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Extensive research into green technologies is driven by the worldwide push for eco‐friendly materials and energy solutions. The focus is on synergies that prioritize sustainability and environmental benefits. This study explores the potential of abundant, non‐toxic, and sustainable resources such as paper, lignin‐enriched paper, and cork for producing laser‐induced graphene (LIG) supercapacitor electrodes with improved capacitance. A single‐step methodology using a CO2 laser system is developed for fabricating these electrodes under ambient conditions, providing an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional carbon sources. The resulting green micro‐supercapacitors (MSCs) achieve impressive areal capacitance (≈7–10 mF cm−2) and power and energy densities (≈4 μW cm‐2 and ≈0.77 µWh cm−2 at 0.01 mA cm−2). Stability tests conducted over 5000 charge–discharge cycles demonstrate a capacitance retention of ≈80–85%, highlighting the device durability. These LIG‐based devices offer versatility, allowing voltage output adjustment through stacked and sandwich MSCs configurations (parallel or series), suitable for various large‐scale applications. This study demonstrates that it is possible to create high‐quality energy storage devices based on biodegradable materials. This development can lead to progress in renewable energy and off‐grid technology, as well as a reduction in electronic waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. The usual strategy for monitoring of eutrophication process is the use of traditional limnological methods, based on laboratory analysis. These procedures involve costly and time consuming analyses, usually with in vitro methodologies, which can still have limitations in terms of sensitivity and reliability, if poorly managed. Phytoplankton pigments, such as chlorophyll-a (Chl-a), are highly fluorescent and can provide the environmental status of water bodies. Aims. This study aims to analyse, compare and evaluate an estimation of Chl-a through fluorescence in public water sources in the Brazilian cerrado. Exploratory statistical analyses were conducted by using absolute fluorescence units (AFU) and relative fluorescence units (RFU) compared with traditional laboratory data (standard procedure for the determination of Chl-a by spectroscopic methods) to evaluate the significance of differences in estimating Chl-a concentration. Subsequently, empirical models, based on spectral band combinations, were generated to convert fluorescence measurement in Chl-a concentration, by linear regression. Key results. The generated model found a strong correlation and coefficient of determination (r = 0.88; R² = 0.78). The efficiency of the model was also confirmed by statistical indicators (RMSE = 1.27, MAPE = 26.72 and BIAS = -6.32). Conclusions. We concluded that the estimate of Chl-a through RFU was better than through AFU. Implications. Therefore, based on the results of this study, it is recommended that RFU be used to obtain more precise and accurate estimates of Chl-a concentration through empirical models based on linear regression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to correlate several instruments currently used for the assessment of the quality of life of patients who underwent total laryngectomy and speech rehabilitation. METHODS: A cross-sectional, observational study was conducted with 38 patients after total laryngectomy and speech therapy aiming to develop oesophageal speech. The patients were divided into the following two groups (19 participants each): speakers and non-speakers. The quality of life instruments used were as follows: visual analogue scale (VAS); Voice Handicap Index (VHI); Voice-Related Quality of Life (V-RQOL); Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - Head & Neck (FACT-H&N); European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30); European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Head and Neck (EORTC QLQ-H&N35); and University of Washington Quality of Life (UW-QOL). RESULTS: The V-RQOL global health domain exhibited a strong correlation with the VHI. The EORTC QLQ-C30 exhibited a moderate to strong correlation with the EORTC QLQ-H&N35 functional domain in both groups. The EORTC QLQ-C30 functional domain exhibited a strong to moderate correlation with all other instruments in both groups. The UW-QOL exhibited a moderate to strong correlation with the VHI and EORTC QLQ-C30 in both groups. CONCLUSION: The EORTC QLQ-C30, EORTC QLQ-H&N35 and UW-QOL were the instruments that most correlated with the remaining instruments, indicating that any of the three can be used to assess the quality of life of the target population regardless of oesophageal voice development.

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This study aims to assess gaming live streamers' credibility and its effect on their customers' attitudes and behaviors, with a focus on understanding the underlying mechanisms and dynamics involved in this relationship. To accomplish this objective, a theoretical framework was developed and validated. Drawing upon source credibility theory, the research examined a sample of 406 gaming livestreaming customers from China and Portugal. The PLS-SEM results indicate that live streamers' credibility positively affects customers' attitudes and behaviors (e.g. loyalty, positive brand attitude, and purchase intention) by mediating the parasocial relationship, wishful identification, and emotional attachment. The findings from this study provide valuable insights that can be used to improve gaming businesses and foster positive attitudes and behaviors among livestreaming customers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Saliva-based sensors are becoming increasingly important in medical diagnostics and sports medicine due to the plethora of biomedically relevant analytes found endogenously within the fluid and to the inherently noninvasive nature of the sensing protocols. Salivary lactate and potassium have been shown to be key indicators for monitoring fatigue, hydration, and overall health, and frequent monitoring is crucial for preventative treatment strategies. Low-cost test strip sensors combined with saliva swab sampling could enable such frequent monitoring, and to this end, we developed amperometric lactate and coulometric potassium test strip sensors using laser-induced graphene (LIG), a low-cost scalable fabrication method for graphene sensor development. To increase the sensitivity of the sensors, platinum nanoparticles (nPt) were deposited on the LIG surface by using a facile electroless deposition method. Subsequently, a redox mediator with the enzyme lactate oxidase was used for lactate sensing, while a polymer-based ion-selective membrane was used for potassium sensing. The lactate biosensor displayed a sensitivity of 33.3 ± 0.9 μA mM–1 cm–2 and a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.10 ± 0.06 mM, while the potassium sensor exhibited a sensitivity of 168.2 μC dec–1 and a signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) of 193.3 ± 56.2. Both sensors were capable of selectively sensing within the physiologically relevant range with real pooled saliva samples. Such sensing results demonstrate the potential of nPt-LIG for point-of-care biosensors for personalized health and athletic performance monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this work is to evaluate the influence of pomegranate peel extract (PPE) in the behavior of breast cell lines (epithelial and tumor type) and related oxidative metabolism. Fruit-based functional foods have been the target of increasing scientific research for their physiological and pathophysiological properties. Pomegranate (Punica granatum) is a suitable example with both prophylactic and medicinal effects. MCF-7 cell line from tumor breast carcinoma, and MCF-10A cell line from normal epithelial mammary gland were used and subjected to different concentrations of PPE, ranging from 1 to 5 mM of gallic acid equivalents (GAE). Viability, proliferation, mobility, and cytotoxicity assays were performed along with the quantification of antioxidant enzymes, namely, catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG) glutathione. We observed a decrease in viability and proliferation of MCF-7 cells, at higher concentrations of PPE, with no influence in epithelial cells. Interestingly, in a concentration-dependent manner, PPE triggered a significant decrease in migration on both cell lines, with a more pronounced effect in breast cancer cell line. Regarding antioxidant enzyme activity, on tumor cells higher concentrations of PPE decreased catalase activity and significantly increased SOD activity. Regarding GSH and GSSG, we observed different expression levels between MCF-7 and MCF-10A, with MCF-7 presenting lower levels compared to MCF-10A. GSH/GSSG ratio was notably higher in MCF-7 at 5 mM GAE. PPE exhibits anti-tumor effects without significantly affecting normal epithelial cells. Our work strengthens the potential antitumoral effect of PPE by reducing MCF-7 cell viability and proliferation through the imbalance of antioxidant enzymes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Breast cancer is a complex pathology characterized by several features including molecular subtype (MS). Immunohistochemistry assays were used to investigate the expression of enzymes involved in glycolysis and gluconeogenesis. The analysis involved stratifying the data based on MS, body mass index (BMI), and the combination of BMI with MS (mBMI). This study revealed significant differences in the expression of three specific enzymes—pyruvate carboxylase (PC), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PCK), and fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBP)—among tumor cells when stratified by MS and mBMI. Moreover, the expression levels of these enzymes were found to be closely related to hormonal receptor and HER2 status, as well as correlated pathological stage and histological grade. Obesity appeared to have an impact on these differences, particularly in the expression of PC. However, it was observed that these differences were not influenced by the presence of adipocyte deposition or inflammatory infiltration within the tumor microenvironment. Nevertheless, the expression of PCK and FBP was also influenced by the presence of obesity-related conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. In summary, this study highlights the existence of distinct metabolic profiles for breast cancer based on its molecular subtypes, and how these profiles are affected by obesity and related health conditions. Breast cancer is a heterogeneous entity, where different molecular subtypes (MS) exhibit distinct prognostic and therapeutic responses. A series of 62 breast cancer samples stratified by MS was obtained from the tumor biobank of IPO-Porto. The expression of glycolysis and gluconeogenesis-regulating enzymes was investigated by immunohistochemistry. Data analysis included stratification according to MS, body mass index (BMI), and BMI with MS (mBMI). We observed significant differences in pyruvate carboxylase (PC), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PCK), and fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBP) tumor cell expression when stratified by MS and mBMI. The expression of these enzymes was also statistically dependent on hormonal receptors and HER2 status and correlated with pathological stage and histological grade. Obesity tended to attenuate these differences, particularly in PC expression, although these were not affected by adipocyte deposition or inflammatory infiltration at the tumor microenvironment. Nonetheless, PCK and FBP expression was also modified by the presence of obesity-associated disorders like diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. Taken together, these findings identify metabolic fingerprints for breast cancer as distinct histological types, which are affected by the presence of obesity and obesity-associated conditions. Despite the biological role of the differential expression of enzymes remaining unknown, the current study highlights the need to identify the expression of gluconeogenic-regulating enzymes as a tool for personalized medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultrasound-guided hydrodistention has been established as an effective minimally invasive treatment option for glenohumeral joint adhesive capsulitis (AC). Nonetheless, the long-term outcomes of the procedure have not yet been established. A total of 202 patients with AC were prospectively recruited and followed up for a total of 2 years. Pain and functionality were assessed with the use of the visual analogue scale (VAS) and the disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) score, respectively, at the beginning and the end of the follow-up period. The relapse of AC over the 2-year period and the effect of diabetes were also evaluated in the treatment cohort. The Mann–Whitney U test was used to compare mean scores at the two time points, and Cox survival analysis and χ2 test were used to assess the effect of diabetes on AC relapse. VAS and DASH scores were significantly lower at 2 years compared with the beginning of the follow-up period (p < 0.001). Diabetes was diagnosed in 38/202 patients (18.8%) and was found to be significantly associated with recurrence of the disease (p < 0.001). In conclusion, in this observational study, we have demonstrated that ultrasound-guided hydrodistention is linked to excellent long-term outcomes for the treatment of AC, which are significantly worse in patients with diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecular subtype (MS) is one of the most used classifications of breast cancer (BC). Four MSs are widely accepted according to receptor expression of estrogen, progesterone, and HER2. The impact of adipose tissue on BC MS metabolic impairment is still unclear. The present work aims to elucidate the metabolic alterations in breast cancer cell lines representing different MSs subjected to adipocyte associated factors. Preadipocytes isolated from human subcutaneous adipose tissue were differentiated into mature adipocytes. MS representative cell lines were exposed to mature adipocyte secretome. Extracellular medium was collected for metabolomics and RNA was extracted to evaluate enzymatic expression by RT-PCR. Adipocyte secretome exposure resulted in a decrease in the Warburg effect rate and an increase in cholesterol release. HER2+ cell lines (BT-474 and SK-BR-3) exhibited a similar metabolic pattern, in contrast to luminal A (MCF-7) and triple negative (TN) (MDA-MB-231), both presenting identical metabolisms. Anaplerosis was found in luminal A and TN representative cells, whereas cataplerotic reactions were likely to occur in HER2+ cell lines. Our results indicate that adipocyte secretome affects the central metabolism distinctly in each BC MS representative cell line. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The occurrence of toxic blooms of cyanobacteria has been a matter of public health interest due to the cyanotoxins produced by these microorganisms. Cylindrospermopsin (CYN) is a cyanotoxin of particular concern due to its toxic effects on humans. This study investigated the removal and effects of CYN in ripened slow sand filters (SSFs) treating water from Paranoá Lake, Brasilia, Brazil. Four pilot-scale SSFs were ripened and operated for 74 days. Two contamination peaks with CYN were applied along the filtration run. The improvement of any of the evaluated water quality parameters was not affected by the presence of CYN in the raw water. The SSFs efficiently removed CYN, presenting concentrations lower than 0.8 µg/L in the filtered water. The microbiota of the SSFs were dominated by protozoa of the genus Euglypha and amoebas of the genera Arcella, Centropyxis, and Amoeba, together with some groups of rotifers. These microorganisms played a crucial role in removing total coliforms and E. coli. In addition, CYN was not identified as a determining factor in the microbiota composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]