Regeneration of the peripheral nerve - Development and evaluation of guide tubes of biodegradable polymer

Damage to peripheral nerve fibers results in axonal loss and demyelination followed by regeneration and remyelination under optimal conditions with the possibility of some functional recovery. The experimental challenge is to accelerate axonal regeneration to promote reinnervation and improve functional recovery after peripheral nerve injury. In the past few decades, different types of biological or artificial guide tubes have been developed to bridge the gap of a sectioned nerve, to limit the fibrosis process and to orient the regenerating fibers towards the distal stump. Chitosan is widely used for biomedical applications, including crosslinked with other materials. In this work, chitosan guide tubes were produced and implanted using the rat sciatic nerve animal model. Functional tests were performed as well as a mechanical and structural characterization of the guide tubes. (c) 2017 IEEE

Resistance of citrus genotypes to Phyllocnitis citrella Stainton (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae)

The development and reproduction of the citrus leafminer (CLM), Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton, were evaluated in six citrus genotypes in order to identify genotypes with resistance traits that could be applied in a program for the development of citrus varieties resistant to the citrus leafminer. Tests were conducted under controlled laboratory conditions (25 ± 1ºC, 70 ± 10% RH, and 14h photophase). Seedlings of each genotype tested were infested with eggs obtained from a stock colony of CLM maintained on 'Cravo' lemon (Citrus limonia L. Osbeck), and the duration and survival of the eggs, larval and pupal stages, pupal size and weight, fecundity and longevity of adults, and sex ratio were evaluated. No influence was observed on the duration and survival of eggs, larvae and pupae of P. citrella. However, pupae obtained in the hybrid C x R4 were significantly smaller and lighter than pupae from the remaining treatments. Adult females from the hybrids C x R4 and C x R315 were the least fecund. However, the lowest value for the corrected reproductive potential (CRP) was recorded in the hybrid C x R315, suggesting that this genotype is the least favorable for the development and reproduction of CLM. On the other hand, the highest CRP value obtained in the 'Rugoso' lemon confirms the susceptibility of this genotype, indicating it as the most suitable for CLM.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

Pulmonary Asymmetry on Chest X-Ray

A ausência unilateral de uma artéria pulmonar é uma anomalia congénita rara. Os autores descrevem o caso de um rapaz de dois anos, sem antecedentes patológicos prévios e que é referenciado para avaliação após a detecção na telerradiografia de tórax de assimetria dos campos pulmonares com desvio do mediastino para a direita. A tomografia axial computorizada e a cintigrafia de perfusão pulmonar entretanto efectuadas, indicavam para a ausência da artéria pulmonar direita que foi comprovada no cateterismo cardíaco e em ressonância magnética. Esta é uma patologia relevante pois o seu diagnóstico precoce e a sua correcção atempada podem evitar morbilidades no futuro. Dada a idade e o facto de o doente estar de momento assintomático, optou-se por uma atitude conservadora e vigilância em ambulatório

ZIKA: A New System to Empower Health Workers and Local Communities to Improve Surveillance Protocols by E-learning and to Forecast Zika Virus in Real Time in Brazil

The devastating consequences of neonates infected with the Zika virus makes it necessary to fight and stop the spread of this virus and its vectors (Aedes mosquitoes). An essential part of the fight against mosquitoes is the use of mobile technology to support routine surveillance and risk assessment by community health workers (health agents). In addition, to improve early warning systems, the public health authorities need to forecast more accurately where an outbreak of the virus and its vector is likely to occur. The ZIKΛ system aims to develop a novel comprehensive framework that combines e-learning to empower health agents, community-based participatory surveillance, and forecasting of occurrences and distribution of the Zika virus and its vectors in real time. This system is currently being implemented in Brazil, in the cities of Campina Grande, Recife, Jaboatão dos Guararapes, and Olinda, the State of Pernambuco and Paraiba with the highest prevalence of the Zika virus disease. In this paper, we present the ZIKA system which helps health agents to learn new techniques and good practices to improve the surveillance of the virus and offer a real time distribution forecast of the virus and the vector. The forecast model is recalibrated in real time with information coming from health agents, governmental institutions, and weather stations to predict the areas with higher risk of a Zika virus outbreak in an interactive map. This mapping and alert system will help governmental institutions to make fast decisions and use their resources more efficiently to stop the spread of the Zika virus. The ZIKA app was developed and built in Ionic which allows for easy cross-platform rendering for both iOS and Android. The system presented in the current paper is one of the first systems combining public health surveillance, citizen-driven participatory reporting and weather data-based prediction. The implementation of the ZIKA system will reduce the devastating consequences of Zika virus in neonates and improve the life quality of vulnerable people in Brazil

Occurrence and Phylogenetic Analysis of Zoonotic Enteropathogenic Protist Parasites in Asymptomatic Domestic Ruminants from Portugal

Enteropathogenic parasites are of significant concern for public health due to their zoonotic potential and their impact on human and animal health. In this study, we investigated their occurrence and characterized these enteropathogens in asymptomatic domestic ruminants from Portugal. A total of 302 stool samples were collected from cattle (n = 166), sheep (n = 73), and goats (n = 63) in various regions of Portugal and tested for Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, Enterocytozoon bieneusi, Blastocystis sp., and Balantioides coli by PCR. The occurrence of Cryptosporidium spp. was found to be 12.7% (8/63, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.65–23.5) in goats; however, no sample was found to be positive for Cryptosporidium spp. in cattle and sheep. For E. bieneusi, 6.35% (4/63; 95%CI: 1.76–15.47) of goats were found to be positive; however, no cattle or sheep were found to be positive. Blastocystis sp. was found in sheep (9.59%; 7/73; 95% [CI]: 0.394–18.76) and goats (12.70%; 8/63; 95% [CI]: 5.65–23.50) but none was found in cattle. No positive results for G. duodenalis or B. coli were detected in this study. This study provides essential baseline information for understanding the silent shedding and epidemiology of these enteropathogens in Portugal, contributing to overall livestock health and related occupational safety. Raising awareness among consumers, veterinarians, and farm owners is crucial to minimize the risk of transmission and promote effective disease control strategies.This research was funded by the Fundação para Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT), grant number 2021.09461.BD.Sérgio Santos-Silva thanks the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) for the financial support of his PhD work under the 2021 scholarship, 09461.BD contract through the Maria de Sousa-2021 program. This work was financed by national funds through the FCT—Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P., under the projects UIDB/04750/2020 and LA/P/0064/2020

Epidemiology of Porcine Circovirus Type 2 Circulating in Wild Boars of Portugal during the 2018–2020 Hunting Seasons Suggests the Emergence of Genotype 2d

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV-2) is associated with several syndromes affecting swine, also known as porcine-circovirus-associated diseases, of which post-weaning multi-systemic wasting syndrome stands out due to its high economic impact on swine production. Recent data suggest the increasing circulation of the PCV-2d genotype in several countries worldwide. To provide updated data on PCV-2 genotypes currently circulating in swine in Portugal, we screened wild boar stools collected from several districts across Portugal, during the 2018–2020 hunting seasons, for PCV-2 and genetically characterized detected strains. From a total of 76 stool samples of wild boar tested by PCR for the partial PCV-2 ORF2 gene, two sequences were obtained (2/76; 2.6%, 95% confidence interval: 0.032–9.18). Bidirectional sequencing showed that the sequences were 100% identical and both of the PCV-2d genotype, showing for the first time the presence of this genotype in Portugal. Monitoring wild PCV-2 reservoirs is important for both veterinary public health and economic reasons, since PCV-2 infection has a strong economic impact on the swine industry. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.Funding text 1: Funding: Sérgio Santos-Silva thanks Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) for the financial support of his PhD work under the 2021 scholarship. 09461.BD contract through the Maria de Sousa-2021 program. Part of this research was funded by the project EcoARUn: POCI-01-0145-FEDER-030310 funded by FEDER, through COMPETE2020-Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização (POCI), and by national funds (OE), through Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia/Ministério da Ciência e Tecnologia e Ensino Superior. R. T. Torres is funded by national funds (OE) and through FCT, in the scope of the framework contract foreseen in the numbers 4, 5 and 6 of the article 23, of the Decree-Law 57/2016, of August 29, changed by Law 57/2017, of July 19. Thanks are due to FCT/MCTES for the financial support to CESAM (UIDP/50017/2020 + UIDB/50017/2020), through national funds (FCT). This work is financed by national funds through FCT—Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P., under the projects UIDB/04750/2020 and LA/P/0064/2020.; Funding text 2: S?rgio Santos-Silva thanks Funda??o para a Ci?ncia e a Tecnologia (FCT) for the financial support of his PhD work under the 2021 scholarship. 09461.BD contract through the Maria de Sousa-2021 program. Part of this research was funded by the project EcoARUn: POCI-01-0145-FEDER-030310 funded by FEDER, through COMPETE2020-Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionaliza??o (POCI), and by national funds (OE), through Funda??o para a Ci?ncia e a Tecnologia/Minist?rio da Ci?ncia e Tecnologia e Ensino Superior. R. T. Torres is funded by national funds (OE) and through FCT, in the scope of the framework contract foreseen in the numbers 4, 5 and 6 of the article 23, of the Decree-Law 57/2016, of August 29, changed by Law 57/2017, of July 19. Thanks are due to FCT/MCTES for the financial support to CESAM (UIDP/50017/2020 + UIDB/50017/2020), through national funds (FCT). This work is financed by national funds through FCT?Funda??o para a Ci?ncia e a Tecnologia, I.P., under the projects UIDB/04750/2020 and LA/P/0064/2020

On the persistence of supplementary resources in biomedical publications

BACKGROUND: Providing for long-term and consistent public access to scientific data is a growing concern in biomedical research. One aspect of this problem can be demonstrated by evaluating the persistence of supplementary data associated with published biomedical papers. METHODS: We manually evaluated 655 supplementary data links extracted from PubMed abstracts published 1998–2005 (Method 1) as well as a further focused subset of 162 full-text manuscripts published within three representative high-impact biomedical journals between September and December 2004 (Method 2). RESULTS: For Method 1 we found that since 2001, only 71 – 92% of supplementary data were still accessible via the links provided, with 93% of these inaccessible links occurring where supplementary data was not stored with the publishing journal. Of the manuscripts evaluated in Method 2, we found that only 83% of these links were available approximately a year after publication, with 55% of these inaccessible links were at locations outside the journal of publication. CONCLUSION: We conclude that if supplemental data is required to support the publication, journals policies must take-on the responsibility to accept and store such data or require that it be maintained with a credible independent institution or under the terms of a strategic data storage plan specified by the authors. We further recommend that publishers provide automated systems to ensure that supplementary links remain persistent, and that granting bodies such as the NIH develop policies and funding mechanisms to maintain long-term persistent access to these data