Aplasia cutis congenita in surviving co-twin after propylthiouracil exposure in utero

Aim: Aplasia cutis congenita (ACC) has been observed after fetal exposure to the antithyroid drug methimazole (MMI), but not reported after propylthiouracil (PTU), the current antithyroid drug of choice during pregnancy. This occurrence has implications for patient information and causal research. Case report: We describe a surviving term co-twin to a mother with hyperthyroidism exposed to PTU from conception to 34 weeks of gestation presenting with ACC at birth. Discussion: The association between PTU exposure and ACC is clinically relevant and allows speculation on the etiology. A similar mechanism to the classical MMI-induced ACC is postulated, unless a vascular etiology suggested by a vanishing twin or maternal hyperthyroidism itself is causal. Coincidence of PTU exposure and ACC seems unlikely. Conclusion: ACC in a newborn after PTU exposure during pregnancy hitherto observed only after MMI strongly encourages further reports of similar cases that may remain clinically underdiagnosed or unreported. Such confirmation could have significant implications for maternal treatment of hyperthyroidism, common in women of childbearing ag

Comparative analysis of mesenchymal stromal cells biological properties

The stromal progenitors of mesodermal cells, mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), are a heterogeneous population of plastic adherent fibroblast-like cells with extensive proliferative capacity and differentiation potential. Human MSCs have now been isolated from various tissues including bone marrow, muscle, skin, and adipose tissue, the latter being one of the most suitable cell sources for cell therapy, because of its easy accessibility, minimal morbidity, and abundance of cells. Bone marrow and subcutaneous or visceral adipose tissue samples were collected, digested with collagenase if needed, and seeded in Iscove's medium containing 5% human platelet lysate. Nonadherent cells were removed after 2-3 days and the medium was replaced twice a week. Confluent adherent cells were detached, expanded, and analyzed for several biological properties such as morphology, immunophenotype, growth rate, senescence, clonogenicity, differentiation capacity, immunosuppression, and secretion of angiogenic factors. The results show significant differences between lines derived from subcutaneous fat compared to those derived from visceral fat, such as the higher proliferation rate of the first and the strong induction of angiogenesis of the latter. We are convinced that the identification of the peculiarities of MSCs isolated from different tissues will lead to their more accurate use in cell therapy

Mutagen Killing and Photoreactivation in the Anaerobic Fungus Neocallimastix frontalis EB188

Research was performed to determine if the anaerobic fungus, Neocallimastix frontalis EB 188, a common cellulolytic fungus of ruminants, is capable of photoreactivation and is susceptible to chemical and irradiational mutagenesis. Germination of zoospores and production of colony cellulase was measured after ultraviolet light (UVL), nitrosoguanidine or ethyl methyl sulfonate treatments. This fungus was susceptible to mutagen treatment and capable of photoreactivation after UVL exposure. Such procedures may be useful in the isolation of enhanced cellulase-producing strains

Monte Belo: características da identidade regional para uma indicação geográfica de vinhos.

bitstream/CNPUV/9754/1/cir076.pdfDisponível também no formato online

Enzyme-based DNA extraction from zoospores of ruminal fungi

We report here a rapid, efficient and simple method for the extraction of high molecular weight DNA from zoospores of Neocallimastix frontalis EB188. This anaerobic fungus, isolated from bovine digesta, effectively degrades plant fiber in vitro (Barichievich et al. 1990. Appl. Env. Micro. 56:43-48). Our interest in ruminal fungi stems from their ability to degrade wood materials (Joblin et al. 1989. FEMS Micro. Lett. 56:119-122) and their potential use in biomass saccharification. Zoospore DNA synthesis is of particular interest to our laboratory. It is these motile zoospores which colonize and degrade plant materials (Mountfort 1987. FEMS Micro. Rev. 46:501-508). To detail fully this metabolic event, it will be necessary to extract nucleic acids from zoospores. Such procedures have not been reported in the literature. Using acetone drying and enzymatic removal of cell walls, we have isolated high molecular weight DNA from very small amounts of culture. The procedure takes less than one hour and DNA yields are high. The DNA is readily cut with restriction endonucleases and religated efficiently but is otherwise stable. Electrophoretic analysis of the DNA confirmed the presence of repetitive sequences. This procedure will aid the study of DNA replication, DNA repair and DNA RFLP analysis of various strains using small (\u3c1 ml) cultures

Nuclear receptors in vascular biology

Nuclear receptors sense a wide range of steroids and hormones (estrogens, progesterone, androgens, glucocorticoid, and mineralocorticoid), vitamins (A and D), lipid metabolites, carbohydrates, and xenobiotics. In response to these diverse but critically important mediators, nuclear receptors regulate the homeostatic control of lipids, carbohydrate, cholesterol, and xenobiotic drug metabolism, inflammation, cell differentiation and development, including vascular development. The nuclear receptor family is one of the most important groups of signaling molecules in the body and as such represent some of the most important established and emerging clinical and therapeutic targets. This review will highlight some of the recent trends in nuclear receptor biology related to vascular biology

The role of Cerium, Europium and Erbium doped TiO2 photocatalysts in water treatment: A mini-review

Heterogeneous photocatalysis is a promising environmentally friendly strategy for removing contaminants of emerging concern from water, with titanium dioxide being the most studied and exploited photocatalyst, thanks to its good optical and electrical properties. However, one of the main drawbacks linked to its use is the limited absorption of sunlight; several strategies have been explored to enhance the absorption in visible light region and, among them, the doping with elements belonging to the lanthanoid series is particularly attractive. This review focuses on these systems analysing the cases of Cerium, Europium and Erbium doped TiO2 and giving an overview on the structural, optical and electronic characteristics of these materials. Synthesis procedures, inserted dopant percentages, structural and optical properties and the main operating conditions adopted in the photodegradation studies are considered. Particular attention is devoted to unravel the effect induced by the introduction of lanthanoids on the energy gap, on the recombination rate of photogenerated electron-hole pairs and on the inhibition of phase transition from anatase to rutile

Air‐polishing followed by ultrasonic calculus removal for the treatment of gingivitis: A 12‐month, split‐mouth randomized controlled clinical trial

Objective: To evaluate the advantages of a novel protocol involving full-mouth erythritol-powder air-polishing followed by ultrasonic calculus removal in the maintenance of patients treated for gingivitis, with a focus on time and comfort. Methods: Systemically healthy patients with gingivitis were selected. Following a split-mouth design, quadrants 1-4 and 2-3 were randomly allocated to receive air-polishing followed by ultrasonic calculus removal following a protocol known as Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT) or traditional full-mouth ultrasonic debridement followed by polishing with a rubber cup and prophylactic paste (US + P). Bleeding on probing (BoP) and the plaque index (PI) were collected at baseline (T0), 2 weeks (T1), 4 weeks (T2), 3 months (T3), and 6 months (T4) and 12 months (T5). Following the same randomization, prophylactic therapy was provided at 3 months (T3) and 6 months (T4). Clinical parameters, treatment time and patient comfort and satisfaction were evaluated. Results: A total of 41 patients were selected, 39 completed the study. The clinical parameters were clinically satisfactory for both treatments at every time. At 4 months after treatment, GBT maintained significantly lower BoP and PI. GBT protocol required a significantly lower treatment time, especially at T3 and T4, when it saved 24.5% and 25.1% of the time, respectively. Both treatments were rated positively by most patients. However, GBT was perceived as more comfortable, and a higher number of patients preferred it. Conclusion: No significant difference was observed between GBT and conventional ultrasonic debridement and rubber cup polishing in terms of BoP and PI levels. The GBT protocol allowed less time expenditure and higher patients' perceived comfort