Disseminated cutaneous leishmaniasis due to Leishmania(Leishmania) amazonensis in human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)-infected patients: A report of two cases

Rationale: Co-infection of human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) and Leishmania spp. has impact on clinical and therapeutic outcomes of leishmaniases. Most studies do not present the identification of Leishmania species causing American tegumentary leishmaniasis in co-infections. In the Americas, Leishmania(L.) Viannia(V.) braziliensis and L.(V.) guyanensis have been identified. Patient concerns: In this study, two cases of American tegumentary leishmaniasis in patients infected with HIV are described. Patients presented several lesions with rapid dissemination and mucosal involvement. Diagnosis: Disseminated cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by L. amazonensis was identified by molecular test. Interventions: The patients were treated with conventional therapies for HIV infection and American tegumentary leishmaniasis. Outcomes: In co-infection, the clinical manifestations are atypical and the treatment response can be impaired. Lessons: These cases show that HIV infection impacts L. amazonensis infection and point to the relevance of identifying Leishmania species, which can lead to a better patient management.

Anti-inflammatory intestinal activity of Combretum duarteanum Cambess. in trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid colitis model

AIM To evaluate the anti-inflammatory intestinal effect of the ethanolic extract(EtO HE) and hexane phase(HexP) obtained from the leaves of Combretum duarteanum(Cd).METHODS Inflammatory bowel disease was induced using trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid in acute and relapsed ulcerative colitis in rat models. Damage scores, and biochemical, histological and immunohistochemical parameters were evaluated. RESULTS Both Cd-Et OHE and Cd-Hex P caused significant reductions in macroscopic lesion scores and ulcerative l e sionareas. The vegetable samples inhibited myeloperoxidase increase, as well as pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β. Anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 also increased in animals treated with the tested plant samples. The anti-inflammatory intestinal effect is related to decreased expression of cyclooxygenase-2, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and an increase in superoxide dismutase. CONCLUSION The data indicate anti-inflammatory intestinal activity. The effects may also involve participation of the antioxidant system and principal cytokines relating to inflammatory bowel disease.

Comment on “Approximate and Conditional Teleportation of an Unknown Atomic State Without Bell-State Measurement with Two-Photon Interaction”

在一个以前的工作[Commun。Theor。Phys。45 (2006 ) 79 ] 没有钟状态测量，一个计划在有效 Hamiltonian 途径经由二光子的贾内斯·卡明斯模型在一个证完洞为一个未知原子状态的近似、有条件的远距传物被介绍。这个评价介绍一个其他的方法，基于“所谓的完整的二光子的贾内斯·卡明斯·哈米尔托纳恩途径”。因此，它在洞内为任意的平均光子数字描述二光子的退化过程的进化，作为实现在这种情形的远距传物的正确方法。

Stability of Brazilian Seasonally Dry Forests under Climate Change: Inferences for Long-Term Conservation

We identified climatically stable areas of seasonally dry forests (SDFs) from Central Brazil through time and assessed the effectiveness of the current reserves network in representing these climatically stable areas, as well as areas of high suitability in the present or in the future only. We used an ensemble approach based on several methods for ecological niche modelling (ENMs) to obtain potential distributions 16 SDF’ species for past (last glacial maximum), present, and future (end of XXI century) climate scenarios. We then computed how many current Brazilian reserves matched both stable areas (suitable areas for all time periods), present and future geographical ranges alone for each species, in a multi-level gap analysis. We found range shifts due to climate changes for SDF’ species. Although the future geographical range and stable areas for all analyzed species matched at least with one reserve, many protected areas will lose importance in protecting suitable areas for species in the future. Moreover, the current Brazilian reserves cover only a small amount of their climatically stable areas. However, some reserves will be suitable for many SDF’ species (90%) at the same time, but climatically stable for only half of them. Our findings show that vegetation community from SDFs may persist in Brazilian territories until the end of XXI century, and challenges about long-term conservation of the SDFs may be partially reached with already existing Brazilian reserve network, however the reserves should be connected to permit habitat tracking.

Additions of landscape metrics improve predictions of occurrence of species distribution models

Species distribution models are used to aid our understanding of the processes driving the spatial patterns of species’ habitats. This approach has received criticism, however, largely because it neglects landscape metrics. We examined the relative impacts of landscape predictors on the accuracy of habitat models by constructing distribution models at regional scales incorporating environmental variables (climate, topography, vegetation, and soil types) and secondary species occurrence data, and using them to predict the occurrence of 36 species in 15 forest fragments where we conducted rapid surveys. We then selected six landscape predictors at the landscape scale and ran general linear models of species presence/absence with either a single scale predictor (the probabilities of occurrence of the distribution models or landscape variables) or multiple scale predictors (distribution models + one landscape variable). Our results indicated that distribution models alone had poor predictive abilities but were improved when landscape predictors were added; the species responses were not, however, similar to the multiple scale predictors. Our study thus highlights the importance of considering landscape metrics to generate more accurate habitat suitability models.

Development and Characterization of Extruded Broken Rice and Lupine (<i>Lupinus albus</i>)

Mixtures of cereals and legumes result in products with higher content of high biological value proteins. The thermoplastic extrusion promotes the transformation of chemical, physical and nutritional characteristics of the food such as starch gelatinization and promotes the inactivation of anti-nutritional compounds and enzymes. This study aimed to develop products extruded using broken rice and lupine and to evaluate the physical and chemical characteristics of those products. The expansion index (EI), water solubility (WSI), water absorption (WAI), texture and color were determined for the extruded rice, and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) of the extruded rice was also performed. As the rice concentration in the mixture increased, the EI, WSI and WAI values as well as the a* color parameter were increased too, and the brightness was reduced. An increase in the levels of essential amino acids with the addition of lupine grain to the extrudates was observed. SEM analysis identified intact loose starch granules or pellets in the raw materials, and the extruded samples showed a compact and amorphous shape without apparent starch granules. Due to the structural changes and reduced expansion rate of the extruded mixture prepared with lupine and rice grits, use of the extruded mixtures as snacks would not be suitable. However, these mixtures could be used in pre-gelatinized flour to formulate various products to increase the protein level.

Detection of Helicobacter pylori resistance to clarithromycin and fluoroquinolones in Brazil:A national survey

AIM To evaluate bacterial resistance to clarithromycin and fluoroquinolones in Brazil using molecular methods.METHODS The primary antibiotic resistance rates of Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) were determined from November 2012 to March 2015 in the Southern,South-Eastern,Northern,North-Eastern,and Central-Western regions of Brazil. Four hundred ninety H. pylori patients [66% female,mean age 43 years(range: 18-79)] who had never been previously treated for this infection were enrolled. All patients underwent gastroscopy with antrum and corpus biopsies and molecular testing using Geno Type Helico DR(Hain Life Science,Germany). This test was performed to detect the presence of H. pylori and to identify point mutations in the genes responsible for clarithromycin and fluoroquinolone resistance. The molecular procedure was divided into three steps: DNA extraction from the biopsies,multiplex amplification,and reverse hybridization. RESULTS Clarithromycin resistance was found in 83(16.9%) patients,and fluoroquinolone resistance was found in 66(13.5%) patients. There was no statistical difference in resistance to either clarithromycin or fluoroquinolones(P = 0.55 and P = 0.06,respectively) among the different regions of Brazil. Dual resistance to clarithromycin and fluoroquinolones was found in 4.3%(21/490) of patients. The A2147 G mutation was present in 90.4%(75/83),A2146 G in 16.9%(14/83) and A2146 C in 3.6%(3/83) of clarithromycin-resistant patients. In 10.8%(9/83) of clarithromycin-resistant samples,more than 01 mutation in the 23 S r RNA gene was noticed. In fluoroquinolone-resistant samples,37.9%(25/66) showed mutations not specified by the Geno Type Helico DR test. D91 N mutation was observed in 34.8%(23/66),D91 G in 18.1%(12/66),N87 K in 16.6%(11/66) and D91 Y in 13.6%(9/66) of cases. Among fluoroquinolone-resistant samples,37.9%(25/66) showed mutations not specified by the Geno Type Helico DR test. CONCLUSION The H. pylori clarithromycin resistance rate in Brazil is at the borderline(15%-20%) for applying the standard triple therapy. The fluoroquinolone resistance rate(13.5%) is equally concerning.

2-D DOA Estimation in a Cuboid Array Based on Metaheuristic Algorithms and Maximum Likelihood

This paper proposes to apply the genetic algorithm and the firefly algorithm to enhance the estimation of the direction of arrival (DOA) angle of electromagnetic signals of a smart antenna array. This estimation is essential for beamforming, where the antenna array radiating pattern is steered to provide faster and reliable data transmission with increased coverage. This work proposes using metaheuristics to improve a maximum likelihood DOA estimator for an antenna array arranged in a uniform cuboidal geometry. The DOA estimation performance of the proposed algorithm was compared to that of MUSIC on different two dimensions scenarios. The metaheuristic algorithms present better performance than the well-known MUSIC algorithm.

A Resource Allocation Scheme with Delay Optimization Considering mmWave Wireless Networks

This paper presents a resource allocation scheme for wireless networks, aiming at optimizing the users’ data delay. It is proposed to provide optimal delay al-location by solving an optimization problem using idle state prediction and considering 5G characteristics such as mmWave propagation. The perfor-mance of the resource allocation algorithm is verified and compared with oth-ers from the literature using computational simulations in terms of Quality of Service (QoS) parameters such as throughput, delay, fairness index, loss rate and computational complexity. In these simulations, it is also considered the mmWave propagation and carrier aggregation technology for wireless next generation systems, in order to verify the system performance in a high data rate scenario.

Truncated States Obtained by Iteration

We introduce the concept of truncated states obtained via iterative processes （TSI） and study its statistical features, making an analogy with dynamical systems theory （DST）. As a specific example, we have studied TSI for the doubling and the logistic functions, which are standard functions in studying chaos. TSI for both the doubling and logistic functions exhibit certain similar patterns when their statistical features are compared from the point of view of DST.

Quantum communication via controlled holes in the statistical distribution of excitations in a nanoresonator coupled to a Cooper pair box

We propose a scheme to transmit information via the statistical distribution of excitations of a nanomechanical resonator. It employs a controllable coupling between this system and a Cooper pair box. The success probability and the fidelity are calculated and compared with those obtained in an atom-field system in different regimes. Addtionaly, the scheme can also be applied to prepare low excited Fock states.

Total teleportation of zero-and one-photon entangled states in running waves

Inspired by a recent paper [2002 J. Opt. B 4 316] we present an alternative scheme to teleport an entanglement of zero- and one-photon states of a running-wave field. The scheme employs only linear optical elements plus single-photon sources and detectors.

Controlling Excitation Inversion of a Cooper Pair Box Interacting with a Nanomechanical Resonator

We investigate the action of time-dependent detunings upon the excitation inversion of a Cooper pair box interacting with a nanomechanical resonator.The method employs the Jaynes–Cummings model with damping,assuming different decay rates of the Cooper pair box and various fixed and time-dependent detunings.It is shown that,when the presence of damping plus constant detunings destroys the collapse/revival effects,convenient choices of time-dependent detunings allow one to reconstruct such events in a perfect way.It is also shown that the mean excitation of the nanomechanical resonator is more robust against damping of the Cooper pair box for convenient values of time-dependent detunings.

Recycling process and proto-kimberlite melt metasomatism in the lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary beneath the Amazonian Craton recorded by garnet xenocrysts and mantle xenoliths from the Carolina kimberlite

Here we present new data on the major and trace element compositions of silicate and oxide minerals from mantle xenoliths brought to the surface by the Carolina kimberlite,Pimenta Bueno Kimberlitic Field,which is located on the southwestern border of the Amazonian Craton.We also present Sr-Nd isotopic data of garnet xenocrysts and whole-rocks from the Carolina kimberlite.Mantle xenoliths are mainly clinopyroxenites and garnetites.Some of the clinopyroxenites were classified as GPP–PP–PKP(garnet-phlogopite peridotite,phlogopite-peridotite,phlogopite-K-richterite peridotite)suites,and two clinopyroxenites(eclogites)and two garnetites are relicts of an ancient subducted slab.Temperature and pressure estimates yield 855–1102℃ and 3.6–7.0 GPa,respectively.Clinopyroxenes are enriched in light rare earth elements(LREE)(La_(N)/Yb_(N)=5–62;Ce_(N)/Sm_(N)=1–3;where N=primitive mantle normalized values),they have high Ca/Al ratios(10–410),low to medium Ti/Eu ratios(742–2840),and low Zr/Hf ratios(13–26),which suggest they were formed by metasomatic reactions with CO_(2)-rich silicate melts.Phlogopite with high TiO_(2)(>2.0 wt.%),Al_(2)O_(3)(>12.0 wt.%),and FeOt(5.0–13.0 wt.%)resemble those found in the groundmass of kimberlites,lamproites and lamprophyres.Conversely,phlogopite with low TiO_(2)(<1.0 wt.%)and lower Al_(2)O_(3)(<12.0 wt.%)are similar to those present in GPP-PP-PKP,and in MARID(mica-amphibole-rutile-ilmenite-diopside)and PIC(phlogopite-ilmenite-clinopyorxene)xenoliths.The GPP-PP-PKP suite of xenoliths,together with the clinopyroxene and phlogopite major and trace element signatures suggests that an intense proto-kimberlite melt metasomatism occurred in the deep cratonic lithosphere beneath the Amazonian Craton.The Sr-Nd isotopic ratios of pyrope xenocrysts(G3,G9 and G11)from the Carolina kimberlite are characterized by high ^(143)Nd/^(144)Nd(0.51287–0.51371)and eNd(+4.55 to+20.85)accompanied with enriched ^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr(0.70405–0.71098).These results suggest interaction with a proto-kimberlite melt compositionally similar with worldwide kimberlites.Based on Sr-Nd whole-rock compositions,the Carolina kimberlite has affinity with Group 1 kimberlites.The Sm-Nd isochron age calculated with selected eclogitic garnets yielded an age of 291.9±5.4 Ma(2σ),which represents the cooling age after the proto-kimberlite melt metasomatism.Therefore,we propose that the lithospheric mantle beneath the Amazonian Craton records the Paleozoic subduction with the attachment of an eclogitic slab into the cratonic mantle(garnetites and eclogites);with a later metasomatic event caused by proto-kimberlite melts shortly before the Carolina kimberlite erupted.

Development of lamellar gel phase emulsion containing baru oil(Dipteryx alata Vog.) as a prospective delivery system for cutaneous application

The rational design of emulsions requires study of the main factors that influence their formation, physicochemical properties and, consequently, stability and performance. The use of vegetable oils in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries has recently become attractive. Dipteryx alata Vogel(D. alata) is an oleaginous species native to Brazil. The seeds of this species contain highly unsaturated oil with significant amounts of tocopherols and phytosterols, representing an important source of agents capable of combatting oxidative processes. In this work, a lamellar gel phase emulsion using oil extracted from the seeds of D. alata(baru) was developed. The steps involved in the development of this research were as follows: 1) development of formulations and 2) in vitro assays by simulating the evaporation of the final product after application to the skin and Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy(EPR) of fatty acid spin labels was used to investigate the profile of interaction of the dispersed systems with stratum corneum(SC) lipids. The results indicate that the developed system shows no signs of instability during the storage period. Moreover, EPR studies indicated that D. alata oil and especially the developed formulation were able to increase SC lipid fluidity and extract a fatty-acid spin label from the lipid domain structures of SC, demonstrating its potential to act as a drug or skin care vehicle.

Late diagnosis and TCD8 immune response profile of cutaneous tuberculosis: A case report

Introduction: Cutaneous tuberculosis (CTB) is a rare form of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis that, when associated with late diagnosis, worsen the quality of life of the sick individuals. This report presents a case of late diagnosis of CTB. Unusual clinical manifestations retarded the correct tuberculosis diagnosis for more than a year. The immune response elicited by this type of tuberculosis as well as the factors that might contribute to the delay in diagnosis was evaluated and discussed. Methodology: Clinical evaluation and flow cytometric analyses of PBMC were realized for a case of CTB and a healthy individual as a control. Results: M. tuberculosis specific TCD8+ cell response was analyzed by flow cytometry and revealed positive cells for IL-17, IL-10, TGF-β and IDO. The CTB patient presented higher percentage of those cells when compared to a healthy donor. However, TCD8 cells positive for the important protective cytokine, IFN-γ was decreased in the CTB patient. Conclusion. The assessment of the M. tuberculosis specific TCD8+ immune response showed a regulatory/modulatory phenotype with a reduced IFN-γ response when compared to the healthy control that could have contributed to the CTB infection.

Production of Soybean Oil Nanoemulsion (SONE) and Evaluation of Angiogenic and Embryotoxic Activity

The SONE oil/water was prepared using the pseudo-ternary phase diagram, using a low energy method with phase inversion by changing the composition. In order to optimize the preparation of SONE, three speeds were used in the agitator arm and two different rods. The particle size and polydispersity index were determined by Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and the stability test by the freeze-thaw cycle. Angiogenesis in chicken embryo egg chorioallantoic membrane and zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryotoxicity was performed. The lower stirring speed and propeller shaft induced smaller particle size (550.2 nm). Regarding angiogenesis, there was a statistically significant difference for all the evaluated parameters (length, caliber, junctions, and number of blood vessel complexes) and the result was higher in SONE when compared to the inhibition control (Dexamethasone), but lower than the induction control (Regederm®) and there was no statistically significant difference between SONE and distilled water. It was observed that the exposure of the zebrafish embryos to SONE caused an increase in the mortality rate dependent on time and concentration. The LC50 for SONE decreased statistically with increasing exposure (p-value = 0.046). Heart rate decreased significantly with increasing concentration at all exposure times (p-value < 0.05), as a result of progressive embryo mortality. The hatching rate was late until the concentration of 0.0193 mg/mL and no hatching rate was verified from that concentration. Exposure of zebrafish embryos to different concentrations of SONE induced malformations such as spinal changes, pericardial edema and yolk sac edema, but there was no significant difference in the malformation rate of embryos exposed to SONE when compared to the control group. The SONE produced remained stable in the freeze-thaw cycle, with changes only in pH. Despite the low results for embryotoxicity, further studies are needed, aiming at the ideal formulation for angiogenesis purposes.

The Quantum Oscillatory Modulated Potential—Electric Field Wave Packets Produced by Electrons

In this work we are formulating a new theory for describing the waving nature of a microscopic electric particle. Based on the predictions of the Quantum Oscillatory Modulated Potential—QOMP, for describing the interaction between two microscopic electric particles, electron-electron, for instance, we are postulating that the waving behavior of these particles may be an attribute of the charges of the particles and not their masses as currently accepted. For a microscopic electric charge, we are presenting new arguments showing that the electric field in the vicinity of a microscopic charge is spatially waving and can be determined as the gradient per unit of charge of this new quantum interaction potential, with use of an appropriated phase factor to account for the behavior of an unbound electron. Differently of what is predicted by the classical Coulomb electric field, when a charged particle is moving under the action of a potential of V volts, the new electric field existing around the charge has the form of a wave packet. For typical values of the potential V, the wavelength of the waving electric field is in very good agreement with those experimentally observed with diffraction of electrons in crystalline solids.

Real-world disease activity and sociodemographic,clinical and treatment characteristics of moderate-to-severe inflammatory bowel disease in Brazil

BACKGROUND Understanding the treatment landscape of inflammatory bowel diseases(IBD)is essential for improving disease management and patient outcomes.Brazil is the largest Latin American country,and it presents socioeconomic and health care differences across its geographical regions.This country has the highest increase in IBD incidence and prevalence in Latin America,but information about the clinical and treatment characteristics of IBD is scarce.AIM To describe the sociodemographic,clinical,and treatment characteristics of IBD outpatients in Brazil overall and in the Southeast,South and Northeast/Midwest regions.METHODS Multicenter,cross-sectional study with a 3-year retrospective chart review component.Patients with moderate-to-severe Crohn’s disease(CD)or ulcerative colitis(UC)were consecutively enrolled between October 2016 and February 2017.Active CD at enrollment was defined as a Harvey Bradshaw Index≥8 or a CD Activity Index≥220 or a calprotectin level>200μg/g or an active result based on colonoscopy suggestive of inadequate control during the previous year;active UC was defined as a partial Mayo score≥5.Descriptive statistics were used to analyze all variables.RESULTS In a total of 407 included patients,CD was more frequent than UC,both overall(264 CD/143 UC patients)and by region(CD:UC ratios of 2.1 in the Southeast,1.6 in the South and 1.2 in the Northeast/Midwest).The majority of patients were female(54.2%of CD;56.6%of UC),and the mean ages were 45.9±13.8 years(CD)and 42.9±13.0 years(UC).The median disease duration was 10.0(range:0.5-45)years for both IBD types.At enrollment,44.7%[95%confidence interval(CI):38.7-50.7]of CD patients and 25.2%(95%CI:18.1-32.3)of UC patients presented with active disease.More than 95%of IBD patients were receiving treatment at enrollment;CD patients were commonly treated with biologics(71.6%)and immunosuppressors(67.4%),and UC patients were commonly treated with mesalazine[5-Aminosalicylic acid(5-ASA)]derivates(69.9%)and immunosuppressors(44.1%).More than 50%of the CD patients had ileocolonic disease,and 41.7%presented with stricturing disease.One-quarter of CD patients had undergone CD-related surgery in the past 3 years,and this proportion was lower in the Northeast/Midwest region(2.9%).CONCLUSION In Brazil,there are regional variations in IBD management.CD outweighs UC in both frequency and disease activity.However,one-quarter of UC patients have active disease,and most are receiving 5-ASA treatment.

The Quantum Oscillatory Modulated Potential - Part II - The Stability of the Hydrogen Atom

The purpose of this work is to show the stability of the hydrogen atom with the use the Quantum Oscillatory Modulated Potential and the Heisenberg equations of motion, postulating that the electron in the hydrogen atom is behaving as a quantum harmonic oscillator. With the electron confined between two potential barriers, created by the new potential function, we are considering that at absolute temperature the power absorbed or emitted by the electron per unit of time can be used to determine the zero point energy of the oscillator. Assuming that electron is only exchanging energy with the nucleus of the atom we are making use of the operators of creation and annihilation of a photon to explain how the energy between the proton and the electron can be exchanged to keep the atom a stable system.