Reproducibility of arterial spin labeling cerebral blood flow image processing: A report of the ISMRM open science initiative for perfusion imaging (OSIPI) and the ASL MRI challenge.

PURPOSE: Arterial spin labeling (ASL) is a widely used contrast-free MRI method for assessing cerebral blood flow (CBF). Despite the generally adopted ASL acquisition guidelines, there is still wide variability in ASL analysis. We explored this variability through the ISMRM-OSIPI ASL-MRI Challenge, aiming to establish best practices for more reproducible ASL analysis. METHODS: Eight teams analyzed the challenge data, which included a high-resolution T1-weighted anatomical image and 10 pseudo-continuous ASL datasets simulated using a digital reference object to generate ground-truth CBF values in normal and pathological states. We compared the accuracy of CBF quantification from each team's analysis to the ground truth across all voxels and within predefined brain regions. Reproducibility of CBF across analysis pipelines was assessed using the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC), limits of agreement (LOA), and replicability of generating similar CBF estimates from different processing approaches. RESULTS: Absolute errors in CBF estimates compared to ground-truth synthetic data ranged from 18.36 to 48.12 mL/100 g/min. Realistic motion incorporated into three datasets produced the largest absolute error and variability between teams, with the least agreement (ICC and LOA) with ground-truth results. Fifty percent of the submissions were replicated, and one produced three times larger CBF errors (46.59 mL/100 g/min) compared to submitted results. CONCLUSIONS: Variability in CBF measurements, influenced by differences in image processing, especially to compensate for motion, highlights the significance of standardizing ASL analysis workflows. We provide a recommendation for ASL processing based on top-performing approaches as a step toward ASL standardization.

Human-in-the-Loop Optimization of Knee Exoskeleton Assistance for Minimizing User's Metabolic and Muscular Effort.

Lower limb exoskeletons have the potential to mitigate work-related musculoskeletal disorders; however, they often lack user-oriented control strategies. Human-in-the-loop (HITL) controls adapt an exoskeleton's assistance in real time, to optimize the user-exoskeleton interaction. This study presents a HITL control for a knee exoskeleton using a CMA-ES algorithm to minimize the users' physical effort, a parameter innovatively evaluated using the interaction torque with the exoskeleton (a muscular effort indicator) and metabolic cost. This work innovates by estimating the user's metabolic cost within the HITL control through a machine-learning model. The regression model estimated the metabolic cost, in real time, with a root mean squared error of 0.66 W/kg and mean absolute percentage error of 26% (n = 5), making faster (10 s) and less noisy estimations than a respirometer (K5, Cosmed). The HITL reduced the user's metabolic cost by 7.3% and 5.9% compared to the zero-torque and no-device conditions, respectively, and reduced the interaction torque by 32.3% compared to a zero-torque control (n = 1). The developed HITL control surpassed a non-exoskeleton and zero-torque condition regarding the user's physical effort, even for a task such as slow walking. Furthermore, the user-specific control had a lower metabolic cost than the non-user-specific assistance. This proof-of-concept demonstrated the potential of HITL controls in assisted walking.

Brain perfusion imaging by multi-delay arterial spin labeling: Impact of modeling dispersion and interaction with denoising strategies and pathology.

PURPOSE: Arterial spin labeling (ASL) acquisitions at multiple post-labeling delays may provide more accurate quantification of cerebral blood flow (CBF), by fitting appropriate kinetic models and simultaneously estimating relevant parameters such as the arterial transit time (ATT) and arterial cerebral blood volume (aCBV). We evaluate the effects of denoising strategies on model fitting and parameter estimation when accounting for the dispersion of the label bolus through the vasculature in cerebrovascular disease. METHODS: We analyzed multi-delay ASL data from 17 cerebral small vessel disease patients (50 ± 9 y) and 13 healthy controls (52 ± 8 y), by fitting an extended kinetic model with or without bolus dispersion. We considered two denoising strategies: removal of structured noise sources by independent component analysis (ICA) of the control-label image timeseries; and averaging the repetitions of the control-label images prior to model fitting. RESULTS: Modeling bolus dispersion improved estimation precision and impacted parameter values, but these effects strongly depended on whether repetitions were averaged before model fitting. In general, repetition averaging improved model fitting but adversely affected parameter values, particularly CBF and aCBV near arterial locations in patients. This suggests that using all repetitions allows better noise estimation at the earlier delays. In contrast, ICA denoising improved model fitting and estimation precision while leaving parameter values unaffected. CONCLUSION: Our results support the use of ICA denoising to improve model fitting to multi-delay ASL and suggest that using all control-label repetitions improves the estimation of macrovascular signal contributions and hence perfusion quantification near arterial locations. This is important when modeling flow dispersion in cerebrovascular pathology.

Osteotomies around the knee are not correlated to substantial post-operative ankle pain.

PURPOSE: The relationship between osteotomies around the knee and ankle alignment has been well established. However, little is known about the incidence of new-onset ankle pain after knee osteotomies in the setting of both varus and valgus lower limb malalignments. The purpose of this study is to determine the incidence and characteristics of ankle pain after knee osteotomies; and to clarify the relationship between knee alignment correction, coronal changes suffered by the ankle joint and the development of new-onset ankle pain. METHODS: Fifty-four lower limbs in 51 consecutive patients, who underwent realignment osteotomies around the knee between April 2013 and October 2020, were retrospectively reviewed. Ultimately, 39 patients (42 knees) were enrolled: 34 had varus deformities and eight had valgus deformities. Ankle pain was assessed according to the Numerical Pain Rating Scale by telephonic interview. The magnitude of alignment correction and the consequent change of both knee and ankle joint lines were analyzed. Correlation between the former and the onset of post-operative ankle pain was evaluated. Patient satisfaction and complications were also noted. RESULTS: The incidence of new-onset ankle pain after knee realignment osteotomy was 14%, at a mean follow-up of 55 ± 26 months (range 12-93 months). The mean time between osteotomy and onset of ankle pain was 21 ± 25 months (range 2-60 months). The degree of coronal correction was significantly correlated with ankle joint obliquity changes. However, a significant correlation with post-operative ankle pain was not found (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Fourteen percent of the patients who underwent osteotomies around the knee developed new-onset persistent low-intensity ankle pain. The knee and ankle joint biomechanics are closely related, however, only a small percentage of patients suffer from low-intensity ankle pain which is successfully managed with occasional analgesics. Most osteotomies around the knee seem to require no particular concern for the ipsilateral ankle function.

Perceived cognitive functioning in breast cancer patients treated with chemotherapy compared to matched healthy women: Evidence from a Portuguese study.

AIM: Cognitive concerns are one of the most frequently reported symptoms by breast cancer survivors. This study aimed to evaluate perceived cognitive functioning in Portuguese women with breast cancer treated with chemotherapy. METHODS: A cross-sectional study enrolling 146 women (73 with breast cancer and 73 healthy) was conducted from August to October 2017, invited to participate through online dissemination. Participants completed self-reported questionnaires to collect sociodemographic and clinical data and assess perceived cognitive functioning and psychological adjustment variables (anxiety and depression). RESULTS: Compared to healthy women, women with breast cancer showed significantly lower scores on the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Cognitive Function (FACT-Cog) subscales and higher levels of depression. Both groups showed significant negative correlations between perceived cognitive functioning and anxiety and depression. Health status and depression seem to better explain perceived cognitive functioning, with health status adding significantly more explained variance beyond sociodemographic and psychological adjustment variables. CONCLUSION: The current findings provide evidence for the existence of more cognitive complaints among Portuguese women with breast cancer, compared to healthy individuals. Anxiety, depression, age and education also explain perceived cognitive functioning. Considering that health status and psychological adjustment seem to significantly explain perceived cognitive functioning, special attention should be given by health-care professionals, including nurses, to designing clinical interventions for breast cancer patients to help manage cognitive impairment.

Attentional Bias Toward Reproduction-Related Stimuli and Fertility Concerns Among Breast Cancer Survivors.

The current study examined whether an attentional bias exists for reproduction-related visual cues among breast cancer survivors and its relationship with fertility concerns and emotional distress. Breast cancer survivors (n = 38) aged 18-40 were compared to 37 healthy women recruited from the general population. Attentional bias was investigated using a visual dot-probe task and response times (RT) were measured. Participants also completed several questionnaires, including the Reproductive Concerns After Cancer Scale (RCACS) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Biased cognitive processing toward reproduction-related stimuli was observed for all young women. However, attentional bias was a significant predictor of concerns about partner disclosure of fertility status, with higher bias scores associated with higher levels of concern only for breast cancer survivors. The desire to have a (or another) biological child was also a significant predictor of higher concerns related with fertility potential for all young women. Higher vigilance regarding reproduction-related cues seems to lead to higher concerns among women with breast cancer history whose fertility is threatened. This result may have important research and clinical implications. Interventions focused on goal-oriented attention self-regulation and problem-solving can help to manage fertility concerns and distress in the course of the disease.

US-FLI score - Is it possible to predict the steatosis grade with an ultrasonographic score?

OBJECTIVES: A recent ultrasonographic score (Ultrasonographic fatty liver indicator (US-FLI)) allows to grade steatosis severity on ultrasound (US).We aimed to evaluate the agreement of US-FLI with the controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). METHODS: Initially, inter-observer agreement for the score was assessed between 3 physicians using a sample of 31 patients.Later, 96 patients with NAFLD were included and several anthropometric/clinical/analytical parameters were assessed and US and transient elastography was performed. RESULTS: Physicians showed an excellent absolute agreement regarding the total score, with an average Interclass Correlation Coefficient of 0.972(95% CI 0.949-0.986). Comparing US-FLI with CAP, considering the previously defined cut-off for steatosis >S1(268dB/m) and > S2(280dB/m), US-FLI had a good discriminative capacity for both grades, with areas under the curve (AUC) of 0.88(p < 0.001) and 0.90(p < 0.001), respectively.Also, US-FLI ≤ 3 points had a negative predictive value of 100% for steatosis >S2 and US-FLI ≥6 points had a positive predictive value (PPV) of 94.0% for steatosis >S2. When comparing the clinical score Fatty Liver Index (FLI) for the same CAP cut-offs, it showed a weak discriminative capacity for both grades, with AUC of 0.65(p = 0.030) and 0.66(p = 0.017). AUC for US-FLI and FLI were significantly different for both cut-offs (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: US-FLI has an excellent reproducibility and a good discriminative capacity for the different steatosis grades.Scores ≤3points exclude significant steatosis and scores ≥6 points have a PPV of 94,0% for steatosis >S2.US-FLI was significantly superior to the clinical score FLI in the discrimination between steatosis grades.

Reproduction-related cognitive processing and distress among young adult women: the role of personal breast cancer history.

Breast cancer diagnosis can threaten fertility and biological motherhood in women of reproductive age due to the gonadotoxic effects of treatments. Much evidence documents these women fertility-related concerns and distress, but no study has attempted to understand how implicit cognitive processes can contribute to this maladjustment. In this research, we explored whether reproduction-related stimuli interfere with cognition among cancer survivors with infertility risk using an emotional Stroop task. Furthermore, we investigated the relationship between reproduction-related cognitive processing and psychological morbidity. Young cancer survivors aged 18-40 years who received anticancer treatments and an age-matched non-cancer control group without known fertility problems were compared. Color-naming times and error rates were assessed. Participants in both groups were slower naming the color of reproduction-related words in comparison to unrelated negative valence words. Although in the same direction, this difference did not reach statistical significance for positive and neutral unrelated word lists. Further analysis suggested that biased attention toward reproduction-related information was associated with higher depression levels in young women with personal breast cancer history, but not in healthy women. These findings suggest that biased processing of reproduction-related cues might be a vulnerability factor after a breast cancer diagnosis. Additionally, this study puts in evidence the potential usefulness of using experimental tasks to investigate attentional bias in a context where fertility is at risk.

Validation of the Short-Form Survivor Unmet Needs Survey in older patients with myeloma.

BACKGROUND: Multiple myeloma (MM) affects mainly the older population and is the second most prevalent haematologic cancer. MM patients' unmet needs are diverse, arise at different stages, and are associated with greater psychological distress. This study examined the psychometric properties of the Short-Form Survivor Unmet Needs Survey (SF-SUNS) in Portuguese MM patients. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 213 MM patients. The internal consistency of the scale was analyzed with Cronbach's α. Principal component analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were used to assess construct validity. Convergent validity was examined by using correlations with quality of life, satisfaction with social support, and psychological morbidity. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to explore the contribution of sociodemographic and clinical variables to unmet needs. RESULTS: The Portuguese SF-SUNS's factor structure follows the original's structure, although it includes fewer items. For each domain, Cronbach's α was ≤0.70, the minimum acceptable criterion. For construct validity, only unmet relationship and emotional needs had significant correlations (r ≥ 0.40)-specifically negative associations with quality of life and social support and positive associations with psychological morbidity. Regarding patient variables and SF-SUNS results, only cancer stage contributed significantly to unmet information needs, with patients at stage I reporting more needs than patients at stage III. CONCLUSIONS: The SF-SUNS represents a valid and reliable tool to assess unmet needs among Portuguese MM patients. It may be useful in designing and monitoring interventions to improve well-being in cancer survivors.

Quality of life in caregivers of patients with multiple myeloma.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the relationship between sociodemographic, clinical, and psychological variables with quality of life (QoL) and the moderating role of caregivers' age and caregiving duration in caregivers of patients with Multiple Myeloma.Method: The sample included 118 caregivers who completed questionnaires that assessed psychological morbidity, satisfaction with social support, coping, burden, unmet needs, and QoL.Results: High psychological morbidity, burden and information, financial and emotional unmet needs were associated with lower QoL, while higher satisfaction with social support and more effective use of coping strategies were associated with better QoL. Women caregivers reported more satisfaction with social support and those who did not choose to care reported greater financial unmet needs and more use of coping strategies. The relationship between caregivers' psychological morbidity/social support and QoL was mediated by emotional needs and double mediated by coping and burden. The caregivers' age moderated the relationship between psychological morbidity/social support and emotional needs.Conclusion: Interventions to support the caregiver's emotional needs to promote their QoL are needed. These should be particularly tailored for older caregivers reporting greater psychological morbidity and younger caregivers less satisfied with their social support, as they have a negative indirect impact on their QoL.

Validation of the caregiver oncology quality of life questionnaire in Portuguese caregivers of myeloma patients.

OBJECTIVE: Cancer diagnosis affects patients, their families, and their caregivers in particular. This study focused on the validation of the CareGiver Oncology Quality of Life (CarGOQoL) questionnaire in Portuguese caregivers of patients with multiple myeloma, from the caregiver's point of view. METHOD: This was a cross-sectional study with 146 caregivers of patients with multiple myeloma from outpatient medical oncology and clinical hematology consultations from five hospitals in north and central Portugal. Participants were assessed on quality of life (QoL), psychological morbidity and social support. RESULT: The Portuguese version maintains 17 of the original 29 items version, maintaining general coherence and a dimensional structure that is clinically interpretable. Reliability findings indicated good internal consistency for the total scale (0.86) and respective subscales (0.75 to 0.88), which is in agreement with the alpha values from the previous CarGOQoL validation study for the corresponding subscales (0.74 to 0.89) and total scale (0.90). SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: The CarGOQoL is a reliable and valid tool for clinical trials and intervention programs to assess QoL in caregivers of myeloma patients. Future studies should validate the adapted version in caregivers of other types of cancer patients including other chronic diseases.

Low fecal calprotectin predicts clinical remission in Crohn's disease patients: the simple answer to a challenging question.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Fecal calprotectin (FC) is a noninvasive marker of intestinal inflammation. Predicting relapses in Crohn's disease (CD) patients can allow earlier changes in therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of FC in predicting relapse in CD patients in clinical remission within six months follow-up. METHODS: Patients with CD who were in clinical remission at least ≥3 months were included in this study. The first FC sample during the remission period was evaluated and was used as the baseline value. Relapse was defined as an unexpected escalation in therapy, hospitalization or need for surgery for active CD. The accuracy and optimal cutoff FC values for predicting clinical relapse at six months were assessed by the area under the ROC curve (AUC). RESULTS: One hundred and forty-four patients were evaluated, with mean age of 38.4 years. Of these, 13 (9%) had a relapse during the follow-up period. The mean FC value was significantly lower for non-relapsers (203.2 µg/g) than for relapsers (871.3 µg/g), p < .001. The AUC for predicting relapse by using FC values was 0.924. The optimal cutoff FC value to predict relapse was 327 µg/g; with values of sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value and positive predictive value were 92.3%, 82.4%, 99.1% and 34.3%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: FC is more useful in predicting remission maintenance than relapse in patients with CD in clinical remission. Values of FC ≤327 µg/g can exclude relapse at least at six months follow-up period.

Transient elastography: should XL probe be used in all overweight patients?

Background: Obesity is one of the main factors of transient elastography (TE) failure, considering body mass index (BMI) ≥28 kg/m2 as a limiting factor. The XL probe was designed to overcome this limitation. Aim: To compare the feasibility of the M and XL probes in patients with BMI ≥ 28 kg/m2, to evaluate differences in mean values of controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) and liver stiffness measurement (LSM) between the two probes and find predictive factors of TE failure. Material and methods: Prospective study, including all patients with BMI ≥ 28 kg/m2 consecutively admitted for TE. Results: Included 161 patients. Measurements with M probe were reliable in 69.6% of the patients, with 68.2% of valid measurements in obese population and 58.9% in patients with skin-capsule distance (SCD) >25 mm. In 40 patients (81.6%) with an invalid M probe measurement, a reliable result was obtained with XL probe. We found that SCD >25 mm was the only predictor of M probe failure (OR: 4.9, CI: 1.64-14.63, p = .004). In those patients in which TE was possible with both probes (n = 112), mean CAP was 304 ± 49 dB/m2 with M probe and 301 ± 50 dB/m2 with XL probe (p = .59). Regarding liver stiffness, a mean value of 7.58 ± 3.47 kpas was obtained with the M probe and 6.21 ± 3.44 kpas with the XL probe (p < .001). Conclusion: There is a reliable applicability of the M probe in a high number (68.2%) of patients with a BMI ≥30 kg/m2. A SCD >25 mm was the only predictive factor of M probe failure. Mean values of LSM with XL probe were lower than those obtained with M probe.

Validation of the Quality of Life Multiple Myeloma Module Questionnaire (QLQ-MY20) in Portuguese myeloma patients.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was the validation of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer's Multiple Myeloma Module (QLQ-MY20) in Portuguese myeloma patients. METHODS: A total of 213 Portuguese patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma participated in this study and were assessed with the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer's (EORTC) Questionnaire C30 (QLQ-C30), the EORTC Multiple Myeloma Module (QLQ-MY20), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Satisfaction with Social Support Scale (SSSS). RESULTS: The validated version includes 17 items presenting good global adjustment and good internal consistency. Overall, the Portuguese validation maintains the original model with the exception of three items that were excluded. The instrument also showed good reliability and good convergent and divergent validity. CONCLUSION: The Portuguese version of the EORTC Multiple Myeloma Module questionnaire seems to be a valid instrument for myeloma patients to help monitor interventions in this population focused on the promotion of quality of life.

Fusion proteins towards fungi and bacteria in plant protection.

In agriculture, although fungi are considered the foremost problem, infections by bacteria also cause significant economical losses. The presence of different diseases in crops often leads to a misuse of the proper therapeutic, or the combination of different diseases forces the use of more than one pesticide. This work concerns the development of a 'super-Blad': a chimeric protein consisting of Blad polypeptide, the active ingredient of a biological fungicide already on the market, and two selected peptides, SP10-5 and Sub5, proven to possess biological potential as antibacterial agents. The resulting chimeric protein obtained from the fusion of Blad with SP10-5 not only maintained strong antibacterial activity, especially against Xanthomonas spp. and Pseudomonas syringae, but was also able to retain the ability to inhibit the growth of both yeast and filamentous fungi. However, the antibacterial activity of Sub5 was considerably diminished when fused with Blad, which seems to indicate that not all fusion proteins behave equally. These newly designed drugs can be considered promising compounds for use in plant protection. A deeper and focused development of an appropriate formulation may result in a potent biopesticide that can replace, per se, two conventional chemistries with less impact on the environment.

ORBIT score: an useful predictor of small bowel rebleeding in patients under chronic anticoagulation.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Available scoring systems to assess the risk for major bleeding in patients on chronic anticoagulation seem inadequate in predicting higher diagnostic yields of small bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) or higher rebleeding rates in patients with suspected small bowel bleeding. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of the new ORBIT score in predicting positive findings of SBCE or higher rebleeding rates in chronically anticoagulated patients with suspected small bowel bleeding. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 570 patients who consecutively underwent SBCE for the study of suspected small bowel bleeding. For each of the 67 patients who were on chronic anticoagulation, ORBIT score (Older age, Reduced hemoglobin/hematocrit, Bleeding history, Insufficient kidney function and Treatment with antiplatelets) was calculated. Patients were classified as high-risk (ORBIT score ≥4) or low/intermediate-risk (ORBIT score <4). Data on SBCE findings, diagnostic yield and rebleeding were compared between groups. RESULTS: When ORBIT score was calculated, 41 and 26 patients were classified as low/intermediate-risk and high-risk, respectively. When low/intermediate-risk and high-risk groups were compared, no differences were found in the diagnostic yield of SBCE (39.0% vs. 23.1%; p = .176). However, in high-risk patients, rebleeding was significantly more common than in low/intermediate-risk patients (80.0% vs. 36.6%; p = .003). CONCLUSIONS: In patients presenting with suspected small bowel bleeding and on chronic anticoagulation, the new ORBIT score seems promising in identifying those with a higher risk of rebleeding, in whom a closer follow-up and a more aggressive diagnostic and therapeutic strategy is advisable.

Capsule endoscopy with PillCamSB2 versus PillCamSB3: has the improvement in technology resulted in a step forward?

AIM: To compare the findings and completion rate of PillCam® SB2 and SB3. METHODS: This was a retrospective single-center study that included 357 consecutive small bowel capsule endoscopies (SBCE), 173 SB2 and 184 SB3. The data collected included age, gender, capsule type (PillCam® SB2 or SB3), quality of bowel preparation, completion of the examination, gastric and small bowel transit time, small bowel findings, findings in segments other than the small bowel and the detection of specific anatomical markers, such as the Z line and papilla. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 48 years and 66.9% were female. The two main indications were suspicion/staging of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) (43.7% and 40.3%, respectively). Endoscopic findings were reported in 76.2% of examinations and 53.5% were relevant findings. No significant differences were found between SB2 and SB3 with regard to completion rate (93.6% vs 96.2%, p = 0.27), overall endoscopic findings (73.4% vs 78.8%, p = 0.23), relevant findings (54.3% vs 52.7%, p = 0.76), first tertile findings (43.9% vs 48.9%, p = 0.35), extra-SB findings (23.7% vs 17.3%, p = 0.14), Z line and papilla detection rate (35.9% vs 35.7%, p = 0.97 and 27.1% vs 32.6%, p = 0.32, respectively). With regard to the patient subgroups with suspicion/staging of IBD, significant differences were found in relation to the detection of villous edema and the 3rd tertile findings, thus favoring SB3 (26.3% vs 43.8%, p = 0.02 and 47.4% vs 66.3%, p = 0.02, respectively). Mucosal atrophy was significantly more frequently diagnosed with the PillCam® SB3 in patients with anemia/OGIB (0% vs 8%, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, PillCam® SB3 did not improve the diagnostic yield compared to SB2, although it improved the detection of villous atrophy and segmental edema.

Novel salicylanilides from 4,5-dihalogenated salicylic acids: Synthesis, antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity.

Salicylanilides have proved their activity against tuberculosis (TB). One weak electron-withdrawing substituent is favored at the salicylic part, specially Cl or Br atoms at positions 4 or 5. On the other hand, the antimycobacterial activity of salicylanilides is negatively affected when a strong electron-withdrawing substituent (NO2) is present at the same positions. Herein we describe the synthesis and characterization of novel salicylanilides possessing two weak electron-withdrawing groups (halogen atoms) at their salicylic part and compare their antitubercular activity with their monohalogenated analogues. All dihalogenated derivatives proved to possess antitubercular activity at a very narrow micromolar range (MIC=1-4µM), similar with their most active monohalogenated analogues. More importantly, the most active final molecules were further screened against multidrug resistant strains and found to inhibit their growth at the range of 0.5-4µM.

Preliminary Study on the Effect of Fermented Cheese Whey on Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Salmonella Goldcoast Populations Inoculated onto Fresh Organic Lettuce.

Cheese whey fermented by an industrial starter consortium of lactic acid bacteria was evaluated for its antibacterial capacity to control a selection of pathogenic bacteria. For their relevance on outbreak reports related to vegetable consumption, this selection included Listeria monocytogenes, serotype 4b, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Salmonella Goldcoast. Organically grown lettuce was inoculated with an inoculum level of ∼10(7) colony-forming unit (CFU)/mL and was left for about 1 h in a safety cabinet before washing with a perceptual solution of 75:25 (v/v) fermented whey in water, for 1 and 10 min. Cells of pathogens recovered were then counted and their number compared with that obtained for a similar treatment, but using a chlorine solution at 110 ppm. Results show that both treatments, either with chlorine or fermented whey, were able to significantly reduce (p < 0.05) the number of bacteria, in a range of 1.15-2.00 and 1.59-2.34 CFU/g, respectively, regarding the bacteria tested. Results suggest that the use of fermented whey may be as effective as the solution of chlorine used in industrial processes in reducing the pathogens under study (best efficacy shown for Salmonella), with the advantage of avoiding health risks arising from the formation of carcinogenic toxic chlorine derivates.

Psychological Adjustment of Infertile Men Undergoing Fertility Treatments: An Association With Sperm Parameters.

BACKGROUND: The difficulties in the psychological adaptation to the infertility diagnosis and assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatments have shown influence on the sperm quality. The biological and psychological aspects of infertility seem not to be independent. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the impact of depressive symptoms, anxiety, dyadic adjustment and infertility stress on the sperm quality of the men proposed to ART first or repeated experience. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This transversal study was conducted in the Medically Assisted Reproduction Unit of Centro Hospitalar de São João, in Porto, Portugal. 112 men with infertility diagnosis were included to initiate an ART cycle. Participants completed the Inventory State-Trait Anxiety-Form Y (STAI-Y), the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS) and the Inventory of Fertility Problems (IFP) before the beginning of the treatment. RESULTS: The state-anxiety had a negative linear impact on the slow progressive motility (p<0.05). However, depressive symptoms assumed a suppressor effect on this variable, enhancing its importance as a predictor. CONCLUSION: Results show that psychopathological symptoms before an ART cycle can influence the sperm motility. However, this association seems to only be present in men undergoing first experience ART treatments. Thus, this research shows the need for mental health professionals to respond to emotional difficulties of the male gender, through the development of psychological interventions adjusted, so as to minimize the impact of exposure to ART treatments.