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Beyond the challenges presented by obesity itself, a considerable portion of the population encounters prejudice and discriminatory behavior based on their weight and size. This phenomenon, termed weight stigma and weight bias, appears to be perpetuated not only by the broader society but also by healthcare providers, leading to distrust and alienation among individuals with obesity, thereby exacerbating a global issue. Recognizing weight stigma as a violation of human rights and its association with declining health outcomes, there is a pressing need to explore evidence-based strategies for mitigating it within healthcare. This is especially crucial at the early stages of professional development. Methodology: A randomized controlled trial employing a 60 min lecture experimental design was conducted to evaluate changes in conceptions, beliefs, and prejudices toward obesity among healthcare undergraduates (n = 242). Results: Semantic network analysis revealed participants’ conceptualization of obesity as a condition closely linked to diet and sedentary habits. Moreover, three out of four healthcare students considered obesity a disease for which the individual is responsible. While individuals with obesity were described as weak, lazy, and having a high affinity for food, these prejudices decreased following the educational intervention. Conclusion: Following an educational intervention based on the multifactorial nature of obesity and weight stigma, it was possible to modify prejudices and conceptions about obesity among future healthcare professionals.

Background/Objectives: For the development of new treatments, the acute phase of Chagas disease (CD) in experimental models acts as a filter to screen out potentially effective interventions. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate ZnO nanocrystals and Ag-ZnO/AgO nanocomposites containing different proportions of silver (ZnO:5Ag, ZnO:9Ag and ZnO:11Ag) in an experimental model of the acute phase of CD. Methods: C57Bl/6 mice were infected with 1000 forms of the Colombian strain of T. cruzi. The treatment was carried out by gavage with 5 mg/kg/d for 7 consecutive days from the first detection of parasitemia. Weight, parasitemia and survival were assessed during treatment and up to the day of euthanasia. After euthanasia, the cardiac and intestinal parasitism, inflammatory infiltrate, collagen deposition and cytokine dosages were analyzed. Results: It was observed that the nanocomposites ZnO:9Ag and ZnO:11Ag were the most effective in reducing parasitemia and increasing the survival of the infected animals. However, pure ZnO induced the maintenance of parasitemia and reduced their survival. The ZnO:9Ag and ZnO:11Ag nanocomposites were able to reduce the number of cardiac amastigote nests. In addition, they were responsible for reducing TNF-α and IL-6 in situ. ZnO:9Ag and ZnO:11Ag induced a reduction in the intestinal inflammatory infiltrate and neuronal protection in the myenteric plexus, as well as reducing TNF-α in situ. Conclusions: Based on these results, it is suggested that there is an ideal concentration in terms of the proportion of Ag/AgO and ZnO in nanocomposites for use against CD. Thus, ZnO:9Ag or ZnO:11Ag nanomaterials are potential candidates for the development of new biotechnological products for the therapy of CD.

This cross-sectional study explored the moderating effect of religious service attendance on the relationship between discrimination and suicidal behaviors in a community sample of immigrants. A convenience sample of 348 individuals with immigrant experience to the U.S. completed a survey in either English, Portuguese or Spanish. The relationship between discrimination and suicidal behaviors was moderated by religious service attendance, equipping help from religious communities (RCs) and not having experienced discrimination in RCs. Other protections included being born outside the U.S. First-generation immigrants also reported less discrimination, which was a risk factor for suicidal behaviors. Other risk factors were refugee status, higher acculturation, discrimination in RCs, and certain types of help from RCs. Help that equipped them to navigate the U.S. system was associated with lower suicide risk. Community partners and RCs can help immigrants by collaborating to promote immigrant mental health because of the high religious affiliation of immigrants.

It is imperative to understand possible protections against suicide because of the steadily climbing U.S. suicide rate. Religion has been associated with fewer suicidal behaviors. This study sought to explore the perspective of congregants experiencing suicidal behaviors (CESBs) on the risks and protections that they experience in their religious communities (RCs) in two separate studies. Study One included a purposive sample of 15 Christian congregants yielding seven codes: routine practices and deliberate suicide prevention efforts were inconsistent both before and during the pandemic lockdown, though RCs continued to operate. Cultures provided participants both protections and risks, while the pandemic amplified deep cultural divides already present before the pandemic. Study Two included a purposive sample of 20 congregants yielding six codes, core protections of a routinely provided worldview and deliberately provided theological teachings, risks of absent protections, aspirational tasks for faith leaders and RCs, inspiring stories of recovery, and some consistency with human flourishing with caution. CESBs in some RCs that have a norm of well-being hide their norm violation and expect rejection. RCs need training in order to provide deliberate suicide prevention protections and CESBs may provide counter-narratives to stigma in RCs and cultures.

As the population of older adults increases, there is an anticipated rise in the utilization of hospice and palliative care. Many significant advancements in technology have been used to address the unique needs of this demographic; however, an unexplored area of research is the use of robotic animals as part of end-of-life care. The purpose of this scoping review was to examine the state of the literature on robotic animal use among older adults enrolled in palliative or hospice care and to offer a framework for future research. Following a guide for scoping reviews, we identified relevant studies and then charted, collated, summarized, and reported the data. Two articles were selected for final review. The results found that decreased medication use, behavior change, and emotional benefits were potential outcomes of robotic animal use in hospice and palliative care. Perceptions of the robot and ethical considerations were also discussed. Overall, the study findings point toward the potential uses of robotic animals as part of end-of-life care, however, more empirical research is critically needed.

Automated activity monitoring (AAM) systems are critical in the dairy industry for detecting estrus and optimizing the timing of artificial insemination (AI), thus enhancing pregnancy success rates in cows. This study developed a predictive model to improve pregnancy success by integrating AAM data with cow-specific and environmental factors. Utilizing data from 1,054 cows, this study compared the pregnancy outcomes between two AI timings—8 or 10 h post-AAM alarm. Variables such as age, parity, body condition, locomotion, and vaginal discharge scores, peripartum diseases, the breeding program, the bull used for AI, milk production at the time of AI, and environmental conditions (season, relative humidity, and temperature–humidity index) were considered alongside the AAM data on rumination, activity, and estrus intensity. Six predictive models were assessed to determine their efficacy in predicting pregnancy success: logistic regression, Bagged AdaBoost algorithm, linear discriminant, random forest, support vector machine, and Bagged Classification Tree. Integrating the on-farm data with AAM significantly enhanced the pregnancy prediction accuracy at AI compared to using AAM data alone. The random forest models showed a superior performance, with the highest Kappa statistic and lowest false positive rates. The linear discriminant and logistic regression models demonstrated the best accuracy, minimal false negatives, and the highest area under the curve. These findings suggest that combining on-farm and AAM data can significantly improve reproductive management in the dairy industry.

Adolescents and children (aged 6 to 17+ years) admitted to inpatient psychiatry or intensive out-of-home mental health programs (formerly called residential mental health treatment centres) are among those with the most severe psychiatric illnesses. Moreover, these children also have very poor behavioural and biopsychosocial health including sleep deprivation, difficult relationships, problematic use of electronic devices, academic difficulty, poor school engagement, insufficient exercise and poor diets; all of these were noted before the pandemic. The pandemic has only increased the social isolation, poor health behaviours and mental health challenges for many children and adolescents. The poor behavioural and psychosocial health of those in their youth with psychiatric illnesses can exacerbate symptoms and can interfere with academic performance, development and good decision making; these biopsychosocial health behaviours are modifiable. All child and family practitioners including pediatricians, family physicians, nurses, social workers, psychologists and psychotherapists have an important role in fostering the behavioural and biopsychosocial health (i.e., sleep, positive relationships, electronic device use, exercise and diet) of all family members and especially children with psychiatric illness. Enacting biopsychosocial lifestyle interventions before or during childhood and adolescence may reduce the burden of mental illness.

Botulinum toxin-A (BoNT-A) injection is known to exert beneficial effects on muscle tone, joint mobility and gait in children with cerebral palsy (CP). However, recent animal and human studies have raised the concern that BoNT-A might be harmful to muscle integrity. In CP-children, the impact of BoNT-A on muscle structure has been poorly studied, and inconsistent results have been reported. This study was aimed at determining the time course effect of a single BoNT-A administration on medial gastrocnemius (MG) morphology in CP-children. MG microbiopsies from 12 ambulant and BoNT-A-naïve CP-children (age, 3.4 (2.3) years, ranging from 2.5 to 7.8 years; seven boys and five girls; GMFCS I = 5, II = 4 and III = 3) were collected before and 3 and 6 months after BoNT-A treatment to analyze the fiber cross-sectional area (fCSA) and proportion; capillarization; and satellite cell (SC) content. Compared with the baseline, the fCSA decreased at 3 months (−14%, NS) and increased at 6 months (+13%, NS). Fiber size variability was significantly higher at 3 months (type I: +56%, p = 0.032; type IIa: +37%, p = 0.032) and 6 months (type I: +69%, p = 0.04; type IIa: +121%, p = 0.032) compared with the baseline. The higher type I proportion seen at 3 months was still present and more pronounced at 6 months (type I: +17%, p = 0.04; type IIx: −65%, p = 0.032). The capillary fiber density was reduced at 3 months (type I: −43%, NS; type II: −44%, p = 0.0320) but normalized at 6 months. There was a non-significant increase in SC/100 fibers at 3 months (+75%, NS) and 6 months (+40%, NS) compared with the baseline. These preliminary data suggest that BoNT-A induced alterations in the MG of children with CP, which were still present 6 months after BoNT-A injection but with signs of muscle recovery.

Obstruction of the LVAD flow path can occur when blood clots or tissue overgrowth form within the inflow cannula, pump body, or outflow graft, and it can lead to thrombus, embolism, and stroke. The goal of this study was to measure the impact of progressive pump inflow obstruction on the pressure and flow dynamics of the LVAD-supported heart using a mock circulatory loop. Pump obstruction (PO) was produced by progressively blocking a fraction of the LVAD inlet area. Pressures, flows, and the midplane velocity field of the LV were measured for three LVAD speeds and six PO levels. Pressure and flow decreased with PO, shifting more of the flow through the aortic valve such that the total flow decreased by 6–11% and decreased the efficiency of the work of the native heart up to 60%. PO restricts diastolic flow through the LVAD, which reduces mitral inflow and decreases the strength and energy of the intraventricular vortices. The changes in flow architecture produced by PO include flow stasis and increased shear, which predispose the system to thromboembolic risk. Analysis of the contributions to external work may enable early detection, which allows time for therapeutic intervention, reducing the likelihood of pump replacement and the risk of complications.

The progressive influx of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) into the soil matrix catalyses a fundamental transformation in the equilibrium dynamics between the soil and the edaphic solution. This all-encompassing investigation is geared towards unravelling the implications of an array of ENP types, diverse dosages and varying incubation durations on the kinetics governing Cd2+ sorption within Ultisol soils. These soils have been subjected to detailed characterizations probing their textural and physicochemical attributes in conjunction with an exhaustive exploration of ENP composition, structure and morphology. To decipher the intricate nuances of kinetics, discrete segments of Ultisol soils were subjected to isolated systems involving ENP dosages of 20 and 500 mg ENPs·kg−1 (AgNPs, CuNPs and FeNPs) across intervals of 1, 3 and 6 months. The comprehensive kinetic parameters were unveiled by applying the pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models. At the same time, the underlying sorption mechanisms were studied via the intra-particle diffusion model. This study underscores the substantial impact of this substrate on the kinetic behaviours of contaminants such as Cd, emphasizing the need for its consideration in soil-linked economic activities and regulatory frameworks to optimize resource management.

The West European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) is in decline, and it is important to identify its challenges. We used VHF-telemetry to monitor pre-hibernation space use, nest use, and hibernation sites in a suburban area in Norway. Based on nine adult hedgehogs tracked between August and November 2002, we found that home range size was not dependent on individual sex or weight and that home ranges overlapped between individuals regardless of sex. The distance moved was not dependent on individual sex, but there was a tendency for increased movement before dawn. The number of nests used per individual (0–10) and the number of nest switches (0–14) varied greatly and did not differ significantly between sexes. Out of 28 nest sites, 16 were linked to buildings and 12 to vegetation, and nesting material was most often grass and leaves. Three hedgehogs monitored until hibernation established winter nests under tree roots in natural forest patches in September, and this suggests that establishing or maintaining forest patches in urban areas is important to ensure suitable hibernation habitat for hedgehogs. Our study was limited by a low sample size, and additional research is required to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges hedgehogs face in urban environments.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death in 10–34-year-olds in the U.S. It is vital to identify protective factors that promote resilience in a suicide crisis. Background: This study explored the contributions of religious commitment (RC) and religious service attendance to decreased suicide intent in 18–34-year-olds. Possible moderators were investigated, including church-based social support, pandemic-related faith struggles (PRFS), and moral objections to suicide. Methods: Participants completed an online survey reporting on RC, suicide intent, church-based social support, religious service attendance, PRFS, and moral objections to suicide. Results: In the convenience sample of 451 18–34-year-olds (M = 24.97; 47.23% female), religious participants reported significantly less suicide intent than non-religious participants. RC and moral objections to suicide were more strongly negatively correlated with suicide intent than religious service attendance, but religious service attendance was associated with lower suicide intent in a regression model. Almost four times more religious young adult participants reported PRFS than not, and PRFS was found to moderate the benefits of social support received in their faith communities. Conclusions: It is suggested that professional caregivers use religious service attendance as a straightforward way to assess a possible protective factor for suicidal religious young adults. Professional caregivers may also assess for moral objections to suicide, which may provide simple decision rules in a suicide crisis. The large number of religious young adults reporting PRFS in this study suggests the need for professional caregivers to assess for spiritual struggles, which may confer suicide risk. Because of the interplay of spiritual risks and protections, mental health providers who are unsure of how to address these in therapy may need to collaborate with and make referrals to faith leaders to increase protections and reduce risks in suicidal religious young adults.

The COVE trial randomized participants to receive two doses of mRNA-1273 vaccine or placebo on Days 1 and 29 (D1, D29). Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Spike IgG binding antibodies (bAbs), anti-receptor binding domain IgG bAbs, 50% inhibitory dilution neutralizing antibody (nAb) titers, and 80% inhibitory dilution nAb titers were measured at D29 and D57. We assessed these markers as correlates of protection (CoPs) against COVID-19 using stochastic interventional vaccine efficacy (SVE) analysis and principal surrogate (PS) analysis, frameworks not used in our previous COVE immune correlates analyses. By SVE analysis, hypothetical shifts of the D57 Spike IgG distribution from a geometric mean concentration (GMC) of 2737 binding antibody units (BAU)/mL (estimated vaccine efficacy (VE): 92.9% (95% CI: 91.7%, 93.9%)) to 274 BAU/mL or to 27,368 BAU/mL resulted in an overall estimated VE of 84.2% (79.0%, 88.1%) and 97.6% (97.4%, 97.7%), respectively. By binary marker PS analysis of Low and High subgroups (cut-point: 2094 BAU/mL), the ignorance interval (IGI) and estimated uncertainty interval (EUI) for VE were [85%, 90%] and (78%, 93%) for Low compared to [95%, 96%] and (92%, 97%) for High. By continuous marker PS analysis, the IGI and 95% EUI for VE at the 2.5th percentile (519.4 BAU/mL) vs. at the 97.5th percentile (9262.9 BAU/mL) of D57 Spike IgG concentration were [92.6%, 93.4%] and (89.2%, 95.7%) vs. [94.3%, 94.6%] and (89.7%, 97.0%). Results were similar for other D29 and D57 markers. Thus, the SVE and PS analyses additionally support all four markers at both time points as CoPs.

The purpose of this study was to explore existing practice models and opportunities surrounding community pharmacist-delivered opioid counseling and naloxone (OCN) services in the U.S., with the goal of enhancing organizational readiness and improving patient access. A scoping literature review was conducted. English-language articles published in peer-reviewed journals from January 2012–July 2022 were sought via PubMed, CINAHL, IPA, and Google Scholar using permutations of terms such as “pharmacist/pharmacy”, “opioid/opiate”, “naloxone”, “counseling”, and “implement/implementation”. Original articles reporting the resources/inputs (personnel; pharmacist full-time equivalents; facilities and expenses; in-house versus outsourced personnel), implementation processes (legal source of pharmacist authority; patient identification strategies; intervention procedures; workflow strategies; business operations), and programmatic outcomes (uptake and delivery; interventions made; economic impact; patient or provider satisfaction) of pharmacist-delivered OCN services in community (retail) settings were retained. Twelve articles describing ten unique studies were included. The studies primarily used quasi-experimental designs and were published from 2017 to 2021. The articles described seven broad program elements/themes: interprofessional collaboration (n = 2); patient education format including one-on-one patient education (n = 12) and group education sessions (n = 1); non-pharmacist provider education (n = 2); pharmacy staff education (n = 8); opioid misuse screening tools (n = 7); naloxone recommendation/dispensing (n = 12); and opioid therapy and pain management (n = 1). Pharmacists screened/counseled 11–2716 patients and provided 11–430 doses of naloxone. Limited implementation costs, patient/provider satisfaction, or economic impact measures were reported. This review may serve as a guide for community pharmacists in implementing OCN services in their own practices. Future studies should clarify OCN program implementation costs, patient/provider satisfaction, and the economic impact.

Cannabidiol (CBD) (25 mg/kg peroral) treatment was shown to improve metabolic outcomes in ovariectomized (OVX) mice deficient in 17β-estradiol (E2). Herein, CBD effects on intestinal and hepatic bile acids (BAs) and inflammation were investigated. Following RNA sequencing of colon tissues from vehicle (VEH)- or CBD-treated sham surgery (SS) or OVX mice (n = 4 per group), differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were sorted in ShinyGO. Inflammatory response and bile secretion pathways were further analyzed. Colon content and hepatic BAs were quantified by LC-MS (n = 8–10 samples/group). Gut organoids were treated with CBD (100, 250, 500 µM) with or without TNFα and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) followed by mRNA extraction and qPCR to assess CBD-induced changes to inflammatory markers. The expression of 78 out of 114 inflammatory response pathway genes were reduced in CBD-treated OVX mice relative to vehicle (VEH)-treated OVX mice. In contrast, 63 of 111 inflammatory response pathway genes were increased in CBD-treated sham surgery (SS) mice compared to VEH-treated SS group and 71 of 121 genes were increased due to ovariectomy. CBD did not alter BA profiles in colon content or liver. CBD repressed Tnf and Nos2 expression in intestinal organoids in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, CBD suppressed colonic inflammatory gene expression in E2-deficient mice but was pro-inflammatory in E2-sufficient mice suggesting CBD activity in the intestine is E2-dependent.

RT-PCR tests have become the gold standard for detecting the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of the extreme number of cases in periodic waves of infection, there is a severe financial and logistical strain on diagnostic laboratories. For this reason, alternative implementations and validations of academic protocols that employ the lowest cost and the most widely available equipment and reagents found in different regions are essential. In this study, we report an alternative implementation of the EUA 2019-nCoV CDC assay which uses a previously characterized duplex PCR reaction for the N1 and RNAse P target regions and an additional uniplex reaction for the N2 target region. Taking advantage of the Abbott m2000 Sample Preparation System and NEB Luna Universal Probe One-Step RT-qPCR kit, some of the most widely available and inexpensive nucleic acid extraction and amplification platforms, this modified test shows state-of-the-art analytical and clinical sensitivities and specificities when compared with the Seegene Allplex-SARS-CoV-2 assay. This implementation has the potential to be verified and implemented by diagnostic laboratories around the world to guarantee low-cost RT-PCR tests that can take advantage of widely available equipment and reagents.

In paragraph four of the discussion in the original article [...]

Quince (Cydonia oblonga Mill.) is a potential source of polyphenolic compounds related with beneficial biological processes. In this study polyphenols from quince fruit were extracted with aqueous acetone at different ratios. A polyphenol profile was identified and quantified by LC-ESI-QqQ. The antioxidant capacity (ORAC and DPPH) and anti-inflammatory effect (inhibition of COX-2 cyclooxygenase) were evaluated in vitro. The results indicated an effect of the aqueous acetone ratio on the extraction of polyphenolic compounds. The higher extraction yields of polyphenolic compounds were attained with 60–75% aqueous acetone. However, extracts obtained with 85% aqueous acetone promoted higher antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Optimal scaling analysis indicated that hydroxycinnamic acids (quinic and chlorogenic), hydroxybenzoic acids (vanillic and syringic), flavonoids (quercetin and kaempferol), dihydrochalcones (neohesperidin) and flavones (acacetin) are related to the antioxidant activity of quince. While phenolic acids, flavonols (kaempferol-3-O-glucoside and rutin) and flavanols (epicatechin) generated the anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting 52.3% of the COX-2 enzyme. Therefore, a selective extraction of phenolic mix can reduce oxidative stress or inflammatory processes. This suggests the use of quince as a natural source with significant nutraceutical potential.

Human-induced environmental changes that act as long-term stressors pose significant impacts on wildlife health. Energy required for maintenance or other functions may be re-routed towards coping with stressors, ultimately resulting in fluctuations in metabolite levels associated with energy metabolism. While metabolomics approaches are used increasingly to study environmental stressors, its use in studying stress in birds is in its infancy. We implanted captive lesser scaup (Aythya affinis) with either a biodegradable corticosterone (CORT) pellet to mimic the effects of a prolonged stressor or a placebo pellet. 1D 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was performed on serum samples collected over 20 days after implant surgery. We hypothesized that CORT pellet-induced physiological stress would alter energy metabolism and result in distinct metabolite profiles in ducks compared with placebo (control). Quantitative targeted metabolite analysis revealed that metabolites related to energy metabolism: glucose, formate, lactate, glutamine, 3-hydroxybutyrate, ethanolamine, indole-3- acetate, and threonine differentiated ducks with higher circulatory CORT from controls on day 2. These metabolites function as substrates or intermediates in metabolic pathways related to energy production affected by elevated serum CORT. The use of metabolomics shows promise as a novel tool to identify and characterize physiological responses to stressors in wild birds.

Background: COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Many COVID-19 patients require invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) while others, even with acute respiratory failure, do not (NIMV). Therefore, we aimed to evaluate serum levels of MMP-7 and molecules related to exhausted T-cells as potential biomarkers to differentiate between IMV and NIMV patients. Methods: 105 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and confirmed by RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 were divided into two groups according to the requirement for IMV. Serum levels of sPD-L1, sPD-L2, sTIM-3, sGal-9 and sMMP-7 were quantified by ELISA and correlated with clinical data. Twelve patients were followed up after eight months to compare the levels of the biomarkers between acute disease and post-COVID-19. Results: IMV patients experienced a lower PaO2/FiO2 (p < 0.0001) and a longer hospital stay (p < 0.0001), and exhibited higher levels of sPD-L1 (p < 0.05), sTIM-3 (p < 0.01) and sMMP-7 (p < 0.0001) when compared with NIMV patients. According to a ROC analysis, sMMP-7 had the highest sensitivity (78%) and specificity (76%) with a cut point of 4.5 ng/mL, followed by sTIM-3 and sPD-L1. Eight months post-COVID-19, IMV patients displayed a significant decrease in the initially high levels of sPD-L1, sTIM-3 and sGal-9, while sPD-L2 was increased, and sMMP-7 was unchanged. Conclusion: Circulating levels of sPD-L1, sTIM-3 and sMMP-7 are potential biomarkers of disease severity to distinguish patients requiring IMV. MMP-7 could also be a marker for the persistence of lung lesions post-COVID-19.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common liver pathology that includes steatosis, or non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL), and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Without a clear pathophysiological mechanism, it affects Hispanics disproportionately compared to other ethnicities. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and inflammatory lipid mediators including oxylipin (OXL) and endocannabinoid (eCB) are altered in NAFLD and thought to contribute to its pathogenesis. However, the existence of ethnicity-related differences is not clear. We employed targeted lipidomic profiling for plasma PUFAs, non-esterified OXLs and eCBs in White Hispanics (HIS, n = 10) and Caucasians (CAU, n = 8) with biopsy-confirmed NAFL, compared with healthy control subjects (HC; n = 14 HIS; n = 8 CAU). NAFLD was associated with diminished long chain PUFA in HIS, independent of histological severity. Differences in plasma OXLs and eCBs characterized ethnicities in NASH, with lower arachidonic acid derived OXLs observed in HIS. The secondary analysis comparing ethnicities within NASH (n = 12 HIS; n = 17 CAU), confirms these ethnicity-related differences and suggests lower lipoxygenase(s) and higher soluble epoxide hydrolase(s) activities in HIS compared to CAU. While causes are not clear, these lipidomic differences might be with implications for NAFLD severity and are worth further investigation. We provide preliminary data indicating ethnicity-specific lipidomic signature characterizes NASH which requires further validation.

Botulinum Neurotoxin type-A (BoNT-A) injections are widely used as first-line spasticity treatment in spastic cerebral palsy (SCP). Despite improved clinical outcomes, concerns regarding harmful effects on muscle morphology have been raised. Yet, the risk of initiating BoNT-A to reduce muscle growth remains unclear. This study investigated medial gastrocnemius (MG) morphological muscle growth in children with SCP (n = 26, median age of 5.2 years (3.5)), assessed by 3D-freehand ultrasound prior to and six months post-BoNT-A injections. Post-BoNT-A MG muscle growth of BoNT-A naive children (n = 11) was compared to (a) muscle growth of children who remained BoNT-A naive after six months (n = 11) and (b) post-BoNT-A follow-up data of children with a history of BoNT-A treatment (n = 15). Six months after initiating BoNT-A injection, 17% decrease in mid-belly cross-sectional area normalized to skeletal growth and 5% increase in echo-intensity were illustrated. These muscle outcomes were only significantly altered when compared with children who remained BoNT-A naive (+4% and −3%, respectively, p < 0.01). Muscle length growth persevered over time. This study showed reduced cross-sectional growth post-BoNT-A treatment suggesting that re-injections should be postponed at least beyond six months. Future research should extend follow-up periods investigating muscle recovery in the long-term and should include microscopic analysis.

EUCAST has established clinical breakpoints for the six most common Candida species and Cryptococcus neoformans but not for less common yeasts because sufficient evidence is lacking. Consequently, the question “How to interpret the MIC?” for other yeasts often arises. We propose a pragmatic classification for amphotericin B, anidulafungin, fluconazole, and voriconazole MICs against 30 different rare yeasts. This classification takes advantage of MIC data for more than 4000 isolates generated in the EUCAST Development Laboratory for Fungi validated by alignment to published EUCAST MIC data. The classification relies on the following two important assumptions: first, that when isolates are genetically related, pathogenicity and intrinsic susceptibility patterns may be similar; and second, that even if species are not phylogenetically related, the rare yeasts will likely respond to therapy, provided the MIC is comparable to that against wild-type isolates of more prevalent susceptible species because rare yeasts are most likely “rare” due to a lower pathogenicity. In addition, the treatment recommendations available in the current guidelines based on the in vivo efficacy data and clinical experience are taken into consideration. Needless to say, it is of utmost importance (a) to ascertain that the species identification is correct (using MALDI-TOF or sequencing), and (b) to re-test the isolate once or twice to confirm that the MIC is representative for the isolate (because of the inherent variability in MIC determinations). We hope this pragmatic guidance is helpful until evidence-based EUCAST breakpoints can be formally established.

Terbinafine resistance in Trichophyton species has emerged and appears to be increasing. A new EUCAST susceptibility testing method and tentative ECOFFs were recently proposed for Trichophyton. Terbinafine resistance and target gene mutations were detected in 16 Danish isolates in 2013–2018. In this study, samples/isolates submitted for dermatophyte susceptibility testing 2019–2020 were examined. Species identification (ITS sequencing for T. mentagrophytes/T. interdigitale species complex (SC) isolates), EUCAST MICs and squalene epoxidase (SQLE) profiles were obtained. Sixty-three isolates from 59 patients were included. T. rubrum accounted for 81% and T. mentagrophytes/T. interdigitale SC for 19%. Approximately 60% of T. rubrum and T. mentagrophytes/interdigitale SC isolates were terbinafine non-wildtype and/or had known/novel SQLE mutations with possible implications for terbinafine MICs. All infections with terbinafine-resistant T. mentagrophytes/interdigitale SC isolates were caused by Trichophyton indotineae. Compared to 2013–2018, the number of patients with terbinafine-resistant Trichophyton isolates increased. For T. rubrum, this is partly explained by an increase in number of requests for susceptibility testing. Terbinafine-resistant T. indotineae was first detected in 2018, but accounted for 19% of resistance (4 of 21 patients) in 2020. In conclusion, terbinafine resistance is an emerging problem in Denmark. Population based studies are warranted and susceptibility testing is highly relevant in non-responding cases.

Purees are often recommended for older adults in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) to target swallowing difficulties and nutrition. However, they lack appeal and may have negative impacts on nutritional intake. This study investigated the subjective experiences and objective swallowing function and safety of older adults in response to a modified puree. Twenty-eight residents from three RACFs whose regular diets consisted of purees were recruited. Purees were modified to improve visual appeal by adding a commercial enzyme gellant. Each participant was observed during three puree and three modified puree meals, and completed a brief questionnaire after each meal. A videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) was performed with 16 of the participants. Compared to purees, modified purees were observed to be easier for oral processing and intake amount was higher, but participants required assistance more often and mealtimes were longer. Participants did not show preference for either type of puree. VFSS showed similar swallowing responses between the two puree types; however, a distinction was observed for modified pureed meat compared to other ingredients. Modifying puree meals in RACFs is a feasible approach to improve nutritional intake while maintaining swallowing safety, but their appeal to consumers is not definitive.

Given the increasing numbers of U.S. lives lost to suicide, it is imperative to identify factors that can help protect against suicide. While regular religious service attendance has been found to be protective against suicide, faith communities have taboos against suicide which may be associated with stigma. Nine Christian faith leaders and congregants and one moral psychologist completed interviews on suicide stigma in Christian faith communities. Themes that emerged included internal, interpersonal, and theological components and group differences related to suicide stigma in Christian faith communities. Participants proposed seven barriers and seven corresponding ways to address suicide stigma in Christian faith communities: talk about suicide, address skill deficits, practice vulnerability, get leadership on board, address the theology of suicide, appreciate that faith communities have a unique contribution to make to suicide prevention, and address cultural/systemic issues.

Faith leaders (FL) have a key role in suicide prevention. One of their roles is to address suicide stigma in faith communities. Are they ready to do so? The Clergy Suicide Prevention Skills Developmental Rubric (CSPCDR) was developed to understand and assess clergy suicide prevention skills. The psychometric properties of the CSPCDR are reported in order to assess FL’ readiness to address suicide stigma. Sample 1, 186 Protestant seminary students completed the CSPCDR twice, resulting in Pearson’s r = 0.77. Sample 2, 187 Protestant clergy and lay ministers completed the CSPCDR before and after one of eight trainings to test construct validity; the CSPCDR performed as expected. Results suggest how to expand FL’ readiness to address suicide stigma in faith communities.

Snakes are sentient animals and should be subject to the accepted general welfare principles of other species. However, they are also the only vertebrates commonly housed in conditions that prevent them from adopting rectilinear behavior (ability to fully stretch out). To assess the evidence bases for historical and current guidance on snake spatial considerations, we conducted a literature search and review regarding recommendations consistent with or specifying ≥1 × and n = 31), grey literature (government or other report or scientific letter, n = 18), and opaque literature (non-scientifically indexed reports, care sheets, articles, husbandry books, website or other information for which originating source is not based on scientific evidence or where scientific evidence was not provided, n = 16). We found that recommendations suggesting enclosure sizes shorter than the snakes were based entirely on decades-old ‘rule of thumb’ practices that were unsupported by scientific evidence. In contrast, recommendations suggesting enclosure sizes that allowed snakes to fully stretch utilized scientific evidence and considerations of animal welfare. Providing snakes with enclosures that enable them to fully stretch does not suggest that so doing allows adequate space for all necessary normal and important considerations. However, such enclosures are vital to allow for a limited number of essential welfare-associated behaviors, of which rectilinear posturing is one, making them absolute minimum facilities even for short-term housing.

Invisalign has improved periodontal health in comparison to traditional metal wire braces. Due to a growing interest in attaining better teeth esthetics, there are more adults seeking Invisalign treatment. Ten percent carbamide peroxide (CP) breaks down to 6.5% urea and 3.5% hydrogen peroxide, which elevates oral pH, removes stains, and diminishes caries by inhibiting plaque formation. The aim of this study is to investigate whether 10% CP use during Invisalign treatment can enhance tooth shade esthetics while decreasing plaque levels and improving gingival health indices. Twenty-eight patients at Western University dental center undergoing Invisalign were assigned to two groups where the experimental group applied daily bleaching material (10% CP, Ultradent Inc., South Jordan, UT, USA), while the control group did not for 4 weeks. Tooth shade, plaque index (PI), and gingival index (GI) were assessed at baseline and in 2-week intervals for 6 weeks. Results showed that 10% CP had significant change in tooth shade over the 2- and 4-weeks periods (p < 0.05) and significantly reduced plaque and gingival indices (p < 0.05), with minimal to no relapse after 2 weeks post-op. Thus, applying CP at 10% may be a useful application during Invisalign treatment in improving teeth shade and overall gingival health.

College-aged women and men are an important catch-up population for human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination interventions. Limited research has explored technology-mediated HPV vaccination awareness interventions aimed at college students. The purpose was to evaluate a novel, technology-mediated, social media-based intervention to promote HPV vaccination among college students. A controlled, quasi-experimental, mixed methods study examined the feasibility of a technology-based intervention among two undergraduate classes (n = 58) at a public university in the southeastern United States of America. Classes were randomized to receive one of two cancer prevention programs (i.e., HPV vaccination (intervention) or healthy weight (control)). Both programs contained eight technology-mediated sessions, including weekly emails and private Facebook group posts. Participants completed pre-/post-test surveys and submitted weekly qualitative reflections. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic review for qualitative data. Knowledge improved among participants in the HPV vaccination intervention relative to those in the control condition. Participants (97%) interacted on Facebook by “liking” a post or comment or posting a comment. Participants demonstrated robust engagement and high treatment satisfaction. Results suggests that social media is an effective platform to reach college students with health promotion interventions and increase HPV vaccination awareness in this important catch-up population.

Nowadays, the contamination of groundwater and soils by highly hazardous and toxic chlorinated solvents is a global issue. Over the past years, different remediation strategies have been developed, involving injection of reactive solutions and/or particles. However, a major difficulty is the monitoring of injected particles during the injection and after secondary mobilisation by groundwater flow. This study is focussed on the development of directly traceable particles by combining fluorescein with Layered Double Hydroxides (LDHs). We present here the facile and easily tuneable synthesis of fluorescing LDHs (Fluo-LDH) via co-precipitation under supersaturation conditions. Their ability to mimic particle sizes of previously studied reactive LDHs, which proved to be able to adsorb or degrade chlorinated organic solvents from aqueous solutions, was investigated as well. Tests using a novel Optical Image Profiler (OIP) confirmed that the fluorescent LDHs can be easily detected with this tool. Even LDHs with the lowest amount of fluorescent dye were detectable. Together with the use of an OIP, which is capable of exciting the fluorescent material and collecting real-time pictures, this can provide a new, efficient, and cost-effective method for in situ tracing of injected particles in the subsurface.

Sperm DNA damage is correlated with reduced embryo development and increased miscarriage risk, reducing successful conception. Given its links with oxidative stress, antioxidants have been investigated as a potential treatment, yet results are conflicting. Importantly, individual antioxidants are not identical in composition, and some compounds may be more effective than others. We investigated the use of the polyphenol-rich, high-antioxidant-capacity fruit acai as a treatment for elevated sperm DNA fragmentation (>16%), measured by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL). Following ≥ 74 days of treatment, we observed a significant decrease in sperm DNA fragmentation (−17.0% ± 2.5%) to 11.9 ± 1.7% (0–37%), with a 68.6% success rate (defined as post-treatment TUNEL < 16%). Post-treatment decreases in DNA fragmentation and success rates were not significantly impacted by low motility and/or concentration, or exceptionally high (> 25%) TUNEL. Treatment significantly reduced concentration in men with normal semen parameters, but 88% remained normal. Overall, successful treatment was not associated with age, semen parameters or TUNEL result at baseline. However, body mass index was significantly higher in nonresponders at baseline. This study provides evidence of a low-cost, effective treatment for elevated sperm DNA damage using acai.

Targeted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents offer platforms for the specific detection of many diseases, including cancer. This study explores the applicability of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone-conjugated PEG-coated magnetite nanoparticles (LHRH-MNPs) to the enhancement of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) detection. In vitro MRI studies were first performed, showing the consistent darkening effect of both MNPs and LHRH-MNPs in T2-weighted maps. Using a mouse model with an induced subcutaneous tumor, MNPs and LHRH-MNPs were injected into xenograft MDA-MB-231. This was done through intratumoral and intravenous injections, respectively, enabling direction comparisons of the two nanoparticles. Intratumorally injected LHRH-MNPs maintained T2 signals within the breast tumors up to two weeks, revealing long-term tumor enhancement ability, while the signal started to recover towards the contrast of the original tumor before injection in the case of MNPs at 24 h post injection. For intravenous administration, LHRH-MNPs continued to darken breast tumor 24 h following injection, whereas contrast enhancement was not obvious in animals injected with MNPs. These results show the potential of LHRH-MNPs as negative contrast agents for the specific detection of TNBC.

Interstitial lung abnormalities (ILA) are observed in around 9% of older respiratory asymptomatic subjects, mainly smokers. Evidence suggests that ILA may precede the development of interstitial lung diseases and may evolve to progressive fibrosis. Identifying biomarkers of this subclinical status is relevant for early diagnosis and to predict outcome. We aimed to identify circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) associated to ILA in a cohort of respiratory asymptomatic subjects older than 60 years. We identified 81 subjects with ILA from our Lung-Aging Program in Mexico City (n = 826). We randomly selected 112 subjects without ILA (Ctrl) from the same cohort. Using polymerase chain reaction PCR-Array technology (24 ILA and 24 Ctrl, screening cohort) and reverse-transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) (57 ILA and 88 Ctr, independent validation cohort) we identified seven up-regulated miRNAs in serum of ILA compared to Ctrl (miR-193a-5p, p < 0.0001; miR-502-3p, p < 0.0001; miR-200c-3p, p = 0.003; miR-16-5p, p = 0.003; miR-21-5p, p = 0.002; miR-126-3p, p = 0.004 and miR-34a-5p, p < 0.005). Pathways regulated by these miRNAs include transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), Wnt, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), Insulin, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling, and senescence. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis indicated that miR-193a-5p (area under the curve AUC: 0.75) and miR-502-3p (AUC 0.71) have acceptable diagnostic value. This is the first identification of circulating miRNAs associated to ILA in respiratory asymptomatic subjects, providing potential non-invasive biomarkers and molecular targets to better understand the pathogenic mechanisms associated to ILA.

Human papillomavirus virus (HPV) vaccines aim to provide durable protection and are ideal to study the association of cellular with humoral responses. We assessed the duration and characteristics of immune responses provided by the quadrivalent HPV (4vHPV) vaccine in healthy female adults with or without prior exposure with type 16 and 18 HPV. In a prospective cohort, vaccine naïve females received three doses of 4vHPV vaccine and were followed for two years to assess cellular (intracellular cytokine staining, proliferation and B cell ELISpot assays) and humoral (multiplex L1/L2 viral-like particles (VLP) and M4 ELISAs) responses. Frequencies of vaccine-specific CD4+ T cells correlated with antibody responses. Higher HPV antibody titers were found at all time points in participants previously exposed to HPV, except for anti-HPV-18 at Day 187 (one week post the third vaccination). Retrospective cohorts enrolled females who had previously received two or three 4vHPV doses and tested antibody titers by M4 ELISA and pseudovirion neutralization assay along with memory B cells (MBCs). Almost all women enrolled in a retrospective cohort with two prior doses and all women enrolled in a retrospective cohort with three prior doses had sustained antibody and memory responses. Our findings indicate that HPV vaccination induces a long-lasting, robust cellular and humoral immune responses.

New breeding technologies are revolutionizing plant and animal improvement programs [...]

The sesquiterpene lactone thapsigargin is found in the plant Thapsia garganica L., and is one of the major constituents of the roots and fruits of this Mediterranean species. In 1978, the first pharmacological effects of thapsigargin were established and the full structure was elucidated in 1985. Shortly after, the overall mechanism of the Sarco-endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) inhibition that leads to apoptosis was discovered. Thapsigargin has a potent antagonistic effect on the SERCA and is widely used to study Ca2+-signaling. The effect on SERCA has also been utilized in the treatment of solid tumors. A prodrug has been designed to target the blood vessels of cancer cells; the death of these blood vessels then leads to tumor necrosis. The first clinical trials of this drug were initiated in 2008, and the potent drug is expected to enter the market in the near future under the generic name Mipsagargin (G-202). This review will describe the discovery of the new drug, the on-going elucidation of the biosynthesis of thapsigargin in the plant and attempts to supply the global market with a novel potent anti-cancer drug.

Childhood cancer survivors are at risk for cognitive and social deficits. Previous findings indicate computerized cognitive training can result in an improvement of cognitive skills. The current objective was to investigate whether these cognitive gains generalize to social functioning benefits. Sixty-eight survivors of childhood cancer were randomly assigned to a computerized cognitive intervention (mean age 12.21 ± 2.47 years, 4.97 ± 3.02 years off-treatment) or waitlist control group (mean age 11.82 ± 2.42 years, 5.04 ± 2.41 years off-treatment). Conners 3 Parent and Self-Report forms were completed pre-intervention, immediately post-intervention and six-months post-intervention. Piecewise linear mixed-effects models indicated no significant differences in Peer Relations between groups at baseline and no difference in change between groups from pre- to immediate post-intervention or post- to six-months post-intervention (ps > 0.40). Baseline Family Relations problems were significantly elevated in the control group relative to the intervention group (p < 0.01), with a significantly greater decline from pre- to immediate post-intervention (p < 0.05) and no difference in change between groups from post- to six-months post-intervention (p > 0.80). The study results suggest cognitive gains from computerized training do not generalize to social functioning. Training focused on skill-based social processing (e.g., affect recognition) may be more efficacious.

The cytokine profile during acute chikungunya infection that predicts future chronic arthritis has not yet been investigated. We conducted a nested case-control study comparing serum cytokine concentrations during acute chikungunya infection in cases (n = 121) that reported the presence of chronic joint pain versus age- and gender-matched controls (n = 121) who reported recovery at 20 months post infection. We observed that a robust cytokine response during acute infection was correlated with a decreased incidence of chronic joint pain and that low TNFα, IL-13, IL-2, and IL-4 during acute infection was predictive of chronic joint pain. These data suggest that a robust cytokine response is necessary for viral clearance and cytokines that are related to immune tolerance during acute infection may be protective for chronic arthritis pathogenesis.

Previous studies have found that religion and spirituality (R/S) are related to less suicidal ideation (SI), fewer suicide attempts and fewer suicide deaths and that an absence of social support is associated with SI, suicide attempts, and suicide death. 745 Catholic, Jewish, and Protestant congregants completed an online survey measuring their sense of community (SOC) in their faith community, overall belonging and SI. SOC was weakly related to SI. Congregants attending more than one service per week reported more SI and more importance to feel a SOC. Jewish and Hispanic congregants reported more SI. Unmarried congregants reported lower overall belonging, more SOC and more SI, suggesting that people apportion their sense of connectedness differently. Future studies might examine the relationship of SOC to suicide attempts and deaths and how a faith community might confer SOC differently from a non-religious/non-spiritual community.

Cell division cycle 25 (CDC25) protein phosphatases regulate cell cycle progression through the activation of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), but they are also involved in chromatin modulation and transcriptional regulation. CDC25 inhibition is regarded as a possible therapeutic strategy for the treatment of human malignancies, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We investigated the in vitro effects of CDC25 inhibitors on primary human AML cells derived from 79 unselected patients in suspension cultures. Both the previously well-characterized CDC25 inhibitor NSC95397, as well as five other inhibitors (BN82002 and the novel small molecular compounds ALX1, ALX2, ALX3, and ALX4), only exhibited antiproliferative effects for a subset of patients when tested alone. These antiproliferative effects showed associations with differences in genetic abnormalities and/or AML cell differentiation. However, the responders to CDC25 inhibition could be identified by analysis of global gene expression profiles. The differentially expressed genes were associated with the cytoskeleton, microtubules, and cell signaling. The constitutive release of 28 soluble mediators showed a wide variation among patients and this variation was maintained in the presence of CDC25 inhibition. Finally, NSC95397 had no or only minimal effects on AML cell viability. In conclusion, CDC25 inhibition has antiproliferative effects on primary human AML cells for a subset of patients, and these patients can be identified by gene expression profiling.

Mycobacterium wolinskyi is a rapidly growing mycobacterium, first described in 1999 as a member of the group Mycobacterium smegmatis (Mycobacterium smegmatis, Mycobacterium wolinskyi and Mycobacterium goodii). Only 19 case reports all over the world have been described on literature, none of them in Brazil. On this report, it is described one case of infection after a mammoplasty procedure performed in a private health service in the county of Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, in 2009. The mycobacteria specie was identified using biochemical tests and sequencing the specific gene rpoB. To treat the infection by Mycobacterium wolinskyi it was necessary to combine antibiotics for a long period of time associated with surgical procedures of the breast abscesses.

A thrombus is a blood clot that forms on a surface, and can grow and detach, presenting a high risk for stroke and pulmonary embolism. This risk increases with blood-contacting medical devices, due to the immunological response to foreign surfaces and altered flow patterns that activate the blood and promote thromboembolism (TE). Abnormal blood transport, including vortex behavior and regional stasis, can be assessed from Lagrangian Coherent Structures (LCS). LCS are flow structures that bound transport within a flow field and divide the flow into regions with maximally attracting/repelling surfaces that maximize local shear. LCS can be identified from finite time Lyapunov exponent (FTLE) fields, which are computed from velocity field data. In this study, the goal was to use FTLE analysis to evaluate LCS in the left ventricle (LV) using velocity data obtained from flow visualization of a mock circulatory loop. A model of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) was used to investigate the effect of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support on diastolic filling and transport in the LV. A small thrombus in the left ventricular outflow tract was also considered using data from a corresponding LV model. The DCM LV exhibited a direct flow of 0.8 L/cardiac cycle, which was tripled during LVAD support Delayed ejection flow was doubled, further illustrating the impact of LVAD support on blood transport. An examination of the attracting LCS ridges during diastolic filling showed that the increase is due primarily to augmentation of A wave inflow, which is associated with increased vortex circulation, kinetic energy and Forward FTLE. The introduction of a small thrombus in the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) of the LV had a minimal effect on diastolic inflow, but obstructed systolic outflow leading to decreased transport compared with the unobstructed LVOT geometry. Localized FTLE in the LVOT increased dramatically with the small thrombus model, which reflects greater recirculation distal to the thrombus location. The combination of the thrombus and the LVAD increased stasis distal to the thrombus, increasing the likelihood of recurring coagulation during Series flow conditions. The extension of the results of the previous studies with this analysis provides a more sensitive indicator of TE risk than the Eulerian velocity values do, and may provide an important tool for evaluating medical device design, surgical implantation, and treatment options.

Layered materials are a very interesting class of compounds obtained by stacking of two-dimensional layers along the basal axis. A remarkable property of these materials is their capacity to interact with a variety of chemical species, irrespective of their charge (neutral, cationic or anionic). These species can be grafted onto the surface of the layered materials or intercalated between the layers, to expand or contract the interlayer distance. Metalloporphyrins, which are typically soluble oxidation catalysts, are examples of molecules that can interact with layered materials. This work presents a short review of the studies involving metalloporphyrin immobilization on two different anionic exchangers, Layered Double Hydroxides (LDHs) and Layered Hydroxide Salts (LHSs), published over the past year. After immobilization of anionic porphyrins, the resulting solids behave as reusable catalysts for heterogeneous oxidation processes. Although a large number of publications involving metalloporphyrin immobilization on LDHs exist, only a few papers have dealt with LHSs as supports, so metalloporphyrins immobilized on LHSs represent a new and promising research field. This work also describes new results on an anionic manganese porphyrin (MnP) immobilized on Mg/Al-LDH solids with different nominal Mg/Al molar ratios (2:1, 3:1 and 4:1) and intercalated with different anions (CO32− or NO3−). The influence of the support composition on the MnP immobilization rates and the catalytic performance of the resulting solid in cyclooctene oxidation reactions will be reported.