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Aims: In the Amazon region, pastures are the main land use subsequent to deforestation and this change can result in soil acidification and degradation. Liming is a management practice to increase soil pH, important to recover degraded lands and increase soil fertility, but its impacts on soil methane cycling in tropical soils are unknown. Here we investigate the role of soil pH on methane uptake under high concentrations of the gas, manipulating pasture and forest soils pH by liming and evaluating the active methane cycling microbial community., Methods and Results: Top layer of forest and pasture soils were subjected to liming treatment and incubated with ∼10 000 ppm of 13CH4. Soil DNA was evaluated with Stable Isotopic Probing (SIP-DNA), methanotrophic abundance was quantified (pmoA gene), and high throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA was performed. Liming increased the methane uptake in both forest (∼10%) and pasture (∼25%) soils. Methanotrophs Methylocaldum spp. (type I) and potential methanotrophs in Beijerinckiaceae (type II) were identified to actively incorporate carbon from methane in limed pasture soils. In limed forest soils, Nitrososphaeraceae were identified as 13C-enriched taxa, indicating that ammonia oxidizers can oxidize methane in these soils., Conclusions: Liming Amazonian pasture soils not only contributes to the fertility and recovery of degraded areas but also has the potential to improve the oxidation of methane at high concentrations of this gas., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Applied Microbiology International.)

The fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda is the most prevalent plague in crops associated with a reduction in corn production by up to 34%. Pesticides have been used to reduce this plague, but they cause several environmental problems including resistance, ecological imbalance, and toxicity to the final consumer. The use of plant extracts has been an effective manner of eradicating this plague from crop plantations. In this sense, the hexane, EtOAc, and EtOH/H 2 O fractions from EtOH extract from different parts of Cenostigma pluviosum were investigated against this fall armyworm leading to a percentage of mortality around 96% in the larval phase for the fraction EtOAc of fruits (FrEA). The fractions were analysed in HPLC-ESI-HRMS for dereplication. Additionally, using multivariate statistical analysis permitted the development of an O2PLS-DA method based on the chemical constitution of fractions shedding light on promising constituents to the insecticidal activity of C. pluviosum against the Spodoptera frugiperda .

Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS) is a condition that arises when a neonate presents with abnormalities resulting from Zika virus infection during gestation. While microcephaly is a prominent feature of the syndrome, other forms of brain damage are also observed, often accompanied by significant neurological complications. It is therefore essential to investigate the long-term effects of CZS, with special attention to sex differences, particularly concerning hippocampal function, given its vulnerability to viral infections. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term impacts on cognitive and memory functions, as well as neuroinflammatory and glial alterations in the hippocampus, in offspring of both sexes exposed to a model of congenital Zika virus infection. Pregnant rats were subcutaneously inoculated with ZIKV-BR at a dose of 1 × 10^7 plaque-forming units (PFU mL^-1) of ZIKV isolated in Brazil (ZIKV-BR) on gestational day 18 (G18). From postnatal day 70, the animals underwent behavioral tests. On postnatal day 80, the animals were euthanized, and hippocampal samples were collected for biochemical and histological analyses. In the open field test, females displayed more exploratory behavior and less grooming, while no significant differences in locomotion were observed between the sexes. Additionally, ZIKV-exposed females showed a reduction in grooming behavior compared to ZIKV-exposed males. In the memory test, males in the ZIKV group exhibited greater memory impairment, spending more time to locate the correct quadrant, while females showed relatively better performance. Neuroinflammatory markers, such as TNF-α, were significantly elevated in the hippocampus of ZIKV-exposed animals, regardless of sex. However, microglial and astrocytic responses, indicated by higher IBA1 and GFAP density, were only observed in male ZIKV rats. In conclusion, our findings suggest that congenital ZIKV exposure leads to sex-specific behavioral and neuroinflammatory alterations. While both males and females exhibited some behavioral changes, males were more significantly impacted in memory performance. Additionally, increased neuroinflammatory markers and glial activation were observed in the hippocampus of ZIKV-exposed animals, with a pronounced response in males. These results highlight the long-term impact of ZIKV infection on neurodevelopment, emphasizing the importance of considering sex differences in studies of congenital ZIKV syndrome., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Purulent pericarditis is rare condition in the modern era of antibiotics. However, it is a serious condition as it has an accelerated progression and is difficult to diagnose due to its nonspecific clinical presentation, resulting in high mortality. Herein, we present a case in which a 36-year-old male patient with otherwise unremarkable medical history developed abdominal sepsis complicated by purulent pericarditis post-appendectomy. While the initial clinical presentation was not compatible with the classic signs of purulent pericarditis, the diagnosis was made using electrocardiography (ST elevation/PR depression) and point-of-care ultrasonography (pericardial effusion). The condition was successfully managed with pericardial drainage and broad-spectrum antibiotics. The present case reinforces and reiterates the need for high diagnostic suspicion and careful clinical reasoning in the diagnosis of purulent pericarditis. Furthermore, it highlights the applicability of point-of-care ultrasonography in the diagnosis of the same.

Introduction: Intracranial lesions often require tissue diagnosis through stereotactic biopsies. Originating in the 1970s, this technique has progressed, but limitations and risks persist. Recently, robot-assisted techniques have made strides, providing the potential for safer and more precise procedures. This study assesses the effectiveness and safety of robot-assisted brain biopsies., Methods: Following Cochrane and PRISMA guidelines, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched for publications up to July 2024. Outcomes assessed included neurological deficits, hemorrhage, mortality, target point error, operative time, and length of stay. Data extraction and bias assessment were conducted using standardized methods, and statistical analysis was performed using R software., Results: In this meta-analysis, 27 papers were included, involving 2605 patients. The gender distribution was 1448 males to 1141 females. The mean error in millimeters for the entry point error was 1.04 (95%CI: 0.72-1.37), while the target point error was 1.08 (95%CI: 0.49-1.66). The mean operative time was 52.45 min (95%CI: 37.83-67.07). Diagnostic yield had an estimated rate of 98% (95%CI: 97-98%; I²=31%). The length of hospital stay was 4.64 days (95%CI: 3.13, 6.14), from admission to discharge. The postoperative hemorrhage had an estimated risk of 6% (95%CI: 4-9%; I²=71%), while for transient neurological deficits, it was 4% (95%CI: 2-6%; I²=60%). Finally, the death related to the procedure was found to have an estimated risk of 0% (95%CI: 0-0%; I²=0%)., Conclusion: Our study found that the diagnostic yield of stereotactic brain biopsy, especially with robotic assistance, has proven to be highly effective. Robot-assisted biopsies also seems to reduce operative times and demonstrate high precision with low entry point error and target point error. Additionally, complication rates appear to be relatively low, and the average hospital stay is favorably short, underscoring the advantages of robotic assistance in stereotactic brain biopsy procedures., Competing Interests: Declarations. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Background: Evidence suggests that the phenotypic expression of substance use disorders (SUD) may be influenced by exposure to childhood maltreatment (CM)., Objective: To assess how CM could impact severity (relapse, treatment dropout, withdrawal), age of substance use onset, psychiatric dual diagnosis (depression, anxiety, PTSD, distress), and self-harm behavior/suicide attempts in adults with SUD, we performed a systematic review and meta-analyses., Methods: We searched PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and Embase to identify articles examining the association of maltreatment (physical, sexual, or emotional abuse or neglect) before age 18 years with clinical features and course of illness SUD. Multilevel random effects models were performed. Heterogeneity was quantified using the I 2 statistic. Subgroup/meta-regression analyses were employed to investigate sources of heterogeneity. Risk of bias was assessed using an adapted version of the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale., Results: Forty-five studies were included. CM was associated with all tested outcomes, such as anxiety (OR = 1.52; 95 % CI = 1.39, 1.65), depression (OR = 1.57; 95 % CI = 1.40, 1.77), PTSD (OR = 1.67; 95 % CI = 1.40, 1.99), psychological distress (OR = 1.49; 95 % CI = 1.24, 1.78), self-harm behavior and suicidal attempts (OR = 1.70; 95 % CI = 1.47, 1.96), SUD severity (OR = 1.15; 95 % CI = 1.04, 1.26), and younger age of onset use (OR = 0.76; 95 % CI = 0.69, 0.84). However, comparisons between outcomes revealed that the association was stronger for dual diagnosis symptoms/conditions than for measures of SUD severity itself. Meta-analyses for some outcomes had large statistical heterogeneity, though these were partly addressed through additional analyses. Gender, mean age of participants, polysubstance use pattern, substance of preference, and CM subtype were found to be moderators of these associations., Conclusions: The consequences of CM on individuals with SUD are more closely linked to co-occurring psychiatric manifestations than to the severity of common clinical indicators (relapse, treatment dropout, withdrawal), and this finding has important implications., Funding: None., Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO (CRD42021245936)., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Context: Pregnant women have physiological metabolic changes in glycemic and lipid profiles that are essential for fetal development., Objective: The aim of this systematic review was to analyze the effects of fish-oil-capsule supplementation on the glycemic and lipid profiles of pregnant women., Data Sources: A systematic search was conducted of the MEDLINE (by PubMed), Embase, Cochrane Library (CENTRAL) databases and gray literature, including preprints for all relevant studies published in English, with no date restrictions., Data Extraction: The estimated pooled results were analyzed using a random-effects model and represented by mean differences (MDs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The analyses were performed with R software, version 4.2.1, using the "Meta" packages, versions 6.0-0., Data Analysis: Fifteen eligible studies were included after screening. In a pooled analysis, overall fish-oil supplementation had no effect on parameters compared with placebo. In the subgroup analysis, fish-oil supplementation may be beneficial in insulin (MD: -2.11 IU/mL; 95% CI: -3.86, -0.36) and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (MD: -0.71; 95% CI: -1.14, -0.29) indices, with heterogeneity (I2 =0%) among pregnant women with diabetes mellitus. In the subgroup with doses of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) below 200 mg, there was a reduction in HOMA-IR in the intervention group (MD: -0.60; 95% CI: -1.14, -0.06)., Conclusion: Pregnant women taking fish-oil capsules showed significant beneficial changes in the subgroups of type 2 diabetes and EPA dosages below 200 mg for insulin and HOMA-IR., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the International Life Sciences Institute. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Objective: To analyze the spiritual well-being of nursing professionals with work-related musculoskeletal disorders., Method: Cross-sectional observational study, carried out with nursing professionals from a public university hospital in Bahia, Brazil, from March to June 2023. Data was collected in a face-to-face interview in which sociodemographic, clinical and occupational data were extracted, in addition to the Spiritual Well-Being Scale application. Descriptive and analytical statistical analysis was carried out., Results: Most nursing professionals (n=48) were women (89.6%), mean age 44.3(±5.4), black and brown (85.5%), married (31.3%), nursing technicians (83.3%), more than 10 years in the profession (87.5%). The majority of participants had a religion (60.4%), 43.8% were Catholic, with positive scores for spiritual well-being (77.1%), religious well-being (87.5%) and existential well-being (54.2%). Having worked in the field for more than 10 years, having a religion, and having spiritual/religious practices were related to higher spiritual well-being scores. Nursing technicians showed high levels of religious well-being and there was no significant results when comparing the variables studied with existential well-being., Conclusion: Most nursing workers with musculoskeletal disorders presented a high level of spiritual well-being and religious well-being. In addition, there was little difference between the moderate and high results of existential well-being.

Microplastics (MPs) are widespread in oceans worldwide, posing a significant threat to aquatic ecosystems. The abundance of these particles in water is related to population density and urban development, functioning as a sink for MPs. However, the pollution levels due to the accumulation of MPs in the estuarine in Amazonian mangrove areas remain unknown. Here, we show that population density and fishing activities influence the distribution of MP pollution in these waters. We found the highest abundance of MPs in the inner (1.03 items/m 3 ) and outer (0.82 items/m 3 ) portions of the estuary, corresponding to the areas with the highest population density and fishing activity, respectively. The main morphological characteristics of MPs are fibers (89.8%), blue color (55.2%), and size of 1000-2000 μm (31.7%). The risk analysis showed a low level of danger, suggesting that the potential impact on the ecosystem is still small. Our results demonstrate that the presence of human populations and their fishing activities significantly influence the accumulation of MPs in the estuarine waters on the Amazon coast. Based on our findings, more sophisticated analysis using MPs' spatial distribution models can be associated with hydrodynamic processes, aiming to define pollution hotspots and support the mitigation of their emerging negative effects. In addition, monitoring and generating valuable information are the main targets for developing comprehensive strategies to preserve biodiversity and sustainability in the Amazon coastal zone., Competing Interests: Declarations. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: The surgical treatment for mandibular repositioning using a bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) favours the development of techniques that result in adequate repair and stability. In Puricelli's mandibular sagittal split osteotomy (PMSSO) proposal, the vertical lateral cut osteotomy is located in the interradicular space between the lower first molar and second premolar., Objectives: This in silico study aimed to investigate the mechanical stability of PMSSO and compare it with the classical Obwegeser-Dal Pont technique for mandibular advancement., Materials and Methods: A computational geometric model of the mandible was created in a virtual environment using computer-aided design (CAD) software. After reproducing the advancements, two test groups were developed: GTOD10, Obwegeser-Dal Pont osteotomy, and GTP10, Puricelli osteotomy, both simulating a 10-mm mandibular advancement, allowing for measuring the area of overlap between bone segments. With the geometric changes promoted by the osteotomy, boundary conditions of displacement and force were applied to a CAD software based on finite element analysis (FEA), allowing for quantitative and comparative analysis of the stress and vertical displacement of the mandible, mechanical measurements that may be associated with strength and stiffness., Results: A 17.48% higher stress was observed in the GTP10 group than in GTOD10. However, the region of highest stress in GTP10 was found in a part of the bone that was still intact and far from the area of fragility caused by lateral vertical osteotomy. In contrast, in GTOD10, the region with high stress was in a less resistant bone region. The GTP10 group showed a 28.73% lower displacement than GTOD10. The area of overlap between the proximal and distal segments of the mandible was 33.13% larger in the GTP10 than in the GTOD10 group., Conclusion: The PMSSO method, performed in large mandibular advancements, keeps the point of highest stress away from the mandibular fragility zone. Considering the same amount of advancement, it also promotes less displacement and larger areas of bone overlap., Clinical Relevance: The results suggest that PMSSO, applied in large mandibular advancement, presents greater postoperative stability., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Primary brainstem hemorrhage (PBSH) is a fatal condition related to hypertension. PBSH definitive treatment remains controversial, mainly when surgical options are discussed., Objective: To aid decision-making in PBSH scenarios, we aimed to perform a meta-analysis and evaluate the literature on stereotactic aspiration (SA) for PBSH in comparison to conservative management (CM)., Methods: The outcomes assessed were: 30-day mortality, mortality, 90-day good outcome (mRs ≤ 3), good outcome (mRs ≤ 3), good outcome (mRs ≤ 3 or GOS 4-5), 90-day poor outcome (mRs ≥ 4), poor outcome (mRs ≥ 4)., Results: We included 1189 patients from 9 studies. 433 (36,41 %) patients were treated with SA. The risk of 30-Day Mortality (RR 0.57; 95 % CI 0.41-0.81; p=0.002; I²=58 %), Mortality (RR 0.56; 95 % CI 0.41-0.75; p<0.001; I²=54 %), 90-Day Poor Outcome (mRS ≥ 4) (RR 0.83; 95 % CI 0.73-0.93; p=0.001; I²=25 %), Poor Outcome (mRS ≥ 4) (RR 0.83; 95 % CI 0.75-0.93; p=0.001; I²=0 %) and Poor Outcome (mRS ≥ 4 or GOS ≤ 3) (RR 0.82; 95 % CI 0.74-0.91; p<0.001; I²=12 %) were significantly lower in patients receiving SA treatment. Also, the risk of 90-Day Good Outcome (mRS ≤ 3) (RR 1.60; 95 % CI 1.06-2.39; p=0.024; I²=21 %), Good Outcome (mRS ≤ 3) (RR 1.48; 95 % CI 1.13-1.94; p=0.005; I²=0) and Good Outcome (mRS ≤ 3 or GOS 4-5) (RR 1.72; 95 % CI 1.17-2.53; p=0.006; I²=25 %) were significant higher in the SA group., Conclusion: SA demonstrated favorable outcomes, including reduced mortality rates and improved functional recovery. Further clinical trials are needed to validate these findings., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors assert that there are no conflicts of interest or competing interests relevant to this meta-analysis., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Lysosomes are involved in a myriad of cellular functions, such as degradation of macromolecules, endocytosis and exocytosis, modulation of several signaling pathways, and regulation of cell metabolism. To fulfill these diverse functions, lysosomes can undergo several dynamic changes in their content, size, pH, and location within cells. Here, we studied some of these parameters during embryonic chick skeletal muscle cells. We used an anti-lysosome-associated membrane protein 2 (LAMP2) antibody to specifically determine the intracellular localization of lysosomes in these cells. Our data shows that lysosomes are highly enriched in the perinuclear region of chick embryonic muscle cells. We also showed that the wingless signaling pathway (Wnt)/β-catenin signaling pathway can modulate the location of LAMP2 in chick myogenic cells. Our results highlight the role of lysosomes during muscle differentiation and particularly the presence of a subcellular population of lysosomes that are concentrated in the perinuclear region of muscle cells., (© 2024 International Federation for Cell Biology.)

Background: Chronic non-specific low back pain (CNSLBP) lacks identifiable anatomical pathology and effective pharmacological treatment. Alternative approaches in homeopathy, specifically clinical homeopathy, utilize ultra-diluted (potentized) biological products. In Brazil, standardized biotherapics from sheep tissues, particularly fifty-millesimal (LM) potencies of sheep Lumbar Vertebra , have shown promise in alleviating CNSLBP., Objectives: Our objective is to present the study protocol of a clinical trial that will assess the efficacy and safety of the biotherapic Lumbar Vertebra LM2 in the short-term management of CNSLBP and to estimate its therapeutic duration., Methods: A randomized, double-blind, crossover, placebo-controlled clinical trial spanning 8 weeks per participant was designed. Participants will include 120 individuals (aged 20 to 60 years) with clinically diagnosed CNSLBP by the study's physiotherapist. Exclusion criteria are radicular pain, signs of radiculopathy, specific lumbar spine disorders, pregnancy, or puerperium (up to 60 days after delivery). The medical intervention includes participants being randomly assigned to one of two treatment sequences: homeopathy-placebo or placebo-homeopathy. The treatments will consist of Lumbar Vertebra LM2 oral solution, topical cream, and indistinguishable placebos. Each treatment period will span 2 weeks, with a 4-week washout interval between them. Primary outcome is the assessment of changes in self-reported pain levels using the numeric rating scale (NRS) score, analyzed with a random effects model across both treatment periods. Secondary outcomes are assessment of changes in self-reported disability levels using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), analyzed with a random effects model across both treatment periods, and pain and disability variations, evaluated by the NRS score and ODI respectively, after the first and second treatment periods. Adverse events will be assessed at weeks 2 and 8. Pain medications will be used concomitantly. Adherence will be evaluated by the weight of medication returned/standard weight., Discussion: The BIOVERT (Bioactive Vertebra) trial protocol is designed to investigate a homeopathic strategy for short-term CNSLBP treatment. Favorable outcomes for homeopathy could prompt subsequent studies evaluating the long-term effectiveness of LM potencies of Lumbar Vertebra for CNSLBP., Trial Registration: UMIN Clinical Trials Registry - ID: UMIN000051957., Competing Interests: None declared., (Faculty of Homeopathy. This article is published by Thieme.)

Objective: To evaluate the use of custom-made insoles adapted to flip-flops on pain intensity, foot function, and functional walking ability in individuals with persistent plantar heel pain in the short and medium term., Design: Randomised controlled trial., Setting: Flip-flop sandals in patients with persistent plantar heel pain., Main Measures: Participants (n = 80) were assessed at baseline, six and 12 weeks after the intervention, and 4 weeks post-intervention., Results: For the primary outcomes, after 6 weeks of intervention, no between-group difference was observed in the intensity of morning pain or pain with walking, mean difference = -0.4 (95% confidence intervals = -1.5 to 0.8). Similarly, after 12 weeks of intervention, no between-group difference was observed in the intensity of morning pain or pain with walking, mean difference = -0.7 (95% confidence intervals = -1.9 to 0.6). Finally, at 4 weeks after the end of the intervention, there was no between-group difference in morning pain or pain on walking, mean difference = 0.01 (95% confidence intervals = -1.4 to 1.4). All differences and confidence intervals were smaller than the minimum clinically important difference for pain (2 points). There were no differences between the groups for the secondary outcomes. In addition, the mean differences were smaller than the minimum clinically important differences for pain intensity, foot function and functional walking ability., Conclusion: Custom-made insoles fitted to flip-flops did not differ from flip-flops with sham insoles in improving pain intensity, foot function and functional walking ability in people with persistent heel pain. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT04784598). Data of registration: 2023-01-20., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interestsThe authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Purpose: To evaluate the intraocular pressure (IOP) behavior after applying a standardized protocol to induce psychological stress in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG)., Design: Randomized controlled trial., Participants: A total of 39 patients with POAG were included: 18 in the stress group and 21 in the control group., Methods: Patients were randomized to undergo the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) or to be included in the control group. All participants were submitted to a modified diurnal tension curve (DTC) 1-4 weeks before randomization, with 3 IOP measurements performed between 8:00 am and 2:00 pm. We evaluated the response to the TSST by measuring the levels of salivary cortisol, salivary amylase, IOP, mean arterial pressure, and heart rate before, immediately after, and 40 minutes after the TSST. The State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was applied to evaluate the levels of anxiety at the same time intervals., Main Outcome Measures: Changes in IOP (mmHg), salivary cortisol and amylase, heart rate, mean arterial pressure, and STAI scores., Results: At baseline, there were no significant differences between the groups regarding age (P = 0.661), sex (P = 0.669), salivary cortisol (P = 0.104), and mean DTC IOP for the right (P = 0.439) and left (P = 0.576) eyes. We observed a significant mean IOP increase of 3.8 mmHg (right eye; P < 0.001) and 4.1 mmHg (left eye; P < 0.001) when we compared IOP measurements obtained during the DTC and immediately after TSST. Salivary cortisol (5.9 nmol/L; P = 0.004), salivary amylase (323 388 UL; P = 0.004), mean arterial pressure (10.1 mmHg; P < 0.001), and heart rate (12.9 bpm; P < 0.001) also increased significantly after the TSST. In addition, 61.1% (11 of 18) of the patients in the TSST group showed an IOP increase > 4 mmHg following the test. The STAI-state score significantly increased after the TSST compared to baseline (P < 0.001) and decreased from poststress to the recovery period (P < 0.001)., Conclusions: Patients with POAG present significant elevations of IOP, salivary cortisol and amylase, mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and STAI scores after psychological stress induced by the TSST., Financial Disclosures: Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article., (Copyright © 2024 American Academy of Ophthalmology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Ocotea is an important genus of Lauraceae plant family that comprises over 400 species, many of which pose challenges in taxonomic differentiation due to their complex botanical characteristics. Chemosystematics, and more recently, chemophenetics, have emerged as valuable tools to address these challenges based on their natural products (NPs) composition. O. diospyrifolia (Meisn.) Mez is a poorly studied species with known pharmacological potential. Here, we applied ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) allied to a curated in-house database with all previous isolated NPs from the Ocotea genus (OcoteaDB), gas phase fragmentations reactions, and biosynthesis. The strategy resulted in compounds annotated in confidence levels 2 (n=27), 3 (n=231), and 4 (n=21) according to the Metabolomics Standards Initiative (MSI). Additional annotations based on fragmentation proposals (n=16) were also included. The study revealed that O. diospyrifolia is a great alkaloid producer, even though different lignoids, which also comes from the shikimate pathway, were annotated. Additionally, the flavonoid profile predominantly consists of flavonol glycosides, complementing prior reports. This study provides the first comprehensive chemical profile of O. diospyrifolia leaves, which corroborates the chemotaxonomy of the species, and also contributes to further characterization studies, as the UHPLC-HRMS data is publicly available., (© 2024 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.)

A new method was evaluated and developed for the analysis of pesticides in sandy-loam soil by direct-immersion solid phase microextraction (DI-SPME) followed by gas chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) determination. Ten pesticides were selected based on a literature survey of the compounds reported to be present in EU soils. The extraction was performed using SPME LC-Tips, a new SPME configuration with the coated fibers attached to a disposable and easy-to-handle micropipette tip, which was immersed into a soil slurry made by the addition of an aqueous solution to the soil sample. Ten experimental parameters were evaluated with a Plackett-Burman design, after which the extraction time and percentage of organic solvent in the aqueous extraction were optimized separately. The two fiber chemistries available (PDMS/DVB and C 18 ) were evaluated in parallel for the entire work. In the final method, slurry samples were made by adding an aqueous solution (6 % methanol v/v) to 2 g of soil. The fiber was conditioned and then inserted, for extraction, into the samples, stirred by a magnetic bar. Afterwards, the analytes were desorbed onto 100 µL of methanol. After the addition of analyte protectants (ethylglycerol, gulonolactone, and sorbitol) the extract was injected into the GC-MS/MS system. Isotopically labelled penconazole was used as internal standard. A calibration was performed by extracting spiked soil with analyte concentrations of 0.1-50 µg/kg. Coefficients of determination of the linear calibration were between 0.94-0.98 for the PDMS/DVB and 0.92-0.99 for the C 18 . Limits of detection range between 0.01-10 µg/kg for the PDMS/DVB and 0.1-10 µg/kg for the C 18 . Overall, the C 18 analytically outperformed the PDMS/DVB but required a longer extraction time (120 min vs 75 min for the PDMS/DVB). This method allows automation and generates low residual toxic waste, having the potential to be introduced as a greener and simpler alternative to currently used sample preparation methodologies., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

In the context of the virosphere, viral particles can compete for host cells. In this scenario, some viruses block the entry of exogenous virions upon infecting a cell, a phenomenon known as superinfection inhibition. The molecular mechanisms associated with superinfection inhibition vary depending on the viral species and the host, but generally, blocking superinfection ensures the genetic supremacy of the virus's progeny that first infects the cell. Giant amoeba-infecting viruses have attracted the scientific community's attention due to the complexity of their particles and genomes. However, there are no studies on the occurrence of superinfection and its inhibition induced by giant viruses. This study shows that mimivirus, moumouvirus, and megavirus, exhibit different strategies related to the infection of Acanthamoeba . For the first time, we have reported that mimivirus and moumouvirus induce superinfection inhibition in amoebas. Interestingly, megaviruses do not exhibit this ability, allowing continuous entry of exogenous virions into infected amoebas. Our investigation into the mechanisms behind superinfection blockage reveals that mimivirus and moumouvirus inhibit amoebic phagocytosis, leading to significant changes in the morphology and activity of the host cells. In contrast, megavirus-infected amoebas continue incorporating newly formed virions, negatively affecting the available viral progeny. This effect, however, is reversible with chemical inhibition of phagocytosis. This work contributes to the understanding of superinfection and its inhibition in mimivirus, moumouvirus, and megavirus, demonstrating that despite their evolutionary relatedness, these viruses exhibit profound differences in their interactions with their hosts.IMPORTANCESome viruses block the entry of new virions upon infecting a cell, a phenomenon known as superinfection inhibition. Superinfection inhibition in giant viruses has yet to be studied. This study reveals that even closely related viruses, such as mimivirus, moumouvirus, and megavirus, have different infection strategies for Acanthamoeba . For the first time, we have reported that mimivirus and moumouvirus induce superinfection inhibition in amoebas. In contrast, megaviruses do not exhibit this ability, allowing continuous entry of exogenous virions into infected amoebas. Our investigation shows that mimivirus and moumouvirus inhibit amoebic phagocytosis, causing significant changes in host cell morphology and activity. Megavirus-infected amoebas, however, continue incorporating newly formed viruses, affecting viral progeny. This research enhances our understanding of superinfection inhibition in these viruses, highlighting their differences in host interactions., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

The problems with current strategies to control canine visceral Leishmaniasis (CVL), which include the euthanasia of infected animals, and also the toxicity of the drugs currently used in human treatments for CVL, add urgency to the search for new therapeutic agents. This study aimed to evaluate the activity against Leishmania (L.) infantum of 12 amides that are chemically inspired by gibbilimbol B, a bioactive natural product that was initially obtained from Piper malacophyllum . Three of these compounds- N -(2-ethylhexyl)-4-chlorobenzamide ( 9 ), N -(2-ethylhexyl)-4-nitrobenzamide ( 10 ), and N -(2-ethylhexyl)-4-( tert -butyl)benzamide ( 12 ) -demonstrated activity against the intracellular amastigotes without toxicity to mammalian host cells (CC 50 > 200 μM); compounds 9 , 10 , and 12 resulted in EC 50 values of 12.7, 12.2, and 5.1 μM, respectively. In silico drug-likeness studies predicted that these compounds would show high levels of gastrointestinal absorption, would be able to penetrate the blood-brain barrier, would show moderate solubility, and would not show unwanted molecular interactions. Due to their promising pharmacological profiles, compounds 9 and 10 were selected for mechanism of action studies (MoA). The MoA studies in L. (L.) infantum revealed that neither of the compounds affected the permeabilization of the plasma membrane. Nevertheless, compound 9 induced strong alkalinization of acidocalcisomes, which resulted in a significant and rapid increase in intracellular Ca 2+ levels, thereby causing the depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane potential and a reduction in the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In contrast, compound 10 induced a gradual increase in intracellular Ca 2+ levels and a similarly gradual reduction in ROS levels, but it caused neither acidocalcisome alkalinization nor mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization. Finally, the MALDI-TOF/MS assessment of protein alterations in L. (L.) infantum treated separately with compounds 9 and 10 revealed changes in mass spectral profiles from both treatments. These results highlight the anti- L. (L.) infantum potential of these amides-especially for compounds 9 and 10 -and they suggest that these compounds could be promising candidates for future in vivo studies in VL-models., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2024 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)

Novel benzophenone-thiazole hybrids with different substituents were synthesized and evaluated for anti-inflammatory activity using an ex vivo human whole-blood assay. All hybrids (3c and 5a-h) showed significant anti-inflammatory activity via prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) release inhibition. Moreover, 5c (82.8% of PGE2 inhibition), 5e (83.1% of PGE2 inhibition), and 5h (82.1% of PGE2 inhibition) were comparable to the reference drugs. Molecular docking revealed potential preferable binding to the active sites of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) and microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1) enzymes. This study provides the first evidence that benzophenone-thiazole hybrids may also dock in mPGES-1, a new attractive anti-inflammatory drug target, besides providing promising ex vivo anti-inflammatory activity. Thus, the novel hybrids are promising anti-inflammatory lead compounds and highlight the significance of optimal substituent selection in the design of potent PGE2 inhibitors., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Aims: There is a lack of therapies able to prevent anthracycline cardiotoxicity (AC). Remote ischaemic conditioning (RIC) has shown beneficial effects in preclinical models of AC., Methods: REmote iSchemic condItioning in Lymphoma PatIents REceiving ANthraCyclinEs (RESILIENCE) is a multinational, prospective, phase II, double-blind, sham-controlled, randomized clinical trial that evaluates the efficacy and safety of RIC in lymphoma patients receiving anthracyclines. Patients scheduled to undergo ≥5 chemotherapy cycles including anthracyclines and with ≥1 AC-associated risk factors will be randomized to weekly RIC or sham throughout the chemotherapy period. Patients will undergo three multiparametric cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) studies, at baseline, after the third cycle (intermediate CMR), and 2 months after the end of chemotherapy. Thereafter, patients will be followed up for clinical events over an anticipated median of ≥24 months. The primary endpoint is the absolute change from baseline in CMR-based left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). The main secondary outcome is the incidence of AC events, defined as (1) a drop in CMR-based LVEF of ≥10 absolute points, or (2) a drop in CMR-based LVEF of ≥5 and <10 absolute points to a value <50%. Intermediate CMR will test the ability of T2 mapping to predict AC versus classical markers (left ventricular strain and cardiac injury biomarkers). A novel CMR sequence allowing ultrafast cine acquisition will be validated in this vulnerable population., Conclusions: The RESILIENCE trial will test RIC (a novel non-invasive intervention to prevent AC) in a cohort of high-risk patients. The trial will also test candidate markers for their capacity to predict AC and will validate a novel CMR sequence reducing acquisition time in a vulnerable population., (© 2024 The Author(s). European Journal of Heart Failure published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of European Society of Cardiology.)

Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (Auto-HSCT) is widely used in the treatment of patients with hematological neoplasms. Since these cells circulate in small quantities in the periphery, the use of regimens that promote their mobilization is essential. In this study, we retrospectively evaluated the efficacy and safety of using intermediate doses of cytarabine (1.6 g/m²) + filgrastim (10 mcg/kg/day) in the mobilization of stem cells in 157 patients treated by the Unified Health System at the Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Service of the Hospital Real Português de Beneficência, in Recife, Pernambuco. The sample included patients with multiple myeloma (MM) (58.6 %), lymphomas (29.9 %), and other neoplasms (11.5 %). The target of 2.0 × 10 6 CD34+ cells/kg was achieved by 148 (94.3 %) patients, in most cases (84.1 %) in a single apheresis and the median number of cells collected was 9.5 × 10 6 CD34+ cells/kg. No episode of febrile neutropenia was observed, however, 79 patients (50.3 %) required platelet transfusion (no cases attributed to bleeding). The median engraftment time was 11 days. Given these results, we suggest that the use of intermediate doses of cytarabine, combined with filgrastim, is safe and effective in mobilizing hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs)., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest The authors declare no conflicts of interest, (Copyright © 2023 Associação Brasileira de Hematologia, Hemoterapia e Terapia Celular. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Aim : (I) to verify if there are sex differences in respiratory function, respiratory muscle strength, and effort limitation in individuals recovered from severe acute COVID-19 30 months after the initial infection, and (II) to evaluate the influence of length of stay on cardiorespiratory capacity among men and women. Methods : Cross-sectional observational multicentric study with participants from five Brazilian states (São Paulo, Amazonas, Minas Gerais, Bahia, and Brasília). We assessed lung function and respiratory muscle strength by maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximum expiratory pressure (MEP), and cardiorespiratory fitness by cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET). Results : 86 individuals were stratified by sex (48 women and 38 men). Females had significantly longer hospitalization for acute COVID-19 ( p < 0.05) and showed a marked reduction in MIP (cmH 2 O and % predicted). Regarding the CPET, women presented lower V˙O 2 % predicted, O 2 pulse, and oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES, % predicted) ( p < 0.05). In addition, women also had greater abnormal combinations between RER < 1.10, OUES < 80% predicted, VE/VVM < 15% [3 (6.2%)] and V˙O 2 % predicted < 80%, V˙E/V˙CO 2 slope and V˙O 2 /workload < 8.4 mL/min/W [8 (17%)]. The regression analysis showed a significant influence of age, length of hospitalization (< and >10 days), and FEV 1 /FVC (%) on the V˙O 2 peak (mL·kg -1 ·min -1 ). Secondarily, we found that women hospitalized for more than 10 days had worse O 2 pulse ( p = 0.03), OUES % predicted ( p < 0.001), and worse V˙O 2 % predicted ( p < 0.009). Conclusion : Women exhibited more pronounced impairments in several key indicators of cardiopulmonary function 30 months post-infection.

Background and Objective: Buprenorphine is an opioid drug indicated for the management of severe and persistent pain. The buprenorphine transdermal patch provides a non-invasive method of rate-controlled drug release, ensuring constant and predictable drug plasma levels over an extended period. This study aimed to assess the bioequivalence, skin adhesion non-inferiority, and tolerability of two buprenorphine transdermal patches to meet the regulatory requirements for the registration of a generic product in Brazil. Methods: A randomized, single-dose, two-period, two-sequence crossover trial was performed involving healthy subjects of both genders. The subjects received a single dose of either the test formulation or the reference formulation (Restiva ® ), separated by a 29-day washout period. For pharmacokinetic analysis, blood samples were collected up to 12 days post-dose and quantified using a validated bioanalytical method. Skin adhesion was assessed over a 7-day period (dosing interval) following patch application. Seventy-six subjects were enrolled and fifty-two completed the study. Results and Conclusion: The 90% confidence intervals for Cmax, AUC 0-t , and partial AUCs were within the acceptable bioequivalence limits of 80 to 125%. Adhesion comparison showed the non-inferiority of the test formulation. Based on ANVISA's regulatory requirements, the test and reference formulations were considered bioequivalent and could be interchangeable in clinical practice.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the sixth most common type of cancer globally. While smoking is a key risk factor, rising cases in non-smokers highlight the need to explore other factors like diet. This scoping review aims to deepen the evidence on the relationship between OSCC and diet, following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, and was registered on Open Science Framework. Searches were performed in four electronic databases: MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and Lilacs, without date or language restrictions. Studies were evaluated, extracted, and compiled in a narrative table. Seventeen studies with 10,954 patients were analyzed. Most patients were male (74.63%), aged 18-89 (average 50.62). Studies were mainly from high (82%) and medium (17%) Human Development Index (HDI) countries. Dietary surveys included a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) (58.8%), interviews/questionnaires (17.6%), and an FFQ with a photographic atlas (5.9%). Certain foods in excess like fruits, vegetables, and tea were inversely associated with OSCC, while salty meats, dairy, coffee, sausages, and fried and spicy foods were positively associated. Due to the heterogeneity of the tools used to obtain food frequency data, the results should be interpreted cautiously. New standardized studies and randomized trials are essential to advance understanding and control confounding factors in this field., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Based on concepts from nuclear magnetic resonance, we have developed UV/vis diffusion-ordered spectroscopy, which simultaneously probes the size and electronic absorption spectrum of molecules and particles. We use simple flow technology to create a step-function concentration profile inside an optical sample cell, and by measuring the time-dependent absorption spectrum in an initially solvent-filled part of the sample volume, we obtain the diffusion coefficients and UV/vis spectra of the species present in the sample solution. From these data, we construct a two-dimensional spectrum with absorption wavelength on one axis and diffusion coefficient (or equivalently, size) on the other, in which the UV/vis spectrum of a mixture with different molecular sizes is separated into the spectra of the different species, sorted by size. We demonstrate this method on mixed solutions of fluorescent dyes, biomolecules, and the UV-absorbing components of coffee, caffeine, and chlorogenic acid, all with concentrations in the μM range.

Biosurfactants, sustainable alternatives to petrochemical surfactants, are gaining attention for their potential in medical applications. This study focuses on producing, purifying, and characterizing a glycolipid biosurfactant from Candida sp. UFSJ7A, particularly for its application in biofilm prevention on siliconized latex catheter surfaces. The glycolipid was extracted and characterized, revealing a critical micellar concentration (CMC) of 0.98 mg/mL, indicating its efficiency at low concentrations. Its composition, confirmed through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and thin layer chromatography (TLC), identified it as an anionic biosurfactant with a significant ionic charge of -14.8 mV. This anionic nature contributes to its biofilm prevention capabilities. The glycolipid showed a high emulsification index (E 24 ) for toluene, gasoline, and soy oil and maintained stability under various pH and temperature conditions. Notably, its anti-adhesion activity against biofilms formed by Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, and Candida albicans was substantial. When siliconized latex catheter surfaces were preconditioned with 2 mg/mL of the glycolipid, biofilm formation was reduced by up to 97% for E. coli and C. albicans and 57% for E. faecalis. These results are particularly significant when compared to the efficacy of conventional surfactants like SDS, especially for E. coli and C. albicans. This study highlights glycolipids' potential as a biotechnological tool in reducing biofilm-associated infections on medical devices, demonstrating their promising applicability in healthcare settings., (© 2024. The Author(s) under exclusive licence to Sociedade Brasileira de Microbiologia.)

This research investigated the adsorption of propranolol (PROP) by functionalized green carbon nanotubes (MWCNT-B), assessing the influence of pH, in addition to kinetic, equilibrium, and thermodynamic studies and reuse of the material. For this purpose, speciation of PROP and the point of zero charge (pH PZC ) of MWCNT-B were performed, indicating a pKa of 9.67 and pH PZC of 3.31. The adsorption tests at different pH values revealed that in the range of pH 3 to 9, there is no significant variation in PROP uptake, despite this, at pH 11, the removal decreases. Regarding PROP adsorption, the equilibrium time ranged from 30 to 90 min, and the PFO model best represented the kinetic data. The Langmuir model was more predictive in representing isotherms (R 2  > 0.95), and the adsorption process was spontaneous and favorable (ΔG <  - 20 kJ mol -1 ) and indicated exothermic behavior (ΔH =  - 33 kJ mol -1 ) for PROP removal. In addition, the material showed satisfactory thermal regeneration results and can be reused for four cycles. The results suggest that MWCNT-B is an attractive adsorbent and exhibits effective removal of propranolol from aqueous matrices., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Reservoir construction promotes many environmental impacts, including the enhancement of mercury concentrations in fish. The processes that can influence mercury concentrations in fish in Amazonian reservoirs are still little explored in depth, especially when we consider the possible particularities of the ecosystems in question. This study aims to investigate how mercury concentrations in fish could be influenced by the Tucuruí dam, considering possible changes in their feeding and trophic position according to the dam position (up or downstream). Fish were sampled upstream and downstream of the Tucuruí reservoir, and total mercury (THg) and stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen (δ 15 N and δ 13 C) were measured in muscles. We observed three different Hg bioaccumulation patterns influenced by the dam. These differences occurred due to species trophic niche changes corroborated by the isotope analysis. Higher THg concentrations downstream compared to those upstream ones were only observed for Geophagus proximus. On the contrary, Plagioscion squamosissimus, from downstream, presented lower concentrations than upstream ones. The isotopic niche of these two species presented different changes according to the sampled site. THg biomagnification was higher upstream compared to downstream, considering that the regression slope was approximately two times higher upstream versus downstream. THg concentrations in fish were explained by the differences in their feeding habits according to their location in relation to the dam. The difference in THg biomagnification was able to reflect differences in structure of the food web chain in ecosystems under the dam's influence., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Nano-biocomposite hydrogel samples were produced using graphene oxide (GO) and agar and applied as adsorbents of organic components in water. The hydrogels were prepared by varying the wt% of Agar and GO. The samples were characterized, and batch adsorption experiments evaluated the effect of initial pH, equilibrium isotherms, and kinetics for the adsorption of the anionic dye Acid Orange 7 (AO) and the cationic dyes Nile Blue A (NB) and methylene blue (MB) in an aqueous medium. Overall, both hydrogel samples exhibited satisfactory results for removing NB and MB; however, there was no effective removal for the anionic dye AO. Adsorption equilibrium isotherms were obtained, and Freundlich, Langmuir, and Sips models were fitted to the experimental equilibrium data; moreover, kinetic data were adjusted to driving force models and particle mass balance. The maximum experimental adsorption capacities, 141.48 mg·g -1 (MB) and 284.69 mg·g -1 (NB), were obtained, on a dry basis, for the sample produced with 70 wt% of agar and 30 wt% of GO. Both hydrogels exhibited remarkable regenerative potential for NB and MB, with the adsorption capacity remaining constant, even after five adsorption/desorption cycles., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

In this study, sugarcane bagasse ash (SCBA), obtained as residue from the sugar mill, was used as an adsorbent for Acid Red 27 (AR27) removal from aqueous solutions. The ash characterization data showed 23.63% of organic compounds and silica (α-SiO 2 ) as the most expressive inorganic compound (confirmed by X-ray diffractogram), the BET surface area had a value of 62.79 m 2 .g -1 and the pH pzc was 8.45. Regarding the adsorptive tests, the optimal initial pH to the dye removal was 2.0. The adsorption equilibrium reached in about 4 h contact time and optimum SCBA dosage was found to be 4 g.L -1 . The pseudo-second order model best represented the adsorption kinetics. The Freundlich equation presented the best fit to the equilibrium data for the removal of AR27 by ash, with maximum adsorption capacity of 15 mg.g -1 at pH 2.0. Thermodynamic study indicate that AR27 adsorption on SCBA occurs through a physisorption mechanism, with ΔHº ads  < 15 kJ.mol -1 . The ΔHº ads evaluated by Vant' Hoff equation was explained as a combination of water desorption enthalpy, ΔHº W and isosteric like enthalpy, ΔHº D for the dye adsorption in liquid environment. The ΔHº D  = 9.2 kJ.mol -1 was calculated from Clausius-Clapeyron approach. The effects of coexisting anions on the adsorption and regeneration and reuse of the adsorbent were also investigated. This study suggests that SCBA, which was used without any pretreatment, has the potential to be applied as a low-cost adsorbent to mitigate effluents contamination with AR27 dye at low concentrations., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Using green techniques to convert native starches into nanoparticles is an interesting approach to producing stabilizers for Pickering emulsions, aiming at highly stable emulsions in clean label products. Nanoprecipitation was used to prepare the Pickering starch nanoparticles, while ultrasound technique has been used to modulate the size of these nanoparticles at the same time as the emulsion was developed. Thus, the main objective of this study was to evaluate the stabilizing effect of cassava starch nanoparticles (SNP) produced by the nanoprecipitation technique combined with ultrasound treatment carried out in the presence of water and oil (more hydrophobic physicochemical environment), different from previous studies that carry out the mechanical treatment only in the presence of water. The results showed that the increased ultrasound energy input could reduce particle size (117.58 to 55.75 nm) and polydispersity (0.958 to 0.547) in aqueous dispersions. Subsequently, Pickering emulsions stabilized by SNPs showed that increasing emulsification (ultrasonication) time led to smaller droplet sizes and monomodal size distribution. Despite flocculation, long-term ultrasonication (6 and 9 min) caused little variation in the droplet size after 7 days of storage. The cavitation effects favored the interaction between oil droplets through weak attraction forces and particle sharing, favoring the Pickering stabilization against droplet coalescence. Our results show the potential to use only physical modifications to obtain nanoparticles that can produce coalescence-stable emulsions that are environmentally friendly., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Phospholipases A 2 (PLA 2 ) comprise a superfamily of enzymes that specifically catalyze hydrolysis of the ester bond at the sn-2 position of glycerophospholipids, generating lysophospholipids and fatty acids. In Rhodnius prolixus, one of the main vectors of the Chagas's disease etiologic agent Trypanosoma cruzi, it was previously shown that lysophosphatidylcholine, a bioactive lipid, found in the insect's saliva, contributes to the inhibition of platelet aggregation, and increases the production of nitric oxide, an important vasodilator. Due to its role in potentially generating LPC, here we studied the PLA 2 present in the salivary glands of R. prolixus. PLA 2 activity is approximately 100 times greater in the epithelium than in the contents of salivary glands. Our study reveals the role of the RpPLA 2 XIIA gene in the insect feeding performance and in the fatty acids composition of phospholipids extracted from the salivary glands. Knockdown of RpPLA 2 XIIA significantly altered the relative amounts of palmitic, palmitoleic, oleic and linoleic acids. A short-term decrease in the expression of RpPLA 2 III and RpPLA 2 XIIA in the salivary glands of R. prolixus was evident on the third day after infection by T. cruzi. Taken together, our results contribute to the understanding of the role of PLA 2 in the salivary glands of hematophagous insects and show that the parasite is capable of modulating even tissues that are not colonized by it., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Background: Rehabilitation in the anterior region requires specific conditions for success, such as the presence of papilla, emergence profile, and balance between pink and white esthetic., Objectives: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the esthetic risk associated with immediate implant placement with immediate restoration in the anterior superior area, where the facial bone plate may be absent or deficient., Material and Methods: The search was done in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Lilacs, Scopus, Scielo, and Google Scholar databases. The investigation involved clinical studies and observational studies published between January 2012 and July 2023. Studies were excluded if there was less than 12-month follow-up, no immediate restoration or facial defect, heavy smokers, or systemic disease. The risk of bias was assessed using the ROBINS-I and Modified-Cochrane RoB tools., Results: Twelve studies were included in this systematic review. The thinner the facial plate, the higher the alveolus's risk of gingival recession or shrinkage. There was an increased interproximal recession when the thin phenotype was associated with flap surgery. An increase in pink esthetic score (PES) was reached when immediate implant placement (IIP) and immediate restoration were done. Soft tissue augmentation achieved more gingival-level stability. Regardless of the initial phenotype, an esthetic outcome was delivered. The risk of bias was high in 1 study and moderate in 3 studies., Conclusion: It is possible to conclude that esthetic results and increased final PES or patient satisfaction index in IIP treatments associated with immediate restoration could be obtained even in buccal bone wall defects or gingival recession, regardless of their extension.

Coral reefs rely heavily on reef fish for their health, yet overfishing has resulted in their decline, leading to an increase in fast-growing algae and changes in reef ecosystems, a phenomenon described as the phase-shift. A clearer understanding of the intricate interplay between herbivorous, their food, and their gut microbiomes could enhance reef health. This study examines the gut microbiome and isotopic markers (δ 13 C and δ 15 N) of four key nominally herbivorous reef fish species (Acanthurus chirurgus, Kyphosus sp., Scarus trispinosus, and Sparisoma axillare) in the Southwestern Atlantic's Abrolhos Reef systems. Approximately 16.8 million 16S rRNA sequences were produced for the four fish species, with an average of 317,047 ± 57,007 per species. Bacteria such as Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Cyanobacteria were prevalent in their microbiomes. These fish show unique microbiomes that result from co-diversification, diet, and restricted movement. Coral-associated bacteria (Endozoicomonas, Rhizobia, and Ruegeria) were found in abundance in the gut contents of the parrotfish species Sc. trispinosus and Sp. axillare. These parrotfishes could aid coral health by disseminating such beneficial bacteria across the reef. Meanwhile, Kyphosus sp. predominantly had Pirellulaceae and Rhodobacteraceae. Four fish species had a diet composed of turf components (filamentous Cyanobacteria) and brown algae (Dictyopteris). They also had similar isotopic niches, suggesting they shared food sources. A significant difference was observed between the isotopic signature of fish muscular gut tissue and gut contents, pointing to the role that host genetics and gut microbes play in differentiating fish tissues., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), began in 2019. One of the strategies for pandemic control was mass vaccination. In Brazil, the recombinant COVID-19 vaccine (RCV) was produced on a large scale and offered at no charge to the population. The specifications for quality control analyses of RCV included identity and infectivity determination. To validate the results, a reference material (RM) must be analyzed in parallel with the sample vaccine. This research aimed to establish the RM for use in the identity and infectivity assay for RCV. The candidate RM was analyzed using homogeneity and stability studies. The RM was considered homogeneous for identity (cycle threshold (Ct) ≤ 25.19) and infectivity (average x- was 9.25 log 10 infectious units/mL). The RM was considered adequately stable for identity during the total period in all studies, being stable at -70, 5, and 22.5 °C for 380, 313, and 14 days, respectively (Ct ≤ 21.81). For infectivity, the RM was stable at -70, 5, and 22.5 °C for 380, 97, and three days, respectively. Since the property identity and infectivity values of the RM were established, the new RM could be used in quality control analysis.

Point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) has rapidly evolved from a niche technology to an indispensable tool across medical specialties, including nephrology. This evolution is driven by advancements in technology and the visionary efforts of clinicians in emergency medicine and beyond. Recognizing its potential, medical schools are increasingly integrating POCUS into training curricula, emphasizing its role in enhancing diagnostic accuracy and patient care. Despite these advancements, barriers such as limited faculty expertise and 'lack of' standardized guidelines hinder widespread adoption and regulation. The International Alliance for POCUS in Nephrology (IAPN), through this position statement, aims to guide nephrologists in harnessing the diagnostic power of POCUS responsibly and effectively. By outlining core competencies, recommending training modalities and advocating for robust quality assurance measures, we envision a future where POCUS enhances nephrology practice globally, ensuring optimal patient outcomes through informed, evidence-based decision-making. International collaboration and education are essential to overcome current challenges and realize the full potential of POCUS in nephrology and beyond., Competing Interests: S.A. is supported by ECHONous with a research grant in kind. The remainder of the authors declare no conflicts of interest., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the ERA.)

The global concern over water pollution caused by contaminants of emerging concern has been the subject of several studies due to the complexity of treatment. Here, the synthesis of a graphene oxide-based magnetic material (GO@Fe 3 O 4 ) produced according to a modified Hummers' method followed by a hydrothermal reaction was proposed; then, its application as a photocatalyst in clonazepam photo-Fenton degradation was investigated. Several characterization analyses were performed to analyze the structure, functionalization and magnetic properties of the composite. A 2 3 factorial design was used for the optimization procedure to investigate the effect of [H 2 O 2 ], GO@Fe 3 O 4 dose and pH on clonazepam degradation. Adsorption experiments demonstrated that GO@Fe 3 O 4 could not adsorb clonazepam. Photo-Fenton kinetics showed that total degradation of clonazepam was achieved within 5 min, and the experimental data were better fitted to the PFO model. A comparative study of clonazepam degradation by different processes highlighted that the heterogeneous photo-Fenton process was more efficient than homogeneous processes. The radical scavenging test showed that O 2 · - was the main active free radical in the degradation reaction, followed by hydroxyl radicals ( • OH) and holes (h + ) in the valence layer; accordingly, a mechanism of degradation was proposed to describe the process., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

This research explores green-technology alternatives to extract vegetable oils as alternatives to hexane, a non-renewable solvent, focussing on sunflower oil. It compares pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) with ethanol and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) with CO 2 . Both processes aim to maximize oil yield, tocopherol content (α, β, γ, and δ), fatty acid profile (FA), and triacylglycerol (TAG) composition. Results show that SFE at 32 MPa achieves an 87.58% oil recovery, while PLE at 84 °C achieves 93.93%. PLE with ethanol extracts polar minority compounds along with the oil due to its higher temperature, favoring extraction. The total tocopherol content is 91.17 mg/100 g of oil in optimized SFE conditions, with α-tocopherol extraction influenced by temperature, γ and δ-tocopherol by pressure. PLE yields 83.16 mg/100 g of oil in tocopherols influenced less by process variables. The fatty acid (FA) profile do not vary in the oils obtained from different processes or based on the variables within each process, with linoleic and oleic acids being the most abundant. Similarly, triacylglycerols (TAGs) C54:5 and C54:6 are predominant. The optimization of SFE and PLE processes indicates a strong potential for using green solvents in the extraction of tocopherol-rich sunflower oil., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (© 2024 The Author(s). Global Challenges published by Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and performance of Wrapsody™, a cell-impermeable endoprosthesis (CIE), for treating hemodialysis vascular access outflow stenosis., Materials and Methods: Investigators retrospectively analyzed 113 hemodialysis patients treated with a CIE (11/2021-12/2022) across four centers in Brazil. De novo or restenotic lesions were treated. The primary efficacy outcome measure was target lesion primary patency (TLPP) at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months; the primary safety outcome measure was the absence of serious local or systemic adverse events within the first 30 days post-procedure. Secondary outcome measures included technical and procedural success, access circuit primary patency (ACPP), and secondary patency at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months post-procedure., Results: Thirty-nine patients (34.5%) had thrombosed access at the initial presentation, and 38 patients (33.6%) presented with recurrent stenosis. TLPP rates at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months were 100%, 96.4%, 86.4%, and 69.7%, respectively. ACPP rates were 100% at 1 month, 89.2% at 3 months, 70.9% at 6 months, and 56.0% at 12 months. The target lesion secondary patency rates at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months were 100%, 97.3%, 93.6%, and 91.7%, respectively. In the adjusted multivariate Cox regression analysis, male sex and endoprosthesis with diameters of 10, 12, 14, and 16 mm were associated with improved primary patency rates. No localized or systemic serious adverse event was observed through the first 30 days post-procedure., Conclusion: The CIE evaluated in this study is safe and effective for treating peripheral and central outflow stenoses in hemodialysis vascular access., Level of Evidence: Level 2b, cohort study., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

The multimodal analgesia strategy for acute pain involves using 2 or more analgesic medications with distinct mechanisms of action. This study assessed the bioavailability and tolerability of 2 tramadol hydrochloride (50 mg)/diclofenac sodium (50 mg) fixed-dose combination formulations under fed conditions to attend the Brazilian regulatory requirements for generic product registration. An open-label, randomized, single-dose, 2-period, 2-way crossover trial was conducted, including healthy subjects of both sexes. Subjects received a single dose of either the test or reference formulation of tramadol/diclofenac fixed-dose combination tablets with a 7-day washout period. Blood samples were collected up to 36 hours after dosing for tramadol and 12 hours for diclofenac and quantified using a validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method. Of 56 subjects enrolled, 53 completed the study. The 90% confidence intervals for maximum plasma concentration and area under the concentration-time curve from time 0 to the last quantifiable concentration were within acceptable bioequivalence limits of 80%-125%. Considering the results presented in this study, the test formulation is bioequivalent to the reference formulation and could be interchangeable in medical practice., (© 2024 The Authors. Clinical Pharmacology in Drug Development published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American College of Clinical Pharmacology.)

The diversity of criteria used in the diagnosis of periodontitis in pregnant women makes it difficult to define and compare the disease. Using a systematic review, this study evaluated the accuracy of criteria for diagnosing periodontitis in pregnant women. Searches were carried out in the databases: Medline/PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, SciELO, Lilacs, ProQuest, and CINAHL. Validation studies of the criteria used for diagnosing periodontitis met the inclusion criteria. The study steps were performed by three independent reviewers. A qualitative synthesis of the included articles was carried out and the quality methodological analysis using the QUADAS-2 instrument. The assessment of the quality of the evidence was obtained through the GRADE tool. A total of 592 records were identified, of which only 6 made up this systematic review. The included studies analyzed different criteria for diagnosing periodontitis, evaluating 3,005 pregnant women. The criteria selected as a test presented results equivalent to the performance of those recognized as the gold standard. The self-reported criteria were of lower diagnostic accuracy. A major limitation of this review was the small number of primary studies that evaluated clinical diagnosis of periodontitis in pregnant women, which was highly heterogeneous, making it impossible to carry out accuracy meta-analysis and additional analyzes. There is a lack of consensus on the criteria for the diagnosis of periodontitis, with great variability in the accuracy and prevalence of the disease in pregnant women., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2024 Conceição et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has posed unprecedented challenges to global health systems, particularly among vulnerable populations such as the elderly. Understanding the interplay between anthropometric markers, molecular profiles, and disease severity is crucial for effective clinical management and intervention strategies. We conducted a cohort study comprising 43 elderly COVID-19 patients admitted to São Lucas Hospital, PUCRS, Brazil. Anthropometric measurements, including calf circumference (CC) and abdominal circumference (AC), were assessed alongside molecular analyses of peripheral blood samples obtained within 48 h of hospital admission. Sociodemographic data were collected from electronic medical records for comprehensive analysis. Our findings revealed a possible relationship between overweight status, increased abdominal adiposity, and prolonged hospitalization duration, alongside heightened disease severity. We also found no significant correlations between BMI, vitamin D levels, and clinical outcomes. Elevated oxygen requirements were observed in both normal and overweight individuals, with the latter necessitating prolonged oxygen therapy. Molecular analyses revealed changes in the inflammatory profile regarding the outcome of the patients. Our study highlights the critical importance of both anthropometric and molecular markers in predicting disease severity and clinical outcomes in elderly individuals with COVID-19.

Patients with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) who are refractory to drug treatment may present progressive loss of kidney function, leading to chronic kidney disease stage 5 under dialysis treatment. The safety of systemic administration of bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells (BMDMCs) has been shown in different preclinical models of kidney diseases. However, to date, no study has evaluated the safety and biodistribution of BMDMCs after infusion in renal arteries in patients with FSGS. We used a prospective, non-randomized, single-center longitudinal design to investigate this approach. Five patients with refractory FSGS and an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) between 20 and 40 ml/min/1.73 m 2 underwent bone marrow aspiration and received an arterial infusion of autologous BMDMCs (5 × 10 7 ) for each kidney. In addition, BMDMCs labeled with technetium-99m ( 99m Tc-BMDMCs) were used to assess the biodistribution by scintigraphy. All patients completed the 270-day follow-up protocol with no serious adverse events. A transient increase in creatinine was observed after the cell therapy, with improvement on day 30. 99m Tc-BMDMCs were detected in both kidneys and counts were higher after 2 hr compared with 24 hr. The arterial infusion of BMDMCs in both kidneys of patients with FSGS was considered safe with stable eGFR at the end of follow-up. This trial is registered with NCT02693366., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Bruno Freire Botelho et al.)

The collective meals market generates significant revenue for the world economy. Food services are responsible for consuming large amounts of water and energy, as well as generating a substantial volume of waste, which is often improperly disposed of. Given the unchecked expansion of food services, the lack of proper management of environmental resources can undermine sustainability principles, posing a threat to future generations. This scoping review aimed to synthesize the existing scientific literature on carbon and water footprints in food services, describing the main methods and tools used and what strategies have been proposed to mitigate the high values of these footprints. The search for articles was performed on 6 June 2024 in seven electronic databases, using MeSH Terms and adaptations for each database from database inception. The search for local studies was complemented by a manual search in the list of references of the studies selected to compose this review. It included quantitative studies assessing footprints (water or carbon) in food services and excluded reviews, studies that reported footprints for diets, and protocols. A total of 2642 studies were identified, and among these, 29 were selected for this review. According to the findings, it was observed that meats, especially beef, contribute more to water and carbon footprint compared to other proteins. Mitigation strategies for the water footprint include promoting plant-based diets, menu changes, and awareness.

Objective: To investigate the effects of combined exercise on fatigue, anxiety, depression, quality of life and physical functioning in gastroinstestinal neoplasm in people under chemotherapy with oxaliplatin treatment., Methods: We searched pubmed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PEDro data base, and SciELO (until Nov 2023) for randomized controlled trials that investigated the effects of combined exercise in gastroinstestinal neoplasm people under chemotherapy with oxaliplatin treatment. Two comparisons were made: combined exercise versus usual care, combined aerobic and versus usual care (follow up). The main outcomes were muscle strength, aerobic capacity, fatigue, anxiety, depression and quality of life. Mean differences (MD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated., Results: Seven randomized controlled trials met the eligibility criteria, which included 464 people. Compared to usual care, combined aerobic and resistance resulted in decrease of general fatigue (-2.82; IC: 4.92 to -0.69, N = 48), physical fatigue (-5.08; IC: 8.41 to -1.74, N = 48) and improvement of domain physical functioning of quality of life (9.40; IC: 2.74 to 16.06, N = 48). Compared to usual care, combined aerobic and resistance - Follow up resulted in decrease of general fatigue (-2.32; IC: 4.41 to - 0.28, N = 48), physical fatigue (-0.92; IC: 3.31 to -1.47, N = 48) and improvement ofdomain physical functioning of (9.83; IC: 0.66 to 19.01, N = 48)., Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that combined exercises improves fatigue (general; physical), domain physical functioning of quality of life in gastrointestinal neoplasm people under chemotherapy treatment when compared to usual care., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None, (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Aim: Sarcopenic obesity (SO) is characterized by the coexistence of the loss of muscle mass and function with excess adipose tissue. Its prevalence has increased concomitantly with population aging, becoming one of the most significant challenges for public health, threatening the quality of life and the physical and mental health of the elderly population., Methods: This study estimated the prevalence and factors associated with SO among adults and the elderly in Brazil's macro-regions, utilizing MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and the Virtual Health Library databases. Primary outcomes included SO prevalence overall and by subgroups, with secondary outcomes identifying associated factors., Results: A systematic review of 33 studies with 10 266 participants up to July 2023 showed a 17% prevalence of SO (95% confidence interval: 13-21%), using a random effects meta-analysis. The Central-West region had the highest occurrence (27%). Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (26%) and bioimpedance (6%) were the top diagnostic methods. Protective factors were chronic kidney disease and healthy lifestyles; risk factors included socioeconomic status, functionality, lifestyle, biochemical parameters, and comorbidities such as osteoarthritis and apnea., Conclusions: The prevalence of SO in Brazil is significant, emerging as a critical public health problem. It is essential to direct attention to changes in prevalence rates in the coming years, given the rising obesity trends and the absolute increase in the elderly population. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 661-674., (© 2024 Japan Geriatrics Society.)