Development of Dispersion during Compounding and Extrusion of Polypropylene/Graphite Nanoplates Composites

Carbon-based nanoparticles have unique electrical, thermal, barrier and mechanical properties. When incorporated into polymer matrices, the resulting nanocomposites are potentially suitable for a wide scope of advanced applications. In practice, the properties of the nanocomposites are strongly determined by the level of dispersion achieved and by the degree of polymer/particle interfacial bonding. Production and processing of nanocomposites are often carried out in successive thermo-mechanical cycles. These may change the state of nanoparticle dispersion. This work analyzes the evolution of the dispersion of graphite nanoplates (GnP) in a polypropylene matrix during compounding in a co-rotating twin screw extruder and subsequent processing in a single screw extruder, aiming at a better understanding of the kinetics and stability of dispersion. Dispersion was evaluated along the compounding and processing stages and correlated with the composite electrical conductivity, an important engineering property. Two commercial GnP were used as received and chemically modified to graft PP-g-MA (fGnP-PP). Compositions with 2 or 10 wt.% of GnP and fGnP-PP were studied.

Complete mitochondrial genome of the South American fur seal (Arctocephalus australis)

The complete mitochondrial DNA sequence of the South America fur seal (Arctocephalus australis) was obtained by a shotgun sequencing approach. The mitogenome is 16,372 bp in length and includes the genes coding for the two rRNA species (12S and 16S), 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, and a control region. The base composition is 33.0% for A, 26.7% for C, 26.1 for T and 14.2% for G, with an overall GC content of 40.9%. The description of this mitogenome will be useful for further phylogeny and genetic studies on Pinnipeds.

Physiological responses of reared sea bream (Sparus aurata Linnaeus, 1758) to an Amyloodinium ocellatum outbreak

Amyloodiniosis represents a major bottleneck for semi-intensive aquaculture production in Southern Europe, causing extremely high mortalities. Amyloodinium ocellatum is a parasitic dinoflagellate that can infest almost all fish, crustacean and bivalves that live within its ecological range. Fish mortalities are usually attributed to anoxia, associated with serious gill hyperplasia, inflammation, haemorrhage and necrosis in heavy infestations; or with osmoregulatory impairment and secondary microbial infections due to severe epithelial damage in mild infestation. However, physiological information about the host responses to A. ocellatum infestation is scarce. In this work, we analysed the proteome of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) plasma and relate it with haematological and immunological indicators, in order to enlighten the different physiological responses when exposed to an A. ocellatum outbreak. Using 2D-DIGE, immunological and haematological analysis and in response to the A. ocellatum contamination we have identified several proteins associated with acute-phase response, inflammation, lipid transport, homoeostasis, and osmoregulation, wound healing, neoplasia and iron transport. Overall, this preliminary study revealed that amyloodiniosis affects some fish functional pathways as revealed by the changes in the plasma proteome of S. aurata, and that the innate immunological system is not activated in the presence of the parasite.

Neuroendocrine tumour in pancreatic dorsal agenesis: a rare association

Pancreatic dorsal agenesis (PDA) is a rare congenital anomaly, usually asymptomatic, that can present with abdominal pain, pancreatitis, diabetes mellitus and jaundice. Pancreatic tumours in PDA background are extremely rare, and when they occur are mainly pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. We present a case of a 48-year-old female patient with incidental detection of a 26×20 mm nodular lesion of the cephalic pancreas on ultrasound. Surgery was performed and gross examination revealed PDA with a tumour developed around the Wirsung duct. Histology showed a neuroendocrine tumour G1 with neural and vascular invasion. Two and half years later, the patient is alive and without tumour relapse. Awareness of the association of PDA and pancreatic tumours is fundamental in order to develop personalised follow-up programmes.

Cortisol plays a role in the high environmental ammonia associated suppression of the immune response in zebrafish

Exposure to high environmental ammonia (HEA) levels increases the vulnerability of fishes to parasitic, viral and bacterial diseases. We tested the hypothesis that elevated plasma cortisol levels play a role in the HEA-mediated immunosuppression in fishes. To this end, we tested the effect of exogenous cortisol treatment on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced immune response in zebrafish (Danio rerio). Also, to test whether glucocorticoid receptor (GR) signaling is involved in HEA-mediated immunosuppression, zebrafish were treated with mifepristone, a GR antagonist, and the LPS-induced immune response assessed after HEA exposure. We evaluated a panel of important immunity-related genes including interleukin 1β (il1b) and suppressor of cytokine signaling (socs-1a, 2, 3) and acute phase response genes [serum amyloid A (saa), transferrin (tfa), leukocyte cell-derived chemotaxin 2-like (lect2l), haptoglobin (hp), hepcidin (=hepatic anti-microbial peptide hamp), and complement component 3b (c3b)] by real-time quantitative PCR. Our results demonstrate that exogenous cortisol administration as well as elevated cortisol levels in response to HEA exposure modulate mRNA transcript levels of key mediators of the innate immune response in zebrafish. Mifepristone treatment reduced whole body cortisol levels and eliminated the HEA-mediated changes in transcript abundance of socs1a, il1b, as well as APR genes. Together, these results suggest that the HEA effect on the innate immune response is in part mediated by cortisol signaling, while the mode of action, including the receptors involved remains to be elucidated.

When an Easy Thing Goes Wrong: Foreign Body Induced Granuloma-Associated Scleritis Following Pterygium Surgery

PURPOSE

To report a case of pterygium surgery with conjunctival autograft followed by focal necrotizing scleritis due to foreign body entrapment in the scleral bed.

CASE REPORT/RESULTS

This is a case report of a 76-years-old male patient who underwent nasal pterygium surgery and developed focal necrotizing scleritis secondary to foreign body entrapment under conjunctival autograft. One month following surgery, slit-lamp examination demonstrated a progressive thinning of the surgical area with focal inflammatory signs. A small synthetic fiber was identified to be trapped under the graft. A second intervention was performed with foreign body removal and a new conjunctival graft. Despite the surgery, focal scleral melting continued to progress and the patient was placed under systemic corticotherapy and submitted to amniotic membrane graft with epithelial side up. During the follow-up period there was a good tissue response.

CONCLUSION

Despite being a safe and quick procedure, pterygium surgery can sometimes elicit new challenges.

Is Preterm Labor Influenced by the Maternal-Fetal Interface?

Preterm labor (PTL) accounts for almost 11% of deliveries, and is a major cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. T regulatory (Treg) cells may prevent fetal rejection by the maternal immune system under the influence of progesterone. Case control study was conducted to determine Treg cells, IL-10, TGF-β, and membrane progesterone receptorα (mPRα) in the maternal-fetal interface (placenta), including eight pregnant women with threatened PTL (study group) and 16 normal-delivery women (control group). Comparing study group versus control, mean gestational age of delivery differed significantly (p = 0.02), as did endothelial hyperplasia in the upper half (p = 0.035) and the lower half (p = 0.005) of the placenta. Besides, there was higher expression of mPRα and IL-10 in all layers, while Foxp3 expression occurred equally and only in the decidua. TGF-β expression was similar in both groups. Preterm group placentas showed higher endothelial hyperplasia in both upper and lower halves of the placenta.

[Reutilization of Clinical Data for Research: The Footprint Scientific Model of the Hospital Center of São João]

N/A.

Schwannoma of the tongue-A common tumour in a rare location: A case report

Schwannoma is a benign tumour that arises from Schwann cells of the peripheral nerve sheath, and is a common tumour of the head and neck. However, intraoral location is very uncommon (only 1% of all head and neck schwannomas). We report a rare case of lingual schwannoma in a 20-year-old male patient who presented with a small, slow-growing mass over the right lateral border of the tongue with 1 year of evolution and that became recently ulcerated. The patient underwent MRI examination and complete surgical excision. Histopathological and immunohistochemical examination confirmed the diagnosis.

Natriuretic Peptide System Activation in Acute Heart Failure Patients with Diabetes

BACKGROUND

Elevated B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a hallmark in heart failure (HF). Diabetic patients with chronic HF seem to have higher BNP than nondiabetics. We studied, in acute HF, if BNP levels are different between diabetics and nondiabetics.

METHODS

From a prospectively recruited population of acute HF patients, we selected a convenience sample. In pair-matched analysis, each diabetic patient was matched with a nondiabetic of the same age (±1 year), gender, and according to left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Diabetics and nondiabetics were compared. Cox-regression analysis was used to analyse the prognostic impact of diabetes.

RESULTS

We studied 328 patients, mean age: 78 years, 44.5% male. Diabetics were more often hypertensive and had ischemic HF; they had higher body mass index, lower haemoglobin, and worse renal function. Diabetics were more often discharged on ACE inhibitors/ARB, antiplatelet therapy, and statins. Neither admission nor discharge BNP values differed between diabetics and pair-matched nondiabetics. One-year mortality was also nondifferent between pairs of diabetics and nondiabetics: 44 (26.8%) and 46 (28.0%), respectively. HR for 1-year mortality in diabetics was 1.00 (95% CI: 0.82-1.24) compared with nondiabetics.

CONCLUSIONS

HF patients with diabetes have similar neurohumoral activation when compared with nondiabetics. One-year mortality is also nondifferent after matching for age, gender, and systolic function.

Insulin treatment may not be associated with worse prognosis in acute heart failure diabetic patients

BACKGROUND

Diabetic patients with heart failure (HF) treated with insulin appear to have a worse prognosis compared to oral anti-diabetic (OAD) agents. Whether insulin is a risk factor or a marker of disease severity is unknown. We studied the prognostic impact of insulin treatment in an acute HF diabetic population.

METHODS

From a prospectively recruited population of hospital-admitted acute HF patients we retrospectively selected a convenience sample. Pair-matched analysis: each insulin-treated patient was matched with a diabetic patient with similar glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c±0.2%) under OAD. End-point: all-cause death.

FOLLOW-UP

5 years. Insulin-treated and OAD-treated patients were compared. Multivariate Cox-regression analysis was used to analyze the prognostic impact of insulin.

RESULTS

We studied 92 patients: 46 insulin-treated and 46 HbA1c-matched under OAD. Mean age: 74±9 years, 46.7% male and 63.5% had HF with reduced ejection fraction. HbA1c was 7.8±1.5% in both groups. In the subgroup under OAD: 87.0% metformin, 41.3% sulphonylurea, 28.3% dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors and 4.3% other agents. Insulin-treated patients had lower hemoglobin, higher creatinine and discharged B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels (816.6 [289.2-1805.8] vs. 613.3 [205.6-1110.8]; P=0.02). Seventy three patients died. There were no differences in mortality up to 5 years. After multivariate adjustment accounting for hemoglobin, creatinine and discharge BNP, HR for 1-, 2-, 3-, and 5-year all-cause death in insulin-treated patients were 1.48 (0.62-3.54); P=0.38, 1.11 (0.55-2.25); P=0.77, 1.08 (0.56-2.08); P=0.28 and 1.24 (0.70-2.19); P=0.46, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Insulin-treated diabetic patients with HF and HbA1c-matched patients treated with OAD have similarly ominous prognosis. Our results favor insulin as a marker of poor health condition.

Effect of petroleum hydrocarbons in copper phytoremediation by a salt marsh plant (Juncus maritimus) and the role of autochthonous bioaugmentation

This work aimed to investigate, under controlled but environmental relevant conditions, the effects of the presence of both inorganic and organic contaminants (copper and petroleum hydrocarbons) on phytoremediation potential of the salt marsh plant Juncus maritimus. Moreover, bioaugmentation, with an autochthonous microbial consortium (AMC) resistant to Cu, was tested, aiming an increase in the remediation potential of this plant in the presence of a co-contamination. Salt marsh plants with sediment attached to their roots were collected, placed in vessels, and kept in greenhouses, under tidal simulation. Sediments were contaminated with Cu and petroleum, and the AMC was added to half of the vessels. After 5 months, plants accumulated significant amounts of Cu but only in belowground structures. The amount of Cu was even higher in the presence of petroleum. AMC addition increased Cu accumulation in belowground tissues, despite decreasing Cu bioavailability, promoting J. maritimus phytostabilization potential. Therefore, J. maritimus has potential to phytoremediate co-contaminated sediments, and autochthonous bioaugmentation can be a valuable strategy for the recovery and management of moderately impacted estuaries. This approach can contribute for a sustainable use of the environmental resources. Graphical abstract ᅟ.

Note. Effect of Blanching and Frozen Storage on the Stability of β-Carotene and Capsanthin in Red Pepper (Capsicum Annuum) Fruit

The effect of blanching and frozen storage on the stability of pigments β-carotene and capsanthin in three cultivars of red pepper (Capsicum annuum) fruits was elucidated by the determination of pigments in samples treated by various blanching procedures. Pigment concentration was performed after different storage times by HPLC. The dependence of the concentration of pigments on the conditions of blanching and the storage time was assessed by stepwise regression analysis, and the similarities and dissimilarities among the cultivars and decomposition rates were calculated by principal component analysis. The stability of pigments depended significantly on the conditions of blanching, the storage time and the type of cultivar, the effect of storage time was higher than that of blanching conditions. The significant differences between the decomposition rate of pigments in various cultivars emphasizes the predominant importance of the selection of cultivars with advantageous storage characteristics.

Danio rerio embryos on Prozac - Effects on the detoxification mechanism and embryo development

In the past decade the presence of psychopharmaceuticals, including fluoxetine (FLU), in the aquatic environment has been associated with the increasing trend in human consumption of these substances. Aquatic organisms are usually exposed to chronic low doses and, therefore, risk assessments should evaluate the effects of these compounds in non-target organisms. Teleost fish possess an array of active defence mechanisms to cope with the deleterious effects of xenobiotics. These include ABC transporters, phase I and II of cellular detoxification and oxidative stress enzymes. Hence, the present study aimed at characterising the effect of FLU on embryo development of the model teleost zebrafish (Danio rerio) concomitantly with changes in the detoxification mechanisms during early developmental phases. Embryos were exposed to different concentrations of FLU (0.0015, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5 and 0.8μM) for 80hours post fertilization. Development was screened and the impact in the transcription of key genes, i.e., abcb4, abcc1, abcc2, abcg2, cyp1a, cyp3a65, gst, sod, cat, ahr, pxr, pparα, pparβ, pparγ, rxraa, rxrab, rxrbb, rxrga, rxrgb, raraa, rarab, rarga evaluated. In addition, accumulation assays were performed to measure the activity of ABC proteins and antioxidant enzymes (CAT and Cu/ZnSOD) after exposure to FLU. Embryo development was disrupted at the lowest FLU concentration tested (0.0015μM), which is in the range of concentrations found in WWTP effluents. Embryos exposed to higher concentrations of FLU decreased Cu/Zn SOD, and increased CAT (0.0015 and 0.5μM) enzymatic activity. Exposure to higher concentrations of FLU decreased the expression of most genes belonging to the detoxification system and upregulated cat at 0.0015μM of FLU. Most of the tested concentrations downregulated pparα, pparβ, pparγ, and raraa, rxraa, rxrab, rxrbb rxrgb and ahr gene expression while pxr was significantly up regulated at all tested concentrations. In conclusion, this study shows that FLU can impact zebrafish embryo development, at concentrations found in effluents of WWTPs, concomitantly with changes in antioxidant enzymes, and the transcription of key genes involved in detoxification and development. These finding raises additional concerns supporting the need to monitor the presence of this compound in aquatic reservoirs.

Adult pancreatoblastoma - Case report and review of literature

Most cases of pancreatoblastoma, a rare malignant epithelial tumor of the pancreas, are seen in the pediatric population. The rarity of pancreatoblastoma, the similar radiologic findings to those seen in other pancreatic lesions, and its histopathologic heterogeneity, make its preoperative diagnosis in adults a real challenge. We report ultrasound, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging correlative findings of a histologically proven pancreatoblastoma in a 37-year-old woman. Pancreatoblastoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a pancreatic mass presenting uncommon imaging features.

ERP correlates of error processing during performance on the Halstead Category Test

The Halstead Category Test (HCT) is a neuropsychological test that measures a person's ability to formulate and apply abstract principles. Performance must be adjusted based on feedback after each trial and errors are common until the underlying rules are discovered. Event-related potential (ERP) studies associated with the HCT are lacking. This paper demonstrates the use of a methodology inspired on Singular Spectrum Analysis (SSA) applied to EEG signals, to remove high amplitude ocular and movement artifacts during performance on the test. This filtering technique introduces no phase or latency distortions, with minimum loss of relevant EEG information. Importantly, the test was applied in its original clinical format, without introducing adaptations to ERP recordings. After signal treatment, the feedback-related negativity (FRN) wave, which is related to error-processing, was identified. This component peaked around 250ms, after feedback, in fronto-central electrodes. As expected, errors elicited more negative amplitudes than correct responses. Results are discussed in terms of the increased clinical potential that coupling ERP information with behavioral performance data can bring to the specificity of the HCT in diagnosing different types of impairment in frontal brain function.

Control of attention in bipolar disorder: Effects of perceptual load in processing task-irrelevant facial expressions

Bipolar disorder (BD), along with schizophrenia, is one of the most severe psychiatric conditions and is correlated with attentional deficits and emotion dysregulation. Bipolar patients appear to be highly sensitive to the presence of emotional distractors. Yet, no study has investigated whether perceptual load modulates the interference of emotionally distracting information. Our main goal was to test whether bipolar patients are more sensitive to task-irrelevant emotional stimulus, even when the task demands a high amount of attentional resources.

Fourteen participants with BD I or BD II and 14 controls, age- and gender-matched, performed a target-letter discrimination task with emotional task-irrelevant stimulus (angry, happy and neutral facial expressions). Target-letters were presented among five distractor-letters, which could be the same (low perceptual load) or different (high perceptual load). Participants should discriminate the target-letter and ignore the facial expression. Response time and accuracy rate were analyzed.

Results

showed a greater interference of facial stimuli at high load than low load, confirming the effectiveness of perceptual load manipulation. More importantly, patients tarried significantly longer at high load. This is consistent with deficits in control of attention, showing that bipolar patients are more prone to distraction by task-irrelevant stimulus only when the task is more demanding. Moreover, for bipolar patients neutral and angry faces resulted in a higher interference with the task (longer response time), compared to controls, suggesting an attentional bias for neutral and threating social cues. Nevertheless, a more detailed investigation regarding the attentional impairments in social context in BD is needed.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.