Applications of MALDI mass spectrometry in forensic science.

Forensic chemistry literature has grown exponentially, with many analytical techniques being used to provide valuable information to help solve criminal cases. Among them, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI MS), particularly MALDI MS imaging (MALDI MSI), has shown much potential in forensic applications. Due to its high specificity, MALDI MSI can analyze a wide variety of compounds in complex samples without extensive sample preparation, providing chemical profiles and spatial distributions of given analyte(s). This review introduces MALDI MS(I) to forensic scientists with a focus on its basic principles and the applications of MALDI MS(I) to the analysis of fingerprints, drugs of abuse, and their metabolites in hair, medicine samples, animal tissues, and inks in documents.

Arg18 Substitutions Reveal the Capacity of the HIV-1 Capsid Protein for Non-Fullerene Assembly.

In the fullerene cone HIV-1 capsid, the central channels of the hexameric and pentameric capsomers each contain a ring of arginine (Arg18) residues that perform essential roles in capsid assembly and function. In both the hexamer and pentamer, the Arg18 rings coordinate inositol hexakisphosphate, an assembly and stability factor for the capsid. Previously, it was shown that amino-acid substitutions of Arg18 can promote pentamer incorporation into capsid-like particles (CLPs) that spontaneously assemble in vitro under high-salt conditions. Here, we show that these Arg18 mutant CLPs contain a non-canonical pentamer conformation and distinct lattice characteristics that do not follow the fullerene geometry of retroviral capsids. The Arg18 mutant pentamers resemble the hexamer in intra-oligomeric contacts and form a unique tetramer-of-pentamers that allows for incorporation of an octahedral vertex with a cross-shaped opening in the hexagonal capsid lattice. Our findings highlight an unexpected degree of structural plasticity in HIV-1 capsid assembly.

Design and Synthesis of Eugenol Derivatives Bearing a 1,2,3-Triazole Moiety for Papaya Protection against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides.

A series of 19 novel eugenol derivatives containing a 1,2,3-triazole moiety was synthesized via a two-step process, with the key step being a copper(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition reaction. The compounds were assessed for their antifungal activities against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, the causative agent of papaya anthracnose. Triazoles 2k, 2m, 2l, and 2n, at 100 ppm, were the most effective, reducing mycelial growth by 88.3, 85.5, 82.4, and 81.4%, respectively. Molecular docking calculations allowed us to elucidate the binding mode of these derivatives in the catalytic pocket of C. gloeosporioides CYP51. The best-docked compounds bind closely to the heme cofactor and within the channel access of the lanosterol (LAN) substrate, with crucial interactions involving residues Tyr102, Ile355, Met485, and Phe486. From such studies, the antifungal activity is likely attributed to the prevention of substrate LAN entry by the 1,2,3-triazole derivatives. The triazoles derived from natural eugenol represent a novel lead in the search for environmentally safe agents for controlling C. gloeosporioides.

Isolation and characterization of reference standard candidates for cocaine and benzoylecgonine obtained from illicit substances seized.

The area of forensic chemistry has been growing and developing as a line of research due to the high demands of public safety that require increasingly reliable results due to their importance in criminalistics. In this way, the development of new technologies that help this area, whether in the identification and quantification of drugs or the fight against fraud, becomes promising. In this context, the present work explored the production of reference standards from the purification of cocaine/crack samples seized by the Civil Police of the State of Espírito Santo. Cocaine was purified using chromatographic techniques, and benzoylecgonine was synthesized from purified cocaine. All substances were characterized by ultra-high-resolution mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance. Homogeneity and stability studies were also performed with benzoylecgonine, and the results were evaluated using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Cocaine and benzoylecgonine showed purities of 98.37% and 96.34%, respectively. The homogeneity of the batch, short-term stability, and other parameters were also evaluated, which together indicate this proposal as promising in the development of reference standards for drugs of abuse from samples seized by the Brazilian forensic police.

Fatores de risco psicossociais relacionados ao trabalho: uma análise contemporânea / Work-related psychosocial risk factors: a contemporary analysis

Resumo Introdução: nos debates sobre a proteção e a promoção da saúde nos contextos laborais, o tema dos fatores psicossociais relacionados ao trabalho (FPRT) tem se destacado. Objetivo: demonstrar que a ausência da tematização do antagonismo e do conflito estrutural entre capital e trabalho, bem como a captura da temática pela lógica gerencialista neoliberal, produz o empobrecimento do debate e o enfraquecimento de iniciativas voltadas para a transformação do contexto laboral. Método: a reflexão é realizada a partir de revisão da literatura, tendo como referencial o materialismo histórico. Resultados: as formulações de políticas, instrumentos e medidas destinadas à proteção da saúde dos trabalhadores, gestadas nos marcos ideológicos do regime de acumulação capitalista e da governamentalidade neoliberal, convertem-se em compreensões e intervenções que, longe de transformarem as situações concretas de trabalho, mascaram o papel exercido pelo trabalho em relação à saúde dos trabalhadores, consagram as ações voltadas aos indivíduos, arrefecem as lutas sociais e ampliam as pressões sobre os trabalhadores. Conclusão: o enfrentamento dos riscos psicossociais não deve se limitar à mitigação desses riscos, mas sim encontrar seus propósitos e seus fundamentos em um horizonte teórico-prático que descortine a necessidade de superação da própria economia capitalista.

Abstract Introduction: work-related psychosocial factors have stood out in debates concerning health protection and promotion in occupational contexts. Objective: this essay demonstrates how the lack of thematic exploration regarding the antagonism and structural conflict between capital and labor, as well as its co-optation by neoliberal managerial logic, impoverishes the debate and weakens initiatives aimed at transforming the work environment. Method: a literature review was conducted using historical materialism as a theoretical framework. Results: policies, instruments, and measures formulated to protect workers' health developed under the ideological framework of capitalist accumulation and neoliberal governmentality become understandings and interventions that, far from transforming actual work situations, mask the role played by work in occupational health. They consecrate actions focused on individuals, dampen social struggles, and increase pressure on workers. Conclusion: addressing psychosocial risks should not be limited to mitigating them; rather, it should find its purposes and foundations in a theoretical-practical horizon that unveils the need to overcome the capitalist economy itself.

In Silico and In Vitro Approach for Evaluation of the Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Potential of Mygalin.

There is a great interest in describing new molecules to be used as therapeutic targets in various diseases, particularly those that play a role in inflammatory responses and infection control. Mygalin is a synthetic analogue of spermidine, and previous studies have demonstrated its bactericidal effect against Escherichia coli, as well as its ability to modulate the inflammatory response of macrophages against lipopolysaccharide (LPS). However, the mechanisms through which mygalin regulates this inflammatory response remain poorly characterized. A set of platforms using molecular docking analysis was employed to analyze various properties of mygalin, including toxicity, biodistribution, absorption, and the prediction of its anti-inflammatory properties. In in vitro assays, we evaluated the potential of mygalin to interact with products of the inflammatory response, such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant activity, using the BMDM cell. The in silico analyses indicated that mygalin is not toxic, and can interact with proteins from the kinase group, and enzymes and receptors in eukaryotic cells. Molecular docking analysis showed interactions with key amino acid residues of COX-2, iNOS and 5-LOX enzymes. In vitro, assays demonstrated a significant reduction in the expression of iNOS and COX-2 induced by LPS, along with a decrease in the oxidative stress caused by the treatment with PMA, all without altering cell viability. Mygalin exhibited robust antioxidant activity in DPPH assays, regardless of the dose used, and inhibited heat-induced hemolysis. These studies suggest that mygalin holds promise for further investigation as a new molecule with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Leaf proteomic profiles in cacao scion-rootstock combinations tolerant and intolerant to cadmium toxicity.

Cd contamination in cacao beans is one of the major problems faced by cocoa producing countries in Latin America. Cacao scion-rootstock combinations influence the Cd accumulation in the shoot of the plant. The objective of this work was to carry out a comparative analysis between cacao scion rootstock combinations (CCN 51/BN 34, CCN 51/PS 13.19, CCN 51/PH 16 and CCN 51/CCN 51), contrasting for tolerance to cadmium (Cd) toxicity, by means of leaf proteomic profiles, in order to elucidate molecular mechanisms involved in tolerance to Cd toxicity. Cacao scion-rootstock combinations were grown in soil with 150 mg Cd kg-1 soil, together with the control treatment. Leaf samples were collected 96 h after treatments were applied. There were alterations in the leaf proteome of the cacao scion-rootstock combinations, whose molecular responses to Cd toxicity varied depending on the combination. Leaf proteomic analyzes provided important information regarding the molecular mechanisms involved in the tolerance and intolerance of cacao scion-rootstock combinations to Cd toxicity. Enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant systems, efficient for eliminating ROS, especially the expressions of APX and SOD, in addition to the increase in the abundance of metalloproteins, such as ferredoxins, rubredoxin, ALMT, Trx-1 and ABC-transporter were key mechanisms used in the Cd detoxification in cacao scion-rootstock combinations tolerant to Cd toxicity. Carboxylic acid metabolism, glucose activation and signal transduction were also important processes in the responses of cacao scion-rootstock combinations to Cd toxicity. The results confirmed CCN 51/BN 34 as a cacao scion-rootstock combination efficient in tolerance to Cd toxicity.

Vaginal microbioma and the presence of Lactobacillus spp. as interferences in female fertility: A review system.

The vaginal microbiome is dominated by Lactobacillus spp. and the depletion of these microorganisms have been associated with adverse conditions that can affect women's health. Disturbance of the vaginal niche with a non-lactobacillary microbiota is associated with susceptibility to some diseases, such as obstetric alterations and infertility, resulting in failure in natural pregnancies and increased demand for assisted reproduction treatments. The present study sought to understand the influence of Lactobacillus spp. and fertility female. A systematic search was performed in the following databases: PubMed, MEDLINE, SciELO and LILACS, using the keywords: "Microbiome"; "Lactobacillus" and "Female Infertility", published in the last five years. The search resulted in 92 articles; however, 38 articles were excluded due to duplicity, 23 articles were excluded in the selection title/abstract, leaving 31 articles for full reading. In the end, 18 articles were analyzed. The studies encompassed a total of 2,011 women, using 27 types of samples to verify the composition of the microbiome. The eighteen articles that reported the microbiome of fertile women were constituted by a dominance of Lactobacillus spp. who joined to positive predictive outcomes in reproduction, while infertile women showed a dysbiotic profile. Therefore, analyzing bacterial patterns would allow a personalized diagnosis, which could favor personalized therapy for prevention and treatment of certain diseases.

Microbiota and seminal quality: A systematic review.

The microbiota is composed of numerous resident microorganisms, which contribute to the health and illness of the individual. When the microbiota is in dysbiosis, it can cause some pathological processes and in men it can be correlated with male infertility, so the present study does a systematic review, identifying whether there is a correlation between the microbiota and seminal quality. We analyzed 7 papers published in PubMed, Medline and the Cochrane library databases, in English and published between 2012 and 2022. In men with normal semen parameters, a higher prevalence of Lactobacillus. There was a higher prevalence of Prevotella in patients who had some seminal alteration. We conclude that the microbiota is correlated with seminal quality, since the decrease in Lactobacillus and the increase in other species is seen in infertile men.

A molecular switch modulates assembly and host factor binding of the HIV-1 capsid.

The HIV-1 capsid is a fullerene cone made of quasi-equivalent hexamers and pentamers of the viral CA protein. Typically, quasi-equivalent assembly of viral capsid subunits is controlled by a molecular switch. Here, we identify a Thr-Val-Gly-Gly motif that modulates CA hexamer/pentamer switching by folding into a 310 helix in the pentamer and random coil in the hexamer. Manipulating the coil/helix configuration of the motif allowed us to control pentamer and hexamer formation in a predictable manner, thus proving its function as a molecular switch. Importantly, the switch also remodels the common binding site for host factors that are critical for viral replication and the new ultra-potent HIV-1 inhibitor lenacapavir. This study reveals that a critical assembly element also modulates the post-assembly and viral replication functions of the HIV-1 capsid and provides new insights on capsid function and inhibition.

In silico and In Vitro approach for evaluation of the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential of mygalin

There is a great interest in describing new molecules to be used as therapeutic targets in various diseases, particularly those that play a role in inflammatory responses and infection control. Mygalin is a synthetic analogue of spermidine, and previous studies have demonstrated its bactericidal effect against Escherichia coli, as well as its ability to modulate the inflammatory response of macrophages against lipopolysaccharide (LPS). However, the mechanisms through which mygalin regulates this inflammatory response remain poorly characterized. A set of platforms using molecular docking analysis was employed to analyze various properties of mygalin, including toxicity, biodistribution, absorption, and the prediction of its anti-inflammatory properties. In in vitro assays, we evaluated the potential of mygalin to interact with products of the inflammatory response, such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant activity, using the BMDM cell. The in silico analyses indicated that mygalin is not toxic, and can interact with proteins from the kinase group, and enzymes and receptors in eukaryotic cells. Molecular docking analysis showed interactions with key amino acid residues of COX-2, iNOS and 5-LOX enzymes. In vitro, assays demonstrated a significant reduction in the expression of iNOS and COX-2 induced by LPS, along with a decrease in the oxidative stress caused by the treatment with PMA, all without altering cell viability. Mygalin exhibited robust antioxidant activity in DPPH assays, regardless of the dose used, and inhibited heat-induced hemolysis. These studies suggest that mygalin holds promise for further investigation as a new molecule with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Physiological Characteristics of Putative Enterobacteria Associated with Meat and Fish Available in Southern Brazilian Retail Markets: Antimicrobial Susceptibility, Toxic Metal Tolerance and Expression of Efflux Pumps.

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) mesophilic facultatively anaerobic Gram-negative rods are a public health issue and their spread from animal-source foods to humans is of concern worldwide. Hence, the aim of this study was to examine the antibiotic susceptibility patterns and physiological aspects of such rods, including their tolerance to toxic metals and the screening of efflux pumps expressing isolates among enterobacteria isolated from meat (chicken, beef and pork) and fish samples acquired from retail establishments in a Brazilian urban Centre of over 2,300,000 inhabitants. The study revealed that 62.9% of isolated bacteria were resistant to at least one antimicrobial, of which 32.3% and 8.1% were resistant to one and two of the tested drugs, respectively. A resistance of up to six antimicrobials was also observed (0.9%). Out of the total amount, 22.7% were classified as MDR. Chicken was the meat that harbored most MDR isolates, and fish harbored the least. It was not possible to distinguish the different types of meat or fish considering the resistance patterns. The MDR isolates showed a higher tolerance to mercury and cadmium salts and the increased activity of the efflux mechanisms compared to other susceptible or resistant strains. In One Health. the perspective occurrence of putative MDR bacteria in fresh meat and fish draws attention to the antimicrobial resistance phenomenon in an open environment.

Streptococcus mutans glutamate binding protein (GlnH) as antigen target for a mucosal anti-caries vaccine.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, several studies have demonstrated that bacterial ABC transporters present relevant antigen targets for the development of vaccines against bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae and Enterococcus faecalis. In Streptococcus mutans, the glutamate transporter operon (glnH), encoding an ABC transporter, is associated with acid tolerance and represents an important virulence-associated factor for the development of dental caries. RESULTS: In this study, we generated a recombinant form of the S. mutans GlnH protein (rGlnH) in Bacillus subtilis. Mice immunized with this protein antigen elicited strong antigen-specific antibody responses after sublingual administration of a vaccine formulation containing a mucosal adjuvant, a non-toxic derivative of the heat-labile toxin (LTK63) originally produced by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) strains. Serum anti-rGlnH antibodies reduced adhesion of S. mutans to the oral cavity of naïve mice. Moreover, mice actively immunized with rGlnH were partially protected from oral colonization after exposure to the S. mutans NG8 strain. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that S. mutans rGlnH is a potential target antigen capable of inducing specific and protective antibody responses after immunization. Overall, these observations raise the prospect of the development of mucosal anti-caries vaccines.

Portable Raman spectroscopy applied to the study of drugs of abuse.

The use of drugs of abuse has grown significantly in recent decades. In forensic chemistry, methods of identifying and characterizing illicit drugs contribute to the interests of researchers, experts, and public security authorities. Among existing methods, portable Raman spectroscopy is notable for performing rapid, non-destructive, and highly selective analysis in the laboratory or on-site. When the resulting spectral data are paired with chemometric tools, methods of exploratory analysis and multivariate calibration can be developed. Thus, this work describes the application of Raman spectroscopy associated with principal component analysis (PCA) and interval principal component analysis (iPCA) to assessing trends in samples of cocaine (n = 40), crack (n = 33), and their main adulterants (n = 5) and diluents (n = 5), tablets of ecstasy (n = 14), designer drugs papers (n = 27), and alcoholic solutions adulterated with benzodiazepines (alprazolam and diazepam). In addition, competitive adaptive reweighted sampling (CARS) combined with partial least squares (PLS) regression (CARSPLS) was used to quantify adulterants (benzocaine, lidocaine, and procaine) in binary mixtures with crack (n = 21) and solutions of cachaça adulterated with bromazepam (n = 11).

Detection of Chikungunya virus in bodily fluids: The INOVACHIK cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Chikungunya is a widely distributed, re-emerging tropical disease caused by the chikungunya virus (CHIKV). Little is known about the duration for which CHIK RNA are detectable in bodily fluids, especially genital secretions, and current evidence is based on small series or case reports. An understanding of viral dynamics across different body compartments can inform diagnostic testing algorithms and public health prevention interventions. METHODOLOGY: A prospective cohort study was conducted to assess the presence and duration of detectable levels of CHIKV RNA in blood, urine, saliva, semen, and vaginal secretions. Men and women (≥ 18 years) with a positive reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test for CHIKV in the acute phase (1-14 days) of the disease were included. After enrollment, clinical data and samples were collected every 15 days over the first 2 months, and a final collection was performed 3 months after recruitment. The Kaplan-Meier interval-censoring method and the parametric Weibull model were fitted to estimate the median time of viral persistence until the lack of CHIKV RNA detection among all body fluids. Punctual estimates of the median time of CHIKV RNA persistence for each fluid were estimated using a 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: From April to December 2019, 170 participants were screened. Of these, 152 (100 women) were enrolled in the study. The median and interquartile range (IQR) ages for men and women were 39.3 (IQR: 26.9, 50.7) and 43.5 (IQR: 33.8, 53.6) years, respectively. CHIKV RNA was detected in 80.3% (122/152) of serum samples, 23.0% (35/152) of urine samples, 30.3% (46/152) of saliva samples, 14.3% (6/42) of semen samples, and 20.2% (20/99) of vaginal secretion samples. The median time until the loss of CHIKV RNA detection was 19.6 days (95% CI, 17.5-21.7) in serum, 25.3 days (95% CI, 17.8-32.8) in urine, 23.1 days (95% CI, 17.9-28.4) in saliva, and 25.8 days (95% CI, 20.6-31.1) in vaginal secretion. The number of semen samples available was too small to make statistical estimates, but a last positive sample was obtained from a participant 56 days after the onset of symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: CHIKV RNA could be detected in all bodily fluids studied, including genital secretions during the acute and convalescent phases and additional studies on viral infectivity in semen and vaginal secretions are warranted.

Fatores relacionados à fratura de dentes tratados endodonticamente / Factors related to fracture of treated teeth endodonticly

A longevidade de dentes tratados endodonticamente é um assunto amplamente discutido no campo de atuação da odontologia restauradora e envolve questões que vão além do alcance da endodontia. Não são raras as situações em que um dente reabilitado após a terapia endodôntica apresenta fratura corono- radicular, podendo comprometer sua viabilidade. Considerando o custo biológico envolvido na perda dentária, ou o custo material empregado para que os tratamentos sejam refeitos, é importante que os cirurgiões dentistas estejam capacitados a traçar o adequado plano de tratamento. O planejamento restaurador representa divergências de opinião, tanto na prática clínica quanto em âmbito científico, considerando-se as variáveis envolvidas como perda estrutural, ausências dentárias, posicionamento do dente no arco, número e localização das cúspides perdidas, presença ou não de retentor intra-radicular, representam papel importante na longevidade do tratamento restaurador e devem ser individualmente analisadas. Diante do cenário descrito, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os fatores relacionados à fratura de dentes tratados endodonticamente. Através dessa revisão da literatura, conclui-se que a variável estrutural, relacionada à sua função mastigatória é a principal responsável no prognóstico dos dentes tratados endodonticamente. Por este motivo deve ser prioritariamente considerada ao se eleger o procedimento restaurador. É de extrema importância que a comunidade de cirurgiões dentistas disponha de conhecimento técnico e científico atual para pautar suas escolhas na prática clínica, embasando a análise individual do planejamento restaurador dos dentes tratados endodonticamente.

The longevity of endodontically treated teeth is a widely discussed subject in the field of restorative dentistry and it has issues that go beyond the scope of endodontics. It is not uncommon for a tooth rehabilitated to present a crown-root fracture, which may compromise its viability, after endodontic therapy. Considering the biological cost involved in tooth loss, or the material cost used for treatments to be redone, it is important that dental surgeons are able to draw up the appropriate treatment plan. Restorative planning still represents differences of opinion, both in clinical practice and in the scientific field, considering the variables involved such as structural loss, dental absences, tooth positioning in the arch, number and location of lost cusps, presence or not of intraretainer. -radicular, among countless other clinical variables, play an important role in the longevity of the restorative treatment and must be individually analyzed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the factors related to the fracture of endodontically treated teeth. Through this literature review, we concluded that the structural variable, related to its masticatory function, is the main responsible for the prognosis of endodontically treated teeth. For this reason, it should be considered as a priority when choosing the restorative procedure. It is extremely important that the community of dental surgeons have current technical/scientific knowledge to guide their choices in clinical practice, basing the individual analysis of the restorative planning of endodontically treated teeth.

Audiological profile of individuals with Cornelia de Lange syndrome: an integrative review / Perfil audiológico de indivíduos com síndrome de Cornelia de Lange: revisão integrativa da literatura

ABSTRACT Purpose: to describe the audiological profile of patients with Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS) in an integrative review of the literature. Methods: after developing the research question, articles were searched in six databases (EMBASE, ISI of Knowledge, LILACS, MEDLINE/PubMed, SciELO, and Scopus) and in sources of information (Google Scholar, OpenGrey, and ProQuest), with the following descriptors: audiology, hearing loss, deafness, hearing disorders, and Cornelia de Lange syndrome. This review was registered in Prospero under number CRD42020191481. National and international studies were considered for analysis, using the PECO acronym. The risk of bias in the studies was analyzed with Joanna Briggs Institute protocols. Then, the studies were described and analyzed. Results: of the 1,080 articles found, 12 met the inclusion criteria. Audiological results showed that individuals with CdLS can have hearing loss - conductive hearing losses were the most frequent impairments, corresponding to 49.20% of individuals with CdLS assessed, followed by sensorineural hearing losses (13.49%). The degrees of hearing loss ranged from mild to profound. Conclusion: individuals presented with CdLS often have hearing loss, mainly due to middle ear changes, with degrees ranging from mild to profound.

RESUMO Objetivo: descrever o perfil audiológico de pacientes com Síndrome de Cornelia de Lange (SCdL), por meio de uma revisão integrativa da literatura. Métodos: após formulação da pergunta, realizou-se uma busca em seis bases de dados (Embase, ISI of Knowledge, Lilacs, Medline/PubMed, Scielo e Scopus), e fontes de informação (Google Acadêmico, OpenGrey e Proquest), com os descritores: audiologia, perda auditiva, surdez, transtornos da audição e Síndrome de Cornelia de Lange. Esta revisão foi cadastrada no Próspero, sob número CRD42020191481. Foram considerados para análise, estudos nacionais e internacionais, utilizando o direcionamento do acrônimo PECO. Para análise do risco de viés dos estudos, utilizou-se os protocolos do Instituto Joanna Briggs. Após isso, os estudos foram descritos e analisados. Resultados: dos 1.080 artigos encontrados, 12 atenderam aos critérios de inclusão. Nos resultados audiológicos, constatou-se que indivíduos com SCdL podem apresentar perda auditiva, sendo que o comprometimento pela perda auditiva condutiva foi o mais frequente, correspondendo a 49,20% dos indivíduos com SCdL avaliados, seguido pela perda auditiva neurossensorial (13,49%). O grau de perda auditiva variou de leve à profundo. Conclusão: indivíduos com SCdL frequentemente apresentam perda auditiva, decorrente principalmente de alterações de orelha média, com graus variando de leve a profundo.

Community structure and specialization in fig wasps (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) in a region of Cerrado

ABSTRACT Ficus inflorescences host a species-rich chalcid wasp community, including pollinating fig wasps (Agaonidae: Tetrapusinae, Kradibiinae, and Agaoninae) and several species of non-pollinating fig wasps (NPFW), that show several life-history strategies, including gall-inducers, kleptoparasites (i. e. inquilines), and parasitoids. We analyzed the structure and degree of specialization of the fig wasp community associated with Ficus inflorescences in urbanized areas, agroecosystems, and on the edge of forest fragments in the state of Goiás (Brazil). We sampled 34 wasp species in four native Ficus tree species, from which four wasp species occurred in more than one host. Neotropical fig pollinators (Pegoscapus and Tetrapus) were the most abundant species, and they were host-specific, although two pollinator species were associated with Ficus obtusifolia. The Jaccard similarity index was higher in samples of fig wasps collected in the same host, indicating that the community composition was specific to each host species. Community structure indices indicate a specialized structure with low connectance, high bidimensional Shannon H2' and low partner diversity. The communities present a modular web structure in which modules were represented by each host and its associated insect species. These results indicate that the fig wasp communities analyzed are highly specialized, despite a few not strictly host-specific species.

Effect of antihelminths with contrasting efficacy against gastrointestinal nematodes on the live-weight gain of young Nellore cattle.

We estimated the losses caused by gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infections in young Nellore cattle born in three consecutive calving seasons (Cycles I, II and III). Three groups of animals: Group 1 - free from GIN using 2.5 mg/kg of albendazole sulfoxide; Group II - free from Oesophagosomum radiatum using 0.2 mg/kg of ivermectin but infected with ivermectin-resistant Haemonchus placei and Cooperia spp.; and Group III - non-treated experimental control animals, infected with all GIN, were observed over a period of 12 months. Male and female calves were evaluated starting before weaning when the animals were an average of approximately four months of age. In Cycle I, only females were evaluated. All the animals continued to graze on pastures of Urochloa spp. (= Brachiaria). All the groups showed median faecal egg counts of fewer than 250 eggs per gram (EPG), and no clinical signs of parasitic gastroenteritis were observed. The blood variables were within the normal ranges, and no calf presented anaemia. In most of the samplings, the median EPGs were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the group treated with albendazole. Throughout the experiment, the most prevalent parasite observed in the control group was Cooperia spp., followed in decreasing order by Haemonchus spp., O. radiatum and Trichostrongylus spp. All the groups of calves exhibited weight gain throughout the trials with control group displaying the lowest body weight gain. Body weight variables between the albendazole- and ivermectin-treated groups were not significantly different (P > 0.05). After weaning, females animals in albendazole and ivermectin treated groups exhibited higher body weights, 20.4% and 22.7%, respectively, than those of the control group. Likewise, males treated with albendazole and ivermectin exhibited 27.6% and 25.8%, respectively, more body weight gain than animals under control group. Because the main difference between the ivermectin and the control groups was the O. radiatum parasitism, most of the losses in the control group were possibly due to this nematode species. Nevertheless, the other nematodes species that occurred in relatively high intensities in control group could also have an additive effect in such losses.

MicroRNA-mediated extracellular matrix remodeling in squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated microRNAs and extracellular matrix component profiles in squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (OSCC) in comparison to healthy mucosa. METHODS: Retrospective study investigating 64 microRNAs related to oncogenic process and to constituents of the extracellular matrix. We also performed immunohistochemical assays for molecules involved in the same biological processes. RESULTS: High expression of miR-21-5p (p < 0.001) and miR-106-5p (p < 0.001) and low expression of miR-320a (p = 0.001) and miR-222-3p (p = 0.001) were predictors of malignancy. Individually, miR-21-5p exhibited the best statistical performance (area under the curve = 0.972; 95% confidence interval: 0.911-1.000) in the differentiation between tumor tissue and healthy mucosa. Moreover, tumor sample showed increased expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, α-laminin, and ß-laminin in tumor-related fibroblasts and lower continuity of type IV collagen in the basement membrane. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrates the biological effects of microRNAs on the carcinogenesis of OSCC as well as the intense modification of the tumor microenvironment.