Trends of Mansonia (Diptera, Culicidae, Mansoniini) in Porto Velho: Seasonal patterns and meteorological influences.

Entomological research is vital for shaping strategies to control mosquito vectors. Its significance also reaches into environmental management, aiming to prevent inconveniences caused by non-vector mosquitoes like the Mansonia Blanchard, 1901 mosquito. In this study, we carried out a five-year (2019-2023) monitoring of these mosquitoes at ten sites in Porto Velho, Rondônia, using SkeeterVac SV3100 automatic traps positioned between the two hydroelectric complexes on the Madeira River. Throughout this period, we sampled 153,125 mosquitoes, of which the Mansonia genus accounted for 54% of the total, indicating its prevalence in the region. ARIMA analysis revealed seasonal patterns of Mansonia spp., highlighting periods of peak density. Notably, a significant decreasing trend in local abundance was observed from July 2021 (25th epidemiological week) until the end of the study. Wind speed was observed to be the most relevant meteorological factor influencing the abundance of Mansonia spp. especially in the Joana D'Arc settlement, although additional investigation is needed to comprehensively analyze other local events and gain a deeper understanding of the ecological patterns of this genus in the Amazon region.

Bacterial diversity on larval and female Mansonia spp. from different localities of Porto Velho, Rondonia, Brazil.

Studies based on the bacterial diversity present in Mansonia spp. are limited; therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the bacterial diversity in females and larvae of Mansonia spp., describe the differences between the groups identified, and compare the microbiota of larvae from different collection sites. Sequences of the 16S rRNA region from the larvae and females of Mansonia spp. were analyzed. Diversity analyzes were performed to verify the possible bacterial differences between the groups and the collection sites. The results showed Pseudomonas was the most abundant genus in both females and larvae, followed by Wolbachia in females and Rikenellaceae and Desulfovibrio in larvae. Desulfovibrio and Sulfurospirillum, sulfate- and sulfur-reducing bacteria, respectively, were abundant on the larvae. Aminomonas, an amino acid-degrading bacterium, was found only in larvae, whereas Rickettsia was identified in females. Bacterial diversity was observed between females and larvae of Mansonia and between larvae from different collection sites. In addition, the results suggest that the environment influenced bacterial diversity.

Autocrine 17-ß-Estradiol/Estrogen Receptor-α Loop Determines the Response to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

PURPOSE: The response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) often differs between genders in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but metanalyses results are controversial, and no clear mechanisms are defined. We aim at clarifying the molecular circuitries explaining the differential gender-related response to anti-PD-1/anti-PD-L1 agents in NSCLC. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We prospectively analyzed a cohort of patients with NSCLC treated with ICI as a first-line approach, and we identified the molecular mechanisms determining the differential efficacy of ICI in 29 NSCLC cell lines of both genders, recapitulating patients' phenotype. We validated new immunotherapy strategies in mice bearing NSCLC patient-derived xenografts and human reconstituted immune system ("immune-PDXs"). RESULTS: In patients, we found that estrogen receptor α (ERα) was a predictive factor of response to pembrolizumab, stronger than gender and PD-L1 levels, and was directly correlated with PD-L1 expression, particularly in female patients. ERα transcriptionally upregulated CD274/PD-L1 gene, more in females than in males. This axis was activated by 17-ß-estradiol, autocrinely produced by intratumor aromatase, and by the EGFR-downstream effectors Akt and ERK1/2 that activated ERα. The efficacy of pembrolizumab in immune-PDXs was significantly improved by the aromatase inhibitor letrozole, which reduced PD-L1 and increased the percentage of antitumor CD8+T-lymphocytes, NK cells, and Vγ9Vδ2 T-lymphocytes, producing durable control and even tumor regression after continuous administration, with maximal benefit in 17-ß-estradiol/ERα highfemale immune-xenografts. CONCLUSIONS: Our work unveils that 17-ß-estradiol/ERα status predicts the response to pembrolizumab in patients with NSCLC. Second, we propose aromatase inhibitors as new gender-tailored immune-adjuvants in NSCLC. See related commentary by Valencia et al., p. 3832.

Splicing deregulation, microRNA and notch aberrations: fighting the three-headed dog to overcome drug resistance in malignant mesothelioma.

INTRODUCTION: Malignant mesothelioma (MMe) is an aggressive rare cancer of the mesothelium, associated with asbestos exposure. MMe is currently an incurable disease at all stages mainly due to resistance to treatments. It is therefore necessary to elucidate key mechanisms underlying chemoresistance, in an effort to exploit them as novel therapeutic targets. AREAS COVERED: Chemoresistance is frequently elicited by microRNA (miRNA) alterations and splicing deregulations. Indeed, several miRNAs, such as miR-29c, have been shown to exert oncogenic or oncosuppressive activity. Alterations in the splicing machinery might also be involved in chemoresistance. Moreover, the Notch signaling pathway, often deregulated in MMe, plays a key role in cancer stem cells formation and self-renewal, leading to drug resistance and relapses. EXPERT OPINION: The prognosis of MMe in patients varies among different tumors and patient characteristics, and novel biomarkers and therapies are warranted. This work aims at giving an overview of MMe, with a special focus on state-of-the-art treatments and new therapeutic strategies against vulnerabilities emerging from studies on epigenetics factors. Besides, this review is also the first to discuss the interplay between miRNAs and alternative splicing as well as the role of Notch as new promising frontiers to overcome drug resistance in MMe.

New Pharmacological Strategies against Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: The Multifunctional Thiosemicarbazone FA4.

A new sigma-2 (σ2) receptor ligand (FA4) was efficiently synthesized and evaluated for cytotoxic, proapoptotic, and antimigratory activity on pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) primary cell cultures, which restrained the aggressive and chemoresistant behavior of PDAC. This compound showed relevant antiproliferative activity with half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values ranging from 0.701 to 0.825 µM. The cytotoxic activity was associated with induction of apoptosis, resulting in apoptotic indexes higher than those observed after exposure to a clinically relevant concentration of the gemcitabine, the first-line drug used against PDAC. Interestingly, FA4 was also able to significantly inhibit the migration rate of both PDAC-1 and PDAC-2 cells in the scratch wound-healing assay. In conclusion, our results support further studies to improve the library of thiosemicarbazones targeting the σ-2 receptor for a deeper understanding of the relationship between the biological activity of these compounds and the development of more efficient anticancer compounds against PDAC.

Seasonality and Biting Behavior of Mansonia (Diptera, Culicidae) in Rural Settlements Near Porto Velho, State of Rondônia, Brazil.

Mansonia (Diptera: Culicidae) are known to cause discomfort to the local populations of Amazon. Considering the fact that the effective control of these mosquitoes can only be obtained by understanding their ecology and behavior, entomological monitoring becomes essential. In view of this, mosquitoes of the genus Mansonia were collected by human landing catches (HLC) from 2015 to 2019, in four locations of Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil. The collections were performed inside and outside the homes, once in every four months, uninterrupted for 24 hr. Human bite indices/hour was used to analyze the hourly activity of the species for different seasons and environment (indoor and outdoor). Moreover, nonparametric Mann-Whitney tests were conducted to indicate if there were differences between exophagic and endophagic behavior. The seasonality of Mansonia species was also analyzed. Overall, 96,766 specimens were collected over five years of sampling. Mansonia titillans (Walker) was found to be the most abundant species (76.9%). The highest percentage of mosquitoes was collected in February (48.4%), followed by October (39.6%) and June (12.0%). The biting activity of the two most abundant species showed peak host seeking activity/behavior during twilight and night, more perceptible in the outdoor environment (peridomiciliary). In general, seasonality showed a tendency towards a reduction in the abundance of Mansonia in the years after 2015. Our results will be essential in the formulation of effective control methodology for Mansonia in the studied area.

Evaluation of the Preclinical Efficacy of Lurbinectedin in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma.

BACKGROUND: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a highly aggressive cancer generally diagnosed at an advanced stage and characterized by a poor prognosis. The absence of alterations in druggable kinases, together with an immune-suppressive tumor microenvironment, limits the use of molecular targeted therapies, making the treatment of MPM particularly challenging. Here we investigated the in vitro susceptibility of MPM to lurbinectedin (PM01183), a marine-derived drug that recently received accelerated approval by the FDA for the treatment of patients with metastatic small cell lung cancer with disease progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. METHODS: A panel of primary MPM cultures, resembling the three major MPM histological subtypes (epithelioid, sarcomatoid, and biphasic), was characterized in terms of BAP1 status and histological markers. Subsequently, we explored the effects of lurbinectedin at nanomolar concentration on cell cycle, cell viability, DNA damage, genotoxic stress response, and proliferation. RESULTS: Stabilized MPM cultures exhibited high sensitivity to lurbinectedin independently from the BAP1 mutational status and histological classification. Specifically, we observed that lurbinectedin rapidly promoted a cell cycle arrest in the S-phase and the activation of the DNA damage response, two conditions that invariably resulted in an irreversible DNA fragmentation, together with strong apoptotic cell death. Moreover, the analysis of long-term treatment indicated that lurbinectedin severely impacts MPM transforming abilities in vitro. CONCLUSION: Overall, our data provide evidence that lurbinectedin exerts a potent antitumoral activity on primary MPM cells, independently from both the histological subtype and BAP1 alteration, suggesting its potential activity in the treatment of MPM patients.

Mercury in birds (aquatic and scavenger) from the Western Amazon.

In the Amazon rainforest, methylmercury (MeHg) is easily biomagnified and bio-accumulated in the aquatic food chain. This unique biome has been studied for occupational and environmental issues related to human health and contamination through fish consumption; however, wildlife studies have not yet addressed fish-eating birds. Different species of birds categorized by foraging strategies and life-stages were studied in the Madeira River Basin (Western Amazon rainforest). Feather and tissue (muscle, liver, kidneys, lungs, heart, brain, and blood) samples were collected opportunistically from six bird species feeding on fish and aquatic fauna and a scavenger (a saprophagous species) during the low-water season (July 2017). All collected samples were analyzed for total Hg (THg); methyl-Hg (MeHg) was determined only in feathers. The mean THg concentrations in feathers (dw) were as follows: Ardea cocoi (4.05 µg g-1, n = 51) > Egretta thulla (3.94 µg g-1, n = 5) > Ardea alba (3.80 µg g-1, n = 61) > Anhinga anhinga (3.69 µg g-1, n = 8) > Nannopterum brasilianus (3.07 µg g-1, n = 10). The scavenger Coragyps atratus showed mean THg in feathers (9.93 µg g-1, n = 30) to be significantly higher than in fish-eating birds. Across species, THg levels in feathers correlated significantly with THgmuscle (p = 0.022) and THgbrain (p = 0.002). THg concentrations varied in tissues (feather > liver > kidneys > lungs > heart > muscle > blood > brain). The Hgbrain:Hgfeather, Hgbrain:Hgmuscle, and Hgbrain:Hgblood ratios were 0.031, 0.503 and 0.516, respectively. The mean [MeHg:THg] ratio in feathers from aquatic birds varied between species from 14 to 74% with a mean of 38%. Scavenger birds that forage in the terrestrial Amazonian environments concentrate more THg than species that forage in the aquatic environment. None of the aquatic species showed THg concentration in internal organs that were above threshold for risk of Hg toxicity; additionally, they are not listed in the categories of threat by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Mercury in blood, hair, and feces from subsistence fish-eating riverines of the Madeira River Basin (Western Amazon).

BACKGROUND: The Madeira River (Amazon Basin) has been impacted by activities related to artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM), deforestation and burning (for timber, agriculture, and hydroelectric dam projects). All these activities contribute to environmental mercury (Hg) release and cycling into the Amazon ecosystem and thus to changing lifestyles. METHOD: We assessed exposure to total and MeHg in two small riverine communities of the Madeira River (Amazon): Lago Puruzinho (LP, n = 26 families) and São Sebastião do Tapurú (SST, n = 31 families). Samples of human hair (n = 137), blood (n = 39), and feces (n = 41) were collected from adults and children (0-15 years of age). RESULTS: In women of childbearing age from LP village, the mean blood total-Hg (THg) (45.54 ±â€¯24.76 µg.L-1) and MeHg (10.79 ±â€¯4.36 µg.L-1) concentrations were significantly (p = 0.0024; p < 0.0001, respectively) higher than in women from SST village (THg: 25.32 ±â€¯16.75 µg.L-1; MeHg: 2.32 ±â€¯1.56 µg.L-1) village; the trend in hair-Hg persisted but was statistically significant (p < 0.0145) only for THg (LP, 11.34 ±â€¯5.03 µg. g-1; SST, 7.97 ±â€¯3.51 µg. g-1). In women, the median hair:blood ratio of total Hg was 269. In children, the mean hair THg concentrations were 6.07 ±â€¯3.60 µg. g-1 and 6.47 ±â€¯4.16 µg. g-1 in LP and SST; thus, not significantly different (p = 0.8006). There was a significant association (p < 0.001) between hair-Hg concentrations of mothers and their respective children. The excretion of Hg in feces of women (0.52 µg. g-1 dw) was not significantly different from children (0.49 µg. g-1 dw). The only statistically significant correlation between Hg in feces and in hair was found in children, (n = 16, rs = 0.38, p = 0.005). Significant relationship was seen between the levels of THg in blood and hair of women from LP and SST. Based on hair-Hg concentrations, fish consumption rate ranged from 94.5 to 212.3 g.day-1. CONCLUSION: Women and children excrete THg in feces in comparable concentrations. However, the mean fish consumption rate and blood MeHg are higher in the most remote villagers. Mother`s hair-Hg concentration is a good predictor of children's hair-Hg.

Total mercury and methylmercury in river dolphins (Cetacea: Iniidae: Inia spp.) in the Madeira River Basin, Western Amazon.

In the Amazon, mercury (Hg) contamination comes from ASGM operations along with soil remobilization processes associated with deforestation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the exposure to methylmercury (MeHg) and total mercury (THg) in 88 samples of skin and blubber tissue obtained from live captured river dolphins (Inia boliviensis, Inia geoffrensis, and Inia spp.) in the Madeira River Basin. THg and MeHg measurements were performed by CV-AAS and GC-AFS, respectively. We also calculated the daily intake rate (DIR) of THg (wet weight) by Inia spp. THg levels in blubber tissue of adult river dolphins (Inia spp.) ranged from 0.015 to 3.804 mg kg-1, while MeHg concentrations in blubber tissue varied from 0.04 to 2.65 mg kg-1 and in skin tissue from 0.09 to 0.66 mg kg-1. There were no significant differences in MeHg concentration in blubber (p = 0.616) and skin (p = 0.498) tissue samples between adult males and females in the different sampling locations. The adult animals showed differences in THg and MeHg concentrations significantly higher than in the calves. The estimate of the DIR of the genus Inia ranged from 1.17 to 12.35 µg kg-1 day-1 (bw), from the consumption of fish species with herbivorous to piscivorous habits, respectively. More biological and ecological data, such as the precise determination of age, mediated length, weight, and diet of river dolphins, are necessary to verify the Hg biomagnification. However, our data indicate that bioaccumulation is an active process in the dolphins of the Madeira River Basin.

Dynamics of Hg and MeHg in the Madeira River basin (Western Amazon) before and after impoundment of a run-of-river hydroelectric dam.

The impact of a hydroelectric run-of-river (RoR) dam construction on the dynamics of total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) is of interest to the environment and health of human and wild life. We monitored (May 2010 to October 2018) THg and MeHg in the waters and in the suspended particulate matter (SPM) of the Madeira River and its tributaries (before and after dam construction) to evaluate changes upstream and downstream from the Santo Antonio Hydroelectric Dam (SAHD). We collected 2826 samples of water and SPM at sampling stations upstream (UPMD-01, UPMD-02 and UPMD-03) and downstream the Madeira River (DWMD-04, DWMD-05 and DWMD-06), and Tributaries upstream (Branco River, Jaci-Parana River, Jatuarana-I Igarapé, Contra River, Caripunas Igarapé, Ceara Igarapé, and Teotonio Igarapé) and downstream (Jatuarana-II Igarapé and Belmont Igarapé) from the SAHD and monitored water and the total load of SPM. SPM was significantly higher in the Madeira River (median: 178.63 mg.L-1) than in upstream and downstream tributaries (median: 15.30 mg.L-1); however, the THg and MeHg concentrations were significantly higher in the tributaries (median: 161.14 ng g-1 and 9.03 ng g-1, respectively) than in the mainstream Madeira River (median = 57.06 ng g-1 and 1.63 ng g-1, respectively). THg concentration in the water was significantly higher in the mainstream Madeira River (median = 6.51 ng.L-1) than in the tributaries (median = 2.57 ng.L-1). However, the percentage of methylation in the tributaries (median = 4.9%) was 4-times higher than in the Madeira River (median: 1.3%). The significantly higher MeHg percentages in the tributaries may indicate natural (hydro-bio-geochemical factors) still predominant in this changing landscape of the Western Amazon. So far, the data suggest that this RoR has not yet impacted the THg and MeHg concentrations.

Fabrication and characterization of AlN-based flexible piezoelectric pressure sensor integrated into an implantable artificial pancreas.

This study reports on the fabrication and characterization of an event detection subsystem composed of a flexible piezoelectric pressure sensor and the electronic interface to be integrated into an implantable artificial pancreas (IAP) for diabetic patients. The developed sensor is made of an AlN layer, sandwiched between two Ti electrodes, sputtered on Kapton substrate, with a preferential orientation along c-axis which guarantees the best piezoelectric response. The IAP is made of an intestinal wall-interfaced refilling module, able to dock an ingestible insulin capsule. A linearly actuated needle punches the duodenum tissue and then the PDMS capsule to transfer the insulin to an implanted reservoir. The device is located at the connection of the needle with the linear actuator to reliably detect the occurred punching of the insulin-filled capsule. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) simulations were performed to evaluate the piezoelectric charge generated for increasing loads in the range of interest, applied on both the sensor full-area and footprint area of the Hamilton needle used for the capsule punching. The sensor-interface circuit was simulated to estimate the output voltage that can be obtained in real operating conditions. The characterization results confirmed a high device sensitivity during the punching, in the low forces (0-4 N) and low actuator speed (2-3 mm/s) ranges of interest, meeting the requirement of the research objective. The choice of a piezoelectric pressure sensor is particularly strategic in the medical field due to the request of self-powered implantable devices which do not need any external power source to output a signal and harvest energy from natural sources around the patient.

Upper limb robot-assisted therapy in subacute and chronic stroke patients using an innovative end-effector haptic device: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Significant results have been shown when an upper limb robot-assisted rehabilitation is delivered to stroke patients. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of upper limb robot-assisted rehabilitation on motor recovery in stroke patients who underwent a treatment based on a haptic device. METHODS: Thirty-nine stroke patients (twenty-three subacute and sixteen chronic) underwent rehabilitation training by using MOTORE/Armotion haptic system. Thirteen healthy subjects were recruited for comparison purpose.The following clinical outcome measures were used: Chedoke-McMaster Stroke Assessment, Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FM), Medical Research Council, Motricity Index (MI), Box and Block Test (B&B) and Modified Barthel Index (mBI).The following parameters were computed: mean speed, maximum speed, mean time, path length, normalized jerk, mean force, mean error, mean energy expenditure and active patient-robot interaction percentage.The assessments were carried-out before and after treatment. RESULTS: Significant changes were observed in both groups in the FM, MI, B&B and mean speed. Significant changes were observed in mBI, mean time, mean force, mean energy expenditure and active patient-robot interaction percentage in subacute stroke patients. In chronic stroke patients significant changes were found on the MAS-elbow. CONCLUSIONS: The haptic device used is at least as effective as an existing device used in similar studies.

A GHEP-ISFG collaborative study on the genetic variation of 38 autosomal indels for human identification in different continental populations.

A collaborative effort was carried out by the Spanish and Portuguese Speaking Working Group of the International Society for Forensic Genetics (GHEP-ISFG) to promote knowledge exchange between associate laboratories interested in the implementation of indel-based methodologies and build allele frequency databases of 38 indels for forensic applications. These databases include populations from different countries that are relevant for identification and kinship investigations undertaken by the participating laboratories. Before compiling population data, participants were asked to type the 38 indels in blind samples from annual GHEP-ISFG proficiency tests, using an amplification protocol previously described. Only laboratories that reported correct results contributed with population data to this study. A total of 5839 samples were genotyped from 45 different populations from Africa, America, East Asia, Europe and Middle East. Population differentiation analysis showed significant differences between most populations studied from Africa and America, as well as between two Asian populations from China and East Timor. Low FST values were detected among most European populations. Overall diversities and parameters of forensic efficiency were high in populations from all continents.

EDI-OCT evaluation of choroidal thickness in retinitis pigmentosa.

PURPOSE: To evaluate choroidal thickness (CT) in retinitis pigmentosa (RP) using enhanced depth imaging (EDI) optical coherence tomography (OCT). METHODS: A retrospective analysis of a group of patients with RP who underwent EDI-OCT was performed. Choroidal thickness measurements were compared with those of age- and sex-matched healthy subjects. In the RP group, the possible association between subfoveal CT and some clinical parameters (visual acuity, age, age at disease onset, duration of the disease, macular thickness, visual field loss, electroretinography [ERG]) was evaluated. RESULTS: The study recruited 39 patients with RP with an average age of 43.3 ± 11.3 years while the control group consisted of 73 healthy subjects with an average age of 42.9 ± 12.10 years. On average, CT was significantly thinner in the RP group compared to the controls (p<0.0001). In the RP group, we could not find any significant association between CT and the considered clinical parameters even if there was a trend for decreasing CT with increasing age (r = -0.23, p = 0.096). In the control group, subfoveal CT showed a slightly significant correlation with age (r = -0.21, p = 0.04) but not with macular thickness and visual acuity. CONCLUSIONS: In our series, CT was significantly lower in the RP group in comparison with the controls, as measured by EDI-OCT, but did not correlate with age, age at onset, duration of the disease, macular thickness, visual acuity, visual field loss, or ERG responses. Although the clinical implications of choroidal changes in RP have not yet been clearly determined, the evaluation of choroidal features may provide information that could be useful to clarify the pathophysiology of the disease.

Reading Ability and Quality of Life in Stargardt Disease.

PURPOSE: To study the reading performance of patients with Stargardt disease (STGD) and the relationship between clinical vision measurements and vision-related quality of life (VRQOL). METHODS: We studied both eyes of 16 patients with STGD. Each patient was examined for best-corrected visual acuity (Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study [ETDRS]), reading ability (MNREAD and REX charts), contrast sensitivity (Pelli-Robson charts), fixation study (MP1 microperimeter), and VRQOL (25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire [NEI VFQ-25]). The correlation pattern among these variables was examined and an exploratory factor analysis was used to investigate dimensionality of both visual function and VRQOL. RESULTS: Mean ETDRS visual acuity was about 20/160 (0.9 logMAR). All studied psychophysical measures were highly or moderately correlated with MNREAD reading speed (p<0.05 level). A similar correlation was found between psychophysical measures and VRQOL, which was higher for MNREAD measures of acuity (r = -0.75) and speed (r = 0.74). Accordingly, exploratory factor analysis suggested that a single latent dimension explained most of the variance of vision psychophysical measures as well as of VRQOL. CONCLUSIONS: We propose that reading ability should be assessed in patients with STGD, since we found that both MNREAD reading speed and visual acuity are strong determinants of quality of life. The observed relation between reading ability and VRQOL in STGD suggests that in these patients appropriate low vision rehabilitation can improve both reading performance and consequently VRQOL. Finally, our data support the use of reading speed and visual acuity as important outcome measures for monitoring STGD progression.

Control of Multifunctional Prosthetic Hands by Processing the Electromyographic Signal.

The human hand is a complex system, with a large number of degrees of freedom (DoFs), sensors embedded in its structure, actuators and tendons, and a complex hierarchical control. Despite this complexity, the efforts required to the user to carry out the different movements is quite small (albeit after an appropriate and lengthy training). On the contrary, prosthetic hands are just a pale replication of the natural hand, with significantly reduced grasping capabilities and no sensory information delivered back to the user. Several attempts have been carried out to develop multifunctional prosthetic devices controlled by electromyographic (EMG) signals (myoelectric hands), harness (kinematic hands), dimensional changes in residual muscles, and so forth, but none of these methods permits the "natural" control of more than two DoFs. This article presents a review of the traditional methods used to control artificial hands by means of EMG signal, in both the clinical and research contexts, and introduces what could be the future developments in the control strategy of these devices.

Tuning acoustic and mechanical properties of materials for ultrasound phantoms and smart substrates for cell cultures.

Materials with tailored acoustic properties are of great interest for both the development of tissue-mimicking phantoms for ultrasound tests and smart scaffolds for ultrasound mediated tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. In this study, we assessed the acoustic properties (speed of sound, acoustic impedance and attenuation coefficient) of three different materials (agarose, polyacrylamide and polydimethylsiloxane) at different concentrations or cross-linking levels and doped with different concentrations of barium titanate ceramic nanoparticles. The selected materials, besides different mechanical features (stiffness from few kPa to 1.6MPa), showed a wide range of acoustic properties (speed of sound from 1022 to 1555m/s, acoustic impedance from 1.02 to 1.67MRayl and attenuation coefficient from 0.2 to 36.5dB/cm), corresponding to ranges in which natural soft tissues can fall. We demonstrated that this knowledge can be used to build tissue-mimicking phantoms for ultrasound-based medical procedures and that the mentioned measurements enable to stimulate cells with a highly controlled ultrasound dose, taking into account the attenuation due to the cell-supporting scaffold. Finally, we were able to correlate for the first time the bioeffect on human fibroblasts, triggered by piezoelectric barium titanate nanoparticles activated by low-intensity pulsed ultrasound, with a precise ultrasound dose delivered. These results may open new avenues for the development of both tissue-mimicking materials for ultrasound phantoms and smart triggerable scaffolds for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: This study reports for the first time the results of a systematic acoustic characterization of agarose, polyacrylamide and polydimethylsiloxane at different concentrations and cross-linking extents and doped with different concentrations of barium titanate nanoparticles. These results can be used to build tissue-mimicking phantoms, useful for many ultrasound-based medical procedures, and to fabricate smart materials for stimulating cells with a highly controlled ultrasound dose. Thanks to this knowledge, we correlated for the first time a bioeffect (the proliferation increase) on human fibroblasts, triggered by piezoelectric nanoparticles, with a precise US dose delivered. These results may open new avenues for the development of both tissue-mimicking phantoms and smart triggerable scaffolds for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

Liver Transplantation Utilizing Mixed Biologic and Synthetic Arterial Conduits.

Arterial conduits are necessary in nearly 5% of all liver transplants and are usually constructed utilizing segments of donor iliac artery. However, available segments of donor iliac artery may not be lengthy enough or may not possess enough quality to enable its inclusion in the conduit. Although there are few reports of arterial conduits constructed solely utilizing prosthetic material, no previous reports of conduits composed of a segment of donor iliac artery and prosthetic material (mixed biologic and synthetic arterial conduits) were found in the medial literature to date. Two cases reporting successful outcomes after creation of mixed biologic and prosthetic arterial conduits are outlined in this report. Reason for creation of conduits was complete intimal dissection of the recipient's hepatic artery in both cases. In both cases, available segments of donor iliac artery were not lengthy enough to bridge infrarenal aorta to porta hepatis. Both patients have patent conduits and normally functioning liver allografts, respectively, at 4 and 31 months after transplant. Mixed biologic and synthetic arterial conduits constitute a viable technical option and may offer potential advantages over fully prosthetic arterial conduits.

Mercury biomagnification and the trophic structure of the ichthyofauna from a remote lake in the Brazilian Amazon.

The present study assesses mercury biomagnification and the trophic structure of the ichthyofauna from the Puruzinho Lake, Brazilian Amazon. In addition to mercury determination, the investigation comprised the calculation of Trophic Magnification Factor (TMF) and Trophic Magnification Slope (TMS), through the measurements of stable isotopes of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) in fish samples. These assessments were executed in two different scenarios, i.e., considering (1) all fish species or (2) only the resident fish (excluding the migratory species). Bottom litter, superficial sediment and seston were the sources used for generating the trophic position (TP) data used in the calculation of the TMF. Samples from 84 fish were analysed, comprising 13 species, which were categorized into four trophic guilds: iliophagous, planktivorous, omnivorous and piscivorous fish. The δ13C values pointed to the separation of the ichthyofauna into two groups. One group comprised iliophagous and planktivorous species, which are linked to the food chains of phytoplankton and detritus. The other group was composed by omnivorous and piscivorous fish, which are associated to the trophic webs of phytoplankton, bottom litter, detritus, periphyton, as well as to food chains of igapó (blackwater-flooded Amazonian forests). The TP values suggest that the ichthyofauna from the Puruzinho Lake is part of a short food web, with three well-characterized trophic levels. Mercury concentrations and δ13C values point to multiple sources for Hg input and transfer. The similarity in Hg levels and TP values between piscivorous and planktivorous fish suggests a comparable efficiency for the transfer of this metal through pelagic and littoral food chains. Regarding the two abovementioned scenarios, i.e., considering (1) the entire ichthyofauna and (2) only the resident species, the TMF values were 5.25 and 4.49, as well as the TMS values were 0.21 and 0.19, respectively. These findings confirm that Hg biomagnifies through the food web of Puruzinho Lake ichthyofauna. The migratory species did not significantly change mercury biomagnification rate in Puruzinho Lake; however, they may play a relevant role in Hg transport. The biomagnification rate (TMS value) in Puruzinho Lake was higher than the average values for its latitude, being comparable to TMS values of temperate and polar systems (marine and freshwater environments).