The effect of ultraviolet C radiation against different N95 respirators inoculated with SARS-CoV-2

OBJECTIVES: There are currently no studies that have examined whether one dosage can be uniformly applied to different respirator types to effectively decontaminate SARS-CoV-2 on N95 filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs). Health care workers have been using this disinfection method during the pandemic. Our objective was to determine the effect of UVC on SARS-CoV-2 inoculated N95 respirators and whether this was respirator material/model type dependent. METHODS: Four different locations (facepiece and strap) on five different N95 FFR models (3M 1860, 8210, 8511, 9211; Moldex 1511) were inoculated with a 10 μL drop of SARS-CoV-2 viral stock (8 × 10 RESULTS: UVC delivered using a dose of 1.5 J/cm(2), to each side, was an effective method of decontamination for the facepieces of 3 M 1860 and Moldex 1511, and for the straps of 3 M 8210 and the Moldex 1511. CONCLUSION: This dose is an appropriate decontamination method to facilitate the reuse of respirators for healthcare personnel when applied to specific models/materials. Also, some straps may require additional disinfection to maximize the safety of frontline workers. Implementation of widespread UVC decontamination methods requires careful consideration of model, material type, design, and fit-testing following irradiation

Surface translocation of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 upon TLR4/7/8 activation is required for SARS-CoV-2 infection in circulating monocytes

Infection of human peripheral blood cells by SARS-CoV-2 has been debated because immune cells lack mRNA expression of both angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and transmembrane serine protease type 2 (TMPRSS2). Herein we demonstrate that resting primary monocytes harbor abundant cytoplasmic ACE2 and TMPRSS2 protein and that circulating exosomes contain significant ACE2 protein. Upon ex vivo TLR4/7/8 stimulation, cytoplasmic ACE2 was quickly translocated to the monocyte cell surface independently of ACE2 transcription, while TMPRSS2 surface translocation occurred in conjunction with elevated mRNA expression. The rapid translocation of ACE2 to the monocyte cell surface was blocked by the endosomal trafficking inhibitor endosidin 2, suggesting that endosomal ACE2 could be derived from circulating ACE2-containing exosomes. TLR-stimulated monocytes concurrently expressing ACE2 and TMPRSS2 on the cell surface were efficiently infected by SARS-CoV-2, which was significantly mitigated by remdesivir, TMPRSS2 inhibitor camostat, and anti-ACE2 antibody. Mass cytometry showed that ACE2 surface translocation in peripheral myeloid cells from patients with severe COVID-19 correlated with its hyperactivation and PD-L1 expression. Collectively, TLR4/7/8-induced ACE2 translocation with TMPRSS2 expression makes circulating monocytes permissive to SARS-CoV-2 infection

Epigenetic Features of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Determine Their Permissiveness for Induction of Relevant Transcriptional Changes by SYT-SSX1

BACKGROUND: A characteristic SYT-SSX fusion gene resulting from the chromosomal translocation t(X;18)(p11;q11) is detectable in almost all synovial sarcomas, a malignant soft tissue tumor widely believed to originate from as yet unidentified pluripotent stem cells. The resulting fusion protein has no DNA binding motifs but possesses protein-protein interaction domains that are believed to mediate association with chromatin remodeling complexes. Despite recent advances in the identification of molecules that interact with SYT-SSX and with the corresponding wild type SYT and SSX proteins, the mechanisms whereby the SYT-SSX might contribute to neoplastic transformation remain unclear. Epigenetic deregulation has been suggested to be one possible mechanism. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We addressed the effect of SYT/SSX expression on the transcriptome of four independent isolates of primary human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC). We observed transcriptional changes similar to the gene expression signature of synovial sarcoma, principally involving genes whose regulation is linked to epigenetic factors, including imprinted genes, genes with transcription start sites within a CpG island and chromatin related genes. Single population analysis revealed hMSC isolate-specific transcriptional changes involving genes that are important for biological functions of stem cells as well as genes that are considered to be molecular markers of synovial sarcoma including IGF2, EPHRINS, and BCL2. Methylation status analysis of sequences at the H19/IGF2 imprinted locus indicated that distinct epigenetic features characterize hMSC populations and condition the transcriptional effects of SYT-SSX expression. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our observations suggest that epigenetic features may define the cellular microenvironment in which SYT-SSX displays its functional effects

Quality control of B-lines analysis in stress Echo 2020

Background The effectiveness trial “Stress echo (SE) 2020” evaluates novel applications of SE in and beyond coronary artery disease. The core protocol also includes 4-site simplified scan of B-lines by lung ultrasound, useful to assess pulmonary congestion. Purpose To provide web-based upstream quality control and harmonization of B-lines reading criteria. Methods 60 readers (all previously accredited for regional wall motion, 53 B-lines naive) from 52 centers of 16 countries of SE 2020 network read a set of 20 lung ultrasound video-clips selected by the Pisa lab serving as reference standard, after taking an obligatory web-based learning 2-h module ( http://se2020.altervista.org ). Each test clip was scored for B-lines from 0 (black lung, A-lines, no B-lines) to 10 (white lung, coalescing B-lines). The diagnostic gold standard was the concordant assessment of two experienced readers of the Pisa lab. The answer of the reader was considered correct if concordant with reference standard reading ±1 (for instance, reference standard reading of 5 B-lines; correct answer 4, 5, or 6). The a priori determined pass threshold was 18/20 (≥ 90%) with R value (intra-class correlation coefficient) between reference standard and recruiting center) > 0.90. Inter-observer agreement was assessed with intra-class correlation coefficient statistics. Results All 60 readers were successfully accredited: 26 (43%) on first, 24 (40%) on second, and 10 (17%) on third attempt. The average diagnostic accuracy of the 60 accredited readers was 95%, with R value of 0.95 compared to reference standard reading. The 53 B-lines naive scored similarly to the 7 B-lines expert on first attempt (90 versus 95%, p = NS). Compared to the step-1 of quality control for regional wall motion abnormalities, the mean reading time per attempt was shorter (17 ± 3 vs 29 ± 12 min, p < .01), the first attempt success rate was higher (43 vs 28%, p < 0.01), and the drop-out of readers smaller (0 vs 28%, p < .01). Conclusions Web-based learning is highly effective for teaching and harmonizing B-lines reading. Echocardiographers without previous experience with B-lines learn quickly.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Hypericum sp.: essential oil composition and biological activities

Phytochemical composition of Hypericum genus has been investigated for many years. In the recent past, studies on the essential oils (EO) of this genus have been progressing and many of them have reported interesting biological activities. Variations in the EO composition of Hypericum species influenced by seasonal variation, geographic distribution, phenological cycle and type of the organ in which EO are produced and/or accumulated have also been reported. Although many reviews attributed to the characterization as well as biological activities of H. perforatum crude extracts have been published, no review has been published on the EO composition and biological activities of Hypericum species until recently (Crockett in Nat Prod Commun 5(9):1493–1506, 2010; Bertoli et al. in Global Sci Books 5:29–47, 2011). In this article, we summarize and update information regarding the composition and biological activities of Hypericum species EO. Based on experimental work carried out in our laboratory we also mention possible biotechnology approaches envisaging EO improvement of some species of the genus.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) - project PTDC/AGR AAM/70418/2006, SFRH/BD/ 13283/2003

Desafio do Núcleo de Atenção Médica Integrada diante da necessidade de inserção de fonoaudiólogo na Rede Municipal de Saúde de Fortaleza

OBJETIVO: Demonstrar a necessidade da inserção do fonoaudiólogo na rede municipal de saúde de Fortaleza-CE, diante da elevada demanda de usuários e da escassez de serviços gratuitos de fonoaudiologia nesse município. MÉTODOS: Estudo documental, transversal e descritivo com abordagem quantitativa, realizado de julho e setembro de 2008, no qual foram analisados os documentos de atendimentos fonoaudiológicos do Núcleo de Atenção Médica Integrada da Universidade de Fortaleza (NAMI-Unifor), no período de janeiro de 2006 a dezembro de 2007. RESULTADOS: Houve predomínio de atendimento das faixas etárias de 0 e 6 anos no setor de audiologia, (22,05%); e de 0 a 10 anos no setor de fonoterapia, (58,09%). O exame audiológico mais procurado foi a audiometria (65,78%); o principal responsável pelo encaminhamento ao setor de audiologia foi o otorrinolaringologista (56,39%). No setor de fonoterapia, a linguagem foi a área com maior prevalência de atendimentos (36,99%). A terapia em grupo atingiu percentual significativo, com 37,27%, em 2007. Foi registrada queda no número de atendimentos durante o período de recesso da Universidade, devido à redução do número de alunos. CONCLUSÃO: Com um trabalho em nível de atenção primária, no que concerne à saúde da comunicação humana/deglutição, haveria diminuição de gastos públicos com o tratamento das alterações fonoaudiológicas nos demais níveis de atenção. A presença do fonoaudiólogo nas Unidades Básicas de Saúde (UBS) possibilitaria a melhoria da qualidade de vida da população em todos os ciclos de vida, além da redução da sobrecarga nos serviços gratuitos que prestam atendimento fonoaudiológico no município de Fortaleza.PURPOSE: To demonstrate the need to include the speech-language pathologist and audiologist in the municipal health system of the city of Fortaleza (Northeastern Brazil), due to the high demand of patients and the lack of public speech-language and audiology services in the city. METHODS: Documental, cross-sectional and descriptive study with a quantitative approach, developed between July and September 2008. Data were collected through the analysis of the records of the speech-language and audiology assistance provided for patients at NAMI-Unifor (The Medical Care Nucleus of the University of Fortaleza) in the period from January 2006 to December 2007. RESULTS: There was predominance of the assistance provided for the age groups between 0 and 6 years old in the audiology service (22.05%) and 0 to 10 years old in the speech-language therapy service (58.09%). The most applied audiology procedure was audiometry (65.78%), and the main professional responsible for referring patients to the audiology service was the otorhinolaryngologist (56.39%). In speech-language therapy, oral language and/or writing was the area with the highest prevalence of visits (36.99%). Group therapy reached a significant percentage: 37.27% in 2007. A fall in the number of visits during the University's recess period was observed, due to the reduction in the number of students who are responsible for the procedures. CONCLUSION: With work in the level of primary care as regards the health of human communication/deglutition, there would be a reduction in public expenses with the treatment of speech-language and audiology alterations in the other health care levels. The presence of the speech-language therapist in the Primary Care Units would help to improve the quality of life of the population across the whole life cycle, and would also reduce the burden in the public services that provide speech-language therapy in the city of Fortaleza