-based materials to dentin. The search was performed in three databases. In vitro studies (Type of study) comparing the bond strength of resin-based materials (Outcome) to air-abraded (Intervention) compared with non-air-abraded (Comparison) human dentin (Population) were included (the PICOT elements are given parenthetically). From 5437 unique articles, 65 were read in full, 33 were included in the qualitative synthesis, and 32 were included in the meta-analysis. Methodologic quality and risk of bias were assessed. Comparisons were performed between air-abraded and control dentin groups by adopting a random-effects model (α=0.05). Additional analyses were carried out for the different parameters used in APA: type of surface treatment in the control group, particle size, air pressure, and APA duration. The bond strength to air-abraded dentin was favored only when the control surface was treated with a hand excavator. For particle size, APA was favored when the particle size was >30 µm and the controls were no treatment or hand excavator or when the particle size was ≤30 µm and the control was bur. In addition, the results favored air-abraded groups only when the pressure was > 5 bar and bur was used in the control group. No significant differences were observed for duration of APA. No comparison on bond strength considering the presence of aging conditions was possible in the included studies due to the low number of studies that aged the specimens. In conclusion, APA had no negative effects on the bond strength of resin-based materials to dentin and was able to improve the dentin bond strength only when the particle size was > 30 µm and air pressure was > 5 bar. PROSPERO registration protocol: CRD42018096128.

Biomechanical and biochemical investigation of erythrocytes in late stage human leptospirosis.

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira, which can cause lipid changes in the erythrocyte membrane. Optical tweezers were used to characterize rheological changes in erythrocytes from patients with leptospirosis in the late stage. Biochemical methods were also used for quantification of plasma lipid, erythrocyte membrane lipid, and evaluation of liver function. Our data showed that the mean elastic constant of erythrocytes from patients with leptospirosis was around 67% higher than the control (healthy individuals), indicating that patient's erythrocytes were less elastic. In individuals with leptospirosis, several alterations in relation to control were observed in the plasma lipids, however, in the erythrocyte membrane, only phosphatidylcholine showed a significant difference compared to control, increasing around 41%. With respect to the evaluation of liver function of individuals with leptospirosis, there was a significant increase in levels of alanine transaminase (154%) and aspartate transaminase (150%), whereas albumin was 43.8% lower than control (P<0.01). The lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase fractional activity was 3.6 times lower in individuals with leptospirosis than in the healthy individuals (P<0.01). The decrease of the erythrocyte elasticity may be related to the changes of erythrocyte membrane phospholipids composition caused by disturbances that occur during human leptospirosis, with phosphatidylcholine being a strong candidate in the erythrocyte rheological changes.

Influence of surgical ultrasound used in the detachment of flaps, osteotomy and odontosection in lower third molar surgeries. A prospective, randomized, and "split-mouth" clinical study.

BACKGROUND: As third molar surgery is the most commonly procedure performed in Dentistry and has been accompanied by serious postoperative disorders such as pain, edema and trismus, the study aimed to evaluate if ultrasound device would be able to reduce such postoperative features. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of soft tissue flap elevation, osteotomy and odontosection using piezosurgery versus conventional technique in mandibular third molar extractions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty patients with impacted mandibular third molars underwent tooth extractions using two different methods. Ten patients were included in the Piezo Flap Group (PFG - the flap was elevated using piezosurgery) and ten patients were part of the Piezo Ostectomy Group (POG - osteotomy and odontosection were carried out with ultrasound tips). The contralateral tooth was included in the Control Group (CG - conventional technique). The patients were evaluated at postoperative periods of 1, 3, 7 and 14-days. The measured parameters were duration of surgery, pain, trismus and swelling. RESULTS: The mean duration of surgery for the PFG was 17.21 minutes (CG 10.07 minutes) and POG was 40.09 minutes (CG 15.97 minutes). There was no statistically significant difference in pain and trismus for any of the postoperative periods evaluated in PFG and POG (p>0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in swelling between the PFG and POG, presenting less swelling at the 3-day postoperative period (p=0.038; p<0,05). However, for the remaining analyzed periods there was no difference (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Piezosurgery for tissue elevation of the surgical flap, osteotomy and dental sectioning in mandibular third molar extraction surgery promoted less edema in the early postoperative stages in mandibular third molar extractions despite the longer surgical duration.

Encryption of 3D medical images based on a novel multiparameter cosine number transform.

In this paper, a multiparameter cosine number transform is proposed. Such a transform is obtained using the fact that the basis vectors of the three-dimensional cosine number transform (3D-CNT) constitute a possible eigenbasis for the Laplacian of the cubical lattice graph evaluated in a finite field. The proposed transform is identified as three-dimensional steerable cosine number transform (3D-SCNT) and is defined by rotating the 3D-CNT basis vectors, using a finite field rotation operator. We introduce a 3D medical image encryption scheme based on the 3D-SCNT, which uses the rotation angles as secret parameters. By means of computer experiments, we have verified that the scheme is resistant against the main cryptographic attacks.

Sorting and cryopreservation of goat sperm with or without phenolic compounds / Seleção e criopreservação de espermatozoides caprinos com ou sem compostos fenólicos

The objectives of this study were to evaluate goat sperm sorting in continuous Percoll® density gradients and gamete freezability, in the presence or absence of phenolic antioxidants. For this, semen pools were sorted, frozen, and evaluated. The non-selected group (NSg) presented lower progressive motility (PM), linearity (LIN), straightness (STR), and wobble (WOB) than the selected groups, and straight line velocity (VSL) compared to those with catechin or resveratrol. The amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH) was higher in NSg, and quercetin reduced the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). After thawing, the NSg presented lower PM than the selected groups, VSL and VAP (average path velocity) than the selected group with or without catechin, LIN and WOB than the selected with or without catechin or resveratrol, and STR than the selected with catechin. Moreover, NSg presented higher ALH and BCF than the samples selected with or without catechin. Plasma membrane integrity and intact and living cells were higher in the selected groups, and MMP was lower in the NSg and the selected group with quercetin. Thus, centrifugation in Percoll® continuous density gradients is a viable methodology to select goat sperm compatible with the freezing, especially in the presence of catechin or resveratrol.(AU)

Objetivou-se avaliar a separação de espermatozoides caprinos em gradientes de densidade contínuos de Percoll® e a congelabilidade espermática, com ou sem antioxidantes fenólicos. Para tal, pools seminais foram selecionados, congelados e avaliados. O grupo não selecionado (gNS) apresentou menor motilidade progressiva (MP), linearidade (LIN), retilinearidade (STR) e oscilação (WOB) do que os selecionados, bem como menor velocidade linear progressiva (VSL) do que os com catequina ou resveratrol. A amplitude de deslocamento lateral de cabeça (ALH) foi maior no gNS e a quercetina reduziu o potencial de membrana mitocondrial (PMM). Após a descongelação, o gNS manifestou menor MP do que os selecionados, menor VSL e VAP (velocidade média da trajetória) do que os com ou sem catequina, menor LIN e WOB do que os com ou sem catequina ou resveratrol, e menor STR do que os com catequina, além de maior ALH e BCF do que os com ou sem catequina. A integridade da membrana plasmática e as células intactas e vivas foram maiores nas amostras selecionadas e o PMM foi inferior no gNS e no selecionado com quercetina. Portanto, a centrifugação em gradientes contínuos de densidade de Percoll® é uma metodologia viável para selecionar espermatozoides caprinos compatíveis com a congelação, especialmente na presença de catequina ou resveratrol.(AU)

Padronização do exame ultrassonográfico do prepúcio e da parte livre do pênis em bovinos / Standardization of ultrasound examination of the prepuce and free end of the bovine penis

A ultrassonografia é um exame complementar não invasivo ainda pouco utilizado na avaliação prepucial e sem descrições detalhadas da parte livre do pênis (PLP) de bovinos. Este estudo objetivou padronizar a ultrassonografia prepucial em bovinos hígidos da raça Nelore com um ano de idade e, para tanto, descreveu o aspecto da lâmina interna prepucial (LIP) e da PLP, determinando as principais janelas acústicas, a viabilidade da utilização de contraste no lúmen da cavidade prepucial (LCP) e o melhor posicionamento do animal para a realização do exame. O escaneamento foi realizado com os animais na posição quadrupedal e em decúbito lateral direito. Foram determinadas cinco janelas acústicas a partir do óstio até a identificação do recesso prepucial. Os escaneamentos foram realizados nos planos longitudinais, transversais e dorsais, antes e após a infiltração de solução fisiológica a 0,9% no LCP. Como conclusões, o exame ultrassonográfico permitiu identificar a LIP e a PLP em todos os planos e em todas as janelas acústicas propostas. O melhor ponto de referência é a identificação da glande. O posicionamento quadrupedal é mais adequado para a realização do exame e o uso de contraste é recomendado para delimitação topográfica das estruturas.(AU)

Ultrasonography is a noninvasive complementary exam that is still rarely used in the preputial evaluation and without detailed descriptions of the bovine free end of the penis. The purpose of this study was to standardize preputial ultrasonography in one-year-old healthy Nelore cattle, describing the main acoustic windows, the viability of using contrast in the preputial cavity and the best positioning of the animal for performing the ultrasound examination. The scanning was performed with the animals in standing and decubitus position. Five acoustic windows were determined from the preputial ostium to the preputial fornix, at the free end of the penis. The scans were performed in longitudinal, transverse and dorsal planes, before and after infiltration of 0.9% saline solution into the preputial cavity. As conclusions, the ultrasound examination is able to identify the internal layer and the free part of the penis in all proposed planes and acoustic windows. The best landmark is the identification of the glans. Furthermore, standing positioning is the most appropriate to perform the exam and the use of contrast is recommended for topographic delimitation of the structures.(AU)

Biomechanical and biochemical investigation of erythrocytes in late stage human leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira, which can cause lipid changes in the erythrocyte membrane. Optical tweezers were used to characterize rheological changes in erythrocytes from patients with leptospirosis in the late stage. Biochemical methods were also used for quantification of plasma lipid, erythrocyte membrane lipid, and evaluation of liver function. Our data showed that the mean elastic constant of erythrocytes from patients with leptospirosis was around 67% higher than the control (healthy individuals), indicating that patient's erythrocytes were less elastic. In individuals with leptospirosis, several alterations in relation to control were observed in the plasma lipids, however, in the erythrocyte membrane, only phosphatidylcholine showed a significant difference compared to control, increasing around 41%. With respect to the evaluation of liver function of individuals with leptospirosis, there was a significant increase in levels of alanine transaminase (154%) and aspartate transaminase (150%), whereas albumin was 43.8% lower than control (P<0.01). The lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase fractional activity was 3.6 times lower in individuals with leptospirosis than in the healthy individuals (P<0.01). The decrease of the erythrocyte elasticity may be related to the changes of erythrocyte membrane phospholipids composition caused by disturbances that occur during human leptospirosis, with phosphatidylcholine being a strong candidate in the erythrocyte rheological changes.

Asymmetrical voltage response in resonant neurons shaped by nonlinearities.

The conventional impedance profile of a neuron can identify the presence of resonance and other properties of the neuronal response to oscillatory inputs, such as nonlinear response amplifications, but it cannot distinguish other nonlinear properties such as asymmetries in the shape of the voltage response envelope. Experimental observations have shown that the response of neurons to oscillatory inputs preferentially enhances either the upper or lower part of the voltage envelope in different frequency bands. These asymmetric voltage responses arise in a neuron model when it is submitted to high enough amplitude oscillatory currents of variable frequencies. We show how the nonlinearities associated to different ionic currents or present in the model as captured by its voltage equation lead to asymmetrical response and how high amplitude oscillatory currents emphasize this response. We propose a geometrical explanation for the phenomenon where asymmetries result not only from nonlinearities in their activation curves but also from nonlinearites captured by the nullclines in the phase-plane diagram and from the system's time-scale separation. In addition, we identify an unexpected frequency-dependent pattern which develops in the gating variables of these currents and is a product of strong nonlinearities in the system as we show by controlling such behavior by manipulating the activation curve parameters. The results reported in this paper shed light on the ionic mechanisms by which brain embedded neurons process oscillatory information.

Optical Stability of High-translucency Resin-based Composites.

This study investigated the stability of the optical properties of high-translucent shades of dental resin-based composites. Four commercial materials (Filtek Z350 XT, Opallis, Amelogen Plus, and IPS Empress Direct) and 14 non-Vita shades were tested. Disc-shaped specimens for each resin-based composite-shade combination (n=6) were evaluated at T0 (baseline), T1 (after 30 days of storage in water), and T2 (after 30 days of storage each in water and a coffee solution). Color measurements were performed according to the L'C'h' color system. Translucency Parameter (TP) and CIEDE2000 color difference (ΔE00) were calculated. Data were statistically analyzed at α = 0.05. Baseline TP values varied from 43 ± 1 to 55 ± 1. Changes in TP at T1 varied from -3.0% (Opallis T-Neutral) to 4.2% (Amelogen Plus Trans Orange), with no major differences from T0. At T2, most resin-based composites showed significantly increased opacity, with changes varying between -15.0% (Empress Direct Trans 20) and -2.7% (Z350 XT Blue). However, the TP values were ≥40 throughout the study. Storage in water caused negligible color differences, with ΔE00 values at T1 ≤ 0.9 ± 0.6. At T2, all materials tested showed significant color difference, and ΔE00 ≥ 3.2 ± 0.2. The orange shades from Opallis and Amelogen Plus showed lower color variation than did the other shades. The most significant optical changes upon storage were detected in the hue and particularly the chroma color coordinate. In conclusion, the high-translucent resin-based composites showed large variability in the stability of their optical properties among the tested brands and different shades of the same material. Regardless of the storage condition, the tested resin-based composites retained their high-translucency character over time.

NLRP12 Attenuates Inflammatory Bone Loss in Experimental Apical Periodontitis.

Apical periodontitis is an inflammatory disorder that results from the host immune response to microbial infection through the dental pulp, leading to alveolar bone destruction. The nod-like receptor 12 (NLRP12) is an atypical intracellular sensor of the NLR family that is involved in the negative regulation of several inflammatory conditions and also osteoclastogenesis. However, the role of NLRP12 in the regulation of immune response and bone loss induced by bacterial infection remains unclear. Here we investigated the development of apical periodontitis in wild-type (WT) and NLRP12 knockout (NLRP12-/-) mice by using micro-computed tomography together with histological, immunohistochemical, and molecular analyses. We found that NLRP12-/- mice are highly susceptible to apical periodontitis induced by bacterial infection, which is associated with an elevated infiltration of neutrophils and macrophages, periapical lesion extension, and alveolar bone destruction. Furthermore, NLRP12-/- mice showed a high expression of inflammatory cytokines ( Il1b, Il6, and Tnfa) and the osteoclastogenic markers ( Rankl and Acp5) in the periapical tissues. Consistent with this observation, NLRP12-/- mice showed an increased number of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive cells lining the apical periodontitis site, which was associated with augmented expression of the osteoclast effector genes, Ctsk and Mmp9. Mechanistically, NLRP12-deficient preosteoclasts showed elevated IκB-α degradation and p65 phosphorylation when stimulated with receptor activator of nuclear factor (NF)-κB ligand (RANKL). Similarly, increased IκB-α degradation was observed in the periapical tissue of NLRP12-/- mice. Furthermore, our in vitro study showed that preosteoclasts from NLRP12-/- mice exhibited higher RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis, which was synergistically amplified by interleukin-1ß and tumor necrosis factor α (mimicking an inflammatory periapical milieu). In conclusion, our data show that NLRP12 exhibits a protective role in the periapical bone destruction by attenuating inflammation and osteoclastogenesis through negative regulation of the NF-κB pathway.

Is a calcium hydroxide liner necessary in the treatment of deep caries lesions? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate whether the use of calcium hydroxide (CH) liner improves the clinical success in the treatment of deep caries lesions of primary and permanent teeth. The review was reported in accordance with the PRISMA Statement. Only studies that evaluated deep carious lesions treated with and without a CH liner were included. The required outcomes had to be obtained by clinical, radiographic or laboratory evaluations. Statistical analyses were performed with the RevMan 5.2 program (The Cochrane Collaboration, Copenhagen, Denmark) for randomized clinical trials with at least 12 months of follow-up, using fixed-effect models at a significance level of P < 0.05. The literature search was performed in eight databases: PubMed (MEDLINE), Lilacs, IBECS, BBO, Web of Science, Scopus, SciELO and The Cochrane Library. A total of 17 studies were included (15 in primary teeth, two in permanent teeth). The overall risk difference for CH versus adhesive system in primary teeth was 0.06 [95% CI -0.01 to 0.13], and the overall risk difference for CH versus GIC was 0.10 [95% CI -0.01 to 0.22], with no significant differences between materials. CH liner did not influence the clinical success of treatment for deep caries lesions of primary or permanent teeth. Although the present analysis demonstrated that use of CH liner in deep caries lesions was unnecessary, the evidence was of moderate to very low quality; thus, further well-designed, randomized and controlled clinical trials are necessary to provide stronger recommendations.