Genetic variant in the AGT gene (rs699-GG) is associated with severe COVID-19 in Brazilian patients.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been the largest pandemic of the past century, and various genetic factors have played a significant role in this context. This study aimed to analyze the frequency and association between specific SNPs rs3806268 (NLRP3), rs4925543 (NLRP3), rs12150220 (NLRP1), rs455060 (NLRC4), rs699 (AGT), rs1137101 (LEPR), and rs1801133 (MTHFR) and severe/critical outcomes in Brazilian patients with COVID-19. A total of 100 patients were included in the study, comprising 66 cases and 34 controls.

Unleashing Fungicidal Forces: Exploring the Synergistic Power of Amphotericin B-Loaded Nanoparticles and Monoclonal Antibodies.

Fungal infections cause 1.7 million deaths annually, which can be attributed not only to fungus-specific factors, such as antifungal resistance and biofilm formation, but also to drug-related challenges. In this study, the potential of Amphotericin (AmB) loaded polymeric nanoparticles (AmB-NPs) combined with murine monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) (i.

Historical Control Data of Spontaneous Pathological Findings in C57BL/6J Mice Used in 18-Month Dietary Carcinogenicity Assays.

A retrospective analysis in C57BL6/J mice used in dietary carcinogenicity studies was performed to determine the survival rate, causes of death and incidences of spontaneous non-tumoral and tumoral findings. Data were collected from 1600 mice from control dose groups of sixteen 18-month carcinogenicity assays performed between 2003 and 2021 at the same test facility with similar environmental conditions and experimental procedures. The survival rate was high in both sexes (81%-85%) and the causes of humane euthanasia or death were mainly non-tumoral (chronic ulcerative dermatitis, atrial thrombosis).

Pulmonary and Urologic Sarcoidosis as a Cause of Intermittent Fever of Unknown Origin.

Diagnosing fever of unknown origin (FUO) presents a substantial challenge due to its potential association with various diseases affecting different organs. In 1961, Petersdorf and Beeson initially defined FUO as a condition characterized by a temperature exceeding 38.3 °C on at least three occasions over a minimum three-week period.

Levels of soluble TNF receptors (sTNFR1 and sTNFR2) increase with clinical worsening of patients and are related to COVID-19 mortality.

The present study aimed to inspect the serum levels of the soluble receptors, sTNFR1 and sTNFR2, in patients with COVID-19. The large production of inflammatory cytokines is an essential process in the pathogenesis of COVID-19. TNF is a multifaceted proinflammatory cytokine which has soluble and membrane receptors.

Inactivated and Immunogenic SARS-CoV-2 for Safe Use in Immunoassays and as an Immunization Control for Non-Clinical Trials.

Successful SARS-CoV-2 inactivation allows its safe use in Biosafety Level 2 facilities, and the use of the whole viral particle helps in the development of analytical methods and a more reliable immune response, contributing to the development and improvement of in vitro and in vivo assays. In order to obtain a functional product, we evaluated several inactivation protocols and observed that 0.03% beta-propiolactone for 24 h was the best condition tested, as it promoted SARS-CoV-2 inactivation above 99.

Starvation combined with constant anode potential triggers intracellular electron storage in electro-active biofilms.

The accumulation of electrons in the form of Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPS) and poly-hydroxyalkanoates (PHA) has been studied in anaerobic processes by adjusting the access of microorganisms to the electron donor and final electron acceptor. In Bio-electrochemical systems (BESs), intermittent anode potential regimes have also recently been used to study electron storage in anodic electro-active biofilms (EABfs), but the effect of electron donor feeding mode on electron storage has not been explored. Therefore, in this study, the accumulation of electrons in the form of EPS and PHA was studied as a function of the operating conditions.

Levels and sources of hydrocarbons in the Patos Lagoon estuary and Cassino Beach mud bank (South Atlantic, Brazil): evidence of transference between environments.

This study assessed the concentrations and sources of natural and anthropogenic aliphatic (AHs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in superficial sediments collected along the Patos Lagoon estuary and in sediment cores obtained from the Cassino Beach mud bank. Levels and distribution of n-alkanes indicate terrestrial sources, overlapping with a low amount of petrogenic hydrocarbons (heavy oils). Unresolved complex mixture (UCM) was observed in all samples.

Animal models and SARS-CoV-2-induced pulmonary and neurological injuries.

Laboratory animals are essential mainly for experiments aiming to study pathogenesis and evaluate antivirals and vaccines against emerging human infectious diseases. Preclinical studies of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pathogenesis have used several animal species as models: transgenic human ACE2 mice (K18 mice), inbred BALB/c or C57BL/6N mice, ferrets, minks, domestic cats and dogs, hamsters, and macaques. However, the choice of an animal model relies on several limitations.

Evaluation of Two Adjuvant Formulations for an Inactivated Yellow Fever 17DD Vaccine Candidate in Mice.

The attenuated yellow fever (YF) vaccine is one of the most successful vaccines ever developed. After a single dose administration YF vaccine can induce balanced Th1/Th2 immune responses and long-lasting neutralizing antibodies. These attributes endorsed it as a model of how to properly stimulate the innate response to target protective immune responses.

Micro/mesoporous LTL derived materials for catalytic transfer hydrogenation and acid reactions of bio-based levulinic acid and furanics.

The biomass-derived platform chemicals furfural and 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural (HMF) may be converted to α-angelica lactone (AnL) and levulinic acid (LA). Presently, LA (synthesized from carbohydrates) has several multinational market players. Attractive biobased oxygenated fuel additives, solvents, may be produced from AnL and LA via acid and reduction chemistry, namely alkyl levulinates and γ-valerolactone (GVL).

Unusual natural polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sediment cores of an Amazon estuary.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) most likely derived from natural sources were observed in two sediment cores covering the last 100 years in an Amazon estuarine region. A considerable change in the PAHs main source was observed in the 1960s. Before the 1960s, the sources of PAHs seem to be related to biogenic and/or early-diagenetic processes.

Inspiratory muscle training in addition to whole body vibration for functional and physical outcomes in pre-frail older women: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: to investigate the efficacy of addition of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) to the whole body vibration (WBV) on functional outcomes, physical performance, muscle strength and metabolism in pre-frail older women.

Methods: this study was a randomized double-blind trial. Forty-two older women aged 60-80 years who meet the Cardiovascular Health Study frailty criteria for pre-frailty were randomly allocated to IMT + WBV, IMTsham + WBV or Sham groups.

Congenital Zika Syndrome Is Associated With Interferon Alfa Receptor 1.

Host factors that influence Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS) outcome remain elusive. Interferons have been reported as the main antiviral factor in Zika and other flavivirus infections. Here, we accessed samples from 153 pregnant women (77 without and 76 with CZS) and 143 newborns (77 without and 66 with CZS) exposed to ZIKV conducted a case-control study to verify whether interferon alfa receptor 1 () and interferon lambda 2 and 4 () single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) contribute to CZS outcome, and characterized placenta gene expression profile at term.

Two-Step In Vitro Model to Evaluate the Cellular Immune Response to SARS-CoV-2.

The cellular immune response plays an important role in COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2. This feature makes use of in vitro models' useful tools to evaluate vaccines and biopharmaceutical effects. Here, we developed a two-step model to evaluate the cellular immune response after SARS-CoV-2 infection-induced or spike protein stimulation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from both unexposed and COVID-19 (primo-infected) individuals (Step1).

Anthropogenic and natural inputs of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the sediment of three coastal systems of the Brazilian Amazon.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were measured in 32 surface sediment samples collected around three cities (Barcarena, Belém, and Santana) located on the coast of the Brazilian Amazon. The concentration of total PAHs ranged from lower than detection limit to 33,101 ng g in a sample from Barcarena and was related to a large aluminum industrial complex and port activities. In Belém, which is the most populated area in the Amazon region, PAHs were probably derived from untreated sewage discharge and inputs from a large municipal landfill.

Benznidazole: Hero or villain of cellular immune response in chronic Chagas disease patients?

Although the treatment of chronic Chagas disease (CCD) patients with Benznidazole (Bz) is still controversial, its use may prevent or delay the progression of the disease to the most severe forms. One of the main factors that can influence the effectiveness of the treatment is the possible cooperation between drug effect and the host immune response. Herein, we evaluated the immune response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) infected with Trypanosoma cruzi and submitted to Bz treatment.

Safety and immunogenicity of 17DD attenuated yellow fever vaccine in howler monkeys (Alouatta spp.).

Background: Alouatta spp. are highly susceptible to yellow fever (YF) infection and develop an often fatal disease. The threat posed by an outbreak started in 2016 leads us to investigate vaccination as a potential tool in preventing YF in non-human primates (NHP).

Organic contaminants and trace metals in the western South Atlantic upper continental margin: Anthropogenic influence on mud depocenters.

Trace metals, dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDTs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were quantified in surface sediments from mud depocenters located in the western South Atlantic upper continental margin. There was no anthropogenic trace metal pollution observed, and the higher As values were attributed to high CaCO3 content in the area. The results indicate PCB sources associated with long-range atmospheric transport in addition to past DDT use for agriculture and pest control.