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Hair care and treatment has evolved significantly through the years as new formulations are continuously being explored in an attempt to meet the demand in cosmetic and medicinal fields. While standard hair care procedures include hair washing, aimed at hair cleansing and maintenance, as well as hair dyeing and bleaching formulations for hair embellishment, modern hair treatments are mainly focused on circumventing hair loss conditions, strengthening hair follicle properties and treat hair infestations. In this regard, active compounds (ACs) included in hair cosmetic formulations include a vast array of hair cleansing and hair dye molecules, and typical hair treatments include anti-hair loss ACs (e.g. minoxidil and finasteride) and anti-lice ACs (e.g. permethrin). However, several challenges still persist, as conventional AC formulations exhibit sub-optimal performance and some may present toxicity issues, calling for an improved design of formulations regarding both efficacy and safety. More recently, nano-based strategies encompassing nanomaterials have emerged as promising tailored approaches to improve the performance of ACs incorporated into hair cosmetics and treatment formulations. The interest in using these nanomaterials is based on account of their ability to: (1) increase stability, safety and biocompatibility of ACs; (2) maximize hair affinity, contact and retention, acting as versatile biointerfaces; (3) enable the controlled release of ACs in both hair and scalp, serving as prolonged AC reservoirs; besides offering (4) hair follicle targeting features attending to the possibility of surface tunability. This review covers the breakthrough of nanomaterials for hair cosmetics and hair treatment, focusing on organic nanomaterials (polymer-based and lipid-based nanoparticles) and inorganic nanomaterials (nanosheets, nanotubes and inorganic nanoparticles), as well as their applications, highlighting their potential as innovative multifunctional nanomaterials towards maximized hair care and treatment. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: This manuscript is focused on reviewing the nanotechnological strategies investigated for hair care and treatment so far. While conventional formulations exhibit sub-optimal performance and some may present toxicity issues, the selection of improved and suitable nanodelivery systems is of utmost relevance to ensure a proper active ingredient release in both hair and scalp, maximize hair affinity, contact and retention, and provide hair follicle targeting features, warranting stability, efficacy and safety. This innovative manuscript highlights the advantages of nanotechnology-based approaches, particularly as tunable and versatile biointerfaces, and their applications as innovative multifunctional nanomaterials towards maximized hair care and treatment.

To improve fish welfare, it is essential that aquafeeds are designed to help fish cope with the stressful conditions of fish farms. One effective strategy to achieve this goal is to supplement the diet with bioactive hydrolysates. Here, diet supplementation to modulate oxidative stress after air exposure was investigated in European seabass, using swine blood hydrolysates (BH), obtained either by autohydrolysis (AH) or enzymatically. The enzymatically produced BH were further submitted to a micro- (RMF) and nanofiltration (RNF). Four isolipidic, isoproteic and isoenergetic diets were developed: a plant-based diet with low (12.5%) fishmeal levels (control, CTRL) and three diets where 3% of each BH (RMF, RNF and AH) was added to the CTRL. Diets were assigned to triplicate groups of 71 European seabass juveniles (initial weight 12.3 ± 1.4 g). After 12 weeks, 9 fish per treatment were either immediately sampled or air-exposed for 1 min and let to recover in a new system for 6 h prior to sampling. Stress response increased cortisol levels, followed by an increment in plasma lactate. The challenge increased liver lipid peroxidation (LPO) due to reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. Carbonyls decreased post-stress, maybe due to a possible interaction with the LPO radicals, reducing protein oxidation. None of the BH improved plasma stress response. By reducing catalase levels without increasing LPO, the RNF treatment appears to adjust European seabass' antioxidant defences, indicating its potential to supply exogenous antioxidants to combat oxidative stress induced by ROS. However, this impact was not sufficient to lower LPO levels compared to a control plant-based diet. The tested diets seemed to affect the fish oxidative stress response in the liver, possibly due to the presence of bioactive peptides, which aided in the non-enzymatic modulation of stress response, as observed by the total antioxidant capacity values in the liver.

This work describes the correlations between the ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) and physical properties of fibrous-particulate hybrid composites made of glass/carbon fabrics and three different micro-inclusions such as silica particles, recycled carbon fibre powder and Portland cement. A full factorial design (214151) is established to identify the effects of volume fraction, stacking sequence and particle type on the physical properties obtained by Archimedes' principle. An electroacoustic transducer (50 kHz) is used to determine the ultrasonic pulse velocity data. Statistical models reveal correlations between UPV and the physical properties of hybrid composites. The combination of UPV and statistical techniques can identify all constitutive phases, being useful to characterise and estimate physical properties in a hybrid system composed of fibres and microparticles. The authors acknowledge the Brazilian Research Agencies, CAPES (MSc scholarship), CNPq (PQ-309885/2019–1) and FAPEMIG (PPM-00075-17) for the financial support provided.

Osteosarcoma(OS) represents the main cancer affecting bone tissue, and one of the most frequent in children. In this review we discuss the major pathological hallmarks of this pathology, its current therapeutics, new active biomolecules, as well as the nanotechnology outbreak applied to the development of innovative strategies for selective OS targeting. Small RNA molecules play a role as key-regulator molecules capable of orchestrate different responses in what concerns cancer initiation, proliferation, migration and invasiveness. Frequently associated with lung metastasis, new strategies are urgent to upgrade the therapeutic outcomes and the life-expectancy prospects. Hence, the prominent rise of micelleplexes as multifaceted and efficient structures for nucleic acid delivery and selective drug targeting is revisited here with special emphasis on ligand-mediated active targeting. Future landmarks toward the development of novel nanostrategies for both OS diagnosis and OS therapy improvements are also discussed.

Naringenin is an important phytochemical which belongs to the flavanone group of polyphenols, and is found mainly in citrus fruits like grapefruits and others such as tomatoes and cherries plus medicinal plants derived food. Available evidence demonstrates that naringenin, as herbal medicine, has important pharmacological properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, and anti-cancer activities. Collected data from in vitro and in vivo studies show the inactivation of carcinogens after treatment with pure naringenin, naringenin-loaded nanoparticles, and also naringenin in combination with anti-cancer agents in various malignancies, such as colon cancer, lung neoplasms, breast cancer, leukemia and lymphoma, pancreatic cancer, prostate tumors, oral squamous cell carcinoma, liver cancer, brain tumors, skin cancer, cervical and ovarian cancer, bladder neoplasms, gastric cancer, and osteosarcoma. Naringenin inhibits cancer progression through multiple mechanisms, like apoptosis induction, cell cycle arrest, angiogenesis hindrance, and modification of various signaling pathways including Wnt/β-catenin, PI3K/Akt, NF-ĸB, and TGF-β pathways. In this review, we demonstrate that naringenin is a natural product with potential for the treatment of different types of cancer, whether it is used alone, in combination with other agents, or in the form of the naringenin-loaded nanocarrier, after proper technological encapsulation.

The real capacity of steel-concrete composite slabs currently used in buildings tends to be governed by the longitudinal shear failure mode. However, in many cases, the design of these structural members according to Eurocode 4, Part 1.1 (EN 1994-1-1) is governed by the vertical shear capacity. The design methodology for the determination of the vertical shear resistance predicted in the referred standard underestimates the shear resistance of steel-concrete composite slabs because it is based on the design model for reinforced concrete slabs stated in Eurocode 2, Part 1.1 (EN 1992-1-1), does not take the contribution of the profiled steel sheeting into account adequately. The results of an experimental programme, comprising 4 experimental tests on short-span steel-concrete composite slabs and carried out at the Department of Civil Engineering of the University of Coimbra, Portugal, are then shown and discussed. In order to induce a failure by vertical shear, the composite slabs tested were provided with a longitudinal shear reinforcement system composed by transversal bars crossing longitudinal stiffeners placed along the upper flange of the steel sheets. The results of the experimental tests were also used to calibrate numerical models, which made it possible to carry out a parametric analysis. The experimental and numerical results showed that the design methodology prescribed by Eurocode 4, Part 1.1 is quite conservative as it underestimates the relevant contribution of the resistance of the profiled steel sheeting to the slab's vertical shear capacity.

Background Resveratrol (RES) is a polyphenol which has attracted great interest in the academic and industrial communities due to its natural origin and potential health benefits. Nevertheless, the administration of RES is restrained by its properties, such as poor water solubility, lack of stability due to light-induced isomerization, as well as auto-oxidation and rapid metabolization. Therefore, recently, nanotechnology, through different approaches, emerged as a potential solution to improve RES solubility and stability enabling its therapeutic use. Scope and approach In the present review, current research findings, developments and trends regarding novel nanocarriers for RES delivery are discussed. An overview of the research progress regarding the nanoencapsulation of RES is presented. Particular focus is cast on the composition, physicochemical and surface characteristics of the myriad of nanocarriers so far produced, since these features relevantly influence the intracellular delivery of RES. Key findings and conclusions The application of nanocarriers towards RES delivery reduced the physicochemical restrictions related to the administration of this phytochemical. The improvements conveyed by nanocarriers regarding RES stability and solubility may lead to an upgrade in the in vitro and in vivo bioactivity of RES.

Resveratrol (RES), also known as 3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene, is a polyphenolic phytoalexin that has been widely researched in the past decade due to its recognized numerous biological activities. Despite the potential benefits of RES, its effective use is limited due to its poor solubility, photosensitivity and rapid metabolism, which strongly undermine RES bioavailability and bioactivity. Thereby, recently, nanotechnology appeared as a potential strategy to circumvent RES physicochemical and pharmacokinetics constrains. However, only few studies have addressed the crucial in vivo suitability of the developed delivery systems to improve RES efficacy. Facing this scenario, in the present review, it is intended to present and discuss the in vivo resveratrol bioavailability and bioactivity, following its encapsulation or conjugation in nanotechnology-based carriers, contemplating their pharmacokinetics effectiveness.

Neospora caninum is an obligate intracellular parasite related to abortion in cattle, goats and sheep. The life cycle of N. caninum is characterized by the time-coordinated secretion of proteins contained in micronemes, rhoptries and dense granules, allowing the active invasion and the adaptation of the parasite in the cell environment. Thus, the proteins of the secretome have the potential to be considered as targets for N. caninum control. Despite the importance of neosporosis in the livestock-related economy, no commercial treatment is available. Furthermore, the process of invasion, propagation and immune evasion are not completely elucidated. In this study, we initiated the characterization of NCLIV_011700 of N. caninum, a protein with low sequence identity to NcROP15 or TgROP15 (15%). Our goal was the detection and molecular characterization of the NCLIV_011700, once homology (with low identity20%) was observed within the Apicomplexa. The NCLIV_011700 sequence was aligned and compared to the closer apicomplexan homologues (ROP15 from N. caninum, T. gondii, Hammondia hammondi, Cystospores suis), including the predicted domains. In general, the NCLIV_011700 demonstrated low identity with ROP15 of apicomplexan (20%) and had a ubiquitin domain. On the other side, the NCLIV_011700 homologues were composed of a non-cytoplasmic domain, suggesting different functions between NcROP15 (or homologues) and NCLIV_011700 during the parasite life cycle. Moreover, the NCLIV_011700 was amplified by PCR, ligated to a pET28a plasmid and expressed in Escherichia coli. The recombinant form of NCLIV_011700 was purified in a nickel-Sepharose resin and applied for polyclonal antibody production in mice. The antiserum against NCLIV_011700 (anti-rNCLIV_011700) was used to localize the native form of the protein using Western blot and confocal microscopy. Also, the NCLIV_011700 antiserum partially inhibited the parasite adhesion/invasion process, indicating an active role of the protein in the N. caninum cycle. Thus, the initial NCLIV_011700 characterization will contribute to enlarging the comprehension of N. caninum, aiming at the future development of tools to control the parasite infection/propagation.

Neospora caninum is a member of Apicomplexa phylum, the causative agent of neosporosis. The neosporosis combat is not well established and several strategies related to vaccine, chemotherapy and immune modulation are under development. In this work, we evaluated the effects of artemisinin (Art), methylene blue (MB) and pyrimethamine (Pyr) alone or associated, on N. caninum proliferation and elimination using LacZ tagged tachyzoites. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) production after incubation with Art were also performed. Our results indicate that combinations of classical antimalarial drugs improve the parasite control, allowing the use of three drugs in a single dose. Additionally, artemisinin demonstrated distinct ROS production patterns in intra and extracellular N. caninum forms. The drug repurposing appears as a suitable approach, allowing a fast and safe method to evaluate old drugs but novel candidates against neosporosis.

Nucleic acid (NA) therapeutics are a rapidly growing class of biomedicines with the ability to manipulate gene expression in potent and specific manner, and with the enormous potential in the treatment of life-threatening diseases. Sensibility towards physiological barriers that compromises their therapeutic applicability led to design of highly functional polymeric micelles (PMs). PMs constitute colloidal polymer-based core-shell structures composed of amphiphilic building blocks, serving as efficient NA delivery platforms based on their ability to accommodate NAs mainly through electrostatic-driven complexation processes. Facile manipulation of polymeric building blocks offers the possibility to tune crucial parameters indispensable for NA protection and efficacious delivery to targeted sites. Ordered core-shell structure enables incorporation of other therapeutic/diagnostic agents, presenting possibility for combined therapy and theranostics. In this review we highlight design, characterization, major developments and latest applications of PMs, and provide a critical overview of current challenges and future prospects of PMs as potential NA-based delivery systems aimed at improved NA therapies.

The species Eucalyptus globulus and Eucalyptus nitens have become of great importance in Chile and the world, due to their rapid growth and because compounds with greater added-value can be obtained from their waste. This study aimed at obtaining extracts rich in phenolic compounds from the bark of E. globulus and E. nitens and at evaluating the extraction kinetics and the resistance provided by these extracts to the degradation of pine wood attacked by decay fungi. For this purpose, bark samples were taken from E. nitens and E. globulus at a commercial site and then dried and ground. The extraction of the hydrophilic components was optimized by using a Box-Behnken design that considered the influence of temperature, solid/liquid ratio and methanol concentration on the maximization of the following responses: extraction yield, total phenols (Folin-Ciocalteu) and antioxidant capacity (DPPH). Under optimum conditions, the reaction kinetics of phenolic compounds at three temperatures were modeled and determined. Two antifungal assays were performed with the extracts: determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and a mass loss test for three decay fungi. The optimum was obtained at a solid/liquid ratio (1:60) at a 51% concentration of methanol and water for both species and at a temperature of 319 K and 326 K for E. globulus and E. nitens , respectively. The Fick diffusion model of two extractive phases successfully represented the extraction kinetics of the phenolic compounds from the eucalyptus bark at different temperatures. Bark extractions from both species were validated as possible antifungals against the fungal species. In future studies the technical-economic feasibility of replacing commercial antifungals with solutions of the extracts obtained in this study will be analyzed, taking the extraction process to a pilot scale.

Industrial vessels used in high temperature processes of steel and cement production are protected by refractory linings built with mortarless joints. These dry joints, formed by stacked bricks have a crucial importance on the mechanical behaviour of the lining. The stiffness and consequently the stresses generated by thermal expansion are reduced due to the joints. The present article presents the results of experimental and numerical tests on the thermomechanical behaviour of these joints. The compressive strength of the brick was assessed at ambient and high temperatures and a statistical analysis of the distribution of the bricks’ shape imperfections was carried out. Several studies were carried out on the normal behaviour of the joints: classical joint closure test; bed joint closing action in a masonry wallet measured with a DIC; effects of brick’s height imperfections on its loadbearing capacity; effects of brick’s height imperfections on the wall’s behaviour at ambient and high temperatures and a comparison between the bed and head joints behaviour. To characterize the joint’s tangential behaviour at high temperatures a novel device was developed and presented., The authors would like to thank the support of European Commission under the framework of Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions Innovative Training Networks, project ATHOR -Advanced THermomechanical multiscale mOdelling of Refractory linings 764987 Grant.

Cancer remains one of the deadliest diseases, and its effective diagnosis and treatment remains challenging; therefore, progress in earlier detection and improved therapeutics are urgently required. Conventional chemotherapy has only limited efficacy, suffers from non-specific toxicity and the induction of chemoresistance. Prospective templates for these are natural materials such as nanosized clay mineral structures of different shapes (platy, tubule, spherical, and fibrous) with tunable physicochemical, morphological, and structural properties. Their submicron size, individual morphology, high specific surface area, enhanced adsorption ability, cation exchange capacity, and multilayered organization of 0.7–1 nm thick single sheets have attracted considerable interest as multifunctional biocompatible nanocarriers with versatile applications in cancer research, diagnosis, and therapy. The most common nanoclay minerals studied for oncology are kaolinite, halloysite, montmorillonite, laponite, bentonite, sepiolite, palygorskite, and allophane. These multilayered minerals can act as nanocarriers (with a typical drug load of 1–10 wt%) for improved dispersibility, stabilization, sustained controlled release, and the efficient transport of a wide range of anticancer drugs to the tumor site. Nanoclays having both positive and negative surfaces possess the potential to transport proteins and DNA/RNA. Nanoclays can serve as a platform for phototherapeutic agents. Several surface engineering strategies have been devised to develop clays with biofunctionality that could benefit cancer clinical practice. This review explores the potential of nanoclays as unique crystalline materials with applications in cancer research, diagnosis, and therapy.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor is a rare benign tumor that affects most commonly children and young adults. In the lung, it comprises less than 1% of all neoplasms. The authors describe the clinical, radiological, and pathologic features of 2 cases of incidentally discovered pulmonary inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors.

Cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) were isolated from agro-industrial waste (corn husks and oat hulls) and market kraft pulp fibres, and a detailed comparative study was performed. Initially, the raw materials were subjected to a conventional pulping process to remove lignin and hemicelluloses. The chemical pre-treatment was based on 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyl-1-oxyl (TEMPO)-mediated oxidation and the mechanical treatment was carried out with a high-pressure homogenizer. An extensive characterization of the raw material and of the nanofibrillated celluloses was performed, considering structural and chemical aspects. CNF films were produced for their characterization by optical methods, laser profilometry (LP), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Considering the same pulping and chemical pre-treatment, the analyses indicated that the oxidized corn husks fibres had higher carboxylate content and thus a larger tendency to nanofibrillate compared to the oat hulls fibres. The obtained content of carboxylic acids was directly proportional to the content of cellulose in the assessed samples, confirming the selectivity of the TEMPO-mediated oxidation. The fibrillated corn husks material had a minor fraction of residual fibres (

Alkenyl Succinic Anhydride (ASA) is sizing agent that is applied as an aqueous emulsion during the papermaking process to improve paper’s hydrophobicity. However, its application becomes difficult as the emulsion quickly destabilizes due to the coalescence phenomenon and the high reactivity of ASA with water. In this work, we used cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) to increase the stability of the ASA emulsion over time. Small amounts of CNFs added to the emulsion helps to increase its storage life by almost 3 times, by means of stabilizing the average droplet size and reducing the amount of hydrolyzed ASA. The time extension allows higher flexibility of the sizing processes. In this work, we identify the negative impact that the temperature and the presence of metal ions in water have on the quality on the optimal ASA emulsion, resulting in a reduction in their effects for both factors with the presence of cellulose nanofibrils.

The skin is the primordial barrier that protects the human body against environmental factors. Due to the arise of dermatological pathologies, the development of efficient delivery systems for topical applications has received increased interest. The highest challenge consists of increasing the penetration of the active ingredients through the skin barrier, alongside to the need of obtaining enough skin retention to achieve therapeutic concentrations. Metals, specially noble metals, have been used for years to treat and prevent health issues, among them dermatological disorders. Nanoparticles have been extensively used for topical applications given their advantages, namely by enhancing solubility of apolar drugs, the possibility of controlled release, the higher stability and the capability to target specific areas and delivery of high concentrations of active ingredients. In order to take advantage of the before mentioned unique properties of nanoparticles and the biological activities of metals, various metal-based nanoparticles (MNPs) have been synthesized in the past few years, such as silver (AgNPs), gold (AuNPs), zinc (ZnNPs), zinc oxide (ZnONPs), copper (CuNPs) and copper oxide (CuONPs) nanoparticles. These MNPs are flexible structures that allow the control of physical characteristics, with enhanced surface properties, which provides a high applicability in dermopharmacy and cosmetics. The conventional methods for synthesizing nanoparticles (physical and chemical approaches) are associated with major drawbacks, being the most concerning the high cost (in resources, energy, time and space) and human/environmental toxicity. Hence, the need to develop an alternative synthesis pathway was imposed, giving rise to the green synthesis methodology. In general, green synthesis consist of using biological sources (plants, bacteria or fungi) to synthesize ecological benign, non-hazard and biocompatible nanoparticles. With the development of green synthesis, starting materials have been used more frequently, among them plants. Plant-mediated green synthesis of nanoparticles is based on the use of plant extracts to synthesize nanoparticles, and their outstanding advantages have paved the way for exciting developments on nanoparticle synthesis to the detriment of complex and toxicity-associated chemical and physical synthesis. MNPs produced by plant-mediated synthesis also demonstrate notorious biological activities, i.e., anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, wound healing and antiaging activities. However, safety assessment of phyto MNPs (phyto-MNPs) holds significant importance due to the lack of toxicological studies and the conception issues that some of the available studies show. In general, current studies suggest the biocompatibility and safety of phyto-MNPs, together with significantly improved and relevant biological activities towards dermopharmaceutical and cosmetic applications. Against this backdrop, there is still a long way to run until the application of phyto-MNPs in the medical, pharmaceutical and cosmetic fields, but studies so far show a very high potential towards their clinical translation for dermopharmaceutical and cosmetics applications. This review focuses on phyto-MNPs synthesized resorting to various plant extracts, including their production, characterization and the biological activities that support their topical application for dermopharmaceutical and cosmetic purposes.

The tuning of DPPC coarse grained models was successfully investigated using coarse grained molecular dynamics simulation and umbrella sampling. The octanol-water partition coefficient was measured with the slow stirring method in order to use it as reference for tuning the DPPC models in terms of their hydrophobicity. The Gibbs free energies of transferring the best fit DPPC model (C4 model) from the octanol to water phase gave −14.51 ± 0.30 kcal mol−1. The octanol/water partitioning coefficient of this DPPC model was calculated to be 10.6 ± 0.2, which is in excellent agreement with the experimental octanol/water partition coefficient, 11.50 ± 1.43. The DPPC monolayer model was validated with molecular dynamics simulations and against experiments performed in a Langmuir trough coupled with a grazing incidence X-ray off-specular scattering apparatus. The area per lipid and thickness of the DPPC bilayer model were also validated against experimental and simulated data from literature. Consequently, the tuned DPPC model is expected to have a realistic behavior in terms of its hydrophobicity and structural characteristics.

Results from laboratory experiments on a pre-tensioned heaving buoy of 8.4 m diameter, tested at scale 1:16 is presented. The wave energy converter, which is under development by the Swedish company CorPower Ocean, is designed with a passive pneumatic machinery component referred to as WaveSpring, invented at NTNU. The negative spring arrangement inherently provides phase control. The power take off system and the effect of the phase-enhancement component was represented by a motor rig run with a force-feedback controller. Responses with and without the WaveSpring unit were measured in order to compare performance in terms of motions, loads and power absorption. The experiments included decay tests, radiation tests, irregular wave tests with the system in normal operation, as well as extreme wave tests with the system in survival mode. The power was extracted through a linear damping force, where the damping coefficients were set close to their theoretical optimum for the heave mode. The results show that with the WaveSpring component, the system is able to absorb three times more power in realistic sea conditions than without it. This is achieved without increasing the damping force, thus giving a three times higher ratio of absorbed energy to PTO force. The maximum mooring line tension in storm conditions is found to be less than 2.5 times the pretension force.

The present article examines the proposal that typology is a major factor guiding transfer selectivity in L3/Ln acquisition. We tested first exposure in L3/Ln using two artificial languages (ALs) lexically based in English and Spanish, focusing on gender agreement between determiners and nouns, and between nouns and adjectives. 50 L1 Spanish-L2 English speakers took part in the experiment. After receiving implicit training in one of the ALs (Mini-Spanish, N = 26; Mini-English, N = 24), gender violations elicited a fronto-lateral negativity in Mini-English in the earliest time window (200–500 ms), although this was not followed by any other differences in subsequent periods. This effect was highly localized, surfacing only in electrodes of the right-anterior region. In contrast, gender violations in Mini-Spanish elicited a broadly distributed positivity in the 300–600 ms time window. While we do not find typical indices of grammatical processing such as the P600 component, we believe that the between-groups differential appearance of the positivity for gender violations in the 300–600 ms time window reflects differential allocation of attentional resources as a function of the ALs’ lexical similarity to English or Spanish. We take these differences in attention to be precursors of the processes involved in transfer source selection in L3/Ln.

Cell-targeted nucleic acid (NA) therapeutics, either DNA- or RNA-based, have experienced considerable attention regarding their potential applications in gene expression modulation aiming at disease management. However, the therapeutic potential of NAs as selective, safe and multispecific biomolecules is principally hindered by their instability in biological fluids and deficient cellular uptake, urgently calling for intelligent design strategies such as NA loading in effective nanosystems. In this regard, NA delivery nanosystems which bypass biological hurdles and are capable of safeguarding the NA payload have been extensively explored so far. Micelleplexes consist of tailored and multifunctional micelle-like nanoassemblies of negatively-charged NAs complexed with cationic blocks, generally of polymeric nature, this way ensuring efficient NA protection and transportation, as well as enhanced cellular transfection and boosted intracellular trafficking. Herein, we review the biomedical applications of stable micelleplexes as robust and smart NA delivery nanosystems focusing on the fine-tuning of their properties toward stimuli-responsiveness and the nanosystem's versatility to accommodate distinct ligands for selective tissue-targeting purposes. Additionally, the nanosafety and regulatory considerations of micelleplexes will also be discussed toward the future clinical translation of micelleplexes for efficient NA delivery to cells, paving the way to next-generation micelleplex-based NA therapeutics.

Introduction Systemic corticosteroids are widely used in chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (CHP); however, there is not much evidence to support their use, besides being associated with significant side effects. Azathioprine (AZA) use is common in CHP, although not prospectively tested in randomized controlled trials. Our objective was to evaluate the lung function trajectory of CHP patients after AZA initiation, as well as to assess the safety profile of this drug. Methods Retrospective analysis of patients initiated on AZA following a multidisciplinary team diagnosis of CHP. The longitudinal trajectory of lung function in the first 2 years of treatment was assessed. Results Thirty-five out of 62 patients (56.5%) remained on treatment after 2 years. AZA treatment was associated with a significant improvement in forced vital capacity (FVC) at 12 and 24 months (p = 0.015 and p total lung capacity (TLC) and 6-min walking test (6MWT) were also reported, although it did not reach statistical differences at the end of 2 years. No changes in diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) were observed. Conclusions This is the first study identifying an improvement in lung function (FVC) of CHP patients on AZA treatment for 2 years. Prospective studies are needed to confirm these results and to more adequately select CHP patients who may benefit from AZA.

The interaction of naringin and naringenin with DPPC monolayer at the air-water interface was investigated by coarse grained molecular dynamics and grazing incidence X-ray off-specular scattering (GIXOS). By molecular dynamics, we found that the DPPC monolayer is not disturbed by the addition of flavonoids at the surface tension of 28 mN m−1. The flavonoids are located in the region of phospholipid polar heads. The GIXOS experiments show that the addition of flavonoids does not change the film thickness at the surface tension of 28 mN m-1, which is in excellent agreement with molecular dynamics simulation. Our very preliminary study indicates that DPPC may be used as a delivery system for the administration of naringenin and naringin to the lung.

Staphylococcus aureus has been established has one of the most common pathogens causing nosocomial infections worldwide and also playing a role in for several outbreaks related to the consumption of contaminated foodstuffs. More recently, the discovery of methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) in raw and processed foods increased the risk factor associated with S. aureus associated foodborne diseases and has led to the search for new sources of antimicrobial agents. Therefore the aim of this study is to evaluate, for the first time, the impact of Vaccinium corymbosum L., fruit and leaf, infusions and decoctions upon methicillin resistant (MRSA) and sensitive S. aureus (MSSA). In order to accomplish these objectives V. corymbosum extracts were characterized and inhibition halos, inhibitory concentrations, impact upon enzymatic activity and biofilm formation were assessed. The results obtained showed that major compounds present in V. corymbosum constitution were quercetin-3-glucoside, chlorogenic and cafeic acids. MRSA and MSSA growth was inhibited at 12.5 mg/mL, for leaf, and 50 mg/mL, for fruit, and sub-MIC concentrations presented inhibition percentages as high as 3 log of viable cells and 47% of biomass. Furthermore DNase and coagulase were also inhibited at sub-MIC concentrations of the extracts. The results obtained imply an effective antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of these extracts towards MRSA and MSSA, thus revealing an interest potential for application in the food industry either as a functional ingredient or a preservative.

ResumoObjetivoAvaliar a evolução do resultado funcional da hemiartroplastia CTA® no tratamento cirúrgico da artropatia degenerativa do manguito rotador com um seguimento médio de 5,4 anos.MétodosForam reavaliados 18 pacientes submetidos à artroplastia parcial CTA® para o tratamento da artropatia degenerativa do manguito rotador entre abril de 2007 e junho de 2009, com seguimento mínimo e médio de 4,6 anos e 5,4 anos, respectivamente. Foram usados parâmetros pré e pós‐operatórios de funcionalidade e satisfação dos pacientes (escala funcional da Universidade da Califórnia em Los Angeles [UCLA]). Todos os pacientes fizeram tratamento conservador prévio por seis meses e foram submetidos ao tratamento cirúrgico na ausência de resultado satisfatório. Foram excluídos pacientes com cirurgia prévia no ombro, pseudoparalisia, insuficiência do arco coracoacromial (tipo 2B da classificação de Seebauer), lesão neurológica ou insuficiência do músculo deltoide e do músculo subescapular.ResultadosCom um seguimento médio de 5,4 anos, 14 pacientes se consideravam satisfeitos com a cirurgia (78%). A amplitude de movimento articular melhorou na elevação ativa média e variou de 55,8° no pré‐operatório para 82° no pós‐operatório. A rotação externa média melhorou de em média 18,9° no pré‐operatório para 27,3° no pós‐operatório. A média da rotação medial manteve‐se no nível da terceira vértebra lombar. O escore UCLA médio, após seguimento médio de 5,4 anos, foi de 23,94 e melhorou em comparação com as médias pré‐operatória e do primeiro ano pós‐operatório.ConclusãoOs resultados funcionais da hemiartroplastia CTA® no tratamento da artropatia do manguito rotador em pacientes selecionados mantiveram‐se satisfatórios após um seguimento médio de 5,4 anos.AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the evolution of the functional results from CTA® hemiarthroplasty for surgically treating degenerative arthropathy of the rotator cuff, with a mean follow‐up of 5.4 years.MethodsEighteen patients who underwent CTA® partial arthroplasty to treat degenerative arthropathy of the rotator cuff between April 2007 and June 2009 were reevaluated, with minimum and mean follow‐ups of 4.6 years and 5.4 years respectively. Pre and postoperative parameters for functionality and patient satisfaction were used (functional scale of the University of California in Los Angeles, UCLA). All the patients underwent prior conservative treatment for six months and underwent surgical treatment because of the absence of satisfactory results. Patients were excluded if they presented any of the following: previous shoulder surgery; pseudoparalysis; insufficiency of the coracoacromial arch (type 2B in Seebauer's classification); neurological lesions; or insufficiency of the deltoid muscle and the subscapularis muscle.ResultsWith a mean follow‐up of 5.4 years, 14 patients considered that they were satisfied with the surgery (78%); the mean range of joint motion for active elevation improved from 55.8 degrees before the operation to 82.0 degrees after the operation; the mean external rotation improved from 18.9 degrees before the operation to 27.3 degrees after the operation; and the mean medial rotation remained at the level of the third lumbar vertebra. The mean UCLA score after the mean follow‐up of 5.4 years was 23.94 and this was an improvement in comparison with the preoperative mean and the mean one year after the operation.ConclusionThe functional results from CTA® hemiarthroplasty for treating rotator cuff arthroplasthy in selected patients remained satisfactory after a mean follow‐up of 5.4 years.

OBJECTIVE: To radiologically evaluate the healing of the coracoclavicular ligaments after surgical treatment for acromioclavicular dislocation.METHODS: Ten patients who had undergone surgical treatment for acromioclavicular dislocation via a posterosuperior route at least one year earlier were invited to return for radiological assessment using magnetic resonance. This evaluation was done by means of analogy with the scale described in the literature for studying the healing of the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee and for measuring the healed coracoclavicular ligaments.RESULTS: A scar structure of fibrous appearance had formed in 100% of the cases. In 50% of the cases, the images of this structure had a good appearance, while the other 50% were deficient.CONCLUSION: Late postoperative evaluation using magnetic resonance, on patients who had been treated for acute acromioclavicular dislocation using a posterosuperior route in the shoulder, showed that the coracoclavicular ligaments had healed in 100% of the cases, but that this healing was deficient in 50%. OBJETIVO: Avaliar radiologicamente a cicatrização dos ligamentos coracoclaviculares após o tratamento cirúrgico para luxação acromioclavicular.MÉTODOS: Foram convocados 10 pacientes submetidos ao tratamento cirúrgico para luxação acromioclavicular pela via posterossuperior, com tempo de pós-operatório mínimo de um ano, para avaliação radiológica por ressonância magnética. Essa avaliação foi feita por meio de analogia com a escala descrita na literatura para estudo da cicatrização do ligamento cruzado anterior do joelho e pela aferição das medidas dos ligamentos coracoclaviculares cicatrizados.RESULTADOS: Houve formação de estrutura cicatricial aparentemente fibrosa em 100% dos casos. Em 50% dos casos, a imagem dessa estrutura era de bom aspecto à ressonância nuclear magnética e 50% deficiente.CONCLUSÃO: A avaliação por ressonância nuclear magnética dos pacientes em pós-operatório tardio de cirurgia para tratamento da luxação acromioclavicular aguda, pela via posterossuperior do ombro, mostrou a cicatrização dos ligamentos coracoclaviculares em 100% dos casos, sendo 50% deficiente.

Bleached Kraft pulp (BKP) from Eucalyptus globulus and cotton xylan blends (CXB) was acetylated. The effects of xylan content on cellulose acetylation and the properties of the acetylated material were studied. An increase in xylan content caused a slight decrease in the degree of substitution (2.98 to 2.68 for CXB; 2.93 to 2.84 for BKP). Thermal analysis showed that the melting temperature also decreases from 268.0 to 188.8 °C for CXB and from 221.4 to 212.8 °C for BKP. Moreover, the solubility decreased due to the partial dissolution of acetylated xylans. The presence of xylans during Kraft pulp acetylation does not have a significant negative effect on the physical properties of the acetylated material, but the decrease in melting temperature was beneficial for the application of acetylated polymer as a natural internal plasticizer. This is considered to be an important argument for BKP utilization in the cellulose acetate manufacturing process.

This paper presents a numerical study on the hydrodynamics of bottom-hinged plate wave energy converters in regular and irregular waves. A parametric analysis of the plate width and height was performed. Both fully submerged and surface-piercing plates were considered. Two distinct models were developed based on linear hydrodynamics. The first one, in the frequency domain, assumes linear forces. The second one, incorporates fluid viscous and other nonlinear effects. For efficient wave power extraction, fully-submerged plates require amplitudes of motion larger than the surface-piercing ones. Such amplitudes may be unrealistically large close to resonance conditions, which in practice can negatively affect the efficiency. The adjustment of the plate natural period through the modification of the system inertia was tested without any significant improvement in the hydrodynamic efficiency. Resonance design criteria, used in heaving point absorbers, seem to be less effective in this case due to the large viscosity-induced damping and constraints in the plate displacement amplitude. Results show that a hydrodynamic efficient plate should have a width-to-water-depth ratio between 2 and 5, presenting a capture width per unit plate width of approximately 0.8 for regular waves and 0.65 for irregular waves, considering the most usual wave periods.

Highlights • Dens invaginatus (dens in dente) is a developmental malformation resulting from an invagination of enamel organ into the dental papilla. Dilated odontome is the most extreme form of dens invaginatus and it is extremely rare in the posterior mandible. • This case presentation shows how easy the diagnosis is with routine panoramic radiography. • Definitive management of this tumor is conservative surgical approach with complete removal by experienced surgeon., Introduction Dens invaginatus (dens in dente) is a developmental malformation resulting from an invagination of enamel organ into the dental papilla, beginning at the crown and sometimes extending into the root before calcification occurs. Dilated odontome is the most extreme form of dens invaginatus and it is extremely rare in the posterior mandible. Presentation of case A 47 years old female patient with occasional episodes of diffuse pain and discomfort in the left posterior mandibular region. The extra-oral examination showed slight facial asymmetry. Panoramic and intra-oral X-rays show an intraosseous circular formation with radiopaque external limits and radiolucent interior. Discussion Computerized tomography scan reveals the bone integrity around the formation, as well as the independence of the neuro-vascular structures of the region. The most likely diagnostic option was dilated odontome. The enucleation procedure was carried out, and the fragments were sent to histopathological examination that revealed a diagnosis consistent with a dilated odontome. Conclusion In this case, the conservative surgical approach after planning was effective and predictable in the treatment of the pathology and patient symptoms without major complications.

Coarse grained molecular dynamics of the permeation of the peptide human beta-defensin-3 (HBD3) in two different lung surfactant models (BLES and CUROSURF) at surface tension of 20 mN m−1 was performed in order to simulate the effect of charge distribution on the permeation process. We found that HBD3 permeates in lung surfactant models at surface tension of 20 mN m−1. However, it sticks to the phospholipid polar heads, possibly having its bactericidal properties inactivated by electrostatic interaction. The HBD3 encapsulated with polyethylene glycol (PEG) molecules does permeate, but it does not interact with the polar heads. The Gibbs free energies of this process in both models were estimated to be -39 and -64 Kcal mol−1 for HBD3 and PEG-encapsulated HBD3, respectively. The peptide HBD3 was pulled from the polar heads to the water phase overcoming an energy barrier of around 17 and 22 Kcal mol−1, respectively. The peptide was encapsulated with PEG molecules in order to reduce this barrier, thereby decreasing to roughly 12 and 0 Kcal mol−1 in BLES and CUROSURF models, respectively. After permeation of the HBD3 encapsulated with PEG, it freely moves in the water phase with little or none interaction with the phospholipid head groups. Lung surfactant with low charge distribution seems to have less or none electrostatic interaction with HBD3, possibly preserving its antimicrobial activity.

Neospora caninum is an obligate intracellular parasite related to cases of abortion and fertility impairment in cattle. The control of the parasite still lacks an effective protective strategy and the understanding of key mechanisms for host infection might be crucial for identification of specific targets. There are many proteins related to important mechanisms in the host cell infection cycle such as adhesion, invasion, proliferation and immune evasion. The surface proteins, especially SRS (Surface Antigen Glycoprotein - Related Sequences), have been demonstrated to have a pivotal role in the adhesion and invasion processes, making them potential anti-parasite targets. However, several predicted surface proteins were not described concerning their function and importance in the parasite life cycle. As such, a novel SRS protein, NcSRS57, was described. NcSRS57 antiserum was used to detect SRS proteins by immunofluorescence in parasites treated or not with phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC). The treatment with PI-PLC also allowed the identification of NcSRS29B and NcSRS29C, which were the most abundant SRS proteins in the soluble fraction. Our data indicated that SRS proteins in N. caninum shared a high level of sequence similarity and were susceptible to PI-PLC. In addition, the description of the SRS members, regarding abundance, function and immunogenicity will be useful in guiding specific methods to control the mechanism of adhesion and invasion mediated by these surface proteins.