Establishment and cryptic transmission of Zika virus in Brazil and the Americas.

Transmission of Zika virus (ZIKV) in the Americas was first confirmed in May 2015 in northeast Brazil. Brazil has had the highest number of reported ZIKV cases worldwide (more than 200,000 by 24 December 2016) and the most cases associated with microcephaly and other birth defects (2,366 confirmed by 31 December 2016). Since the initial detection of ZIKV in Brazil, more than 45 countries in the Americas have reported local ZIKV transmission, with 24 of these reporting severe ZIKV-associated disease. However, the origin and epidemic history of ZIKV in Brazil and the Americas remain poorly understood, despite the value of this information for interpreting observed trends in reported microcephaly. Here we address this issue by generating 54 complete or partial ZIKV genomes, mostly from Brazil, and reporting data generated by a mobile genomics laboratory that travelled across northeast Brazil in 2016. One sequence represents the earliest confirmed ZIKV infection in Brazil. Analyses of viral genomes with ecological and epidemiological data yield an estimate that ZIKV was present in northeast Brazil by February 2014 and is likely to have disseminated from there, nationally and internationally, before the first detection of ZIKV in the Americas. Estimated dates for the international spread of ZIKV from Brazil indicate the duration of pre-detection cryptic transmission in recipient regions. The role of northeast Brazil in the establishment of ZIKV in the Americas is further supported by geographic analysis of ZIKV transmission potential and by estimates of the basic reproduction number of the virus.

Imaging mass spectrometry: a new way to distinguish dermal contact from administration of cocaine, using a single fingerprint.

Here we show a new and significant application area for mass spectrometry imaging. The potential for fingerprints to reveal drug use has been widely reported, with potential applications in forensics and workplace drug testing. However, one unsolved issue is the inability to distinguish between drug administration and contamination by contact. Previous work using bulk mass spectrometry analysis has shown that this distinction can only be definitively made if the hands are washed prior to sample collection. Here, we illustrate how three mass spectrometry imaging approaches, desorption electrospray ionisation (DESI), matrix assisted laser desorption ionisation (MALDI) and time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) can be used to visualise fingerprints at different pixel sizes, ranging from the whole fingerprint down to the pore structure. We show how each of these magnification scales can be used to distinguish between cocaine use and contact. We also demonstrate the first application of water cluster SIMS to a fingerprint sample, which was the sole method tested here that was capable of detecting excreted drug metabolites in fingerprints, while providing spatial resolution sufficient to resolve individual pore structure. We show that after administration of cocaine, lipids and salts in the fingerprint ridges spatially correlate with the cocaine metabolite, benzoylecgonine. In contrast after contact, we have observed that cocaine and its metabolite show a poor spatial correlation with the flow of the ridges.

Evaluation of waste biomasses and their biochars for removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

This work evaluates the use of biomasses and their biochars as adsorbents to remove polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from water. Coconut waste (CW) and orange waste (OW) were pyrolyzed at 350 °C to produce the corresponding biochars (BCW and BOW). Adsorption tests using a mixed solution of benzo(a)anthracene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, benzo(a)pyrene, and dibenzo(a,h)anthracene showed removal percentages of 30.33-83.43% (CW), 47.09-83.02% (BCW), 24.20-74.25% (OW), and 23.84-84.02% (BOW). The adsorption mechanisms appeared to involve π-π interactions of similar groups of the adsorbate and adsorbent, together with hydrophobic effects. There was no indication of competition between the PAHs for the adsorption sites, and there was evidence of cooperative adsorption. The PAHs could be desorbed from the adsorbents with efficiencies in the range 34.88-72.32%, and the reuse of the adsorbents in two further cycles demonstrated their potential for use in the removal of PAHs from water.

Prospects of ZnS and ZnO as smart semiconductor materials in light-activated antimicrobial coatings for mitigation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 infection.

We carried out theoretical and experimental analyses of ZnO and ZnS nanoparticles as smart semiconductor materials in light-activated antimicrobial coating for application in masks. We used low-cost hydrothermally processable precursors to direct the growth of the coatings on cotton fabric. Both ZnO and ZnS coatings had high reactivities as disinfection agents in photocatalysis reactions for the degradation of a methylene blue dye solution. Also, these coatings showed excellent UV protection properties. For understanding at the molecular level, the broad-spectrum biological activities of the ZnO and ZnS coatings against Fusarium Oxysporum fungi, Escherichia coli bacteria, and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus and their variants, were investigated computationally. Hexagonal Zn6O6 and Zn6S6 clusters were used as models for the simulations through excited- and ground-state calculations. The theoretical findings show that changes in the local chemical environment in these excited systems have a profound impact on their physical and chemical properties and thus, can provide a better understanding to engineer new functional materials in light-activated antimicrobial coatings for the mitigation of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Thermal behavior of food preservative sorbic acid and its derivates.

Sorbic acid and its potassium and calcium salts used as food preservatives and sorbic chloride were submitted to thermal analysis in order to characterize their thermal behavior on heating and cooling processes, using TG/DTG/DTA, TG-MS, DSC, hot stage microscopy and DRX analysis. Sorbic acid melted and decomposed under dynamic heating. Under isothermal it sublimated without decomposition before melting (T < 134 °C). The potassium salt presented a solid-solid phase transition before decomposition. Both potassium and calcium salts decomposed in temperatures higher than the acid without melting, producing the respective carbonates and oxides as final residues. Sorbic chloride evaporate without condensation, on dynamic heating.

[Internal validity of a rapid test for COVID-19 antigens in a nursing home]. / Validez interna de una prueba rápida de detección de antígenos COVID-19 en una residencia de mayores.

INTRODUCTION: RT-qPCR is the reference test for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection, however, rapid antigen detection tests (RADT) are now available. In this work, the internal validity of the RADT was evaluated in the context of an outbreak in a nursing home. METHODS: Nasopharyngeal exudate samples were analyzed by RADT and RT-qPCR from 61 residents of a nursing home. The sensitivity and specificity of RADT with respect to RT-qPCR was calculated. RESULTS: Specificity was 100% (95% CI 54.1-100.0), while sensitivity in asymptomatic people was 70.3% (95% CI 53.0-84.1) and in symptomatic people 83.3% (95% CI 51.6-97.9). CONCLUSIONS: The RADTs are sufficiently sensitive and specific to be used as screening tests in nursing homes, especially in situations of outbreaks or suspected outbreaks due to the presence of symptoms.

Thermal behavior of inosine 5'-monophosphate in acidic form and as alkali and alkaline earth salts.

Inosine 5'-monophosphate in acidic form and its lithium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, strontium and barium were prepared from the sodium salt, characterized by elemental analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and submitted to thermogravimetry (TG), differential thermal analysis (DTA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry coupled to infrared spectroscopy (TG-FTIR) of the volatile products evolved during heating. All the salts were hydrated containing from 4 to 7.5 H2O. After dehydration these salts decomposed releasing the nitrogenous base followed by the ribose group, and producing pyrophosphates as final residue. Evolved Gas Analysis (EGA) reveled the release of water, isocyanic acid and hydrocyanic acid during decomposition of the organic moiety. It was observed only water loss up to 200 °C. At temperatures above 200 °C, the nucleotides were unstable and decomposed, implying that foods containing those additives should be processed below this temperature. Finally, a general mechanism for the decomposition of the inosinates was proposed.

Genomic and epidemiological monitoring of yellow fever virus transmission potential.

The yellow fever virus (YFV) epidemic in Brazil is the largest in decades. The recent discovery of YFV in Brazilian Aedes species mosquitos highlights a need to monitor the risk of reestablishment of urban YFV transmission in the Americas. We use a suite of epidemiological, spatial, and genomic approaches to characterize YFV transmission. We show that the age and sex distribution of human cases is characteristic of sylvatic transmission. Analysis of YFV cases combined with genomes generated locally reveals an early phase of sylvatic YFV transmission and spatial expansion toward previously YFV-free areas, followed by a rise in viral spillover to humans in late 2016. Our results establish a framework for monitoring YFV transmission in real time that will contribute to a global strategy to eliminate future YFV epidemics.

G protein beta3 polymorphism and triptan response in cluster headache.

Only about 70% of migraine and cluster headache (CH) patients report significant treatment responses to triptans, which are agonists at 5-HT(1B/D) receptors belonging to the family of G protein-coupled receptors. We analyzed whether a common polymorphism in the gene for the G protein beta3 subunit (GNB3 C825T) modulates responder rates to triptans among a cohort of 231 unrelated Caucasian CH patients. A total of 180 CH patients used triptans, of whom 71.1% reported treatment success. The adjusted odds ratio for treatment response to triptans for heterozygous carriers of the GNB3 825T allele was 2.96 (95% confidence interval 1.34-6.56; P=0.0074) vs carriers of the 825CC genotype. The GNB3 genotype status did not affect responses to other acute and preventive therapeutic regimes including oxygen, verapamil, and corticosteroids, i.e., drugs not directly affecting G proteins. We conclude that pain relief by triptans is significantly modulated by a common genetic GNB3 variant.

Leishmania infantum exerts immunomodulation in canine Kupffer cells reverted by meglumine antimoniate.

Kupffer cells (KC) are the liver macrophage population that resides in the hepatic sinusoids and efficiently phagocyte pathogens by establishing an intimate contact with circulating blood. KC constitute the liver host cells in Leishmania infection, nevertheless little is described about their role, apart from their notable contribution in granulomatous inflammation. The present study aims to investigate how canine KC sense and react to the presence of Leishmania infantum promastigotes and amastigotes by evaluating the gene expression of specific innate immune cell receptors and cytokines, as well as the induction of nitric oxide and urea production. Complementarily, the impact of a leishmanicidal drug - meglumine antimoniate (MgA) - in infected KC was also explored. KC revealed to be susceptible to both parasite forms and no major differences were found in the immune response generated. L. infantum parasites seem to interact with KC innate immune receptors and induce an anergic state, promoting immune tolerance and parasite survival. The addition of MgA to infected KC breaks the parasite imposed silence and increased gene expression of Toll-like receptors (TLR) 2 and TLR4, possibly activating downstream pathways. Understanding how KC sense and react to parasite presence could bring new insights into the control or even elimination of canine leishmaniasis.

The circumferential resection margins status: A comparison of robotic, laparoscopic and open total mesorectal excision for mid and low rectal cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Minimally invasive surgery for rectal cancer (RC) is now widely performed via the laparoscopic approach, but robotic-assisted surgery may overcome some limitations of laparoscopy in RC treatment. We compared the rate of positive circumferential margins between robotic, laparoscopic and open total mesorectal excision (TME) for RC in our institution. METHODS: Mid and low rectal adenocarcinoma patients consecutively submitted to robotic surgery were compared to laparoscopic and open approach. From our prospective database, 59 patients underwent robotic-assisted rectal surgery from 2012 to 2015 (RTME group) were compared to our historical control group comprising 200 open TME (OTME group) and 41 laparoscopic TME (LTME group) approaches from July 2008 to February 2012. Primary endpoint was to compare the rate of involved circumferential resection margins (CRM) and the mean CRM between the three groups. Secondary endpoint was to compare the mean number of resected lymph nodes between the three groups. RESULTS: CRM involvement was demonstrated in 20 patients (15.5%) in OTME, 4 (16%) in LTME and 9 (16.4%) in the RTME (p = 0.988). The mean CRM in OTME, LTME and RTME were respectively 0.6 cm (0-2.7), 0.7 cm (0-2.0) and 0.6 cm (0-2.0) (p = 0.960). Overall mean LN harvest was 14 (0-56); 16 (0-52) in OTME, 13 (1-56) in LTME and 10 (0-45) in RTME (p = 0.156). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that robotic TME has the same oncological short-term results when compared to the open and laparoscopic technique, and it could be safely offered for the treatment of mid and low rectal cancer.

Nonoperative management of rectal cancer after chemoradiation opposed to resection after complete clinical response. A comparative study.

INTRODUCTION: Surgery is the standard treatment of rectal cancer after neoadjuvant therapy. Some authors advocate a nonoperative management (NOM) after complete clinical response (cCR) following chemoradiotherapy (CRT). We compare our results with NOM to standard resection in a retrospective analysis. METHODS: Rectal adenocarcinomas submitted to NOM after CRT between September 2002 and December 2013 were compared to surgical patients that had pathological complete response (pCR) during the same period. Endpoints were Overall Survival (OS), Disease Free Survival (DFS), Local Relapse (LR) and Distant Relapse (DR). RESULTS: Forty-two NOM patients compared to 69 pCR patients operated after a median interval of 35 weeks after CRT. NOM tumors were distal (83.3% vs 59.4%, p = 0.011), less obstructive (26.2% vs 54.4%, p = 0.005) and had a lower digital rectal score (p = 0.024). Twelve (28.0%) recurrences in NOM group and eight (11.5%) in the surgical group occurred after a follow-up of 47.7 and 46.7 months respectively. Isolated LR occurred in five (11%) NOM patients and one (1.4%) in the surgical group. Four (80%) LR were surgically salvaged in NOM group. No difference in OS was found (71.6% vs 89.9%, p = 0.316) but there was a higher DFS favoring surgical group (60.9% vs 82.8%, p = 0.011). Distal tumors had worse OS compared to proximal tumors in surgical group (5-year OS of 85.5% vs 96.2%, p = 0.038). CONCLUSION: The NOM achieved OS comparable to surgical treatment and spared patients from surgical morbidity but it resulted in more recurrences. This approach cannot be advocated routinely and controlled trials are warranted.

Cr(V) involvement in the toxicity pathway of testicular damage.

AIM: The functional integrity of the blood-testis barrier (BTB) in male mice exposed to Cr(V) was studied in order to clarify the mechanism underlying testicular injury. METHODS: Adult male mice were subcutaneously injected repeated doses of 8.02 micromol (0.5 ml) of Cr/mouse.day for 5 days. Animals receiving a similar volume of bis(hydroxyethyl)-aminotris(hydroxymethyl)methane buffer (BT) were used as controls. The animals were sacrificed on day 6 and small fragments of seminiferous tubules, approximately 8-10 mm length, were incised and sutured at both ends. They were exposed in vitro to horseradish peroxidase-containing culture medium for 10 minutes. Tissues were then fixed and processed for ultrastructural studies. RESULTS: Controls and Cr(V)-treated group resulted in the uptake of the tracer by Sertoli cells. However, the major finding consisted in the permeability of the BTB only in the Cr(V)-group, as evidenced by the presence of the tracer within the junctions between the neighbouring Sertoli cells. CONCLUSION: The BTB is disrupted in mice submitted to Cr(V). The permeability of the BTB is a crucial feature to be investigated for the understanding of lesions within the seminiferous tubule.

Comparative histological studies on liver of mice exposed to Cr(VI) and Cr(V) compounds.

Chromium toxicity is strongly dependent on its oxidation state. Cr(VI) is carcinogenic and mutagenic, although its in vivo and in vitro toxic effects are related to its intracellular fate. Inside the cells, Cr(VI) is rapidly reduced to stable Cr(III). As Cr(V) and Cr(IV) species have been reported to be formed in the Cr(VI) reduction pathways, Cr(VI)-induced damage is thought, at least in part, to arise from these hypervalent species. The study of Cr(VI) reduction mechanisms and the characterization of the effects of each reactive intermediate constitute important steps towards a better understanding of chromium toxicity. The purpose of this work is to enlarge the scope of Cr(VI)-induced alterations in mouse to other chromium species. Our studies have led to the in situ preparation of a new Cr(V) complex, 1Cr(V)-BT](2-), a stable compound at neutral pH, which mimics Cr(VI) reduction intermediates. The effect of Cr(V) on the histology of mice liver is assessed and compared with similar Cr(VI) assays. Liver toxicity was examined after single administrations of Cr(VI) or [Cr(V)-BT](2-) to mice. Both compounds produced reversible hepatic damage in a time-dependent manner. However, Cr(V) toxic effects have proved to be more rapid than with Cr(VI), permitting the role of Cr(VI) intermediates formed during intracellular chromium reduction to be highlighted.

[Activities of nursing students at an HIV guidance and counseling center: account of an experience]. / Atuação de estudantes de enfermagem em um centro de orientação e aconselhamento (COAS) para HIV: relato de experiência.

The paper describes the experience of undergraduate nursing students in a Center of Testing and Counseling (CTA), that offers anti-HIV test. There were identified the facilities and the difficulties faced in the accomplishment of the counseling before and after-test, for five months, aiming to propose strategies to surmount them.

[Multiple endocrine neoplasia type IIb]. / Neoplasia endócrina múltipla tipo IIb.

We describe the clinical manifestations of a multiple endocrine neoplasia, type IIb, in a 32 year old woman, admitted to a general hospital with intestinal sub-occlusion. The phenotype associated with bilateral pheochromocytomas show us the diagnosis, but the unsolved problem is the high levels of calcitonin, without macroscopic evidence of tumor relapse.

[Risk factors for the spine: nursing assessment and care]. / Fatores de risco para a coluna: avaliação em consulta de enfermagem.

The present work aimed at studying risk factor that affect people with back pain, identifying them and implementing an intervention proposal of a health education program based on self-care teaching, existential humanist philosophical projects and stress equalization approach line, skeletal-muscle reintegration activities, basic techniques on stress equalization and massage. It has been developed for a population of 42 (forty-two) clients. Two instruments which integrate nursing consultation protocol have been used in data collection. The results showed the existence of associated risk factors which are changeable according to health education programs. The assessment process has contributed for therapeutic measures focus, using non-conventional care methods for this approach providing an improvement to these clients life quality.

Detection of parasite antigens in Leishmania infantum-infected spleen tissue by monoclonal antibody-, piezoelectric-based immunosensors.

Diseases such as leishmaniases are important causes of morbidity and mortality in Brazil, and their diagnoses need to be improved. The use of monoclonal antibodies has ensured high specificity to immunodiagnosis. The development of an immunosensor, coupling a monoclonal antibody to a bioelectronic device capable of quickly detecting Leishmania sp. antigens both qualitatively and quantitatively, is a promising alternative for the diagnosis of leishmaniasis due to its high specificity, low cost, and portability, compared with conventional methods. The present work was aimed at developing an immunosensor-based assay for detecting Leishmania infantum antigens in tissues of infected hosts. Four hybridomas producing monoclonal antibodies against L. infantum had their specificity confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. These antibodies were immobilized on a gold surface, covered with a thin film of 2-aminoethanethiol (cysteamine) and glutaraldehyde, blocked with glycine, and placed into contact with extracts of L. infantum -infected and noninfected control hamster spleens. The assay was able to detect 1.8 × 10(4) amastigotes/g of infected tissue. These results demonstrated that this assay may be useful for quantifying L. infantum amastigotes in organs of experimental animals for studies on pathogenesis and immunity and that it is a promising tool for the development of a diagnostic method, based on antigen detection, of human and dog visceral leishmaniasis.

SLC29A3 mutation in a patient with syndromic diabetes with features of pigmented hypertrichotic dermatosis with insulin-dependent diabetes, H syndrome and Faisalabad histiocytosis.

AIMS: Atypical forms of diabetes may be caused by monogenic mutations in key genes controlling beta-cell development, survival and function. This report describes an insulin-dependent diabetes patient with a syndromic presentation in whom a homozygous SLC29A3 mutation was identified. METHODS: SLC29A3 was selected as the candidate gene based on the patient's clinical manifestations, and all exons and flanking regions in the patient's genomic DNA were sequenced. RESULTS: A homozygous splice mutation (c.300+1G>C) resulting in a frameshift and truncated protein (p.N101LfsX34) was identified. The patient had insulin-dependent diabetes, congenital deafness, short stature, hyperpigmented patches on the skin, dysmorphic features, cardiomegaly, arthrogryposis, hepatosplenomegaly, anaemia with erythroblastopenia, and an inflammatory syndrome with fever and arthritis; she also presented with a fibrotic mediastinal mass. These clinical features overlapped with pigmented hypertrichosis with insulin-dependent diabetes (PHID), H syndrome, Faisalabad histiocytosis and sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy (SHML), all of which are also caused by SLC29A3 mutations. CONCLUSION: This is the most severe case reported of SLC29A3 mutations with cumulative features of all these syndromes. This extreme severity coincides with the most N-terminal location of the truncation mutation, thereby affecting all alternative transcripts of the gene. This case report extends the clinical variability of homozygous SLC29A3 mutations that result in a spectrum of multisystemic manifestations.