Environmental salinity modulates olfactory sensitivity in the euryhaline European seabass, Dicentrarchus labrax, acclimated to seawater and brackish water.

The olfactory epithelium of fish is - of necessity - in intimate contact with the surrounding water. In euryhaline fish, movement from seawater to freshwater (and vice versa) exposes the epithelium to massive changes in salinity and ionic concentrations. How does the olfactory system function in the face of such changes? The current study compared olfactory sensitivity in seawater- (35‰) and brackish water-adapted seabass (5‰) using extracellular multi-unit recording from the olfactory nerve. Seawater-adapted bass had higher olfactory sensitivity to amino acid odorants when delivered in seawater than in freshwater. Conversely, brackish water-adapted bass had largely similar sensitivities to the same odorants when delivered in seawater or freshwater, although sensitivity was still slightly higher in seawater. The olfactory system of seawater-adapted bass was sensitive to decreases in external [Ca2+], whereas brackish water-adapted bass responded to increases in [Ca2+]; both seawater- and brackish water-adapted bass responded to increases in external [Na+] but the sensitivity was markedly higher in brackish water-adapted bass. In seawater-adapted bass, olfactory sensitivity to l-alanine depended on external Ca2+ ions, but not Na+; brackish water-adapted bass did respond to l-alanine in the absence of Ca2+, albeit with lower sensitivity, whereas sensitivity was unaffected by removal of Na+ ions. A possible adaptation of the olfactory epithelium was the higher number of mucous cells in brackish water-adapted bass. The olfactory system of seabass is able to adapt to low salinities, but this is not immediate; further studies are needed to identify the processes involved.

Protein Interactions in Rhodopseudomonas palustris TIE-1 Reveal the Molecular Basis for Resilient Photoferrotrophic Iron Oxidation.

Rhodopseudomonas palustris is an alphaproteobacterium with impressive metabolic versatility, capable of oxidizing ferrous iron to fix carbon dioxide using light energy. Photoferrotrophic iron oxidation is one of the most ancient metabolisms, sustained by the pio operon coding for three proteins: PioB and PioA, which form an outer-membrane porin-cytochrome complex that oxidizes iron outside of the cell and transfers the electrons to the periplasmic high potential iron-sulfur protein (HIPIP) PioC, which delivers them to the light-harvesting reaction center (LH-RC). Previous studies have shown that PioA deletion is the most detrimental for iron oxidation, while, the deletion of PioC resulted in only a partial loss. The expression of another periplasmic HiPIP, designated Rpal_4085, is strongly upregulated in photoferrotrophic conditions, making it a strong candidate for a PioC substitute. However, it is unable to reduce the LH-RC. In this work we used NMR spectroscopy to map the interactions between PioC, PioA, and the LH-RC, identifying the key amino acid residues involved. We also observed that PioA directly reduces the LH-RC, and this is the most likely substitute upon PioC deletion. By contrast, Rpal_4085 demontrated significant electronic and structural differences from PioC. These differences likely explain its inability to reduce the LH-RC and highlight its distinct functional role. Overall, this work reveals the functional resilience of the pio operon pathway and further highlights the use of paramagnetic NMR for understanding key biological processes.

Validity of the Paediatric Canadian Triage Acuity Scale in a Tertiary Hospital: An Analysis of Severity Markers' Variability.

With the increasing influx of patients and frequent overcrowding, the adoption of a valid triage system, capable of distinguishing patients who need urgent care, from those who can wait safely is paramount. Hence, the aim of this study is to evaluate the validity of the Paediatric Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (PaedCTAS) in a Portuguese tertiary hospital. Furthermore, we aim to study the performance and appropriateness of the different surrogate severity markers to validate triage. This is a retrospective study considering all visits to the hospital's Paediatric Emergency Department (PED) between 2014 and 2019. This study considers cut-offs on all triage levels for dichotomization in order to calculate validity measures e.g. sensitivity, specificity and likelihood ratios, ROC curves; using hospital admission, admission to intensive care and the use of resources as outcomes/markers of severity. Over the study period there were 0.2% visits triaged as Level 1, 5.7% as Level 2, 39.4% as Level 3, 50.5% as Level 4, 4.2% as Level 5, from a total of 452,815 PED visits. The area under ROC curve was 0.96, 0.71, 0.76, 0.78, 0.59 for the surrogate markers: "Admitted to intensive care"; "Admitted to intermediate care"; "Admitted to hospital"; "Investigations performed in the PED" and "Uses PED resources", respectively. The association found between triage levels and the surrogate markers of severity suggests that the PedCTAS is highly valid. Different surrogate outcome markers convey different degrees of severity, hence different degrees of urgency. Therefore, the cut-offs to calculate validation measures and the thresholds of such measures should be chosen accordingly.

Intestinal response to ocean acidification in the European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax).

The intestine of marine fishes contributes to the ocean carbon cycle producing carbonate aggregates as part of the osmoregulatory process. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate physiological adjustments of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) intestine to a higher pCO2 environment likely in the near future (~1700 µatm). At the whole-body level, hypercapnia for 5 weeks resulted in fish having a significantly diminished specific growth rate, condition factor and hepatosomatic index. An increase in plasma osmolality and HCO3- concentration was detected, paralleled by decreased metabolites concentrations. In the intestine, high seawater pCO2 was without effect on ouabain-sensitive ATPase activities, while Bafilomycin A1-sensitive ATPase activity significantly decreased in the anterior intestine. Anterior and mid intestine were mounted in Ussing chambers in order to measure bioelectrical parameters and bicarbonate secretion by pH-Stat ex-vivo. Hypercapnia induced a 2.3 and 2.8-fold increase in bicarbonate secretion rates in the anterior and mid intestine, respectively. In the intestinal fluid, HCO3- concentration increased 2.2-fold, and carbonate precipitates showed a 4.4-fold increase in response to hypercapnia, paralleled by a >3-fold increase of drinking and a >2-fold increase of intestinal volume at any given time. At the molecular level, hypercapnia elicited higher intestinal mRNA expression levels for atp6v1b (V-ATPase B subunit), slc4a4, slc26a3, and slc26a6, both in the anterior and mid intestine. As a whole, our results show that the intestine of sea bass responds to high seawater pCO2, a response that comes at a cost at the whole-body level with an impact in the fish specific growth rate, condition factor, and hepatosomatic index.

Molecular and functional regionalization of bicarbonate secretion cascade in the intestine of the European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax).

In marine fish the intestinal HCO3- secretion is the key mechanism to enable luminal aggregate formation and water absorption. Using the sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax), the present study aimed at establishing the functional and molecular organization of different sections of the intestine concerning bicarbonate secretion and Cl- movements. The proximal intestinal regions presented similar HCO3- secretion rates, while differences were detected in the molecular expression of the transporters involved and on regional HCO3- concentrations. The anterior region presented significantly higher Na+/K+-ATPase activity, Cl- transepithelial transport and basolateral slc4a4, apical slc26a6 and slc26a3 expression levels. In the mid intestine, the total HCO3- content was significantly increased in the fluid as in the carbonate aggregates. In the rectum no HCO3- secretion was observed and was characterized by the diminished HCO3- total content, residual molecular expression of slc4a4, slc26a6 and slc26a3, higher H+-ATPase activity and expression, suggesting the existence of a different bicarbonate handling mechanism. The possible regulation of HCO3- secretion by extracellular HCO3- and increased intracellular cAMP levels were also investigated. cAMP did not affect HCO3- secretion, although Cl- secretion was enhanced by cftr. HCO3- secretion rise due to the HCO3- basolateral increment showed that at resting levels slc4a4 was not a limiting step for secretion. The transcellular/intracellular dependence of apical HCO3- secretion differed between the proximal regions. In conclusion, intestinal HCO3- secretion has a functional region-dependent organization that was not reflected by the anterior-posterior regionalization on HCO3- secretion and expression profiles of chloride/water absorption related genes.

Modulation of the reactivity of multiheme cytochromes by site-directed mutagenesis: moving towards the optimization of microbial electrochemical technologies.

Dissimilatory metal-reducing bacteria perform extracellular electron transfer, a metabolic trait that is at the core of a wide range of biotechnological applications. To better understand how these microorganisms transfer electrons from their metabolism to an extracellular electron acceptor, it is necessary to characterize in detail the key players in this process, the multiheme c-type cytochromes. Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 is a model organism for studying extracellular electron transfer, where the heme protein referred to as small tetraheme cytochrome is one of the most abundant multiheme cytochromes found in the periplasmic space of this bacterium. The small tetraheme cytochrome is responsible for the delivery of electrons to the porin-cytochrome supercomplexes that permeate the outer-membrane and reduce metallic minerals or electrodes. In this work, well-established thermodynamic and kinetic models that discriminate the electron transfer activity of the four individual hemes were employed to characterize a set of single amino-acid mutants of the small tetraheme cytochrome and their interaction with small inorganic electron donors and acceptors. The results show that electrostatics play an important role in the reactivity of the small tetraheme cytochrome with small inorganic electron partners, in particularly in the kinetics of the electron transfer processes. This thorough exploration using site-directed mutants provides key mechanistic insights to guide the rational manipulation of the proteins that are key players in extracellular electron transfer processes, towards the improvement of microbial electrochemical applications using dissimilatory metal-reducing bacteria.

Anatomy of the ilium for bone marrow aspiration: map of sectors and implication for safe trocar placement.

PURPOSE: The bony anatomy of the human ilium has been well described from a qualitative perspective; however, there are little quantitative data to help the surgeon to perform bone marrow aspiration from the iliac crest in the thickest part of the ilium. The minimum thickness of the spongiousus bone in an iliac wing (transverse thickness between the two tables) is an important factor in ensuring the safe placement of a trocar between the two tables of the iliac wing. For example, with an 8-gauge (3.26 mm) trocar, one can consider that if the transverse thickness of the spongiousus bone of the iliac wing is <3 mm, it will be difficult to insert the trocar safely between the two tables. METHODS: For this study, we measured spongiousus bone thickness on 48 iliac wings to map the ilium in six sectors, which were defined by drawing lines from equidistant points spaced along the rim of the iliac crest to the centre of the hip. These sectors can be transposed in the same manner to any patient. To evaluate the risks to reach vascular or neurologic structures, 410 trocars were introduced in the different sectors of 20 iliac bones of ten cadavers. RESULTS: A map was constructed indicating the thickness of the spongiousus bone in each sector. The thickness data was used to create a map that identifies the sites where bone marrow can be obtained with a trocar of 3-mm diameter according to the thickness of the spongiousus bone. Sectors 2, 3 and 6 appear to be more favourable for accommodating a 3-mm diameter trocar. Sectors 1, 4 and 5 comprise the areas with the thinnest parts of the iliac crest, with some areas being thinner than the trocar diameter. The sector system reliably predicted safe and unsafe areas for trocar placement. In cadavers, dissection demonstrated nine vascular or neurologic lesions created when trocars were introduced into sectors 1, 5 and 6. CONCLUSION: Using the sector system, trocars can be directed away from neural and vascular structures and towards zones that are likely to contain larger bone marrow stock.

Understanding bone safety zones during bone marrow aspiration from the iliac crest: the sector rule.

PURPOSE: Should the trocar suddenly lose contact with bone during bone marrow aspiration, it may result in visceral injury. The anatomy of the ilium and the structures adjacent to the iliac bone were studied to determine the danger of breach by a trocar introduced into the iliac crest. METHODS: The authors followed two series of patients, one series to do measurements of distance and angles of the structures at risk to the iliac bone and the other to evaluate the risk of a trocar being directed outside the iliac wing during bone marrow aspiration. The authors also examined 24 pelvices by computed tomography (CT) scans of mature adults (48 iliac crests). Lines dividing the iliac wing into six equal sectors were used to form sectors (e.g. sector 1 anterior, sector 6 posterior). Vascular or neurological structures were considered at risk if they were accessible to the tip of a 10-cm trocar introduced into the iliac crest with a possible deviation of 20° from the plane of the iliac wing on the three-dimensional reconstruction. The authors tracked bone marrow aspiration of six different surgeons and calculated among 120 patients (480 entry points) the number of times the needle lost contact with bone in each sector of aspiration. RESULTS: The sector system reliably predicted safe and unsafe areas for trocar placement. Among the 480 entry points in the 120 patients, 94 breaches were observed and higher risks were observed in the thinner sectors. The risk was also higher in obese patients and the risk decreased with more experienced surgeons. The trocar could reach the external iliac artery on pelvic CT scans in the four most anterior sectors with a higher frequency in women. Posterior sectors were at risk for sciatic nerve and gluteal vessel damage when the trocar was pushed deeper than 6 cm into the posterior iliac crest. In cadavers, the dissection demonstrated nine vascular or neurological lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Using the sector system, trocars can be directed away from neural and vascular structures and toward zones that are likely to contain larger bone marrow stock.

Tribocorrosion-Resistant Ti40Nb-TiN Composites Having TiO2-Based Nanotubular Surfaces.

A novel multifunctional material was developed by hard TiN particle reinforcement addition to a ß-type Ti40Nb alloy, followed by surface functionalization, yielding the formation of a nanotubular layer. Corrosion and tribocorrosion behaviors were investigated in a phosphate-buffered saline solution at body temperature. The results revealed that the Ti40Nb-TiN composites presented similar ipass and E(i=0) values together with relatively similar Rox and Cox. However, its tribocorrosion resistance drastically improved (wear volume is almost 15 times lower than an unreinforced alloy) as a consequence of the load-carrying effect given by the reinforcement phases. The corrosion and tribocorrosion behaviors were further improved through surface functionalization as observed by significantly lower ipass and higher Rox values and almost undetectable wear volume loss from tribocorrosion tests due to the formation of a well-adhered anatase-rutile TiO2-based nanotubular layer.

High-grade L5-S1 spondylolisthesis with lumbosacral kyphosis: Long-term results of non-instrumented circumferential arthrodesis in children, adolescents.

INTRODUCTION: The choice of surgical technique for high-grade spondylolisthesis (HGS) associated with lumbosacral kyphosis remains controversial. Are non-instrumented techniques still relevant, what with the multiplicity and modernity of patient-specific instrumentation? HYPOTHESIS: Our hypothesis was that a non-instrumented circumferential arthrodesis performed after a period of gradual reduction of HGS, associated with lumbosacral kyphosis, provided satisfactory long-term functional and radiographic results in children and adolescents while minimizing the risk of complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-one L5-S1 HGS associated with a lumbosacral kyphosis operated by non-instrumented circumferential arthrodesis after a period of traction and suspension were included in our study. The first stage of this technique consisted of a gradual reduction using traction followed by immobilization in the corrected position. The second stage involved a posterior, followed by an anterior, surgical procedure and a spica cast immobilization for 4 months. The mean age at surgery was 13.9±2.3 years (6-18) and the mean follow-up was 10.3±4.5 years (2.1-17.8). RESULTS: The overall complication rate was 26% (n=8/31): 13% neurologic complications, 10% bone fusion defects and 3% skin complications. The reoperation rate was 13% (n=4/31). The mean ODI (/50) was 3±4.6 (0-22) and the SRS-30 126.7±15 (72-143). The Taillard index decreased by 25% (p<.001) and remained stable throughout the follow-up period (p=.65). The lumbosacral angle was corrected by 13.5% (p=.03) and the correction was maintained throughout the follow-up period (p=.71). At the last follow-up, the lumbosacral angle was significantly correlated with a low ODI score and a high SRS-30 score (p<.05). CONCLUSION: Even though this technique achieved a smaller reduction of the lumbosacral angle, it reduced by at least a factor of three the incidence of neurologic complications and resulted in satisfactory functional outcomes when compared to instrumented and intraoperative correction series. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

On the Reuse of SLS Polyamide 12 Powder.

In the Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) technique, the great majority of the powder involved is not included in the final printed parts, being just used as a support material. However, the quality of this powder is negatively affected during the process since it is subjected to high temperatures (close to its melting temperature) during a long time, i.e., the printing cycle time, especially in the neighborhood of the printed part contour. This type of powder is relatively expensive and large amounts of used powder result after each printing cycle. The present paper focuses on the reuse of Polyamide 12 (PA 12) powder. For this sake, the same PA 12 powder was used in consecutive printing cycles. After each cycle, the remaining non-used powder was milled and filtered before subsequent use. Properties of the powder and corresponding prints were characterized in each cycle, using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), computed tomography (CT), and tensile tests. It was concluded that subjecting the same powder to multiple SLS printing cycles affects the properties of the printed parts essentially regarding their morphology (voids content), mechanical properties reproducibility, and aesthetical aspect. However, post-processing treatment of the powder enabled to maintain the mechanical performance of the prints during the first six printing cycles without the need to add virgin powder.

Percutaneous alcohol-based sclerotherapy in aneurysmal bone cyst in children and adolescents.

INTRODUCTION: Aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) is a benign bone lesion of childhood and adolescence. It can be locally aggressive, with risk of fracture. Management is controversial. The aim of the present study was to assess the efficacy, simplicity and tolerance of percutaneous alcohol-bases sclerotherapy in ABC. HYPOTHESIS: Alcohol-based sclerotherapy for ABC under radiographic control is safe and effective. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A single-center retrospective study for the period 2008-2016 included all of the 55 ABCs, in 54 patients, confirmed on pathology and treated by alcohol-based sclerotherapy under radiographic control. Mean age at diagnosis was 9.6 years. ABC involved the humerus in 30 cases (54%), tibia in 7 (13%) and femur in 5 (9%). Mean follow-up was 50.9 months (range, 16-117 months). Mean number of applications was 1.7 (range, 1-4). Results were assessed clinically (pain, return to sport, limb length and alignment, revision surgery) and radiologically. The main endpoint was lesion volume reduction. The secondary endpoint was failure, defined by open revision surgery or pain preventing return to a sports activity. RESULTS: Clinical progression was favorable in 36 patients (67%), and radiological progression in 45 (85%). Only 1 cyst required secondary resection. One patient experienced spontaneously resolving intraoperative bradycardia. Male gender and young age emerged as factors for poorer response. DISCUSSION: ABC management in children can be made difficult by lesion size, aggressiveness, location, proximity to the growth plate and small bone stock. Alcohol-based sclerotherapy is simple, reliable and effective in childhood ABC, and may be a first-line attitude, avoiding recourse to invasive surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, retrospective study.

Exposure effects of endotoxin-free titanium-based wear particles to human osteoblasts.

Titanium-based materials are widely employed by the biomedical industry in orthopedic and dental implants. However, when placed into the human body, these materials are highly susceptible to degradation processes, such as corrosion, wear, and tribocorrosion. As a consequence, metallic ions or particles (debris) may be released, and although several studies have been conducted in recent years to better understand the effects of their exposure to living cells, a consensual opinion has not yet been obtained. In this work, we produced metallic-based wear particles by tribological tests carried out on Ti-6Al-4V and Ti-15Zr-15Mo alloys. They were posteriorly physicochemically characterized according to their crystal structure, size, morphology, and chemical composition and compared to Ti-6Al-4V commercially available particles. Finally, adsorbed endotoxins were removed (by applying a specific thermal treatment) and endotoxin-free particles were used in cell experiments to evaluate effects of their exposure to human osteoblasts (MG-63 and HOb), namely cell viability/metabolism, proinflammatory cytokine production (IL-6 and PGE2), and susceptibility to internalization processes. Our results indicate that tribologically-obtained wear particles exhibit fundamental differences in terms of size (smaller) and morphology (irregular shapes and rough surfaces) when compared to the commercial ones. Consequently, both Ti-6Al-4V and Ti-15Zr-15Mo particles were able to induce more pronounced effects on cell viability (decrease) and cytokine production (increase) than did Ti-6Al-4V commercial particles. Furthermore, both types of wear particles penetrated osteoblast membranes and were internalized by the cells. Influences on cytokine production by endotoxins were also demonstrated.

Arachnoid cyst in a patient with psychosis: Case report.

BACKGROUND: The aetiology of a psychotic disturbance can be due to a functional or organic condition. Organic aetiologies are diverse and encompass organ failures, infections, nutritional deficiencies and space-occupying lesions. Arachnoid cysts are rare, benign space-occupying lesions formed by an arachnoid membrane containing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). In most cases they are diagnosed by accident. Until recently, the coexistence of arachnoid cysts with psychiatric disturbances had not been closely covered in the literature. However, the appearance of some references that focus on a possible link between arachnoid cysts and psychotic symptoms has increased the interest in this subject and raised questions about the etiopathogeny and the therapeutic approach involved. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: We present the clinical report of a 21-year-old man, characterised by the insidious development of psychotic symptoms of varying intensity, delusional ideas with hypochondriac content, complex auditory/verbal hallucinations in the second and third persons, and aggressive behaviour. The neuroimaging studies revealed a voluminous arachnoid cyst at the level of the left sylvian fissure, with a marked mass effect on the left temporal and frontal lobes and the left lateral ventricle, as well as evidence of hypoplasia of the left temporal lobe. Despite the symptoms and the size of the cyst, the neurosurgical department opted against surgical intervention. The patient began antipsychotic therapy and was discharged having shown improvement (behavioural component), but without a complete remission of the psychotic symptoms. CONCLUSION: It is difficult to be absolutely certain whether the lesion had influence on the patient's psychiatric symptoms or not.However, given the anatomical and neuropsychological changes, one cannot exclude the possibility that the lesion played a significant role in this psychiatric presentation. This raises substantial problems when it comes to choosing a therapeutic strategy.

The effect of thermal cycling on the shear bond strength of porcelain/Ti-6Al-4V interfaces.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of thermal cycling on the shear bond strength of the porcelain/Ti-6Al-4V interfaces prepared by two different processing routes and metallic surface conditions. Polished and SiO2 particle abraded Ti-6Al-4V alloy and Triceram bonder porcelain were used to produce the interfaces. Porcelain-to-metal specimens were processed by conventional furnace firing and hot pressing. Thermal cycling was performed in Fusayama's artificial saliva for 5000 cycles between 5 ± 1 and 60 ± 2°C. After thermal cycling, shear bond tests were carried out by using a custom-made stainless steel apparatus. The results were analyzed using t-Student test and non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test (p<0.01). Most of the polished-fired specimens were fractured during thermal cycling; thus, it was not possible to obtain the shear bond strength results for this group. Sandblasted-fired, polished-hot pressed, and sandblasted-hot pressed specimens presented the shear bond strength values of 76.2 ± 15.9, 52.2 ± 23.6, and 59.9 ± 22.0 MPa, respectively. Statistical analysis indicated that thermal cycling affected the polished specimens processed by firing, whereas a significant difference was not observed on the other groups.

Characterization of the periplasmic redox network that sustains the versatile anaerobic metabolism of Shewanella oneidensis MR-1.

The versatile anaerobic metabolism of the Gram-negative bacterium Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 (SOMR-1) relies on a multitude of redox proteins found in its periplasm. Most are multiheme cytochromes that carry electrons to terminal reductases of insoluble electron acceptors located at the cell surface, or bona fide terminal reductases of soluble electron acceptors. In this study, the interaction network of several multiheme cytochromes was explored by a combination of NMR spectroscopy, activity assays followed by UV-visible spectroscopy and comparison of surface electrostatic potentials. From these data the small tetraheme cytochrome (STC) emerges as the main periplasmic redox shuttle in SOMR-1. It accepts electrons from CymA and distributes them to a number of terminal oxidoreductases involved in the respiration of various compounds. STC is also involved in the electron transfer pathway to reduce nitrite by interaction with the octaheme tetrathionate reductase (OTR), but not with cytochrome c nitrite reductase (ccNiR). In the main pathway leading the metal respiration STC pairs with flavocytochrome c (FccA), the other major periplasmic cytochrome, which provides redundancy in this important pathway. The data reveals that the two proteins compete for the binding site at the surface of MtrA, the decaheme cytochrome inserted on the periplasmic side of the MtrCAB-OmcA outer-membrane complex. However, this is not observed for the MtrA homologues. Indeed, neither STC nor FccA interact with MtrD, the best replacement for MtrA, and only STC is able to interact with the decaheme cytochrome DmsE of the outer-membrane complex DmsEFABGH. Overall, these results shown that STC plays a central role in the anaerobic respiratory metabolism of SOMR-1. Nonetheless, the trans-periplasmic electron transfer chain is functionally resilient as a consequence of redundancies that arise from the presence of alternative pathways that bypass/compete with STC.

Influence of the processing route of porcelain/Ti-6Al-4V interfaces on shear bond strength.

This study aims at evaluating the two-fold effect of initial surface conditions and dental porcelain-to-Ti-6Al-4V alloy joining processing route on the shear bond strength. Porcelain-to-Ti-6Al-4V samples were processed by conventional furnace firing (porcelain-fused-to-metal) and hot pressing. Prior to the processing, Ti-6Al-4V cylinders were prepared by three different surface treatments: polishing, alumina or silica blasting. Within the firing process, polished and alumina blasted samples were subjected to two different cooling rates: air cooling and a slower cooling rate (65°C/min). Metal/porcelain bond strength was evaluated by shear bond test. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by Tuckey's test (p<0.05). Before and after shear bond tests, metallic surfaces and metal/ceramic interfaces were examined by Field Emission Gun Scanning Electron Microscope (FEG-SEM) equipped with Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDS). Shear bond strength values of the porcelain-to-Ti-6Al-4V alloy interfaces ranged from 27.1±8.9MPa for porcelain fused to polished samples up to 134.0±43.4MPa for porcelain fused to alumina blasted samples. According to the statistical analysis, no significant difference were found on the shear bond strength values for different cooling rates. Processing method was statistically significant only for the polished samples, and airborne particle abrasion was statistically significant only for the fired samples. The type of the blasting material did not cause a statistically significant difference on the shear bond strength values. Shear bond strength of dental porcelain to Ti-6Al-4V alloys can be significantly improved from controlled conditions of surface treatments and processing methods.

Exploration of the 'cytochromome' of Desulfuromonas acetoxidans, a marine bacterium capable of powering microbial fuel cells.

Recent progress in bacterial genomic analysis has revealed a vast number of genes that encode c-type cytochromes that contain multiple heme cofactors. This high number of multiheme cytochromes in several bacteria has been correlated with their great respiratory flexibility, and in what concerns biotechnological applications, has been correlated with electricity production in Microbial Fuel Cells. Desulfuromonas acetoxidans, a member of the Geobactereaceae family, is one of these organisms for which the genome was recently made available, coding for 47 putative multiheme cytochromes. The growth of D. acetoxidans in different media allowed the identification of the cytochromes dominant in each condition. The triheme cytochrome c(7) is always present suggesting a key role in the bioenergetic metabolism of this organism, and a dodecaheme cytochrome of low homology with other proteins in the databases was also isolated. Different cytochromes are found for different growth conditions showing that their roles can be assigned to specific bioenergetic electron transfer routes.

Adherence and/or discontinuation of imatinib mesylate in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia

ABSTRACT Adherence to imatinib mesylate improves clinical outcomes and promotes a reduction in health expenditure. However, treatment duration and lack of efficacy decrease adherence to pharmacotherapy, resulting in increased mortality associated with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia. This study aimed to evaluate and compare adherence and/or discontinuation of imatinib mesylate in different studies from the literature. An integrative review of original articles published between the years of 2004 and 2014 was performed using the databases PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus and SciELO. The descriptor "imatinib" was used in two combinations employing the connector AND between terms: "medication adherence'' AND ''imatinib" AND "leukemia'' and ''patient compliance'' AND "imatinib" AND "leukemia". We identified 476 studies, being 14 included in the study. The rates of adherence and discontinuation were diverse, ranging from 19.0 to 97.0% and from 1.8 and 41.0%, respectively, and a high number of longitudinal studies was observed (71.4%). Most studies used questionnaires as an indirect method to assess adherence and factors related to poor adherence were adverse drug reactions, dose changes and unavailability of the medication. Patient education associated with follow up by pharmacists and other health professionals can improve patient adherence and minimize the pharmacotherapy discontinuation.