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The study aimed to systematically and informatively map the different applications of red algae, as well as to discuss the challenges and opportunities for advancement in this field. Specific knowledge gaps and promising areas were also identified to guide future research and practical applications. Data were collected through four renowned scientific databases: Web of Science, SciELO, ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Scopus. Using specific descriptors, all publications were managed through Zotero, a widely used bibliography manager in the academic community. Rigorous exclusion and inclusion criteria were applied to select specific studies relevant to the object of study. The study initially analyzed over 47,000 studies on red algae and their applications in biotechnological industry, but only 23 were considered relevant after careful screening. The diversity of red algae species explored in the studies reflects their potential in several research areas such as health, agriculture, and the environment. Gracilaria sp. emerged as a prominent species, especially in agar production. Bibliometric analysis revealed a predominance of high-quality studies in high-impact journals, mainly related to the antioxidant activity of algae. However, significant gaps were identified in areas such as cosmetics, genetics, and energy production, suggesting opportunities for future research and development. Based on the conducted study, it is evident that red algae offer a diversified range of biotechnological and industrial applications, with opportunities for exploration in environmental, health, and agricultural sectors. Although some fields are not yet widely disseminated, the collected data provide guidance to direct future research and practical applications, promoting significant advances in the field of biotechnology.

Abstract Cryptococcal meningoencephalitis (CM) is an opportunistic fungal infection and a major cause of death among people living with human immunodeficiency virus in sub‐Saharan Africa. 5‐flucytosine (5‐FC) is a unique, brain‐permeable antifungal agent used to reduce mortality from CM and to prevent disease in individuals carrying cryptococcal antigen. 5‐FC has a short plasma half‐life, requiring 6‐hourly oral dosing with an immediate‐release (IR) formulation, a significant challenge in hospital and outpatient settings, risking a lack of compliance. We recently reported the relative bioavailability in fasting conditions of a sustained release (SR) oral pellet formulation of 5‐FC. In this phase I study, we assessed the safety and pharmacokinetic profiles of the new 5‐FC SR formulation in a single dose (2 × 3000 mg), relative to 5‐FC IR tablets (Ancotil®; 1500 mg b.i.d.) in healthy participants in fed conditions. This randomized, two‐period crossover study was conducted in South Africa to confirm the dose of the identified 5‐FC SR formulation for a twice‐daily 5‐FC regimen in patients. Thirty‐six healthy participants were included. All treatments were well tolerated and no serious adverse event was reported. Cmax and AUC(0–t) for the SR formulation (49.2 ± 10.49 μg/mL and 640.4 ± 126.4 h.μg/mL, respectively) were significantly higher than for the IR formulation (36.8 ± 7.61 μg/mL and 456.6 ± 72.8 h.μg/mL, respectively). A physiological based pharmacokinetic model (PBPK) predicted that under fasting conditions, 6000 mg SR pellets would show a good overlap with the IR product (3000 mg b.i.d), thus 6000 mg SR 5‐FC b.i.d. in fasting conditions is recommended.

Background/Objectives: Dental agenesis is the congenital absence of at least one tooth and has been associated with several other developmental dental conditions, such as morphological dental alterations and Carabelli trait. This study sought to investigate whether third molar agenesis is associated with Carabelli traits in permanent molars. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that used a convenience sample obtained from the orthodontic records of German patients. Patients with syndromes, oral clefts, congenital alterations including dental agenesis (except agenesis of third molars), and severe cases of bruxism with a loss of tooth tissue were excluded. Teeth with cavitated lesions of dental caries, occlusal wear, restorations, and evident dental deformities were not included in the evaluation. The Carabelli trait was evaluated in the permanent maxillary molars. The Carabelli trait was classified according to its expression for each tooth as either absent, negative, and positive expressions. Third molar agenesis was evaluated only in patients older than 10 years old (based on when initial tooth formation should be visible in the panoramic radiographs). The two-sided Chi-squared test was used to investigate the association between the conditions, using an alpha of 5% (p < 0.05). Results: A total of 155 patients (74 females and 81 males) were investigated; 39 had third molar agenesis and 75 had the Carabelli trait. There was no statistical significance difference between patients with third molar agenesis and those with Carabelli traits in relation to sex (p > 0.05). The Carabelli trait was more common in first molars than in second molars. There was no statistical significant association between third molar agenesis and Carabelli traits (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Third molar agenesis was not associated with the Carabelli trait in the permanent molars in this population.

Summary: Background: Dengue poses a significant burden worldwide, and a more comprehensive understanding of the heterogeneity in the intensity of dengue transmission within endemic countries is necessary to evaluate the potential impact of public health interventions. Methods: This scoping literature review aimed to update a previous study of dengue transmission intensity by collating global age-stratified dengue seroprevalence data published in the Medline, Embase and Web of Science databases from 2014 to 2023. These data were then utilised to calibrate catalytic models and estimate the force of infection (FOI), which is the yearly per-capita risk of infection for a typical susceptible individual. Findings: We found a total of 66 new publications containing 219 age-stratified seroprevalence datasets across 30 endemic countries. Together with the previously available average FOI estimates, there are now more than 250 dengue average FOI estimates obtained from seroprevalence studies from across the world. Interpretation: The results show large heterogeneities in average dengue FOI both across and within countries. These new estimates can be used to inform ongoing modelling efforts to improve our understanding of the drivers of the heterogeneity in dengue transmission globally, which in turn can help inform the optimal implementation of public health interventions. Funding: UK Medical Research Council, Wellcome Trust, Community Jameel, Drugs for Neglected Disease initiative (DNDi) funded by the French Development Agency, Médecins Sans Frontières International; Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and UK aid.

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the influence of the Er,Cr:YSGG irradiation and 980-nm diode lasers on the surface roughness (SR) and volume loss (VL) of dentin subjected to cariogenic challenge. Subsequently, 130 specimens of bovine dentin were divided into the following 13 groups: NT: no treatment; FG: fluoride gel; FV: fluoride varnish; Di: 980-nm diode; Di + FG; Di + FV; FG + D; FV + Di; Er: Er,Cr:YSGG; Er + FG; Er + FV; FG + Er and FV + Er. Er,Cr:YSGG laser parameters were as follows: 0.25 W; 5.0 Hz; 4.46 J/cm2 without water and 55% air. Furthermore, the 980-nm diode laser parameters were 2.0 W; 2.0 Hz; 21.41 J/cm2. The samples from each group were subjected to pH cycling. A confocal laser scanning microscope was used to evaluate SR and VL. Difference between the volume of the reference and treated areas + DES/RE was used to determine SR and VL. The mean values of the different groups were subjected to analysis of variance and Tukey’s post-hoc test. The VL values were analyzed using the Kruskal–Wallis and Dunn post-hoc test (p < 0.05). The SR of the reference area did not show a statistically significant 1807-3107-bor-38-e025treatment and cariogenic challenge (p > 0.05). Moreover, VL in the FV + Di and FV + Er groups showed a statistically significant difference compared with areas submitted to different types of treatment and cariogenic challenge (p > 0.05). Er,Cr:YSGG and 980-nm diode lasers associated with fluoride varnishes decreased dentin VL in bovine teeth submitted to cariogenic challenge.

Exercise-induced muscle damage is associated with symptoms such as inflammation, delayed-onset muscle soreness, and impaired muscle performance. The intake of cocoa polyphenols has been suggested to improve muscle recovery due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacity. However, their bioavailability presents a challenge. Therefore, food microencapsulation may be an alternative to protect polyphenols, ensuring their biological effects. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a single dose of microencapsulated cocoa on the changes in muscle damage markers after eccentric exercise. In this randomized, double-blind, crossover study, fourteen healthy volunteers with previous resistance training experience performed 6 × 10 maximal isokinetic eccentric contractions of their elbow flexors using an isokinetic dynamometer after ingesting 25 g of microencapsulated cocoa or placebo. Peak isometric torque was measured using maximal voluntary isometric contractions, and pain was measured using a visual analogic scale both before and 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h after the damage protocol. Plasma glutathione and malondialdehyde levels were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography, and concentrations of myoglobin and C-reactive protein were determined using a fluorescence immunoassay analyzer. Significant decreases were seen in the peak isometric torque and pain measures from pre- to 72 h post-eccentric exercise. A significant main effect for time was found only for plasma myoglobin at 2 h, 48 h, and 72 h, and for C-reactive protein at 2 h, compared to the pre-eccentric exercise values. No significant time-treatment effects were observed (all p > 0.05). This study demonstrated that microencapsulated cocoa cannot improve muscle recovery after eccentric exercise, at least when a single dose is consumed.

This case report describes a favorable healing outcome of the immediate management of an oblique tooth root fracture in the middle third concomitant with coronal fragment extrusion in a permanent maxillary left central incisor of a healthy 14-year-old female patient. The clinical exam showed incisal irregularity, local bleeding, increased mobility, and axial displacement of the maxillary left central incisor. The coronal fragment was repositioned and stabilized with a flexible splint for four weeks. The parents and the patient received medication prescriptions and instructions. Clinical and radiographic conditions remained satisfactory at the 4-week, 6-month, and 12-month follow-ups. Thermal and percussion tests confirmed pulp vitality after 12 months. Hard tissue formation between segments was observed in the radiographic examination and cone-beam computed tomography. In conclusion, the immediate conservative therapeutic showed satisfactory clinical and radiographic results.

Apesar dos recentes avanços na literatura que trata das desigualdades socioespaciais na acessibilidade urbana, e de sua rede de causas e consequências, reconhecem-se lacunas relevantes em relação ao contexto da habitação informal. Nesse sentido, o presente artigo se propõe a analisar os padrões de ambiente construído e mobilidade em grupos de assentamentos precários com níveis distintos de acessibilidade locacional. A partir do cruzamento entre dados secundários provenientes de diversas bases e da construção de indicadores representativos dos fenômenos analisados, realizou-se uma análise exploratória nos tercis de assentamentos precários, utilizando Fortaleza como estudo de caso. Os resultados obtidos permitem concluir que assentamentos precários mais acessíveis apresentam ocupação mais intensificada, menor diversidade de usos e padrões mais sustentáveis de mobilidade urbana, reforçando a necessidade de políticas públicas de aproximação entre pessoas e atividades.

Abstract The opportunistic fungal infection cryptococcal meningoencephalitis is a major cause of death among people living with HIV in sub‐Saharan Africa. We report pharmacokinetic (PK) and safety data from a randomized, four‐period crossover phase I trial of three sustained‐release (SR) oral pellet formulations of 5‐flucytosine conducted in South Africa. These formulations were developed to require less frequent administration, to provide a convenient alternative to the current immediate release (IR) formulation, A. Formulations B, C, and D were designed to release 5‐flucytosine as a percentage of the nominal dose in vitro. We assessed their safety and PK profiles in a single dose (1 × 3000 mg at 0 h), relative to commercial IR tablets (Ancotil 500 mg tablets; 3 × 500 mg at 0 h and 3 × 500 mg at 6 h) in healthy, fasted participants. Forty‐two healthy participants were included. All treatments were well‐tolerated. The primary PK parameters, maximum observed plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration‐time profiles, were significantly lower for the SR formulations than for the IR tablets, and the geometric mean ratios fell outside the conventional bioequivalence limits. The median maximum time to Cmax was delayed for the SR pellets. Physiologically‐based PK modeling indicated a twice‐daily 6400 mg dose of SR formulation D in fasted condition would be optimal for further clinical development. This regimen is predicted to result in a rapid steady‐state plasma exposure with effective and safe trough plasma concentration and Cmax values, within the therapeutic boundaries relative to plasma exposure after four times per day administration of IR tablets (PACTR202201760181404).

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002598.].

The extent to which dengue virus has been circulating globally and especially in Africa is largely unknown. Testing available blood samples from previous cross-sectional serological surveys offers a convenient strategy to investigate past dengue infections, as such serosurveys provide the ideal data to reconstruct the age-dependent immunity profile of the population and to estimate the average per-capita annual risk of infection: the force of infection (FOI), which is a fundamental measure of transmission intensity. In this study, we present a novel methodological approach to inform the size and age distribution of blood samples to test when samples are acquired from previous surveys. The method was used to inform SERODEN, a dengue seroprevalence survey which is currently being conducted in Ghana among other countries utilizing samples previously collected for a SARS-CoV-2 serosurvey. The method described in this paper can be employed to determine sample sizes and testing strategies for different diseases and transmission settings.

Objective: To investigate the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms in the COX2 gene (rs689466 and rs5275) and local and systemic signs and symptoms of teething. Material and Methods: Forty-four pairs of mothers-babies/toddlers were included. Erupted primary teeth were evaluated during clinical examination. Local and systemic signs and symptoms of teething were obtained from mothers' reporting via anamnesis. Samples of buccal cells were retrieved for DNA genotyping using real-time PCR. The T-test, Chi-square test, logistic regression, and haplotype analyses were applied. Results: Almost all mothers (95.5%) reported at least one local or systemic sign and symptom of teething. The most common was increased salivation (79.5%), diarrhea (72.3%), and fever (70.5%). The mean number of signs and symptoms per child was higher in boys than girls (mean = 5.1; SD= 1.5; p=0.008). Sleep disturbance (p=0.03) and loss of appetite (p=0.05) were more reported in boys. The rs689466 and rs5275 were not associated with signs and symptoms of teething (p>0.05). Conclusion: The single nucleotide polymorphisms in the COX2 gene (rs689466 and rs5275) were not associated with local and systemic signs and symptoms of teething.

Abstract Background Genetic polymorphisms have been shown to influence several physiological traits, including dental and craniofacial characteristics. Understanding the clinical relevance of genetic polymorphisms in dental practice is crucial to personalize treatment plans and improve treatment outcomes. Objective to evaluate the association between dental age and genetic polymorphisms in genes encoding estrogen receptors alpha and beta (ESR1 and ESR2, respectively) in a sample of Brazilian children. Methodology This retrospective cross-sectional study was performed with children undergoing orthodontic treatment. Patients with syndromes, congenital anomalies, craniofacial deformities, under hormonal or systemic treatment, and with a previous history of facial trauma were excluded. Panoramic radiographs were used to assess dental age according to the Demirjian, Goldstein, and Tanner method. A delta [dental age-chronological age (DA-CA)] was obtained, which shows whether the patient tends to have a normal, delayed (negative values), or advanced (positive values) dental age. DNA isolated from buccal cells was used to genotype four genetic polymorphisms: rs9340799 (A>G) and rs2234693 (C>T), located in ESR1; and rs1256049 (C>T) and rs4986938 (C>T), located in ESR2. A statistical analysis was performed and values of p0.05). Genetic polymorphisms in ESR1 and ESR2 were not associated with dental age (p>0.05). Conclusion The studied genetic polymorphisms in ESR1 and ESR2 were not associated with dental age in Brazilian children.

To evaluate differences in the morphology of the frontal sinus in adolescents and adults with different craniofacial patterns, searches up to April 2024 were conducted in six databases and other information sources to identify observational studies. Study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment using the NOS scale were performed independently by two reviewers. Random effects meta-analyses were conducted to estimate the difference in frontal sinus measurements between different craniofacial skeletal patterns (α = 0.05). The certainty of the evidence was evaluated according to GRADE. Fourteen studies were included in the review. All studies had methodological limitations that affected their quality. The syntheses showed that skeletal Class II subjects presented a significantly smaller width of the frontal sinus than skeletal Class I subjects (MD = 0.56; 95% CI: 0.38, 0.74; p < 0.0001; I2 = 3%). Skeletal Class III subjects showed a frontal sinus width (MD = −0.91; 95% CI: −1.35, −0.47; p < 0.0001; I2 = 36%) and area (MD = −28.13; 95% CI: −49.03, −7.23; p = 0.0084; I2 = 66%) significantly larger than those of the skeletal Class I subjects. The available evidence suggests a positive relationship between mandibular and frontal sinus size. There is limited evidence to make reliable estimates of the association of other craniofacial patterns and frontal sinus characteristics. These reported results are not conclusive and should be evaluated carefully due to the very low certainty of the evidence. The current evidence is scarce and consists of studies with methodological limitations; the results of the studies are often inconsistent, and the pooled estimates are imprecise. New high-quality research is still necessary.

O insight cognitivo ou clínico refere-se à capacidade de atribuição de sentido aos sintomas presentes em transtornos psicóticos, especialmente naqueles relacionados ao espectro da esquizofrenia. A Beck Cognitive Insight Scale (BCIS) foi desenvolvida com a finalidade de auxiliar o tratamento de pessoas com o insight comprometido. No entanto, este instrumento ainda não foi devidamente adaptado ao contexto brasileiro. Este estudo teve como objetivo fazer a adaptação transcultural da BCIS para o português do Brasil por meio da evidência de validade de conteúdo. Seis juízes avaliaram os itens desta escala quanto à clareza da linguagem, pertinência prática, relevância teórica e relação item-dimensão. A BCIS apresentou concordância satisfatória nos índices de validade de conteúdo e homogeneidade das respostas referente à análise da clareza da linguagem, pertinência prática e relevância teórica e concordância entre item-dimensão teórica, com reformulação de alguns itens. A retrotradução da escala recebeu aval positiva de uma das autoras originais. No entanto, ainda é necessária a verificação das propriedades psicométricas desta versão da BCIS.

Background/Objectives: Dental agenesis is the congenital absence of at least one tooth and has been associated with several other developmental dental conditions, such as morphological dental alterations and Carabelli trait. This study sought to investigate whether third molar agenesis is associated with Carabelli traits in permanent molars. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that used a convenience sample obtained from the orthodontic records of German patients. Patients with syndromes, oral clefts, congenital alterations including dental agenesis (except agenesis of third molars), and severe cases of bruxism with a loss of tooth tissue were excluded. Teeth with cavitated lesions of dental caries, occlusal wear, restorations, and evident dental deformities were not included in the evaluation. The Carabelli trait was evaluated in the permanent maxillary molars. The Carabelli trait was classified according to its expression for each tooth as either absent, negative, and positive expressions. Third molar agenesis was evaluated only in patients older than 10 years old (based on when initial tooth formation should be visible in the panoramic radiographs). The two-sided Chi-squared test was used to investigate the association between the conditions, using an alpha of 5% (p < 0.05). Results: A total of 155 patients (74 females and 81 males) were investigated; 39 had third molar agenesis and 75 had the Carabelli trait. There was no statistical significance difference between patients with third molar agenesis and those with Carabelli traits in relation to sex (p > 0.05). The Carabelli trait was more common in first molars than in second molars. There was no statistical significant association between third molar agenesis and Carabelli traits (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Third molar agenesis was not associated with the Carabelli trait in the permanent molars in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Os estudos sobre a governança da coleta seletiva de resíduos sólidos urbanos nas cidades brasileiras e, especialmente, na Macrometrópole Paulista registram lacunas, reforçando a necessidade de estudos neste campo. Sendo assim, este artigo tem por objetivo caracterizar os atores e relações presentes na governança da coleta seletiva de resíduos sólidos urbanos no município de São Paulo. Foram utilizadas revisão de literatura de fontes secundárias, pesquisa documental e tecnologias de software para a construção do mapa de atores como estratégia metodológica. Entre os resultados, foram identificados grupos de atores e seus vínculos na governança da coleta seletiva do município de São Paulo, expostos no mapa “Atores e relações de governança na coleta seletiva no município de São Paulo”. Nesse contexto, este estudo revelou que o elemento relacional do padrão de governança da coleta seletiva pode ser caracterizado como uma ampla rede de atores diversos, vagamente centrada no tecido relacional do Estado.

BackgroundThere is a major need for information on pharmacokinetics (PK) of benznidazole (BNZ) in children with Chagas disease (CD). We conducted a multicentre population PK, safety and efficacy study in children, infants and neonates with CD treated with BNZ (formulated in 100 mg tablets or 12.5 mg dispersible tablets, developed by the pharmaceutical company LAFEPE, in a collaboration with DNDi).Methods81 children 0-12 years old were enrolled at 5 pediatric centers in Argentina. Diagnosis of T. cruzi infection was confirmed by direct microscopic examination, or at least two positive conventional serological tests. Subject enrolment was stratified by age: newborns to 2 years (minimum of 10 newborns) and >2-12 years. BNZ 7.5 mg/kg/d was administered in two daily doses for 60 days. Five blood samples per child were obtained at random times within pre-defined time windows at Day 0 at 2-5 h post-dose; during steady state, one sample at Day 7 and at Day 30; and two samples at 12-24 h after final BNZ dose at Day 60. The primary efficacy endpoint was parasitological clearance by qualitative PCR at the end of treatment.ResultsForty-one (51%) patients were under 2 years of age (including 14 newborns ConclusionWe observed lower BNZ plasma concentrations in infants and children than those previously reported in adults treated with comparable mg/kg doses. Despite these lower concentrations, pediatric treatment was well tolerated and universally effective, with a high response rate and infrequent, mild AEs.Trial registrationRegistered in clinicaltrials.gov #NCT01549236.

Objetivo: Este artículo tiene como objetivo discutir el concepto de conciencia y práctica educativa en la evolución del pensamiento sobre la educación dirigida a la clase popular, en la obra de Paulo Freire, con contribuciones teóricas para reflexiones sobre los factores políticos, económicos y sociales brasileños, en las décadas de 1950 - 1960.Originalidad/aporte: se ancla en una discusión por ejes, donde se debate un período histórico marcado por intensas transformaciones en la vida de las clases populares, cuando las inversiones gubernamentales en la industria denotaron un aumento de la migración rural-urbana y la formación de una masa de trabajadores analfabetos en las ciudades brasileñas.Método: El método de investigación enumerado para este estudio fue la encuesta, la sistematización y el análisis bibliográfico, a partir de descriptores cercanos al tema y período determinado, utilizando las herramientas del análisis de contenido para la elaboración del artículo.Estrategias de recolección de información: La recopilación de información se basó en levantamientos bibliográficos en colecciones brasileñas y extranjeras que trataron la discusión sobre la conciencia y las prácticas educativas en el período específico.Conclusión: se observa que los cambios ocurridos a lo largo de las décadas actuaron directamente en la estructuración de la teoría de la educación de Paulo Freire. Como crítica a la educación de los trabajadores, el concepto de conciencia y práctica educativa, se consolidaron como base de la pedagogía freireana y se desarrollan y complejizan progresivamente en la obra del autor. Los conceptos enunciados ofrecen subsidios a los análisis actuales sobre la 247 función social de la escuela y la formación humana.

Currently available drugs against Trypanosoma cruzi infection, which causes 12000 deaths annually, have limitations in their efficacy, safety and tolerability. The evaluation of therapeutic responses to available and new compounds is based on parasite detection in the bloodstream but remains challenging because a substantial proportion of infected individuals have undetectable parasitemia even when using diagnostic tools with the highest accuracy. We characterize parasite dynamics which might impact drug efficacy assessments in chronic Chagas by analyzing pre- and post-treatment quantitative-PCR data obtained from blood samples collected regularly over a year. We show that parasitemia remains at a steady-state independently of the diagnostic sensitivity. This steady-state can be probabilistically quantified and robustly predicted at an individual level. Furthermore, individuals can be assigned to categories with distinct parasitological status, allowing a more detailed evaluation of the efficacy outcomes and adjustment for potential biases. Our analysis improves understanding of parasite dynamics and provides a novel background for optimizing future drug efficacy trials in Chagas disease. Trial Registration: original trial registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01489228.

Abstract Thoe Bell, 1836 is amphi-American in distribution and includes small spider crabs with cryptic habits and rare records in the literature and carcinological collections. The taxonomy of the three recent and two fossil species currently known in the genus has been revised. A phylogenetic reconstruction conducted here based on the mitochondrial markers COI and 16S rRNA supports the monophyletic status of Thoe. The resulting phylogeny suggests a western Atlantic to eastern Pacific radiation of the genus.