Examining O[Formula: see text] adsorption on pristine and defective popgraphene sheets: A DFT study.

CONTEXT: Popgraphene (PopG) is a two-dimensional carbon-based material with fused pentagonal and octagonal rings. Like graphene, it exhibits a metallic band gap and exceptional thermal, dynamic, and mechanical stability. Here, we theoretically study the electronic and structural properties of PopG monolayers, including their doped and vacancy-endowed versions, as O[Formula: see text] adsorbers. Our findings show that pristine and vacancy-endowed PopG sheets have a comparable ability to adsorb O[Formula: see text] molecules, with adsorption energies ranging from [Formula: see text]0.57 to [Formula: see text]0.59 eV (physisorption). In these cases, octagonal rings play a dominant role in the adsorption mechanism. Platinum and Silicon doping enhance the O[Formula: see text] adsorption in areas close to the octagonal rings, resulting in adsorption energies ranging from [Formula: see text]1.13 to [Formula: see text]2.56 eV (chemisorption). Furthermore, we computed the recovery time for the adsorbed O[Formula: see text] molecules. The results suggest that PopG/O[Formula: see text] interaction in pristine and vacancy-endowed cases can change the PopG electronic properties before O[Formula: see text] diffusion. METHODS: Density Functional Theory (DFT) simulations, with Van der Waals corrections (DFT-D, within the Grimme scheme), were performed to study the structural and electronic properties of PopG/O[Formula: see text] systems using the DMol3 code within the Biovia Materials Studio software. The exchange and correlation functions are treated within the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) as parameterized by Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof (PBE) functional. We used the double-zeta plus polarization (DZP) for the basis set in these cases. We also considered the BSSE correction through the counterpoise method and the nuclei-valence electron interactions by including semi-core DFT pseudopotentials.

Monozygotic Twins Concordant for Common Variable Immunodeficiency: Strikingly Similar Clinical and Immune Profile Associated With a Polygenic Burden.

Monozygotic twins provide a unique opportunity to better understand complex genetic diseases and the relative contribution of heritable factors in shaping the immune system throughout life. Common Variable Immunodeficiency Disorders (CVID) are primary antibody defects displaying wide phenotypic and genetic heterogeneity, with monogenic transmission accounting for only a minority of the cases. Here, we report a pair of monozygotic twins concordant for CVID without a family history of primary immunodeficiency. They featured a remarkably similar profile of clinical manifestations and immunological alterations at diagnosis (established at age 37) and along the subsequent 15 years of follow-up. Interestingly, whole-exome sequencing failed to identify a monogenic cause for CVID, but unraveled a combination of heterozygous variants, with a predicted deleterious impact. These variants were found in genes involved in relevant immunological pathways, such as JUN, PTPRC, TLR1, ICAM1, and JAK3. The potential for combinatorial effects translating into the observed disease phenotype is inferred from their roles in immune pathways, namely in T and B cell activation. The combination of these genetic variants is also likely to impose a significant constraint on environmental influences, resulting in a similar immunological phenotype in both twins, despite exposure to different living conditions. Overall, these cases stress the importance of integrating NGS data with clinical and immunological phenotypes at the single-cell level, as provided by multi-dimensional flow-cytometry, in order to understand the complex genetic landscape underlying the vast majority of patients with CVID, as well as those with other immunodeficiencies.

Contribution of Murine Models to the Study of Malaria During Pregnancy.

Annually, many pregnancies occur in areas of Plasmodium spp. transmission, particularly in underdeveloped countries with widespread poverty. Estimations have suggested that several million women are at risk of developing malaria during pregnancy. In particular cases, systemic infection caused by Plasmodium spp. may extend to the placenta, dysregulating local homeostasis and promoting the onset of placental malaria; these processes are often associated with increased maternal and fetal mortality, intrauterine growth restriction, preterm delivery, and reduced birth weight. The endeavor to understand and characterize the mechanisms underlying disease onset and placental pathology face several ethical and logistical obstacles due to explicit difficulties in assessing human gestation and biological material. Consequently, the advent of murine experimental models for the study of malaria during pregnancy has substantially contributed to our understanding of this complex pathology. Herein, we summarize research conducted during recent decades using murine models of malaria during pregnancy and highlight the most relevant findings, as well as discuss similarities to humans and the translational capacity of achieved results.

Could Heme Oxygenase-1 Be a New Target for Therapeutic Intervention in Malaria-Associated Acute Lung Injury/Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome?

Malaria is a serious disease and was responsible for 429,000 deaths in 2015. Acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS) is one of the main clinical complications of severe malaria; it is characterized by a high mortality rate and can even occur after antimalarial treatment when parasitemia is not detected. Rodent models of ALI/ARDS show similar clinical signs as in humans when the rodents are infected with murine Plasmodium. In these models, it was shown that the induction of the enzyme heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) is protective against severe malaria complications, including cerebral malaria and ALI/ARDS. Increased lung endothelial permeability and upregulation of VEGF and other pro-inflammatory cytokines were found to be associated with malaria-associated ALI/ARDS (MA-ALI/ARDS), and both were reduced after HO-1 induction. Additionally, mice were protected against MA-ALI/ARDS after treatment with carbon monoxide- releasing molecules or with carbon monoxide, which is also released by the HO-1 activity. However, high HO-1 levels in inflammatory cells were associated with the respiratory burst of neutrophils and with an intensification of inflammation during episodes of severe malaria in humans. Here, we review the main aspects of HO-1 in malaria and ALI/ARDS, presenting the dual role of HO-1 and possibilities for therapeutic intervention by modulating this important enzyme.

Association of Heme Oxygenase 1 with Lung Protection in Malaria-Associated ALI/ARDS.

Malaria is a serious disease, caused by the parasite of the genus Plasmodium, which was responsible for 440,000 deaths in 2015. Acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS) is one of the main clinical complications in severe malaria. The murine model DBA/2 reproduces the clinical signs of ALI/ARDS in humans, when infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA. High levels of HO-1 were reported in cases of severe malaria. Our data indicated that the HO-1 mRNA and protein expression are increased in mice that develop malaria-associated ALI/ARDS (MA-ALI/ARDS). Additionally, the hemin, a HO-1 inducing drug, prevented mice from developing MA-ALI/ARDS when administered prior to the development of MA-ALI/ARDS in this model. Also, hemin treatment showed an amelioration of respiratory parameters in mice, high VEGF levels in the sera, and a decrease in vascular permeability in the lung, which are signs of ALI/ARDS. Therefore, the induction of HO-1 before the development of MA-ALI/ARDS could be protective. However, the increased expression of HO-1 on the onset of MA-ALI/ARDS development may represent an effort to revert the phenotype of this syndrome by the host. We therefore confirm that HO-1 inducing drugs could be used for prevention of MA-ALI/ARDS in humans.

Video-thoracoscopy closure of coronary artery fistula: case report.

The coronary artery fistulas (FAC) are rare and often found occasionally. The conventional treatment can be made by surgical closure with median thoracotomy or with embolization by catheterization. We describe an innovative technique to ligature of FAC, on a full endoscopy. Women, 45 years with symptomatic fistula between coronary artery anterior descending and trunk artery pulmonary, which took thoracoscopy left, pericardiotomy and ligation of fistula with metal clip without thoracotomy. There were no complications, stayed 24 hours in the ICU and was in hospital 4 days. The technique was effective, allows easy accessibility surgical and quick post-operative recovery.

Videotoracoscopia para fechamento de fístula coronário-pulmonar: relato de caso / Video-thoracoscopy closure of coronary artery fistula: case report

As fístulas da artéria coronária (FAC) são raras e, muitas vezes, achado ocasional. O tratamento convencional é realizado por fechamento cirúrgico com toracotomia mediana ou por meio de embolização por procedimento hemodinâmico. Descrevemos uma técnica inovadora para ligadura da FAC de forma totalmente endoscópica. Mulher, 45 anos, com fístula sintomática entre artéria coronária descendente anterior e tronco de artéria pulmonar onde se realizou toracoscopia esquerda, pericardiotomia e ligadura do pertuito com clipe metálico. Não houve intercorrência, a paciente permaneceu 24 horas na UTI e teve alta hospitalar no 4º dia. A técnica foi efetiva, permitiu fácil acessibilidade cirúrgica e rápida recuperação pós-operatória.

The coronary artery fistulas (FAC) are rare and often found occasionally. The conventional treatment can be made by surgical closure with median thoracotomy or with embolization by catheterization. We describe an innovative technique to ligature of FAC, on a full endoscopy. Women, 45 years with symptomatic fistula between coronary artery anterior descending and trunk artery pulmonary, which took thoracoscopy left, pericardiotomy and ligation of fistula with metal clip without thoracotomy. There were no complications, stayed 24 hours in the ICU and was in hospital 4 days. The technique was effective, allows easy accessibility surgical and quick post-operative recovery.

Standardization of video-assisted cardiac surgery technique: initial experience.

INTRODUCTION: Minimally invasive cardiac surgery has been performed in major worldwide centers, including procedure such as valves, coronary and congenital surgery. OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate our first works with noninvasive cardiac surgery by mean of the experience gained with general and thoracic surgery. METHODS: Whenever possible to carry out a minimally invasive cardiac surgery, this was the approach of choice. The left thoracoscopy was used in four cases: (1) symptomatic coronary-pulmonary fistula ligation; (2) implant of an epicardial electrode into the left ventricle for resynchronization; (3) excision of pericardial giant lipoma in the left atrium, and (4) resection of hemangiolipoma in the mediastinum. Right thoracoscopy with extracorporeal circulation through cardiopulmonary bypass via femoral vein and artery and cardiac arrest in ventricular fibrillation with moderate hypothermia were carried out in the following cases: (5) patient with mitral stenosis after surgical repair with Carpentier ring 12 years before. An anterior and posterior commissurotomy without thoracotomy was successfully made; (6) patient with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, high-response atrial fibrillation, and severe mitral insufficiency, underwent mitral repair surgery with Gregori's ring and ablation of the pulmonary veins with radio-frequency catheter. (MAZZE modified). RESULT: No death occurred in this series and the surgical result in all cases was highly satisfactory. All patients were discharged from hospital with a mean time of 5.5 +/- 5 days after intervention. CONCLUSION: Our initial experience in this field proves the effectiveness and the viability in introducing this type of technique.

Padronização da técnica para cirurgia cardíaca videoassistida: experiência inicial / Standardization of video-assisted cardiac surgery technique: initial experience

INTRODUÇÃO: Cirurgias cardíacas videoassistidas minimamente invasivas têm sido realizadas em grandes centros mundiais, incluindo procedimentos valvares, coronários e congênitos. OBJETIVO: Apresentar nossa primeira casuística com videocirurgia cardíaca, por meio da experiência adquirida com cirurgia geral e torácica. MÉTODOS: Sempre que houve possibilidade de se realizar uma cirurgia cardíaca por acesso minimamente invasivo, esta foi a abordagem inicialmente utilizada. A toracoscopia esquerda foi utilizada em quatro casos: (1) ligadura de fistula coronário-pulmonar sintomática, (2) implante de eletrodo epicárdico em ventrículo esquerdo para ressincronização ventricular, (3) retirada de lipoma gigante de pericárdio com pedículo em átrio esquerdo e (4) ressecção de hemangio-lipoma de mediastino. Toracoscopia direita com bypass cardiopulmonar via artéria e veia femorais e parada cardíaca em fibrilação ventricular com hipotermia moderada, foram realizados nos seguintes casos: (5) paciente com estenose mitral pós-plastia, com anel de Carpentier 12 anos antes. Foi realizada comissurotomia anterior e posterior com sucesso, sem toracotomia, (6) paciente com miocardiopatia dilatada idiopática, fibrilação atrial de alta resposta e insuficiência mitral importante, realizada plastia mitral com anel de Gregori e ablação de veias pulmonares com cateter de radiofreqüência (MAZE modificada). Neste caso, uma minitoracotomia ântero-lateral direita de 6 cm foi utilizada. RESULTADOS: Nenhum óbito ocorreu nesta série e o resultado cirúrgico em todos os casos foi altamente satisfatório, sendo que todos os pacientes receberam alta hospitalar com média de 5,5 + 5 dias após a intervenção. CONCLUSÃO: Nossa experiência inicial neste campo demonstra a eficácia e exeqüibilidade de introdução deste tipo de técnica em nosso meio.

INTRODUCTION: Minimally invasive cardiac surgery has been performed in major worldwide centers, including procedure such as valves, coronary and congenital surgery. OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate our first works with noninvasive cardiac surgery by mean of the experience gained with general and thoracic surgery. METHODS: Whenever possible to carry out a minimally invasive cardiac surgery, this was the approach of choice. The left thoracoscopy was used in four cases: (1) symptomatic coronary-pulmonary fistula ligation; (2) implant of an epicardial electrode into the left ventricle for resynchronization; (3) excision of pericardial giant lipoma in the left atrium, and (4) resection of hemangiolipoma in the mediastinum. Right thoracoscopy with extracorporeal circulation through cardiopulmonary bypass via femoral vein and artery and cardiac arrest in ventricular fibrillation with moderate hypothermia were carried out in the following cases: (5) patient with mitral stenosis after surgical repair with Carpentier ring 12 years before. An anterior and posterior commissurotomy without thoracotomy was successfully made; (6) patient with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, high-response atrial fibrillation, and severe mitral insufficiency, underwent mitral repair surgery with Gregori's ring and ablation of the pulmonary veins with radio-frequency catheter. (MAZZE modified). RESULT: No death occurred in this series and the surgical result in all cases was highly satisfactory. All patients were discharged from hospital with a mean time of 5.5 ± 5 days after intervention. CONCLUSION: Our initial experience in this field proves the effectiveness and the viability in introducing this type of technique in Brazil.

Doenças sexualmente transmissíveis: roteiro terapêutico / Sexually transmitted diseases: therapeutic schedule

Nos dias atuais o médico prático vê-se às voltas, näo apenas com as cinco clássicas doenças venéreas (gonorréia, sífilis, cancro mole, linfogranuloma venéreo e granuloma inguinal), mas também com uma lista expandida de tais doenças sexualmente transmissíveis. Os fatos clínicos, epidemiológicos e diagnósticos säo muito importantes mas, ao final, o médico assistente depara-se com dificuldades na orientaçäo terapêutica - drogas de escolha, esquemas mas simplificados, alternativas para uso eventual. Assim, seguindo modelo já consagrado internacionalmente, julgamos válida a elaboraçäo de um roteiro terapêutico, esquemático, didático, que possa facilitar uma revisäo crítica das opçöes terapêuticas. Tal roteiro está apoiado na experiência nacional e internacional 1-13, freqüentemente enunciada por comitês de peritos, mas também na experiência prática do grupo ao qual pertencem os autores, levando em conta até mesmo nossas disponibilidades e custos dos antimicrobianos