Morphological features and genetic background in ectomesenchymal chondromyxoid tumor: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Ectomesenchymal chondromyxoid tumor (EMCMT) is a rare neoplasm that mainly affects the tongue and harbors recurrent, although not exclusive, gene fusions. Owing to its rarity, overlapping features with other tumors may lead to challenges in the microscopic diagnosis. We aimed to perform a systematic review focusing on the histomolecular findings of EMCMT of the oral and maxillofacial region and to evaluate the possible association between microscopic features with the genetic background. METHODS: An electronic search was made on PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Ovid, and Embase. Clinicopathological, immunohistochemical, and molecular data were retrieved. RESULTS: Overall, 114 cases from 53 articles on EMCMT were analyzed. Histologically, EMCMT was described as demarcated (84.2%), lobulated (66.7%), reticulated (51.8%), and arranged in sheets, cords, and strands (42.9%), with 73.7% of lesions with spindle-shaped cells. Myxoid stroma (88.6%), chondroid areas (60.5%), chondromyxoid stroma (57.0%), and fibrous septae (42.9%) were also tumor-outlined features. The most expressed markers were vimentin (100.0%), cyclin D1 (100.0%), GFAP (88.5%), NSE (87.5%), S100 (86.5%), CD56 (76.9%), and CD57 (76.5%). The RREB1-MRTFB fusion was detected in 91.0% of the cases investigated and EWSR1 rearrangements in 17.4%. The presence of the fusion RREB1::MRTFB or chromosome alterations in the EWSR1 gene were not highly specific to the morphological features of EMCMT. CONCLUSION: This study provides a comprehensive summary of the clinicopathological, immunohistochemical, and molecular characteristics of EMCMT, aiding in a more accurate microscopic diagnosis of this rare tumor.

Pain Neuroscience Education in elective surgery patients: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE) consists of an educational strategy that seeks to understand the biological processes of pain and how to control it. The main objective of this study will be to evaluate the impact of PNE on outcomes related to the postoperative period. The hypothesis is that the intervention may positively influence postoperative recovery, contributing to pain control, clinical indications, acceptance and consumption of analgesics and other pharmacological drugs that contribute to its control, as well as psychological aspects, such as anxiety, depression and pain catastrophising. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This will be an open, parallel, multicentre and randomised controlled clinical trial. A total of 100 participants aged between 18 and 59 years of age, of both genders, who are going to have elective general surgery will be evaluated. The intervention group will participate in a preoperative pain neuroscience educational session and also receive usual preoperative care, while the control group receives usual preoperative care as well. The educational session will last 30 min and consists of a video (5:20 min), a questionnaire about the content, time for participants to express their beliefs, thoughts and doubts. Participants will be evaluated preoperatively and there will be one postintervention evaluation. The intensity and characteristics of pain and anxiety are evaluated as primary outcomes. As secondary outcomes, pain catastrophising and depression are taken into account. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The project was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Ceilandia, the Research Ethics Committee of the Institute of Strategic Health Management of the Federal District and the Research Council of the Hospital of Brasília-Rede Dasa (CAAE: 28572420.3.0000.8093). Recruitment began in June of 2023. All participants were included in the study only after their written consent. All data obtained will be analysed and distributed through publication in journals and at scientific events. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (ReBEC) (RBR-23mr7yy).

Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory Potential of the New Tetrahydropyran Derivative (2s,6s)-6-ethyl-tetrahydro-2h-pyran-2-yl) Methanol.

BACKGROUND: The development of analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs plays a crucial role in modern medicine, aiming to alleviate pain and reduce inflammation in patients. Opioids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are groups of drugs conventionally used to treat pain and inflammation, but a wide range of adverse effects and ineffectiveness in some pathological conditions leads us to search for new drugs with analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. OBJECTIVES: In this regard, the authors intend to investigate the ((2s,6s)-6-ethyl-tetrahydro-2h-pyran- 2-yl) methanol compound (LS20) on pain and acute inflammation. METHODS: Male Swiss mice were evaluated using acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing, formalin, and tail-flick as models of nociceptive evaluation and edema paw, air pouch and cell culture as models of inflammatory evaluation besides the rotarod test for assessment of motor impairment. RESULTS: The compound showed an effect on the acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing, formalin and tail-flick tests. Studying the mechanism of action, reversion of the antinociceptive effect of the compound was observed from previous intraperitoneal administration of selective and non-selective opioid antagonists on the tail flick test. In addition, the compound induced an antiedematogenic effect and reduced leukocyte migration and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the air pouch model. LS20 was able to maintain cell viability, in addition to reducing cell production of TNF-α and IL-6. CONCLUSION: In summary, the LS20 compound presented an antinociceptive effect, demonstrating the participation of the opioid system and an anti-inflammatory effect related to the inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokine production. The compound also demonstrated safety at the cellular level.

Analysis of the cancer occurrence related to natural radioactivity in the Rio Grande do Norte State, Brazil.

The state of Rio Grande do Norte, located in the Northeast region of Brazil, has areas of granites and pegmatites with minerals that have varying concentrations of uranium. Consequently, high concentrations of radon gas, a carcinogenic substance for humans, can occur. The present study aimed to assess the occurrence of cancer and its association with exposure to sources of natural radioactivity using geological and geophysical information in the aforementioned state. The spatial dependence of pulmonary, breast, stomach, leukemia, and skin cancer cases with the location of radioisotope sources were analyzed using geoprocessing tools. The geoprocessing analysis showed a differential pattern of uranium emission throughout the state, with the highest emission from areas with pegmatites outcrops. A spatial dependency of cancer cases was shown (Moran index: 0.43; p < 0.01). Moreover, a higher rate of natural radioactivity-cancer cases was associated with the high-intensity natural radioactivity areas: odds ratio:1.21 (95% CI 1.20; 1.23), following the same pattern when separately compared the different related types of cancer. These results highlight the importance of natural radioactivity as a public health problem in the Brazilian environmental scenario, confirming the need for further studies as the first toward understanding and implementing health management strategies mitigating the exposures, especially in areas of environmental risk.

Factors Associated With the Occurrence of Adverse Effects Resulting From Hypodermoclysis in Older Adults in Palliative Care: A Cohort Study.

This study aimed to analyze the factors associated with local adverse effects resulting from hypodermoclysis in older adult patients in palliative care. The study involved 127 older adults undergoing palliative care at a hospital in southeastern Brazil. Data collection was performed from August to November 2019. Patients aged 60 years or older, with a prescription for hypodermoclysis at the time of admission and who were not receiving hypodermoclysis at the time of admission, were included. Data collected included sociodemographic, clinical, pharmacotherapeutic, and adverse effects of hypodermoclysis administration. Most participants were women (59.0%), with a mean age of 78.5 years. Frailty was the most prevalent diagnosis (26.8%), and 80.2% of patients were in the end-of-life stage. There was an incidence of 24.0% of adverse events, with catheter obstruction and swelling in the surrounding area of the hypodermoclysis site being the most frequent at 11.3% and 8.5%, respectively. Ondansetron administration by hypodermoclysis was 3 times more likely to have an adverse effect compared to not using this drug. In contrast, a protective factor was evident with the administration of 0.9% sodium chloride, which contributed to the reduction of complications. The occurrence of adverse effects from hypodermoclysis in the study population of older adults in palliative care was low.

The treatment of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome with eculizumab in pediatric patients: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is a rare form of thrombotic microangiopathy associated with high morbidity and high mortality. Eculizumab, a humanized anti-C5 monoclonal antibody, was the first medication approved for treating aHUS in 2011. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of eculizumab treatment in pediatric patients with aHUS. DATA SOURCES: We consulted PubMed, Scopus, SciELO, and Cochrane Library databases in July 2021. The descriptors were as follows: "Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome," "aHUS," "eculizumab," "Pediatrics," "Pediatric," "Child," "Children," "Adolescent." STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: The study eligibility criteria are as follows: clinical trials and observational studies that included pediatric patients with aHUS diagnosis and who were treated with eculizumab. PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS: The participants are pediatric patients, up to 18 years old, with aHUS. The intervention was eculizumab treatment. STUDY APPRAISAL: For quality assessment, we used the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) quality assessment tool for case series studies, and the Risk of Bias In Non-Randomized Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I) tool. RESULTS: The initial search retrieved 433 studies, from which 15 were selected after complete assessment: 9 cohorts, 4 case series, and 1 clinical trial. The publication date ranged from 2015 to 2021. In total, 940 pediatric patients were included, and 682 received eculizumab. All studies reported improvements in renal and hematological parameters in most of the patients treated with eculizumab. The mortality rate was 1.6% for all patients treated with eculizumab. LIMITATIONS: The number of studies is limited, and the included studies were methodologically heterogeneous. The studies were mostly observational and many had small sample sizes. CONCLUSIONS: Eculizumab appears to be safe and effective for the treatment of aHUS in pediatric patients. More research is necessary to establish long-term efficacy, safety, and time of discontinuation. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42021266255.

Diversity of Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in an Atlantic Forest Urban Park, Salvador, Brazil.

We identified mosquito species (Diptera: Culicidae) in an Atlantic Forest fragment located in a large urban park in Salvador, Brazil, one year after a citywide epizootic of yellow fever virus (YFV). Between May 2 and August 2, 2018, adult mosquitoes were collected using the human attraction method, followed by trapping with hand-nets, and CO2-baited light traps placed at ground level and in the canopy. We collected a total of 11,914 mosquitoes, which belonged to three tribes, five genera, and at least seven species. The most abundant taxa captured by CO2-baited light traps were Culex quinquefasciatus (Say, Diptera: Culicidae) Limatus spp. (Diptera: Culicidae), and Wyeomyia spp. (Diptera: Culicidae), while by human attraction, Cx. quinquefasciatus, Wyeomyia spp., and Aedes albopictus (Skuse, Diptera: Culicidae) were captured most often. The diversity of mosquitoes by species was greater in the park area with restinga vegetation compared to the area with dense rainforest. Although vectors commonly associated with sylvatic YFV transmission were not captured, we collected several species capable of transmission of other arboviruses. Given the high likelihood of encounters between mosquitoes and human visitors in environments, such as the one studied, periodic entomological surveys to determine the risk of arbovirus transmission in these settings are warranted.

Production of carotenoid sarcinaxanthin by Kocuria palustris isolated from Northeastern Brazil Caatinga soil and their antioxidant and photoprotective activities

BACKGROUND This study aimed to produce carotenoids of two bacterial strains obtained and isolated from Caatinga soil in Northeastern Brazil and to evaluate their antioxidant and photoprotective activities. The morphological identification of bacteria was performed by Gram staining and molecularly confirmed through the 16S rRNA gene. The production of carotenoids was performed on two 23 factorial designs to analyze the influence of independent variables (temperature range, luminosity, agitation, spiral presence, and bacterial isolate type) for maximum carotenoid yield. The selected condition has been transferred to a bioreactor (10L). The identification of carotenoids was performed by liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Antioxidant activity was determined by inhibiting the bcarotene/linoleic acid system and the effectiveness as sunscreen was measured through its sun protection factor (SPF). RESULTS The results revealed that the isolates FT-7.22 and FT-5.12 were identified as Kocuria palustris; producers of a rare C50 carotenoid sarcinaxanthin. This is the first report on the production of carotenoids by this species from the Caatinga Domain. The pigment that was obtained from the Tryptic Soy Broth (TSB) medium in the best conditions of the factorial designs (increased agitation, aeration, and light exposure) exhibited a significant increase in the carotenoid production. The isolated FT-7.22 reached a higher sarcinaxanthin concentration (112,480 lg/L), and it exhibited promising antioxidant (76.53 ± 0.09%) and photoprotective activities (SPF = 9.36 ± 0.52). CONCLUSIUON This study demonstrated the ability of K. palustris to produce carotenoid sarcinaxanthin with antioxidant and photoprotective activities so that it can be applied in cosmetic formulations. How to cite: Mendes-Silva TCD, Vidal EE, de Souza RFR, et al. Production of carotenoid sarcinaxant

Occurrence of caffeine, fluoxetine, bezafibrate and levothyroxine in surface freshwater of São Paulo State (Brazil) and risk assessment for aquatic life protection.

The prioritization of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) for monitoring programmes and/or environmental risk assessment (ERA) purposes is based on several criteria, including environmental occurrence data. However, data on API occurrence in Brazilian surface freshwaters are still scarce. The Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) provides several medicines free-of-charge, including medications that have bezafibrate, fluoxetine and levothyroxine as the API. Thus, our objective was to investigate the occurrence of bezafibrate, fluoxetine and levothyroxine in samples collected at sampling sites included in the surface freshwater monitoring program of the São Paulo State Environmental Agency (CETESB); caffeine was also included in the analysis because it is commonly used as an anthropogenic marker of aquatic environment contamination. Monitoring results showed that levothyroxine was not found in any of the analysed samples. Caffeine was ubiquitous in the analysed samples, thus indicating anthropic contamination in the studied water bodies. Caffeine and bezafibrate presented risk quotient (RQ) < 1 for all the sampling sites and periods evaluated in this study. For fluoxetine, RQs > 1 were found in all water samples in which this API was found, indicating a potential risk for freshwater pelagic biota. Thus, fluoxetine should be regulated in São Paulo State in order to protect the aquatic biota. Additional occurrence studies in other Brazilian states are still needed to evaluate if fluoxetine is a nationwide pollutant.

Severe Potential Drug-Drug Interactions and the Increased Length of Stay of Children in Intensive Care Unit.

Children are exposed to drug-drug interactions (DDI) risks due to their organism's complexity and the need for several medicines prescriptions in pediatric intensive care units (PICU). This study aimed to assess the prevalence of potential DDIs in a Brazilian PICU. We carried out a cross-sectional study at a pediatric teaching hospital from Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) over one year. Potential DDIs (pDDIs) between prescribed medicines for hospitalized children in PICU (n = 143) were analyzed according to severity using Micromedex®. Sex, age group, number of drugs prescribed, vasoactive amines use (a proxy of clinical complexity), and the PICU length of stay were summarized using descriptive statistics. Association between the PICU length stay, and variables sex, age, clinical condition complexity, number of drugs prescribed, and severity of pDDI were examined by univariate and multiple linear regression. Seventy percent of patients aged three days to 14 years old were exposed at least one potential DDIs during PICU stay. Two hundred eighty-four different types of pDDIs were identified, occurring 1,123 times. Nervous system drugs were implicated in 55% of the interactions, and fentanyl (10%) was most involving in pDDIs. Most pDDIs were classified as higher severity (56.2%), with reasonable documentation (64.6%) and unspecified onset time (63.8%). Worse clinical condition, ten or more drugs prescribed, and most severe pDDIs were associated with a longer PICU length of stay. Multiple linear regression analysis showed an increase of 9.83 days (95% confidence interval: 3.61-16.05; p = 0.002) in the PICU length of stay in children with major or contraindicated pDDIs. The results of this research may support the monitoring and prevention of pDDIs related to adverse events in children in intensive care and the design and conduction of new studies.

Reactivity of sera from dogs living in a leishmaniasis-endemic area to the COOH-terminal region of cysteine proteinase B

ABSTRACT Cysteine proteinases are well-known virulence factors of Leishmania spp. with demonstrated actions in both experimental mouse infection and human infection. However, studies on these enzymes in canine leishmaniasis are scarce. Here, we show, for the first time, the reactivity of sera from dogs living in an endemic area to a recombinant protein from the COOH-terminal region of cysteine B protease. In this work, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were performed using a 14 kDa rcyspep protein obtained through a pET28-a expression system in Escherichia coli. First, 96-well plates were coated with rcyspep (500 ng/well) and incubated with sera from dogs (1:100). Subsequently, IgG antibody detection was performed using rabbit anti-dog IgG antibodies conjugated with peroxidase. Sera from dogs (n = 114), including suspect (n = 30) and positive (n = 50) dogs from a leishmaniasis-endemic area and dogs from a nonendemic area, (n = 34), negative for leishmaniasis, were assessed. The results showed that sera from the suspect (42%) and positive (68%) groups responded differently to the antigen titers tested above the cut-off (Optical Density = 0.166). This finding suggests that the immune response detected against cyspep may be related to clinical disorders present in these animals. Collectively, the data gathered here suggest that cyspep can sensitize the immune systems of dogs from a leishmaniasis-endemic area to elicit a humoral response, an immunological parameter indicating the contribution of this protein in host-parasite interaction.

Reactivity of sera from dogs living in a leishmaniasis-endemic area to the COOH-terminal region of cysteine proteinase B.

Cysteine proteinases are well-known virulence factors of Leishmania spp. with demonstrated actions in both experimental mouse infection and human infection. However, studies on these enzymes in canine leishmaniasis are scarce. Here, we show, for the first time, the reactivity of sera from dogs living in an endemic area to a recombinant protein from the COOH-terminal region of cysteine B protease. In this work, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were performed using a 14kDa rcyspep protein obtained through a pET28-a expression system in Escherichia coli. First, 96-well plates were coated with rcyspep (500ng/well) and incubated with sera from dogs (1:100). Subsequently, IgG antibody detection was performed using rabbit anti-dog IgG antibodies conjugated with peroxidase. Sera from dogs (n=114), including suspect (n=30) and positive (n=50) dogs from a leishmaniasis-endemic area and dogs from a nonendemic area, (n=34), negative for leishmaniasis, were assessed. The results showed that sera from the suspect (42%) and positive (68%) groups responded differently to the antigen titers tested above the cut-off (Optical Density=0.166). This finding suggests that the immune response detected against cyspep may be related to clinical disorders present in these animals. Collectively, the data gathered here suggest that cyspep can sensitize the immune systems of dogs from a leishmaniasis-endemic area to elicit a humoral response, an immunological parameter indicating the contribution of this protein in host-parasite interaction.

Serine Proteinases in Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis Promastigotes Have Distinct Subcellular Distributions and Expression.

Serine proteinases in Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis promastigotes were assessed in this work. This study included the investigation of the enzymatic activity of subcellular fractions obtained from benzamidine affinity chromatography, reverse transcription polymerase chain reactions, and in silico assays of subcellular localization of subtilisin. Promastigote serine proteinases showed gelatinolytic activity with molecular masses of 43 kDa to 170 kDa in the cytosolic fraction and 67 kDa to 170 kDa in the membranous fraction. Serine proteinase activities were detected using N-benzyloxycarbonyl-l-phenylalanyl-l-arginine 7-amino-4-methylcoumarin (Z-FR-AMC) and N-succinyl-l-alanine-l-phenylalanine-l-lysine 7-amino-4-methylcoumarin (Suc-AFK-AMC) as substrates in the cytosolic fraction (Z-FR-AMC = 392 ± 30 µmol.min-1 mg of protein-1 and Suc-AFK-AMC = 252 ± 20 µmol.min-1 mg of protein-1) and in the membranous fraction (Z-FR-AMC = 53 ± 5 µmol.min-1 mg of protein-1 and Suc-AFK-AMC = 63.6 ± 6.5 µmol.min-1 mg of protein-1). Enzyme specificity was shown by inhibition with aprotinin (19% to 80% inhibition) and phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride (3% to 69%), depending on the subcellular fraction and substrate. The expression of subtilisin (LbrM.13.0860 and LbrM.28.2570) and tryparedoxin peroxidase (LbrM.15.1080) genes was observed by the detection of RNA transcripts 200 bp, 162 bp, and 166 bp long, respectively. Subsequent in silico assays showed LbrM.13.0860 can be located in the cytosol and LbrM.28.2570 in the membrane of the parasite. Data obtained here show the subcellular distribution and expression of serine proteinases, including the subtilisin-like serine proteinases in L. (V.) braziliensis promastigotes.

Insights into the tracking of the cysteine proteinase B COOH-terminal polypeptide of Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis by surface plasmon resonance.

Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis has adaptive mechanisms to the host environment that are guided by its proteinases, including cysteine proteinase B (CPB), and primarily its COOH-terminal region (Cyspep). This work aimed to track the fate of Cyspep by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of promastigotes and amastigotes to gain a greater understanding of the adaptation of this parasite in both hosts. This strategy consisted of antibody immobilization on a COOH1 surface, followed by interaction with parasite proteins and epoxysuccinyl-L-leucylamido(4-guanidino)butane (E-64). Pro-CPB and Cyspep were detected using specific polyclonal antibodies against a recombinant Cyspep in both parasite forms. The parasitic supernatants from amastigotes and promastigotes exhibited higher anti-Cyspep recognition compared with that in the subcellular fractions. As the supernatant of the promastigote cultures exhibited resonance unit values indicative of an effective with to E-64, this result was assumed to be Pro-CPB detection. Finally, after using three sequential SPR assay steps, we propose that amastigotes and promastigotes release Cyspep into the extracellular environment, but only promastigotes release this polypeptide as Pro-CPB.

Potential benefits of near critical and supercritical pre-treatment of lignocellulosic biomass towards anaerobic digestion.

Vegetable crop residues, such as sugarcane bagasse (SCB), despite their limited biodegradability, are potential materials for anaerobic processes because of their low cost, high availability, and sugar content. The difficulty of biodegrading this type of material is primarily related to its chemical composition and to the complex interactions between its compounds (cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin). Thus, the following supercritical and near critical carbon dioxide (CO2) pre-treatments were evaluated with and without the addition of sodium hydroxide (NaOH): (i) 40°C/70 kgf·cm-2; (ii) 60°C/200 kgf·cm-2; and (iii) 80°C/200 kgf·cm-2, aiming to enhance the anaerobic biodegradability of SCB. The methanogenic production of SCB increased in all cases in which the material was pre-treated, except the case in which NaOH was used together with a high temperature. The condition using CO2 at 60°C/200 kgf·cm-2 was highlighted with a lignin removal of 8.07% and an accumulated methane production of 0.6498 ± 0.014 LN (273.15K, 1.01325 × 105 Pa), 23.4% higher than the value obtained with the untreated material. This condition also showed the highest net energy at the energy balance that was calculated for comparison with the tested conditions. The results showed that pre-treatments with near critical and supercritical fluids have the potential to reduce structural obstacles of lignocellulosic materials and to enhance their anaerobic biodegradability.

Use of behavioural and physiological responses for scoring sound sensitivity in dogs.

Sound sensitive dogs have exaggerated responses to sound stimuli that can negatively impact the welfare of the dog. Behavioural reactions combined with the response to sound involve a marked autonomic imbalance towards sympathetic predominance and release of cortisol. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate, in the laboratory, the cardiac autonomic modulation using heart rate variability (HRV) analysis, serum cortisol levels and behavioural parameters in response to sounds of fireworks in dogs with a history of sensitivity to fireworks. Based on these data, and combining qualitative measures and categorical measures, we propose one short and one full index of sound sensitivity in dogs. Six privately owned dogs with no history and another twelve dogs with a history of sound sensitivity to fireworks were used. The sound stimulus consisted of a standardised recording of fireworks (180-seconds long) with a peak intensity of 103-104 dB. The cardiac intervals were recorded using a frequency meter (Polar® RS800CX model) to evaluate the HRV, and the acquired data were processed using CardioSeries 2.4.1 software. Twenty-one behavioural parameters were analysed quantitatively by time, frequency or categorically by scores and were grouped in behavioural categories of arousal, fear, relaxation and "other". Sound sensitive dogs had exacerbated autonomic responses to the sound stimulus in the laboratory compared to non-sensitive dogs, with higher LF/HF ratios suggesting autonomic imbalance towards sympathetic predominance, but the cortisol levels were similar between the sensitive and non-sensitive dogs. Sound sensitive dogs showed pronounced responses for the parameters: alert and attention, search sound, startle, trembling, hiding, run away and less intense responses for the parameters rest and wink/sleep. Furthermore, the behavioural categories of arousal, fear, relaxation (lack of) and LF/HF were correlated to the caregiver's perception of the sound sensitivity of the dogs. Not only the short index for sound sensitivity (behavioural categories arousal, fear and relaxation, and LF/HF ratio) but also the full index for sound sensitivity (all behavioural categories, LF/HF and cortisol levels) was highly correlated to sound fear response at home. These indexes can contribute to the development of strategies to treat sound sensitive dogs.

Production of ethanol fuel from enzyme-treated sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate using d-xylose-fermenting wild yeast isolated from Brazilian biomes.

In this study, we evaluated the potential of yeasts isolated from Amazon to produce second-generation ethanol from sugarcane bagasse delignified with alkaline hydrogen peroxide and hydrolysed with commercial enzyme preparation. The best efficiency savings in glucose and release of xylose were determined by considering the solids and enzyme loads. Furthermore, we selected Spathaspora passalidarum UFMG-CM-Y473 strain with the best fermentative parameters. Fermentations used bagasse hydrolysate without any nutritional supplementation, a significant difference from previous studies, which is closer to industrial conditions. Ethanol yield of 0.32 g/g and ethanol productivity of 0.34 g/L h were achieved after the consumption of 78% of the sugar. This hydrolysis/fermentation technology package could represent the input of an additional 3180 L of ethanol per hectare in areas of average sugarcane productivity such as 60 ton/ha. Thus, we concluded that Sp. passalidarum UFMG-CM-Y473 has a clear potential for the production of second-generation ethanol from delignified and enzyme-hydrolysed bagasse.

Endovascular treatment of pseudoaneurysms secondary to chronic pancreatitis: reports of two cases.

Pseudoaneurysm secondary to chronic pancreatitis is a rare complication, but one with a high mortality rate. It is etiologically associated with chronic pancreatitis, and most diagnoses are made after rupture, which manifests with clinical signs of acute hemorrhage. Computed tomography plays an important role in diagnosis, but digital subtraction angiography remains the gold-standard method for diagnostic confirmation and for treatment planning. This article describes two cases of pseudoaneurysm in patients with chronic alcoholic pancreatitis; one involving the splenic artery and the other the gastroduodenal artery, complicated by thoracic and abdominal bleeding respectively. Both were successfully treated, using minimally invasive endovascular methods to implant coils and stent-grafts.

O pseudoaneurisma decorrente de pancreatite crônica consiste em complicação rara, porém com alta taxa de mortalidade. Está etiologicamente associado à pancreatite crônica, e seu diagnóstico é feito mais comumente após ruptura, manifestando-se através de sinais clínicos de hemorragia aguda. A tomografia computadorizada desempenha papel importante no diagnóstico; contudo, a angiografia por subtração digital mantém-se como método padrão-ouro para confirmação diagnóstica e direcionamento do tratamento. O presente artigo relata dois casos de pseudoaneurisma em pacientes com pancreatite crônica alcoólica, sendo um da artéria esplênica e outro da artéria gastroduodenal, complicados com sangramento torácico e abdominal respectivamente. Ambos foram submetidos a tratamento endovascular minimamente invasivo com sucesso, através de implante de molas e de stent-grafts.

Bee Venom Acupuncture Reduces Interleukin-6, Increases Interleukin-10, and Induces Locomotor Recovery in a Model of Spinal Cord Compression.

Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) initiate a series of molecular and cellular events in which inflammatory responses can lead to major neurological dysfunctions. The present study aims to investigate whether bee venom (BV) acupuncture applied at acupoints ST36 (Zusanli) and GV3 (Yaoyangquan) could minimize locomotor deficits and the magnitude of neural tissue losses, and change the balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines after an SCI by compression. Wistar rats were subjected to an SCI model by compression in which a 2-French Fogarty embolectomy catheter was inflated in the extradural space. The effects of BV acupuncture, in which 20 µL of BV diluted in saline (0.08 mg/kg) was injected at acupoints GV3 and ST36 [BV(ST36+GV3)-SCI] was compared with BV injected at nonacupoints [BV(NP)-SCI] and with no treatment [group subjected only to SCI (CTL-SCI)]. The BV(ST36+GV3)-SCI group showed a significant improvement in the locomotor performance and a decrease of lesion size compared with the controls. BV acupuncture at the ST36 + GV3 increased the expression of interleukin-10 (anti-inflammatory) at 6 hours and reduced the expression of interleukin-6 (proinflammatory) at 24 hours after SCI compared with the controls. Our results suggest that BV acupuncture can reduce neuroinflammation and induce recovery in the SCI compression model.