Neuroinflammation, blood-brain barrier dysfunction, hippocampal atrophy and delayed neurodevelopment: Contributions for a rat model of congenital Zika syndrome.

The congenital Zika syndrome (CZS) has been characterized as a set of several brain changes, such as reduced brain volume and subcortical calcifications, in addition to cognitive deficits. Microcephaly is one of the possible complications found in newborns exposed to Zika virus (ZIKV) during pregnancy, although it is an impacting clinical sign. This study aimed to investigate the consequences of a model of congenital ZIKV infection by evaluating the histopathology, blood-brain barrier, and neuroinflammation in pup rats 24 h after birth, and neurodevelopment of the offspring. Pregnant rats were inoculated subcutaneously with ZIKV-BR at the dose 1 × 107 plaque-forming unit (PFU mL-1) of ZIKV isolated in Brazil (ZIKV-BR) on gestational day 18 (G18). A set of pups, 24 h after birth, was euthanized. The brain was collected and later evaluated for the histopathology of brain structures through histological analysis. Additionally, analyses of the blood-brain barrier were conducted using western blotting, and neuroinflammation was assessed using ELISA. Another set of animals was evaluated on postnatal days 3, 6, 9, and 12 for neurodevelopment by observing the developmental milestones. Our results revealed hippocampal atrophy in ZIKV animals, in addition to changes in the blood-brain barrier structure and pro-inflammatory cytokines expression increase. Regarding neurodevelopment, a delay in important reflexes during the neonatal period in ZIKV animals was observed. These findings advance the understanding of the pathophysiology of CZS and contribute to enhancing the rat model of CZS.

Methods of induction and augmentation of labor in a freestanding birth center: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe and analyze the use of methods of induction and augmentation of labor in a freestanding birth center (FBC). METHOD: Cross-sectional study carried out at a FBC located in São Paulo (SP), with all women booked from 2011 to 2021 (n = 3,397). RESULTS: The majority of women (61.3%) did not receive any method. The methods were used alone or in combination (traditional Chinese medicine, massage, castor oil, stimulating tea, amniotomy, and oxytocin). Traditional Chinese medicine (acupuncture, acupressure, and moxa) was the most used method (14.7%) and oxytocin was the least frequent (5.1%). The longer the water breaking time, the greater the number of methods used (p < 0.001). Amniotomy was associated with maternal transfers (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Induction and augmentation of labor were strictly adopted. The use of natural or non-pharmacological methods prevailed. Robust clinical studies are needed to prove the effectiveness of non-pharmacological methods of stimulation of childbirth, in addition to strategies for their implementation in other childbirth care services, to really prove the effectiveness of non-pharmacological methods in the parturition process, that is, in labor and birth.

Fulminant Lymphocytic Myocarditis Successfully Managed with Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump and Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND Lymphocytic myocarditis (LM) is a rare inflammatory disease of the heart. The clinical presentation of LM varies from mild flu-like symptoms to fulminant myocarditis with cardiogenic shock. Fulminant myocarditis has a poor prognosis and the usual treatment is inotropes with or without ventricular assist devices such as intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) and venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-A ECMO). We report the case of fulminant LM with severe cardiogenic shock that was successfully treated with concomitant use of IABP and V-A ECMO. CASE REPORT A 32-year-old woman with no medical history presented to the Emergency Department (ED) with chest pain with irradiation to the left upper limb, worse when supine. The electrocardiogram (ECG) on admission showed sinus rhythm with nonspecific ST-T repolarization abnormalities, and laboratory results showed elevated ultrasensitive troponin and C-reactive protein. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) showed left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 25% and diffuse hypokinesis. On the next day, she developed cardiogenic shock requiring vasoactive drugs, IABP, and V-A ECMO. Pulse therapy with methylprednisolone was started. Endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) revealed acute LM, and intravenous human immunoglobulin was administered. The patient evolved with progressive clinical improvement, being discharged 56 days after admission, with an improvement in the LVEF to 55%. CONCLUSIONS Fulminant LM is a rare and potentially fatal condition that requires immediate intervention. The combination of IABP and V-A ECMO among patients with LM-cardiogenic shock may provide survival benefits.

As principais complicações em cirurgias plásticas em pacientes pós-bariátrica: Uma revisão integrativa da literatura / The main complications in plastic surgery in post-bariatric patients: An integrative review of the literature

Introdução: As intervenções cirúrgicas pós-bariátricas vêm se tornando cada vez mais frequentes e englobam a abdominoplastia, a cirurgia plástica interna da coxa, a braquioplastia e a mastopexia. Porém, devido ao caráter disabsortivo e restritivo do paciente bariátrico, esse estudo tem como objetivo apresentar as complicações advindas de procedimentos estéticos realizados nestes pacientes, expondo os fatores de risco mais associados às sequelas e levantando opções para um melhor desfecho. Método: Foi realizada uma revisão integrativa da literatura, de caráter qualitativo, segundo a pergunta norteadora: "Quais as principais complicações em cirurgias plásticas realizadas em pacientes bariatricados?". A busca foi realizada nas plataformas Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde (BVS) e PubMed. Os artigos incluídos no estudo foram analisados pelo método de conteúdo. Resultados: No total foram incluídos 6 artigos, nos quais observou-se que as principais complicações de cirurgias de contorno corporal, tais como a abdominoplastia e a braquioplastia, em pacientes bariatricados foram, principalmente, deiscência de feridas, seromas e hematomas, complicações, essas, relacionadas principalmente ao índice de massa corporal (IMC) do paciente, às suas comorbidades e ao tabagismo. Conclusão: Percebe-se, hoje, uma maior demanda pelas cirurgias plásticas reparadoras pósbariátrica, principalmente pela abdominoplastia. Consequentemente, houve, também, um aumento no número de complicações intraoperatórias, destacando-se o seroma e a deiscência de feridas. Para amenizá-las, a melhor solução é trabalhar no controle de fatores de risco pré-operatórios do paciente, tais como o IMC elevado e o tabagismo, além de comorbidades que levam à deficiência de cicatrização.

Introduction: Post-bariatric surgical interventions have become increasingly frequent, including abdominoplasty, inner thigh plastic surgery, brachioplasty, and mastopexy. However, due to bariatric patients' malabsorptive and restrictive nature, this study aims to present complications arising from aesthetic procedures performed on these patients, exposing the risk factors most associated with sequelae and raising options for a better outcome. Method: An integrative qualitative literature review was carried out according to the guiding question: "What are the main complications in plastic surgeries performed on bariatric patients?". The search was conducted on the Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde (BVS) and PubMed platforms. The articles included in the study were analyzed using the content method. Results: In total, 6 articles were included, in which it was observed that the main complications of body contouring surgeries, such as abdominoplasty and brachioplasty, in bariatric patients were mainly wound dehiscence, seromas and hematomas, complications, these, mainly related to the patient's body mass index (BMI), their comorbidities and smoking. Conclusion: Today, there is a greater demand for post-bariatric reconstructive plastic surgery, especially abdominoplasty. Consequently, there was also an increase in intraoperative complications, notably seroma and wound dehiscence. To alleviate them, the best solution is to work on controlling the patient's preoperative risk factors, such as high BMI and smoking, as well as comorbidities that lead to poor healing.

Zika Virus affects neurobehavioral development, and causes oxidative stress associated to blood-brain barrier disruption in a rat model of congenital infection.

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus associated with several neurodevelopmental outcomes after in utero infection. Here, we studied a congenital ZIKV infection model with immunocompetent Wistar rats, able to predict disabilities and that could pave the way for proposing new effective therapies. We identified neurodevelopmental milestones disabilities in congenital ZIKV animals. Also, on 22nd postnatal day (PND), blood-brain barrier (BBB) proteins disturbances were detected in the hippocampus with immunocontent reduction of ß_Catenin, Occludin and Conexin-43. Besides, oxidative stress imbalance on hippocampus and cortex were identified, without neuronal reduction in these structures. In conclusion, even without pups' microcephaly-like phenotype, congenital ZIKV infection resulted in neurobehavioral dysfunction associated with BBB and oxidative stress disturbances in young rats. Therefore, our findings highlighted the multiple impact of the congenital ZIKV infection on the neurodevelopment, which reinforces the continuity of studies to understand the spectrum of this impairment and to provide support to future treatment development for patients affected by congenital ZIKV.

Neutralizing antibodies to bovine and bubaline alphaherpesviruses in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis).

Water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) have been introduced in many regions of the world as a source of animal protein. In many instances, bubaline cattle are reared close to or mixed with bovine or zebuine cattle. However, little is known about infectious diseases of bubaline and the interactions that may arise involving the microbiota of those species. Alphaherpesviruses of ruminants (bovine alphaherpesviruses types 1 and 5, BoHV-1, BoHV-5; bubaline alphaherpesvirus 1, BuHV-1) are highly cross-reactive in serological assays performed with bovine or zebuine sera. However, the profile of reactivity of bubaline cattle sera to alphaherpesviruses remains unknown. As such, it is not known which virus strain (or strains) would be most appropriate to be used as the challenge virus in the laboratory in search for alphaherpesvirus-neutralizing antibodies. In this study, the profile of neutralizing antibodies to alphaherpesviruses in bubaline sera was determined against different types/subtypes of bovine and bubaline alphaherpesviruses. Sera (n=339) were screened in a 24-h serum neutralization test (SN) against 100 TCID50 of each of the challenge viruses. From those, 159 (46.9 %) neutralized at least one of the viruses assayed; 131 (38.6%) sera neutralized the three viral strains used for screening. The viral strain that was neutralized by the largest number of sera was BoHV-5b A663 (149/159; 93.7%). A few sera neutralized only one of the challenge viruses: four sera neutralized BoHV-1 LA only; another neutralized BoHV-5 A663 only and four others neutralized BuHV-1 b6 only. SN testing with two additional strains gave rise to similar results, where maximum sensitivity (defined here as the largest number of sera that neutralized the challenge viruses) was obtained by adding positive results attained with three of the challenge strains. Differences in neutralizing antibody titers were not significant to allow inferences on which would be the most likely virus that induced the antibody responses detected here.

An ELISA to Detect Antibodies to Bovine Alphaherpesviruses 1 and 5 and Bubaline Alphaherpesvirus 1 in Cattle Sera.

Bovine alphaherpesvirus 1 (subtypes 1.1, 1.2a, and 1.2b), type 5 (subtypes 5a, 5b, and 5c), and bubaline herpesvirus 1 (BuHV-1) induce highly, though not fully cross-reactive serological responses. Most types and subtypes of these viruses circulate particularly in countries of the southern hemisphere, notably Brazil and Argentina. Therefore, the detection of infected animals is important in defining prevention and control strategies, particularly when flocks are destined for international trade. Identification of infected herds is most often achieved by assays that detect antibodies, such as enzyme immunoassays (ELISAs). However, to date, no ELISA has been evaluated in its capacity to detect antibodies to these alphaherpesviruses. Here, an ELISA was developed to detect antibodies to all currently recognized BoAHV-1, BoAHV-5, and BuAHV-1 types/subtypes, and its sensitivity and specificity were determined. Six hundred bovine sera were screened in serum neutralization tests (SN) against the seven viruses. ELISAs prepared with each of the viruses were compared to SN. Subsequently, a combined assay with multiple antigens LISA was prepared by mixing five viral antigens, chosen for their highest sensitivity in the preparative assays. In comparison to SN, the mAgELISA sensitivity was 96.5% with 96.1% specificity (κ = 0.93; PPV = 95.0%; NPV = 97.3%). The findings reveal that the mAgELISA developed here is highly suitable for the detection of antibodies, comparable in sensitivity and specificity to that of SN when performed with all known types and subtypes of bovine and bubaline alphaherpesviruses.

Surgical adhesive glue to repair first-degree perineal tears in vaginal birth: A randomised controlled clinical trial.

Background: Perineal tears in vaginal birth are highly prevalent and may be related to physical and psychological trauma. Surgical glues are an alternative repair method to avoid the pain that may be caused by perineal repairs with sutures. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of surgical adhesive glue in reducing perineal pain when compared to sutures in first-degree perineal tears resulting from vaginal birth. Design: Open-label parallel-group randomised controlled trial. Setting: An alongside birth centre in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Participants: 84 intrapartum women with first-degree perineal tears needing repair. Methods: In the experimental group (n = 42), the perineal tears were repaired with Epiglu® surgical glue (ethyl-2-cyanoacrylate); in the control group (n = 42), the tears were repaired with Vicryl Rapide® (polyglactin 910) sutures. The primary outcome was the intensity of perineal pain after birth measured by a numeric pain rating scale ranging from 0 to 10 points. The secondary outcomes were healing, measured by the "Redness, Oedema, Ecchymosis, Discharge, and Approximation" scale; women's satisfaction with the perineal repair, measured by a visual analogue scale; and the time necessary to complete the repair. Data were collected during postpartum hospitalisation and 10-20 days after discharge, from December 2020 to May 2021. Data were analysed using bivariate analysis and linear models by intention-to-treat. Results: 36-48 h after birth, the mean of perineal pain was 0.2 (95% Confidence Interval [CI] 0.1-0.8) in the experimental group and 0.9 (95% CI 0.5-1.5) in the control group; the perineal healing score was 0.7 (95% CI 0.4-1.2) and 0.8 (95% CI 0.5-1.2), in the experimental and control groups, respectively; satisfaction was higher among women in the experimental group (88.1% versus 83.3% in the control group). After discharge, the mean of perineal pain was 0.1 (95% CI 0.0-0.5) in the experimental group and 1.4 (95% CI 0.8-2.2) in the control group; the perineal healing score was 0.0 (95% CI 0) and 1.0 (95% CI 0.7-1.3) in the experimental and control groups, respectively. Satisfaction was higher in the experimental group (94.9% versus 75.0%). The longitudinal analysis showed statistically significant differences between the groups regarding perineal pain and women's satisfaction. The average time necessary for perineal repair was 6.0 (95% CI 4.7-8.7) minutes in the experimental group and 9.7 (95% CI 8.3-11.5) in the control group (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Surgical glue resulted in less perineal pain, faster repair, and greater satisfaction than perineal sutures after birth. The healing process was similar in both cases. Tweetable abstract: Surgical glue was less painful and promoted greater satisfaction after birth compared to sutures in women with first-degree perineal tears. Registration: Registered on The Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry number RBR-52y5tq (http://www.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-52y5tq/), on July 16, 2020. The first recruitment was on December 17, 2020.

Methods of induction and augmentation of labor in a freestanding birth center: a cross-sectional study / Métodos de inducción y manejo del parto en un centro de parto normal perihospitalario: estudio transversal / Métodos de indução e condução do parto em um centro de parto normal peri-hospitalar: estudo transversal

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe and analyze the use of methods of induction and augmentation of labor in a freestanding birth center (FBC). Method: Cross-sectional study carried out at a FBC located in São Paulo (SP), with all women booked from 2011 to 2021 (n = 3,397). Results: The majority of women (61.3%) did not receive any method. The methods were used alone or in combination (traditional Chinese medicine, massage, castor oil, stimulating tea, amniotomy, and oxytocin). Traditional Chinese medicine (acupuncture, acupressure, and moxa) was the most used method (14.7%) and oxytocin was the least frequent (5.1%). The longer the water breaking time, the greater the number of methods used (p < 0.001). Amniotomy was associated with maternal transfers (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Induction and augmentation of labor were strictly adopted. The use of natural or non-pharmacological methods prevailed. Robust clinical studies are needed to prove the effectiveness of non-pharmacological methods of stimulation of childbirth, in addition to strategies for their implementation in other childbirth care services, to really prove the effectiveness of non-pharmacological methods in the parturition process, that is, in labor and birth.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Describir y analizar el uso de métodos de inducción y manejo del parto en un centro de parto normal perihospitalario (CPNp). Método: Estudio transversal realizado en un CPNp ubicado en São Paulo (SP), con todas las mujeres atendidas entre 2011 y 2021 (n = 3.397). Resultados: La mayoría de las mujeres (61,3%) no recibió ningún método. Los métodos se utilizaron solos o en combinación (medicina tradicional china, masajes, aceite de ricino, té estimulante, amniotomía y oxitocina). La medicina tradicional china (acupuntura, acupresión y moxa) fue el método más utilizado (14,7%) y la oxitocina el menos frecuente (5,1%). Cuanto mayor es el tiempo de rotura de la bolsa, mayor es el número de métodos utilizados (p < 0,001). La amniotomía se asoció con transferencias maternas (p < 0,001). Conclusión: La inducción y manejo del parto se adoptaron de forma restringida. Predominó el uso de métodos naturales o no farmacológicos. Se necesitan estudios clínicos sólidos para demostrar la eficacia de los métodos no farmacológicos de estimulación del parto, además de estrategias para su implementación en otros servicios de atención al parto, para comprobar realmente la efectividad de los métodos no farmacológicos en el proceso del parto, es decir: en el trabajo de parto y el nacimiento.

RESUMO Objetivo: Descrever e analisar o uso de métodos de indução e condução do parto em centro de parto normal peri-hospitalar (CPNp). Método: Estudo transversal realizado em um CPNp localizado em São Paulo (SP), com a totalidade das mulheres atendidas de 2011 a 2021 (n = 3.397). Resultados: A maioria das mulheres (61,3%) não recebeu qualquer método. Os métodos foram utilizados isoladamente ou de forma combinada (medicina tradicional chinesa, massagem, óleo de rícino, chá estimulante, amniotomia e ocitocina). A medicina tradicional chinesa (acupuntura, acupressão e moxa) foi o método mais usado (14,7%) e a ocitocina foi o menos frequente (5,1%). Quanto maior o tempo de bolsa rota, maior o número de métodos utilizados (p < 0,001). A amniotomia esteve associada às transferências maternas (p < 0,001). Conclusão: A indução e condução do parto foram adotadas de forma restrita. Prevaleceu o uso dos métodos naturais ou não-farmacológicos. São necessários estudos clínicos robustos para comprovar a eficácia dos métodos não farmacológicos de estímulo do parto, além de estratégias para sua implementação em outros serviços de assistência ao parto, para realmente comprovar a eficácia de métodos não farmacológicos no processo de parturição, isto é: no trabalho de parto e nascimento.

Complementary and Integrative Health Practices in a Brazilian Freestanding Birth Center: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The study aimed to analyze the use of complementary and integrative health practices (CIHPs) during labor and birth in a freestanding birth center. A total of 28 different CIHPs were applied with or used by laboring women. The most adopted CIHPs were mind-body practices (99.9%) and natural products (35.5%), mostly used by primiparous women (P <.05). Adopting CIHPs can increase care quality, increase positive experiences during childbirth, and promote evidence-based choices.

Arginine and glutamine supplementation on transthyretin levels in severely burned patients: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of supplementation with the immunomodulators arginine and glutamine on transthyretin levels in burn patients. METHODS: This systematic review followed the protocol proposed and registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021239526) and was carried out following the PRISMA checklist for systematic reviews. Forty-four studies were evaluated. Of the 44, we included 6 for complete analysis. RESULTS: In five of the six clinical trials, glutamine was the most used immunomodulator (0.5 g·kg·d-1 or 12-14 g/d), followed by arginine in three of the clinical trials (10-14 g/d in adults or 2% of total energy value in children). The findings of the studies were that the patients who received either of these supplements presented the following results: increased transthyretin, lymphoproliferative response, and serum glutamine values, as well as shorter stay in the intensive care unit, a significant reduction in C-reactive protein values, and a tendency toward a faster healing of the burns compared with the control groups. CONCLUSION: In view of the content in the present review, it is possible to affirm that the supplementation of immunomodulators in burn patients is an effective strategy for their treatment, and that the adequate nutritional offer may be a predictor of a favorable outcome. However, regarding the increase in transthyretin values, this finding needs to be considered with reservations as the values can be altered by the inflammatory activity, and not necessarily related to the use of a supplement.

TP53 Pathogenic Variants in Early-Onset Breast Cancer Patients Fulfilling Hereditary Breast and Ovary Cancer and Li-Fraumeni-like Syndromes.

TP53 gene mutation is the most common genetic alteration in human malignant tumors and is mainly responsible for Li-Fraumeni syndrome. Among the several cancers related to this syndrome, breast cancer (BC) is the most common. The TP53 p.R337H germline pathogenic variant is highly prevalent in Brazil's South and Southeast regions, accounting for 0.3% of the general population. We investigated the prevalence of TP53 germline pathogenic variants in a cohort of 83 BC patients from the Midwest Brazilian region. All patients met the clinical criteria for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome (HBOC) and were negative for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations. Moreover, 40 index patients fulfilled HBOC and the Li-Fraumeni-like (LFL) syndromes criteria. The samples were tested using next generation sequencing for TP53. Three patients harbored TP53 missense pathogenic variants (p.Arg248Gln, p.Arg337His, and p.Arg337Cys), confirmed by Sanger sequencing. One (1.2%) patient showed a large TP53 deletion (exons 2-11), which was also confirmed. The p.R337H variant was detected in only one patient. In conclusion, four (4.8%) early-onset breast cancer patients fulfilling the HBOC and LFL syndromes presented TP53 pathogenic variants, confirming the relevance of genetic tests in this group of patients. In contrast to other Brazilian regions, TP53 p.R337H variant appeared with low prevalence.

Hepatitis E virus genotype 3 in bovine livers slaughtered in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

Foodborne viruses are becoming a global concern as they overwhelm the health system and have the potential to spread globally. Among them, some genotypes of hepatitis E virus (HEV), which is one of the main causes of acute hepatitis in humans, have a zoonotic potential and can be found in foods of animal origin. Infected farm animals are a possible source of the virus, either by direct contact with animal excreta or meat. In the present study, 240 bovine liver samples from slaughter carried out in Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Brazil, were analyzed and tested for the presence of HEV. After performing PCR, 5.4% of positive samples were observed. One of the samples could be identified by molecular phylogenetic analysis as belonging to genotype 3, for which pigs are natural reservoirs, but has not been reported in bovine meat and products so far.

A variety of highly divergent eukaryotic ssDNA viruses in sera of pigs.

Over the last decade, viral metagenomics has been established as a non-targeted approach for identifying viruses in stock animals, including pigs. This has led to the identification of a vast diversity of small circular ssDNA viruses. The present study focuses on the investigation of eukaryotic circular Rep-encoding single-stranded (CRESS) DNA viral genomes present in serum of commercially reared pigs from southern Brazil. Several CRESS DNA viral genomes were detected, including representatives of the families Smacoviridae (n=5), Genomoviridae (n=3), Redondoviridae (n=1), Nenyaviridae (n=1) and other yet unclassified genomes (n=9), plus a circular DNA molecule, which probably belongs to the phylum Cressdnaviricota. A novel genus within the family Smacoviridae, tentatively named 'Suismacovirus', comprising 21 potential new species, is proposed. Although the reported genomes were recovered from pigs with clinical signs of respiratory disease, further studies should examine their potential role as pathogens. Nonetheless, these findings highlight the diversity of circular ssDNA viruses in serum of domestic pigs, expand the knowledge on CRESS DNA viruses' genetic diversity and distribution and contribute to the global picture of the virome of commercially reared pigs.

One Step Away From Extinction: A Population Genomic Analysis of A Narrow Endemic, Tropical Plant Species.

Intraspecific genetic variation plays a fundamental role in maintaining the evolutionary potential of wild populations. Hence, the assessment of genetic diversity patterns becomes essential to guide biodiversity conservation policies, particularly for threatened species. To inform management strategies for conservation of Mimosa catharinensis - a narrow endemic, critically endangered plant species - we identified 1,497 unlinked SNP markers derived from a reduced representation sequencing method (i.e., double digest restriction site associated DNA sequencing, or ddRADseq). This set of molecular markers was employed to assess intrapopulation genetic parameters and the demographic history of one extremely small population of M. catharinensis (N=33) located in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Contrary to what is expected for narrow endemic and threatened species with small population sizes, we observed a moderate level of genetic diversity for M. catharinensis [uH E(0%missing data)=0.205, 95% CI (0.160, 0.250); uH E(30%missing data)=0.233, 95% CI (0.174, 0.292)]. Interestingly, M. catharinensis, which is a lianescent shrub with no indication of seed production for at least two decades, presented high levels of outcrossing [t (0%missing data)=0.883, SE±0.0483; t (30%missing data)=0.909, SE±0.011] and an apparent absence of inbreeding [F (0%missing data)=-0.145, 95% CI (-0.189, -0.101); F (30%missing data)=-0.105, 95% CI (-0.199, -0.011)]. However, the reconstruction of demographic history of M. catharinensis indicated that the population should be suffered a recent bottleneck. Our population genomic study tackles a central issue in evolution and conservation biology and we expect that it will be useful to help safeguard the remaining genetic diversity reported for this unique genetic resource.

Long-term impact of early initiation of enzyme replacement therapy in 34 MPS VI patients: A resurvey study.

Patients with mucopolysaccharidosis type VI (MPS VI) present with a wide range of disease severity and clinical manifestations, with significant functional impairment and shortened lifespan. Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) with galsulfase has been shown to improve clinical and biochemical parameters including patient survival, quality of life and growth. The present study is a resurvey of 34 Brazilian MPS VI patients with rapidly progressive disease (classical phenotype) who initiated ERT with galsulfase under five years of age and had been on ERT until data collection in 2019, with few exceptions (n = 4 patients who died before 2019). Anthropometric measures, urinary glycosaminoglycans, and data regarding cardiac, orthopedic, neurologic, sleep apnea, hearing and ophthalmologic outcomes were filled in by specialists. Pubertal development, clinical complications, hospitalizations, and surgeries were also assessed. In this resurvey study, treatment with galsulfase has shown to be safe and well tolerated in MPS VI patients who initiated ERT under the age of 5 years and who have been undergoing ERT for approximately 10 years. Mortality rate suggests that early initiation of ERT may have a positive impact on patients' survival, improving but not preventing disease progression and death. MPS VI patients on ERT also showed improved growth velocity and the pubertal development was normal in all surviving patients. Follow-up data on pneumonia and hospitalization suggest that early ERT may have a protective effect against major respiratory complications. Cardiac valve disease progressed since their prior evaluation and spinal cord compression was observed in a large number of patients, suggesting that these disease complications were not modified by ERT.

Zika Virus Envelope Domain III Recombinant Protein Delivered With Saponin-Based Nanoadjuvant From Quillaja brasiliensis Enhances Anti-Zika Immune Responses, Including Neutralizing Antibodies and Splenocyte Proliferation.

Nanoadjuvants that combine immunostimulatory properties and delivery systems reportedly bestow major improvements on the efficacy of recombinant, protein-based vaccines. Among these, self-assembled micellar formulations named ISCOMs (immune stimulating complexes) show a great ability to trigger powerful immunological responses against infectious pathogens. Here, a nanoadjuvant preparation, based on saponins from Quillaja brasiliensis, was evaluated together with an experimental Zika virus (ZIKV) vaccine (IQB80-zEDIII) and compared to an equivalent vaccine with alum as the standard adjuvant. The preparations were administered to mice in two doses (on days zero and 14) and immune responses were evaluated on day 28 post-priming. Serum levels of anti-Zika virus IgG, IgG1, IgG2b, IgG2c, IgG3 were significantly increased by the nanoadjuvant vaccine, compared to the mice that received the alum-adjuvanted vaccine or the unadjuvanted vaccine. In addition, a robust production of neutralizing antibodies and in vitro splenocyte proliferative responses were observed in mice immunized with IQB80-zEDIII nanoformulated vaccine. Therefore, the IQB80-zEDIII recombinant preparation seems to be a suitable candidate vaccine for ZIKV. Overall, this study identified saponin-based delivery systems as an adequate adjuvant for recombinant ZIKV vaccines and has important implications for recombinant protein-based vaccine formulations against other flaviviruses and possibly enveloped viruses.

Detection of multiple viruses in oropharyngeal samples from Brazilian free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) using viral metagenomics.

In this study, we analyzed the viral population in oropharyngeal samples from T. brasiliensis using a viral metagenomic approach. Genomes corresponding to members of the families Circoviridae, Genomoviridae, Herpesviridae, Paramyxoviridae, Coronaviridae, and Astroviridae were detected. This study provides the first preliminary understanding of the oropharyngeal virome of T. brasiliensis, which may guide the discovery and isolation of novel viruses in the future and highlights the need for continuing investigations in this regard.

Zika virus-induced brain malformations in chicken embryos.

BACKGROUND: Zika virus (ZIKV) was confirmed to be related to microcephaly in 2016. However, there is still a need for understanding the embryonic morphological changes induced by ZIKV and when they occur. Here, chicken embryos were chosen as experimental model of ZIKV to evaluate virus-associated morphological alterations that might take place during embryonic development. METHODS: A screening with different viral doses was conducted in embryos at HH Stage 10-12 (E1.5) as well as a follow up of the first 5 days postinfection (dpi) was performed to observe the main morphologic changes post ZIKV infection. RESULTS: ZIKV exposed embryos presented a higher prevalence of mortality and defects such as brain malformation when compared to controls. Moreover, we observed that the phenotypes become more evident at 4dpi, when the viral load quantification reaches a peak. CONCLUSIONS: We found that ZIKV exposed embryos presented a high prevalence of mortality and central nervous system (CNS) abnormalities in a dose-dependent manner. The phenotype was more evident 4 days postinfection, when the viral load quantification reached a peak.

A plate of viruses: Viral metagenomics of supermarket chicken, pork and beef from Brazil.

A viral metagenomics study was conducted in beef, pork, and chicken sold in supermarkets from Southern Brazil. From chicken, six distinct gyroviruses (GyV) were detected, including GyV3 and GyV6, which for the first time were detected in samples from avian species, plus a novel smacovirus species and two highly divergent circular Rep-encoding ssDNA (CRESS-DNA) viruses. From pork, genomes of numerous anelloviruses, porcine parvovirus 5 (PPV5) and 6 (PPV6), two new genomoviruses and two new CRESS-DNA viruses were found. Finally, two new CRESS-DNA genomes were recovered from beef. Although none of these viruses have history of transmission to humans, the findings reported here reveal that such agents are inevitably consumed in diets that include these types of meat.