Photobiomodulation Therapy in the Management of Late Complications After Facial Filling.

The aim of the present study is to report a clinical case of a patient diagnosed with a late adverse reaction to the injection of filler material - persistent and intermittent delayed swelling (PIDS) - in which photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) with low-power laser was used for edema reduction. This is an observational, descriptive, and retrospective work of a case report. The female patient, aged 73 years old, had undergone dermal filler six years before and complained of increased volume in the face region (glabellar region, labiomental sulcus, and nasolabial folds) and was submitted to ultrasound and anatomopathological analysis. PBMT using a low-power laser (660 nm and 808 nm, simultaneous irradiation, in contact, 2 J/point, 100 mW) proved to be effective for the non-invasive approach of late adverse reaction to dermal filler, such as PIDS, a common complication related to the use of dermal fillers.

Novel protein stabilization in white wine: A study on thermally treated zirconia-alumina composites.

A major concern for wineries is haze formation in white wines due to protein instability. Despite its prevalent use, the conventional bentonite method has shortcomings, including potential alteration of color and aroma, slow processing times, and notable wine wastage. Zirconium oxide (ZrO2) effectively removes proteins without affecting wine characteristics. However, producing cost-effective ZrO2 materials with efficient protein removal capabilities poses a significant challenge. This research aims to assess the viability of designing a porous material impregnated with zirconia to remove turbidity-causing proteins effectively. For this purpose, the support material alone (Al2O3) and the zirconia-impregnated support (ZrO2/Al2O3) were subjected to different calcination temperatures. It was observed that high-temperature treatments (750 °C) enhanced wine stability and protein adsorption capacity. The optimal adsorbent achieved a notable reduction in turbidity, decreasing the ΔNTU from 42 to 18, alongside a significant 44 % reduction in the total protein content, particularly affecting proteins in the molecular weight range of 10 to 70 kDa. This result is attributed to modifying the textural properties of ZrO2/Al2O3, characterized by the reduction of acidic sites, augmented pore diameters from 4.81 to 7.74 nm, and the emergence of zirconia clusters across the surface of the porous support. In summary, this study presents the first application of zirconia on the alumina support surface for protein stabilization in white wine. Combining ZrO2/Al2O3 and a high-temperature treatment emerges as a promising, cost-efficient, and environmentally sustainable strategy for protein removal in white wine.

Global landscape of coxsackieviruses in human health.

Coxsackieviruses-induced infections, particularly in infants and young children, are one of the most important public health issues in low- and middle-income countries, where the surveillance system varies substantially, and these manifestations have been disregarded. They are widespread throughout the world and are responsible for a broad spectrum of human diseases, from mildly symptomatic conditions to severe acute and chronic disorders. Coxsackieviruses (CV) have been found to have 27 identified genotypes, with overlaps in clinical phenotypes between genotypes. In this review, we present a concise overview of the most recent studies and findings of coxsackieviruses-associated disorders, along with epidemiological data that provides comprehensive details on the distribution, variability, and clinical manifestations of different CV types. We also highlight the significant roles that CV infections play in the emergence of neurodegenerative illnesses and their effects on neurocognition. The current role of CVs in oncolytic virotherapy is also mentioned. This review provides readers with a better understanding of coxsackieviruses-associated disorders and pointing the impact that CV infections can have on different organs with variable pathogenicity. A deeper knowledge of these infections could have implications in designing current surveillance and prevention strategies related to severe CVs-caused infections, as well as encourage studies to identify the emergence of more pathogenic types and the etiology of the most common and most severe disorders associated with coxsackievirus infection.

An Individual Barrier Enclosure Actively Removing Aerosols for Airborne Isolation: A Vacuum Tent.

BACKGROUND: Aerosol barrier enclosure systems have been designed to prevent airborne contamination, but their safety has been questioned. A vacuum tent was designed with active continuous suctioning to minimize risks of aerosol dispersion. We tested its efficacy, risk of rebreathing, and usability on a bench, in healthy volunteers, and in an ergonomic clinical assessment study. METHODS: First, a manikin with airway connected to a breathing simulator was placed inside the vacuum tent to generate active breathing, cough, and CO2 production; high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) was applied in the manikin's nares. Negative pressure was applied in the vacuum tent's apex port using wall suction. Fluorescent microparticles were aerosolized in the vacuum tent for qualitative assessment. To quantify particles inside and around vacuum tent (aerosol retention), an airtight aerosol chamber with aerosolized latex microparticles was used. The vacuum tent was tested on healthy volunteers breathing with and without HFNC. Last, its usability was assessed in 5 subjects by 5 different anesthesiologists for delivery of full anesthesia, including intubation and extubation. RESULTS: The vacuum tent was adjusted until no leak was visualized using fluorescent particles. The efficacy in retaining microparticles was confirmed quantitatively. CO2 accumulation inside the vacuum tent showed an inverse correlation with the suction flow in all conditions (normal breathing and HFNC 30 or 60 L/min) in bench and healthy volunteers. Particle removal efficacy and safe breathing conditions (CO2, temperature) were reached when suctioning was at least 60 L/min or 20 L/min > HFNC flow. Five subjects were successfully intubated and anesthetized without ergonomic difficulties and with minimal interference with workflow and an excellent overall assessment by the anesthesiologists. CONCLUSIONS: The vacuum tent effectively minimized aerosol dispersion. Its continuous suction system set at a high suction flow was crucial to avoid the spread of aerosol particles and CO2 rebreathing.

Radiologic Classification of Hippocampal Sclerosis in Epilepsy.

Temporal lobe epilepsy is a common form of epilepsy that is often associated with hippocampal sclerosis (HS). Although HS is commonly considered a binary assessment in radiologic evaluation, it is known that histopathologic changes occur in distinct clusters. Some subtypes of HS only affect certain subfields, resulting in minimal changes to the overall volume of the hippocampus. This is likely a major reason why whole hippocampal volumetrics have underperformed versus expert readers in the diagnosis of HS. With recent advancements in MRI technology, it is now possible to characterize the substructure of the hippocampus more accurately. However, this is not consistently addressed in radiographic evaluations. The histologic subtype of HS is critical for prognosis and treatment decision-making, necessitating improved radiologic classification of HS. The International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) has issued a consensus classification scheme for subtyping HS histopathologic changes. This review aims to explore how the ILAE subtypes of HS correlate with radiographic findings, introduce a grading system that integrates radiologic and pathologic reporting in HS, and outline an approach to detecting HS subtypes by using MRI. This framework will not only benefit current clinical evaluations, but also enhance future studies involving high-resolution MRI in temporal lobe epilepsy.

Topological line defects in hexagonal SiC monolayer.

Defect engineering of two-dimensional (2D) materials offers an unprecedented route to increase their functionality and broaden their applicability. In light of the recent synthesis of the 2D Silicon Carbide (SiC), a deep understanding of the effect of defects on the physical and chemical properties of this new SiC allotrope becomes highly desirable. This study investigates 585 extended line defects (ELDs) in hexagonal SiC considering three types of interstitial atom pairs (SiSi-, SiC-, and CC-ELD) and using computational methods like Density Functional Theory, Born-Oppenheimer Molecular Dynamics, and Kinetic Monte-Carlo (KMC). Results show that the formation of all ELD systems is endothermic, with the CC-ELD structure showing the highest stability at 300 K. To further characterize the ELDs, simulated scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) is employed, and successfully allow identify and distinguish the three types of ELDs. Although pristine SiC has a direct band gap of 2.48 eV, the presence of ELDs introduces mid-gap states derived from the pz orbitals at the defect sites. Furthermore, our findings reveal that the ELD region displays enhanced reactivity towards hydrogen adsorption, which was confirmed by KMC simulations. Overall, this research provides valuable insights into the structural, electronic, and reactivity properties of ELDs in hexagonal SiC monolayers and paves the way for potential applications in areas such as catalysis, optoelectronics, and surface science.

Metabolites of non-aureus staphylococci affect the ability of Staphylococcus aureus to adhere to and internalize into bovine mammary epithelial cells.

This study investigated whether cell-free supernatants (SN) from four bovine non-aureus staphylococcal (NAS) isolates prevent Staphylococcus aureus adhesion to and internalization into bovine mammary epithelial cells (MAC-T cells) and if so, to determine whether such effects were potentially associated with the S. aureus accessory gene regulator (agr) system. Overall, we demonstrated that all SN obtained from the NAS isolates promoted adhesion of a S. aureus agr+ strain to, yet reduced the internalization into MAC-T cells, while similar effects were not observed for its agr- mutant strain. Our findings provide novel anti-virulence strategies for treating and controlling bovine S. aureus mastitis.

Expression of HPV-16 E6 and E7 oncoproteins alters Chlamydia trachomatis developmental cycle and induces increased levels of immune regulatory molecules.

Introduction: Infection with Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a recognized risk factor for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infection and vice versa. Coinfection of HPV and CT in women is a very common and usually asymptomatic finding that has been linked to increased risk of cervical cancer. It has been demonstrated that CT facilitates the entry of multiple high risk HPV genotypes, leading to damage of the mucosal barrier and interfering with immune responses and viral clearance, which ultimately favours viral persistence and malignant transformation. Although the facilitating effects elicited by CT infection on viral persistence have been reported, little is known about the consequences of HPV infection on CT development. Methods: Herein, we took advantage of a genetically modified human cervical cell line co-expressing HPV-16 major oncogenic proteins E6 and E7, as an experimental model allowing to investigate the possible effects that HPV infection would have on CT development. Results and discussion: Our results show that CT infection of HPV-16 E6E7 expressing cells induced an upregulation of the expression of E6E7 oncoproteins and host cell inhibitory molecules PD-L1, HVEM and CD160. Additionally, smaller chlamydial inclusions and reduced infectious progeny generation was observed in E6E7 cells. Ultrastructural analysis showed that expression of E6 and E7 did not alter total bacterial counts within inclusions but resulted in increased numbers of reticulate bodies (RB) and decreased production of infectious elementary bodies (EB). Our results indicate that during CT and HPV coinfection, E6 and E7 oncoproteins impair RB to EB transition and infectious progeny generation. On the other hand, higher expression of immune inhibitory molecules and HPV-16 E6E7 are cooperatively enhanced in CT-infected cells, which would favour both oncogenesis and immunosuppression. Our findings pose important implications for clinical management of patients with HPV and CT coinfection, suggesting that screening for the mutual infection could represent an opportunity to intervene and prevent severe reproductive health outcomes, such as cervical cancer and infertility.

When in doubt, return to fundamentals (seizure semiology).

This case of drug resistant focal epilepsy highlights several invaluable teaching points. Hypotheses grounded in seizure semiology provide the best framework to ensure accurate interpretation of diagnostic testing. Without a hypothesis, information gathered from tests can be difficult to linearly piece together and can lead to poor patient outcomes. The case also provides a real-world conundrum of discordant test results that were ultimately rectified by re-visiting the initial hypothesis and cross-testing. Perinatal stroke continues to be a common etiology of drug resistant epilepsy. Patients can achieve seizure freedom and good quality of life with appropriate workup and in appropriate cases, surgery.

Emergence of livestock-associated Mammaliicoccus sciuri ST71 co-harbouring mecA and mecC genes in Brazil.

The discovery and tracking of antimicrobial resistance genes are essential for understanding the evolution of bacterial resistance and restraining its dispersion. Mammaliicoccus sciuri (formerly Staphylococcus sciuri) is the most probable evolutionary repository of the mecA gene, that later disseminated to S. aureus. In this study, we describe the first double mecA/mecC homologue-positive non-aureus staphylococci and mammaliicocci (NASM) from the American continent, also representing the first report of mecC-positive NASM in Brazil. Two clonally related methicillin-resistant M. sciuri strains co-carrying mecA and mecC genes were isolated from the teat skin swab and milk sample collected from an ewe's left udder half. Both M. sciuri strains belonged to the sequence type (ST) 71. Besides mecA and mecC genes, the M. sciuri strains carried broad resistomes for clinically important antimicrobial agents, including ß-lactams, tetracyclines, lincosamide, streptogramin, streptomycin, and aminoglycosides. Virulome analysis showed the presence of the clumping factor B (clfB), ATP-dependent protease ClpP (ClpP) and serine-aspartate repeat proteins (sdrC and sdrE) virulence-associated genes. Phylogenomic analysis revealed that these M. sciuri strains are part of a globally disseminated branch, associated with farm and companion animals and even with food. Our findings suggest that M. sciuri is likely to emerge as a pathogen of global interest, carrying a broad repertoire of antimicrobial resistance genes with a remarkable co-presence of mecA and mecC genes. Finally, we strongly encourage to monitor M. sciuri under the One Health umbrella since this bacterial species is spreading at the human-animal-environment interface.

Core Features Differentiate Dravet Syndrome from Febrile Seizures.

An 11-month-old girl with febrile seizures and first unprovoked seizures was evaluated in the hospital. Relevant history included developmental delay and strong family history of febrile seizures and migraines. A routine electroencephalogram was performed and was abnormal due to the presence of a slowed posterior dominant rhythm, generalized spike-wave discharges, and multifocal sharp waves. The findings were concerning for a developmental and epileptic encephalopathy. Given the concern for a developmental and epileptic encephalopathy, a next generation sequence epilepsy gene panel was ordered which identified a pathogenic variant in SCN1A. The clinical history, electroencephalogram, and pathogenic variant were compatible with a diagnosis of Dravet syndrome. This Grand Rounds manuscript highlights the thought process, evaluation, differential diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis in Dravet syndrome.

Bovine-associated staphylococci and mammaliicocci trigger T-lymphocyte proliferative response and cytokine production differently.

We examined whether distinct staphylococcal and mammaliicoccal species and strains trigger B- and T-lymphocyte proliferation and interleukin (IL)-17A and interferon (IFN)-γ production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in nulliparous, primiparous, and multiparous dairy cows. Flow cytometry was used to measure lymphocyte proliferation with the Ki67 antibody, and specific monoclonal antibodies were used to identify CD3, CD4, and CD8 T lymphocyte and CD21 B lymphocyte populations. The supernatant of the peripheral blood mononuclear cell culture was used to measure IL-17A and IFN-γ production. Two distinct, inactivated strains of bovine-associated Staphylococcus aureus [one causing a persistent intramammary infection (IMI) and the other from the nose], 2 inactivated Staphylococcus chromogenes strains [one causing an IMI and the other from a teat apex), as well as an inactivated Mammaliicoccus fleurettii strain originating from sawdust from a dairy farm, and the mitogens concanavalin A and phytohemagglutinin M-form (both specifically to measure lymphocyte proliferation) were studied. In contrast to the "commensal" Staph. aureus strain originating from the nose, the Staph. aureus strain causing a persistent IMI triggered proliferation of CD4+ and CD8+ subpopulations of T lymphocytes. The M. fleurettii strain and the 2 Staph. chromogenes strains had no effect on T- or B-cell proliferation. Furthermore, both Staph. aureus and Staph. chromogenes strains causing persistent IMI significantly increased IL-17A and IFN-γ production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Overall, multiparous cows tended to have a higher B-lymphocyte and a lower T-lymphocyte proliferative response than primiparous and nulliparous cows. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells of multiparous cows also produced significantly more IL-17A and IFN-γ. In contrast to concanavalin A, phytohemagglutinin M-form selectively stimulated T-cell proliferation.

Evaluation of anesthetic skills acquisition in pre-graduate veterinary students with different grades of anesthetic experience using veterinary simulation exercises.

Background: Anesthetic skills are usually learned through continuous supervision by experienced trainers who observe, advise and challenge students. Current educational techniques rely less on live animal training and include the use of simulations and models for teaching and assessment of surgical and anesthetic skills. Objective: To evaluate the development of anesthetic skills of veterinary students having different levels of previous experience using simulation. An additional aim was to evaluate the impact of the simulation training on students with no anesthesia experience. Study design: Single group periinterventional and postinterventional study. Methods: Initial and final anesthesia simulation training recording were obtained from 53 randomly selected veterinary students. Seven faculty members blinded to previous student anesthesia experience reviewed the simulation recording and scored student performance using a rubric, results were recorded and analyzed. Results: All students participating in an anesthesia and surgery course reached higher proficiency levels on fundamental anesthesia skills regardless of their previous amount of experience with anesthesia. Simulation based learning positively influenced the final score in veterinary students having no previous anesthesia training, suggesting that it is possible for veterinary students to achieve a level of competence in anesthesia skills with simulation-based training. Main limitations: Sample size, group simulation, multiple reviewers bias. Conclusion: Students having no experience with clinical anesthesia demonstrated remarkable improvement in their skills, achieving a score that was similar to students having extensive prior clinical anesthesia experience. Despite this clear improvement students having no prior clinical anesthesia experience required more time to complete all anesthesia tasks and may require more training sessions to acquire the speed demonstrated by peers who had significant prior clinical anesthesia experience. Overall, all participants reached a higher proficiency level performing fundamental anesthesia skills at the end of the course.

Emergence of livestock-associated Mammaliicoccus sciuri ST71 co-harbouring mecA and mecC genes in Brazil

The discovery and tracking of antimicrobial resistance genes are essential for understanding the evolution of bacterial resistance and restraining its dispersion. Mammaliicoccus sciuri (formerly Staphylococcus sciuri) is the most probable evolutionary repository of the mecA gene, that later disseminated to S. aureus. In this study, we describe the first double mecA/mecC homologue-positive non-aureus staphylococci and mammaliicocci (NASM) from the American continent, also representing the first report of mecC-positive NASM in Brazil. Two clonally related methicillin-resistant M. sciuri strains co-carrying mecA and mecC genes were isolated from the teat skin swab and milk sample collected from an ewe’s left udder half. Both M. sciuri strains belonged to the sequence type (ST) 71. Besides mecA and mecC genes, the M. sciuri strains carried broad resistomes for clinically important antimicrobial agents, including β-lactams, tetracyclines, lincosamide, streptogramin, streptomycin, and aminoglycosides. Virulome analysis showed the presence of the clumping factor B (clfB), ATP-dependent protease ClpP (ClpP) and serine-aspartate repeat proteins (sdrC and sdrE) virulence-associated genes. Phylogenomic analysis revealed that these M. sciuri strains are part of a globally disseminated branch, associated with farm and companion animals and even with food. Our findings suggest that M. sciuri is likely to emerge as a pathogen of global interest, carrying a broad repertoire of antimicrobial resistance genes with a remarkable co-presence of mecA and mecC genes. Finally, we strongly encourage to monitor M. sciuri under the One Health umbrella since this bacterial species is spreading at the human-animal-environment interface.

Staphylococcus aureus-Cure-Associated Antigens Elicit Type 3 Immune Memory T Cells.

BACKGROUND: Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most frequently major mastitis pathogens that cause clinical and subclinical mastitis worldwide. Current antimicrobial treatments are usually ineffective, and the commercially available vaccines lack proven effectiveness. The immunological response elicited by the recombinant S. aureus-cure-associated proteins phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK), enolase (ENO), and elongation factor-G (EF-G) in combination with the granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) DNA vaccination was studied in this work. METHODS: Here, twenty-three C57BL/6 mice were divided into four groups and vaccinated with: G1: none (control); G2: GM-CSF DNA plasmid DNA vaccine; G3: the combination of EF-G+ENO+PGK; and G4: the combinations of EF-G+ENO+PGK proteins plus GM-CSF plasmid DNA vaccine. After 44 days, spleen cells were collected for immunophenotyping and lymphocyte proliferation evaluation by flow cytometry upon S. aureus stimulus. RESULTS: Immunization with the three S. aureus recombinant proteins alone resulted in a higher percentage of IL-17A+ cells among CD8+ T central memory cells, as well as the highest intensity of IL-17A production by overall lymphocytes indicating that the contribution of the combined lymphocyte populations is crucial to sustaining a type 3 cell immunity environment. CONCLUSION: The immunization with three S. aureus-cure-associated recombinant proteins triggered type 3 immunity, which is a highly interesting path to pursue an effective bovine S. aureus mastitis vaccine.

Memory CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocyte proliferation in vaccinated dairy cows with different histories of Staphylococcus aureus mastitis.

Staphylococcus aureus mastitis constitutes a serious threat to dairy cows. The reasons why available vaccines are not fully effective remain poorly understood; thus, in the present study, we investigated CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocyte proliferation in dairy cows vaccinated with a polyvalent mastitis vaccine that had distinct precedent Staphylococcus aureus mastitis. We studied 17 S. aureus-infected dairy cows (11 vaccinated and six unvaccinated) and eight vaccinated healthy dairy cows with no previous S. aureus mastitis infections. Flow cytometry was used to assess lymphocyte proliferation using an anti-Ki67 antibody, and monoclonal antibodies were used to identify T cell subsets. S. aureus-infected cows exhibited reduced overall lymphocyte proliferation, including CD4+ T lymphocyte proliferation, and memory lymphocyte proliferation in response to S. aureus isolate stimulus. Immunization did not influence the expansion of blood lymphocyte populations. Furthermore, CD8+ T cells, memory CD8+ T lymphocytes, and effector memory CD8+ T lymphocytes displayed reduced proliferation 21 days after the third vaccine dose compared with before vaccination at time zero. The present data demonstrates an overall negative regulation of the T-cell response suggesting its detrimental impact leading to the persistence of S. aureus intramammary infections. Furthermore, the lack of vaccination effect on T-cell mediated immunity (e.g., proliferation) may be related to poor vaccine efficacy.

Efectos de la pandemia COVID-19 en la formación de residentes de cirugía general de la Argentina / Efects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the training of residents in general surgery in Argentina

RESUMEN Antecedentes: los sistemas de salud del mundo se han visto afectados en su lucha contra el COVID-19, generando efectos negativos tanto en la actividad asistencial como en la formación de los residentes. Suspender cirugías electivas, disminuir la participación de residentes en quirófano y otros cambios estructurales de los hospitales determinó que los residentes de cirugía experimenten un marcado déficit educacional en su formación. Material y métodos: modalidad observacional y transversal. Se realizó una encuesta anónima online de 20 preguntas a residentes de cirugía de la Argentina. Se confeccionó una base de datos para el análisis estadístico. Se valoraron variables categóricas y numéricas. Resultados: se recibieron 100 respuestas de la encuesta en la que se identificó predominio de residentes de instituciones públicas. Se calculó un descenso del 63% en la cantidad de cirugías en las que participaron los residentes durante la pandemia. El 77% usó plataformas virtuales para remediar el impacto en las instancias de formación académica. El 57% de los encuestados cuentan con programas de simulación quirúrgica en su hospital. La mayoría experimentó consecuencias negativas en sus habilidades quirúrgicas y en su formación durante la pandemia, pero se identificaron diferencias entre el grupo que dispone de simulación quirúrgica y el que no. Conclusión: para resolver el déficit educativo que generó la pandemia por COVID-19, y como medida para potenciar el aprendizaje de habilidades quirúrgicas en situaciones normales, este estudio recomendaría contar con programas de simulación quirúrgica y fomentar el uso de plataformas virtuales como herramienta de formación académica.

ABSTRACT Background: Health systems worldwide have been affected in their fight against COVID-19, generating negative effects on both healthcare activity and training of residents. Cancellation of elective surgeries, less participation of residents in the operating room and other structural changes in the hospitals resulted in an educational gap in the training of residents in surgery. Material and methods: We conducted an observational and cross-sectional study. A 20-question online survey was conducted among residents in surgery from Argentina. A database was created for statistical analysis of categorical and continuous variables. Results: The survey was responded by 100 residents in surgery; most of them belonged to public institutions. There was a 63% decrease in the number of surgeries in which the residents participated during the pandemic. Seventy-seven percent used virtual platforms to mitigate the impact on academic training and 57% count with surgical simulation programs in their hospitals. Most of them experienced negative consequences on their surgical skills and training during the pandemic, but there were differences identified between the group with and without surgical simulation programs. Conclusion: The availability of surgical simulation programs and the use of virtual platforms as an academic training tool could solve the educational gap generated by the COVID-19 pandemic and enhance the learning of surgical skills under normal conditions.

Pseudomonas-tailed lytic phages: genome mechanical analysis and putative correlation with virion morphogenesis yield.

Aim: To unveil a putative correlation between phage genome flexibility and virion morphogenesis yield. Materials & methods: A deeper analysis of the mechanical properties of three Pseudomonas aeruginosa lytic phage genomes was undertaken, together with full genome cyclizability calculations. Results & conclusion: A putative correlation was established among phage genome flexibility, eclipse timeframe and virion particle morphogenesis yield, with a more flexible phage genome leading to a higher burst size and a more rigid phage genome leading to lower burst sizes. The results obtained are highly relevant to understand the influence of the phage genome plasticity on the virion morphogenesis yield inside the infected bacterial host cells and assumes particular relevance in the actual context of bacterial resistance to antibiotics.

Association Between GATA3 and Histopathological and Immunohistochemical Parameters in Early-Infiltrating Breast Carcinomas.

Objective: This study evaluated the frequency of GATA-binding protein 3 (GATA3) expression in early breast cancer and its relationship with histopathological and immunohistochemical parameters. Materials and Methods: GATA3 was analysed by immunohistochemistry in histological sections of tumors from 105 female patients, with histological diagnosis of invasive breast carcinoma (BC), at clinical stages I, II and IIIA, who underwent primary surgical treatment. GATA3 nuclear expression was determined as the percentage of positive tumor cells and further categorized as high (positive expression in more than 95% of cells) or non-high (negative or low positive expression in up to 95% of tumor cells). GATA3 expression was analysed according to the patient age, tumor and node pathological stage, histological type, histological and nuclear grade, lymphovascular invasion, and estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), androgen receptor (AR), human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2) status, and Ki-67 expression. Results: GATA3 expression was positive in 103 cases (98.1%). High expression was significantly associated with low histological and nuclear grade, positive hormonal receptors, and less proliferative activity based on Ki-67 expression. A prominent feature was that 94.7% of the ER-positive/HER2-negative cases presented high-GATA3 expression, as 94.0% of the tumors showing high-GATA3 were ER-positive. In ER-negative/HER2-positive or ER-negative/HER2- negative, high-GATA3 was present in 25% while 75% were non-high-GATA3 compared with ER-positive/HER2- negative (4.1%) and ER-positive/HER2-positive (20%). Proliferative activity in triple-negative breast cancer tended to be higher among tumors with low-GATA3, irrespective of AR expression. In the group of ER-positive/HER2-negative tumors only three cases were low-GATA3 (85% and 80%), both with high proliferative activity. Conclusion: High GATA3 expression is associated with favorable histopathologic and immunohistochemical BC prognostic factors.