The impact of COVID-19 mobility restrictions on dengue transmission in urban areas.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, governments have been forced to implement mobility restrictions to slow down the spread of SARS-CoV-2. These restrictions have also played a significant role in controlling the spread of other diseases, including those that do not require direct contact between individuals for transmission, such as dengue. In this study, we investigate the impact of human mobility on the dynamics of dengue transmission in a large metropolis.

Unveiling the paths of COVID-19 in a large city based on public transportation data.

Human mobility plays a key role in the dissemination of infectious diseases around the world. However, the complexity introduced by commuting patterns in the daily life of cities makes such a role unclear, especially at the intracity scale. Here, we propose a multiplex network fed with 9 months of mobility data with more than 107 million public bus validations in order to understand the relation between urban mobility and the spreading of COVID-19 within a large city, namely, Fortaleza in the northeast of Brazil.

Interconnected marine habitats form a single continental-scale reef system in South America.

Large gaps in reef distribution may hinder the dispersal of marine organisms, interrupting processes vital to the maintenance of biodiversity. Here we show the presence and location of extensive reef habitats on the continental shelf between the Amazon Reef System (ARS) and the Eastern Brazilian Reef System (ERS), two reef complexes off eastern South America. Formations located 20-50 m deep include both biogenic and geogenic structures.

Why do mesophotic coral ecosystems have to be protected?

Mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs; ~30-150 m depth) are among the most biologically diverse and least protected ecosystems in the world's oceans. However, discussions regarding the conservation of these unique ecosystems are scarce. To address this issue, we identified the features of MCEs that demonstrate they should be considered as a global conservation priority.

In-situ structure and catalytic mechanism of NiFe and CoFe layered double hydroxides during oxygen evolution.

NiFe and CoFe (MFe) layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are among the most active electrocatalysts for the alkaline oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Herein, we combine electrochemical measurements, operando X-ray scattering and absorption spectroscopy, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations to elucidate the catalytically active phase, reaction center and the OER mechanism. We provide the first direct atomic-scale evidence that, under applied anodic potentials, MFe LDHs oxidize from as-prepared α-phases to activated γ-phases.

Mechanistic reaction pathways of enhanced ethylene yields during electroreduction of CO-CO co-feeds on Cu and Cu-tandem electrocatalysts.

Unlike energy efficiency and selectivity challenges, the kinetic effects of impure or intentionally mixed CO feeds on the catalytic reactivity of the direct electrochemical CO reduction reaction (CO2RR) have been poorly studied. Given that industrial CO feeds are often contaminated with CO, a closer investigation of the CO2RR under CO/CO co-feed conditions is warranted. Here, we report mechanistic insights into the CO2RR reactivity of CO/CO co-feeds on Cu-based nanocatalysts.

Effect of Premedication with Anti-inflammatory Drugs on Post-Endodontic Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

In spite of advances in root canal therapy and better knowledge of pulpal and periapical inflammation, up 40% of endodontic patients report varying degrees of pain. The aim of this present study was to compare the effect of single preoperative dose of ibuprofen or dexamethasone on post-endodontic pain. Sixty volunteers were divided into three groups (n=20 per group): PL, placebo; IB, 400 mg of ibuprofen; and DE, 8 mg of dexamethasone.

Reversible amorphization and the catalytically active state of crystalline Co3O4 during oxygen evolution.

Water splitting catalysed by earth-abundant materials is pivotal for global-scale production of non-fossil fuels, yet our understanding of the active catalyst structure and reactivity is still insufficient. Here we report on the structurally reversible evolution of crystalline Co3O4 electrocatalysts during oxygen evolution reaction identified using advanced in situ X-ray techniques. At electrode potentials facilitating oxygen evolution, a sub-nanometre shell of the Co3O4 is transformed into an X-ray amorphous CoOx(OH)y which comprises di-μ-oxo-bridged Co(3+/4+) ions.

Antileishmanial activity of compounds produced by endophytic fungi derived from medicinal plant Vernonia polyanthes and their potential as source of bioactive substances.

The purpose of this work was to evaluate the antileishmanial activity of endophytic fungi isolated from leaves of Vernonia polyanthes plant and their prospective use in the discovery of bioactive compounds. Sixteen endophytes were isolated by using potato dextrose agar medium and submitted to cultivation in rice medium. The fungal cultures were extracted with ethanol and used as crude extracts for testing their antileishmanial activity.

Five-year clinical results of coronary angioplasty with drug-eluting stents. National initiative in strategic innovation, iNOS.

Introduction: The use of drug-eluting stents (DES) is beneficial in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and there is particular interest in long-term follow-up.

Objective: We aimed to assess and characterize early DES use in Portugal during 2003 and patient follow-up over a 5-year period. We developed a web-based database to collect and organize patient and procedural data from PCI performed in ten cardiovascular interventional centers sharing the same database.

Acute myocardial infarction after thrombolytic treatment of acute ischemic stroke.

Thrombolytic treatment in patients with acute ischemic stroke improves their clinical prognosis when administered within three hours of symptom onset. We report the case of a 57-year-old patient with a history of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and hypertension who developed an anterior acute myocardial infarction after systemic thrombolytic treatment for acute ischemic stroke. Embolization of a pre-existing cardiac thrombus or in situ formation of a thrombus in a coronary artery has to be considered as a potential adverse effect of thrombolytic therapy in stroke patients.

Clinical and angiographic profile of the diabetic patient: one-year follow-up.

Unlabelled: Diabetes mellitus is associated with significant cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The authors describe the clinical and angiographic profile of a diabetic population undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention, with one-year follow-up.

Methods: We retrospectively studied 769 patients (241 diabetic [D] and 528 nondiabetic [ND]) in terms of clinical and demographic characteristics, angiography and angioplasty data, and medical therapy, and analyzed the composite endpoint of adverse cardiac events at one month and one year.

11-ketotestosterone stimulates putative sex pheromone production in the male peacock blenny, Salaria pavo (Risso 1810).

Male peacock blennies (Salaria pavo) release odors from their anal glands and, possibly, from their gonads that attract reproductive females. The current study investigated the effects of 11-ketotestosterone (KT) on development of the anal glands, testes, and accessory testicular organs as well as the subsequent olfactory potency of their secretions. After 3 wk of KT treatment (5 mg/kg in silastic implants), clusters of cells secreting neutral mucins differentiated in the anal gland of all treated males, whereas this occurred in only one control male.

Fine structure of antennal sensilla basiconica and their detection of plant volatiles in the eucalyptus woodborer, Phoracantha semipunctata Fabricius (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae).

The ultrastructure and distribution pattern of two types of basiconic sensilla (I and II) on the antennal flagellum of both sexes of Phoracantha semipunctata (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) was investigated by scanning and transmission electron microscope. Both types are thin-walled multiporous sensilla and occur mostly along the anterior border of the Fl1-Fl6 flagellomeres, while on the distal flagellomeres (Fl7-Fl9) they are more evenly distributed on both surfaces. Clusters of sensilla basiconica II are found on the distal half of the anterior border of the Fl1-Fl6 flagellomeres.

Polymorphism of the ACE gene is associated with extent and severity of coronary disease.

Background: The progression and extent of coronary heart disease (CHD) are extremely variable and in many instances independent of conventional risk factors. The differences may be partly explained by less favorable genetic polymorphisms that are associated with them. The polymorphisms of the angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) gene have been thoroughly evaluated, but the connection between them and the extent of CHD is unknown.

Angiotensin converting enzyme gene polymorphisms and coronary risk in a Portuguese population.

Background: A family history of coronary heart disease (CHD) is a strong risk marker for the disease, independently of classical risk factors. It could be decoded by recognizing the polymorphisms associated with increased risk. Renin-angiotensin system genes are candidate genes in CHD and the deletion allele of the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) has been reported as deleterious.

Five types of olfactory receptor neurons in the strawberry blossom weevil Anthonomus rubi: selective responses to inducible host-plant volatiles.

Plants release hundreds of volatiles that are important in the interaction with herbivorous animals, but which odorants are detected by which species? In this study, single receptor neurons on the antenna of the oligophagous strawberry blossom weevil Anthonomus rubi were screened for sensitivity to naturally produced plant compounds by the use of gas chromatography linked to electrophysiological recordings from single cells. The narrow tuning of the neurons was demonstrated by responses solely to a few structurally related sesquiterpenes, aromatics or monoterpene hydrocarbons out of hundreds of plant constituents tested. We present five olfactory receptor neuron types, identified according to one primary odorant i.

Encoding of host and non-host plant odours by receptor neurones in the eucalyptus woodborer, Phoracantha semipunctata (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae).

In the eucalyptus woodborer, Phoracantha semipunctata, responses from single receptor neurones to host ( Eucalyptus globulus) and non-host ( Pinus pinaster, Olea europeae) plant odours were examined, using gas chromatography linked with electrophysiological recordings. Thirty-two compounds elicited responses that appeared as increased firing rates correlating with the elution of the active components. A subset of neurones classified as type A ( n=17) responded to one compound, a second subset B ( n=15) responded to two compounds and a third subset C ( n=9) responded to three or more compounds.