Discriminação morfométrica entre Trinomys albispinus (Is. Geoffroy, 1838) e Trinomys minor (Reis & Pessôa, 1995) da Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brasil, e o carioótipo de Trinomys albispinus (Rodentia, Echimyidae)

A morphometric discrimination analysis was performed for Trinomys minor (Reis Pessôa, 1995) and Trinomys albispinus (Is. Geoffroy, 1838). The samples used in this study are from localities in the Chapada Diamantina, a vast plateau in central Bahia State, Brazil. A specimen recently obtained near the type-locality of Trinomys minor was allocated to T. albispinus by principal component and discriminant analyses and by qualitative pelage traits. The karyotype of Trinomys albispinus is described on the basis of this specimen as 2n=60, NA=116, with two Nucleolar Organizer Regions (NORs) located in the interstitial region of the long arm of chromosome pair 10. The similarity between this karyotype and that previously published for T. minor is interpreted here as evidence that T. minor and T. albispinus are closely related forms, probably at subspecific level. A pattern of karyological similarity is here documented for other species pairs in the genus in which a close relationship has been revealed by mitochondrial DNA data.Uma análise de discriminação morfométrica foi realizada entre Trinomys albispinus (Is. Geoffroy, 1838) e Trinomys minor (Reis Pessôa, 1995) com base em amostras provenientes da Chapada Diamantina, um vasto platô situado na área central da Bahia. Um espécime recentemente obtido próximo à localidade-tipo de T. minor foi alocado em análises morfométricas multivariadas e em comparações da pelagem à T. albispinus. O cariótipo de Trinomys albispinus é descrito com base neste espécime. Trinomys albispinus apresentou 2n= 60 e NA= 116, e duas regiões organizadoras de nucléolo (RONs) localizadas na região intersticial do braço longo do par cromossômico 10. A similaridade cromossômica entre esse cariótipo e o previamente publicado para T. minor é interpretada aqui como evidência que T. minor e T. albispinus são espécies muito relacionadas, provavelmente em nível subespecífico. Um padrão de similaridade cariotípica é aqui documentado entre outros pares de espécies no gênero onde uma relação filogenética próxima tenha sido revelada por análises de DNA mitocondrial

Specifična obilježja u pedijatrijskoj traheostomiji - pregledni rad

Surgical tracheostomy is a life-saving procedure performed for emergent or expectant airway compromise. Morbidity in the pediatric population is higher than in adults due to smaller operating field, immaturity of tissues, anatomic specificities of the child’s neck, or the presence of craniofacial dysmorphism. The procedure varies among surgeons regarding the position of the skin incision (vertical or horizontal), resection of the subcutaneous adipose tissue and isthmus of the thyroid gland, use of tracheal flaps, and use of maturation or stay sutures. Both early and late complications can be life-threatening, and include accidental decannulation, stomal plugging, bleeding, and difficult ventilating. Consistent tracheostomal care is crucial in avoiding complications. Primary caregivers must be included and educated about proper stomal care. Decannulation failures are common. Prerequisites for safe decannulation include non-dependence on mechanical ventilation and no recent aspiration events, positive endoscopic airway assessment, and successful daytime capping. The role of polysomnography in decannulation protocols is debated. Although seldom performed, tracheostomy is the procedure of choice in a selected group of pediatric patients. The risks and benefits of the procedure must be weighed for each patient. The education of medical personnel and caregivers is key to reducing serious complications.Kirurška traheotomija je postupak kojim se osigurava dišni put kompromitiran uslijed infektivnih bolesti, traume, tumora ili anomalija dišnih putova. Pobol je veći u pedijatrijskoj populaciji zbog malog operativnog polja, nezrelosti tkiva, anatomskih specifičnosti ili prisutnosti kraniofacijalnih dismorfizama. Procedura varira između kirurga. Ne postoji usuglašeni stav oko pozicije kožne incizije, resekcije supkutanog masnog tkiva i istmusa štitnjače, upotrebe trahealnih režnjeva ili maturacijskih šava. I rane i kasne komplikacije mogu biti životno ugrožavajuće. Najčešće su nenamjerna dekanulacija, začepljenje traheostome sluznim čepovima, krvarenje ili otežana ventilacija. Stalna briga o traheostomi je ključna u sprječavanju komplikacija. Skrbnici moraju biti uključeni i obrazovani o pravilnoj njezi stome. Neuspjele dekanilacije su česte. Preduvjeti za pokušaj dekanilacije su neovisnost o mehaničkoj ventilaciji, endoskopski pregled dišnih putova i toleriranje začepljene kanile tijekom dana. Upotreba polisomnografije u dekanilacijskom protokolu nije ušla u široku primjenu. Iako se rijetko izvodi, traheostomija je postupak izbora za zbrinjavanje dišnog puta u određenim skupinama pedijatrijskih bolesnika. Prednosti i nedostatci moraju se razmotriti za svaki pojedini slučaj. Izobrazba medicinskog osoblja i skrbnika je ključna za smanjenje broja ozbiljnih komplikacija

Nanocomposite thin film of Ag nanoparticles embedded in amorphous Al 2 O 3 on optical sensors windows: Synthesis, characterization and targeted application towards transparency and anti-biofouling

Increased motivation for environmental monitoring requires robust and reliable sensors. The present work aims at increasing the service time of optical sensors immersed in riverine waters by decreasing the development of biofouling on their surface. In this aim, nanocomposite coatings composed of metallic silver nanoparticles embedded in an amorphous alumina are co-deposited on sensor glass windows by chemical vapor deposition. Immersion for one week in the Saulx river, France, revealed a threefold decrease of biofouling on their surface compared with untreated glass surfaces while maintaining transparency. Such coatings can be considered as part of integrated tools, including for example mechanical cleaning, to reduce the maintenance of optical sensors immerged in riverine waters

Biochemical and echocardiographic markers for the early detection of cardiotoxicity under monoclonal antibodies therapy

The progress made over the past years in the field of cancer therapy has led to a significant decrease in cancer mortality, but these therapies have many adverse effects, cardiovascular effects being among the most frequent ones. For increasing lifelong expectancy of surviving cancer patients, cardiac monitoring represents an important task. Current studies and practice recommend echocardiography using strain analysis for monitoring the cardio toxic effects of cancer therapy. The potential of combining imaging techniques with biomarkers for the early detection and diagnosis seems a promising path for future research

Efficient cellular and humoral immune response and production of virus-neutralizing antibodies by the Hepatitis B Virus S/preS1 16-42 antigen

Despite the availability of improved antiviral therapies, infection with Hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains a3 significant health issue, as a curable treatment is yet to be discovered. Current HBV vaccines relaying on the efficient expression of the small (S) envelope protein in yeast and the implementation of mass vaccination programs have clearly contributed to containment of the disease. However, the lack of an efficient immune response in up to 10% of vaccinated adults, the controversies regarding the seroprotection persistence in vaccine responders and the emergence of vaccine escape virus mutations urge for the development of better HBV immunogens. Due to the critical role played by the preS1 domain of the large (L) envelope protein in HBV infection and its ability to trigger virus neutralizing antibodies, including this protein in novel vaccine formulations has been considered a promising strategy to overcome the limitations of S only-based vaccines. In this work we aimed to combine relevant L and S epitopes in chimeric antigens, by inserting preS1 sequences within the external antigenic loop of S, followed by production in mammalian cells and detailed analysis of their antigenic and immunogenic properties. Of the newly designed antigens, the S/preS116–42 protein assembled in subviral particles (SVP) showed the highest expression and secretion levels, therefore, it was selected for further studies in vivo. Analysis of the immune response induced in mice vaccinated with S/preS116–42- and S-SVPs, respectively, demonstrated enhanced immunogenicity of the former and its ability to activate both humoral and cellular immune responses. This combined activation resulted in production of neutralizing antibodies against both wild-type and vaccine-escape HBV variants. Our results validate the design of chimeric HBV antigens and promote the novel S/preS1 protein as a potential vaccine candidate for administration in poor-responders to current HBV vaccines.publishedVersio

Efficient cellular and humoral immune response and production of virus-neutralizing antibodies by the Hepatitis B Virus S/preS116-42 antigen

Despite the availability of improved antiviral therapies, infection with Hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains a3 significant health issue, as a curable treatment is yet to be discovered. Current HBV vaccines relaying on the efficient expression of the small (S) envelope protein in yeast and the implementation of mass vaccination programs have clearly contributed to containment of the disease. However, the lack of an efficient immune response in up to 10% of vaccinated adults, the controversies regarding the seroprotection persistence in vaccine responders and the emergence of vaccine escape virus mutations urge for the development of better HBV immunogens. Due to the critical role played by the preS1 domain of the large (L) envelope protein in HBV infection and its ability to trigger virus neutralizing antibodies, including this protein in novel vaccine formulations has been considered a promising strategy to overcome the limitations of S only-based vaccines. In this work we aimed to combine relevant L and S epitopes in chimeric antigens, by inserting preS1 sequences within the external antigenic loop of S, followed by production in mammalian cells and detailed analysis of their antigenic and immunogenic properties. Of the newly designed antigens, the S/preS116–42 protein assembled in subviral particles (SVP) showed the highest expression and secretion levels, therefore, it was selected for further studies in vivo. Analysis of the immune response induced in mice vaccinated with S/preS116–42- and S-SVPs, respectively, demonstrated enhanced immunogenicity of the former and its ability to activate both humoral and cellular immune responses. This combined activation resulted in production of neutralizing antibodies against both wild-type and vaccine-escape HBV variants. Our results validate the design of chimeric HBV antigens and promote the novel S/preS1 protein as a potential vaccine candidate for administration in poor-responders to current HBV vaccines

Influenza vaccine effectiveness against influenza A subtypes in Europe: Results from the 2021-2022 I-MOVE primary care multicentre study

Background: In 2021-2022, influenza A viruses dominated in Europe. The I-MOVE primary care network conducted a multicentre test-negative study to measure influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE). Methods: Primary care practitioners collected information on patients presenting with acute respiratory infection. Cases were influenza A(H3N2) or A(H1N1)pdm09 RT-PCR positive, and controls were influenza virus negative. We calculated VE using logistic regression, adjusting for study site, age, sex, onset date, and presence of chronic conditions. Results: Between week 40 2021 and week 20 2022, we included over 11 000 patients of whom 253 and 1595 were positive for influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2), respectively. Overall VE against influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 was 75% (95% CI: 43-89) and 81% (95% CI: 45-93) among those aged 15-64 years. Overall VE against influenza A(H3N2) was 29% (95% CI: 12-42) and 25% (95% CI: -41 to 61), 33% (95% CI: 14-49), and 26% (95% CI: -22 to 55) among those aged 0-14, 15-64, and over 65 years, respectively. The A(H3N2) VE among the influenza vaccination target group was 20% (95% CI: -6 to 39). All 53 sequenced A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses belonged to clade 6B.1A.5a.1. Among 410 sequenced influenza A(H3N2) viruses, all but eight belonged to clade 3C.2a1b.2a.2. Discussion: Despite antigenic mismatch between vaccine and circulating strains for influenza A(H3N2) and A(H1N1)pdm09, 2021-2022 VE estimates against circulating influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 were the highest within the I-MOVE network since the 2009 influenza pandemic. VE against A(H3N2) was lower than A(H1N1)pdm09, but at least one in five individuals vaccinated against influenza were protected against presentation to primary care with laboratory-confirmed influenza.This project has received funding from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control with in the framework contract ECDC/2018/029.S

multicentre analysis, I-MOVE-COVID-19 and ECDC networks, July to August 2021

Funding Information: This project received funding from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) under the contract ECD.11486. Funding Information: This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101003673. Publisher Copyright: © 2022 European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). All rights reserved.Introduction: In July and August 2021, the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant dominated in Europe. Aim: Using a multicentre test-negative study, we measured COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness (VE) against symptomatic infection. Methods: Individuals with COVID-19 or acute respiratory symptoms at primary care/community level in 10 European countries were tested for SARS-CoV-2. We measured complete primary course overall VE by vaccine brand and by time since vaccination. Results: Overall VE was 74% (95% CI: 69-79), 76% (95% CI: 71-80), 63% (95% CI: 48-75) and 63% (95% CI: 16-83) among those aged 30-44, 45-59, 60-74 and ≥ 75 years, respectively. VE among those aged 30-59 years was 78% (95% CI: 75-81), 66% (95% CI: 58-73), 91% (95% CI: 87-94) and 52% (95% CI: 40-61), for Comirnaty, Vaxzevria, Spikevax and COVID-19 Vaccine Janssen, respectively. VE among people 60 years and older was 67% (95% CI: 52-77), 65% (95% CI: 48-76) and 83% (95% CI: 64-92) for Comirnaty, Vaxzevria and Spikevax, respectively. Comirnaty VE among those aged 30-59 years was 87% (95% CI: 83-89) at 14-29 days and 65% (95% CI: 56-71%) at ≥ 90 days between vaccination and onset of symptoms. Conclusions: VE against symptomatic infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant varied among brands, ranging from 52% to 91%. While some waning of the vaccine effect may be present (sample size limited this analysis to only Comirnaty), protection was 65% at 90 days or more between vaccination and onset.publishersversionpublishe

Genomic, Pathway Network, and Immunologic Features Distinguishing Squamous Carcinomas

This integrated, multiplatform PanCancer Atlas study co-mapped and identified distinguishing molecular features of squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) from five sites associated with smokin

Spatial Organization and Molecular Correlation of Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes Using Deep Learning on Pathology Images

Beyond sample curation and basic pathologic characterization, the digitized H&E-stained images of TCGA samples remain underutilized. To highlight this resource, we present mappings of tumorinfiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) based on H&E images from 13 TCGA tumor types. These TIL maps are derived through computational staining using a convolutional neural network trained to classify patches of images. Affinity propagation revealed local spatial structure in TIL patterns and correlation with overall survival. TIL map structural patterns were grouped using standard histopathological parameters. These patterns are enriched in particular T cell subpopulations derived from molecular measures. TIL densities and spatial structure were differentially enriched among tumor types, immune subtypes, and tumor molecular subtypes, implying that spatial infiltrate state could reflect particular tumor cell aberration states. Obtaining spatial lymphocytic patterns linked to the rich genomic characterization of TCGA samples demonstrates one use for the TCGA image archives with insights into the tumor-immune microenvironment