To describe the laboratory parameters and biomarkers of the cytokine storm syndrome associated with severe and fatal COVID-19 cases. A search with standardized descriptors and synonyms was performed ...on November 28.sup.th, 2020 of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, ClinicalTrials.gov, LILACS, and IBECS to identify studies of interest. Grey literature searches and snowballing techniques were additionally utilized to identify yet-unpublished works and related citations. Two review authors independently screened the retrieved titles and abstracts, selected eligible studies for inclusion, extracted data from the included studies, and then assessed the risk of bias using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Eligible studies were those including laboratory parameters-including serum interleukin-6 levels-from mild, moderate, or severe COVID-19 cases. Laboratory parameters, such as interleukin-6, ferritin, hematology, C-Reactive Protein, procalcitonin, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatinine, and D-dimer, were extracted from the studies. Meta-analyses were conducted using the laboratory data to estimate mean differences with associated 95% confidence intervals. This review points to interleukin-6, ferritin, leukocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, platelets, C-Reactive Protein, procalcitonin, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatinine, and D-dimer as important biomarkers of cytokine storm syndrome. Elevated levels of interleukin-6 and hyperferritinemia should be considered as red flags of systemic inflammation and poor prognosis in COVID-19.
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In
, iron metabolism is mainly controlled by the transcription factor Fur (ferric uptake regulator). Iron-bound Fur represses genes related to iron uptake and can directly activate the expression of ...genes for iron-containing proteins. In this work, we used total RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) of wild type
growing in minimal medium under iron limitation and a
mutant strain to expand the known Fur regulon, and to identify novel iron-regulated genes. The RNA-seq of cultures treated with the iron chelator 2-2-dypiridyl (DP) allowed identifying 256 upregulated genes and 236 downregulated genes, being 176 and 204 newly identified, respectively. Sixteen transcription factors and seven sRNAs were upregulated in iron limitation, suggesting that the response to low iron triggers a complex regulatory network. Notably,
along with most of its target genes were upregulated, suggesting that DP treatment caused DNA damage, and the SOS DNA repair response was activated in a RecA-dependent manner, as confirmed by RT-qPCR. Fluorescence microscopy assays using an oxidation-sensitive dye showed that wild type cells in iron limitation and the
mutant were under endogenous oxidative stress, and a direct measurement of cellular H
O
showed that cells in iron-limited media present a higher amount of endogenous H
O
. A mutagenesis assay using the
gene as a reporter showed that iron limitation led to an increase in the mutagenesis rate. These results showed that iron deficiency causes
cells to suffer oxidative stress and to activate the SOS response, indicating an increase in DNA damage.
The root maggot fly, Delia sanctijacobi (Bigot, 1885) (Diptera: Anthomyiidae), is an emerging pest of many vegetables. In this note, we report for the first time the occurrence of D. sanctijacobi ...damaging the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) culture in Brazil. The occurrence was recorded in a tomato field located in the municipality of Coronel Freitas, Santa Catarina. The damage was characterized by roots consumption, opening of galleries in the stem and plant stand reduction. The first detection of D. sanctijacobi on tomato in Brazil brings an alert to growers and the need of future research about population dynamics and development of management strategies for this species.
Aerobic conditioning improves exercise capacity and decreases symptoms in patients with asthma. However, its benefits in the context of allergic airway inflammation are poorly understood.
To evaluate ...the effects of two intensities of aerobic exercise on airway inflammation and remodeling in a model of chronic allergic lung inflammation.
Mice were subjected to chronic ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization and to 4 weeks of low (OVA+Low) or moderate (OVA+Mod) exercise training in a treadmill. Airway inflammation and remodeling and expression of helper T-cell type 1 and 2 cytokines were evaluated.
OVA-induced allergic airway inflammation and remodeling were characterized by an increase in collagen (288%), elastic fiber (56%), smooth muscle (380%), and epithelial (402%) contents (P < 0.001) when compared with the control group. OVA+Low and OVA+Mod groups presented a decrease in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid eosinophils (respectively, 84 and 75%; P < 0.01) and airway walls (respectively, 94 and 58%; P < 0.001) when compared with the OVA group. OVA+Low and OVA+Mod groups also presented a reduction in the number of peribronchial inflammatory cells expressing IL-4 (respectively, 85 and 75%; P < 0.01) and IL-5 (respectively, 88 and 89%; P < 0.01) when compared with the OVA group. Aerobic conditioning did not change the expression of either IFN-gamma or IL-2 by inflammatory cells or plasma levels of IgE or IgG1. OVA+Low and OVA+Mod groups presented an increase in the expression of IL-10 (P < 0.001). Low and moderate aerobic conditioning also reduced airway remodeling in OVA-sensitized mice when compared with the OVA group.
We concluded that low and moderate aerobic exercise decreases airway inflammation and remodeling in a murine model of asthma.
Direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) using anion exchange membranes have been attracting great interest. Thus, it is very important to develop electrocatalysts for methanol electrooxidation reaction ...(MEOR) in alkaline media. In this study, the effects of platinum nanoparticle morphology and presence of tin oxide in the electrocatalysts were investigated. Platinum and platinum-tin nanoparticles with cubic-like shape and (100) preferential orientation supported on carbon, Pt/C(100) and PtSnO2/C(100), were synthesized by the alcohol-reduction process using KBr as the shape-directing agent. Polycrystalline nanoparticles supported on carbon, Pt/C, and PtSnO2/C were also synthesized. The catalytic activity of the nanomaterials toward MEOR in alkaline media was investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and chronoamperometry (CA). High-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) analysis showed cubic Pt nanoparticles and SnO2 dispersed on the carbon support. X-ray diffraction (XRD) showed peaks of SnO2 cassiterite and peaks of the face-centered cubic (FCC) structure of Pt. CV experiments showed that the maximum current density from MEOR on Pt/C(100) (current density of about 108 mA cm–2 mg–1 of Pt) is about 2.4, 2.1, and 1.1 times higher than on Pt/C, PtSnO2/C, and PtSnO2/C(100), respectively. The same trend was observed in CA experiments. The higher catalytic activity of Pt(100) might be related to the OHads species coverage on it. SnO2 increases the catalytic activity on polycrystalline platinum, probably due to the OHads species provided by it. On the other hand, for Pt(100), the presence of SnO2 results in a decrease of the catalytic activity towards MEOR.
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The growing prevalence of digital crimes, especially those involving Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) and revenge pornography, highlights the need for advanced forensic techniques to identify and ...analyze illicit content. While cryptographic hashing is commonly used in computer forensics, its effectiveness is often challenged because criminals can modify original information to create a new cryptographic hash. Perceptual hashes address this problem by focusing on the visual identity of the file rather than its bit-by-bit representation. This study introduces ChaSAM Forensics, a methodology that efficiently identifies illicit material using perceptual hashing techniques to track and identify illicit content, with a focus on child abuse material. Two new perceptual hashing algorithms, chHash and domiHash, were designed for integration into ChaSAM. The results showed that, under the tested conditions, the proposed chHash algorithm was more accurate than the established pHash algorithm when applied in a single iteration. Combinations of algorithms in two iterations were also assessed.
ABSTRACT Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is the most economically important leafy vegetable in Brazil, with the crisp type being the most popular among producers. However, in regions with hot climates, ...lettuce has production limitations due to bolting, requiring knowledge on the behavior of cultivars available on the market. Thus, the objective of the present study was to characterize the performance of crisp lettuce cultivars in terms of their productive, physiological, and postharvest quality aspects when grown under hydroponic cultivation and high temperature conditions. The assay was performed in a greenhouse and the plants were grown in a hydroponic system of DFT type. The average temperature during the experiment was 30.33 °C. The experimental design used was completely randomized with nine treatments (Veneranda, Cristina, Olinda, Mônica, Cinderela, Grand Rapids, Itapuã Super, Crocantela, and Simpson Black Seed), with four replications. The cultivars were analyzed in terms of their productive, physiological, and postharvest quality performances. The Olinda and Cristina cultivars showed the best performance in growth, physiological, and postharvest variables. However, the cultivars had distinct sensory characteristics. Bolting negatively affected gas exchange, production, and postharvest quality of lettuce cultivars Veneranda, Mônica, Grand Rapids, and Cinderela. In addition, it was observed that the pigment content was not determinant for the expression of bolting. Therefore, this study recommends the use of cultivars Olinda and Cristina for the hydroponic cultivation under high temperature conditions.
RESUMO A alface (Lactuca sativa) é a hortaliça folhosa de maior importância econômica no Brasil, sendo o tipo crespa a mais popular entre os produtores. Entretanto, em regiões de clima quente, a alface apresenta limitações de produção devido ao pendoamento precoce, exigindo o conhecimento do comportamento das cultivares disponíveis no mercado. Assim, o objetivo do presente estudo foi caracterizar o desempenho de cultivares de alface crespa quanto aos aspectos produtivos, fisiológicos e de qualidade pós-colheita, cultivadas em condições de cultivo hidropônico e alta temperatura. O ensaio foi conduzido em condição de casa de vegetação, sendo as plantas cultivadas em sistema hidropônico tipo DFT. A temperatura média durante o experimento foi de 30,33 °C. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado com nove tratamentos (Veneranda, Cristina, Olinda, Mônica, Cinderela, Grand Rapids, Itapuã Super, Crocantela e Simpson Black Seed) e quatro repetições. As cultivares foram analisadas quanto ao seu desempenho produtivo, fisiológico e de qualidade pós-colheita. As cultivares Olinda e Cristina apresentaram melhor desempenho nos parâmetros de crescimento, fisiológicos e pós-colheita. Entretanto, estas cultivares apresentaram características sensoriais distintas. Verificou-se que o pendoamento precoce afetou negativamente as trocas gasosas, a produção e a qualidade pós-colheita das cultivares de alface Veneranda, Mônica, Grand Rapids e Cinderela. Além disso, observou-se que o teor de pigmentos não foi determinante para a expressão do pendoamento. Portanto, este estudo recomenda o uso das cultivares Olinda e Cristina para o cultivo hidropônico em condições de alta temperatura.
Chronic cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a trigger factor for the development of immunosenescence and negatively impacts the immune response to influenza virus vaccination (IVV) in older adults. ...However, the role of physical exercise training in this context is unknown. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate whether the regular practice of combined exercise training can improve the specific antibody response to IVV in CMV-seropositive older adults. Eighty older adults were distributed into two groups-non-practitioners (NP,
= 31, age = 74.06 ± 6.4 years) and practitioners of combined exercise training (CET,
= 49, age = 71.7 ± 5.8 years)-for at least 12 months. Both volunteer groups were submitted to IVV and blood samples were collected before (pre) and 30 days after (post) the vaccination. Concerning the specific antibody response to IVV, higher serum levels of specific immunoglobulin A (IgA) were found in the CET group post- than pre-vaccination (
< 0.01), whereas higher levels of specific immunoglobulin M (IgM) were observed both in the NP (
< 0.05) and CET (
< 0.001) groups post-vaccination as compared to the pre-vaccination values. Serum levels of specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) for IVV and CMV, as well as interleukin 6 (IL-6) and IL-10, were similar between the time points evaluated. However, the IL-10/IL-6 ratio post-vaccination was higher (
< 0.05) in the CET group than that before vaccination. Negative correlations were observed between the specific IgG levels for IVV and CMV only in the CET group, both pre- and post-vaccination. In addition, negative correlations were found between IL-10 and specific IgG for CMV in all volunteer groups pre- and post-vaccination, whereas a positive correlation between IL-10 and specific-IgG for IVV pre- and post-vaccination was observed in the CET group. In addition, with the hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) assay, it was found that 32.2% of the NP group and 32.6% of the CET group were responders to IVV and displayed reductions in the CMV serostatus (
< 0.05 and
< 0.001, respectively) and increases in naive and effector CD8
T cells post-vaccination (
< 0.01). However, only the responders from the CET group showed significant reductions in the ratio of effector to naive CD8
T cells (
< 0.05) and increased IL-10 levels post-vaccination (
< 0.001). In summary, this study demonstrates that the improvement in the response to IVV in CMV-seropositive older adults was related to an anti-inflammatory status and enhancement of naive CD8
T cells, particularly associated with regular practice of CET.
Although
Shirota (LcS) can benefit the immune status, the effects of LcS in the immune/inflammatory responses of marathon runners has never been evaluated. Therefore, here we evaluated the effect of ...daily ingestion of fermented milk containing or not LcS in the systemic and upper airway immune/inflammatory responses before and after a marathon.
Forty-two male marathon runners ingested a fermented milk containing 40 billion of LcS/day (LcS group,
= 20) or placebo (unfermented milk,
= 22) during 30 days pre-marathon. Immune/inflammatory parameters in nasal mucosa and serum, as well as concentrations of secretory IgA (SIgA) and antimicrobial peptides in saliva, were evaluated before and after fermented milk ingestion, immediately, 72 h, and 14 d post-marathon.
Higher proinflammatory cytokine levels in serum and nasal mucosa, and also lower salivary levels of SIgA and antimicrobial peptides, were found immediately post-marathon in the placebo group compared to other time points and to LcS group. In opposite, higher anti-inflammatory levels and reduced neutrophil infiltration on nasal mucosa were found in the LcS group compared to other time points and to the placebo group.
For the first time, it is shown that LcS is able to modulate the systemic and airways immune responses post-marathon.
: Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by the overproduction of white blood cells, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, infections, and other complications. ...CML patients must take measures to prevent infections to mitigate the exacerbation of cancer cell proliferation and comorbidities.
: This study investigated whether vitamin C can suppress the hyperinflammatory activation of K-562 cells induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and whether purinergic signaling (ATP and P2X7 receptor) and autophagy play a role in it. Two different doses of vitamin C (5 µg/mL and 10 µg/mL) were employed, along with the lysosome inhibitor chloroquine (CQ; 100 µM), administered 2 h prior to LPS stimulation (10 ng/mL) for a duration of 22 h in K-562 cells (3 × 10
cells/mL/well).
: Both doses of vitamin C reduced the release of interleukin-6 (IL-6) (5 µg/mL,
< 0.01 and 10 µg/mL,
< 0.01) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) (5 µg/mL,
< 0.01 and 10 µg/mL,
< 0.01) induced by LPS. Furthermore, in LPS + CQ-stimulated cells, vitamin C at a concentration of 10 µg/mL inhibited the expression of LC3-II (
< 0.05). Conversely, both doses of vitamin C led to the release of the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) (5 µg/mL,
< 0.01 and 10 µg/mL,
< 0.01), while only the 10 µg/mL dose of vitamin C induced the release of Klotho (10 µg/mL,
< 0.01). In addition, both doses of vitamin C reduced the accumulation of ATP (5 µg/mL,
< 0.01 and 10 µg/mL,
< 0.01) and decreased the expression of the P2X7 receptor at the mRNA level.
: Vitamin C inhibits the hyperinflammatory state induced by LPS in K-562 cells, primarily by inhibiting the ATP accumulation, P2X7 receptor expression, and autophagy signaling.
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