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Objectives: The objectives of this study are to investigate, over time, the antimicrobial activity against polymicrobial biofilms and ability to inhibit biofilm formation, of Biodentine (BD) alone and with 5% and 10% sodium diclofenac (DC). Material and methods: The antimicrobial activity of BD alone and modified with 5% and 10% DC against polymicrobial biofilm growth in dentin was determined by a modified direct contact test. The study groups were (1) BD; (2) BD + 5% DC; and (3) BD + 10% DC. The viability of microorganisms after 1 and 4 weeks was quantified by means of an ATP assay and flow cytometry. The antibiofilm efficacy of the materials, preventing polymicrobial biofilm formation over time, was assessed by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Results: The results obtained with both the ATP test and flow cytometry showed that BD alone and with 5% and 10% DC exerted antibiofilm activity with respect to the control, in the two evaluated times (p < 0.001). Comparison between groups showed a tendency of increased antimicrobial effect, both over time and depending on the DC concentration. These results coincide with those obtained in CLSM analysis, where efficacy increased with time and DC concentration. Conclusions and clinical relevance: Biodentine, over time, showed antimicrobial and antibiofilm efficacy on polymicrobial biofilms. The addition of 5% and 10% DC to BD enhanced this effect, in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protected areas (PAs) are a foundational and essential strategy for reducing biodiversity loss. However, many PAs around the world exist on paper only; thus, while logging and habitat conversion may be banned in these areas, illegal activities often continue to cause alarming habitat destruction. In such cases, the presence of armed conflict may ultimately prevent incursions to a greater extent than the absence of conflict. Although there are several reports of habitat destruction following cessation of conflict, there has never been a systematic and quantitative "before-and-after-conflict" analysis of a large sample of PAs and surrounding areas. Here we report the results of such a study in Colombia, using an open-access global forest change dataset. By analysing 39 PAs over three years before and after Colombia's peace agreement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), we found a dramatic and highly significant increase in the deforestation rate for the majority of these areas and their buffer zones. We discuss the reasons behind such findings from the Colombian case, and debate some general conservation lessons applicable to other countries undergoing post-conflict transitions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study is to evaluate inter-reader entheses ultrasound (US) reliability and the influence of the type of image or degree of sonographer experience on US reliability in patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA). Eighteen Latin American ultrasonographers with different experience took part in an US reading exercise evaluating 60 entheseal images (50 % static images and 50 % videos) from healthy controls and SpA patients. The following sonographic lesions were assessed: structure, thickness, bone proliferation/tendon calcification, erosions, bursitis, and Doppler signal. Another group of three experts with significant experience in entheses US read all images too. Inter-reader reliability among participants and experts was calculated by the Cohen's kappa coefficient. Thresholds for kappa values were <0.2 poor, 0.21-0.4 fair, 0.41-0.6 moderate, 0.61-0.8 good, and 0.81-1 excellent. Furthermore, the results for the expert group were stratified based on the type of image. Kappa correlation coefficients among participants, showed variability depending on the type of lesion, being fair for structure and thickness, moderate for calcifications, erosions, and bursitis, and excellent for Doppler signal. Inter-reader reliability among experts was higher, being moderate for structure and thickness, good for calcifications and bursitis, and excellent for erosions and Doppler. Inter-reader reliability for assessing calcification and structure using static images was significantly higher than for videos. Overall inter-reader reliability for assessing entheses by US in SpA is moderate to excellent for most of the lesions. However, special training seems fundamental to achieve better inter-reader reliability. Moreover, the type of image influenced these results, where evaluation of entheses by videos was more difficult than by static images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genome of some vole rodents contains large blocks of heterochromatin coupled to the sex chromosomes. While the DNA content of these heterochromatic blocks has been extensively analyzed, little is known about the epigenetic modifications controlling their structure and dynamics. To better understand its organization and functions within the nucleus, we have compared the distribution pattern of several epigenetic marks in cells from two species, Microtus agrestis and Microtus cabrerae. We first could show that the heterochromatic blocks are identifiable within the nuclei due to their AT enrichment detectable by DAPI staining. By immunostaining analyses, we demonstrated that enrichment in H3K9me3 and HP1, depletion of DNA methylation as well as H4K8ac and H3K4me2, are major conserved epigenetic features of this heterochromatin in both sex chromosomes. Furthermore, we provide evidence of transcriptional activity for some repeated DNAs in cultivated cells. These transcripts are partially polyadenylated and their levels are not altered during mitotic arrest. In summary, we show here that enrichment in H3K9me3 and HP1, DNA demethylation, and transcriptional activity are major epigenetic features of sex heterochromatin in vole rodents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Storage preparation of human heart valves for implants generally includes incubation in an antimicrobial disinfection solution and cryopreservation. Changes in patterns of microorganisms susceptibility to antibiotics is a variable process of that promote its inefficiency. The aim of this study has been an evaluation of in vitro susceptibility of high virulence microorganisms isolated in our tissue bank for 14 years in order to evaluate the efficiency, and to promote changes for further antibiotics mixtures as well. Data presented in this study show that microorganisms isolates in valve banking display susceptibility patterns similar to those shown in other clinical circumstances, and the most commonly used antibiotics regimes are useful to date. An antibiotic cocktail containing aminoglicoside in addition to ciprofloxacin and vancomycin is an efficient mixture to be used in valve banking. Further studies will be necessary for monitoring patterns changes of in vitro susceptibility of microbiological isolates in tissue banking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to describe the clinical and hematological characteristics of a 32-year-old woman with concomitant heterozygous pyruvate kinase (PK) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiencies and severe hemolytic anemia during pregnancy. In 1964, Oski et al. described a family in which a clinically healthy woman was heterozygous for both PK and G6PD deficiencies. To our knowledge, the present case is the first described in which the same condition is associated with hemolysis. A heterozygous condition for both enzymopathies was clearly demonstrated by family study criteria, and all other causes of hemolytic anemia were eliminated. No evidence of genetic relationship between the two disorders was demonstrated. Since late onset of hemolysis in heterozygous PK-deficient women has been observed in association with pregnancy and the molecular characteristics of the concomitant deficient G6PD enzyme were kinetically favorable, partial PK deficiency is suggested as the major cause of hemolysis in this patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to describe the clinical and hematological characteristics of a 32-year-old woman with concomitant heterozygous pyruvate kinase (PK) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiencies and severe hemolytic anemia during pregnancy. In 1964, Oski et al. [16] described a family in which a clinically healthy woman was heterozygous for both PK and G6PD deficiencies. To our knowledge, the present case is the first described in which the same condition is associated with hemolysis. A heterozygous condition for both enzymopathies was clearly demonstrated by family study criteria, and all other causes of hemolytic anemia were eliminated. No evidence of genetic relationship between the two disorders was demonstrated. Since late onset of hemolysis in heterozygous PK-deficient women has been observed in association with pregnancy and the molecular characteristics of the concomitant deficient G6PD enzyme were kinetically favorable, partial PK deficiency is suggested as the major cause of hemolysis in this patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The enzymatic profiles of several yeastlike organisms were studied using 19 substrates included in the API ZYM system. The isolates evaluated were: 186 Candida albicans, 19 C. stellatoidea, 4 C. tropicalis, 2 C. parapsilosis, 2 C. pseudotropicalis, 1 C. guilliermondii, 3 C. krusei, 11 Torulopsis (Candida) glabrata, 1 Cryptococcus neoformans, 2 Saccharomyces carlsbergensis, 1 Rhodotorula rubra, and 1 R. mucilaginosa. Esterase lipase (C8), leucine arylamidase, acid phosphatase, and phosphoamidase were detected in all of the isolates while trypsin and α-galactosidase were not found in any of the isolates using this system. The other enzymes were produced to a variable degree. The different enzymatic profiles might prove useful in the rapid differential diagnosis of genera and species of these yeastlike organisms. To this end, more extensive studies using more isolates of each species will be required, and enzymatic activity should be verified with other techniques and substrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Six different cultural media (corn meal agar, rice extract agar, chlamydospore agar, PCB, Tween 80-oxgall-caffeic acid and diluted milk) were compared for chlamydospore production by 224 yeastlike fungi isolates. Candida albicans formed chlamydospores to a variable degree in all of the media, as did C. stellatoidea to a lesser extent. C. tropicalis, C. parasilopsis, C. guilliermondii and C. krusei did not produce chlamydospores in any of the media tested. Statistically, the most productive media were the milk and TOC media. Milk medium is particularly useful because of its simplicity and economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we establish new Paley-Wiener type theorems for the Hankel transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. Lamellar zinc primers showed an apparent reduction in the effective pigment volume concentration; the levels from 50 to 55% were the best and they are estimated to be near the corresponding critical pigment volume concentration which is significantly lower than that for spherical zinc primers which was approximately 66%. 2. Taking into account both corrosion and blistering resistance, the best behaviour was obtained with a 75/25 spherical zinc/lamellar zinc ratio (series B) at pigment volume concentration near 60.0%. The sample with 50/50 ratio (series C) at a pigment volume concentration slightly less (approximately 57.5%) also displayed a very good performance at the end of all the tests concerned. 3. After six months storage, lamellar zinc incorporated in the epoxy base showed very slight sedimentation; after adding the curing agent, the primer can be applied after only light stirring. The spherical zinc primers, after the quoted period of storage, exhibited a heavy pigment settlement and consequently were very difficult to redisperse by hand stirring which may lead to more heterogeneous films with poor mechanical properties, high porosity, reduced corrosion-inhibitive properties, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indirect immunofluorescence assays to detect antibodies to Candida albicans blastospore and germ tube were performed in sera of 29 bone marrow transplant patients. Antibodies to germ tube were present in the sera of six patients, in four of whom a Candida albicans infection was highly probable, while in the other two patients it was not possible to determine the previous course. No healthy blood donors had these antibodies. On the other hand, detection of antibodies to Candida albicans blastospore showed low specificity in the diagnosis of systemic candidiasis. These preliminary findings suggest that the detection of antibodies to Candida albicans germ tube may be an important aid in the diagnosis of systemic candidiasis in bone marrow transplant patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor discussing about the Chagas' disease in a recipient of cord blood transplantation is presented.

Acute leukemia, hepatocellular carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma have been reported in patients with Fanconi's anemia. We report on a 31-year-old woman who developed squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus and hepatocellular carcinoma. Jaundice and hepatic tumor developed in 1981, after she had received oxymetholone for 10 years. Liver biopsy revealed peliosis hepatis. Androgenic therapy was stopped and the jaundice resolved. However, the hepatic tumor was observed to be unchanged. The patient died of disseminated squamous cell carcinoma, but no metastatic lesions from hepatocellular carcinoma were detected in the autopsy. The association of Fanconi's anemia and squamous cell carcinoma is reviewed, and the malignant potential of androgen-related hepatic tumors is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The enzymatic profiles of algae of genus Prototheca were studied using 19 substrates included in the API ZYM system. Chymotrypsin and β-glucuronidase were not detected. Of the enzymes detected the major percentages were alkaline phosphatase, esterase (C4), lipase esterase (C8), acid phosphatase and phosphoamidase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A preliminary investigation test was carried out concerning the use of esculin hydrolysis to differentiate Candida albicans from Candida stellatoidea is described. This test provides a rapid and reliable means of distinguishing C. albicans from C. stellatoidea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying the genomic changes that control morphological variation and understanding how they generate diversity is a major goal of evolutionary biology. In Heliconius butterflies, a small number of genes control the development of diverse wing color patterns. Here, we used full genome sequencing of individuals across the Heliconius erato radiation and closely related species to characterize genomic variation associated with wing pattern diversity. We show that variation around color pattern genes is highly modular, with narrow genomic intervals associated with specific differences in color and pattern. This modular architecture explains the diversity of color patterns and provides a flexible mechanism for rapid morphological diversification.

Protists, mainly ciliates, play several essential roles in biological wastewater treatment, such as the transfer of matter and energy, bacterial predation, and the removal of organic material. Moreover, during the treatment process, the formation of bioaggregates-flocs and biofilms-is essential to obtaining high-quality effluents. In the present study, Tetrahymena thermophila was used as a model organism to demonstrate the contribution of ciliates to bioflocculation. Axenic cultures of this species were exposed to chemical and mechanical stimuli that promote bioaggregation. In either case, the secretion of a capsulate mucous material by the ciliates or by particle aggregation was detected. Numerous, small, loosely compacted flocs were observed under shaking conditions and in the presence of latex beads. The composition of the exopolymeric material secreted by ciliates was analyzed by a series of fluorochromes and colorimetric methods, which showed that carbohydrates and nucleic acids were the main components involved in matrix formation and particle adhesion.