Taking biological rhythms into account: From study design to results reporting.

Numerous physiological and behavioral processes in living organisms exhibit strong rhythmicity and are regulated within a 24-hour cycle. These include locomotor activity and sleep patterns, feeding-fasting cycles, hormone synthesis, body temperature, and even mood and cognitive abilities, all of which are segregated into different phases throughout the day. These processes are governed by the internal timing system, a hierarchical multi-oscillator structure conserved across all organisms, from bacteria to humans.

Understanding the Diurnal Oscillation of the Gut Microbiota Using Microbial Culture.

The composition of the gut microbiota oscillates according to the light-dark cycle. However, the existing literature demonstrates these oscillations only by molecular methods. Microbial cultures are an interesting method for studying metabolically active microorganisms.

Human social isolation and stress: a systematic review of different contexts and recommendations for future studies.

Objectives: The emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and subsequent lockdowns and social distancing measures adopted worldwide raised questions about the possible health effects of human social isolation.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review on PubMed, Scopus, and Embase electronic databases using terms related to human social isolation - defined as the isolation of an individual from regular routines and usual social contact - and psychological stress, searching for simulated or naturalistic isolation environments. We present the main results, as well as the validity and limitations of each model.

Development and testing of methods for detecting off-wrist in actimetry recordings.

Study Objectives: In field studies using wrist-actimetry, not identifying/handling off-wrist intervals may result in their misclassification as immobility/sleep and biased estimations of rhythmic patterns. By comparing different solutions for detecting off-wrist, our goal was to ascertain how accurately they detect nonwear in different contexts and identify variables that are useful in the process.

Methods: We developed algorithms using heuristic (HA) and machine learning (ML) approaches.

Sleep disturbances, circadian activity, and nocturnal light exposure characterize high risk for and current depression in adolescence.

Study Objectives: Major depressive disorder (MDD) in adolescence is associated with irregularities in circadian rhythms and sleep. The characterization of such impairment may be critical to design effective interventions to prevent development of depression among adolescents. This study aimed to examine self-reported and actimetry-based circadian rhythms and sleep-wake behavior associated with current MDD and high risk (HR) for MDD among adolescents.

Handling missing data in rest-activity time series measured by actimetry.

A handling procedure of off-wrist episodes in actimetry time series of motor activity is presented using two records (regular . irregular sleep-wake cycle and daytime activity) of 14 consecutive days sampled in 1-minute epochs. We generated single missing value (NA) intervals of 1 h, 2 h, 4 h, 6 h, 12 h, and 24 h as well as random NA episodes following probabilistic rules to simulate real-life off-wrist episodes.

Effective recommendations towards healthy routines to preserve mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective: To assess the adherence to a set of evidence-based recommendations to support mental health during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and its association with depressive and anxiety symptoms.

Methods: A team of health workers and researchers prepared the recommendations, formatted into three volumes (1: COVID-19 prevention; 2: Healthy habits; 3: Biological clock and sleep). Participants were randomized to receive only Volume 1 (control), Volumes 1 and 2, Volumes 1 and 3, or all volumes.

Relationship Between Circadian Strain, Light Exposure, and Body Mass Index in Rural and Urban Quilombola Communities.

Industrialization has greatly changed human lifestyle; work and leisure activities have been moved indoors, and artificial light has been used to illuminate the night. As cyclic environmental cues such as light and feeding become weak and/or irregular, endogenous circadian systems are increasingly being disrupted. These disruptions are associated with metabolic dysfunction, possibly contributing to increased rates of overweight and obesity worldwide.

Circadian Strain, Light Exposure, and Depressive Symptoms in Rural Communities of Southern Brazil.

Irregular light-dark cycles and circadian/sleep disturbances have been suggested as risk or co-occurring factors in depression. Among a set of metrics developed to quantify strain on the circadian system, social jetlag (SJL) has been put forward as a measure of the discrepancy between biological and social clocks. Here, we approached the question on whether light exposure and SJL would also be associated with depressive symptoms in Quilombola communities in Southern Brazil.

Redisplacement of paediatric distal radius fractures: what is the problem?

Purpose: Distal radius fractures represent one of the most common fractures in children. Our purpose is to analyze risk factors for redisplacement in children with distal radius fractures treated by means of closed reduction and plaster cast immobilization.

Methods: Retrospective study, including children under the age of 17 years, who underwent closed manipulation and cast immobilization for a distal third radius fracture, between 2012 and 2015.

Effects of lighting patterns in pubertal development and metabolism of female wistar rats.

Modern lifestyle is characterized by constant exposure to artificial light, which is associated with alterations in biological rhythms, abnormalities to reproductive cycles and metabolic changes. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of four different lighting patterns on puberty timing and on possible metabolic changes in female Wistar rats. Additionally, we developed a machine learning algorithm to automatically classify the stages of the estrous cycle.

Medial collateral ligament release during knee arthroscopy: key concepts.

Complete access to the posterior medial compartment of the knee may represent a technical challenge during arthroscopy in patients with a tight tibiofemoral joint space.Medial collateral release reduces direct iatrogenic cartilage damage in the medial compartment of the knee through manipulation with instruments.We recommend performing medial collateral release in surgeries that access the posteromedial compartment (e.

The Buffalo Concussion Bike Test for Concussion Assessment in Adolescents.

Background: The Buffalo Concussion Treadmill Test (BCTT) is a graded exertion test for assessing exercise tolerance after concussion, but its utility is limited for certain populations.

Hypothesis: We developed the Buffalo Concussion Bike Test (BCBT) and tested its comparability with the BCTT. We hypothesize that heart rate (HR) at symptom exacerbation on the BCBT will be equivalent to the BCTT.

Treatment of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis using platelet-rich plasma: microtomographic, microscopic, and immunohistochemical analyses.

The present study aimed to investigate the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on tooth extraction sites in rats treated with bisphosphonates. Thirty Albinus Wistar male rats were administered 0.035 mg/kg zoledronic acid intravenously for 8 weeks, divided into four administrations with a 2-week interval between each application, after which their upper right central incisors were extracted to induce the development of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ).

Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws after tooth extraction in senescent female mice treated with zoledronic acid: Microtomographic, histological and immunohistochemical characterization.

Treatment with cumulative dosages of zoledronic acid (ZA) in elderly patients is a risk factor for the development of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (MRONJ), mainly related to surgical triggers such as tooth extraction. However, animal models for the investigation and understanding of MRONJ pathophysiology in senescent and postmenopausal stages remains to be developed and characterized. The aim of this study was to analyze MRONJ development in senescent female mice treated with cumulative dosages of ZA.

Anti-vimentin antibodies in transplant and disease.

Non-HLA antibodies are recognized as a potential source of antibody mediated rejection following transplantation. The epitopes which lead to production of these antibodies are a result of tissue disruption, specifically endothelium, secondary to inflammation and injury. Vimentin is a cytoskeletal protein involved in many aspects of cellular organization, signaling, and proliferation.

Could male reproductive system be the main target of subchronic exposure to manganese in adult animals?

Manganese (Mn) is one of the most common chemical elements on Earth and an essential micronutrient in animal organism. However, in supraphysiological levels and long-term exposures, it is a potential toxicant. Although nervous system is the most studied in relation to Mn toxicity, other tissues can have their function impaired by Mn in high doses.

Expression of miRNA-146a, miRNA-155, IL-2, and TNF-α in inflammatory response to Helicobacter pylori infection associated with cancer progression.

miRNAs appear to play an important role in controlling the expression of several genes, and they are a potential biomarker and prognostic tool in gastric diseases. We analyzed 53 controls, 86 patients with gastritis, and 19 patients with gastric cancer. Real-time-PCR was used to determine the expression levels of miRNA-146a, miRNA-155, IL-2, and TNF-α.

Verticillin A Inhibits Leiomyosarcoma and Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor Growth via Induction of Apoptosis.

Objective: The heterogeneity of soft tissue sarcoma (STS) represents a major challenge for the development of effective therapeutics. Comprised of over 50 different histology subtypes of various etiologies, STS subsets are further characterized as either karyotypically simple or complex. Due to the number of genetic anomalies associated with genetically complex STS, development of therapies demonstrating potency against this STS cluster is especially challenging and yet greatly needed.

Fish pollutants MeHg and Aroclor cause permanent structural damage in male gonads and kidneys after prepubertal exposure.

This study investigated whether or not prepubertal exposure to the fish contaminants methylmercury (MeHg) and the polychlorinated bisphenol Aroclor in low doses interferes with the histomorphometry of the testes, epididymis, liver and kidneys in rats. Wistar male rats, 21 days old, were allocated into the following: control (n = 17, received corn oil), MeHg (n = 17, received MeHg at 0.5 mg/kg/day), Aroclor (n = 17, received Aroclor at 1.

The new kidney allocation system does not equally advantage all very high cPRA candidates - A single center analysis.

The new UNOS kidney allocation system awards very high points to candidates with cPRA 99% and 100%, and allows for national sharing for cPRA 100% candidates. We sought to determine the effect of this new kidney allocation system on candidates who are very highly sensitized (90-98% cPRA) but not eligible for very high points or national sharing by examining offers to these candidates for 5months pre-implementation and two consecutive 5month periods post-implementation and comparing them to cPRA⩾99% candidates. We found that the cPRA⩾99% candidates received significantly more offers and transplants after implementation, while offers and transplants to the 90-98% candidates decreased.

Anti-vimentin Antibodies Present at the Time of Transplantation May Predict Early Development of Interstitial Fibrosis/Tubular Atrophy.

Background: Anti-vimentin (a cytoskeletal protein) autoantibodies in renal transplant recipients have been correlated with interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy (IFTA). In this study, we examine the association between pretransplantation anti-vimentin antibodies and the subsequent development of IFTA.

Methods: Sera obtained before renal transplantation from 97 transplant recipients were analyzed for the presence of anti-vimentin antibodies via Luminex assays to determine the concentration of anti-vimentin antibodies.

HDAC8, A Potential Therapeutic Target for the Treatment of Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors (MPNST).

Introduction: HDAC isoform-specific inhibitors may improve the therapeutic window while limiting toxicities. Developing inhibitors against class I isoforms poses difficulties as they share high homology among their catalytic sites; however, HDAC8 is structurally unique compared to other class I isoforms. HDAC8 inhibitors are novel compounds and have affinity for class I HDAC isoforms demonstrating anti-cancer effects; little is known about their activity in malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST).

Effect of L-Arginine and L-NAME treatments on polymorphonuclear leukocytes and mononuclear cells influx during tumor growth.

Purpose: Evaluate polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN's) and mononuclear cells (MN's) involvement in the Ehrlich s solid tumor (ET) growth.

Methods: 90 Swiss mice were inoculated with 10(7) tumor cells (sc), distributed in three groups and treated once a day, via intraperitoneal (ip), with 0.1ml of diluent, L-Arginine (20mg/Kg) or L-NAME (20mg/Kg).