The effects of isocaloric diets derived from different lipid sources on zebrafish.

Characterizing the effects of saturated fat intake on metabolic health and its changes remains a major challenge. Lipid diets, from different sources, vary widely in their physiological effects on health; therefore, it is important to consider the specific lipid source consumed. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of the imposition of isocaloric diets with different lipid sources in zebrafish (fish oil/pork lard). Depicting how metabolic, morphological and behavioral parameters might express themselves in these fishes. Forty adult female fishes were used for the experiment. The animals were divided into a control group (C), fed with unsaturated fatty acid diet, and a saturated fatty acid group (Sat). They received food three times a day, during the 11-week period. The results showed that animals in the Sat group had increased body weight, with a difference relative to the C group, from the third week of diet until the end of the experiment. At the end of the last week, the Sat group had a body weight 32% higher (P=0.0182) than the body weight of the control group. The consumption of a diet rich in saturated fatty acids did not generate signs related to stress and anxiety in zebrafish. There was an increase in glycemia at T60 and T120, with a statistically significant difference between the two moments. Animals in the Sat group showed an increase (P=0.0086) in hepatic steatosis compared to animals in the control group. The results obtained on the relationship between diet and metabolic changes are fundamental to ensure the understanding and appropriate treatment of these problems.

Water level regime variation is a crucial driver for taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity in seasonally flooded tropical forests.

Floodplains contribute significantly to terrestrial ecosystem service provision but are also among the most vulnerable and degraded ecosystems worldwide. Heterogeneity in floodplain properties arises from variations in river-specific flood regimes, watershed characteristics, and valley morphology, influencing seasonally flooded forests' taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity. This study addresses persisting knowledge gaps in floodplain ecology, focusing on the seasonally dry tropics. We explore the relationships between flood regime, environmental conditions, vegetation composition, functional and phylogenetic diversity, and the impact of environmental variables on above-ground biomass (AGB) and ecological strategies. The study spans six rivers in southeastern Brazil's main river basins: Rio Grande and São Francisco. We identified five eco-units in each floodplain based on flooding regimes and surveyed six plots per eco-unit. We measured trees with DBH > 5 cm and collected functional traits, along with detailed soil, climate, and water level data. We calculated plot-level floristic composition, taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity, wood density, and AGB. Functional and phylogenetic dissimilarity were analyzed, and the effects of climate, soil, and hydrological variables were quantified using generalized linear mixed models. We show how flood frequency and duration affect floristic composition across the floodplains. Taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity responded to climate, soil, and hydrological variables, while functional diversity responded primarily to hydrological variables, emphasizing the role of environmental filtering. Hydrological seasonality, soil fertility, and flood regime emerged as key factors shaping community structure and ecological strategies in the studied seasonally flooded tropical forests. Plot-level AGB responded to phosphorus but not to climate or hydrological variables. The study also highlights functional and phylogenetic dissimilarities among eco-units and basins, indicating potential climate change impacts.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): An Overview of Genetic and Metabolic Signaling Mechanisms.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a rare, progressive, and incurable disease. Sporadic (sALS) accounts for ninety percent of ALS cases, while familial ALS (fALS) accounts for around fifteen percent. Reports have identified over 30 different forms of familial ALS. Multiple types of fALS exhibit comparable symptoms with mutations in different genes and possibly with different predominant metabolic signals. Clinical diagnosis takes into account patient history but not genetic mutations, misfolded proteins, or metabolic signaling. As research on genetics and metabolic pathways advances, it is expected that the intricate complexity of ALS will compound further. Clinicians discuss whether a gene's presence is a cause of the disease or just an association or consequence. They believe that a mutant gene alone is insufficient to diagnose ALS. ALS, often perceived as a single disease, appears to be a complex collection of diseases with similar symptoms. This review highlights gene mutations, metabolic pathways, and muscle-neuron interactions.

Development of a clinical investigation protocol for occupational auditory health.

Introduction: Considering that noise is present in different work environments, occupational health regulations have been created that advocate for the care of employees' auditory system in these environments. Occupational hearing assessment should be performed by audiologists through audiological examinations, otoscopy, as well as an interview to assess possible risk factors for the development of hearing loss. However, up to the present moment, a standardized set of updated questions for this interview has not been defined. Objectives: To develop a clinical investigation instrument for occupational auditory health that provides support for clinical decision-making and differential diagnosis. Methods: The study was conducted using Design Thinking as a methodological approach in its stages of inspiration (problem identification), ideation (theoretical foundation and protocol design), and prototyping (protocol construction). Experience report: This study was conducted with the objective of providing support for clinical decision-making and differential diagnosis of the auditory aspects of the assisted population. The Protocolo de Investigação Clínica da Saúde Auditiva Ocupacional was developed, consisting of six main sections that address medical history, lifestyle habits, exposure to non-occupational noise, work history, extra-auditory symptoms, and auditory and vestibular signs and symptoms, aimed at investigating workers' auditory health and related aspects. Conclusions: The developed instrument can be used for data collection and assist audiologists in the occupational health teams in diagnosis and decision-making processes.

Introdução: Considerando que o ruído está presente em diferentes ambientes laborais, foram criadas normas regulamentadoras de saúde ocupacional que preconizam o cuidado com o sistema auditivo dos colaboradores destes ambientes. A avaliação auditiva ocupacional deve ser realizada pelo fonoaudiólogo através dos exames de audiometria e meatoscopia, além de uma entrevista para avaliar possíveis fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento de perdas auditivas. Entretanto, até o presente momento não foi definido um padrão de perguntas atualizado para esta entrevista. Objetivos: Desenvolver um instrumento de investigação clínica da saúde auditiva ocupacional que ofereça suporte para tomadas de decisões clínicas e diagnóstico diferencial. Métodos: O estudo foi desenvolvido utilizando o design thinking como abordagem metodológica em suas etapas de inspiração (observada a problemática), ideação (fundamentação e delineamento teórico do protocolo) e prototipação (construção do protocolo). Relato da experiência: Este estudo foi realizado objetivando oferecer suporte para tomadas de decisões clínicas e diagnóstico diferencial dos aspectos auditivos da população assistida. Foi desenvolvido o Protocolo de Investigação Clínica da Saúde Auditiva Ocupacional, composto de seis seções principais que abordam o histórico clínico, hábitos de vida, exposição a ruído extraocupacional, histórico laboral, sintomas extra-auditivos e sinais e sintomas auditivos e vestibulares, que visam investigar a saúde auditiva do trabalhador e aspectos relacionados a ela. Conclusões: O instrumento desenvolvido poderá servir para a coleta de dados e auxílio para diagnóstico e tomada de decisões dos fonoaudiólogos das equipes de saúde ocupacional.

Antileishmanial activity of a dillapiole derivative obtained from Piper aduncum L. (Piperaceae).

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is considered a public health problem. Current treatments have disadvantages because they are invasive and have serious side effects, and thus there is a need for research into new, more effective pharmacological alternatives. Plants are promising sources of bioactive substances, and new analogues can be obtained through chemical reactions. The present study aimed to evaluate the antileishmanial effects of the analog dillapiole n-butyl ether (DBE) extracted from Piper aduncum leaves. The cytotoxic potential of DBE was evaluated at concentrations of 15.62 to 500 µM in peritoneal macrophages for 48 h, and in RAW 264.7 macrophages for 72 h using a dose-response method. The antileishmanial activity in L. amazonensis promastigotes used concentrations of 0.2 to 4.5 µM for 24, 48 and 72 h and the quantification of the cellular infection rate used a concentration of 4.5 µM of DBE against the amastigote forms internalized in macrophages for 24 h and 48 h. Nitric oxide was quantified from macrophages previously treated with DBE for 24 h and 48 h. The dosage of reactive oxygen species used a concentration of 4.5 µM of DBE incubated together with dichlorofluorescein acetate for 1, 3, 6, and 24 h. For the molecular modeling of DBE, the Leishmania protein, available in the "Protein Data Bank" database, was used. The studied molecule was not toxic to cells and presented a CC50 of 413 µM in peritoneal macrophages and 373.5 µM in RAW 264.7. The analogue inhibited promastigote forms of L. amazonensis with an IC50 of 1.6 µM for 72 h. DBE presented an infection rate of 17% and 12%, dillapiole of 24% and 14% and Pentacarinat® of 10% and 9% over 48 h. DBE demonstrated a binding energy of -7.8 for the U53 enzyme. It is concluded that the analogue showed promising antileishmanial activity for future in vivo tests.

Lavandula dentata L. essential oil: a promising antifungal and antibiofilm agent against oral Candida albicans.

Candida albicans is the main fungal species involved in oral candidiasis, and its increasing resistance to pharmacological treatment encourages the search for improved antifungal agents. Lavandula dentata L. essential oil (LD-EO) has been recognized for its antimicrobial activity, but little is known about its role against oral C. albicans. This study evaluated the antifungal and antibiofilm activities, mechanisms of action, and toxicity of LD-EO from Brazil against oral strains of C. albicans. Antifungal activity was assessed based on Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC), association study with miconazole (Checkerboard method), and sorbitol and ergosterol assays. Inhibition of biofilm formation and disruption of preformed biofilm were considered when studying the effects of the product. Additionally, the toxicity of LD-EO was evaluated by a hemolysis assay on human erythrocytes. Phytochemical analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry identified eucalyptol (33.1%), camphor (18.3%), and fenchone (15.6%) as major constituents. The test substance showed mainly fungicidal activity (MIC100 = 8 µg/mL; MFC = 16 µg/mL), including against two miconazole-resistant isolates of C. albicans. The effects of LD-EO were synergistic with those of miconazole and appeared not to involve damage to the fungal cell wall or plasma membrane. Its effectiveness in inhibiting biofilm formation was higher than the effect of disrupting preformed biofilm. Finally, the product exhibited low hemolytic activity at MIC. Based on the favorable and novel results described here, LD-EO could constitute a promising therapeutic alternative for oral candidiasis, including miconazole-resistant cases.

Quality of life following pelvic exenteration in neoplasms.

BACKGROUND: Pelvic exenteration (PE) is an extensive surgical treatment reserved for advanced or recurrent pelvic neoplasms, with potential impacts on patients' quality of life (QoL) poorly referenced in the literature. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate QoL outcomes among three types of PE. METHODS: A cross-sectional study assessed 106 patients divided into anterior PE (APE), posterior PE (PPE), or total PE (TPE) groups. QoL was measured using e short form 36 version 2 (SF-36) and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QoL Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (QLQ-C30) QoL questionnaires. Descriptive and inferential analyses compared questionnaire scores. RESULTS: The findings unveiled a balance among the three groups concerning demographic variables and comorbidities, with the exception of a male predominance in the APE and TPE cohorts. Notably, the APE group exhibited elevated scores in overall health (assessed via SF-36) and social functioning and diarrhea domains (assessed via QLQ-C30). Moreover, in terms of the fatigue and nausea/vomiting domains (assessed via QLQ-C30), the APE group demonstrated superior QoL compared to the PPE group. Conversely, the PPE group manifested a notably lower QoL in the constipation domain (assessed via QLQ-C30) compared to the other two groups. Additionally, disease recurrence was significantly associated with diminished QoL across multiple domains. CONCLUSION: APE patients exhibited better QoL than PPE and TPE groups, with disease recurrence adversely affecting QoL.

Stereotactic radiotherapy for liver oligometastases: a pooled analysis following the estro/eortc consensus recommendations.

A large pooled analysis of liver oligometastases, classified accordingly to the ESTRO/EORTC recommendations, treated by stereotactic radiotherapy (SBRT) and Radiosurgery (SRS) was carried out. The clinical and dosimetric data of patients who underwent SBRT/SRS for liver metastases were analysed in terms of efficacy and toxicity profile. In particular, the Local Control (LC), the Distant Metastases Free Survival (DMFS), the Disease-Free Survival (DFS), the Overall Survival (OS), and the Next Systemic Therapy Free Survival (NEST-FS) rates were analysed. 113 patients (M/F: 49/64), accounting for a total of 150 hepatic lesions (March 2006-February 2023) in two Italian radiotherapy Institutions were evaluated. Median age was 67 years old (36-92) and 48 (42.5%) patients had at least one comorbidity. The majority of the lesions were induced (30.7%) or repeated oligoprogressive (12.7%) metastases. 98 lesions were treated with more than one daily fraction (mainly 50 Gy in 5 fractions), while 52 were radiosurgery treatments (mainly 32 Gy). The treatment response at 3-4 months was evaluable in 147 lesions: complete response was 32.0%, partial response 17.0%, and stable disease 32.0%. Actuarial LC, DMFS, DFS, OS, and NEST-FS at 1 year were 75.8%, 37.7%, 34.9%, 78.7%, and 59.4% respectively; while actuarial LC, DMFS, DFS, OS, and NEST-FS at 2 years were 52.1%, 24.9%, 21.9%, 51.3%, and 36.8%, respectively. The achievement of complete response, synchronous oligometastases, and no treatment interruptions correlated with a more favorable outcomes. As per the toxicity profile, we registered only two acute and one late toxicity cases higher than grade 2. Stereotactic treatment for liver metastases seems to be a safe and promising option in terms of local control. The best results in term of outcomes have been obtained in patients with complete response, synchronous oligometastases, favorable histology, and no treatment interruptions.

Optimization of spermatozoa analysis in mice: A comprehensive protocol.

Sperm quality is critical to predict reproductive alterations caused by immunological factors or toxicant agents. Yet, no detailed protocol has been published focusing on analyses of sperm parameters in mice. Our aim was to evaluate the most efficient diluent for mice sperm analyses and to optimize the sperm morphology classification, through the comparison of different staining methods. The diluents assessed were PBS (baseline), HTF, DMEM, 1 % BSA in PBS and 9 % skimmed powdered milk diluted in PBS. Spermatozoa were evaluated for vitality, motility, and morphology, smears were stained with Papanicolaou, HE, Giemsa, and Rapid staining. Sperm vitality and total motility reached better scores in milk based and DMEM diluents. HE raised up as an effective option since its combination with any of the diluents we tested, resulted in a fair staining, which was appropriated to evaluate mice spermatozoa. Finally, based on WHO manual, we have updated the current morphological classification for mice sperm, since we have detailed the head defects as well as included midpiece and tail defects on it. Taken together, we presented a useful, low cost, and reliable method to assess sperm morphology that could be employed worldwide by laboratories dedicated to study reproductive biology on mice model.

Field Hip Stability Isometric Test (F-HipSIT): Reliability of Assessing the Hip Posterolateral Muscle Strength in Sports Settings.

CONTEXT: The Hip Stability Isometric Test (HipSIT) is commonly employed in clinical settings for evaluating the hip posterolateral muscle strength. In this study, we introduced the "Field Hip Stability Isometric Test" (F-HipSIT) and assessed the intrarater and interrater reliability of this strength assessment specifically designed for sports settings. DESIGN: Reliability study. METHODS: Two independent raters (A and B) went to athletes' training facilities to conduct 2 sessions of F-HipSIT spaced at least 1 week apart. The average peak force value from 3 valid attempts of each leg was recorded and normalized by the participant's body mass for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Thirty male and 30 female amateur athletes took part in this study. Rater A obtained similar values in the first (0.39 [0.05] and 0.44 [0.07] kg·f/kg) and second (0.39 [0.06] and 0.45 [0.07] kg·f/kg) testing days for men and women, respectively. Rater B also found similar values in the first (0.35 [0.06] and 0.42 [0.08] kg·f/kg) and second (0.36 [0.06] and 0.45 [0.08] kg·f/kg) testing days for men and women, respectively. Excellent intrarater intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) values were found for men (ICC = .922) and women (ICC = .930), with coefficient of variation of 6% to 8% and minimal detectable change of 0.06 to 0.10 kg·f/kg. The F-HipSIT presented good interrater reliability for men (ICC = .857) and women (ICC = .868), with coefficient of variation of 5% and minimal detectable change of 0.05 to 0.06 kg·f/kg. CONCLUSION: The F-HipSIT intrarater and interrater reliability among male and female recreational athletes supports this field test as a quick and convenient screening tool to monitor hip posterolateral muscle strength in sports settings.

Atuação do enfermeiro a pacientesem cuidados paliativos: uma revisão integrativa de literatura / Nurse's role with patients in palliative care: an integrative literature review

Os cuidados paliativos visam melhorar a qualidade de vida de pacientes e suas famílias que enfrentam doenças ameaçadoras, proporcionando alívio ao sofrimento físico, psicossocial e espiritual. Objetivo: Descrever o papel do enfermeiro nos cuidados paliativos, destacando a importância do conhecimento em cuidados paliativos e bioética para tomar decisões adequadas e implementar as diretrizes antecipadas de vontade dos pacientes. Método: Para realizar esta revisão, foram analisados sete artigos publicados entre 2018 e 2022. Os estudos selecionados abrangiam pesquisas qualitativas, revisões sistemáticas e guias de prática clínica. Resultados: Os resultados mostraram um aumento na produção científica sobre cuidados paliativos nos últimos anos, com a publicação de artigos em revistas de diferentes qualidades. Os estudos destacaram a importância do conhecimento em cuidados paliativos e bioética para os enfermeiros, ressaltando a necessidade de qualificação para tomar decisões adequadas e implementar as diretrizes antecipadas de vontade dos pacientes. A pesquisa também identificou os diagnósticos de enfermagem mais comuns e estabeleceu intervenções plausíveis no contexto de terminalidade. Além disso, enfatizou-se a relevância do conhecimento dos enfermeiros sobre práticas integrativas e complementares, buscando uma abordagem holística e humanizada no cuidado paliativo. Conclusão: Esta revisão destaca a importância da atuação do enfermeiro nos cuidados paliativos e ressalta a necessidade de qualificação e desenvolvimento de ações que promovam uma abordagem humanizada e melhoria na qualidade de vida dos pacientes. Apesar dos desafios identificados na prática de enfermagem nesse contexto, como a falta de preparo na graduação para lidar com o processo de morte e a necessidade de abordagens mais aprofundadas, é essencial que os enfermeiros baseiem suas condutas na humanização, bioética e respeito à dignidade humana do paciente, incluindo a intervenção nos sintomas físicos, sociais e emocionais.(AU)

Palliative care aims to improve the quality of life for patients and their families facing life-threatening illnesses, providing relief from physical, psychosocial, and spiritual suffering. Objective: To describe the nurse's role in palliative care, highlighting the importance of knowledge in palliative care and bioethics to make adopted decisions and implement advance directives of the patients' will. Method: To conduct this review, seven articles published between 2018 and 2022 were analyzed. The selected studies encompassed qualitative research, systematic reviews, and clinical practice guidelines. Results: The results showed an increase in scientific production on palliative care in recent years, with articles published in journals of varying quality. The studies emphasized the importance of knowledge in palliative care and bioethics for nurses, emphasizing the need for qualification to make appropriate decisions and implement patients' advance care directives. The research also identified the most common nursing diagnoses and established plausible interventions in the context of terminality. Additionally, the relevance of nurses' knowledge of integrative and complementary practices was emphasized, seeking a holistic and humanized approach to palliative care. Conclusion: This review highlights the importance of nurses' involvement in palliative care and underscores the need for qualification and the development of actions that promote a humanized approach and improvement in patients' quality of life. Despite the challenges identified in nursing practice in this context, such as the lack of preparation in undergraduate education to deal with the dying process and the need for more in-depth approaches, it is essential for nurses to base their conduct on humanization, bioethics, and respect for the human dignity of the patient, including intervention in physical, social, and emotional symptoms.(AU)

Los cuidados paliativos tienen como objetivo mejorar la calidad de vida de los pacientes y sus familias que enfrentan enfermedades potencialmente mortales.proporcionando alivio del sufrimiento físico, psicosocial y espiritual. Objetivo: Describir el papel de las enfermeras en cuidados paliativos, destacando la importancia del conocimiento en cuidados paliativos y bioética para tomar decisiones adecuadas e implementar directivas anticipadas de los deseos de los pacientes. Método: Para realizar esta revisión se utilizaron siete artículos publicados entre 2018 y 2022. Los estudios seleccionados cubrieron investigaciones cualitativas, revisiones sistemáticas y guías de práctica clínica. Resultados: Los resultados mostraron un aumento en la producción científica sobre cuidados paliativos en los últimos años, con la publicación de artículosen revistas de diferente calidad. Los estudios resaltaron la importancia del conocimiento en cuidados paliativos y bioética para enfermeras, destacando la necesidad de calificaciones para tomar decisiones apropiadas e implementar directivas anticipadas de los deseos de los pacientes. La investigación también identificó los diagnósticos de enfermería más comunes y las intervenciones establecidas.plausible en el contexto de la terminalidad. Además, se destacó la relevancia del conocimiento de las enfermeras sobre las prácticas.integrador y complementario, buscando un enfoque holístico y humanizado de los cuidados paliativos.(AU)

Systematic review of literature to evaluate global distribution of species of the Sporothrix genus stored in culture collections.

Introduction: Sporotrichosis is a subcutaneous mycosis caused by fungi of the genus Sporothrix sp. Phenotypic and genotypic differences have been associated with their geographic distribution, virulence, or clinical manifestation of sporotrichosis. In the past decade, the interest in identifying species of the Sporothrix sp. has been increasing, due to its epidemiological importance and, in consequence, is important to know how to preserve them for future studies, in culture collection. Aims: The purposes of this study were to analyze the global distribution of environmental isolates and/or causal agents of sporotrichosis identified by polyphasic taxonomy, with mandatory use of molecular identification, and to evaluate the percentages and distribution of isolates stored in culture collections. Methods: A systematic review of articles on animal and human sporotrichosis and/or environmental isolation of the fungus, from 2007 to 2023, was done. Results: Our results demonstrated that, S. globosa, S. schenckii, and S. brasiliensis were the most identified species. With respect to the deposit and maintenance of species, we observed that only 17% of the strains of Sporothrix sp. isolated in the world are preserved in a culture collection. Conclusions: This systematic review confirmed a difficulty in obtaining the frequency of Sporothrix species stored in culture collection and insufficient data on the molecular identification mainly of animal sporotrichosis and isolation of Sporothrix sp. in environmental samples.

Metabolomic analysis of retinopathy stages and amputation in type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) and limb amputation are frequent complications of diabetes that cannot always be explained by blood glucose control. Metabolomics is a science that is currently being explored in the search for biomarkers or profiles that identify clinical conditions of interest. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze, using a metabolomic approach, peripheral blood samples from type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) individuals, compared with those with diabetic retinopathy and limb amputation. METHODS: The sample consisted of 128 participants, divided into groups: control, DM2 without DR (DM2), non-proliferative DR (DRNP), proliferative DR (DRP), and DM2 amputated (AMP). Metabolites from blood plasma were classified by spectra using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and the metabolic routes of each group using metaboanalyst. RESULTS: We identified that the metabolism of phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan was discriminant for the DRP group. Histidine biosynthesis, on the other hand, was statistically associated with the AMP group. The results of this work consolidate metabolites such as glutamine and citrulline as discriminating for DRP, and the branched-chain amino acids as important for DR. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate the relationship between the metabolism of ketone bodies, with acetoacetate metabolite being discriminating for the DRP group and histidine being a significant metabolite in the AMP group, when compared to the DM2 group.

Do athletes with hamstring strain injury have shorter muscle fascicles in the injured limb?

INTRODUCTION: Previous studies have suggested that a reduced length of the biceps femoris long head (BFlh) fascicles may increase the risk of hamstring strain injury (HSI). However, it remains unclear whether the BFlh fascicles of the injured limb are shorter than those of the contralateral limb in athletes with an acute HSI. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the between-limb asymmetry of BFlh fascicle length in amateur athletes with an acute HSI. METHODS: Male amateur athletes were evaluated using ultrasound scans within five days following an HSI. The BFlh fascicle length was estimated using a validated equation. RESULTS: Eighteen injured athletes participated in this study. There was no significant difference (p = 0.27) in the length of BFlh fascicles between the injured limb (9.53 ± 2.55 cm; 95%CI 8.26 to 10.80 cm) and the uninjured limb (10.54 ± 2.87 cm; 95%CI 9.11 to 11.97 cm). Individual analysis revealed high heterogeneity, with between-limb asymmetries (percentage difference of the injured limb compared to the uninjured limb) ranging from -42% to 25%. Nine out of the 18 athletes had a fascicle length that was more than 10% shorter in the injured limb compared to the uninjured limb, five athletes had a difference of less than 10%, and four athletes had a fascicle length that was more than 10% longer in the injured limb compared to the uninjured limb. CONCLUSION: The architecture characteristics of injured and uninjured muscles is not consistent among athletes with HSI. Therefore, rehabilitation programs focused on fascicle lengthening should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Ebselen: A Promising Repurposing Drug to Treat Infections Caused by Multidrug-Resistant Microorganisms.

Bacterial multiresistance to drugs is a rapidly growing global phenomenon. New resistance mechanisms have been described in different bacterial pathogens, threatening the effective treatment of even common infectious diseases. The problem worsens in infections associated with biofilms because, in addition to the pathogen's multiresistance, the biofilm provides a barrier that prevents antimicrobial access. Several "non-antibiotic" drugs have antimicrobial activity, even though it is not their primary therapeutic purpose. However, due to the urgent need to develop effective antimicrobials to treat diseases caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens, there has been an increase in research into "non-antibiotic" drugs to offer an alternative therapy through the so-called drug repositioning or repurposing. The prospect of new uses for existing drugs has the advantage of reducing the time and effort required to develop new compounds. Moreover, many drugs are already well characterized regarding toxicity and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic properties. Ebselen has shown promise for use as a repurposing drug for antimicrobial purposes. It is a synthetic organoselenium with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and cytoprotective activity. A very attractive factor for using ebselen is that, in addition to potent antimicrobial activity, its minimum inhibitory concentration is very low for microbial pathogens.

Genotoxic and antiproliferative properties of Endopleura uchi bark aqueous extract.

The bark extract from Endopleura uchi has been widely used in traditional medicine to treat gynecological-related disorders, diabetes, and dyslipidemias albeit without scientific proof. In addition, E. uchi bark extract safety, especially regarding mutagenic activities, is not known. The aim of this study was to determine the chemical composition, antitumor, and toxicological parameters attributed to an E. uchi bark aqueous extract. The phytochemical constitution was assessed by colorimetric and chromatographic analyzes. The antiproliferative effect was determined using sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay using 4 cancer cell lines. Cytotoxic and genotoxic activities were assessed utilizing MTT and comet assays, respectively, while mutagenicity was determined through micronucleus and Salmonella/microsome assays. The chromatographic analysis detected predominantly the presence of gallic acid and isoquercitrin. The antiproliferative effect was more pronounced in human colon adenocarcinoma (HT-29) and human breast cancer (MCF-7) cell lines. In the MTT assay, the extract presented an IC50 = 39.1 µg/ml and exhibited genotoxic (comet assay) and mutagenic (micronucleus test) activities at 20 and 40 µg/ml in mouse fibroblast cell line (L929) and mutagenicity in the TA102 and TA97a strains in the absence of S9 mix. Data demonstrated that E. uchi bark possesses bioactive compounds which exert cytotoxic and genotoxic effects that might be associated with its antitumor potential. Therefore, E. uchi bark aqueous extract consumption needs to be approached with caution in therapeutic applications.

Nutritional and antioxidant potential of Pleurotus djamor (Rumph. ex Fr.) Boedijn produced on agronomic wastes banana leaves and sugarcane bagasse substrates.

Global food production faces challenges concerning access to nutritious and sustainably produced food. Pleurotus djamor, however, is an edible mushroom that can be cultivated on agricultural waste. Considering that nutritional and functional potential of mushrooms can change based on cultivation conditions, we examined the influence of substrates with different compositions of banana leaf and sugarcane bagasse on the nutritional, mycochemical, and antioxidant properties of P. djamor. The mushrooms were grown for 120 days and dried in a circulating air oven at 45 °C for three days. We conducted bromatological analyses and mycochemical characterization (1H-NMR, total phenolics, and flavonoids) of the mushrooms and assayed the antioxidant activity of extracts from the dried mushrooms using an ethanol/water solution (70:30 v/v). In general, the substrates produced mushrooms with high protein (18.77 ± 0.24% to 17.80 ± 0.34%) and dietary fiber content (18.02 ± 0.05% to 19.32 ± 0.39%), and with low lipid (0.28 + 0.08% to 0.4 + 0.6%), and caloric content (maximum value: 258.42 + 8.49), with no significant differences between the groups (p ≥ 0.05). The mushrooms also exhibited high levels of total phenolics and flavonoids. The mushrooms cultivated on sugarcane bagasse substrates presented the highest values (p < 0.05). Analysis of the 1H-NMR spectra indicates an abundant presence of heteropolysaccharides, ß-glucans, α-glucans, and oligosaccharides, and all the mushroom extracts exhibited high antioxidant activity. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that agricultural residues permit sustainable production of edible mushrooms while maintaining nutritional and functional properties.

Suprachoroidal gene transfer with nonviral nanoparticles in large animal eyes.

Suprachoroidal nonviral gene therapy with biodegradable poly(ß-amino ester) nanoparticles (NPs) provides widespread expression in photoreceptors and retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cells and therapeutic benefits in rodents. Here, we show in a human-sized minipig eye that suprachoroidal injection of 50 µl of NPs containing 19.2 µg of GFP expression plasmid caused GFP expression in photoreceptors and RPE throughout the entire eye with no toxicity. Two weeks after injection of 50, 100, or 200 µl, there was considerable within-eye and between-eye variability in expression that was reduced 3 months after injection of 200 µl and markedly reduced after three suprachoroidal injections at different locations around the eye. Reduction of bacterial CpG sequences in the expression plasmid resulted in a trend toward higher expression. These data indicate that nonviral suprachoroidal gene therapy with optimized polymer, expression plasmid, and injection approach has potential for treating photoreceptors throughout the entire retina of a human-sized eye.

Frederic Lewy: how the two World Wars changed his life, work, and name.

In 1912, Friedrich Lewy described the inclusion bodies present in Parkinson disease and in Lewy body dementia. Throughout his life, Lewy fought in two wars - on opposite sides. He was born in Berlin in a Jewish family, and served in the German Army in World War I. In the following years, on many occasions he had to change his line of research due to Nazi persecution. Lewy became a naturalized American, changed his name to Frederic Henry Lewey, and served in the US Army as a lieutenant colonel. Lewy died in 1950 and never used the famous eponym in his papers.

Em 1912, Friedrich Lewy descreveu os corpos de inclusão presentes na doença de Parkinson e na demência com corpos de Lewy. Ao longo sua vida, Lewy lutou em duas guerras, em lados opostos. Ele nasceu em Berlin em uma família de origem judaica e serviu no Exército alemão na Primeira Guerra Mundial. Nos anos seguintes, passou muitas vezes teve de mudar sua linha de pesquisa devido à perseguição Nazista. Lewy naturalizou-se americano, mudou seu nome para Frederic Henry Lewey, e serviu no Exército americano como tenente-coronel. Lewy morreu em 1950 e nunca usou o famoso epônimo em seus artigos.

Harnessing Brazilian biodiversity database: identification of flavonoids as potential inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 main protease using computational approaches and all-atom molecular dynamics simulation.

SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2) is the etiological agent responsible for the global outbreak of COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019). The main protease of SARS-CoV-2, Mpro, is a key enzyme that plays a vital role in mediating viral replication and transcription. In this study, a comprehensive computational approach was employed to investigate the binding affinity, selectivity, and stability of natural product candidates as potential new antivirals acting on the viral polyprotein processing mediated by SARS-CoV-2 Mpro. A library of 288 flavonoids extracted from Brazilian biodiversity was screened to select potential Mpro inhibitors. An initial filter based on Lipinski's rule of five was applied, and 204 compounds that did not violate any of the Lipinski rules were selected. The compounds were then docked into the active site of Mpro using the GOLD program, and the poses were subsequently re-scored using MM-GBSA (Molecular Mechanics Generalized Born Surface Area) binding free energy calculations performed by AmberTools23. The top five flavonoids with the best MM-GBSA binding free energy values were selected for analysis of their interactions with the active site residues of the protein. Next, we conducted a toxicity and drug-likeness analysis, and non-toxic compounds were subjected to molecular dynamics simulation and free energy calculation using the MM-PBSA (Molecular Mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann Surface Area) method. It was observed that the five selected flavonoids had lower MM-GBSA binding free energy with Mpro than the co-crystal ligand. Furthermore, these compounds also formed hydrogen bonds with two important residues, Cys145 and Glu166, in the active site of Mpro. Two compounds that passed the drug-likeness filter showed stable conformations during the molecular dynamics simulations. Among these, NuBBE_867 exhibited the best MM-PBSA binding free energy value compared to the crystallographic inhibitor. Therefore, this study suggests that NuBBE_867 could be a potential inhibitor against the main protease of SARS-CoV-2 and may be further examined to confirm our results.