On The Distribution Of Siphonops Paulensis Boettger, 1892 (gymnophiona: Siphonopidae): Four New Brazilian State Records

Siphonops paulensis Boettger, 1892 is a Neotropical siphonopid caecilian widely distributed in South America. Herein, we fill knowledge gaps in the distribution of S. paulensis mostly in northeastern Brazil, including four new state records. © 2016 Check List and Authors.12

Role of miR-2392 in driving SARS-CoV-2 infection

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs involved in post-transcriptional gene regulation that have a major impact on many diseases and provide an exciting avenue toward antiviral therapeutics. From patient transcriptomic data, we determined that a circulating miRNA, miR-2392, is directly involved with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) machinery during host infection. Specifically, we show that miR-2392 is key in driving downstream suppression of mitochondrial gene expression, increasing inflammation, glycolysis, and hypoxia, as well as promoting many symptoms associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. We demonstrate that miR-2392 is present in the blood and urine of patients positive for COVID-19 but is not present in patients negative for COVID-19. These findings indicate the potential for developing a minimally invasive COVID-19 detection method. Lastly, using in vitro human and in vivo hamster models, we design a miRNA-based antiviral therapeutic that targets miR-2392, significantly reduces SARS-CoV-2 viability in hamsters, and may potentially inhibit a COVID-19 disease state in humans

Polymorphisms of alpha-actinin-3 and ciliary neurotrophic factor in national-level Italian athletes

The R577X polymorphism of the alpha-actinin-3 (ACTN3) gene and the IVS1-6G>A polymorphism of the ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) gene have been associated with a favourable muscle phenotype (more muscle fibres with high glycolytic activity), reduced predisposition for congenital dystrophy and resistance to sarcopenia in old age. The aim of this study was to look for evidence of selective pressure towards genotypes favourable for strong muscle activity in a sample of national-level Italian athletes. METHODS: We analysed two stop codon polymorphisms in the DNA of 50 Italian athletes, specialised in power or endurance sports, and compared their genotypic distribution with those of a population of 50 controls. In a representative sub-group of athletes (N.=42) we then compared the genetic data with anaerobic threshold, assessed by an incremental exercise test up to exhaustion. RESULTS: The athlete group showed an allelic distribution of ACTN3 (R/R:64%, R/X:16%, X/X:20%) and CNTF (G/G:72%, G/A:26%, A/A:2%), significantly imbalanced towards alleles R/R and G/G, respectively, compared to controls (ACTN3=R/R:40% R/X:22% X/X:38% and CNTF=G/G:52%, G/A:24%, A/A:24%) (p=0.0024 and p=0.0001, respectively). Only the ACTN3 577X/X polymorphism showed a significant association with the anaerobic threshold of athletes (F-ratio= 4.037; p=0.025). Factorial ANOVA demonstrated a non significant interaction between favourable allelic patterns of ACTN3 and CNTF genes on aerobic performance in the athlete group. CONCLUSION: The relationship found between favourable muscle phenotype and this genetic profile may have interesting implications in sport performance and training, athlete selection and different clinical activities, such as physical rehabilitation and modifying phenotypes associated with neuromuscular diseases

Architectural organization and functional features of early endothelial progenitor cells cultured in a hyaluronan-based polymer scaffold

Neovascularization can be improved using polymer scaffolds supporting endothelialprogenitor cells (EPCs). The aim of the present study was to investigate whether human early EPCs (eEPCs) could be efficiently cultured in a hyaluronan-based non-woven mesh (HYAFF-11). eEPCs were seeded on HYAFF-11 at the density of 1 x 10(6)/cm(2) and cultured with endothelial differentiating factors for 3 weeks. After 24 h, nearly 90% of EPCs were adherent. Cell viability, evaluated by methyltetrazolium test, was greater in HYAFF-11 than on the most commonly used fibronectin-coated dishes, even if a progressive decline in viability was observed starting from approximately the second week of culture. eEPCs easily migrated to and aggregated on the scaffold. Evidence of active protein synthesis and features of endothelial differentiation, including cellular transcytotic channels and micropinocytotic vesicles, was revealed using electron microscopy,immunofluorescence, and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analysis. eEPCs cultured in the scaffold also showed a certain angiogenic activity, as demonstrated by hepatocyte growth factor transcription and vascular endothelial growth factor secretion. In conclusion, eEPCs can migrate and adhere inside HYAFF-11, maintain their pre-endothelial phenotype, and express angiogenic factors, especially within the first week of growth. These results indicate that non-woven HYAFF-11 could be a promising candidate as a vehicle for eEPCs for regenerative medicine applications

Development of a low-power thick-film gas sensor deposited by screen-printing technique onto a micromachined hotplate

Increasing request for extensive environmental monitoring is driving both research and market to the achievement of miniaturized low-power gas detectors to be used in portable measuring systems. The main limitation to the effective implementation of battery operated microsystems based on Taguchi gas sensors (TGS) is the high power consumption of the heater designed to keep the chemoresistive film at temperatures usually greater than 300 °C. We report on the design, implementation and characterization of a thick-film gas sensor deposited for the first time by screen printing technique onto a micromachined hotplate: the microheater maintain as high a film temperature as 450oC with less than 50 mW of input power (Fig. 1). The microheater consists of a dielectric stacked membrane equipped with embedded polysilicon resistors acting as heating element as well as temperature sensing elements. Extensive finite-element computer simulations were carried out during the design step to optimize the radial temperature gradient up to 1200oC/mm. A newly developed scheme for temperature measurement was adopted for on-line adjustment of the film temperature through a conventional low-power proportional integral (PI) regulator. Deposition of different sensing layers based on semiconductor oxides such as SnO2 and TiO2 and was achieved by computer-aided screen-printing. The films were then fired either in a conventional oven or through the microheater itself to guarantee thermodynamic stability for long time exploitation. The response of the device to CO, CH4 and NOx at concentrations typical for indoor and outdoor applications was recorded by measuring the film resistance through ultra high impedance CMOS circuit and the performance is compared to traditional devices fabricated via thick-film methodology. The feasibility of an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) matching temperature regulation and front-end electronics is finally discussed

High-dose thiotepa and melphalan with hemopoietic progenitor support following induction therapy with epirubicin-paclitaxel-containing regimens in metastatic breast cancer (MBC)

Abstract: Background: Preliminary data from phase III randomized studies have failed to show benefit of HDC given as consolidation after anthracycline and alkylating-based chemotherapy in metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Moderate activity of induction regimens and selection of chemoresistant clones are among the possible reasons for these disappointing results. We therefore have designed a phase II study where high-dose alkylating agents are given as consolidation after an induction treatment including the most active agents (epirubicin and paclitaxel) without alkylating agents. Patients and methods: Patients with MBC not previously treated with chemotherapy for metastatic disease were eligible. After six courses of epirubicin-paclitaxel +/- gemcitabine patients received a course of thiotepa 600 mg/m(2) + melphalan 160 mg/m(2) with hemopoietic support. Pharmacokinetic parameters of thiotepa and melphalan were measured and related to treatment outcomes. The L-VEF of the patients was monitored before and after treatment. Results: Forty-eight patients have been treated. Before HDC 14 patients were in CR, and 34 in PR. A median of 6.92 +/- 10(6) (range 1.53-16.6) CD34+ cells/kg were reinfused after HDC. Median days (range) to neutrophils >0.5 x 10(9)/l and platelets > 20,000 x 10(9)/l were 9.5 (9-33) and 10 days (9-32), respectively. Symptomatic CHF was observed in two patients (4.1%). C-max and AUC of thiotepa showed a linear relationship with time to progression (TTP) and overall survival (OS): r(2) = 0.6. After HDC the conversion rate from PR to CR was 44.1%. At five years progression-free and overall survival rates are 37.5% and 65%, respectively. A treatment-related death was observed. Conclusions: High-dose thiotepa and melphalan after an epirubicin-paclitaxel-containing treatment is feasible, devoid of significant cardiotoxicity and very active. Pharmacokinetic parameters of high-dose thiotepa might be linked to treatment outcome

Development of a low-power thick-film gas sensor deposited by screen-printing technique onto a micromachined hotplate

We report on the design, implementation and characterisation of a thick-film gas sensor deposited for the first time by screen-printing technique onto a micromachined hotplate, the microheater maintains a film temperature as high as 400°C with <30 mW of input power. The microheater consists of a dielectric stacked membrane equipped with embedded polysilicon resistors acting as heating element as well as temperature sensing elements. Extensive finite-element computer simulations were carried out during the design step to optimise the radial temperature gradient up to 1200°C/mm. A newly developed scheme for temperature measurement was adopted for on-line adjustment of the film temperature through aconventional low-power proportional integral (PI) regulator. Deposition of sensing layers based on semiconductor oxides, such as SnO2 was achieved by computer-aided screen-printing. The films were then fired through the microheater itself to guarantee thermodynamic stability for long time exploitation. The response of the device to CO, CH4 and NO2 at concentrations typical for indoor and outdoor applications was recorded by measuring the film resistance through ultra high impedance CMOS circuit

Gas-sensing device implemented on a micromachined membrane: A combination of thick-film and very large scale integrated technologies

We report developing a SnO2 thick-film gas sensor deposited by screen printing onto a micromachined dielectric stacked membrane equipped with an embedded polysilicon microheater and two resistors for temperature measurement. The microheaters were designed to enable an operating temperature of 400 °C at about 30 mW power consumption. A newly developed scheme for temperature measurement was adopted for on-line adjustment of the film temperature through a conventional low-power feedback circuit. The electrical response of the prototypes to CO and CH4 is discussed, and their performance is compared to traditional devices fabricated via thick-film methods