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Abstract Introduction Macular holes are breaks in the retinal tissue at the center of the macula, affecting central vision. The standard treatment involves vitrectomy with membrane peeling and gas tamponade. However, for larger or chronic holes, alternative techniques like autologous retinal graft have emerged. This meta-analysis evaluates the efficacy and safety of retinal transplantation in managing large macular holes. Methods We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis following PRISMA guidelines. The study was prospectively registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024504801). We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Embase databases for observational studies including individuals with large macular holes with or without retinal detachments and retinal transplantation as the main therapy. We used a random-effects model to compute the mean difference with 95% confidence intervals and performed statistical analysis using R software. Results We conducted a comprehensive analysis of 19 studies involving 322 patients diagnosed with various types of macular holes (MHs). These included cohorts with refractory MH, high myopia associated with MH, primary MH, and MH with retinal detachment (RD). The findings were promising, revealing an overall closure rate of 94% of cases (95% CI 88–98, I2 = 20%). Moreover, there was a significant improvement in postoperative visual acuity across all subgroups, averaging 0.45 (95% CI 0.33–0.58 ; I2 = 72%; p

ABSTRACT The high quality of soybean seeds is essential for the success of the crop, as it determines the field performance of seedlings. Seed physiological attributes are associated with genotype stability; thus, the maintenance of genome integrity is crucial to ensure seed quality. To evaluate the quality of soybean seed lots at physiological and molecular levels, a completely randomized design was carried out in four replications, with 12 soybean seed lots (cv. BMX Potência RR). Seeds were evaluated through standard germination and vigor tests. Genomic DNA was extracted from the root meristem of seeds from different lots with the Kasvi Spin 50 ® extraction kit. The analysis was performed through electrophoresis and visualized under ultraviolet (UV) light. The Comet assay was also applied to investigate DNA damage. Soybean seed lots exhibited differences in germination and vigor, as determined by the tests of accelerated aging, field emergence, emergence speed index, shoot length, root length, shoot fresh weight, root fresh mass, and shoot dry mass. In seeds with low germination and vigor, DNA damage and genotoxicity were observed. DNA from samples with high germination and vigor observed by the field emergence and accelerated aging tests was more preserved than DNA extracted from seeds with low physiological quality.

Abstract The proper establishment of plants is essential for the efficient use of resources such as water and light. Besides, even after seed storage and sowing the uniform establishment of plants is essential for their success. Crotalaria ochroleuca and Crotalaria spectabilis are important medicinal plants with poor seed germination rate, occasionally. The effects of seed priming in both C. ochroleuca and C. spectabilis were evaluated in seed performance even after seeds storage for up 90-days. Experimental assays were performed in a randomized design with gibberellic acid (GA3, 100 ppm), polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000, -0.2 MPa) and PEG (-0.2 MPa) + GA3 (100 ppm) solutions during seed priming in four replicates. Seeds not submitted to priming treatments constituted control. Seeds physiological performance were evaluated immediately and even after 30, 60 and 90-days seed dry-storage. The data obtained in each experiment were submitted to variance analysis (ANOVA) adopting a confidence level of 95%. The effects of seed priming with PEG and GA3 during seed ageing were significant for germination variables of C. ochroleuca and C. spectabilis. During dry storage, seed viability of both species gradually decreased and the first symptoms were delayed seed germination, especially more evident for C. ochroleuca, even in primed or non-primed seeds. Afterwards, C. ochroleuca seeds previously GA3 primed had higher results of root protrusion (86%), hypocotyls elongation (76%) and complete seedlings (75%) than non-primed seeds (control). These findings shown a good potential of hormopriming to attenuate damage during the seed aging of C. ochroleuca.

Objective The objectives were to (1) compare satisfaction with social roles and activities in a large multinational systemic sclerosis (SSc) cohort to general population normative data and (2) identify sociodemographic, lifestyle and SSc disease factors associated with satisfaction with social roles and activities.Methods Participants in the Scleroderma Patient-centered Intervention Network Cohort completed the Patient Reported Outcomes Information System Version 2 satisfaction with social roles and activities domain questionnaire. Multivariable regression was used to assess associations with sociodemographic, lifestyle and disease factors.Results Among 2385 participants, mean satisfaction with social roles and activities T-score (48.1, SD=9.9) was slightly lower than the US general population (mean=50, SD=10). Factors independently associated with satisfaction were years of education (0.54 per SD, 95% CI 0.14 to 0.93); non-White race or ethnicity (−1.13, 95% CI −2.18 to –0.08); living in Canada (−1.33, 95% CI −2.40 to –0.26 (reference USA)) or the UK (−2.49, 95% CI −3.92 to –1.06); body mass index (−1.08 per SD, 95% CI −1.47 to –0.69); gastrointestinal involvement (−3.16, 95% CI −4.27 to –2.05); digital ulcers (−1.90, 95% CI −3.05 to –0.76); moderate (−1.62, 95% CI −2.78 to –0.45) or severe (−2.26, 95% CI −3.99 to –0.52) small joint contractures; interstitial lung disease (−1.11, 95% CI −1.97 to –0.25); pulmonary arterial hypertension (−2.69, 95% CI −4.08 to –1.30); rheumatoid arthritis (−2.51, 95% CI −4.28 to –0.73); and Sjogren’s syndrome (−2.42, 95% CI −3.96 to –0.88).Conclusion Mean satisfaction with social roles and activities is slightly lower in SSc than the general population and associated with multiple sociodemographic and disease factors.

The inner ear is the organ responsible for hearing and balance. Inner ear dysfunction can be the result of infection, trauma, ototoxic drugs, genetic mutation or predisposition. Often, like for Ménière disease, the cause is unknown. Due to the complex access to the inner ear as a fluid-filled cavity within the temporal bone of the skull, effective diagnosis of inner ear pathologies and targeted drug delivery pose significant challenges. Samples of inner ear fluids can only be collected during surgery because the available procedures damage the tiny and fragile structures of the inner ear. Concerning drug administration, the final dose, kinetics, and targets cannot be controlled. Overcoming these limitations is crucial for successful inner ear precision medicine. Recently, notable advancements in microneedle technologies offer the potential for safe sampling of inner ear fluids and local treatment. Ultrasharp microneedles can reach the inner ear fluids with minimal damage to the organ, collect μl amounts of perilymph, and deliver therapeutic agents in loco. This review highlights the potential of ultrasharp microneedles, combined with nano vectors and gene therapy, to effectively treat inner ear diseases of different etiology on an individual basis. Though further research is necessary to translate these innovative approaches into clinical practice, these technologies may represent a true breakthrough in the clinical approach to inner ear diseases, ushering in a new era of personalized medicine.

In this research, we developed a method for fluconazole (FLU) quantification in plasma using carrier-mediated hollow fiber liquid-phase microextraction (HF-LPME). Briefly, the investigation of six solvents for fiber impregnation, two and three-phases modes of HF-LPME, and carrier-mediated HF-LPME were performed. A fractional factorial design 2(8–4) showed the influence of eight factors and it was followed by a central composite design with the most important three factors. Response surface and desirability test were also obtained. After optimization, the extraction condition consisted of the use of 500 µL of plasma samples containing FLU and 4.5 mL of NaOH solution (0.316 M) saturated with Na2SO4. Centrifugation was required for 15 min at 2200 g and 4 °C for sediment removal. A volume of 3.5 mL was transferred to extraction tubes and the fibers, already impregnated with 1-octanol and Adogen 464 (10 %), were placed in contact with the sample. Then, 60 µL of the acceptor phase were added inside the fiber, and stirring was performed at 1000 rpm for 40 min. Validation was performed in consonance with European Agency's Guideline on Bioanalytical Validation Methodology. The method showed linear range from 1.0 to 62.5 μg mL−1, recovery of 12 %, selectivity, no carryover effect, precision and accuracy within the recommended limits, and samples were stable in the stability studies performed. Finally, we confirmed the applicability of the obtained method at two samples obtained from a patient treated for neuromycosis with FLU. It is the first time that a microextraction technique is used for FLU analyses in plasma samples. The method showed good perspective of application in drug monitoring, without the need of large amounts of organic solvents that can be very harmful to health and environment.

A questão que esse artigo traz à discussão é se a formação em rede para a docência com profissionalidade pode se tornar uma nova modalidade de desenvolvimento do professor. Trata-se de um ensaio teórico com objetivo de iniciar discussão e aprofundar estudos sobre o tema. Está baseado em autores como Cocco, Enguita, Imbernón, Lévy, Masetto entre outros. São discutidos os temas de Formação docente com profissionalidade; Processo de aprendizagem na era digital; Concepção de rede para docência; Princípios constitutivos de rede de formação de professores; e Pontos a considerar. As reflexões ponderam que a modalidade de formação em rede é uma possibilidade interessante e promissora, pois oferece vantagens para potencializar o desenvolvimento docente. Ao mesmo tempo, é complexa e desafiante, provocando novas questões e incentivando a continuidade dos estudos.

BackgroundQuantification of the SARS-CoV-2-specific immune response by serological immunoassays is critical for the management of the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, neutralizing antibody titers to the viral spike (S) protein have been proposed as a correlate of protection (CoP). The WHO established the First International Standard (WHO IS) for anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin (Ig) (NIBSC 20/136) to harmonize binding assays with the same antigen specificity by assigning the same unitage in binding antibody units (BAU)/ml.MethodIn this study, we analyzed the S1-specific antibody response in a cohort of healthcare workers in Germany (n = 76) during a three-dose vaccination course over 8.5 months. Subjects received either heterologous or homologous prime-boost vaccination with ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AstraZeneca) and BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) or three doses of BNT162b2. Antibodies were quantified using three anti-S1 binding assays (ELISA, ECLIA, and PETIA) harmonized to the WHO IS. Serum levels of neutralizing antibodies were determined using a surrogate virus neutralization test (sVNT). Binding assays were compared using Spearman’s rank correlation and Passing–Bablok regression.FindingsAll assays showed good correlation and similar antibody kinetics correlating with neutralizing potential. However, the assays show large proportional differences in BAU/ml. ECLIA and PETIA, which detect total antibodies against the receptor- binding domain (RBD) within the S1 subunit, interact similarly with the convalescent plasma-derived WHO IS but differently with vaccine serum, indicating a high sensitivity to the IgG/IgM/IgA ratio.ConclusionAll three binding assays allow monitoring of the antibody response in COVID-19-vaccinated individuals. However, the assay-specific differences hinder the definition of a common protective threshold in BAU/ml. Our results highlight the need for the thoughtful use of conversion factors and consideration of method-specific differences. To improve the management of future pandemics and harmonize total antibody assays, we should strive for reference material with a well-characterized Ig isotype composition.

Abstract: Knowledge of the genetic variability and of the variables for evaluating common bean lines for the physiological seed quality trait is important for the selection of promising common bean genotypes for this trait in breeding programs. Through multivariate analysis, the objective of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of physical and physiological tests for studies of genetic variability in seeds of common bean lines. Twenty lines of common bean were evaluated for thousand-seed weight, first count, germination, tetrazolium, electrical conductivity, accelerated aging, field emergence and seedling performance. The experimental data were subjected to analysis of variance, analysis of genetic parameters and multivariate analysis of principal components. Genetic variability was observed among the common bean lines, and two groups of lines with superior physiological performance according to the germination and seed vigor tests were identified. First germination count, germination, seedling length in the field, accelerated aging and emergence speed index tests are the most promising for characterizing the physiological potential of seeds of common bean lines.

Abstract The safflower crop is considered a great alternative for crop rotation since drought tolerance and low production cost are attractive for its choice. However, safflower seeds show dormancy soon after dispersal from the mother plant, making it difficult to successfully establish plants using newly harvested seeds. The influence of temperature, gibberellin and light/dark on dormancy break of safflower seeds during storage were investigated. In a completely randomized design, freshly harvested seeds or stored for 100 and 200 days (paper bag, 20 °C/ 60% UR) were treated with GA3 (0 and 100 µM), at 4, 10 and 25 °C, in the presence and absence of light, during the germination test. Seeds were evaluated for germination percentage, germination speed and seedling survival after 21 days. The temperature of 10 °C, in combination with GA3 (0/100 µM), or light/dark, provided the highest seed germination results, for freshly-harvested seeds and stored seeds. Collectively, these observations indicate that dormancy was not affected by gibberellic acid (100 µM GA3) and the germination results at 21 days were significantly higher, in relation to the use of GA3, under light or dark. Recently harvested seeds could efficiently germinate at 10 °C in the dark, while seeds dry-stored at 20 °C had decreased germination percentages.

Abstract Predicting recurrence in low-grade, early-stage endometrial cancer (EC) is both challenging and clinically relevant. We present a weakly-supervised deep learning framework, NaroNet, that can learn, without manual expert annotation, the complex tumor-immune interrelations at three levels: local phenotypes, cellular neighborhoods, and tissue areas. It uses multiplexed immunofluorescence for the simultaneous visualization and quantification of CD68 + macrophages, CD8 + T cells, FOXP3 + regulatory T cells, PD-L1/PD-1 protein expression, and tumor cells. We used 489 tumor cores from 250 patients to train a multilevel deep-learning model to predict tumor recurrence. Using a tenfold cross-validation strategy, our model achieved an area under the curve of 0.90 with a 95% confidence interval of 0.83–0.95. Our model predictions resulted in concordance for 96,8% of cases (κ = 0.88). This method could accurately assess the risk of recurrence in EC, outperforming current prognostic factors, including molecular subtyping.

Biodiesel is a renewable fuel produced from vegetable oils and animal fats transesterification. However, due to its chemical characteristics, it is susceptible to oxidation causing losses to its manufacturers and users. In this work a series of salicylates were synthesized and employed as secondary antioxidants in biodiesel B100. The accelerated oxidation tests were carried out against copper and iron. The biodiesel oxidation degree was followed by the acidity index. Among the synthesized compounds, isopropyl salicylate was able to inhibit the oxidation process by 55% when induced by copper and 52% when it was induced by iron after 8 hours exposure. The commercial antioxidant TBHQ was used as a positive control presenting lower inhibition values than isopropyl salicylate. It should be noted that salicylates are accessible molecules in just one reaction step, high yields and low cost, these being desirable characteristics for the biodiesel industry.

Summary: Background: Systemic sclerosis is a heterogenous disease in which little is known about patterns of patient-reported symptom clusters. We aimed to identify classes of individuals with similar anxiety, depression, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and pain symptoms and to evaluate associated sociodemographic and disease-related characteristics. Methods: This multi-centre cross-sectional study used baseline data from Scleroderma Patient-centered Intervention Network Cohort participants enrolled from 2014 to 2020. Eligible participants completed the PROMIS-29 v2.0 measure. Latent profile analysis was used to identify homogeneous classes of participants based on patterns of anxiety, depression, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and pain scores. Sociodemographic and disease-related characteristics were compared across classes. Findings: Among 2212 participants, we identified five classes, including four classes with “Low” (565 participants, 26%), “Normal” (651 participants, 29%), “High” (569 participants, 26%), or “Very High” (193 participants, 9%) symptom levels across all symptoms. Participants in a fifth class, “High Fatigue/Sleep/Pain and Low Anxiety/Depression” (234 participants, 11%) had similar levels of fatigue, sleep disturbance, and pain as in the “High” class but low anxiety and depression symptoms. There were significant and substantive trends in sociodemographic characteristics (age, education, race or ethnicity, marital or partner status) and increasing disease severity (diffuse disease, tendon friction rubs, joint contractures, gastrointestinal symptoms) across severity-based classes. Disease severity and sociodemographic characteristics of “High Fatigue/Sleep/Pain and Low Anxiety/Depression” class participants were similar to the “High” severity class. Interpretation: Most people with systemic sclerosis can be classified by levels of patient-reported symptoms, which are consistent across symptoms and highly associated with sociodemographic and disease-related variables, except for one group which reports low mental health symptoms despite high levels of other symptoms and substantial disease burden. Studies are needed to better understand resilience in systemic sclerosis and to identify and facilitate implementation of cognitive and behavioural strategies to improve coping and overall quality of life. Funding: National Institute of Nursing Research (F31NR019007), Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Arthritis Society Canada, the Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, the Jewish General Hospital Foundation, McGill University, Scleroderma Society of Ontario, Scleroderma Canada, Sclérodermie Québec, Scleroderma Manitoba, Scleroderma Atlantic, Scleroderma Association of BC, Scleroderma SASK, Scleroderma Australia, Scleroderma New South Wales, Scleroderma Victoria, and Scleroderma Queensland.

BACKGROUND:Systemic and local immune suppression plays a significant role in glioma progression. Glioma microenvironment contains both brain-resident microglial cells (MG) and bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM), but the study of their functional and immune regulatory activity has been hampered until now by the lack of markers allowing a proper identification and isolation to collect pure populations. METHODS:Myeloid and lymphoid infiltrate were characterized in grade II, III and IV gliomas by multicolor flow cytometry, along with the composition of the cell subsets of circulating myeloid cells. Macrophages were sorted and tested for their immunosuppressive ability. Moreover, following preoperative administration of 5-aminolevulinic acid to patients, distinct areas of tumor lesion were surgically removed and analyzed, based on protoporphyrin IX fluorescence emission. RESULTS:The immune microenvironment of grade II to grade IV gliomas contains a large proportion of myeloid cells and a small proportion of lymphocytes expressing markers of dysfunctional activity. BMDM and resident MG cells were characterized through a combination of markers, thus permitting their geographical identification in the lesions, their sorting and subsequent analysis of the functional characteristics. The infiltration by BMDM reached the highest percentages in grade IV gliomas, and it increased from the periphery to the center of the lesion, where it exerted a strong immunosuppression that was, instead, absent in the marginal area. By contrast, MG showed little or no suppression. Functional differences, such as iron metabolism and phagocytosis, characterized resident versus blood-derived macrophages. Significant alterations in circulating monocytes were present in grade IV patients, correlating with accumulation of tumor macrophages. CONCLUSIONS:Grade IV gliomas have an alteration in both circulating and tumor-associated myeloid cells and, differently from grade II and III gliomas, show a significant presence of blood-derived, immune suppressive macrophages. BMDM and MG have different functional properties.

It is demonstrated the capability of Nb combined with TiO2 to enhance charge transportation in solar systems; however, the particle size is still a barrier. This work aims to grind Nb:TiO2 particles, with a complete characterization to analyze the effect caused on particles by processing. Nb:TiO2 was produced by Pechini methodology, characterized by DLS, XRD, XPS, SEM images, and Mott-Schottky. It was verified the capability of grinding to reduce the particle size (~ 504 nm to ~ 54 nm) and change particle form. In a PV device, the milled particles have been able to produced a j = 10 mA cm−2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A sociedade tem passado por rápidas e constantes mudanças que desafiam os sujeitos que a compõem de modo geral e, em especial aqueles formados no ensino superior. Isto impacta de forma direta a formação oferecida a esses alunos no ensino superior. Em decorrência disso, tem-se exigido uma nova postura, profissionalidade e respostas dos docentes do magistério superior. Tal fato traz a reboque a questão sobre como os docentes do ensino superior podem fazer a diferença para a formação pessoal, profissional e social dos alunos universitários. Para tanto, este artigo objetiva documentar e socializar com docentes universitários, a trajetória percorrida por um professor do ensino superior na busca de se tornar um professor significativo para seus alunos e, desta forma, fazer a diferença em suas vidas. Emprega-se, com esse intuito, a metodologia baseada em História de Vida alicerçada em Josso (2007). Recorre-se, entre outros, a Masetto (1992, 2003, 2010, 2015, 2018) Carl Rogers (1972) Sacristán e Pérez Gómes (1996), Sacristán (2000) e Perrenoud (2002) para recompor essa trajetória. Trata-se de uma (re)constituição temporal de uma experiência de docência no ensino superior que foi vivenciada durante quarenta anos e recompõe as vivências, pesquisas e conhecimentos produzidos para a construção de um professor significativo. Apresenta como resultado tais imagens do passado e presente instrumentalizando-as para projetar o futuro.

Sunn hemp (Crotalaria spectabilis)is widely used for soil correction and cover, but it is still necessary to know the characteristics that influence the storage of its seeds. This study aimed to evaluate the physiological quality of sunn hemp seeds under uncontrolled environmental conditions and in acclimatization chamber. A completely randomized experimental design was used, with four replicates, in subplots evaluated in different periods. Freshly harvested seeds and seeds at 90, 180 and 270 days of storage were evaluated for germination, first germination count, germination speed index, seedling emergence in the field, accelerated aging, cold test and seedling growth. The environment and storage time significantly influenced the seed germination and vigor. The seeds showed a high physiological performance for both the environmental conditions, maintaining the ability to produce normal seedlings up to approximately 150 days of storage, deteriorating afterwards, although without losing their germination capacity up to 270 days of storage.