Occurrence and diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis - Aquifoliaceae) cultivation environments.

Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) represents a culture of economic, social, and ecological importance for the cultivation regions. Due to the chemical, physical, and biological variations that occur in the different soils where yerba mate is economically exploited, the symbiotic associations with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) guarantee the plant's ability to absorb nutrients. The purpose of this study was to identify and quantify the occurrence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in different environments of yerba mate cultivation. The research was performed in four areas located in the rural area of the municipality of Seberi/RS: Environment with production of yerba mate in the conventional system, silvopastoral system, organic system, and native forest. The normality of residuals and homogeneity of variances assumptions were verified using the Lilliefors and Chi-square tests and the averages compared by the Tukey's test at 5% probability of error. In addition to calculations of diversity, equivalent species, and evenness indices. The presence of AMF spores showed a direct relationship with the phosphorus (P) availability in each treatment, with a count reduction in the organic system, with P content lower than 3 mg kg-1 of soil. The species with the highest predominance were the Acaulosporaceae (Acaulospora colombiana, A. delicata, and A. tuberculata), followed by the Glomaceae (Glomus ambisporum and Glomus pansihalos) in the conventional and silvopastoral systems. The silvopastoral and conventional systems showed the highest levels of Shannon-Weaver diversity (H') and Pielou's evenness, demonstrating greater diversity and consequently greater richness and uniformity.

INVESTIGATING TRIBUTYLTIN'S TOXIC EFFECTS: INTESTINAL BARRIER AND NEUROENTERIC DISRUPTION IN RAT'S JEJUNUM.

The expansion of economic activities in coastal areas has significantly increased chemical contamination, leading to major environmental challenges. Contaminants enter the human body through the food chain, particularly via seafood and water consumption, triggering biomagnification and bioaccumulation processes. The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) acts as a selective barrier, protecting against chemical pollutants and maintaining homeostasis through a complex network of cells and immune responses. This study assessed impact of tributyltin (TBT), a highly toxic organometallic compound used in antifouling coatings for ships, on the GIT and myenteric neural plasticity in young rats. TBT exposure leads to histopathological changes, including epithelial detachment and inflammatory foci, especially at lower environmental doses. The study found that TBT causes significant reductions in villi height, increases in goblet cells and intraepithelial lymphocytes, and disrupts the myenteric plexus, with higher densities of extraganglionic neurons in exposed animals.

Resveratrol attenuates doxorubicin-induced toxicity during in vitro culture of mouse-isolated preantral follicles.

The aims of this study were to evaluate the doxorubicin concentration that induces toxic effects on in vitro culture of isolated mouse secondary follicles and to investigate whether resveratrol can inhibit or reduce this toxicity. Secondary follicles were isolated and cultured for 12 days in control medium (α-MEM+) or in α-MEM+ supplemented with doxorubicin (0.1 µg/ml) or different concentrations of resveratrol (0.5, 2, or 5 µM) associated with doxorubicin (0.1 µg/ml) (experiment 1). For experiment 2, follicles were cultured in α-MEM+ alone or supplemented with doxorubicin (0.3 µg/ml) or different concentrations of resveratrol (5 or 10 µM) associated or not with doxorubicin (0.3 µg/ml) (experiment 2). The endpoints analyzed were morphology (survival), antrum formation, follicular diameter, mitochondrial activity, glutathione (GSH) levels and DNA fragmentation. In the first experiment, doxorubicin (0.1 µg/ml) maintained survival and antrum formation similar to the control, while 5 µM resveratrol showed increased parameters, maintained mitochondrial activity and increased GSH levels compared to the control. In the second experiment, doxorubicin (0.3 µg/ml) reduced survival, antrum formation and follicular diameter compared to the control. Resveratrol at a concentration of 10 µM attenuated the damage caused by doxorubicin by improving follicular survival and did not present DNA fragmentation. In conclusion, supplementation of the in vitro culture medium with 0.3 µg/ml doxorubicin reduced the survival and impaired the development of mouse-isolated preantral follicles. Resveratrol at 10 µM reduced doxorubicin-induced follicular atresia, without DNA fragmentation in the follicles.

Synthesis and photoluminescent spectroscopic analysis of lanthanum (III) coordinated with 1,10-Phenanthroline: A study of its thermally stable behavior.

A blue-emitting phosphor designed by lanthanum (III) coordinated with two 1,10-Phenanthroline and three nitrate ligands, [La(Phen)2(NO3)3], was obtained by an effective and simple precipitation method. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) revealed the coordination modes in the compound and the chemical structure, crystallizing in a monoclinic system in the C2/c space group. The luminescence properties, absolute quantum yield (ϕ), and luminescence lifetime decay (τ) were determined by photoluminescence spectroscopy. Under a 350 nm excitation, the sample presents three emission bands corresponding to the π* → π transitions belonging to the organic ligand. The luminescence lifetime (τ) was determined through a monoexponentially fit, obtaining a value of 5616 ns. The [La(Phen)2(NO3)3] complex exhibits an absolute quantum yield of 3 % with the same excitation conditions. In addition, the photometric analysis shows that the luminescent response to a 350 nm excitation is that of a blue-emitting high-purity phosphor with 96 % and chromatic coordinates of 0.15, 0.05. The temperature-dependent luminescence properties revealed considerable thermal stability in the 20-150 °C range with a signal loss of 47 % and an activation energy of thermal quenching (ΔE) of 0.13 eV, the first value reported for a lanthanum complex based on 1,10-Phenanthroline.

Allergens weaning: what is missing from commercial baby food?

Summary: Background. Current recommendations for infant weaning suggest introducing common food allergens by the age of 12 months. While homemade meals are advisable, there is a notable demand for commercially available complementary foods (CACF). Furthermore, emerging evidence suggests a potential link between the consumption of ultra-processed products and the incidence of allergic diseases. This study aimed to examine the presence of the fourteen main food allergens in CACF ingredients through label analysis and evaluate their extent of processing. Methods. Between January and February 2024, labels of all CACF found in infant feeding sections of 10 Portuguese grocery retailers were analyzed. CACF were categorized based on the NOVA food classification system's processing levels. Milk formulas, products for children over 15 months, and those for children with food allergies or intolerances were excluded Results. Of the 492 products analysed, 132 contained wheat and 112 contained milk. 16 products included fish and 6 contained egg. Soy was listed as an ingredient in 11 products, mainly as soy lecithin. Only 2 product contained nuts, and 1 product contained peanuts. None of the products contained the remaining six allergens. The majority of milk- and wheat-containing products were classified as ultra-processed and contained added sugars and/or sweeteners. Conclusions. Despite the current guidelines, commercial baby foods often lack major allergens, namely nuts and peanuts, eggs, and shellfish. Our results underscore the need for healthy, age-appropriate, minimally processed products that incorporate rather than exclude major food allergens.

Effects of administration of mycobacterium cell wall fraction during the periovulatory period on embryo development following superovulation in virgin dairy heifers.

Proinflammatory cytokines are involved in regulating several reproductive processes that occur during the periovulatory period, including ovulation, corpus luteum formation, and preimplantation embryo development. The objective of this study was to determine whether stimulation of proinflammatory cytokines through administration of mycobacterium cell wall fraction (MCWF; Amplimune, NovaVive) could improve embryo development following superovulation in dairy heifers. A total of 34 independent embryo recovery procedures were performed using nulliparous Holstein heifers (n = 20; age 12-18 mo) as donors. For superovulation, dominant follicle removal was performed and an intravaginal progesterone device was inserted on d -6. Thirty-six hours later, on d -4, FSH (420 IU total) was administered in a decreasing dose regimen consisting of 8 injections given twice daily at 12-h intervals. Prostaglandin F2α was administered in conjunction with the fifth and sixth injections of FSH on d -2 and the intravaginal progesterone device was removed on the morning of d -1. Twenty-four hours later, on d 0, donors received their randomly assigned treatment (sterile saline or MCWF, 5 mL, i.m.) and gonadotropin-releasing hormone was administered to induce ovulation. Donors were artificially inseminated with frozen-thawed semen at 12 and 24 h after induced ovulation. Nonsurgical embryo recovery procedures were performed on d 7. Recovered structures were evaluated using a stereomicroscope to assess embryo development. There was no effect of MCWF treatment on the numbers of total structures, unfertilized oocytes, degenerate embryos, transferable embryos, or blastocysts. However, there was a trend for donors treated with MCWF to have a greater proportion of blastocysts out of total structures recovered. Overall, the efficacy of superovulation in virgin dairy heifer donors was not improved by administration of MCWF during the peri-ovulatory period, but results indicate that MCWF treatment may enhance embryo developmental kinetics.

Dynamics of magnetic inhomogeneity in La2CoMnO6 films probed by Raman spectroscopy.

We report the dynamic effects of magnetic inhomogeneity on the temperature evolution of the Raman modes in polycrystalline La2CoMnO6 (LCMO) films. The LCMO films were obtained via chemical solution deposition and annealed at different temperatures, 700, 800 and 900 °C. Temperature-dependent Raman spectroscopic studies uncover anomalous phonon energy behaviors, associated with strong spin-phonon couplings revealed even at ambient conditions. This effect, which is observed to occur well above ferromagnetic ordering temperature is ascribed to short-range Mn4+/Co2+ ferromagnetic clusters. Moreover, our study has shown that spin-phonon coupling strength is governed by competing antiferromagnetic (AFM) and ferromagnetic (FM) interactions. These results significantly enhance the understanding of the complex spin-phonon coupling mechanism to provide insights into magnetic inhomogeneity in systems with two or more magnetic sublattices. These findings suggest the presence of similar effects in other double perovskites within the RE2CoMnO6 (RE = rare earths) family, which exhibit analogous magnetic sublattice and order-disorder defects.

Design of experiment (DoE) of mucoadhesive valproic acid-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) for potential nose-to-brain application.

Epilepsy is a highly prevalent neurological disease and valproic acid (VPA) is used as a first-line chronic treatment. However, this drug has poor oral bioavailability, which requires the administration of high doses, resulting in adverse effects. Alternative routes of VPA administration have therefore been investigated, such as the nose-to-brain route, which allows the drug to be transported directly from the nasal cavity to the brain. Here, the use of nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) to encapsulate drugs administered in the nasal cavity has proved advantageous. The aim of this work was to optimise a mucoadhesive formulation of VPA-loaded NLC for intranasal administration to improve the treatment of epilepsy. The Design of Experiment (DoE) was used to optimise the formulation, starting with component optimisation using Mixture Design (MD), followed by optimisation of the manufacturing process parameters using Central Composite Design (CCD). The optimised VPA-loaded NLC had a particle size of 76.1 ± 2.8 nm, a polydispersity index of 0.190 ± 0.027, a zeta potential of 28.1 ± 2.0 mV and an encapsulation efficiency of 85.4 ± 0.8%. The in vitro release study showed VPA release from the NLC of 50 % after 6 h and 100 % after 24 h. The in vitro biocompatibility experiments in various cell lines have shown that the optimised VPA-loaded NLC formulation is safe up to 75 µg/mL, in neuronal (SH-SY5Y), nasal (RPMI 2650) and hepatic (HepG2) cells. Finally, the interaction of the optimised VPA-loaded NLC formulation with nasal mucus was investigated and mucoadhesive properties were observed. The results of this study suggest that the use of intranasal VPA-loaded NLC may be a promising alternative to promote VPA targeting to the brain, thereby improving bioavailability and minimising adverse effects.

Biometric aspects of fruits and seeds and determination of the absorption curve of Hymenaea martiana Hayne seeds.

The biometric differences between fruits and seeds are useful characteristics that can provide important data for the investigation and preservation of the species and may be linked to environmental and genetic influences. In this sense, considering the importance of this species and the need for conservation, the objective was to carry out physical characterization of the fruits and seeds of Hymenaea martiana as well as to determine the seed imbibition curve. The experiment was conducted at the Seed Analysis Laboratory at the Agricultural Sciences Center at the Federal University of Paraíba in Areia, PB. The evaluations carried out were as follows: biometry of fruits and seeds, number of seeds per fruit, colorimetry of fruits and seeds, percentage of damaged seeds, weight of a thousand seeds, seed water content, mass and imbibition curve. The biometric data were subjected to descriptive analysis to determine the minimum, maximum, average value, standard deviation, asymmetry, and kurtosis of the fruits and seeds. In terms of the biometric characteristics of the fruits and seeds of H. martiana, there was a marked variation, with average fruit lengths of 90.28 mm, widths of 46.83 mm, thicknesses of 34.69 mm, weights of 65.86 g and four seeds per fruit. The average length, width, thickness and weight of the seeds were 23.75 mm, 18.34 mm, 12.71 g and 4.13 g, respectively. The fruits were darker than the seeds, and both the fruits and seeds had red tones. Compared with nonscarified seeds, scarified seeds absorb a greater amount of water.

Fraud-proof methylcellulose-based fish freshness indicator: Reversibility in halochromic sensing of basic volatiles is tailored by ionic strength.

Food from animal sources (e.g., fish) represents the food group most likely to disseminate diseases to humans. To prevent food contamination and foodborne illnesses, intelligent packaging has been developed to monitor fish freshness by real-time tracking their physicochemical attributes and informing consumers about their conservation state. In this context, we investigated the influence of ionic strength (IS) provided by CaCl2 on the chromatic response of anthocyanin açai extracts incorporated into methylcellulose (MC) within hydrocolloid-based colorimetric sensors for monitoring the freshness of Lambari fish. The color sensitivity of the sensors was modulated by IS in the presence of NH3 volatile and/or TVB-N. Increasing IS led to a plasticizing effect in the MC matrix, which influenced the chromatic properties of anthocyanin in the presence of NH3 and/or TVB-N. The perception of distinct colors by untrained eyes improved from 10 min with the control sensor to 2.5 min for sensors with IS >50 mM. Adjusting the IS to 500 mM with LiCl, CaCl2, or MgCl2 resulted in gray-green, blue, or moss-green colors, respectively, diverging from the control sensor's color (pink and gray) after 10 min of ammonia exposure, confirming salt-induced copigmentation. Color irreversibility in the sensors was achieved when the IS exceeded 250 mM. Through principal component analysis, we statistically validate the efficacy of the sensor in assessing the freshness of Lambari fish. The sensor maintained its color-change capability even after 60 d of storage and was able to classify Lambari fish freshness according to Brazilian and European standards. This study elucidates the interrelation between the structures and properties of natural compounds such as MC, anthocyanin, and CaCl2, providing a method to control the chromatic properties of sensors intended to monitor food quality, safety, and shelf-life.

Outcomes of people with TB reported to the WHO Global Clinical Platform of COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: TB is a leading infectious cause of death worldwide. The COVID-19 pandemic raised concerns that the burden of TB disease and death would increase due to the synergy between the two conditions. METHODS: We used individual-level data submitted to the WHO Global Clinical Platform for COVID-19 on hospitalised patients to explore associations of TB with mortality using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Data were available from 453,233 persons with COVID-19 and known TB status and mortality outcomes from 62 countries (96% SARS-CoV-2 test-positive). Of these, 48% were male, and the median age was 53 years (IQR 38-67). There were 8,214 cases with current TB reported by 46 countries, mainly from Africa. Of people with current TB, 31.4% were admitted with severe illness, and 24.5% died. Current TB was independently associated with higher mortality when adjusted for age, sex, HIV status, illness severity at hospital admission, and underlying conditions (adjusted RR 1.47, 95% CI 1.35-1.61). CONCLUSION: Current or past TB were independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality regardless of illness severity at admission. Caveats for interpretation include changes during the data collection period (viral variation, vaccination coverage) and opportunistic sampling. However, the platform exemplifies how timely, coordinated global reporting can inform our understanding of health emergencies and the vulnerable populations affected.

CONTEXTE: La TB est l'une des principales causes infectieuses de décès dans le monde. La pandémie de COVID-19 a fait craindre que le fardeau de la TB et des décès n'augmente en raison de la synergie entre les deux maladies. MÉTHODES: Nous avons utilisé les données individuelles soumises à la Plateforme clinique mondiale de l'OMS pour la COVID-19 sur les patients hospitalisés pour explorer les associations entre la TB et la mortalité à l'aide d'une régression logistique multivariée. RÉSULTATS: Des données étaient disponibles sur 453 233 personnes atteintes de COVID-19 et connues pour le statut de TB et les résultats de mortalité dans 62 pays (96% de tests positifs au SRAS-CoV-2). Parmi eux, 48% étaient des hommes et l'âge médian était de 53 ans (IQR 38­67). Un total de 8 214 cas de TB ont été signalés par 46 pays, principalement en Afrique. Parmi les personnes atteintes de TB actuelle, 31,4% ont été admises avec une maladie grave et 24,5% sont décédées. La TB actuelle était indépendamment associée à une mortalité plus élevée lorsqu'elle était ajustée en fonction de l'âge, du sexe, du statut VIH, de la gravité de la maladie à l'admission à l'hôpital et des affections sous-jacentes (RR ajusté 1,47 ; IC à 95% 1,35­1,61). CONCLUSION: La TB actuelle ou passée était un facteur de risque indépendant de mortalité à l'hôpital, quelle que soit la gravité de la maladie à l'admission. Les mises en garde concernant l'interprétation comprennent les changements au cours de la période de collecte des données (variation virale, couverture vaccinale) et l'échantillonnage opportuniste. Cependant, la plateforme illustre comment des rapports mondiaux opportuns et coordonnés peuvent éclairer notre compréhension des urgences sanitaires et des populations vulnérables touchées.

Baru (Dipteryx alata): a comprehensive review of its nutritional value, functional foods, chemical composition, ethnopharmacology, pharmacological activities and benefits for human health.

Baru (Dipteryx alata Vogel) is recognized as a widespread Brazilian tree species, and its almonds and pulp have gained commercial prominence due to their nutritional value. All parts of the baru are important for the environment and are used by traditional communities to treat various diseases. This review provides a comprehensive and current overview of the nutritional composition, human food applications, ethnopharmacological uses, and chemical and biological properties of Dipteryx alata, "baru" (Fabaceae). This study followed the recommendations of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology. Studies were searched in the Medline (PubMed), Scopus, SciELO, and ScienceDirect databases using the descriptors "Dipteryx alata" OR "baru nut" OR "baru almond" OR "cumaru" OR "Coumarouna". The exclusion criteria included duplicate articles, review articles, case reports, short communications, conference documents, incomplete access to the text, and articles not related to the objective of this review. The initial search yielded 822 results, 127 of which met the inclusion criteria. The almond was the most extensively studied part (59.8%), whereas leaves received the least attention (1.6%). Baru almond is a rich source of proteins (19 to 30 g.100 g-1), unsaturated fatty acids (75 to 81%), and essential amino acids, while the pulp is rich in carbohydrates (22.5 to 75.4%), dietary fiber (4.4 to 41.6 g.100 g-1) and vitamin C (113.48 and 224.5 mg.100 g-1). Phenolic compounds were the main metabolites, with a greater content in the almond (3.1 to 1.306,34 mg GAE g-1) than in the pulp (186 to 477 mg GAE g-1). Terpenes were also detected in the almond, pulp, and bark. The most evaluated biological activity was the antioxidant activity (n = 32.1%), followed by effects on oxidative stress (n = 12.5%). Therefore, emphasis on baru cultivation and bioprospecting could benefit human nutrition and health, strengthen family farming in various regions of the country and favour the achievement of Zero Hunger and Sustainable Agriculture and Health and Well-Being in the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals.

On the need to integrate interannual natural variability into coastal multihazard assessments.

The co-occurrence of multiple hazards can either exacerbate or mitigate risks. The interrelationships between multiple hazards greatly depend on the spatiotemporal scale and can be difficult to detect from large to local scales. In this paper, we identified coastal regions worldwide where the leading tropical (El Niño-Southern Oscillation, ENSO) and polar (Arctic Oscillation, AO; Southern Annular Mode, SAM) modes of climate variability simultaneously modify the seasonal conditions of multiple hazards, including the near-surface wind speed and swell and wind-sea wave powers. We classified the results at the national and municipal levels, with a focus on multiple hazards simultaneously occurring in space and time. The results revealed that the ENSO modulates multiple hazards, affecting approximately 40% of coastal countries, while the polar annular modes affect approximately 30% of coastal countries. The ENSO induced a greater diversity of multiple hazards, with Asian countries (e.g., Indonesia experienced increases of + 2% in wind and + 7% in swell) and countries in the Americas (e.g., Peru exhibited increases of + 1.5% in wind and + 6% in wind-sea) the most notably affected. The SAM imposed a greater influence on swells in the eastern countries of ocean basins (+ 2.5% in Chile) than in other countries, while the influence of the AO was greater in Norway and the UK (+ 12% for wind-sea and 8% for swell). Low-lying islands exhibited notable variations in pairwise hazards between phases and seasons. Our results could facilitate the interpretation of multihazard interactions and pave the way for a wide range of potential implementations of different coastal industries.

Response of Fusarium oxysporum soil isolate to amphotericin B and fluconazole at the proteomic level.

Fusarium oxysporum is a cross-kingdom pathogen that infects humans, animals, and plants. The primary concern regarding this genus revolves around its resistance profile to multiple classes of antifungals, particularly azoles. However, the resistance mechanism employed by Fusarium spp. is not fully understood, thus necessitating further studies to enhance our understanding and to guide future research towards identifying new drug targets. Here, we employed an untargeted proteomic approach to assess the differentially expressed proteins in a soil isolate of Fusarium oxysporum URM7401 cultivated in the presence of amphotericin B and fluconazole. In response to antifungals, URM7401 activated diverse interconnected pathways, such as proteins involved in oxidative stress response, proteolysis, and lipid metabolism. Efflux proteins, antioxidative enzymes and M35 metallopeptidase were highly expressed under amphotericin B exposure. Antioxidant proteins acting on toxic lipids, along with proteins involved in lipid metabolism, were expressed during fluconazole exposure. In summary, this work describes the protein profile of a resistant Fusarium oxysporum soil isolate exposed to medical antifungals, paving the way for further targeted research and discovering new drug targets.

Organic cations in halide perovskite solid solutions: exploring beyond size effects.

Halide perovskites are a class of materials of consolidated optoelectronic and electrochemical applications, reaching efficiencies compared to established materials in respective fields. In this scenario, the design and understanding of composition-structure-property relations is imperative. In solid solutions containing mixed cations, some direct relations between the sizes of the substituents and the properties of perovskites are generally observed. However, in several cases, these relations are not observed, implying that other characteristics of these cations play a major role. Despite its importance, this understanding has not been comprehensively deepened. To address this issue, we synthesized and characterized the structure, electrical behavior, and stability of methylammonium lead iodide-based perovskites with equal amounts of the substituents guanidinium, ethylammonium, and acetamidinium. These three large organic cations have essentially equal sizes but other remarkably different characteristics, such as the number of N-H bonds, intrinsic dipole moment, and order of C-N bonds. Herein, we show that these cations have dramatically different effects over important fundamental and applied properties of resulting perovskites, including the orthorhombic-to-tetragonal and tetragonal-to-cubic phase transitions, microstructural development, ionic conductivity, I-V hysteresis, electronic carrier mobility, and stability against light-induced degradation. These effects are correlated with the characteristics of the large substituent cations and help pave the way for a better rational chemical design of halide perovskites.

Is there only one species of Hepatozoon infecting Brazilian caimans? Integrative taxonomy unveiling the parasite's diversity.

Hepatozoon spp. are the most common haemoparasites reported from reptiles around the world, however, only six species have been described infecting crocodilians. In Brazil, Hepatozoon caimani Carini, 1909 is currently the only recognized species from the caiman hosts. This study provides new data on the diversity of species of Hepatozoon infecting Caiman crocodilus (Linnaeus) using molecular data and phylogenetic analysis, with additional support of morphological data of developmental stages from host blood and tissue. Forty-four individuals were collected and screened for haemogregarines, and blood and tissue samples were analysed by light microscopy with 31 (70.45%) infected. Hepatozoon spp. blood developmental stages included immature and mature gamonts with or without cytoplasmic vacuoles and free gamonts. Additionally, merogonic developmental stages were found in the liver and spleen of infected hosts. Based on the morphological and molecular data, this study identified two possible different species of Hepatozoon, being one of them the H. caimani with intragenotypic divergence.

Vitamin D supplementation in primary hyperparathyroidism: effects on 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D and FGF23 levels.

PURPOSE: In patients with Primary Hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) vitamin D deficiency has been associated with more severe presentations. Our aim was to investigate the effects of Vitamin D supplementation on mineral homeostasis and related hormones in individuals with and without PHPT. METHODS: Individuals with and without PHPT (CTRL) received 14,000 IU/week of oral vitamin D3 for 12 weeks. At baseline and endpoint, blood samples were collected to measure 1,25(OH)2vitamin D (1,25(OH)2D), intact Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 (FGF23), 25OHD, Parathormone, and other biochemical markers. The 1,25(OH)2D measurement was performed using liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). RESULTS: 70 PHPT patients and 75 CTRL were included, and 55 PHPT and 64 CTRL completed the 12-week protocol. After the intervention, there were significant increases in the FGF23 levels (PHPT: 47.9 ± 27.1 to 76.3 ± 33.3; CTRL: 40.5 ± 13.9 to 59.8 ± 19.8 pg/mL, p < 0.001), and significant decreases in 1,25(OH)2D levels (PHPT: 94.8 ± 34.6 to 68.9 ± 25.3; CTRL: 68.7 ± 23.5 to 56.4 ± 20.7 pg/mL, p < 0.001). The reduction of 1,25(OH)2D was inversely associated with the increase of FGF23 in both the PHPT (r = -0.302, p = 0.028) and CTRL (r = -0.278, p = 0.027). No changes in plasmatic or uninary calcium concentrations were observed in both groups. CONCLUSION: The weekly administration of 14,000 IU of Vitamin D3 was safe and efficient to increase in 25OHD levels in both groups. However, a paradoxical decrease in 1,25(OH)2D levels measured by LC-MS/MS was associated with a significant increase in FGF23 levels in both groups. This phenomenon might represent a defense against hypercalcemia after vitamin D supplementation and paves the way for new studies in this regard.

The increasing inclusion of technologies in histology teaching: A systematic review.

Histology is part of the curricular base of all health courses, being the basis for understanding the composition of all tissues in the human body. Over the years, more and more technologies have entered the academic environment, with the aim of improving the teaching and learning process. Thus, the objective of this work was to conduct a systematic review on the use of digital technologies in teaching histology. The PICo strategy was used to develop the guiding question and the results were presented in a Prisma Flow. The following platforms were used to search for articles: PubMed, Embase. Web of Science, Science Direct, Medline, Scielo, Periódicos CAPES and LILACS, Open Gray and Google Scholar, with a time limit between 2012 and 2022. The results showed that this area is still little explored, with there not being a wide range of technologies being used and applied in teaching, with gamification and virtual microscopy being the most applied. However, it was realized that the use of these technologies can improve student performance and increase their interest in the subject. Therefore, these tools are great methods to reduce difficulties and encourage the development of a more receptive environment for the histology teaching and learning process.

Cognitive Training with Older Adults Using Smartphone and Web-Based Applications: A Scoping Review.

INTRODUCTION: The present scoping review focused on: i) which apps were previously studied; ii) what is the most common frequency for implementing cognitive training; and iii) what cognitive functions the interventions most focus on. METHODS: PRISMA guidelines were followed, and the search was conducted on Web of Science, PsycInfo, Cochrane, and Pubmed. From 1733 studies found, 34 were included. RESULTS: it was highlighted the necessity for forthcoming investigations to tackle the methodical restrictions and disparities in the domain. DISCUSSION: great diversity in intervention protocols was found. Incorporating evaluations of physical fitness in conjunction with cognitive evaluations can offer a more all-encompassing comprehension of the impacts of combined interventions. Furthermore, exploring the efficacy of cognitive training applications requires additional scrutiny, considering individual variances and practical outcomes in real-life settings.

Interdisciplinary management of orofacial lesions in early childhood: paediatric alert system at University of Verona.

BACKGROUND: Orofacial trauma (OFT) occurs frequently in children and requires thorough evaluation not only by paediatric dentists but also by all specialists involved in emergency services, particularly in cases involving children under 3 years of age, given their inability to directly participate in clinical-anamnestic evaluations. Addressing early childhood orofacial trauma resulting from maltreatment, this study explores the key role played by various healthcare professionals, including paediatric dentists, general dentists, maxillofacial surgeons, dental hygienists, and paediatricians, in the optimal management of these cases. In the event of trauma due to suspected or confirmed mistreatment, it is essential that all healthcare workers involved have precise knowledge of the appropriate course of action from both a clinical and legal point of view, guaranteeing maximum protection for the young patient. This is particularly significant as cases of mistreatment with apparently minor consequences can degenerate into situations of irreparable severity. The latest guidelines from the International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) in 2020 continue to emphasise the potential correlation between OFT and cases of abuse or violence. Recent recommendations in the literature highlight the importance of facilitating mandatory reporting of incidents to relevant authorities and improving information sharing between dental healthcare professionals and child welfare services. A new flow diagram, called Paediatric Orofacial Trauma Alert (P.O.T.A.), has been proposed at the University of Verona. This tool is specifically designed to assist specialists dealing with early childhood orofacial trauma cases by assisting them in identifying potential cases of maltreatment. In this innovative approach, the collaborative efforts of general dentists, paediatric dentists, maxillofacial surgeons, dental hygienists and paediatricians play a vital role in cases of abuse. In addition to restoring the oral health of young patients, these professionals can activate a vast network of contacts, ensuring not only optimal oral health care but also providing comprehensive support to victims. The objective is to safeguard not only the physical but also the psychological well-being of these vulnerable subjects.