The Urinary Metabolome of Newborns with Perinatal Complications.

Maternal pathological conditions such as infections and chronic diseases, along with unexpected events during labor, can lead to life-threatening perinatal outcomes. These outcomes can have irreversible consequences throughout an individual's entire life. Urinary metabolomics can provide valuable insights into early physiological adaptations in healthy newborns, as well as metabolic disturbances in premature infants or infants with birth complications. In the present study, we measured 180 metabolites and metabolite ratios in the urine of 13 healthy (hospital-discharged) and 38 critically ill newborns (admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)). We used an in-house-developed targeted tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS)-based metabolomic assay (TMIC Mega) combining liquid chromatography (LC-MS/MS) and flow injection analysis (FIA-MS/MS) to quantitatively analyze up to 26 classes of compounds. Average urinary concentrations (and ranges) for 167 different metabolites from 38 critically ill NICU newborns during their first 24 h of life were determined. Similar sets of urinary values were determined for the 13 healthy newborns. These reference data have been uploaded to the Human Metabolome Database. Urinary concentrations and ranges of 37 metabolites are reported for the first time for newborns. Significant differences were found in the urinary levels of 44 metabolites between healthy newborns and those admitted at the NICU. Metabolites such as acylcarnitines, amino acids and derivatives, biogenic amines, sugars, and organic acids are dysregulated in newborns with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), asphyxia, or newborns exposed to SARS-CoV-2 during the intrauterine period. Urine can serve as a valuable source of information for understanding metabolic alterations associated with life-threatening perinatal outcomes.

Untargeted analysis in post-COVID-19 patients reveals dysregulated lipid pathways two years after recovery.

Introduction: Similar to what it has been reported with preceding viral epidemics (such as MERS, SARS, or influenza), SARS-CoV-2 infection is also affecting the human immunometabolism with long-term consequences. Even with underreporting, an accumulated of almost 650 million people have been infected and 620 million recovered since the start of the pandemic; therefore, the impact of these long-term consequences in the world population could be significant. Recently, the World Health Organization recognized the post-COVID syndrome as a new entity, and guidelines are being established to manage and treat this new condition. However, there is still uncertainty about the molecular mechanisms behind the large number of symptoms reported worldwide. Aims and Methods: In this study we aimed to evaluate the clinical and lipidomic profiles (using non-targeted lipidomics) of recovered patients who had a mild and severe COVID-19 infection (acute phase, first epidemic wave); the assessment was made two years after the initial infection. Results: Fatigue (59%) and musculoskeletal (50%) symptoms as the most relevant and persistent. Functional analyses revealed that sterols, bile acids, isoprenoids, and fatty esters were the predicted metabolic pathways affected in both COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 patients. Principal Component Analysis showed differences between study groups. Several species of phosphatidylcholines and sphingomyelins were identified and expressed in higher levels in post-COVID-19 patients compared to controls. The paired analysis (comparing patients with an active infection and 2 years after recovery) show 170 dysregulated features. The relationship of such metabolic dysregulations with the clinical symptoms, point to the importance of developing diagnostic and therapeuthic markers based on cell signaling pathways.

Placental exosomes isolated from urine of patients with gestational diabetes exhibit a differential profile expression of microRNAs across gestation.

Placenta­derived exosomes play an important role in cellular communication both in the mother and the fetus. Their concentration and composition are altered in several pregnancy disorders, such as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The isolation and characterization of placental exosomes from serum, plasma and tissues from patients with GDM have been previously described; however, to the best of our knowledge, to date, there is no study available on placental exosomes isolated from urine of patients with GDM. In the present study, placental exosomes were purified from urine the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimester of gestation. Placental exosomes were characterized by transmission electron microscopy in cryogenic mode and by western blot analysis, confirming the presence of exosomal vesicles. The expression profile of five microRNAs (miR­516­5p, miR­517­3p, miR­518­5p, miR­222­3p and miR­16­5p) was determined by RT­qPCR. In healthy pregnant women, the expression of the miRNAs increased across gestation, apart from miR­516­5p, which was not expressed at the 2nd trimester. All the miRNAs examined were downregulated in patients with GDM at the 3rd trimester of gestation. The downregulated miRNAs affected several metabolic pathways closely associated with the pathophysiology of GDM. This provides further evidence of the regulatory role of miRNAs in the GDM. This also suggests that the of urinary exosomes may be an excellent source of biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Estabilidade dimensional de uma resina acrílica para coroas provisórias em função de diferentes técnicas de processamento ao longo do tempo / Long-term dimensional stability of an acrylic resin for provisional crowns with different types of processing techniques

Introdução: A estabilidade dimensional das resinas acrílicas influencia na adaptação das coroas provisórias e, consequentemente, no resultado do tratamento reabilitador. Objetivo: Avaliar a estabilidade dimensional, ao longo do tempo, de uma resina acrílica processada de diferentes maneiras. Material e Método: Cinco técnicas de polimerização da resina acrílica foram testadas: I - polimerização térmica utilizando líquido de polimerização rápida em mufla; II - autopolimerização sob pressão; III - autopolimerização utilizando pincel; IV - autopolimerização após mistura (pó + líquido) em pote Dappen e inserção em matriz de aço na fase arenosa; V - autopolimerização após mistura em pote Dappen com inserção na matriz metálica na fase plástica. Foram confeccionados dez corpos de prova para cada tipo de processamento. Avaliou-se a estabilidade dimensional por meio de matriz de aço inox confeccionada segundo a especificação nº19 da ADA. Os corpos de prova foram armazenados em água destilada a 37ºC e examinados nos períodos de 1 hora, 1, 7, 15, 10, 90 e 180 dias após a polimerização, com o auxílio de um microscópio óptico com aumento de 20×. Os resultados foram submetidos à análise de dupla variância (Teste de Tukey para Tempo e Técnica de processamento) em nível de 5% de significância. Resultado: Todos os grupos experimentais apresentaram alterações dimensionais entre o sétimo e o 15º dia; após esse período de tempo, houve alterações dimensionais estatisticamente significantes, para as diferentes técnicas estudadas. Conclusão: A estabilidade dimensional da resina acrílica não sofreu influência das diferentes técnicas de processamento avaliadas; entretanto, foi influenciada pelo tempo de armazenamento.

Introduction: The dimensional stability of acrylic resins influences the temporary crowns fitting and can affect the final restoration results. Objective: To evaluate the long-term dimensional stability of an acrylic resin used for fabrication of provisional crowns. Material and Method: Five types of processing techniques were evaluated: I - thermal polymerization using fast polymerization liquid and flask; II - auto-polimerization under pressure in a stainless steel matrix; III - auto-polimerization using the bead brush technique to build the sample; IV - auto-polimerization after mixture (powder + liquid) in a dappen dish and insertion in a stainless steel matrix at the sand stage; V - auto-polimerization after mixture in a dappen dish with insertion in a stainless steel matrix at the plastic stage. For each type of processing technique, 10 samples were made. Dimensional stability was evaluated by means of a steel matrix made following the ADA specification nº19. The samples were stored in distilled water at 37 ºC and examined at the periods of 1 hour, 1, 7, 15, 30, 90 and 180 days, with an optic microscope with 20× magnification. The results were subjected to the 2-way analysis of variance (Tukey Test) at the significance level of 5% for the variables Time and Processing Technique. Result: All samples had dimensional alterations from day 7 to the day 15, regardless of the technique used. From day 15 to 180, there were no statistically significant dimensional alterations. Conclusion: The dimensional stability of the acrylic resin was not influenced by the different processing techniques tested, however, it was influenced by the storage time.

Estabilidade dimensional da resina acrílica para coroas provisórias em função de diferentes tipos de processamento / Dimensional stability of acrylic resin for provisional crowns for different types of processing

A importância das restaurações provisórias no tratamento reabilitador oral é inquestionável. Os materiais utilizados para a elaboração deste tipo de restauração, também são de grande importância, tanto em função da técnica de manuseio como na qualidade e características dos mesmos, devido ao fato de que deles depende a longevidade, adaptação e qualidade das restaurações provisórias. O tipo de manipulação e a técnica utilizada influem nas propriedades físicas das resinas acrílicas, o que poderia causar falhas de adaptação. Por essas razões, o presente estudo teve por objetivo avaliar a estabilidade dimensional de uma resina acrílica (Dencor®), utilizada na confecção de coroas provisórias. Foram avaliados cinco tipos de processamento: I polimerização térmica utilizando líquido de polimerização rápida em mufla; II autopolimerização sob pressão em matriz de aço inox; III autopolimerização utilizando pincel; IV autopolimerização após mistura (pó + líquido) em pote dappen e inserção em matriz de aço inox na fase arenosa; V autopolimerização após mistura em pote dappen com inserção na matriz de aço inox na fase plástica. Para cada tipo de processamento foram confeccionados 10 corpos-de-prova. Foi avaliada sua estabilidade dimensional por meio de matrizes de aço inox confeccionadas seguindo a especificação da ADA Nº 19. Os corpos de prova foram armazenados em água destilada a uma temperatura de 37ºC por 6 meses. Durante este tempo eles foram examinados com o microscópio óptico Mitutoyo com aumento de 20 vezes. Os resultados foram submetidos à análise de variância (Teste de Tukey) em nível de 5% de significância. Dos resultados obtidos, observamos que todos os corpos de prova tiveram as alterações dimensionais nos primeiros 7 dias da pesquisa independente da técnica utilizada. Já nos dias 30, 90, 180 não foi observada nenhuma alteração dimensional estatisticamente significante.

The importance of the provisional restorations in the oral rehabilitation treatment is undebated. The materials used for the fabrication of this type of restoration, are, as well, of great importance, as much as in function of the processing technique as in their quality and characteristics, due the fact that of them depend the longevity, adaptation and quality of the restorations. The mixing and processing technique influence the physical properties of acrylic resins, what could interfere with the adaptation of the provisional crowns. For these reasons, the present study aimed at evaluating the dimensional stability of an acrylic resin (Dencor®), used for fabrication of provisional crowns. Five types of processing techniques were evaluated: I thermal polymerization using fast polymerization liquid and flask; II - autopolimerization under pressure in stainless steel matrix; III - autopolimerization using bead brush technique to build the sample; IV - autopolimerization after mixture (powder + liquid) in dappen dish and insertion in stainless steel matrix at the sand phase; V - autopolimerization after mixture in dappen dish with insertion in the stainless steel matrix at the plastic phase. For each type of processing technique, 10 samples were made. Dimensional stability was evaluated by means of steel matrices made following the ADA specification no 19. The samples were stored in distilled water at a temperature of 37ºC for 6 months. During this time they were examined with the optic microscope Mitutoyo with 20x magnification. The results were subjected to the analysis of variance (Test of Tukey) at the significance level of 5%. From the results obtained, it could be observed that all samples had dimensional alterations in the first 7 days independent of the technique used. In days 30, 90, 180 there were no statisticaly significant dimensional alteration.