New Minerals from Inclusions in Corundum Xenocrysts from Mt. Carmel, Israel: Magnéliite, Ziroite, Sassite, Mizraite-(Ce) and Yeite.

Our nanomineralogical investigation of melt inclusions in corundum xenocrysts from the Mt. Carmel area, Israel has revealed seven IMA-approved new minerals since 2021. We report here four new oxide minerals and one new alloy mineral. Magnéliite (Ti3+2Ti4+2O7; IMA 2021-111) occurs as subhedral crystals, ~4 µm in size, with alabandite, zirconolite, Ti,Al,Zr-oxide, and hibonite in corundum Grain 767-1. Magnéliite has an empirical formula (Ti3+1.66Al0.13Ti4+0.15Mg0.10Ca0.01Sc0.01)Σ2.06 (Ti4+1.93Zr0.08)Σ2.01O7 and the triclinic P1¯ Ti4O7-type structure with the cell parameters: a = 5.60(1) Å, b = 7.13(1) Å, c = 12.47(1) Å, α = 95.1(1)°, ß = 95.2(1)°, γ = 108.7(1)°, V = 466(2) Å3, Z = 4. Ziroite (ZrO2; IMA 2022-013) occurs as irregular crystals, ~1-4 µm in size, with baddeleyite, hibonite, and Ti,Al,Zr-oxide in corundum Grain 479-1a. Ziroite has an empirical formula (Zr0.72Ti4+0.26Mg0.02Al0.02Hf0.01)Σ1.03O2 and the tetragonal P42/nmc zirconia(HT)-type structure with the cell parameters: a = 3.60(1) Å, c = 5.18(1) Å, V = 67.1(3) Å3, Z = 2. Sassite (Ti3+2Ti4+O5; IMA 2022-014) occurs as subhedral-euhedral crystals, ~4-16 µm in size, with Ti,Al,Zr-oxide, mullite, osbornite, baddeleyite, alabandite, and glass in corundum Grain 1125C1. Sassite has an empirical formula (Ti3+1.35Al0.49Ti4+0.08Mg0.07)Σ1.99(Ti4+0.93Zr0.06Si0.01)Σ1.00O5 and the orthorhombic Cmcm pseudobrookite-type structure with the cell parameters: a = 3.80(1) Å, b = 9.85(1) Å, c = 9.99(1) Å, V = 374(1) Å3, Z = 4. Mizraite-(Ce) (Ce(Al11Mg)O19; IMA 2022-027) occurs as euhedral crystals, <1-14 µm in size, with Ce-silicate, Ti-sulfide, Ti,Al,Zr-oxide, ziroite, and thorianite in corundum Grain 198-8. Mizraite-(Ce) has an empirical formula (Ce0.76Ca0.10La0.07Nd0.01)Σ0.94(Al10.43Mg0.84Ti3+0.60Si0.09Zr0.04)Σ12.00O19 and the hexagonal P63/mmc magnetoplumbite-type structure with the cell parameters: a = 5.61(1) Å, c = 22.29(1) Å, V = 608(2) Å3, Z = 2. Yeite (TiSi; IMA 2022-079) occurs as irregular-subhedral crystals, 1.2-3.5 µm in size, along with wenjiite (Ti5Si3) and zhiqinite (TiSi2) in Ti-Si alloy inclusions in corundum Grain 198c. Yeite has an empirical formula (Ti0.995Mn0.003V0.001Cr0.001)(Si0.996P0.004) and the orthorhombic Pnma FeB-type structure with the cell parameters: a = 6.55(1) Å, b = 3.64(1) Å, c = 4.99(1) Å, V = 119.0(4) Å3, Z = 4. The five minerals are high-temperature oxide or alloy phases, formed in melt pockets in corundum xenocrysts derived from the upper mantle beneath Mt. Carmel.

Extraordinary structural complexity of ilmajokite: a multilevel hierarchical framework structure of natural origin.

The crystal structure of ilmajokite, a rare Na-K-Ba-Ce-titanosilicate from the Khibiny mountains, Kola peninsula, Russia, has been solved using single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. The crystal structure is based on a 3D titanosilicate framework consisting of trigonal prismatic titanosilicate (TPTS) clusters centered by Ce3+ in [9]-coordination. Four adjacent TPTS clusters are linked into four-membered rings within the (010) plane and connected via ribbons parallel to 101. The ribbons are organized into layers parallel to (010) and modulated along the a axis with a modulation wavelength of csinß = 32.91 Šand an amplitude of ∼b/2 = 13.89 Å. The layers are linked by additional silicate tetrahedra. Na+, K+, Ba2+ and H2O groups occur in the framework cavities and have different occupancies and coordination environments. The crystal structure of ilmajokite can be separated into eight hierarchical levels: atoms, coordination polyhedra, TPTS clusters, rings, ribbons, layers, the framework and the whole structure. The information-based analysis allows estimation of the complexity of the structure as 8.468 bits per atom and 11990.129 bits per cell. According to this analysis, ilmajokite is the third-most complex mineral known to date after ewingite and morrisonite, and is the most complex mineral framework structure, comparable in complexity to paulingite-(Ca) (11 590.532 bits per cell).

Structure refinement using precession electron diffraction tomography and dynamical diffraction: tests on experimental data.

The recently published method for the structure refinement from three-dimensional precession electron diffraction data using dynamical diffraction theory [Palatinus et al. (2015). Acta Cryst. A71, 235-244] has been applied to a set of experimental data sets from five different samples - Ni2Si, PrVO3, kaolinite, orthopyroxene and mayenite. The data were measured on different instruments and with variable precession angles. For each sample a reliable reference structure was available. A large series of tests revealed that the method provides structure models with an average error in atomic positions typically between 0.01 and 0.02 Å. The obtained structure models are significantly more accurate than models obtained by refinement using kinematical approximation for the calculation of model intensities. The method also allows a reliable determination of site occupancies and determination of absolute structure. Based on the extensive tests, an optimal set of the parameters for the method is proposed.

LACK OF ASSOCIATION BETWEEN HERPESVIRUS DETECTION IN SALIVA AND GINGIVITIS IN HIV­INFECTED CHILDREN.

The aims of this study were to compare the detection of human herpesviruses (HHVs) in the saliva of HIV-infected and healthy control children, and to evaluate associations between viral infection and gingivitis and immunodeficiency. Saliva samples were collected from 48 HIV-infected and 48 healthy control children. Clinical and laboratory data were collected during dental visits and from medical records. A trained dentist determined gingival indices and extension of gingivitis. Saliva samples were tested for herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2), varicella zoster virus (VZV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and cytomegalovirus (CMV) by nested polymerase chain reaction assays. Thirty-five HIV-infected and 16 control children had gingivitis. Seventeen (35.4%) HIV-infected children and 13 (27%) control children were positive for HHVs. CMV was the most commonly detected HHV in both groups (HIV-infected, 25%; control, 12.5%), followed by HSV-1 (6.2% in both groups) and HSV-2 (HIV-infected, 4.2%; control, 8.3%). The presence of HHVs in saliva was not associated with the presence of gingivitis in HIV-1-infected children (p = 0.104) or healthy control children (p = 0.251), or with immunosuppression in HIV-infected individuals (p = 0.447). Gingivitis was correlated with HIV infection (p = 0.0001). These results suggest that asymptomatic salivary detection of HHVs is common in HIV-infected and healthy children, and that it is not associated with gingivitis.

Lack of associaiion between herpesvirus detectin in saliva and gingivitis in hhiv‑infected children / Ausência de associação entre a detecção de herpesvírus na saliva e gengivite em crianças infectadas pelo HIV

The aims of this study were to compare the detection of human herpesviruses (HHVs) in the saliva of HIV-infected and healthy control children, and to evaluate associations between viral infection and gingivitis and immunodeficiency. Saliva samples were collected from 48 HIV-infected and 48 healthy control children. Clinical and laboratory data were collected during dental visits and from medical records. A trained dentist determined gingival indices and extension of gingivitis. Saliva samples were tested for herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2), varicella zoster virus (VZV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and cytomegalovirus (CMV) by nested polymerase chain reaction assays. Thirty-five HIV-infected and 16 control children had gingivitis. Seventeen (35.4%) HIV-infected children and 13 (27%) control children were positive for HHVs. CMV was the most commonly detected HHV in both groups (HIV-infected, 25%; control, 12.5%), followed by HSV-1 (6.2% in both groups) and HSV-2 (HIV-infected, 4.2%; control, 8.3%). The presence of HHVs in saliva was not associated with the presence of gingivitis in HIV-1-infected children (p = 0.104) or healthy control children (p = 0.251), or with immunosuppression in HIV-infected individuals (p = 0.447). Gingivitis was correlated with HIV infection (p = 0.0001). These results suggest that asymptomatic salivary detection of HHVs is common in HIV-infected and healthy children, and that it is not associated with gingivitis.

Os objetivos deste estudo foram detectar a presença de herpesvírus humanos (HHVs) na saliva de crianças infectadas pelo HIV, em comparação com controles saudáveis e avaliar a associação entre infecção viral, gengivite e imunodeficiência. Para este fim, foram colhidas amostras de saliva de 48 crianças HIV-positivas e 48 controles saudáveis. O índice gengival e extensão de gengivite foram determinados por um dentista treinado. Informações clínicas e laboratoriais foram obtidas durante a consulta odontológica e dos registros médicos. As amostras de saliva foram testadas para detecção de vírus herpes simplex tipos 1 e 2 (HSV-1 e HSV-2), vírus da varicela-zoster (VVZ), vírus Epistein-Barr (EBV) e citomegalovírus (CMV) através de nested-PCR. Trinta e cinco crianças HIV-positivas e 16 crianças do grupo controle apresentavam gengivite. Dezessete (35,4%) crianças HIV-positivas e 13 (27%) crianças controle testaram positivo para a presença de HHVs. CMV foi o vírus mais comum detectado em ambos os grupos (25% HIV-positivas e 12,5% de controle), seguido por HSV-1 (6,2% de ambos os grupos) e HSV-2 (4,2% HIV-positivas e 8,3% de controle). Não houve associação entre a detecção de HHVs na saliva e a presença de gengivite em ciranças HIV-positivas (p = 0.104) ou crianças saudáveis (p = 0,251), ou com imunossupressão em indivíduos HIV-positivos (p = 0,447). Foi observada uma correlação entre a infecção por HIV e a presença de gengivite (p = 0,0001). Os resultados sugerem que a detecção salivar assintomática de HHVs é comum entre crianças HIV-positivas e crianças saudáveis, e não está associada à gengivite.

Demographic profile of sylvatic yellow fever in Brazil from 1973 to 2008.

BACKGROUND: Yellow fever is an acute, frequently fatal, febrile arbovirosis that in Brazil occurs only in the sylvatic form. Sylvatic yellow fever (SYF) appears in sporadic outbreaks over a large area of Brazil. In this paper, we analyze the demographic profile of 831 SYF cases that occurred between 1973 and 2008, to determine which segments of the exposed population are at greater risk. METHODS: Data were statistically analyzed and were also geo-referenced in order to observe their spatial pattern. The basic reproductive number of infections, R0, was estimated by the ratio between average life expectancy and the average age of the cases. RESULTS: SYF cases showed a modal profile of young male adults, approximately 30 years of age, living in rural areas of the states of Pará, Goiás, Maranhão and Minas Gerais, who were unvaccinated or whose vaccination was out of date. The disease showed a high mortality rate (51%, 421/831) among the notified cases, with death occurring on around the seventh day of illness for most patients. The R0 for SYF was estimated at approximately 2.4. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that lack of vaccination coverage is a major risk factor for SYF, and that the groups most at risk are migrant laborers, farm workers and tourists.

H3N2 homeopathic influenza virus solution modifies cellular and biochemical aspects of MDCK and J774G8 cell lines.

BACKGROUND: Influenza viruses cause highly contagious acute respiratory illnesses with significant mortality, especially among young children, elderly people, and individuals with serious medical conditions. This encourages the development of new treatments for human flu. Biotherapies are diluted solutions prepared from biological products compounded following homeopathic procedures. OBJECTIVES: To develop a biotherapy prepared from the infectious influenza A virus (A/Aichi/2/68 H3N2) and to verify its in vitro response. METHODS: The ultradiluted influenza virus solution was prepared in the homeopathic dilution 30dH, it was termed Influenzinum RC. The cellular alterations induced by this preparation were analyzed by optical and electron microscopy, MTT and neutral red assays. Glycolytic metabolism (PFK-1) was studied by spectrophotometric assay. Additionally, the production of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) by J774.G8 macrophage cells was quantified by ELISA before and after infection with H3N2 influenza virus and treatment. RESULTS: Influenzinum RC did not cause cytotoxic effects but induced morphological alterations in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. After 30 days, a significant increase (p < 0.05) in mitosis rate was detected compared to control. MDCK mitochondrial activity was changed after treatment for 10 and 30 days. Treatment significantly diminished (p < 0.05) PFK-1 activity. TNF-α in biotherapy-stimulated J774.G8 macrophages indicated a significant (p < 0.05) increase in this cytokine when the cell supernatant was analyzed. CONCLUSION: Influenzinum RC altered cellular and biochemical features of MDCK and J774G8 cells.

Shedding of polyomavirus in the saliva of immunocompetent individuals.

The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the frequency of BKV, JCV, WUV, and KIV in the saliva of healthy individuals. Samples were analyzed for the presence of polyomaviruses (BKV, JCV, WUV, and KIV) DNA by real-time PCR. Of the 291 samples tested, 71 (24.3%) were positive for at least one of the screened polyomaviruses. Specifically, 12.7% (37/291) were positive for WUV, 7.2% (21/291) positive for BKV, 2.4% (7/291) positive for KIV, and 0.3% (1/291) positive for JCV. BKV and WUV co-infections were detected in 1.7% (5/291) of individuals. No other co-infection combinations were found. The mean number of DNA copies was high, particularly for WUV and BKV, indicating active replication of these viruses. Polyomavirus detection was higher among individuals 15-19 years of age (46.0%; 23/50) and ≥50 years of age (33.3%; 9/27). However, the detection rate in the first group was almost 1.7× greater than the latter. WUV infections were more frequent in individuals between the ages of 15 and 19 years and the incidence decreased with age. By contrast, BKV excretion peaked and persisted during the third decade of life and KIV infections were detected more commonly in subjects ≥50 years old. These findings reinforced the previous hypotheses that saliva may be a route for BKV transmission, and that the oral cavity could be a site of virus replication. These data also demonstrated that JCV, WUV, and KIV may be transmitted in a similar fashion.

Epidemiological aspects of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in older Brazilians: a comparative approach.

OBJECTIVES: To compare epidemiological aspects of young (15 to 49 years old) and older (more than 50 years old) AIDS patients. METHODS: We analyzed 511,633 AIDS cases notified to the Brazilian Ministry of Health in the period of 1980-2008 looking at sex, age ranges, educational level and exposure category. Patients were divided into three age groups: under 15, from 15 to 49 and over 50 years old. Using a comparative approach, we analyzed data with regard to category of exposure, education (expressed in years of schooling), and sex ratio among younger (15-49) and older adults (over 50 years old). Time series data were log-transformed and normalized, and the temporal trend was evaluated. RESULTS: AIDS incidence is increasing among people over 50 years old in Brazil, with those older than 50 being responsible for 9.64 % of AIDS cases. There was no significant difference between educational level and gender (p = 0.468), but there was a significant difference in exposure category with a lower proportion of injecting drug users amongst the older group. CONCLUSION: Based on this analysis over the last 10 years, the percentage of AIDS cases has increased almost three times among people over 50 years old when compared with the 15-49 year-old group. Our findings suggest that public campaigns have to be specially targeted to the older segment of the population, aiming at heterosexual transmission.

Epidemiological aspects of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in older Brazilians: a comparative approach

OBJECTIVES: To compare epidemiological aspects of young (15 to 49 years old) and older (more than 50 years old) AIDS patients. METHODS: We analyzed 511,633 AIDS cases notified to the Brazilian Ministry of Health in the period of 1980-2008 looking at sex, age ranges, educational level and exposure category. Patients were divided into three age groups: under 15, from 15 to 49 and over 50 years old. Using a comparative approach, we analyzed data with regard to category of exposure, education (expressed in years of schooling), and sex ratio among younger (15-49) and older adults (over 50 years old). Time series data were log-transformed and normalized, and the temporal trend was evaluated. RESULTS: AIDS incidence is increasing among people over 50 years old in Brazil, with those older than 50 being responsible for 9.64 percent of AIDS cases. There was no significant difference between educational level and gender (p = 0.468), but there was a significant difference in exposure category with a lower proportion of injecting drug users amongst the older group. CONCLUSION: Based on this analysis over the last 10 years, the percentage of AIDS cases has increased almost three times among people over 50 years old when compared with the 15-49 year-old group. Our findings suggest that public campaigns have to be specially targeted to the older segment of the population, aiming at heterosexual transmission.

Dynamic behavior of sylvatic yellow fever in Brazil (1954-2008) / Comportamento dinâmico da febre amarela silvestre no Brasil (1954-2008)

INTRODUCTION: Sylvatic yellow fever (SYF) is enzootic in Brazil, causing periodic outbreaks in humans living near forest borders or in rural areas. In this study, the cycling patterns of this arbovirosis were analyzed. METHODS: Spectral Fourier analysis was used to capture the periodicity patterns of SYF in time series. RESULTS: SYF outbreaks have not increased in frequency, only in the number of cases. There are two dominant cycles in SYF outbreaks, a seven year cycle for the central-western region and a 14 year cycle for the northern region. Most of the variance was concentrated in the central-western region and dominated the entire endemic region. CONCLUSIONS: The seven year cycle is predominant in the endemic region of the disease due the greater contribution of variance in the central-western region; however, it was possible identify a 14 cycle that governs SYF outbreaks in the northern region. No periodicities were identified for the remaining geographical regions.

INTRODUÇÃO: A febre amarela silvestre (FAS) é enzoótica no Brasil, causando surtos periódicos em humanos que vivem próximos às áreas florestais ou em áreas rurais. Neste estudo, foram analisados os padrões de periodicidade desta arbovirose. MÉTODOS: Utilizamos a análise espectral de Fourier para capturar os padrões de periodicidades da FAS em séries temporais. RESULTADOS: Os surtos de FAS aparentemente não aumentaram em frequência, mas em número de casos. Há dois ciclos dominantes na FAS, um de sete anos predominando na região centro-oeste, e um de 14 anos predominando na região norte. A maior parte da variância concentrou-se na região centro-oeste e dominava toda região endêmica. CONCLUSÕES: O ciclo de sete anos é predominante para a região endêmica da doença devido a maior contribuição da variância do centro-oeste. No entanto, foi possível identificar um ciclo de 14 que rege a FAS na região norte. Não foram detectadas periodicidades nas demais regiões geográficas.

Dynamic behavior of sylvatic yellow fever in Brazil (1954-2008).

INTRODUCTION: Sylvatic yellow fever (SYF) is enzootic in Brazil, causing periodic outbreaks in humans living near forest borders or in rural areas. In this study, the cycling patterns of this arbovirosis were analyzed. METHODS: Spectral Fourier analysis was used to capture the periodicity patterns of SYF in time series. RESULTS: SYF outbreaks have not increased in frequency, only in the number of cases. There are two dominant cycles in SYF outbreaks, a seven year cycle for the central-western region and a 14 year cycle for the northern region. Most of the variance was concentrated in the central-western region and dominated the entire endemic region. CONCLUSIONS: The seven year cycle is predominant in the endemic region of the disease due the greater contribution of variance in the central-western region; however, it was possible identify a 14 cycle that governs SYF outbreaks in the northern region. No periodicities were identified for the remaining geographical regions.

Systemic fibrinolysis through intraosseous vascular access in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

In emergency situations, intraosseous cannulation represents an alternative route of vascular access when peripheral vein insertion is difficult. We present the first documented case of intraosseous systemic fibrinolysis in a patient with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. In this case, repetitive episodes of ventricular fibrillation occurred soon after first contact with emergency care providers. Given that the patient had difficult peripheral venous access, an intraosseous catheter was inserted. Fibrinolytics and antiarrhythmic drugs were administered though this line, resulting in resolution of coronary ischemia and electrical instability, without complications. Intraosseous cannulation represents a novel route for administration of systemic fibrinolysis in cases of difficult peripheral venous access in the out-of-hospital setting.

Susceptibility of a continuous murine cell line (GRX) to viral infection / Suscetibilidade de uma linhagem celular murina contínua (GRX) à infecção viral

The ability of a murine cell line (GRX) to support viral replication was evaluated. GRX cell cultures were infected with different DNA or RNA viruses. It was observed that the GRX cell line is susceptible to the replication of Herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2), Mayaro virus (MAY), Sindbis virus (SIN), and West equine encephalitis virus (WEE), and can beused as substrate for viral replication studies. Viral replication induced cytopathic effect (CPE) 24-48 h post-infection. The 2.4 5.4 GRX cells yielded infectious virus titers between 10 TCID (Tissue Culture Infectious Dose50) /25 µL and 10 5.4 and 10 TCID50 /25 µL in the first viral passage. These results demonstrate that GRX cells efficiently sustain viral replication and there fore can be used as a valuable tool in the virology laboratory.

Este estudo avaliou a capacidade de uma linhagem celular murina (GRX) de realizar a replicação viral. Culturas de células GRX foram infectadas com diferentes vírus DNA e RNA. Foi observado que a linhagem celular GRX é suscetível à replicação dos vírus Herpes simplex tipos 1 e 2 (HSV-1 e HSV-2), Mayaro (MAY), Sindbis (SIN) e vírus da encefalite equina do oeste (WEE) e pode ser utilizada como suporte para estudos sobre replicação viral. A replicação viral induziu o efeito 2.4 citopático 24 a 48 h pós-infecção. As células GRX produziram titulações de vírus infecciosos entre 10 TCID50 (dose 50 5.4 infecciosa de cultura de tecido )/25 µL e 10, 5.4 TCID50 /25 µL na primeira passagem viral. Esses resultados demonstram que as células GRX sustentam, de forma eficiente, a replicação viral e, portanto, podem ser utilizadas como uma ferramenta valiosa para estudos laboratoriais sobre virologia.

A influência do gênero e da escolaridade no diagnóstico de demência / The influence of gender and educational level on the diagnosis of dementia

Um problema no diagnóstico das demências é a ausência de informação prévia sobre o nível cognitivo dos pacientes, anterior às manifestações atuais. A análise das discrepâncias nos testes cognitivos torna-se assim uma referência para o diagnóstico. A relação entre gênero, nível de escolaridade, experiência profissional e resultados da avaliação neuropsicológica foi analisada a partir de prontuários clínicos de pacientes idosos. A amostra masculina de nível superior apresentou médias significativamente menores nas subescalas de execução em relação às verbais. Apesar do nível de escolaridade e da atividade intelectual ocultarem a perda de performance nos quadros demenciais, a análise das discrepâncias evidencia as quedas de rendimento. Na amostra feminina, com menor nível de escolaridade, embora os resultados mostrassem deficiência cognitiva, não ocorreram diferenças significativas entre os subtestes verbais e de execução. A análise da covariância indicou que o nível de escolaridade, e não o gênero, foi o fator responsável pela diferença.

A major problem with the early diagnosis of dementia is the lack of prior information about the cognitive level of patients before the current expression of the symptoms. The analysis of discrepancies in cognitive tests has become a reference for driving the diagnosis. Based on neuropsychological assessments of dementia in elderly patients, the present study analyzed the relationship between gender, level of education and professional experience. The WAIS-III, Rey auditory verbal learning, Folstein and Zülliger tests were employed. Results indicated that male subjects with higher education presented lower scores in the performance subtest when compared to the verbal subtest. Although educational status and intellectual activity had a tendency to mask the loss of performance in dementia disorder, the evaluation of the discrepancies indicated a reduction in efficiency. In the sample of females, with lower levels of schooling, although the results indicated a tendency towards cognitive impairment, no differences between verbal and performance subtests were detected. A covariance analysis indicated that the level of education was the variable responsible for this difference, and not gender.