Isolation and genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii from chickens from public markets in Pernambuco State, Brazil.

This study aimed to evaluate the presence and viability of Toxoplasma gondii in chickens intended for human consumption in the Pernambuco State, Brazil. Blood and tissue samples were collected from 25 chickens sold in markets in Recife, Pernambuco. Samples were evaluated by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) to detect antibodies to T. gondii. Pools of brain and heart of seropositive chickens were subjected to bioassay in two Swiss Webster mice, which were evaluated for 45 days then tested by IFA to detect seroconversion. The mice were euthanized, and their brains were evaluated for cysts. Peritoneal lavage was also conducted in mice that exhibited clinical signs. Brains containing cysts or peritoneal lavage with tachyzoites were inoculated into MA-104 cells. Brains of mice inoculated with the same tissue were pooled and analysed by ITS1-PCR. We obtained a frequency of antibodies to T. gondii of 68.00% (17/25) in chickens, and a seroconversion rate of 70.58% (24/34) in mice. Detection of Toxoplasma ITS1 DNA confirmed an isolation rate of 41.1% (7/17). Three isolates were characterized by mnPCR-RFLP as genotypes ToxoDB#36 and ToxoDB#114. We highlight the occurrence of ToxoDB#36 in chickens in Pernambuco State and the parasites' viability in chickens intended for human consumption.

Kidney transplantation and perioperative complications: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Kidney transplant recipients face complex perioperative challenges due to comorbidities from chronic kidney disease. This study aimed to assess perioperative complications in kidney transplant recipients and evaluate the association between the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and complication severity using the Clavien-Dindo (CD) classification. METHODS: A prospective cohort study conducted at a tertiary hospital in South Brazil from September 2020 to March 2022, including 230 adult kidney transplant recipients. Data on demographics, comorbidities, and complications were collected. Complications were categorized using the CD scale, and their relationship with CCI was analyzed using univariate and multivariate Cox regression. RESULTS: Mean age was 49.2 ± 12.7 years, with 58.7% male recipients. The mean CCI score was 3.65±1.5 points. Intraoperative complications occurred in 10.9% of patients, with notable issues including bleeding and airway difficulties. In the immediate postoperative period, 9.1% required urgent dialysis. In the 30-day follow-up, 57.8% had delayed graft function, 21.7% infections, 11.3% had vascular complications, and the mortality was 1.7%. CCI was not a significant predictor of severe complications; however, congestive heart failure was strongly associated with severe complications (HR = 6.6 95% CI 2.6-6.7, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Despite a low overall comorbidity profile, kidney transplant recipients faced significant perioperative challenges. The lack of a significant association between the CCI score and severe complications suggests that traditional risk assessment tools may not fully capture the risks specific to the early postoperative period in kidney transplantation, and future research should focus on developing more refined risk assessment models for chronic kidney disease patients.

[Recommendations for Reducing the Environmental Impact of Inhalers in Portugal: Consensus Document]. / Recomendações para a Redução do Impacto Ambiental dos Inaladores em Portugal: Documento de Consenso.

This consensus document addresses the reduction of the environmental impact of inhalers in Portugal. It was prepared by the Portuguese Council for Health and the Environment and the societies representing the specialties that account for these drugs' largest volume of prescriptions, namely the Portuguese Society of Pulmonology, the Portuguese Society of Allergology and Clinical Immunology, the Portuguese Society of Pediatrics, the Portuguese Society of Internal Medicine, the Portuguese Association of General and Family Medicine and also a patient association, the Respira Association. The document acknowledges the significant impact of pressurized metered-dose inhalers on greenhouse gas emissions and highlights the need to transition to more sustainable alternatives. The carbon footprint of pressurized metered-dose inhalers and dry powder inhalers in Portugal was calculated, and the level of awareness among prescribing physicians on this topic was also estimated. Finally, recommendations were developed to accelerate the reduction of the ecological footprint of inhalers.

Este documento de consenso aborda a redução do impacto ambiental dos inaladores em Portugal. Foi elaborado pelo Conselho Português para a Saúde e Ambiente e pelas sociedades que representam as especialidades com maior volume de prescrição destes medicamentos, nomeadamente a Sociedade Portuguesa de Pneumologia, a Sociedade Portuguesa de Alergologia e Imunologia Clínica, a Sociedade Portuguesa de Pediatria, a Sociedade Portuguesa de Medicina Interna e a Associação Portuguesa de Medicina Geral e Familiar em conjunto com uma associação de doentes, a Associação Respira. Reconhece-se o impacto significativo dos inaladores pressurizados doseáveis nas emissões de gases com efeito de estufa e a necessidade de transição para alternativas mais sustentáveis. Calculou-se a pegada de carbono dos inaladores pressurizados doseáveis e dos inaladores de pó seco em Portugal e estimou-se o nível de literacia dos médicos prescritores relativamente a este tema. Finalmente, foram elaboradas recomendações com o objetivo de acelerar a redução da pegada ecológica dos inaladores.

Normalising participatory health research approaches in the WHO European region for refugee and migrant health: a paradigm shift.

While people's involvement in health research is increasingly the encouraged norm in many countries, the involvement of refugees and migrants in research about their health is rare. Here, we call for a paradigm shift in the field of refugee and migrant health to make participatory health research routine, i.e. normalised. To disrupt 'business as usual', we synthesise evidence about meaningful research partnerships and features of inclusive participatory spaces. We present examples of decolonial, culturally attuned methods that can be used to reimagine and reinvigorate research practice because they encourage critical reflexivity and power-sharing: arts-based research using music and singing, participatory learning and action research, Photovoice and co-design (ideas generation) workshops. We consider the consequences of not making this paradigm shift. We conclude with recommendations for specific structural and policy changes and empirical research questions that are needed to inform the normalisation of participatory health research in this field.

Musculoskeletal Disorder (MSD) Health Data Collection, Personalized Management and Exchange Using Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR).

With the proliferation and growing complexity of healthcare systems emerges the challenge of implementing scalable and interoperable solutions to seamlessly integrate heterogenous data from sources such as wearables, electronic health records, and patient reports that can provide a comprehensive and personalized view of the patient's health. Lack of standardization hinders the coordination between systems and stakeholders, impacting continuity of care and patient outcomes. Common musculoskeletal conditions affect people of all ages and can have a significant impact on quality of life. With physical activity and rehabilitation, these conditions can be mitigated, promoting recovery and preventing recurrence. Proper management of patient data allows for clinical decision support, facilitating personalized interventions and a patient-centered approach. Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) is a widely adopted standard that defines healthcare concepts with the objective of easing information exchange and enabling interoperability throughout the healthcare sector, reducing implementation complexity without losing information integrity. This article explores the literature that reviews the contemporary role of FHIR, approaching its functioning, benefits, and challenges, and presents a methodology for structuring several types of health and wellbeing data, that can be routinely collected as observations and then encapsulated in FHIR resources, to ensure interoperability across systems. These were developed considering health industry standard guidelines, technological specifications, and using the experience gained from the implementation in various study cases, within European health-related research projects, to assess its effectiveness in the exchange of patient data in existing healthcare systems towards improving musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).

In Vivo Activity of Intestinal P-Glycoprotein and Hepatic Organic Anion Transporters Polypeptide in Pregnancy and Postpartum.

This study investigates the influence of pregnancy on the in vivo activity of the intestinal P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and hepatic organic anion transporters polypeptide (OATP/BCRP) using, respectively, fexofenadine and rosuvastatin as probe drugs. Eleven healthy participants were investigated during the third trimester of pregnancy (Phase 1, 28 to 38 weeks of gestation) and in the postpartum period (Phase 2, 8 to 12 weeks postpartum). In both phases, after administration of a single oral dose of fexofenadine (60 mg) and rosuvastatin (5 mg), serial blood samples were collected for up to 24 h. Rosuvastatin and fexofenadine in plasma were analyzed by LC-MS/MS using previously validated methods. The pharmacokinetic parameters of fexofenadine and rosuvastatin (Phoenix WinNonLin software) with normal distribution (Shapiro-Wilk test) are presented as geometric mean and 90% confidence interval. Phases 1 and 2 were compared using the t test (P < .05). Fexofexadine AUC0-24 values do not differ (P-value: .0715) between Phase 1 (641.9 ng h/mL [500.6-823.1]) and Phase 2 (823.8 ng h/mL [641.5-1057.6]) showing that pregnancy (third trimester) does not alter intestinal P-gp activity. However, rosuvastatin AUC0-24 values are higher (P-value: .00005) in Phase 1 (18.7 ng h/mL [13.3-26.4]) when compared to Phase 2 (9.5 ng h/mL [6.7-13.4]), suggesting inhibition of OATP1B1/OATP1B3 transporters. In conclusion, pregnancy assessed during the third trimester does not alter the intestinal P-gp activity but reduces the activity of hepatic OATP1B1/OATP1B3 transporters. Therefore, adjustments in dosage regimens may be necessary for drugs with low therapeutic index, substrates of the OATP1B1/OATP1B3 transporters, administered during the third trimester of pregnancy.

Liver Fibrosis Stages Affect Organic Cation Transporter 1/2 Activities in Hepatitis C Virus-Infected Patients.

This study aims to evaluate the impact of liver fibrosis stages of chronic infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) on the in vivo activity of organic cation transporters (hepatic OCT1 and renal OCT2) using metformin (MET) as a probe drug. Participants allocated in Group 1 (n = 15, mild to moderate liver fibrosis) or 2 (n = 13, advanced liver fibrosis and cirrhosis) received a single MET 50 mg oral dose before direct-acting antiviral (DAA) drug treatment (Phase 1) and 30 days after achieving sustained virologic response (Phase 2). OCT1/2 activity (MET AUC0-24) was found to be reduced by 25% when comparing the two groups in Phase 2 (ratio 0.75 (0.61-0.93), p < 0.05) but not in Phase 1 (ratio 0.81 (0.66-0.98), p > 0.05). When Phases 1 and 2 were compared, no changes were detected in both Groups 1 (ratio 1.10 (0.97-1.24), p > 0.05) and 2 (ratio 1.03 (0.94-1.12), p > 0.05). So, this study shows a reduction of approximately 25% in the in vivo activity of OCT1/2 in participants with advanced liver fibrosis and cirrhosis after achieving sustained virologic response and highlights that OCT1/2 in vivo activity depends on the liver fibrosis stage of chronic HCV infection.

Bioassay-guided isolation of leishmanicidal cucurbitacins from Momordica charantia.

Introduction: Leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical parasitic disease, is regarded as a major public health problem worldwide. The first-line drugs for leishmaniasis suffer from limitations related to toxicity and the development of resistance in certain parasitic strains. Therefore, the discovery of alternative treatments for leishmaniasis is imperative, and natural products represent a valuable source of potential therapeutic agents. Methods: The present study aimed at finding new potential antileishmanial agents from the aerial parts of the medicinal plant Momordica charantia. This study was based on bioassay-guided fractionation of the M. charantia extract against promastigotes and amastigotes of Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis. The cytotoxicity of the extract, fractions, and isolated compounds were evaluated against peritoneal murine macrophages by employing the MTT assay for assessing cell metabolic activity. Results: Antileishmanial assay-guided fractionation of the M. charantia extract led to the bioactive cucurbitacin-enriched fraction and the isolation of four bioactive cucurbitacin-type triterpenoids, which exhibited significant antileishmanial activity, with IC50 values between 2.11 and 3.25 µg.mL-1 against promastigote and amastigote forms, low toxicity and selectivity indexes ranging from 8.5 to 17.2. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that the fractions and cucurbitacin-type triterpenoids obtained from the aerial parts of M. charantia are promising natural leishmanicidal candidates.

Synchrotron nano-FTIR spectroscopy for probing anticancer drugs at subcellular scale.

The cellular response to cisplatin was assessed in human osteosarcoma cells, using synchrotron-based (SR) Fourier Transform InfraRed nanospectroscopy (nano-FTIR) at the MIRIAM beamline B22 of Diamond Light Source (UK). This label-free mapping method delivered simultaneous morphological and biochemical information on a subcellular level (i.e. 100 s nanometer or better). Based on specific spectral biomarkers, the main biochemical constituents affected by the drug were identified at distinct locations within the cell´s inner body. Cisplatin was shown to have a noteworthy effect on proteins, mostly within the cytoplasm. A clear drug impact on cellular lipids was also observed. Within current literature on s-SNOM, this nanospectroscopy work represents a first successful application in life sciences providing full fingerprint nano-FTIR spectra across intact human cancer cells.

Platinum-based chemotherapy: trends in organic nanodelivery systems.

Despite the investment in platinum drugs research, cisplatin, carboplatin and oxaliplatin are still the only Pt-based compounds used as first line treatments for several cancers, with a few other compounds being approved for administration in some Asian countries. However, due to the severe and worldwide impact of oncological diseases, there is an urge for improved chemotherapeutic approaches. Furthermore, the pharmaceutical application of platinum complexes is hindered by their inherent toxicity and acquired resistance. Nanodelivery systems rose as a key strategy to overcome these challenges, with recognized versatility and ability towards improving the safety, bioavailability and efficacy of the available drugs. Among the known nanocarriers, organic systems have been widely applied, taking advantage of their potential as drug vehicles. Researchers have mainly focused on the development of lipidic and polymeric carriers, including supramolecular structures, with an overall improvement of encapsulated platinum complexes. Herein, an overview of recent trends and strategies is presented, with the main focus on the encapsulation of platinum compounds into organic nanocarriers, showcasing the evolution in the design and development of these promising systems. This comprehensive review highlights formulation methods as well as characterization procedures, providing insights that may be helpful for the development of novel platinum nanocarriers aiming at future pharmaceutical applications.

Adenosine A2A receptor as a potential regulator of Mycobacterium leprae survival mechanisms: new insights into leprosy neural damage.

Background: Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, which can lead to a disabling neurodegenerative condition. M. leprae preferentially infects skin macrophages and Schwann cells-glial cells of the peripheral nervous system. The infection modifies the host cell lipid metabolism, subverting it in favor of the formation of cholesterol-rich lipid droplets (LD) that are essential for bacterial survival. Although researchers have made progress in understanding leprosy pathogenesis, many aspects of the molecular and cellular mechanisms of host-pathogen interaction still require clarification. The purinergic system utilizes extracellular ATP and adenosine as critical signaling molecules and plays several roles in pathophysiological processes. Furthermore, nucleoside surface receptors such as the adenosine receptor A2AR involved in neuroimmune response, lipid metabolism, and neuron-glia interaction are targets for the treatment of different diseases. Despite the importance of this system, nothing has been described about its role in leprosy, particularly adenosinergic signaling (AdoS) during M. leprae-Schwann cell interaction. Methods: M. leprae was purified from the hind footpad of athymic nu/nu mice. ST88-14 human cells were infected with M. leprae in the presence or absence of specific agonists or antagonists of AdoS. Enzymatic activity assays, fluorescence microscopy, Western blotting, and RT-qPCR analysis were performed. M. leprae viability was investigated by RT-qPCR, and cytokines were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: We demonstrated that M. leprae-infected Schwann cells upregulated CD73 and ADA and downregulated A2AR expression and the phosphorylation of the transcription factor CREB (p-CREB). On the other hand, activation of A2AR with its selective agonist, CGS21680, resulted in: 1) reduced lipid droplets accumulation and pro-lipogenic gene expression; 2) reduced production of IL-6 and IL-8; 3) reduced intracellular M. leprae viability; 4) increased levels of p-CREB. Conclusion: These findings suggest the involvement of the AdoS in leprosy neuropathogenesis and support the idea that M. leprae, by downmodulating the expression and activity of A2AR in Schwann cells, decreases A2AR downstream signaling, contributing to the maintenance of LD accumulation and intracellular viability of the bacillus.

Complete photodynamic inactivation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm with use of potassium iodide and its comparison with enzymatic pretreatment.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a gram-negative bacterium, accounts for 7% of all hospital-acquired infections. Despite advances in medicine and antibiotic therapy, P. aeruginosa infection still results in high mortality rates of up to 62% in certain patient groups. This bacteria is also known to form biofilms, that are 10 to 1000 times more resistant to antibiotics compared to their free-floating counterparts. Photodynamic Inactivation (PDI) has been proved to be an effective antimicrobial technique for microbial control. This method involves the incubation of the pathogen with a photosensitizer (PS), then, a light at appropriated wavelength is applied, leading to the production of reactive oxygen species that are toxic to the microbial cells. Studies have focused on strategies to enhance the PDI efficacy, such as a pre-treatment with enzymes to degrade the biofilm matrix and/or an addition of inorganic salts to the PS. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effectiveness of PDI against P. aeruginosa biofilm in association with the application of the enzymes prior to PDI (enzymatic pre-treatment) or the addition of potassium iodide (KI) to the photosensitizer solution, to increase the inactivation effectiveness of the treatment. First, a range of enzymes and PSs were tested, and the best protocols for combined treatments were selected. The results showed that the use of enzymes as a pre-treatment was effective to reduce the total biomass, however, when associated with PDI, mild bacterial reductions were obtained. Then, the use of KI in association with the PS was evaluated and the results showed that, PDI mediated by methylene blue (MB) in the presence of KI was able to completely eradicate the biofilm. However, when the PDI was performed with curcumin and KI, no additive reduction was observed. In conclusion, out of all strategies evaluated in the present study, the most promising strategy to improve PDI against P. aeruginosa biofilm was the use of KI in association with MB, resulting in eradication with 108 log bacterial inactivation.

Neuropsychological aspects of reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome.

Despite the increasing knowledge in the past years, only minimal attention has been directed to the neuropsychological aspects and the prevalence of cognitive impairment associated with reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS). Objective: To describe the frequency and expand the understanding of cognitive dysfunction in RCVS. Methods: The neuropsychological evaluation was performed using a battery consisting of specific neuropsychological instruments that were administered to patients diagnosed with RCVS. A triage was conducted to exclude other potential causes of cognitive impairment. Performance on the tests was treated as a categorical variable, and a cutoff of -1.5 Z-score was adopted to indicate impaired performance. Results: Seven patients diagnosed with RCVS were evaluated, all of whom had a bachelor's degree and normal score in the Mini-Mental State Examination. The average time between diagnosis and neuropsychological evaluation was 1.8 years. Among the patients, 85.6% (n=6) exhibited performance below that of the normal population in at least two of the administered tests. Specifically, 71.4% (n=5) showed alterations in tests from the Psychological Battery for Attention Assessment, with impairment observed in concentrated (n=1), divided (n=3), or alternating (n=4) attention. Furthermore, 28.6% (n=2) demonstrated impairments in the Phonological Verbal Fluency Task, another 28.6% (n=2) exhibited difficulties copying elements of the Rey Complex Figure, and 14.3% (n=1) displayed lower performance in the Five-Digit test, all indicating executive dysfunction. Conclusion: This study provides evidence that cognitive impairment associated with RCVS is more prevalent than previously believed and has not received sufficient attention. Specifically, attention and executive functions are the cognitive domains most significantly impacted by RCVS.

Apesar do crescente conhecimento nos últimos anos, pouca atenção tem sido direcionada aos aspectos neuropsicológicos e à prevalência de declínio cognitivo associado à Síndrome de Vasoconstrição Cerebral Reversível (SVCR). Objetivo: Descrever a frequência e expandir o entendimento da disfunção cognitiva associada à SVCR. Métodos: A avaliação neuropsicológica foi realizada por meio de uma bateria composta de instrumentos neuropsicológicos específicos, que foram aplicados aos pacientes com SVCR. Uma triagem foi realizada para excluir outras potenciais causas de declínio cognitivo. O desempenho nos testes foi considerado como variável categórica, e o corte de −1,5 escore z foi adotado para indicar desempenho comprometido. Resultados: Sete pacientes com diagnóstico de SVCR foram avaliados, os quais tinham todos nível de ensino superior e pontuação normal no Miniexame do Estado Mental. A média de tempo entre o diagnóstico e a avaliação neuropsicológica foi de 1,8 ano. Dentre os pacientes, 85,6%(n=6) apresentaram desempenho comprometido em pelo menos dois dos testes aplicados. Especificamente, 71,4% (n=5) apresentaram alterações nos testes da Bateria Psicológica para Avaliação da Atenção, com comprometimento observado nas atenções concentrada (n=1), dividida (n=3), ou alternada (n=4). Além disso, 28,6% (n=2) demonstraram comprometimento na Fluência Verbal Fonológica, 28,6% (n=2) exibiram dificuldades na cópia da Figura Complexa de Rey e um paciente obteve desempenho alterado no Teste dos Cinco Dígitos, todos indicando disfunção executiva. Conclusão: Este estudo fornece evidência de que o declínio cognitivo associado à SVCR é mais prevalente do que se acreditava anteriormente. Especialmente, os domínios mais significativamente comprometidos foram a atenção e as funções executivas.

Health literacy strengths and needs among migrant communities from Portuguese-speaking African countries in Portugal: a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Health literacy among migrants is a matter of public health and social justice. Migrants from diverse backgrounds encounter challenges such as linguistic barriers, cultural disparities, restricted access to health services, and heterogeneous migration statuses. Addressing these challenges requires careful consideration of their unique experiences and needs to promote equitable health outcomes. This can hinder their ability to navigate the healthcare system, understand health information, and engage in health-promoting behaviours. However, there is still a significant gap in our understanding of health literacy within migrant communities. This study has a dual aim: to identify health literacy strengths and needs among migrants from Portuguese-speaking African Countries (PALOP) countries in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area and to examine associations between demographic, socioeconomic, migration and health condition characteristics and the health literacy domains. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted. Data were collected from 506 PALOP migrants using the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ). We also collected demographic, socioeconomic, migration, and health condition data. We employed multiple linear regression to understand the relationship between the HLQ nine domains and these characteristics. Results: The HLQ scores revealed distinct patterns of health literacy between the groups. Health literacy needs were particularly evident in the domains related to feeling understood and supported by healthcare providers and navigating the healthcare system. Conversely, higher scores and potential strengths were observed in actively managing one's health and understanding enough health information to make informed decisions. However, in these, the average scores suggest that a high proportion of people recognised difficulties. 'The results also indicated that a higher educational level was associated with increased health literacy. In contrast, low self-perceived health status, living alone, shorter duration of residence in Portugal, and being either undocumented or in the process of obtaining legal status were associated with lower health literacy. Conclusion: Our study highlights the importance of migration-related variables and self-reported health status in understanding health literacy among migrant communities. Factors such as length of stay and low self-perceived health status are associated with potentially disadvantageous levels of health literacy, which could exacerbate health inequalities. Assessing these variables is critical to identify gaps in health literacy and develop tailored interventions to reduce health inequalities.

Efficacy of denture cleansers on Candida albicans adhesion and their effects on the properties of conventional, milled CAD/CAM, and 3D-printed denture bases.

OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the efficacy of denture cleaners on the adhesion of Candida albicans and their effects on the surface, optical, and mechanical properties of resins for conventional, milled, and 3D-printed denture bases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 240 resin samples were made, 120 for testing Candida albicans adhesion, optical stabilities (ΔE00), roughness (Ra), hydrophilicity (°), surface free energy (Owens-Wendt) and 120 samples for testing Candida albicans adhesion, surface microhardness (Knoop), flexural strength and modulus of elasticity in a three-point test, in which they were divided into 3 groups of denture resin (n = 40) and subdivided into 5 cleaners of dentures (n = 8). Data were evaluated by two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test for multiple comparisons (α = 0.05). RESULTS: Denture cleaners with an alkaline solution and dilute acid composition were those that showed the greatest effectiveness in reducing Candida albicans (P < 0.001), however 1% NaOCl significantly affected the properties of the resins (P < 0.05). Denture 3D-printed showed that the surface microhardness was significantly lower for all cleansers (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Listerine demonstrated superior efficacy in reducing Candida albicans with minimal effect on denture properties, whereas 1% NaOCl had a significant negative impact on the properties. The mechanical properties were significantly lower in 3D-printed resin than in other resins for all denture cleansers. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Denture base materials are being sold to adapt to the CAD/CAM system, increasing the number of users of dentures manufactured with this system. Despite this, there is little investigation into denture cleaners regarding the adhesion capacity of microorganisms and the optical, surface and mechanical properties of dentures, thus requiring further investigation.

An efficient plasmid-based system for the recovery of recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus encoding foreign glycoproteins.

Viral glycoproteins mediate entry into host cells, thereby dictating host range and pathogenesis. In addition, they constitute the principal target of neutralizing antibody responses, making them important antigens in vaccine development. Recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) encoding foreign glycoproteins can provide a convenient and safe surrogate system to interrogate the function, evolution, and antigenicity of viral glycoproteins from viruses that are difficult to manipulate or those requiring high biosafety level containment. However, the production of recombinant VSV can be technically challenging. In this work, we present an efficient and robust plasmid-based system for the production of recombinant VSV encoding foreign glycoproteins. We validate the system using glycoproteins from different viral families, including arenaviruses, coronaviruses, and hantaviruses, as well as highlight their utility for studying the effects of mutations on viral fitness. Overall, the methods described herein can facilitate the study of both native and recombinant VSV encoding foreign glycoproteins and can serve as the basis for the production of VSV-based vaccines.

Programmes Addressed to Informal Caregivers' Needs: A Systematic Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Addressing informal caregivers' needs is essential for ensuring quality healthcare and promoting citizen-centred care. This systematic review assessed current knowledge about programmes aimed at meeting the needs of informal caregivers of adults who are dependent on others for daily life activities. METHODS: Following the PRISMA guidelines, the electronic databases EBSCOhost Research Platform, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science and The Virtual Health Library were searched for randomized experimental studies published between 2012 and 2022 that implemented programmes addressing informal caregivers' needs to improve their experiences, health, and well-being. Quality was assessed using the standardized critical evaluation tools from the Joanna Briggs Institute. Two independent investigators performed the eligibility assessment and data extraction. Quantitative data on the effectiveness of interventions were collected, and the content of each intervention was synthesized and aggregated into categories, through narrative synthesis. RESULTS: The majority of the included studies (n = 16) were conducted in European countries and implemented a structured intervention programme compared to the provision of usual care. The studies were of fair to high methodological quality, with a higher risk of bias related to blinding. The results supported the achievement of favourable health outcomes among informal caregivers, namely improvements in mental health (n = 3) and quality of life (n = 3) and a decrease in psychological symptomatology (n = 5) and burden (n = 3). None of the interventions reported adverse outcomes; however, five studies did not describe significant differences in the outcomes assessed after the implementation of the programmes. Interventions focusing on training and educating caregivers (n = 14) and cognitive-behavioural strategies (n = 7) were the most common, while programmes focusing on emotional and psychological support as a resource to improve caregivers' psychological outcomes were scarce. CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review adds to the growing body of evidence and insight showing that programmes that address informal caregivers' needs seem to contribute to better physical and psychological health outcomes through the promotion of caregivers' educational support and the implementation of cognitive-behavioural strategies. Future research should implement methodologically robust cross-country programmes tailored to informal caregivers' physical, emotional, psychosocial, societal, and educational needs throughout the care trajectory.

Discovery of novel fluorescent azaindoles with cytotoxic action in A2780 ovarian carcinoma cells.

Azaindole scaffold is a privileged structure in medicinal chemistry and some derivatives have demonstrated to be potential anticancer drugs. Herein, a set of novel azaindoles, comprising the four regioisomers, bearing a morpholine (azaindoles 3a-d) and N-methyl-N-benzylamine (azaindoles 4a-d) groups were prepared. Among these compounds, azaindoles 4 exhibited higher cytotoxicity against the ovarian cancer cell line A2780 and normal dermal fibroblasts compared to azaindoles 3. Furthermore, azaindoles 4b and 4c promoted a delay in the cell cycle of the cancer cell line, inspiring an investigation into the intracellular localization of these derivatives.

Cell type-specific adaptation of the SARS-CoV-2 spike.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) can infect various human tissues and cell types, principally via interaction with its cognate receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2). However, how the virus evolves in different cellular environments is poorly understood. Here, we used experimental evolution to study the adaptation of the SARS-CoV-2 spike to four human cell lines expressing different levels of key entry factors. After twenty passages of a spike-expressing recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), cell-type-specific phenotypic changes were observed and sequencing allowed the identification of sixteen adaptive spike mutations. We used VSV pseudotyping to measure the entry efficiency, ACE2 affinity, spike processing, TMPRSS2 usage, and entry pathway usage of all the mutants, alone or in combination. The fusogenicity of the mutant spikes was assessed with a cell-cell fusion assay. Finally, mutant recombinant VSVs were used to measure the fitness advantage associated with selected mutations. We found that the effects of these mutations varied across cell types, both in terms of viral entry and replicative fitness. Interestingly, two spike mutations (L48S and A372T) that emerged in cells expressing low ACE2 levels increased receptor affinity, syncytia induction, and entry efficiency under low-ACE2 conditions. Our results demonstrate specific adaptation of the SARS-CoV-2 spike to different cell types and have implications for understanding SARS-CoV-2 tissue tropism and evolution.

Seroprevalence of Protective Antibodies Against Influenza and the Reduction of the Influenza Incidence Rate: An Annual Repeated Cross-Sectional Study From 2014 to 2019.

BACKGROUND: Seroepidemiological studies provide estimates of population-level immunity, prevalence/incidence of infections, and evaluation of vaccination programs. We assessed the seroprevalence of protective antibodies against influenza and evaluated the correlation of seroprevalence with the cumulative annual influenza incidence rate. METHODS: We conducted an annual repeated cross-sectional seroepidemiological survey, during June-August, from 2014 to 2019, in Portugal. A total of 4326 sera from all age groups, sex, and regions was tested by hemagglutination inhibition assay. Seroprevalence and geometric mean titers (GMT) of protective antibodies against influenza were assessed by age group, sex, and vaccine status (65+ years old). The association between summer annual seroprevalence and the difference of influenza incidence rates between one season and the previous one was measured by Pearson correlation coefficient (r). RESULTS: Significant differences in seroprevalence of protective antibodies against influenza were observed in the population. Higher seroprevalence and GMT for A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2) were observed in children (5-14); influenza B seroprevalence in adults 65+ was 1.6-4.4 times than in children (0-4). Vaccinated participants (65+) showed significant higher seroprevalence/GMT for influenza. A strong negative and significant correlation was found between seroprevalence and ILI incidence rate for A(H1N1)pdm09 in children between 5 and 14 (r = -0.84; 95% CI, -0.98 to -0.07); a weak negative correlation was observed for A(H3N2) and B/Yamagata (r ≤ -0.1). CONCLUSIONS: The study provides new insight into the anti-influenza antibodies seroprevalence measured in summer on the ILI incidence rate in the next season and the need for adjusted preventive health care measures to prevent influenza infection and transmission.