Exploring factors influencing the levels of biogenic amines in wine and microbiological strategies for controlling their occurrence in winemaking.

Fermented beverages, including wine, can accumulate high concentrations of biogenic amines (BAs), which can pose potential health risks. BAs are produced by various yeasts and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) during winemaking. LAB are the main contributors to the formation of histamine and tyramine, the most toxic and food safety relevant biogenic amines. Numerous factors, ranging from agricultural and oenological practices to sanitation conditions, can contribute to the formation of BAs in wines. Moreover, organic and biodynamic wines impose limitations on the use of common food additives employed to control the proliferation of native and spoilage microorganisms during vinification and storage. To mitigate histamine production, commercial starter cultures incapable of synthesising histamine have been effectively utilised to reduce wine histamine content. Alternative fermentative microorganisms are currently under investigation to enhance the safety, quality, and typicity of wines, including indigenous LAB, non-Saccharomyces yeasts, and BAs degrading strains. Furthermore, exploration of extracts from BAs-degrading microorganisms and their purified enzymes has been undertaken to reduce BAs levels in wines. This review highlights microbial contributors to BAs in wines, factors affecting their growth and BA production, and alternative microorganisms that can degrade or avoid BAs. The aim is to lessen reliance on additives, providing consumers with safer wine choices.

Oligonucleotide probes for imaging and diagnosis of bacterial infections.

The rise of infectious diseases as a public health concern has necessitated the development of rapid and precise diagnostic methods. Imaging techniques like nuclear and optical imaging provide the ability to diagnose infectious diseases within the body, eliminating delays caused by sampling and pre-enrichments of clinical samples and offering spatial information that can aid in a more informed diagnosis. Traditional molecular probes are typically created to image infected tissue without accurately identifying the pathogen. In contrast, oligonucleotides can be tailored to target specific RNA sequences, allowing for the identification of pathogens, and even generating antibiotic susceptibility profiles by focusing on drug resistance genes. Despite the benefits that nucleic acid mimics (NAMs) have provided in terms of stabilizing oligonucleotides, the inadequate delivery of these relatively large molecules into the cytoplasm of bacteria remains a challenge for widespread use of this technology. This review summarizes the key advancements in the field of oligonucleotide probes for in vivo imaging, highlighting the most promising delivery systems described in the literature for developing optical imaging through in vivo hybridization.

Specialized connectivity of molecular layer interneuron subtypes leads to disinhibition and synchronous inhibition of cerebellar Purkinje cells.

Molecular layer interneurons (MLIs) account for approximately 80% of the inhibitory interneurons in the cerebellar cortex and are vital to cerebellar processing. MLIs are thought to primarily inhibit Purkinje cells (PCs) and suppress the plasticity of synapses onto PCs. MLIs also inhibit, and are electrically coupled to, other MLIs, but the functional significance of these connections is not known. Here, we find that two recently recognized MLI subtypes, MLI1 and MLI2, have a highly specialized connectivity that allows them to serve distinct functional roles. MLI1s primarily inhibit PCs, are electrically coupled to each other, fire synchronously with other MLI1s on the millisecond timescale in vivo, and synchronously pause PC firing. MLI2s are not electrically coupled, primarily inhibit MLI1s and disinhibit PCs, and are well suited to gating cerebellar-dependent behavior and learning. The synchronous firing of electrically coupled MLI1s and disinhibition provided by MLI2s require a major re-evaluation of cerebellar processing.

Primary Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection for Clinical Stage II A/B Seminomas: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are considered standard treatments for stage II seminoma patients; however, these therapies are associated with long-term toxicities. Recently, retroperitoneal lymph node dissection has emerged as an alternative strategy, and the first three phase II trials were published in 2023 with promising results. The present study conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate this surgery as an alternative treatment for stage IIA/B seminoma patients. PURPOSE: Seminomas are the most common testicular tumors, often affecting young adult males. Standard treatments for stage II seminomas include chemotherapy and radiation therapy, but these therapies are associated with long-term toxicities. Thus, identifying alternative strategies is paramount. Herein, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to appraise the efficacy and safety of retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) for treating this condition. METHODS: We systematically searched the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases for studies evaluating RPLND as a primary treatment for stage II A/B seminomas. Using a random-effects model, single proportion and means and pooled 2-year recurrence-free survival rates with hazard rates and 95% CI were calculated. RESULTS: Seven studies were included, comprising 331 males with stage II seminomas. In the pooled analysis, the recurrence rate was 17.69% (95% CI 12.31-24.75), and the 2-year RFS rate was 81% (95% CI 0.77-0.86). The complication rate was 9.16% (95% CI 6.16-13.42), the Clavien-Dindo > 2 complication rate was 8.83% (95% CI 5.76-13.31), and the retrograde ejaculation rate was 7.01% (95% CI 3.54-13.40). The median operative time was 174.68 min (95% CI 122.17-249.76 min), median blood loss was 105.91 mL (95% CI 46.89-239.22 mL), and patients with no evidence of lymph node involvement ranged from 0-16%. CONCLUSIONS: Primary RPLNDs for treating stage IIA/B seminomas have favorable RFS rates, with low complication and recurrence rates. These findings provide evidence that this surgery is a viable alternative therapy for these patients.

Epidemiological and Financial Aspects of Hospitalizations for Bacterial Meningitis in Brazil.

Introduction: Understanding the epidemiology and cost implications of acute bacterial meningitis is crucial for effective health planning, timely treatment implementation, and comprehensive patient support measures, as well as for determining appropriate hospital expenses. Therefore, we conducted an analysis of hospitalization cases for bacterial meningitis in Brazil from January 2008 to December 2019. Methods: This is a descriptive ecological study that utilized the Hospital Information System of Brazil's National Unified Health System (SIH/SUS) database. The variables included sex, region, age group, hospitalizations, deaths, lethality rate, and hospital service expenses. The data were tabulated to focus specifically on the epidemiological aspect of bacterial meningitis. Results: During the study period, there were 20,207 hospitalizations for bacterial meningitis in Brazil. Men accounted for a higher number of cases, with 11,690 (57.67%), while women had a higher lethality rate of 10.64%. The Southeast region had the highest percentage of both hospitalizations (45.78%) and deaths (46.42%). Bacterial meningitis remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly in children under 5 years of age. Notably, the elderly and the Northeast region showed higher rates of lethality. The total expenditure on hospital services exceeded 43 million in Brazilian real, with the highest expenditure observed in 2019 and the lowest in 2011. Conclusion: A higher prevalence of the disease was observed in males, in children under 1-year-old and in the southeast region. Hospital expenditures were found to be substantial and increasing over time, underscoring the significance of early diagnosis and the promotion of vaccination campaigns.

Digitally Recording Comfort Observations in the Last Days of Life.

Background: 37.5% of deaths in our area occur in hospital. There are known high unmet needs of adult patients dying in hospital, this unmet need can be reduced by using an individualised care plan and specialist palliative care review. Intervention: In 2022 UHSussex developed an electronic comfort observation chart and individualised care plan, with a centralised dashboard allowing Palliative Care Teams (SPCT) to view trends, target interventions, and a rolling prospective audit. Results: 3000 patients have had their care supported with electronic comfort observations (e-comfort obs). Over 72% of all deaths in the Trust in the last 3 months have been on e-comfort obs, with 2/3 of all deaths in the first 12 months on e-comfort obs. The average length of time on e-comfort obs is 4 days resulting in 70,000 sets of e-comfort obs recorded since launch. Seven percent of e-comfort obs record moderate or severe symptoms. We have identified benefits to people who are dying, those important to them, ward staff, SPCT and on a systems level. Conclusion: E-comfort obs can be successfully embedded in a large acute Trust. This development should improve quality of end of life care in our hospitals both for individuals and for future patients, through on-going targeted education and intervention. Further work is needed to develop the system further including integrating data from electronic prescribing.

Promising strategies employing nucleic acids as antimicrobial drugs.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing concern because it causes microorganisms to develop resistance to drugs commonly used to treat infections. This results in increased difficulty in treating infections, leading to higher mortality rates and significant economic effects. Investing in new antimicrobial agents is, therefore, necessary to prevent and control AMR. Antimicrobial nucleic acids have arisen as potential key players in novel therapies for AMR infections. They have been designed to serve as antimicrobials and to act as adjuvants to conventional antibiotics or to inhibit virulent mechanisms. This new category of antimicrobial drugs consists of antisense oligonucleotides and oligomers, DNAzymes, and transcription factor decoys, differing in terms of structure, target molecules, and mechanisms of action. They are synthesized using nucleic acid analogs to enhance their resistance to nucleases. Because bacterial envelopes are generally impermeable to oligonucleotides, delivery into the cytoplasm typically requires the assistance of nanocarriers, which can affect their therapeutic potency. Given that numerous factors contribute to the success of these antimicrobial drugs, this review aims to provide a summary of the key advancements in the use of oligonucleotides for treating bacterial infections. Their mechanisms of action and the impact of factors such as nucleic acid design, target sequence, and nanocarriers on the antimicrobial potency are discussed.

Predicting tibial plateau angles following four different types of cranial closing wedge ostectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate how tibial long axis (TLA) shift affects the postoperative tibial plateau angle (TPA) in four cranial closing wedge ostectomy (CCWO) techniques. STUDY DESIGN: In silico study. SAMPLE POPULATION: A total of 15 client-owned dogs. METHODS: Computed tomography (CT) scans of 15 client-owned dogs were reviewed using an open-source 3D computer graphics editor. Each computer-generated 3D tibia model underwent a CCWO, with cranial cortex alignment, in 10° increments up to 70° using each of the four previously described techniques. The TLA shift, TPA and mechanical tibial length (mTL) were calculated, using trigonometry, for each model. Equations for predicting final TPA were generated with linear regression. RESULTS: A total of 433 3D computer generated tibial models were analyzed. With each technique, the TPA varied in a linear fashion within the studied range of wedge angles. The TLA shift and tibial shortening magnitude varied between the four different CCWO techniques, with maximum mTL reduction of ranging from 7.5% to 40.9%. All predicted TPAs using the generated equations were within the target range of 4-6°. CONCLUSION: A linear relationship between ostectomy wedge angle and TPA correction was observed in this study, which allowed for generation of accurate corrective equations. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: These results allow extrapolation of the wedge angle required to reach a postoperative TPA of 5°, by considering the TLA shift. The use of the generated corrective equations may thus increase CCWO planning precision.

Effect of a monitored home-based exercise program combined with a behavior change intervention and a smartphone app on walking distances and quality of life in adults with peripheral arterial disease: the WalkingPad randomized clinical trial.

Aims: Investigate whether a Home-based Exercise Therapy (HBET) program for patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) and Intermittent Claudication (IC) with a behavior change intervention, supported by a smartphone application, is effective in improving walking distances and performance, and quality of life (QoL) over 6 months. Methods and results: This was a single-center, prospective, two-arm, single-blinded randomized controlled trial including 73 patients with PAD and IC, and three assessment moments: baseline, 3, and 6 months. Participants were randomized to receive a walking exercise prescription, with the support (n = 38) or without the support (n = 35) of the WalkingPad app, between January 2021 and July 2022. Both groups received two face-to-face behavior change sessions and 12 structured and targeted reinforcement phone calls over 6 months. Primary outcomes were between-group differences in pain-free walking distance (PFWD), functional walking distance (FWD), maximal walking distance (MWD), and 6-min walk distance (6 MWD) at 3 and 6 months. Secondary outcomes were QoL and walking impairment. Seventy-three patients (mean age 64 ± 7.2 years, 88% men) participated in this study, 60 of whom completed the three assessment moments. The whole sample significantly improved all primary outcomes in the first 3 months; that is, the average PFWD (151.1 m), FWD (175.2 m), MWD (171.1 m), and 6 MWD (30.8 m) increased from T1 to T2. Only MWD exhibited a significant average increase (35.0 m). Secondary outcomes also increased from baseline to 3 and 6 months. There were no between-group differences, except for MWD, which showed a greater increase at 6 months in the group that used the app, excluding patients with weak walking ability and extreme anxiety symptoms at baseline. Conclusion: The intervention improved distances and walking skills as well as the physical, mental, and disease-related quality of life among adults with PAD and IC. The group that used the WalkingPad app improved their MWD in 6 months compared to the control group, except for patients with poor walking ability and extreme anxiety symptoms, which suggests the effectiveness of the WalkingPad app for patients with high walking ability and no severe anxiety symptoms. More research is needed to determine the durability of these findings and to explore what app functionality might promote the other outcomes. Clinical Trial Registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04749732).

Cerebellar circuits for disinhibition and synchronous inhibition.

The cerebellar cortex contributes to diverse behaviors by transforming mossy fiber inputs into predictions in the form of Purkinje cell (PC) outputs, and then refining those predictions1. Molecular layer interneurons (MLIs) account for approximately 80% of the inhibitory interneurons in the cerebellar cortex2, and are vital to cerebellar processing1,3. MLIs are thought to primarily inhibit PCs and suppress the plasticity of excitatory synapses onto PCs. MLIs also inhibit, and are electrically coupled to, other MLIs4-7, but the functional significance of these connections is not known1,3. Behavioral studies suggest that cerebellar-dependent learning is gated by disinhibition of PCs, but the source of such disinhibition has not been identified8. Here we find that two recently recognized MLI subtypes2, MLI1 and MLI2, have highly specialized connectivity that allows them to serve very different functional roles. MLI1s primarily inhibit PCs, are electrically coupled to each other, fire synchronously with other MLI1s on the millisecond time scale in vivo, and synchronously pause PC firing. MLI2s are not electrically coupled, they primarily inhibit MLI1s and disinhibit PCs, and are well suited to gating cerebellar-dependent learning8. These findings require a major reevaluation of processing within the cerebellum in which disinhibition, a powerful circuit motif present in the cerebral cortex and elsewhere9-17, greatly increases the computational power and flexibility of the cerebellum. They also suggest that millisecond time scale synchronous firing of electrically-coupled MLI1s helps regulate the output of the cerebellar cortex by synchronously pausing PC firing, which has been shown to evoke precisely-timed firing in PC targets18.

Engineered liposomes to deliver nucleic acid mimics in Escherichia coli.

Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) composed of nucleic acid mimics (NAMs) monomers are considered as potential novel therapeutic drugs against bacterial infections. However, bacterial envelopes are generally impermeable to naked oligonucleotides. Herein, liposomes loaded with NAMs-modified oligonucleotides (LipoNAMs) were evaluated to deliver ASOs in Escherichia coli. Specifically, we tested several surface modifications that included methoxyPEG conjugated to different lipid anchors or modification of the PEG distal ends with maleimide groups and antibodies. MethoxyPEG coated LipoNAMs showed low delivery efficiency for most bacteria, but maleimide-functionalized PEG LipoNAMs were able to deliver ASOs to nearly half of the bacterial population. Conjugation of antibodies to maleimide-functionalized PEG LipoNAMs increased 1.3-fold the delivery efficiency, enhancing the selectivity towards E. coli and biocompatibility. This work demonstrated for the first time that the coupling of antibodies to PEGylated liposomes can significantly improve the delivery of ASOs in E. coli, which might bring alternative routes for the treatment of bacterial infections in the future.

Antimicrobial peptide-grafted PLGA-PEG nanoparticles to fight bacterial wound infections.

Wound infection treatment with antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) is still not a reality, due to the loss of activity in vivo. Unlike the conventional strategy of encapsulating AMPs on nanoparticles (NPs) leaving activity dependent on the release profile, this work explores AMP grafting to poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide)-polyethylene glycol NPs (PLGA-PEG NPs), whereby AMP exposition, infection targeting and immediate action are promoted. NPs are functionalized with MSI-78(4-20), an equipotent and more selective derivative of MSI-78, grafted through a thiol-maleimide (Mal) Michael addition. NPs with different ratios of PLGA-PEG/PLGA-PEG-Mal are produced and characterized, with 40%PLGA-PEG-Mal presenting the best colloidal properties and higher amounts of AMP grafted as shown by surface charge (+8.6 ± 1.8 mV) and AMP quantification (326 µg mL-1, corresponding to 16.3 µg of AMP per mg of polymer). NPs maintain the activity of the free AMP with a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 8-16 µg mL-1 against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and 16-32 µg mL-1 against Staphylococcus aureus. Moreover, AMP grafting accelerates killing kinetics, from 1-2 h to 15 min for P. aeruginosa and from 6-8 h to 0.5-1 h for S. aureus. NP activity in a simulated wound fluid is maintained for S. aureus and decreases slightly for P. aeruginosa. Furthermore, NPs do not demonstrate signs of cytotoxicity at MIC concentrations. Overall, this promising formulation helps unleash the full potential of AMPs for the management of wound infections.

A Review on Locomotion Mode Recognition and Prediction When Using Active Orthoses and Exoskeletons.

Understanding how to seamlessly adapt the assistance of lower-limb wearable assistive devices (active orthosis (AOs) and exoskeletons) to human locomotion modes (LMs) is challenging. Several algorithms and sensors have been explored to recognize and predict the users' LMs. Nevertheless, it is not yet clear which are the most used and effective sensor and classifier configurations in AOs/exoskeletons and how these devices' control is adapted according to the decoded LMs. To explore these aspects, we performed a systematic review by electronic search in Scopus and Web of Science databases, including published studies from 1 January 2010 to 31 August 2022. Sixteen studies were included and scored with 84.7 ± 8.7% quality. Decoding focused on level-ground walking along with ascent/descent stairs tasks performed by healthy subjects. Time-domain raw data from inertial measurement unit sensors were the most used data. Different classifiers were employed considering the LMs to decode (accuracy above 90% for all tasks). Five studies have adapted the assistance of AOs/exoskeletons attending to the decoded LM, in which only one study predicted the new LM before its occurrence. Future research is encouraged to develop decoding tools considering data from people with lower-limb impairments walking at self-selected speeds while performing daily LMs with AOs/exoskeletons.

Liposome Delivery of Nucleic Acids in Bacteria: Toward In Vivo Labeling of Human Microbiota.

Development of specific probes to study the in vivo spatial distribution of microorganisms is essential to understand the ecology of human microbiota. Herein, we assess the possibility of using liposomes loaded with fluorescently labeled nucleic acid mimics (LipoNAMs) to image Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. We proved that liposome fusion efficiencies were similar in both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria but that the efficiency was highly dependent on the lipid concentration. Notably, LipoNAMs were significantly more effective for the internalization of oligonucleotides in bacteria than the fixation/permeabilization methods commonly used in vitro. Furthermore, a structural and morphological assessment of the changes on bacteria allowed us to observe that liposomes increased the permeability of the cell envelope especially in Gram-negative bacteria. Considering the delivery efficiency and permeabilization effect, lipid concentrations of approximately 5 mM should be selected to maximize the detection of bacteria without compromising the bacterial cellular structure.

Translation and Cross-Cultural Adaptation of the Cancer Health Literacy Test for Portuguese Cancer Patients: A Pre-Test.

Assuming the multidimensionality of health literacy, new complex and comprehensive approaches are more adequate to specific disease contexts, such as cancer. Assessing cancer literacy levels is a priority, since it entails potential serious implications for disease outcomes and patient's quality of life. This article reports on the translation and cultural adaptation of the Cancer Health Literacy Test to measure cancer literacy in Portuguese cancer patients. A multidisciplinary team of experts ensured the translation and cultural adaptation of the CHLT-30. A pre-test was conducted in two stages to evaluate the Portuguese version (CHLT-30 PT) in a sample of cancer patients (n = 71). Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the sample. Reliability (test-retest and internal consistency) and construct validity of CHLT-30 PT were assessed. The results obtained show a good internal consistency of the tool, respectively (Cronbach's alpha = 0.86 in the test and 0.80 in the retest). Patients' raw score mean in both test (23.96) and retest (25.97) and the distribution of scores categories are not statistically different. A suggestive association between higher education level and better total score was found compared to the results reported in CHLT-30-DKspa. The results obtained in the pre-test are favorable, and the instrument is now suitable for the next steps of the validation process. A Portuguese version of this tool will allow outlining patients' cancer literacy along the cancer care continuum, enabling the identification and implementation of adequate socio-educational strategies with highly positive impacts on health outcomes.

Competências do enfermeiro na promoção da saúde da pessoa idosa com hipertensão arterial sistêmica / Nurses' competences in promoting the health of elderly people with systemic arterial hypertension / Habilidades del enfermero en la promoción de la salud de los ancianos con hipertensión arterial sistémica

Objetivo: identificar na literatura as competências do enfermeiro relacionadas à promoção da saúde de idosos com hipertensão arterial sistêmica (HAS) à luz do Consenso de Galway. Método: trata-se de uma revisão integrativa da literatura, cuja busca foi realizada nas bases de dados LILACS, MEDLINE/PubMed, BDENF, SCOPUS e COCHRANE, de artigos que datassem de 2011 à 2020. Dos 11.892 artigos encontrados, 20 foram selecionados. Resultados: os artigos foram analisados de acordo com os oito domínios do modelo de competências para promoção da saúde de Galway: catalisar mudanças, liderança, avaliação das necessidades, planejamento, implementação, avaliação do impacto, parceria e defesa. Os domínios mais evidenciados foram catalisar mudanças, avaliação do impacto e planejamento. Conclusão: os resultados desta pesquisa evidenciaram o protagonismo do enfermeiro na promoção da saúde de idosos hipertensos, capaz de atuar na gestão do cuidado qualificado e contribuir com a assistência integral à pessoa idosa.

Objective: to identify, in the literature, nurses' competences related to promoting the health of elderly people with systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) in light of the Galway Consensus. Method: in this integrative literature review, the LILACS, MEDLINE/PubMed, BDENF, SCOPUS, and COCHRANE databases were searched for articles dating from 2011 to 2020. Of the 11,892 articles found, 20 were selected. Results: the articles were analyzed by the eight domains of the Galway model of health promotion competences: catalyzing change, leadership, needs assessment, planning, implementation, impact assessment, partnership, and advocacy. The domains most in evidence were catalyzing change, impact assessment, and planning. Conclusion: the results of this research showed that nurses play a leading role in promoting the health of hypertensive elderly people and are capable of acting in management of skilled care and of contributing to comprehensive care for the elderly.

Objetivo: identificar en la literatura las habilidades del enfermero relacionadas a la promoción de salud de los ancianos con hipertensión arterial sistémica (HAS) de acuerdo con el Consenso de Galway. Método: es una revisión integradora de la literatura, cuya búsqueda se ha realizado en las bases de datos LILACS, MEDLINE/PubMed, BDENF, SCOPUS y COCHRANE, de artículos publicados entre 2011 y 2020. De los 11.892 artículos encontrados, 20 han sido seleccionados. Resultados: los artículos han sido analizados de acuerdo con los ocho dominios del modelo de habilidades para la promoción de la salud de Galway: catalizar cambios, liderazgo, evaluación de las necesidades, planificación, implementación, evaluación del impacto, colaboración y defensa. Los dominios con más evidencia han sido: catalizar cambios, evaluar el impacto y la planificación. Conclusión: los resultados de esta investigación han comprobado el protagonismo del enfermero en la promoción de la salud de ancianos hipertensos, capaz de actuar en la gestión del cuidado cualificado y contribuir con la asistencia integral al anciano.

Lipoplexes to Deliver Oligonucleotides in Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Bacteria: Towards Treatment of Blood Infections.

Bacterial resistance to antibiotics threatens the ability to treat life-threatening bloodstream infections. Oligonucleotides (ONs) composed of nucleic acid mimics (NAMs) able to inhibit essential genes can become an alternative to traditional antibiotics, as long as they are safely transported in human serum upon intravenous administration and they are carried across the multilayered bacterial envelopes, impermeable to ONs. In this study, fusogenic liposomes were considered to transport the ONs and promote their internalization in clinically relevant bacteria. Locked nucleic acids and 2'-OMethyl RNA were evaluated as model NAMs and formulated into DOTAP-DOPE liposomes followed by post-PEGylation. Our data showed a complexation stability between the post-PEGylated liposomes and the ONs of over 82%, during 24 h in native human serum, as determined by fluorescence correlation spectroscopy. Quantification by a lipid-mixing assay showed that liposomes, with and without post-PEGylation, fused with all bacteria tested. Such fusion promoted the delivery of a fraction of the ONs into the bacterial cytosol, as observed by fluorescence in situ hybridization and bacterial fractionation. In short, we demonstrated for the first time that liposomes can safely transport ONs in human serum and intracellularly deliver them in both Gram-negative and -positive bacteria, which holds promise towards the treatment of bloodstream infections.

Comparison of the Masticatory Force (with 3D Models) of Complete Denture Base Acrylic Resins with Reline and Reinforcing Materials.

The reinforcement of acrylic denture base remains problematic. Acrylic prosthesis fractures are commonly observed in prosthodontic practice and have not been reliably resolved. This study compared the resistance to masticatory force of acrylic bases of removable complete conventional prosthesis in 3D upper models. Forty acrylic base test specimens containing two types of reinforcement meshes (20 with glass fiber meshes (FIBER-FORCE®- Synca, Bio Composants MédicauxTM, Tullins, France), 20 with metal meshes (DENTAURUM®-Ispringen, Germany)), 20 with a conventional PMMA acrylic base (LUCITONE 199®-Dentsply Sirona, York, PA, USA), and 20 using a permanent soft reline material (MOLLOPLAST-B®-DETAX GmbH & Co. KG, Ettlingen, Germany) were tested-a total of 80 specimens. Half of the specimens were made for a low alveolar ridge and half for a high alveolar ridge. The data were analysed using one-way analysis of variance and Student's t-test for independent test specimens. In the high-alveolar-ridge group, the prosthesis reinforced with the glass fiber mesh was the most resistant to fracture, while in the low-alveolar-ridge group, the non-reinforced prosthesis showed the highest resistance masticatory force. Prostheses with the permanent soft reline material showed the lowest resistance to fracture in both high and low-alveolar-ridge groups. The results show that the selection of the right reinforcement material for each clinical case, based on the height of the alveolar ridge, may help to prevent prosthesis fractures.

BRAZILIAN GASTRIC CANCER ASSOCIATION GUIDELINES (PART 2): UPDATE ON TREATMENT.

BACKGROUND: : The II Brazilian Consensus on Gastric Cancer of the Brazilian Gastric Cancer Association BGCA (Part 1) was recently published. On this occasion, countless specialists working in the treatment of this disease expressed their opinion in the face of the statements presented. AIM: : To present the BGCA Guidelines (Part 2) regarding indications for surgical treatment, operative techniques, extension of resection and multimodal treatment. METHODS: To formulate these guidelines, the authors carried out an extensive and current review regarding each declaration present in the II Consensus, using the Medline/PubMed, Cochrane Library and SciELO databases initially with the following descriptors: gastric cancer, gastrectomy, lymphadenectomy, multimodal treatment. In addition, each statement was classified according to the level of evidence and degree of recommendation. RESULTS: : Of the 43 statements present in this study, 11 (25,6%) were classified with level of evidence A, 20 (46,5%) B and 12 (27,9%) C. Regarding the degree of recommendation, 18 (41,9%) statements obtained grade of recommendation 1, 14 (32,6%) 2a, 10 (23,3%) 2b e one (2,3%) 3. CONCLUSION: : The guidelines complement of the guidelines presented here allows surgeons and oncologists who work to combat gastric cancer to offer the best possible treatment, according to the local conditions available.

Lower limb kinematic, kinetic, and EMG data from young healthy humans during walking at controlled speeds.

Understanding the lower limb kinematic, kinetic, and electromyography (EMG) data interrelation in controlled speeds is challenging for fully assessing human locomotion conditions. This paper provides a complete dataset with the above-mentioned raw and processed data simultaneously recorded for sixteen healthy participants walking on a 10 meter-flat surface at seven controlled speeds (1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, and 4.0 km/h). The raw data include 3D joint trajectories of 24 retro-reflective markers, ground reaction forces (GRF), force plate moments, center of pressures, and EMG signals from Tibialis Anterior, Gastrocnemius Lateralis, Biceps Femoris, and Vastus Lateralis. The processed data present gait cycle-normalized data including filtered EMG signals and their envelope, 3D GRF, joint angles, and torques. This study details the experimental setup and presents a brief validation of the data quality. The presented dataset may contribute to (i) validate and enhance human biomechanical gait models, and (ii) serve as a reference trajectory for personalized control of robotic assistive devices, aiming an adequate assistance level adjusted to the gait speed and user's anthropometry.