Tools and methodology to phage discovery in freshwater environments.

Freshwater availability is essential, and its maintenance has become an enormous challenge. Due to population growth and climate changes, freshwater sources are becoming scarce, imposing the need for strategies for its reuse. Currently, the constant discharge of waste into water bodies from human activities leads to the dissemination of pathogenic bacteria, negatively impacting water quality from the source to the infrastructure required for treatment, such as the accumulation of biofilms.

Examining O[Formula: see text] adsorption on pristine and defective popgraphene sheets: A DFT study.

Context: Popgraphene (PopG) is a two-dimensional carbon-based material with fused pentagonal and octagonal rings. Like graphene, it exhibits a metallic band gap and exceptional thermal, dynamic, and mechanical stability. Here, we theoretically study the electronic and structural properties of PopG monolayers, including their doped and vacancy-endowed versions, as O[Formula: see text] adsorbers.

Network Analysis of Biomarkers Associated with Occupational Exposure to Benzene and Malathion.

Complex diseases are associated with the effects of multiple genes, proteins, and biological pathways. In this context, the tools of Network Medicine are compatible as a platform to systematically explore not only the molecular complexity of a specific disease but may also lead to the identification of disease modules and pathways. Such an approach enables us to gain a better understanding of how environmental chemical exposures affect the function of human cells, providing better perceptions about the mechanisms involved and helping to monitor/prevent exposure and disease to chemicals such as benzene and malathion.

A new species of Champion, with taxonomic notes on other species of the genus (Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Reduviidae, Chryxinae).

from Paraguay is described, taxonomical notes on Gil-Santana, Costa & Marques, 2007 and Champion, 1899 are provided; the latter species is recorded from French Guiana for the first time; a redescription of the genus Champion, 1899 and an updated key for the genera and species of Chryxinae are presented.

Vitamin D3 Repletion Improves Vascular Function, as Measured by Cardiorenal Biomarkers in a High-Risk African American Cohort.

Background: 25-hydroxy vitamin D (Vit D)-deficiency is common among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and contributes to cardiovascular disease (CVD). African Americans (AAs) suffer disproportionately from CKD and CVD, and 80% of AAs are Vit D-deficient. The impact of Vit D repletion on cardio-renal biomarkers in AAs is unknown.

Green walls with recycled filling media to treat greywater.

The continuous growth of urban areas in the last decades has resulted in an increase in water consumption, contributing to larger volumes of urban and domestic wastewater. Thus, stakeholders have been seeking for efficient alternatives for wastewater management, namely looking for new forms of treatment and reuse. The present work provides new insights on the application of a green wall for greywater treatment, aiming at water reuse and also at contributing to Circular Economy.

Effects of Reticulated Hyaluronic Acid Alone or Associated With Whole-Body Vibration in Dogs With Osteoarthritis Due to Hip Dysplasia.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of reticulated hyaluronic acid (HA) alone or associated with whole-body vibration (WBV) in dogs with osteoarthritis due to hip dysplasia. Fourteen dogs were randomized assigned into 2 groups of 7 animals: Group 1 (G1) - single intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid; Group 2 (G2) - single intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid associated with WBV sessions. The affected hip joint received 0.

Dexamethasone intravitreal implant (Ozurdex) in diabetic macular edema: real-world data versus clinical trials outcomes.

Aim: To investigate the safety and efficacy of intravitreal dexamethasone implants (Ozurdex/DEX) in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) either naïve or non-naïve to anti-VEGF therapies who switched to DEX implant independent of response to anti-vascular endothelial growth factors (anti-VEGFs).

Methods: This was an audit retrospective review of medical records of patients with DME who switched to the DEX intravitreal implant. Patients were divided into 2 groups: patients naïve to antiangiogenic therapy and patients who were previously treated with anti-VEGFs.

First report of Microtriatoma borbai Lent & Wygodzinsky, 1979 (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae) in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil: would M. borbai be living in eucalyptus crops?

Introduction: The occurrence of Microtriatoma borbai in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil is reported by the first time.

Methods: A triatomine specimen collected in a hybrid eucalyptus crop in the municipality of Aracruz, Espírito Santo state was found to be a male M. borbai.

NLRP6-associated host microbiota composition impacts in the intestinal barrier to systemic dissemination of Brucella abortus.

Brucella abortus is a Gram-negative bacterium responsible for a worldwide zoonotic infection-Brucellosis, which has been associated with high morbidity rate in humans and severe economic losses in infected livestock. The natural route of infection is through oral and nasal mucosa but the invasion process through host gut mucosa is yet to be understood. Studies have examined the role of NLRP6 (NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing-6 protein) in gut homeostasis and defense against pathogens.

ACE2 Interaction Networks in COVID-19: A Physiological Framework for Prediction of Outcome in Patients with Cardiovascular Risk Factors.

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection (coronavirus disease 2019; COVID-19) is associated with adverse outcomes in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of the study was to characterize the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 and Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) functional networks with a focus on CVD.

Methods: Using the network medicine approach and publicly available datasets, we investigated ACE2 tissue expression and described ACE2 interaction networks that could be affected by SARS-CoV-2 infection in the heart, lungs and nervous system.

Use of Reticulated Hyaluronic Acid Alone or Associated With Ozone Gas in the Treatment of Osteoarthritis Due to Hip Dysplasia in Dogs.

This study aimed to evaluate reticulated hyaluronic acid alone or associated with ozone gas in the treatment of osteoarthritis due to hip dysplasia in dogs. Fourteen client-owned dogs were randomly assigned into two groups: Group 1-single intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid; Group 2-single intra-articular infiltration injection of hyaluronic acid associated with ozone gas. Each hip joint received an average of 0.

Correlation between alveolar bone morphology and volumetric dimensional changes in immediate maxillary implant placement: A 1-year prospective cohort study.

Background: After a single tooth extraction, remodelling processes are initiated and morphological changes occur in the alveolar bone. It has been suggested that implant placement in a fresh extraction socket may partly reduce the alveolar ridge contraction and that several factors like the thickness of the buccal bone wall and the size of the gap between the implant and the facial bone wall may play a role on peri-implant tissues dimensional alterations.

Methods: Twenty-six patients treated with single-tooth maxillary implants were included in this study.

The Outcomes of Switching from Short- to Long-Term Intravitreal Corticosteroid Implant Therapy in Patients with Diabetic Macular Edema.

Background: First-line treatment for diabetic macular edema (DME) is usually with antivascular endothelial growth factor agents, followed by intravitreal corticosteroids as a second-line treatment option. Long-term corticosteroids may offer quality of life and effectiveness benefits over short-term implants.

Objectives: To evaluate outcomes of patients with persistent or recurrent DME who switched from a short-term (dexamethasone) to a long-term (fluocinolone acetonide, FAc) corticosteroid intravitreal implant in a real-world setting.

Plant Bugs Predators (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Miridae) with References to Arthropods and Fungi in Brazil.

The present study demonstrates 30 plant bugs species associated with 50 records of prey and six records of mycophagy for Brazil. The data were compiled from Schuh's Catalog, the literature, specimens deposited in entomology museums and exemplars from different regions of Brazil sent for identification. Some of the data from the literature used did not presented complete information.

Initial findings of striatum tripartite model in OCD brain samples based on transcriptome analysis.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric disorder characterized by obsessions and/or compulsions. Different striatal subregions belonging to the cortico-striato-thalamic circuitry (CSTC) play an important role in the pathophysiology of OCD. The transcriptomes of 3 separate striatal areas (putamen (PT), caudate nucleus (CN) and accumbens nucleus (NAC)) from postmortem brain tissue were compared between 6 OCD and 8 control cases.

Transcriptome Analysis of Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Multiple Myeloma Patients Reveals Downregulation of Genes Involved in Cell Cycle Progression, Immune Response, and Bone Metabolism.

A growing body of evidence suggests a key role of tumor microenvironment, especially for bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), in the maintenance and progression of multiple myeloma (MM), through direct and indirect interactions with tumor plasma cells. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the gene expression and functional alterations of MSC from MM patients (MM-MSC) in comparison with their normal counterparts from normal donors (ND-MSC). Gene expression analysis (Affymetrix) was performed in MM-MSC and ND-MSC after in vitro expansion.

Assessment of complementarity of WGCNA and NERI results for identification of modules associated to schizophrenia spectrum disorders.

Psychiatric disorders involve both changes in multiple genes as well different types of variations. As such, gene co-expression networks allowed the comparison of different stages and parts of the brain contributing to an integrated view of genetic variation. Two methods based on co-expression networks presents appealing results: Weighted Gene Correlation Network Analysis (WGCNA) and Network-Medicine Relative Importance (NERI).

The Role of Vitamin D and Oxidative Stress in Chronic Kidney Disease.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major non-communicable disease associated with high rates of premature morbidity and mortality. The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D (deficiency of 25(OH)D or 25D) is greater in racial/ethnic minorities and in patients with CKD than the general population. Low 25D is associated with bone and mineral disorders as well as immune, cardiometabolic and cardiovascular (CV) diseases.

Eating Veggies Is Fun! An Implementation Pilot Study in Partnership With a YMCA in South Los Angeles.

Purpose And Objectives: Children eat less than recommended amounts of vegetables. Repeated taste exposure can increase children's acceptance of initially disliked vegetables. However, implementation of this strategy is lacking.

Rationale and design of a placebo controlled randomized trial to assess short term, high-dose oral cholecalciferol on select laboratory and genomic responses in African Americans with hypovitaminosis D.

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) and related disorders remain a leading cause of health disparities and premature death for African Americans. Hypovitaminosis D is disproportionately prevalent in African Americans and has been linked to CVD and CVD risk factors including hypertension, diabetes and obesity. Thus, hypovitaminosis D may represent a common pathway influencing CV risk factors in a select subgroup of persons.

Dental Injuries in a Sample of Portuguese Militaries - A Preliminary Research.

Introduction: Traumatic dental and maxillofacial injuries are very common and appear to affect approximately 20-30% of permanent dentition, with often serious psychological, economic, functional, and esthetic consequences. Militaries are a highest risk group for orofacial trauma, not only because they are constantly engaged in physical activity (which increase the risk of traumatic injuries) but also because they are exposed to many risk factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of orofacial injuries, militaries knowledge about first-aid procedures following a dental avulsion and the use of mouthguards in a sample of Portuguese militaries.

Genome-wide analysis of the human malaria parasite transcription factor PfNF-YB shows interaction with a CCAAT motif.

Little is known about transcription factor regulation during the intraerythrocytic cycle. In order to elucidate the role of the (Pf)NF-YB transcription factor we searched for target genes in the entire genome. PfNF-YB mRNA is highly expressed in late trophozoite and schizont stages relative to the ring stage.