HLA-typing analysis following allogeneic bone grafting for sinus lifting

According to the Brazilian Association of Organ Transplants, in 2015, 19,408 bone transplants were performed in Brazil, over 90% by Dental Surgeons. The surgical technique itself has a respectable number of reports regarding its clinical efficacy, as measured by long-term survival of dental implants in grafted areas. Uncertainty remains, however, as to whether fresh frozen grafts from human bone donors remain immunologically innocuous in the body of the host. Six male with no previous medical history of note, including systemic diseases, surgery or blood transfusion were selected. These patients underwent reconstructive procedures (sinus lifting) using fresh frozen human bone from a tissue bank. All patients had venous blood samples collected prior to surgery and 6 months after the procedure. Anti-HLA analysis for the detection of HLA (human leukocyte antigen) antibodies was performed using methods such as the LABScreen PRA Class I and Class II, LABScreen Single Antigen Class I and Class II, Luminex Platform. Reactive individuals to the screening tests (LABScreen PRA) were further investigated to determine the specificity of the antibodies detected (LABScreen Single Antigen) with a cutoff value of median fluorescence intensity ≥500. As a result, it was observed that two patients (33%) were positive in screening tests, one presenting with anti-HLA Class I and II sensitization and the other with anti-HLA class II. The specificity analysis showed that the patients sensitized to HLA class II presented 4 specificities, 3 of which immunologically relevant. In the second individual, 23 specificities were identified, 6 of which immunologically important for HLA class I and 4 specificities for HLA class II, 3 of these were immunologically important. All specificities detected had average fluorescence. These findings are suggestive that sinus-lifting procedures with allogeneic bone can induce immunological sensitization.     

Presence of Epstein-Barr virus receptors, but absence of virus penetration, in cells of an Epstein-Barr virus genome-negative human lymphoblastoid T line (Molt 4).

This paper reports a unique type of interaction of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) with an EBV receptor-positive, genome-negative human lymphoid T cell line (Molt 4), which can be summarized as follows. Although Molt 4 cells express receptors for EBV, they appear to block the penetration of this virus. These observations are derived from combined studies with immunofluorescence and electron microscopy. It is possible that T cell lines bearing receptors for EBV may express such a control on virus penetration.     

Nonlinear system identification using a neo fuzzy neuron algorithm: electrical drive application

This work presents a Neo-Fuzzy-Neuron algorithm for the identification of nonlinear dynamic systems at the point of view of a rotor flux observer. The algorithm training is on-line, has low computational cost, does not require previous training and its convergence in one step is proved. The gradient descent method is used for its weights adjustment. Simulation and experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the algorithm for flux observer of induction motor drive system.     

Relationship Among Phenolic Contents,Seed Predation,and Physical Seed Traits in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mimosa bimucronata</Emphasis> Plants

Phenolic contents were compared between Mimosa bimucronata seeds from infested and non-infested fruits to assess induced defense response. By measuring leg length of the bruchid beetle Acanthoscelides schrankiae, we verified whether phenolic contents affected bruchid body size. In addition, the relationship between physical seed traits and phenolic contents was examined. Results showed that seeds from infested fruits had significantly greater phenolic contents than seeds from non-infested fruits, which suggested induced defense. Body size variation in A. schrankiae was marginally nonsignificant according to phenolic contents among plants (negative trend), indicating that phenols may interfere directly with bruchid performance. Seeds that were more irregularly shaped had significantly greater phenolic contents than those that were more uniform. Therefore, the most perfectly spherical seeds may be more vulnerable to seed predation, and our results suggest that the production of phenolic compounds was increased in infested fruits, which in turn may affect A. schrankiae development.     

Immunohistochemical detection of polyductin and co-localization with liver progenitor cell markers during normal and abnormal development of the intrahepatic biliary system and in adult hepatobiliary carcinomas

The longest open reading frame of PKHD1 (polycystic kidney and hepatic disease 1), the autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD) gene, encodes a single-pass, integral membrane protein named polyductin or fibrocystin. A fusion protein comprising its intracellular C-terminus, FP2, was previously used to raise a polyclonal antiserum shown to detect polyductin in several human tissues, including liver. In the current study, we aimed to investigate by immunohistochemistry the detailed polyductin localization pattern in normal (ductal plate [DP], remodelling ductal plate [RDP], remodelled bile ducts) and abnormal development of the primitive intrahepatic biliary system, known as ductal plate malformation (DPM). This work also included the characterization of polyductin expression profile in various histological forms of neonatal and infantile cholestasis, and in cholangiocellular carcinoma (CCC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We detected polyductin expression in the intrahepatic biliary system during the DP and the RDP stages as well as in DPM. No specific staining was found at the stage of remodelled bile ducts. Polyductin was also detected in liver biopsies with neonatal cholestasis, including mainly biliary atresia and neonatal hepatitis with ductular reaction as well as congenital hepatic fibrosis. In addition, polyductin was present in CCC, whereas it was absent in HCC. Polyductin was also co-localized in some DP cells together with oval stem cell markers. These results represent the first systematic study of polyductin expression in human pathologies associated with abnormal development of intrahepatic biliary tree, and support the following conclusions: (i) polyductin expression mirrors developmental properties of the primitive intrahepatic biliary system; (ii) polyductin is re-expressed in pathological conditions associated with DPM and (iii) polyductin might be a potential marker to distinguish CCC from HCC.     

The Effects of Bacterial Leaching on Metal Partitioning in Sewage Sludge

The partitioning of Mn, Al, Zn, Cu and Ti ions in municipal sewage sludge was investigated before and after bioleaching processes effectuated by Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans and Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans. Oxidation–reduction potential increase and pH decrease were obtained as a result of bacterial activity. A less pronounced and constant decrease was obtained with A. ferrooxidans, whereas A. thiooxidans presented a lag phase before a steep pH decrease. Metal solubilization was accomplished in experimental systems supplemented with energy source, Fe²⁺ for A. ferrooxidans and S⁰ for A. thiooxidans. Solubilization efficiency differed for each metal except for Al, and was relatively similar for either organism. Metal partitioning was conducted using a five-step sequential extraction procedure before and after the bioleaching. The results indicated that Zn and Mn ions were mostly associated with the organic fraction, whereas Cu, Al and Ti ions with the sulphide/residue fraction. The bioleaching process caused prompt solubilization of metals mostly associated with the more labile fractions (exchangeable, adsorbed and organically bound metals), whereas those associated to the less labile ones (EDTA and sulphide/residue fractions) were exchanged towards more labile fractions.     

Integrated Analyses of Cuticular Hydrocarbons,Chromosome and mtDNA in the Neotropical Social Wasp <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mischocyttarus consimilis</Emphasis> Zikán (Hymenoptera,Vespidae)

In the present work, we explored multiple data from different biological levels such as cuticular hydrocarbons, chromosomal features, and mtDNA sequences in the Neotropical social wasp Mischocyttarus consimilis (J.F. Zikán). Particularly, we explored the genetic and chemical differentiation level within and between populations of this insect. Our dataset revealed shallow intraspecific differentiation in M. consimilis. The similarity among the analyzed samples can probably be due to the geographical proximity where the colonies were sampled, and we argue that Paraná River did not contribute effectively as a historical barrier to this wasp.     

The genetic diversity and phenotypic characterisation of Streptococcus agalactiae isolates from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Streptococcus agalactiae isolates are more common among pregnant women, neonates and nonpregnant adults with underlying diseases compared to other demographic groups. In this study, we evaluate the genetic and phenotypic diversity in S. agalactiae strains from Rio de Janeiro (RJ) that were isolated from asymptomatic carriers. We analysed these S. agalactiae strains using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), serotyping and antimicrobial susceptibility testing, as well as by determining the macrolide resistance phenotype, and detecting the presence of the ermA/B, mefA/E and lnuB genes. The serotypes Ia, II, III and V were the most prevalent serotypes observed. The 60 strains analysed were susceptible to penicillin, vancomycin and levofloxacin. Resistance to clindamycin, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, rifampin and tetracycline was observed. Among the erythromycin and/or clindamycin resistant strains, the ermA, ermB and mefA/E genes were detected and the constitutive macrolides, lincosamides and streptogramin B-type resistance was the most prevalent phenotype observed. The lnuB gene was not detected in any of the strains studied. We found 56 PFGE electrophoretic profiles and only 22 of them were allocated in polymorphism patterns. This work presents data on the genetic diversity and prevalent capsular serotypes among RJ isolates. Approximately 85% of these strains came from pregnant women; therefore, these data may be helpful in developing future prophylaxis and treatment strategies for neonatal syndromes in RJ.