Immune and Clotting Dysfunction Detected in Saliva and Blood Plasma after COVID-19.

A growing number of studies indicate that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with inflammatory sequelae, but molecular signatures governing the normal vs. pathologic convalescence process have not been well-delineated. We characterized global immune and proteome responses in matched plasma and saliva samples obtained from COVID-19 patients collected between 4-6 weeks after initial clinical symptoms resolved. Convalescent subjects showed robust IgA and IgG responses and positive antibody correlations between matched saliva and plasma samples. However, global shotgun proteomics revealed persistent inflammatory patterns in convalescent samples including dysfunction of salivary innate immune cells and clotting factors in plasma (e.g., fibrinogen and antithrombin), with positive correlations to acute COVID-19 disease severity. Saliva samples were characterized by higher concentrations of IgA, and proteomics showed altered pathways that correlated positively with IgA levels. Our study positions saliva as a viable fluid to monitor immunity beyond plasma to document COVID-19 immune, inflammatory, and coagulation-related sequelae.

Phytosociology of the caatinga in Floresta Nacional de Açu, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil and surroundings: diversity and biogeography of the woody layer / Fitossociologia da caatinga na Floresta Nacional de Açu, Estado do Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil e entorno: diversidade e biogeografia do componente lenhoso

The semiarid region of Rio Grande do Norte State in the Northeast region of Brazil can be divided into two main geoenvironmental units: Sertaneja Depression and Potiguar Sedimentary Basin. Although the flora of sandy sedimentary basins is usually different from that of crystalline terrains, part of the Potiguar Basin has stony paleo-alluvial deposits, with rolled pebbles, imposing different edaphic conditions to the species. The Floresta Nacional de Açu is located on a stretch of the edge of the Potiguar Basin with pebble deposits, which make the soil stony. The objective of this work was to characterize the phytosociological structure of the caatinga in Floresta Nacional de Açu and its surroundings and to understand the biogeographic links of the local flora with other areas of the Caatinga. We selected areas in the interior and surroundings of FLONA and sampled 1,500 woody individuals, belonging to 33 species. The biogeographical links show that the stony edge of the Potiguar Basin is closer to the flora of the crystalline terrains than to the sandy terrains of other sandy sedimentary basins.

O semiárido do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte pode ser dividido em duas unidades geoambientais principais: Depressão Sertaneja e a Bacia Sedimentar Potiguar. Embora a flora das bacias sedimentares arenosas normalmente seja diferente daquela dos terrenos cristalinos, parte da Bacia Potiguar possui depósitos paleo-aluvionares pedregosos, com seixos rolados, impondo à flora condições edáficas diferentes. A Floresta Nacional de Açu está localizada em um trecho da borda da Bacia Potiguar com depósitos de seixos, que tornam o solo pedregoso. O objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar a estrutura fitossociológica da caatinga na FLONA e arredores e compreender os vínculos biogeográficos da flora local em relação a outras áreas da Caatinga. Selecionamos áreas no interior e arredores da FLONA e amostramos 1500 indivíduos lenhosos, pertencentes a 33 espécies. Os vínculos biogeográficos mostram que a borda pedregosa da Bacia Potiguar tem mais proximidade com a flora dos terrenos cristalinos do que com terrenos arenosos de outras bacias sedimentares arenosas.

Iron islands in the Amazon: investigating plant beta diversity of canga outcrops.

The world's largest mineral iron province, Serra dos Carajás, is home to an open vegetation known as canga, found on top of isolated outcrops rising out of the Amazon rainforest. Over one thousand vascular plants species have been recorded in these canga sites, including 38 edaphic endemics. A new survey adds to our investigation of biogeographic relationships between sixteen canga outcrops and the effect of the distance between site pairs on the number of shared species, regional species turnover and species distribution patterns. Plant collecting expeditions to the westernmost site, the Serra de Campos of São Félix do Xingu (SFX), were carried out followed by the identification of all collected specimens and the creation of a species database, built to perform biogeographical analyses. Floristic relationships among the sites were investigated regarding their similarity, using multivariate analyses. The correlation between canga areas and species richness was tested, as well as the geographical distance between pairs of outcrops and their shared species. Vascular plants at SFX total 254 species including 17 edaphic endemics. All canga sites are grouped with 25% of minimum similarity, and the SFX falls within a large subgroup of outcrops. The total species number shared between site pairs does not change significantly with geographical distance but is positively correlated with the area of each outcrop. Meanwhile, shared endemic species numbers between site pairs decline when geographical distance increases, possibly imposed by the barrier of the rainforest. Our data suggest higher shared similarity between the largest and species-richest sites as opposed to geographically nearby sites, and provide useful insight for drafting conservation and compensation measures for canga locations. The size of the canga outcrops is associated to higher floristic diversity but connectivity among islands also plays a role in their similarity.

Integrated Single-Cell Atlases Reveal an Oral SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Transmission Axis

Despite signs of infection, the involvement of the oral cavity in COVID-19 is poorly understood. To address this, single-cell RNA sequencing data-sets were integrated from human minor salivary glands and gingiva to identify 11 epithelial, 7 mesenchymal, and 15 immune cell clusters. Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 viral entry factor expression showed enrichment in epithelia including the ducts and acini of the salivary glands and the suprabasal cells of the mucosae. COVID-19 autopsy tissues confirmed in vivo SARS-CoV-2 infection in the salivary glands and mucosa. Saliva from SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals harbored epithelial cells exhibiting ACE2 expression and SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Matched nasopharyngeal and saliva samples found distinct viral shedding dynamics and viral burden in saliva correlated with COVID-19 symptoms including taste loss. Upon recovery, this cohort exhibited salivary antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 proteins. Collectively, the oral cavity represents a robust site for COVID-19 infection and implicates saliva in viral transmission.

Aquaponic System with White Shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei Rearing and Production of the Plants Batis maritima, Sarcocornia neei and Sporobolus virginicus

Abstract Aquaponics is a system that integrates aquaculture with plant production in which two species are benefited, and there is water saving. In this study was carried out with an aquaponic system to verify the interaction between the growth of the halophytes Batis maritime, Sarcocornia neei, and Sporobolus virginicus associated with white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei rearing. We also investigated if there were different responses of physicochemical variables of the water in the experimental shrimp culture ponds integrated into the growth of plants and control ponds, without plants, throughout a 56-day period. The treatment experiment and control presented a statistically significant difference in total dissolved solids, salinity, total suspended solids, ammonia, orthophosphate, and nitrite. In the experimental treatment, with the presence of plants and recirculating water, a reduction of total suspended solids, ammonia and orthophosphate was observed. The rate of shrimp production was not significantly different between treatments, and the performance was similar to that of other studies. The biomass gain of the halophyte B. maritima was 876.6 grams in 0.5 m² and of S. neei was 48.8 grams in 0.16 m². All plants of the species S. virginicus died during the experiment.

Non-invasive joint decompression: An important factor in the regeneration of the bone marrow and disc recapture in temporomandibular arthropathies

BACKGROUND: This article aims to demonstrate the importance of the TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) decompression in the treatment of degenerative processes and disc displacements, reporting two clinical cases treated with orthopedic and decompressive correction of TMJ. Material and METHODS: The studies reported in this article show patients with muscle and joint pain who were evaluated pre and post-treatment through MRI (Magnetic Resonance Irradiation) to follow-up bone marrow regeneration and TMJ disc placement. Transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TENS), measurement equipment and IO (Intraoral Orthotic) were used to evaluate and treat the patients. A critical review of literature has also been conducted to confront clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Marrow bone regeneration and disc placement were observed in both patients. CONCLUSIONS: The use of measurement equipment associated with TENS to find the correct rest position of the Jaw an the use of IO to decompress the TMJ was an effective way to promote bone marrow regeneration and disc placement, consequently improving function and quality of life

Autoimmune temporomandibular arthropathy: diagnostic considerations.

The etiology of degenerative processes of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) remains unclear, as they could be the result of trauma, infection, or autoimmune disease. Improving the diagnosis of autoimmune disease, whether the TMJ is the primary site or secondarily affected by a systemic disease, is of fundamental importance in selecting treatment that will address the causes rather than just relieve the symptoms. The purposes of this article are to discuss autoimmunity as an etiologic factor in degenerative processes of the TMJ by presenting clinical cases and to highlight the importance of imaging and serologic examinations for diagnosis.

The role of edaphic environment and climate in structuring phylogenetic pattern in seasonally dry tropical plant communities.

Seasonally dry tropical plant formations (SDTF) are likely to exhibit phylogenetic clustering owing to niche conservatism driven by a strong environmental filter (water stress), but heterogeneous edaphic environments and life histories may result in heterogeneity in degree of phylogenetic clustering. We investigated phylogenetic patterns across ecological gradients related to water availability (edaphic environment and climate) in the Caatinga, a SDTF in Brazil. Caatinga is characterized by semiarid climate and three distinct edaphic environments - sedimentary, crystalline, and inselberg -representing a decreasing gradient in soil water availability. We used two measures of phylogenetic diversity: Net Relatedness Index based on the entire phylogeny among species present in a site, reflecting long-term diversification; and Nearest Taxon Index based on the tips of the phylogeny, reflecting more recent diversification. We also evaluated woody species in contrast to herbaceous species. The main climatic variable influencing phylogenetic pattern was precipitation in the driest quarter, particularly for herbaceous species, suggesting that environmental filtering related to minimal periods of precipitation is an important driver of Caatinga biodiversity, as one might expect for a SDTF. Woody species tended to show phylogenetic clustering whereas herbaceous species tended towards phylogenetic overdispersion. We also found phylogenetic clustering in two edaphic environments (sedimentary and crystalline) in contrast to phylogenetic overdispersion in the third (inselberg). We conclude that while niche conservatism is evident in phylogenetic clustering in the Caatinga, this is not a universal pattern likely due to heterogeneity in the degree of realized environmental filtering across edaphic environments. Thus, SDTF, in spite of a strong shared environmental filter, are potentially heterogeneous in phylogenetic structuring. Our results support the need for scientifically informed conservation strategies in the Caatinga and other SDTF regions that have not previously been prioritized for conservation in order to take into account this heterogeneity.

Current diagnosis of temporomandibular pathologies.

The current scientific knowledge of TMJ pathologies points to the importance of etiological research and the need for differential diagnosis using the most modem technological resources. Those include MRI, computed tomography, serologic studies, genetic mapping, and bioelectronic instruments which allow clinicians to study, understand, and measure respectively, the structural changes of soft and hard tissues, infections, genetic susceptibility for autoimmune diseases, and stomatognathic function. The purpose of this article is an overview of the current knowledge and related tools for the diagnosis of TMJ pathologies.

Primary nodular hepatic tuberculosis mimicking hepatic neoplasia in an immunocompetent host

We present and describe a case of nodular primary hepatic tuberculosis mimicking hepatic neoplasia in an immunocompetent host. This particularly rare presentation, associated with unspecific imaging, laboratory andclinical findings and relatively unspecific microbiological results make diagnosis extremely difficult, usually requiring surgical intervention.

Primary nodular hepatic tuberculosis mimicking hepatic neoplasia in an immunocompetent host.

We present and describe a case of nodular primary hepatic tuberculosis mimicking hepatic neoplasia in an immunocompetent host. This particularly rare presentation, associated with unspecific imaging, laboratory and clinical findings and relatively unspecific microbiological results make diagnosis extremely difficult, usually requiring surgical intervention.

Avaliação do espaço articular em repouso de pacientes sintomáticos e assintomáticos de desordens temporomandibulares / Evaluation of the space in mandibular rest position in patients with and without symptoms of the temporomandibular disorders

A contribuição da radiologia para o diagnóstico das alterações da articulação temporomandibular (ATM) baseia-se no desenvolvimento de técnicas para se obter uma visão mais detalhada das estruturas anatômicas e interpretação das imagens correspondentes aos espaços e posicionamentos condilares. A posição fisiológica mandibular de repouso e a avaliação dos espaços articulares são importantes no equilíbrio postural crânio-mandibular. O objetivo neste estudo foi avaliar, na posição de repouso, os espaços articulares em pacientes sintomáticos e assintomáticos de desordens temporomandibulares, utilizando a tomografia convencional corrgida na incidência frontal e sagital com cortes na porção central do côndilo. A posição da postura habitual do segmento superior foi um importante dado observado por ser considerado um fator modificador da posição de repouso mandibular. Foram selecionados 67 pacientes dos quais 29 eram assintomáticos e 38 clinicamente examinados como sintomáticos. Os dados obtidos foram analisados estatisticamentepelo teste t de Student e de Tukey. Pôde-se concluir que não houve diferença entre os lados do mesmo paciente e entre pacientes sintomáticos e assintomáticos, sendo somente estatisticamente significante a diferença entre os sexos, dos quais o masculino apresentou maiores dimensões. Estes resultados sugerem que, biologicamente o sexo masculino é possivelmente mais protegido dos comprometimentos articulares e demonstram que, com a metodologia aplicada, a posição de repouso mandibular é perfeitamente reproduzível e mensurável embora seja considerada uma posição intermediária e aparentemente instável.

Aspectos imaginológicos do processo coronóide / Imaginologic aspects of coronoid process

O presente estudo analisou a morfologia do processo coronóide por meio de 174 radiografias panorâmicas, com o objetivo de avaliar as diferenças anatômicas em pacientes adultos, relacionando-as com o genêro, faixa etária, dentição completa, imcompleta e uso de prótese fixa. Os dados obtidos foram analisados com o teste Qui-Quadrado e o p-valor com intervalo de confiança de 95 por cento. Os resultados permitiram inferir que não houve relação expressiva entre a morfologia e a idade, entretanto, houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre os gêneros

Osteopetrose: apresentação de um caso clínico / Osteopetrosis: a case report

A osteoporose é uma doença rara que atinge o metabolismo ósseo e é caracterizada por um aumento generalizado da massa esqueletal. Essa patologia resulta de um defeito congênito no desenvolvimento e função dos osteoclastos. É relatado o caso de uma paciente de 22 anos com características clínicas e radiográficas compatíveis com o diagnóstico de osteoporose

A previdência social e a revisäo constitucional: pesquisas - v.3 / The social security and the constitutional revision: researchs - v.3

Estudo dos programas e benefícios assistenciais no interior da previdência social brasileira. Reconstitui o comportamento recente (evoluçäo do número de beneficiários, receita e despesas) e trata de refletir sobre alternativas possíveis para o financiamento e para novas localizaçöes intitucionais dos benefícios nitidamente assistenciais que, hoje, compartilham da estrutura da previdência brasileira