One-year variation in quantity and properties of microplastics in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and cockles (Cerastoderma edule) from Aveiro lagoon

As filter feeders, marine bivalves inhabiting estuarine and coastal areas are directly exposed to microplastics (MPs) in water. To assess whether MPs number, and their shape, size, colour, and polymer type present in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and cockles (Cerastoderma edule) varied over one year, bivalves were collected over the year of 2019 in the lower part of the coastal Aveiro lagoon, Portugal. After extraction from the bivalve's whole-body soft tissues, a subset of the visually inspected particles was randomly separated for identification using the Fourier-transform mid-infrared (FT-MIR) spectroscopy. A fraction of the inspected particles, 26-32% of particles >100 μm, and 59-100% of smaller ones were confirmed as MPs. Concentrations varied within the intervals of 0.77-4.3 items g-1 in mussels and 0.83-5.1 items g-1 in cockles, with the lowest values observed in January. In winter, the accumulation of large-sized fibers was composed of a mixture of plastic types, which contrasted against the most abundant MPs in summer consisting mainly of polyethylene of diverse size classes and shapes. Temperature decrease registered in winter might have triggered a lower filtration rate, resulting in lower MPs concentrations in the whole-soft body tissues of organisms. Different properties of MPs found in bivalves between January-February and August-September appear to reflect changes in the characteristics of MPs available in the Aveiro lagoon.

XP-endo Finisher effectively reduces hard-tissue debris accumulated in root canals with isthmus after preparation with a reciprocating file system

This study compared the accumulated hard-tissue debris (AHTD) after preparation with WaveOne Gold (WOG) to XP-endo Shaper (XPS), without and with a supplementary step using XP-endo Finisher (XPF) using clinically applicable irrigation. Twenty-four mesial roots with two canals and single foramen were micro-CT-scanned and matched. Scans were also taken after preparation with WOG or XPS, and after XPF. Irrigation with 2.5% NaOCl (total: 17 ml per canal) and 17% EDTA (2.5 ml per canal) was performed using a 30ga Max-I-Probe needle placed up to the working length. Morphological parameters were calculated and compared within and among groups. XPF significantly reduced unprepared area within XPS and WOG groups, and AHTD within WOG (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences between WOG and XPS after preparation and after XPF (p > 0.05). In conclusion, WOG and XPS produced a similar volume of AHTD, but the supplementary step with XPF decreased the AHTD in the WOG group.

Microrobotics for Precision Biofilm Diagnostics and Treatment

Advances in small-scale robotics and nanotechnology are providing previously unimagined opportunities for new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches with high precision, control, and efficiency. We designed microrobots for tetherless biofilm treatment and retrieval using iron oxide nanoparticles (NPs) with dual catalytic-magnetic functionality as building blocks. We show 2 distinct microrobotic platforms. The first system is formed from NPs that assemble into aggregated microswarms under magnetic fields that can be controlled to disrupt and retrieve biofilm samples for microbial analysis. The second platform is composed of 3-dimensional (3D) micromolded opacifier-infused soft helicoids with embedded catalytic-magnetic NPs that can be visualized via existing radiographic imaging techniques and controlled magnetically inside the root canal, uninterrupted by the soft and hard tissues surrounding the teeth in an ex vivo model. These microrobots placed inside the root canal can remove biofilms and be efficiently guided with microscale precision. The proof-of-concept paradigm described here can be adapted to target difficult-to-reach anatomical spaces in other natural and implanted surfaces in an automated and tether-free manner.

Biological variation estimates of thyroid related measurands - meta-analysis of BIVAC compliant studies

OBJECTIVES

Testing for thyroid disease constitutes a high proportion of the workloads of clinical laboratories worldwide. The setting of analytical performance specifications (APS) for testing methods and aiding clinical interpretation of test results requires biological variation (BV) data. A critical review of published BV studies of thyroid disease related measurands has therefore been undertaken and meta-analysis applied to deliver robust BV estimates.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was conducted for BV studies of thyroid related analytes. BV data from studies compliant with the Biological Variation Data Critical Appraisal Checklist (BIVAC) were subjected to meta-analysis. Global estimates of within subject variation (CV_I) enabled determination of APS (imprecision and bias), indices of individuality, and indicative estimates of reference change values.

RESULTS

The systematic review identified 17 relevant BV studies. Only one study (EuBIVAS) achieved a BIVAC grade of A. Methodological and statistical issues were the reason for B and C scores. The meta-analysis derived CV_I generally delivered lower APS for imprecision than the mean CV_A of the studies included in this systematic review.

CONCLUSIONS

Systematic review and meta-analysis of studies of BV of thyroid disease biomarkers have enabled delivery of well characterized estimates of BV for some, but not all measurands. The newly derived APS for imprecision for both free thyroxine and triiodothyronine may be considered challenging. The high degree of individuality identified for thyroid related measurands reinforces the importance of RCVs. Generation of BV data applicable to multiple scenarios may require definition using "big data" instead of the demanding experimental approach.

The shaping ability of WaveOne Gold, TRUShape and XP-endo Shaper systems in oval-shaped distal canals of mandibular molars: A microcomputed tomographic analysis

AIM

To compare the shaping ability of a heat-treated centric reciprocating file system (WaveOne Gold), a heat-treated eccentric rotary multifile system (TRUShape 3D Conforming Files), and a heat-treated expandable one-file rotary system (XP-endo Shaper) extending its activation time, in preparing oval-shaped root canals in extracted mandibular molars by means of microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) analysis.

METHODOLOGY

Thirty moderately curved oval-shaped distal roots of mandibular molars were selected. The normality of canal length, curvature angle, volume, surface area, structure model index, and aspect ratio were confirmed. The samples were randomly divided into three groups (n = 10). Micro-CT scans were taken before and after canals were instrumented using WaveOne Gold (size 35, .06 taper), or TRUShape (size 30, .06v taper), both following the manufacturer's instructions, or XP-endo Shaper following a new protocol with extended activation time. The mechanical preparation time for each sample was recorded. Pre- and postoperative images were analysed for the percentage of unprepared canal areas and the percentage of removed dentine. Data were compared between groups using the statistical analyses one-way ANOVA and Tukey tests (p < .05).

RESULTS

The percentage of unprepared canal areas was significantly higher with WaveOne Gold (% 11.5 ± 4.0) and TRUShape (% 12.4 ± 5.8) compared with XP-endo Shaper (% 5.2 ± 2.6) (p < .05). XP-endo Shaper removed significantly more dentine (3.3 ± 1.5 mm³ ) than WaveOne Gold (1.8 ± 0.8 mm³ ) and TRUShape (1.9 ± 0.8 mm³ ) (p < .05). No significant differences were seen for mechanical preparation time between WaveOne Gold (79 ± 31 s), TRUShape (104 ± 41 s) and XP-endo Shaper (71 ± 23 s) (p > .05).

CONCLUSIONS

The comparison of three recognized root canal filing systems has shown that with similar preparation times, the XP-endo Shaper removed more dentine (mm³ ) leaving less unprepared canal wall area (%) than WaveOne Gold and TRUShape when preparing oval-shaped root canals of extracted mandibular molars.

Biological Variation of Cardiac Troponins in Health and Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Many studies have assessed the biological variation (BV) of cardiac-specific troponins (cTn), reporting widely varying within-subject BV (CVI) estimates. The aim of this study was to provide meta-analysis-derived BV estimates for troponin I (cTnI) and troponin T (cTnT) for different sampling intervals and states of health.

METHODS

Relevant studies were identified by a systematic literature search. Studies were classified according to their methodological quality by the Biological Variation Data Critical Appraisal Checklist (BIVAC). Meta-analyses of BIVAC-compliant studies were performed after stratification by cTn isoform, exclusion of results below the limit of detection, states of health, and sampling interval to deliver reference change values (RCV), index of individuality (II) and analytical performance specifications (APS) for these settings.

RESULTS

Sixteen and 15 studies were identified for cTnI and cTnT, respectively, out of which 6 received a BIVAC grade A. Five studies had applied contemporary cTnI assays, but none contemporary cTnT. High-sensitivity (hs-) cTnI and cTnT delivered similar estimates in all settings. Long-term CVI estimates (15.1; 11.3%) derived from healthy individuals were higher than short-term (4.3%; 5.3%) for hs-cTnI and hs-cTnT, respectively, although confidence intervals overlapped. Estimates derived from diseased subjects were similar to estimates in healthy individuals for all settings.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides robust estimates for hs-cTnI and hs-cTnT applicable for different clinical settings and states of health, allowing for the use of RCV both to aid in the diagnosis of myocardial injury and for prognosis. BV-based APS appear too strict for some currently available technologies.

Tuberculosis: where and how fast are stone quarry workers infected?

Background

In 2018 an annual tuberculosis (TB) screening program targeting stone quarry workers was implemented in two municipalities in Northern Portugal. These have been hotspots for TB (76 and 59 cases per 100 000 population per year in 2012-2016, well above the 18 cases per 100 000 population observed in Portugal in 2016), with 30% of active TB cases occurring among stone quarry workers. Screening in this setting is recommended by the World Health Organization, as exposure to silica and silicosis increase the risk of TB. Occupational health services, TB outpatient centers, the hospital, a laboratory, primary health care and public health services work closely together with employers, employees, municipal council and the community promoting meetings and continuous training.

Screening activities included a symptom questionnaire, chest X-ray and sputum exam; and, after exclusion of active TB, interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). Preventive treatment was offered.

Objective

Assess annual rate of TB infection

Methods

Workers without history of TB/LTBI were IGRA tested in 2018, and retested in 2019. Annual rate of infection was calculated as the proportion of workers IGRA negative in 2018 becoming positive in 2019.

Results

In 2018-2019, 274 workers were screened yearly. In 2018, 22 were diagnosed with LTBI and 26 had previous history of TB/LTBI. Out of 226 IGRA negative workers in 2018, 19 tested positive in 2019 (8.4% annual rate of infection). These individuals were not identified as close contacts of any new TB case and no cases of active TB were reported in their stone quarries. Some active TB cases were regular customers of specific bars.

Conclusions

Active transmission of TB seems to be occurring among stone quarry workers. Workers that converted from IGRA negative to positive had no co-workers with active TB in the study period, suggesting they could have been infected away from the workplace, possibly in community public places.

Key messages

Stone quarry workers in a high-risk TB sub-region were infected at an 8.4% annual rate, and could have been infected in community public places such as bars. Besides screening close contacts and at workplace, more efforts should be made identifying social contacts of active TB cases.

Matzevot kevurah esquecidas — resgate etnoarqueológico do Cemitério Judaico de Gurupá, Pará, Brasil

O Cemitério Judaico de Gurupá, no Pará, esteve em uso entre a segunda metade do século XIX e a primeira metade do século XX como local de sepultamento da comunidade judaica local, estabelecida na região por conta do comércio a retalho que teve seu auge durante o Ciclo da Borracha. Com o fim deste, o êxodo de grande parte das famílias praticantes do judaísmo, a consequente desestruturação desta comunidade e a conversão dos remanescentes ao cristianismo, o cemitério entrou em desuso. As lápides, em sua maioria escritas em hebraico, perderam significado com a morte dos mais velhos ainda falantes do idioma. O trabalho aqui apresentado envolveu a limpeza do espaço cemiterial e dos túmulos, o registro gráfico e fotográfico do espaço, a tradução das suas lápides e a recolha de informações orais junto à comunidade com o objetivo de resgatar parte da memória do espaço e da comunidade à qual ele servia. O estudo revelou aspectos inéditos da Antropologia Funerária de uma comunidade judaica na Amazônia e do seu esforço na manutenção das tradições hebraicas apesar do isolamento.

Standardization in laboratory medicine: Two years' experience from category 1 EQA programs in Spain

Introduction

Standardization is the ability to obtain interchangeable results leading to same medical interpretation. External quality assessment (EQA) is the main support of the on-going harmonization initiatives. Aim of study was to evaluate results obtained from two years category 1 EQA program experience in Spain and determine the impact of applying this type of EQA program on the analytical standardization.

Materials and methods

According to the analytical method, traceability and instrument different groups were established which results were evaluated by calculating mean, coefficient of variation and percent of deviation to the reference value. Analytical performance specifications used to the results' evaluation were derived from biological variation for bias and from the inter-laboratory coefficients of variation found in a previous pilot study.

Results

Only creatinine measured by enzymatic methods gave excellent results, although few laboratories used this method. Creatine kinase and GGT gave good precision and bias in all, but one instrument studied. For the remaining analytes (ALT, ALP, AST, bilirubin, calcium, chloride, glucose, magnesium, potassium, sodium, total protein and urate) some improvement is still necessary to achieve satisfactory standardization in our setting.

Conclusions

The two years of category 1 EQA program experience in Spain have manifested a lack of standardization of 17 most frequent biochemistry tests used in our laboratories. The impact of the information obtained on the lack of standardization is to recommend abandoning methods such as ALT, AST without exogenous pyridoxal phosphate, Jaffe method for creatinine, and do not use non-commutable calibrators, such as aqueous solutions for calcium and sodium.

Genetic variation in Wnt/β-catenin and ER signalling pathways in female and male elite dancers and its associations with low bone mineral density: a cross-section and longitudinal study

The association of genetic polymorphisms with low bone mineral density in elite athletes have not been considered previously. The present study found that bone mass phenotypes in elite and pre-elite dancers are related to genetic variants at the Wnt/β-catenin and ER pathways.

INTRODUCTION

Some athletes (e.g. gymnasts, dancers, swimmers) are at increased risk for low bone mineral density (BMD) which, if untreated, can lead to osteoporosis. To investigate the association of genetic polymorphisms in the oestrogen receptor (ER) and the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathways with low BMD in elite and pre-elite dancers (impact sport athletes).

METHODS

The study included three phases: (1) 151 elite and pre-elite dancers were screened for the presence of low BMD and traditional osteoporosis risk factors (low body weight, menstrual disturbances, low energy availability); (2) a genetic association study was conducted in 151 elite and pre-elite dancers and age- and sex- controls; (3) serum sclerostin was measured in 101 pre-elite dancers and age- and sex-matched controls within a 3-year period.

RESULTS

Eighty dancers revealed low BMD: 56.3% had at least one traditional osteoporosis risk factor, whereas 28.6% did not display any risk factor (37.2% revealed traditional osteoporosis risk factors, but had normal BMD). Body weight, menstrual disturbances and energy availability did not fully predict bone mass acquisition. Instead, genetic polymorphisms in the ER and Wnt/β-catenin pathways were found to be risk factors for low BMD in elite dancers. Sclerostin was significantly increased in dancers compared to controls during the 3-year follow-up (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Elite and pre-elite dancers demonstrate high prevalence of low BMD, which is likely related to genetic variants at the Wnt/β-catenin and ER pathways and not to factors usually associated with BMD in athletes (body weight, menstrual disturbances, energy deficiency).

The dynamics of stress: a longitudinal MRI study of rat brain structure and connectome

Stress is a well-established trigger for a number of neuropsychiatric disorders, as it alters both structure and function of several brain regions and its networks. Herein, we conduct a longitudinal neuroimaging study to assess how a chronic unpredictable stress protocol impacts the structure of the rat brain and its functional connectome in both high and low responders to stress. Our results reveal the changes that stress triggers in the brain, with structural atrophy affecting key regions such as the prelimbic, cingulate, insular and retrosplenial, somatosensory, motor, auditory and perirhinal/entorhinal cortices, the hippocampus, the dorsomedial striatum, nucleus accumbens, the septum, the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, the thalamus and several brain stem nuclei. These structural changes are associated with increasing functional connectivity within a network composed by these regions. Moreover, using a clustering based on endocrine and behavioural outcomes, animals were classified as high and low responders to stress. We reveal that susceptible animals (high responders) develop local atrophy of the ventral tegmental area and an increase in functional connectivity between this area and the thalamus, further spreading to other areas that link the cognitive system with the fight-or-flight system. Through a longitudinal approach we were able to establish two distinct patterns, with functional changes occurring during the exposure to stress, but with an inflection point after the first week of stress when more prominent changes were seen. Finally, our study revealed differences in functional connectivity in a brainstem-limbic network that distinguishes resistant and susceptible responders before any exposure to stress, providing the first potential imaging-based predictive biomarkers of an individual's resilience/vulnerability to stressful conditions.

Ability of two single-step restorative materials to avoid crown darkening caused by intracanal minocycline paste

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to quantitatively assess the ability of two single-step restorative materials to avoid crown darkening caused by the use of minocycline as an intracanal medicament.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

After coronal access and instrumentation, 120 maxillary incisors were divided into four groups (n = 30). Two experimental groups according to the restorative material applied to the inner walls of the access cavity: OB, OptiBond All-In-One + minocycline intracanal paste; U200, RelyX U200 + minocycline intracanal paste. Two control groups without restorative materials: MIN, minocycline intracanal paste and SL, saline intracanal. Color determination was performed using a spectrophotometer at five time points, immediately after materials were applied (baseline), and at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days from the baseline.

RESULTS

Decrease in the mean values of L* (luminosity) was observed after insertion of minocycline paste in all groups at all time points. Statistically significant differences were absent between the time points (P > .05). After 28 days, MIN showed significantly more darkening (ΔL*) (- 10.6 ± 7.3) than OB (- 5.4 ± 6.2), U200 (- 5.8 ± 3.9) and SL (- 2.3 ± 1.2) (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Crown darkening can be minimized by the previous application of RelyX U200 or OptiBond All-In-One to the inner walls of the access cavity before a minocycline-containing paste is applied as an intracanal medication.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The American Association of Endodontists Clinical Considerations for Regenerative Procedures in necrotic immature teeth suggests the triple antibiotic paste as an intracanal medication (2018). However, discoloration and crown darkening are common unfavorable outcomes. The clinical protocol suggested in this paper has shown to be able to minimize crown darkening, predictably leading to a better patient-centered clinical success.

Multivisceral Transplantation Rehabilitation Program-Case Report

Multivisceral transplantation is the treatment for multiple abdominal organ failure. The patient experiences reduced food intake and absorption of nutrients, contributing to weight loss and decreased muscle mass, reducing functional capacity. A physical and nutritional rehabilitation program based on adequate caloric intake associated with supervised physical exercise seems to support a gain of muscle mass, re-establishing its capacity and functional independence. A rehabilitation program was carried out, consisting of low-intensity aerobic exercise on treadmill, exercises of global strengthening (50% of 1 maximum repetition [1RM], with progressive increase), and nutritional monitoring (oral hypercaloric diet, hyperproteic supplementation daily and after exercise). Initial and final evaluation included weight, muscle mass index, brachial circumference (BC), tricipital cutaneous fold (TCF), hand grip strength (HGS), 6-minute walk test (6MWT), 1RM, vital capacity (VC), and respiratory muscle strength. After the program, functional capacity was evaluated through the 6MWT (92%), 1RM test, VC (55%), respiratory muscle strength, HGS at 5 kg, weight gain (4.75%), increase of BC in 2 cm, and TCF in 2 mm. The program contributed to functional independence, improved quality of life, and social reintegration, suggesting the importance of a supervised physical activity program associated with adequate nutritional intake after multivisceral transplantation.

Lipocalin-2 regulates adult neurogenesis and contextual discriminative behaviours

In the adult mammalian brain, newborn granule cells are continuously integrated into hippocampal circuits, and the fine-tuning of this process is important for hippocampal function. Thus, the identification of factors that control adult neural stem cells (NSCs) maintenance, differentiation and integration is essential. Here we show that the deletion of the iron trafficking protein lipocalin-2 (LCN2) induces deficits in NSCs proliferation and commitment, with impact on the hippocampal-dependent contextual fear discriminative task. Mice deficient in LCN2 present an increase in the NSCs population, as a consequence of a G0/G1 cell cycle arrest induced by increased endogenous oxidative stress. Of notice, supplementation with the iron-chelating agent deferoxamine rescues NSCs oxidative stress, promotes cell cycle progression and improves contextual fear conditioning. LCN2 is, therefore, a novel key modulator of neurogenesis that, through iron, controls NSCs cell cycle progression and death, self-renewal, proliferation and differentiation and, ultimately, hippocampal function.

Inflammatory pathology markers (activated microglia and reactive astrocytes) in early and late onset Alzheimer disease: a post mortem study

AIMS

The association between the pathological features of AD and dementia is stronger in younger old persons than in older old persons suggesting that additional factors are involved in the clinical expression of dementia in the oldest old. Cumulative data suggests that neuroinflammation plays a prominent role in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and different studies reported an age-associated dysregulation of the neuroimmune system. Consequently, we sought to characterize the pattern of microglial cell activation and astrogliosis in brain post mortem tissue of pathologically confirmed cases of early and late onset AD (EOAD and LOAD) and determine their relation to age.

METHODS

Immunohistochemistry (CD68 and glial fibrillary acidic protein) with morphometric analysis of astroglial profiles in 36 cases of AD and 28 similarly aged controls.

RESULTS

Both EOAD and LOAD groups had higher microglial scores in CA1, entorhinal and temporal cortices, and higher astroglial response in CA1, dentate gyrus, entorhinal and temporal cortices, compared to aged matched controls. Additionally, EOAD had higher microglial scores in subiculum, entorhinal and temporal subcortical white matter, and LOAD higher astrogliosis in CA2 region.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, we found that the neuroinflammatory pathological markers in late stage AD human tissue to have a similar pattern in both EOAD and LOAD, though the severity of the pathological markers in the younger group was higher. Understanding the age effect in AD will be important when testing modifying agents that act on the neuroinflammation.

Bone mineral density in vocational and professional ballet dancers

According to existing literature, bone health in ballet dancers is controversial. We have verified that, compared to controls, young female and male vocational ballet dancers have lower bone mineral density (BMD) at both impact and non-impact sites, whereas female professional ballet dancers have lower BMD only at non-impact sites.

INTRODUCTION

The aims of this study were to (a) assess bone mineral density (BMD) in vocational (VBD) and professional (PBD) ballet dancers and (b) investigate its association with body mass (BM), fat mass (FM), lean mass (LM), maturation and menarche.

METHODS

The total of 152 VBD (13 ± 2.3 years; 112 girls, 40 boys) and 96 controls (14 ± 2.1 years; 56 girls, 40 boys) and 184 PBD (28 ± 8.5 years; 129 females, 55 males) and 160 controls (27 ± 9.5 years; 110 female, 50 males) were assessed at the lumbar spine (LS), femoral neck (FN), forearm and total body by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Maturation and menarche were assessed via questionnaires.

RESULTS

VBD revealed lower unadjusted BMD at all anatomical sites compared to controls (p < 0.001); following adjustments for Tanner stage and gynaecological age, female VBD showed similar BMD values at impact sites. However, no factors were found to explain the lower adjusted BMD values in VBD (female and male) at the forearm (non-impact site), nor for the lower adjusted BMD values in male VBD at the FN. Compared to controls, female PBD showed higher unadjusted and adjusted BMD for potential associated factors at the FN (impact site) (p < 0.001) and lower adjusted at the forearm (p < 0.001). Male PBD did not reveal lower BMD than controls at any site.

CONCLUSIONS

Both females and males VBD have lower BMD at impact and non-impact sites compared to control, whereas this is only the case at non-impact site in female PBD. Maturation seems to explain the lower BMD at impact sites in female VBD.

Heteroleptic mononuclear compounds of ruthenium(ii): synthesis, structural analyses, in vitro antitumor activity and in vivo toxicity on zebrafish embryos

The limitations of platinum complexes in cancer treatment have motivated the extensive investigation into other metal complexes such as ruthenium. We herein present the synthesis and characterization of a new family of ruthenium compounds 1a-5a with the general formula [Ru(bipy)₂L][CF₃SO₃]₂ (bipy = 2,2'-bipyridine; L = bidentate ligand: N,N; N,P; P,P; P,As) which have been characterized by elemental analysis, ES-MS, ¹H and ³¹P-{¹H} NMR, FTIR and conductivity measurements. The molecular structures of four Ru(ii) complexes were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. All compounds displayed moderate cytotoxic activity in vitro against human A2780 ovarian, MCF7 breast and HCT116 colorectal tumor cells. Compound 5a was the most cytotoxic compound against A2780 and MCF7 tumor cells with an IC₅₀ of 4.75 ± 2.82 μM and 20.02 ± 1.46 μM, respectively. The compounds showed no cytotoxic effect on normal human primary fibroblasts but rather considerable selectivity for A2780, MCF7 and HCT116 tumor cells. All compounds induce apoptosis and autophagy in A2780 ovarian carcinoma cells and some nuclear DNA fragmentation. All compounds interact with CT-DNA with intrinsic binding constants in the order 1a > 4a > 2a > 3a > 5a. The observed hyperchromic effect may be due to the electrostatic interaction between positively charged cations and the negatively charged phosphate backbone at the periphery of the double helix-CT-DNA. Interestingly, compound 1a shows a concentration dependent DNA double strand cleavage. In addition in vivo toxicity has been evaluated on zebrafish embryos unveiling the differential toxicity between the compounds, with LC₅₀ ranging from 8.67 mg L^-1 for compound 1a to 170.30 mg L^-1 for compound 2a.

The effect of high-fat diet on rat's mood, feeding behavior and response to stress

An association between obesity and depression has been indicated in studies addressing common physical (metabolic) and psychological (anxiety, low self-esteem) outcomes. Of consideration in both obesity and depression are chronic mild stressors to which individuals are exposed to on a daily basis. However, the response to stress is remarkably variable depending on numerous factors, such as the physical health and the mental state at the time of exposure. Here a chronic mild stress (CMS) protocol was used to assess the effect of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity on response to stress in a rat model. In addition to the development of metabolic complications, such as glucose intolerance, diet-induced obesity caused behavioral alterations. Specifically, animals fed on HFD displayed depressive- and anxious-like behaviors that were only present in the normal diet (ND) group upon exposure to CMS. Of notice, these mood impairments were not further aggravated when the HFD animals were exposed to CMS, which suggest a ceiling effect. Moreover, although there was a sudden drop of food consumption in the first 3 weeks of the CMS protocol in both ND and HFD groups, only the CMS-HFD displayed an overall noticeable decrease in total food intake during the 6 weeks of the CMS protocol. Altogether, the study suggests that HFD impacts on the response to CMS, which should be considered when addressing the consequences of obesity in behavior.

Use of the Wasserman equation in optimization of the duration of the power ramp in a cardiopulmonary exercise test: a study of Brazilian men

This study aimed to analyze the agreement between measurements of unloaded oxygen uptake and peak oxygen uptake based on equations proposed by Wasserman and on real measurements directly obtained with the ergospirometry system. We performed an incremental cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET), which was applied to two groups of sedentary male subjects: one apparently healthy group (HG, n=12) and the other had stable coronary artery disease (n=16). The mean age in the HG was 47±4 years and that in the coronary artery disease group (CG) was 57±8 years. Both groups performed CPET on a cycle ergometer with a ramp-type protocol at an intensity that was calculated according to the Wasserman equation. In the HG, there was no significant difference between measurements predicted by the formula and real measurements obtained in CPET in the unloaded condition. However, at peak effort, a significant difference was observed between oxygen uptake (V˙O₂)_{peak(predicted)}and V˙O_2peak(real)(nonparametric Wilcoxon test). In the CG, there was a significant difference of 116.26 mL/min between the predicted values by the formula and the real values obtained in the unloaded condition. A significant difference in peak effort was found, where V˙O_2peak(real)was 40% lower than V˙O_{2peak(predicted)}(nonparametric Wilcoxon test). There was no agreement between the real and predicted measurements as analyzed by Lin’s coefficient or the Bland and Altman model. The Wasserman formula does not appear to be appropriate for prediction of functional capacity of volunteers. Therefore, this formula cannot precisely predict the increase in power in incremental CPET on a cycle ergometer.

The psychoactive compound of Cannabis sativa, Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) inhibits the human trophoblast cell turnover

The noxious effects of cannabis consumption for fertility and pregnancy outcome are recognized for years. Its consumption during gestation is associated with alterations in foetal growth, low birth weight and preterm labor. The main psychoactive molecule of cannabis, Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) impairs the production of reproductive hormones and is also able to cross the placenta barrier. However, its effect on the main placental cells, the trophoblasts, are unknown. Actually, the role of THC in cell survival/death of primary human cytotrophoblasts (CTs) and syncytiotrophoblasts (STs) and in the syncytialization process remains to be explored. Here, we show that THC has a dual effect, enhancing MTT metabolism at low concentrations, whereas higher doses decreased cell viability, on both trophoblast phenotypes, though the effects on STs were more evident. THC also diminished the generation of oxidative and nitrative stress and the oxidized form of glutathione, whereas the reduced form of this tripeptide was increased, suggesting that THC prevents ST cell death due to an antioxidant effect. Moreover, this compound enhanced the mitochondrial function of STs, as observed by the increased MTT metabolism and intracellular ATP levels. These effects were independent of cannabinoid receptors activation. Besides, THC impaired CT differentiation into STs, since it decreased the expression of biochemical and morphological biomarkers of syncytialization, through a cannabinoid receptor-dependent mechanism. Together, these results suggest that THC interferes with trophoblast turnover, preventing trophoblast cell death and differentiation, and contribute to disclose the cellular mechanisms that lead to pregnancy complications in women that consume cannabis-derived drugs during gestation.

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection outcomes with cryopreserved testicular sperm aspiration samples

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) may be performed with testicular frozen-thawed spermatozoa in patients with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA). Sperm retrieval can be performed in advance of oocyte aspiration, as it may avoid the possibility of no recovery of spermatozoa on the day of oocyte pickup. There are few studies available in the literature concerning the use of frozen-thawed spermatozoa obtained from testicular sperm aspiration (TESA). To evaluate the effects and the outcomes of ICSI with frozen-thawed spermatozoa obtained by TESA, we performed a retrospective analysis of 43 ICSI cycles using frozen-thawed TESA. We obtained acceptable results with a fertilisation rate of 67.9%, an implantation rate (IR) of 17.1%, and clinical and ongoing pregnancy rates of 41.9% and 37.2% respectively. The results of this study suggest that performing ICSI using cryopreserved frozen-thawed testicular spermatozoa with TESA as a first option is a viable, safe, economic and effective method for patients with NOA.

Microtensile Bond Strength and Micromorphology of Bur-cut Enamel Using Five Adhesive Systems

PURPOSE

This study compared the microtensile bond strengths (μTBS) of two etch-and-rinse (ER) (OptiBond FL [OBFL]; Prime & Bond NT [PBNT]) and three self-etching (SE) (Clearfil SE Bond [CSEB]; Xeno III [XIII]; Xeno V+ [XV+]) adhesives systems to bur-prepared human enamel considering active (AA) and passive (PA) application of the self-etching systems.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ninety-six enamel surfaces were prepared with a medium-grit diamond bur and randomly allocated into 8 groups to receive adhesive restorations: G1: OBFL; G2: PBNT; G3: CSEB/PA; G4: CSEB/ AA; G5: XIII/PA; G6: XIII/AA; G7: XV+/PA; G8: XV+/AA. After composite buildup, samples were sectioned to obtain a total of 279 bonded sticks (1 mm2) that were submitted to microtensile testing (μTBS; 0.5 mm/min) after 24-h water storage (37°C). Etching patterns and adhesive interfacial ultramorphology were also evaluated with confocal laser scanning (CLSM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Data was analyzed with one-way ANOVA (α = 0.05). Weibull probabilistic distribution was also determined.

RESULTS

Regarding μTBS, both adhesive system and application mode yielded statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) among groups. ER adhesive systems together with CSEB/AA and XIII/PA recorded the highest and statistically similar bond strength results. XV+ presented very low bond strength values, regardless of the application mode. Among self-etching adhesives, CSEB produced significantly higher μTBS values when applied actively. Qualitative evaluation by SEM and CLSM revealed substantial differences between groups both in adhesive interfaces and enamel conditioning patterns.

CONCLUSIONS

ER and SE adhesive systems presented distinctive bond strengths to bur-cut enamel. The application mode effect was adhesive dependent. Active application improved etching patterns and resin interfaces micromorphology.

Quantitative ultrasound texture analysis of fetal lungs to predict neonatal respiratory morbidity

OBJECTIVE

To develop and evaluate the performance of a novel method for predicting neonatal respiratory morbidity based on quantitative analysis of the fetal lung by ultrasound.

METHODS

More than 13,000 non-clinical images and 900 fetal lung images were used to develop a computerized method based on texture analysis and machine learning algorithms, trained to predict neonatal respiratory morbidity risk on fetal lung ultrasound images. The method, termed 'quantitative ultrasound fetal lung maturity analysis' (quantusFLM™), was then validated blindly in 144 neonates, delivered at 28 + 0 to 39 + 0 weeks' gestation. Lung ultrasound images in DICOM format were obtained within 48 h of delivery and the ability of the software to predict neonatal respiratory morbidity, defined as either respiratory distress syndrome or transient tachypnea of the newborn, was determined.

RESULTS

Mean (SD) gestational age at delivery was 36 + 1 (3 + 3) weeks. Among the 144 neonates, there were 29 (20.1%) cases of neonatal respiratory morbidity. Quantitative texture analysis predicted neonatal respiratory morbidity with a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of 86.2%, 87.0%, 62.5% and 96.2%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Quantitative ultrasound fetal lung maturity analysis predicted neonatal respiratory morbidity with an accuracy comparable to that of current tests using amniotic fluid.

Reviewer acknowledgement 2013

Contributing reviewers

The Editors of BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation would like to thank all our reviewers who have contributed to the journal in Volume 13 (2013).

Reviewer acknowledgement 2013

Contributing reviewers

The Editors of BMC Medical Ethics would like to thank all our reviewers who have contributed to the journal in Volume 13 (2013).

Analyses of lipid rafts, Toll-like receptors 2 and 4, and cytokines in foals vaccinated with Virulence Associated Protein A/CpG oligonucleotide vaccine against Rhodococcus equi

Rhodococcus equi establishes long-term pulmonary infection, survives in phagolysosomes of alveolar macrophages and causes pneumonia in foals. The failure of the foal to clear R. equi bacteria is believed to be due to its inability to produce IFN-γ and defects in Toll-like receptor(TLR) signaling. Lipid rafts sequester immune receptors such as TLRs and facilitate efficient cell signaling and therefore, a deficiency in accumulation of receptors in lipid rafts may result in failure to activate. We tested whether a Virulence Associated Protein A (VapA)/CpG vaccine against R. equi would impact the production of IL-10, IFN-γ and TNF-α in lung tissue and fluid samples, alter expression of TLR2 and TLR4 and alter their association with the lipid rafts in broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) cells. Eight foals, 1–6 days of age, were vaccinated against R. equi followed by a booster at day 14 and challenged with R. equi (5 x 10(6) CFU/ml;10 ml) on day 28. This group was termed "vaccinated pre-challenge" before the infection and "vaccinated post-challenge" after the infection. A second group of foals (n = 7) was not vaccinated but challenged with R. equi on day 28 of the study. This group was termed "non-vaccinated pre-challenge" and after infection with R. equi was named "non-vaccinated post-challenged. We report adaptation of previous protocols to isolate plasma membrane fractions from BAL cells and identification of lipid raft fractions based on the presence of flotillin-1 and GM-1 and absence of transferrin receptor. TLR2 and TLR4 were restricted to plasma membrane fractions 7–9 of alveolar cells collected from vaccinated foals before and after the challenge. Western blots showed that vaccinated post-challenge foals had higher expression of TLR2 in their lung tissues compared to non-vaccinated pre-challenge foals. TNF- concentration was higher in BAL fluid collected from the vaccinated compared to the non-vaccinated foals on day 28. Lung tissue extracts collected on day 49 from the non-vaccinated R. equi challenged foals showed higher expression of IL-10 compared to the vaccinated-challenged foals. However, there were no differences among the groups with respect to the concentration of IFN-γ in BAL fluid or lung tissue extracts. Taken together, we modified previous protocols to isolate plasma membrane fractions from BAL cells of foals and report that the vaccination with a VapA/CPG vaccine increases association of TLR2 and TLR4 with lipid raft fractions and alters expression of TNF-α and IL-10. The data point to a subtle effect of vaccination on the association of TLR2 and TLR4 with lipid rafts in BAL cells.