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To assess whether the incidence and aggressiveness of molar pregnancy (MP) and postmolar gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) changed during the COVID-19 pandemic.Observational study with two separate designs: retrospective multicentre cohort of patients with MP/postmolar GTN and a cross-sectional analysis, with application of a questionnaire.Six Brazilian Reference Centres on gestational trophoblastic disease.2662 patients with MP/postmolar GTN treated from March-December/2015-2020 were retrospectively evaluated and 528 of these patients answered a questionnaire.Longitudinal retrospective multicentre study of patients diagnosed with MP/ postmolar GTN at presentation and a cross-sectional analysis, with application of a questionnaire, exclusive to patients treated during the period of study, to assess living and health conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic compared with previous years.The incidence of MP/postmolar GTN.Compared with the last 5 pre-pandemic years, MP/postmolar GTN incidence remained stable during 2020 (COVID-19 pandemic). Multivariable logistic regression, adjusted for the patient age, showed that during 2020, presentation with MP was more likely to be10 weeks of gestation (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.50, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.90-3.29, P 0.001), have a pre-evacuation hCG level ≥100 000 iu/l (aOR 1.77, 95% CI 1.38-2.28, P 0.001) and time to the initiation of chemotherapy ≥7 months (aOR 1.86, 95% CI 1.01-3.43, P = 0.047) when compared with 2015-2019.Although the incidence of MP/postmolar GTN remained stable during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil, the pandemic was associated with greater gestational age at MP diagnosis and more protracted delays in initiation of chemotherapy for postmolar GTN.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term results of robot-assisted (RATS) thymectomy in the treatment of large thymomas, defined as larger than 5 cm.We retrospectively reviewed 106 thymectomies from 2010 to 2020, creating two groups based on the surgical approach (open or RATS) and size. Kaplan-Meier and Cox-regression were used to estimate and identify risk factors of oncological outcomes. To perform a well-balanced analysis, a propensity score matched (PSM) analysis was conducted for large thymomas.From 2015, we performed 54 RATS thymectomies: 53.7% (n = 29) for small and 46.3% (n = 25) for large thymomas. Conversions were similar and all patients had a complete resection. The overall (82% vs. 92%, p = 0.57) and disease-free survival were comparable between RATS and open (92.5% vs. 93%, p = 0.67), outcomes confirmed after PSM for large thymomas.RATS thymectomy could be considered a valid option in selected patients with large thymomas.

PURPOSE Water equivalent diameter (WED) is the preferred surrogate for patient size in computed tomography (CT). It is better than geometric size surrogates and patient weight/height/BMI/age because it correlates the best with x-ray attenuation. The administration of oral/IV contrast agents increases a patient's attenuation and should therefore increase WED. Here we study the clinically relevant effect of oral and IV contrast agent on WED. METHODS We pulled 1703 routine adult abdominal/pelvis cases acquired at 100, 120, and 140 kV from our PACS under retrospective IRB approval. One hundred and forty cases cases had no oral or IV contrast (NONCON), 285 had just IV contrast (IV), 107 had just oral contrast (ORAL), and 1171 had both oral and IV contrast (BOTH). For each case, we measured the water equivalent and effective diameter (ED) from axial CT images. We plotted the WED versus the ED for each class of contrast. We used a linear regression model and omnibus F-test to determine if significant differences between WED distributions existed between the contrast groups for each kV. We then performed a post hoc analysis to determine if any significant differences existed in pairwise comparisons of the different contrast groups. Bonferroni correction was used to account for multiple comparisons. RESULTS We found statistically significant changes at 100 and 120 kV with a maximum change of 2.1 mm. We measured a ~25 mm spread (i.e., prediction interval) of WEDs within all four contrast groups. CONCLUSIONS While our sample size was large enough to detect statistically significant differences between some of the contrast groups, the differences were clinically irrelevant when one considers that the change in size-specific dose estimate (SSDE) caused by our observations is roughly 1%.

Aims Data regarding contrast‐induced nephropathy (CIN) after cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) implant are limited. We aimed to investigate the incidence and determinants of CIN and its impact on CRT response and outcomes. Methods and results Patients who underwent CRT implant were retrospectively analysed, and CIN was defined as an increase of serum creatinine ≥0.3 mg/dL or ≥1.5 times the baseline value. Response to CRT was defined as a reduction of left ventricle end‐systolic volume (LVESV) of 15% or the increase of five percentage points in ejection fraction (EF) as assessed by echocardiography at 6 months. Follow‐up visits were scheduled at 3, 6, and 12 months. Contrast‐induced nephropathy occurred in 13/107 patients (12%). Among baseline clinical, echocardiographic, and laboratory characteristics, only a high baseline serum creatinine was associated with the occurrence of CIN. Symptoms, EF, and LVESV at 6 months improved in both CIN and non‐CIN patients, and the rate of responders to CRT was similar. Among responders, at 6 months, those with CIN had significantly lower EF (28.5% vs. 35.7% P = 0.003). At a median follow‐up of 112 weeks, 43% of patients experienced a clinical event with similar incidence in CIN and non‐CIN patients, and likewise survival was similar. Non‐responders to CRT had worse survival while among responders those with CIN had worse survival than non‐CIN patients (71% vs. 90%, P = 0.0035). Conclusions The incidence of CIN is rather high. Although CIN does not influence response to CRT overall, however among responders impairs the recovery of EF and survival.

Desmonostoc salinum CCM-UFV059 (Desmonostoc) is a novel cyanobacterial strain of the order Nostocales isolated from a saline-alkaline lake. The acclimation towards salt and desiccation stress of Desmonostoc was compared to the related and well-characterized model strain Nostoc sp. PCC7120 (Nostoc). Salt-stressed cells of Desmonostoc maintained low cellular Na+ concentrations and accumulated high amounts of compatible solutes, mainly sucrose and to a lower extent trehalose. These features permitted Desmonostoc to grow and maintain photosynthesis at 2-fold higher salinities than Nostoc. Moreover, Desmonostoc also induced sucrose over-accumulation under desiccation, which allowed this strain to recover from this stress in contrast to Nostoc. Additional mechanisms such as the presence of highly unsaturated lipids in the membrane and an efficient ion transport system could also explain, at least partially, how Desmonostoc is able to acclimate to high salinities and to resist longer desiccation periods. Collectively, our results provide first insights into the physiological and metabolic adaptations explaining the remarkable high salt and desiccation tolerance, which qualify Desmonostoc as an attractive model for further analysis of stress acclimation among heterocystous N2 -fixing cyanobacteria.

Galactosemia type 1 is an autosomal recessive disorder of galactose metabolism, determined by a deficiency in the enzyme galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase (GALT). GALT deficiency is classified as severe or variant depending on biochemical phenotype, genotype and potential to develop acute and long-term complications. Neonatal symptoms usually resolve after galactose-restricted diet; however, some patients, despite the diet, can develop long-term complications, in particular when the GALT enzyme activity results absent or severely decreased. The mechanisms of acute and long-term complications are still discussed and several hypotheses are presented in the literature like enzymatic inhibition, osmotic stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, oxidative stress, defects of glycosylation or epigenetic modification. This review summarizes the current knowledge of galactosemia, in particular the putative mechanisms of neonatal and long-term complications and the molecular genetics of GALT deficiency.

The mechanisms involved in catalytic oxidation of CO by N2 O promoted by the AlVO3+ and AlVO4+ ions are evaluated using temperature-dependent rate constants and statistical modeling. Reactions were studied from 300-600 K using a selected ion flow tube (SIFT) apparatus, and the data compared to statistical modeling of proposed mechanisms previously identified by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Reduction of N2 O by AlVO3+ was found to take place only by complexation to the Al site; however, attack on the V site also occurred and led to stable association complexes, reducing the overall efficiency of the reaction. As the AlVO3+ (N2 O) complex resulted from approach on the V site, it did not block the reactive Al site and was observed to further react with N2 O to form AlVO4+ (N2 O). The oxidation of CO by AlVO4+ was found to proceed solely by activation on the Al-O site; however, isomerization of complexes formed with CO initially complexed to the V site were found to add to the reactivity, especially at lower temperatures.

Right-IFG and pre-SMA are associated with inhibitory responses. We used functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging to explore whether the contralateral homotopic regions can functionally replace them. An adolescent, with an extensive traumatic lesion of the right cerebral hemisphere having occurred 5 years earlier, performed a motor response inhibition task (Go/Nogo), which was properly accomplished and associated to activations in the left-IFC, precuneus and occipital cortex. Such functional remodelling is in line with the theory of 'near equipotentiality' of the cerebral hemispheres.

The ability to flexibly regulate our behavior is a fundamental feature of human cognition and requires efficient functioning of cognitive control. During movement preparation, proactive inhibitory control plays a crucial role in regulating the excitatory activity carried out by alertness. The balance between alertness and proactive inhibition could be altered in people with motor impulsivity trait, determining the typical failure in the inhibition of prepotent motor responses. To test this hypothesis, 36 young adults were administered the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale to assess motor impulsivity trait and underwent fMRI acquisition during the execution of an event-related Go/Nogo task. To investigate motor preparation processes, we analyzed the "readiness" period, in which subjects were waiting and preparing for the upcoming stimulus (Go or Nogo). We found a positive significant correlation between motor impulsivity scores and the activation of left sensorimotor cortices. This result indicates that motor impulsivity trait might be associated with a disinhibition of the motor system, characterized by a diminished reactivity threshold and a reduced control over covert urges. Furthermore, we observed a positive significant correlation between motor impulsivity scores and the activation in left inferior and superior parietal lobule, which might be related to a more pronounced proactive control, probably reflecting a compensatory mechanism implemented by participants with a higher degree of motor impulsivity trait to reach a correct inhibition. Current findings provide a rationale for further studies aiming to better understand proactive control functioning in healthy impulsive subjects and under clinical conditions.

This experiment tested the involvement of the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) in the sympathetic and hyperthermic reactions induced by an intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of orexin A (1.5 nmol). In the first part of the experiment, the firing rate and cytochrome oxidase activity of the VMH neurons, and the colonic temperature were monitored in 12 urethane-anaesthetized rats before an i.c.v. injection of orexin and over a period of 2 h after the injection. Orexin induced an increase in the firing rate, colonic temperature and cytochrome oxidase activity. A group of 12 rats was used as a control: saline, but not orexin, was injected. No modifications in the firing rate, cytochrome oxidase reactivity and colonic temperature were noted. In the second part of the experiment, 12 rats were anaesthetized and lesioned bilaterally in the VMH with an injection of ibotenic acid. Sham lesions were carried out in 12 control rats. After 48 h, all animals were anaesthetized with ethyl-urethane. The firing rates of the sympathetic nerves to interscapular brown adipose tissue (IBAT), along with IBAT and colonic temperatures and heart rate were monitored before and over a period of 2 h after an i.c.v. injection of orexin or saline in the lesioned and sham-lesioned rats. Orexin increased the sympathetic firing rate, IBAT and colonic temperatures and heart rate in the sham-lesioned rats. These increases were reduced by lesion of VMH. Saline did not induce any modification. These findings indicate that the VMH is involved in the control of the orexin-induced hyperthermia.

Long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression represent important processes that modulate synaptic transmission that carries out a key role in neural mechanisms of memory. Many studies give strong evidences on a role of the reactive oxygen species in the induction of LTP in CA1 region of hippocampal slices that was inhibited by adding the scavenger enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD1). Previous data showed that SOD1 is secreted by many cellular lines, including neuroblastoma SK-N-BE cells through microvesicles by an ATP-dependent mechanism; moreover, it has been shown that SOD1 interacts with human neuroblastoma cell membranes increasing intracellular calcium levels via a phospholipase C-protein kinase C pathway activation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of intracerebral injection of SOD1 or the inactive form of enzyme (ApoSOD) on the modulation of synaptic transmission in dentate gyrus of the hippocampus in urethane anesthetized rats. The results of the present research showed that intracerebral injection of SOD1 and ApoSOD in the dentate gyrus of the rat hippocampal formation inhibits LTP induced by high-frequency stimulation of the perforant path. This result cannot be only explained by the dismutation of oxygen radical induced by SOD1 since also ApoSOD, that lacks the enzymatic activity, carries out the same inhibitory effect on LTP induction.

Deficient voluntary control of behaviour and impulsivity are key aspects of impulse control disorders. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between behavioural measures of impulsivity and the awareness of voluntary action. Seventy-four healthy volunteers completed the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS), a questionnaire used to measure impulsive personality traits, and a go/no-go task. Moreover, all participants performed a behavioural task based on the Libet's clock paradigm in which they were requested to report the time of a self-initiated movement (M-judgement) or the time they first feel their intention to move (W-judgement). A positive relationship between the time in which subjects reported the intention to move (W-judgement) and impulsivity measures emerged. Namely, the higher was the score in the attentional and motor impulsivity subscales of the BIS and the number of inhibitory failure responses in the go/no-go task, the lower was the difference between the W-judgement and the actual movement (i.e. the awareness of intention to move was closer to the voluntary movement execution). In contrast, no relationship emerged with M-judgement. The present findings suggest that impulsivity is related to a delayed awareness of voluntary action. We hypothesize that in impulse control disorders, the short interval between conscious intention and actual movement may interfere with processes underlying the conscious 'veto' of the impending action.

In this study, we conducted two experiments to evaluate the effect of different types of odors on a time reproduction task, comparing performances of males to those of females. In the first experiment, subjects had to estimate short (510, 600, 690 ms) and long (1700, 2000, 2300 ms) interval durations under three odor conditions: positive, negative and neutral. A gender specific effect of olfactory stimulation on time estimation was found only for short durations. Namely, females were less accurate (overestimated) in reproducing short time intervals during the unpleasant odor presentation. This effect was confirmed and strengthened in the second experiment in which the intensity of the negative odor was enhanced. The present findings suggest that the neural network underlying time estimation is more “sensitive” to context manipulations in females than in men. Practical Applications The first important point is that there might be relevant gender differences in the processing of time (time estimation) that are mediated by olfactory stimulation. This new evidence might have important implications and applications in health issues and especially in workplace safety, for example in jobs or contexts in which fast processing and rapid decisions or choices are required. Therefore, the knowledge that females are more influenced by unpleasant odors than males during time estimation should be seriously considered in situations in which time plays a crucial role such as during rapid decision-making, where automatic processes should be efficiently activated. Overall, the higher sensitivity to specific olfactory stimulation observed in women probably reflects individual differences in a complex process such as time processing.