The detection of germline mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 is essential to the formulation of clinical management strategies, and in Brazil, there is limited access to these services, mainly due to the ...costs/availability of genetic testing. Aiming at the identification of recurrent mutations that could be included in a low-cost mutation panel, used as a first screening approach, we compiled the testing reports of 649 probands with pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants referred to 28 public and private health care centers distributed across 11 Brazilian States. Overall, 126 and 103 distinct mutations were identified in BRCA1 and BRCA2, respectively. Twenty-six novel variants were reported from both genes, and BRCA2 showed higher mutational heterogeneity. Some recurrent mutations were reported exclusively in certain geographic regions, suggesting a founder effect. Our findings confirm that there is significant molecular heterogeneity in these genes among Brazilian carriers, while also suggesting that this heterogeneity precludes the use of screening protocols that include recurrent mutation testing only. This is the first study to show that profiles of recurrent mutations may be unique to different Brazilian regions. These data should be explored in larger regional cohorts to determine if screening with a panel of recurrent mutations would be effective.
ObjectiveThe WHO Safe Childbirth Checklist (SCC) is a promising initiative for safety in childbirth care, but the evidence about its impact on clinical outcomes is limited. This study analysed the ...impact of SCC on essential birth practices (EBPs), obstetric complications and adverse events (AEs) in hospitals of different profiles.DesignQuasi-experimental, time-series study and pre/post intervention.SettingTwo hospitals in North-East Brazil, one at a tertiary level (H1) and another at a secondary level (H2).Participants1440 women and their newborns, excluding those with congenital malformations.InterventionsThe implementation of the SCC involved its cross-cultural adaptation, raising awareness with videos and posters, learning sessions about the SCC and auditing and feedback on adherence indicators.Primary and secondary outcome measuresSimple and composite indicators related to seven EBPs, 3 complications and 10 AEs were monitored for 1 year, every 2 weeks, totalling 1440 observed deliveries.ResultsThe checklist was adopted in 83.3% (n=300) of deliveries in H1 and in 33.6% (n=121) in H2. The hospital with the highest adoption rate for SCC (H1) showed greater adherence to EBPs (improvement of 50.9%;p<0.001) and greater reduction in clinical outcome indicators compared with its baseline: percentage of deliveries with severe complications (reduction of 30.8%;p=0.005); Adverse Outcome Index (reduction of 25.6%;p=0.049); Weighted Adverse Outcome Score (reduction of 39.5%;p<0.001); Severity Index (reduction of 18.4%;p<0.001). In H2, whose adherence to the SCC was lower, there was an improvement of 24.7% compared with before SCC implementation in the composite indicator of EBPs (p=0.002) and a reduction of 49.2% in severe complications (p=0.027), but there was no significant reduction in AEs.ConclusionsA multifaceted SCC-based intervention can be effective in improving adherence to EBPs and clinical outcomes in childbirth. The context and adherence to the SCC seem to modulate its impact, working better in a hospital of higher complexity.
Abstract This decade‐long study from the INTERCONF programme addresses the data gap on ocean dynamics in the Southern Hemisphere. Focusing on the Brazil‐Malvinas Confluence (BMC), we investigated the ...effect of temperature differences between the warm Brazil Current (BC) and the cold Malvinas Current (MC) on water vapour in the marine atmospheric boundary layer (MABL). Our results show a clear distinction: warmer BMC waters have 32% more water vapour (2 kg·m −2 on average) compared to the MC. This highlights the direct link between ocean temperatures and atmospheric processes. Analysis of radiosonde data alongside satellite measurements showed better agreement over cooler waters with lower water vapour, leading to lower variability. This suggests less atmospheric turbulence and improved data compatibility, especially for satellite retrievals such as AIRS. Comparisons between reanalysis data (CFSR), satellite sounders (AIRS) and radiosondes (RS) showed consistent air temperature profiles, with average errors within the 10% threshold for satellite measurements. While capturing humidity variations remains a challenge, especially at high concentrations (indicated by higher mean squared error values), our study highlights the reliability of satellite data, particularly over the cold BMC region. This research highlights the importance of studying the interactions between ocean fronts and atmospheric phenomena for a complete picture of Southern Hemisphere ocean dynamics. It offers valuable insights for scientists across disciplines, providing a broad perspective on the results and their significance in different contexts.
Microorganisms with multiple ecological functions can be a useful biotechnological resource in integrated pest- and disease-management programs. This work aimed to investigate the potential ...endophytic and virulent effects of a strain of Purpureocillium lilacinum on organic cultivation in Brazil. Specifically, the strain’s ability to establish itself as an endophyte in common bean, soybean, and sunflower plants when inoculated via seed was evaluated. Furthermore, its antifungal activity against phytopathogens and its pathogenicity and virulence against insects of the order Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, and Hemiptera were evaluated. Furthermore, the strain was evaluated for its biochemical and physiological characteristics. For virulence bioassays, the experiments were conducted under a factorial scheme (2 × 3), with the following factors: (a) fungal inoculation and control without inoculum and (b) types of inocula (blastospores, aerial conidia, and metabolites). The treatments were sprayed on insect species at different stages of development. In summary, it was found that the SBF054 strain endophytically colonized the common bean, with partial recovery from the root tissues of soybean and sunflower plants, 30 days after inoculation; suppressed 86% of Rhizoctonia solani mycelial growth in an in vitro assay; and controlled eggs, nymphs, and Euschistus heros adults. These multifunctional abilities are mainly attributed to the strain’s mechanisms of producing metabolites, such as organic acids, soluble nutrients, and hydrolytic enzymes.
This article has been withdrawn at the request of the author(s) and/or editor. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause.The full Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal can be ...found at https://www.elsevier.com/about/our-business/policies/article-withdrawal
To evaluate the bond strength to dentin produced by experimental adhesives formulated with an elastomeric methacrylate monomer (EMM) and an alternative initiator system based on a Thioxanthone ...derivative (QTX).
A self-etching primer was used. For the bonding resin, a model adhesive (G1) was formulated containing bis-GMA/TEG-DMA/HEMA (co-monomeric blend) + CQ/EDAB (initiator system). The other groups were formulated by adding to this formulation: EMM only (G2), QTX (G3), or EMM and QTX (G4). Clearfil SE Bond was used as the commercial control group. Fifty bovine teeth (n = 5) were restored with each one of the five adhesives. After restorative procedures, half of the specimens were stored in distilled water at 37°C for 24 h. The other half was fixed on a metal stub and subjected to 200,000 mechanical (50 N loading at 2 Hz frequency) and 1000 thermal cycles (5°C and 55°C). Afterwards, specimens were serially sectioned into beams and tested in tension until fracture. Bond strengths were statistically analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (α = 5%).
After 24 h, significantly higher µTBS was observed for the formulation containing EMM and QTX (G4) when compared to Clearfil SE Bond (p < 0.05). No significant differences in µTBS were detected among the experimental groups after 24 h (p>0.05). After thermomechanical cycling, no significant differences were observed among groups.
The addition of EMM and QTX can be considered as possible alternative in dental adhesive formulations.
Among the few tools that can provide consistent and accurate information about remote and inaccessible regions of the Earth is the satellite technology. This technology becomes exceptionally relevant ...in the characterization of ocean-atmosphere interaction processes in their different spatial and temporal scales. Given the lack of data on the South Atlantic Ocean, this study aims to evaluate the quality of AIRS/AQUA vertical profiles, air temperature, and specific humidity variables, over the Brazil-Malvinas Confluence (BMC) region by comparing them with data collected in situ by atmospheric radiosonde. According to previous studies, the observed and inferred data were previously limited to the MABL (Marine Atmospheric Boundary Layer), where its maximum height was considered or limited to 2000 m through the relationship with the 700 hPa level. The comparison between the atmospheric radiosonde data and the AIRS profiles showed a good agreement between the data on both sides of the BMC capturing them satisfactorily and slightly more accurately over colder waters, with a smaller standard deviation. The results also show that the water vapor concentration directly influences the quality of the AIRS data, where the reason for the better accuracy over colder waters is attributed to the lower concentration of water vapor over the cold region of the BMC Another reason to consider is linked to less atmospheric turbulence on the cold side of the BMC.Keywords: AIRS/AQUA, Marine Atmospheric Boundary Layer, Brazil-Malvinas confluence. Perfis Atmosféricos a partir de Radiossondas e Sondadores Atmosféricos por Satélite no Oceano Atlântico SudoesteRESUMOEntre as poucas ferramentas que podem fornecer informações consistentes e precisas sobre regiões remotas e/ou inacessíveis da Terra está a tecnologia por satélites. O uso dessa tecnologia torna-se de extrema relevância na caracterização dos processos de interação oceano-atmosfera em suas diferentes escalas espaciais e temporais. Dada a falta de dados sobre o Oceano Atlântico Sul, este estudo visa avaliar a qualidade dos perfis verticais AIRS/AQUA, das variáveis de temperatura do ar e umidade específica, sobre a região da Confluência Brasil-Malvinas (CBM) comparando-os com dados coletados in situ por radiossondas atmosféricas. Os dados observados e inferidos foram anteriormente limitados à camada limite atmosférica marítima (CLAM), onde sua altura máxima foi considerada ou limitada a 2000 m através da relação com o nível de 700 hPa, conforme estudos anteriores. A comparação entre os dados de radiossondagens atmosféricas e os perfis AIRS mostrou uma boa concordância entre os dados em ambos os lados do CBM, reproduzindo-os satisfatoriamente e ligeiramente mais precisos sobre águas mais frias, apresentando desvio-padrão menor. Os resultados também mostram que a concentração de vapor d’água influi diretamente na qualidade dos dados AIRS onde atribui-se a razão para a melhor acurácia sobre águas mais frias à menor concentração de vapor d’água sobre a região fria da CBM. Outra razão a ser considerada está ligada a uma menor turbulência atmosférica sobre o lado frio da CBMPalavras-chave: AIRS /AQUA, Camada Limite Atmosférica Marinha, Confluência Brasil-Malvinas.
•HDL participates in inflammatory and immune responses.•Alterations in HDL's protein cargo associate with COVID-19 severity.•HDL proteome acquires a pro-inflammatory profile in hospitalized COVID-19 ...patients.•HDL proteome was able to classify COVID-19 subjects according to disease severity.•HDL-associated APOM was inversely associated with odds of death due to COVID-19.
Besides the well-accepted role in lipid metabolism, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) also seems to participate in host immune response against infectious diseases.
Objective: We used a quantitative proteomic approach to test the hypothesis that alterations in HDL proteome associate with severity of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Based on clinical criteria, subjects (n=41) diagnosed with COVID-19 were divided into two groups: a group of subjects presenting mild symptoms and a second group displaying severe symptoms and requiring hospitalization. Using a proteomic approach, we quantified the levels of 29 proteins in HDL particles derived from these subjects.
We showed that the levels of serum amyloid A 1 and 2 (SAA1 and SAA2, respectively), pulmonary surfactant-associated protein B (SFTPB), apolipoprotein F (APOF), and inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H4 (ITIH4) were increased by more than 50% in hospitalized patients, independently of sex, HDL-C or triglycerides when comparing with subjects presenting only mild symptoms. Altered HDL proteins were able to classify COVID-19 subjects according to the severity of the disease (error rate 4.9%). Moreover, apolipoprotein M (APOM) in HDL was inversely associated with odds of death due to COVID-19 complications (odds ratio OR per 1-SD increase in APOM was 0.27, with 95% confidence interval CI of 0.07 to 0.72, P=0.007).
Our results point to a profound inflammatory remodeling of HDL proteome tracking with severity of COVID-19 infection. They also raise the possibility that HDL particles could play an important role in infectious diseases.
O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar a influência dos gradientes de TSM e da passagem de sistemas atmosféricos transientes sobre a região da Confluência Brasil-Malvinas (CBM) no Oceano Atlântico ...Sudoeste e descrever a variabilidade espacial e temporal da concentração de vapor d’água dentro da camada limite atmosférica marinha (CLAM). Os dados foram obtidos a partir de 130 perfis de radiossondas realizados durante dez cruzeiros oceanográficos feitos durante os meses de outubro e novembro entre 2004 e 2015. Os resultados mostram que os gradientes termais entre as águas quentes da Corrente do Brasil e as águas frias da Corrente das Malvinas foram capazes de produzir diferenças significativas no conteúdo de vapor d'água na CLAM nos dois lados da frente oceanográfica. Na superfície, o valor médio da umidade específica sobre o lado quente (frio) foi 8,4 ± 1,67 mm (7,08 ± 1,51 mm). Em todas as observações realizadas, a umidade integrada na CLAM foi diretamente influenciada pela advecção e pela passagem de sistemas atmosféricos transientes. A B S T R A C TThe objective of this work was to analyze the influence of the SST gradients and the passage of transient atmospheric systems at the Brazil-Malvinas Confluence (BMC) region in the Southwest Atlantic Ocean, and to describe the spatial and temporal variability of the water vapor concentration within the marine atmospheric boundary layer (MABL). The data were obtained from 130 radiosondes profiles taken during ten oceanographic cruises carried out during the months of October and November between 2004 and 2015. The results show that the thermal gradients between the warm waters of Brazil Current and the cold waters of the Malvinas Current were able to produce significant differences in the water vapor content of the MABL on both sides of the oceanographic front. On the surface, the average of the specific humidity over the warm (cold) side was 8.4 ± 1.67 mm (7.08 ± 1.51 mm). In all the observations made, the water vapor integrated in the MABL was directly influenced by the advection and by the passage of transient atmospheric systems. Key words: Water Vapor; Brazil-Malvinas Confluence; Atmospheric boundary layer
The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and MetS-related stroke is set to increase dramatically in coming decades. MetS is a complex disease that includes endothelial dysfunction, insulin ...resistance, diabetes, hypertension, ectopic obesity, and dyslipidaemia and an increased risk of cardiovascular events. One function of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (HDL-C) is the cholesterol-efflux pathway, which is the pathway where cholesterol is removed from macrophages within the arterial walls back into the bloodstream and out to the liver. As one of the key functions of HDL, their hypothesis was that if they could measure HDL-C-efflux capacity, they would have a better handle on the role of HDL in atherosclerosis. However, there are no systematic analyses or well-conducted meta-analyses to evaluate the relationship between HDL-C functionality and MetS. The aim of this study is to examine this association of HDL-C functionality with MetS in different ages and sex.
The update systematic review and meta-analysis will be conducted using published studies that will be identified from electronic databases (i.e., PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Google Scholar). Studies that examined the association between HDL-C functionality and MetS; focused on cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional studies; were conducted among in adults aged 40 to 70 years; provided sufficient data for calculating odds ratio or relative risk with a 95% confidence interval; were published as original articles written in English or other languages; and have been published until January 2018 will be included. Study selection, data collection, quality assessment, and statistical syntheses will be conducted based on discussions among investigators.
Ethics approval was not required for this study because it was based on published studies. The results and findings of this study will be submitted and published in a scientific peer-reviewed journal.
PROSPERO (CRD42018083465).
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