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Background Zika virus (ZIKV) infection during pregnancy may cause major congenital defects, including microcephaly, ocular, articular and muscle abnormalities, which are collectively defined as Congenital Zika Syndrome. Here, we performed an in-depth characterization of the effects of congenital ZIKV infection (CZI) in immunocompetent mice. Methods Pregnant dams were inoculated with ZIKV on embryonic day 5.5 in the presence or absence of a sub-neutralizing dose of a pan-flavivirus monoclonal antibody (4G2) to evaluate the potential role of antibody-dependent enhancement phenomenon (ADE) during short and long outcomes of CZI. Findings ZIKV infection induced maternal immune activation (MIA), which was associated with occurrence of foetal abnormalities and death. Therapeutic administration of AH-D antiviral peptide during the early stages of pregnancy prevented ZIKV replication and death of offspring. In the post-natal period, CZI was associated with a decrease in whole brain volume, ophthalmologic abnormalities, changes in testicular morphology, and disruption in bone microarchitecture. Some alterations were enhanced in the presence of 4G2 antibody. Interpretation Our results reveal that early maternal ZIKV infection causes several birth defects in immunocompetent mice, which can be potentiated by ADE phenomenon and are associated with MIA. Additionally, antiviral treatment with AH-D peptide may be beneficial during early maternal ZIKV infection. Fund This work was supported by the Brazilian National Science Council (CNPq, Brazil), Minas Gerais Foundation for Science (FAPEMIG), Funding Authority for Studies and Projects (FINEP), Coordination of Superior Level Staff Improvement (CAPES), National Research Foundation of Singapore and Centre for Precision Biology at Nanyang Technological University.

Introduction: Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is characterized by transient left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, typically mimicking an anterior wall myocardial infarction (MI), without obstructive coronary artery disease. In the few published reports assessing myocardial deformation in TTS and MI, no consistent differences have been described between the two entities. We sought to characterize global and regional function in TTS and to compare it with a population with MI. Methods: Clinical data, including echocardiography, were gathered from 17 TTS patients and 20 anterior wall ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) controls. Peak systolic longitudinal strain was determined for each LV segment using speckle tracking imaging, and global and mean apical, midventricular and basal longitudinal strain were calculated from these. Results: Both TTS and STEMI patients presented significant LV systolic dysfunction, and there were no significant differences in ejection fraction or global longitudinal strain. Regional longitudinal strain was more severely impaired in basal inferolateral and mid anterolateral segments in the TTS group and in apical anteroseptal segments in the STEMI group. Mean longitudinal strain was worse in the basal segments of TTS patients (-9.8±2.9 vs. -12.4±4.1%, p=0.010), with no significant differences in mid and apical segments. The basal/apical ratio was significantly lower in this group as well (1.51±0.86 vs. 2.94±1.88, p=0.006). Conclusions: While both TTS and STEMI feature significantly impaired global systolic function, we found a regional pattern of worse basal longitudinal strain and a lower basal/apical ratio in the former. These suggest generalized myocardial impairment in TTS, providing new clues about its pathophysiology and possible specific echocardiographic changes. Resumo: Introdução: A síndrome de Takotsubo (TTS) é caracterizada por disfunção ventricular esquerda transitória, habitualmente simulando um enfarte agudo do miocárdio (STEMI) anterior, sem doença coronária obstrutiva. Nos poucos trabalhos publicados avaliando deformação miocárdica não estão descritas diferenças consistentes entre as duas entidades. Procurámos caracterizar a função global e regional na TTS e compará-la com uma população com STEMI. Métodos: Reunimos dados clínicos, incluindo ecocardiográficos, de 17 doentes com TTS e 20 controlos com STEMI anterior. O pico sistólico de strain longitudinal foi determinado para cada segmento ventricular usando speckle tracking; a partir destes calculou-se o strain longitudinal global e a média dos segmentos apicais, médios e basais. Resultados: Tanto os doentes com TTS como STEMI apresentaram disfunção sistólica ventricular esquerda importante, sem diferença significativa da fração de ejeção e strain longitudinal global. O strain regional foi pior nos segmentos basal inferolateral e médio anterolateral do grupo com TTS e no apical anteroseptal dos doentes com STEMI. O strain longitudinal médio dos segmentos basais foi pior nos doentes com TTS (-9,8 ± 2,9 versus -12,4 ± 4,1%, p=0,010), sem diferença significativa nos médios ou apicais. A razão basal/apical também foi mais baixa neste grupo (1,51±0,86 versus 2,94±1,88, p=0,006). Conclusões: Apesar de tanto a TTS como o STEMI apresentarem disfunção sistólica global importante, encontrámos um padrão de pior strain longitudinal basal e uma razão basal/apical mais baixa nos primeiros. Isto sugere uma disfunção miocárdica generalizada na TTS e fornece novas pistas relativamente à sua fisiopatologia e possíveis alterações ecocardiográficas específicas. Keywords: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, Echocardiography, Myocardial deformation, Palavras-chave: Miocardiopatia de Takotsubo, Ecocardiografia, Deformação miocárdica

Biogeographical analyses using species lists of wood-inhabiting, poroid Hymenochaetales and Polyporales were performed to infer the relationship of major Neotropical morphoclimatic domains: Amazon, Atlantic and Caatinga moist forests. Parsimony analysis of endemicity, UPGMA clustering and NMDS ordination were computed with data of 18 localities and 245 species, all indicating that the northern Atlantic Forest is more related to the Amazon than to its southern portion. Also the results agree with the hypothesis that the Brejos Nordestinos is a distinct biota from both the Amazon and Atlantic Forest. Annual temperature and rainfall are strongly related with the resulting NDMS site scores. A distance similarity decay of similarity analysis suggests a moderate to low, but statistically significant, influence of the geographic distance on assemblages' composition. The limited distribution of many poroid fungal taxa also emphasizes the fragility of these organisms to habitat loss.

Training and innovation in the field of medical entomology are essential to mitigate the burden of vector-borne diseases globally. However, there is a shortage of medical entomologists worldwide, and there are large discrepancies in capacity building in this field. In this article, we discuss the current situation, what is needed from the medical entomologist of today, and how we can bridge this gap.

This report describes a survey of RNA and DNA viruses carried out in adult mosquitoes from Angola, raised under laboratory conditions from field-collected immature forms. This viral genomic survey was performed using different sets of primers targeting groups of arboviruses with a considerable impact on human health, including flaviviruses, alphaviruses, and phleboviruses. Furthermore, the viral survey that was performed also included detection of densoviruses. The obtained results did not reveal the presence of recognizable pathogenic arboviruses but allowed the identification of insect-specific flaviviruses from two genetic lineages and a single lineage of brevidensoviruses. These viruses, collectivelly detected in Anopheles sp. and Culex pipiens s.l. mosquitoes, were most probably transmitted vertically.

Introduction and objective: The prognostic value of myocardium deformation measurements in chronic heart failure (CHF) is still poorly addressed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation of left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain (GLS) with clinical and prognostic indicators in patients with CHF and systolic dysfunction. Methods: Ambulatory patients with CHF and LV ejection fraction (LVEF)

Giant coronary artery aneurysms larger than 50 mm are rare and associated with important complications: namely, rupture. Its workup requires comprehensive imaging and standard treatment is surgical exclusion. We present a 60-year-old patient with previous ostium secundum atrial septal defect surgical closure diagnosed with a giant proximal right coronary artery aneurysm (70 x 62 mm) fistulizing into the right atrium. Percutaneous closure of its aortic origin with an atrial septal occluder was successfully performed, and thrombosis of the aneurysm confirmed on angiography and echocardiogram. This case depicts an innovative, minimally invasive approach to this worrisome entity.

Leishmania infantum cytosolic tryparedoxin (LiTXN1) can be regarded as a potential candidate for drug targeting. This redox active molecule, which belongs to the thioredoxin superfamily, is one constituent of the hydroperoxide elimination cascade in L. infantum and may also be involved in other cellular processes such as DNA synthesis or host-parasite interaction. In order to validate LiTXN1 as a drug target we have employed a gene replacement strategy. We observed that substitution of both chromosomal LiTXN1 alleles was only possible upon parasite complementation with an episomal copy of the gene. Furthermore, contrary to control parasites carrying the empty vector, both the insect and the mammalian stages of L. infantum retained the episomal copy of LiTXN1 in the absence of drug pressure. These results confirm the essentiality of LiTXN1 throughout the life cycle of the parasite, namely in the disease-causing amastigote stage. In addition, the data obtained showed that disruption of one allele of this gene leads only to a 25% reduction in the expression of LiTXN1. Even though this does not affect promastigote growth and susceptibility to hydrogen peroxide, ex vivo infection assays suggest that wild-type levels of LiTXN1 are required for optimal L. infantum virulence.

A combination of host guest and coordination chemistry in the design of a spectroscopic sensor for lanthanide and aluminium ions is described. Nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes with a N 2 O Schiff base ligand and bearing two benzo-15-crown-5 moieties as flexible arms have been prepared and characterised by FAB-MS, UV–Vis and FTIR spectroscopies and, depending on the transition metal, by 1 H NMR or EPR. Recognition studies of alkaline, alkaline-earth, aluminium and lanthanide ions have been attempted in dmf by UV–Vis spectroscopy. Charge transfer and intraligand electronic bands of the Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes show significant changes only in the presence of the M 3+ ions used, lanthanides (Er 3+ , Gd 3+ and Pr 3+ ) and Al 3+ . Spectral changes induced by increasing M 3+ concentrations have allowed the calculation of stability constants associated with the coordination of one trivalent ion in each crown ether moiety, corresponding to the formation of 1:2 adducts (metal complex:M 3+ ), with values of log β 21 in the range 8.2–9.5. No apparent correlation is perceptible between log β 21 values and the transition metal, but a cavity effect was detected for each metal complex since log β 21 values increased as lanthanide radii increased.

An 83-year-old man with severe organic mitral regurgitation underwent mitral valve surgery with implantation of a biologic prosthesis. Four months later he presented with hemolytic anemia and heart failure due to severe paravalvular regurgitation. Since the patient refused surgery, the paravalvular leak was closed percutaneously using two Amplatzer devices, with angiographic and clinical success. Two months after the intervention he developed heart failure again and embolization of one of the devices was documented, with significant worsening of paravalvular regurgitation. A redo percutaneous closure was attempted but although initially promising, was ultimately unsuccessful as heart failure symptoms and hemolytic anemia persisted. Surgical correction was the final solution for this case.This is the second case of late device embolization reported in the literature and highlights the importance of careful long-term follow-up of such patients, as late complications, although rare, may occur. Resumo: Um homem de 83 anos com insuficiência mitral orgânica severa foi submetido a cirurgia de substituição valvular com implantação de uma prótese biológica. Quatro meses após a cirurgia desenvolveu anemia hemolítica e insuficiência cardíaca justificadas por uma regurgitação paravalvular mitral severa. Após ter sido recusada cirurgia, foi realizado encerramento percutâneo, usando dois dispositivos Amplatzer, com bom resultado angiográfico e clínico. Dois meses após a intervenção desenvolveu novamente insuficiência cardíaca. Documentou-se a embolização de um dos dispositivos com consequente agravamento da regurgitação paravalvular. Foi tentado novo encerramento percutâneo, mas apesar de alguma melhoria inicial, manteve insuficiência cardíaca e anemia hemolítica. Efetuou-se, então, correção cirúrgica da regurgitação paravalvular com resolução do quadro clínico. Este é o segundo caso de embolização tardia de dispositivo descrito na literatura e demonstra a necessidade de um seguimento cuidado destes doentes, porque, apesar de raras, as complicações tardias ocorrem. Keywords: Paraprosthetic leak, Device embolization, Percutaneous intervention, Palavras-chave: Regurgitação periprotésica, Embolização de dispositivo, Intervenção percutânea