Clearance of Persistent SARS-CoV-2 RNA Detection in a NFκB-Deficient Patient in Association with the Ingestion of Human Breast Milk: A Case Report.

Currently, there are no evidence-based treatment options for long COVID-19, and it is known that SARS-CoV-2 can persist in part of the infected patients, especially those with immunosuppression. Since there is a robust secretion of SARS-CoV-2-specific highly-neutralizing IgA antibodies in breast milk, and because this immunoglobulin plays an essential role against respiratory virus infection in mucosa cells, being, in addition, more potent in neutralizing SARS-CoV-2 than IgG, here we report the clinical course of an NFκB-deficient patient chronically infected with the SARS-CoV-2 Gamma variant, who, after a non-full effective treatment with plasma infusion, received breast milk from a vaccinated mother by oral route as treatment for COVID-19. After such treatment, the symptoms improved, and the patient was systematically tested negative for SARS-CoV-2. Thus, we hypothesize that IgA and IgG secreted antibodies present in breast milk could be useful to treat persistent SARS-CoV-2 infection in immunodeficient patients.

Author Correction: A population of luminous accreting black holes with hidden mergers.

In this Letter, the spelling of author Benny Trakhtenbrot was corrected; the affiliation for author Sylvain Veilleux was amended; and a new ref. 9 was added to the Abstract with subsequent references renumbered; these errors have been corrected online.

A population of luminous accreting black holes with hidden mergers.

Major galaxy mergers are thought to play an important part in fuelling the growth of supermassive black holes1. However, observational support for this hypothesis is mixed, with some studies showing a correlation between merging galaxies and luminous quasars2,3 and others showing no such association4,5. Recent observations have shown that a black hole is likely to become heavily obscured behind merger-driven gas and dust, even in the early stages of the merger, when the galaxies are well separated6-8 (5 to 40 kiloparsecs). Merger simulations further suggest that such obscuration and black-hole accretion peaks in the final merger stage, when the two galactic nuclei are closely separated9 (less than 3 kiloparsecs). Resolving this final stage requires a combination of high-spatial-resolution infrared imaging and high-sensitivity hard-X-ray observations to detect highly obscured sources. However, large numbers of obscured luminous accreting supermassive black holes have been recently detected nearby (distances below 250 megaparsecs) in X-ray observations10. Here we report high-resolution infrared observations of hard-X-ray-selected black holes and the discovery of obscured nuclear mergers, the parent populations of supermassive-black-hole mergers. We find that obscured luminous black holes (bolometric luminosity higher than 2 × 1044 ergs per second) show a significant (P < 0.001) excess of late-stage nuclear mergers (17.6 per cent) compared to a sample of inactive galaxies with matching stellar masses and star formation rates (1.1 per cent), in agreement with theoretical predictions. Using hydrodynamic simulations, we confirm that the excess of nuclear mergers is indeed strongest for gas-rich major-merger hosts of obscured luminous black holes in this final stage.

Application of fluorescence spectroscopy and chemometric models for the detection of vegetable oil adulterants in Maltese virgin olive oils.

Fluorescence spectrometry, combined with principle component analysis, partial least-squares regression (PLSR) and artificial neural network (ANN), was applied for the analysis of Maltese extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) adulterated by blending with vegetable oil (corn oil, soybean oil, linseed oil, or sunflower oil). The novel results showed that adjusted PLSR models based on synchronised spectra for detecting the % amount of EVOO in vegetable oil blends had a lower root mean square error (0.02-6.27%) and higher R2 (0.983-1.000) value than those observed when using PLSR on the whole spectrum. This study also highlights the use of ANN as an alternative chemometric tool for the detection of olive oil adulteration. The performance of the model generated by the ANN is highly dependent both on the type of data input and the mode of cross validation; for spectral data which had a variable importance plot value > 0.8 the excluded row cross validation was more appropriate while for complete spectral analysis k-fold or CV-10 was more appropriate.

Morphology and morphometry of feline bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells in culture / Morfologia e morfometria das células-tronco mesenquimais isoladas de medula óssea de gato

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are increasingly being proposed as a therapeutic option for treatment of a variety of different diseases in human and veterinary medicine. Stem cells have been isolated from feline bone marrow, however, very few data exist about the morphology of these cells and no data were found about the morphometry of feline bone marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs). The objectives of this study were the isolation, growth evaluation, differentiation potential and characterization of feline BM-MSCs by their morphological and morphometric characteristics. in vitro differentiation assays were conducted to confirm the multipotency of feline MSC, as assessed by their ability to differentiate into three cell lineages (osteoblasts, chondrocytes, and adipocytes). To evaluate morphological and morphometric characteristics the cells are maintained in culture. Cells were observed with light microscope, with association of dyes, and they were measured at 24, 48, 72 and 120h of culture (P1 and P3). The non-parametric ANOVA test for independent samples was performed and the means were compared by Tukey's test. On average, the number of mononuclear cells obtained was 12.29 (±6.05x106) cells/mL of bone marrow. Morphologically, BM-MSCs were long and fusiforms, and squamous with abundant cytoplasm. In the morphometric study of the cells, it was observed a significant increase in average length of cells during the first passage. The cell lengths were 106.97±38.16µm and 177.91±71.61µm, respectively, at first and third passages (24 h). The cell widths were 30.79±16.75 µm and 40.18±20.46µm, respectively, at first and third passages (24 h).The nucleus length of the feline BM-MSCs at P1 increased from 16.28µm (24h) to 21.29µm (120h). However, at P3, the nucleus length was 26.35µm (24h) and 25.22µm (120h). This information could be important for future application and use of feline BM-MSCs.(AU)

As células tronco mesenquimais são utilizadas na terapia de várias doenças na medicina humana e veterinária. As células tronco foram isoladas da medula óssea de gato, entretanto, existem poucos dados referentes a morfologia e não existem informações sobre a morfometria das células tronco isoladas da medula óssea. Os objetivos do presente estudo foram o isolamento, avaliação do crescimento, potencial de diferenciação e caracterização morfológica e morfométrica das células mesenquimais de gato isoladas de medula óssea. A diferenciação in vitro foi realizada para confirmar a multipotencialidade das células mesenquimais de gato (diferenciação em osteoblastos, condrócitos, adipócitos). As células mesenquimais foram mantidas em cultivo para avaliações morfológica e morfométrica. As células foram coradas e observadas em microscopia ótica. As mensurações foram realizadas com 24, 48, 72 e 120h de cultura (primeira e terceira passagens). O teste não paramétrico ANOVA foi utilizado e as médias foram comparadas pelo teste de Tukey. O número médio de células mononucleares obtido foi de 12,29 (±6,05x106) células/mL de medula óssea. As células mesenquimais são longas e fusiformes, e escamosas com citoplasma abundante. No estudo morfométrico, observou-se aumento no comprimento médio das células durante a primeira passagem. As medidas de comprimento das células foram: 106,97±38,16µm e 177,91±71,61µm, respectivamente, na primeira e terceira passagens (24 horas). As medidas de largura das células foram: 30,79±16,75 µm e 40,18±20,46 µm, respectivamente, na primeira e terceira passagens (24 horas). O comprimento do núcleo na primeira passagem aumentou de 16,28µm (24h) para 21,29µm (120h) e na terceira passagem foi de 26,35µm (24h) para 25,22µm (120h). As informações são importantes para futuras aplicações e uso da célula mesenquimal de gato.(AU)

Directed synthesis of crystalline plutonium(III) and (IV) oxalates: accessing redox-controlled separations in acidic solutions.

Both binary and ternary solid complexes of Pu(III) and Pu(IV) oxalates have been previously reported in the literature. However, uncertainties regarding the coordination chemistry and the extent of hydration of some compounds remain mainly because of the absence of any crystallographic characterization. Single crystals of hydrated oxalates of Pu(III), Pu(2)(C(2)O(4))(3)(H(2)O)(6).3H(2)O (I) and Pu(IV), KPu(C(2)O(4))(2)(OH).2.5H(2)O (II), were synthesized under moderate hydrothermal conditions and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Compounds I and II are the first plutonium(III) or (IV) oxalate compounds to be structurally characterized via single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Crystallographic data for I: monoclinic, space group P2(1)/c, a = 11.246(3) A, b = 9.610(3) A, c = 10.315(3) A, Z = 4 and II: monoclinic, space group C2/c, a = 23.234(14) A, b = 7.502(4) A, c = 13.029(7) A, Z = 8.

Frequency of antibodies against Neospora caninum in stray and domiciled dogs from urban, periurban and rural areas from Paraná State, Southern Brazil / Frequência de anticorpos contra Neospora caninum em cães errantes e domiciliados das áreas urbana, periurbana e rurais do Estado do Paraná, sul do Brasil

Antibodies to Neospora caninum were analyzed by an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), in stray and domiciled dogs from urban, periurban and rural areas from Curitiba, Paraná State, Brazil. Of the total of 556 dogs, 18.17 percent (101) were positive for N. caninum (titer 50). Frequency of antibody was 12.71 in urban, 15.73 in periurban, and 25.38 percent in rural dogs. Rural dogs had a significantly higher frequency of antibodies than urban dogs (P< 0.05). There were no significant differences between the frequencies of antibodies in urban and periurban dogs (P>0.05), and between dogs from periurban and rural areas (P>0.05). Antibodies to N. caninum were detected in 34 of 233 domiciled dogs (14.59 percent) and in 17 of 126 stray dogs (13.49 percent). No statistical differences were observed considering life-style and geographic location of origin (P>0.05). Neospora caninum is widespread among dogs from urban, periurban and rural areas of the municipal district of Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.

Anticorpos anti-Neospora caninum foram detectados pela reação de imunofluorescência indireta (RIFI), em cães errantes e domiciliados das áreas urbana, periurbana e rurais de Curitiba, estado do Paraná, Brasil. Do total de 556 cães, 18,17 por cento (101) foram soropositivos para N. caninum (título de 1:50). A frequência de anticorpos foi de 12,71 por cento nos cães urbanos, de 15,73 por cento nos periurbanos e de 25,38 por cento nos cães rurais. Nos cães rurais a frequência de anticorpos foi maior do que nos cães urbanos (P<0.05). Não houve diferença significativa entre as frequências de anticorpos dos cães urbanos e periurbanos (P>0,05), e dos periurbanos e rurais (P>0,05). Os anticorpos anti N. caninum foram detectados em 34 de 233 cães domiciliados (14,59 por cento) e em 17 de 126 cães errantes (13,49 por cento). Não houve diferença estatística significativa entre o tipo de criação e a origem (P>0,05). Neospora caninum está presente nos cães urbanos e periurbanos de Curitiba e nas áreas rurais do Estado do Paraná.

First identification and thermodynamic characterization of the ternary U(VI) species, UO2(O2)(CO3)2(4-), in UO2-H2O2-K2CO3 solutions.

In alkaline carbonate solutions, hydrogen peroxide can selectively replace one of the carbonate ligands in UO2(CO3)3(4-) to form the ternary mixed U(VI) peroxo-carbonato species UO2(O2)(CO3)2(4-). Orange rectangular plates of K4[UO2(CO3)2(O2)].H2O were isolated and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Crystallographic data: monoclinic, space group P2(1)/ n, a = 6.9670(14) A, b = 9.2158(10) A, c = 18.052(4) A, Z = 4. Spectrophotometric titrations with H 2O 2 were performed in 0.5 M K 2CO 3, with UO2(O2)(CO3)2(4-) concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 0.55 mM. The molar absorptivities (M(-1) cm(-1)) for UO2(CO3)3(4-) and UO2(O2)(CO3)2(4-) were determined to be 23.3 +/- 0.3 at 448.5 nm and 1022.7 +/- 19.0 at 347.5 nm, respectively. Stoichiometric analyses coupled with spectroscopic comparisons between solution and solid state indicate that the stable solution species is UO2(O2)(CO3)2(4-), which has an apparent formation constant of log K' = 4.70 +/- 0.02 relative to the tris-carbonato complex.

Frequency of antibodies against Neospora caninum in stray and domiciled dogs from urban, periurban and rural areas from Paraná State, Southern Brazil.

Antibodies to Neospora caninum were analyzed by an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), in stray and domiciled dogs from urban, periurban and rural areas from Curitiba, Paraná State, Brazil. Of the total of 556 dogs, 18.17% (101) were positive for N. caninum (titer 50). Frequency of antibody was 12.71 in urban, 15.73 in periurban, and 25.38% in rural dogs. Rural dogs had a significantly higher frequency of antibodies than urban dogs (P<0.05). There were no significant differences between the frequencies of antibodies in urban and periurban dogs (P>0.05), and between dogs from periurban and rural areas (P>0.05). Antibodies to N. caninum were detected in 34 of 233 domiciled dogs (14.59%) and in 17 of 126 stray dogs (13.49%). No statistical differences were observed considering life-style and geographic location of origin (P>0.05). Neospora caninum is widespread among dogs from urban, periurban and rural areas of the municipal district of Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.

[Determination and correlation of anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in cattle and dogs from Paraná, Brazil]. / Determinação e correlação de anticorpos anti-Neospora caninum em bovinos e cães do Paraná, Brasil.

The protozoan parasite Neospora caninum is a major cause of abortion in cattle worldwide. The aim of the present study was to determine and to compare the presence of anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in cattle, as well as in farm dogs, and the relationship among them. The research was conducted in different mesoregions of Paraná state, Southern Brazil. Sera from 1.263 cattle, from 77 farms were tested for antibodies to N. caninum by ELISA. Sera from 129 dogs, from 35 farms were tested for antibodies to N. caninum by indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Antibodies to N. caninum were found in 423 of 1.263 bovines (33%), and in 32 of 129 dogs (25%). The seroprevalence of antibodies for N.caninum in cattle was not significantly higher in farms with seropositive dogs when compared to farms with no seropositive dogs. Thus, these results suggest that seropositive dogs to N. caninum did not contribute for the seroprevalence in cattle. Neospora caninum is widespread among cattle and dogs from rural areas of all mesoregions of Paraná, Brazil.

[Seroprevalence and month dynamic of Neospora sp. antibodies in pregnant mares]. / Soroprevalência e cinética mensal de anticorpos anti-Neospora sp. em éguas gestantes.

In order to evaluate the seroprevalence and the dynamic of anti-Neospora antibodies in pregnant mares, serum samples from 14 animals in the 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th month of pregnancy were analyzed using indirect immunofluorescense technique. Samples diluted 1:50 showed higher seroprevalence on the 8th month (57%) and higher seropositive conversion on the 10th month. 85,7% of the mares were positive for Neospora sp. on at least one month of pregnancy, and seven from that total were positive on the 11th month, three of which showed the highest titles of 1:200 and 1:400. For the samples diluted 1:100 the highest seroprevalence was found on the 11th month (29%) and the 10th month showed the highest seropositive conversion. 64% of the mares were seropositive on at least one month of pregnancy, four of them on the 11th month. There was a marked variation for the serum levels of anti-Neospora antibodies indicating the need to test pregnant mares between the 8th and the 11th month of pregnancy for neosporosis in order to monitor the sanitary condition of these animals.

Synthesis and structural characterization of a molecular plutonium(IV) compound constructed from dimeric building blocks.

Single crystals of Na(8)Pu(2)(O(2))(2)(CO(3))(6) x 12H(2)O, exhibiting bridging mu(2),eta(2)-O(2) ligands in unprecedented Pu(IV) dimeric units, were obtained at ambient temperature from an aqueous Pu(IV) peroxide carbonate solution.

Synthesis and characterization of f-element iodate architectures with variable dimensionality, alpha- and beta-Am(IO3)3.

Two americium(III) iodates, beta-Am(IO3)3 (I) and alpha-Am(IO3)3 (II), have been prepared from the aqueous reactions of Am(III) with KIO(4) at 180 degrees C and have been characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, diffuse reflectance, and Raman spectroscopy. The alpha-form is consistent with the known structure type I of anhydrous lanthanide iodates. It consists of a three-dimensional network of pyramidal iodate groups bridging [AmO8] polyhedra where each of the americium ions are coordinated to eight iodate ligands. The beta-form reveals a novel architecture that is unknown within the f-element iodate series. beta-Am(IO3)3 exhibits a two-dimensional layered structure with nine-coordinate Am(III) atoms. Three crystallographically unique pyramidal iodate anions link the Am atoms into corrugated sheets that interact with one another through intermolecular IO3-...IO3- interactions forming dimeric I2O10 units. One of these anions utilizes all three O atoms to simultaneously bridge three Am atoms. The other two iodate ligands bridge only two Am atoms and have one terminal O atom. In contrast to alpha-Am(IO3)3, where the [IO3] ligands are solely corner-sharing with [AmO8] polyhedra, a complex arrangement of corner- and edge-sharing mu2- and mu3-[IO3] pyramids can be found in beta-Am(IO3)3. Crystallographic data: I, monoclinic, space group P2(1)/n, a = 8.871(3) A, b = 5.933(2) A, c = 15.315(4) A, beta = 96.948(4) degrees , V = 800.1(4) A(3), Z = 4; II, monoclinic, space group P2(1)/c, a = 7.243(2) A, b = 8.538(3) A, c = 13.513(5) A, beta = 100.123(6) degrees , V = 822.7(5) A(3), Z = 4.

A dominant negative granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptor alpha chain reveals the multimeric structure of the receptor complex.

The receptor for the hemopoietic growth factor granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is composed of two chains, both of which belong to the superfamily of cytokine receptors. The alpha chain confers low affinity binding only, whereas the beta chain (betac) confers high affinity binding when associated with alpha. Ectopic expression of both chains of the receptor in murine NIH-3T3 fibroblasts results in signal transduction, mitogenesis, and morphologic transformation. The cytoplasmic domain of the GM-CSF receptor alpha subunit (GMR-alpha) comprises 54 amino acids that have been shown to be important for signal transduction through the beta chain. The present study was designed to address the possibility of receptor oligomerization and its functional implication. Cross-linking studies with 125I-GM-CSF on NIH-3T3 transfectants is consistent with the presence of alpha and betac dimers and of receptor oligomers. We have, therefore, generated an inert alpha chain through polymerase chain reaction-mediated truncation of 47 amino acids of the COOH-terminal domain of alpha (alphat), and coexpressed alphat, alpha, and betac in NIH-3T3. In cells in which alphat and alpha are present in stoichiometric proportion within the GM-CSF-binding complex, we provide evidence that alphat is dominant negative over wild type alpha on the basis of two different functional assays: cell proliferation and foci formation. Hence, our results suggest the requirement for at least two functional alpha chains for signal transduction. Together with the cross-linking studies, our data indicate that the functional GMR is an oligomer that contains at least two alpha chains.

A pesquisa em psicologia e o aluno de graduacao

Esse trabalho visa estudar a concepcao de pesquisa em psicologia em alunos de graduacao. As respostas de um graduacao. As respostas de um grupo de 93 alunos de psicologia de duas universidades publicas do Rio de Janeiro a um questionario individual foram analisadas qualitativamente. Esta analise levou a identificacao de 12 temas e algumas constatacoes, como a de insatisfacao com o ensino de metodologia de pesquisa, a admissao de pouco conhecimento na area, a nao participacao em projetos e a falta de leitura de periodicos na area. A concepcao da atividade de pesquisa e do papel do pesquisador e idealizada, mas distante. Dificuldades percebidas desencorajam os poucos interessados. Os resultados indicam uma situacao problematica, que talvez nao seja local e a necessidade de discussao ampla de alternativas ao ensino atual de metodologia de pesquisa na graduacao, podendo contribuir para tentativas de reverter o panorama preocupante de que trata L. M. Oliveira em seu documento de 1992.

A questao do trabalho infantil na grande imprensa paulista na decada de 70

O presente estudo trata do trabalho infantil, entendido como o conjunto de atividades realizadas por criancas com a finalidade de assegurar a sua propria sobrevivencia ou a de outrem. Sugere um posicionamento frente a exploracao do trabalho do menor, quando o produto desse trabalho e apropriado por outros, em detrimento da sua escolaridade e da aquisicao de habilidades para o exercicio de ocupacao na idade adulta. A analise da problematica do trabalho infantil e suas implicacoes com a escolaridade e a delinquencia baseia-se no exame sistematico da discussao do tema por tres jornais da grande imprensa paulista - O Estado de S. Paulo, Folha de S. Paulo e Noticias Populares - que atingem publicos diversos, o que permitiu chegar as seguintes constatacoes: 1) o aumento real do trabalho infantil nao e acompanhado por um registro na grande imprensa: num total de 512 noticias que tratam do escolar, do trabalhador infantil e do menor, apenas 31 (6 por cento) referem-se ao trabalho de criancas entre 10 e 14 anos; 2) as materias que tratam do trabalho infantil tem abordagens diferentes, segundo os jornais: O Estado de S. Paulo se prende a regulamentacao; Folha de S. Paulo destaca os aspectos de controle e regulamentacao; Noticias Populares aborda o trabalho como forma de recuperacao e prevencao da delinquencia. Essas diferentes abordagens, segundo o estudo, indicam a irrelevancia da discussao do tema para a grande imprensa e que, pelo contrario, o trabalho infantil e considerado necessario e inevitavel para as classes sulbalternas.