Determination of relative dose of ionizing radiation in the thyroid gland using a panoramic device with different protocols.

BACKGROUND: The use of panoramic radiography (PR) is a complementary examination to aid in the diagnosis of cases in paediatric dentistry. The lack of specific protocols for these devices, however, can result in high doses of radiation, affecting critical organs such as the thyroid. AIM: To evaluate the discrepancies in ionizing radiation received by the thyroid during PR examinations using anthropomorphic paediatric simulators built from computed tomography images. DESIGN: Two anthropomorphic paediatric phantoms were printed and used, representing children aged 6 and 11 years, with an opening in the thyroid region for the insertion of dosimetric radiographic films. The simulators were subjected to different pre-existing protocols in the PR devices. The radiographic films were processed and analysed using a luxmeter. RESULTS: The radiation dose to the thyroid was higher in the 6-year-old phantom than in the 11-year-old phantom, for given exposure factors. In addition, there was an increase in dose in children's protocols compared with small adult protocols. CONCLUSION: Therefore, companies that develop PR equipment must develop child protocols for separate age groups that will consequently reduce the radiation dose in children, especially in their critical organs.

Effects of supplementing cassava root silage to grazing dairy cows on nutrient utilization, milk production and composition in the tropics.

The current study evaluated the effects of supplementing cassava root silage (CRS) to dairy cows grazing on Megathyrsus maximus cv Mombasa on nutrient intake and digestibility, as well as on milk production and composition. Ten primiparous Girolando cows with average body weight ± (SEM) of 373.45 ± (63.55) kg were used in a replicated 5 × 5 Latin square. Animals were subjected to five treatments: (I) grazing cows without supplementation (WCS); (II) grazing cows provided with 5 kg DM of supplement without CRS (0 g/kg DM of CRS) or including (III) 260, (IV) 520, and (V) 780 g/kg DM of CRS. Statistical analyses were performed using the PROC MIXED of SAS with significance at P < 0.05. Intake of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and ether extract decreased (P < 0.01), while intake of non-fiber carbohydrates increased (P < 0.01), with increased CRS in the diets. Total DM intake and digestibility of DM, and digestibility of nutritional components were lower (P < 0.03) in WCS animals compared to supplemented animals, except for intake and digestibility of NDF, which was the opposite. Milk yield (MY) and fat corrected milk (FCM), as well as all milk components were unaffected (P > 0.05) by CRS inclusion. In contrast, MY, FCM, protein, lactose, casein, and non-fat milk solids (NFMS) were greater for animals that received supplementation (P < 0.05), compared to animals WCS. Milk fat and total dry extract (TMS) did not differ (P > 0.11) between two groups. In conclusion, CRS may be a potential corn meal replacer in the supplement of dairy cows under tropical conditions.

Impact of dental imaging on pregnant women and recommendations for fetal radiation safety: A systematic review.

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the safety of dental imaging in pregnant women with respect to fetal health. Materials and Methods: Searches were conducted of the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases in May 2023. The inclusion criteria encompassed cross-sectional and longitudinal studies that focused on the analysis of diagnostic dental imaging in pregnant women, as well as studies utilizing phantoms to simulate imaging examinations. The exclusion criteria consisted of reviews, letters to the editor, book chapters, and abstracts from scientific conferences and seminars. Results: A total of 3,913 articles were identified. Based on a review of the titles and abstracts, 3,892 articles were excluded, leaving 21 articles remaining for full-text review. Of these, 18 were excluded, and 4 additional articles were included as cross-references. Ultimately, 7 articles underwent quantitative-qualitative analysis. Three retrospective studies were focused on pregnant women who underwent dental imaging procedures. The remaining 4 studies utilized female phantoms to simulate imaging examinations and represent the radiation doses absorbed by the uterus or thyroid. Conclusion: Few dental radiology studies have been conducted to determine the safe radiation threshold for pregnant women. Additionally, the reviewed articles did not provide numbers of dental examinations, by type, corresponding to this dose. Dental imaging examinations of pregnant women should not be restricted if clinically indicated. Ultimately, practitioners must be able to justify the examination and should adhere to the "as low as diagnostically acceptable, being indication-oriented and patient-specific" (ALADAIP) principle of radioprotection.

Amphichorda monjolensis sp. nov., a new fungal species isolated from a Brazilian limestone cave, with an update on acremonium-like species in Bionectriaceae.

Caves are unique environments characterized by spatial limitations, partial or total absence of direct light, and scarcity of organic carbon and nutrients. Caves are shelters for a variety of adapted animals and microorganisms such as fungi, many of which are still unknown. Amphichorda is a fungal genus belonging to the family Bionectriaceae, which includes cave-dwelling and entomopathogenic species with biotechnological applications. In this study, a new fungal species was identified using morphological and multi-locus phylogenetic analyses of the ITS, LSU, and TEF loci, in the Gruta Velha Nova limestone cave located in the Southern Espinhaço Range, Monjolos, Minas Gerais, Brazil. During the exposure of potato dextrose agar plates to the cave environment, an insect from the family Rhaphidophoridae passed by and fed on the culture medium, resulting in three fungal isolates. Phylogenetic analyses showed that these isolates formed a clade distinct from all known species, leading us to introduce a new species, Amphichorda monjolensis, which may be associated with this insect. Here, we also proposed two new combinations for species of acremonium-like fungi in the Bionectriaceae: Bulbithecium globosisporum (synonym: Acremonium globosisporum) and Hapsidospora curva (synonym: Acremonium curvum). The discovery of A. monjolensis highlights the potential of caves as shelters for new species with significant biotechnological importance.

Intracranial pressure waveform in patients with essential hypertension.

Background: There is a strong association between hypertension and cerebrovascular diseases, but most of the mechanistic bases to justify this correlation remains misunderstood. Objective: To evaluate intracranial pressure waveform in long-term essential hypertensive patients with a non-invasive device, brain4care (b4c). Methods: Cross-sectional study in patients with hypertension. Office blood pressure was measured with an automatic oscillometric device. Intracranial pressure evaluation was acquired through a strain sensor that could detect and monitor nanometric skull bone displacements for each cardiac cycle. Under normal physiological conditions, P1 is greater than P2, and the normal P2/P1 ratio is <1. Time to peak (TTP) is the measurement in seconds of the beginning of waveform inscription until P1 and normal values are <0.20 s. The cut-off points ≥1.2 and ≥0.25 s were used to define intracranial hypertension (ICHT). Results: 391 consecutive patients were evaluated (75% female, mean age 64.3 ± 12.0 years). Mean value of P2/P1 ratio was 1.18 ± 0.25 and TTP 0.18 ± 0.63 s The obtained P2/P1 ratios were divided in three categories according to results of previous studies of normalcy (<1.0), intracranial compliance disturbance (1.0-1.19) and ICHT (≥1.2). Normal intracranial pressure was observed in 21.7% of patients, intracranial compliance disturbance in 32.7% and intracranial hypertension in 45.6%. Females showed a higher prevalence of ICHT (50.3%). Conclusion: The prevalence of 45.6% intra-cranial hypertension in patients with long-term hypertension, particularly in women, and in those over 65 years old, emphasizes the importance of evaluate intracranial pressure behaviour in these patients and raise a question concerning the real ability of cerebral autoregulation and vascular barriers to protect the brain.

Two new Cladosporium species from a quartzite cave in Brazil.

Caves are underground and natural environments mainly found in rocky terrain. Caves have a very specific microclimate, which benefits the occurrence of specific fungi. In recent studies, researchers have observed that caves harbour a great diversity of fungi. However, studies on fungal diversity in Brazilian caves are still incipient. In September 2019, airborne spore and soil samples were collected from the Monte Cristo cave, in the Southern Espinhaço Range, Diamantina, Minas Gerais state, Brazil. Two Cladosporium single-spore isolates, among other genera, were obtained from these samples. This study aimed to characterise these two fungal isolates based on their DNA sequence data and morphology. Phylogenetic analyses of the rDNA-ITS, ACT and TEF1-α loci revealed that the isolates belonged to the Cladosporium cladosporioides species complex. Both isolates did not cluster with any known species and were formally described and named herein as C. diamantinense and C. speluncae. This study presents taxonomic novelties and contributes to the knowledge about the fungal diversity in Brazilian caves.

Consecutive Liver and Bone Marrow Transplantation for Erythropoietic Protoporphyria: Case Report and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) is a rare inherited disease of heme biosynthesis resulting in the accumulation of protoporphyrin, characterized by liver failure in a minority of cases. Although liver transplant (LT) is the therapeutic strategy for advanced hepatic disease, it does not correct the primary defect, which leads to recurrence in liver graft. Thus, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is an approach for treating EPP. METHODS: We aim to describe the first sequential LT and HSCT for EPP performed in Latin America, besides reviewing the present-day literature. RESULTS: The patient, a 13-year-old female with a history of photosensitivity, presented with symptoms of cholestatic and hepatopulmonary syndrome and was diagnosed with EPP. Liver biopsy demonstrated cirrhosis. She was submitted to a successful LT and showed improvement of respiratory symptoms. However, she had disease recurrence on the liver graft. She underwent a myeloablative HSCT using a matched unrelated donor, conditioning with BuCy (busulfan and cyclophosphamide), and GvHD (graft vs. host disease) prophylaxis with ATG (thymoglobulin), tacrolimus and methotrexate. Neutrophil engraftment occurred on D+18. She has presented mixed chimerism, but normalization of PP levels, being 300 days after HSCT, in good state of health and normal liver function. CONCLUSIONS: Consecutive LT and HSCT for EPP is a procedure that has been described in 10 cases in the literature and, even though these patients are a highly diversified population, studies have shown favorable results. This concept of treatment should be considered in patients with established liver disease.

Clinical-epidemiological characterization of patients submitted to hemodialysis according to the national kidney foundation, the kidney disease outcomes quality initiative ­ KDOQI in a hemodialysis reference center in the metropolitan region of São Paulo, Brazil

Introduction: hemodialysis is a treatment that helps in the survival of patients with renal failure, through an established cardiopulmonary bypass to carry out blood filtration, as a result, there is a need for a feasible, lasting and effective vascular access. There are two types of vascular access, arteriovenous fistulas, using autogenous veins or prostheses, and venous catheters. The indications for choosing the type of vascular access are related to the characteristics and restriction of use of each patient.Objective: to analyze the epidemiological, demographic and clinical profile of patients undergoing hemodialysis in two reference services in the metropolitan region of São Paulo, Brazil, and compare the clinical-surgical processes with those defined by the Kidney Guidelines disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (KDOQI).Methods: data were collected in two public hospitals, with patients undergoing hemodialysis, through registration forms and medical records, from August to December 2016. The volunteers were informed about the procedures and objectives of the study and, after agreeing, they signed a consent form. The variables age, gender, weight, height, body mass index, hemodialysis time, types of accesses already used , complications related to the accesses and underlying disease were analyzed. Patients with chronic renal failure undergoing hemodialysis of both genders, with no age restriction, were included. Patients not able to perform one of the techniques, arteriovenous fistula or catheter, were excluded . The collected data were compared with the Kidney guidelines disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (KDOQI).Results: a total of 252 individuals were included, of which 182 are patients undergoing reference hospital treatment in the city of São Bernardo do Campo, SP and 70 patients at the State University Hospital Mário Covas, a State reference in the clinical management of patients undergoing hemodialysis care.Conclusion: chronic kidney disease is highly prevalent with progression to end-stage chronic kidney failure (dialysis). The definition of the epidemiological profile of the population undergoing treatment, as well as the journey of venous accesses for hemodialysis (catheters and fistulas), are fundamental for the multidisciplinary team's learning curve about complications throughout the course of the disease/treatment. Furthermore, the clinical-surgical management of this population is in line with the guidelines of the National Kidney Foundation. The treatment performed in these hemodialysis centers is efficient and in line with what the KDOQI recommends.

Cuidados paliativos perinatais: abordagem diante anomalias congênitas que ameaçam a continuidade da vida / Perinatal Palliative Care: Approach To Congenital Abnormalities That Threaten The Continuity Of Life

Objetivo: identificar quais condutas são tomadas frente a fetos e neonatos com anomalias congênitas e fatores facilitadores e dificultadores para a atuação da medicina fetal e neonatologia neste escopo. Método: revisão sistemática da literatura realizada entre os anos de 2018 e 2022. Resultado: nas estratégias utilizadas para encaminhamento aos cuidados paliativos no pré-natal estão o apoio psicoespiritual priorizado à família e as opções de cuidado para avaliar até qual ponto intervir de forma invasiva no atendimento ao nascituro. Identificou-se que a falta de preparo profissional para abordar a família de um nascituro com mau prognóstico faz com que não tenham o tato necessário para tal ação. Conclusão: em um momento que a família passa por um processo de luto, exaustão emocional e necessidade de tomada de decisões, é imprescindível a capacitação dos profissionais para atuarem com qualidade, de forma a melhorar a organização do serviço e a assistência adequada.(AU)

Objective: to identify what actions are taken against fetuses and neonates with congenital anomalies and facilitating and complicating factors for the performance of fetal medicine and neonatology in this scope. Method: systematic review of the literature conducted between the years 2018 and 2022. Results: in the strategies used for referral to palliative care in prenatal care are the prioritized psychospiritual support to the family and care options to assess to what extent to intervene invasively in the care of the unborn child. It was identified that the lack of professional preparation to approach the family of an unborn child with a poor prognosis makes them lack the necessary tact for such an action. Conclusion: at a time when the family goes through a process of mourning, emotional exhaustion and the need to make decisions, it is essential to train professionals to act with quality, in order to improve the organization of the service and adequate assistance.(AU)

Objetivo: identificar qué actuaciones se realizan ante fetos y neonatos con anomalías congénitas y factores facilitadores y complicadores para la realización de medicina fetal y neonatología en este ámbito. Método: revisión sistemática de la literatura realizada entre los años 2018 y 2022. Resultados: en las estrategias utilizadas para la derivación a cuidados paliativos en la atención prenatal se prioriza el apoyo psicoespiritual a la familia y las opciones asistenciales para valorar hasta qué punto intervenir de forma invasiva en el cuidado del feto. Identificou-se que a falta de preparação profissional para abordar a família de um nascituro com mau pronóstico faz que não tenham o tato necessário para tal ação. Conclusión: en un momento en que la familia pasa por un proceso de luto, agotamiento emocional y necesidad de tomar decisiones, es imprescindible la capacitación de los profesionales para actuar con calidad, de forma que se mejore la organización del servicio y la asistencia adecuada.(AU)

Comparative study of cranial measurements between sexes from Brazil and The Netherlands: A cone-beam computed tomography study.

The objective of this study was to better understand human variation by comparing cone-beam computed tomography-based cranial measurements between both sexes of individuals from two distinct populations: Brazilian and Dutch. Cone-beam computed tomography volumes of 311 patients between 20 and 60 years from Brazil and The Netherlands were selected. Two radiologists performed 16 linear measurements in the maxillary sinuses and mandibular canal. Kruskall-Wallis test compared measurements of the two cranial structures between male and female for the two populations and four age ranges (20-30, 31-40, 41-50, 51-60). Mann-Whitney test compared individual measurements obtained from the cranial structures between male and female for each population, and between both populations for both sexes. Intra- and inter-observer reliability was assessed by intraclass correlation test (α = 0.05). No significant differences were found in the linear measurements among the experimental groups including sex, population and age group for both cranial structures (p > 0.05). Most of the cranial linear measurements were significantly higher for male than those for female irrespective of the population (p ≤ 0.05). When the populations were compared regardless of sex, Brazilians presented four significantly higher measurements, and Dutch presented seven significantly higher measurements (p ≤ 0.05). The assessed cranial structures did not differ between Brazilian and Dutch populations for both sexes and four age ranges. Multiple linear measurements differed between both populations with a predominance of larger dimensions for the Dutch population.

O percurso constitutivo da ontologia Marxiana-Lukacsiana: apontamentos pertinentes para o debate gnosiológico-epistemológico sobre a corporeidade humana / The path of constitution of the Marxian-Lukacsian ontology: relevance for the gnosiological and epistemological debate on human corporeity / El camino de constitución de la ontología Marxiano-Lukácsiana: relevancia para el debate gnosiológico y epistemológico sobre la corporeidad humana

RESUMO A presente exposição objetiva, através da apresentação do percurso de constituição da ontologia marxiana-lukasciana, extrair considerações iniciais críticas às teorias sociais modernas que são fundamentos teórico-epistemológicos para os estudos sobre a corporeidade humana. Aportado em uma pesquisa doutoral qualitativa de cunho teórico-bibliográfica, centra-se aqui na revisão que Lukács realizou sobre as teorias antiontológicas e aquelas que reivindicavam uma ontologia do ente presentificado no cotidiano. Conclui-se provisoriamente que a detecção dos problemas e limites das abordagens investigadas, em especial, uma noção demasiada abstrata do Ser, possam ser pertinentes para a análise da produção dos estudos sobre a corporeidade desenvolvidos na Educação Física.

ABSTRACT This exposition aims, through the presentation of the path of constitution of the Marxian-Lukascian ontology, to extract initial critical considerations to modern social theories that are theoretical-epistemological foundations for studies on human embodiment. Based on a qualitative doctoral research of a theoretical-bibliographic nature, it focuses here on the review that Lukács carried out on anti-ontological theories and those that claimed an ontology of the being present in everyday life. It is provisionally concluded that the detection of the problems and limits of the investigated approaches, in particular, an overly abstract notion of Being, may be relevant for the analysis of the production of studies on embodiment developed in Physical Education.

RESUMEN Esta exposición pretende, a través de la presentación del camino de constitución de la ontología marxiano-lukasciana, extraer consideraciones críticas iniciales a las teorías sociales modernas que son fundamentos teórico-epistemológicos para los estudios sobre la corporeidad humana. A partir de una investigación doctoral cualitativa de carácter teórico-bibliográfico, se centra aquí en la revisión que Lukács realizó sobre las teorías antiontológicas y aquellas que reivindicaban una ontología del ser presente en la vida cotidiana. Se concluye provisionalmente que la detección de los problemas y límites de los enfoques investigados, en particular, una noción excesivamente abstracta del Ser, puede ser relevante para el análisis de la producción de estudios sobre la corporeidad desarrollados en Educación Física.

Antibody feedback regulation of memory B cell development in SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination

Feedback inhibition of humoral immunity by antibodies was initially documented in guinea pigs by Theobald Smith in 1909, who showed that passive administration of excess anti-Diphtheria toxin inhibited immune responses1. Subsequent work documented that antibodies can enhance or inhibit immune responses depending on antibody isotype, affinity, the physical nature of the antigen, and engagement of immunoglobulin (Fc) and complement (C) receptors2, 3. However, little is known about how pre-existing antibodies might influence the subsequent development of memory B cells. Here we examined the memory B cell response in individuals who received two high-affinity IgG1 anti-SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD)-specific monoclonal antibodies, C144-LS and C135-LS, and subsequently two doses of a SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine. The two antibodies target Class 2 and 3 epitopes that dominate the initial immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection and mRNA vaccination4-8. Antibody responses to the vaccine in C144-LS and C135-LS recipients produced plasma antigen binding and neutralizing titers that were fractionally lower but not statistically different to controls. In contrast, memory B cells enumerated by flow cytometry after the second vaccine dose were present in higher numbers than in controls. However, the memory B cells that developed in antibody recipients differed from controls in that they were not enriched in VH3-53, VH1-46 and VH3-66 genes and predominantly expressed low-affinity IgM antibodies that carried small numbers of somatic mutations. These antibodies showed altered RBD target specificity consistent with epitope masking, and only 1 out of 77 anti-RBD memory antibodies tested neutralized the virus. The results indicate that pre-existing high-affinity antibodies bias memory B cell selection and have a profound effect on the development of immunological memory in humans that may in part explain the shifting target profile of memory antibodies elicited by the 3rd mRNA vaccine dose.

Outcomes of Oral and Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Related to Healthcare Coverage: A Retrospective Cohort Study in Brazil.

We investigated the differences in prognosis according to the type of healthcare coverage of patients with oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OOSCC). This study included 875 medical records. Patients covered by the publicly funded Unified Health System (SUS) had a low educational level, with advanced T stage and delayed treatment initiation. Multivariate analyses revealed an association between T stage (p = .035) and poor prognosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma, and age (p = .029) in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Surgical treatment (p = .036) and marital status (p = .015) were considered predictors of better prognosis in OOSCC. Exclusive SUS-dependency can be considered an indirect prognostic factor for OOSCC.

Biallelic Variants in the Ectonucleotidase ENTPD1 Cause a Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorder with Intellectual Disability, Distinct White Matter Abnormalities, and Spastic Paraplegia.

OBJECTIVE: Human genomics established that pathogenic variation in diverse genes can underlie a single disorder. For example, hereditary spastic paraplegia is associated with >80 genes, with frequently only few affected individuals described for each gene. Herein, we characterize a large cohort of individuals with biallelic variation in ENTPD1, a gene previously linked to spastic paraplegia 64 (Mendelian Inheritance in Man # 615683). METHODS: Individuals with biallelic ENTPD1 variants were recruited worldwide. Deep phenotyping and molecular characterization were performed. RESULTS: A total of 27 individuals from 17 unrelated families were studied; additional phenotypic information was collected from published cases. Twelve novel pathogenic ENTPD1 variants are described (NM 001776.6): c.398_399delinsAA; p.(Gly133Glu), c.540del; p.(Thr181Leufs*18), c.640del; p.(Gly216Glufs*75), c.185 T > G; p.(Leu62*), c.1531 T > C; p.(*511Glnext*100), c.967C > T; p.(Gln323*), c.414-2_414-1del, and c.146 A > G; p.(Tyr49Cys) including 4 recurrent variants c.1109 T > A; p.(Leu370*), c.574-6_574-3del, c.770_771del; p.(Gly257Glufs*18), and c.1041del; p.(Ile348Phefs*19). Shared disease traits include childhood onset, progressive spastic paraplegia, intellectual disability (ID), dysarthria, and white matter abnormalities. In vitro assays demonstrate that ENTPD1 expression and function are impaired and that c.574-6_574-3del causes exon skipping. Global metabolomics demonstrate ENTPD1 deficiency leads to impaired nucleotide, lipid, and energy metabolism. INTERPRETATION: The ENTPD1 locus trait consists of childhood disease onset, ID, progressive spastic paraparesis, dysarthria, dysmorphisms, and white matter abnormalities, with some individuals showing neurocognitive regression. Investigation of an allelic series of ENTPD1 (1) expands previously described features of ENTPD1-related neurological disease, (2) highlights the importance of genotype-driven deep phenotyping, (3) documents the need for global collaborative efforts to characterize rare autosomal recessive disease traits, and (4) provides insights into disease trait neurobiology. ANN NEUROL 2022;92:304-321.

What is the accuracy of the surgical guide in the planning of orthognathic surgeries? A systematic review

Background: To investigate the true accuracy of the surgical guide in the planning of orthognathic surgeries, which are performed worldwide. Material and Methods: A systematic search was conducted in the PubMed database, Web of science, Scopus and Embase, covering August 2020 to January 2021. Studies that included patients with dentofacial deformity including anteroposterior, vertical and asymmetry problems who were undergoing an orthognathic surgery procedure were included; QUADAS-2 was used to determine the risk of bias by analyzing the quality of the studies. A PRISMA (flowchart) was created to show the study selection, keywords, nomination processes, and inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: Eleven studies were selected for qualitative and quantitative synthesis. All studies evaluated described high precision of the surgical guide, where the lowest error values were represented by the CAD/CAM technique. Conclusions: The planning and printing errors related to the guide were all less than 2 mm, and the absolute averages of the errors related to virtual planning in the analysis of the different plans were less than 1 mm. Finally, the measurement of the ANB angle obtained equivalent results between the virtual planning and the traditional.(AU)

Nutrient utilization, performance, and milk fatty acid composition of grazing cows fed supplements with babassu coconut.

This study evaluated the effects of dietary inclusion of cracked babassu coconut (CBC) in the supplement on nutrient utilization, performance, and milk fatty acid (FA) composition of dairy cows grazing Megathyrsus maximus cv. Mombasa. Five multiparous Holstein × Zebu mid-lactation cows (125 ± 16.5 days in milk) were assigned to five dietary treatments (replacement of 0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80% of ground corn with CBC, on a dry matter (DM) basis) in a 5 × 5 Latin square design. The intake of DM from the supplement, crude protein (CP), non-fiber carbohydrate (NFC), fat (ether extract (EE)), and total digestible nutrients (TDNs) decreased linearly (P < 0.05), while the intake of DM from forage increased linearly (P < 0.05), with the increase in CBC inclusion in the supplement. Conversely, total DM intake was unaffected (P > 0.05). The DM, NFC, EE, and TDN digestibility decreased linearly (P < 0.05), while organic matter (OM) digestibility decreased in a quadratic fashion (P < 0.05), as CBC inclusion in the supplement increased. Nevertheless, digestibility of CP was unaffected (P > 0.05). Milk yield and composition (lactose, fat, protein, casein, and majority of FA) showed a linearly decreasing pattern (P < 0.05) with the increasing of CBC inclusion. However, proportions of trans-vaccenic acid, rumenic acid, total monounsaturated FA, and odd- and branched-chain FAs increased linearly (P < 0.05). On the opposite, total saturated FA (SFA) and the n-6:n-3 FA ratio in milk fat decreased linearly (P < 0.01). Hence, replacement of corn meal with CBC up to 80% in the supplement decreases nutrient intake and digestibility, as well as milk yield response in grazing dairy cows. However, CBC inclusion may enhance the nutritional properties of milk fat.

Antibody Evolution after SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccination

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection produces B-cell responses that continue to evolve for at least one year. During that time, memory B cells express increasingly broad and potent antibodies that are resistant to mutations found in variants of concern1. As a result, vaccination of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) convalescent individuals with currently available mRNA vaccines produces high levels of plasma neutralizing activity against all variants tested1, 2. Here, we examine memory B cell evolution 5 months after vaccination with either Moderna (mRNA-1273) or Pfizer- BioNTech (BNT162b2) mRNA vaccines in a cohort of SARS-CoV-2 naive individuals. Between prime and boost, memory B cells produce antibodies that evolve increased neutralizing activity, but there is no further increase in potency or breadth thereafter. Instead, memory B cells that emerge 5 months after vaccination of naive individuals express antibodies that are similar to those that dominate the initial response. While individual memory antibodies selected over time by natural infection have greater potency and breadth than antibodies elicited by vaccination, the overall neutralizing potency of plasma is greater following vaccination. These results suggest that boosting vaccinated individuals with currently available mRNA vaccines will increase plasma neutralizing activity but may not produce antibodies with breadth equivalent to those obtained by vaccinating convalescent individuals.

X-radiation does not affect the dental pulp: a morphological study in rats / A radiação X não afeta a polpa dentária: um estudo morfológico em ratos

Introduction: Radiotherapy is one of the methods used as a treatment for malignant tumors in the head and neck region and it can cause tissue damage in the irradiated areas. In head and neck radiotherapy, teeth are often included within the irradiation area and, consequently, the dental pulp; which receives high doses of radiation. Objective: To evaluate the effects of ionizing radiation on the pulp tissue of rat teeth. Methodology: A double-blind experimental assay with 35 Albinus Wistar rats divided into seven groups was performed; one control group, three groups irradiated with 15 Gy, and three groups irradiated with 25 Gy. The irradiated groups were submit-ted to a single dose of radiation and sacrificed 24 hours, 7 days, and 22 days after irradiation, respectively. The samples were evaluated for the morphological presence of inflammatory infiltrate, edema, necrosis, fibrosis, and degeneration of blood vessels. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests with p < 0.05. Results: Hyaline degeneration of the pulp blood vessels in the irradiated teeth was statistically signifi-cant in all irradiated groups. Inflammatory infiltrate, edema, necrosis or fibrosis was not observed. Conclusion:A single X-radiation dose is not able to affect the dental pulp connective tissue in the long term with no clinical damage.

Introdução: A radioterapia é um dos métodos utilizados como tratamento para tumores malignos em região de cabeça e pescoço e que pode causar danos aos tecidos nas áreas irradiadas. Na radioterapia de cabeça e pescoço, os dentes são comumente incluídos dentro da área de radiação e, consequentemente, a polpa dentária, recebe altas doses de radiação. Objetivo: Avaliar os efeitos da radiação ionizante no tecido pulpar de dentes de ratos. Metodologia: Foi realizado um ensaio experimental duplo-cego com 35 ratos Albinus Wistar divididos em sete grupos: um grupo controle, três grupos irradiados com 15 Gy e três grupos irradiados com 25 Gy. Os grupos irradiados foram submetidos a uma dose única de radiação e sacrificados 24 horas, 7 dias e 22 dias após a irradiação, respectivamente. As amostras foram avaliadas quanto à presença morfológica de infiltrado inflamatório, edema, necrose, fibrose e degeneração nos vasos sanguíneos. A análise estatística foi realizada por meio dos testes de Kruskal-Wallis e Dunn com p < 0.05. Resultados: Degeneração hialina nos vasos sanguíneos pulpares dos dentes irradiados foi estatisticamente significante em todos os grupos irradiados. Não foi observado infiltrado inflamatório, edema, necrose ou fibrose. Conclusão: Uma dose única de radiação X não é capaz de afetar o tecido conjuntivo da polpa dentária a longo prazo sem danos clínicos.