Elastofibromatous changes in giant cell fibroma and amalgam tattoo: Unusual findings in common oral lesions.

Several cases of elastofibromatous lesion affecting the oral mucosa have been reported. Clinically, these lesions may appear as small exophytic lesions or less often as white lesions. Therefore, fibrous hyperplasia and leukoplakia are not uncommonly considered in clinical differential diagnosis. Microscopically, elastic and fibrous connective tissue deposition is seen. Rarely, elastofibromatous changes can be detected when assessing intraoral lesions, including cysts, salivary gland neoplasms, and epithelial dysplasia. Here we report two oral lesions showing elastofibromatous changes, expanding their clinicopathological spectrum. The first case was a 46-year-old man with a history of asymptomatic nodular lesion on the palate 1 year ago, diagnosed as giant cell fibroma with elastofibromatous changes. The second case was a 79-year-old woman who presented a pigmented and mildly symptomatic lesion on the mandibular alveolar mucosa several months ago, diagnosed as amalgam tattoo associated with elastofibromatous changes.

Antimicrobial potential of a biosurfactant gel for the prevention of mixed biofilms formed by fluconazole-resistant C. albicans and methicillin-resistant S. aureus in catheters.

Dual-species biofilms formed by Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus have high virulence and drug resistance. In this context, biosurfactants produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa have been widely studied, of which a new derivative (RLmix_Arg) stands out for possible application in formulations. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antibiofilm activity of RLmix_Arg, both alone and incorporated in a gel prepared with Pluronic F-127, against dual-species biofilms of fluconazole-resistant C. albicans (FRCA) and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) in impregnated catheters. Broth microdilution tests, MTT reduction assays of mature biofilms, impregnation of RLmix_Arg and its gel in peripheral venous catheters, durability tests and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were performed. RLmix_Arg showed antimicrobial activity against Candida spp. and S. aureus, by reducing the cell viability of mixed biofilms of FRCA and MRSA, and preventing their formation in a peripheral venous catheter. The incorporation of this biosurfactant in the Pluronic F-127 gel considerably enhanced its antibiofilm activity. Thus, RLmix_Arg has potential application in gels for impregnation in peripheral venous catheters, helping to prevent development of dual-species biofilms of FRCA and MRSA.

Exploring correlates of involuntary treatment in substance use disorders: a global systematic review and meta-analysis.

Given the legislative heterogeneity about involuntary treatment and psychoactive substance users, we opted to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the correlates of involuntary substance use disorders (SUD) treatment across different countries. We conducted research on the Pubmed database, searching for involuntary SUD treatment data worldwide. The systematic review analysed a total of 36 articles and included a sample of 47,739 patients. Our review highlights the elevated risk of involuntary treatment among male, unmarried individuals with alcohol and/or opioid use disorders. Targeted preventive and therapeutic interventions should focus on addressing the underlying factors contributing to involuntary treatment, such as psychosis, aggressiveness, suicidal ideation, legal problems, and severe social exposure. By targeting these factors and providing comprehensive care, we can strive to improve outcomes and reduce the burden of substance use disorders in this vulnerable population. It is essential to critically examine and understand the factors contributing to the selection of patients for compulsory treatment. By doing so, we can identify potential gaps or inconsistencies in the current processes and work towards ensuring that decisions regarding compulsory treatment are based on sound clinical and ethical principles.

Psychopharmacology of smoking cessation medications: focus on patients with mental health disorders.

The adverse effects of smoking cessation in individuals with mental health disorders have been a point of concern, and progress in the development of treatment has been slow. The primary first-line treatments for smoking cessation are Nicotine Replacement Therapy, Bupropion, Varenicline, and behavioural support. Nortriptyline and Clonidine are second-line treatments used when the first-line treatments are not effective or are contraindicated. Smoking cessation medications have been shown to be effective in reducing nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms and promoting smoking cessation among patients living with mental disorders. However, these medications may have implications for patients' mental health and need to be monitored closely. The efficacy and side effects of these medications may vary depending on the patient's psychiatric condition, medication regimen, substance use, or medical comorbidities. The purpose of this review is to synthesise the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, therapeutic effects, adverse effects, and pharmacological interactions of first- and second-line smoking cessation drugs, with an emphasis on patients suffering from mental illnesses. Careful consideration of the risks and benefits of using smoking cessation medications is necessary, and treatment plans must be tailored to individual patients' needs. Monitoring symptoms and medication regimens is essential to ensure optimal treatment outcomes.

Comparing the Addiction Severity Index (ASI) and Measurements in the Addictions for Triage and Evaluation (MATE).

Substance use disorder (SUD) assessment and measurement in Brazil, as well as in many other countries, face significant shortcomings. The Measurement in the Addictions for Triage and Evaluation (MATE) was developed as a public domain tool, drawing from validated scales and incorporating World Health Organization International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) framework. The Brazilian version of the MATE (MATE-pt-BR) was evaluated for its reliability and validity, with a total of 239 subjects participating in the study, and data collected between 11/01/2021 and 09/01/2022. The majority were male (79.2%), with diverse racial backgrounds. The substances most prevalently used in the last 30 days were. Alcohol (73.2%), nicotine (63.6%), and cocaine (44.2%). The mean scores for MATE modules showed variations, with Module Q2 assessing psychological well-being having high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.92). MATE-pt-BR demonstrated robust internal consistency, with Module 6 (personality) and Module 2 (medical and psychiatric consultation indicators) being exceptions. MATE-pt-BR exhibited significant correlations among its sections and strong discriminant validity. Moreover, the paper compares MATE-pt-BR with the Addiction Severity Index (ASI-6), which is considered the gold-standard measure for SUD assessments. MATE-pt-BR offers a valuable tool for assessing substance use and related functional impairments in the Brazilian context.

Sustainable Cellulose Nanofibers-Mediated Synthesis of Uniform Spinel Zn-Ferrites Nanocorals for High Performances in Supercapacitors.

Spinel ferrites are versatile, low-cost, and abundant metal oxides with remarkable electronic and magnetic properties, which find several applications. Among them, they have been considered part of the next generation of electrochemical energy storage materials due to their variable oxidation states, low environmental toxicity, and possible synthesis through simple green chemical processing. However, most traditional procedures lead to the formation of poorly controlled materials (in terms of size, shape, composition, and/or crystalline structure). Thus, we report herein a cellulose nanofibers-mediated green procedure to prepare controlled highly porous nanocorals comprised of spinel Zn-ferrites. Then, they presented remarkable applications as electrodes in supercapacitors, which were thoroughly and critically discussed. The spinel Zn-ferrites nanocorals supercapacitor showed a much higher maximum specific capacitance (2031.81 F g-1 at a current density of 1 A g-1) than Fe2O3 and ZnO counterparts prepared by a similar approach (189.74 and 24.39 F g-1 at a current density of 1 A g-1). Its cyclic stability was also scrutinized via galvanostatic charging/discharging and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, indicating excellent long-term stability. In addition, we manufactured an asymmetric supercapacitor device, which offered a high energy density value of 18.1 Wh kg-1 at a power density of 2609.2 W kg-1 (at 1 A g-1 in 2.0 mol L-1 KOH electrolyte). Based on our findings, we believe that higher performances observed for spinel Zn-ferrites nanocorals could be explained by their unique crystal structure and electronic configuration based on crystal field stabilization energy, which provides an electrostatic repulsion between the d electrons and the p orbitals of the surrounding oxygen anions, creating a level of energy that determines their final supercapacitance then evidenced, which is a very interesting property that could be explored for the production of clean energy storage devices.

Risk factors for adverse outcomes following haploidentical hematopoietic cell transplantation with posttransplant cyclophosphamide: a two-center analysis.

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is a potentially curative therapy for several malignant hematologic diseases and alternative donors, including haploidentical, play a significant role in HCT. Despite the increasing use of haplo-HCT with PTCy, some questions remain open. The objective of the present study was to investigate risk factors for adverse outcomes after haplo-HCT with PTCy. This is a retrospective study conducted at two Brazilian centers. A total of 103 patients with hematologic malignancies who underwent first allogeneic, haploidentical HCT with PTCy were included. Risk factors for death were age at transplant (HR = 1.03 for each year; p = 0.002) and high/very high disease risk index (DRI; HR = 2.77; p = 0.0007) and mother as the donor compared with other donors (HR = 3.53; p = 0.005). In multivariate analysis, PFS was significantly poorer for older patients (HR = 1.02; p = 0.006), high/very high DRI (HR = 2.39; p = 0.003), and mother as the donor compared with other donors (HR = 3.18; p = 0.006). Relapse rate was higher for high/very high DRI (HR = 4.01; p = 0.002) and mother as the donor compared with other donors (HR = 2.52; p = 0.05). NRM was higher for older patients (HR = 1.03 for each year; p = 0.03). Tacrolimus was a protective factor for grades II-IV aGVHD (HR = 0.46; p = 0.04) compared with cyclosporine. Peripheral blood (PBSC) was a risk factor for cGVHD (HR = 3.48; p = 0.006), while tacrolimus was protective (HR = 0.30; p = 0.009). Mother as the donor compared with other donors was also a risk factor for poorer OS, PFS, and relapse, suggesting that this combination should be avoided. Tacrolimus was protective for both grades II-IV aGVHD and cGVHD, suggesting that tacrolimus may be more effective than cyclosporine in preventing GVHD. PBSC was a risk factor for cGVHD without any impact on relapse. Prospective studies comparing tacrolimus with cyclosporine are awaited.

Plasticity in the hippocampal formation of shorebirds during the wintering period: Stereological analysis of parvalbumin neurons in Actitis macularius.

The number of parvalbumin neurons can be modified by social, multisensory, and cognitive stimuli in both mammals and birds, but nothing is known about their plasticity in long-distance migratory shorebirds. Here, in the spotted sandpiper (Actitis macularius), we investigated the plasticity of parvalbumin neurons of two brain areas during this species' wintering period at a lower latitude. We compared individuals in a nonmigratory rest period (November-January) and premigration (May-July) period. We used parvalbumin as a marker for counting a subpopulation of inhibitory neurons in the hippocampal formation (HF), with the magnocellular nucleus of the tectal isthmus (IMC) as a control area. Because the HF is involved in learning and memory and social interaction and the IMC is essential for control of head, neck, and eye movements, we hypothesized that parvalbumin neurons would increase in the HF and remain unchanged in the IMC. We used an optical fractionator to estimate cell numbers. Compared with the nonmigratory rest birds, parvalbumin neuron count estimates in the premigration birds increased significantly in the HF but remained unchanged in IMC. We suggest that the greater number of parvalbuminergic neurons in the HF of A. macularius in the premigration period represents adaptive circuitry changes involved in the migration back to reproductive niches in the northern hemisphere.

Tobacco growing and tobacco use.

Tobacco use is associated with an annual global economic cost of two trillion dollars and mortality of half of its regular users. Tobacco leaf cultivation is the starting point of the tobacco cycle. Tobacco farming employs millions of small-scale tobacco farmers around the globe, most of whom are out growers who rely on the tobacco industry. This paper aims to map the regions of greatest tobacco production globally (i.e., the US, Brazil, China, Indonesia, India, and Zambia) and tobacco use rates in these locations. Smoking rates were higher in those areas, except for India, where important population subgroups reported an upward trend for tobacco smoking. In general, there was a relationship between tobacco farming and tobacco smoking. Tobacco farming may lead to a higher risk of tobacco use and lower adherence to tobacco control policies. Therefore, promoting viable alternative livelihoods for tobacco farmers must have dual benefits. Additionally, specific health prevention policies might be necessary for those populations reporting higher tobacco use and lower perception of tobacco-related health risks.

Influence of different PEG/salt aqueous two-phase system on the extraction of 2,3-butanediol.

The production of 2,3-butanediol (2,3-BDO), a dialcohol of great interest for the food, chemical, and pharmaceutical industry, through the fermentation of biomass, is a sustainable process strategic position for countries with abundant biomass generated by the agribusiness. However, the downstream process of 2,3-BDO is onerous due to the complexity of fermentation broth and the physical-chemical characteristics of the 2,3-BDO. This study investigated the feasibility of 2,3-BDO extraction from model aqueous solutions using aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS). A central composite rotational design (CCRD) was employed to evaluate different ATPS compositions and the influences on the 2,3-BDO recovery and partition coefficient. The polyethylene glycol (PEG) and different concentrations of sodium citrate, ammonium sulfate, and potassium phosphate were investigated. The concentration of salt and PEG in the ATPS was identified as the most significant factors influencing the recovery and partition coefficient of 2,3-BDO. The recovery of 2,3-BDO reached 94.5% and was obtained when the system was composed of 36.22% (w/w) of PEG 4000 and 4.47% (w/w) of potassium phosphate. The results indicate that ATPS based on PEG-salt has a high potential for industrial application, using mild conditions and a simple process for recovering and purifying the 2,3-BDO produced from microbiological synthesis.

Anti-MRSA activity of curcumin in planktonic cells and biofilms and determination of possible action mechanisms.

Staphylococcus aureus is a commensal bacterium and opportunistic human pathogen that can cause a wide variety of clinical infections. It is recognized for its ability to acquire antimicrobial resistance, so methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections are a global healthcare challenge. Therefore, the development of new therapeutic options and alternative therapies for treatment is necessary. Curcumin, a polyphenolic substance found in the rhizome of turmeric longa L, has been shown to have several therapeutic properties, including antimicrobial activity. The objective of the study was to evaluate the in vitro antibacterial activity of curcumin alone and associated with oxacillin against MRSA strains, to analyze the mechanism of cell death involved in the isolated action of curcumin by means of flow cytometry and molecular docking, and to verify its superbiofilm action. Curcumin showed antibacterial activity in the range of 125-500 µg/mL against the tested strains, since it caused an increase in membrane permeability and DNA fragmentation, as revealed by flow cytometry analysis. Moreover, it was possible to observe interactions of curcumin with wild-type S. aureus DHFR, S. aureus gyrase and S. aureus gyrase complex with DNA, DNA (5'-D(*CP*GP*AP*TP*GP*CP*G)-3') and Acyl-PBP2a from MRSA by molecular docking. Curcumin also had a synergistic and additive effect when associated with oxacillin, and significantly reduced the cell viability of the analyzed biofilms. Thus, curcumin is a possible candidate for pharmaceutical formulation development for the treatment of MRSA infections.

Effects of ketamine in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and in silico interaction with sortase A.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the main human pathogens and is responsible for many diseases, ranging from skin infections to more invasive infections. These infections are dangerous and expensive to treat because these strains are resistant to a large number of conventional antibiotics. Thus, the antibacterial effect of ketamine against MRSA strains, its mechanism of action, and in silico interaction with sortase A were evaluated. The antibacterial effect of ketamine was assessed using the broth microdilution method. Subsequently, the mechanism of action was assessed using flow cytometry and molecular docking assays with sortase A. Our results showed that ketamine has a significant antibacterial activity against MRSA strains in the range of 2.49-3.73 mM. Their mechanism of action involves alterations in membrane integrity and DNA damage, reducing cell viability, and inducing apoptosis. In addition, ketamine had an affinity for S. aureus sortase A. These results indicate that this compound can be used as an alternative to develop new strategies to combat infections caused by MRSA.

Factor structure and short version of the modified Fresno test to assess the use of the evidence-based practice in physiotherapists.

BACKGROUND: The Modified Fresno Test has been used to evaluate the use of the Evidence-Based Physiotherapy (EBP). So far, none of the versions of the Fresno Test were subjected to analysis of the factorial structure. The objective of the study was to describe the exploratory and confirmatory factor structure of the Modified Fresno Test adapted to the Portuguese-Brazilian and analyze the statistical feasibility for the elaboration of a short version. METHODS: The questionnaire was applied with a convenience sample of 57 physiotherapists, being 36 professionals (13 of these also professors) and 21 students from the last semester of the physiotherapy course. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was performed by the method of principal components. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was performed by the method of maximum likelihood. The total score of the answers in the test and retest was evaluated, totalling 228 observations. Reliability was assessed by means of internal consistency, using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. RESULTS: Reliability was satisfactory (α 0.81) for all questions of the instrument. The coefficient α calculated for the corrected item-total showed values higher than 0.20 except for item 9. Preliminary tests for Exploratory Factor Analysis showed acceptable values with Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO = 0.80) and Bartlett's test of sphericity [chi-square (78) = 1149.615, p < 0.001], indicating that the correlations were sufficient for analysis. The analysis revealed the presence of 3 factors (eigenvalues> 1), which explains 60.9% of the instrument's total variance. In Confirmatory Factor Analysis, none of the indices came close to an acceptable level (≥ 0.90), however, the second model which tested a three-factor structure provided a better fit to the data. From the results of this study the Modified Fresno Test short version was drawn. CONCLUSION: The analysis showed good factor validity and adequate internal consistency for the use of the instrument consisting of 13 questions and 3 factors. This model proved to be better than the original model. The short version consisting of 9 questions may be an appropriate alternative for use in the population of interest.

New Silver(I) Coordination Compound Loaded into Polymeric Nanoparticles as a Strategy to Improve In Vitro Anti-Helicobacter pylori Activity.

Helicobacter pylori inhabits the gastric epithelium and can promote the development of gastric disorders, such as peptic ulcers, acute and chronic gastritis, mucosal lymphoid tissue (MALT), and gastric adenocarcinomas. To use nanotechnology as a tool to increase the antibacterial activity of silver I [Ag(I)] compounds, this study suggests a new strategy for H. pylori infections, which have hitherto been difficult to control. [Ag (PhTSC·HCl)2] (NO3)·H2O (compound 1) was synthesized, characterized, and loaded into polymeric nanoparticles (PN1). PN1 had been developed by nanoprecipitation with poly(ε-caprolactone) polymer and poloxamer 407 surfactant. System characterization assays showed that the PNs had adequate particle sizes and ζ-potentials. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed the formation of polymeric nanoparticles (PNs). Compound 1 had a minimum inhibitory concentration for H. pylori of 3.90 µg/mL, which was potentiated to 0.781 µg/mL after loading. The minimum bactericidal concentration of 7.81 µg/mL was potentiated 5-fold to 1.56 µg/mL in PN. Compound 1 loaded in PN1 displayed better activity for H. pylori biofilm formation and mature biofilm. PN1 reduced the toxicity of compound 1 to MRC-5 cells. Loading compound 1 into PN1 inhibited the mutagenicity of the free compound. In vivo, the system allowed survival of Galleria mellonella larvae at a concentration of 200 µg/mL. This is the first demonstration of the antibacterial activity of a silver complex enclosed in polymeric nanoparticles against H. pylori.

Soldier's heart: the forgotten circulatory neurasthenia - a systematic review.

Soldier's Heart (SH) is a former medical diagnosis, rarely mentioned nowadays, presented under several other names. Considering the controversy regarding the removal of Soldier's Heart diagnosis from DSM-5, this study aimed to conduct a systematic review to evaluate its usage in the clinical practice. Information on diagnosis, military stress, heart rate variability, treatment, and prognosis were collected from 19 studies included after a systematic literature search. Considering the lack of adequate use of Soldier's Heart diagnosis and the diagnostic overlapping with other conditions, the present systematic review supports the inclusion of Soldier's Heart under the umbrella of posttraumatic stress disorders (PTSDs). This proposal is also in line with the conception that physical symptoms are relevant features often associated with generalized anxiety disorder and PTSD. Also, it will be described the higher prevalence of cardiological comorbidities in SH and possible cardiological consequences. Pharmacotherapy based on benzodiazepines and beta-blockers, as well as biofeedback and mindfulness techniques are considered to be useful treatment options. Further studies are needed to better define psychopathological domains of this syndrome and possible novel treatment targets.

Action mechanism of naphthofuranquinones against fluconazole-resistant Candida tropicalis strains evidenced by proteomic analysis: The role of increased endogenous ROS.

The increased incidence of candidemia in terciary hospitals worldwide and the cross-resistance frequency require the new therapeutic strategies development. Recently, our research group demonstrated three semi-synthetic naphthofuranquinones (NFQs) with a significant antifungal activity in a fluconazole-resistant (FLC) C. tropicalis strain. The current study aimed to investigate the action's preliminary mechanisms of NFQs by several standardized methods such as proteomic and flow cytometry analyzes, comet assay, immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy evaluation. Our data showed C. tropicalis 24 h treated with all NFQs induced an expression's increase of proteins involved in the metabolic response to stress, energy metabolism, glycolysis, nucleosome assembly and translation process. Some aspects of proteomic analysis are in consonance with our flow cytometry analysis which indicated an augmentation of intracellular ROS, mitochondrial dysfunction and DNA strand breaks (neutral comet assay and γ-H2AX detection). In conclusion, our data highlights the great contribution of ROS as a key event, probably not the one, associated to anti-candida properties of studied NFQs.

Synthesis of Palladium Nanoscale Octahedra through a One-Pot, Dual-Reductant Route and Kinetic Analysis.

Shape-controlled synthesis of colloidal metal nanocrystals has traditionally relied on the use of an approach that involves the reduction of a metal precursor by a single reductant. Once the concentration of atoms surpasses supersaturation, they will undergo homogeneous nucleation to generate nuclei and then seeds, followed by further growth into nanocrystals. In general, it is a grand challenge to optimize such an approach because the kinetic requirement for nucleation tends to be drastically different from what is needed to guide the growth process. In this work, we overcome this difficulty by switching to a dual-reductant approach, in which both strong and weak reductants are added into the same reaction solution. By controlling their amounts to program the reduction kinetics, the strong reductant only regulates the homogeneous nucleation process to generate the desired seeds, and once consumed, the weak reductant takes over to control the growth pattern and thereby the shape of the resulting nanocrystals.

Synthesis of Colloidal Metal Nanocrystals: A Comprehensive Review on the Reductants.

There is a growing interest in controlling the synthesis of colloidal metal nanocrystals and thus tailoring their properties toward various applications. In this context, choosing an appropriate combination of reagents (e.g., salt precursor, reductant, capping agent, and stabilizer) plays a pivotal role in enabling the synthesis of metal nanocrystals with diversified sizes, shapes, and structures. Here we present a comprehensive review that highlights one of the key reagents for the synthesis of metal nanocrystals via chemical reduction: the reductants. We start with a brief introduction to the compounds commonly employed as reductants in the colloidal synthesis of metal nanocrystals by showing their oxidation half-reactions and the corresponding oxidation potentials. Then we offer specific examples pertaining to the controlled synthesis of metal nanocrystals, followed by some fundamental aspects covering the general mechanisms of metal ion reduction based on the Marcus Theory. Afterwards, we present a case-by-case discussion on a wide variety of reductants, including their major properties, reduction mechanisms, and additional effects on the final products. We illustrate these aspects by selecting key examples from the literature and paying close attention to the underlying mechanism in each case. At the end, we conclude by summarizing the highlights of the review and providing some perspectives on future directions.