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The 4-component meningococcal serogroup B (MenB) vaccine, 4CMenB, the first broadly protective, protein-based MenB vaccine to be licensed, is now registered in more than 50 countries worldwide. Real-world evidence (RWE) from the last decade confirms its effectiveness and impact, with infant immunization programs showing vaccine effectiveness of 71–95% against invasive MenB disease and cross-protection against non-B serogroups, including a 69% decrease in serogroup W cases in 4CMenB-eligible cohorts in England. RWE from different countries also demonstrates the potential for additional moderate protection against gonorrhea in adolescents. The real-world safety profile of 4CMenB is consistent with prelicensure reports. Use of the endogenous complement human serum bactericidal antibody (enc-hSBA) assay against 110 MenB strains may enable assessment of the immunological effectiveness of multicomponent MenB vaccines in clinical trial settings. Equitable access to 4CMenB vaccination is required to better protect all age groups, including older adults, and vulnerable groups through comprehensive immunization policies.

Abstract Quantum computers use the properties of quantum physics to perform information storage and processing operations. The operation of these computers involves concepts such as entanglement and superposition, which endow them with a great processing power that even surpasses that of the most powerful current supercomputers, while consuming significantly lower amounts of energy. The different studies analyzed in this review article suggest that quantum computing will have a deep impact in areas such as finance, logistics, transportation, space and automotive technology, materials science, energy, pharmaceutical and healthcare industry, cybersecurity, and agriculture. In digital agriculture, several applications that could be executed more efficiently in quantum computers for data processing and understanding of biological processes were identified and exemplified. These applications are grouped here into the following four areas: bioinformatics, remote sensing, climate modeling, and smart farming. This article also explores the strategic importance of mastering quantum computing, highlights some advantages in relation to classical computing, and presents a mapping of the services already available, enabling institutions to undertake strategic planning for the incorporation of quantum computing into their development processes. Finally, the challenges for the implementation of quantum computing are highlighted, along with some ongoing initiatives aimed at furthering research at the forefront of knowledge in this area applied to digital agriculture.

Power management (PM) is cumbersome for today’s computing systems. Attainable performance is bounded by the architecture’s computing efficiency and capped in temperature, current, and power. PM is composed of multiple interacting layers. High-level controllers (HLCs) involve application-level policies, operating system agents (OSPMs), and PM governors and interfaces. The application of high-level control decisions is currently delegated to an on-chip power management unit executing tailored PM firmware routines. The complexity of this structure arises from the scale of the interaction, which pervades the whole system architecture. This paper aims to characterize the cost of the communication backbone between high-level OSPM agents and the on-chip power management unit (PMU) in high performance computing (HPC) processors. For this purpose, we target the System Control and Management Interface (SCMI), which is an open standard proposed by Arm. We enhance a fully open-source, end-to-end FPGA-based HW/SW framework to simulate the interaction between a HLC, a HPC system, and a PMU. This includes the application-level PM policies, the drivers of the operating system-directed configuration and power management (OSPM) governor, and the hardware and firmware of the PMU, allowing us to evaluate the impact of the communication backbone on the overall control scheme. With this framework, we first conduct an in-depth latency study of the communication interface across the whole PM hardware (HW) and software (SW) stack. Finally, we studied the impact of latency in terms of the quality of the end-to-end control, showing that the SCMI protocol can sustain reactive power management policies.

Objectives: The central objective of this paper is to propose and test a model for the development of network governance structures to respond to the silo effect in the innovation management process in a large research organization. Method: A case study was used with the objective of building a governance model that could address the problems derived from the silo effect. To achieve the objective, validation workshops were held, with teams being challenged to reflect on the mechanisms and basic rules used to assemble the model. Results: The efforts made to inhibit the silo effect in the organization investigated were successful. Internal events were held to exchange knowledge between research centers, which resulted in greater stimulation of connections between these and other actors throughout the innovation ecosystem. Conclusions: The governance model adopted to mitigate the problems derived from the silo effect proved to be effective in promoting interaction between research centers on issues related to open innovation. The model, supported by mechanisms and basic rules inserted in the key actions, proved to be efficient in promoting a more intense relationship between the research units of the institution studied, resulting in new network actions.

Nickel and cobalt are frequently found in metallic alloys used in the manufacture of aneurysm clips and endovascular prostheses, such as the pipeline embolization device (PED). Nickel hypersensitivity can affect up to 15% of the population, however, it is very rarely overt in patients who undergo endovascular stent placement. Here, we present the case of a 35-year-old woman who developed allergic symptoms after PED placement and was later confirmed to be allergic to both nickel and cobalt by patch testing. Fortunately, she responded well to pharmacologic treatment, rendering surgical intervention unnecessary. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of symptomatic nickel hypersensitivity, and the second report of symptomatic cobalt allergy caused by the PED. Despite its low prevalence, we believe that surgeons should actively inquire patients in the postoperative period about allergic symptoms, to facilitate early diagnosis and treatment.

Background: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by social interaction deficits and repetitive/stereotyped behaviors. Its prevalence is increasing, affecting one in 36 children in the United States. The valproic acid (VPA) induced animal model of ASD is a reliable method for investigating cellular, molecular, and behavioral aspects related to the disorder. Trans-Resveratrol (RSV), a polyphenol with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects studied in various diseases, has recently demonstrated the ability to prevent cellular, molecular, sensory, and social deficits in the VPA model. In this study, we examined the effects of prenatal exposure to VPA and the potential preventive effects of RSV on the offspring. Method: We monitored gestational weight from embryonic day 6.5 until 18.5 and assessed the onset of developmental milestones and morphometric parameters in litters. The generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to analyze longitudinal data. Results: Exposure to VPA during rat pregnancy resulted in abnormal weight gain fold-changes on embryonic days 13.5 and 18.5, followed by fewer animals per litter. Additionally, we discovered a positive correlation between weight variation during E15.5-E18.5 and the number of rat pups in the VPA group. Conclusion: VPA exposure led to slight length deficiencies and delays in the onset of developmental milestones. Interestingly, the prenatal RSV treatment not only prevented most of these delays but also led to the early onset of certain milestones and improved morphometric characteristics in the offspring. In summary, our findings suggest that RSV may have potential as a therapeutic intervention to protect against the negative effects of prenatal VPA exposure, highlighting its importance in future studies of prenatal neurodevelopmental disorders.

Background. The left and right temporoparietal junctions (TPJs) are two brain areas involved in several brain networks, largely studied for their diverse roles, from attentional orientation to theory of mind and, recently, predictive processing. In predictive processing, one crucial concept is prior precision, that is, the reliability of the predictions of incoming stimuli. This has been linked with modulations of alpha power as measured with electrophysiological techniques, but TPJs have seldom been studied in this framework. Methods. The present article investigates, using magnetoencephalography, whether spontaneous oscillations in pre-stimulus alpha power in the left and right TPJs can modulate brain responses during a linguistic task that requires predictive processing in literal and non-literal sentences. Results. Overall, results show that pre-stimulus alpha power in the rTPJ was associated with post-stimulus responses only in the left superior temporal gyrus, while lTPJ pre-stimulus alpha power was associated with post-stimulus activity in Broca’s area, left middle temporal gyrus, and left superior temporal gyrus. Conclusions. We conclude that both the right and left TPJs have a role in linguistic prediction, involving a network of core language regions, with differences across brain areas and linguistic conditions that can be parsimoniously explained in the context of predictive processing.

SUMMARY Treating hypothyroidism can be challenging in patients with malabsorption, as they require a higher daily dose of oral levothyroxine (L-T4). Oral L-T4 absorption occurs mainly in the jejunum and the ileum and is affected by gastric acidity. As a result, absorption can be impaired by bariatric surgery. This paper presents a case of myxedema in a young man who had previously undergone biliopancreatic diversion. He was referred to the Emergency Department with deteriorated mental state, hypotension, bradycardia and hypothermia. Laboratory tests revealed severe hypothyroidism and hypokalaemia. The clinical and biochemical profile of the patient suggested myxedema coma. The tablet-based L-T4 therapy was replaced with intravenous (iv) L-T4, oral liquid L-T4 and oral liothyronine (L-T3) and inotropic agents and supportive care were also administered, resulting in a gradual improvement in clinical condition. The patient reported taking L-T4 tablets as prescribed before hospitalization. In patients with malabsorption, impaired L-T4 absorption may lead to severe forms of hypothyroidism. This case outlines the need for more frequent monitoring of serum Thyroid Stimulating Hormone in patients submitted to bariatric surgery and suggests the benefit of using liquid L-T4 in the place of tablets in cases of malabsorption.

Objective: The present study seeks to overcome the lack of data on Covid-19 associated intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) in Brazil. Methods: This is a retrospective, single-center case series of consecutive patients. It is a subanalysis of a larger study still in progress, which covers all neurological manifestations that occurred in patients admitted between March 1st, 2020 and June 1st, 2022, with active SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed by polymerase chain reaction test. All patients with non-traumatic ICH were included. Results: A total of 1675 patients were evaluated: 917 (54.75 %) had one or more neurological symptoms and 19 had non-traumatic ICH, comprising an incidence of 1.13 %. All patients had one or more risk factors for ICH. The presence of neurological manifestations before the ICH and ICU admission showed a statistically significant relationship with the occurrence of ICH (X2 = 6.734, p = 0.0095; OR = 4.47; CI = 1.3–15.4; and FET = 9.13; p =

Traumatic carotid artery dissection (TCAD) usually occurs after a direct cervical trauma or blunt trauma that causes hyperextension and excessive rotation of the neck. The most frequent presentation of TCAD is stroke, with 80% of patients developing a stroke in the first week after the trauma. Recent data indicate that symptoms start later in non-survivors (19.5 hours after trauma) compared with survivors (12.5 hours). In this case report, a young boy, 14 years-old, developed TCAD after he fell from his bike. He developed ischemic stroke symptomatology in the eighth day of hospitalization, with full recovery of symtoms after acetylsalicylic acid (AAS) administration. The use of antithrombotic medication is recommended, aiming for better neurological outcomes and prevention of stroke in TCAD patients, as highlighted by our case. However, the treatment recommendations are based on observational studies and expert opinion, owing to the lack of concrete data on the treatment of carotid artery blunt trauma. New studies and data are required to improve diagnosis and treatment of TCAD.

PurposeTo characterize patients with APS type 4 among those affected by APS diagnosed and monitored at our local Reference Center for Autoimmune Polyglandular Syndromes.MethodsMonocentric observational retrospective study enrolling patients affected by APS diagnosed and monitored in a Reference Center. Clinical records were retrieved and analyzed.Results111 subjects (51 males) were affected by APS type 4, mean age at the onset was 23.1 ± 15.1 years. In 15 patients the diagnosis of APS was performed during the first clinical evaluation, in the other 96 after a latency of 11 years (range 1-46). The most frequent diseases were type I diabetes mellitus and celiac disease, equally distributed among sexes.ConclusionsThe prevalence of APS type 4 is 9:100,000 people. Type I diabetes mellitus was the leading indicator of APS type 4 in 78% subjects and in 9% permitted the diagnosis occurring as second manifestation of the syndrome. Our data, showing that 50% of patients developed APS type 4 within the first ten years, don’t suggest any particular follow-up time and, more importantly, don’t specify any particular disease. It is important to emphasize that 5% of women developed premature ovarian failure.

Psoriatic arthritis is defined as chronic inflammatory arthritis associated with psoriasis. The current data regarding gender differences in clinical manifestation and therapeutic outcomes of psoriatic arthritis are limited. Generally, men show a peripheral disease manifestation, while women have an axial distribution of the lesions. If we look at temporomandibular joint (TMJ) involvement, epidemiological data on the involvement of the TMJ are hard to find. Few studies on therapeutic management and the related impact on the quality of life are reported in the literature. Given the morpho-functional peculiarities of the TMJ and the different pain burdens between male and female genders, when manifestation of psoriatic arthritis occurs, clinicians should face it using a multidisciplinary approach for a correct diagnosis and successful treatment. This review aims to examine the diagnostic signs of psoriatic arthritis in the TMJ, the eventual variations of this disease in male and female patients, and the therapeutical strategies. The coordination of different specialties is fundamental to the remission of clinical symptoms and lesion regression.

Background and Objectives: The use of biomaterials in dentistry is extremely common. From a commercial perspective, different types of osteoconductive and osteoinductive biomaterials are available to clinicians. In the field of osteoconductive materials, clinicians have biomaterials made of heterologous bones at their disposal, including biomaterials of bovine, porcine, and equine origins, and biomaterials of natural origin, such as corals and hydroxyapatites. In recent years, it has become possible to synthesize nano-Ha and produce scaffolds using digital information. Although a large variety of biomaterials has been produced, there is no scientific evidence that proves their absolute indispensability in terms of the preservation of postextraction sites or in the execution of guided bone regeneration. While there is no scientific evidence showing that one material is better than another, there is evidence suggesting that several products have better in situ permanence. This article describes a preliminary study to evaluate the histological results, ISQ values, and prevalence of nano-HA. Materials and Methods: In this study, we planned to use a new biomaterial based on nanohydroxyapatite for implantation at one postextraction site; the nano-HA in this study was NuvaBONE (Overmed, Buccinasco, Milano, Italy). This is a synthetic bone graft substitute that is based on nanostructured biomimetic hydroxyapatite for application in oral–maxillofacial surgery, orthopedics, traumatology, spine surgery, and neurosurgery. In our pilot case, a patient with a hopeless tooth underwent extraction, and the large defect remaining after the removal of the tooth was filled with nano-HA to restore the volume. Twelve months later, the patient was booked for implant surgery to replace the missing tooth. At the time of the surgery, a biopsy of the regenerated tissue was taken using a trephine of 4 mm in the inner side and 8 mm deep. Results: The histological results of the biopsy showed abundant bone formation, high values of ISQ increasing from the insertion to the prosthetic phase, and a good reorganization of hydroxyapatite granules during resorption. The implant is in good function, and the replaced tooth shows good esthetics. Conclusions: The good results of this pilot case indicate starting the next Multicentric study to have more and clearer information about this nanohydroxyapatite (NH) compared with control sites.

This study aims to evaluate the impact of the Abrace o Pantanal (Embrace the Pantanal) project on reducing carbon dioxide emissions caused by forest fires in the Pantanal biome in Brazil. The project consists of early detection and monitoring of wildfires using high-resolution cameras and satellite data, aided by the Pantera platform, which facilitates communication and the mobilization of firefighting brigades. The project covers 2.5 million hectares of the Pantanal biome, with five cameras installed in the Serra do Amolar region, an area severely affected by wildfires in 2020. To measure the project’s impact on reducing carbon dioxide emissions, we used the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Guidelines to calculate gross emissions from forest fires. We also analyzed burned area per year and land cover in the project area from 2016 to 2020 using MapBiomas Fire Collection 1 and Land Use and Land Cover Maps (Collection 6) from Mapbiomas. Our results show that the project reduced burned areas and emissions from fires, with highly discrepant results in 2020 due to catastrophic fires. To verify the concrete impacts of the project, we propose measuring the number of fire outbreaks detected, conducting interviews with firefighters, and comparing the results from 2021 to 2025 with the previous period. The average burned area and carbon dioxide emissions from 2016 to 2020 will be a reference value. Nevertheless, other factors may also affect the frequency and intensity of forest fires, such as climate change, demographic changes, and regulatory and political pressure. Therefore, it is impossible to establish a strict causal relationship between the project and the reduction of burned areas and emissions. In conclusion, the Abrace o Pantanal project has shown promising results in reducing carbon dioxide emissions from forest fires in the Pantanal biome. Continued monitoring and evaluation of the project’s impact is crucial to understanding the effectiveness of early detection and firefighting measures in preserving the Pantanal’s biodiversity and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Community empowerment (through the appropriation of the technology) has played a major role in the development of the project and its overall impact.

PurposeTo describe the current knowledge on thyroid hormonal profile in patients on liquid L-T4 therapy and drugs known to interfere with L-T4 absorption.MethodsA PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Scopus research was performed. Case reports, case series, original studies and reviews written in English and published online up to 31 August 2022 were selected and reviewed. The final reference list was defined based on the relevance of each paper to the scope of this review.ResultsThe available data showed that novel levothyroxine formulations circumvent gastric pH impairment due to multiple interfering drugs such as proton pump inhibitors, calcium or iron supplements, sevelamer, aluminum/magnesium hydroxide and sodium alginate.ConclusionNew formulations can be taken simultaneously with drugs interfering with L-T4 absorption, in particular liquid formulations. Softgel capsules need more studies to support these data.

Pragmatics, defined as the ability to integrate language and context to communicate effectively, may be impaired in Multiple Sclerosis (MS). We present the case of a patient with active secondary progressive MS who, after a first neuropsychological assessment that evidenced only a slight pragmatic impairment, suffered a sudden worsening of her clinical conditions, treated with corticosteroids. After this clinical worsening, her pragmatic abilities declined markedly, both in comprehension and production. This worsening was accompanied by a decline only in one attention task, in the context of an overall stable cognitive functioning. We conclude that pragmatics may be a domain particularly susceptible to cognitive worsening, highlighting the importance of its assessment in clinical practice.

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to describe the current knowledge on the potential endocrine adverse effects post-COVID-19 vaccines.MethodsA PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Scopus research was performed. Case reports, case series, original studies, and reviews written in English and published online up to 31 July 2022 were selected and reviewed. The final reference list was defined based on the relevance of each paper to the scope of this review.ResultsThe available data showed that endocrine side effects are generally rare and with favorable outcome, being thyroid disorders the most common. Conversely, data on type 1 diabetes mellitus are rare; adrenal and pituitary events are even anecdotal. Finally, the available clinical studies suggest no impact on female reproductive system and on male and couple fertility.ConclusionOverall, these data show that, after 2 years of COVID-19 vaccines, the endocrine system is not heavily threatened.

In this manuscript, the authors propose a new technique for inserting implants immediately into the sockets corresponding to the lower first molars and, in any case, in the sockets in which the alveolar septum is still present. Immediate post-extraction implants are a widely discussed topic in the literature. Most authors currently consider the insertion of implants immediately after extraction less useful in terms of the procedure’s questionable benefits in maintaining the height of the alveolar bone and more useful in terms of lessening patients’ discomfort. Due to the anatomy of the post-extraction socket and its traditionally cylindrical geometry, this procedure is not always possible.: Next-generation REX-type blade implants were used via their insertion into the septum accompanied by a cortical lamina for periosteal inhibition without filling any of the alveoli.: In the 20 patients treated, the REX implant proved to be stable and surrounded by newly formed bone at the 18-month follow-up. This simple, easily employable technique allows an implant to be inserted immediately after extraction and in the same surgical session, with good patient compliance and good preservation of the alveolus due to the facilitation of periosteal inhibition. The excellent clinical results obtained with the use of a blade implant in the posterior sectors suggest that it is possible to reduce surgical sessions even in conditions of post-extraction sockets whose septum alone can ensure the primary stability essential for osseointegration. The use of a larger number of patients will also provide us with significant statistical results in support of this preliminary clinical work. New clinical studies are needed to understand the true potential of this method for application in daily clinical practice.

This paper aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of photobiomodulation in accelerating orthodontic treatment with clear aligners in correcting an orthodontic malocclusion characterized by severe crowding and agenesis in an adult subject. An adult male patient with Class I malocclusion, a mild Class III skeletal base and severe crowding was treated with 88 Invisalign® (Align Technology, Santa Clara, CA, USA) pairs of aligners replaced every 5 days in combination with an Orthopulse™ (Biolux Research, Vancouver, BC, Canada) photobiomodulation device for home use by the patient. The total orthodontic treatment time was 440 days. Orthopulse™ is a photobiomodulation device that generates continuous beams of near-infrared light (NIR—near-infrared) with a wavelength of 850 nm and a power of 42 mW/cm2 to produce an average energy density on the surface of the silicone impression of 9.3 J/cm2. The combined use of clear aligners and the Orthopulse™ device allowed the patient to replace the aligners according to an experimental 5-day protocol to speed up the orthodontic therapy and, thus, resolve the malocclusion in less time than the manufacturer’s standard.

Background: Alveolar socket preservation is a topic of serious interest, and researchers have investigated this problem quite extensively. In terms of aesthetics, it is very important to avoid bone resorption if the clinician decides to insert the implant immediately after the extraction. Recently, a new approach utilizing a barrier external to the socket has been developed, which has advanced the evolution of this technique. Immediate implants have also created some difficulty when re-evaluated in long-term follow-up, especially when an aesthetic result is part of the goal of the procedure. Methods: The modified periosteal inhibition (MPI) technique, which has shown interesting outcomes, is evaluated in this paper on a large group of patients. In this case series, among 14 patients, 11 received immediate implants using the MPI technique and immediate provisionalization, and 3 received immediate implants using the MPI technique and customized healing abutment. All patients showed ridge preservation to different degrees, ranging from 0.02 to 1.17 mm, with an average gain of 0.51 mm. Results: all of the 14 patients maintained the original ridge shape, and 1 showed an increase in bucco-lingual size. Conclusions: This case series confirms the promising information reported in earlier studies on this technique. Larger samples will be necessary to confirm the predictability of this new approach.

Abstract Background The term sepsis is used to designate a systemic condition of infection and inflammation associated with hemodynamic changes that result in organic dysfunction. Gestational sepsis can impair the development of the central nervous system and may promote permanent behavior alterations in the offspring. The aim of our work was to evaluate the effects of maternal sepsis on inflammatory cytokine levels and synaptic proteins in the hippocampus, neocortex, frontal cortex, and cerebellum of neonatal, young, and adult mice. Additionally, we analyzed the motor development, behavioral features, and cognitive impairments in neonatal, young and adult offspring. Methods Pregnant mice at the 14th embryonic day (E14) were intratracheally instilled with saline 0.9% solution (control group) or Klebsiella spp. (3 × 108 CFU) (sepsis group) and started on meropenem after 5 h. The offspring was sacrificed at postnatal day (P) 2, P8, P30, and P60 and samples of liver, lung, and brain were collected for TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 measurements by ELISA. Synaptophysin, PSD95, and β-tubulin levels were analyzed by Western blot. Motor tests were performed at all analyzed ages and behavioral assessments were performed in offspring at P30 and P60. Results Gestational sepsis induces a systemic pro-inflammatory response in neonates at P2 and P8 characterized by an increase in cytokine levels. Maternal sepsis induced systemic downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, while in the hippocampus, neocortex, frontal cortex, and cerebellum an inflammatory response was detected. These changes in the brain immunity were accompanied by a reduction of synaptophysin and PSD95 levels in the hippocampus, neocortex, frontal cortex, and cerebellum, in all ages. Behavioral tests demonstrated motor impairment in neonates, and depressive-like behavior, fear-conditioned memory, and learning impairments in animals at P30 and P60, while spatial memory abilities were affected only at P60, indicating that gestational sepsis not only induces an inflammatory response in neonatal mouse brains, but also affects neurodevelopment, and leads to a plethora of behavioral alterations and cognitive impairments in the offspring. Conclusion These data suggest that maternal sepsis may be causatively related to the development of depression, learning, and memory impairments in the litter.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by stereotyped behaviours, specific interests, and impaired communication skills. Elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-17A (IL-17A or IL-17), have been implicated as part of immune alterations that may contribute to this outcome. In this context, rodent models have helped elucidate the role of T-cell activation and IL-17 secretion in the pathogenesis of ASD. Regarding the preclinical findings, the data available is contradictory in offspring but not in the pregnant dams, pointing to IL-17 as one of the main drivers of altered behaviour in some models ASD, whilst there are no alterations described in IL-17 levels in others. To address this gap in the literature, a systematic review of altered IL-17 levels in rodent models of ASD was conducted. In total, 28 studies that explored IL-17 levels were included and observed that this cytokine was generally increased among the different models of ASD. The data compiled in this review can help the choice of animal models to study the role of cytokines in the development of ASD, seeking a parallel with immune alterations observed in individuals with this condition.Systematic Review RegistrationPROSPERO, identifier CRD42022306558.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder with few medication options. Bumetanide, an FDA-approved diuretic, has been proposed as a viable candidate to treat core symptoms of ASD, however, neither the brain region related to its effect nor the cell-specific mechanism(s) is clear. The availability of nanoparticles provides a viable way to identify pharmacological mechanisms for use in ASD. Here, we found that treatment with bumetanide, in a systemic and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) region-specific way, attenuated social deficits in BTBR mice. Furthermore, using poly (ethylene glycol)-poly(l-lactide) (PEG-PLA) nanoparticles [NP(bumetanide)], we showed that the administration of NP(bumetanide) in a mPFC region-specific way also alleviated the social deficits of BTBR mice. Mechanistically, the behavioral effect of NP(bumetanide) was dependent on selective microglia-specific targeting in the mPFC. Pharmacological depletion of microglia significantly reduced the effect of nanoencapsulation and depletion of microglia alone did not improve the social deficits in BTBR mice. These findings suggest the potential therapeutic capabilities of nanotechnology for ASD, as well as the relevant link between bumetanide and immune cells.

Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) is a known cause of pulsatile tinnitus that can, on rare occasion, evolve into an incapacitating condition. It is a noninflammatory and nonatherosclerotic arteriopathy of unknown cause that affects medium-sized vessels, such as the carotid and renal arteries, occurring mainly in women. We describe a 72-year-old woman suffering from pulsatile tinnitus refractory to medical treatment who was successfully treated with Casper stent in the carotid artery. The different treatment strategies published in the literature were reviewed.

Objective: To determine whether psychiatric and gaming pattern variables are associated with gaming disorder in a school-based sample. Methods: We analyzed data from the Brazilian High-Risk Cohort for Psychiatric Disorders, a community sample aged 10 to 18, using questionnaires on gaming use patterns. We applied the Gaming Addiction Scale to diagnose gaming disorder and the Development and Well-Being Behavior Assessment for other diagnoses. Results: Out of 407 subjects, 83 (20.4%) fulfilled the criteria for gaming disorder. More role-playing game players were diagnosed with gaming disorder that any other genre. Gaming disorder rates increased proportionally to the number of genres played. Playing online, being diagnosed with a mental disorder, and more hours of non-stop gaming were associated with higher rates of gaming disorder. When all variables (including age and gender) were considered in a logistic regression model, the number of genres played, the number of non-stop hours, the proportion of online games, and having a diagnosed mental disorder emerged as significant predictors of gaming disorder. Conclusion: Each variable seems to add further risk of gaming disorder among children and adolescents. Monitoring the length of gaming sessions, the number and type of genres played, time spent gaming online, and behavior changes may help parents or guardians identify unhealthy patterns of gaming behavior.

This retrospective study aimed to evaluate a possible correlation between the characteristics of the mandibular ramus and lower third molar impaction by comparing a group of subjects with an impacted lower third molar and a second group with normal eruption for an early prediction of this pathology. This comparison was made using linear and angular measurements, which were taken on digital panoramic radiographs. Materials and methods: A total of 726 orthopantomographs (OPT) were examined, and 81 were considered suitable for the present study. The results were divided into two groups: a control group and an experimental group. The control group comprised 38 cases in which patients had at least one lower third molar that had erupted, and the experimental group comprised 43 cases in which patients had at least one lower third molar that was impacted or partially impacted. In total, 16 variables (11 linear, 4 angular, and 1 ratio) were determined and measured by an experienced observer. Results: The control group had a larger retromolar space, a larger impaction angle and a higher ratio of retromolar area to the third molar, compared to the experimental group. In contrast, the experimental group showed a deeper sigmoid notch depth than the control group did. In the control group, moderate positive correlations were found between both the length of the coronoid and the width of the third molar, and the retromolar space. Furthermore, in the experimental group, moderate positive correlations were found between both the angular condyle–coronoid process and the inclination of the lower posterior teeth, and the retromolar space. Conclusion: this study showed that the angle of a lower third molar, in relation to mandibular pain, can be an index for predicting tooth inclusion.

Since the first evidence suggesting that maternal nutrition can impact the development of diseases in the offspring, much has been elucidated about its effects on the offspring’s nervous system. Animal studies demonstrated that maternal obesity can predispose the offspring to greater chances of metabolic and neurodevelopmental diseases. However, the mechanisms underlying these responses are not well established. In recent years, the role of the gut-brain axis in the development of anxiety and depression in people with obesity has emerged. Studies investigating changes in the maternal microbiota during pregnancy and also in the offspring demonstrate that conditions such as maternal obesity can modulate the microbiota, leading to long-term outcomes in the offspring. Considering that maternal obesity has also been linked to the development of psychiatric conditions (anxiety and depression), the gut-brain axis is a promising target to be further explored in these neuropsychiatric contexts. In the present study, we review the relationship between maternal obesity and anxious and depressive features, exploring the gut-brain axis as a potential mechanism underlying this relationship.

Guided bone regeneration (GBR) has been shown to be an optimal technique to accelerate the bone regeneration process thanks to the action of membrane barriers that promote tissue healing through the process of osteogenesis, inducing the repopulation with osteoprogenitor cells that prevent the invasion of non-osteogenic tissue. However, current membranes, such as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene or rubber dam, have some disadvantages that could potentially reduce the effectiveness of GBR. Recently, some scaffolds with magnetic properties have been tested to promote rapid osteogenesis. The aim of this laboratory study was to evaluate the intensity of the magnetic field generated by a custom-made rubber dam magnetised with neodymium-iron-boron (Nd2F14B) (three layers of latex filled with Nd2F14B powder on the inner surface) and to understand the effects of such a membrane on cell viability. A magnetic field of 750 G, 400 G, and 900 G was generated on the surface and on the long and wide sides of 3 and 2 cm in contact with the rubber dam. At a distance of 1 mm from the magnetic dam, a magnetic field of 300 G, 150 G, and 400 G was measured on the surface and on the long and wide sides of the rubber dam, respectively. After 72 h, the MG-63 osteoblast-like line showed a slight decrease in cell proliferation (85 ± 10) compared with the unmodified dam (95 ± 6) and the cell control population. According to our findings, this magnetic cofferdam is able to generate a static magnetic field and significantly affect cell proliferation in contrast to other nonabsorbable membranes. Further laboratory studies and subsequent clinical trials are needed to evaluate the significant improvements that can be achieved by using this type of magnetic rubber dam in GBR.

The use of xenogenic cortical bone laminas in Guided Bone Regeneration (GBR) has been well described in the literature over the past decade. These biomaterials present a very low degree of complications due to their nature (porcine or equine collagenated bone) and the fact that when they become exposed, they simply hydrolyze without major complications. One of the problems related to the first generation of these laminas was their extreme rigidity and return elasticity, often forcing clinicians to anchor them with pins and/or screws. A new generation of bone laminas called Flex Cortical Sheet (FCS) have recently been introduced with machine-made thicknesses of 0.2, 0.5, and 0.9 mm and increased flexibility and adaptability to ridge defects. This paper has the goal of presenting a case of vertical and horizontal reconstruction performed by means of a 0.5 mm FCS and showing the workflow necessary to successfully restore a complex situation. After 8 months of healing, the GBR resulted in a horizontal and vertical augmentation of 8 mm and 8 mm, respectively. The radiographic examination at 18 months demonstrated great stability of new bone around implants.

Several Alveolar Ridge Preservation (ARP) procedures have been proposed over the years. The purpose of this study was to describe the new Modified Periosteal Inhibition (MPI) technique for ARP. Seven patients were enrolled (age range: 28–72 years old; 5 males, 2 females). In total, nine hopeless teeth were treated. Following the elevation of a full-thickness flap, atraumatic tooth extraction was conducted, preserving the buccal bone of the alveolar socket. OsteoBiol® Lamina Soft (Tecnoss®, Giaveno, Italy), 0.5 mm thick, was suitably shaped (8–10 mm in height, extending from the mesial and to the distal corners of the socket). The lamina was gently positioned between the buccal periosteum and the buccal bone plate. Tisseel® (Baxter Healthcare Corporation, Deerfield, IL, USA) was applied to seal the cortical membrane. The flaps were sutured with PTFE 4-0 (Omnia, Fidenza, Italy). Postoperative instructions were provided. Patients were strictly monitored during the follow-up. No early or late biological complications were experienced. Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) exams were performed at baseline and 4 months later. The thickness of the buccal cortical bone at baseline was 1.18 ± 0.57 mm. The pre-operative and post-operative ridge widths were 10.74 ± 1.54 mm and 11.16 ± 1.57 mm, respectively. A horizontal ridge increase of 0.41 ± 0.21 mm was observed during the healing period. At 4 months of healing, the bone volume was adequate for implant placement and no additional bone regeneration procedures were required. MPI technique was effective in preventing the horizontal contraction of the post-extraction socket. Further studies will be needed in the future to confirm our positive results.

Background: Orthodontic treatment in adult patients is hindered by several problems, such as little time for regular dental visits and financial costs. In recent years, photobiomodulation (PBM) has been shown to significantly reduce the duration of orthodontic treatment and significantly increase patient compliance. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of PBM in shortening the orthodontic treatment duration in adult patients while ensuring optimal patient compliance. Methods: A total of 170 orthodontic patients with a Little’s irregularity index (LII) ≥ 3 mm treated with Invisalign clear aligners (Align Technology, Santa Clara, CA, USA) were included. The treatment group (PBM) (n = 90 patients) was trained in the use of the OrthopulseTM device (Biolux Research, Vancouver, Canada) according to an application protocol of 5 min per day. The control group (n = 80 patients) was treated with transparent Invisalign® without PBM applications. The LII was measured at a baseline and each aligner change until the end of the treatment when the LII was less than 1 mm. The crowding resolution rate (CRR), expressed in mm/week, and the total treatment time were measured. Results: The alignment rate of the PBM group was significantly higher than that of the control group (0.33 mm/week vs. 0.21 mm/week) with a reduction in the treatment time of 57.5 weeks in the PBM group compared with the control group. Conclusion: The PBM performed with the Orthopulse™ is shown to be an effective and noninvasive technique for accelerating teeth movements and can contribute in a relevant way to increase access to orthodontic treatment by the adult population as well as increase its compliance.

Dental anxiety is a common problem in younger children, especially those who have had traumatic or perceived traumatic dental treatments. Nitrous oxide (N2O) and oxygen (O2) have been recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry as the optimal approach for uncooperative or anxious patients. The study aimed to evaluate the cooperation of children treated on deciduous teeth without local anesthesia and with rubber dam. A retrospective study was conducted from January 2019 to December 2020 in a private dental practice on children aged 4–10 years who had previously reported cases of dental anxiety during dental procedures or refused to undergo them. After an initial cognitive examination, the children underwent conservative treatment lasting a maximum of 30 min. Initially, 100% O2 was administered, then N2O dose was gradually increased to 35%. At the end of the treatment, 100% pure O2 was administered for 5 min. Children’s cooperation was assessed by Venham score before treatment (T0), at the end of induction (T1), and during the treatment (T2). A total of 371 children (age: 6.3 ± 1.7 years) were included in the study. Cooperation increased significantly from baseline at T1 (p < 0.001) and T2 (p < 0.001). Younger children (4–6 years) showed lower levels of cooperation at baseline (p < 0.001) but achieved optimal levels of cooperation at T1 (p = 0.022). Only 2.7% of children reported side effects. N2O/O2 proved to be an effective and safe method in achieving a good level of cooperation in younger children.

Resumo: O trabalho aborda efeitos do Programa de Aquisição de Alimentos e do Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar sobre aspectos da organização social e da comercialização no contexto de quatro cooperativas e de uma associação de produtores de bananas nos municípios de Miracatu, Sete Barras e de Registro, em São Paulo. Para tanto, os principais gestores e 38 produtores foram entrevistados. As entrevistas ocorreram entre agosto de 2017 e maio de 2018. A criação das cooperativas derivou do processo de organização dos produtores para acessar tais programas. Para a venda direta e permanente de alimentos, as organizações precisaram adquirir aprendizados e organizar os produtores para atender exigências de padronização das frutas e de frequência de abastecimento. Para a comercialização foram realizados investimentos em governança, estruturas físicas e processos de logística. O aluguel de um entreposto em Santo André - SP foi um avanço no controle do processo de comercialização. A expansão das vendas institucionais promoveu o fortalecimento dos laços organizativos regionais, culminando na criação de uma cooperativa de segundo grau. Assim, a produção agregada dos agricultores passou a chegar aos mercados via cooperativas, permitindo que maior proporção do valor gerado na produção ficasse nas mãos do trabalhador familiar.

Lhermitte-Duclos disease (LDD), or cerebellar dysplastic gangliocytoma, is a rare type of cerebellar tumor, from unknown origin. Patients can be asymptomatic for several years, but there are usually imprecise neurological signs for long periods.

Purpose – Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (Embrapa, the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation), owned by the Brazilian Government, is one of the most efficient agencies for promoting sustainable tropical agriculture in the world. However, although information is available, farmers do not always put the technologies and knowledge into practice. There is a large difference between the average productivity of farmers and crop or herd potential. Thus, this paper aims to describe and analyze the process of technology transfer of the Embrapa Agrobiology Unit. Design/methodology/approach – The study reviewed the classical and diffusionist models of technology transfer (TT) in Brazilian agriculture and the role of the government in innovation. This was based on documentary research and structured interviews with four employees, supported by a structured roadmap composed of four categories for analysis: the role of TT; the organizational structure of the area; the TT strategies; and the ways of delivery, methods and tools of TT. By a qualitative approach, the results were treated through content analysis. Findings – The results indicated that the area of TT at Embrapa went through a recent restructuring, which included the interchange and collective construction of knowledge (ICC) in its TT process, to turn entrepreneurship into reality. The company is dedicated to bringing knowledge to the most important people: farmers. This has been done through a participatory TT model, which has involved multiplier agents from the research stage to the transfer stage. Research limitations/implications – Some limitations were found, among them, the fact that only internal members of Embrapa were interviewed, limiting the view of the TTICC staff and without knowing the multiplier agents’ opinion and other actors involved in the process. In addition, it is a qualitative research that is subject to the interpretation of the researcher. Practical implications – This study contributed to reflections about the TT process and how it can be used by different actors, along with the role of the State in innovation. Social implications – In addition to contributing to the development of products, processes and technologies for the economic, social and environmental development of Brazil, Embrapa has been outstanding in generating knowledge for the advancement of science. Its results have had impacts not only nationally but also worldwide. Embrapa has played a key role in Brazilian agriculture as well as in livestock, mainly, in supporting governmental projects and in the implementation of public policies. Originality/value – The aim of this study was achieved, as there was a possibility of describing and analyzing the technology transfer process at Embrapa Agrobiology Unit, located in the city of Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro. It is concluded that Embrapa has been committed to involving the farmer in the process of interchange, collective construction of knowledge and technology transfer. The farmer has become the focus of this process, reducing the development of “shelf” researches and increasing the participation of the farmer or of the multiplier agent. The importance of studying and knowing the process of technology and knowledge transfer to the public of interest should be highlighted, and especially the reasons why this technology or knowledge are often not adopted by the public. It was possible to identify that Embrapa has noticed the difficulties of farmers and realized that the best way the best way of transforming technological solutions and knowledge into innovation is by involving the farmer in the process of construction and of transfer. Thus, the farmer gives greater credibility to the technology or generated knowledge because this is something that he himself helped build. In the sphere of contemporary institutional knowledge management, Embrapa has had as its main point of departure the demand and the needs of society. For this, it has created means to ensure the participation of different actors because they signal the construction of technological solutions and of innovation and they are the ones who know the real situation. However, this is a recent progress within Embrapa that has evolved and generated results. Thus, research, science and technology institutions must go beyond technology transfer and must ensure the involvement, participation and interaction of the public of interest to promote significant change, social, economic and environmental development and transformation. Embrapa observed this from the referential framework that included technology transfer, interchange and the collective construction of knowledge.

Severe positional obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (POSAS) is a common clinical respiratory disorder with an incidence of 26.7% to 74.5%. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) combined with positional therapy is the gold standard of treatment. However, a mandibular advancement device (MAD) is an effective alternative to CPAP when compliance with CPAP is low or if CPAP is rejected by the patient. A 63-year-old Caucasian male (BMI 26.1 kg/m2) complaining of repeated episodes of daytime sleepiness and heavy snoring was diagnosed with POSAS and treated with a MAD. After two years, polysomnographic (PSG) control analysis showed a significant reduction in the number of obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea episodes per hour (AHI) by 58.9% in the lateral position and 75.5% in the supine position, complete remission of symptoms, a significant reduction in the severity of POSAS, and an overall improvement in quality of life. No adverse events or reduction in compliance were observed during the follow-up period. For severe POSAS, MADs may be an alternative method that is well tolerated by patients and has a good safety profile.

This article contains data of Social Transmission of Food Preference in an animal model of autism and the evaluation of a set of microRNA analyzed in autistic patients and animal model of autism. The analyses of the absolute consumption of two flavored food by male rats prenatally exposed to valproic acid (VPA) and treated with resveratrol (RSV), showed that VPA animals show a trend to eat less of the flavored food presented by a demonstrator rat. We also identified 13 microRNA with similar levels among rodents’ experimental groups, as well as 11 microRNA with no alterations between autistic and control subjects. Further evaluation of mechanisms of VPA and RSV actions on behavioral and molecular alterations can shed light in important biomarkers and etiological triggers of autistic spectrum disorders. Keywords: Autism, Social transmission of food preference, microRNA, Resveratrol, Translational research, Preclinical models, Valproate

Recently, the demineralized dentin matrix has been suggested as an alternative material to autologous bone grafts and xenografts for clinical purposes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different times of demineralization on the chemical composition and the surface morphology of dentinal particles. Extracted teeth were ground and divided into 5 groups based on demineralization time (T0 = 0 min, T2 = 2 min, T5 = 5 min, T10 = 10 min, and T60 = 60 min) with 12% EDTA. The analysis was performed using Fourier-Transform Mid-Infrared spectroscopy (FT-MIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) (p < 0.05). The FT-MIR analysis showed a progressive reduction of the concentration of both PO43− and CO32− in the specimens (T0 > T2 > T5 > T10 > T60). On the contrary, the organic (protein) component did not undergo any change. The SEM examination showed that increasing the times of demineralization resulted in a smoother surface of the dentin particles and a higher number of dentinal tubules.

We report a case of a 32 week gestational age preterm monozygotic twin neonate with a rare variant of Pentalogy of Cantrell who presented with severe respiratory distress syndrome, possible pulmonary hypoplasia, large congenital diaphragmatic hernia, large omphalocele, and atrial septal defect. Pentalogy of Cantrell poses a unique challenge for both neonatologists and surgeons, as it has a high mortality and morbidity rate. Prognosis of newborns with Pentalogy of Cantrell depends upon severity of both cardiac and extracardiac defects, and other associated anomalies. This report describes an extremely rare variant of the Pentalogy of Cantrell spectrum in a patient with a co-existent twin – twin transfusion syndrome and transient hydrops fetalis in utero, who survived with favorable outcome. Keywords: Pentalogy of cantrell, Prematurity, Monochornionic twin, Giant omphalocele

O pressuposto que orienta a montagem dos cursos de graduação no campo das políticas públicas é claro: para se formar um bom profissional ou um bom pesquisador da área é necessário fazê-lo transitar por diversos campos de conhecimento que, historicamente, se constituíram afastados uns dos outros. O desafio é como compreender e praticar a interdisciplinaridade intrínseca a essa proposta. Mais especificamente, como fazer com que a transição constante e necessária entre diversos campos de saber não resulte, ao final, em uma formação deficiente, quando considerada do ponto de vista de cada disciplina particular, e fragmentada, quando considerada em seu conjunto? Para indicar o núcleo do desafio da formação interdisciplinar, utilizamos o conceito de “comunidade epistêmica”, que se caracteriza pelo fato de que seus membros compartilham, em maior ou menor medida: a) uma linguagem comum, dotada de certos conceitos que se supõem aptos a descrever os objetos de estudo do campo, mas que, bem considerados, estão também construindo esses objetos de estudo; b) uma avaliação comum acerca de quais são os problemas relevantes a serem resolvidos com relação a esses objetos; c) tendência a uniformizar certas crenças básicas, pré-teóricas, que permitem estruturar o campo de estudos; d) uma visão compartilhada a respeito de quais são os métodos válidos, aceitáveis, para a abordagem e resolução dos problemas da disciplina (ZITO, 2001; HAAS, 1992). O desafio aos professores do campo de públicas reside no dilema entre se afastarem de suas comunidades de origem para forjar uma comunidade epistêmica própria, interdisciplinar, ou manter o vínculo com sua comunidade epistêmica de origem.

This article applies an energy lens to Paolo Bacigalupi’s Ship Breaker (2010) and ‘The Calorie Man’ (2005), relying on contemporary environmental readings of Marx to explore their unsustainable metabolic relationship with nature. Situating these texts as critical dystopias, this article maps the dystopian and utopian extrapolations Bacigalupi deploys in his future post-oil society, specifically relating to the infrastructure of late energy transport and energy-related commodities. While Bacigalupi utilises ecologically-oriented genetic and industrial technologies in these texts, his work emphasises that technological solutions alone will not be able to heal our unsustainable metabolism of nature. Bacigalupi enters into cultural debates on the Anthropocene and the Great Acceleration by cognitively estranging animal and human labour, ecological ships, and genetically modified crops, while simultaneously highlighting the exploitation of both people and the environment in late capitalism. This article also explores the resultant metabolic rifts evident in both texts, drawing specific attention to the destabilised aspects of nature that elude capitalistic control and trouble spaces of production and profit, including genetically modified creatures like cheshires, and more ‘natural’ elements like storms and sea-level rise due to global warming. The article ultimately seeks to prove that Ship Breaker and ‘The Calorie Man’ mobilise a dystopian framework to highlight the imbalanced metabolism of energy production under capitalism, moving the reader towards a more realisable social, as opposed to technological, change.

It is known that patients with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) may show deficits in several areas of cognition, including speech and language abilities. One domain of particular interest is pragmatics, which refers to the capacity of using language in context for a successful communication. Several studies showed that some specific aspects of pragmatics – both in production and in comprehension – might be impaired in patients with PD. However, a clear picture of pragmatic abilities in PD is still missing, as most of the existing studies focused on specific aspects of the pragmatic competence rather than on sketching a complete pragmatic profile. Moreover, little is known on the potential role of protective factors in compensating the decline of communicative skills as the disease progresses. The present study has two aims: (1) to provide a complete picture of pragmatic abilities in patients with PD, by using a comprehensive battery (Assessment of Pragmatic Abilities and Cognitive Substrates, APACS) and by investigating the relationship with other aspects of cognitive functioning (e.g., working memory and Theory of Mind) and (2) to investigate whether Cognitive Reserve, i.e., the resilience to cognitive impairment provided by life experiences and activities, may compensate for the progressive pragmatic deficits in PD. We found that patients with PD, compared to healthy matched controls, had worse performance in discourse production and in the description of scenes, and that these impairments were tightly correlated with the severity of motor impairment, suggesting reduced intentionality of engaging in a communicative exchange. Patients with PD showed also an impairment in comprehending texts and humor, suggesting a problem in inferring from stories, which was related to general cognitive impairment. Notably, we did not find any significant difference between patients and controls in figurative language comprehension, a domain that is commonly impaired in other neurodegenerative diseases. This might be indicative of a specific profile of pragmatic impairment in patients with PD, worth of further investigation. Finally, Cognitive Reserve measures showed a high degree of association with pragmatic comprehension abilities, suggesting that the modification of life-styles could be a good candidate for compensating the possible problems in understanding the pragmatic aspects of language experienced by patients with PD.

Abstract Introduction The city of Passo Fundo, in the north of the Rio Grande do Sul state, has been standing out in the health care field for many years. The state has become a reference in endovascular interventional neuroradiology. We will cover 10 years of experience in this area and divide our observations in 3 parts: cerebral angiograms (part I), carotid angioplasties (part II) and intracranial aneurysms (part III). The goal of part I is to statistically assess the cerebral angiograms, their indications, risks and complications, as well as to do a technical review. Materials and Methods A retrospective study from 2005 to 2015 with a total of 5,567 interventional neuroradiology procedures performed. A total of 4,114 angiograms, 639 embolizations of intracranial aneurysms, 414 carotid angioplasties, 143 embolizations of cerebral arteriovenous malformations, 32 embolizations of dural arteriovenous fistulas, 102 cerebral vasospasm treatments, 21 treatments of epistaxis, 36 embolizations of craniocervical tumor, 25 thrombolysis of ischemic stroke, 18 vertebroplasties and 13 embolizations of arteriovenous malformations of the face. Results A total of 4,084 procedures performed, 21,811 vessels studied, average vase 7.62/2.82 vessel and patient/procedure. Of these, 2,536 were diagnostic procedures and 1,548 angiographic controls. Of the total, 1,188 patients received only an angiogram, 27.14% of which were therapeutic procedures. We obtained a total of 3.89% complications: 2.33% reflection vasovagal, 0.56% allergic skin reaction, anaphylactic shock 0.07%, 0.27% femoral hematoma, 0.26% transient neurological deficit, 0.12% permanent neurological deficit and no case of death. Conclusion Cerebral angiography in adults, children and infants is a safe procedure with low risk of permanent neurological complications.

Abstract Teratomas are the most common type of Germ Cell Tumors (GCTs). GCTs are classified as extragonadal, if there is no evidence of a primary tumor in neither the testicles, nor in the ovaries. Intracranial Mature Teratomas are tumors with a very low incidence, and clear male predominance. We present the case of a 21 year-old female patient, with a history of two seizures 15 days prior to admission, without any abnormalities upon physical examination. The Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) performed at the admission evidenced an expansive, heterogeneous lesion in the frontal lobe, hypointense on T1-weighted images, hyperintense on T2-weighted images, and restriction on the diffusion imaging and ADC-mapping. The patient underwent microsurgical resection, and it was possible to achieve a near-total resection. During surgery, a well-defined capsule was identified, which was removed after adequate debulking. Tissues resembling hair were taken from inside the lesion. The patient recovered well, without any neurological deficits, and no further intervention was necessary. The authors aim to describe this rare pathology and their option for a surgical approach.

This study investigated the understanding of underinformative sentences like “Some elephants have trunks” by children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The scalar term ‘some’ can be interpreted pragmatically, ‘Not all elephants have trunks,’ or logically, ‘Some and possibly all elephants have trunks.’ Literature indicates that adults with ASD show no real difficulty in interpreting scalar implicatures, i.e., they often interpret them pragmatically, as controls do. This contrasts with the traditional claim of difficulties of people with ASD in other pragmatic domains, and is more in line with the idea that pragmatic problems are not universal. The aim of this study was to: (a) gain insight in the ability of children with ASD to derive scalar implicatures, and (b) do this by assessing not only sensitivity to underinformativeness, but also different degrees of tolerance to violations of informativeness. We employed a classic statement-evaluation task, presenting optimal, logical false, and underinformative utterances. In Experiment 1, children had to express their judgment on a binary option ‘I agree’ vs. ‘I disagree.’ In Experiment 2, a ternary middle answer option ‘I agree a bit’ was also available. Sixty-six Flemish-speaking 10-year-old children were tested: 22 children with ASD, an IQ-matched group, and an age-matched group. In the binary judgment task, the ASD group gave more pragmatic answers than the other groups, which was significant in the mixed effects logistic regression analysis, although not in the non-parametric analysis. In the ternary judgment task, the children with ASD showed a dichotomized attitude toward the speaker’s meaning, by tending to either fully agree or fully disagree with underinformative statements, in contrast with TD children, who preferred the middle option. Remarkably, the IQ-matched group exhibited the same pattern of results as the ASD group. Thanks to a fine-grained measure such as the ternary judgment task, this study highlighted a neglected aspect of the pragmatic profile of ASD, whose struggle with social communication seems to affect also the domain of informativeness. We discuss the implications of the dichotomized reaction toward violations of informativeness in terms of the potential role of ASD and of cognitive and verbal abilities.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by impairments in both social communication and interaction and repetitive or stereotyped behaviors. Although its etiology remains unknown, genetic and environmental risk factors have been associated with this disorder, including the exposure to valproic acid (VPA) during pregnancy. Resveratrol (RSV) is an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant molecule known to prevent social impairments in the VPA animal model of autism. This study aimed to analyze the effects of prenatal exposure to VPA, as well as possible preventive effects of RSV, on sensory behavior, the localization of GABAergic parvalbumin (PV+) neurons in sensory brain regions and the expression of proteins of excitatory and inhibitory synapses. Pregnant rats were treated daily with RSV (3.6 mg/kg) from E6.5 to E18.5 and injected with VPA (600 mg/kg) in the E12.5. Male pups were analyzed in Nest Seeking (NS) behavior and in whisker nuisance task (WNT). At P30, the tissues were removed and analyzed by immunofluorescence and western blotting. Our data showed for the first time an altered localization of PV+-neurons in primary sensory cortex and amygdala. We also showed a reduced level of gephyrin in the primary somatosensory area (PSSA) of VPA animals. The treatment with RSV prevented all the aforementioned alterations triggered by VPA. Our data shed light on the relevance of sensory component in ASD and highlights the interplay between RSV and VPA animal model as an important tool to investigate the pathophysiology of ASD.