Immunohistochemistry of the nasal cavity-associated lymphoid tissue in the dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba, Meyen 1833).

The striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) is a medium-sized pelagic dolphin with a single external nasal opening (blowhole) located in the rostral and dorsal regions of the skull. The nasal cavity is divided into three sections: the olfactory, respiratory, and vestibular areas. The surface epithelium lining the regio vestibularis is the first tissue in the nose to be directly affected by environmental antigens. Cetaceans have a significant amount of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) located throughout their bodies. The lymphoid tissue found in the nasal mucosa is known as nose- or nasopharynx-associated lymphoid tissue (NALT). NALT has not yet been studied in dolphins, but it has been identified and documented in humans and laboratory rodents. This study utilized toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), CD4, Langerin/CD207, and inducible nitric oxide synthase to characterize, for the first time, immune cells in the mucosal regio vestibularis of the S. coeruleoalba nasal cavity using confocal microscopy immunofluorescence techniques. The findings revealed scattered immune cells immunoreactive to the tested antibodies, present in both the epithelial tissue lining the nasal cavity vestibulum and the underlying connective tissue. This study enhances our comprehension of the immune system of cetaceans. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: This study provides new insights into NALT in S. coeruleoalba. This research deepens the knowledge of the skin of cetaceans.

Jupiter-like planets might be common in a low-density environment.

Radial velocity surveys suggest that the Solar System may be unusual and that Jupiter-like planets have a frequency < 20% around solar-type stars. However, they may be much more common in one of the closest associations in the solar neighbourhood. Young moving stellar groups are the best targets for direct imaging of exoplanets and four massive Jupiter-like planets have been already discovered in the nearby young ß Pic Moving Group (BPMG) via high-contrast imaging, and four others were suggested via high precision astrometry by the European Space Agency's Gaia satellite. Here we analyze 30 stars in BPMG and show that 20 of them might potentially host a Jupiter-like planet as their orbits would be stable. Considering incompleteness in observations, our results suggest that Jupiter-like planets may be more common than previously found. The next Gaia data release will likely confirm our prediction.

Internal Defense System of Mytilus galloprovincialis (Lamarck, 1819): Ecological Role of Hemocytes as Biomarkers for Thiacloprid and Benzo[a]Pyrene Pollution.

The introduction of pollutants, such as thiacloprid and benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), into the waters of urbanized coastal and estuarine areas through fossil fuel spills, domestic and industrial waste discharges, atmospheric inputs, and continental runoff poses a major threat to the fauna and flora of the aquatic environment and can have a significant impact on the internal defense system of invertebrates such as mussels. Using monoclonal and polyclonal anti-Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and anti-inducible nitric oxide synthetase (iNOS) antibodies for the first time, this work aims to examine hemocytes in the mantle and gills of M. galloprovincialis as biomarkers of thiacloprid and B[a]P pollution and analyze their potential synergistic effect. To pursue this objective, samples were exposed to the pollutants, both individually and simultaneously. Subsequently, oxidative stress biomarkers were evaluated by enzymatic analysis, while tissue changes and the number of hemocytes in the different contaminated groups were assessed via histomorphological and immunohistochemical analyses. Our findings revealed that in comparison to a single exposure, the two pollutants together significantly elevated oxidative stress. Moreover, our data may potentially enhance knowledge on how TLR2 and iNOS work as part of the internal defense system of bivalves. This would help in creating new technologies and strategies, such as biosensors, that are more suitable for managing water pollution, and garnering new details on the condition of the marine ecosystem.

Current Topics in Ionic Liquid Crystals.

Ionic liquid crystals (ILCs), that is, ionic liquids exhibiting mesomorphism, liquid crystalline phases, and anisotropic properties, have received intense attention in the past years. Among others, this is due to their special properties arising from the combination of properties stemming from ionic liquids and from liquid crystalline arrangements. Besides interesting fundamental aspects, ILCs have been claimed to have tremendous application potential that again arises from the combination of properties and architectures that are not accessible otherwise, or at least not accessible easily by other strategies. The current review highlights recent developments in ILC research, starting with some key fundamental aspects. Further subjects covered include the synthesis and variations of modern ILCs, including the specific tuning of their mesomorphic behavior. The review concludes with reflections on some applications that may be within reach for ILCs and finally highlights a few key challenges that must be overcome prior and during true commercialization of ILCs.

Carbon monoxide gas produced by a giant impact in the inner region of a young system.

Models of terrestrial planet formation predict that the final stages of planetary assembly-lasting tens of millions of years beyond the dispersal of young protoplanetary disks-are dominated by planetary collisions. It is through these giant impacts that planets like the young Earth grow to their final mass and achieve long-term stable orbital configurations1. A key prediction is that these impacts produce debris. So far, the most compelling observational evidence for post-impact debris comes from the planetary system around the nearby 23-million-year-old A-type star HD 172555. This system shows large amounts of fine dust with an unusually steep size distribution and atypical dust composition, previously attributed to either a hypervelocity impact2,3 or a massive asteroid belt4. Here we report the spectrally resolved detection of a carbon monoxide gas ring co-orbiting with dusty debris around HD 172555 between about six and nine astronomical units-a region analogous to the outer terrestrial planet region of our Solar System. Taken together, the dust and carbon monoxide detections favour a giant impact between large, volatile-rich bodies. This suggests that planetary-scale collisions, analogous to the Moon-forming impact, can release large amounts of gas as well as debris, and that this gas is observable, providing a window into the composition of young planets.

Effect of 940 nm Gallium Arsenide Laser on dental hard tissues temperature propagation / Influência do laser de arseneto de gálio (940 nm) na propagação da temperatura em tecidos duros dentais

Despite the extensive literature available on laser at the present, there are few articles about the temperature of laser radiation and its propagation on dental hard tissues. The present study general objective is to evaluate in vitro the effect of temperature increase produced by the laser radiation of 940 nm on the dental hard tissues and, as specific objectives a) analyze current parameters using 940 nm laser on dental hard tissues b) assess the most appropriate criteria for this wavelengthon dental hard tissues. 4 groups of 5 teeth each(lower incisors, upper incisors, canines and molars) were irradiated with 6 powers and frequencies (0.1 to 0.4 W, in continuous or pulsed mode). The results of this study allow us to ensure that, in the chosen parameters, major powers, but deliveredin pulsed manner, generate less temperature rise. Extremely significant differences were found between groups of lower incisors and molars. 0.1 W power, pulsed mode for 20 ms, with 20 millisecondintervals, generated less than 4 Celsius degrees of temperature increase in all the cases studied. Inconclusion, the use of powers of up to 0.4W, inpulsed mode, generated thermal effects of less than4 Celsius degrees...

Apesar da extensa literatura disponível sobre o laser na atualidade, há poucos artigos sobre a temperatura da radiação laser e sua propagação nos tecidos duros dentais. O presente estudo teve por objetivo geral avaliar in vitro o efeito do aumento da temperatura produzida pela radiação laser de 940 nm sobre os tecidos duros dentais e, como objetivos específicos a) analisar os parâmetros atuais utilizados para o laser de 940 nmn os tecidos dentais duros b) avaliar o parâmetro mais adequado para esse comprimento de onda sobre os tecidos dentais duros. Quatro grupos de 5 dentes cada (incisivos inferiores, incisivos superiores, caninos e molares) foram irradiados com 6 potências e frequências (0,1 a 0,4 W, em modo contínuo ou pulsado). Os resultados deste estudo permitem afirmar que, nos parâmetros escolhidos, as potências mais altas, mas entregues em forma pulsada, geram menos aumento de temperatura. Diferenças significativas foram encontradas entre os grupos de incisivos e molares inferiores. A potência de 0,1 W,modo pulsado para 20 ms, com 20 milissegundos de intervalo, gerou menos de 4 graus Celsius de aumento da temperatura em todos os casos estudados. Em conclusão, o uso de potências de até 0,4W, no modo pulsado, gerou efeitos térmicos de menos de 4 graus Celsius...