Red Nodule on the Scalp in a Healthy Young Man.

A man in his 40s was referred for an 8-mm red, firm, mobile nodule with irregular red lacunae and vessels and an absence of septa. What is your diagnosis?

Obesity-dependent molecular alterations in fatal COVID-19: A retrospective postmortem study of metabolomic profile of adipose tissue.

We investigated the effects of obesity on metabolic, inflammatory, and oxidative stress parameters in the adipose tissue of patients with fatal COVID-19. Postmortem biopsies of subcutaneous adipose tissue were obtained from 25 unvaccinated inpatients who passed from COVID-19, stratified as nonobese (N-OB; body mass index [BMI], 26.5 ± 2.3 kg m-2) or obese (OB BMI 34.2 ± 5.1 kg m-2). Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that body composition was responsible for most of the variations detected in the metabolome, with greater dispersion observed in the OB group. Fifteen metabolites were major segregation factors. Results from the OB group showed higher levels of creatinine, myo-inositol, O-acetylcholine, and succinate, and lower levels of sarcosine. The N-OB group showed lower levels of glutathione peroxidase activity, as well as higher content of IL-6 and adiponectin. We revealed significant changes in the metabolomic profile of the adipose tissue in fatal COVID-19 cases, with high adiposity playing a key role in these observed variations. These findings highlight the potential involvement of metabolic and inflammatory pathways, possibly dependent on hypoxia, shedding light on the impact of obesity on disease pathogenesis and suggesting avenues for further research and possible therapeutic targets.

Machine learning-based soil quality assessment for enhancing environmental monitoring in iron ore mining-impacted ecosystems.

In November 2015, a catastrophic rupture of the Fundão dam in Mariana (Brazil), resulted in extensive socio-economic and environmental repercussions that persist to this day. In response, several reforestation programs were initiated to remediate the impacted regions. However, accurately assessing soil health in these areas is a complex endeavor. This study employs machine learning techniques to predict soil quality indicators that effectively differentiate between the stages of recovery in these areas. For this, a comprehensive set of soil parameters, encompassing 3 biological, 16 chemical, and 3 physical parameters, were evaluated for samples exposed to mining tailings and those unaffected, totaling 81 and 6 samples, respectively, which were evaluated over 2 years. The most robust model was the decision tree with a restriction of fewer levels to simplify the tree structure. In this model, Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC), Microbial Biomass Carbon (MBC), Base Saturation (BS), and Effective Cation Exchange Capacity (eCEC) emerged as the most pivotal factors influencing model fitting. This model achieved an accuracy score of 92% during training and 93% during testing for determining stages of recovery. The model developed in this study has the potential to revolutionize the monitoring efforts conducted by regulatory agencies in these regions. By reducing the number of parameters that necessitate evaluation, this enhanced efficiency promises to expedite recovery monitoring, simultaneously enhancing cost-effectiveness while upholding the analytical rigor of assessments.

Nanoparticles in terrestrial sediments and the behavior of the spectral optics of Sentinel-3B OLCI Satellite images in a river basin of UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage.

The dangerous chemical elements associated with nanoparticles (NPs) and ultra-fine sediment particles in hydrological bays have the capacity to move contaminants to large oceanic regions. The general objective of this study is to quantify the major chemical elements present in NPs and ultra-fine particles in aquatic sediments sampled from Guanabara Bay and compare these data to values determined through spectral optics using the Sentinel-3B Satellite OLCI (Ocean Land Color Instrument) during the winter and summer seasons of 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022. This is done to highlight the impacts anthropogenic environmental hazards have on the marine ecosystem and human beings. Ten aquatic sediment field collection points were selected by triangulated irregular network (TIN). Samples were subjected to analysis by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron dispersion spectroscopy (EDS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), which enabled a detailed analysis using scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). Geospatial analyses using Sentinel-3B OLCI Satellite images considered Water Full Resolution (WFR) at 300 m resolution, in neural network (NN), normalized at 0.83 µg/mg. A maximum average spectral error of 6.62% was utilized for the identification of the levels of Absorption Coefficient of Detritus and Gelbstoff (ADG443_NN) at 443 m-1, Chlorophyll-a (CHL_NN) (m-3), and Total Suspended Matter (TSM_NN) (g m-3) at 581 sample points. The results showed high levels of ADG443_NN, with average values as high as of 4444 m-1 (summer 2021). When related to the analyses of nanoparticulate sediments and ultrafine particles collected in the field, they showed the presence of major chemical elements such as Ge, As, Cr, and others, highly toxic to human health and the aquatic environment. The application of satellite and terrestrial surveys proved to be efficient, in addition to the possibility of this study being applied to other hydrological systems on a global scale.

Extranodal Follicular Dendritic Cell Sarcoma Presenting on the Skin.

ABSTRACT: Follicular dendritic cell sarcoma is a rare intermediate-grade malignancy characterized by a proliferation of ovoid to spindle-shaped cells with morphologic and immunophenotypic features similar to normal follicular dendritic cells. It may develop in lymph nodes or extranodal sites. Its presentation in extranodal tissues is a diagnostic challenge. It requires a high index of suspicion because follicular dendritic cell markers are not included in the routine immunohistochemical panels used for differential diagnosis. In an extensive review of the English literature, we found 3 cases of follicular dendritic cell sarcoma developing on the skin. We report a case of a primary cutaneous follicular dendritic cell sarcoma in a 28-year-old man, which presented as a 6-mm skin-colored nodule on the right forearm. We describe the morphologic and immunohistochemical features and a review of the literature.

A Retrospective Study on the Feasibility of Using Low-burden Patient-reported Pain Scores to Track Recovery and Outcomes After Total Joint Replacement.

Background: Patients undergo total joint arthroplasty to improve function and resolve pain. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are often sought to determine the success of total joint arthroplasty but are time-consuming and patient response rates are often low. This study sought to determine whether pain numeric rating scores (NRSs) were associated with PROMs and objective mobility outcomes. Methods: This is a retrospective review of data in patients who utilized a smartphone-based care management application prior to and following total joint arthroplasty. NRS, Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, Joint Replacement and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, Joint Replacement, and objective mobility data (step counts, gait speed, and gait asymmetry) were collected preoperatively and at 30 and 90 days postoperatively. Quantile regression was performed to evaluate the correlations between NRS and PROMs. Results: Total knee arthroplasty patients reported higher NRS than total hip arthroplasty patients postoperatively. NRS was significantly correlated with gait speed preoperatively and at 30 and 90 days postoperatively on quantile regression. Gait asymmetry was significantly associated with NRS at 30 days postoperatively. Regression results suggested significant correlations between NRS and PROMs scores; Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, Joint Replacement, -0.46 (95% confidence interval: -0.48 to -0.44, P < .001) and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, Joint Replacement, -0.38 (95% confidence interval: -0.40 to -0.36, P < .001). Conclusions: NRS is correlated with both objective and subjective measures of function in patients undergoing arthroplasty. Simple pain ratings may be a valid measurement to help predict functional outcomes when collection of traditional PROMs is not feasible.

Early post-operative walking bouts are associated with improved gait speed and symmetry at 90 days.

INTRODUCTION: There is a paucity of literature on optimal patterns of daily walking following joint arthroplasty, which are now evaluated with consumer technologies like smartphones, and can enhance our understanding of post-operative mobility. When smartphone-recorded, daily walking patterns are captured, qualities of gait-recovery such as gait speed or symmetry can be analyzed in real-world environments. RESEARCH QUESTION: Are the daily distribution of walking bouts in the early post-operative period associated with 90-day gait quality measures following hip and knee arthroplasty? METHODS: Gait data was collected passively using a smartphone-based care management platform in patients undergoing hip and knee arthroplasty. As recorded via subjects' free-living smartphone-collected gait bouts, data were investigated as a function of the walking session length and were used to create a ratio to the total time logging bouts, representing the fraction of walking performed during a single session per day (aggregation score). Quantile regression was performed to evaluate the association between early walking session lengths or aggregation score at 30 days post-operatively and the gait-sampled speed and asymmetry of walking at 90 days. RESULTS: In total, 2255 patients provided evaluable data. The walking session length at 30 days was positively associated with 90-day mean gait speed across procedure types where quantile regression coefficients ranged from 0.11 to 0.17. In contrast, aggregation score was negatively associated with gait speed at 90 days, with coefficients ranging from -0.18 to -0.12. SIGNIFICANCE: The duration and frequency of walking bouts was associated with recovery of gait speed and symmetry following lower limb arthroplasty. The findings may help clinicians design walking protocols that are associated with improved gait metrics at 3 months.

Identification of novel small RNAs in extracellular vesicles produced by Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae.

Extracellular vesicle (EV) production by bacteria is an important mechanism for microbial communication and host-pathogen interaction. EVs of some bacterial species have been reported to contain nucleic acids. However, the role of small RNAs (sRNAs) packaged in EVs is poorly understood. Here, we report on the RNA cargo of EVs produced by the pig pathogen Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, the causal agent of porcine pleuropneumonia, a disease which causes substantial economic losses to the swine industry worldwide. The EVs produced by aerobically and anaerobically grown bacteria were only slightly different in size and distribution. Total cell and outer membrane protein profiles and lipid composition of A. pleuropneumoniae whole cell extracts and EVs were similar, although EVs contained rough lipopolysaccharide compared to the smooth form in whole cells. Approximately 50% of Galleria mellonella larvae died after the injection of EVs. RNAseq, RT-PCR, protection from nuclease degradation, and database searching identified previously described and 13 novel A. pleuropneumoniae sRNAs in EVs, some of which were enriched compared to whole cell content. We conclude that A. pleuropneumoniae EVs contain sRNAs, including those known to be involved in virulence, and some with homologs in other Pasteurellaceae and/or non-Pasteurellaceae. Further work will establish whether the novel sRNAs in A. pleuropneumoniae EVs play any role in pathogenesis.

Insights into the Serum Metabolic Adaptations in Response to Inspiratory Muscle Training: A Metabolomic Approach Based on 1H NMR and UHPLC-HRMS/MS.

Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) is known to promote physiological benefits and improve physical performance in endurance sports activities. However, the metabolic adaptations promoted by different IMT prescribing strategies remain unclear. In this work, a longitudinal, randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled, parallel trial was performed to investigate the effects of 11 weeks (3 days·week-1) of IMT at different exercise intensities on the serum metabolomics profile and its main regulated metabolic pathways. Twenty-eight healthy male recreational cyclists (30.4 ± 6.5 years) were randomized into three groups: sham (6 cm·H2O of inspiratory pressure, n = 7), moderate-intensity (MI group, 60% maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), n = 11) and high-intensity (HI group, 85-90% MIP, n = 10). Blood serum samples were collected before and after 11 weeks of IMT and analyzed by 1H NMR and UHPLC-HRMS/MS. Data were analyzed using linear mixed models and metabolite set enrichment analysis. The 1H NMR and UHPLC-HRMS/MS techniques resulted in 46 and 200 compounds, respectively. These results showed that ketone body metabolism, fatty acid biosynthesis, and aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis were upregulated after IMT, while alpha linolenic acid and linoleic acid metabolism as well as biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids were downregulated. The MI group presented higher MIP, Tryptophan, and Valine levels but decreased 2-Hydroxybutyrate levels when compared to the other two studied groups. These results suggest an increase in the oxidative metabolic processes after IMT at different intensities with additional evidence for the upregulation of essential amino acid metabolism in the MI group accompanied by greater improvement in respiratory muscle strength.

Hemodynamic Predictors of Blood Pressure Responsiveness to Continuous Aerobic Training in Postmenopausal Hypertensive Women.

Blood pressure (BP) responses to recommended aerobic training can vary widely between individuals. Although studies demonstrate the role of exercise training in regulating BP responsiveness, predictive models are still unknown. This study aimed to identify hemodynamic predictive markers for the diagnosis of BP responsiveness based on baseline characteristics and postexercise ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) before an aerobic training program in postmenopausal women. Sixty-five postmenopausal women with essential hypertension were randomly allocated into the continuous aerobic training (CAT, n = 51) and nonexercising control (CON, n = 14) groups. CAT group cycled at moderate intensity three times a week for 12 weeks. Individuals who failed to decrease systolic blood pressure (SBP) were classified as nonresponders (NRs; n = 34) based on typical error of measurement. Baseline anthropometric, metabolic, cardiovascular, hemodynamic variables, and postexercise ABP was measured to predict BP responsiveness. A logistic regression model based on Baseline SBP [odds ratio (OR) = 1.202; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.080-1.338], SBP Nighttime (OR = 0.889; 95% CI = 0.811-0.975), and heart rate (HR) Nighttime (OR = 1.127; 95% CI = 1.014-1.254) were able to diagnose responders and NR individuals to BP reduction in response to CAT with 92.6% accuracy (P < 0.001; Sensitivity = 94.1%; Specificity = 79.4%). The findings highlight the potential value of baseline clinical characteristics as Baseline SBP, SBP, and HR Nighttime as markers for diagnosing BP responsiveness to recommended CAT in hypertension postmenopausal women. Clinical Trial Registration number: RBR-3xnqxs8.

Oxidative stress associated with proteomic and fatty acid profiles of sperm from Nellore bulls at rest†.

Sexual rest is a transient condition, which compromises conception rates, characterized by large volumes of ejaculate with high percentages of dead sperm observed in bulls. The biochemical mechanisms leading to this ejaculate pattern are not fully understood. Six adult resting Nellore bulls were submitted to Breeding Soundness Evaluation by four consecutive semen collections through the electroejaculation method during a 30 min period. Each ejaculate had its semen phenotypic parameters; morphology and physical aspects were evaluated. To assess enzymatic activity (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione S-transferase), lipid peroxidation (concentrations of malondialdehyde and nitric oxide), fatty acid, and proteomic profile aliquots of spermatozoa from the first and fourth ejaculates were used. All sperm parameters differed between the first and fourth ejaculates. Spermatozoa from the first ejaculate showed lower enzymatic activity and a higher concentration of lipid peroxidation markers. Among the 19 identified fatty acids, 52.7% are polyunsaturated. Relative abundance analysis showed that C12:0 and C18:0 fatty acids differed between the first and fourth ejaculates, being the fourth ejaculate richer in spermatozoa. The proteomics analysis identified a total of 974 proteins in both sample groups (first and fourth ejaculates). The majority of identified proteins are related to cellular processes and signaling. Quantitative proteomics showed 36 differentially abundant proteins, 6 up-regulated proteins in the first ejaculate, and 30 up-regulated proteins in the fourth ejaculate. Spermatozoa from bulls at sexual rest have less antioxidant capacity, causing changes in their fatty acid composition and protein profile, which generates the observed sperm pattern and lower fertilization capacity.

Transcriptome profiling brings new insights into the ethanol stress responses of Spathaspora passalidarum.

Spathaspora passalidarum is a xylose-fermenting microorganism promising for the fermentation of lignocellulosic hydrolysates. This yeast is more sensitive to ethanol than Saccharomyces cerevisiae for unclear reasons. An RNA-seq experiment was performed to identify transcriptional changes in S. passalidarum in response to ethanol and gain insights into this phenotype. The results showed the upregulation of genes associated with translation and the downregulation of genes encoding proteins involved in lipid metabolism, transporters, and enzymes from glycolysis and fermentation pathways. Our results also revealed that genes encoding heat-shock proteins and involved in antioxidant response were upregulated, whereas the osmotic stress response of S. passalidarum appears impaired under ethanol stress. A pseudohyphal morphology of S. passalidarum colonies was observed in response to ethanol stress, which suggests that ethanol induces a misperception of nitrogen availability in the environment. Changes in the yeast fatty acid profile were observed only after 12 h of ethanol exposure, coinciding with the recovery of the yeast xylose consumption ability. These findings suggest that the lack of fast membrane lipid adjustments, the halt in nutrient absorption and cellular metabolism, and the failure to induce the expression of osmotic stress-responsive genes are the main aspects underlying the low ethanol tolerance of S. passalidarum. KEY POINTS: • Ethanol stress halts Spathaspora passalidarum metabolism and fermentation • Genes encoding nutrient transporters showed downregulation under ethanol stress • Ethanol induces a pseudohyphal cell shape, suggesting a misperception of nutrients.

Serum Metabolites Associated with Muscle Hypertrophy after 8 Weeks of High- and Low-Load Resistance Training.

The mechanisms responsible for the similar muscle growth attained with high- and low-load resistance training (RT) have not yet been fully elucidated. One mechanism is related to the mechanical stimulus and the level of motor unit recruitment; another mechanism is related to the metabolic response. We investigated the electromyographic signal amplitude (sEMG) and the general metabolic response to high-load RT (HL) and low-load resistance training (LL). We measured muscle thickness by ultrasound, sEMG amplitude by electromyography, and analysis of metabolites expressed through metabolomics. No differences were observed between the HL and LL groups for metabolic response and muscle thickness. A greater amplitude of sEMG was observed in the HL group. In addition, a correlation was observed between changes in muscle thickness of the vastus lateralis muscle in the HL group and levels of the metabolites carnitine, creatine, 3-hydroxyisovalerate, phenylalanine, asparagine, creatine phosphate, and methionine. In the LL group, a correlation was observed between changes in muscle thickness of the vastus lateralis muscle and levels of the metabolites acetoacetate, creatine phosphate, and oxypurinol. These correlations seem to be related to the characteristics of activated muscle fibers, the metabolic demand of the training protocols used, and the process of protein synthesis.