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Tungiasis is a skin parasitosis caused by a flea. It is very prevalent in underdeveloped countries and rare in developed countries, particularly in Europe. The disease is acquired through direct contact with infected soil, mainly on the feet after the host has been barefoot. The disease is typically self-limited and its diagnosis is essentially clinical due to its typical clinical presentation. This report presents a case of imported tungiasis in Portugal, in a 21-year-old male patient after returning from a vacation in a country with a high prevalence of this parasite. The patient had three typical tungiasis lesions, with no associated complications. The parasites were surgically excised without complications. The aim of this report is to contribute to knowledge of this pathology, which is largely unknown to the majority of the medical community. Its identification is essential due to the increase in globalization, tourism, and the importation of this pathology.

Objectives: The X-chromosome contains the largest number of immune-related genes, which play a major role in COVID-19 symptomatology and susceptibility. Here, we had a unique opportunity to investigate, for the first time, COVID-19 outcomes in six unvaccinated young Brazilian patients with Turner syndrome (TS; 45, X0), including one case of critical illness in a child aged 10 years, to evaluate their immune response according to their genetic profile. Methods: A serological analysis of humoral immune response against SARS-CoV-2, phenotypic characterization of antiviral responses in peripheral blood mononuclear cells after stimuli, and the production of cytotoxic cytokines of T lymphocytes and natural killer cells were performed in blood samples collected from the patients with TS during the convalescence period. Whole exome sequencing was also performed. Results: Our volunteers with TS showed a delayed or insufficient humoral immune response to SARS-CoV-2 (particularly immunoglobulin G) and a decrease in interferon-γ production by cluster of differentiation (CD)4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes after stimulation with toll-like receptors 7/8 agonists. In contrast, we observed a higher cytotoxic activity in the volunteers with TS than the volunteers without TS after phorbol myristate acetate/ionomycin stimulation, particularly granzyme B and perforin by CD8+ and natural killer cells. Interestingly, two volunteers with TS carry rare genetic variants in genes that regulate type I and III interferon immunity. Conclusion: Following previous reports in the literature for other conditions, our data showed that patients with TS may have an impaired immune response against SARS-CoV-2. Furthermore, other medical conditions associated with TS could make them more vulnerable to COVID-19.

Strategies for obtaining deep slots in soft materials can vary significantly. Conventionally, the tool travels along the slot, removing material mainly with the side cutting edges. However, a “plunge milling” strategy is also possible, performing the cut vertically, taking advantage of the tip cutting edges that almost reach the center of the tool. Although both strategies are already commonly used, there is a clear gap in the literature in studies that compare tool wear, surface roughness, and productivity in each case. This paper describes an experimental study comparing the milling of deep slots in AA7050-T7451 aluminum alloy, coated with a novel DLCSiO500W3.5O2 layer to minimize the aluminum adhesion to the tool, using conventional and plunge milling strategies. The main novelty of this paper is to present a broad study regarding different factors involved in machining operations and comparing two distinct strategies using a novel tool coating in the milling of aeronautical aluminum alloy. Tool wear is correlated with the vibrations of the tools in each situation, the cycle time is compared between the cases studied, and the surface roughness of the machined surfaces is analyzed. This study concludes that the cycle time of plunge milling can be about 20% less than that of conventional milling procedures, favoring economic sustainability and modifying the wear observed on the tools. Plunge milling can increase productivity, does not increase tool tip wear, and avoids damaging the side edges of the tool, which can eventually be used for final finishing operations. Therefore, it can be said that the plunge milling strategy improves economic and environmental sustainability as it uses all the cutting edges of the tools in a more balanced way, with less global wear.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is one of the most common hematologic malignancies, characterized by uncontrolled proliferation of plasma cells in the bone marrow. Investigating MM epigenetics at the non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) level and their interactions can be a key factor in understanding this disease. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are ncRNAs whose 5’and 3’ends are covalently joined and have been mostly investigated in MM by acting as microRNAs (miRs) sponges, but it is known that they also interact with RNA binding proteins (RBPs). This study aimed to investigate the differentially expressed (DE) circRNAs in MM, their relationship with RBPs and miRs, and their biological implications. Public RNA-Seq datasets (PRJNA634534, PRJNA472759) were downloaded from ENA and the reads were treated to obtain the circRNA count matrix. The DE circRNAs were identified using the CircTest package and then submitted in circAtlas3.0 to obtain their interactions with miRs and RBPs. Furthermore, only miRs that interacted with two or more circRNAs were considered. miRTarBase was used to identify the target genes, selecting those validated by strong evidence. Functional enrichment analyses (FEA) were performed, using ReactomePA, for each circRNA considering both their RBP and miR-targets. Lastly, by combining the circRNAs'expression results and their interaction with RBPs or miRs, genes were selected to be investigated in a bigger RNA-Seq dataset of MM patients, available in TCGA. Gene expression was compared according to the patient's vital status and ISS stage, and the DE genes were selected for a Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. All analyses were performed on R and p-values

IntroductionAfter three years since the beginning of the pandemic, the new coronavirus continues to raise several questions regarding its infectious process and host response. Several mutations occurred in different regions of the SARS-CoV-2 genome, such as in the spike gene, causing the emergence of variants of concern and interest (VOCs and VOIs), of which some present higher transmissibility and virulence, especially among patients with previous comorbidities. It is essential to understand its spread dynamics to prevent and control new biological threats that may occur in the future. In this population_based retrospective observational study, we generated data and used public databases to understand SARS-CoV-2 dynamics.MethodsWe sequenced 1,003 SARS-CoV-2 genomes from naso-oropharyngeal swabs and saliva samples from Pará from May 2020 to October 2022. To gather epidemiological data from Brazil and the world, we used FIOCRUZ and GISAID databases.ResultsRegarding our samples, 496 (49.45%) were derived from female participants and 507 (50.55%) from male participants, and the average age was 43 years old. The Gamma variant presented the highest number of cases, with 290 (28.91%) cases, followed by delta with 53 (5.28%). Moreover, we found seven (0.69%) Omicron cases and 651 (64.9%) non-VOC cases. A significant association was observed between sex and the clinical condition (female, p = 8.65e-08; male, p = 0.008961) and age (p = 3.6e-10).DiscussionAlthough gamma had been officially identified only in December 2020/January 2021, we identified a gamma case from Belém (capital of Pará State) dated May 2020 and three other cases in October 2020. This indicates that this variant was circulating in the North region of Brazil several months before its formal identification and that Gamma demonstrated its actual transmission capacity only at the end of 2020. Furthermore, the public data analysis showed that SARS-CoV-2 dispersion dynamics differed in Brazil as Gamma played an important role here, while most other countries reported a new infection caused by the Delta variant. The genetic and epidemiological information of this study reinforces the relevance of having a robust genomic surveillance service that allows better management of the pandemic and that provides efficient solutions to possible new disease-causing agents.

Introduction Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is defined by an exaggerated fear responses (FA) which fails to extinguish over time and cannot be inhibited in safe contexts. Studies report that traumatic experiences (TE) affect hormonal systems mediated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the oxytocinergic system. Oxytocin (OXT) is a neurohormone produced in the hypothalamus that has social functions like the promotion of prosocial and affiliative behaviors, increased self-confidence and positive social memories. In PTSD there is a diminished inhibitory top-down control over the FA, which is characterized by amygdala hyperactivity, ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) hypoactivity and diminished structural and functional connectivity between both areas, which results in anxiety increase and dysregulated autonomic and endocrine FA. In parallel, TE decrease the synthesis and release of OXT, resulting in the dysfunction of the negative feedback mechanism on the HPA, leading to hypercortisolemia and maximizing the response to a stressful stimulus. Previous studies report that the administration of OXT can reduce cortisol levels as well as attenuating amygdala hyperactivity and normalizing the connectivity of this structure with frontal areas, diminishing the FA. Therefore, OXT has been investigated as a potential therapeutic agent administered intranasally early after trauma as a strategy to prevent PTDS on individuals having high risk. Objectives The aim of this work is to review the potential of intranasal OXT administration as early preventive intervention for PTSD. Methods Systematic review of the literature published in Pubmed, using the terms “Oxytocin”, “Post-traumatic Stress Disorder”, “Stress”. Results Studies found significant associations between TE and OXT and report that TE and PTSD are strongly associated with reductions in OXT. Literature report that the acute effects of OXT administrations in individuals with TE tend to be anxiolytic only in less severe forms, by modulating the HPA axis and the autonomic nervous system. Moreover, in recent TE, OXT seems to increase the re-experience of traumas and restore the function of different networks associated with fear control in PTSD patients. FMRI studies indicate that intranasal OXT attenuates amygdala hyperactivity and enhances amygdala´s connectivity with vmPFC, resulting in increased control over the FA. Finally, studies report that a single oxytocin administration increases neuronal fear processing but repeated administration reduces PTSD symptoms up to 6 months post trauma in patients with high acute symptoms. Conclusions Repeated administration of intranasal oxytocin early after trauma seems to diminish the acute symptoms in early stages of PTDS, being a potential pharmacological strategy to prevent PTDS in individuals at high risk by increasing the control of FA. Disclosure of Interest None Declared

Introduction The Default Mode Network (DMN) is a brain system with physiological and cognitive properties that make it a major pillar of cortical integration. It has been a subject of increased research on different psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia. It was hypothesized that alterations in the brain connectivity of the DMN, at the level of its functional connectivity (FC) and structural connectivity (SC), may be at the basis of this pathology. Thus, the DMN has been associated with several clinical variables such as symptom severity, disease prognosis and response to antipsychotic treatment, making this system a potential future tool in the study of these variables for better clinical guidance in patients with schizophrenia. Objectives The aim of this study is to review the role of DMN in the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying schizophrenia, as well as its potential role as a future biomarker in detecting patients at high risk of developing a first psychotic episode and predicting therapeutic response to antipsychotics. Methods Systematic review of the literature published on Pubmed using the terms: “Default Mode Network”, “Schizophrenia”, “First Psychotic Episode” and “Antipsychotics”. Results A myriad of studies revealed the presence of dysfunctional DMN brain activity in patients with schizophrenia. However, increased FC of the DMN is the predominant outcome reported by literature in patients with and without chronic exposure to antipsychotic therapy, at high risk of developing psychosis and on both early and advanced disease stages, suggesting that the DMN may have a meritorious role on the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Some studies have found SC changes associated with altered FC on patients at early stages of the disease without exposure to prolonged antipsychotic therapy. Regarding the relationship between DMN and antipsychotic therapy, studies suggested that DMN is shaped by antipsychotic therapy by regulating FC activity. Conclusions This work helped us to understand the importance of the future study of the connectivity of the DMN in a longitudinal perspective of the course of schizophrenia in order to potentiate the creation of brain signatures that might translate the alterations of the connectivity of the DMN in early stages of the disease, which in turn could work as potential future biomarkers for the detection of patients at high risk of developing a first psychotic episode but also work on predicting the therapeutic response to antipsychotics, allowing us to direct our clinical orientation towards a better prognosis of the disease. Disclosure of Interest None Declared

We report the implementation of an animal sporotrichosis surveillance and control program that evaluates strategies to identify suspected and infected cats in a municipality in southeastern Brazil. All adopted measures reinforced the program, although strategies had different abilities to detect the presence of infection.

Resumo Fundamento A doença de Chagas (DC) constitui uma causa potencial negligenciada de doença microvascular coronariana (DMC). Objetivos Comparar pacientes com DMC relacionada à DC (DMC-DC) com pacientes com DMC ligada a outras etiologias (DMC-OE). Métodos De 1292 pacientes estáveis, encaminhados para angiografia coronária invasiva para elucidar o padrão hemodinâmico e a causa de angina, 247 apresentaram coronárias subepicárdicas normais, e 101 foram incluídos após aplicação dos critérios de exclusão. Desses, 15 compuseram o grupo de DMC-DC e suas características clínicas, hemodinâmicas, angiográficas, e cintilográficas foram comparadas às do grupo de 86 pacientes com DMC-OE. O nível de significância estatística para todas as comparações adotado foi de 0,05. Resultados Pacientes com suspeita de DMC-DC apresentaram características antropométricas, clínicas e angiográficas, além de alterações hemodinâmicas e de perfusão miocárdica estatisticamente comparáveis às detectadas nos 86 pacientes com DMC-OE. Disfunção ventricular diastólica, expressa por elevada pressão telediastólica do ventrículo esquerdo, foi igualmente encontrada nos dois grupos. Entretanto, em comparação a esse grupo com DMC-OE, o grupo com DMC-DC exibiu fração de ejeção ventricular esquerda mais baixa (61,1 ± 11,9 vs 54,8 ± 15,9; p= 0,049) e mais elevado escore de mobilidade da parede ventricular (1,77 ± 0,35 vs 1,18 ± 0,26; p= 0,02). Conclusão A cardiomiopatia crônica da doença de Chagas esteve associada à etiologia de possível doença microvascular coronariana em 15% de amostra de 101 pacientes estáveis, cujo sintoma principal era angina requerendo elucidação por angiografia invasiva. Embora os grupos DMC-DC e DMC-OE apresentassem características clínicas, hemodinâmicas, e de perfusão miocárdica em comum, a disfunção global e segmentar do ventrículo esquerdo foi mais grave nos pacientes com DMC associada à DC em comparação à DMC por outras etiologias. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; 115(6):1094-1101)

Historical and cultural building conservation is often limited to high value buildings and only receives financial support when serious issues arise. Modern technologies are able to support and encourage a preventive approach, diminishing costs and avoiding possibly irreparable damage. One way of doing so is by improving the work-flow of building inspectors during their inspection r outines. In that regard, mixed reality presents itself as an attractive framework for easing maintenance tasks. This paper describes our current implementation of such a solution, levering the spatial capabilities of Microsoft’s HoloLens glasses.

The present study aimed to perform a chromatographic and spectrophotometric characterization of the bioactive compounds, antioxidants, phenolics, profile of fatty acids and minerals in spreads supplemented with different contents of baru almonds. The addition of baru almonds (P1 treatment) enhanced the concentrations of vitamin C, antioxidants, gallic acid, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, manganese and oleic acid. In contrast, the absence of this oil in P3 treatment resulted in an increase in the concentrations of vanillin, p-coumaric acid, ferric acid, o-coumaric acid, linoleic acid and saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. When the tannin, beta-carotene/linoleic acid, trans-cinnamic acid, monounsaturated fatty acids, hypocholesterolemic and hypercholesterolemic fatty acid contents and atherogenic and thrombogenic indices were evaluated, no significant (p > 0.05) differences were detected between treatments.

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This study carried out a chromatographic and spectrophotometric characterization of the bioactive compounds, antioxidants, phenolics, tocopherols, sterols and fatty acids of baru almonds “in natura” and submitted to drying processes. It was determined that baru “in natura” almonds presented high levels of phenolic compounds, vitamin C, antioxidants, phenolics, sterols, total monounsaturated fatty acids and low thrombogenic, and atherogenic indexes. During the process of drying it at 65 °C for 30 minutes, a decrease was noted in the levels of caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, anthocyanins, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, o-coumaric acid, quercetin, and polyunsaturated fatty acids. The same condition resulted in an increase in the levels of gallic acid, rutin, catechin, trans-cinnamic acid, vanillin, m-coumaric acid, tocopherols, monounsaturated fatty acids and antioxidant activity (ORAC and DPPH). When submitted to a temperature of 105 ºC for 30 minutes the same behavior was seen with a reduction in the vitamin C and ORAC contents and increased presence of flavonoids.

Abstract Background The theory of field effect suggests that the tumor-adjacent area, besides histopathologically normal, undergoes genetic and epigenetic changes that can eventually affect epithelial homeostasis, predisposing the patient to cancer development. One of the many molecular changes described in cancer are microRNAs (miRNAs), which regulates the expression of important genes during carcinogenesis. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the field effect in oral cancer. Methods We investigated the differential expression profile of four miRNAs (hsa-miR-221, hsa-miR-21, hsa-miR-135b, and hsa-miR-29c) in cancerous oral tissue, in tumor-adjacent tissue and and in non-cancerous tissue samples from healthy volunteers. Results Our results showed significant overexpression profiles of all four studied miRNAs in cancerous oral tissue compared to non-cancerous samples, as well as in tumor-adjacent tissue compared to cancer-free tissue. No significant difference was found when comparing the expression profile of cancerous and tissue-adjacent tissue groups. We found a negative correlation between the expression of hsa-miR-21 expression and STAT3 in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Conclusion These results suggest that the tissue adjacent to cancer cannot be considered a normal tissue because its molecular aspects are significantly altered. Our data corroborates the hypothesis of field cancerization.

Molybdates are biocidal materials that can be useful in coating surfaces that are susceptible to contamination and the spread of microorganisms. The aim of this work was to investigate the effects of copper doping of hydrated cobalt molybdate, synthesized by the co-precipitation method, on its antibacterial activity and to elucidate the structural and morphological changes caused by the dopant in the material. The synthesized materials were characterized by PXRD, Fourier Transformed Infrared (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis/differential scanning calorimetry (TG/DSC), and SEM-Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). The antibacterial response of the materials was verified using the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) employing the broth microdilution method. The size of the CoMoO4·1.03H2O microparticles gradually increased as the percentage of copper increased, decreasing the energy that is needed to promote the transition from the hydrated to the beta phase and changing the color of material. CoMoO4·1.03H2O obtained better bactericidal performance against the tested strains of Staphylococcus aureus (gram-positive) than Escherichia coli (gram-negative). However, an interesting point was that the use of copper as a doping agent for hydrated cobalt molybdate caused an increase of MIC value in the presence of E. coli and S. aureus strains. The study demonstrates the need for caution in the use of copper as a doping material in biocidal matrices, such as cobalt molybdate.

Here, we describe the genomic features of the Actinobacteria Kocuria sp. SM24M-10 isolated from mucus of the Brazilian endemic coral Mussismilia hispida. The sequences are available under accession number LDNX01000000 (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/nuccore/LDNX00000000). The genomic analysis revealed interesting information about the adaptation of bacteria to the marine environment (such as genes involved in osmotic and oxidative stress) and to the nutrient-rich environment provided by the coral mucus. Keywords: Kocuria sp. SM24M-10, Coral mucus, Osmotic stress, Oxidative stress

We describe a case series of 17 patients hospitalized in Manaus (western Brazilian Amazon) with PCR-confirmed Plasmodium vivax infection who were treated with chloroquine and primaquine. The major complications were jaundice and severe anemia. No in vivo chloroquine resistance was detected. These data help characterize the clinical profile of severe P. vivax malaria in Latin America.

Malaria and dengue are the most prevalent vector-borne diseases worldwide and represent major public health problems. Both are endemic in tropical regions, propitiating co-infection. Only few co-infection cases have been reported around the world, with insufficient data so far to enhance the understanding of the effects of co-infection in the clinical presentation and severity.A cross-sectional study was conducted (2009 to 2011) in hospitalized patients with acute febrile syndrome in the Brazilian Amazon. All patients were submitted to thick blood smear and PCR for Plasmodium sp. detection, ELISA, PCR and NS1 tests for dengue, viral hepatitis, HIV and leptospirosis. In total, 1,578 patients were recruited. Among them, 176 (11.1%) presented P. vivax malaria mono-infection, 584 (37%) dengue fever mono-infection, and 44 (2.8%) were co-infected. Co-infected patients had a higher chance of presenting severe disease (vs. dengue mono-infected), deep bleeding (vs. P. vivax mono-infected), hepatomegaly, and jaundice (vs. dengue mono-infected).In endemic areas for dengue and malaria, jaundice (in dengue patients) and spontaneous bleeding (in malaria patients) should raise the suspicion of co-infection. Besides, whenever co-infection is confirmed, we recommend careful monitoring for bleeding and hepatic complications, which may result in a higher chance of severity, despite of the fact that no increased fatality rate was seen in this group.

Molecular markers associated with the increase of chloroquine resistance and disease severity in Plasmodium vivax are needed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the expression levels of pvcrt-o and pvmdr-1 genes in a group of patients presenting CQRPv and patients who developed severe complications triggered exclusively by P. vivax infection. Two different sets of patients were included to this comprehensive study performed in the Brazilian Amazon: 1) patients with clinically characterized chloroquine-resistant P. vivax compared with patients with susceptible parasites from in vivo studies and 2) patients with severe vivax malaria compared with patients without severity. Quantitative real-time PCR was performed to compare the transcript levels of two main transporters genes, P. vivax chloroquine resistance transporter (pvcrt-o) and the P. vivax multidrug resistance transporter (pvmdr-1). Twelve chloroquine resistant cases and other 15 isolates from susceptible cases were included in the first set of patients. For the second set, seven patients with P. vivax-attributed severe and 10 mild manifestations were included. Parasites from patients with chloroquine resistance presented up to 6.1 (95% CI: 3.8-14.3) and 2.4 (95% CI: 0.53-9.1) fold increase in pvcrt-o and pvmdr-1 expression levels, respectively, compared to the susceptible group. Parasites from the severe vivax group had a 2.9 (95% CI: 1.1-8.3) and 4.9 (95% CI: 2.3-18.8) fold increase in pvcrt-o and pvmdr-1 expression levels as compared to the control group with mild disease. These findings suggest that chloroquine resistance and clinical severity in P. vivax infections are strongly associated with increased expression levels of the pvcrt-o and pvmdr-1 genes likely involved in chloroquine resistance.