Local roughness exponent in the nonlinear molecular-beam-epitaxy universality class in one-dimension

We report local roughness exponents, $\alpha_{\text{loc}}$, for three interface growth models in one dimension which are believed to belong the non-linear molecular-beam-epitaxy (nMBE) universality class represented by the Villain-Lais-Das Sarma (VLDS) stochastic equation. We applied an optimum detrended fluctuation analysis (ODFA) [Luis et al., Phys. Rev. E 95, 042801 (2017)] and compared the outcomes with standard detrending methods. We observe in all investigated models that ODFA outperforms the standard methods providing exponents in the narrow interval $\alpha_{\text{loc}}\in[0.96,0.98]$ consistent with renormalization group predictions for the VLDS equation. In particular, these exponent values are calculated for the Clarke-Vvdensky and Das Sarma-Tamborenea models characterized by very strong corrections to the scaling, for which large deviations of these values had been reported. Our results strongly support the absence of anomalous scaling in the nMBE universality class and the existence of corrections in the form $\alpha_{\text{loc}}=1-\epsilon$ of the one-loop renormalization group analysis of the VLDS equation

Plurality Voting: the statistical laws of democracy in Brazil

We explore the statistical laws behind the plurality voting system by investigating the election results for mayor held in Brazil in 2004. Our analysis indicate that the vote partition among mayor candidates of the same city tends to be "polarized" between two candidates, a phenomenon that can be closely described by means of a simple fragmentation model. Complex concepts like "government continuity" and "useful vote" can be identified and even statistically quantified through our approach.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Anti-Rods/Rings: A Human Model of Drug-Induced Autoantibody Generation

In recent years, autoantibodies targeting subcellular structures described as the rods and rings pattern in HEp-2 ANA have been presented as a unique case of autoantibody generation. These rod and ring structures (RR) are at least partially composed of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase type 2 (IMPDH2), and their formation can be induced in vitro by several small-molecule inhibitors, including some IMPDH2 inhibitors. Autoantibodies targeting these relatively unknown structures have been almost exclusively observed in hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients who have undergone treatment with pegylated interferon-alpha/ribavirin (IFN/RBV) combination therapy. To date, anti-RR antibodies have not been found in treatment-naive HCV patients or in patients from any other disease groups, with few reported exceptions. Here, we describe recent advances in characterizing the RR structure and the strong association between anti-RR antibody response and HCV patients treated with IFN/RBV, detailing why anti-RR can be considered a human model of drug-induced autoantibody generation

Surface electromyography activity analysis of the miofascial triggers points

Os pontos gatilhos miofasciais (PGMs) são manifestações comumente encontradas na prática clínica e estão relacionados à alteração de tônus e à síndrome dolorosa miofascial (SDM). OBJETIVO: Avaliar a capacidade da EMG de superfície e detectar alterações da atividade neuromuscular no PGM, em situações de repouso e de contração isométrica voluntária máxima. MÉTODO: Participaram do estudo 56 indivíduos distribuídos em dois grupos: grupo Saudável com 28 indivíduos, que necessariamente não possuíam PGM, e o grupo Dor, constituído de 28 indivíduos que possuíam necessariamente PGM no músculo escolhido. O grupo Dor apresentava indivíduos com PGM latente e ativo, e com e sem fenômenos autonômicos (FA). RESULTADOS: O sinal EMG da porção muscular com PGM mostrou-se significativamente maior quando comparado com a porção muscular sadia do grupo Dor, e do grupo Saudável durante o repouso (26,56 ± 44,54, 5,39 ± 6,29 e 1,56 ± 0,76, respectivamente, p = 0,0001). Os indivíduos com PGM ativo obtiveram maior intensidade do sinal EMG do que aqueles que apresentaram PGM latente (17,85 ± 30,25 versus 3,74 ± 1,52, p = 0,04). Além disso, os indivíduos que apresentaram fenômenos autonômicos tiveram maior intensidade do sinal EMG do que aqueles que não os apresentaram (16,78 ± 28,44 versus 3,51 ± 3,65), na condição de repouso. CONLUSÃO: A EMG de superfície é capaz de mensurar a atividade do PGM, principalmente na condição de repouso.There are examples of common clinical conditions that clinical signals are related to alterations in muscle tone, including myofascial pain syndrome. OBJECTIVE: to discuss the application of surface EMG to detect effect of miofascial trigger point (MTP) on neuromuscular activity at rest and maximum voluntary contraction of the trapezoid muscle. METHODS: Fifty-six subjects participated in the study and were divided into two groups: Healthy group (n = 28), with subjects who necessarily did not present MTP, and PAIN group (n = 28), with subjects who necessarily had MTP. RESULTS: The EMG signal was significantly higher in the muscle portion containing MTP than in the healthy muscle portion in PAIN group and than Healthy group (26,56 ± 44,54, 5,39 ± 6,29 and 1,56 ± 0,76, respectively, p = 0,0001) during rest. In addition, a higher intensity of the EMG signal was observed in subjects with active MTP than in latent MTP (17,85 ± 30,25 versus 3,74 ± 1,52, p = 0,04. Besides, the subjects who presented autonomic phenomena had higher EMG signal than those who had no autonomic phenomena (16,78 ± 28,44 versus 3,51 ± 3,65. CONCLUSION: The surface EMG is reliable to measure the muscular activity of the MTP, mainly at rest condition

Synbiotic therapy decreases microbial translocation and inflammation and improves immunological status in HIV-infected patients: a double-blind randomized controlled pilot trial

BACKGROUND: HIV-infection results in damage and dysfunction of the gastrointestinal system. HIV enteropathy includes pronounced CD4+ T-cell loss, increased intestinal permeability, and microbial translocation that promotes systemic immune activation, which is implicated in disease progression. A synbiotic is the combination of probiotics and prebiotics that could improve gut barrier function. Our study goal was to determine whether the use of a synbiotic, probiotics or a prebiotic can recover immunological parameters in HIV-infected subjects through of a reduction of microbial translocation and pro-inflammatory cytokine production. METHODS: A randomized, double-blind controlled study was performed; twenty Antiretroviral treatment-naïve HIV-infected subjects were subgrouped and assigned to receive a synbiotic, probiotics, a prebiotic, or a placebo throughout 16 weeks. RESULTS: We had no reports of serious adverse-events. From baseline to week 16, the synbiotic group showed a reduction in bacterial DNA concentrations in plasma (p = 0.048). Moreover, the probiotic and synbiotic groups demonstrated a decrease in total bacterial load in feces (p = 0.05). The probiotic group exhibited a significant increment of beneficial bacteria load (such as Bifidobacterium; p = 0.05) and a decrease in harmful bacteria load (such as Clostridium; p = 0.063). In the synbiotic group, the CD4+ T-cells count increased (median: +102 cells/μL; p = 0.05) and the level of Interleukin 6 cytokine decreased significantly (p = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed a significant increase in CD4+ T lymphocyte levels in the synbiotic group, which could delay the initiation of antiretroviral therapy and decrease costs in countries with limited resources

The role of platelets and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in sepsis: A comprehensive literature review

Sepsis is defined as "an organic dysfunction secondary to the dysregulated response of the patient to an infection." This concept only reveals the tip of the iceberg, the clinical expression of organic failures, without understanding their basis, which is currently explained by cellular and molecular phenomena. Neutrophils are crucial pillars of early innate immune responses, and their fundamental function is phagocytosis. Additionally, neutrophils can degranulate upon activation, releasing various antimicrobial enzymes and pro-inflammatory cytokines, and form neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), whose purpose is to trap pathogens by releasing their "sticky" nuclear content; the presence of activated platelets amplifies this phenomenon. NETosis is a beneficial process; however, deregulated, it can be detrimental, inducing "immunothrombosis" and compromising the microcirculation, thereby increasing the clinical severity of sepsis. The purpose of this review is to clearly describe the pathophysiological role therapeutic target of NETs, their interaction with platelets in sepsis, and their potential as therapeutic targets, since it has been shown that a therapeutic approach aimed at curbing NETs would be beneficial

Lidocaine for systemic sclerosis: a double-blind randomized clinical trial

Background: Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma; SSc) is an orphan disease with the highest case-specific mortality of any connective-tissue disease. Excessive collagen deposit in affected tissues is a key for the disease's pathogenesis and comprises most of the clinical manifestations. Lidocaine seems to be an alternative treatment for scleroderma considering that: a) the patient's having excessive collagen deposits in tissues affected by scleroderma; b) the patient's demonstrating increased activity of the enzyme prolyl hydroxylase, an essential enzyme for the biosynthesis of collagen; and c) lidocaine's reducing the activity of prolyl hydroxylase. the aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of lidocaine in treating scleroderma.Methods: A randomized double-blind clinical trial included 24 patients with scleroderma randomized to receive lidocaine or placebo intravenously in three cycles of ten days each, with a one-month interval between them. Outcomes: cutaneous (modified Rodnan skin score), oesophageal (manometry) and microvascular improvement (nailfold capillaroscopy); improvement in subjective self-assessment and in quality of life (HAQ).Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the groups for any outcome after the treatment and after 6-months follow-up. Improvement in modified Rodnan skin score occurred in 66.7% and 50% of placebo and lidocaine group, respectively (p = 0.408). Both groups showed an improvement in subjective self-assessment, with no difference between them.Conclusions: Despite the findings of a previous cohort study favouring the use of lidocaine, this study demonstrated that lidocaine at this dosage and means of administration showed a lack of efficacy for treating scleroderma despite the absence of significant adverse effects. However, further similar clinical trials are needed to evaluate the efficacy of lidocaine when administered in different dosages and by other means.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med UNIFESP EPM, Brazilian Cochrane Ctr, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med UNIFESP EPM, Discipline Emergency Med & Evidence Based Med, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med UNIFESP EPM, Discipline Rheumatol, São Paulo, BrazilUniv Santo Amaro, Discipline Rheumatol, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med UNIFESP EPM, Brazilian Cochrane Ctr, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med UNIFESP EPM, Discipline Emergency Med & Evidence Based Med, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med UNIFESP EPM, Discipline Rheumatol, São Paulo, BrazilFAPESP: 01-13895-9Web of Scienc

Polyurethanes from modified castor oil and chitosan. Synthesis, characterization, in vitro degradation, and cytotoxicity

[EN] Polyurethanes (PUs) from castor oil (CO), modified CO (MCO) by transesterification reaction, isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) in an NCO/OH ratio equal to 1, and chitosan (CS) were synthesized to assess their potential as biomaterials. PUs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, hydroxyl value (ASTM D1957), thermogravimetric analysis, Shore A hardness (ASTM D2240), and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). Also, contact angle, water retention and in vitro degradation in PBS, and cell viability on fibroblast were performed. The hydroxyl value confirms CO modification, and IR analysis confirms urethane bond formation. The thermal assay does not show new degradation stages and polyol with a high functionality had better hardness performance due to the increase in cross-linking. The micrograph shows micro-phase separation of both polymers. The contact angle shows the hydrophobic surface with an angle over 65°, and the CS and polyol type do not affect swelling and in vitro degradation due to phase separation between both polymers. The cell viability was over 70% in all cases, and solid polymers and degradation products involve non-cytotoxic effects on the samples. The results suggest a potential for these formulations in the biomedical field.The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This work was supported by Universidad de La Sabana under Grant number ING-160-2015. Also, Jose A. Gomez-Tejedor and Ana Valles-Lluch acknowledge the support of the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) through the project DPI2015-65401-C3-2-R (including the FEDER financial support).Arévalo-Alquichire, S.; Ramírez, C.; Andrade, L.; Uscategui, Y.; Diaz, LE.; Gómez-Tejedor, JA.; Vallés Lluch, A.... (2018). Polyurethanes from modified castor oil and chitosan. Synthesis, characterization, in vitro degradation, and cytotoxicity. Journal of Elastomers and Plastics. 50(5):419-434. https://doi.org/10.1177/0095244317729578S41943450