Coding, Decoding and Retrieving a Message Using DNA: An Experience from a Brazilian Center Research on DNA Data Storage.

DNA data storage based on synthetic oligonucleotides is a major attraction due to the possibility of storage over long periods. Nowadays, the quantity of data generated has been growing exponentially, and the storage capacity needs to keep pace with the growth caused by new technologies and globalization. Since DNA can hold a large amount of information with a high density and remains stable for hundreds of years, this technology offers a solution for current long-term data centers by reducing energy consumption and physical storage space. Currently, research institutes, technology companies, and universities are making significant efforts to meet the growing need for data storage. DNA data storage is a promising field, especially with the advancement of sequencing techniques and equipment, which now make it possible to read genomes (i.e., to retrieve the information) and process this data easily. To overcome the challenges associated with developing new technologies for DNA data storage, a message encoding and decoding exercise was conducted at a Brazilian research center. The exercise performed consisted of synthesizing oligonucleotides by the phosphoramidite route. An encoded message, using a coding scheme that adheres to DNA sequence constraints, was synthesized. After synthesis, the oligonucleotide was sequenced and decoded, and the information was fully recovered.

Relationship between Femur Mineral Content and Local Muscle Strength and Mass.

Among the stimuli able to prevent early decreases in bone mineralization, exercise has a noticeable role per se as the source of mechanical stimulus or through lean tissue enlargement by its increasing of tensional stimulus. However, prevention strategies, including exercise, generally do not establish the moment in life when attention should begin to be paid to bone integrity, according to age group- and sex-related differences. Thus, this study analyzed the relationship between variables from the diagnosis of total and regional body composition, muscle strength, and bone mineral content (BMC) of femurs in young adult males. Thirty-four young Caucasian men (24.9 ± 8.6 years) had their body composition and bone density assessed by dual X-ray absorptiometry. The subjects performed a one-repetition maximum test (1-RM) in a bench press, front pulley, seated-row, push press, arm curl, triceps pulley, leg flexion, leg extension, and 45° leg press for the assessment of muscle strength in upper and lower limbs in single- and multi-joint exercises. Lean tissue mass in the trunk and upper and lower limbs were related to femoral BMC (Pearson coefficient ranging from 0.55 to 0.72, p < 0.01), and 1-RM values for different exercises involving both upper and lower limbs also correlated with femoral BMC (Pearson coefficients ranging from 0.34 to 0.46, p < 0.05). Taken together, these correlations suggest that muscle mass and strength are positively linked with the magnitude of femoral mass in men, even in early adulthood. Hence, the importance of an enhanced muscle mass and strength to the health of femoral bones in young adults was highlighted.

A review of hybrid enzymatic-chemical treatment for wastewater containing antiepileptic drugs.

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological diseases worldwide and requires treatment with antiepileptic drugs for many years or for life. This fact leads to the need for constant production and use of these compounds, placing them among the four pharmaceutical classes most found in wastewater. Even at low concentrations, antiepileptics pose risks to human and environmental health and are considered organic contaminants of emerging concern. Conventional treatments have shown low removal of these drugs, requiring advanced and innovative approaches. In this context, this review covers the results and perspectives on (1) consumption and occurrence of antiepileptics in water, (2) toxicological effects in aquatic ecosystems, (3) enzymatic and advanced oxidation processes for degrading antiepileptics drugs from a molecular point of view (biochemical and chemical phenomena), (4) improvements in treatment efficiency by hybridization, and (5) technical aspects of the enzymatic-AOP reactors.

Diagnóstico de proteinose alveolar pulmonar após exposição à covid-19: relato de caso / Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis diagnosis of after exposure to covid-19: case report / Diagnóstico de proteinosis alveolar pulmonar tras exposición al covid-19: reporte de caso

Os objetivos deste artigo são relatar o caso de um paciente diagnosticado com proteinose alveolar pulmonar (PAP) após piora do quadro clínico decorrente da infecção por covid-19 e realizar uma revisão sobre a PAP na busca de promover o maior conhecimento dos profissionais de saúde sobre essa comorbidade. Participou da pesquisa um paciente de 48 anos de idade, sexo masculino, com relato de quadro de tosse e dispneia há um ano, apresentando exacerbação do quadro respiratório após infecção por SARS-CoV-2, com necessidade de início de suporte de oxigênio via cateter nasal devido à diminuição da saturação e ao comprometimento das atividades da vida diária. Foi realizada tomografia computadorizada de alta resolução do tórax (TCAR) e evidenciada pavimentação em mosaico com comprometimento difuso dos campos pulmonares. Conforme achados clínicos e radiológicos compatíveis com PAP, o paciente foi submetido à lavagem pulmonar total e apresentou melhora da dispneia e da tosse. A proteinose alveolar pulmonar é uma doença que merece relevância devido ao comprometimento clínico que pode ocasionar ao paciente. É necessário um acompanhamento médico periódico para observar a evolução da doença e definir a conduta terapêutica conforme apresentação clínica de cada enfermo. Por vezes, pode ser necessário repetir a lavagem pulmonar total e em casos refratários, buscar alternativas terapêuticas. Tendo em vista o envolvimento pulmonar e os sintomas semelhantes a infecções por SARS-CoV-2, é importante atentar para os diagnósticos diferenciais.

This paper reports the case of a patient diagnosed with pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) after a worsening clinical picture due to COVID-19 infection, reviewing the literature on PAP to promote greater knowledge on this comorbidity for health professionals. A 48-year-old male patient with reported coughing and dyspnea for one year, presenting exacerbation of respiratory symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection, needing to start oxygen support via nasal catheter due to decreased saturation and impairment of daily living activities. High resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the chest was performed and showed crazy paving with diffuse involvement of the lung fields. As per clinical and radiological findings compatible with PAP, the patient underwent total lung lavage and showed improvement in dyspnea and coughing. Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis deserves relevance due to the clinical impairment it can cause to the patient. Periodic medical follow-up is necessary to observe the disease evolution and define the therapeutic approach according to the clinical presentation of each patient. Sometimes, it may be necessary to repeat the total lung lavage, and to seek therapeutic alternatives in refractory cases. Given the pulmonary involvement and symptoms similar to SARS-CoV-2 infections, one must pay attention to the differential diagnoses.

Los objetivos de este artículo son presentar el caso de un paciente diagnosticado de proteinosis alveolar pulmonar (PAP) tras empeorar el cuadro clínico debido a infección por covid-19 y realizar una revisión sobre la PAP con el fin de generar más conocimiento a los profesionales sanitarios sobre esta comorbilidad. El caso investigado fue de un paciente masculino de 48 años de edad, con reporte de tos y disnea desde hace un año, que presentaba exacerbación del cuadro respiratorio posterior a infección por SARS-CoV-2, lo que requirió inicio de soporte de oxígeno vía catéter nasal por disminución de la saturación y deterioro de las actividades de la vida diaria. Se realizó una tomografía computarizada de alta resolución (TCAR) de tórax y se observó empedrado en mosaico con afectación difusa de los campos pulmonares. Según los hallazgos clínicos y radiológicos compatibles con PAP, se le realizó al paciente lavado pulmonar total y mejoró la disnea y la tos. La proteinosis alveolar pulmonar es una enfermedad que merece relevancia por el compromiso clínico que puede ocasionar al paciente. Es necesario un seguimiento médico periódico para observar la evolución de la enfermedad y definir el abordaje terapéutico según la presentación clínica de cada paciente. También es necesario repetir el lavado pulmonar total y, en casos refractarios, buscar alternativas terapéuticas. Ante la afectación pulmonar y síntomas similares a infecciones por SARS-CoV-2, es importante prestar atención a los diagnósticos diferenciales.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of UV-C dose for photoinactivation of SARS-CoV-2 in contaminated N95 respirator, surgical and cotton fabric masks.

As part of efforts to combat the Covid-19 pandemic and decrease the high transmissibility of the new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, effective inactivation strategies, such as UV-C decontamination technologies, can be reliably disseminated and well-studied. The present study investigated the susceptibility of a high viral load of SARS-CoV-2 in filtering facepiece respirators (FFR) N95, surgical mask, cotton fabric mask and N95 straps under three different doses of UV-C, applying both real-time PCR (qPCR) and plaque formation assays to quantify viral load reduction and virus infectivity, respectively. The results show that more than 95% of the amount of SARS-CoV-2 RNA could be reduced after 10 min of UV-C exposure (0.93 J cm-2 per side) in FFR N95 and surgical masks and, after 5 min of UV-C treatment (0.46 J cm-2 per side) in fabric masks. Furthermore, the analysis of viable coronaviruses after these different UV-C treatments demonstrated that the lowest applied dose is sufficient to decontaminate all masks ([Formula: see text] 3-log10 reduction of the infective viral load, > 99.9% reduction). However, for the elastic strap of N95 respirators, a UV-C dose three times greater than that used in masks (1.4 J cm-2 per side) is required. The findings suggest that the complete decontamination of masks can be performed effectively and safely in well-planned protocols for pandemic crises or as strategies to reduce the high consumption and safe disposal of these materials in the environment.

Enhancing the visible-light photoactivity of silica-supported TiO2 for the photocatalytic treatment of pharmaceuticals in water.

Catalyst samples based on SiO2-supported TiO2 were prepared with the incorporation of Ag (metal), S (nonmetal), and ZnO@S (semiconductor and nonmetal). The materials were evaluated regarding their morphological, optical, and crystalline properties as well as their photoactivity under visible and ultraviolet light toward the degradation rate of a model emerging pollutant, acetaminophen (ACT). All modified materials exhibited improved performance over the undoped catalyst. The Ag-doped catalyst achieved the largest degradation under visible radiation (about 30% in 120 min), whereas under ultraviolet irradiation, the ZnO@S-doped sample exhibited the best performance (about 62% in 120 min). A Doehlert design was carried out to evaluate the influence of pH and temperature on the photoactivity of Ag-TiO2/SiO2. In addition, the role of each reactive species in the photodegradation reaction was investigated by radical scavenger experiments, and the superoxide radical anion O2•- was shown to be the predominant reactive species. The stability of the Ag-TiO2/SiO2 material under ultraviolet and visible light was confirmed after five successive operation cycles, showing a reasonable (about 50%) loss of activity under visible irradiation and a slight improvement (about 13%) under UV light, as a result of the photo-reduction of Ag+. Lastly, the effect of the initial pollutant concentration showed that ACT degradation using Ag-TiO2/SiO2 follows the Langmuir-Hinshelwood kinetics, with intrinsic reaction rate k = 2.71 × 10-4 mmol L-1 min-1 under visible-light radiation.

Metabolizable energy balance in hair sheep lambs artificially infected with Haemonchus contortus.

In sheep, infection with Haemonchus contortus may increase the need for energy, and this demand may vary according to the infection level. In this study, the energy intake, digestibility, and energy retention of lambs artificially infected with different levels of H. contortus were estimated. A total of 24 hair sheep lambs reared parasite-free were experimentally infected with H. contortus at one of three infection levels: non-infected (n = 6); infected with 300 infective larvae (L3) of H. contortus/kg body weight (BW) (n = 9); and infected with 500 H. contortus L3/kg BW (n = 9). The lambs were fed for an individual weight gain of 100 g/day, and intake of organic matter (OMI) and gross energy (GEI), digestible (DEI) and metabolizable energy (MEI) were measured weekly. The digestibility of organic matter (OMD) and GE (GED) and the metabolizable energy (ME) balance adjusted to zero nitrogen balance (MEadj) were measured for each lamb during the prepatent and patent periods of infection. From day 21 post-infection (PI), the individual eggs per gram (EPG) of feces and the total number of eggs in feces (TEF) were estimated weekly. After humane slaughter on day 42 PI, the worm burden (WB) was determined. Correlation and regression analyses were performed to estimate the relationships between the parasitological variables (L3, EPG, TEF and WB) and the response variables (OMI, GEI, DEI, MEI, OMD, GED, MEadj). During the prepatent period, there were no significant relationships of L3 with the response variables (OMI, GEI, DEI, MEI, OMD, GED, ME, MEadj). Similarly, during the patent period, no relationship was evident between infection (EPG, TEF or WB) and OMI, GEI, DEI, GED, OMD, ME or MEadj. Thus, the gradient of H. contortus infection examined in the present study did not influence energy balance in hair sheep lambs, and infection did not impose any detectable energy cost. Further studies are needed to fully assess the impact of H. contortus infection on energy metabolism in hair sheep.

Nitrogen retention in hair sheep lambs with a gradient of Haemonchus contortus infection.

The impact of Haemonchus contortus infections on nitrogen retention (NR) of hair sheep lambs is unknown. This study estimated the feed intake, digestibility, NR, haematocrit (HT), and their relationship with the gradient of H. contortus infection in hair sheep lambs. Twenty-four hair sheep lambs, 3-4 months old, reared parasite-free were used (live weight (LW) 16.7 ± 1.7 kg). Six lambs were kept parasite-free, nine lambs received a dose of 300 H. contortus infective larvae (L3)/kg LW, and the remaining nine lambs received 500 H. contortus L3/kg LW. Infection doses ranged from 3870 to 9,500 L3. Lambs were individually fed for an average daily gain (ADG) of 100 g. On days 1 (P < 0.01) and 7 (P < 0.001) post-infection (PI), the L3 doses were positively associated with HT, possibly due to platelet recruitment. On week 1 PI, the infection (L3) reduced the crude protein (CP) intake (g/kg metabolic LW) (P < 0.05). A reduction of 1% HT corresponded to 1200 eggs per gram of faeces (EPG) for day 21 PI (P < 0.05), 2300 EPG for day 28 PI (P < 0.001), 2400 EPG for day 35 (P < 0.001), and 1300 EPG for day 41 PI (P < 0.001). However, the HT levels were never lower than 21 %. A lower CP digestibility was associated with EPG only on week 5 PI (P < 0.05). There was no significant association between EPG, Total egg in faeces, or worm burden (WB) with intake, dry matter digestibility (DMD), ADG or NR. The NR of lambs was positive along the different weeks of study irrespective of infection level. The WB was negatively associated only with HT on day 41 PI (P < 0.001), where a 1 % HT reduction was estimated for every 257 worms hosted. In conclusion, no relationship was found between H. contortus infection and DMD, ADG or NR in hair sheep lambs. The cost of H. contortus infection resulted only from the HT reduction and depended on the gradient and stage of the infection.

Modulation of the Serotonergic Receptosome in the Treatment of Anxiety and Depression: A Narrative Review of the Experimental Evidence.

Serotonin (5-HT) receptors are found throughout central and peripheral nervous systems, mainly in brain regions involved in the neurobiology of anxiety and depression. 5-HT receptors are currently promising targets for discovering new drugs for treating disorders ranging from migraine to neuropsychiatric upsets, such as anxiety and depression. It is well described in the current literature that the brain expresses seven types of 5-HT receptors comprising eighteen distinct subtypes. In this article, we comprehensively reviewed 5-HT1-7 receptors. Of the eighteen 5-HT receptors known today, thirteen are G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and represent targets for approximately 40% of drugs used in humans. Signaling pathways related to these receptors play a crucial role in neurodevelopment and can be modulated to develop effective therapies to treat anxiety and depression. This review presents the experimental evidence of the modulation of the "serotonergic receptosome" in the treatment of anxiety and depression, as well as demonstrating state-of-the-art research related to phytochemicals and these disorders. In addition, detailed aspects of the pharmacological mechanism of action of all currently known 5-HT receptor families were reviewed. From this review, it will be possible to direct the rational design of drugs towards new therapies that involve signaling via 5-HT receptors.

Development of intensified flat-plate packed-bed solar reactors for heterogeneous photocatalysis.

Solar-driven photocatalysis is a promising water-cleaning and energy-producing technology that addresses some of the most urgent engineering problems of the twenty-first century: universal access to potable water, use of renewable energy, and mitigation of CO2 emissions. In this work, we aim at improving the efficiency of solar-driven photocatalysis by studying a novel reactor design based on microfluidic principles using 3D-printable geometries. The printed reactors had a dimensional accuracy of 97%, at a cost of less than $1 per piece. They were packed with 1.0-mm glass and steel beads coated with ZnO synthesised by a sol-gel routine, resulting in a bed with 46.6% void fraction (reaction volume of ca. 840 µL and equivalent flow diameter of 580 µm) and a specific surface area of 3200 m2 m-3. Photocatalytic experiments, under sunlight-level UV-A irradiation, showed that reactors packed with steel supports had apparent reaction rates ca. 75% higher than those packed with glass supports for the degradation of an aqueous solution of acetaminophen; however, they were strongly deactivated after the first use suggesting poor fixation. Glass supports showed no measurable deactivation after three consecutive uses. The apparent first-order reaction rate constants were between 1.9 and 9.5 × 10-4 s-1, ca. ten times faster than observed for conventional slurry reactors. The mass transfer was shown to be efficient (Sh > 7.7) despite the catalyst being immobilised onto fixed substrates. Finally, the proposed reactor design has the merit of a straightforward scaling out by sizing the irradiation window according to design specifications, as exemplified in the paper.

The New Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2): A Comprehensive Review on Immunity and the Application of Bioinformatics and Molecular Modeling to the Discovery of Potential Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Agents.

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared the outbreak caused by the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) a pandemic. The rapid spread of the disease surprised the scientific and medical community. Based on the latest reports, news, and scientific articles published, there is no doubt that the coronavirus has overloaded health systems globally. Practical actions against the recent emergence and rapid expansion of the SARS-CoV-2 require the development and use of tools for discovering new molecular anti-SARS-CoV-2 targets. Thus, this review presents bioinformatics and molecular modeling strategies that aim to assist in the discovery of potential anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents. Besides, we reviewed the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 and innate immunity, since understanding the structures involved in this infection can contribute to the development of new therapeutic targets. Bioinformatics is a technology that assists researchers in coping with diseases by investigating genetic sequencing and seeking structural models of potential molecular targets present in SARS-CoV2. The details provided in this review provide future points of consideration in the field of virology and medical sciences that will contribute to clarifying potential therapeutic targets for anti-SARS-CoV-2 and for understanding the molecular mechanisms responsible for the pathogenesis and virulence of SARS-CoV-2.

Lower estimated intelligence quotient is associated with suicide attempts in pediatric bipolar disorder.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 20% of individual with pediatric bipolar disorder (PBD) have a lifetime history of suicide attempt. Some cognitive measures were associated with a suicide attempt, but no study has assessed the association of this event with the estimated intelligence quotient (IQ) in PBI. In adult Bipolar Disorder no association between IQ and suicidality was found, with different correlations between cognitive measures. There are studies in general population showing a negative correlation and others did not find any association. In Schizophrenia, IQ had a positive correlation with suicide attempt. So, the correlation between IQ and suicidality still controversial. METHODS: We recruited 63 children and adolescents younger than 18 years of age with PBD based on DSM-IV criteria from an outpatient clinic in Brazil. Manic and depressive symptoms were assessed with the YMRS and CDRS, respectively. Estimated IQ was assessed with the WISC-III. The presence or absense of suicidal attempt, clinical and demographic variables were assessed with the K-SADS-PL-W. RESULTS: Patients who attempted suicide had lower estimated IQ compared to patients who did not attempt suicide (82.72 ±â€¯18.70 vs. 101.0 ±â€¯14.36; p = 0.009). This finding remained after correction for depressive symptoms and family income (OR = 0.94; 95% CI = 0.89 - 0.99; p = 0.029). LIMITATIONS: Small sample, reverse causality could not be discarded, we only used two subscales of the WISC-III to estimate intelligence. CONCLUSION: Estimated IQ and suicide attempts were negative correlated in PBD. Future longitudinal and larger studies may confirm our findings.

Clinical differences between patients with pediatric bipolar disorder with and without a parental history of bipolar disorder.

Pediatric Bipolar Disorder (PBD) is a highly heritable condition responsible for 18% of all pediatric mental health hospitalizations. Despite the heritability of this disorder, few studies have assessed potential differences in the clinical manifestation of PBD among patients with a clear parental history of BD. Additionally, while recent studies suggest that attentional deficits are a potential endophenotypic marker of PBD, it is unclear whether heritability is a relevant contributor to these symptoms. In order to address this gap, the present study assessed 61 youth with PBD (6-17 years old), corresponding to 27 offspring of BD patients, and 31 PBD patients without a parental history of the disorder. All standardized assessments, including the K-SADS-PL-W were performed by trained child and adolescent psychiatrists. We performed a logistic multivariate model using the variables of ADHD, rapid cycling, and lifetime psychosis. Rates of ADHD comorbidity were significantly higher among PBD patients who had a parent with BD. Furthermore, PBD patients who had a parent with BD showed a trend toward significance of earlier symptom onset. PBD offspring did not show increased rates of suicide attempts, rapid cycling, or psychosis. Given these findings, it appears that PBD patients who have a parent with BD may represent a distinct endophenotype of the disorder. Future longitudinal and larger studies are required to confirm our findings.

Exposure to toxic and essential trace elements through the intake of processed and meat cuts (beef and chicken) in southeastern Brazil.

The present study evaluated the concentration of six trace elements in processed meat products and in meat cuts. We also assessed the risk associated with the consumption of these foods based on the estimated daily intake (EDI) of these elements. Fifty-eight processed meat and 148 meat cuts samples were analyzed using ICP-OES. As and Cd were not detected in any sample of processed meat. The highest mean level of lead was observed in frankfurters (0.056 µg g-1), which is half the maximum permissible level. For Cr, the highest mean concentrations were detected in chicken nuggets and beef hamburger (0.121 and 0.105 µg g-1, respectively), which are above the allowed limit. The comparison between the impact of a diet restricted to processed meats with a diet restricted to meats cuts showed that the individuals following the latter are exposed to higher amounts of the trace elements analyzed.

Micro-structured packed bed reactors for solar photocatalysis: impacts of packing size and material on light harnessing.

The application of photochemistry in larger scales relies on studies in photoreactor engineering. This report investigates the structural parameters of externally irradiated micro-structured photochemical packed bed reactors (PBRs). It reports on the impacts of the size and material of spherical packings on the reactor ability to harness incoming photons. Tubular reactors were built from borosilicate glass tubes of two outer diameters (20 and 30 mm) packed with soda-lime glass spheres of three average diameters (1.0, 3.0 and 6.0 mm), alumina spheres (6.0 mm dia.), and polished iron spheres (5.0 mm dia.). The aqueous-phase oxidation of benzoic acid by oxygen radicals generated by UV-A irradiation of nitrite ions was used as a model homogeneous photochemical reaction. It was observed that increasing the D/dp ratio for the narrower reactors led to improved specific yields (3.0 mm = 1.050), suggesting that intensification is possible in these reactors. Lastly, it was found that glass spheres can be replaced by alumina spheres with considerably little loss in the light-collection efficiency (ca. 20%), indicating an attractive pathway for fixed-bed solar photocatalysis.

Risk of exposure to total and inorganic arsenic by meat intake among different age groups from Brazil: a probabilistic assessment.

Beef and poultry as well as cattle and chicken livers are staple food items for Brazilian population, and previous studies had detected arsenic levels in these foods. This study aims to evaluate the risk of exposure to total and inorganic arsenic by meat intake in three age groups from Brazil (11-16, 16-21, and > 21 years). Our hypotheses are (i) that there is differences in the risk of exposure between age groups and (ii) the older individuals (> 21 years) are under higher risk. To test these hypotheses, we calculated the probabilistic estimated daily intake of total As (TAsEDI) from poultry, beef, cattle liver, and chicken liver, and the probabilistic estimated incremental lifetime skin, bladder, and lung cancer risk (ILCR) associated with inorganic As ingestion from poultry only. TAsEDI and ILCR from poultry differed among groups which confirm the first hypothesis. However, TAsEDI and ILCR results cannot support the second hypothesis. Even though the age groups are under a low risk of exposure to As by meat intake, the results indicate that bladder/lung cancer risk (from poultry intake) slightly exceeds the safe limits in the older population.

Avaliação do conhecimento acerca do manejo clínico de portadores da doença de Chagas em região endêmica no Brasil / Assessment of knowledge about the clinical management of patients with Chagas disease in an endemic region in Brazil

Objetivo: conhecer o manejo de pacientes com Doença de Chagas (DC) por médicos da Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS) de regiões endêmicas. Método: estudo transversal realizado com 104 médicos da APS de 39 municípios das regiões norte de Minas Gerais e Vale do Jequitinhonha. Foram abordados perfil sociodemográfico, formação acadêmica e prática clínica, por meio de questionário autoaplicado. Resultados: os médicos apresentaram idade média de 33(±9,88) anos, 4(±7,26) anos de atuação na APS, 49% relataram que a graduação não ofereceu formação suficiente em DC. Embora quase 90% tivessem experiência com atendimento de pacientes com DC crônica e 57% com DC aguda, apenas 9% relataram sentir-se totalmente seguros para esses atendimentos e 33% relataram não conhecer o Benzonidazol, único antitripanossômico disponível. Contribuindo para esse quadro, após a graduação, somente 13,3% receberam alguma informação ou treinamento relativo à DC e quase metade recebeu esse treinamento há mais de 4 anos. Há insegurança, desconhecimento e carência de capacitações sobre DC entre profissionais médicos da APS de localidades endêmicas.

Objective: to understand the management of patients with Chagas Disease (CD) by Primary Health Care (PHC) doctors in endemic regions. Methods: cross-sectional study with 104 PHC doctors in 39 municipalities in the northern regions of Minas Gerais and Jequitinhonha Valley. Socio-demographic profile, academic training, and clinical practice were covered through a self-administered questionnaire. Results: the physicians had a mean age of 33 (± 9.88) years, 4 (± 7.26) years experience in the PHC system, and 49% reported that their undergraduate studies did not offer enough training on CD. Although almost 90% had experience with the care of patients with chronic CD and 57% with acute CD, only 9% reported feeling completely secure about these services and 33% reported not knowing about benznidazole, the only antitrypanosomal available. Contributing to this situation, after graduation, only 13.3% received any information or training on CD and almost half received this training more than four years ago. There is insecurity, ignorance, and lack of training on CD among PHC medical professionals in endemic locations.

Thermal stress in Danio rerio: a link between temperature, light, thermo-TRP channels, and clock genes.

It is believed that the biological systems perceiving temperature and light daily cycles were subjected to the simultaneous selective pressures, which resulted in their co-evolutionary association. We investigated the influence of 1h 33°C heat shock on the expression of clock and heat shock protein genes, as well as the role of the thermo-TRP channel, TRPV1, in ZEM-2S cells of the teleost Danio rerio, in constant dark (DD) or light-dark cycles (LD). After heat shock, we observed an acute increase of hsp90 aa1 levels in both DD and LD conditions. Interestingly, the expression of hsp90 aa1 was two-fold lower in LD than in DD, what suggests an antagonistic effect of white light on heat shock action. Regarding clock genes, no effect was found in cells subjected to the heat shock in DD. When cells were kept in LD, the expression of per1, per2, cry1a, and cry1b increased in response to heat shock, indicating that heat shock only affects clock core of LD-synchronized ZEM-2S cells. We then evaluated whether TRPV1 played a role in heat-mediated hsp90 aa1 and per2 responses: hsp90 aa1 increase was unaffected whereas per2 increase was partially blocked by TRPV1 inhibitor, demonstrating the channel participation in clock gene regulation by heat shock. Taken together, our results open a novel investigative perspective regarding the relationship between temperature and clock genes, placing a new player in the regulation of this phenomenon: the TRPV1 channel.

pTcGW plasmid vectors 1.1 version: a versatile tool for Trypanosoma cruzi gene characterisation

The functional characterisation of thousands of Trypanosoma cruzi genes remains a challenge. Reverse genetics approaches compatible with high-throughput cloning strategies can provide the tool needed to tackle this challenge. We previously published the pTcGW platform, composed by plasmid vectors carrying different options of N-terminal fusion tags based on Gateway^® technology. Here, we present an improved 1.1 version of pTcGW vectors, which is characterised by a fully flexible structure allowing an easy customisation of each element of the vectors in a single cloning step. Additionally, both N and C-terminal fusions are available with new tag options for protein complexes purification. Three of the newly created vectors were successfully used to determine the cellular localisation of four T. cruzi proteins. The 1.1 version of pTcGW platform can be used in a variety of assays, such as protein overexpression, identification of protein-protein interaction and protein localisation. This powerful and versatile tool allows adding valuable functional information to T. cruzigenes and is freely available for scientific community.