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Introduction and objectives: Aortic valve replacement surgery (SAVR) remains a recommended indication, though its pre-surgical stratification is an ongoing challenge. Despite the widespread use of scores like the STS and EuroSCORE II, they have a number of limitations, while often neglecting structural parameters like left ventricular hypertrophy or left atrium volume. This study aimed to evaluate whether a new adaptation of the Généreux classification in the preoperative risk stratification of severe aortic stenosis (AS) is associated with the primary outcome, and to compare it with the original classification versus the traditional scores in short- and long-term follow-up. Methods: We conducted a retrospective, single-center study involving patients with confirmed severe AS who underwent SAVR. The new stratification categorized patients into three stages. Cox regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with mortality, with survival analysis performed using Kaplan–Meier curves. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 508 patients were included. Stage 3 patients had a lower median age (67 years). The median EuroSCORE II and STS scores were 2.75 and 2.62%, respectively (p ≤ 0.001). Over a median follow-up of 81 months, 56 deaths occurred (11%). Kaplan–Meier curve analysis revealed significant differences in all-cause mortality among the three groups (HR 4.073, log-rank p ≤ 0.001). Multivariable analysis identified the three preoperative stages (HR 3.22, [95% CI 1.44–7.20], p = 0.004) and mean transaortic gradient (HR 0.96, [95% CI 0.92–0.99], p = 0.021) as independent variables of mortality. The original Généreux scale AUC was higher (AUC: 0.760, 95% CI: 0.692–0.829) compared to the modified Généreux scale (AUC: 0.758, 95% CI: 0.687–0.829). However, no statistical differences were found between the different scales. Conclusions: Preoperative three-stage classification and low transaortic gradient are factors associated with increased all-cause mortality in patients undergoing SAVR. The proposed staging system performed better in the mortality analysis than EuroSCORE II and STS and was similar to the original classification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) often complicates mitral stenosis (MS). The prognostic impact of pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) in MS patients remains unclear. Previous study has demonstrated the prognostic impact of right atrial pressure (RAP) in patients with primary PH. We aim to determine the prognostic impact of PVR and RAP in patients with rheumatic MS undergoing percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty (PMBV). Methods: A total of 58 patients with symptomatic severe rheumatic MS who underwent PMBV between 2016 and 2020 were included. Patients were divided into two groups: PVR ≤ 2WU (N = 26) and PVR > 2WU (N = 32). The composite endpoint included death, reintervention or persistent NYHA functional class III-IV during follow-up. Results: The median age was 50 (42–60) years, with 82.8% being female. Median pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) was 42 (35–50.5) mmHg. Patients with PVR ≤ 2WU had lower PASP on both echocardiogram and catheterization. The PMBV success rate was 75.9%. Multivariate analysis, adjusted for PVR, showed RAP as the only independent predictor of the composite endpoint (HR:1.507, 95% CI:1.015–2.237, p = 0.042). The optimal RAP cutoff was 9.5 mmHg (HR:3.481, 95% CI:1.041–11.641; p = 0.043). Conclusions: RAP was an independent predictor of adverse outcomes in patients with rheumatic MS undergoing PMBV, while PVR did not show prognostic significance. These findings suggest that the prognostic value of PVR may be lower than expected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Correctly identifying and classifying food is decisive in food safety. The food sector is constantly evolving, and one of the technologies that stands out is augmented reality (AR). During practical studies at Companhia de Entreposto e Armazéns Gerais de São Paulo (CEAGESP), responsible for the largest food storage in South America, difficulties were identified in classifying aromatic herbs due to the large number of species. The project aimed to create an innovative AR application called ARomaticLens to solve the challenges associated with identifying and classifying aromatic herbs using the design science research (DSR) methodology. The research was divided into five stages according to the DSR methodology, from surveying the problem situation at CEAGESP to validating the application through practical tests and an experience questionnaire carried out by CEAGESP specialists. The result of the study presented 100% accuracy in identifying the 18 types of aromatic herbs studied when associated with the application's local database without the use of an Internet connection, in addition to a score of 8 on a scale of 0 to 10 in terms of the usability of the interface as rated by users. The advantage of the applied method is that the app can be used offline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid evolution of digital technology and the increasing integration of artificial intelligence in agriculture have paved the way for groundbreaking solutions in plant identification. This research pioneers the development and training of a deep learning model to identify three aromatic plants—rosemary, mint, and bay leaf—using advanced computer-aided detection within the You Only Look Once (YOLO) framework. Employing the Cross Industry Standard Process for Data Mining (CRISP-DM) methodology, the study meticulously covers data understanding, preparation, modeling, evaluation, and deployment phases. The dataset, consisting of images from diverse devices and annotated with bounding boxes, was instrumental in the training process. The model's performance was evaluated using the mean average precision at a 50% intersection over union (mAP50), a metric that combines precision and recall. The results demonstrated that the model achieved a precision of 0.7 or higher for each herb, though recall values indicated potential over-detection, suggesting the need for database expansion and methodological enhancements. This research underscores the innovative potential of deep learning in aromatic plant identification and addresses both the challenges and advantages of this technique. The findings significantly advance the integration of artificial intelligence in agriculture, promoting greater efficiency and accuracy in plant identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detecting emotions is a growing field aiming to comprehend and interpret human emotions from various data sources, including text, voice, and physiological signals. Electroencephalogram (EEG) is a unique and promising approach among these sources. EEG is a non-invasive monitoring technique that records the brain's electrical activity through electrodes placed on the scalp's surface. It is used in clinical and research contexts to explore how the human brain responds to emotions and cognitive stimuli. Recently, its use has gained interest in real-time emotion detection, offering a direct approach independent of facial expressions or voice. This is particularly useful in resource-limited scenarios, such as brain–computer interfaces supporting mental health. The objective of this work is to evaluate the classification of emotions (positive, negative, and neutral) in EEG signals using machine learning and deep learning, focusing on Graph Convolutional Neural Networks (GCNN), based on the analysis of critical attributes of the EEG signal (Differential Entropy (DE), Power Spectral Density (PSD), Differential Asymmetry (DASM), Rational Asymmetry (RASM), Asymmetry (ASM), Differential Causality (DCAU)). The electroencephalography dataset used in the research was the public SEED dataset (SJTU Emotion EEG Dataset), obtained through auditory and visual stimuli in segments from Chinese emotional movies. The experiment employed to evaluate the model results was "subject-dependent". In this method, the Deep Neural Network (DNN) achieved an accuracy of 86.08%, surpassing SVM, albeit with significant processing time due to the optimization characteristics inherent to the algorithm. The GCNN algorithm achieved an average accuracy of 89.97% in the subject-dependent experiment. This work contributes to emotion detection in EEG, emphasizing the effectiveness of different models and underscoring the importance of selecting appropriate features and the ethical use of these technologies in practical applications. The GCNN emerges as the most promising methodology for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brain stroke, or a cerebrovascular accident, is a devastating medical condition that disrupts the blood supply to the brain, depriving it of oxygen and nutrients. Each year, according to the World Health Organization, 15 million people worldwide experience a stroke. This results in approximately 5 million deaths and another 5 million individuals suffering permanent disabilities. The complex interplay of various risk factors highlights the urgent need for sophisticated analytical methods to more accurately predict stroke risks and manage their outcomes. Machine learning and deep learning technologies offer promising solutions by analyzing extensive datasets including patient demographics, health records, and lifestyle choices to uncover patterns and predictors not easily discernible by humans. These technologies enable advanced data processing, analysis, and fusion techniques for a comprehensive health assessment. We conducted a comprehensive review of 25 review papers published between 2020 and 2024 on machine learning and deep learning applications in brain stroke diagnosis, focusing on classification, segmentation, and object detection. Furthermore, all these reviews explore the performance evaluation and validation of advanced sensor systems in these areas, enhancing predictive health monitoring and personalized care recommendations. Moreover, we also provide a collection of the most relevant datasets used in brain stroke analysis. The selection of the papers was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. Furthermore, this review critically examines each domain, identifies current challenges, and proposes future research directions, emphasizing the potential of AI methods in transforming health monitoring and patient care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes the viability of different solutions to passively augment the axial stiffness of a horizontal axis radial levitation passive magnetic bearing (PMB) with a previously studied topology. The zero-field cooling (ZFC) of high-temperature superconductor (HTS) bulks promotes higher magnetic impulsion and levitation forces and lower electromagnetic losses than those with field-cooling (FC) but, on the other hand, the guiding stability is much lower than those with FC. Because of stability reasons, FC was adopted in most superconducting maglev systems. The trend of this research group has been to develop a horizontal axis HTS ZFC radial levitation PMB presenting notable levitation forces with reduced electromagnetic losses, defined by a topology that creates guiding stability. Previous work has shown that optimizing the bearing geometry to maximize magnetic guidance forces might not be enough to guarantee the axial stiffness required for many applications. First, the extent to which guidance forces are augmented by increasing the number of HTS bulks in the stator is evaluated. Then, the axial stiffness augmentation by passively adding two limiting permanent magnet (PM) rings is evaluated. The results show that the axial stiffness is highly augmented by adding limiting PM rings with no significant additional investment. This change enables the use of the studied ZFC superconducting PMB in high-precision axial stability applications, such as precision gyroscopes, horizontal axis propellers, and turbines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to study the impact of polymorphisms in the genes encoding interleukin-6 (IL6) and tumor necrosis factor receptor-2 (TNFR2), reported to be mortality risk predictors, in patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) undergoing dialysis. TNFRSF1B (rs3397, rs1061624, and rs1061622) and IL6 (rs1800796, rs1800797, and rs1554606) polymorphisms were studied in patients with ESKD and controls; the genotype and allele frequencies and the associations with inflammatory and erythropoiesis markers were determined; deaths were recorded throughout the following two years. The genotype and allele frequencies for the TNFRSF1B rs3397 polymorphism were different in these patients compared to those in the controls and the global and European populations, and patients with the C allele were less common. Patients with the CC genotype for TNFRSF1B rs3397 presented higher hemoglobin and erythrocyte counts and lower TNF-α levels, suggesting a more favorable inflammatory response that seems to be associated with erythropoiesis improvement. Patients with the GG genotype for TNFRSF1B rs1061622 showed lower serum ferritin levels. None of the TNFRSF1B (rs3397, rs1061624, and rs1061622) or IL6 (rs1800796, rs1800797, and rs1554606) polymorphisms had a significant impact on the all-cause mortality rate of Portuguese patients with ESKD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salt marshes play a critical role in supporting water quality, erosion control, flood protection, and carbon sequestration. Threats from climate change and human activities have prompted global restoration initiatives. We analyzed restoration efforts worldwide from 1978 to 2022, using the Web of Science database and SciMAT mapping tool. After a PRISMA screening to identify methodologies, success rates, and key indicators, a total of 62 publications underwent detailed analysis, to increase knowledge on the best practices to employ in future restoration interventions and evaluation of their effectiveness. The research reveals a growing interest in ecosystem dynamics, biodiversity, anthropogenic impacts, and ecosystem services. Assisted interventions emerged as the predominant restoration method, employing 15 indicators across vegetation, sediment, fauna, and water, each one using different metrics for the intervention evaluation based on how good the outcome of the interventions described in the reviewed studies met the desired result. Our analysis suggests that combining natural interventions such as managed realignment with reconnection to tidal waters, along with long-term monitoring of vegetation, fauna, and water indicators such as sedimentation and erosion rates, plant cover and biomass, as well as fauna diversity and density, leads to the most successful outcomes. We provide valuable insights into best practices for future restoration interventions, offering guidance to future practitioners and policymakers based on a comprehensive review of the scientific literature, contributing to the resilience of these vital ecosystems, and ensuring effective restoration actions in the coming years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using pumps operating as turbines (PATs) offers the possibility of increasing the sustainability of water and energy systems by recovering the excess energy that would be otherwise lost in pressure-reducing valves or head loss chambers. Regarding on-grid applications, there have been many research works, and PATs have been implemented in several ways. However, more research still needs to be done on optimizing the efficiency and stability of PATs operating in off-grid systems. This work contributes to the development of stable direct current (DC) off-grid electric systems based on PATs using a self-excited induction generator (SEIG). In this context, a methodology is proposed, based on the hydraulic, mechanical, and electric subsystems, to define the PAT-SEIG operational area to maximize energy conversion and system efficiency. These limits depend highly on the capacitor value, rotational speed, and electric load. In addition, an analytical model is proposed to estimate the PAT-SEIG operation under specific conditions. With this, water managers can design and optimize an off-grid PAT-SEIG system and define the best hydraulic machines, electronic equipment, and control elements to maximize energy conversion within the target of operational limits. Two micro PAT-SEIG setups were implemented in the hydraulic laboratory of IST/CERIS under typical operating conditions to validate the proposed methodology. The system's maximum efficiency and operational limits can be adapted using different capacitor values for the excitation of the SEIG. Considering the nominal efficiencies of the system's components, the maximum p.u. efficiency obtained for each PAT-SEIG system was between 0.7 and 0.8 p.u. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Worldwide, the number of elderly individuals receiving chronic hemodialysis is rising. The aim of our study was to evaluate several clinical and analytical biomarkers in chronically dialyzed patients and analyze how they change with age. A cross-sectional study was performed by evaluating 289 end-stage renal disease patients undergoing dialysis. We evaluated the hemogram, adipokines, the lipid profile, and several markers related to inflammation, endothelial function/fibrinolysis, nutrition, iron metabolism, and cardiac and renal fibrosis. Clinical data and dialysis efficacy parameters were obtained from all patients. The relationships between studied biomarkers and age were assessed by a statistical comparison between younger (adults with age < 65 years) and older (age ≥ 65 years) patients and by performing regression analysis. Participants presented a mean age of 68.7 years (±13.6), with 66.8% (n = 193) being classified as older. Compared to younger patients, older patients presented the following: (a) significantly lower values of diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and ultrafiltration volume; (b) lower levels of phosphorus, uric acid, creatinine, and albumin; and (c) higher circulating concentrations of tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA), D-dimer, interleukin-6, leptin, N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1. In the multiple linear regression analysis, DBP values, tPA, phosphorus, and D-dimer levels were independently associated with the age of patients (standardized betas: −0.407, 0.272, −0.230, and 0.197, respectively; p < 0.001 for all), demonstrating relevant changes in biomarkers with increasing age at cardiovascular and nutritional levels. These findings seem to result from crosstalk mechanisms between aging and chronic kidney disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The world's water infrastructures suffer from inefficiencies, such as high energy consumption and water losses due to inadequate management practices and feeble pressure regulation, leading to frequent water and energy losses. This strains vital water and energy resources, especially in the face of the worsening challenges of climate change and population growth. A novel method is presented that integrates micro-hydropower plants, with pumps as turbines (PATs), in the water network in the city of Funchal. Sensitivity analyses evaluated the microgrid's response to variations in the cost of energy components, showing favorable outcomes with positive net present value (NPV). PV solar and micro-wind turbines installed exclusively at the selected PRV sites within the Funchal hydro grid generate a combined 153 and 55 MWh/year, respectively, supplementing the 406 MWh/year generated by PATs. It should be noted that PATs consistently have the lowest cost of electricity (LCOE), confirming their economic viability and efficiency across different scenarios, even after accounting for reductions in alternative energy sources and grid infrastructure costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A steady supply of mineral raw materials is vital for the transition to a low-carbon, circular economy. The number of active mines in Europe has severely declined over the last century and half, giving rise to many abandoned mining waste sites and corresponding geological heritage. Also, the rise in minerals demand for large-scale deployment of renewable energy requires the continued and steady availability of key minerals. The supply risk associated with unpredicted geopolitical events needs to be eliminated/mitigated. Historical mine waste sites are the answer but evaluating mine waste is a lengthy and costly exercise. The study, undertaken in the Lousal Mine, used small unmanned aerial systems (sUASs) to model and determine mine waste volumes by generating orthomosaic maps with quick, inexpensive, and reliable results. Calculated mine waste volumes between 308,478 m3 and 322,455 m3 were obtained. XRD and p-XRF techniques determined the mineralogy and chemistry of waste, which varied from mineralization and host rocks with hydrothermal alteration and numerous neogenic sulphates (mostly gypsum, rhomboclase, ferricopiapite, coquimbite, and jarosite) related with supergene processes and weathering. The study shows the viability of using these sUASs to successfully model historical mine waste sites in an initial phase and for future monitoring programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metallic electrodes are widely used in many applications, the analysis of their frequency-domain behavior is an important subject, particularly in applications related to earthing/grounding systems, from dc up into the MHz range. In this paper, a numerical evaluation of the frequency-dependent complex impedance of the hemispherical ground electrode is implemented. A closed-form solution for non-zero frequencies is still a difficult task to achieve as evidenced in a previous paper dedicated to the subject and, therefore, numerical approaches should be an alternative option. The aim of this article is to present a solution based on a numerical method using finite element analysis. In typical commercial FE tools, electric currents exhibit azimuthal orientation and, as such, the magnetic field has a null azimuthal component but non-null axial and radial components. On the contrary, a dual problem is considered in this work, with a purely azimuthal magnetic field. To overcome the difficulty of directly using a commercial FE tool, a novel formulation is developed. An innovative 2D formulation, the ι-form, is developed as a modification of the H-formulation applied to axisymmetric magnetic field problems. The results are validated using a classical 3D H-formulation; comparisons showed very good agreement. The electrode complex impedance is analyzed considering two different cases. Firstly, the grounding system is constituted by a hemispherical electrode surrounded by a remote concentric electrode; in the second case, the grounding system is constituted by two identical thin hemispherical electrodes. Computed results are presented and discussed, showing how the grounding impedance depends on the frequency and, also, on the radius of the remote concentric electrode (first case) or on the distance between the two hemispherical electrodes (second case). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep learning has rapidly increased in popularity, leading to the development of perception solutions for autonomous driving. The latter field leverages techniques developed for computer vision in other domains for accomplishing perception tasks such as object detection. However, the black-box nature of deep neural models and the complexity of the autonomous driving context motivates the study of explainability in these models that perform perception tasks. Moreover, this work explores explainable AI techniques for the object detection task in the context of autonomous driving. An extensive and detailed comparison is carried out between gradient-based and perturbation-based methods (e.g., D-RISE). Moreover, several experimental setups are used with different backbone architectures and different datasets to observe the influence of these aspects in the explanations. All the techniques explored consist of saliency methods, making their interpretation and evaluation primarily visual. Nevertheless, numerical assessment methods are also used. Overall, D-RISE and guided backpropagation obtain more localized explanations. However, D-RISE highlights more meaningful regions, providing more human-understandable explanations. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first approach to obtaining explanations focusing on the regression of the bounding box coordinates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural and sustainable anti-aging ingredients have gained attention from the cosmetic industry. This study evaluated the anti-aging potential of a sugarcane straw extract-based (SSE) cosmetic ingredient. First, cytotoxicity tests were assessed in keratinocytes and fibroblast cell lines, and sensitization was carried out through the direct peptide reactivity assay. Subsequently, various anti-aging properties were investigated, including inhibiting skin aging-related enzymes, promoting elastin and hyaluronic acid synthesis, and anti-pollution activity. Finally, a permeability assay using a synthetic membrane resembling skin was conducted. The results demonstrated that the SSE ingredient effectively inhibited elastase (55%), collagenase (25%), and tyrosinase (47%) while promoting hyaluronic acid production at non-cytotoxic and low-sensitizer concentrations. Moreover, it reduced the inflammatory response provoked by urban pollution, as evidenced by decreased levels of IL1-α and IL-6. However, it was observed that the phenolic compounds predominantly reached the skin's surface, indicating a limited ability to penetrate deeper layers of the skin. Therefore, it can be concluded that the SSE ingredient holds anti-aging properties, albeit with limited penetration into deeper skin layers. Further research and formulation advancements are needed to optimize the ingredient's ability to reach and exert its effects in deeper skin layers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Curcumin is a natural phenolic compound with important biological functions. Despite its demonstrated efficacy in vitro, curcumin biological activities in vivo are dependent on its bioaccessibility and bioavailability, which have been highlighted as a crucial challenge. Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide-modified cellulose nanocrystals (CNC-CTAB) have been shown to be effective in curcumin encapsulation, as they have the potential to enhance biological outcomes. This study evaluated the biological effects of curcumin encapsulated within CNC-CTAB structures, namely its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, as well as the release profile under digestion conditions and intestinal permeability. Encapsulated curcumin demonstrated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, effectively reducing reactive oxygen species and cytokine production by intestinal cells. The delivery system exhibited antimicrobial properties against Campylobacter jejuni bacteria, further suggesting its potential in mitigating intestinal inflammation. The system showed the ability to protect curcumin from degradation and facilitate its interaction with the intestinal epithelium, highlighting the potential of CNC-CTAB as carrier to enhance curcumin intestinal biological functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Of the different renewable sources of energy, photovoltaic energy has one of the highest potentials. In recent decades, several technological and research advances have contributed to the consolidation of its potential. One current photovoltaic energy research topic is the analysis of the impact of sediments on the panels' performance. The development of models to predict the performance of panels in the presence of sediments may allow for better decision-making when considering maintenance operations. This work contributed to the investigation of the influence of sand on the production of photovoltaic energy in cadmium telluride (CdTe) panels. Six panels of this type with different colors and transparencies were experimentally tested with and without the presence of sand. The impact of the sand on the cells' performance was evaluated by analyzing the change in the 1M5P model's parameters and in the power, efficiency, and fill factors. The experimental results show different negative impacts on the output power of the CdTe panels, from −14% in the orange panel to −36% in the green panel. Based on this study, the development of a model capable of predicting the effect of the sand on these panels was introduced. The developed model was validated experimentally, with a maximum deviation of 4.6%. These results can provide support for the decision-making around maintenance activities and for the development of new techniques to avoid sediment deposition on CdTe panels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change in the Mediterranean area is making summers warmer and dryer. Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) is mostly important for wine production in Mediterranean countries, and the variety Tempranillo is one of the most cultivated in Spain and Portugal. Drought decreases yield and quality and causes important economic losses. As full irrigation has negative effects on quality and water is scarce in this region, deficit irrigation is often applied. In this research, we studied the effects of two deficit irrigation treatments, Sustained Deficit Irrigation (SDI) and Regulated Deficit Irrigation (RDI), on the transcriptome of grape berries at full maturation, through RNAseq. The expression of differentially regulated genes (DEGs) was also monitored through RT-qPCR along berry development. Most transcripts were regulated by water stress, with a similar distribution of up- and down-regulated transcripts within functional categories (FC). Primary metabolism was the more severely affected FC under water stress, followed by signaling and transport. Almost all DEGs monitored were significantly up-regulated by severe water stress at veraison. The modulation of an auxin response repression factor, AUX22D, by water stress indicates a role of this gene in the response to drought. Further, the expression of WRKY40, a TF that regulates anthocyanin biosynthesis, may be responsible for changes in grape quality under severe water stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Failure modes, effects, and criticality analysis (FMECA) is a qualitative risk analysis method widely used in various industrial and service applications. Despite its popularity, the method suffers from several shortcomings analyzed in the literature over the years. The classical approach to obtain the failure modes' risk level does not consider any relative importance between the risk factors and may not necessarily represent the real risk perception of the FMECA team members, usually expressed by natural language. This paper introduces the application of Type-I fuzzy inference systems (FIS) as an alternative to improve the failure modes' risk level computation in the classic FMECA analysis and its use in cyber-power grids. Our fuzzy-based FMECA considers first a set of fuzzy variables defined by FMECA experts to embody the uncertainty associated with the human language. Second, the "seven plus or minus two" criterion is used to set the number of fuzzy sets to each variable, forming a rule base consisting of 125 fuzzy rules to represent the risk perception of the experts. In the electrical power systems framework, the new fuzzy-based FMECA is utilized for reliability analysis of cyber-power grid systems, assessing its benefits relative to a classic FMECA. The paper provides the following three key contributions: (1) representing the uncertainty associated with the FMECA experts using fuzzy sets, (2) representing the FMECA experts' reasoning and risk perception through fuzzy-rule-based reasoning, and (3) applying the proposed fuzzy approach, which is a promissory method to accurately define the prioritization of failure modes in the context of reliability analysis of cyber-power grid systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a common cardiovascular complication in end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients. We aimed at studying the association of LVH with adiponectin and leptin levels, cardiovascular stress/injury biomarkers and nutritional status in these patients. We evaluated the LV mass (LVM) and calculated the LVM index (LVMI) in 196 ESKD patients on dialysis; the levels of hemoglobin, calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone, albumin, adiponectin, leptin, N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and growth differentiation factor (GDF)-15 were analyzed. ESKD patients with LVH (n = 131) presented higher NT-proBNP and GDF-15, lower hemoglobin and, after adjustment for gender, lower leptin levels compared with non-LVH patients. LVH females also showed lower leptin than the non-LVH female group. In the LVH group, LVMI presented a negative correlation with leptin and a positive correlation with NT-proBNP. Leptin emerged as an independent determinant of LVMI in both groups, and NT-proBNP in the LVH group. Low hemoglobin and leptin and increased calcium, NT-proBNP and dialysis vintage are associated with an increased risk of developing LVH. In ESKD patients on dialysis, LVH is associated with lower leptin values (especially in women), which are negatively correlated with LVMI, and with higher levels of biomarkers of myocardial stress/injury. Leptin and NT-proBNP appear as independent determinants of LVMI; dialysis vintage, hemoglobin, calcium, NT-proBNP and leptin emerged as predicting markers for LVH development. Further studies are needed to better understand the role of leptin in LVH in ESKD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poor aqueous solubility, stability and bioavailability of interesting bioactive compounds is a challenge in the development of bioactive formulations. Cellulose nanostructures are promising and sustainable carriers with unique features that may be used in enabling delivery strategies. In this work, cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) and cellulose nanofibers were investigated as carriers for the delivery of curcumin, a model liposoluble compound. Nanocellulose modification with the surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), tannic acid and decylamine (TADA), and by TEMPO-mediated oxidation were also tested and compared. The carrier materials were characterized in terms of structural properties and surface charge, while the delivery systems were evaluated for their encapsulation and release properties. The release profile was assessed in conditions that mimic the gastric and intestinal fluids, and cytotoxicity studies were performed in intestinal cells to confirm safe application. Modification with CTAB and TADA resulted in high curcumin encapsulation efficiencies of 90 and 99%, respectively. While no curcumin was released from TADA-modified nanocellulose in simulated gastrointestinal conditions, CNC-CTAB allowed for a curcumin-sustained release of ca. 50% over 8 h. Furthermore, the CNC-CTAB delivery system showed no cytotoxic effects on Caco-2 intestinal cells up to 0.125 g/L, meaning that up to this concentration the system is safe to use. Overall, the use of the delivery systems allowed for the reduction in the cytotoxicity associated with higher curcumin concentrations, highlighting the potential of nanocellulose encapsulation systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents results from a simple experimental methodology used to determine the amount of heat transferred from an yttrium barium copper oxide (YBCO) bulk to liquid nitrogen (LN2) and LN2 consumption during the process of zero-field cooling (ZFC). The thermal power can be determined from the YBCO bulk temperature variation, which is difficult to measure with accuracy. In this procedure, the thermal power from the YBCO bulk to LN2 is determined from the measured rate of LN2 evaporation, considering the LN2 latent heat. To reduce the influence of room temperature heating and make the LN2 mass variation depend as much as possible on the heat released from the YBCO bulk, a step transient from room temperature into the LN2 is performed. The precision of results is determined from the rate of LN2 evaporation due to room temperature heating with the bulk already cooled by ZFC. The temperature evolution at the bulk lateral surface where the heat transfer is higher is also measured. The results from experimental measurements are compared with 3D finite element analysis (FEA) numerical results. The obtained evolutions of the temperature and thermal power from the YBCO bulk are used to validate YBCO thermal parameters, such as thermal conductivity and specific heat capacity at constant pressure. The YBCO bulk equivalent heat capacity and thermal resistance are determined by analyzing the equivalent first-order thermal lumped parameter circuit based on the obtained evolutions in time of the YBCO temperature and heat transferred to the LN2. The characteristics of dependence of the YBCO thermal resistance and heat capacity with temperature are obtained by correlating their time evolutions with the bulk average temperature evolution in time. The YBCO-specific heat capacity at constant pressure is then calculated by dividing the obtained bulk heat capacity by the bulk mass. The YBCO thermal conductivity is calculated from the obtained thermal resistance considering an equivalent bulk section and length toward the main direction of heat flux. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chagas disease is an endemic tropical disease caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, which affects around 7 million people worldwide, mostly in development countries. The treatment relies on only two available drugs, with severe adverse effects and a limited efficacy. Therefore, the search for new therapies is a legitimate need. Within this context, our group reported the anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activity of gibbilimbol B, a natural alkylphenol isolated from the plant Piper malacophyllum. Two synthetic derivatives, LINS03018 (1) and LINS03024 (2), demonstrated a higher antiparasitic potency and were selected for mechanism of action investigations. Our studies revealed no alterations in the plasma membrane potential, but a rapid alkalinization of the acidocalcisomes. Nevertheless, compound 1 exhibit a pronounced effect in the bioenergetics metabolism, with a mitochondrial impairment and consequent decrease in ATP and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Compound 2 only depolarized the mitochondrial membrane potential, with no interferences in the respiratory chain. Additionally, no macrophages response of nitric oxide (NO) was observed in both compounds. Noteworthy, simple structure modifications in these derivatives induced significant differences in their lethal effects. Thus, this work reinforces the importance of the mechanism of action investigations at the early phases of drug discovery and support further developments of the series. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol (CBG) are two pharmacologically active phytocannabinoids of Cannabis sativa L. Their antimicrobial activity needs further elucidation, particularly for CBG, as reports on this cannabinoid are scarce. We investigated CBD and CBG's antimicrobial potential, including their ability to inhibit the formation and cause the removal of biofilms. Our results demonstrate that both molecules present activity against planktonic bacteria and biofilms, with both cannabinoids removing mature biofilms at concentrations below the determined minimum inhibitory concentrations. We report for the first time minimum inhibitory and lethal concentrations for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli (ranging from 400 to 3180 µM), as well as the ability of cannabinoids to inhibit Staphylococci adhesion to keratinocytes, with CBG demonstrating higher activity than CBD. The value of these molecules as preservative ingredients for cosmetics was also assayed, with CBG meeting the USP 51 challenge test criteria for antimicrobial effectiveness. Further, the exact formulation showed no negative impact on skin microbiota. Our results suggest that phytocannabinoids can be promising topical antimicrobial agents when searching for novel therapeutic candidates for different skin conditions. Additional research is needed to clarify phytocannabinoids' mechanisms of action, aiming to develop practical applications in dermatological use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phytocannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD) is receiving increasing attention due to its pharmacological properties. Although CBD is extracted from Cannabis sativa, it lacks the psychoactive effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and has become an attractive compound for pharmacological uses due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticonvulsant, and anxiolytic potential. The molecular mechanisms involved in CBD's biological effects are not limited to its interaction with classical cannabinoid receptors, exerting anti-inflammatory or pain-relief effects. Several pieces of evidence demonstrate that CBD interacts with other receptors and cellular signaling cascades, which further support CBD's therapeutic potential beyond pain management. In this review, we take a closer look at the molecular mechanisms of CBD and its potential therapeutic application in the context of cancer, neurodegeneration, and autoimmune diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Renewable energy sources are becoming more and more essential to energy production as societies evolve toward a fossil-fuel-free world. Solar energy is one of the most abundant sources of green energy. Nanoantennas can be used to improve and enhance the absorption of light into a photovoltaic cell in order to generate more current. In this study, different nanoantenna structures are analysed in tandem with a silicon solar cell in an effort to improve its output. The nanoantennas studied are metallic aperture nanoantennas made up of either silver, aluminium, gold or copper. The three geometries compared are rectangular, circular and triangular. The maximum field enhancement obtained is for an aluminium rectangular nanoantenna of 50 nm thickness. Despite this, the geometry with more improvements compared with a basic silicon cell was the circle geometry with a 100 nm radius. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies reported that p-coumaric acid modulates melanoma growth. Because the esterification of p-coumaric acid (p-CA) enhanced its activity as an antimelanogenic agent, we aimed to determine the antitumor potential of two derivatives, the ethyl and butyl esters, against the murine B16-F10 and the human SK-MEL-25 melanoma cells. Cell viability was determined in vitro by the lactate dehydrogenase release and violet crystal absorption assays. The cell proliferation rate and cell cycle behavior were determined by the colony formation assay and flow cytometry analysis. Although p-CA, at the concentration of 1 mM, failed to exert a significant antitumor activity, the ethyl and butyl ester derivatives caused substantial tumor cell death at doses < 1 mM. Despite a reduction in their direct cytotoxicity at minor doses, both products controlled the melanoma growth by arresting the cell cycle at the G0/G1 (B16-F10) or S/G2 (SK-MEL-25). Furthermore, the in vivo experiments showed that the butyl ester derivative suppressed the lung B16-F10 burden, compared to the p-CA-treated mice. Thus, the esterification of p-coumaric acid improved the control over the proliferation of murine and human melanoma cells and can be considered an approach for designing novel anticancer agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citrus canker, caused by the bacterium Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri (Xcc), is a disease that causes serious problems to the global citrus industry. Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight (MALDI-TOF) Mass Spectrometry (MS) has been used in human medicine to diagnose various diseases caused by both fungi and bacteria. In agriculture, this technique has potential for the diagnosis of diseases due to the low cost of large-scale analysis and quickness. This study showed that MALDI-TOF MS combined with chemometric analysis was effective for differentiating the macromolecule profile of orange leaves with canker lesions, healthy leaves, and leaves with phytotoxicity symptoms, proving that this technique may be used for the rapid diagnosis of citrus canker. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work intended to elucidate, in an in vitro approach, the cellular and molecular mechanisms occurring during the bone healing process, upon implantation of a tailored degradable multifunctional Mg-based alloy. This was prepared by a conjoining anodization of the bare alloy (AZ31) followed by the deposition of a polymeric coating functionalized with hydroxyapatite. Human endothelial cells and osteoblastic and osteoclastic differentiating cells were exposed to the extracts from the multifunctional platform (having a low degradation rate), as well as the underlying anodized and original AZ31 alloy (with higher degradation rates). Extracts from the multifunctional coated alloy did not affect cellular behavior, although a small inductive effect was observed in the proliferation and gene expression of endothelial and osteoblastic cells. Extracts from the higher degradable anodized and original alloys induced the expression of some endothelial genes and, also, ALP and TRAP activities, further increasing the expression of some early differentiation osteoblastic and osteoclastic genes. The integration of these results in a translational approach suggests that, following the implantation of a tailored degradable Mg-based material, the absence of initial deleterious effects would favor the early stages of bone repair and, subsequently, the on-going degradation of the coating and the subjacent alloy would increase bone metabolism dynamics favoring a faster bone formation and remodeling process and enhancing bone healing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study aimed to investigate the impact of three dietary balanced protein levels on laying hens, during the rearing and laying phases. The performance and body composition were monitored at 7, 11, 15, and 18 weeks old, while for the laying phase the responses were monitored every 28 days, from 19–102 weeks of age. The dietary protein applied in this study did not affect the responses evaluated in the rearing phase, but it clearly affected the long-term egg production. Overall, the egg production of hens consuming a high protein diet was superior compared to hens in the lower protein group and similar results were observed for body weight and body composition. The benefits of this study were to demonstrate the dynamic traits of laying hens in the long-term egg production cycle in three dietary balanced protein scenarios as similar data could not be found elsewhere. The objective of this study was to evaluate laying hens from 8 to 102 weeks old, regarding their changes in performance, body composition, and egg components produced in three scenarios of nutrition. Three treatments designed to contain different levels of balanced protein (BP) were randomly assigned to the experimental units, performing ten replicates per treatment with 20 birds each. A standard feed was formulated to meet hen requirements and the ideal ratio between essential amino acids. Then, two experimental feeds were formulated to contain 20% above or below the dietary BP used in the standard feed. The responses evaluated were cumulated feed intake (g), daily feed intake (g/day), body weight (g), body composition (g of protein, fat, and ash), hen-housed egg production (%/hen-housed), egg production (%), egg weight (g), egg mass (g), and egg components (percentages of yolk, albumen, and eggshell). The dietary BP influenced the body composition, egg production, egg weight, and egg mass of white laying hens. The increase in dietary BP was related to an increase in body contents and egg weight, whereas hens consuming the low dietary balanced protein presented a lower body weight, leaner, and produced smaller eggs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food fortification with bioactive compounds may constitute a way to ameliorate inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). Lupin seeds contain an oligomer named deflamin that can reduce IBD's symptoms via MMP-9 inhibition. Here, our goal was to develop a lupin protein concentrate (LPC) enriched in deflamin and to test its application as a food additive to be used as a functional food against colitis. The nutritional profile of the LPC was evaluated, and its efficacy in vivo was tested, either alone or as added to wheat cookies. The LPC presented high protein and carbohydrate contents (20.09 g/100 g and 62.05/100 g, respectively), as well as antioxidant activity (FRAP: 351.19 mg AAE/10 mg and DPPH: 273.9 mg AAE/10 mg). It was also effective against TNBS-induced colitis in a dose dependent-manner, reducing DAI scores by more than 50% and concomitantly inhibiting MMP-9 activity. When added to cookies, the LPC activities were maintained after baking, and a 4-day diet with LPC cookies induced a significant protective effect against acetic acid-induced colitis, overall bringing lesions, oxidative stress and DNA damage levels to values significantly similar to controls (p < 0.001). The results show that the LPC is an efficient way to deliver deflamin in IBD-targeted diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy efficiency has become a major concern for manufacturing companies not only due to environmental concerns and stringent regulations, but also due to large and incremental energy costs. Energy-efficient scheduling can be effective at improving energy efficiency and thus reducing energy consumption and associated costs, as well as pollutant emissions. This work reviews recent literature on energy-efficient scheduling in job shop manufacturing systems, with a particular focus on metaheuristics. We review 172 papers published between 2013 and 2022, by analyzing the shop floor type, the energy efficiency strategy, the objective function(s), the newly added problem feature(s), and the solution approach(es). We also report on the existing data sets and make them available to the research community. The paper is concluded by pointing out potential directions for future research, namely developing integrated scheduling approaches for interconnected problems, fast metaheuristic methods to respond to dynamic scheduling problems, and hybrid metaheuristic and big data methods for cyber-physical production systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of a cobalt-iron (VaCoFe) core is investigated as an alternative to silicon-iron (FeSi) in the design of interior permanent magnet synchronous motors (IPMSM). Considering VaCoFe and FeSi cores, a spoke-type IPMSM geometry is optimized for a torque range up to 40 N·m, providing a general comparative analysis between materials. This is done considering the application of a four-motor competition vehicle's powertrain. A genetic optimization algorithm is coupled to the motor's electromagnetic and thermal hybrid analytical/finite-element model to provide sufficiently accurate results within a feasible time. VaCoFe allows an estimated increase of up to 64% in torque for the same efficiency level, or up to 5% in efficiency for the same torque. After optimization and using a detailed time-dependent model, a potential 3.2% increase in efficiency, a core weight reduction of 4.1%, and a decrease of 9.6% in the motor's core volume were found for the VaCoFe at 20 N·m. In addition, for the same motor volume, the VaCoFe allows an increase of 51.9% in torque with an increase of 1.1% in efficiency when compared with FeSi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A nutrient-rich diet is a key to improving the chemical signals, such as antioxidants, which modulate pathogens' resistance in the gut and prevent diseases. A current industrial problem is the generation of undervalued by-products, such as tomato bagasse, which are rich in bioactive compounds and of commercial interest (carotenoids and phenolic compounds). This work analyzed the effect of gastrointestinal digestion on the bioactivity and bioaccessibility of carotenoids and phenolic compounds from tomato bagasse extracts. Thus, the extraction by ohmic heating (OH) technology was compared with conventional (organic solvents). The results showed that the main phenolic compounds identified by UPLC-qTOF-MS were p-coumaric acid, naringenin, and luteolin. A higher recovery index for total phenolic compounds throughout the gastrointestinal digestion was observed for OH while for carotenoids, a strong reduction after stomach conditions was observed for both extracts. Furthermore, colon-available fraction exhibited a prebiotic effect upon different Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, but a strain-dependent and more accentuated effect on OH. Thus, the extraction technology highly influenced bioaccessibility, with OH demonstrating a positive impact on the recovery of bioactive compounds and related health benefits, such as antioxidant, anti-hypertensive, prebiotic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Of these properties, the last is demonstrated here for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The most used approach to control leaf-cutting ants (which cause damage in agricultural areas) is the application of synthetic chemical compounds that directly affect these insects. But another approach is the use of natural substances that attack the symbiotic fungus responsible for many aspects of the survival of the nest. In this study, we discuss the natural substances already reported in the literature to have fungicidal activity and how they could be applicable as products for the control of leaf-cutting ants. Atta and Acromyrmex are the main genera of leaf-cutting ants present in North and South America, causing extensive damage to agroforestry. Control of the ants requires high handling costs with few effective methods available to decrease the losses. The symbiosis between the leaf-cutting ants and the fungus Leucoagaricus gongylophorus is essential for ant nest survival. Therefore, L. gongylophorus may be a key target in controlling leaf-cutting ants, since its reduction may cause an imbalance in the symbiosis necessary to maintain the nest. Among the options for natural fungal control, plant species are considered important sources of compounds belonging to several classes of natural products that show potential as antifungal agents. This review also presents studies that establish that the antagonist fungi from the Escovopsis and Trichoderma genera effectively reduce the development of L. gongylophorus. The development of nanostructured delivery systems, which have shown advantages over conventional formulations, is suggested for ant control; no commercial nanotechnology-based product has yet been developed, and this appears to be a new approach for future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) is one of the most economically important crops worldwide, especially due to the economic relevance of wine production. Abiotic stress, such as drought, may contribute to low yield, shifts in quality, and important economic loss. The predicted climate change phenomena point to warmer and dryer Mediterranean environmental conditions; as such, it is paramount to study the effects of abiotic stress on grapevine performance. Deficit irrigation systems are applied to optimize water use efficiency without compromising berry quality. In this research, the effect of two deficit irrigation strategies, sustained deficit irrigation (SDI) and regulated deficit irrigation (RDI), in the grape berry were assessed. The effects of different levels of drought were monitored in Touriga Nacional at key stages of berry development (pea size, véraison, and full maturation) through RNA-Seq transcriptome analysis and by specific differentially expressed genes (DEGs) monitoring through RT-qPCR. Handy datasets were obtained by bioinformatics analysis of raw RNA-Seq results. The dominant proportion of transcripts was mostly regulated by development, with véraison showing more upregulated transcripts. Results showed that primary metabolism is the functional category more severely affected under water stress. Almost all DEGs selected for RT-qPCR were significantly upregulated in full maturation and showed the highest variability at véraison and the lowest gene expression values in the pea size stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Squalene is a natural linear triterpene that can be found in high amounts in certain fish liver oils, especially from deep-sea sharks, and to a lesser extent in a wide variety of vegeTable oils. It is currently used for numerous vaccine and drug delivery emulsions due to its stability-enhancing properties and biocompatibility. Squalene-based vaccine adjuvants, such as MF59 (Novartis), AS03 (GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals), or AF03 (Sanofi) are included in seasonal vaccines against influenza viruses and are presently being considered for inclusion in several vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 and future pandemic threats. However, harvesting sharks for this purpose raises serious ecological concerns that the exceptional demand of the pandemic has exacerbated. In this line, the use of plants to obtain phytosqualene has been seen as a more sustainable alternative, yet the lower yields and the need for huge investments in infrastructures and equipment makes this solution economically ineffective. More recently, the enormous advances in the field of synthetic biology provided innovative approaches to make squalene production more sustainable, flexible, and cheaper by using genetically modified microbes to produce pharmaceutical-grade squalene. Here, we review the biological mechanisms by which squalene-based vaccine adjuvants boost the immune response, and further compare the existing sources of squalene and their environmental impact. We propose that genetically engineered microbes are a sustainable alternative to produce squalene at industrial scale, which are likely to become the sole source of pharmaceutical-grade squalene in the foreseeable future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the paper is to study and determine the effect of voltage increasing from 500 up to 650 VDC on chemical and electrochemical properties of the obtained porous coatings with plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) processes, known also as micro arc oxidation (MAO). In the present paper, the chemical and electrochemical characterization of porous phosphate coatings enriched with magnesium or zinc on commercially pure (CP) Titanium Grade 2 under DC-PEO obtained in electrolytes based on concentrated 85% analytically pure H3PO4 (98 g/mole) acid with additions of 500 g·L-1 of zinc nitrate Zn(NO3)2·6H2O or magnesium nitrate Mg(NO3)2·6H2O, are described. These materials were characterized using scanning electron microscope (SEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy (GDOES). It was found that the voltage of PEO process has influence on the chemical composition and thickness of the obtained porous coatings as well as on their electrochemical behavior. The higher the potential of PEO treatment, the higher the amount of zinc-to-phosphorus ratio for zinc enriched coatings was obtained, whereas in magnesium enriched coatings, the average amount of magnesium detected in PEO coating is approximately independent of the PEO voltages. Based on XPS studies, it was found out that most likely the top 10 nm of porous coatings is constructed of titanium (Ti4+), magnesium (Mg2+), zinc (Zn2+), and phosphates PO43- and/or HPO42- and/or H2PO4-and/or P2O7 4-. On the basis of GDOES studies, a four-sub-layer model of PEO coatings is proposed. Analysis of the potentiodynamic corrosion curves allowed to conclude that the best electrochemical repeatability was noted for magnesium and zinc enriched coatings obtained at 575 VDC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diketopiperazines can be generated by non-enzymatic cyclization of linear dipeptides at extreme temperature or pH, and the complex medium used to culture bacteria and fungi including phytone peptone and trypticase peptone, can also produce cyclic peptides by heat sterilization. As a result, it is not always clear if many diketopiperazines reported in the literature are artifacts formed by the different complex media used in microorganism growth. An ideal method for analysis of these compounds should identify whether they are either synthesized de novo from the products of primary metabolism and deliver true diketopiperazines. A simple defined medium (X. fastidiosa medium or XFM) containing a single carbon source and no preformed amino acids has emerged as a method with a particularly high potential for the grown of X. fastidiosa and to produce genuine natural products. In this work, we identified a range of diketopiperazines from X. fastidiosa 9a5c growth in XFM, using Ultra-Fast Liquid Chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Diketopiperazines are reported for the first time from X. fastidiosa, which is responsible for citrus variegated chlorosis. We also report here fatty acids from X. fastidiosa, which were not biologically active as diffusible signals, and the role of diketopiperazines in signal transduction still remains unknown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chemical composition of volatile oils from 22 genotypes of Citrus and related genera was poorly differentiated, but chemometric techniques have clarified the relationships between the 22 genotypes, and allowed us to understand their resistance to D. citri. The most convincing similarities include the synthesis of (Z)- -ocimene and (E)-caryophyllene for all 11 genotypes of group A. Genotypes of group B are not uniformly characterized by essential oil compounds. When stimulated with odor sources of 22 genotypes in a Y-tube olfactometer D. citri preferentially entered the arm containing the volatile oils of Murraya paniculata, confirming orange jasmine as its best host. C. reticulata x C. sinensis was the least preferred genotype, and is characterized by the presence of phytol, (Z)- -ocimene, and -elemene, which were not found in the most preferred genotype. We speculate that these three compounds may act as a repellent, making these oils less attractive to D. citri. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to elucidate the mechanisms explaining the persistence of anemia and resistance to recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) therapy in a rat model of chronic kidney disease (CKD)-associated anemia with formation of anti-rHuEPO antibodies. The remnant kidney rat model of CKD induced by 5/6 nephrectomy was used to test a long-term (nine weeks) high dose of rHuEPO (200 UI/kg bw/week) treatment. Hematological and biochemical parameters were evaluated as well as serum and tissue (kidney, liver and/or duodenum) protein and/or gene expression of mediators of erythropoiesis, iron metabolism and tissue hypoxia, inflammation, and fibrosis. Long-term treatment with a high rHuEPO dose is associated with development of resistance to therapy as a result of antibodies formation. In this condition, serum EPO levels are not deficient and iron availability is recovered by increased duodenal absorption. However, erythropoiesis is not stimulated, and the resistance to endogenous EPO effect and to rHuEPO therapy results from the development of a hypoxic, inflammatory and fibrotic milieu in the kidney tissue. This study provides new insights that could be important to ameliorate the current therapeutic strategies used to treat patients with CKD-associated anemia, in particular those that become resistant to rHuEPO therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous investigations of H. oreadica reported the presence of a wide spectrum of complex limonoids and dihydrocinnamic acids. Our interest in the Rutaceae motivated a reinvestigation of H. oreadica, H. brasiliana and H. superba searching for other secondary metabolites present in substantial amounts for taxonomic analysis. In a continuation of the investigation of the H. oreadica, three new limonoids have now been isolated 9a-hydroxyhortiolide A, 11β-hydroxyhortiolide C and 1(S*)-acetoxy-7(R*)-hydroxy-7- deoxoinchangin. All the isolated compounds from the Hortia species reinforce its position in the Rutaceae. With regard to limonoids the genus produces highly specialized compounds, whose structural variations do not occur in any other member of the Rutaceae, thus, it is evident from limonoid data that Hortia takes an isolated position within the family. In addition, H. superba afforded the unexpected coumarin 5-chloro-8-methoxy-psoralen, which may not be a genuine natural product. Solid-state cross-polarisation/magic-anglespinning 13C nuclear magnetic resonance, X-Ray fluorescence and Field-emission gun scanning electron microscopy experiments show that the Sephadex LH-20 was modified after treatment with NaOCl, suggesting that when xanthotoxin (8-methoxy-psoralen) was extracted from cleaning of the gel column, chlorination of the aromatic system occurred. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyclosporin A (CsA), a calcineurin inhibitor, remain the cornerstone of immunosuppressive regimens, regardless of nephrotoxicity, which depends on the duration of drug exposure. The mechanisms and biomarkers underlying the transition from CsA-induced renal dysfunction to nephrotoxicity deserve better elucidation, and would help clinical decisions. This study aimed to clarify these issues, using a rat model of shortand long-term CsA (5 mg/kg bw/day) treatments (3 and 9 weeks, respectively). Renal function was assessed on serum and urine; kidney tissue was used for histopathological characterization and gene and/or protein expression of markers of proliferation, fibrosis and inflammation. In the short-term, creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels increased and clearances decreased, accompanied by glomerular filtration rate (GFR) reduction, but without kidney lesions; at that stage, CsA exposure induced proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1), factor nuclear kappa B (NF-κβ) and Tumor Protein P53 (TP53) kidney mRNA up-regulation. In the long-term treatment, renal dysfunction data was accompanied by glomerular and tubulointerstitial lesions, with remarkable kidney mRNA up-regulation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and the antigen identified by monoclonal antibody Ki-67 (Mki67), accompanied by mTOR protein overexpression. Transition from CsA-induced renal dysfunction to nephrotoxicity is accompanied by modification of molecular mechanisms and biomarkers, being mTOR one of the key players for kidney lesion evolution, thus suggesting, by mean of molecular evidences, that early CsA replacement by mTOR inhibitors is indeed the better therapeutic choice to prevent chronic allograft nephropathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urinary bladder cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide, with the highest incidence in industrialized countries. Patients with cancer commonly use unconventional and complementary therapy including nutraceuticals. In this study we evaluated the efficacy of chitooligosaccharides (in orange juice) in rat bladder cancer chemoprevention and as therapeutic agent, on a rat model of urinary bladder carcinogenesis induced with N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl) nitrosamine. Results indicate that chitooligosaccharides may have a preventive effect on bladder cancer development and a curative effect upon established bladder tumors, dependent on the concentration ingested 500 mg/kg b.w., every three days, showed capacity to inhibit and prevent the proliferation of bladder cancer; however, this was associated with secondary effects such as hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia. The use of lower doses (50 and 250 mg/kg b.w.) showed only therapeutic effects. It is further suggested that this antitumor effect might be due to its expected anti-inflammatory action, as well as by mechanisms not directly dependent of COX-2 inhibition, such as cellular proliferation control and improvement in antioxidant profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All the reports to date on the anti-inflammatory activity of chitooligosaccharides (COS) are mostly based on in vitro methods. In this work, the anti-inflammatory activity of two COS mixtures is characterized in vivo (using balb/c mice), following the carrageenan-induced paw edema method. This is a widely accepted animal model of acute inflammation to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of drugs. Our data suggest that COS possess anti-inflammatory activity, which is dependent on dose and, at higher doses, also on the molecular weight. A single dose of 500 mg/kg b.w. weight may be suitable to treat acute inflammation cases; however, further studies are needed to ascertain the effect upon longer inflammation periods as well as studies upon the bioavailability of these compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 (MMP-2 and MMP-9) are regarded as important clinical targets due to their nodal-point role in inflammatory and oncological diseases. Here, we aimed at isolating and characterizing am MMP-2 and-9 inhibitor (MMPI) from Lupinus albus and at assessing its efficacy in vitro and in vivo. The protein was isolated using chromatographic and 2-D electrophoretic procedures and sequenced by using MALDI-TOF TOF and MS/MS analysis. In vitro MMP-2 and 9 inhibitions were determined on colon adenocarcinoma (HT29) cells, as well as by measuring the expression levels of genes related to these enzymes. Inhibitory activities were also confirmed in vivo using a model of experimental TNBS-induced colitis in mice, with oral administrations of 15 mg·kg−1. After chromatographic and electrophoretic isolation, the L. albus MMP-9 inhibitor was found to comprise a large fragment from δ-conglutin and, to a lower extent, small fragments of β-conglutin. In vitro studies showed that the MMPI successfully inhibited MMP-9 activity in a dose-dependent manner in colon cancer cells, with an IC50 of 10 µg·mL−1 without impairing gene expression nor cell growth. In vivo studies showed that the MMPI maintained its bioactivities when administered orally and significantly reduced colitis symptoms, along with a very significant inhibition of MMP-2 and -9 activities. Overall, results reveal a novel type of MMPI in lupine that is edible, proteinaceous in nature and soluble in water, and effective in vivo, suggesting a high potential application as a nutraceutical or a functional food in pathologies related to abnormally high MMP-9 activity in the digestive system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]