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Methylation microarray and bisulphite sequencing are often used to study 5'-methylcytosine (5'-mC) modification of CpG dinucleotides in the human genome. Although both technologies produce trustworthy results, the evaluation of the methylation status of CpG sites suffers from the potential side effects of DNA modification by bisulphite and/or the ambiguity of mapping short reads in repetitive and highly homologous genomic regions, respectively. Nanopore sequencing is an attractive alternative for the study of 5'-mC since it allows sequencing of native DNA molecules, whereas the long reads produced by this technology help to increase the resolution of those genomic regions. In this work, we show that nanopore sequencing with 10X coverage depth, using DNA from a human cell line, produces 5'-mC methylation frequencies consistent with those obtained by 450k microarray, digital restriction enzyme analysis of methylation, and reduced representation bisulphite sequencing. High correlation between methylation frequencies obtained by nanopore sequencing and the other methodologies was also noticeable in either low or high GC content regions, including CpG islands and transcription start sites. We also showed that a minimum of five reads per CpG yields strong correlations (>0.89) in replicate nanopore sequencing runs and an almost uniform linearity of the methylation frequency variation between zero and one. Furthermore, nanopore sequencing was able to correctly display methylation frequency patterns based on genomic annotations of CpG regions. These results demonstrate that nanopore sequencing is a fast, robust, and reliable approach to the study of 5'-mC in the human genome with low coverage depth. This work is a result of the GenomePT project (POCI-01- 0145-FEDER-022184), supported by COMPETE 2020 – Operational Programme for Competitiveness and Internationalisation (POCI), Lisboa Portugal Regional Operational Programme (Lisboa2020), Algarve Portugal Regional Operational Programme (CRESC Algarve2020), under the PORTUGAL 2020 Partnership Agreement, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT). This work was also supported by Fundos FEDER through the Programa Operacional Factores de Competitividade – COMPETE and by Fundos Nacionais through the FCT EPIGENETICS 1973 within the scope of the project UID/BIM/00009/2019 (Centre for Toxicogenomics and Human Health-ToxOmics) info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Streptococcus agalactiae is a leading cause of neonatal infections and an increasing cause of infections in adults with underlying diseases. One of the first S. agalactiae isolates to be subjected to whole genome sequencing was NEM316, a strain responsible for a fatal case of septicemia that has been widely used as reference strain for in vitro assays. Whole transcriptome analyses may provide an essential contribute to the understanding of the molecular mechanisms responsible for bacteria adaptation and pathogenicity, still, so far, very few studies were dedicated to the analysis of global gene expression of S. agalactiae. Here, we applied RNA-sequencing to perform a comparative overview of the global gene expression levels of the S. agalactiae reference strain NEM316 at the exponential growth phase. Genes were ranked by expression level and grouped by functional category and 46% of the top-100 expressed genes encode proteins involved in “Translation, ribosomal structure and biogenesis”. Among the group of highly expressed genes were also represented genes with no assigned functional category. Although this result warrants further investigation, most of them might be implicated in stress response. As very little is known about the molecular mechanisms behind the release of DNase’s in vitro and in vivo, we also performed preliminary assays to understand whether direct DNA exposure affects the gene expression of strain NEM316 at the exponential growth phase. No differentially expressed genes were detected, which indicates that follow-up studies are needed to disclose the complex molecular pathways (and stimuli) triggering the release of DNase’s. In general, we provide data on the global expression levels of NEM316 at exponential growth phase that may contribute to better understand S. agalactiae adaptation and virulence.

Trabalho distinguido com o Prémio João Monjardino 2022. https://www.insa.min-saude.pt/investigadora-do-instituto-ricardo-jorge-vence-premio-joao-monjardino-2022/ s41591-022-02036-2_ Erratum in: Nat Med. 2022 Oct;28(10):2220-2221. doi: 10.1038/s41591-022-02036-2. The largest monkeypox virus (MPXV) outbreak described so far in non-endemic countries was identified in May 2022 (refs. 1-6). In this study, shotgun metagenomics allowed the rapid reconstruction and phylogenomic characterization of the first MPXV outbreak genome sequences, showing that this MPXV belongs to clade 3 and that the outbreak most likely has a single origin. Although 2022 MPXV (lineage B.1) clustered with 2018-2019 cases linked to an endemic country, it segregates in a divergent phylogenetic branch, likely reflecting continuous accelerated evolution. An in-depth mutational analysis suggests the action of host APOBEC3 in viral evolution as well as signs of potential MPXV human adaptation in ongoing microevolution. Our findings also indicate that genome sequencing may provide resolution to track the spread and transmission of this presumably slow-evolving double-stranded DNA virus. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

In the environment of Euclidean Jordan algebras, we consider a Jordan frame associated to the adjacency matrix of a strongly regular graph and construct a MacLaurin series with an element of the frame. From this series we establish feasibility conditions for the existence of strongly regular graphs.

The application of whole genome sequencing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis directly on clinical samples has been investigated as a means to avoid the time-consuming need for culture isolation that can lead to a potential prolonged suboptimal antibiotic treatment. We aimed to provide a proof-of-concept regarding the application of the molecular capture of M. tuberculosis genomes directly from positive sputum samples as an approach for epidemiological and drug susceptibility predictions. Smear-positive sputum samples (n = 100) were subjected to the SureSelectXT HS Target Enrichment protocol (Agilent Technologies, Santa Clara, CA, USA) and whole-genome sequencing analysis. A higher number of reads on target were obtained for higher smear grades samples (i.e., 3+ followed by 2+). Moreover, 37 out of 100 samples showed ≥90% of the reference genome covered with at least 10-fold depth of coverage (27, 9, and 1 samples were 3+, 2+, and 1+, respectively). Regarding drug-resistance/susceptibility prediction, for 42 samples, ≥90% of the >9000 hits that are surveyed by TB-profiler were detected. Our results demonstrated that M. tuberculosis genome capture and sequencing directly from clinical samples constitute a potential valid backup approach for phylogenetic inferences and resistance prediction, essentially in settings when culture is not routinely performed or for samples that fail to grow.

Na primeira parte da obra realizam-se uma análise histórico-política do conceito de Regiões Ultraperiféricas Europeias, uma metamorfose linguística associada a uma análise filosófica de um neologismo conceptual – o conceito de cidadania pleniférica - e uma experiência de expansão ontológica do conceito de ultraperiferia do restrito âmbito europeu para o âmbito mundial. A segunda parte da obra aborda uma caraterística intrínseca das regiões ultraperiféricas portuguesas: a autonomia. A partir de localizações geográficas diferentes (Açores e Madeira), mas transmitindo pontos de vista comparáveis, os autores que estudam a autonomia assumem posições convergentes sobre os processo de autonomização e integração. A terceira parte da obra aborda os grandes temas da produção e a reprodução da ultraperiferia. Produção, no sentido dos processos de influência interna e internacional dos órgãos das regiões ultraperiféricas perante o poder nacional e perante os poderes europeus com vista à definição dos contornos do seu estatuto, com vista à ampliação dos seus direitos. A parte quarta da obra configura um exercício prático de avaliação da importância geoestratégica das RUPs, e muito particularmente dos Açores, para a segurança europeia, numa perspetiva histórica que não ofusca uma abordagem crítica do momento atual de guerra na Europa. A encerrar, uma perspetiva sobre o futuro da União Europeia no plano interno e mundial.

This study aimed to investigate the psychological impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on parental positive mental health, parenting and child’s behavior. Participants were 150 parents, mostly women (82.0 %), with a mean age of 38 years (SD = 5.4), mothers of children varying between 3 and 11 years of age (M = 6.1; SD = 2.5). Our path analysis model presented a good fit considering the indirect impacts of COVID-19 on parenting and child behaviors through the direct effect on parental mental health. The psychological impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic had a mediated effect through the parents’ mental health on the child’s behavior; however, it had no significant effect on parenting. Our results confirm some expectations reported by Brazilian and international researchers, who predicted impairments in the daily lives of families and the behavior of children during the period of social isolation.

The 2022 multi-country monkeypox outbreak concurrent with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted the need for genomic surveillance and pathogen whole genome sequencing. While metagenomic sequencing approaches have been used to sequence many of the early human monkeypox virus infections, these methods are resource intensive and require samples with high viral DNA concentrations. Given the atypical clinical presentation of cases associated with the current outbreak and uncertainty regarding viral load across both the course of infection and anatomical body sites, there is an urgent need for a more sensitive and broadly applicable sequencing approach. Amplicon-based sequencing (PrimalSeq) was initially developed for sequencing of Zika virus, and later adapted as the main sequencing approach for SARS-CoV-2. Here, we used PrimalScheme to develop a primer scheme for human monkeypox virus that can be used with many sequencing and bioinformatics pipelines implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. We sequenced clinical samples that tested presumptive positive for monkeypox virus with amplicon-based and metagenomic sequencing approaches. Upon comparison, we found notably higher genome coverage across the virus genome, particularly in higher PCR cycle threshold (lower DNA titer) samples, with minimal amplicon drop-outs, in using the amplicon-based sequencing approach. By sending out primer pool aliquots to laboratories across the United States and internationally, we validated the primer scheme in 12 public health laboratories with their established Illumina or Oxford Nanopore Technologies sequencing workflows and with different sample types across a range of Ct values. Our findings suggest that amplicon-based sequencing increases the success rate across a wider range of viral DNA concentrations, with the PCR Ct value threshold at which laboratories were able to achieve 80% genome coverage at 10X ranging between Ct 25-33. Therefore, it increases the number of samples where near-complete genomes can be generated and it provides a cost-effective and widely applicable alternative to metagenomics for continued human monkeypox virus genomic surveillance. Importantly, we show that the human monkeypox virus primer scheme can be used with currently implemented amplicon-based SARS-CoV-2 sequencing workflows, with minimal change to the protocol.

The 2022 multi-country monkeypox (mpox) outbreak concurrent with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted the need for genomic surveillance and rapid pathogen whole genome sequencing. While metagenomic sequencing approaches have been used to sequence many of the early mpox infections, these methods are resource intensive and require samples with high viral DNA concentrations. Given the atypical clinical presentation of cases associated with the outbreak and uncertainty regarding viral load across both the course of infection and anatomical body sites, there was an urgent need for a more sensitive and broadly applicable sequencing approach. Highly multiplexed amplicon-based sequencing (PrimalSeq) was initially developed for sequencing of Zika virus, and later adapted as the main sequencing approach for SARS-CoV-2. Here, we used PrimalScheme to develop a primer scheme for human monkeypox virus that can be used with many sequencing and bioinformatics pipelines implemented in public health laboratories during the COVID-19 pandemic. We sequenced clinical samples that tested presumptive positive for human monkeypox virus with amplicon-based and metagenomic sequencing approaches. We found notably higher genome coverage across the virus genome, with minimal amplicon drop-outs, in using the amplicon-based sequencing approach, particularly in higher PCR cycle threshold (lower DNA titer) samples. Further testing demonstrated that Ct value correlated with the number of sequencing reads and influenced the percent genome coverage. To maximize genome coverage when resources are limited, we recommend selecting samples with a PCR cycle threshold below 31 Ct and generating 1 million sequencing reads per sample. To support national and international public health genomic surveillance efforts, we sent out primer pool aliquots to 10 laboratories across the United States, United Kingdom, Brazil, and Portugal. These public health laboratories successfully implemented the human monkeypox virus primer scheme in various amplicon sequencing workflows and with different sample types across a range of Ct values. Thus, we show that amplicon based sequencing can provide a rapidly deployable, cost-effective, and flexible approach to pathogen whole genome sequencing in response to newly emerging pathogens. Importantly, through the implementation of our primer scheme into existing SARS-CoV-2 workflows and across a range of sample types and sequencing platforms, we further demonstrate the potential of this approach for rapid outbreak response.

Comprehensive modeling of non-polarized infrared attenuated total reflection spectrum based on Fresnel equations and wavenumber-dependent dielectric function models of isotropic materials is shown to be a suitable and easy methodology to retrieve optical functions. The scheme is completely general and can be used even for strong dispersion and absorption resonances. Attenuated total reflection spectra in liquid water, measured in the spectral region 100–4400 cm−1 with diamond and germanium as internal reflection elements, were used to illustrate and evaluate the method. The refractive index of water computed from the dispersion analysis is critically compared with literature data.

Resumo As relações estabelecidas na família, como a relação de ativação pai-criança, interferem no comportamento da criança. Para compreender as relações entre padrões de ativação pai-criança, funcionamento familiar e comportamento da criança, realizou-se um estudo com 12 famílias biparentais heteroafetivas com crianças pré-escolares. Utilizou-se: Questionário Sociodemográfico; Observação da Situação de Risco; Escala de Avaliação da Coesão e Adaptabilidade Familiar; e Questionário de Capacidades e Dificuldades. Constatou-se que: oito crianças foram classificadas como ativadas, três como subativadas e uma como superativada; o funcionamento das famílias está rigidamente coeso e/ou equilibrado; e, no comportamento das crianças, houve elevada pró-sociabilidade e baixos escores em dificuldades. Além da relação de ativação, o funcionamento familiar foi fundamental para a compreensão dos comportamentos da criança. Abstract Relationships established in the family, such as the father-child activation relationship, interfere in the child's behavior. To understand the relationships between father-child activation, family functioning and child behavior, a study was conducted with 12 two-parent hetero-affective families with preschool children. It was used: Sociodemographic Questionnaire; Risk Situation; Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales; and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. It was found that: eight children were classified as activated, three as under-activated and one as over-activated; the functioning of families is balanced and/or rigidly cohesive; and in the child's behavior it was verified high prosocial behavior and low scores in difficulties. Besides the activation relationship, family functioning was fundamental to understand the child's behavior.

Resumo Esta pesquisa leve como principal objetivo verificar as relações entre os estilos parentais predominantes, as dimensões da coparentalidade e os problemas de comportamento em crianças com transtomo do espectro autista (TEA). Caracterizou-se como de caráter exploratório, descritivo e correlacionai, da qual participaram pais (n=45) e mães (n=45) de crianças diagnosticadas com TEA com média de idade de 59 meses. Os dados foram coletados no Centro Especializado em Reabilitação Física e Intelectual, no Sul do Brasil. Primeiramente, foi aplicado um questionário socio demográfico e. posteriormente, aplicaram-se. com cada membro do casal, os seguintes instrumentos: Questionário de Dimensões dos Estilos Parentais, Escala da Relação Coparental e Questionário de Capacidades e Dificuldades. Por meio de análises estatísticas de correlação, constatou-se que os estilos parentais permissivo e autoritário foram associados a uma relação coparental negativa com pouco apoio do(a) companheiro (a), exposição a conflitos e boicote das funções parentais. Além disso, esse tipo relação coparental teve relação positiva com problemas de comportamento da criança com TEA. Esta pesquisa avança no conhecimento dos estudos no campo da parentalidade por evidenciar a relação bidirecional do comportamento da criança com TEA e os subsistemas parental e coparental. Contudo, os resultados não podem ser generalizados para todas as familias de crianças com TEA, devido à limitação do número da amostra e aos instrumentos e análises empregados. Abstract This research had as main objective to verify the relationships between the predominant parenting styles, the dimensions of coparenting and the behavior problems in children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This investigation is characterized as exploratory, descriptive and correlational. Fathers (n=45) and mothers (n=45) of children diagnosed with ASD, with a mean age of 59 months, participated. Data were collected at the Specialized Center for Physical and Intellectual Rehabilitation in southern Brazil. First, a sociodemographic questionnaire was applied and then the following instruments were applied to each member of the couple: Questionnaire on Dimensions of Parenting Styles, Coparental Relationship Scale and Capacity and Difficulties Questionnaire. Through statistical correlation analyzes, it was found that the permissive and authoritarian parenting styles were associated with a negative coparental relationship with little partner support, exposure to conflicts and a boycott of parental functions. In addition, this type of coparental relationship had a positive relationship with behavioral problems of children with ASD. This research advances the knowledge of studies in the field of parenting by highlighting the bidirectional relationship between the behavior of children with ASD and the parental and coparental subsystems. However, the results cannot be generalized to all families of children with ASD, due to the limited sample size, instruments and analyzes used. Resumen Esta investigación tiene como objetivo principal verificar las relaciones entre los estilos de crianza predominantes, las dimensiones de la coparentalidad y los problemas de conducta de los niños con trastorno del espectro autista (TEA). Es de tipo exploratorio, descriptivo y correlacional, en la que participaron padres (n=45) y madres (n=45) de niños diagnosticados con TEA, con una edad media de 59 meses. Los datos fueron recolectados en el Centro Especializado de Rehabilitación Física e Intelectual en el sur de Brasil. Primero, se aplicó un cuestionario sociodemográfico y luego se aplicaron los siguientes instrumentos a cada miembro de la pareja: Cuestionario sobre las Dimensiones de los Estilos de Crianza, Escala de Relación Coparental y Cuestionario de Capacidad y Dificultades. A través de análisis de correlación estadística, se descubrió que los estilos de crianza permisivos y autoritarios se asociaron con una relación coparental negativa con poco apoyo de la pareja, exposición a conflictos y un boicot a las funciones parentales. Además, este tipo de relación coparental tuvo una relación positiva con los problemas de conducta de los niños con TEA. Esta investigación avanza el conocimiento de estudios en el campo de la crianza de los hijos al destacar la relación bidireccional entre el comportamiento de los niños con TEA y los subsistemas parental y coparental. Sin embargo, los resultados no pueden generalizarse a todas las familias de niños con TEA, debido al tamaño limitado de la muestra y a los instrumentos y análisis utilizados.

BackgroundIn a context of multiple Omicron lineages circulation, it is relevant to clarify the effect of vaccination and previous infections on the risk of infection and severe post-infection outcomes.MethodsUsing electronic health records and SARS-CoV-2 laboratory surveillance data, we conducted a case-case and a cohort study covering the period of Omicron BA.2/BA.5 lineage replacement in Portugal, to compare vaccine effectiveness of complete primary and booster dose against infection, COVID-19 hospitalization, and mortality. Variant classification was performed through whole-genome sequencing (WGS) or Spike Gene Target Failure (SGTF).FindingsBetween April 25 and June 10, 2022, within a total of 27702 collected samples, 55.5% were classified as BA.2 and the remaining as BA.5. We observed no evidence of reduced vaccine effectiveness for the primary complete vaccination (OR=1.07, CI95%:0.93-1.23) or booster dose vaccination (OR=0.96, CI95%:0.84-1.09) against BA.5 infection compared with BA.2. The protection against reinfection was inferior in BA.5 cases when compared with BA.2 (OR=1.44; CI95%:1.30-1.60). Among those infected with BA.5, booster vaccination was associated with 77% and 88% of reduction in risk of COVID-19 hospitalization and death, respectively, while higher risk reduction was found for BA.2 cases, with 93% and 94%, respectively.InterpretationThis study shows that the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.5 lineage is associated with higher odds of reinfection compared with Omicron BA.2, regardless of the vaccination status.Although less effective compared with BA.2, COVID-19 booster vaccination still offers substantial protection against severe outcomes following BA.5 infection.

Copyright © 2022 The British Infection Association. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. COVID-19 local outbreak response relies on subjective information to reconstruct transmission chains. We assessed the concordance between epidemiologically linked cases and viral genetic profiles, in the Baixo Vouga Region (Portugal), from March to June 2020. A total of 1925 COVID-19 cases were identified, with 1143 being assigned to 154 epiclusters. Viral genomic data was available for 128 cases. Public health authorities identified two large epiclusters (280 and 101 cases each) with a central role on the spread of the disease. Still, the genomic data revealed that each epicluster included two distinct SARS-CoV-2 genetic profiles and thus more than one transmission network. We were able to show that the initial transmission dynamics reconstruction was most likely accurate, but the increasing dimension of the epiclusters and its extension to densely populated settings (healthcare and nursing home settings) triggered the misidentification of links. Genomics was also key to resolve some sporadic cases and misidentified direction of transmission. The epidemiological investigation showed a sensitivity of 70%-86% to detect transmission chains. This study contributes to the understanding of the hurdles and caveats associated with the epidemiological investigation of hundreds of community cases in the context of a massive outbreak caused by a highly transmissible and new respiratory virus. publishersversion published

We investigated lower limb strength training (LLST)’s effect on the levels of renin angiotensin system (RAS) molecules in urine and serum. Twelve male volunteers with 23.4 ± 2.7 years old performed our LLST protocol for 10 weeks. The effect of LLST was evaluated based on urine and serum levels of RAS molecules, including Angiotensin II, Ang-(1–7), angiotensin converting enzyme ACE 1 and ACE 2, before and immediately after the first (S1) and the last (S30) training sessions. The training protocol significantly reduced the percentage of fat and increased the total lean mass. Serum and urinary levels of Ang II were higher after the last session in comparison to levels before this session as well as if compared to values after the first exercise session. Levels of Ang-(1–7) significantly increased in serum and urine after first and last sessions and in the comparison to values before and after last session to those before and after first session, respectively. Levels of ACE1 and ACE2 did not modify in any condition. In addition, LLST seems to chronically shift the balance between both RAS axes toward the alternative axis based on the analysis of Ang-(1–7)/Ang II ratio. LLST acutely and chronically modified serum and urinary concentrations of Ang II and Ang-(1–7).

Introdução: O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar uma revisão narrativa, com o intuito de analisar os benefícios do emprego da L-PRF, como material de enxertia, para verificar sua relação com o reparo tecidual em procedimentos de levantamento de seio maxilar. Metodologia: Foi realizada uma revisão narrativa, cujos artigos foram selecionados por meio de busca em revistas indexadas, nas bases de dados PubMed/MEDLINE e Cochrane Library. Além disso, foi efetuada busca manual por citações nas publicações inicialmente selecionadas. Os termos de busca utilizados foram: “platelet-rich fibrin” e “sinus augmentation”, no modo avançado de busca, no período de 2005 a 2020. Resultados: Foram incluídos 11 artigos nessa revisão, segundo os critérios de elegibilidade. Foram observadas variações entre os autores, principalmente as relacionadas à técnica cirúrgica utilizada e ao tipo de material de enxerto. Três artigos compararam osso bovino liofilizado (DBBM) + L-PRF versus DBBM; cinco utilizaram apenas o L-PRF e quatro utilizaram apenas a combinação DBBM + L-PRF. Cinco realizaram histomorfometria de seus achados e três observaram perfurações na membrana de Schneider. Discussão/Conclusão: O uso da L-PRF como material de enxertia pareceu ter resultados benéficos, entretanto, os artigos apresentaram-se muito heterogêneos nas diferentes técnicas utilizadas, dificultando a análise dos dados.

Previously, we identified a Chlamydia trachomatis Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) recombinant strain possessing a unique non-LGV ompA genotype. Here, culture-independent genome sequencing confirms its circulation in Europe, Middle East and North America, and unveils genetic evidence of emergence of antibiotic resistance. Multi-country and systematic molecular surveillance is needed. This work results in part from the GenomePT project (POCI-01–0145-FEDER-022184), supported by COMPETE 2020— Operational Programme for Competitiveness and Internationalisation (POCI), Lisboa Portugal Regional Operational Programme (Lisboa2020), Algarve Portugal Regional Operational Programme (CRESC Algarve2020), under the PORTUGAL 2020 Partnership Agreement, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT). This work was also supported by Fundos FEDER through the Programa Operacional Factores de Competitividade—COMPETE and by Fundos Nacionais through the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia within the scope of the project UID/BIM/00009/2019 (Centre for Toxicogenomics and Human Health -ToxOmics). info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

The largest monkeypox virus (MPXV) outbreak described so far in non-endemic countries was identified in May 2022. Here, shotgun metagenomics allowed the rapid reconstruction and phylogenomic characterization of the first genome sequences of the MPXV outbreak variant. We observed that this MPXV belongs to the West African clade and that the ongoing outbreak most likely has a single origin. Although 2022 MPXV clustered with 2018–2019 cases epidemiologically linked to an endemic country, it segregates in a highly divergent phylogenetic branch (~ 50SNPs), likely representing a recent evolutionary jump. This hypermutation signature suggests the potential action of host APOBEC in viral evolution. We also detected ongoing microevolution (e.g., SNPs, minor variants and gene loss) during the human-to-human outbreak transmission, highlighting potential targets of adaptation. This study sheds light on MPXV adaptive evolution and indicates that genome sequencing might provide resolution to track the spread and transmission of this presumably slow-evolving dsDNA virus.

In the last years, "omics" approaches have been applied to study the toxicity of nanomaterials (NM) with the aim of obtaining insightful information on their biological effects. One of the most developed "omics" field, transcriptomics, expects to find unique profiles of differentially-expressed genes after exposure to NM that, besides providing evidence of their mechanistic mode of action, may also be used as biomarkers for biomonitoring purposes. Moreover, several NM have been associated with epigenetic alterations, i.e., changes in the regulation of gene expression caused by differential DNA methylation, histone tail modification and microRNA expression. Epigenomics research focusing on DNA methylation is increasingly common and the role of microRNAs is being better understood, either promoting or suppressing biological pathways. Moreover, the proteome is a highly dynamic system that changes constantly in response to a stimulus. Therefore, proteomics can identify changes in protein abundance and/or variability that lead to a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of action of NM while discovering biomarkers. As to genomics, it is still not well developed in nanotoxicology. Nevertheless, the individual susceptibility to NM mediated by constitutive or acquired genomic variants represents an important component in understanding the variations in the biological response to NM exposure and, consequently, a key factor to evaluate possible adverse effects in exposed individuals. By elucidating the molecular changes that are involved NM toxicity, the new "omics" studies are expected to contribute to exclude or reduce the handling of hazardous NM in the workplace and support the implementation of regulation to protect human health.

Clipes de hemostasia, como o “Hem-o-lok”, são utilizados em operações laparoscópicas, para ligadura de vasos e ductos. Eles apresentam vasta aplicabilidade e sua migração no pós-operatório é raramente observada. Relata-se caso de paciente do sexo masculino, 64 anos, tabagista, submetido à radioquimioterapia, seguida de esofagectomia subtotal com reconstrução com tubo gástrico, no tratamento de carcinoma de células escamosas. Dois anos após cirurgia, paciente retornou com odinofagia e sensação de corpo estranho no esôfago. Endoscopia digestiva alta foi o método que diagnosticou a presença do clipe “Hem-o-lok”, utilizado no procedimento cirúrgico prévio. A retirada do clipe foi exitosa, sem complicações.

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious public health problem worldwide. Although TBI is common in developing countries, there are few epidemiological studies. Objective: To investigate the sociodemographic and clinical features of patients with TBI at the Hospital João XXIII, a public reference center for trauma in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, and to systematically review the available literature on TBI in Brazil. Methods: Clinical and sociodemographic data were collected from electronic medical records for the entire month of July 2016. The literature on epidemiology of TBI in Brazil was systematically reviewed using MeSH/DeCS descriptors in the PubMed and Lilacs databases. Results: Most patients admitted with TBI were male and under 60 years of age. Mild TBI was the most prevalent form and the most common cause of TBI was falls. A Glasgow Coma Scale score below 12, neuroimaging changes on computer tomography, and presence of any medical conditions were significantly associated with longer hospital stay. Brazilian studies showed that TBI affected mainly men and young adults. In addition, mild TBI was the most common TBI severity reported and the most common causes were motor vehicle accidents and falls. Conclusions: Overall, the profile of TBI in this center reflects the data from other Brazilian studies. RESUMO Antecedentes: O traumatismo cranioencefálico (TCE) representa, mundialmente, um problema sério de saúde pública. Apesar de o TCE ser prevalente em países em desenvolvimento, estudos epidemiológicos permanecem escassos. Objetivo: Investigar as características sociodemográficas e clínicas de pacientes acometidos por TCE no Hospital João XXIII - centro de referência em trauma situado em Belo Horizonte, Brasil - e revisar sistematicamente toda a literatura disponível sobre o TCE no Brasil. Métodos: Os dados clínicos e sociodemográficos foram coletados apenas para o mês de julho, 2016, por meio de prontuários eletrônicos. A literatura sobre a epidemiologia do TCE no Brasil foi sistematicamente revisada usando descritores Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)/Descritores em Ciências da Saúde (DeCS) nos bancos de dados PubMed e Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde (Lilacs). Resultados: Os pacientes acometidos por TCE eram em sua maioria homens com menos de 60 anos. O TCE leve foi a gravidade mais prevalente entre os casos. O TCE foi causado principalmente por quedas. Escores menores que 12 na escala de Coma de Glasgow mais alterações de neuroimagem em tomografia computadorizada e a presença de qualquer comorbidade médica estão significativamente associados à maior estadia hospitalar. Estudos brasileiros demonstraram que o TCE acomete principalmente homens e adultos jovens. Além disso, o TCE leve foi a gravidade mais comum reportada, e os mecanismos de TCE mais comuns foram acidentes automobilísticos e quedas. Conclusões: O perfil de pacientes acometidos por TCE no centro de referência em questão reflete os dados de outros estudos brasileiros.