Post-mortem diagnosis of human rabies in SARS-CoV-2 coinfected patient with minimally invasive autopsy in northeastern Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: Human rabies (HR) is a lethal zoonotic disease caused by lyssaviruses with increase in the number of cases post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. METHODOLOGY: We report a case of human rabies in a patient from a rural area of Ceará, northeastern Brazil in 2023, who was bitten by a white-tufted-ear marmoset (Callithrix jacchus jacchus). The patient was co-infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and was diagnosed by minimally invasive autopsy (MIA). RESULTS: MIA offers many advantages related to biosafety, and speed of sample acquisition; and markedly reduces disfigurement of the body compared with complete autopsy. It is a great alternative in COVID-19 patients. CONCLUSIONS: New methods such as MIA are a promising tool for diagnosis, and have the potential to improve family cooperation and support rabies surveillance.

Senescence on Dental Pulp Cells: Effects on Morphology, Migration, Proliferation, and Immune Response.

INTRODUCTION: Evidence indicates that senescence can affect essential dental pulp functions, such as defense capacity and repair, consequently affecting the successes of conservative endodontic treatments. This study aims to evaluate the effects of senescence on the morphology, migration, proliferation, and immune response of human dental pulp cells. METHODS: Cells were treated with doxorubicin to induce senescence, confirmed by ß-galactosidase staining. Morphological changes, cellular proliferation, and migration were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, trypan blue cells, and the scratch method, respectively. Modifications in the immune response were evaluated by measuring the genes for pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin (IL)-6 and anti-inflammatory cytokines transforming growth factor beta 1 and IL-10 using the real time polymerase chain reaction assay. RESULTS: An increase in cell size and a decrease in the number of extensions were observed in senescent cells. A reduction in the proliferative and migratory capacity was also found in senescent cells. In addition, there was an increase in the gene expression of inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha and IL-6 and a decrease in the gene expression of IL-10 and transforming growth factor beta-1, suggesting an exacerbated inflammatory situation associated with immunosuppression. CONCLUSIONS: Cellular senescence is possibly a condition that affects prognoses of conservative endodontic treatments, as it affects primordial cellular functions related to this treatment.

Rabies virus variants from bats closely related to variants found in marmosets (Callithrix jacchus), a neglected source of human rabies infection in Brazil.

Rabies is a fatal viral zoonosis caused by rabies virus (RABV). RABV infects the central nervous system and triggers acute encephalomyelitis in both humans and animals. Endemic in the Brazilian Northeast region, RABV emergence in distinct wildlife species has been identified as a source of human rabies infection and as such, constitutes a public health concern. Here, we performed post-mortem RABV analyses of 144 encephalic tissues from bats sampled from January to July 2022, belonging to 15 different species. We identified phylogenetically distinct RABV from Phyllostomidae and Molossidae bats circulating in Northeastern Brazil. Phylogenetic clustering revealed the close evolutionary relationship between RABV viruses circulating in bats and variants hosted in white-tufted marmosets, commonly captured to be kept as pets and linked to human rabies cases and deaths in Brazil. Our findings underline the urgent need to implement a phylogenetic-scale epidemiological surveillance platform to track multiple RABV variants which may pose a threat to both humans and animals.

The effect of Vitamin E supplementation on inflammatory biomarkers and oxidative stress in patients with chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis: A systematic review

Hemodialysis, along with chronic kidney disease (CKD), intensifies the inflammatory process and oxidative stress in patients undergoing treatment. In this context, Vitamin E supplementation can mitigate the deleterious effects resulting from these processes. This is a systematic review whose objective was to evaluate the effect of Vitamin E supplementation on inflammatory biomarkers and oxidative stress in patients with CKD on hemodialysis. This review was prepared according to the methodology for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) and the search was performed in Pubmed, Cochrane Library, Scopus and Web of Science databases. The risk of bias of the included studies was assessed with the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. Twelve studies developed between 2006 and 2020 were included in this review. Most of them (n= 11) used vitamin E doses ranging from 400 IU to 888 IU and the supplementation time ranged from 2 weeks to 12 months. Of all the 12 articles included, 25% (n= 3) analyzed supplementation on biomarkers of oxidative stress and 25% (n= 3) addressed these parameters simultaneously. A positive effect was observed in 58.4% of the studies (n= 7). Thus, Vitamin E supplementation can be effective in mitigating the inflammatory process and oxidative stress, however, it is worth noting that the effect depends on the dose and time of supplementation.

La hemodiálisis, junto con la enfermedad renal crónica (ERC), intensifica el proceso inflamatorio y el estrés oxidativo en los pacientes en tratamiento. En este contexto, la suplementación con vitamina E puede mitigar los efectos nocivos resultantes de estos procesos. Esta es una revisión sistemática cuyo objetivo fue evaluar el efecto de la suplementación con vitamina E sobre biomarcadores inflamatorios y estrés oxidativo en pacientes con ERC en hemodiálisis. La revisión se elaboró según la metodología para revisiones sistemáticas y metanálisis (PRISMA) y la búsqueda se realizó en las bases de datos Pubmed, Cochrane Library, Scopus y Web of Science. El riesgo de sesgo de los estudios incluidos se evaluó con la Herramienta Cochrane de Riesgo de Sesgo (Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool). En esta revisión se incluyeron doce estudios desarrollados entre 2006 y 2020. La mayoría (n= 11) utilizó dosis de vitamina E que oscilaban entre 400 UI y 888 UI y el tiempo de suplementación osciló entre 2 semanas y 12 meses. De los 12 artículos incluidos, 25% (n= 3) analizaba la suplementación en biomarcadores inflamatorios, 50% (n= 6) en biomarcadores de estrés oxidativo y 25% (n= 3) en estos parámetros simultáneamente. Se observó un efecto positivo en 58,4% de los estudios (n= 7). Por lo tanto, la suplementación con vitamina E puede ser efectiva para mitigar el proceso inflamatorio y el estrés oxidativo, sin embargo, vale la pena señalar que el efecto depende de la dosis y el tiempo de suplementación.

The P-MAPA Immunomodulator Partially Prevents Apoptosis Induced by Zika Virus Infection in THP-1 Cells.

BACKGROUND: Zika virus is an emerging arbovirus of global importance. ZIKV infection is associated with a range of neurological complications such as the Congenital Zika Syndrome and Guillain Barré Syndrome. Despite the magnitude of recent outbreaks, there is no specific therapy to prevent or to alleviate disease pathology. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of P-MAPA immunomodulator in Zika-infected THP-1 cells. METHODS: THP-1 cells were subjected to Zika virus infection (Multiplicity of Infection = 0.5) followed by treatment with P-MAPA for until 96 hours post-infection. After that, the cell death was analyzed by annexin+/ PI+ and caspase 3/ 7+ staining by flow cytometry. In addition, virus replication and cell proliferation were accessed by RT-qPCR and Ki67 staining, respectively. RESULTS: We demonstrate that P-MAPA in vitro treatment significantly reduces Zika virus-induced cell death and caspase-3/7 activation on THP-1 infected cells, albeit it has no role in virus replication and cell proliferation. CONCLUSION: Our study reveals that P-MAPA seems to be a satisfactory alternative to inhibit the effects of Zika virus infection in mammalian cells.

Efficacy of Origanum vulgare L. and Rosmarinus officinalis L. essential oils in combination to control postharvest pathogenic Aspergilli and autochthonous mycoflora in Vitis labrusca L. (table grapes).

This study evaluated the efficacy of the application of the essential oils of Origanum vulgare L. (OVEO) and Rosmarinus officinalis L. (ROEO) alone and in combination to inhibit Aspergillus flavus URM 4540 and Aspergillus niger URM 5842 in fungal growth media and on Vitis labrusca L. (table grapes). The influence on the autochthonous mycoflora and the physical, physicochemical and sensory characteristics of the grapes during storage (25°C, 12days and 12°C, 24days) were also studied. The application of the essential oils in different concentrations (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration - MIC, 1/2 MIC+1/2 MIC and 1/4 MIC+1/4 MIC) inhibited the mycelial growth and spore germination of the test fungi and inhibited the growth of the assayed fungal strains in artificially contaminated grapes and the autochthonous mycoflora of grapes stored at both room and cold temperatures. In general, the application of OVEO and/or ROEO at sub-lethal concentrations preserved the quality of grapes as measured by their physical, physicochemical and sensory attributes throughout the assessed storage time. These results demonstrate the potential of the combination of OVEO and ROEO at sub-lethal concentrations to control postharvest pathogenic fungi in fruits, particularly, A. flavus and A. niger in table grapes.

Sowing time on Soybean yield potential in Uberlândia-MG / Época de semeadura no Potencial produtivo de Soja em Uberlândia-MG

The work was done in Uberlândia (MG) to evaluate the performance of seven soybeans cultivars sowed in four different times: October 30th, November 15th, December 14th and 31st during the 2001/2002 season. The cultivars utilized were: DM-118 early-maturing, DM-247, DM-Victoria, DM-339, medium late cycle and DM-309, DM-98C81 and DM-Noble cycle Late. The statistical design was a randomized blocks in a factorial scheme (7 cultivars x 4 times) with three replications. The evaluated characteristics were: yield, number of days for flowering, number of days for maturing, plant height, first bean height and plant laying. For the most evaluated cultivars, sowing beyond December 14th in Uberlandia region presented yield losses for earlier cultivars as DM-118 as well for the later ones as DM Vitória, compared to sowing in 30th October. The time for flowering and maturing and plant height had effect on the yield.

O trabalho foi feito em Uberlândia, com o objetivo de avaliar o comportamento de sete cultivares de soja em quatro épocas distintas de semeadura: 30 de Outubro, 15 de Novembro, 14 e 31 de Dezembro, na safra 2001/02. As cultivares utilizadas foram: DM-118 de ciclo precoce, DM-247, DM-Vitória, DM-339, de ciclo semitardio e DM-309, DM-98C81 e DM-Nobre de ciclo tardio. O delineamento utilizado foi o de blocos casualizados em esquema fatorial (7 cultivares x 4 épocas) com três repetições. As características avaliadas foram: produtividade, número de dias para floração e maturação, altura de plantas na maturação, inserção da primeira vagem e acamamento. Para a maioria das cultivares, a semeadura realizada a partir de 14 de dezembro na região de Uberlândia provocou queda na produtividade, tanto para as cultivares mais precoces quanto para mais tardia, DM Vitória, quando comparada a semeadura em 30 de outubro. O período para o florescimento, maturação e a altura de plantas interferiram na produtividade. Há decréscimo de altura de planta e número de dias para a floração, à medida que se atrasa a semeadura.

Sowing time on Soybean yield potential in Uberlândia-MG / Época de semeadura no Potencial produtivo de Soja em Uberlândia-MG

The work was done in Uberlândia (MG) to evaluate the performance of seven soybeans cultivars sowed in four different times: October 30th, November 15th, December 14th and 31st during the 2001/2002 season. The cultivars utilized were: DM-118 early-maturing, DM-247, DM-Victoria, DM-339, medium late cycle and DM-309, DM-98C81 and DM-Noble cycle Late. The statistical design was a randomized blocks in a factorial scheme (7 cultivars x 4 times) with three replications. The evaluated characteristics were: yield, number of days for flowering, number of days for maturing, plant height, first bean height and plant laying. For the most evaluated cultivars, sowing beyond December 14th in Uberlandia region presented yield losses for earlier cultivars as DM-118 as well for the later ones as DM Vitória, compared to sowing in 30th October. The time for flowering and maturing and plant height had effect on the yield.

O trabalho foi feito em Uberlândia, com o objetivo de avaliar o comportamento de sete cultivares de soja em quatro épocas distintas de semeadura: 30 de Outubro, 15 de Novembro, 14 e 31 de Dezembro, na safra 2001/02. As cultivares utilizadas foram: DM-118 de ciclo precoce, DM-247, DM-Vitória, DM-339, de ciclo semitardio e DM-309, DM-98C81 e DM-Nobre de ciclo tardio. O delineamento utilizado foi o de blocos casualizados em esquema fatorial (7 cultivares x 4 épocas) com três repetições. As características avaliadas foram: produtividade, número de dias para floração e maturação, altura de plantas na maturação, inserção da primeira vagem e acamamento. Para a maioria das cultivares, a semeadura realizada a partir de 14 de dezembro na região de Uberlândia provocou queda na produtividade, tanto para as cultivares mais precoces quanto para mais tardia, DM Vitória, quando comparada a semeadura em 30 de outubro. O período para o florescimento, maturação e a altura de plantas interferiram na produtividade. Há decréscimo de altura de planta e número de dias para a floração, à medida que se atrasa a semeadura.

Aspectos de biologia floral de cajueiros anão precoce e comum

The knowledge of the floral biology is very important for the development of the cashew's culture (Anacardium occidentale L.). In relation to botanical aspects, the morphological characteristics of flowers contributed effective to determination of the well-known species of Anacardium. It was aimed at studing the floral biology of the early dwarf and common cashew. The research was developed in the experimental area of the Department of Fitotecnia, Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal do Piauí, in Teresina, PI, and nine clones of dwarf cajueiro ('CAP 14', 'Embrapa 09', 'Embrapa 50', 'Embrapa 51', 'Embrapa 76', 'Embrapa 183', 'Embrapa 189', 'FAGA 01', 'FAGA 11') and a clone of common cashew ('CCA'), were evaluated using four paniculae per plant, in north, south, east and west orientation. The varietal types, common and early dwarf cashew, present little variation for most of the evaluated characteristics. The common cashew presents a larger proportion between the number of hermaphrodite flowers and the total number of flowers than the early dwarf cashew clones; this may facilitate a larger production of fruits in the common cashew. The number of developed fruits is very low in both varietal types. The paniculae placed in different cardinal orientations are similar in all the clones in relation to the aspects related to the floral biology of the cashew.

O conhecimento da biologia floral é de suma importância para o desenvolvimento da cultura do cajueiro (Anacardium occidentale L.). Com relação aos aspectos botânicos, as características morfológicas das flores contribuíram efetivamente para a determinação das espécies do gênero Anacarduim conhecidas. No presente trabalho, objetivou-se estudar a biologia floral dos cajueiros anão precoce e comum. A pesquisa foi desenvolvida na área experimental do Departamento de Fitotecnia, Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal do Piauí, em Teresina, PI, avaliando-se nove clones de cajueiro anão ("CAP 14", "Embrapa 09", "Embrapa 50", "Embrapa 51", "Embrapa 76", "Embrapa 183", "Embrapa 189", "FAGA 01", "FAGA 11") e um clone de cajueiro comum ("CCA"), utilizando-se quatro panículas por planta, cada uma com orientação norte, sul, leste e oeste. Os tipos varietais, cajueiro comum e anão precoce, apresentam pouca variação para a maioria dos caracteres avaliados. A proporção entre flores hermafroditas e o total de flores, em cajueiro comum, pode levá-lo a uma maior produção de frutos por panícula do que nos clones de cajueiro anão precoce analisados. O número de frutos desenvolvidos é bastante reduzido nos dois tipos varietais. As panículas situadas em diferentes orientações cardeais são semelhantes em todos os clones estudados quanto aos aspectos relacionados à biologia floral do cajueiro.

Aspectos de biologia floral de cajueiros anão precoce e comum

The knowledge of the floral biology is very important for the development of the cashew's culture (Anacardium occidentale L.). In relation to botanical aspects, the morphological characteristics of flowers contributed effective to determination of the well-known species of Anacardium. It was aimed at studing the floral biology of the early dwarf and common cashew. The research was developed in the experimental area of the Department of Fitotecnia, Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal do Piauí, in Teresina, PI, and nine clones of dwarf cajueiro ('CAP 14', 'Embrapa 09', 'Embrapa 50', 'Embrapa 51', 'Embrapa 76', 'Embrapa 183', 'Embrapa 189', 'FAGA 01', 'FAGA 11') and a clone of common cashew ('CCA'), were evaluated using four paniculae per plant, in north, south, east and west orientation. The varietal types, common and early dwarf cashew, present little variation for most of the evaluated characteristics. The common cashew presents a larger proportion between the number of hermaphrodite flowers and the total number of flowers than the early dwarf cashew clones; this may facilitate a larger production of fruits in the common cashew. The number of developed fruits is very low in both varietal types. The paniculae placed in different cardinal orientations are similar in all the clones in relation to the aspects related to the floral biology of the cashew.

O conhecimento da biologia floral é de suma importância para o desenvolvimento da cultura do cajueiro (Anacardium occidentale L.). Com relação aos aspectos botânicos, as características morfológicas das flores contribuíram efetivamente para a determinação das espécies do gênero Anacarduim conhecidas. No presente trabalho, objetivou-se estudar a biologia floral dos cajueiros anão precoce e comum. A pesquisa foi desenvolvida na área experimental do Departamento de Fitotecnia, Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal do Piauí, em Teresina, PI, avaliando-se nove clones de cajueiro anão ("CAP 14", "Embrapa 09", "Embrapa 50", "Embrapa 51", "Embrapa 76", "Embrapa 183", "Embrapa 189", "FAGA 01", "FAGA 11") e um clone de cajueiro comum ("CCA"), utilizando-se quatro panículas por planta, cada uma com orientação norte, sul, leste e oeste. Os tipos varietais, cajueiro comum e anão precoce, apresentam pouca variação para a maioria dos caracteres avaliados. A proporção entre flores hermafroditas e o total de flores, em cajueiro comum, pode levá-lo a uma maior produção de frutos por panícula do que nos clones de cajueiro anão precoce analisados. O número de frutos desenvolvidos é bastante reduzido nos dois tipos varietais. As panículas situadas em diferentes orientações cardeais são semelhantes em todos os clones estudados quanto aos aspectos relacionados à biologia floral do cajueiro.

Meningeal melanocytoma of the posterior fossa: case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Meningeal melanocytomas are rare primary melanotic tumors of the leptomeninges. According to our review of the literature, just 22 cases of meningeal melanocytoma (MM) of the posterior fossa have been previously reported. Some aspects related to diagnosis, radiological appearance, histopathologic features, and management are discussed in this paper. CASE DESCRIPTION: We describe the case of a 42-year-old female presenting with severe headache, nausea, and vomiting. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a posterior fossa lesion that was surgically treated. Histopathologic examination showed a highly cellular melanocytic neoplasm with numerous dark pigments in the cytoplasm. Immunoperoxidase staining S-100 protein and HMB 45 demonstrated immunoreactivity for both, confirming the diagnosis of MM. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, MMs are rare histologically benign tumors that can be cured by complete surgical resection alone, which should be the goal of the treatment. These lesions, although rare, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of tumors of the posterior fossa.