Coronavirus is associated with several infectious diseases that cause outbreaks in humans, such as SARS in 2002-2003 and MERS in 2012. In December 2019, COVID-19, promoted by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, ...was first reported in Wuhan (China) as a new coronavirus disease. This outbreak quickly reached a pandemic status, affecting at least 185 countries and territories to date on all continents. The first case of COVID-19 reported in São Paulo city (Brazil) occurred in February 26th. Days later, 182 suspected cases in 16 states were being monitored. In May 30th, 514,849 cases and 29,314 deaths were confirmed in Brazil comprising all 26 states and Federal District. The primary measure in order to contain the spread of SARS-CoV-2 involved social isolation. At that time there were not enough diagnostic tests to identify infected individuals and data were strongly associated with sub notifications. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of this measure largely depends on the individual's social responsibility. This measure has a severe economic and social impact, as in other countries. In this review, we present an overview and scientific perspectives of the evolution of COVID-19 from Brazilian databases in which climate and economic situations differ from China, European countries, and the USA.
We present the analysis of TESS optical photometry of WASP-121b, which reveals the phase curve of this transiting ultra-hot Jupiter. Its hotspot is located at the sub-stellar point, showing ...inefficient heat transport from the dayside (2870 ± 50 K) to the nightside (<2500 K at 3
σ
) at the altitudes probed by TESS. The TESS eclipse depth, measured at the shortest wavelength to date for WASP-121b, confirms the strong deviation from blackbody planetary emission. Our atmospheric retrieval on the complete emission spectrum supports the presence of a temperature inversion, which can be explained by the presence of VO and possibly TiO and FeH. The strong planetary emission at short wavelengths could arise from an H
−
continuum.
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•In-tube SPME-LC successfully determines drugs in biological samples.•This review describes recently developments and applications of in-tube SPME-LC.•Future trends and current ...technology used for the synthesis of selective sorbents.•Selective sorbents enhance the selectivity and the sensitivity of the in-tube SPME-LC.
In-tube solid-phase microextraction (in-tube SPME) coupled with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-MS) successfully determines drugs or biomarkers in biological samples by direct sample injection or by simple sample treatment. This technique uses a capillary column as extraction device. Several capillaries (wall-coated open tubular, sorbent-packed, porous monolithic rods, or fiber-packed) with unique phases have been developed and evaluated, aiming to improve the efficiency and selectivity of the in-tube SPME-LC technique. This review describes new developments and applications occurred in recent years, and discusses future trends with emphasis on new extraction devices and current technology used for the synthesis of selective sorbents for bioanalysis, such as (i) polypyrrole, (ii) restricted-access materials, (iii) immunosorbents, (iv) molecular imprinting polymers, (v) monolithic polymers, and (vi) bi-functional materials.
Phytoextraction is a remediation technique that consists in using plants to remove contaminants from soils and water. This study evaluated arsenic (As) accumulation in Castor bean (
Ricinus communis ...cv. Guarany) grown in nutrient solution in order to assess its phytoextraction ability. Castor bean plants were grown under greenhouse conditions in pots containing a nutrient solution amended with increasing doses of As (0, 10, 50, 100, 250, 500 and 5000
μg
L
−1) in a completely randomized design with four replications. Shoot and roots dry matter production as well as arsenic and nutrient tissue concentrations were measured at the end of the experiment. The results showed that increasing As concentration in nutrient solution caused a decrease in shoot and root biomass but did not result in severe toxicity symptoms in castor bean growing under a range of As concentration from 0 to 5000
μg
L
−1. The As doses tested did not affect the accumulation of nutrients by castor bean. Although castor bean did not pose characteristics of a plant suitable for commercial phytoextraction, it could be useful for revegetation of As-contaminated areas while providing an additional income by oil production.
During the 12th International Workshop on Autoantibodies and Autoimmunity held in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on August 28, 2014, a full day session was devoted to establishing a consensus on the nomenclature ...of staining patterns observed in the antinuclear antibody (ANA) indirect immunofluorescence test on HEp-2 cells. The current report summarizes the collective agreements with input from the host Brazilian and international communities that represented research, clinical, and diagnostic service laboratories. Patterns are categorized in three major groups (nuclear, cytoplasmic, and mitotic patterns) and each pattern has been defined and described in detail. The consensus nomenclature and representative patterns are made available online at the international consensus on antinuclear antibody pattern (ICAP) website (www.ANApatterns.org). To facilitate continuous improvement and input, specific comments on ICAP are encouraged and these will be discussed in subsequent ICAP meetings. The ultimate goal with the establishment of the ICAP is to promote harmonization and understanding of autoantibody test nomenclature, as well as interpretation guidelines for ANA testing, thereby optimizing usage in patient care.
Chemotherapy is a standard treatment method for the patients with locally advanced breast cancer. Lately, cyclophosphamide (CYP) and doxorubicin (DOX) are used as the major chemotherapeutic agents ...especially for the treatment of breast cancer. Till date, no serum biomarker has been able to provide an early diagnosis of breast cancer. This study aimed to assess inflammatory, cardiac, renal and hematological markers in 56 breast cancer patients (BCP) before, during and after termination of chemotherapy with CYP and DOX. Blood samples were collected from the patients at the each treatment stages mentioned above. These samples were assessed for interleukin 6 (IL‐6), interleukin 10 (IL‐10), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), creatinine, hemoglobin (Hb), leukocyte, platelet and Na+/K+‐ATPase levels either by ELISA or colorimetric methods. The results suggest a significant increase in IL‐6 level at all the stages in BCP as compared to control group. On the other hand, IL‐10, CK and Na+/K+‐ATPase levels were found to be significantly declined during all the stages. Moreover, the majority of hematological parameters remained unchanged throughout the treatment period with the exception of creatinine and Hb which showed slight modulation in their level at different stages. Based on the results, we conclude that breast cancer and co‐treatment with CYP and DOX, interfere arious biological markers, thereby, showing the physiological imbalance.
Breast cancer and co‐treatment with CYP and DOX, interfere various biological markers, thereby, showing the physiological imbalance.
Background
Regional heterogeneities and sociodemographic characteristics affect mortality and population survival in Brazil. However, for individuals with Down syndrome (DS) this information remains ...unknown. In this study, we analysed survival and mortality rates among DS individuals in the five Brazilian geographic regions. In addition, we investigated whether there is an association between mortality and sociodemographic factors across administrative regions.
Methods
Data between 1996 and 2016, comprising 10 028 records of deaths of individuals with DS, were collected from database records of the Department of Informatics of the Unified Health System. Data on race/ethnicity, sex, age and years of schooling were defined for the association analyses. Survival data were analysed according to the Kaplan–Meier method and Cox regression model.
Results
The number of deaths among people with DS has increased in recent years. Children are more susceptible to death, especially in the first years of life. Individuals living in the northern region, Indigenous women and people with no years of schooling have higher mortality. In the Southeast and South region, for White and Yellow, survival is related to a higher level of education. Ethnic factors and years of schooling influence risk for mortality across the administrative regions.
Conclusions
These findings show that sociodemographic characteristics affect survival and are associated with the risk of mortality for people with DS. In addition, this suggests that differences in access to health services among Brazilian regions, especially in the first years of life, may affect the survival of individuals with DS.
The second meeting for the International Consensus on Antinuclear antibody (ANA) Pattern (ICAP) was held on 22 September 2015, one day prior to the opening of the 12th Dresden Symposium on ...Autoantibodies in Dresden, Germany. The ultimate goal of ICAP is to promote harmonization and understanding of autoantibody nomenclature, and thereby optimizing ANA usage in patient care. The newly developed ICAP website www.ANApatterns.org was introduced to the more than 50 participants. This was followed by several presentations and discussions focusing on key issues including the two-tier classification of ANA patterns into competent-level versus expert-level, the consideration of how to report composite versus mixed ANA patterns, and the necessity for developing a consensus on how ANA results should be reported. The need to establish on-line training modules to help users gain competency in identifying ANA patterns was discussed as a future addition to the website. To advance the ICAP goal of promoting wider international participation, it was agreed that there should be a consolidated plan to translate consensus documents into other languages by recruiting help from members of the respective communities.
Nanotechnology has the potential to overcome the challenges of sustainable agriculture, and nanopesticides can control agricultural pests and increase farm productivity with little environmental ...impact. However, it is important to evaluate their toxicity on non-target organisms, such as honeybees (Apis mellifera) that forage on crops. The aims of this study were to develop a nanopesticide that was based on solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) loaded with pyrethrum extract (PYR) and evaluate its physicochemical properties and short-term toxicity on a non-target organism (honeybee). SLN + PYR was physicochemically stable after 120 days. SLN + PYR had a final diameter of 260.8 ± 3.7 nm and a polydispersion index of 0.15 ± 0.02 nm, in comparison with SLN alone that had a diameter of 406.7 ± 6.7 nm and a polydispersion index of 0.39 ± 0.12 nm. SLN + PYR had an encapsulation efficiency of 99%. The survival analysis of honeybees indicated that PYR10ng presented shorter longevity than those in the control group (P ≤ 0.01). Empty nanoparticles and PYR10ng caused morphological alterations in the bees’ midguts, whereas pyrethrum-loaded nanoparticles had no significant effect on digestive cells, so are considered safer, at least in the short term, for honeybees. These results are important in understanding the effects of nanopesticides on beneficial insects and may decrease the environmental impacts of pesticides.
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•Nanoparticles showed good properties to be used as pyrethrum carrier system.•Pyrethrum extract in nanocarrier and sublethal concentrations is safer for honeybees.•Pyrethrum and nanotechnology showed promising results aiming agriculture applications.
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