Fungal endo and exochitinase production, characterization, and application for Candida biofilm removal.

Chitinases are promising enzymes for a multitude of applications, including chitooligosaccharide (COS) synthesis for food and pharmaceutical uses and marine waste management. Owing to fungal diversity, fungal chitinases may offer alternatives for chitin degradation and industrial applications. The rapid reproduction cycle, inexpensive growth media, and ease of handling of fungi may also contribute to reducing enzyme production costs. Thus, this study aimed to identify fungal species with chitinolytic potential and optimize chitinase production by submerged culture and enzyme characterization using shrimp chitin. Three fungal species, Coriolopsis byrsina, Trichoderma reesei, and Trichoderma harzianum, were selected for chitinase production. The highest endochitinase production was achieved in C. byrsina after 168 h cultivation (0.3 U mL- 1). The optimal temperature for enzyme activity was similar for the three fungal species (up to 45 and 55 ºC for endochitinases and exochitinases, respectively). The effect of pH on activity indicated maximum hydrolysis in acidic pH (4-7). In addition, the crude T. reesei extract showed promising properties for removing Candida albicans biofilms. This study showed the possibility of using shrimp chitin to induce chitinase production and enzymes that can be applied in different industrial sectors.

Long-Term Safety and Effectiveness of Rituximab Biosimilar RTXM83: A Retrospective Extension Study in Brazilian Patients with Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma.

INTRODUCTION: RTXM83, a biosimilar of rituximab, was approved after physicochemical, functional, non-clinical, and clinical studies demonstrated their similarity; these studies included RTXM83-AC-01-11, a multicentric double-blind international prospective pivotal study. Long-term data on biosimilars can potentially elucidate their clinical robustness and facilitate their broader adoption. METHODS: In this retrospective observational study, we analyzed a dataset from a Brazilian cohort previously randomized in the RTXM83-AC-01-11 study followed by the assessment of long-term outcomes in an observational extension phase from randomization in the RTXM83-AC-01-11 study to the last recorded evaluation. Patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) received either reference rituximab (R) or RTXM83 plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP) as adjuvant treatment. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 77.0 months. Patients with initial DLBCL stages III and IV comprised 50% of the R-CHOP group and 40% of the biosimilar group. Five (18.5%) patients, including two RTXM83-CHOP-treated and three R-CHOP-treated individuals, experienced late adverse events (AEs) of interest. No new safety signs were established. At the final assessment, the progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 93.3% and 50.0% in the RTXM83-CHOP and R-CHOP groups, respectively. Median PFS was not achieved in the RTXM83-CHOP group, which was 40.5 months in the R-CHOP group. The overall survival (OS) rates were 100% and 66.7% in the RTXM83-CHOP and R-CHOP groups, respectively. The median OS was not reached in any group. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated the long-term safety and effectiveness of RTXM83 in treating DLBCL; outcomes comparable to those of the reference product and potentially improved access to treatment have been indicated. However, further research with more diverse patient groups can validate these findings and advocate the broader adoption of biosimilars in cancer care. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04928573. June 16, 2021, "retrospectively registered".

Effects of Adipose-derived Stem Cells in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Case Report in Brazil's Unified Health System.

Osteoarthritis (OA) can incapacitate the individual to perform their activities of daily living due to pain. This is an important public health issue that worsens worldwide and in Brazil, since the population goes through an aging process, and has caused increased public spending on the monitoring and maintenance of treatments that can last for years and still not be resolutive. Thus, the search for innovative and effective therapies that can reduce costs becomes necessary. In this context, the present study reports the first application of cell therapy with adipose-derived stem cells in the treatment of cases of OA that are refractory to the conservative treatment, performed in the Brazilian Unified Health System (Sistema Único de Saúde, SUS). The evaluation was performed with the application of the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC), specifics for OA evaluation, and also an analysis of the synovial fluid (inflammatory cytokines). The cell therapy improved the scores on the WOMAC, SF-36 and EVA, and reduced the inflammatory process. We observed a decrease of 0.73x in the TNF, of 0,71x in IL-1b, of 0,68x in IL-8, and of 0,70x in IL-10. For IL-6, an increase of 1,48x was observed. Therefore, this cell therapy can be considered promising in aiding the management of this disease, since it improved the patient's pain, decrease inflammatory markers, and enabled the return to activities of daily living, which resulted in an improvement in their quality of life.

[Penicillin: from discovery to patenting the large-scale production process]. / Penicilina: da descoberta ao patenteamento do processo de produção em larga escala.

This article examines discoveries, inventions, and innovations related to penicillin by sampling activities to solve technological problems which can be traced by the distribution of scientific articles, government reports, innovations, and patents between 1929 and 1945, and proposes reflection on the importance of scientific progress for national security. The analysis highlights the technological trajectory and outcomes in the area of intellectual property, considering US policy implemented to catalyze innovation and provide institutional conditions to meet national defense needs as an important factor, although this did not necessarily imply a unique solution in other contexts.

A partir de pesquisa sobre a descoberta, a invenção e a inovação relacionadas à penicilina, por amostra de atividades de resolução de problemas tecnológicos rastreada pela distribuição, no período de 1929 a 1945, de trabalhos científicos, relatórios de governo, inovações e patentes, o artigo propõe uma reflexão sobre a importância do progresso científico para a segurança nacional. A análise destaca a trajetória tecnológica e os resultados na área de propriedade intelectual, considerando um fator importante a política implementada nos EUA para catalisar processos de inovação e oferecer condições institucionais para atender às demandas de defesa nacional, o que não significa necessariamente unicidade de solução em outros contextos.

A Spectral Investigation of Criticality and Crossover Effects in Two and Three Dimensions: Short Timescales with Small Systems in Minute Random Matrices.

Random matrix theory, particularly using matrices akin to the Wishart ensemble, has proven successful in elucidating the thermodynamic characteristics of critical behavior in spin systems across varying interaction ranges. This paper explores the applicability of such methods in investigating critical phenomena and the crossover to tricritical points within the Blume-Capel model. Through an analysis of eigenvalue mean, dispersion, and extrema statistics, we demonstrate the efficacy of these spectral techniques in characterizing critical points in both two and three dimensions. Crucially, we propose a significant modification to this spectral approach, which emerges as a versatile tool for studying critical phenomena. Unlike traditional methods that eschew diagonalization, our method excels in handling short timescales and small system sizes, widening the scope of inquiry into critical behavior.

Antibacterial Activity of Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) Loaded Lipid-chitosan Hybrid Nanoparticle against Planktonic Microorganisms.

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a polyphenol derived from Green Tea, is one of the sources of natural bioactive compounds which are currently being developed as medicinal ingredients. Besides other biological activities, this natural compound exhibits anti-cariogenic effects. However, EGCG has low physical-chemical stability and poor bioavailability. Thus, the purpose of this study was to develop and characterize lipid-chitosan hybrid nanoparticle with EGCG and to evaluate its in vitro activity against cariogenic planktonic microorganisms. Lipid-chitosan hybrid nanoparticle (LCHNP-EGCG) were prepared by emulsion and sonication method in one step and characterized according to diameter, polydispersity index (PdI), zeta potential (ZP), encapsulation efficiency (EE), mucoadhesion capacity and morphology. Strains of Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus and Lactobacillus casei were treated with LCHNP- EGCG, and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were evaluated. LCHNP-EGCG exhibited a size of 217.3 ± 5.1 nm with a low polydispersity index (0.17) and positive zeta potential indicating the presence of chitosan on the lipid nanoparticle surface (+33.7 mV). The LCHNP-EGCG showed a spherical morphology, high stability and a mucoadhesive property due to the presence of chitosan coating. In addition, the EGCG encapsulation efficiency was 96%. A reduction of almost 15-fold in the MIC and MBC against the strains was observed when EGCG was encapsulated in LCHNP, indicating the potential of EGCG encapsulation in lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles. Taking the results together, the LCHNP-EGCG could be an interesting system to use in dental care due to their nanometric size, mucoadhesive properties high antibacterial activity against relevant planktonic microorganisms.

The effect of light irradiation on a nitro-ruthenium porphyrin complex in the induced death of lung cancer cells in two- and three-dimensional cultures: Insights into the effect of nitric oxide.

Efforts to find compounds selectively affecting cancer cells while sparing normal ones have continued to grow. Nitric oxide (NO) is critical in physiology and pathology, including cancer. It influences cellular processes like proliferation, apoptosis, and angiogenesis. The intricate interaction of NO with cancer cells offers innovative treatment possibilities, but its effects can vary by concentration and site. Ruthenium complexes capable of releasing NO upon stimulation show for this purpose. These versatile compounds can also enhance photodynamic therapy (PDT), a light-activated approach, which induces cellular damage. Ruthenium-based photosensitizers (PSs), delivering NO and producing reactive oxygen species (ROS), offer a novel strategy for improved cancer treatments. In this study, a nitro-ruthenium porphyrin conjugate: {TPyP[Ru(NO2)(bpy)2]4}(PF6)4, designated RuNO2TPyP, which releases NO upon irradiation, was investigated for its effects on lung cells (non-tumor MRC-5 and tumor A549) in 2D and 3D cell cultures. The findings suggest that this complex has potential for PDT treatment in lung cancer, as it exhibits photocytotoxicity at low concentrations without causing cytotoxicity to normal lung cells. Moreover, treatment of cells with RuNO2TPyP followed by light irradiation (4 J cm-2) can induce apoptosis, generate ROS, promote intracellular NO formation, and has anti-migratory effects. Additionally, the complex can modify tumor cell structures and induce photocytotoxicity and apoptosis in a 3D culture. These outcomes are attributed to the internalization of the complex and its subsequent activation upon light irradiation, resulting in NO release and singlet oxygen production.

An Augmented Reality Visualization System for Simulated Multirotor Aerial Vehicles.

Multirotors Aerial Vehicles are special class of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles with many practical applications. The growing demand for this class of aircraft requires tools that speed up their development. Simulated environments have gained increasing importance, as they facilitate testing and prototyping solutions, where virtual environments allow real-time interaction with simulated models, with similar behavior to real systems. More recently, the use of Augmented Reality has allowed an increasing experience of immersion and integration between the virtual world and a real scenario. This work proposes the use of Augmented Reality technology and a simulated model of a multirotor to create an interactive flight environment, aiming to improve the user experience in the analysis of simulated models. For this purpose, a smartphone was adopted as a hardware platform, a game engine is used as a basis for the development of the Augmented Reality application, that represents a numerical simulation of the flight dynamics and the control system of a multirotor, and a game controller is adopted for user interaction. The resulting system demonstrates that Augmented Reality is a viable technology that can be used to increase the possibilities of evaluating simulated systems.

Acetylcholinesterase purification from human erythrocytes using magnetic nanoparticles containing procainamide.

This work presents a magnetic purification method of human erythrocyte Acetylcholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.7; AChE) based on affinity binding to procainamide (Proca) as ligand. Acetylcholinesterase is an acetylcholine-regulating enzyme found in different areas of the body and associated with various neurological disorders, such as Parkinson, Alzheymer and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. AChE from human erythrocyte purification has been attempted in recent years with low degree of purity. Here, magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) were synthesized and coated with polyaniline (PANI) and procainamide (PROCA) was covalently linked to the PANI. The extracted human erythrocyte AChE formed a complex with the MNP@PANI-PROCA and an external magnet separated it from the undesired proteins. Finally, the enzyme was collected by increasing the ionic strength. Experimental Box-Behnken design was developed to optimize this process of human erythrocyte AChE purification protocol. The enzyme was purified in all fifteen experiments. However, the best AChE purification result was achieved, about 2000 times purified, when 100 mg of MNP@PANI-PROCA was incubated for one hour with 4 ml hemolysate extract. The SDS-PAGE of this preparation presented a molecular weight of approximately 70 kDa, corroborating with few previous studies of AChE from erythrocyte purification.

Consensus of the Brazilian association of hematology, hemotherapy and cellular therapy on patient blood management: Preoperative Clinical and Laboratory Assessment of the Patient.

The preoperative clinical and laboratory evaluations of the patient is an essential step to ensure the safety and success of any surgical procedure. This assessment aims to identify any underlying medical conditions and risk factors and determine suitability for surgery. With this step, the medical team can adapt the care plan to meet each patient's specific needs, increasing the chances of a successful procedure. Good clinical assessment and comprehensive laboratory testing, when integrated into a Patient Blood Management approach, are invaluable in promoting safety of care, reducing transfusion risks, improving surgical outcomes, and optimizing resource utilization. This approach not only elevates the quality of care, but is also aligned with evidence-based practice and patient-centered principles, making it an essential component of the perioperative process.

Consensus of the Brazilian association of hematology, hemotherapy and cellular therapy on patient blood management: Assessment and management of coagulation in the preoperative period.

Managing coagulation disorders and potential bleeding risks, especially in the context of anticoagulant medications, is of immense value both clinically and prior to surgery. Coagulation disorders can lead to bleeding complications, affecting patient safety and surgical outcomes. The use of Patient Blood Management protocols offers a comprehensive, evidence-based approach that effectively addresses these challenges. The problem is to find a delicate balance between preventing thromboembolic events (blood clots) and reducing the risk of bleeding. Anticoagulant medications, although crucial to preventing clot formation, can increase the potential for bleeding during surgical procedures. Patient blood management protocols aim to optimize patient outcomes by minimizing blood loss and unnecessary transfusions.

Consensus of the Brazilian association of hematology, hemotherapy and cellular therapy on patient blood management: Preoperative Phase - Preoperative management of the patient's anemia.

Managing anemia before surgery is extremely important as it is a clinical condition that can significantly increase surgical risk and affect patient outcomes. Anemia is characterized by a reduction in the number of red blood cells or hemoglobin levels leading to a lower oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. Proper treatment requires a multifaceted approach to ensure patients are in the best possible condition for surgery and to minimize potential complications. The challenge is recognizing anemia early and implementing a timely intervention to correct it. Anemic patients are more susceptible to surgical complications such as increased infection rates, slower wound healing and increased risk of cardiovascular events during and after surgery. Additionally, anemia can exacerbate existing medical conditions, causing greater strain on organs and organ systems. To correct anemia and optimize patient outcomes, several essential measures must be taken with the most common being identifying and correcting iron deficiency.

Hepatogenic photosensitization in lambs supplemented with different levels of extruded urea in Brachiaria spp. pastures in the Brazilian Cerrado: Case report.

The aim was to report cases and risk factors for hepatogenous photosensitization in lambs kept on Brachiaria spp. pastures and supplemented with levels of extruded urea (EU). The herd consisted of 69 Texel crossbred lambs with known parentage (fathers and mothers adapted to the consumption of forage of the genus Brachiaria), randomly divided into 5 groups and distributed in individual paddocks for each group. The animals were supplemented with increasing levels of EU (Amireia® 200S): 0, 6, 12, 18, and 24 g of EU per 100 kg-1 of body weight (BW). The concentration of protodioscin was estimated in the mixed pastures of Brachiaria spp. (cv. Marandu and cv. Basilisk), structural components (leaf, stem, and dead material), samples of each cultivar, and in the months of December (2018), February, and April (2019). The animals were examined daily, and when behavioral changes were identified, they underwent clinical examinations and anamnesis. Weighing was performed every 14 days, followed by necropsy and serum biochemical analysis, including gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT). The highest concentrations of protodioscin (p < 0.0001) were found in the pastures used by animals supplemented without extruded urea (7.07 ± 0.56), in the Basilisk cultivar (11.35 ± 0.06), in the leaf blade components (2.08 ± 0.05), and thatch (2.20 ± 0.00), and in the month of April (7.34 ± 0.29) (the month with the lowest rainfall), respectively. Fourteen (20.29%) cases of photosensitization were observed in lambs, of which six recovered, and eight died. Serum GGT levels ranged from 42.2 to 225 IU/L; however, in animals that died, values ranged from 209.4 to 225 IU/L. The use of levels 12 g and 18 g per 100 kg-1 of body weight of extruded urea may contribute to the lower occurrence of photosensitization, as the animals selected pastures with lower protodioscin content, presenting a smaller number of cases.

Acceptability and Usability of Self-Sampling for the Detection of Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Transgender Women: The TransOdara Multicentric Study in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: The effective testing of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) requires sampling from potential infection sites. This study aimed to assess the choice, satisfaction, and performance of self-collected samples (SCS) from potential infection sites for STI testing among transgender women in Brazil. METHODS: TransOdara was a multicentric, cross-sectional STI prevalence study conducted in 5 Brazilian cities. Using respondent-driven sampling, 1317 transgender women 18 years or older were recruited. Participants completed interviewer-led questionnaires and provided swab samples from multiple sites (anorectal, oropharyngeal, genital) for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), and human papillomavirus (HPV) testing. Participants were given a choice of SCS or provider-collected samples (PCS) at each site. RESULTS: Most participants selected SCS for anorectal (74.9%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 72.4-77.3) and genital (72.7%; 95% CI, 70.2-75.1) sites, whereas fewer chose for oropharyngeal samples (49.8%; 95% CI, 47.0-52.6). For future testing, most participants expressed a preference for SCS for genital (72.2%; 95% CI, 69.5-74.7) and anorectal (70.2%; 95% CI, 67.6-72.7) sites. There was no significant difference in the positive test results for CT and NG between SCS and PCS at anorectal and oropharyngeal sites, or for HPV at anorectal and genital (penile or neovaginal) sites. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated a high level of acceptability and usability of self-sampling for STI testing among transgender women. A preference for SCS was evident at the anorectal and genital sites, and the results of SCS were comparable to those of PCS. The findings suggest that multisite STI testing utilizing self-collection methods as a provided option can be effectively integrated into sexual health services for transgender women.

COVID-19 in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients during three years of the pandemic: a multicenter study in Brazil.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients are at -increased risk for severe COVID-19. The aim of this study was to evaluate the burden of COVID-19 in a cohort of HSCT recipients. This retrospective study evaluated a cohort of adult hospitalized HSCT recipients diagnosed with COVID-19 in two large hospitals in São Paulo, Brazil post-HSCT, from January 2020 to June 2022. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Of 49 cases, 63.2% were male with a median age of 47 years. Allogeneic-HSCT (51.2%) and autologous-HSCT (48.9%) patients were included. The median time from HSCT to COVID-19 diagnosis was 398 days (IQR: 1211-134), with 22 (44.8%) cases occurring within 12 months of transplantation. Most cases occurred during the first year of the pandemic, in non-vaccinated patients (n=35; 71.4%). Most patients developed severe (24.4%) or critical (40.8%) disease; 67.3% received some medication for COVID-19, primarily corticosteroids (53.0%). The probable invasive aspergillosis prevalence was 10.2%. All-cause mortality was 40.8%, 51.4% in non-vaccinated patients and 14.2% in patients who received at least one dose of the vaccine. In the multiple regression analyses, the variables mechanical ventilation (OR: 101.01; 95% CI: 8.205 - 1,242.93; p = 0.003) and chest CT involvement at diagnosis ≥50% (OR: 26.61; 95% CI: 1.06 - 664.26; p = 0.04) remained associated with all-cause mortality. Thus, HSCT recipients with COVID-19 experienced high mortality, highlighting the need for full vaccination and infection prevention measures.

Disability-adjusted life years from bone and joint infections associated with antimicrobial resistance: an insight from the 2019 Global Burden of Disease Study.

PURPOSE: Bone and joint infections, complicated by the burgeoning challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), pose significant public health threats by amplifying the disease burden globally. We leveraged results from the 2019 Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) to explore the impact of AMR attributed to bone and joint infections in terms of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), elucidating the contemporary status and temporal trends. METHODS: Utilizing GBD 2019 data, we summarized the burden of bone and joint infections attributed to AMR across 195 countries and territories in the 30 years from 1990 to 2019. We review the epidemiology of AMR in terms of age-standardized rates, the estimated DALYs, comprising years of life lost (YLLs) and years lived with disability (YLDs), as well as associations between DALYs and socio-demographic indices. RESULTS: The GBD revealed that DALYs attributed to bone and joint infections associated with AMR have risen discernibly between 1990 and 2019 globally. Significant geographical disparities and a positive correlation with socio-demographic indicators were observed. Staphylococcus aureus infections, Group A Streptococcus, Group B Streptococcus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Enterobacter-related bone and joint infections were associated with the highest DALYs because of a high proportion of antimicrobial resistance. Countries with limited access to healthcare, suboptimal sanitary conditions, and inconsistent antibiotic stewardship were markedly impacted. CONCLUSIONS: The GBD underscores the escalating burden of bone and joint infections exacerbated by AMR, necessitating urgent, multi-faceted interventions. Strategies to mitigate the progression and impact of AMR should emphasize prudent antimicrobial usage and robust infection prevention and control measures, coupled with advancements in diagnostic and therapeutic modalities.

Aetiological molecular identification of sexually transmitted infections that cause urethral discharge syndrome and genital ulcer disease in Brazilian men: a nationwide study.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the aetiology of urethral discharge syndrome (UDS) and genital ulcer disease (GUD) in Brazil due to limited access to laboratory tests and treatment based mainly on the syndromic approach. OBJECTIVES: To update Brazilian treatment guidelines according to the current scenario, the first nationwide aetiological study for UDS and GUD was performed. METHODS: Male participants with urethral discharge (UD) and/or genital ulcer (GU) reports were enrolled. Sample collection was performed by 12 sentinel sites located in the five Brazilian regions. Between 2018 and 2020, 1141 UD and 208 GU samples were collected in a Universal Transport Medium-RT (Copan). A multiplex quantitative PCR kit (Seegene) was used to detect UD: Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Mycoplasma genitalium (MG), M. hominis (MH), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), Trichomonas vaginalis (TV), Ureaplasma parvum (UP), U. urealyticum (UU) and another kit to detect GU: cytomegalovirus (CMV), Haemophilus ducreyi (HD), herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1), herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV2), lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV), Treponema pallidum (TP) and varicella-zoster virus (VZV). RESULTS: In UD samples, the frequency of pathogen detection was NG: 78.38%, CT: 25.6%, MG: 8.3%, UU: 10.4%, UP: 3.5%, MH: 3.5% and TV: 0.9%. Coinfection was assessed in 30.9% of samples, with 14.3% of NG/CT coinfection. The most frequent pathogen identified in GU was HSV2, present in 40.8% of the samples, followed by TP at 24.8%, LGV and CMV at 1%, and HSV1 at 0.4%. Coinfection of TP/HSV2 was detected in 4.4% of samples. VZV and HD were not detected. In 27.7% of the GU samples, no pathogen was detected. CONCLUSION: This study provided the acquisition of unprecedented data on the aetiology of UDS and GUD in Brazil, demonstrated the presence of a variety of pathogens in both sample types and reaffirmed the aetiologies known to be most prevalent globally.

Inefficacious drugs against covid-19: analysis of sales, tweets, and search engines.

OBJECTIVE: Assess the correlation between the sales of two drugs with no proven efficacy against covid-19, ivermectin and chloroquine, and other relevant variables, such as Google® searches, number of tweets related to these drugs, number of cases and deaths resulting from covid-19. METHODS: The methodology adopted in this study has four stages: data collection, data processing, exploratory data analysis, and correlation analysis. Spearman's method was used to obtain cross-correlations between each pair of variables. RESULTS: The results show similar behaviors between variables. Peaks occurred in the same or near periods. The exploratory data analysis showed shortage of chloroquine in the period corresponding to the beginning of advertising for the application of these drugs against covid-19. Both drugs showed a high and statistically significant correlation with the other variables. Also, some of them showed a higher correlation with drug sales when we employed a one-month lag. In the case of chloroquine, this was observed for the number of deaths. In the case of ivermectin, this was observed for the number of tweets, cases, and deaths. CONCLUSIONS: The results contribute to decision making in crisis management by governments, industries, and stores. In times of crisis, as observed during the covid-19 pandemic, some variables can help sales forecasting, especially Google® and tweets, which provide a real-time analysis of the situation. Monitoring social media platforms and search engines would allow the determination of drug use by the population and better prediction of potential peaks in the demand for these drugs.

Recurrent IgA Nephropathy or Subclinical Chronic Humoral Rejection With Predominance of Plasma Cells: A Case Report.

Both antibody-mediated rejection and recurrence of kidney disease are major causes of allograft loss. A possible strategy to address the former is donor-specific antibody (DSA) monitoring. In this patient with IgA nephropathy, DSA detection triggered biopsy 10 years after transplant despite preserved graft function and normal urinary examination. Biopsy showed mild glomerulitis, mild capillaritis, and transplant glomerulopathy with no C4d peritubular capillary staining, along with IgA-dominant mesangial immunofluorescence staining. Interstitial inflammation had a notable predominance of plasma cells, a finding that has been variably attributed to rejection and worse prognosis. Immunosuppression was optimized with the working diagnosis of recurrent IgA nephropathy and/or chronic active humoral rejection with predominance of plasma cells, with favorable response at follow-up. This case illustrates the conflicting role of DSA monitoring and allograft biopsy to optimize immunosuppression management. Despite imperfect correlation with each other and clinical outcomes, they are key to tailor therapy. In the future, characterization of the role of plasma cell infiltrates in rejection might further enable prognosis and treatment individualization.

Editorial for Special Issue: Fungal Biology and Interactions.

As we conclude this Special Issue on fungal biology and interactions, it is only appropriate to reflect on the remarkable progress our scientific community has made in unraveling the mysteries of the fungal kingdom [...].