Serum biomarkers associated with SARS-CoV-2 severity

Immunity with SARS-CoV-2 infection during the acute phase is not sufficiently well understood to differentiate mild from severe cases and identify prognostic markers. We evaluated the immune response profile using a total of 71 biomarkers in sera from patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection, confirmed by RT-PCR and controls. We correlated biological marker levels with negative control (C) asymptomatic (A), nonhospitalized (mild cases-M), and hospitalized (severe cases-S) groups. Among angiogenesis markers, we identified biomarkers that were more frequently elevated in severe cases when compared to the other groups (C, A, and M). Among cardiovascular diseases, there were biomarkers with differences between the groups, with D-dimer, GDF-15, and sICAM-1 higher in the S group. The levels of the biomarkers Myoglobin and P-Selectin were lower among patients in group M compared to those in groups S and A. Important differences in cytokines and chemokines according to the clinical course were identified. Severe cases presented altered levels when compared to group C. This study helps to characterize biological markers related to angiogenesis, growth factors, heart disease, and cytokine/chemokine production in individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2, offering prognostic signatures and a basis for understanding the biological factors in disease severity

Developmental programming: the role of growth hormone

Developmental programming of the fetus has consequences for physiologic responses in the offspring as an adult and, more recently, is implicated in the expression of altered phenotypes of future generations. Some phenotypes, such as fertility, bone strength, and adiposity are highly relevant to food animal production and in utero factors that impinge on those traits are vital to understand. A key systemic regulatory hormone is growth hormone (GH), which has a developmental role in virtually all tissues and organs. This review catalogs the impact of GH on tissue programming and how perturbations early in development influence GH function

Substratos e intensidades de luz no cultivo de orquídea denfal Substrates and light intensity on cultivation of Denphal orchid

Foi avaliada a influência da luminosidade e de substratos alternativos ao xaxim, no desenvolvimento e floração de plantas de Dendrobium phalaenopsis var. schroederianum x Dendrobium bigibbum var. compactum. O experimento foi conduzido na UFGD-FCA, de outubro de 2007 a agosto de 2008. Foram utilizadas plantas com quatro anos oriundas de cultivo in vitro, aclimatizadas em viveiro com intensidade luminosa de 12.800, 8.300, 6.200, 5.300 e 4.500 lux, e plantadas em vasos plásticos contendo como substrato carvão, fibra de coco ou uma mistura de carvão + fibra de coco. Durante o período experimental foram avaliados a redução de massa fresca (%), o diâmetro de pseudobulbos (%), brotações (%), início da floração, plantas com flores (%), comprimento da haste floral, botões florais (nO), diâmetro das flores e duração do florescimento. As menores reduções da massa fresca e do diâmetro foram observados sob 12.800 lux. Para brotações os maiores valores foram observados em substrato carvão sob 12.800 lux, ou em substrato fibra de coco e carvão + fibra de coco sob 4.500 lux. Nas condições em que o trabalho foi conduzido recomenda-se que esta orquídea seja cultivada em carvão sob 12.800 lux, uma vez que o maior percentual de plantas com flores, número de botões por planta, diâmetro das flores e comprimento da haste floral produzidos foram observados nestas condições.<br>The influence of light and alternative substrates to fern tree fiber was evaluated on the development and flowering of Dendrobium phalaenopsis var. schroederianum x Dendrobium bigibbum var. compactum plants. The experiment was carried out from October 2007 to August 2008. Four-year old plants from in vitro cultivation, and acclimatized in nursery with light intensities of 12,800, 8,300, 6,200, 5,300 and 4,500 lux, were used. Plants were planted in plastic vases filled with charcoal, coconut fiber or a mix of charcoal + coconut fiber as substrate. During the experimental period, the reduction of fresh mass (%) and diameter of pseudobulbs, sprouting (%), beginning of flowering, plants with flowers (%), length of the flower stem, flower buds (nº), diameter of flowers and time of flowering were evaluated. The smallest reduction of fresh mass and of diameter were observed under 12,800 lux. For sprouting, the highest values were observed with charcoal substrate under 12,800 lux, or with coconut fiber substrate and charcoal + coconut fiber substrate under 4,500 lux. This orchid should be cultivated with charcoal under 12,800 lux, since the highest percentage of plants with flowers, number of buds per plant, diameter of flowers and length of the flower stem were produced under those conditions

Regenerative approach to bilateral rostral mandibular reconstruction in a case series of dogs

Extensive rostral mandibulectomy in dogs typically results in instability of the mandibles that may lead to malocclusion, difficulty in eating and drinking, food prehension, and pain of the temporomandibular joint. Large rostral mandibular defects are challenging to reconstruct due to the complex geometry of this region. In order to restore mandibular continuity and stability following extensive rostral mandibulectomy, we developed a surgical technique using a combination of intraoral and extraoral approaches, a locking titanium plate and a compression resistant matrix (CRM) infused with rhBMP-2. Furthermore, surgical planning that consisted of computed tomographic (CT) scanning and 3D model printing were utilized. We describe a regenerative surgical technique for immediate or delayed reconstruction of critical-size rostral mandibular defects in 5 dogs. Three dogs had healed with intact gingival covering over the mandibular defect and had immediate return to normal function and occlusion. Two dogs had the complication of focal plate exposure and dehiscence, which was corrected with mucosal flaps and suturing; these dogs have since healed with intact gingival covering over the mandibular defect. Mineralized tissue formation was palpated clinically within 2 weeks and solid bone formation within 3 months. Computed tomography findings at 6 months postoperatively demonstrated that the newly regenerated mandibular bone had increased in mineral volume with evidence of integration between the native bone, new bone and CRM compared to the immediate postoperative CT. We conclude that rostral mandibular reconstruction using a regenerative approach provides an excellent solution for restoring mandibular continuity and preventing mandibular instability in dogs