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Objective: Prosopis juliflora, commonly known as algaroba or mesquite, was introduced and has since proliferated throughout the semi-arid region of the Caatinga biome. Various studies have documented its properties, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antitumor activities, attributed to the presence of diverse secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, terpenoids, tannins, and flavonoids. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant and antityrosinase activities of P. juliflora fruit extract as a multifunctional active ingredient, and to develop cosmetic formulations containing this vegetal extract for potential applications in skincare products targeting pro-ageing and skin colour homogenization properties., Methods: The extraction process followed established protocols. Chemical characterization of the extract involved quantification of total flavonoids and phenolic compounds, along with Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis. In vitro antioxidant activity was assessed using different methods. Antityrosinase activity was determined by employing enzymatic assays. Cosmetic formulations containing Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol (and) Ethylhexyl Glycerin, Distilled Water, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer Lecithin, Polyacrylamide (and) C13-14 Isoparaffin (and) Laureth-7, and 3.0% of the investigated plant extract were subjected to preliminary and accelerated stability tests., Results: The extract demonstrated a concentration of total flavonoids (1.71 ± 0.26 μg EQ/mg) and exhibited concentrations of phenolic compounds at 0.21 ± 0.01 mg EAG/g. Metabolites such as flavonoids and saponins were annotated, as well as some of their respective glycosidic derivatives. The extract showed antioxidant potential and the ability to inhibit the oxidation cascade in both the initiation and propagation phases. Moreover, the extract exhibited noteworthy inhibition of antityrosinase activity, presenting 62.48 ± 2.09 at a concentration of 30.00 mg/mL. The formulations were stable in accelerated stability tests over a 60-day period., Conclusion: This research not only demonstrates scientifically by demonstrating the potential of a plant from the Caatinga biome with antioxidant and antityrosinase properties in the development of cosmetic products aimed at pro-ageing effects and skin colour harmonization, but also adds value to the P. juliflora production chain. This valorization encompasses various aspects which include environmental, social, and biodiversity responsibilities., (© 2024 Society of Cosmetic Scientists and Societe Francaise de Cosmetologie.)

Background: Brain death (BD) is defined as the total and irreversible cessation of brain functions including the brain stem. The team that assists the patient in this situation is made up of higher-level and technical health professionals. Our objective was to analyze the understanding of nursing assistants and technicians of BD., Methods: Descriptive and exploratory research with a qualitative approach was carried out with nursing assistants and technicians who were members of the Regional Nursing Council of São Paulo, Brazil. After collection, the data were submitted to the thematic-category content analysis technique., Results: From the analysis, the following categories emerged: an understanding of BD; religiosity and hope in the reversal of BD; and "brain death associated with the possibility of organ donation.", Conclusions: This study reinforces the need to train professionals at a technical nursing level on the subject in order to improve nursing care and avoid mistaken beliefs that can negatively influence the process of donating organs and tissues for transplantation., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Rehabilitation with implant-supported prostheses has reached high success rates. However, mechanical failures are still reported, mainly in retention screws of abutments in single implant-supported crowns; which is designed to be the weakest structure and the first component to fail under overloading. In this sense, the aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the influence of different joint designs (square or hexagonal) on resistance to deformation of driver-retention screw assembly of 3 commercial brands (Neodent, Singular, and Sin). A total of 42 retention screws from 3 commercial brands were used. The samples were divided into 2 joint groups, square (SQU) and hexagonal (HEX), and separated by commercial brands. Several components (implants and abutments) with standard platform (4.1 mm in diameter) were used. The resistance to deformation of the driver-retention screw assembly was measured using an accurate digital torque wrench for all commercial brands (Neodent [NEO], Singular [SGL], and Sin [SIN]) and joint designs (square or hexagonal). It was found no statistically significant difference (P <0.05) among the brands evaluated. On the other hand, square screws showed higher resistance to torsion than hexagonal screws; regardless the commercial brand.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) based on BOLD signal has been used to indirectly measure the local neural activity induced by cognitive tasks or stimulation. Most fMRI data analysis is carried out using the general linear model (GLM), a statistical approach which predicts the changes in the observed BOLD response based on an expected hemodynamic response function (HRF). In cases when the task is cognitively complex or in cases of diseases, variations in shape and/or delay may reduce the reliability of results. A novel exploratory method using fMRI data, which attempts to discriminate between neurophysiological signals induced by the stimulation protocol from artifacts or other confounding factors, is introduced in this paper. This new method is based on the fusion between correlation analysis and the discrete wavelet transform, to identify similarities in the time course of the BOLD signal in a group of volunteers. We illustrate the usefulness of this approach by analyzing fMRI data from normal subjects presented with standardized human face pictures expressing different degrees of sadness. The results show that the proposed wavelet correlation analysis has greater statistical power than conventional GLM or time domain intersubject correlation analysis., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Chitosan is a polymer derivative from chitin applied in many medical specialties., Objective: To evaluate the biocompatibility of chitosan membranes used as inclusion material into subcutaneous of rats., Methods: Twenty male Wistar rats received chitosan membranes into the subcutaneous area of the dorsal medial region. The animals were randomly divided in four groups with 5 animals each, sacrificed on 7th (G1), 15th (G2), 30th (G3) and 60th (G4) postoperative day (PO). All animals were clinically evaluated daily and by photo-documentation at the sacrifice moment. The animals and the material were assessed for evidence of host response by histological and morphometric evaluation of the implants and the surrounding soft tissues. The material was fixed in 10% formalin and then the sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin., Results: None of animals presented side effects attributable to the implants. The histological evaluation showed smooth and homogeneous inclusions with no host cells inside and were encircled by a pseudocapsule of fibroblasts and inflammatory cells. The morphometric evaluation showed no statistical difference between different groups (P>0.05).

Pure chitosan, glutaraldehyde crosslinked chitosan, and a blend of chitosan with poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) membranes were prepared. The three membranes were characterized in terms of their swelling capacities as well as their permeabilities to a drug model (sulfamerazine sodium salt). For the permeation experiments, the variables analyzed were the type of membrane and the initial drug concentration in the liquid phase (from 0.1% to 1.5%). Permeability coefficients were calculated using UV spectroscopy. The results showed that for the three analyzed membranes, the permeability did not change with time (over the studied time interval). An increase in the permeability for CHI/PEO membranes compared to those made of pure chitosan was also observed, possibly due to microporous region formation and/or crystallinity reduction. For the crosslinked membrane, an even higher increase in the permeability coefficient was observed. In this case, the increase was attributed to free volume variation.

Dengue fever is the most frequent arbovirus disease in the world and the most important one in terms of morbidity and mortality. Atypical manifestations of dengue have become commonplace during the last few years, including hepatic damage, which manifests mainly by pain in the right hypochondrium and an increase in the levels of aminotransferases. We describe a case of acute hepatitis in a patient with Dengue Shock Syndrome Grade III. We analyzed the clinical and laboratory aspects of this atypical complication of dengue as well as the differential diagnoses.