Binary Coalescences as Sources of Ultrahigh-Energy Cosmic Rays.

Binary coalescences are known sources of gravitational waves (GWs) and they encompass combinations of black holes (BHs) and neutron stars (NSs). Here we show that when BHs are embedded in magnetic fields (B's) larger than approximately 10^{10} G, charged particles colliding around their event horizons can easily have center-of-mass energies in the range of ultrahigh energies (≳10^{18} eV) and become more likely to escape. Such B-embedding and high-energy particles can take place in BH-NS binaries, or even in BH-BH binaries with one of the BHs being charged (with charge-to-mass ratios as small as 10^{-5}, which do not change GW waveforms) and having a residual accretion disk. Ultrahigh center-of-mass energies for particle collisions arise for basically any rotation parameter of the BH when B≳10^{10} G, meaning that it should be a common aspect in binaries, especially in BH-NS ones given the natural presence of a B onto the BH and charged particles due to the magnetosphere of the NS. We estimate that the number of ultrahigh center-of-mass collisions ranges from a few up to millions before the merger of binary compact systems. Thus, binary coalescences may also be efficient sources of ultrahigh energy cosmic rays (UHECRs) and constraints to NS/BH parameters would be possible if UHECRs are detected along with GWs.

Impact of social distancing from the COVID-19 pandemic on the immuno-inflammatory response of older adults.

BACKGROUND: Older adults, as the population considered at increased risk for severe COVID-19, were the most impacted by social isolation. Thus, this study aimed to assess the salivary immune/inflammatory response of older adults before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A cohort of 11 older adults (mean age 66.8 ± 6.1) was followed at three different time points: before (S1) and after 6 (S2) and 20 months (S3) of the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. Unstimulated saliva samples were obtained to assess the levels of antibodies (secretory IgA, IgG and IgM) by ELISA and cytokines (IL-2, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10, TSLP, IFN-γ, TNF-α) by multiplex analysis. Significant differences were evaluated using the Kruskal-Wallis test with Dunn's post-test. RESULTS: None volunteer presented periodontal disease or caries. All volunteers received at least two doses of the COVID-19 vaccines after S2 and before S3. A tendency to increase salivary levels of SIgA and IgM at S2 and of IgG at S3 were observed compared to the values found at S1 and S2. Significantly decreased levels of IL-2 and IL-5 were found at S2 and S3 (p < 0.001) time points. Lower levels of IFN-γ were found at S2 as compared to the values observed at S1 (p < 0.01). A significant decrease in the IFN-γ/IL-10 ratio was found at S2 (p < 0.01). When assessing the Th1/Th2 ratios, a significant decrease was found in the IFN-γ/TSLP ratio at S2 (p < 0.001) and S3 (p < 0.001) when compared to the values at S1. In addition, a significant increase was observed in the TNF-α/IL-5 ratio at S2 (p < 0.001) and S3 (p < 0.001) in comparison to the values at S1. In a similar way, an increase in the TNF-α/IL-6 ratio (Fig. 5E) was observed at S3 (p < 0.001) when compared to the values at S1. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the impact of COVID-19-induced social isolation on immune/inflammatory responses in the upper airway mucosa, particularly those present in oral cavity, of older adults. It demonstrates that a controlled shift in Th1 and Th2 immune responses, both during infection and post-vaccination, can create favorable conditions to combat viral infections without exacerbating the immune response or worsening the pathology.

Should midline diastema in mixed dentition be an aesthetic concern?

BACKGROUND: Mixed dentition determines an important period of occlusion development in childhood. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the aesthetic impact of the midline diastema cut-off point in mixed dentition. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was performed with 257 children aged 8-10 years in late mixed dentition, with midline diastema of 1-5 mm and normal maxillary overjet. Orthodontic Aesthetic Subjective Impact Score determined the aesthetic impact of the midline diastema. Four quartiles of diastema measurements and impact scores were considered as cut-off points. Receiver Operating Characteristic curves were constructed, and the distances representing the distances to the ideal point were calculated. The Yuden index determined the efficiency of measuring the diastema to assess the aesthetic impact. The Kruskal-Wallis test compared the groups of participants classified according to the diastema cut-off by the sample quartile regarding the impact score. The analyses were performed with a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the four groups of measurement quartiles of the diastema regarding the aesthetic impact (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: The perception of dental aesthetics in mixed dentition children was not affected by the midline diastema, regardless of the cut-off point.

Self-collected unstimulated saliva, oral swab, and nasopharyngeal swab specimens in the detection of SARS-CoV-2.

OBJECTIVES: The presence of SARS-CoV-2 virus in the saliva of patients infected with COVID-19 has been confirmed by several studies. However, the use of saliva for the diagnosis of COVID-19 remains limited, because of the discrepancies in the results, which might be due to using different saliva sampling methods. The purpose of this study was to compare the consistency of SARS-CoV-2 detection using two different saliva sampling methods (oral swab and unstimulated saliva) to that of the standard nasopharyngeal swab. METHODS: Fifty-five subjects were recruited from a pool of COVID-19 inpatient at the Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein (HIAE), Brazil. Nasopharyngeal swab, oral swab, and self-collected unstimulated saliva samples were examined for SARS-CoV-2 using RT-PCR. RESULTS: Self-collected unstimulated saliva demonstrated 87.3% agreement in the detection of SARS-CoV-2 virus as compared with the nasopharyngeal swab, while oral swab displayed 65.9% agreement when compared to nasopharyngeal swab and 73% when compared to self-collected unstimulated saliva. CONCLUSION: Unstimulated self-collected saliva samples have shown a higher agreement with the nasopharyngeal swab samples for SARS-COV-2 detection than that obtained when using oral swab samples. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study compares the accuracy of COVID-19 test using different saliva sampling methods to that of nasopharyngeal swab. Given the need for a simple self-applied test that can be performed at home, our findings support the efficacy of self-collected unstimulated saliva samples in the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection, alleviating the demands for swab supplies, personal protective equipment, and healthcare personnel.

NiTi SMA Superelastic Micro Cables: Thermomechanical Behavior and Fatigue Life under Dynamic Loadings.

Shape memory alloy (SMA) micro cables have a wide potential for attenuation of vibrations and structural health monitoring due to energy dissipation. This work evaluates the effect of SMA thermomechanical coupling during dynamic cycling and the fatigue life of NiTi SMA micro cables submitted to tensile loadings at frequencies from 0.25 Hz to 10 Hz. The thermomechanical coupling was characterized using a previously developed methodology that identifies the self-heating frequency. When dynamically loaded above this frequency, the micro cable response is dominated by the self-heating, stiffening significantly during cycling. Once above the self-heating frequency, structural and functional fatigues of the micro cable were evaluated as a function of the loading frequency for the failure of each individual wire. All tests were performed on a single wire with equal cross-section area for comparison purposes. We observed that the micro cable's functional properties regarding energy dissipation capacity decreased throughout the cycles with increasing frequency. Due to the additional friction between the filaments of the micro cable, this dissipation capacity is superior to that of the single wire. Although its fatigue life is shorter, its delayed failure compared to a single wire makes it a more reliable sensor for structural health monitoring.

Computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturer indirect versus direct composite restorations: A randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: This study compared the clinical performance of large indirect restorations (IRs) versus direct restorations (DRs) in posterior teeth. METHODS: Thirty subjects received two class II restorations (n = 60), one fabricated from a precured composite block (Grandio Blocs, VOCO) for the indirect technique (IT) and the other with light-cured composite (GrandioSO, VOCO) for the direct technique (DT). For IT, the restoration was created using the computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturer (CAD/CAM) system. For DT, the material was applied light-cured by using a layering technique. All restorations were evaluated by using the World Dental Federation criteria. RESULTS: Twenty-three subjects attended the 2-year recall, and 46 restorations were evaluated. No significant differences were detected between the techniques for most parameters analyzed (p > 0.05). For "color match" at 7 days and 6 months, better results were observed for the DT. In relation to the overall scores, all restorations were esthetically acceptable after 2 years, while 93.3% of DT and 90% of IT showed acceptable function. For biological scores, 96.67% of DRs and 100% of IRs was acceptable after 24 months. Considering all properties, the success rates were 93.3% for DRs and 90% for IRs. CONCLUSIONS: After 2 years, both restorations presented similar and good clinical behavior for all the properties analyzed. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Light-cured direct posterior composite restorations may perform similarly to indirect composite restorations made with precured CAD/CAM composite blocks up to 2 years.

Digital workflow to produce esthetic space maintainers for growing patients.

Digital workflows have been used to enhance the predictability of oral rehabilitations. However, techniques to digitally design and manufacture esthetic space maintainers by following a prosthetically driven treatment plan for young patients are lacking. This technique report describes a full digital workflow to produce computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) esthetic space maintainers by using intraoral scans, a dental CAD software program, and a milling machine. CAD-CAM space maintainers can be provided for young patients with satisfactory patient compliance and with minimal chairside adjustment.

How does the brown mussel Perna perna respond to environmental pollution? A review on pollution biomarkers.

The brown mussel Perna perna (Linnaeus, 1758) is a valuable resource for aquaculture in tropical and subtropical coastal regions. It presents desirable characteristics for biomonitoring, including being sessile, widely distributed and abundant, and is a filter-feeder able to accumulate several classes of pollutants (e.g., metals, hydrocarbons, among others). Mussels' biological responses to pollution exposure can be measured as biomarkers, which include alterations ranging from molecular to physiological levels, to estimate the degree of environmental contamination and its effects on biota. This full review compiles two decades (2000-2020) of literature concerning biological effects on P. perna mussel caused by environmental pollutants (i.e., metals, hydrocarbons, and emerging pollutants), considering environmental and farm-based biomonitoring. Biochemical markers related to mussels' oxidative status were efficient for the biomonitoring of metals (i.e., antioxidant enzymes associated with oxidative damage in biomolecules). Genotoxicity and cytotoxicity indicators (i.e., comet, micronucleus, and neutral red assays) provided a depiction of hydrocarbon contamination. The neutral red assay gave a time-concentration cytotoxic response to a wide range of pollutants, including emerging pollutants (e.g., pharmaceuticals and biocides) and hydrocarbons. Perna perna hemocyte parameters provided a useful approach for biocide biomonitoring. This paper summarizes useful biomarkers from molecular to physiological levels in this mussel species used to identify and quantify the degree of coastal pollution. An integrated biomarker analysis may provide a way to overcome possible biomarker variations and assess multi-polluted sites. Nevertheless, it is necessary to investigate biomarker variations according to natural factors (e.g., season and gonad maturation stage) to standardize them for trustworthy biomonitoring.

Proteins from the core genome of Corynebacterium ulcerans respond for pathogenicity and reveal promising vaccine targets for diphtheria.

Corynebacterium ulcerans is an emerging pathogen able to transmit the acute infection diphtheria to humans. Although there is a well-established vaccine based on the toxin produced by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, another species of this genus known to cause the disease, there is still no vaccine formulations described for C. ulcerans; this fact contributes to the increase in cases of infection that has been observed. In this study, we want to provide information at the genomic level of this bacterium in order to suggest proteins as possible vaccine targets. We carried out an in silico prospection of vaccine candidates through reverse vaccinology for targets that exhibit antigenic potential against diphtheria. We found important virulence factors, such as adhesion-related ones, that are responsible for pathogen-host interaction after infection, but we did not find the diphtheria toxin, which is the main component of the currently available vaccine. This study provides detailed information about the exoproteome and hypothetical proteins from the core genome of C. ulcerans, suggesting vaccine targets to be further tested in vitro for the development of a new vaccine against diphtheria.

CK11, a Teleost Chemokine with a Potent Antimicrobial Activity.

CK11 is a rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) CC chemokine phylogenetically related to both mammalian CCL27 and CCL28 chemokines, strongly transcribed in skin and gills in homeostasis, for which an immune role had not been reported to date. In the current study, we have demonstrated that CK11 is not chemotactic for unstimulated leukocyte populations from central immune organs or mucosal tissues but instead exerts a potent antimicrobial activity against a wide range of rainbow trout pathogens. Our results show that CK11 strongly inhibits the growth of different rainbow trout Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, namely Lactococcus garvieae, Aeromonas salmonicida subsp. salmonicida, and Yersinia ruckeri and a parasitic ciliate Ichthyophthirius multifiliis Similarly to mammalian chemokines and antimicrobial peptides, CK11 exerted its antimicrobial activity, rapidly inducing membrane permeability in the target pathogens. Further transcriptional studies confirmed the regulation of CK11 transcription in response to exposure to some of these pathogens in specific conditions. Altogether, our studies related to phylogenetic relations, tissue distribution, and biological activity point to CK11 as a potential common ancestor of mammalian CCL27 and CCL28. To our knowledge, this study constitutes the first report of a fish chemokine with antimicrobial activity, thus establishing a novel role for teleost chemokines in antimicrobial immunity that supports an evolutionary relationship between chemokines and antimicrobial peptides.

Critical Frequency of Self-Heating in a Superelastic Ni-Ti Belleville Spring: Experimental Characterization and Numerical Simulation.

The mechanical loading frequency affects the functional properties of shape memory alloys (SMA). Thus, it is crucial to study its effect for the successful use of these materials in dynamic applications. Based on the superelastic cyclic behavior, this work presents an experimental methodology for the determination of the critical frequency of the self-heating of a NiTi Belleville conical spring. For this, cyclic compressive tests were carried out using a universal testing machine with loading frequencies ranging from 0.5 Hz to 10 Hz. The temperature variation during the cyclic tests was monitored using a micro thermocouple glued to the NiTi Belleville spring. Numerical simulations of the spring under quasi-static loadings were performed to assist the analysis. From the experimental methodology applied to the Belleville spring, a self-heating frequency of 1.7 Hz was identified. The self-heating is caused by the latent heat accumulation generated by successive cycles of stress-induced phase transformation in the material. At 2.0 Hz, an increase of 1.2 °C in the average temperature of the SMA device was verified between 1st and 128th superelastic cycles. At 10 Hz, the average temperature increase reached 7.9 °C and caused a 10% increase in the stiffness and 25% decrease in the viscous damping factor. Finally, predicted results of the force as a function of the loading frequency were obtained.

Simulation-optimization methods for designing and assessing resilient supply chain networks under uncertainty scenarios: A review.

The design of supply chain networks (SCNs) aims at determining the number, location, and capacity of production facilities, as well as the allocation of markets (customers) and suppliers to one or more of these facilities. This paper reviews the existing literature on the use of simulation-optimization methods in the design of resilient SCNs. From this review, we classify some of the many works in the topic according to factors such as their methodology, the approach they use to deal with uncertainty and risk, etc. The paper also identifies several research opportunities, such as the inclusion of multiple criteria (e.g., monetary, environmental, and social dimensions) during the design-optimization process and the convenience of considering hybrid approaches combining metaheuristic algorithms, simulation, and machine learning methods to account for uncertainty and dynamic conditions, respectively.

Impact of CD34 Cell Dose and Conditioning Regimen on Outcomes after Haploidentical Donor Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation with Post-Transplantation Cyclophosphamide for Relapsed/Refractory Severe Aplastic Anemia.

Severe aplastic anemia (SAA) is a life-threatening disease that can be cured with allogeneic cell transplantation (HCT). Haploidentical donor transplantation with post-transplantation cyclophosphamide (haplo-PTCy) is an option for patients lacking an HLA-matched donor. We analyzed 87 patients who underwent haplo-PTCy between 2010 and 2019. The median patient age was 14 years (range, 1 to 69 years), most were heavily transfused, and all received previous immunosuppression (25% without antithymocyte globulin). Almost two-thirds (63%) received standard fludarabine (Flu)/cyclophosphamide (Cy) 29/total body irradiation (TBI) 200 cGy conditioning, and the remaining patients received an augmented conditioning: Flu/Cy29/TBI 300-400 (16%), Flu/Cy50/TBI 200 (10%), or Flu/Cy50/TBI 400 (10%). All patients received PTCy-based graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis. Most grafts (93%) were bone marrow (BM). The median duration of follow-up was 2 years and 2 months. The median time to neutrophil recovery was 17 days. Primary graft failure occurred in 15% of the patients, and secondary or poor graft function occurred in 5%. The incidences of grade II-IV acute GVHD was 14%, and that of chronic GVHD was 9%. Two-year overall survival and event-free survival (EFS) were 79% and 70%, respectively. EFS was higher for patients who received augmented Flu/Cy/TBI (hazard ratio [HR], .28; P = .02), and those who received higher BM CD34 cell doses (>3.2 × 10E6/kg) (HR, .29; P = .004). The presence of donor-specific antibodies before HSCT was associated with lower EFS (HR, 3.92; P = .01). Graft failure (HR, 7.20; P < .0001) was associated with an elevated risk of death. Cytomegalovirus reactivation was frequent (62%). Haploidentical HCT for SAA is a feasible procedure; outcomes are improved with augmented conditioning regimens and BM grafts with higher CD34 cell doses.

Computational prediction and characterisation of miRNAs and their pathway genes in human schistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma haematobium.

BACKGROUND Key genes control the infectivity of the Schistosoma haematobium causing schistosomiasis. A method for understanding the regulation of these genes might help in developing new disease strategies to control schistosomiasis, such as the silencing mediated by microRNAs (miRNAs). The miRNAs have been studied in schistosome species and they play important roles in the post-transcriptional regulation of genes, and in parasite-host interactions. However, genome-wide identification and characterisation of novel miRNAs and their pathway genes and their gene expression have not been explored deeply in the genome and transcriptome of S. haematobium. OBJECTIVES Identify and characterise mature and precursor miRNAs and their pathway genes in the S. haematobium genome. METHODS Computational prediction and characterisation of miRNAs and genes involved in miRNA pathway from S. haematobium genome on SchistoDB. Conserved domain analysis was performed using PFAM and CDD databases. A robust algorithm was applied to identify mature miRNAs and their precursors. The characterisation of the precursor miRNAs was performed using RNAfold, RNAalifold and Perl scripts. FINDINGS We identified and characterised 14 putative proteins involved in miRNA pathway including ARGONAUTE and DICER in S. haematobium. Besides that, 149 mature miRNAs and 131 precursor miRNAs were identified in the genome including novel miRNAs. MAIN CONCLUSIONS miRNA pathway occurs in the S. haematobium, including endogenous miRNAs and miRNA pathway components, suggesting a role of this type of non-coding RNAs in gene regulation in the parasite. The results found in this work will open up a new avenue for studying miRNAs in the S. haematobium biology in helping to understand the mechanism of gene silencing in the human parasite Schistosome.

Bone fenestration repair with leukocyte-platelet-rich fibrin after placement of implants in the anterior maxilla: a case report.

Few reports have been published to date on the management of bone fenestration in the anterior maxilla using leukocyte-platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF) with deproteinized bovine bone mineral allograft (DBBMA). This case report demonstrates the use of L-PRF associated with DBBMA to repair a bone fenestration after the placement of 2 implants in the anterior maxilla. Placement of 2 osseointegrated implants was planned to replace the missing maxillary central incisors of a patient with bone loss in the buccal region. Reverse treatment planning predicted the fenestration of the buccal cortical plate and exposure of the implants. The implants were placed, and fenestration of the buccal cortical bone around the body of the implants occurred as expected. A mixture of L-PRF and DBBMA, mediated by injectable platelet-rich fibrin (a combination sometimes referred to as sticky bone), was positioned to cover the defect. Cone beam computed tomography 6 months after the intervention showed complete coverage of the fenestration with newly formed bone tissue. The use of L-PRF associated with DBBMA efficiently covered the fenestration and promoted new bone formation.

Unveiling the Interfacial Effects for Enhanced Hydrogen Evolution Reaction on MoS2 /WTe2 Hybrid Structures.

Using the MoS2 -WTe2 heterostructure as a model system combined with electrochemical microreactors and density function theory calculations, it is shown that heterostructured contacts enhance the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity of monolayer MoS2 . Two possible mechanisms are suggested to explain this enhancement: efficient charge injection through large-area heterojunctions between MoS2 and WTe2 and effective screening of mirror charges due to the semimetallic nature of WTe2 . The dielectric screening effect is proven minor, probed by measuring the HER activity of monolayer MoS2 on various support substrates with dielectric constants ranging from 4 to 300. Thus, the enhanced HER is attributed to the increased charge injection into MoS2 through large-area heterojunctions. Based on this understanding, a MoS2 /WTe2 hybrid catalyst is fabricated with an HER overpotential of -140 mV at 10 mA cm-2 , a Tafel slope of 40 mV dec-1 , and long stability. These results demonstrate the importance of interfacial design in transition metal dichalcogenide HER catalysts. The microreactor platform presents an unambiguous approach to probe interfacial effects in various electrocatalytic reactions.

Identification of OAF and PVRL1 as candidate genes for an ocular anomaly characterized by Peters anomaly type 2 and ectopia lentis.

Keratolenticular dysgenesis (KLD) and ectopia lentis are congenital eye defects. The aim of this study is the identification of molecular genetic alterations responsible for those ocular anomalies with neurologic impairment in an individual with a de novo balanced chromosome translocation t(11;18)(q23.3;q11.2)dn. Disruption of OAF, the human orthologue of the Drosophila oaf, by the 11q23.3 breakpoint results in reduced expression of this transcriptional regulator. Furthermore, four most likely nonfunctional chimeric transcripts comprising up to OAF exon 3, derived from the der(11) allele, have also been identified. This locus has been implicated by publicly available genome-wide association data in corneal disease and corneal topography. The expression of the poliovirus receptor-related 1(PVRL1) or nectin cell adhesion molecule 1 (NECTIN1), a paralogue of nectin cell adhesion molecule 3 (PVRL3) associated with congenital ocular defects, situated 500 kb upstream from 11q23.3 breakpoint, is increased. The 18q11.2 breakpoint is localized between cutaneous T-cell lymphoma-associated antigen 1(CTAGE1) and retinoblastoma binding protein 8 (RBBP8) genes. Genomic imbalance that could contribute to the observed phenotype was excluded. Analysis of gene expression datasets throughout normal murine ocular lens embryogenesis suggests that OAF expression is significantly enriched in the lens from early stages of development through adulthood, whereas PVRL1 is lens-enriched until E12.5 and then down-regulated. This contrasts with the observation that the proposita's lymphoblastoid cell lines exhibit low OAF and high PVRL1 expression as compared to control, which offers further support that the alterations described above are most likely responsible for the clinical phenotype. Finally, gene interaction topology data for PVRL1 also agree with our proposal that disruption of OAF by the translocation breakpoint and misregulation of PVRL1 due to a position effect contribute to the observed ocular and neurological phenotype.

Evaluation of the immune responses of the brown mussel Perna perna as indicators of fecal pollution.

The mussel Perna perna is an intertidal bivalve that is widely distributed, cultivated and consumed in South Africa, Brazil and Venezuela. Among marine resources, bivalve mollusks are one of the most impacted by anthropogenic pollution, as they can accumulate pathogenic bacteria and water pollutants. Hemocytes are molluscan defense cells, and their abundance and functions can be affected in response to contaminants, such as bacterial load. However, no previous study has investigated the immune response of P. perna hemocytes. The aim of this study was to evaluate several immune parameters in P. perna as indicators of fecal pollution in mussel hemolymph and in seawater. We collected mussels and adjacent seawater from beaches with different levels of fecal contamination in Rio de Janeiro state (Brazil): Vermelha Beach (VB); Icaraí Beach (IB); Urca Beach (UB); and Jurujuba Beach (JB). Hemocyte parameters (density, morphology, phagocytic activity and production of Reactive Oxygen Species - ROS) were evaluated using flow cytometry. We quantified Fecal Indicator Bacteria (FIB) in seawater by the multiple tubes technique for each beach and for hemolymph by the spread-plate technique. In agreement with historical evaluation of fecal contamination levels, UB presented the highest FIB abundance in seawater (thermotolerant coliforms, TEC = 1600 NMP 100 mL-1), whereas VB exhibited the lowest (TEC = 17 NMP 100 mL-1). UB mussels had six and eight times higher hemocyte density and phagocytic activity, respectively, than mussels from VB. Mussels from VB and IB presented a significantly lower number of total coliforms in hemolymph and a significantly higher relative internal complexity of hemocytes than those from UB and JB (p ≤ 0.01, PERMANOVA). ROS production by hemocytes was significantly lower in mussels from VB compared to those from JB (p = 0.04, ANOVA). Our results indicate a significant relationship between the level of fecal contamination in aquatic environments and the immune response of mussel hemocytes. Immune-related parameters may therefore be useful as indicators of bivalve health and environmental quality. Our flow cytometric analysis of P. perna hemocytes represents a new approach for studying Perna perna biology and might represent a novel tool for measuring organic pollution and water quality.

cDNA microarray analysis of human keratinocytes cells of patients submitted to chemoradiotherapy and oral photobiomodulation therapy: pilot study.

Oral mucositis is an acute toxicity that occurs in patients submitted to chemoradiotherapy to treat head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. In this study, we evaluated differences in gene expression in the keratinocytes of the oral mucosa of patients treated with photobiomodulation therapy and tried to associate the molecular mechanisms with clinical findings. From June 2009 to December 2010, 27 patients were included in a randomized double-blind pilot study. Buccal smears from 13 patients were obtained at days 1 and 10 of chemoradiotherapy, and overall gene expression of samples from both dates were analyzed by complementary DNA (cDNA) microarray. In addition, samples from other 14 patients were also collected at D1 and D10 of chemoradiotherapy for subsequent validation of cDNA microarray findings by qPCR. The expression array analysis identified 105 upregulated and 60 downregulated genes in our post-treatment samples when compared with controls. Among the upregulated genes with the highest fold change, it was interesting to observe the presence of genes related to keratinocyte differentiation. Among downregulated genes were observed genes related to cytotoxicity and immune response. The results indicate that genes known to be induced during differentiation of human epidermal keratinocytes were upregulated while genes associated with cytotoxicity and immune response were downregulated in the laser group. These results support previous clinical findings indicating that the lower incidence of oral mucositis associated with photobiomodulation therapy might be correlated to the activation of genes involved in keratinocyte differentiation.

Multiclonal Expansion of Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolates Producing NDM-1 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

We characterized NDM-1-producing Klebsiella isolates from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. PCR was applied for resistance and virulence determinants. The genetic context of blaNDM was determined by S1 nuclease pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and hybridization. Genotyping was performed by PFGE and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Most isolates carried multiple resistance genes and remained susceptible to amikacin, fosfomycin-trometamol, polymyxin B, and tigecycline. The spread of NDM-1-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae was not associated with clonal expansion and appears to be associated with Tn3000.