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The extremely rapid spread of the SARS-CoV-2 has already resulted in more than 1 million reported deaths of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The ability of infectious particles to persist on environmental surfaces is potentially considered a factor for viral spreading. Therefore, limiting viral diffusion in public environments should be achieved with correct disinfection of objects, tissues, and clothes. This study proves how two widespread disinfection systems, short-wavelength ultraviolet light (UV-C) and ozone (O3), are active in vitro on different commonly used materials. The development of devices equipped with UV-C, or ozone generators, may prevent the virus from spreading in public places.

Objective: Although the fifth Body Mass Index (BMI) percentile is the Diagnostic and Statistic Manual of Mental Disorders -5 weight cut-off criterion to diagnose anorexia nervosa (AN) in children and adolescents, its validity has not been proved, and the 10th percentile value is often applied. We aimed to investigate the diagnostic validity of these weight cut-offs. Method: We compared general and eating-disorder (ED) specific psychopathology in 380 adolescents with AN or atypical AN. They were grouped first with respect to the fifth BMI percentile and then with respect to the 10th BMI percentile and differences between groups were analysed. Network analyses on psychopathological symptoms were also conducted. Results: Adolescents with BMI above the fifth and the 10th percentile reported more severe ED specific symptomatology compared to those with BMI below these cut-offs. No significant differences emerged between groups neither in general psychopathology nor in the network structure of psychopathology. Conclusions: The fifth BMI percentile does not discriminate psychopathology severity in adolescents with AN. From the psychopathology perspective, our findings suggest that adolescents with atypical AN deserve the same clinical and research attention as those with full AN. Future studies are needed to identify a more accurate definition of underweight in adolescents.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the Moderna-1273 mRNA vaccine for SARS-CoV-2 in patients with immune-mediated diseases under different treatments. Anti-trimeric spike protein antibodies were tested in 287 patients with rheumatic or autoimmune diseases (10% receiving mycophenolate mofetil, 15% low-dose glucocorticoids, 21% methotrexate, and 58% biologic/targeted synthetic drugs) at baseline and in 219 (76%) 4 weeks after the second Moderna-1273 mRNA vaccine dose. Family members or caretakers were enrolled as the controls. The neutralizing serum activity against SARS-CoV-2-G614, alpha, and beta variants in vitro and the cytotoxic T cell response to SARS-CoV-2 peptides were determined in a subgroup of patients and controls. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody development, i.e., seroconversion, was observed in 69% of the mycophenolate-treated patients compared to 100% of both the patients taking other treatments and the controls (p < 0.0001). A dose-dependent impairment of the humoral response was observed in the mycophenolate-treated patients. A daily dose of >1 g at vaccination was a significant risk factor for non-seroconversion (ROC AUC 0.89, 95% CI 0.80–98, p < 0.0001). Moreover, in the seroconverted patients, a daily dose of >1 g of mycophenolate was associated with significantly lower anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers, showing slightly reduced neutralizing serum activity but a comparable cytotoxic response compared to other immunosuppressants. In non-seroconverted patients treated with mycophenolate at a daily dose of >1 g, the cytotoxic activity elicited by viral peptides was also impaired. Mycophenolate treatment affects the Moderna-1273 mRNA vaccine immunogenicity in a dose-dependent manner, independent of rheumatological disease.

The SARS-CoV-2 virus has a complex transcriptome characterised by multiple, nested subgenomic RNAsused to express structural and accessory proteins. Long-read sequencing technologies such as nanopore direct RNA sequencing can recover full-length transcripts, greatly simplifying the assembly of structurally complex RNAs. However, these techniques do not detect the 5′ cap, thus preventing reliable identification and quantification of full-length, coding transcript models. Here we used Nanopore ReCappable Sequencing (NRCeq), a new technique that can identify capped full-length RNAs, to assemble a complete annotation of SARS-CoV-2 sgRNAs and annotate the location of capping sites across the viral genome. We obtained robust estimates of sgRNA expression across cell lines and viral isolates and identified novel canonical and non-canonical sgRNAs, including one that uses a previously un-annotated leader-to-body junction site. The data generated in this work constitute a useful resource for the scientific community and provide important insights into the mechanisms that regulate the transcription of SARS-CoV-2 sgRNAs.

Endosomal trafficking is essential for cellular homeostasis. At the crossroads of distinct intracellular pathways, the endolysosomal system is crucial to maintain critical functions and adapt to the environment. Alterations of endosomal compartments were observed in cells from adult individuals with Down syndrome (DS), suggesting that the dysfunction of the endosomal pathway may contribute to the pathogenesis of DS. However, the nature and the degree of impairment, as well as the timing of onset, remain elusive. Here, by applying imaging and biochemical approaches, we demonstrate that the structure and dynamics of early endosomes are altered in DS cells. Furthermore, we found that recycling trafficking is markedly compromised in these cells. Remarkably, our results in 18–20 week-old human fetal fibroblasts indicate that alterations in the endolysosomal pathway are already present early in development. In addition, we show that overexpression of the polyphosphoinositide phosphatase synaptojanin 1 (Synj1) recapitulates the alterations observed in DS cells, suggesting a role for this lipid phosphatase in the pathogenesis of DS, likely already early in disease development. Overall, these data strengthen the link between the endolysosomal pathway and DS, highlighting a dangerous liaison among Synj1, endosomal trafficking and DS.

In-depth studies on the interaction of natural compounds with cancer-related G-quadruplex structures have been undertaken only recently, despite their high potential as anticancer agents, especially due to their well-known and various bioactivities. In this frame, aiming at expanding the repertoire of natural compounds able to selectively recognize G-quadruplexes, and particularly focusing on phenanthrenoids, a mini-library including dimeric (1–3) and glucoside (4–5) analogues of 9,10-dihydrophenanthrenes, a related tetrahydropyrene glucoside (6) along with 9,10-dihydrophenanthrene 7 were investigated here by several biophysical techniques and molecular docking. Compounds 3 and 6 emerged as the most selective G-quadruplex ligands within the investigated series. These compounds proved to mainly target the grooves/flanking residues of the hybrid telomeric and parallel oncogenic G-quadruplex models exploiting hydrophobic, hydrogen bond and π-π interactions, without perturbing the main folds of the G-quadruplex structures. Notably, a binding preference was found for both ligands towards the hybrid telomeric G-quadruplex. Moreover, compounds 3 and 6 proved to be active on different human cancer cells in the low micromolar range. Overall, these compounds emerged as useful ligands able to target G-quadruplex structures, which are of interest as promising starting scaffolds for the design of analogues endowed with high and selective anticancer activity.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major cause of chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Despite the advent of vaccines and potent antiviral agents able to suppress viral replication, recovery from chronic HBV infection is still an extremely difficult goal to achieve. Complex interactions between virus and host are responsible for HBV persistence and the risk of oncogenesis. Through multiple pathways, HBV is able to silence both innate and adaptive immunological responses and become out of control. Furthermore, the integration of the viral genome into that of the host and the production of covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) represent reservoirs of viral persistence and account for the difficult eradication of the infection. An adequate knowledge of the virus–host interaction mechanisms responsible for viral persistence and the risk of hepatocarcinogenesis is necessary for the development of functional cures for chronic HBV infection. The purpose of this review is, therefore, to analyze how interactions between HBV and host concur in the mechanisms of infection, persistence, and oncogenesis and what are the implications and the therapeutic perspectives that follow.

Made available in DSpace on 2022-04-29T08:35:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-01-01 Inulin is a prebiotic that plays an important role in improving health and immunity in humans, animals and fish. We tested whether inulin supplementation would improve the immune protection of juvenile pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus) exposed to capture and transfer of tanks followed by bacterial inoculation. For this, we fed fish for 15 days with diets supplemented with 0.5% or 1.0% of inulin and evaluated the levels of plasma cortisol, glucose and chloride; the leucocyte respiratory activity (RAL); the serum levels of lysozyme; haematological parameters and the profile of circulating leucocytes before and 1 h after the management and at 3, 6 and 24 h after inoculation of Aeromonas hydrophila. The stress caused by the management and inoculation was confirmed by increased glucose and cortisol concentrations 1 h after the procedure and 6 and 24 h after inoculation respectively. Inoculation reduced RAL earlier (3 h) and increased lysozyme later (24 h). Thrombocytes and leucocytes decreased after inoculation, and lymphocytes decreased after capture and transfer of tanks and inoculation, while neutrophils increased after both procedures. The inulin supplementation reduced the cortisol response, increasing the chloride levels before and after the stressor. Inulin increased the serum lysozyme concentration but did not modulate RAL and leucocyte responses in blood. The inulin supplementation for 15 days minimized the stress response and increased the innate immune responses in pacu; therefore, this feed additive can help improve the health of farmed fish. Centro de Aquicultura Universidade Estadual Paulista UNESP Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias Universidade Estadual Paulista UNESP Programa de Pós-graduação em Zootecnia Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul Rodovia Aquidauana-UEMS Department of Ocean Sciences and Biology Memorial University Universidade Nilton Lins Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais UFMG Centro de Aquicultura Universidade Estadual Paulista UNESP Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias Universidade Estadual Paulista UNESP

The article aims to recover the reading of Some truths about our labor laws, by Aguinaldo Costa, an engineer from Pernambuco based in São Paulo and a writer inserted in editorial movements led by Caio Prado Júnior in the 1940s. The book was published in 1945, at the end of the Estado Novo, as a critique of the hypothesis of worker incapacity as well as to the idea of rights concession. This empirical research is focused on the qualitative analysis of sources from the 1930s and 1940s, relying especially on procedures of content analysis. The opposition of Aguinaldo Costa to the works of Cesarino Junior and Oliveira Vianna will be emphasized. As a conclusion, we seek to revise an idea deeply rooted in the contemporary Brazilian intellectual field, that the first critical interpretations of the concession representation were only coined from the 1950s on. O artigo tem por objetivo retomar a leitura de Algumas verdades sobre nossas leis trabalhistas, de Aguinaldo Costa, engenheiro pernambucano radicado em São Paulo e escritor inserido em movimentos editoriais liderados por Caio Prado Júnior nos anos 1940. Publicado em 1945, no ocaso do Estado Novo, na série Problemas Brasileiros, o livro apresenta referencial crítico à hipótese de insolidariedade dos trabalhadores e à versão da outorga dos direitos. Trata-se de pesquisa empírica, que privilegia a análise qualitativa de fontes dos anos 1930 e 1940, e recorre, principalmente, aos procedimentos da análise de conteúdo. Ao explicitar o sentido dissonante do trabalho de Costa em relação ao de juristas como Cesarino Junior e Oliveira Vianna, pretende-se revisar a noção sedimentada no campo intelectual brasileiro contemporâneo de que as primeiras produções intelectuais críticas ao potencial analítico-explicativo da representação da outorga foram manejadas apenas a partir dos anos 1950.

Incisional hernia results from inadequate healing in the area of an operative incision and its diagnosis is clinical or imaging. Complex incisional hernias are difficult to treat and have complications, especially compartment syndrome. Thus, technical care in closing incisions in primary surgeries reduces the risk of developing an incisional hernia. Therefore, the study aimed to present a case report of a patient who performed the present correction of a giant incisional hernia with a double-sided mesh.

Hirschsprung's disease (HD) is a congenital anomaly of innervation of the lower intestine, limited to the colon, resulting from partial or total obstruction. The main symptom is the inability of a newborn to evacuate within 48 hours after birth, which can cause intestinal obstruction in the neonate and megacolon in children and adults. Therefore, this study reported the case of a 30-year-old female patient with HD affecting the entire colon, where we opted for surgical treatment. In the present study, it was emphasized the medical need to have a better understanding of the clinical picture of HD, as well as its complications and the importance of early diagnosis. In the report presented, it was discussed a late diagnosis of HD and how it affects the patient's life. It presented the improvement in the quality of life that can be obtained by offering an accurate diagnosis and adequate treatment for the patient.

An aerobic, Gram-staining-positive, endospore-forming bacterium, isolated from the rhizosphere of roots of maize (Zea mays), was taxonomically studied. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity comparisons, strain JJ-125T clustered together with species of the genus Sutcliffiella and showed the highest similarities with Sutcliffiella zhanjiangensis (98.7 %). The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to the sequences of the type strains of other species of the genus Sutcliffiella were T was 4 516 360 bp long and had a DNA G+C content of 37.3 %. A DNA–DNA hybridization with the type strain of S. zhanjiangensis DSM 23010T resulted in values of 42.3 and 43.9 % (reciprocal). The average nucleotide identity, average amino acid identity and digital DNA–DNA hybridization values between the JJ-125T genome assembly and those of the other type strains of species of the genus Sutcliffiella were Sutcliffiella, e.g. the major fatty acids included iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 1 ω10c and iso-C17 : 0, the polar lipid profile contained the major components diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine, the only quinone was menaquinone MK-7 and the characteristic diamino acid was meso-diaminopimelic acid. Physiological and biochemical test results were also different from those of the most closely related species. As a consequence, JJ-125T represents a novel species of the genus Sutcliffiella , for which we propose the name Sutcliffiella rhizosphaerae sp. nov., with JJ-125T (= CIP 111883T = LMG 32156T = CCM 9046T) as the type strain.

In this research line, we will investigate the functional role of the body-brain dynamic system from rest to cognition. We will assess if and how body-brain physiological interactions modulate neurocognitive functions, ultimately shaping how individuals act, perceive, and adapt to a dynamic and continuously changing environment.