Noncatalytic aspartate at the exonuclease domain of proofreading DNA polymerases regulates both degradative and synthetic activities.

Most replicative DNA polymerases (DNAPs) are endowed with a 3'-5' exonuclease activity to proofread the polymerization errors, governed by four universally conserved aspartate residues belonging to the Exo I, Exo II, and Exo III motifs. These residues coordinate the two metal ions responsible for the hydrolysis of the last phosphodiester bond of the primer strand. Structural alignment of the conserved exonuclease domain of DNAPs from families A, B, and C has allowed us to identify an additional and invariant aspartate, located between motifs Exo II and Exo III.

An ultra-high performance liquid chromatography method to determine the skin penetration of an octyl methoxycinnamate-loaded liquid crystalline system.

Cutaneous penetration is a critical factor in the use of sunscreen, as the compounds should not reach systemic circulation in order to avoid the induction of toxicity. The evaluation of the skin penetration and permeation of the UVB filter octyl methoxycinnamate (OMC) is essential for the development of a successful sunscreen formulation. Liquid-crystalline systems are innovative and potential carriers of OMC, which possess several advantages, including controlled release and protection of the filter from degradation.

Cognitive impairment in rheumatoid arthritis: role of lymphocyte subsets, cytokines and neurotrophic factors.

To what extent the cognitive impairment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is modulated by autoimmune and/or inflammatory activity is largely unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of peripheral inflammation on cognitive functions of patients with active (Ac-), controlled (Co-) RA and healthy controls. In a cross-sectional study, 102 RA patients and 30 matched healthy controls were recruited.

First Report of Matricidal Hatching in .

The reproductive strategy of the pinewood nematode (PWN), , is sexual amphimictic and oviparous. The incidence of intrauterine egg development and hatching in plant-parasitic nematodes is not a very common phenomenon. During the process of maintaining and breeding a population isolated in Spain under laboratory conditions, evidence of matricidal hatching was observed.

Management training in global health education: a Health Innovation Fellowship training program to bring healthcare to low-income communities in Central America.

Background: Interprofessional education is increasingly recognized as essential for health education worldwide. Although effective management, innovation, and entrepreneurship are necessary to improve health systems, business schools have been underrepresented in global health education. Central America needs more health professionals trained in health management and innovation to respond to health disparities, especially in rural communities.

Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) recycling for the production of optical fiber sensor systems.

This paper proposes the recycling of poly (methyl methacrylate) plates, formerly used in LCD monitors to produce polymer optical fibers without cladding for sensor systems and a discussion about the fabrication process of the fiber cladding is briefly presented. After disassembling LCD monitors the acrylic plate is cleaned and submitted to an extrusion process. Extrusion temperatures of 220°C, 230°C and 240°C were applied, and the produced polymer fibers were characterized by infrared and visible spectrometry, as well as evaluated for thermal analysis through differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA).

Feasibility of Left Ventricular Global Longitudinal Strain Measurements from Contrast-Enhanced Echocardiographic Images.

Background: Although left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS) is an index of systolic function recommended by the guidelines, poor image quality may hamper strain measurements. While contrast agents are commonly used to improve endocardial visualization, no commercial speckle-tracking software is able to measure strain in contrast-enhanced images. This study aimed to test the accuracy of speckle-tracking software when applied to contrast-enhanced images in patients with suboptimal image quality.

Bath for dependent patients: theorizing aspects of nursing care in rehabilitation.

Objective: to produce a reflective essay on what has been produced in relation to bath as a procedure related to nursing care and diagnosis for dependent patients undergoing mediate and immediate rehabilitation processes after a traumatic event.

Method: discursive, reflective study supported by classical content analysis consisting of the following stages: a) reading of the texts in their most comprehensive form; b) emphasizing the relevant elements produced about bathing; c) reflection on texts and what is produced about bathing.

Results: the texts point out to three categories for nursing practice and reflection: Meaning to patients on the purposes of bathing; Representation for nurses in the work process; Representation for nurses in the management of care and nursing care planning.

Lattice Modeling of Early-Age Behavior of Structural Concrete.

The susceptibility of structural concrete to early-age cracking depends on material composition, methods of processing, structural boundary conditions, and a variety of environmental factors. Computational modeling offers a means for identifying primary factors and strategies for reducing cracking potential. Herein, lattice models are shown to be adept at simulating the thermal-hygral-mechanical phenomena that influence early-age cracking.

Effects of prayer on the vital signs of patients with chronic kidney disease: randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To assess the effect of prayer on blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate in patients with chronic kidney disease and learn their perception of the intervention.

Method: A randomized controlledtrial, double blind with a sample of volunteers, randomized into an intervention group (n=42) and a control group (n=37). Questionnaires addressing socio-demographic, clinical and spiritual characteristics and the Duke University Religious Index were applied.

Probing the Sulfur-Modified Capping Layer of Gold Nanoparticles Using Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) Effects.

Gold nanoparticles (AuNP) exhibit particular plasmonic properties when stimulated by visible light, which makes them a promising tool to many applications in sensor technology and biomedical applications, especially when associated to sulfur-based compounds. Sulfur species form a great variety of self-assembled structures that cap AuNP and this interaction rules the optical and plasmonic properties of the system. Here, we report the behavior of citrate-stabilized gold nanospheres in two distinct sulfur colloidal solutions, namely, thiocyanate and sulfide ionic solutions.

Autoantibodies against myelin sheath and S100β are associated with cognitive dysfunction in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been associated with cognitive impairment and peripheral production of autoantibodies. Autoantibodies against central nervous system (CNS) proteins and S100 calcium-binding β (S100β) were found increased in diseases characterized by cognitive impairment like Alzheimer disease and Neuropsychiatric Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (NPSLE). The aim of this study was to investigate the plasma levels of autoantibodies against myelin basic protein (anti-MBP), myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (anti-MOG) and S100β, and their relationships with cognitive performance in RA patients.

[Occult bacteremia in Sótero del Río Hospital: Experience after pneumococcal conjugated vaccine].

Background: Occult bacteremia (OB) is one of the possible diagnoses of children younger than 3 years with fever without source in the emergency room.

Objective: describe OB in the era after introduction of pneumococcal vaccine in Chile.

Patients And Methods: Prospective descriptive review of data of children with possible OB diagnosis, referred from the emergency department between 2010-2013.

ALA16VAL-MnSOD gene polymorphism and stroke: Association with dyslipidemia and glucose levels.

Stroke risk has been associated to the progression of carotid plaques due to high glucose levels and lipid accumulation, which are greatly associated to cerebral injury, brain oxidative stress, and apoptosis. The ALA16VAL-MnSOD gene single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) has shown to modulate risk factors of several metabolic and vascular diseases, such as blood glucose (GLU) and lipid levels. However, the association of these factors in stroke patients has not been studied to date.

In silico evaluation of DNA Damage Inducible Transcript 4 gene (DDIT4) as prognostic biomarker in several malignancies.

DDIT4 gene encodes a protein whose main action is to inhibit mTOR under stress conditions whilst several in vitro studies indicate that its expression favors cancer progression. We have previously described that DDIT4 expression is an independent prognostic factor for tripe negative breast cancer resistant to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. We herein report that high DDIT4 expression is related to the outcome (recurrence-free survival, time to progression and overall survival) in several cancer types.

A first look into the influence of triathlon wetsuit on resting blood pressure and heart rate variability.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of wearing a wetsuit on resting cardiovascular measures (blood pressure (BP), heart rate variability (HRV)). The influence of position (upright, prone) and wetsuit size were also explored. Participants (n=12 males, 33.

Wear of Morse taper and external hexagon implant joints after abutment removal.

The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the removal torque values on abutments and the morphological wear aspects of two different dental implant joints after immersion in a medium containing biofilm from human saliva. Twenty implant-abutment assemblies were divided into four groups in this study: (A) Morse taper free of medium containing biofilm, and (B) after contact with a medium containing biofilm from human saliva; (C) External Hexagon free of medium containing biofilm, and (D) after contact with medium containing biofilm from human saliva. The abutments were firstly torqued to the implants according to the manufacturer´s recommendations, using a handheld torque meter.

Complexation of oxethazaine with 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin: increased drug solubility, decreased cytotoxicity and analgesia at inflamed tissues.

Objectives: Oxethazaine (OXZ) is one of the few local anaesthetics that provides analgesia at low pH, but presents poor solubility, cytotoxicity and no parenteral formulations. To address these issues, we aimed to prepare OXZ host-guest inclusion complex with hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD).

Methods: The inclusion complex was formed by co-solubilization, followed by a job plot analysis to determine stoichiometry of complexation and dialysis equilibrium analysis (based on UV/VIS absorption and fluorescence profiles of OXZ).

Effect of a single injection of cabergoline at dry off on udder characteristics in high-yielding dairy cows.

In recent years, relationships between high milk yield at dry off, higher prevalence for new intramammary infections, and stress were evaluated. Considering increasing milk yield, dry off methods need to be refined to ensure udder health and animal welfare, especially in high-yielding dairy cows. The present work evaluated the effect of a single cabergoline injection (Velactis, Ceva Santé Animale, Libourne, France) at dry off on udder pressure, milk leakage, and signs of udder pain after dry off.

Triathlon wetsuit removal strategy: physiological cost of running with a wetsuit.

Triathletes exiting the swim portion of an event have to decide on how and when to take a wetsuit off (if worn). The purpose of this study was to determine the physiological cost of running while not using a wetsuit, carrying a wetsuit, wearing a wetsuit halfway down or wearing a wetsuit fully up. Participants (n = 20, 30.

INVESTIGATION OF THE INFLUENCE OF THE POSITION INSIDE A SMALL AIRCRAFT ON THE COSMIC-RADIATION-INDUCED DOSE.

This article report the measurements on-board a small aircraft at the same altitude and around the same geographic coordinates. The measurements of Ambient Dose Equivalent Rate (H*(10)) were performed in several positions inside the aircraft, close and far from the pilot location and the discrimination between neutron and non-neutron components. The results show that the neutrons are attenuated close to fuel depots and the non-neutron component appears to have the opposite behavior inside the aircraft.

Ultrasound resistive index, power Doppler, and clinical parameters in established rheumatoid arthritis.

Ultrasonography (US) is a useful tool for the evaluation of sinovial vascularization and proliferation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Accordingly, resistive index (RI) on spectral Doppler (sD) US provides a quantitative analysis of vascular inflammation, but its utility in the evaluation of RA activity has not been established. Our objective was to determine the association of RI with other US parameters of synovitis and with clinical disease activity in established RA.