Search

Temporal and spatial changes in neurotransmitter concentrations are central to information processing in neural networks. Therefore, biosensors for neurotransmitters are essential tools for neuroscience. In this work, we applied a new technique, corona phase molecular recognition (CoPhMoRe), to identify adsorbed polymer phases on fluorescent single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) that allow for the selective detection of specific neurotransmitters, including dopamine. We functionalized and suspended SWCNTs with a library of different polymers (n = 30) containing phospholipids, nucleic acids, and amphiphilic polymers to study how neurotransmitters modulate the resulting band gap, near-infrared (nIR) fluorescence of the SWCNT. We identified several corona phases that enable the selective detection of neurotransmitters. Catecholamines such as dopamine increased the fluorescence of specific single-stranded DNA- and RNA-wrapped SWCNTs by 58-80% upon addition of 100 μM dopamine depending on the SWCNT chirality (n,m). In solution, the limit of detection was 11 nM [K(d) = 433 nM for (GT)15 DNA-wrapped SWCNTs]. Mechanistic studies revealed that this turn-on response is due to an increase in fluorescence quantum yield and not covalent modification of the SWCNT or scavenging of reactive oxygen species. When immobilized on a surface, the fluorescence intensity of a single DNA- or RNA-wrapped SWCNT is enhanced by a factor of up to 5.39 ± 1.44, whereby fluorescence signals are reversible. Our findings indicate that certain DNA/RNA coronae act as conformational switches on SWCNTs, which reversibly modulate the SWCNT fluorescence. These findings suggest that our polymer-SWCNT constructs can act as fluorescent neurotransmitter sensors in the tissue-compatible nIR optical window, which may find applications in neuroscience.

Abstract Background The physiological relevance of cell-to-cell communication mediated by small extracellular vesicle-encapsulated microRNAs (sEV-miRNAs) remains debated because of the limiting representativity of specific miRNAs within the extracellular pool. We hypothesize that sEV-miRNA non-canonical function consisting of the stimulation of Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) may rely on a global shift of the sEV cargo rather than on the induction of one or few specific miRNAs. Psoriasis represents an ideal model to test such hypothesis as it is driven by overt activation of TLR7-expressing plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) following keratinocyte damage. Methods To mimic the onset of psoriasis, keratinocytes were treated with a cocktail of psoriatic cytokines or UV-irradiated. SmallRNA sequencing was performed on sEVs released by healthy and UV-treated keratinocytes. sEV-miRNAs were analyzed for nucleotide composition as well as for the presence of putative TLR7-binding triplets. Primary human pDCs where stimulated with sEVs +/- inhibitors of TLR7 (Enpatoran), of sEV release (GW4869 + manumycin) and of TLR7-mediated pDC activation (anti-BDCA-2 antibody). Secretion of type I IFNs and activation of CD8+T cells were used as readouts. qPCR on psoriatic and healthy skin biopsies was conducted to identify induced miRNAs. Results sEV-miRNAs released by damaged keratinocytes revealed a significantly higher content of TLR7-activating sequences than healthy cells. As expected, differential expression analysis confirmed the presence of miRNAs upregulated in psoriatic skin, including miR203a. More importantly, 76.5% of induced miRNAs possessed TLR7-binding features and among these we could detect several previously demonstrated TLR7 ligands. In accordance with this in silico analysis, sEVs from damaged keratinocytes recapitulated key events of psoriatic pathogenesis by triggering pDCs to release type I interferon and activate cytotoxic CD8+T cells in a TLR7- and sEV-dependent manner. Discussion Our results demonstrate that miR203a is just one paradigmatic TLR7-activating miRNA among the hundreds released by UV-irradiated keratinocytes, which altogether trigger pDC activation in psoriatic conditions. This represents the first evidence that cell damage shifts the miRNA content of sEVs towards a TLR7-activating cargo capable to propagate inflammation and immunity, offering strong support to the physiological role of systemic miRNA-based cell-to-cell communication.

The machining of implants and parts for dental prostheses to eliminate biofilm in the implantoplasty process causes a loss of mechanical properties and also characteristics of the surfaces, making tissue regeneration difficult. In the present work, treatments consisting of elements that can reduce infection, such as citric acid and magnesium, together with elements that can improve cell adhesion and proliferation, such as collagen, are proposed for implant–crown assembly. Titanium, zirconia, composite (PMMA + feldspar) and cobalt–chromium discs were immersed in four different solutions: 25% citric acid, 25% citric acid with the addition of collagen 0.25 g/L, 25% citric acid with the addition of 0.50 g/L and the latter with the addition of 1% Mg (NO3)2. After immersion was applied for 2 and 10 min, the roughness was determined by interferometric microscopy and the contact angle (CA) was evaluated. Human fibroblastic and osteoblastic line cells (HFFs and SaOS-2) were used to determine cell viability and proliferation capacity. Cell binding and cytotoxicity were determined by resazurin sodium salt assay (Alamar Blue) and cell morphology by confocal assay (immunofluorescence F-actin (phalloidin)) after 3 days of incubation. For the evaluation of bacterial activity, the bacterial strains Sptreptococcus gordonii (Gram+) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Gram−) were used. The antibacterial properties of the proposed treatments were determined by means of the resazurin sodium salt (Alamar Blue) assay after 1 day of incubation. The treatments considerably decreased the contact angle of the treated samples with respect to the control samples. The treatments endowed the surfaces of the samples with a hydrophilic/super-hydrophilic character. The combination of elements proposed for this study provided cell viability greater than 70%; considering the absence of cytotoxicity, it therefore promotes the adhesion and proliferation of fibroblasts and osteoblasts. In addition, it also endows the surface with antibacterial characteristics against from Gram+ and Gram− bacteria without damaging the cells. These results show that this mouthwash can be useful in oral applications to produce a new passivation layer that favors the hydrophilicity of the surface and promotes cellular activity for the formation of fibroblasts and osteoblasts, as well as showing bactericidal activity.

Abstract The dataset presents a 43 year-long reanalysis of pollen seasons for three major allergenic genera of trees in Europe: alder (Alnus), birch (Betula), and olive (Olea). Driven by the meteorological reanalysis ERA5, the atmospheric composition model SILAM predicted the flowering period and calculated the Europe-wide dispersion pattern of pollen for the years 1980–2022. The model applied an extended 4-dimensional variational data assimilation of in-situ observations of aerobiological networks in 34 European countries to reproduce the inter-annual variability and trends of pollen production and distribution. The control variable of the assimilation procedure was the total pollen release during each flowering season, implemented as an annual correction factor to the mean pollen production. The dataset was designed as an input to studies on climate-induced and anthropogenically driven changes in the European vegetation, biodiversity monitoring, bioaerosol modelling and assessment, as well as, in combination with intra-seasonal observations, for health-related applications.

The study advocates for a qualitative research design to address knowledge gaps regarding Collective Energy Initiatives (CEIs), utilising evidence-based research and a maximum variation principle. Focused on EU countries, the study employs desk research and surveys to identify stages of CEI development and explore impactful practices. It examines initiatives aligned with EU Directives and broader energy transition efforts, categorising them by complexity. Through surveys, the study identifies drivers and barriers to coalition phenomena, aiming to enhance understanding of energy policies’ impact. This approach responds to the need for comprehensive investigations into energy initiatives’ impediments and facilitators, aligning with recent calls for research in this area.

The Ethnographic Museum in Dubrovnik holds an extensive textile collection which includes a number of dresses and costumes from Croatia and neighbouring countries. Until recently, the costumes were displayed on mannequins created by the academic artist Zvonimir Lončarić (1927–2004). His sculptures are expressive forms made of terracotta, fibreglass, wood, metal, acrylic paint and other materials chosen for their visual appeal. Due to their importance, the museum considered the mannequins to be protected works of art in the permanent exhibition; however, they had a harmful effect on the costumes displayed. In 2018, after completing a series of conservation–restoration projects within the collection, it was decided to replace the existing mounts with new, museum-quality mannequins. Two project-based learning workshops were organised, led by a team of textile conservators from the University of Dubrovnik and the Croatian Conservation Institute, in collaboration with the curator of the Ethnographic Museum. This case study highlights the challenges of exhibiting ethnographic costumes by discussing past presentation methods and how new solutions have been implemented in line with the modern conservation–restoration profession. The new solutions take into consideration ethics, decision-making processes, and an understanding of contemporary materials and methodology.

Breast metastasis originating from a primary lung tumor is exceedingly rare and can present challenges in distinguishing it from primary breast cancer. This case report discusses the management of a 64-year-old woman who initially presented with a nodule in her left breast. A biopsy revealed an infiltrating ductal carcinoma. Despite negative BRCA genetic testing, her significant family history of cancer and the presence of a newly detected right breast lesion led to a bilateral mastectomy. Post-operative imaging identified multiple hypodense nodules and a spiculated pulmonary nodule, necessitating further investigation. An endoscopic lung biopsy confirmed a primary pulmonary carcinoma with histological features similar to the breast carcinoma, suggesting the lung as the primary source. This case highlights the complexity of differentiating breast metastasis originating from a lung tumor and primary breast cancer. It underscores the importance of comprehensive diagnostic evaluations and the consideration of extramammary origins in metastatic cases. The findings emphasize the role of multidisciplinary teams in managing such rare and challenging cases and highlight the necessity for thorough and repeated assessments in atypical breast cancer presentations.

Abstract Background Experimental studies have shown that repetitive trans-spinal magnetic stimulation (TsMS) decreases demyelination and enables recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI). However, the usefulness of TsMS in humans with SCI remains unclear. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of TsMS combined with kinesiotherapy on SCI symptoms. We describe a protocol treatment with TsMS and kinesiotherapy in a patient with SCI due to neuromyelitis optica (NMO)-associated transverse myelitis. Case presentation A 23-year-old white male with NMO spectrum disorders started symptoms in 2014 and included lumbar pain evolving into a mild loss of strength and sensitivity in both lower limbs. Five months later, the symptoms improved spontaneously, and there were no sensorimotor deficits. Two years later, in 2016, the symptoms recurred with a total loss of strength and sensitivity in both lower limbs. Initially, physiotherapy was provided in 15 sessions with goals of motor-sensory recovery and improving balance and functional mobility. Subsequently, TsMS (10 Hz, 600 pulses, 20-seconds inter-trains interval, at 90% of resting motor threshold of the paravertebral muscle) was applied at the 10th thoracic vertebral spinous process before physiotherapy in 12 sessions. Outcomes were assessed at three time points: prior to physiotherapy alone (T-1), before the first session of TsMS combined with kinesiotherapy (T0), and after 12 sessions of TsMS combined with kinesiotherapy (T1). The patient showed a 25% improvement in walking independence, a 125% improvement in balance, and an 18.8% improvement in functional mobility. The Patient Global Impression of Change Scale assessed the patient’s global impression of change as ‘much improved’. Conclusion TsMS combined with kinesiotherapy may safely and effectively improve balance, walking independence, and functional mobility of patients with SCI due to NMO-associated transverse myelitis.

Within the scope of the Helmholtz Metadata Collaboration (HMC), the ADVANCE project – Advanced metadata standards for biodiversity survey and monitoring data: supporting of research and conservation – aimed at supporting rich metadata generation with interoperable metadata standards and semantic artefacts that facilitate data access, integration and reuse across terrestrial, freshwater and marine realms. HMC's mission is to facilitate the discovery, access, machine-readability, and reuse of research data across and beyond the Helmholtz Association.We revised, adapted and expanded existing metadata schemas, vocabularies and thesauri to build a FAIR metadata schema and a metadata entry form built on it for users to provide their metadata instances focused on biodiversity monitoring data. The schema is FAIR because it is both machine-interpretable and follows domain-relevant community standards. This report provides a general overview of the project results and instructions on how to access, re-use and complete the metadata form.

Abstract Apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (ApHCM) is an HCM variant, affecting frequently males in midlife. It is characterized by apical obliteration and persistent diastolic contraction, often resulting in microvascular ischaemia. We report five cases of ApHCM, with evidence of intramyocardial calcification on echocardiogram. On cardiac magnetic imaging (MRI), a hypointense component at early gadolinium enhancement (EGE) sequences, compatible with calcium, and a deep layer, with hyperintensity at late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) sequences, referable to fibrosis, suggest an endomyocardial fibrosis (EMF) diagnosis. EMF pathologic hallmark is endocardium and myocardium scarring, evolving to dystrophic calcification. It is found only in few ApHCM patients. Our series is the largest one described until now. Analysing patients' history, coexistent inflammatory triggers were evident in all of them, so their co‐morbidities could represent a further cause of small vessel disease, in the context of ischaemic microvascular stress due to hypertrophy, leading to fibrosis and dystrophic calcification. This series could demonstrate the relation between apical fibrosis/calcification and microvascular ischaemia due to hypertrophy and inflammatory triggers.

Electronic correspondence at a university in an asymmetric relation between student – academic teacher, academic teacher – student very often contains various kinds of requests or inquiries, which are directed by students to academic teachers. Compared to students, lecturers are less likely to make requests to students, but the commands and instructions they give tend to take a polite form, based on the word please suggesting an act of request. The aim of this article is to analyze the polite expressions used by students and academic teachers in e-mails addressed to each other containing requests. The research corpus includes 393 examples of student e-mails to faculty and 405 examples of faculty e-mails to students. The examples come from 224 works by third-year full-time and fourth-year part-time students of various technical faculties of the Kielce University of Technology. The authors of the works analyzed in the text were a total of 400 students (152 women and 248 men). The linguistic material was collected in 2016/2017 and 2017/2018.

The diffusion of knowledge among firms and workers, which, in turn, depends on the nature of the knowledge itself and the relatedness or unrelatedness of the industrial composition, is an essential driver for the growth and employment of territories. The proximity between related industries allows for faster diffusion of specific knowledge, as happens in the Marshall-Arrow-Romer (MAR) theory of externalities (agglomeration) and Jacobs’s theory of knowledge transmission. The literature (notably the Evolutionary Economic Geography one, EEG) has empirically investigated the relationship between employment (or GDP) and some measures of industrial composition (e.g., the related and unrelated variety). In this paper, we contribute to the literature in two ways. First, we propose a more coherent use of entropy indexes to measure the relatedness or unrelatedness of industries in an economy. Second, we empirically investigate the nexus between industrial composition and employment level by exploiting these measures. Unlike the existing literature, we argue that such a nexus could be circular. For such a reason, an empirical investigation using a spatial vector autoregressive (SpVAR) model will be performed for the Italian economy at the provincial level. The results show that such a circular nexus exists, shedding new light on the debate.

Abstract Background Despite word-of-mouth (WOM) and electronic WOM (eWOM) influencing people’s willingness to donate blood, no research has explored this behavior among blood service employees who are also donors. This underexplored segment is highly important, as they are generally committed to both the organization and the cause and are likely more informed on the topic of blood donation than the average donor. Methods This study comprised six online focus groups with 26 Australian Red Cross Lifeblood employees who are also donors. Questions covered a range of blood donation and WOM topics, including when they became blood donors, if they had engaged in WOM about blood donation, what they had talked about and with whom, and what were audience reactions. Thematic analysis was then used to explore how responses related to the employees’ motivations, opportunities, and abilities to engage in WOM and eWOM about blood donation. Results While most employee-donors saw alignment in their employee and donor roles, advocating for blood donation was not considered a necessary part of either role. Educating others about blood donation was a common goal of employee-donor WOM and eWOM, and almost all employees engaged in reactive WOM, triggered by events (e.g., recent donations) or questions about their work. Employee-donors in donor-facing roles (e.g., communications and collections staff) felt more aware of the importance of encouraging others to donate blood and were also more likely to be proactive in their WOM activity. Along with these perceived advantages of having a dual role, employee-donors also identified some disadvantages, such as unrealistic expertise expectations and negative audience responses that can be difficult to navigate. Conclusions Being an employee-donor is a double-edged sword. For example, increased opportunities to talk about blood donation and access to more information can be offset by having to respond to more challenging questions/comments and expectations, while appropriately representing their employer. More research is needed among those in employee-donor roles within the healthcare and/or non-profit sectors, to determine whether these are issues faced more broadly, and how those in dual roles can be most effectively supported to engage in positive WOM and eWOM.

IntroductionWe report the analysis and characterization and the preliminary biological evaluation, of both liquid and solid wastes obtained from the processing of wheat (Triticum vulgare) to produce the most iconic phytostimulin-based pharmaceutical products. The study aims to verify whether the waste can be reused in another process and not destined to its simple destructive disposal.MethodsIn this perspective, we first carried out an in-depth chemical-physical analysis of the waste together with a biocompatibility evaluation to plan the feasible final choice of waste destination. The liquid and solid waste derived from the processing of wheat extract were analyzed and characterized through ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution Orbitrap mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS).ResultsResults highlight that ferulic acid represent the most abundant phenolic compound for solid waste with a content of 89.782 mg/kg and dihydroferulic acid is the predominant for liquid waste (6.24 mg/L). These concentrations represent 55.87% and 84.39% of the total concentration of bioactive compounds for liquid and solid waste, respectively. The antioxidant activity registered for the solid extract was 8.598 and 7.262 mmol trolox/kg, respectively for ABTS and FRAP assays. The total phenolic content (TPC) in the liquid extract undergoes a significant percentage reduction compared to the solid waste. As regards toxicity, both liquid and solid wastes were investigated in vitro preclinical models of human skin (HaCaT cells and HDFa) after 24, 48, and 72 h of exposure. No cytotoxic effect was noted even at the highest tested concentration (100 μg/mL) at 72 h.DiscussionOverall, considering its chemo-physical features and active ingredients, we believe that this waste is highly reusable as a starting material for the development of cosmeceutical products. Thus, this study allows us to motivate the destination of the waste of the production in a recyclable raw material for additional industrial processes, thereby promoting an eco-friendly circular economy operation.

ABSTRACT Objective To analyze full vaccination coverage in live births in 2017 and 2018 in the capitals of the Midwest region of Brazil, according to social strata. Methods Population-based household survey with cluster sampling. Full coverage in children at 12 and 24 months of age and sociodemographic factors were analyzed. Results 5,715 children were analyzed. Full coverage at 12 months of age was 67.9% (95%CI 65.4;70.4), while at 24 months it was 48.2% (95%CI 45.3;51.1). Pneumococcal vaccine had the highest vaccination coverage (91.3%), while the second dose of rotavirus vaccine had the lowest (74.2%). In Campo Grande, no vaccine reached coverage above 90%, with BCG (82.9%) and hepatitis B (82.1%) standing out. Campo Grande and Brasília had the worst vaccination coverage in the high social stratum (24 months of age). Conclusion Vaccination coverage in the Midwest was below 80%, falling short of the recommended target and associated with socioeconomic factors.

BackgroundThe study investigates the impact of tele-exercise on physical fitness and psychological well-being in healthy individuals. Tele-exercise, facilitated by technology, offers a flexible and accessible alternative to traditional exercise, particularly beneficial during restricted in-person interactions.MethodsIn this study, 52 participants were divided into three groups: athletes, women, and young adults. They took part in an eight-week tele-exercise program, either synchronously or asynchronously. Physical fitness was evaluated using tests such as the 2-Minute Step and Curl Up Test, while psychological well-being was assessed using the Psychological General Well-Being Index (PGWBI) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10).ResultsSignificant improvements in physical fitness and psychological well-being were observed in post-intervention across all groups, regardless of training mode. In the fitness tests, a significant improvement was obtained in the 2-Minute-Step (p = 0.004), in the curls up (p = 0.017), and in squats test (p = 0.004). In the forward bending test, the increment was very close to the significance (p = 0.051). In the psychological well-being tests, both PGWBI and WHO-5 scores increased after the training (p = 0.024 and p = 0.001 respectively) with no significant change in the PSS-10 score. The study found that tele-exercise can effectively introduce physical activity to previously inactive individuals and motivate them to adopt healthier lifestyle behaviors.ConclusionsThe TELEexe4ALL project demonstrates the potential of tele-exercise to improve physical fitness and psychological well-being. The study suggests that tele-exercise is a feasible and well-accepted approach for enhancing overall wellness in healthy populations.

BackgroundWHIM (Warts, Hypogammaglobulinemia, Infections, and Myelokathexis) syndrome is an ultra-rare, combined primary immunodeficiency and chronic neutropenic disorder characterized by a range of clinical presentations, including peripheral neutropenia, lymphopenia, and recurrent infections. WHIM syndrome is most often caused by gain-of-function mutations in the gene encoding C-X-C chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4). As such, inhibition of CXCR4 with XOLREMDI® (mavorixafor), an orally bioavailable CXCR4 antagonist, demonstrated clinically meaningful increases in absolute neutrophil and lymphocyte counts and concomitant reduction in infections in patients with WHIM syndrome, resulting in its recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval. The impact of CXCR4 antagonism on other aspects of the pathobiology in WHIM syndrome, such as lymphopoiesis and leukocyte trafficking between primary and secondary lymphoid organs, is less understood.MethodsIn the current study, the effects of CXCR4 antagonism on leukocyte trafficking and distribution in primary and secondary lymphoid organs were investigated in a mouse model of WHIM syndrome carrying the heterozygous Cxcr41013 mutation. Cxcr4+/1013 and Cxcr4 wild-type mice received the orally bioavailable CXCR4 antagonist X4-185. Blood, spleen and bone marrow samples were collected for numeration, flow cytometry, and functional studies.ResultsCxcr4+/1013 mice exhibited profound peripheral blood leukopenia as seen in patients with WHIM syndrome. CXCR4 antagonism corrected circulating leukopenia and mobilized functional neutrophils without disrupting granulopoiesis in the bone marrow of Cxcr4+/1013 mice. Furthermore, Cxcr4+/1013 displayed aberrant splenic T and B-cell counts and frequency. Treatment with X4-185 normalized splenic T-cell abnormalities, correcting the reduced CD8+ T-cell numbers, restoring the CD4/CD8 T-cell ratio, and ameliorating peripheral blood T-cell lymphopenia. In addition, CXCR4 antagonism was able to correct the abnormal frequencies and numbers of splenic marginal zone and follicular B cells in Cxcr4+/1013 mice, and ultimately normalize B-cell lymphopenia in the peripheral circulation.ConclusionsOur study provides comprehensive evidence that oral dosing with a CXCR4 antagonist can effectively correct WHIM-associated neutrophil and lymphocyte abnormalities in a mouse model of WHIM syndrome. These findings extend our understanding of how targeting the dysregulated CXCR4 signaling pathway can ameliorate the pathogenesis of WHIM syndrome.

Introdução: a violência contra idosos é um fenômeno alarmante que compromete gravemente a saúde física e psicológica dessa população. A crescente incidência reflete fragilidades sociais contemporâneas e destaca a necessidade urgente de políticas públicas eficazes para sua prevenção e mitigação, visando proteger os direitos e a dignidade dos idosos. Objetivo: analisar o perfil epidemiológico das notificações de violência interpessoal contra pessoas idosas na Paraíba, abrangendo o período de 2011 a 2019. Método: estudo quantitativa e ecológica, utilizando dados do Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação e do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística. A pesquisa compreendeu a descrição da taxa de notificação da violência, a realização de análises de correlações entre as variáveis estudadas com p-valor

Introdução: Queixas de uretrite e proctite são comuns na prática clínica, sendo as principais etiologias a Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) e a Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), geralmente tratadas empiricamente. No entanto, outros agentes pouco lembrados como os micoplasmas, ureaplasmas e tricomonas eventualmente são os causadores destes sintomas. Com isso, a terapia empírica pode não necessariamente levar à cura e facilita a resistência aos antimicrobianos. Ademais, considerando as alterações das manifestações do monkeypox ao longo do tempo, a redução de sua notificação e o fato do vírus poder apresentar essas manifestações na transmissão sexual, essa poderia ser uma outra etiologia. Objetivo: Avaliar características clínicas, epidemiológicas e etiológicas de pacientes com uretrite e/ou proctite em São Carlos-SP, avaliar o impacto da implantação de teste molecular rápido para CT e NG (CT/NG qPCR) em seu manejo clínico e desenvolver qPCR para identificação dos outros agentes. Método: Estudo observacional transversal incluiu indivíduos adultos com sintomas de uretrite e/ou proctite e/ou lesões cutâneas, genitais ou anais compatíveis com monkeypox. Realizada entrevista, exame físico, coleta e congelamento de urina para CT/NG qPCR e para posterior realização de reações em cadeia por polimerase em tempo real (qPCR) para Trichomonas vaginalis, Ureaplasma spp, Mycoplasma genitalium, Mycoplasma hominis e vírus Monkeypox. Realizados testes rápidos para IST (TR), cultura geral de secreção uretral e eventualmente VDRL e anti-HSV. Os qPCR foram desenvolvidos com o uso de SYBR green, com base em primers da literatura, analisados e modificados nas ferramentas BLAST/NCBI e OligoAnalyzer. Resultados: Até o momento, foram incluídos oito homens, entre 21 e 43 anos, todos com descarga uretral, disúria, desconforto peniano e/ou escrotal, quatro com alterações de faringe ou mucosa oral, três com lesões ulceradas genitais e quatro com adenomegalia. O CT/NG qPCR excluiu infecção por CT em todos os pacientes e de NG em quatro. Evitou-se o uso empírico de azitromicina em sete pacientes e de ceftriaxona em três. Houve paciente com quatro ISTs simultâneas. Conclusão: A implantação do CT/NG qPCR teve resultados benéficos na pequena amostra de pacientes incluídos até o momento, permitindo o tratamento direcionado e a redução do uso empírico de azitromicina e ceftriaxona. No entanto, o diagnóstico nem sempre se reverte em diminuição do uso empírico de antimicrobianos.

Introdução: : As infecções fúngicas em sistema nervoso central tem aumentado na ultima década, relacionado ao aumento da prevalência de pessoas imunocomprometidas, característica relacionada como principal fator de risco para tais infecções. As meningites por fungos possuem alta morbidade e mortalidade. Objetivo: Esse relato traz raro caso de meningite por Candida albicans associada à otite média com o objetivo de fomentar a discussão sobre tratamento e investigação complementar sobre um tema com pouca literatura. Método: Trata-se de um relato de caso, retrospectivo, com dados colhidos em prontuário, aplicado de termo de conscentimento livre e esclarecido. Realizado revisão de literatura não sistemática em bases de dados virtuais. Resultados: Paciente, 75 anos, portadora de hipertensão e hiperlipidemia, dá entrada com quadro de infecção de vias áreas superiores, com otite média com saída se secreção purulenta bilateralmente, evolui com rebaixamento de nível de consciência com necessidade de intubação orotraqueal. Realizado protocolo de sepse com expansão volêmica, coleta de culturas e inicio de antibiótico (ceftriaxone 2g). Em investigação de etiologia do quadro hemoculturas foram negativas, analise do liquor com leucocitos 3840 mm³, 96% de neutrófilos e proteinas 496mg/dl. Iniciado tratamento com ceftriaxone e ampicilina, no 4° dia de tratamento foram identificadas células fúngicas em cultura do liquor e associado anfotericina B. Paciente evolui com melhora clinica e neurológica. É extubada e identificado o fungo na cultura do liquor como Candida albicans. Trocado o anti fungico para fluconazol endovenoso. Foi realizada controle de resposta ao tratamento com coletas semanais de liquor com redução de celularidade e proteinorraquia. Realizada tomografia de seios da face com sinais de mastoidite crônia, porém sem lesões erosivas ósseas que justificassem solução de continuidade tecidual para infecção de sistema nervoso central. Paciente teve alta hospitalar, fez seguimento no ambulatório de infectologia, sem sequelas neurológicas. Conclusão: Os imunocomprometidos são descritos como suscetíveis ao desenvolvimento de infecções fúngicas em sistema nervoso central. No caso relatado, a paciente não possuía fatores de risco bem descritos para cogitar etiologia fúngica para o quadro. Apesar de apresentar otite média, essa não apresentou imagens de erosão óssea que justificasse a translocação para o sistema nervoso central, tornando o caso de difícil diagnóstico, o qual só pode ser elucidado pela cultura do liquor.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Chronic pain represents a significant global public health challenge, affecting millions of individuals worldwide. Characterized by their persistence and prolonged duration, these kinds of pain not only result in functional incapacity, but are also the main reason for patients to seek medical care. The complexity of these conditions is not only limited to the physical aspects, but can also affect a person’s emotional state and mood, favoring the presence of anxiety and/or depression, which not only exacerbate chronic pain but also complicate the treatment process. Resilience and the capacity to deal with adversity are crucial in this context. The objective of this study was to seek out and examine the relationship between resilience, anxiety and depression in patients with chronic pain, aiming at more effective and targeted therapeutic approaches. METHODS: Exploratory study in which patients with chronic pain starting treatment at a tertiary hospital were assessed based on sociodemographic and pain-related variables. This work also used the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD) and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. RESULTS: The study explored the relationship between resilience, anxiety, depression and chronic pain. The sample, composed mostly of women, showed that the majority of patients (78.3%) had mood disorder symptoms. Resilience presented a negative correlation with anxiety, depression and pain intensity, suggesting that it helps to protect against these health problems. CONCLUSION: Resilience should be considered an important factor in the effective treatment of people with chronic pain.

Background: Despite recent treatment advances in ovarian cancer (OC), more real-world evidence studies investigating patient outcomes are needed. OCRWE-Finland was an observational cohort study investigating OC outcomes in Finland during the pre-PARP inhibitor era. Patients: Patients were diagnosed with OC between 2014 and 2019 in Finland. This analysis reports baseline characteristics of all patients, patients with high-grade serous OC (HGSOC), and overall survival (OS) for patients with HGSOC. Results: Among 1,711 patients diagnosed with OC, 867 (51%) had HGSOC. The absence versus presence of visible residual disease post-debulking surgery was associated with improved OS for patients at stage III (n = 303; median: NR vs. 43 months; p = 0.005), but not stage IV (n = 118; median: 37 months vs. 40 months; p = 0.96). Bevacizumab treatment at any line at stages III/IV improved OS in the short-term only. Receiving versus not receiving bevacizumab at first-line for patients with visible residual disease post-debulking surgery was associated with improved OS at stage III (median: 48 months vs. 36 months; p = 0.003), but not stage IV (median: 42 months vs. 37 months; p = 0.26). Multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that stage IV at initial diagnosis and the presence of R2 classification post-debulking surgery resulted in poorer OS. Interpretation: In the pre-PARP inhibitor era, the absence versus presence of visible residual disease post-debulking surgery was associated with improved OS in stage III, but not stage IV HGSOC. First-line bevacizumab seemed to be beneficial in patients with stage III HGSOC and visible residual disease.

Background: As the treatment landscape for advanced ovarian cancer (OC) evolves, it is important to understand patient outcomes in real-world clinical practice. OCRWE-Finland was an observational cohort study investigating OC outcomes, including treatment patterns, time to next treatment 1 (TTNT1), overall survival and healthcare resource utilisation, in Finland during the pre-PARPi era. Materials and methods: Patients included in OCRWE-Finland were diagnosed with OC between 2014 and 2019. Here, we report treatment patterns and TTNT1 outcomes (as a surrogate for progression-free survival) for patients in the high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) cohort. Results: In OCRWE-Finland, there were 867 patients with HGSOC. Of the 811 patients who received first-line treatment, the most common regimen was surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy (53%), and 227 patients also received first-line bevacizumab. Median TTNT1 among 623 patients with stage III/IV disease was 19 months (95% confidence interval, 18–21 months), with no difference between patients with stage III or IV disease (p = 0.24). The presence versus absence of visible residual disease post-debulking surgery was associated with shorter TTNT1 among patients with stage III tumours (p = 0.031) but showed no impact for stage IV tumours (p = 0.55). First-line versus no first-line bevacizumab was associated with shorter TTNT1 among stages I–IV (p

Abstract Soft materials that convert light into mechanical energy can create new untethered strategies for actuating soft robotics. Yet, the available light‐driven materials are often incompatible with standard fabrication in soft robotics and restricted to shapes (e.g., sheets) that have limited capability for 3D deformation; often laser or focused light is required for actuation. Here, to address these challenges, a straightforward method for synthesizing sunlight‐responsive fluidic actuators from off‐the‐shelf silicone precursors capable of expanding in 3D is developed. A liquid phase and activated carbon as photothermal elements are constrained in the elastomer. Solar spectral light triggers a liquid–gas phase transition creating sufficient pressure to overcome the internal elastic stress and actuate the material. The fluidic actuation is characterized under varying light conditions reaching expansion cycle times between ≈20–500 s, strains of 28%, and actuation stress of ≈1.3 MPa in different experiments. The materials were then used to exemplarily drive a mechanical switch, a liquid dispensing soft pump, a valve, and a bending actuator. As the described materials are easy to produce in a 5 min synthesis by standard molding techniques, it is believed that they are a promising opportunity for embodied energy converters in environmentally powered soft robots that respond to sunlight.

The study aimed to evaluate the utilization, management structures, costs, and benefits of livestock water infrastructure in the pastoral communities of the Teso and Karamoja sub-regions. Data were collected on various water infrastructures, including boreholes, valley dams, and valley tanks. The findings suggest that investing in water infrastructure is economically viable, although functionality and usage differ across regions. Water use associations (WUAs) and community volunteers predominantly managed the water infrastructure, with local governments providing oversight. In Teso, 45%–75% of water use associations were deemed functional, compared to a lower rate of 33%–40% in Karamoja. Generally, users of water infrastructure in Teso demonstrated a higher willingness to pay for various services compared to those in Karamoja. The study also found that, under the status quo, co-management and joint efforts between WUAs and volunteers could be more economically viable management structures for boreholes. Valley dams could be better managed by WUAs, while local governments, with community support, could effectively manage valley tanks. The major challenges in managing water facilities included free riding, failure to enforce regulations, the potential for ownership tragedy, inadequacies in managing technologies, and the effects of drought. The research and implications of these findings are further discussed in the study.

IntroductionTailored exercise prescription is a crucial intervention for kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). This longitudinal study investigates the impact on long-term effectiveness of exercise prescriptions over one year follow-up, implementing telehealth tools for exercise administration and adherence monitoring.Materials and methodsKTRs were evaluated with clinical assessments including body composition, blood and urinary parameters, physical performance and quality of life at baseline (T0), after six (T6) and twelve (T12) months. The adherence to prescribed exercise training was monitored via video call interviews until T6 when the sample was divided into a group monitored via wearables (WG) and a group continuing video calls (VG) until T12.ResultsTwenty-six KTRs completed the study. No changes in body composition and kidney function were reported. KTRs showed an improvement in lipid profile, systolic blood pressure, cardiorespiratory fitness and quality of life. WG showed no clinical differences compared to VG except for reported higher quality of life.DiscussionA good adherence to the exercise prescription was obtained with both monitoring methods (232 vs 253 min/week). This study reinforces the inclusion exercise training for KTRs to enhance physical fitness and reduce cardiovascular risk factors. These results emphasize the role of telehealth monitoring methods as motivators for adherence to long-term exercise prescriptions.

Abstract Photosynthetic organisms, fungi, and animals comprise distinct pathways for vitamin C biosynthesis. Besides this diversity, the final biosynthetic step consistently involves an oxidation reaction carried out by the aldonolactone oxidoreductases. Here, we study the origin and evolution of the diversified activities and substrate preferences featured by these flavoenzymes using molecular phylogeny, kinetics, mutagenesis, and crystallographic experiments. We find clear evidence that they share a common ancestor. A flavin-interacting amino acid modulates the reactivity with the electron acceptors, including oxygen, and determines whether an enzyme functions as an oxidase or a dehydrogenase. We show that a few side chains in the catalytic cavity impart the reaction stereoselectivity. Ancestral sequence reconstruction outlines how these critical positions were affixed to specific amino acids along the evolution of the major eukaryotic clades. During Eukarya evolution, the aldonolactone oxidoreductases adapted to the varying metabolic demands while retaining their overarching vitamin C-generating function.

Abstract Effective interventions that support blood donor retention are needed. Yet, integrating an intervention into the time-pressed and operationally sensitive context of a blood donation center requires justification for disruptions to an optimized process. This research provides evidence that virtual reality (VR) paradigms can serve as a research environment in which interventions can be tested prior to being delivered in blood donation centers. Study 1 (N = 48) demonstrated that 360°-video VR blood donation environments elicit a similar profile of emotional experience to a live donor center. Presence and immersion were high, and cybersickness symptoms low. Study 2 (N = 134) was an experiment deploying the 360°-video VR environments to test the impact of an intervention on emotional experience and intentions to donate. Participants in the intervention condition who engaged in a suite of tasks drawn from the process model of emotion regulation (including attentional deployment, positive reappraisal, and response modulation) reported more positive emotion than participants in a control condition, which in turn increased intentions to donate blood. By showing the promise for benefitting donor experience via a relatively low-cost and low-resource methodology, this research supports the use of VR paradigms to trial interventions prior to deployment in operationally-context field settings.

Abstract Aiming to verify the predictive value of oral narrative structure on reading acquisition, we followed 253 children (first and second graders) during an entire school year, assessing oral narratives and reading performances in five sessions. Transcriptions of oral narratives were represented as word-recurrence graphs to measure connectedness attributes. Connectedness predicted performance in phonological awareness, reading comprehension, and word reading accuracy 3–4 months in advance.

Grondige herziening van de accountantsopleiding is noodzakelijk, om te voldoen aan de veranderende verwachtingen vanuit de maatschappij. De auteurs van dit artikel identificeren vijf essentiële onderwerpen voor de vertrouwensrelatie tussen ondernemingen en hun stakeholders: fraude, de scope van de werkzaamheden, de techniek van informatievoorziening, het kwaliteitsbouwwerk rondom informatievoorziening en de integriteit en rechte rug van de professionals zelf. Zij pleiten voor een opleidingsstructuur met een volledige integratie tussen theorie en praktijk, en stellen dat de toekomstige accountant zich moet specialiseren en deel moet uitmaken van een multidisciplinair team, om in de informatiebehoefte van stakeholders te kunnen voorzien. Dit zou het werkveld niet alleen verbreden en interessanter maken, maar ook meer jonge mensen aantrekken om tekorten aan menskracht op te lossen. De auteurs roepen opleidingsdirecteuren op om de regie te nemen en benadrukken het belang van permanente educatie en de actieve betrokkenheid van jonge assistenten bij het leerproces.

Los estudios de disponibilidad léxica permiten conocer cómo están organizadas las palabras en el lexicón mental cuando un estímulo verbal activa el nodo cerebral adecuado; estos estudios ofrecen las palabras más disponibles de una comunidad en determinados campos semánticos, además de datos valiosos desde el punto de vista social. Después de analizar los vocablos del campo nocional Profesiones y oficios, ofrecidos por estudiantes de primer año de la carrera Periodismo en el 2019 cabe preguntarse ¿habrá un sexismo lingüístico o un sexismo social en esta muestra de habla? La metodología utilizada en esta investigación se corresponde con la del Proyecto panhispánico de disponibilidad léxica. Se llega a la conclusión de que las relaciones asociativas que tienen lugar en la memoria semántica del estudiante se corresponden con la asunción de género desde lo patriarcal, lo desigual y lo no equitativo que utiliza al activar su léxico disponible, las cuales repercuten en el discurso y reflejan el modelo mental que posee. Palabras clave: disponibilidad léxica, sexismo lingüístico, sexismo social, profesiones y oficios ABSTRACT Lexical availability studies allow knowing how words are organized in the mental lexicon when a verbal stimulus activates the appropriate brain node; these studies offer the most available words of a community in certain semantic fields, as well as valuable data from the social point of view. After analyzing the words of the notional field Professions and trades, offered by first-year students of the Journalism career in 2019, it is worth asking: will there be a linguistic sexism or a social sexism in this speech sample? The methodology used in this research corresponds to that of the Pan-Hispanic Lexical Availability Project. It is concluded that the associative relationships that take place in the student's semantic memory correspond to the assumption of gender from the patriarchal, the unequal and the inequitable that he uses when activating his available lexicon, which have repercussions on the discourse and reflect the mental model you have. Keywords: lexical availability, linguistic sexism, social sexism, professions and trades

Superconducting undulators (SCUs) can offer a much higher on-axis undulator field than state-of-the-art cryogenic permanent-magnet undulators with the same period and vacuum gap. The development of shorter-period and high-field SCUs would allow the free-electron laser and synchrotron radiation source community to reduce both the length of undulators and the dimensions of the accelerator. Magnetic measurements are essential for characterizing the magnetic field quality of undulators for operation in a modern light source. Hall probe scanning is so far the most mature technique for local field characterization of undulators. This article focuses on the systematic error caused by thermal contraction that influences Hall probe measurements carried out in a liquid helium cryostat. A novel procedure, based on the redundant measurement of the magnetic field using multiple Hall probes at known relative distance, is introduced for the correction of such systematic error.

In the current study, we designed, synthesized, and characterized a series of substituted pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyrazoles. These novel compounds were evaluated in vitro for their inhibitory activity over a panel of protein kinases to determine their potential therapeutic applications against Alzheimer's disease. To gain deeper insight into the binding interactions between the most potent analogues and their respective kinase targets, advanced molecular simulations were performed. In parallel, the ability of pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyrazoles to inhibit Aβ40 aggregation was assessed using biophysical techniques such as circular dichroism and Thioflavin T assays. Our results highlight the specific heterocycle as a highly promising and synthetically versatile scaffold for developing inhibitors of both AD-relevant kinases and amyloid-β aggregation. Although more effort is needed to assess the possibility of developing multi-target inhibitors, pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyrazole analogues demonstrated significant activities against their individual targets, indicating substantial capacity of the heterocyclic scaffold for further optimization toward both directions. Overall, our findings emphasize the potential of properly substituted pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyrazoles as multifunctional agents targeting key processes in Alzheimer's disease pathology.

This article foregrounds different leisure-time contexts and their relative support of young people’s capability to act. Analyses employ a new measurement instrument, which captures young people’s perception of the qualities of an exhaustive set of leisure-time contexts. Data was collected from 739 young people aged 16 to 17 years, who participated in the beginning of 2020 in the third wave of a quantitative panel in Vienna, Austria. Results highlight the potential of public/urban facilities since these support young people’s capability to act in comparable ways as training, courses, and rehearsals but are less rooted in heteronomy and obligation. Moreover, the study underscores that less-structured leisure time cannot be treated as a single plane of experience. Friends’ homes and outdoors in nature emerged as contexts that allow young people to experience a sense of possibility.

This study examines how the institutional context informs the ways in which healthy recipients relate to genomic information. Through focus group data, it considers the trend of blood collection agencies (BCA) moving to extend donor genotyping. We investigated how receipt of genomic information is viewed as fitting into the contract of altruistic, voluntary blood donation by donors and non-donors. Our findings suggest that receipt of genomic health information is viewed as fitting the principles of this exchange with some limits. Participants considered the practical value of receiving different kinds of genetic information for individual and collective health from the perspectives of a healthy, altruistic donor, an “entrepreneurial self” and a potential patient. Findings identify the importance of considering the ethics of providing information on genomic markers to blood donors without current clinical value, as well as the impact of providing this information on the donor – BCA relationship.

Abstract The emergence of the field of soft robotics has led to an interest in suction cups as auxiliary structures on soft continuum arms to support the execution of manipulation tasks. This application poses demanding requirements on suction cups with respect to sensorization, adhesion under non‐ideal contact conditions, and integration into fully soft systems. The octopus can serve as an important source of inspiration for addressing these challenges. This review aims to accelerate research in octopus‐inspired suction cups by providing a detailed analysis of the octopus sucker, determining meaningful performance metrics for suction cups on the basis of this analysis, and evaluating the state‐of‐the‐art in suction cups according to these performance metrics. In total, 47 records describing suction cups are found, classified according to the deployed actuation method, and evaluated on performance metrics reflecting the level of sensorization, adhesion, and integration. Despite significant advances in recent years, the octopus sucker outperforms all suction cups on all performance metrics. The realization of high resolution tactile sensing in suction cups and the integration of such sensorized suction cups in soft continuum structures are identified as two major hurdles toward the realization of octopus‐inspired manipulation strategies in soft continuum robot arms.

Objetivo: caracterizar o perfil de saúde de pessoas idosas em situação de acumulação residentes no Distrito Sanitário IV da cidade do Recife. Método: estudo transversal, realizado com 18 pessoas idosas em situação de acumulação. A coleta de dados foi realizada entre setembro e dezembro de 2020, nas residências dos participantes, mediante a aplicação de instrumentos validados. Os dados foram digitados e analisados no SPSS versão 26.0 por meio de estatística descritiva. Resultados: a maioria das pessoas idosas em situação de acumulação era do sexo feminino, com idade entre 70 e 79 anos, ensino primário, solteiros, déficit no estado cognitivo, baixa prevalência de sintomas depressivos, frequências iguais de qualidade de vida e acumulavam objetos. Conclusão: A acumulação de objetos corresponde a um transtorno latente e negligenciado, agravado pela presença de transtornos depressivos e déficit cognitivo, interferindo diretamente na qualidade de vida da pessoa idosa.

Objetivo: Sistematizar, por meio da prática baseada em evidências, o manejo de casos autolimitados de febre no contexto do Cuidado Farmacêutico. Métodos: Para elaboração da diretriz foi adotado o método ADAPTE como processo estruturado de revisão da literatura e construção do documento. Foram ainda utilizadas as ferramentas AGREE II e GRADE para análise dos guias de prática selecionados durante o processo e para categorização das evidências, respectivamente. Resultados: Após elaboração, observou-se que a anamnese farmacêutica é passo importante para confirmar se a febre é apenas um episódio isolado e autolimitado, se está associada a um contexto de “febrefobia” ou se inspira cuidados assistenciais mais intensivos; a duração da febre e sintomas associados, como desidratação, taquicardia persistente, taquipneia, hipertensão, são alguns sinais para encaminhamento. Dentre as medidas não farmacológicas, a ingestão de líquidos é a mais recomendada a fim de evitar desidratação. Além disso, recomendam-se ações de educação em saúde para coibir métodos inadequados de diminuição da temperatura, como banhos gelados ou com álcool, e incentivar práticas adequadas, como manter o paciente em ambiente fresco, aferir corretamente a temperatura e descartar adequadamente termômetros. Em relação ao tratamento farmacológico, deve-se avaliar com atenção a condição clínica do paciente, uma vez que o uso dos antitérmicos é indicado exclusivamente para alívio de sinais de desconforto, dando preferência ao Ibuprofeno e Paracetamol. Conclusão: Apesar de ser um processo fisiológico benéfico, a febre requer cautela em seu manejo, principalmente em relação às populações vulneráveis, como crianças nos primeiros três meses de vida, gestantes, puérperas, idosos e outras pessoas em uso de medicamentos como corticoides, imunossupressores ou em polifarmácia.

Objetivo: identificar os fatores preditivos de violência física e psicológica entre pessoas idosas comunitárias. Métodos: estudo transversal, com amostra representativa de pessoas idosas cadastradas em uma Unidade de Saúde da Família, localizada em um distrito sanitário da cidade de Recife, Pernambuco, durante o período de 2016 a 2017. Estatística descritiva, bivariada (teste qui-quadrado de Pearson e exato de Fisher), e regressão logística multivariada foram utilizadas para testar a relação entre as variáveis. Resultados: foi identificado uma alta frequência de violência psicológica, associada com as variáveis estar casado ou morando com alguém, sofrer de incontinência urinária, e ter alguém para cuidar quando estiver doente. Conclusão: morar com alguém ou ser casado, sofrer de incontinência urinária e ter alguém para cuidar em caso de doença estiveram presentes como fatores preditores de violência psicológica em pessoas idosas comunitárias. Para violência física, os fatores associados foram ter um trabalho remunerado e demonstrar sintomas depressivos

En este artículo nos proponemos analizar cómo el personal de salud vinculado a la actividad de procuración de órganos y tejidos utiliza el humor negro durante su labor cotidiana. Aquí el objetivo es doble: por un lado, siguiendo estudios anteriores, nos interesa mostrar el rol del humor negro como modo de lidiar con la muerte. Por otro lado, sugerimos que, de forma paralela y complementaria, el humor negro en este contexto expone un sentido performático como forma de agencia que intenta modificar una realidad adversa. Este trabajo combina las herramientas metodológicas brindadas por la etnografía y la realización de entrevistas abiertas de sesiones múltiples. Los acontecimientos relevados durante el trabajo de campo y las entrevistas que asocian el humor y la muerte encefálica evidencian los usos, límites y modos en los que el humor negro opera en la labor cotidiana sanitaria de complejidad física y emocional.