Protein C Pretreatment Protects Endothelial Cells from SARS-CoV-2-Induced Activation.

SARS-CoV-2 can induce vascular dysfunction and thrombotic events in patients with severe COVID-19; however, the cellular and molecular mechanisms behind these effects remain largely unknown. In this study, we used a combination of experimental and in silico approaches to investigate the role of PC in vascular and thrombotic events in COVID-19. Single-cell RNA-sequencing data from patients with COVID-19 and healthy subjects were obtained from the publicly available Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) repository.

A flow cytometry-based assay to measure neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 virus.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has highlighted the need for serological assays that can accurately evaluate the neutralizing efficiency of antibodies produced during infection or induced by vaccines. However, conventional assays often require the manipulation of live viruses on a level-three biosafety (BSL3) facility, which presents practical and safety challenges. Here, we present a novel, alternative assay that measures neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) against SARS-CoV-2 in plasma using flow cytometry.

Electrochemical Paper-Based Nanobiosensor for Rapid and Sensitive Detection of Monkeypox Virus.

Monkeypox virus (MPXV) infection was classified as a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2022, being transmitted between humans by large respiratory droplets, in contact with skin lesions, fomites, and sexually. Currently, there are no available accessible and simple-to-use diagnostic tests that accurately detect MPXV antigens for decentralized and frequent testing. Here, we report an electrochemical biosensor to detect MPXV antigens in saliva and plasma samples within 15 min using accessible materials.

SARS-CoV-2 uses CD4 to infect T helper lymphocytes.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the agent of a major global outbreak of respiratory tract disease known as Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). SARS-CoV-2 infects mainly lungs and may cause several immune-related complications, such as lymphocytopenia and cytokine storm, which are associated with the severity of the disease and predict mortality. The mechanism by which SARS-CoV-2 infection may result in immune system dysfunction is still not fully understood.

Development as Liberation.

At a point in history where the worlds social and ecological boundaries are at a true testing point, this article presents some thoughts and questions around the tensions between reformist and revolutionary actions and ends in presenting dreaming as a tool towards emancipation. Through these thoughts, collective action is a central cog towards meaningful progress.

Identification of SARS-CoV-2 on the ocular surface in a cohort of COVID-19 patients from Brazil.

In this cross-sectional study, we investigate the presence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Ribonucleic Acid (SARS-CoV-2 RNA) in the tears of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. After laboratory confirmation of SARS-CoV-2 infection by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis, tear samples from both eyes of each patient were collected using conjunctival swab for RT-PCR. Detailed demographic profile, systemic and ocular symptoms, comorbidities, clinical, ancillary, and ocular manifestations were evaluated.

Neutralisation of SARS-CoV-2 lineage P.1 by antibodies elicited through natural SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination with an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine: an immunological study.

Background: Mutations accrued by SARS-CoV-2 lineage P.1-first detected in Brazil in early January, 2021-include amino acid changes in the receptor-binding domain of the viral spike protein that also are reported in other variants of concern, including B.1.

Respiratory Viral Shedding in Healthcare Workers Reinfected with SARS-CoV-2, Brazil, 2020.

We documented 4 cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 reinfection by non-variant of concern strains among healthcare workers in Campinas, Brazil. We isolated infectious particles from nasopharyngeal secretions during both infection episodes. Improved and continued protection measures are necessary to mitigate the risk for reinfection among healthcare workers.

Microbiota-derived short-chain fatty acids do not interfere with SARS-CoV-2 infection of human colonic samples.

Microbiota-derived molecules called short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) play a key role in the maintenance of the intestinal barrier and regulation of immune response during infectious conditions. Recent reports indicate that SARS-CoV-2 infection changes microbiota and SCFAs production. However, the relevance of this effect is unknown.

Evolution and epidemic spread of SARS-CoV-2 in Brazil.

Brazil currently has one of the fastest-growing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) epidemics in the world. Because of limited available data, assessments of the impact of nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) on this virus spread remain challenging. Using a mobility-driven transmission model, we show that NPIs reduced the reproduction number from >3 to 1 to 1.

Epidemiology of capybara-associated Brazilian spotted fever.

Background: Brazilian spotted fever (BSF), caused by the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii, has been associated with the transmission by the tick Amblyomma sculptum, and one of its main hosts, the capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris).

Methods: During 2015-2019, we captured capybaras and ticks in seven highly anthropic areas of São Paulo state (three endemic and four nonendemic for BSF) and in two natural areas of the Pantanal biome, all with established populations of capybaras.

Results: The BSF-endemic areas were characterized by much higher tick burdens on both capybaras and in the environment, when compared to the BSF-nonendemic areas.

Nodule size as predictive factor of efficacy of radiofrequency ablation in treating autonomously functioning thyroid nodules.

Context: No defined pre-treatment factors are able to predict the response to radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of an autonomously functioning thyroid nodule (AFTN).

Objective: Primary endpoint was to evaluate the success rate of RFA to restore euthyroidism in a cohort of adult patients with small solitary AFTN compared with medium-sized nodules. Secondary endpoints included nodule volume reduction and rate of conversion from hot nodules to cold using scintiscan.

Systems Biology Approach and Mathematical Modeling for Analyzing Phase-Space Switch During Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition.

In this report, we aim at presenting a viable strategy for the study of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) and its opposite Mesenchymal-Epithelial Transition (MET) by means of a Systems Biology approach combined with a suitable Mathematical Modeling analysis. Precisely, it is shown how the presence of a metastable state, that is identified at a mesoscopic level of description, is crucial for making possible the appearance of a phase transition mechanism in the framework of fast-slow dynamics for Ordinary Differential Equations (ODEs).

Efficacy and safety of a single radiofrequency ablation of solid benign non-functioning thyroid nodules.

Objective: The objective of our study is to evaluate the clinical outcomes and safety of radiofrequency thermal ablation (RFA) for benign thyroid nodules (BTNs) over a 1-year follow-up.

Subjects And Methods: This is a monocentric retrospective study. Forty-eight patients with solid, non-functioning BTNs were treated by RFA using a 17G internally cooled electrode.

Prospective study of effectiveness of ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation versus control group in patients affected by benign thyroid nodules.

Context: Ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of solid thyroid nodules (TNs) is a minimally invasive procedure that may induce a volume reduction of symptomatic solid benign TNs.

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of RFA in debulking benign TNs.

Design And Patients: Eighty-four consecutive patients with symptomatic and cytologically benign solid nodules were randomly assigned to either a single RFA session (group A; n = 42) or follow-up (group B; n = 42) at our center.

Indoor radon levels in schools of South-East Italy.

A survey was conducted to evaluate average levels of indoor radon and gamma doses in all educational buildings (506 schools) located in South-East Italy (the Salento peninsula, province of Lecce). In this paper the final findings relating to measurements performed with SSNTD dosemeters in 438 schools (86% of the sample) are reported. The average annual activity concentration of radon in schools located in the province of Lecce is 209 ± 9 Bq/m(3).

Low occupational exposure to benzene in a petrochemical plant: modulating effect of genetic polymorphisms and smoking habit on the urinary t,t-MA/SPMA ratio.

The identification of reliable biomarkers is critical for the assessment of occupational exposure of benzene: S-phenylmercapturic acid (SPMA) and trans,trans-muconic acid (t,t-MA) are the most currently used. t,t-MA is an open-ring metabolite, but it is also a metabolite of the food preservative sorbic acid, while SPMA is formed by conjugation with glutathione, and several studies suggested that the genetic polymorphism of glutathione S-transferases modulates its production. This study compared the ability of these metabolites to assess the benzene exposure in a big group of petrochemical workers.

Reliability of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) for patients with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers.

Background: Behavioral symptoms and caregivers' responses may differ among various ethnic and cultural groups. Therefore it is important to have a reliable instrument to assess behavioral disturbances of dementia in various cultures. The Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) has been widely used in many countries.

[Health education in the prevention of ischemic heart disease in school children: feasibility study].

A feasibility study of health education was undertaken among the pupils of a primary school in order to: 1) investigate the level of participation of children and teachers to the program; 2) test the efficacy of the program itself; 3) determine whether the children can modify family's behavioral patterns of the family components. Seventy-two children, belonging to different socio-economic classes, were studied. Children were given a questionnaire at the beginning and the end of the programme course, which was held by previously trained teachers.

[Psychosis and creativity. Reflections on an autistic painter: Sylvain Fusco].

Through the life and the creative activities of an autistic schizoid, the authors describe the relationship and the fundamental differences existing between the genuine artist and the psychotic subject, and consequently, the distinction between the concepts of art and creativeness.