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The complement system, a vital component of innate immunity, consists of various proteins and pathways crucial for the recognition and elimination of pathogens. In addition, it plays a major role in the initiation of adaptive response through the opsonization of antigens, contributing to B-cell activation and memory maintenance. Deficiencies in complement proteins, particularly C3, can lead to severe and recurrent infections as well as immune complex disorders. Here, we present a case report of two siblings with total C3 deficiency resulting from compound heterozygous mutations in C3 (NM_000064.4): c.305dup; [p.Asn103GlnfsTer66] and c.1269 + 5G>T, previously unreported in C3-related diseases. Both, the index case and her sister, presented a history of recurrent infections since early childhood and one of them developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Immunological evaluation revealed absent plasma C3 levels, decreased memory B cells, hypogammaglobulinemia, and impaired response to polysaccharide antigens. The siblings showed partial responses to antimicrobial prophylaxis and vaccination, requiring intravenous immunoglobulin replacement therapy, resulting in clinical improvement. Genetic analysis identified additional risk polymorphisms associated with atypical HUS. This case highlights the importance of comprehensive genetic and immunological evaluations in complement deficiencies, along with the potential role of immunoglobulin replacement therapy in managing associated antibody defects.
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In recent years, novel apoC3 inhibitor therapies for the treatment of hypertriglyceridemia have been developed and assessed through phase II and III clinical trials. The objective of this study was to perform an updated meta-analysis on the impact of new apoC3 inhibitor drugs on triglyceride and apoC3 levels, as well as on the incidence of pancreatitis. We conducted a meta-analysis of randomized, placebo-controlled studies assessing the effects of apoC3 inhibitors therapy (antisense oligonucleotides and small interfering RNA) on triglyceride levels, apoC3 levels, and the occurrence of acute pancreatitis. This meta-analysis was performed according to PRISMA guidelines. The random-effects model was performed. Nine randomized clinical trials (n = 717 patients) were considered eligible for this systematic review. ApoC3 inhibitor drugs were consistently associated with decreased triglyceride levels (MD -57.0%; 95% CI -61.9 to -52.1, I2 82%) and lowered apoC3 values (MD -76; 95% CI -80.1 to -71.8, I2 77%) when compared to placebo. Furthermore, the use of apoC3 inhibitor drugs demonstrated a reduction in the risk of acute pancreatitis (OR 0.11; 95% CI 0.04 to 0.27, I2 0%). The present updated meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials demonstrated that the utilization of apoC3 inhibitors in patients with hypertriglyceridemia correlated with reduced apoC3 and triglyceride levels, along with a decreased risk of acute pancreatitis compared to the placebo.
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The intricate regulation of flowering time in response to day length has been extensively shown. A recent study has now revealed a similar mechanism for regulating vegetative growth. Wang et al. observed that plants measure daylength as the duration of photosynthesis and metabolite production to modulate vegetative growth.
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In this study, UiO-67 (Zr)/g-C3N4 composites (U67N) were synthesized at wt.% ratios of 05:95, 15:85, and 30:70 using the solvothermal method at 80 °C for 24 h followed by calcination at 350 °C. The composites were characterized using UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and nitrogen physisorption analysis. In addition, thermal stability analysis of UiO-67 was conducted using thermogravimetric analysis. The photocatalytic performance of the composites was assessed during the degradation and mineralization of a mixture of methylparaben (MeP) and propylparaben (PrP) under simulated sunlight. The adsorption process of U67N 15:85 was characterized through kinetic studies and adsorption capacity experiments, which were modeled using pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order kinetics and Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms, respectively. The influence of pH levels 3, 5, and 7 on the photocatalytic degradation of the mixture was investigated, revealing enhanced degradation and mineralization at pH 3. The U67N composite exhibited dual capability in removing contaminants through adsorption and photocatalytic processes. Among the prepared composites, U67N 15:85 demonstrated the highest photocatalytic activity, achieving removal efficiencies of 96.8% for MeP, 92.5% for PrP, and 45.7% for total organic carbon in 300 kJ/m2 accumulated energy (3 h of reaction time). The detoxification of the effluent was confirmed through acute toxicity evaluation using the Vibrio fischeri method. The oxidation mechanism of the heterojunction formed between UiO-67 (Zr) and g-C3N4 was proposed based on PL analysis, photoelectrochemistry studies (including photocurrent response, Nyquist, and Mott-Schottky analyses), and scavenger assays.
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Parabenos , Poluentes Químicos da Água , Parabenos/química , Adsorção , Poluentes Químicos da Água/química , Estruturas Metalorgânicas/química , Catálise , CinéticaRESUMO
Mother-infant bonding is influenced by several risk and protective factors, and the literature has investigated the relationships between these factors independently. This study aimed to verify the interrelationships of some of these factors and how they influence mother-infant bonding in Brazil. In this study, 361 mothers participated, and the outcome variable of mother-infant bonding was assessed using the Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire (PBQ). Multivariate regression analysis was performed using a hierarchical model with three blocks structured according to the influence exerted on mother-infant bonding. The PBQ's factor scores were estimated and used in the subsequent analyses to decrease measurement error. The variable "violence experienced by mothers" was statistically significant for explaining the second block model but not significant for the third block. Network analysis was performed after multiple regression, showing that the violence experienced by mothers does not directly influence mother-infant bonding but rather is mediated by postpartum depression. This explains why violence is not significant in the hierarchical multiple regression when maternal depression is added to the model. This study's strengths lie in its utilization of PBQ factor scores and network analysis, enabling the estimation of conditional relationships among variables. This approach provides deeper insights into factors affecting mother-infant bonding.
Varios factores de riesgo y de protección ejercen influencia sobre la unión afectiva madreinfante; la literatura disponible ha investigado las relaciones entre estos factores de una manera independiente. Este estudio se propuso verificar las interrelaciones de algunos de estos factores y cómo ellos influyen en la unión afectiva madreinfante. Se consultó un total de 361 madres y el variable resultado de afectividad madreinfante se evaluó por medio del Cuestionario de Afectividad de Postparto (PBQ). Se llevaron a cabo análisis de regresión multivariados usando un modelo jerárquico con tres estructuras de bloques de acuerdo con la influencia ejercida sobre la unión afectiva madreinfante. Se estimaron y usaron los puntajes de factores del PBQ en los análisis subsecuentes para disminuir el error en la medida. La variable "violencia experimentada por las madres" fue estadísticamente significativa para explicar el segundo modelo de bloque, pero no significativa para el tercer bloque. Se llevó a cabo un análisis de interrelaciones después de la regresión múltiple, demostrando que la violencia experimentada por las madres no influye directamente la afectividad madreinfante, sino que la misma es mediada por la depresión posterior al parto. Esto explica por qué la violencia no es significativa en la jerárquica regresión múltiple cuando la depresión materna se le agrega al modelo. Entre los puntos fuertes de este estudio se incluye el uso de los puntajes de factores del PBQ y el análisis de interrelaciones, lo cual permitió que se estimaran las relaciones condicionales existente dentro del grupo de variables, aportando una mayor comprensión de algunos factores que interfieren en la unión afectiva madreinfante.
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Depressão Pós-Parto , Relações Mãe-Filho , Mães , Apego ao Objeto , Humanos , Depressão Pós-Parto/psicologia , Relações Mãe-Filho/psicologia , Feminino , Adulto , Mães/psicologia , Lactente , Brasil , Adulto Jovem , Inquéritos e Questionários , Violência/psicologia , MasculinoRESUMO
Driven by the United Nations Decade on Restoration and international funding initiatives, such as the Mangrove Breakthrough, investment in mangrove restoration is expected to increase. Yet, mangrove restoration efforts frequently fail, usually because of ad hoc site-selection processes that do not consider mangrove ecology and the socioeconomic context. Using decision analysis, we developed an approach that accounts for socioeconomic and ecological data to identify sites with the highest likelihood of mangrove restoration success. We applied our approach in the Biosphere Reserve Marismas Nacionales Nayarit, Mexico, an area that recently received funding for implementing mangrove restoration actions. We identified 468 potential restoration sites, assessed their restorability potential based on socioeconomic and ecological metrics, and ranked sites for implementation with spatial optimization. The metrics we used included favorable conditions for propagules to establish and survive under sea-level rise, provision of ecosystem services, and community dynamics. Sites that were selected based on socioeconomic or ecological metrics alone had lower likelihood of mangrove restoration success than sites that were selected based on integrated socioeconomic and ecological metrics. For example, selecting sites based on only socioeconomic metrics captured 16% of the maximum attainable value of functioning mangroves able to provide propagules to potential restoration sites, whereas selecting sites based on ecological and socioeconomic metrics captured 46% of functioning mangroves. Our approach was developed as part of a collaboration between nongovernmental organizations, local government, and academics under rapid delivery time lines given preexisting mangrove restoration implementation commitments. The systematic decision process we used integrated socioeconomic and ecological considerations even under short delivery deadlines, and our approach can be adapted to help mangrove restoration site-selection decisions elsewhere.
Integración de datos socioeconómicos y ecológicos en las prácticas de restauración Resumen Se espera que la inversión en la restauración de los manglares incremente debido a la Década de Restauración de las Naciones Unidad y las iniciativas internacionales de financiamiento, como The Mangrove Breakthrough. Sin embargo, los esfuerzos de restauración de manglares fallan con frecuencia, generalmente por los procesos de selección de sitios adhoc que no consideran la ecología del manglar y el contexto socioeconómico. Usamos el análisis de decisiones para desarrollar una estrategia que considera los datos socioeconómicos y ecológicos para identificar los sitios con mayor probabilidad de éxito de restauración. Aplicamos nuestra estrategia en la Reserva de la Biósfera Marismas Nacionales Nayarit, México, un área que recibió financiamiento reciente para la restauración del manglar. Identificamos 468 sitios potencialmente restaurables, evaluamos su potencial de restauración con base en medidas ecológicas y socioeconómicas y clasificamos los sitios para la implementación con la optimización espacial. Las medidas que usamos incluían las condiciones favorables para que los propágulos se establezcan y sobrevivan con el incremento en el nivel del mar, el suministro de servicios ambientales y las dinámicas de la comunidad. Los sitios seleccionados sólo con base en las medidas ecológicas o socioeconómicas tuvieron una menor probabilidad de éxito de restauración que los sitios que se seleccionaron con base en medidas socioeconómicas y ecológicas integradas. Por ejemplo, la selección de sitios con base sólo en las medidas socioeconómicas capturó el 16% del máximo valor alcanzable de manglares funcionales capaces de proporcionar propágulos a los sitios potenciales de restauración, mientras que la selección basada en medidas ecológicas y socioeconómicas capturó el 46% de los manglares funcionales. Desarrollamos nuestra estrategia como parte de una colaboración entre organizaciones no gubernamentales, el gobierno local y académicos sujetos a una fecha pronta de entrega debido a los compromisos preexistentes para la restauración de manglares. El proceso de decisión sistemática que usamos integró las consideraciones ecológicas y socioeconómicas incluso con plazos cortos de entrega. Nuestra estrategia puede adaptarse para apoyar en la selección de sitios de restauración de manglares en otros sitios.
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Conservação dos Recursos Naturais , Fatores Socioeconômicos , Conservação dos Recursos Naturais/métodos , Conservação dos Recursos Naturais/economia , México , Recuperação e Remediação Ambiental/economia , Ecossistema , Técnicas de Apoio para a DecisãoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: The process of tissue injury in coronary artery disease (CAD) has been associated with activation of the complement system, partly due to the action of mannose-binding lectin (MBL) and C3, which are expressed in atherosclerotic lesions. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum levels of MBL and C3 in patients with CAD and to compare them with healthy controls. Additionally, we aim to assess the correlation between MBL and C3 levels and cardiometabolic parameters. METHODS: MBL and C3 serum concentration were determined by ELISA and immunoturbidimetry, respectively, in up to 119 patients undergoing coronary angiography for CAD evaluation, comprising 48 individuals diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction (MI) and 71 without MI. A total of 93 paired healthy controls were included in the study. RESULTS: Individuals with CAD had MBL serum concentration higher than controls (p = .002), regardless of the presence of MI (p = .006). In addition, high concentration of MBL (>2000 ng/mL) was more frequent in patients with CAD (p = .007; OR = 2.6; 95% CI = 1.3-5.1). C3 levels were not significantly associated with any of the patient groups but were positively correlated with cardiometabolic parameters such as body mass index (BMI) and triglycerides levels. CONCLUSIONS: Higher concentrations of MBL were found to be associated with CAD, whereas C3 levels were found to be associated with cardiovascular risk factors.
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Complemento C3 , Doença da Artéria Coronariana , Lectina de Ligação a Manose , Humanos , Doença da Artéria Coronariana/sangue , Doença da Artéria Coronariana/diagnóstico , Lectina de Ligação a Manose/sangue , Masculino , Feminino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Estudos Transversais , Complemento C3/metabolismo , Complemento C3/análise , Idoso , Angiografia Coronária , Infarto do Miocárdio/sangue , Infarto do Miocárdio/diagnóstico , Biomarcadores/sangue , Índice de Massa Corporal , Estudos de Casos e ControlesRESUMO
The limited access to fresh water and the increased presence of emergent pollutants (EPs) in wastewater has increased the interest in developing strategies for wastewater remediation, including photocatalysis. Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) is a 2D non-metal material with outstanding properties, such as a 2.7 eV bandgap and physicochemical stability, making it a promising photocatalyst. This work reports the process of obtaining high-surface-area (SA) g-C3N4 using the thermal-exfoliation process and the posterior effect of Ag-nanoparticle loading over the exfoliated g-C3N4 surface. The photocatalytic activity of samples was evaluated through methylene blue (MB) degradation under visible-light radiation and correlated to its physical properties obtained by XRD, TEM, BET, and UV-Vis analyses. Moreover, 74% MB degradation was achieved by exfoliated g-C3N4 compared to its bulk counterpart (55%) in 180 min. Moreover, better photocatalytic performances (94% MB remotion) were registered at low Ag loading, with 5 wt.% as the optimal value. Such an improvement is attributed to the synergetic effect produced by a higher SA and the role of Ag nanoparticles in preventing charge-recombination processes. Based on the results, this work provides a simple and efficient methodology to obtain Ag/g-C3N4 photocatalysts with enhanced photocatalytic performance that is adequate for water remediation under sunlight conditions.
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Minimal Change Disease (MCD) and Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) are the main causes of nephrotic syndrome in the world. The complement system appears to play an important role in the pathogenesis of these diseases. To evaluate the deposition of immunoglobulins and particles of the complement system in renal biopsies of patients with FSGS and MCD and relate to laboratory data, we selected 59 renal biopsies from patients with podocytopathies, 31 from patients with FSGS and 28 with MCD. Epidemiological, clinical, laboratory information and the prognosis of these patients were evaluated. Analysis of the deposition of IgM, IgG, C3, C1q and C4d in renal biopsies was performed. We related IgM and C3 deposition with laboratory parameters. Statistical analysis was performed using GraphPad Prism version 7.0. Glomerular deposition of IgM was significantly higher in the FSGS group, as was codeposition of IgM and C3. The clinical course of patients and laboratory data were also worse in cases of FSGS, with a higher percentage progressing to chronic kidney disease and death. Patients with C3 deposition had significantly higher mean serum creatinine and significantly lower eGFR, regardless of disease. Patients with FSGS had more IgM and C3 deposition in renal biopsies, worse laboratory data and prognosis than patients with MCD. C3 deposition, both in FSGS and MCD, appears to be related to worsening renal function.
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Complemento C3 , Glomerulosclerose Segmentar e Focal , Imunoglobulina M , Glomérulos Renais , Nefrose Lipoide , Humanos , Imunoglobulina M/metabolismo , Complemento C3/metabolismo , Glomerulosclerose Segmentar e Focal/patologia , Glomerulosclerose Segmentar e Focal/metabolismo , Glomerulosclerose Segmentar e Focal/imunologia , Feminino , Masculino , Adulto , Glomérulos Renais/patologia , Glomérulos Renais/metabolismo , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Nefrose Lipoide/patologia , Nefrose Lipoide/metabolismo , Podócitos/patologia , Podócitos/metabolismo , Adulto Jovem , Adolescente , Prognóstico , Biópsia , Síndrome Nefrótica/metabolismo , Síndrome Nefrótica/patologia , Síndrome Nefrótica/imunologia , IdosoRESUMO
In this work, the prepared cobalt oxide decorated boron-doped g-C3N4 (CoOx/g-C3N4) heterojunction exhibits remarkable activity in CO2 reduction (CO2RR), resulting in high yields of CH3COOH (â¼383 µmol·gcatalyst-1) and CH3OH (â¼371 µmol·gcatalyst-1) with 58% selectivity to C2+ under visible light. However, the same system leads to high H2 evolution (HER) by increasing the cobalt oxide content, suggesting that the selectivity and preference for the CO2RR or HER depend on oxide decoration. By comparing HER and CO2RR evolution in the same system, this work provides critical insights into the catalytic mechanism, indicating that the CoOx/g-C3N4 heterojunction formation is necessary to foster high visible light photoactivity.