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Chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy is a leading cause of heart failure in Latin American countries. About 30% of Trypanosoma cruzi-infected individuals develop this severe symptomatic form of the disease, characterized by intense inflammatory response accompanied by fibrosis in the heart. We performed an extensive microarray analysis of hearts from a mouse model of this disease and identified significant alterations in expression of approximately 12% of the sampled genes. Extensive up-regulations were associated with immune-inflammatory responses (chemokines, adhesion molecules, cathepsins, and major histocompatibility complex molecules) and fibrosis (extracellular matrix components, lysyl oxidase, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1). Our results indicate potentially relevant factors involved in the pathogenesis of the disease that may provide new therapeutic targets in chronic Chagas disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The acquisition of the load-bearing dentary-squamosal jaw joint was a key step in mammalian evolution 1-5 . Although this innovation has received decades of study, questions remain over when and how frequently a mammalian-like skull-jaw contact evolved, hindered by a paucity of three-dimensional data spanning the non-mammaliaform cynodont-mammaliaform transition. New discoveries of derived non-mammaliaform probainognathian cynodonts from South America have much to offer to this discussion. Here, to address this issue, we used micro-computed-tomography scanning to reconstruct the jaw joint anatomy of three key probainognathian cynodonts: Brasilodon quadrangularis, the sister taxon to Mammaliaformes 6-8 , the tritheledontid-related Riograndia guaibensis 9 and the tritylodontid Oligokyphus major. We find homoplastic evolution in the jaw joint in the approach to mammaliaforms, with ictidosaurs (Riograndia plus tritheledontids) independently evolving a dentary-squamosal contact approximately 17 million years before this character first appears in mammaliaforms of the Late Triassic period 10-12 . Brasilodon, contrary to previous descriptions 6-8 , lacks an incipient dentary condyle and squamosal glenoid and the jaws articulate solely using a plesiomorphic quadrate-articular joint. We postulate that the jaw joint underwent marked evolutionary changes in probainognathian cynodonts. Some probainognathian clades independently acquired 'double' craniomandibular contacts, with mammaliaforms attaining a fully independent dentary-squamosal articulation with a conspicuous dentary condyle and squamosal glenoid in the Late Triassic. The dentary-squamosal contact, which is traditionally considered to be a typical mammalian feature, therefore evolved more than once and is more evolutionary labile than previously considered., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

The Permian mesosaurs are well known for being the earliest amniotes to exhibit adaptations for living in a marine environment (Irati-Whitehill Sea). In addition to their set of skeletal features associated with aquatic dwelling life, their dentition includes important characteristics related to feeding in this habitat, which is described in this work, based on the analysis of mesosaur specimens from the Lower Permian Irati Formation of Brazil. Mesosaurs have several slender, conical teeth bordered by enamel apicobasal ridges, a feature predominantly found in aquatic amniotes. Internally, the dentine walls are formed by the arrangement of layers of orthodentine and globular dentine. To prevent tooth loss, the basal area is equipped with plicidentine, a particular type of orthodentine, allied with cementum, alveolar bone trabeculae, and periodontal space that reinforces anchorage and provides some flexibility. The teeth are replaced in a labio-vertical path, and the dentition replaces alternately. This feature is regarded as plesiomorphic, and it ensures the oral cavity is supplied with enough teeth. However, these features do not the assessment of whether mesosaurs teeth were capable of piercing prey with resistant tegument. Instead, we interpret this adaptation as a mechanism for catching prey, at least in adults, and we endorse a possible ontogenetic dietary shift from small to large forms., (© 2024 American Association for Anatomy.)

Land use change, especially mining activities, contributes to anthropic CO 2 emissions, leading to decreased carbon (C) storage and loss of biodiversity. Artisanal gold mining associated with the use of mercury (Hg) for amalgamation may change soil organic matter (SOM) contents, and the release of Hg into the environment generates serious environmental problems. Changes in soil biogeochemistry due to C loss and seasonal climate fluctuations affect Hg dynamics and can either increase or decrease its availability. Therefore, our objective was to evaluate the impact of mining on SOM and Hg geochemistry in four Brazilian biomes. We evaluated the dynamics of C and Hg in the dry and rainy seasons of mining and pasture areas by combining spectroscopic, thermogravimetric, and chemical extraction. The critical role of SOM in Hg retention and the influence of climatic seasons on C and nitrogen (N) stocks were highlighted, along with the availability of Hg in solution. Key findings indicated a 50 % reduction in soil C stocks in mined areas, exacerbated during dry seasons, which also saw up to a 70 % increase in bioavailable Hg. SOM played a critical role in Hg retention, with Hg availability closely linked to soil C stability. These results highlight the environmental degradation linked to mining and suggest strategies to mitigate these impacts by increasing SOM and immobilizing Hg. Amalgamation of gold directly into ore, as in the Amazon, has generated great soil Hg stocks, while Hg availability appeared to be governed by soil C stability. This information can serve as a basis for choosing strategies to mitigate environmental degradation caused by changes in land use in mining activities to promote increase in SOM and to immobilize Hg contents., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Investigating the evolutionary trajectory of synapsid sensory and cephalic systems is pivotal for understanding the emergence and diversification of mammals. Recent studies using CT-scanning to analyze the rostral foramina and maxillary canals morphology in fossilized specimens of probainognathian cynodonts have contributed to clarifying the homology and paleobiological interpretations of these structures. In the present work, μCT-scannings of three specimens of Riograndia guaibensis, an early Norian cynodont from southern Brazil, were analyzed and revealed an incomplete separation between the lacrimal and maxillary canals, with points of contact via non-ossified areas. While the maxillary canal exhibits a consistent morphological pattern with other Prozostrodontia, featuring three main branches along the lateral region of the snout, the rostral alveolar canal in Riograndia displays variability in the number of extra branches terminating in foramina on the lateral surface of the maxilla, showing differences among individuals and within the same skull. Additionally, pneumatization is observed in the anterior region of the skull, resembling similar structures found in reptiles and mammals. Through this pneumatization, certain branches originating from the maxillary canal extend to the canine alveolus. Further investigation is warranted to elucidate the functionality of this structure and its occurrence in other cynodont groups., (© 2024 The Author(s). The Anatomical Record published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Association for Anatomy.)

The nasal cavity of living mammals is a unique structural complex among tetrapods, acquired along a series of major morphological transformations that occurred mainly during the Mesozoic Era, within the Synapsida clade. Particularly, non-mammaliaform cynodonts document several morphological changes in the skull, during the Triassic Period, that represent the first steps of the mammalian bauplan. We here explore the nasal cavity of five cynodont taxa, namely Thrinaxodon, Chiniquodon, Prozostrodon, Riograndia, and Brasilodon, in order to discuss the main changes within this skull region. We did not identify ossified turbinals in the nasal cavity of these taxa and if present, as non-ossified structures, they would not necessarily be associated with temperature control or the development of endothermy. We do, however, notice a complexification of the cartilage anchoring structures that divide the nasal cavity and separate it from the brain region in these forerunners of mammals., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Despite the widespread use of biochar for soil and sediment remediation, little is known about the impact of pyrolysis temperature on the biogeochemistry of arsenic (As) and lead (Pb) and microorganisms in sediment under reducing conditions. In this study, we investigated the effects of pyrolysis temperature and the addition of glucose on the release and transformation of As and Pb, as well as their potential effects on the bacterial community in contaminated sediments. The addition of biochar altered the geochemical cycle of As, as it favors specific bacterial groups capable of changing species from As(V) to As(III) through fermentation, sulfate respiration and nitrate reduction. The carbon quality and content of N and S in solution shaped the pH and redox potential in a way that changed the microbial community, favoring Firmicutes and reducing Proteobacteria. This change played a fundamental role in the reductive dissolution of As and Pb minerals. The addition of biochar was the only efficient way to remove Pb, possibly as a function of its sorption and precipitation mechanisms. Such insights could contribute to the production or choice of high-efficiency biochar for the remediation of sediments subjected to redox conditions., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Nutritional disorders of phosphorus (P), due to deficiency or toxicity, reduce the development of Eucalyptus spp. seedlings. Phosphorus deficiency often results in stunted growth and reduced vigor, while phosphorus toxicity can lead to nutrient imbalances and decreased physiological function. These sensitivities highlight the need for precise management of P levels in cultivation practices. The use of the beneficial element silicon (Si) has shown promising results under nutritional stress; nevertheless, comprehensive studies on its effects on Eucalyptus spp. seedlings are still emerging. To further elucidate the role of Si under varying P conditions, an experiment was conducted with clonal seedlings of a hybrid Eucalyptus spp. (Eucalyptus grandis × Eucalyptus urophylla, A207) in a soilless cultivation system. Seedlings were propagated using the minicutting method in vermiculite-filled tubes, followed by treatment with a nutrient solution at three P concentrations: a deficient dose (0.1 mM), an adequate dose (1.0 mM) and an excessive dose (10 mM), with and without the addition of Si (2mM). This study assessed P and Si concentration, nutritional efficiency, oxidative metabolism, photosynthetic parameters, and dry matter production., Results: Si supply increased phenolic compounds production and reduced electrolyte leakage in seedlings provided with 0.1 mM of P. On the other hand, Si favored quantum efficiency of photosystem II as well as chlorophyll a content in seedlings supplemented with 10 mM of P. In general, Si attenuates P nutritional disorder by reducing the oxidative stress, favoring the non-enzymatic antioxidant system and photosynthetic parameters in seedlings of Eucalyptus grandis × Eucalyptus urophylla., Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that Eucalyptus grandis × Eucalyptus urophylla seedlings are sensitive to P deficiency and toxicity and Si has shown a beneficial effect, attenuating P nutritional disorder by reducing the oxidative stress, favoring the non-enzymatic antioxidant system and photosynthetic parameters., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Body size influences most aspects of an animal's biology, consequently, evolutionary diversification is often accompanied by differentiation of body sizes within a lineage. It is accepted that miniaturization, or the evolution of extremely small body sizes, played a key role in the origin and early evolution of different mammalian characters in non-mammaliaform cynodonts. However, while there are multiple studies on the biomechanical, behavioral, and physiological consequences of smaller sizes, few explore the evolutionary processes that lead to them. Here, we use body mass as a universal size measurement in phylogenetic comparative analyses to explore aspects of body size evolution in Cynodontia, focusing on the cynodont-mammal transition, and test the miniaturization hypothesis for the origin of Mammaliaformes. We estimated the body masses of 29 species, ranging from Theriocephalia to Mammaliaformes, providing the largest collection of Triassic cynodont body mass estimates that we know of, and used these estimates in analyses of disparity through time and RR phylo . Unexpectedly, our results did not support the miniaturization hypothesis. Even though cynodont body size disparity fell during the Late Triassic, and remained lower than expected under a purely Brownian motion model of evolution up until the Early Jurassic, we found that rates of body size evolution were significantly lower in prozostrodontians leading to the first Mammaliaformes than in other lineages. Evolution rates were higher in medium and large-sized taxa, indicating that size was changing more rapidly in those lineages and that small sizes were probably a persistent plesiomorphic character-state in Cynodontia., (© 2024 American Association for Anatomy.)

Decuriasuchus quartacolonia is a middle-sized basal "rauisuchian" (Pseudosuchia, Loricata) from the Triassic beds of Brazil, whose original description was based on 10 specimens of equivalent size found in aggregation. In this contribution, we explore the osteohistology of its appendicular bones and a rib, aiming to infer growth patterns and ontogeny. In all analyzed bones (except in the rib) from three individuals, we found fibrolamellar bone (FLB) throughout the cortices, a pattern shared with other histologically sampled basal loricatans. We found evidence that suggests an early ontogenetic stage for all studied specimens: absence of secondary osteons, lack of transition from an inner highly vascularized FLB matrix to a poor vascularized parallel-fibred bone, one line of arrested growth, open vascular canals in the external surface of the cortex and absence of an external fundamental system. In addition, we observed that the neurocentral sutures in the caudal to cervical vertebrae of the holotype are unfused, strongly suggesting that these individuals were not skeletally mature, as had been previously assumed. In addition, our data support the prior hypothesis that Decuriasuchus is the oldest-known archosaur to show evidence of gregarious behavior and adds a probable cause of this as a strategy to obtain food and avoid predation until becoming independent as adults. Furthermore, our results open the possibility that Decuriasuchus may represent an earlier growth stage of the larger Prestosuchus chiniquensis, with two specimens recovered from the same stratigraphic level and paleontological site. Since the adult form of Decuriasuchus remains unknown, a deeper anatomical study is needed to discuss the validity of the species. This study case exemplifies the importance of paleohistology as an essential complementary tool to describe a new morphospecies in vertebrate paleontology., (© 2023 American Association for Anatomy.)

In this contribution we describe a new genus and species of gomphodontosuchine cynodont from the Late Triassic Hyperodapedon Assemblage Zone (AZ) of the Santa Maria Supersequence of southern Brazil, based on material collected 20 years ago. The new taxon, Santagnathus mariensis gen. et sp. nov., is based on numerous cranial and postcranial remains, which altogether provide data on several parts of the skeleton. Santagnathus mariensis is closely related to Siriusgnathus niemeyerorum and Exaeretodon spp. and expands the knowledge about gomphodontosuchine cynodonts. Morphologically, the new species has a skull bauplan particularly similar to S. niemeyerorum and E. riograndensis, differing from them by a unique combination of traits such as three upper incisors, the absence of a descending process in the jugal, a more posterior position of the postorbital bar and a preorbital region larger than the temporal one. The new traversodontid was found associated with the rhynchosaur Hyperodapedon sp., corroborating the assignment of the cynodont fossils to the Hyperodapedon AZ. We also provide comments on the status of the Argentine traversodontid cynodont Proexaeretodon vincei, typically considered a junior synonym of Exaeretodon argentinus, and here accepted as a valid taxon., (© 2023 American Association for Anatomy.)

Proterochampsidae is a clade of non-archosaurian archosauriforms restricted to the Middle to the Late Triassic of the Ischigualasto-Villa Unión Basin of Argentina and the Santa Maria Supersequence of Brazil. A reappraisal of proterochampsid specimens from the Brazilian Dinodontosaurus Assemblage Zone (AZ) of the Pinheiros-Chiniquá Sequence (late Ladinian-early Carnian) is presented here. One of the specimens was preliminary assigned to Chanaresuchus sp., whose type species comes from the Massetognathus-Chanaresuchus AZ of the Chañares Formation of Argentina. However, our revision indicates that it differs from Chanaresuchus, being more closely related to the middle-late Carnian Rhadinosuchus gracilis. We therefore propose the new taxon, Pinheirochampsa rodriguesi, to reallocate this specimen. Additionally, we present a revision of other putative Chanaresuchus occurrences in Brazil, including the only known specimen described for the Santacruzodon AZ (Santa Cruz do Sul Sequence; early Carnian), also proposing it as a new taxon: Kuruxuchampsa dornellesi. Both new species are characterized, among other features, by transverse expansion of the anterior end of the rostrum, similar to the condition present in Rhadinosuchus, but absent in Chanaresuchus, Gualosuchus, Pseudochampsa, and non-rhadinosuchine proterochampsids. These two new species expand the growing knowledge of the non-archosaurian archosauriform diversity during the Middle-Late Triassic in South America and enhance faunal and chronological comparisons between approximately coeval geological units between Argentina and Brazil., (© 2023 American Association for Anatomy.)

Immune imprinting is now evident in COVID-19 vaccinated people. This phenomenon may impair the development of effective neutralizing antibodies against variants of concern (VoCs), mainly Omicron and its subvariants. Consequently, the boost doses with bivalent vaccines have not shown a significant gain of function regarding the neutralization of Omicron. The approach to design COVID-19 vaccines must be revised to improve the effectiveness against VoCs. Here, we took advantage of the self-amplifying characteristic of RepRNA and developed a polyvalent formulation composed of mRNA from five VoCs. LION/RepRNA Polyvalent induced neutralizing antibodies in mice previously immunized with LION/RepRNA D614G and reduced the imprinted phenotype associated with low neutralization capacity of Omicron B.1.1.529 pseudoviruses. The polyvalent vaccine can be a strategy to handle the low neutralization of Omicron VoC, despite booster doses with either monovalent or bivalent vaccines., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.V.P.C.R.; B.A.S.M.; B.C.B; H.C.Q.; A.M.S.F.; E.S.L.; M.E.B.; C.S.M.; L.M.S.F., R.J.S.B.; and M.B.P.S. declare no conflict of interest., (© 2024 The Author(s).)

The communication between neural stem cells (NSCs) and surrounding astrocytes is essential for the homeostasis of the NSC niche. Intercellular mitochondrial transfer, a unique communication system that utilizes the formation of tunneling nanotubes for targeted mitochondrial transfer between donor and recipient cells, has recently been identified in a wide range of cell types. Intercellular mitochondrial transfer has also been observed between different types of cancer stem cells (CSCs) and their neighboring cells, including brain CSCs and astrocytes. CSC mitochondrial transfer significantly enhances overall tumor progression by reprogramming neighboring cells. Despite the urgent need to investigate this newly identified phenomenon, mitochondrial transfer in the central nervous system remains largely uncharacterized. In this study, we found evidence of intercellular mitochondrial transfer from human NSCs and from brain CSCs, also known as brain tumor-initiating cells (BTICs), to astrocytes in co-culture experiments. Both NSC and BTIC mitochondria triggered similar transcriptome changes upon transplantation into the recipient astrocytes. In contrast to NSCs, the transplanted mitochondria from BTICs had a significant proliferative effect on the recipient astrocytes. This study forms the basis for mechanistically deciphering the impact of intercellular mitochondrial transfer on recipient astrocytes, which will potentially provide us with new insights into the mechanisms of mitochondrial retrograde signaling.

A worldwide revision of the Cretaceous record of Neornithes (crown birds) revealed that unambiguous neornithine taxa are extremely scarce, with only a few showing diagnostic features to be confidently assigned to that group. Here we report two new neornithine specimens from Vega Island (López de Bertodano Formation). The first is a synsacrum (MN 7832-V) that shows a complex pattern of transversal diverticula intercepting the canalis synsacri, as in extant neornithines. Micro-CT scanning revealed a camerate pattern of trabeculae typical of neornithines. It further shows the oldest occurrence of lumbosacral canals in Neornithes, which are related to a balance sensing system acting in the control of walking and perching. The second specimen (MN 7833-V) is a distal portion of a tarsometatarsus sharing with Vegavis iaai a straight apical border of the crista plantaris lateralis. Osteohistologically the tarsometatarsus shows a thick and highly vascularized cortex that lacks any growth marks, resembling Polarornis gregorii. The cortex is osteosclerotic as in other extinct and extant diving neornithines. These new specimens increase the occurrences of the Cretaceous avian material recovered from the Upper Cretaceous strata of the James Ross Sub-Basin, suggesting that a Vegaviidae-dominated avian assemblage was present in the Antarctic Peninsula during the upper Maastrichtian.

Tonantzitlolone B (TZL-B) is a diterpene isolated from the roots of Stillingia loranthacea . Its antinociceptive effects were investigated in male Swiss mice using the following models of pain: formalin test, inflammation induced by Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA), tail flick test, and cold plate test. The influence of TZL-B on the opioid system was assessed in vivo , using opioid antagonists; in silico , investigating the chemical similarity among TZL-B and opioid agonists; and ex vivo , measuring preproenkephalin (PENK) gene expression in the spinal cord by RT-qPCR. TZL-B (10-1000 μg/kg) promoted antinociception in the four experimental models without impairing mice's motor function. TZL-B did not alter paw edema during CFA-induced inflammation. The antinociceptive effects of TZL-B in the tail flick and cold plate tests were diminished by the opioid antagonists naloxone (5 mg/kg), NOR-BNI (0.5 mg/kg), naltrindole (3 mg/kg), and CTOP (1 mg/kg), indicating the involvement of κ-, δ-, and μ-opioid receptors. TZL-B showed no significant chemical similarity to opioid agonists, but the treatment with TZL-B (1000 μg/kg) increased PENK gene expression in the spinal cord of mice. These data suggest that TZL-B promotes antinociception by enhancing the transcription of PENK, hence modulating the endogenous opioid system.

Background: Social isolation (SI) and loneliness are major adult and adolescent health concerns, particularly in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) era. Recent prospective cohort studies indicate that older women who experienced both SI and loneliness had a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Hypertension, a well-established risk factor for CVD, is more prevalent in elderly women than men. Furthermore, a lack of social relationships is strongly associated with an increased risk of hypertension in middle-aged and elderly women compared to men. Although this has not been extensively studied, adolescents and young adults who experience loneliness or SI may also be at risk for CVD and depression. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of SI on blood pressure and depression-like behavior in young male and female mice. Methods: Weaned C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned ( n   =  6/group/sex) to either group housing (GH) or SI. Animals in the SI group were housed in individual cages for 8 weeks with no view of other animals. The cages were kept in ventilated racks to prevent pheromone exposure and socially isolated animals had no cage enrichment. Results: SI increased systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial blood pressure in females and elevated heart rate in both sexes. Body weight gain was dramatically increased in socially isolated females but tended to decrease in socially isolated males. In the forced swim test, which detects depression-like behavior, there was no difference between groups in total immobility time. The latency to immobility, however, was significantly decreased in socially isolated females. Serum concentrations of corticosterone and metanephrine did not differ between socially isolated and group-housed females, but corticosterone levels were significantly reduced in socially isolated males. Conclusions: Our results indicate that 8 weeks of SI leads to significant changes in blood pressure and heart rate and mild changes in depression-like behavior in young mice, with females affected more than males., Competing Interests: The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article., (© The Author(s) 2023.)

Biochar is widely used for water and soil remediation in part because of its local availability and low production cost. However, its effectiveness depends on physicochemical properties related to its feedstock and pyrolysis temperature, as well as the environmental conditions of its use site. Furthermore, biochar is susceptible to natural aging caused by changes in soil or sediment moisture, which can alter its redox properties and interactions with contaminants such as arsenic (As). In this study, we investigated the effect of pyrolysis temperature and biochar application on the release and transformations of As in contaminated sediments subjected to redox fluctuations. Biochar application and pyrolysis temperature played an important role in As species availability, As methylation, and dissolved organic carbon concentration. Furthermore, successive flooding cycles that induced reductive conditions in sediments increased the As content in the solution by up to seven times. In the solid phase, the application of biochar and the flooding cycle altered the spatial distribution and speciation of carbon, iron (Fe) and As. In general, the application of biochar decreased the reduction of Fe(III) and As(V) after the first cycle of flooding. Our results demonstrate that the flooding cycle plays an important role in the reoxidation of biochar to the point of enhancing the immobilization of As., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Dinosaurs and pterosaurs have remarkable diversity and disparity through most of the Mesozoic Era 1-3 . Soon after their origins, these reptiles diversified into a number of long-lived lineages, evolved unprecedented ecologies (for example, flying, large herbivorous forms) and spread across Pangaea 4,5 . Recent discoveries of dinosaur and pterosaur precursors 6-10 demonstrated that these animals were also speciose and widespread, but those precursors have few if any well-preserved skulls, hands and associated skeletons 11,12 . Here we present a well-preserved partial skeleton (Upper Triassic, Brazil) of the new lagerpetid Venetoraptor gassenae gen. et sp. nov. that offers a more comprehensive look into the skull and ecology of one of these precursors. Its skull has a sharp, raptorial-like beak, preceding that of dinosaurs by around 80 million years, and a large hand with long, trenchant claws that firmly establishes the loss of obligatory quadrupedalism in these precursor lineages. Combining anatomical information of the new species with other dinosaur and pterosaur precursors shows that morphological disparity of precursors resembles that of Triassic pterosaurs and exceeds that of Triassic dinosaurs. Thus, the 'success' of pterosaurs and dinosaurs was a result of differential survival among a broader pool of ecomorphological variation. Our results show that the morphological diversity of ornithodirans started to flourish among early-diverging lineages and not only after the origins of dinosaurs and pterosaurs., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.)

Water contamination by arsenic (As) affects millions of people around the world, making techniques to immobilize or remove this contaminant a pressing societal need. Biochar and iron (oxyhydr)oxides [in particular, biogenic iron (oxyhydr)oxides (BIOS)] offer the possibility of stabilizing As in remediation systems. However, little is known about the potential antagonism in As sorption generated by the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) from biochar, or whether DOC affects how As(V) interacts with BIOS. For this reason, our objectives were to evaluate the i) As(V) sorption potential in BIOS when there is presence of DOC from pyrolyzed biochars at different temperatures; and ii) identify whether the presence of DOC alters the surface complexes formed by As(V) sorbed in the BIOS. We conducted As(V) sorption experiments with BIOS at circumneutral pH conditions and in the presence of DOC from sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) straw biochar at pyrolyzed 350 (BC350) and 750 °C (BC750). The As(V) content was quantified by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and the BIOS structure and As(V) sorption mechanisms were investigated by X-ray absorption spectroscopy. In addition, the organic moieties comprising the DOC from biochars were investigated by attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The addition of DOC did not change the biomineral structure or As(V) oxidation state. The presence of DOC, however, reduced by 25 % the sorption of As(V), with BC350 being responsible for the greatest reduction in As(V) sorption capacity. Structural modeling revealed As(V) predominantly formed binuclear bidentate surface complexes on BIOS. The presence of DOC did not change the binding mechanism of As(V) in BIOS, suggesting that the reduction of As(V) sorption to BIOS was due to site blocking. Our results bring insights into the fate of As(V) in surface waters and provide a basis for understanding the competitive sorption of As(V) in environments with biochar application., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

This paper describes a method for increasing the accuracy and precision of temperature measurements of a liquid based on the central limit theorem. A thermometer immersed in a liquid exhibits a response with determined accuracy and precision. This measurement is integrated with an instrumentation and control system that imposes the behavioral conditions of the central limit theorem (CLT). The oversampling method exhibited an increasing measurement resolution. Through periodic sampling of large groups, an increase in the accuracy and formula of the increase in precision is developed. A measurement group sequencing algorithm and experimental system were developed to obtain the results of this system. Hundreds of thousands of experimental results are obtained and seem to demonstrate the proposed idea's validity.

Mining is an important component of the Brazilian economy. However, it may also contribute to environmental problems such as the pollution of soils with zinc and other potentially toxic metals. Our objective was to evaluate changes in the chemical speciation and mobility of Zn in a soil amended with phosphate. Soil samples were collected from a deactivated mining area in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, and amended with NH 4 H 2 PO 4 saturated with deionized water to 70 % of maximum water retention and incubated at 25 ± 2 °C in open containers for 60 days. The soil was chemically and mineralogically characterized, and sequential extraction, desorption kinetics, and speciation were carried out using synchrotron bulk-sample and micro-X-ray Absorption Near-Edge Structure (XANES/μ-XANES) spectroscopy at the Zn K-edge, and X-ray fluorescence microprobe analysis (μ-XRF). The combination of μ-XRF and μ-XANES techniques made it possible to identify Zn hotspots in the main species formed after phosphate remediation. The best fit combination for bulk XANES and μ-XANES was observed in Zn-montmorillonite, Zn-kerolite, Zn-ferrihydrite, and gahnite. In the course of phosphate treatment, gahnite, Zn layered double hydroxides (Zn-LDH), Zn 3 (PO 4 ), and ZnO were identified by bulk XANES, while Zn-ferrihydrite, Zn-montmorillonite, and scholzite were identified by μ-XANES. Zinc in the phosphate-amended soil had the strongest partial correlations (r' > 0.05) with Ni, Co, Fe, Cr, Mn, Si, P, Cd, Pb, and Cd, while the unamended soil showed the strongest correlation with Cu, Pb, Fe, and Si. The application of NH 4 H 2 PO 4 altered Zn speciation and favored an increase in Zn desorption. The most available Zn contents after phosphate amendment were correlated with the release of exchangeable Zn fractions, associated with carbonate and organic matter., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Adopting a Si supply strategy can amplify the sugarcane response. Thus, this study aimed to verify whether Si supply in the pre-sprouted seedling (PSS) formation phase would have an effect after field transplanting similar to Si supply only in the field phase (via foliar spraying or fertigation). Furthermore, this study aimed to verify whether Si supply in the PSS formation phase associated with Si fertigation after transplanting can potentiate or amplify Si benefits. Two experiments were conducted. In experiment I, pre-sprouted seedlings were grown in a nursery without Si (Control) and with Si. Experiment II was conducted in the field on Eutrustox soil with the following treatments: no Si supply (Control); Si supplied during the PSS formation phase; Si supplied through foliar spraying in the field; Si supplied through fertigation in the field; Si supplied in the PSS formation phase and during field development. Silicon used in both crop phases benefited sugarcane by increasing photosynthetic pigment content and the antioxidative defense system. The innovation of Si management to be supplied via fertigation integrated with both crop phases (PSS and in the field) optimizes the element's use by increasing the crop's productivity and sustainability., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Objective: To determine the incidence of MIS-C in Brazil, describe the clinical and sociodemographic characteristics of the pediatric population affected by MIS-C and compare mortality and lethality outcomes with isolated Covid-19 and MIS-C cases., Methods: Observational and retrospective cohort study of cases of MIS-C associated with Covid-19 in the Brazilian population between 04/01/2020 and 04/17/2021. Data from the Ministry of Health's epidemiological bulletin up to the 15th epidemiological week of 2021, were used. The analyzes were descriptive through absolute and relative frequencies. The significance level is 5% in Stata 16.0 package., Results: Between 04/01/2020 and 04/07/2021, 903 cases of MIS-C associated with Covid-19 were notified in Brazil, of which, the largest part (55.26%) were male, between 0 and 4 years old (45.29%), from the Southeast region (38.76%). The deaths (61; 6.7%) were higher in the female gender, between 0 and 4 years old (47.54%) and in the Southeast region (34.43%). It was identified that the risk of death by MIS-C related to Covid-19 is 5.29 (CI = 2.83; 9.87 and P-value = <0.001) times higher in adolescents from 15-19 years old than in other age groups when compared to 0-4 years old children. Also, the residency in North region was as risk factor to death (RR = 3.72, IC = 1.29; 10.74 e P-value = 0.008)., Conclusion: In this study, despite the numbers showing more deaths from zero to 4 years old, the risk for teenagers is notably higher. In addition, Brazil's Northern region is a risk factor that reaffirms social inequality and poor access to health., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Sociedade Brasileira de Pediatria. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Rapid-cycle deliberate practice (RCDP) is a simulation-based educational strategy that consists of repeating a simulation scenario a number of times to acquire a planned competency. When the objective of a cycle is achieved, a new cycle initiates with increased skill complexity. There have been no previous randomized studies comparing after-event debriefing clinical manikin-based simulation to RCDP in adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)., Methods: We invited physicians from the post-graduate program on Emergency Medicine of the Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein. Groups were randomized 1:1 to RCDP or after-event debriefing simulation prior to the first station of CPR training. During the first 5 min of the pre-intervention scenario, both groups participated in a simulated case of an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest without facilitator interference; after the first 5 min, each scenario was then facilitated according to group allocation (RCDP or after-event debriefing). In a second scenario of CPR later in the day with the same participants, there was no facilitator intervention, and the planned outcomes were evaluated. The primary outcome was the chest compression fraction during CPR in the post-intervention scenario. Secondary outcomes comprised time for recognition of the cardiac arrest, time for first verbalization of the cardiac arrest initial rhythm, time for first defibrillation, and mean pre-defibrillation pause., Results: We analyzed data of three courses conducted between June 2018 and July 2019, with 76 participants divided into 9 teams. Each team had a median of 8 participants. In the post-intervention scenario, the RCDP teams had a significantly higher chest compression fraction than the after-event debriefing group (80.0% vs 63.6%; p = 0.036). The RCDP group also demonstrated a significantly lower time between recognition of the rhythm and defibrillation (6 vs 25 s; p value = 0.036)., Conclusion: RCDP simulation strategy is associated with significantly higher manikin chest compression fraction during CPR when compared to an after-event debriefing simulation., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Two sets of teeth (diphyodonty) characterise extant mammals but not reptiles, as they generate many replacement sets (polyphyodonty). The transition in long-extinct species from many sets to only two has to date only been reported in Jurassic eucynodonts. Specimens of the Late Triassic brasilodontid eucynodont Brasilodon have provided anatomical and histological data from three lower jaws of different growth stages. These reveal ordered and timed replacement of deciduous by adult teeth. Therefore, this diphyodont dentition, as contemporary of the oldest known dinosaurs, shows that Brasilodon falls within a range of wide variations of typically mammalian, diphyodont dental patterns. Importantly, these three lower jaws represent distinct ontogenetic stages that reveal classic features for timed control of replacement, by the generation of only one replacement set of teeth. This data shows that the primary premolars reveal a temporal replacement pattern, importantly from directly below each tooth, by controlled regulation of tooth resorption and regeneration. The complexity of the adult prismatic enamel structure with a conspicuous intra-structural Schmelzmuster array suggests that, as in the case of extant mammals, this extinct species would have probably sustained higher metabolic rates than reptiles. Furthermore, in modern mammals, diphyodonty and prismatic enamel are inextricably linked, anatomically and physiologically, to a set of other traits including placentation, endothermy, fur, lactation and even parental care. Our analysis of the osteodental anatomy of Brasilodon pushes back the origin of diphyodonty and consequently, its related biological traits to the Norian (225.42 ± 0.37 myr), and around 25 myr after the End-Permian mass extinction event., (© 2022 Anatomical Society.)

Nano zero-valent iron (nZVI) is one of the most studied nanomaterials for environmental remediation during the past 20 years. However, few studies have focused on nZVI combination with other materials (e.g., biochar) for enhancement of soil remediation. In this study, pristine nZVI and a composite of wood sawdust biochar (BC) and nZVI (nZVI-BC) were added to a highly contaminated soil to compare their efficacy in immobilizing available arsenic (As = 28.6 mg kg -1 ), zinc (Zn = 1707 mg kg -1 ), and lead (Pb = 6759 mg kg -1 ). Sediment quality guidelines were used to evaluate the extent of soil contamination and ascertain its source. The mineralogy of soil and slags were assessed by X-ray Diffractometry Spectroscopy (XRD), and the geochemical fractions of Pb, Zn, and As were obtained by chemical sequential extractions. The average Pollution Load Index (PLI) was 10.66, indicating elevated multi-elemental contamination. Contamination Factor (CF) values for As, Zn, Pb, cadmium (Cd), and copper (Cu) were all higher than 6 which implies extreme contamination. Secondary minerals frequently found in Pb/Zn smelter sites, such as cerussite and anglesite, were detected in the slags through XRD. Pb and Zn were mainly bound to carbonates and residual fractions in soil and presented a high risk considering the sediment quality guidelines, sequential extraction results, and XRD analysis. The treatment with nZVI-BC was more effective than pristine nZVI on concurrently decreasing 97% of available As, 84% of Pb and 81% of Zn compared to control. The application of nZVI-BC is a promising green and sustainable remediation technique for soils contaminated with potentially toxic elements of distinct chemical behavior., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Nude mice carry an autosomal recessive mutation in the Foxn1 gene and therefore are homozygous recessive animals (Foxn1 -/-). The fertility rate of homozygous male (Foxn1-/- ) is low, which seems to be related to the delay in the production of gametes at the beginning of sexual maturity. The present study evaluated the structural and organizational aspects of the testicles of homozygous and heterozygous offspring related to the Foxn1 gene in mice, describing its implications on spermatogenesis. Adult males Balb/c, Foxn1+/- and Foxn1-/- mice were used. Testes and epididymis were harvested for histological, biochemical, and sperm transit analyses. Gonadal weight was significantly lower in Foxn1+/- and Foxn1-/- animals, the same behavior was noticed for the activity of antioxidant enzymes. In addition, tubular parameters such as epithelial proportion, length, and area, as well as germ and Leydig cell's populations were significantly reduced in the aforementioned groups, leading to lower sperm production. In conclusion, our results indicate the importance of the Foxn1 in Leydig cell's function, reflecting in the preservation of spermatogenesis, thus in germ cell's population and sperm cell production.

Faxinalipterus minimus was originally described as a purported pterosaur from the Late Triassic (early Norian) Caturrita Formation of southern Brazil. Its holotype comprises fragmentary postcranial elements, whereas a partial maxilla was referred to the species. The assignment of Faxinalipterus minimus to Pterosauria has been questioned by some studies, but the specimen has never been accessed in detail after its original description. Here we provide a reassessment of Faxinalipterus minimus after additional mechanical preparation of the holotype. Our interpretations on the identity of several bones differ from those of the original description, and we found no support favoring pterosaur affinities for the taxon. The maxilla previously referred to Faxinalipterus minimus is disassociated from this taxon and referred to a new putative pterosauromorph described here from a partial skull and fragmentary postcranial elements. Maehary bonapartei gen. et sp. nov. comes from the same fossiliferous site that yielded Faxinalipterus minimus , but the lack of overlapping bones hampers comparisons between the two taxa. Our phylogenetic analysis places Faxinalipterus minimus within Lagerpetidae and Maehary bonapartei gen. et sp. nov. as the earliest-diverging member of Pterosauromorpha. Furthermore, the peculiar morphology of the new taxon reveals a new dental morphotype for archosaurs, characterized by conical, unserrated crowns, with a pair of apicobasally oriented grooves. These two enigmatic archosaurs expand our knowledge on the Caturrita Formation fauna and reinforce the importance of its beds on the understanding of Late Triassic ecosystems., Competing Interests: The authors declare there are no competing interests., (©2022 Kellner et al.)

Arsenic (As) and lead (Pb) are potentially toxic elements capable of developing several diseases in human beings such as cancer. Several adsorbent materials, including biochars, have been adopted as alternative measures designed to reduce the availability of As and Pb in water. The retention capacity of potentially toxic elements in biochars varies according to time, feedstock, and the pyrolysis temperature to produce the biochar. Our objectives in this study were to evaluate i) the aging effect of sugarcane straw pyrolyzed biochars at 350 (BC350), 550 (BC550), and 750 °C (BC750) and their ability to immobilize As and Pb; and ii) how the pyrolysis temperature and biochar aging alter the carbon content and quality of the solution and sediment. Biochars were applied at 5% (w/w), and their aging together with As and Pb immobilization effects were evaluated every 45 days over a total period of 180 days. The results were obtained using visible ultraviolet spectroscopy and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy combined with physical fractionation of organic matter and multivariate statistics. The groups formed in the Principal Component Analysis indicated that the change in the availability of As and Pb was related to the aging of the biochar and the temporal changes in the content and quality of organic carbon in the sediment and solution. The pyrolysis temperature was a key factor in the (im)mobilization capacity of As and Pb during the aging of the biochar. The increase in polysaccharides and organic matter associated with the particulate fraction can enhance the release of As in solution (24%). Increasing the fraction of organic matter associated with minerals reduced the availability of Pb by 58%. These findings may provide new insights into understanding the dynamics of organic matter and its role in the immobilization of As and Pb during biochar aging., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Globally, tons of soils and sediments are experiencing degradation due to the presence of high concentrations of potentially toxic elements (PTEs), such as arsenic (As) and lead (Pb), in areas in the vicinity of metal mining activities. The addition of biochar to contaminated sediments is a promising in situ remediation approach, and the effects of pyrolysis temperature and biochar aging are important factors for the immobilization and fate of PTEs. In this study, we evaluated the temporal changes in pools of As and Pb in sediment amended with biochars produced from sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) pyrolyzed at 350 (BC350), 550 (BC550), and 750 °C (BC750). Biochars were aged by natural process (without additional acid or heat), and changes in As and Pb pools were evaluated every 45 days until completing 180 days of incubation. Changes in the As and Pb pools were extracted with water (bioavailable), magnesium chloride (exchangeable), nitric acid (active geochemical fraction), and exchangeable Mehlich-3 (associated with organic matter). As and Pb available contents have increased over time. BC750 was more effective in reducing the bioavailable and exchangeable As contents, while BC550 and BC350 were more effective in reducing the contents of bioavailable and exchangeable Pb., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Phytochromes are red-light photoreceptors that play an important role in regulating many responses of plants, including its nutritional control. Nutrient deficiency in plants has become a constraint for agricultural production; thus, we investigated the role of phytochromes B1 and B2 in the nutritional, physiological, and growth changes of the control genotype (WT) and both phyB1 and phyB2 tomato mutants (deficient in phyB1 and phyB2) under nutritional sufficiency and individual deficiency of N, P, and K. Under complete solution, the plants of phyB1 and phyB2 had a decreased N, P, and K accumulation compared with WT and consequently a reduced content of chlorophyll and carotenoids, and dry weight production. In the condition of N deficiency, phyB1 had decreased N absorption, pigments concentration, and plant dry weight, while increased oxidative stress of membranes (MDA content). Similarly, phyB2 also had reduced N absorption. The deficiency of phyB1 mitigated the effects of P deficiency as phyB1 mutant had improved nutritional and physiological responses, increasing plant dry weight production. In contrast, phyB2 reduced N accumulation, quantum efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm), and the concentration of pigments, while it increased MDA. Under K deficiency, phyB1 displayed a reduced P accumulation, as well as the total concentration of chlorophylls and carotenoids and K use efficiency. An increased concentration of MDA was found in phyB2 plants, as well as a reduction in chlorophylls concentration and in the use efficiency of K. Together, these results indicate a new perspective on the control of phytochromes in the nutrition of tomato plants under nutritional stress., (© 2021 Scandinavian Plant Physiology Society.)

In this study, we investigated the possible role of pesticide exposure in contributing to neurological diseases such as depression. Here, we evaluated whether a subchronic low dose of a glyphosate-based herbicide (GBH) could induce alterations in the central nervous system, using the flavonoid quercetin as a therapeutic strategy. Forty mice were divided into four treatment groups: control, GBH, quercetin, and GBH+Quer groups and received 50 mg/kg of GBH solution, 30 mg/kg of quercetin, and/or vehicles for 30 days via gavage. After performing behavioral tests, such as the open field (OF), elevated plus maze (EPM), forced swim test (FST), and sucrose preference test (SPT), the mice were euthanized and their hippocampal tissues were collected to measure the levels of oxidative stress markers such as reactive species (RS), total antioxidant capacity (FRAP), reduced glutathione (GSH), and acetylcholinesterase activity (AChE), as well as for histological evaluation. The GBH group showed anxious and depressive-like behavior in the EPM and FST tests, as well as increased levels of RS and decreased GSH levels in the hippocampus. Quercetin treatment in the GBH+Quer group allowed partial or total improvement in behavioral tests (EPM and FST) and in the levels of oxidative stress markers (RS and GSH). However, the quercetin group showed similar behavior to the GBH group after treatment. The results revealed that oral exposure to a subchronic low dose of GBH was capable of promoting effects on behavior and oxidative stress in the hippocampus of mice. In addition, despite quercetin having a neuroprotective role, caution is needed when considering the possible per se effects of its continuous supplementation., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

The recognition of ontogenetic edentulism in the Jurassic noasaurid Limusaurus inextricabilis shed new light on the dietary diversity within Ceratosauria, a stem lineage of non-avian theropod dinosaurs known for peculiar craniomandibular adaptations. Until now, edentulism in Ceratosauria was exclusive to adult individuals of Limusaurus. Here, an exceptionally complete skeleton of a new toothless ceratosaur, Berthasaura leopoldinae gen. et sp. nov., is described from the Cretaceous aeolian sandstones of the Bauru Basin, Southern Brazil. The specimen resembles adult individuals of Limusaurus by the absence of teeth but based on the unfused condition of several elements (e.g., skull, vertebral column) it clearly represents an ontogenetically immature individual, indicating that it might never have had teeth. The phylogenetic analysis performed here has nested Berthasaura leopoldinae as an early-divergent Noasauridae, not closely related to Limusaurus. It represents the most complete non-avian theropod from the Brazilian Cretaceous and preserves the most complete noasaurid axial series known so far. Moreover, the new taxon exhibits many novel osteological features, uncommon in non-avian theropods, and unprecedented even among South American ceratosaurs. These include not only toothless jaws but also a premaxilla with cutting occlusal edge, and a slightly downturned rostral tip. This indicate that B. leopoldinae unlikely had the same diet as other ceratosaurs, most being regarded as carnivorous. As the ontogenetically more mature specimens of Limusaurus, Berthasaura might have been herbivorous or at least omnivorous, corroborating with an early evolutionary divergence of noasaurids from the ceratosaurian bauplan by disparate feeding modes., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Aetosauria represents a remarkable clade of armored pseudosuchians in which some of its oldest members are recovered from late Carnian units of Brazil. Three species are known: the mid-sized aetosaur Aetosauroides scagliai, which also occurs in Argentina, and two small-sized species, Aetobarbakinoides brasiliensis and Polesinesuchus aurelioi. We provide a detailed description and comparative analysis of the axial skeleton of Aetosauroides, identifying some diagnostic features as variable. These include the deep pocket pit lateral to the base of the neural spine, the presence of the infradiapophyseal laminae and the lateral fossa ventral to the neurocentral suture. These features are not found in smaller and immature Aetosauroides specimens, resembling the condition found in Polesinesuchus, which is based solely on a juvenile individual, as revealed by osteoderm microstructure analysis. As Polesinesuchus cannot be anatomically differentiated from other small individuals of Aetosauroides, we propose it as a junior synonym of Aetosauroides scagliai. Our results shrink the number of putative 'dwarf' aetosaurs, indicating that morphological variation related to ontogeny affects aetosaur taxonomy and phylogeny.

Objectives: Olfactory dysfunction is a frequent feature of COVID-19. Despite the growing evidence, current knowledge on the subject remains insufficient, so that data obtained with different tools, from multiple centers and in distinct scenarios are welcome. Yet, the predictive value of olfactory dysfunction in terms of the overall prognosis of COVID-19 is unknown. This study aims to evaluate the olfactory function of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and the impact of the results on their clinical outcomes., Methods: Patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) admitted to a university tertiary hospital were recruited and divided into those with ARDS due to COVID-19, and those with ARDS of any other cause. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected at baseline and the patients had their objective olfactory function evaluated by the Alcohol Sniff Test on admission and during hospital stay. The participants were then followed up until reaching an endpoint: hospital discharge, endotracheal intubation, transfer to the intensive care unit, or death. Patients with COVID-19 were also subgrouped and compared according to their olfactory thresholds and to their overall clinical outcomes. The obtained data was analyzed using R software. Level of significance was set at 0.05., Results: Eighty-two patients were included (of which 58 had COVID-19). 87.93% of the patients with COVID-19 had diminished olfactory dysfunction on admission. The mean length of hospital stay among patients with olfactory dysfunction was greater (7.84 vs 6.14 days) and nine individuals in this subgroup had poor overall outcomes. None of those with normal olfactory function developed critical COVID-19. The mean olfactory function was significantly worse among patients with COVID-19 and poor outcomes (3.97 vs 7.90 cm, P = .023)., Conclusion: Objective olfactory dysfunction is frequent in ARDS caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection. Patients with longitudinal poorer outcomes present worse olfactory thresholds on admission., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare no competing interests., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) has been considered the most effective way to avoid the contamination of healthcare workers by different microorganisms, including SARS-CoV-2. A spray disinfection technology (chamber) was developed, and its efficacy in instant decontamination of previously contaminated surfaces was evaluated in two exposure times. Seven test microorganisms were prepared and inoculated on the surface of seven types of PPE (respirator mask, face shield, shoe, glove, cap, safety glasses and lab coat). The tests were performed on previously contaminated PPE using a manikin with a motion device for exposure to the chamber with biocidal agent (sodium hypochlorite) for 10 and 30s. In 96.93% of the experimental conditions analyzed, the percentage reduction was >99% (the number of viable cells found on the surface ranged from 4.3x106 to <10 CFU/mL). The samples of E. faecalis collected from the glove showed the lowest percentages reduction, with 86.000 and 86.500% for exposure times of 10 and 30 s, respectively. The log10 reduction values varied between 0.85 log10 (E. faecalis at 30 s in glove surface) and 9.69 log10 (E. coli at 10 and 30 s in lab coat surface). In general, E. coli, S. aureus, C. freundii, P. mirabilis, C. albicans and C. parapsilosis showed susceptibility to the biocidal agent under the tested conditions, with >99% reduction after 10 and 30s, while E. faecalis and P. aeruginosa showed a lower susceptibility. The 30s exposure time was more effective for the inactivation of the tested microorganisms. The results show that the spray disinfection technology has the potential for instant decontamination of PPE, which can contribute to an additional barrier for infection control of healthcare workers in the hospital environment., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Recently, the morphology and encephalization of the brain endocast of the Triassic non-mammaliaform probainognathian cynodont Riograndia guaibensis were studied. Here, we analyzed the brain endocast of an additional specimen of this species. The new endocast shows well-defined olfactory bulbs and a median sulcus dividing the hemispheres, traits that were not clearly observed in the first studied specimen. Encephalization quotients were also calculated, revealing similar values to other non-mammaliaform cynodonts and lower than those of the first analyzed specimen. The analyzed cranium is slightly larger than the first studied one and may represent an advanced ontogenetic stage. Hence, these differences may be related to the intraspecific variation of this cynodont or alternatively, to the preservation of each specimen.

Background: Olfactory dysfunction is frequent in COVID-19 and it might occur along with pulmonary involvement. These manifestations do not seem to share pathophysiological mechanisms, but clinical data on the subject is lacking. Aims/Objectives: This study aims to correlate the olfactory function (OF) and the radiological pulmonary involvement among in-hospital patients with COVID-19., Materials and Methods: Patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19 were consecutively recruited. They had their objective OF evaluated by the Alcohol Sniff Test and underwent a chest computed tomography (cCT). Qualitative and quantitative analyses of the cCT scans were performed by a blinded radiologist. The quantitative assessment included both the grade of involved parenchyma and the CT severity score (CT-SS). Data obtained were then compared., Results: 57 patients were included. There was no correlation between the OF and the grade of lung involvement ( p -value: .884) or the CT-SS (Pearson's coefficient: -.111). Yet, patients with radiological findings on the cCT typical for COVID-19 did not present significantly different OF from the remaining ( p -value: .193). Conclusions: Olfactory dysfunction does not correlate with the radiological lung involvement in patients hospitalized with COVID-19., Significance: There is also clinical evidence that the olfactory disorder and the pulmonary disease in COVID-19 have distinct mechanisms., Supplemental data for this article is available online at here.