Genome-wide identification of miRNAs and target regulatory network in the invasive ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor.

Varroa destructor is an ectoparasite mite that attacks bees leading to colony disorders worldwide. microRNAs (miRNAs) are key molecules used by eukaryotes to post-transcriptional control of gene expression. Nevertheless, still lack information aboutV.

Protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) loaded PLGA nanoparticles for topical Photodynamic Therapy of melanoma cells.

Introduction: Nanoparticles (Np) can increase drug efficacy and overcome problems associated with solubility and aggregation in a solution of PpIX.

Purpose: Evaluate if Np interferes in the photophysical and photobiological capacity of the PpIX comparing with free PpIX intended for topical PDT of melanoma.

Methods: In vitro photophysical evaluation of Np-PpIX was carried out through singlet oxygen (O) quantum yield.

Development of Chitosan Microspheres through a Green Dual Crosslinking Strategy Based on Tripolyphosphate and Vanillin.

Microencapsulation procedures have recently focused attention on designing novel microspheres via green synthesis strategies. The use of chitosan (CS) as an encapsulating material has increased interest due to its unique bioactive properties and the various crosslinking possibilities offered by their functional groups. The consolidation of the microspheres by physical crosslinking using sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) combined with chemical crosslinking using vanillin (VA) open new opportunities in the framework of green dual crosslinking strategies.

Overcoming the Challenges of High Quality RNA Extraction from Core Needle Biopsy.

The use of gene expression profiling (GEP) in cancer management is rising, as GEP can be used for disease classification and diagnosis, tailoring treatment to underlying genetic determinants of pharmacological response, monitoring of therapy response, and prognosis. However, the reliability of GEP heavily depends on the input of RNA in sufficient quantity and quality. This highlights the need for standard procedures to ensure best practices for RNA extraction from often small tumor biopsies with variable tissue handling.

Equine simplified acute physiology score: Personalised medicine for the equine emergency patient.

Background: Scoring models are useful tools that guide the attending clinician in gauging the severity of disease evolution and in evaluating the efficacy of treatment. There are few tools available with this purpose for the non-human patient, including horses. We aimed (i) to adapt the simplified acute physiology score 3 (SAPS-3) model for the equine species, reaching a margin of accuracy greater than 75% in the calculation of the probability of survival/death and (ii) to build a decision tree that helps the attending veterinarian in assessment of the clinical evolution of the equine patient.

Exploring low-income African American and Latinx caregiver perspectives on asthma control in their children and reactions to messaging materials.

Background: African-American and Latinx children suffer from higher rates of uncontrolled asthma and poorer outcomes compared to white children. Sociocultural factors play a prominent role in how caregivers navigate asthma control for their children.

Objectives: (1) Explore the knowledge, perceptions and behaviors of Latinx and African-American caregivers related to their children's asthma and identify barriers to achieving asthma control; and (2) Elicit caregiver responses to messaging materials intended to help them better recognize uncontrolled asthma and seek timely medical treatment.

Ruthenium complexes show promise when submitted to toxicological safety tests using alternative methodologies.

The number of cancer cases continues to increase worldwide, and unfortunately the main systemic treatments available have numerous of side effects. Ruthenium complexes have shown to be promising chemotherapeutic agents, since they present low toxicity and are more selective for tumor tissues. We report the synthesis, characterization and biological properties of two new ruthenium (II) complexes containing Lapachol and Lawsone as ligands: (1) [Ru(Law)(dppb)(phen)]PF and (2) [Ru(Lap)(dppb)(phen)]PF, where Law = Lawsone, Lap = Lapachol, dppb = 1,4-bis(diphenylphosphine)butane and phen = 1,10-phenanthroline.

Analysis of geometrical tomographic parameters of furcation lesions in periodontitis patients.

Objectives: This study was aimed to investigate the relationship between geometric parameters of furcation lesions - maximum area of lesion opening (MALO), angle formed between the roots (ABR), lesion volume (LV) and presence and height of infra-osseous defects (IOD) - and the success of therapy with enamel matrix derivative proteins (EMD) in patients with grade C periodontitis, using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Methods: The study consisted of two groups of patients with grade C periodontitis: control (surgery) (n = 17) and test (surgery + EMD) (n = 17). Images parameters on CBCT were recorded using OnDemand3D and ITK-SNAP software.

Insulin sensitivity and pancreatic β-cell function in patients with primary aldosteronism.

Background: Primary aldosteronism (PA) is associated with an increased risk for dysglycemia. However, the effects of hyperaldosteronism on insulin sensitivity and β-cell function are unclear.

Methods: Using a cross-sectional study design, we assessed insulin sensitivity and pancreatic β-cell function from an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in patients from two cohorts: subjects with PA (n = 21) and essential hypertension control (EHC) subjects (n = 22).

Gut microbiota modulation induced by Zika virus infection in immunocompetent mice.

Gut microbiota composition can modulate neuroendocrine function, inflammation, and cellular and immunological responses against different pathogens, including viruses. Zika virus (ZIKV) can infect adult immunocompetent individuals and trigger brain damage and antiviral responses. However, it is not known whether ZIKV infection could impact the gut microbiome from adult immunocompetent mice.

Genome-wide analysis of general phenylpropanoid and monolignol-specific metabolism genes in sugarcane.

Lignin is the main component of secondary cell walls and is essential for plant development and defense. However, lignin is recognized as a major recalcitrant factor for efficiency of industrial biomass processing. Genes involved in general phenylpropanoid and monolignol-specific metabolism in sugarcane have been previously analyzed at the transcriptomic level.

A new hypothesis for the origin of Amazonian Dark Earths.

Amazonian Dark Earths (ADEs) are unusually fertile soils characterised by elevated concentrations of microscopic charcoal particles, which confer their distinctive colouration. Frequent occurrences of pre-Columbian artefacts at ADE sites led to their ubiquitous classification as Anthrosols (soils of anthropic origin). However, it remains unclear how indigenous peoples created areas of high fertility in one of the most nutrient-impoverished environments on Earth.

Dolutegravir and pregnancy outcomes in women on antiretroviral therapy in Brazil: a retrospective national cohort study.

Background: Dolutegravir has been widely available in Brazil since 2017. Following the signal that infants born to women with dolutegravir exposure at conception in Botswana had a higher risk of neural tube defects (NTDs), public health leaders initiated a national investigation to evaluate periconception dolutegravir exposure among all pregnant Brazilian women with HIV and its potential association with risk of NTDs, stillbirth, or miscarriage before 22 weeks (also called spontaneous abortion).

Methods: In this retrospective, observational, national, cohort study, we identified all women with pregnancies and possible dolutegravir exposure within 8 weeks of estimated date of conception between Jan 1, 2017, and May 31, 2018, and approximately 3:1 matched pregnant women exposed to efavirenz between Jan 1, 2015, and May 31, 2018, using the Brazilian antiretroviral therapy database.

Can Tumor Location on Pre-treatment MRI Predict Likelihood of Pseudo-Progression vs. Tumor Recurrence in Glioblastoma?-A Feasibility Study.

A significant challenge in Glioblastoma (GBM) management is identifying pseudo-progression (PsP), a benign radiation-induced effect, from tumor recurrence, on routine imaging following conventional treatment. Previous studies have linked tumor lobar presence and laterality to GBM outcomes, suggesting that disease etiology and progression in GBM may be impacted by tumor location. Hence, in this feasibility study, we seek to investigate the following question: Can tumor location on treatment-naïve MRI provide early cues regarding likelihood of a patient developing pseudo-progression vs.

Virulence Factors Found in Nasal Colonization and Infection of Methicillin-Resistant (MRSA) Isolates and Their Ability to Form a Biofilm.

Hospitalizations related to Methicillin-resistant (MRSA) are frequent, increasing mortality and health costs. In this way, this study aimed to compare the genotypic and phenotypic characteristics of MRSA isolates that colonize and infect patients seen at two hospitals in the city of Niterói-Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A total of 147 samples collected between March 2013 and December 2015 were phenotyped and genotyped to identify the protein A (SPA) gene, the staphylococcal chromosomal cassette (SCC), A, Panton-Valentine Leucocidin (PVL), C, R, ACME, and virulence genes.

Food Bioactive Compounds and Emerging Techniques for Their Extraction: Polyphenols as a Case Study.

Experimental studies have provided convincing evidence that food bioactive compounds (FBCs) have a positive biological impact on human health, exerting protective effects against non-communicable diseases (NCD) including cancer and cardiovascular (CVDs), metabolic, and neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs). These benefits have been associated with the presence of secondary metabolites, namely polyphenols, glucosinolates, carotenoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, saponins, vitamins, and fibres, among others, derived from their antioxidant, antiatherogenic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antithrombotic, cardioprotective, and vasodilator properties. Polyphenols as one of the most abundant classes of bioactive compounds present in plant-based foods emerge as a promising approach for the development of efficacious preventive agents against NCDs with reduced side effects.

Schistosomiasis Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a disease of the lung blood vessels that results in right heart failure. PAH is thought to occur in about 5% to 10% of patients with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis, particularly due to . The lung blood vessel injury may result from a combination of embolization of eggs through portocaval shunts into the lungs causing localized Type 2 inflammatory response and vessel remodeling, triggering of autonomous pathology that becomes independent of the antigen, and high cardiac output as seen in portopulmonary hypertension.

Tumor Habitat-derived Radiomic Features at Pretreatment MRI That Are Prognostic for Progression-free Survival in Glioblastoma Are Associated with Key Morphologic Attributes at Histopathologic Examination: A Feasibility Study.

Purpose: To identify radiomic features extracted from the tumor habitat on routine MR images that are prognostic for progression-free survival (PFS) and to assess their morphologic basis with corresponding histopathologic attributes in glioblastoma (GBM).

Materials And Methods: In this retrospective study, 156 pretreatment GBM MR images (gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted, T2-weighted, and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery [FLAIR] images) were curated. Of these 156 images, 122 were used for training (90 from The Cancer Imaging Archive and 32 from the Cleveland Clinic, acquired between December 1, 2011, and May 1, 2018) and 34 were used for validation.

Importance of dose in palliative treatment for incurable head and neck cancer with radiotherapy.

Purpose: To identify predictors of palliation for head and neck cancer treated with the "Hypo Trial" hypofractionated radiation therapy regimen in a clinical setting.

Design/method: We retrospectively assessed 106 consecutive patients with incurable cancer, treated between January 2008 and December 2018. Regimen used was 30-36Gy in 5-6 biweekly fractions of 6Gy.