Polymorphisms in the ACE I/D (4646994) and ACE2 G8790A (2285666) in Young Children Living in the Amazon Region and SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

COVID-19 infection caused by SARS-CoV-2 continues to cause significant mortality and morbidity. ACE2 is a key regulator of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). Differences in COVID-19 severity are thought to be due to the imbalance of RAAS/ACE mutations.

G6P[8] Rotavirus a Possessing a Wa-like VP3 Gene from a Child with Acute Gastroenteritis Living in the Northwest Amazon Region.

The introduction of rotavirus A (RVA) vaccines has considerably reduced the RVA-associated mortality among children under 5 years of age worldwide. The ability of RVA to reassort gives rise to different combinations of surface proteins G (glycoprotein, VP7) and P (protease sensitive, VP4) RVA types infecting children. During the epidemiological surveillance of RVA in the Northwest Amazon region, an unusual rotavirus genotype G6P[8] was detected in feces of a 2-year-old child with acute gastroenteritis (AGE) that had been vaccinated with one dose of Rotarix (RV1).

Mechanisms of global diversification in the marine species Madeiran Storm-petrel Oceanodroma castro and Monteiro's Storm-petrel O. monteiroi: Insights from a multi-locus approach.

The evolutionary mechanisms underlying the geographic distribution of gene lineages in the marine environment are not as well understood as those affecting terrestrial groups. The continuous nature of the pelagic marine environment may limit opportunities for divergence to occur and lineages to spatially segregate, particularly in highly mobile species. Here, we studied the phylogeography and historical demography of two tropically distributed, pelagic seabirds, the Madeiran Storm-petrel Oceanodroma castro, sampled in the Azores, Madeira, Galapagos and Japan, and its sister species Monteiro's Storm-petrel O.

An alternative to the use of animals to teach diabetes mellitus.

We developed an alternative approach to teach diabetes mellitus in our practical classes, replacing laboratory animals. We used custom rats made of cloth, which have a ventral zipper that allows stuffing with glass marbles to reach different weights. Three mock rats per group were placed into metabolic cages with real food and water and with test tubes containing artificial urine, simulating a sample collection of 24 h.

Thermal and electrical properties of starch-graphene oxide nanocomposites improved by photochemical treatment.

Bionanocomposite films have been prepared by casting an aqueous suspension of acetylated starch (ST) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) loaded with graphene oxide (GO). A photochemical and reagentless method has been successfully performed to convert the GO phase into reduced graphene oxide (RGO). The nanocomposites have displayed improved thermal and electrical properties when the amount of the GO phase is increased and properly converted to RGO.

Acute effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation and static stretching on maximal voluntary contraction and muscle electromyographical activity in indoor soccer players.

The aim was to investigate and compare the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) and static stretching (SS) on maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and muscle activation in indoor soccer players. Thirty-three young adult men were divided into two groups: (i) sedentary and (ii) trained. Each group completed three different experimental trials: SS, PNF and no stretching (NS).

Experimental leptospirosis in marmoset monkeys (Callithrix jacchus): a new model for studies of severe pulmonary leptospirosis.

Experimental infection of marmoset monkeys (Callithrix jacchus) with Leptospira interrogans serovar Copenhageni showed microscopic patterns of tissue reactions comparable to those seen in the severe forms of human leptospirosis, including intra-alveolar hemorrhage. The most impressive microscopic changes were seen in the lung and kidney of animals killed at days 6 and 12 after inoculation. There were extensive and irregular areas of hemorrhage predominating around main bronchial branches or diffusely spread to the pulmonary parenchyma, as well as severe tubulointerstitial nephritis.