Microscopic computed tomography with AI-CNN-powered image analysis: the path to phenotype bleomycin-induced lung injury.

Bleomycin (BLM)-induced lung injury in mice is a valuable model for investigating the molecular mechanisms that drive inflammation and fibrosis and for evaluating potential therapeutic approaches to treat the disease. Given high variability in the BLM model, it is critical to accurately phenotype the animals in the course of an experiment. In the present study, we aimed to demonstrate the utility of microscopic computed tomography (µCT) imaging combined with an artificial intelligence (AI)-convolutional neural network (CNN)-powered lung segmentation for rapid phenotyping of BLM mice.

Profile observations of the Arctic atmospheric boundary layer with the BELUGA tethered balloon during MOSAiC.

During the Multidisciplinary drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate (MOSAiC) expedition, the Balloon-bornE moduLar Utility for profilinG the lower Atmosphere (BELUGA) was deployed from an ice floe drifting in the Fram Strait from 29 June to 27 July 2020. The BELUGA observations aimed to characterize the cloudy Arctic atmospheric boundary layer above the sea ice using a modular setup of five instrument packages. The in situ measurements included atmospheric thermodynamic and dynamic state parameters (air temperature, humidity, pressure, and three-dimensional wind), broadband solar and terrestrial irradiance, aerosol particle microphysical properties, and cloud particle images.

The neglected twin: Nummular eczema is a variant of atopic dermatitis with codominant T2/T17 immune response.

Background: Nummular eczema (NE) is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by multiple, pruritic, discoid-shaped lesions. Since the underlying immune mechanisms are not fully understood, it is unclear whether NE should be regarded as variant of atopic dermatitis (AD) or a distinct disease.

Objective: We compared the clinical, histopathologic, and molecular signatures of NE with that of type 2 and type 3 skin diseases.

Circulating Microparticles Are Differentially Increased in Lowlanders and Highlanders with High Altitude Induced Pulmonary Hypertension during the Cold Season.

The role of microparticles (MPs) and cold in high altitude pulmonary hypertension (HAPH) remains unexplored. We investigated the impact of long-term cold exposure on the pulmonary circulation in lowlanders and high-altitude natives and the role of MPs. Pulmonary hemodynamics were evaluated using Doppler echocardiography at the end of the colder and warmer seasons.

Telediagnosis of oral lesions in primary care: The EstomatoNet Program.

Objective: The diagnosis of oral lesions is often challenging for primary healthcare providers, which explains the high number of referrals to specialist care. This favors increases in waiting lines and delays in diagnosis, contributing to high mortality rates from oral cancer. This study aimed to summarize the experience of the EstomatoNet, a telediagnosis program catering to primary care dentists and physicians from southern Brazil.

Teledentistry: A Tool to Promote Continuing Education Actions on Oral Medicine for Primary Healthcare Professionals.

Background: Difficulties in diagnosis of oral mucosal lesions are a significant cause of delayed oral cancer diagnosis, and this difficulty may be due to gaps in knowledge. This study evaluated the diagnostic skills of primary healthcare professionals regarding oral cancer and presented them with an e-learning course.

Materials And Methods: Forty-seven primary healthcare professionals (32 dentists and 15 nondentists) enrolled in a 24-h course on oral medicine delivered through an e-learning platform.

Telehealth in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil: Bridging the Gaps.

Introduction: In 1988, Brazil adopted a universal healthcare model in which access is mediated by the primary care level. However, difficulties have emerged in the coordination of care between the primary and specialized levels. Telehealth was thus proposed as a means to overcome this challenge.

Normal mast cell numbers in the tissues of AhR-deficient mice.

The transcription factor aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) acts as an immunomodulatory molecule in several immune cell lineages. Recently, it has been implicated in development and maintenance of immune cells in barrier tissues such as skin and mucosa. To investigate its role on mast cell development and maintenance in skin, peritoneal exudate cells (PECs) and lymph nodes, we studied in depth their phenotype in AhR-deficient mice.

Toxicity of teriflunomide in aryl hydrocarbon receptor deficient mice.

The intracellular transcription factor aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is bound and activated by xenobiotics, thereby promoting their catabolism by inducing expression of cytochrome P450 oxidase (CYP) genes through binding xenobiotic response elements (XRE) in their promoter region. In addition, it is involved in several cellular pathways like cell proliferation, differentiation, regeneration, tumor invasiveness and immune responses. Several pharmaceutical compounds like benzimidazoles activate the AHR and induce their own metabolic degradation.

Diversity of Beauveria spp. isolates from pollen beetles Meligethes aeneus in Switzerland.

Pollen beetles Meligethes aeneus were collected in oilseed rape fields at different sites in Switzerland in spring 2004-2005 and 32 isolates of the fungal genus Beauveria occurring as latent infections in the beetles were obtained and molecularly characterized. Three major clades, Beauveria bassiana sensu stricto (Clade A: n=13), Beauveriabrongniartii (Clade B: n=1) and Beauveria Clade C (n=18) were identified among the isolates based on sequences of the ITS region and the 5' end of EF1-α. B.

In vitro bioactivity of bioresorbable porous polymeric scaffolds incorporating hydroxyapatite microspheres.

Biomimetic composites consisting of polymer and mineral components, resembling bone in structure and composition, were produced using a rapid prototyping technique for bone tissue engineering applications. Solid freeform fabrication, known as rapid prototyping (RP) technology, allows scaffolds to be designed with pre-defined and controlled external and internal architecture. Using the indirect RP technique, a three-component scaffold with a woodpile structure, consisting of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), chitosan and hydroxyapatite (HA) microspheres, was produced that had a macroporosity of more than 50% together with micropores induced by lyophilization.

Susceptibility of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) to the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae when feeding on Bacillus thuringiensis Cry3Bb1-expressing maize.

Genetically engineered maize producing the insecticidal protein Cry3Bb1 from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt maize) is protected against corn rootworms (Diabrotica spp.), which are serious maize pests in North America and Europe. The aim of the present study was to investigate the interaction of Bt maize (event MON88017) and the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae for controlling the western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera.

Modulation of the conductance of a 2,2'-bipyridine-functionalized peptidic ion channel by Ni2+.

An alpha-helical amphipathic peptide with the sequence H2N-(LSSLLSL)3-CONH2 was obtained by solid phase synthesis and a 2,2'-bipyridine was coupled to its N-terminus, which allows complexation of Ni2+. Complexation of the 2,2'-bipyridine residues was proven by UV/Vis spectroscopy. The peptide helices were inserted into lipid bilayers (nano black lipid membranes, nano-BLMs) that suspend the pores of porous alumina substrates with a pore diameter of 60 nm by applying a potential difference.

Biomimetic mineral-organic composite scaffolds with controlled internal architecture.

Bone and cartilage generation by three-dimensional scaffolds is one of the promising techniques in tissue engineering. One approach is to generate histologically and functionally normal tissue by delivering healthy cells in biocompatible scaffolds. These scaffolds provide the necessary support for cells to proliferate and maintain their differentiated function, and their architecture defines the ultimate shape.

Enhanced human beta-defensin-2 (hBD-2) expression by corticosteroids is independent of NF-kappaB in colonic epithelial cells (CaCo2).

Beta-defensins are small cationic peptides with antimicrobial properties that contribute to innate host defense. Unlike human beta-defensin-1 (hBD-1), which is produced constitutively, human beta-defensin-2 (hBD-2) is expressed after adequate stimulation by cytokines and/or bacterial endotoxins in epithelial tissue and mononuclear phagocytes but may be deficient in patients with Crohn's disease. To further elucidate the role of the intestinal epithelium in antimicrobial host defense, gene regulation of hBD-2 and the interaction with NF-kappaB were analyzed in a cell culture model.

[The Indicators of Rehab Status questionnaire version 3 (IRES-3) in 1818 rehabilitees with musculoskeletal Diseases].

Objectives: The revised version 3 of the questionnaire "Indicators of Reha Status" (IRES-3) was recently tested and introduced to the scientific community. The IRES-3 differs considerably from the previous version. It now comprises 16 multi-item scales that are combined to 6 dimensions and 3 single items that are combined to a 7th dimension.

Time course of increasing numbers of mutations in the granulocyte colony-stimulating factor receptor gene in a patient with congenital neutropenia who developed leukemia.

Point mutations in the granulocyte colony-stimulating factor receptor (G-CSFR) gene have been linked to the development of secondary leukemia in patients with congenital neutropenia (CN). This report presents data on a now 18-year-old patient with CN who has received G-CSF treatment since 1989 and who developed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in 1998. To evaluate whether there is an association between the occurrence of point mutations of the G-CSFR gene and development of secondary AML, DNA/messenger RNA of neutrophils and mononuclear cells from this patient were analyzed at different time points by polymerase chain reaction and subsequent cloning by DNA sequencing of representative numbers of individual clones.

Clinical relevance of point mutations in the cytoplasmic domain of the granulocyte colony-stimulating factor receptor gene in patients with severe congenital neutropenia.

Recently, point mutations in the gene of the granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) receptor have been reported in two patients with severe congenital neutropenia who developed acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We investigated the frequency of these specific G-CSF receptor mutations in patients with congenital neutropenia undergoing treatment with r-metHuG-CSF (Filgrastim) and the clinical relevance of these mutations. Nucleotides 2306 to 2561 including the critical region (nucleotides 2384-2429) from the intracellular domain of the G-CSF receptor gene were amplified by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.

Frequency of point mutations in the gene for the G-CSF receptor in patients with chronic neutropenia undergoing G-CSF therapy.

Point mutations in the gene for the G-CSF receptor have been reported previously in a subgroup of patients with severe congenital neutropenia. Here, we investigated the frequency of these specific G-CSF receptor mutations in patients with neutropenic disorders undergoing treatment with recombinant human (r-metHu)G-CSF (Filgrastim). Nucleotides 2306 to 2561, including the critical region (nucleotides 2384-2429) from the intracellular domain of the G-CSF receptor gene, were amplified by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, and DNA was sequenced directly and after transformation in E.

[Adrenomyeloneuropathy. A frequent cause of Addison's disease].

Adrenomyeloneuropathy (AMN) is a "milder form" of adrenoleukodystrophy with a X-linked inheritance. Abnormal catabolism of the very long-chain fatty acids (VLCFA) results in Addison's disease and spastic paraparesis. The VLCFA concentration was measured in 23 of 26 patients with Addison's disease (mean age 48.

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels in patients with prostatic cancer, heart diseases and under surgery stress.

DHEA levels in patients with prostatic cancer were significantly lower, but total and free testosterone (T) significantly higher as those in an age-matched control group. Therefore, the calculated quotients DHEA/free T and DHEA/T were especially different between both groups. DHEA and DHEAS levels in patients with heart diseases were also significantly lower but cortisol (F) levels were significantly higher as those in a control group.

[Determination of Legionella antigens using monoclonal antibodies].

The detection of antigens is the most important tool for rapid diagnosis of Legionellosis. 34 Legionella (L.) spp.