Detection of encephalitis-causing viruses reveals predominance of chikungunya virus in the state of Bahia, Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: Encephalitis is a severe neurological syndrome for which herpesvirus and enteroviruses are the most common etiological agents. Arboviruses, a wildly diverse group of pathogens, are also critical epidemiological agents associated with encephalitis. In Brazil, little is known about the causative agents of encephalitis. METHODS: We conducted a hospital surveillance for encephalitis between 2020 and 2022. Molecular (RT-PCR and qPCR) and serological (virus-specific IgM and viral antigens) techniques were performed in cerebrospinal fluid and serum samples obtained from study participants. RESULTS: In the 43 participants evaluated, the etiologic agent or the presence of IgM was detected in 16 (37.2%). Nine (20.9%) cases were positive for chikungunya virus (CHIKV), three (7.0%) for dengue virus, two (4.7%) for human adenovirus, one (2.3%) for varicella-zoster virus, and one (2.3%) for enterovirus. Whole-genome sequencing revealed that the CHIKV identified belongs to the East/Central/South African lineage. CONCLUSION: Herein, CHIKV is a common pathogen identified in encephalitis cases. Our results reinforce previous evidence that chikungunya represents a significant cause of encephalitis during CHIKV outbreaks and epidemics and add to existing information on the epidemiology of encephalitis in Brazil.

Effects of dietary supplementation with inactivated Lactobacillus plantarum on growth performance, haemato-biochemical parameters, liver fatty acids profile and intestinal microbiome of Nile tilapia.

This study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with inactivated Lactobacillus plantarum for Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Three treatments, in quintuplicate, were established: a control group, fish fed a diet without additives; LP group, fish fed a diet supplemented with live probiotic; and IP group, fish fed a diet supplemented with inactivated probiotic. Final weights (49.40 ± 3.15 g) and weight gains (38.20 ± 3.23 g) were increased in tilapia in the IP group. Feed conversion (1.32 ± 0.04) decreased significantly in the IP group. Haemato-biochemical parameters were significantly influenced by dietary supplementation. Erythrocyte count (262.74 ± 69.28 × 106 µL-1) was significantly low, while albumin (1.79 ± 1.12 g dL-1) and cholesterol (254.14 ± 98.49 mg dL-1) were high in the control group. Dietary supplementation modified the tilapia microbiome. Rhodobacter was abundant in fish intestines from the control and IP groups. Phreatobacter was abundant in the IP and LP groups, while Aurantimicrobium and Bosea were abundant in the LP group. Oleic acid (C18:1n9) was significantly increased in the LP (3.25 ± 0.49%) and IP (3.02 ± 0.30%) groups. Hexadecatrienoic acid (C16:3n4) was significantly increased (0.04 ± 0.01%) in the IP group, while Cis 11,14,17-eicosatrienoic acid (C20:3n3) (0.31 ± 0.03%) and adrenic acid (C22:4n6) (0.11 ± 0.02%) were significantly decreased in the LP group. Additionally, monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) were significantly increased (4.83 ± 0.35%) in the LP group compared to that in the control group. Collectively, these results indicate the potential of inactivated L. plantarum for use in commercial feed, leading to the conclusion that both inactivated and live L. plantarum can improve the Nile tilapia metabolism, altering haematological and biochemical markers.

Simulating high-pressure surface reactions with molecular beams.

Using a reactive molecular beam with high kinetic energy (Ekin), it is possible to speed gas-surface reactions involving high activation barriers (Eact), which would require elevated pressures (P0) if a random gas with a Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution is used. By simply computing the number of molecules that overcome the activation barrier in a random gas at P0 and in a molecular beam at Ekin = Eact, we establish an Ekin-P0 equivalence curve, through which we postulate that molecular beams are ideal tools to investigate gas-surface reactions that involve high activation energies. In particular, we foresee the use of molecular beams to simulate gas surface reactions within the industrial-range (>10 bar) using surface-sensitive ultra-high vacuum (UHV) techniques, such as X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS). To test this idea, we revisit the oxidation of the Cu(111) surface combining O2 molecular beams and XPS experiments. By tuning the kinetic energy of the O2 beam in the range of 0.24-1 eV, we achieve the same sequence of surface oxides obtained in ambient pressure photoemission (AP-XPS) experiments, in which the Cu(111) surface was exposed to a random O2 gas up to 1 mbar. We observe the same surface oxidation kinetics as in the random gas, but with a much lower dose, close to the expected value derived from the equivalence curve.

Concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in liver samples of green turtles Chelonia mydas stranded in the Potiguar Basin, northeastern Brazil.

Sea turtles are affected by pollutants worldwide, and the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been detected in different types of samples and at high levels in some cases. The present study brings concentrations of 37 PAHs in liver samples of 17 green turtles Chelonia mydas stranded in northeastern Brazil [four with cutaneous tumors of fibropapillomatosis (FP), being classified as FP+]. Six PAHs were detected in 100% of the liver samples, and all alkylated PAHs were frequently quantified. High levels of phenanthrene (771.20 and 794.43 ng g-1 d.w.) and fluorene (1882.36 ng g-1 d.w.) were found in three females FP- (without FP cutaneous tumors). On the other hand, one green turtle FP+ had the higher level of naphthalene (531.70 ng g-1 d.w.), compound detected in 82.35 % of the samples. Our study brings additional baseline of organic pollutants in green turtles, improving knowledge on bioaccumulation of these compounds in sea turtles.

The use of an alimentary index to assess anthropogenic debris on green turtles (Chelonia mydas).

Studies on novel methodologies addressed to quantification of anthropogenic marine debris (AMD) types ingested by green turtles (Chelonia mydas) is not common in the scientific literature. To fill this gap, we used the alimentary index (IAi) to quantify and classify AMD ingested by green turtles stranded in the Potiguar Basin, northeastern Brazil. We classified 295 green turtles as juveniles (JUV-I (n = 190) and JUV-II (n = 58)) and adults (ADU (n = 47)). We collected gut contents during necropsy and analyzed them using the IAi. The IAi values were categorized as main (IAi ≥ 0.5), secondary (0.25 ≤ IAi < 0.5), and accessory (IAi < 0.25). The results revealed that transparent soft plastic was an accessory item for the three size groups and the second most frequent item (IAi = 0.23) for JUV-I. Our study brings insights into the application of the IAi to evaluate the amount and types of AMD ingested by green turtles.

Bio-Polyethylene Composites Based on Sugar Cane and Curauá Fiber: An Experimental Study.

For the purpose of renewable materials applications, Curauá fiber treated with 5% sodium hydroxide was added to high-density biopolyethylene, using an entirely Brazilian raw material of sugarcane ethanol. Polyethylene grafted with maleic anhydride was used as a compatibilizer. With the addition of curauá fiber, the crystallinity was reduced, possibly due to interactions in the crystalline matrix. A positive thermal resistance effect was observed for the maximum degradation temperatures of the biocomposites. When curauá fiber was added (5% by weight), the morphology showed interfacial adhesion, greater energy storage and damping capacity. Although curauá fiber additions did not affect the yield strength of high-density bio polyethylene, its fracture toughness improved. With the addition of curauá fiber (5% by weight), the fracture strain was greatly reduced to about 52%, the impact strength was also reduced, suggesting a reinforcing effect. Concomitantly, the modulus and the maximum bending stress, as well as the Shore D hardness of the curauá fiber biocomposites (at 3 and 5% by weight), were improved. Two important aspects of product viability were achieved. First, there was no change in processability and, second, with the addition of small amounts of curauá fiber, there was a gain in the specific properties of the biopolymer. The resulting synergies can help ensure more sustainable and environmentally friendly manufacturing of automotive products.

Terahertz Nonlinear Hall Rectifiers Based on Spin-Polarized Topological Electronic States in 1T-CoTe2.

The zero-magnetic-field nonlinear Hall effect (NLHE) refers to the second-order transverse current induced by an applied alternating electric field; it indicates the topological properties of inversion-symmetry-breaking crystals. Despite several studies on the NLHE induced by the Berry-curvature dipole in Weyl semimetals, the direct current conversion by rectification is limited to very low driving frequencies and cryogenic temperatures. The nonlinear photoresponse generated by the NLHE at room temperature can be useful for numerous applications in communication, sensing, and photodetection across a high bandwidth. In this study, observations of the second-order NLHE in type-II Dirac semimetal CoTe2 under time-reversal symmetry are reported. This is determined by the disorder-induced extrinsic contribution on the broken-inversion-symmetry surface and room-temperature terahertz rectification without the need for semiconductor junctions or bias voltage. It is shown that remarkable photoresponsivity over 0.1 A W-1 , a response time of approximately 710 ns, and a mean noise equivalent power of 1 pW Hz-1/2 can be achieved at room temperature. The results open a new pathway for low-energy photon harvesting via nonlinear rectification induced by the NLHE in strongly spin-orbit-coupled and inversion-symmetry-breaking systems, promising a considerable impact in the field of infrared/terahertz photonics.

Discovery of a Magnetic Dirac System with a Large Intrinsic Nonlinear Hall Effect.

Magnetic materials exhibiting topological Dirac fermions are attracting significant attention for their promising technological potential in spintronics. In these systems, the combined effect of the spin-orbit coupling and magnetic order enables the realization of novel topological phases with exotic transport properties, including the anomalous Hall effect and magneto-chiral phenomena. Herein, we report experimental signature of topological Dirac antiferromagnetism in TaCoTe2 via angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy and first-principles density functional theory calculations. In particular, we find the existence of spin-orbit coupling-induced gaps at the Fermi level, consistent with the manifestation of a large intrinsic nonlinear Hall conductivity. Remarkably, we find that the latter is extremely sensitive to the orientation of the Néel vector, suggesting TaCoTe2 as a suitable candidate for the realization of non-volatile spintronic devices with an unprecedented level of intrinsic tunability.

Development of a new non invasive prognostic stroke scale (NIPSS) including triage elements for sleep apnea and peripheral artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Although sleep apnea and peripheral artery disease are prognostic factors for stroke, their added benefit in the acute stage to further prognosticate strokes has not been evaluated. OBJECTIVES: We tested the accuracy in the acute stroke stage of a novel score called the Non-Invasive Prognostic Stroke Scale (NIPSS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospective cohort with imaging-confirmed ischemic stroke. Clinical data, sleep apnea risk score (STOPBANG) and blood pressure measures were collected at baseline. Primary outcome was the 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS), with poor outcome defined as mRS 3-6. Area under the ROC curve (AUC) was calculated for NIPSS and compared to six other stroke prognostic scores in our cohort: SPAN-100 index, S-SMART, SOAR, ASTRAL, THRIVE, and Dutch Stroke scores. RESULTS: We enrolled 386 participants. After 90 days, there were 56% with poor outcome, more frequently older, female predominant and with higher admission National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). Four variables remained significantly associated with primary endpoint in the multivariable model: age (OR 1.87), NIHSS (OR 7.08), STOPBANG category (OR 1.61), and ankle-braquial index (OR 2.11). NIPSS AUC was 0.86 (0.82-0.89); 0.83 (0.79-0.87) with bootstrapping. When compared to the other scores, NIPSS, ASTRAL, S-SMART and DUTCH scores had good abilities in predicting poor outcome, with AUC of 0.86, 0.86, 0.83 and 0.82, respectively. THRIVE, SOAR and SPAN-100 scores were fairly predictive. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Non-invasive and easily acquired emergency room data can predict clinical outcome after stroke. NIPSS performed equal to or better than other prognostic stroke scales.

Diagnóstico de proteinose alveolar pulmonar após exposição à covid-19: relato de caso / Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis diagnosis of after exposure to covid-19: case report / Diagnóstico de proteinosis alveolar pulmonar tras exposición al covid-19: reporte de caso

Os objetivos deste artigo são relatar o caso de um paciente diagnosticado com proteinose alveolar pulmonar (PAP) após piora do quadro clínico decorrente da infecção por covid-19 e realizar uma revisão sobre a PAP na busca de promover o maior conhecimento dos profissionais de saúde sobre essa comorbidade. Participou da pesquisa um paciente de 48 anos de idade, sexo masculino, com relato de quadro de tosse e dispneia há um ano, apresentando exacerbação do quadro respiratório após infecção por SARS-CoV-2, com necessidade de início de suporte de oxigênio via cateter nasal devido à diminuição da saturação e ao comprometimento das atividades da vida diária. Foi realizada tomografia computadorizada de alta resolução do tórax (TCAR) e evidenciada pavimentação em mosaico com comprometimento difuso dos campos pulmonares. Conforme achados clínicos e radiológicos compatíveis com PAP, o paciente foi submetido à lavagem pulmonar total e apresentou melhora da dispneia e da tosse. A proteinose alveolar pulmonar é uma doença que merece relevância devido ao comprometimento clínico que pode ocasionar ao paciente. É necessário um acompanhamento médico periódico para observar a evolução da doença e definir a conduta terapêutica conforme apresentação clínica de cada enfermo. Por vezes, pode ser necessário repetir a lavagem pulmonar total e em casos refratários, buscar alternativas terapêuticas. Tendo em vista o envolvimento pulmonar e os sintomas semelhantes a infecções por SARS-CoV-2, é importante atentar para os diagnósticos diferenciais.

This paper reports the case of a patient diagnosed with pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) after a worsening clinical picture due to COVID-19 infection, reviewing the literature on PAP to promote greater knowledge on this comorbidity for health professionals. A 48-year-old male patient with reported coughing and dyspnea for one year, presenting exacerbation of respiratory symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection, needing to start oxygen support via nasal catheter due to decreased saturation and impairment of daily living activities. High resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the chest was performed and showed crazy paving with diffuse involvement of the lung fields. As per clinical and radiological findings compatible with PAP, the patient underwent total lung lavage and showed improvement in dyspnea and coughing. Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis deserves relevance due to the clinical impairment it can cause to the patient. Periodic medical follow-up is necessary to observe the disease evolution and define the therapeutic approach according to the clinical presentation of each patient. Sometimes, it may be necessary to repeat the total lung lavage, and to seek therapeutic alternatives in refractory cases. Given the pulmonary involvement and symptoms similar to SARS-CoV-2 infections, one must pay attention to the differential diagnoses.

Los objetivos de este artículo son presentar el caso de un paciente diagnosticado de proteinosis alveolar pulmonar (PAP) tras empeorar el cuadro clínico debido a infección por covid-19 y realizar una revisión sobre la PAP con el fin de generar más conocimiento a los profesionales sanitarios sobre esta comorbilidad. El caso investigado fue de un paciente masculino de 48 años de edad, con reporte de tos y disnea desde hace un año, que presentaba exacerbación del cuadro respiratorio posterior a infección por SARS-CoV-2, lo que requirió inicio de soporte de oxígeno vía catéter nasal por disminución de la saturación y deterioro de las actividades de la vida diaria. Se realizó una tomografía computarizada de alta resolución (TCAR) de tórax y se observó empedrado en mosaico con afectación difusa de los campos pulmonares. Según los hallazgos clínicos y radiológicos compatibles con PAP, se le realizó al paciente lavado pulmonar total y mejoró la disnea y la tos. La proteinosis alveolar pulmonar es una enfermedad que merece relevancia por el compromiso clínico que puede ocasionar al paciente. Es necesario un seguimiento médico periódico para observar la evolución de la enfermedad y definir el abordaje terapéutico según la presentación clínica de cada paciente. También es necesario repetir el lavado pulmonar total y, en casos refractarios, buscar alternativas terapéuticas. Ante la afectación pulmonar y síntomas similares a infecciones por SARS-CoV-2, es importante prestar atención a los diagnósticos diferenciales.

A Telemedicine Platform for Aphasia: Protocol for a Development and Usability Study.

BACKGROUND: Aphasia is a central disorder of comprehension and expression of language that cannot be attributed to a peripheral sensory deficit or a peripheral motor disorder. The diagnosis and treatment of aphasia are complex. Interventions that facilitate this process can lead to an increase in the number of assisted patients and greater precision in the therapeutic choice by the health professional. OBJECTIVE: This paper describes a protocol for a study that aims to implement a computer-based solution (ie, a telemedicine platform) that uses deep learning to classify vocal data from participants with aphasia and to develop serious games to treat aphasia. Additionally, this study aims to evaluate the usability and user experience of the proposed solution. METHODS: Our interactive and smart platform will be developed to provide an alternative option for professionals and their patients with aphasia. We will design 2 serious games for aphasia rehabilitation and a deep learning-driven computational solution to aid diagnosis. A pilot evaluation of usability and user experience will reveal user satisfaction with platform features. RESULTS: Data collection began in June 2022 and is currently ongoing. Results of system development as well as usability should be published by mid-2023. CONCLUSIONS: This research will contribute to the treatment and diagnosis of aphasia by developing a telemedicine platform based on a co-design process. Therefore, this research will provide an alternative method for health care to patients with aphasia. Additionally, it will guide further studies with the same purpose. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/40603.

NiSe and CoSe Topological Nodal-Line Semimetals: A Sustainable Platform for Efficient Thermoplasmonics and Solar-Driven Photothermal Membrane Distillation.

The control of heat at the nanoscale via the excitation of localized surface plasmons in nanoparticles (NPs) irradiated with light holds great potential in several fields (cancer therapy, catalysis, desalination). To date, most thermoplasmonic applications are based on Ag and Au NPs, whose cost of raw materials inevitably limits the scalability for industrial applications requiring large amounts of photothermal NPs, as in the case of desalination plants. On the other hand, alternative nanomaterials proposed so far exhibit severe restrictions associated with the insufficient photothermal efficacy in the visible, the poor chemical stability, and the challenging scalability. Here, it is demonstrated the outstanding potential of NiSe and CoSe topological nodal-line semimetals for thermoplasmonics. The anisotropic dielectric properties of NiSe and CoSe activate additional plasmonic resonances. Specifically, NiSe and CoSe NPs support multiple localized surface plasmons in the optical range, resulting in a broadband matching with sunlight radiation spectrum. Finally, it is validated the proposed NiSe and CoSe-based thermoplasmonic platform by implementing solar-driven membrane distillation by adopting NiSe and CoSe nanofillers embedded in a polymeric membrane for seawater desalination. Remarkably, replacing Ag with NiSe and CoSe for solar membrane distillation increases the transmembrane flux by 330% and 690%, respectively. Correspondingly, costs of raw materials are also reduced by 24 and 11 times, respectively. The results pave the way for the advent of NiSe and CoSe for efficient and sustainable thermoplasmonics and related applications exploiting sunlight within the paradigm of the circular blue economy.

Guillain-Barré Syndrome and Miller Fisher Syndrome in Association With an Arboviral Outbreak: A Brazilian Case Series.

Introduction: Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) in association with arboviruses, such as Zika, chikungunya, and dengue, has been previously documented; however, Miller-Fisher Syndrome (MFS) and other GBS subtypes are rarely reported. Methods: We identified a series of GBS and MFS cases that were followed during the Zika virus outbreak in Salvador, Brazil (2015-2016). Blood and CSF samples were collected for virus diagnosis. In addition, serological studies to verify previous arboviral infection and electromyography (EMG) were performed. Results: Of the 14 patients enrolled, 10 were diagnosed with GBS, including three GBS subtypes (two cases of bifacial weakness with paresthesia and one case of paraparetic GBS), and four as MFS. IgM antibodies against one or more of three arboviruses were present in 11 (78.6%) patients: anti-zika IgM positivity in eight (57%), anti-Chikungunya IgM in three (21%), and anti-Dengue in one (7%) individual. A single case was positive for both anti-Dengue IgM and anti-Chikungunya IgM, suggesting co-infection. EMG revealed an AIDP pattern in all nine patients analyzed. Conclusion: The current case series contributes to our knowledge on the clinical presentation of arbovirus-associated GBS and its subtypes, including MFS, and serves as an alert to clinicians and other healthcare professionals in regions affected by arbovirus outbreaks. We highlight the importance of recognizing arboviruses in diagnosing GBS and its subtypes.

Setting the limit for the lateral thermal expansion of layered crystals via helium atom scattering.

The knowledge of the thermal expansion coefficient is of crucial importance to prevent the poor performance of devices, especially when these are made up of several layers of different materials, as in the case of 2D heterostructures. Helium atom scattering is a suitable tool for the direct measurement of the surface thermal expansion coefficient of materials. This information can be obtained directly from the position of the helium diffraction peaks, which allows determining the surface lattice constant at different temperatures by merely applying Bragg's law. We present new data for PdTe2 which confirm a trend observed for several 2D dichalcogenides, namely, that the in-plane lattice constant remains unchanged (within experimental error) in the temperature range of interest for applications, which enables setting an upper limit for the lateral thermal expansion coefficients of these materials.

Neural Networks to Recognize Patterns in Topographic Images of Cortical Electrical Activity of Patients with Neurological Diseases.

Software such as EEGLab has enabled the treatment and visualization of the tracing and cortical topography of the electroencephalography (EEG) signals. In particular, the topography of the cortical electrical activity is represented by colors, which make it possible to identify functional differences between cortical areas and to associate them with various diseases. The use of cortical topography with EEG origin in the investigation of diseases is often not used due to the representation of colors making it difficult to classify the disease. Thus, the analyses have been carried out, mainly, based on the EEG tracings. Therefore, a computer system that recognizes disease patterns through cortical topography can be a solution to the diagnostic aid. In view of this, this study compared five models of Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), namely: Inception v3, SqueezeNet, LeNet, VGG-16 and VGG-19, in order to know the patterns in cortical topography images obtained with EEG, in Parkinson's disease, Depression and Bipolar Disorder. SqueezeNet performed better in the 3 diseases analyzed, with Parkinson's disease being better evaluated for Accuracy (88.89%), Precison (86.36%), Recall (91.94%) and F1 Score (89.06%), the other CNNs had less performance. In the analysis of the values of the Area under ROC Curve (AUC), SqueezeNet reached (93.90%) for Parkinson's disease, (75.70%) for Depression and (72.10%) for Bipolar Disorder. We understand that there is the possibility of classifying neurological diseases from cortical topographies with the use of CNNs and, thus, creating a computational basis for the implementation of software for screening and possible diagnostic assistance.

Bioaccumulation of total mercury, copper, cadmium, silver, and selenium in green turtles (Chelonia mydas) stranded along the Potiguar Basin, northeastern Brazil.

Sea turtles face several threats and pollution has become a major concern for their conservation worldwide. We analyzed samples of the liver, muscles, and kidneys of 38 Chelonia mydas stranded along the Potiguar Basin, northeastern Brazil, between 2015 and 2018 to determine the total Hg concentration (THg), as well as the concentrations of Cu, Cd, Ag, and Se. The relation between turtle size and element concentrations revealed a negative correlation for THg and Se (liver, muscles, and kidneys), Cu and Cd (liver and kidneys) and a positive correlation for Ag in the three organs analyzed. Concentrations of THg, Cu, Ag, and Se were high in the liver, highlighting the Cu concentration (median = 25.1150 µg g-1 w.w.), while the kidneys had the highest Cd levels (median = 12.2200 µg g-1 w.w.). There was significant difference between element concentrations and the three organs analyzed, except for Ag and Se concentrations in the muscle and kidney samples. Our study showed that green turtles found in Potiguar Basin, northeastern Brasil, have bioaccumulated inorganic elements which indicate the need of further investigations on the environmental quality of the region.

Efficient Hydrogen Evolution Reaction with Bulk and Nanostructured Mitrofanovite Pt3Te4.

Here, we discuss the key features of electrocatalysis with mitrofanovite (Pt3Te4), a recently discovered mineral with superb performances in hydrogen evolution reaction. Mitrofanovite is a layered topological metal with spin-polarized topological surface states with potential applications for spintronics. However, mitrofanovite is also an exceptional platform for electrocatalysis, with costs of the electrodes suppressed by 47% owing to the partial replacement of Pt with Te. Remarkably, the Tafel slope in nanostructured mitrofanovite is just 33 mV/dec, while reduced mitrofanovite has the same Tafel slope (36 mV/dec) as state-of-the-art electrodes of pure Pt. Mitrofanovite also affords surface stability and robustness to CO poisoning. Accordingly, these findings pave the way for the advent of mitrofanovite for large-scale hydrogen production.

Tin Diselenide (SnSe2) Van der Waals Semiconductor: Surface Chemical Reactivity, Ambient Stability, Chemical and Optical Sensors.

Tin diselenide (SnSe2) is a layered semiconductor with broad application capabilities in the fields of energy storage, photocatalysis, and photodetection. Here, we correlate the physicochemical properties of this van der Waals semiconductor to sensing applications for detecting chemical species (chemosensors) and millimeter waves (terahertz photodetectors) by combining experiments of high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy with density functional theory. The response of the pristine, defective, and oxidized SnSe2 surface towards H2, H2O, H2S, NH3, and NO2 analytes was investigated. Furthermore, the effects of the thickness were assessed for monolayer, bilayer, and bulk samples of SnSe2. The formation of a sub-nanometric SnO2 skin over the SnSe2 surface (self-assembled SnO2/SnSe2 heterostructure) corresponds to a strong adsorption of all analytes. The formation of non-covalent bonds between SnO2 and analytes corresponds to an increase of the magnitude of the transferred charge. The theoretical model nicely fits experimental data on gas response to analytes, validating the SnO2/SnSe2 heterostructure as a suitable playground for sensing of noxious gases, with sensitivities of 0.43, 2.13, 0.11, 1.06 [ppm]-1 for H2, H2S, NH3, and NO2, respectively. The corresponding limit of detection is 5 ppm, 10 ppb, 250 ppb, and 400 ppb for H2, H2S, NH3, and NO2, respectively. Furthermore, SnSe2-based sensors are also suitable for fast large-area imaging applications at room temperature for millimeter waves in the THz range.

First report of fibropapillomatosis (FP) and Chelonid alphaherpesvirus 5 (ChHV5) in a green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) from the historically fibropapillomatosis-free Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, Northeastern Brazil / Primeiro caso de fibropapilomatose (FP) e de Chelonid alphaherpesvirus 5 (ChHV5) em tartaruga-verde (Chelonia mydas) no Arquipélago de Fernando de Noronha, Nordeste do Brasil

Fibropapillomatosis (FP) is an infectious disease caused by Chelonid alphaherpesvirus 5 (ChHV5). Nevertheless, its clinical manifestations are considered multifactorial. Due to its relevance, FP is currently monitored in sea turtle populations in the United States, Australia, Caribbean, and Brazil. Between 2000 and 2020, the TAMAR Project/ TAMAR Project Foundation analyzed the prevalence of FP in nine states and oceanic islands along the Brazilian coast, including Fernando de Noronha Archipelago (FNA), a historically FP-free area. A total of 4,435 green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) were monitored from 2010 to 2016. Additionally, in 2012 and 2014, 43 FP-free skin samples were analyzed for ChHV5 using a qualitative PCR for the UL30 polymerase (pol) sequence. In 2015, a bilateral ocular nodule characterized as an FP tumor was reported in one of the monitored individuals undergoing rehabilitation. Tissue samples were collected following surgical removal of the tumor. Characterization of a 454 bp UL30 polymerase gene revealed a ChHV5 sequence previously reported in other areas of the Atlantic Brazilian coast. In the years following this finding from January 2017 to March 2020, a total of 360 C. mydas were monitored in the same area and no FP tumors were detected. This is the first report of FP and the first detection of ChHV5 in FNA, a finding of great concern considering this site's historical absence of FP occurrence. This study highlights the importance of monitoring this disease in historically FP-free areas of the Brazilian Atlantic coast.(AU)

A fibropapilomatose (FP) é uma doença infecciosa causada pelo Chelonid alphaherpesvirus 5 (ChHV5). No entanto, as manifestações clínicas da doença são consideradas multifatoriais. Esta doença é monitorada atualmente em populações de tartarugas marinhas nos EUA, Austrália, Caribe e Brasil. Desde 2000, o Projeto TAMAR/Fundação Projeto TAMAR analisa a presença de FP em nove estados da costa brasileira e ilhas oceânicas, incluindo o arquipélago de Fernando de Noronha, uma área historicamente livre de FP. Um total de 4.435 indivíduos de Chelonia mydas foram monitorados de 2010 a 2016 e 43 amostras de pele foram analisadas para detectar ChHV5 em 2012 e 2014 com o objetivo de avaliar a presença do vírus em tecidos sem FP, usando uma PCR qualitativa para detecção de sequências do gene da UL30 polimerase. Em 2015, uma tartaruga verde (C. mydas) foi relatada com um nódulo ocular bilateral caracterizado como FP. Amostras de tecido foram coletadas durante sua reabilitação e procedimento cirúrgico para remover o tumor. A caracterização parcial de uma sequência de 454 bp do gene UL30 polimerase detectou ChHV5 anteriormente relatado em outras áreas da costa atlântica brasileira. Após estes achados, de janeiro de 2017 a março de 2020, um total de 360 indivíduos de C. mydas foram monitorados e nenhum caso de FP foi registrado. Este é o primeiro relato de FP e a primeira caracterização de ChHV5 no arquipélago de Fernando de Noronha, uma questão preocupante e que ressalta a importância do monitoramento desta doença em áreas historicamente livres de FP na costa atlântica brasileira.(AU)

Sangramento gastrointestinal em paciente portador de síndrome de Rendu-Osler-Weber: relato de caso / Gastrointestinal bleeding in a patient with Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome: a case report / Sangrado gastrointestinal en paciente con síndrome de Rendu-Osler-Weber: reporte de caso

A síndrome de Rendu-Osler-Weber, ou telangiectasia hemorrágica hereditária (THH), é uma doença autossômica dominante de penetrância variável que altera a camada muscular e elástica da parede dos vasos sanguíneos, causando neles grande fragilidade e dilatação e tornando-os suscetíveis a sangramentos secundários, a traumatismos e malformações arteriovenosas (MAV) ­ sendo elas as mais comuns no cérebro, nos pulmões e no trato gastrointestinal e hepático. Este relato de caso tem como objetivo realizar uma revisão sobre essa síndrome, bem como a respeito da melhor terapia e do melhor manejo para sangramentos gastrointestinais por angiectasias. Trata-se de uma paciente de 62 anos de idade, com episódio de hematêmese e melena recorrentes, que foi admitida instável hemodinamicamente e com queda importante dos níveis de hemoglobina, necessitando de múltiplas transfusões sanguíneas. Após entrevista clínica, que chamou a atenção para o histórico familiar de quadros similares, epistaxes recorrentes associados ao exame físico e angiectasias gástricas à endoscopia digestiva alta, foi atribuído o diagnóstico de síndrome de Rendu-Osler-Weber. Angiectasias foram erradicadas com terapia endoscópica usando plasma de argônio. A THH é uma doença subdiagnosticada que merece atenção especial por conta do seu risco de causar hemorragias graves com expressão fenotípica mais aflorada com o avançar da idade. Por seu cunho hereditário, faz-se necessário um acompanhamento médico linear com a família para evitar complicações secundárias da doença, bem como para o manejo adequado de suas apresentações.

Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome or hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is an autosomal dominant disease that changes the muscular and elastic layer of the blood vessel wall, making them fragile and more susceptible to bleeding secondary to trauma and arteriovenous malformations (AVM) ­ a condition that commonly affects the brain, lungs, gastrointestinal tract, and liver. This study aims to perform a literature review on this syndrome, as well as on the best treatment and management for gastrointestinal bleeding from angioctasia. To this end, it reports the case of a 62-year-old female patient with recurrent episodes of hematemesis and melena, who was admitted to hospital with hemodynamic instability and low hemoglobin levels, requiring multiple blood transfusions. After clinical interview, which indicated family history of recurrent epistaxis, physical examination, and upper digestive endoscopy showing gastric angiectasias, the patient was diagnosed with Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome. Angiectasias were treated with endoscopic argon plasma. Considering the risk of severe hemorrhages and its more pronounced phenotypic expression with advancing age, HHT is an underdiagnosed disease that deserves special attention. Due to its hereditary nature, a linear medical follow-up with the family is necessary to avoid secondary complications of the disease, as well as the proper management of its presentations.

El síndrome de Rendu-Osler-Weber o telangiectasia hemorrágica hereditaria (THH) es una enfermedad autosómica dominante de penetrancia variable, que modifica la capa muscular y elástica de la pared de los vasos sanguíneos, provocando una gran fragilidad y dilatación de estas, haciéndolas susceptibles a hemorragias secundarias a trauma y malformaciones arteriovenosas (MAV), que son las más comunes en el cerebro, pulmones, tracto gastrointestinal e hígado. Este estudio tiene como objetivo realizar una revisión de este síndrome, así como la mejor terapia y manejo del sangrado gastrointestinal por angioctasia en esta patología. Se trata de un paciente de 62 años, con episodio de hematemesis recurrente y melena, que ingresa hemodinámicamente inestable y con descenso significativo de los niveles de hemoglobina, requiriendo múltiples transfusiones sanguíneas. Tras entrevista clínica, destacando los antecedentes familiares de patologías similares, epistaxis recurrente, exploración física y angiectasias gástricas a endoscopia digestiva alta, se asignó el diagnóstico de síndrome de Rendu-Osler-Weber. Las angiectasias se erradicaron con terapia endoscópica con plasma de argón. La HHT es una enfermedad infradiagnosticada que merece una atención especial por su riesgo de hemorragias severas, con una expresión fenotípica más pronunciada con el avance de la edad. Además de su carácter hereditario, es necesario un seguimiento médico lineal con la familia para evitar complicaciones secundarias de la enfermedad, así como el adecuado manejo de sus presentaciones.