BACKGROUND The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants can infect common mice inducing significant pathological lung lesions and inflammatory responses. This substantially mimics coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) infection and pathogenesis in humans. OBJECTIVES To characterise the effects of recombinant SARS-CoV-2 S1 receptor-binding domain (RBD) peptide in murine macrophage and microglial cells’ immune activation compared with classical PAMPs in vitro. METHODS Murine RAW 264.7 macrophages and BV2 microglial cells were exposed to increasing concentrations of the RBD peptide (0.01, 0.05, and 0.1 µg/mL), Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and Poly(I:C) and evaluated after two and 24 h for significant markers of macrophage activation. We determined the effects of RBD peptide on cell viability, cleaved caspase 3 expressions, and nuclear morphometry analysis. FINDINGS In RAW cells, RBD peptide was cytotoxic, but not for BV2 cells. RAW cells presented increased arginase activity and IL-10 production; however, BV2 cells expressed iNOS and IL-6 after RBD peptide exposure. In addition, RAW cells increased cleaved-caspase-3, apoptosis, and mitotic catastrophe after RBD peptide stimulation but not BV2 cells. CONCLUSION RBD peptide exposure has different effects depending on the cell line, exposure time, and concentration. This study brings new evidence about the immunogenic profile of RBD in macrophage and microglial cells, advancing the understanding of SARS-Cov2 immuno- and neuropathology.

Abstract Nude mice carry an autosomal recessive mutation in the Foxn1 gene and therefore are homozygous recessive animals (Foxn1 -/-). The fertility rate of homozygous male (Foxn1-/-) is low, which seems to be related to the delay in the production of gametes at the beginning of sexual maturity. The present study evaluated the structural and organizational aspects of the testicles of homozygous and heterozygous offspring related to the Foxn1 gene in mice, describing its implications on spermatogenesis. Adult males Balb/c, Foxn1+/- and Foxn1-/- mice were used. Testes and epididymis were harvested for histological, biochemical, and sperm transit analyses. Gonadal weight was significantly lower in Foxn1+/-and Foxn1-/-animals, the same behavior was noticed for the activity of antioxidant enzymes. In addition, tubular parameters such as epithelial proportion, length, and area, as well as germ and Leydig cell’s populations were significantly reduced in the aforementioned groups, leading to lower sperm production. In conclusion, our results indicate the importance of the Foxn1 in Leydig cell’s function, reflecting in the preservation of spermatogenesis, thus in germ cell’s population and sperm cell production.

Expression profile of a Laccase2 encoding gene during the metamorphic molt in Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera, Apidae). Metamorphosis in holometabolous insects occurs through two subsequent molting cycles: pupation (metamorphic molt) and adult differentiation (imaginal molt). The imaginal molt in Apis mellifera L. was recently investigated in both histological and physiological-molecular approaches. Although the metamorphic molt in this model bee is extremely important to development, it is not well-known yet. In the current study we used this stage as an ontogenetic scenario to investigate the transcriptional profile of the gene Amlac2, which encodes a laccase with an essential role in cuticle differentiation. Amlac2 expression in epidermis was contrasted with the hemolymph titer of ecdysteroid hormones and with the most evident morphological events occurring during cuticle renewal. RT-PCR semiquantitative analyses using integument samples revealed increased levels of Amlac2 transcripts right after apolysis and during the subsequent pharate period, and declining levels near pupal ecdysis. Compared with the expression of a cuticle protein gene, AmelCPR14, these results highlighted the importance of the ecdysteroid-induced apolysis as an ontogenetic marker of gene reactivation in epidermis for cuticle renewal. The obtained results strengthen the comprehension of metamorphosis in Apis mellifera. In addition, we reviewed the literature about the development of A. mellifera, and emphasize the importance of revising the terminology used to describe honey bee molting cycles.

That is an quasi-experimental study that aims to improve and make portable an existing method for projecting light points to estimate geometrical properties of a cavity. A computer vision system was developed in order to process input images and calculate volume and depth of a cavity in a plain surface. An error of 1,51% for depth and -10,42% for volume occurred. So this is an adequate method for estimating geometrical properties of cavities with accuracy errors compatible with those errors described in the literature.

Estudio casi-Aferição não-invasiva de úlcera por pressão simulada em modelo planoexperimental, con el objetivo de perfeccionar el sistema de proyección de los puntos luminosos de un método ya existente, volviéndolo portátil, y verificar la acuracia de ese nuevo sistema. El estúdio realizado a través del desarrollo de um sistema de fotografia digitalizada y procesada por la visión computacional en un modelo de superfície llana. Los resultados mostraron um error de 1,51% para la profundidad y de -10,42% para el volumen, concluyendo ser método adecuado para la evaluación de los descriptos em la literatura.

Estudo quase-experimental, com o qual objetivou aperfeiçoar o sistema de projeção dos pontos luminosos de um método já existente, tornando-o portátil, e verificar a acurácia desse novo sistema. O estudo foi realizado por meio do desenvolvimento de um sistema de fotografia digitalizada e processada pela visão computacional em um modelo de superfície plana. Os resultados mostraram erro de 1,51% para a profundidade e de -10,42% para o volume, concluindo ser um método adequado para aferição de profundidade e volume com erros de acurácia compatíveis com os descritos na literatura.

Estudo quase-experimental, com o qual objetivou aperfeiçoar o sistema de projeção dos pontos luminosos de um método já existente, tornando-o portátil, e verificar a acurácia desse novo sistema. O estudo foi realizado por meio do desenvolvimento de um sistema de fotografia digitalizada e processada pela visão computacional em um modelo de superfície plana. Os resultados mostraram erro de 1,51% para a profundidade e de -10,42% para o volume, concluindo ser um método adequado para aferição de profundidade e volume com erros de acurácia compatíveis com os descritos na literatura.

That is an quasi-experimental study that aims to improve and make portable an existing method for projecting light points to estimate geometrical properties of a cavity. A computer vision system was developed in order to process input images and calculate volume and depth of a cavity in a plain surface. An error of 1,51% for depth and -10,42% for volume occurred. So this is an adequate method for estimating geometrical properties of cavities with accuracy errors compatible with those errors described in the literature.

Estudio casi-Aferição não-invasiva de úlcera por pressão simulada em modelo planoexperimental, con el objetivo de perfeccionar el sistema de proyección de los puntos luminosos de un método ya existente, volviéndolo portátil, y verificar la acuracia de ese nuevo sistema. El estúdio realizado a través del desarrollo de um sistema de fotografia digitalizada y procesada por la visión computacional en un modelo de superfície llana. Los resultados mostraron um error de 1,51% para la profundidad y de -10,42% para el volumen, concluyendo ser método adecuado para la evaluación de los descriptos em la literatura.

CONTEXTO: Uma vez que a obstrução arterial periférica pode se apresentar de maneira difusa, com clínica diversa e com resultados de intervenção variados, é fundamental que a avaliação dos pacientes com doença arterial obstrutiva periférica seja feita com instrumentos que possam apresentar dados objetivos e reprodutíveis. OBJETIVO: Investigar e contrastar a confiabilidade do teste de caminhada de 6 minutos (T6M) com teste de deslocamento bidirecional progressivo (TDBP) em indivíduos claudicantes portadores de doença arterial obstrutiva periférica. MÉTODOS: Quatorze pacientes em estágio II de Fontaine participaram deste estudo piloto. Onze pacientes realizaram ambos os testes e três realizaram apenas T6M. Após familiarização, os pacientes foram avaliados em duas ocasiões distintas com intervalo máximo de 1 semana entre si. O coeficiente de correlação de intraclasse (ICC2,1) foi utilizado para avaliação da reprodutibilidade teste-reteste. RESULTADOS: A média da distância máxima de caminhada no teste e no reteste no T6M foi de 397,04±120,74 e 408,6±153,64 metros (p = 0,58), respectivamente, com ICC = 0,87 (p = 0,00005); já no TDBP, a média foi de 345±145,75 metros e, no reteste, de 345,91±127,97 (p = 0,92), com ICC = 0,99 (p = 0,00005). O tempo médio para surgimento da dor inicial, em segundos, com o T6M, foi de 172,25±88,23 (teste) e 148,58±70,36 (reteste) (p = 0,13), com ICC = 0,81 (p = 0,0004). No TDBP, o tempo médio foi de 282±141,90 (teste) e 267,14±150,58 (reteste) (p = 0,55), com ICC = 0,91 (p = 0,0008). CONCLUSÃO: Ambos os testes de caminhada são confiáveis e úteis para avaliação clínico-funcional desses pacientes. O TDBP, entretanto, gerou índices de confiabilidade mais elevados, podendo ser melhor opção para avaliação da performance desses indivíduos.

BACKGROUND: Considering that peripheral arterial obstruction is a diffuse condition, manifesting as a variable clinical feature and with varied intervention outcomes, it is important to assess patients with peripheral artery occlusive disease using instruments that may provide objective and reliable data. OBJECTIVE: To investigate and compare the reliability of both the 6-minute walking test (6MWT) and the shuttle walking test (SWT) in patients with claudication secondary to peripheral artery occlusive disease. METHODS: Fourteen Fontaine stage II patients participated in the study. Eleven patients were submitted to both tests, while three patients only performed the 6MWT. After familiarization, the patients were tested on two occasions, with maximal 1-week interval between measurements. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC2,1) was used to check for test-retest reliability. RESULTS: Mean maximal walking distance for the 6MWT in both test and retest was 397.04±120.74 and 408.6±153.64 m (p = 0.58) respectively; ICC = 0.87 (p = 0.00005). For the SWT, mean was 345±145.75 m, and 345.91±127.97 m in the retest (p = 0.92); ICC = 0.99 (p = 0.00005). Mean times for claudication onset with the 6MWT test-retest were 172.25±88.23 and 148.58±70.36 s (p = 0.13); ICC = 0.81 (p = 0.0004); while for the SWT these values were 282±141.90 and 267.14±150.58 s (p = 0.55); ICC = 0.91 (p = 0.0008). CONCLUSION: Both walking tests are reliable and can be used for clinical and functional assessment of these patients. The SWT, however, yielded higher reliability coefficients, which suggests that it may be preferable to evaluate these individuals' performance.