Abstract Background Little is known about the ultrastructure of Piedraia hortae. Objective To examine a P. hortae colony with scanning electron microscopy and investigate possible contributions to its the pathogenesis of black piedra. Results On low magnifications, two distinct aspects of the colony are identified, a compact area and a filamentous area. Analysis of the filamentous area demonstrates hyphae adhered by a thin reticular substance. A recurring finding is the adhesion between the fungal filaments in parallel. On high magnifications, the microfibrillar substance adhering the hyphae to each other becomes very evident. Examination of the compact area shows the hyphae embedded in the reticular matrix forming a biofilm and the colony well adhered. On high magnification, it can be observed that the hyphae are within this fibrillar matrix, which has the same appearance as the filamentous substance that adheres the hyphae to each other. Study limitations Only one strain was examined. Conclusions The formation of biofilm with fungal structures and reticulated extracellular substance is important in the pathogenesis of black piedra. P piedra magnifications identified parallel evident magnification examined

Abstract This study evaluated the median lethal concentration of silver nanoparticles and their effects in fish tambaqui Colossoma macropomum. Therefore, an acute toxicity assay was carried out in completely randomized design evaluating six different concentrations of silver nanoparticles on blood parameters of tambaqui. The silver nanoparticles were produced by chemical reduction with polyvinyl alcohol (AgNP-PVA). The lethal concentration 50% (LC50) was estimated using probit regression. The blood was collected, analyzed and the data were submitted to T-test (dying x surviving fish) and Tukey test (surviving fish). An increase in glucose, hematocrit, total plasma protein, hemoglobin, erythrocytes, leukocytes, monocytes, and neutrophils as well as reduced MCV (mean corpuscular volume) in dying fish compared to surviving fish were observed. Survived fish exposed to 187.5 µg/L showed an increase in hematocrit, MCV, and MCH and a reduction in erythrocytes, total numbers of leukocyte, thrombocyte, lymphocyte, and neutrophil. The fish exposed to concentrations below 125 µg/L, had returned the blood parameter to baselines compared to control. The estimated LC50 was 165.09 µg/L and was classified as highly toxic for the fish tambaqui. In higher concentrations, it causes an acute respiratory toxicity, but in concentrations below 125 µg/L, the fish can adapt to the stressing agent. macropomum Therefore AgNPPVA. AgNPPVA AgNP PVA . (AgNP-PVA) 50 LC (LC50 regression collected Ttest T fish. glucose hematocrit protein hemoglobin erythrocytes leukocytes monocytes mean volume observed 1875 187 5 187. µgL µg L leukocyte thrombocyte lymphocyte neutrophil 12 control LC5 16509 165 09 165.0 agent (AgNP-PVA (LC5 18 1 1650 16 0 165. (LC

Indirubin is an isomer of the blue dye indigo. It is widely used in Chinese medicine as part of therapy against many diseases and, thus, its skeleton becomes a promising candidate for new drug prototypes. Since it has low solubility, its properties could be improved through the insertion of hydrophilic and pharmacophoric groups, such as sugars bridged to 1,2,3-triazoles. Here, we report the synthesis of indirubin-based compounds evaluating two different routes: via the aldol condensation reaction of triazole-isatin derivatives with 3-acetoxyindole (pathway A) and reductive coupling of isatin, followed by N-propargylation of indirubin. We also performed reactivity studies guided by density functional theory (DFT) calculations (pathway B). As a demonstration, we simulate interactions with the glycogen synthase kinase 3β enzyme, which is associated with neurodegenerative diseases, through both molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. indigo thus prototypes solubility groups 1,2,3triazoles. 123triazoles triazoles 1,2,3 triazoles. 1 2 3 1,2,3-triazoles Here indirubinbased indirubin based routes triazoleisatin triazole isatin 3acetoxyindole acetoxyindole pathway A Npropargylation N propargylation DFT (DFT B. B . B) demonstration β enzyme simulations 3triazoles 1,2,3triazoles 123 1,2, 12 1,2 1,

Tucumã (Astrocaryum aculeatum) pulp presents a large number of secondary metabolites that can mediate the synthesis of metallic nanoparticles through a greener and more sustainable synthetic route than traditional ones. This study investigated the production of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) mediated by aqueous extracts of tucumã pulp assessing different parameters, such as temperature, concentration of extract, and pH values of the reaction media. The alkaline reaction media produced the most intense and well-defined bands around 400 nm in the electronic spectra, indicating the formation of AgNPs in the three concentrations of tucumã pulp evaluated. The increase in the temperature of the reaction media also enhanced the surface plasmon resonance band of AgNPs but it increased the polydispersivity of produced nanoparticles according to the dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) data. Zeta potential results indicated moderate stability of the AgNPs (close to -30 mV). Antimicrobial assessment of the colloidal metal particles indicated microbicide activity against the Gram-negative Escherichia coli bacterium. Astrocaryum aculeatum ones (AgNPs parameters extract welldefined well defined 40 spectra evaluated DLS (DLS TEM (TEM data close 30 -3 mV. mV . mV) Gramnegative Gram negative bacterium 4 3 -

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Since the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in March 2020, several studies have shown a strong relationship between obesity and severe cases of COVID-19. It is imperative to assess whether bariatric surgery exerts a protective effect in such cases. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the impact of bariatric surgery on the morbidity and mortality in obese patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. A comprehensive search was performed using the PubMed and Cochrane Library databases. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective cohort studies conducted in the Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Cidade de São Paulo, São Paulo (SP), Brazil. METHODS: The search comprised the following descriptors: “bariatric, surgery, COVID-19”. Current retrospective cohort studies that examined the influence of bariatric surgery on the morbidity and mortality of obese patients during the COVID-19 pandemic were considered eligible. RESULTS: After removing duplicates, 184 studies were obtained from the databases. Of these, 181 were excluded from the analysis as they did not meet the eligibility criteria. Patients undergoing postoperative follow-up of bariatric surgery had a similar probability of SARS-CoV-2 infection compared to the general population, and persistent comorbidities were associated with an increased risk and severity of infection. CONCLUSION: Bariatric surgery has a protective effect against severe COVID-19 in the obese population, bringing the prevalence of severe disease cases to levels equivalent to those of the nonobese general population, with a positive impact on morbidity and mortality. BACKGROUND 201 COVID19 COVID 19 (COVID-19 2020 COVID19. 19. OBJECTIVE COVID-1 databases SETTING SP, SP , (SP) Brazil METHODS descriptors bariatric, “bariatric . COVID-19” eligible RESULTS duplicates 18 these criteria followup follow up SARSCoV2 SARSCoV SARS CoV 2 SARS-CoV- population CONCLUSION 20 COVID1 1 (COVID-1 202 COVID- (SP SARS-CoV (COVID- (COVID

RESUMO Medidas da biodiversidade podem ser usadas para avaliar a escala de impactos antropogênicos e prever a perda de espécies. Existem muitas medidas de diversidade envolvendo riqueza e abundância relativa de espécies, que diferem na forma em que são calculadas. A escolha da medida de biodiversidade adequada para comparar diferentes comunidades biológicas representa um desafio. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a capacidade de 26 medidas de diversidade para diferenciar classes de cobertura do solo na Amazônia oriental brasileira. A diversidade foi inventariada e quantificada em três estratos verticais em seis tipos de cobertura do solo localmente dominantes: florestas primárias e secundárias, plantações de dendezeiros, sistemas agroflorestais, áreas de cultivo anual e pastagens. Nenhuma medida de diversidade foi capaz de diferenciar todas as classes de cobertura em cada estrato. O alfa de Fisher foi capaz de diferenciar tipos de cobertura nos estratos médio e superior, enquanto o Smith-Wilson e o quociente de mistura de Jentsch diferenciaram nos estratos inferiores e superiores, e os índices de heterogeneidade apenas diferenciaram no estrato superior. A distinção e a ordenação da diversidade de plantas entre as coberturas dependeram da escolha da medida de diversidade. O número e os tipos de cobertura da terra e de estratos verticais foram um fator chave na capacidade de distinção das medidas de diversidade. espécies calculadas desafio 2 brasileira dominantes secundárias dendezeiros agroflorestais pastagens superior SmithWilson Smith Wilson superiores

ABSTRACT Measurements of biodiversity can be used to assess the scale of anthropogenic impact and predict species loss. A great number of diversity measures exist involving species richness and relative abundance that differ in how they are calculated. The choice of the adequate biodiversity measure to compare biological communities poses a challenge. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of 26 diversity measures to differentiate land cover types in the eastern Brazilian Amazon. Diversity was inventoried and quantified in three vertical strata in six locally dominant land cover types: primary and secondary forests, agroforestry systems, oil palm plantations, annual croplands and pastures. No diversity measure was able to differentiate all land cover types in every stratum. Fisher’s alpha was able to differentiate cover types in the middle and upper strata, while Smith-Wilson and Jentsch’s mixture quotient were able to differentiate in the lower and upper strata, and heterogeneity indices only differentiated in the upper stratum. The distinction and ranking of plant diversity among land covers depended on the diversity measure chosen. The number and types of land cover and vertical strata were a key factor in the ability of the diversity measure to differentiate among them. loss calculated challenge 2 Amazon forests systems plantations pastures stratum Fishers Fisher s SmithWilson Smith Wilson Jentschs Jentsch chosen them

Abstract Introduction The devasting effects of COVID-19 have caused economic and health impacts worldwide. Anesthesiologists were one of the key professionals fighting the pandemic and have been highly exposed at their multiple sites of clinical practice. Thus, the importance of determining the nature of the infection in this population that provides care to SARS-CoV-2 patients. Method We conducted a cross-sectional study administering an online questionnaire to examine the demographic and epidemiological profile of these professionals in Brazil, and to describe the risk factors for viral infection during the pandemic. Results A total of 1,127 anesthesiologists answered the questionnaire, 55.2% were men, more than 90% with age below 60 years, with infection and reinfection rates of 14.7% and 0.5%, respectively, and 47.2% reported a significant income reduction. The predictors of COVID-19 contamination were practicing in operating rooms (OR = 0.42; 95% CI 0.23-0.78), direct contact with infected patients (OR = 5.74; 95% CI 3.05-11.57), indirect contact with infected patients (OR = 2.43; 95% CI 1.13-5.33), working in a pre-hospital setting (OR = 2.36; 95% CI 1.04-5.03), and presence of immunosuppression, except for cancer (OR = 4.89; 95% CI 1.16-19.01). Conclusion COVID-19 had enormous consequences on Brazilian anesthesiologists regarding sociodemographic aspects and contamination rates (5.57 times higher than in the general population). These are alarming and unprecedented findings for this professional group, as they reveal the considerable risk of infection and its independent predictor variables.

Abstract Objective So far, at least 18 different severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 vaccines have been approved. Until October 2022, 12.8 billion doses had been administered all over the world. Vaccination of high-risk groups and healthcare professionals was initially prioritized. This cross-sectional survey aimed to investigate the occurrence of vaccine side effects, as well as the incidence of COVID-19 among vaccinated healthcare professionals. Methods A survey was structured and shared with healthcare professionals using a digital platform to collect data between May and June 2021. Results This study included 6,115 participants. The most prevalent age group was 30-39 years (31.3%), 67.3% were female and 73.2% accounted for physicians, and nearly half worked in frontline care for COVID-19. Approximately, two-thirds of them were vaccinated with CoronaVac, and about 60% reported at least one side effect following the vaccination. Nevertheless, minor reactions were more frequent, such as pain at site of injection, fatigue, and headache. Our data could be used to inform people on the likelihood of side effects of COVID-19 vaccines, particularly CoronaVac, since this is the largest study about vaccine reactions using this vaccine, to our best knowledge. Conclusion The incidence of side effects in Brazilian healthcare professionals was 60%, and the most common side effects included local swelling/pain, fatigue/tiredness, fever, headache, and limb pain.