Herpes simplex virus-type1 (HSV-1) impairs DNA repair in cortical neurons

Several findings suggest that Herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) infection plays a role in the neurodegenerative processes that characterize Alzheimer's disease (AD), but the underlying mechanisms have yet to be fully elucidated. Here we show that HSV-1 productive infection in cortical neurons causes the accumulation of DNA lesions that include both single (SSBs) and double strand breaks (DSBs), which are reported to be implicated in the neuronal loss observed in neurodegenerative diseases. We demonstrate that HSV-1 downregulates the expression level of Ku80, one of the main components of non-homologous end joining (NHEJ), a major pathway for the repair of DSBs. We also provide data suggesting that HSV-1 drives Ku80 for proteasomal degradation and impairs NHEJ activity, leading to DSB accumulation. Since HSV-1 usually causes life-long recurrent infections, it is possible to speculate that cumulating damages, including those occurring on DNA, may contribute to virus induced neurotoxicity and neurodegeneration, further suggesting HSV-1 as a risk factor for neurodegenerative conditions

Asociación Entre Color/raza, Obesidad Y Diabetes, En Ancianos De La Comunidad: Datos Del Estudio Fibra

O objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar o efeito da cor/raça em medidas indicadoras de adiposidade corporal (índice de massa corporal - IMC, circunferência de cintura - CC e relação cintura-quadril - RCQ), bem como sua relação com o diabetes, em idosos residentes na área urbana de sete localidades brasileiras, conforme o gênero. O estudo transversal foi realizado com uma amostra probabilística composta por 2.566 idosos de 65 anos ou mais, participantes do Estudo FIBRA (Fragilidade em Idosos Brasileiros). Foram utilizadas variáveis sociodemográficas autorrelatadas (gênero, idade, cor/raça, escolaridade e renda familiar), medidas antropométricas indicadoras de obesidade geral (IMC) e abdominal (CC e RCQ) e diabetes autorreferida. Ajustando-se para escolaridade e renda, a cor/raça branca associou-se a maiores valores de CC (p = 0,001) e RCQ (p > 0,001), no gênero masculino, independentemente do diabetes. Entretanto, ao considerar apenas a amostra de diabéticos, a cor/raça preta passou a associar-se à obesidade geral (IMC) (p = 0,007) e central (CC) (p > 0,001), apenas entre as mulheres.321

A New Approach Against Food Frauds: The Portable Near-Infrared Device for Fish Fillets Identification

The demand for analytical methods for fish product authenticity has increased dramatically, particularly in rapid and non- destructive food authentication. Near-infrared (NIR) handheld devices can meet this need for fast, reliable, non-destructive and in situ analysis. Aim of this study was to verify fish fillets species by using a pocket-sized NIR sensor, called SCiO, a handheld NIR spectrometer that can easily scan solid and liquid samples. The species were chosen from among the most commonly sold on the market as fresh. Samples were divided in two groups, one for calibration and one for validation. The first was performed to set up the instrument and the second to cross-validate model performance. The fish species were correctly identified with a global accuracy between 93.97% and 96.58% and were all confirmed by a validated method based on genetic marker. The samples correspond to the declaration, suggesting this method as a good screening approach to avoid fish frauds with good accuracy

Association between race, obesity and diabetes in elderly community dwellers: data from the FIBRA study

O objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar o efeito da cor/raça em medidas indicadoras de adiposidade corporal (índice de massa corporal - IMC, circunferência de cintura - CC e relação cintura-quadril - RCQ), bem como sua relação com o diabetes, em idosos residentes na área urbana de sete localidades brasileiras, conforme o gênero. O estudo transversal foi realizado com uma amostra probabilística composta por 2.566 idosos de 65 anos ou mais, participantes do Estudo FIBRA (Fragilidade em Idosos Brasileiros). Foram utilizadas variáveis sociodemográficas autorrelatadas (gênero, idade, cor/raça, escolaridade e renda familiar), medidas antropométricas indicadoras de obesidade geral (IMC) e abdominal (CC e RCQ) e diabetes autorreferida. Ajustando-se para escolaridade e renda, a cor/raça branca associou-se a maiores valores de CC (p = 0,001) e RCQ (p > 0,001), no gênero masculino, independentemente do diabetes. Entretanto, ao considerar apenas a amostra de diabéticos, a cor/raça preta passou a associar-se à obesidade geral (IMC) (p = 0,007) e central (CC) (p > 0,001), apenas entre as mulheres3210112CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQCOORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIOR - CAPES555082/2006-7BEX12339/13-0This study sought to investigate the effect of race on measures of body fat (body mass index - BMI, waist circumference - WC and waist-hip ratio - WHR), as well as its relationship with diabetes, among elderly individuals living in urban areas in seven places in Brazil, according to gender. This is a cross-sectional study carried out with a probabilistic sample comprising 2,566 individuals with 65 years of age or more who participated in the FIBRA Study (Frailty in Elderly Brazilians). We used several self-reported sociodemographic variables (gender, age, race, schooling and family income), anthropometric measures of general (BMI) and abdominal obesity (WC and WHR) and self-reported diabetes. Adjusting for schooling and income, white race was associated with higher WC values (p = 0.001) and WHR (p > 0.001) for male gender, regardless of diabetes status. However, when we considered only diabetic individuals, black race became associated with general (BMI) (p = 0.007) and central obesity (CC) (p > 0.001), only among wome

Multimedia teaching methodology in hematology practices: blood cell count using Neubauer chamber

[EN] Blood cell count is a technique widely used both in clinical and in research, and is essential in the area of health in order to identify the presence of hematological alterations. With the aim of incorporating teaching innovation and improvement methods in the Hematology practices of the Physiology subject, in the Medicine Degree and in different degrees of Health Sciences area, we opted for the use of multimedia material based on the projection of a video that include the following aspects: 1) Introduction of the basis of the blood cell count. 2) Structure and use of the Neubauer camera. 3) Manipulation and preparation of blood samples. 4) Management of the microscope. 5) Count and calculation of the concentration of erythrocytes and leukocytes in the sample. 6) Interpretation of values. The expected results with the introduction of this methodology are: 1) Strengthen the understanding of Physiology concepts related to practice. 2) Optimize class time improving the development of the session. 3) Maintain and improve the attention, motivation, reflection and actions of the students in the laboratory.[ES] El recuento de células sanguíneas es una técnica muy utilizada de forma rutinaria, tanto en clínica como en investigación, y resulta imprescindible en el área de la salud para poder identificar la presencia de alguna alteración a nivel hematológico. Con el objetivo de incorporar métodos de innovación y mejora docente en las prácticas de Hematología de la asignatura de Fisiología, impartida en el Grado de Medicina y en distintos grados del área de las Ciencias de la Salud, optamos por el uso de material multimedia basado en la proyección de un vídeo que recoge los siguientes aspectos: 1) Introducción del fundamento del recuento celular sanguíneo. 2) Estructura y uso de la cámara Neubauer. 3) Manipulación y preparación de muestras de sangre. 4) Manejo del microscopio. 5) Recuento y cálculo de la concentración de eritrocitos y leucocitos en la muestra. 6) Interpretación de los valores. Los resultados previstos de la introducción de esta metodología son: 1) Reforzar la comprensión de los conceptos de Fisiología referentes a la práctica. 2) Optimizar el tiempo en clase repercutiendo positivamente en el desarrollo de la sesión. 3) Mantener y mejorar la atención, la motivación, la reflexión y las acciones del alumnado.Pineda Merlo, B.; Pascual Mora, M.; Lloret Alcañiz, A.; Obrador Pla, E.; Piqueras Franco, M. (2022). Introducción de metodología docente multimedia en las prácticas de hematología: recuento de células sanguíneas mediante el uso de la cámara Neubauer. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 1179-1192. https://doi.org/10.4995/INRED2022.2022.159201179119

Efficacy of a Cancer Vaccine against ALK-Rearranged Lung Tumors

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring chromosomal rearrangements of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene is treated with ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), but is successful for only a limited amount of time; most cases relapse due to the development of drug resistance. Here we show that a vaccine against ALK induced a strong and specific immune response that both prophylactically and therapeutically impaired the growth of ALK-positive lung tumors in mouse models. The ALK vaccine was efficacious also in combination with ALK TKI treatment and significantly delayed tumor relapses after TKI suspension. We found that lung tumors containing ALK rearrangements induced an immunosuppressive microenvironment, regulating the expression of PD-L1 on the surface of lung tumor cells. High PD-L1 expression reduced ALK vaccine efficacy, which could be restored by administration of anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. Thus, combinations of ALK vaccine with TKIs and immune checkpoint blockade therapies might represent a powerful strategy for the treatment of ALK-driven NSCLC