Impact of Lactobacillaceae supplementation on the multi-organ axis during MASLD.

The gut-liver axis plays a pivotal role in maintaining body homeostasis. Disruption of the gut-liver axis is linked to a multitude of diseases, including metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Probiotic strains from the Lactobacillaceae family are commonly used to mitigate experimental MASLD. Over the years, numerous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of these probiotics, often focusing on the outcome of liver disease. This review aims to further understand MASLD as a systemic metabolic dysfunction and to highlight the effects of probiotics on multi-organ axis, including organs such as the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, muscle, adipose tissue, and the immune system. We specifically discuss evidence on how supplementation with Lactobacillaceae strains may alleviate MASLD by not only restoring liver health but also by modulating the physiology of other organ systems.

Comparative Chemical Profiling and Antimicrobial/Anticancer Evaluation of Extracts from Farmed versus Wild Agelas oroides and Sarcotragus foetidus Sponges.

Marine sponges are highly efficient in removing organic pollutants and their cultivation, adjacent to fish farms, is increasingly considered as a strategy for improving seawater quality. Moreover, these invertebrates produce a plethora of bioactive metabolites, which could translate into an extra profit for the aquaculture sector. Here, we investigated the chemical profile and bioactivity of two Mediterranean species (i.e., Agelas oroides and Sarcotragus foetidus) and we assessed whether cultivated sponges differed substantially from their wild counterparts. Metabolomic analysis of crude sponge extracts revealed species-specific chemical patterns, with A. oroides and S. foetidus dominated by alkaloids and lipids, respectively. More importantly, farmed and wild explants of each species demonstrated similar chemical fingerprints, with the majority of the metabolites showing modest differences on a sponge mass-normalized basis. Furthermore, farmed sponge extracts presented similar or slightly lower antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, compared to the extracts resulting from wild sponges. Anticancer assays against human colorectal carcinoma cells (HCT-116) revealed marginally active extracts from both wild and farmed S. foetidus populations. Our study highlights that, besides mitigating organic pollution in fish aquaculture, sponge farming can serve as a valuable resource of biomolecules, with promising potential in pharmaceutical and biomedical applications.

Modulation of rectal cancer stemness, patient outcome and therapy response by adipokines

Response to chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer is highly variable. Identification of CRT non-responders and definite accurate biomarkers of response are unmet needs. In turn, adipokines might impact on colorectal cancer development. We hypothesized that imbalance in leptin and adiponectin modulates stemness potential CRT response in rectal cancer. Pre-CRT serum and tissue samples were collected from a cohort of locally advanced rectal cancer patients (n = 33), submitted to long-course CRT and proctectomy. Adiponectin and leptin were measured by ELISA in serum. In tumour biopsies, mRNA expression of stemness-related genes was evaluated by qRT-PCR and transcription factor STAT3 by immunoblotting. Correlations with clinical data and accuracy of potential CRT response biomarkers were evaluated. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) but not leptin or adiponectin distinguished CRT responders from non-responders (p < 0.05). However, higher leptin and lower adiponectin serum levels were associated with positive extramesorectal nodes and extramural vascular invasion. mRNA expression of stemness factors was inversely correlated with adiponectin but positively correlated with leptin. STAT3 phosphorylation presented similar results. CEA levels together with STAT3 activation and OCT4/KLF4 expression accurately identified rectal cancer patients, CRT non-responders (AUROC 0.80; p < 0.05). Adipokines might impact rectal cancer stemness and patient prognosis. The leptin/STAT3 signalling axis provides the rational for a potential biomarker panel that identifies rectal cancer patients who will not benefit from CRT treatment. (AU)

Revisão integrativa sobre a prática infracional na adolescência (2005/2014) / Integrative review about the practice of illegal acts in adolescence (2005/2014) / Revisión integradora acerca de la conducta delictiva en la adolescencia (2005/2014)

Revisão integrativa de 39 artigos publicados entre os anos 2005/2014 visando identificar a compreensão dos pesquisadores brasileiros sobre os fatores implicados na prática infracional na adolescência. Predominaram pesquisadores e periódicos das áreas da psicologia e da saúde, e pesquisas qualitativas com adolescentes em privação de liberdade. Para a análise foram construídas oito categorias que deram origem a três grupos discursivos. O primeiro grupo identificou as razões presentes no dia-a-dia dos adolescentes que vivem nas periferias. O segundo atentou para a história de vida, com presença de violências e privações associadas à falta de oportunidade e ao imperativo de uma sociedade consumista. O terceiro grupo problematizou os mecanismos sociais de identificação de determinados grupos como desviantes por meio dos discursos institucionalizados. Desde a perspectiva do interacionismo simbólico, propõe-se uma compreensão histórico política do desvio enquanto produção coletiva.

Integrative review of 39 articles published between the years 2005/2014 aimed at identifying the understanding of Brazilian researchers on the factors involved in criminal behavior in adolescence. In analyzed articles predominate researchers and journals from the fields of psychology and health, and qualitative research with adolescents deprived of freedom. For analyzing eight categories were constructed that source three discourse groups on the reasons for deviant behavior. The first group identified the reasons present in day-by-day of teenagers living in the outskirts. The second group looked at the history of life of adolescents: abandonment of experiences, violence and deprivations associated with poverty, lack of opportunity and to imperative of a consumer and immediatist society. The third group problematized the socials mechanisms of identification of certain groups as deviant through discourses institutionalized. It is proposed as historic understanding of collective production, from the perspective of symbolic interaction.

Revisión integradora de 39 artículos publicados entre los años 2005/2014 destinada a la identificación de la comprensión de los investigadores brasileños acerca de los factores que intervienen en la conducta delictiva. Predominan revistas e investigadores de las áreas de la psicología y la salud, e investigación cualitativa con adolescentes que cumplían medida-socioeducativa en régimen cerrado. Para el análisis sobre los motivos de la conducta criminal fueran creadas ocho categorías que originaran tres grupos discursivos. El primer grupo identificó los motivos presentes en el día a día de la vida de los adolescentes. El segundo, identificó la historia de vida y las experiencias de violencias asociadas con la pobreza, y el imperativo de una sociedad consumista e inmediatista. El tercer grupo problematizó los mecanismos sociales de identificación de los desviantes. Desde la perspectiva del interaccionismo simbólico apuntase para la comprensión política de la desviación como una producción colectiva.

Drogas - Pra que te quero? Drogadição e Adolescência na Voz dos Socioeducadores / Drugs - Why do I want them? Drug Addiction and Adolescence According to Social Educators

RESUMO Foi estudada a compreensão de seis socioeducadores sobre a relação entre o uso de drogas e a prática infracional de adolescentes em cumprimento de medida socioeducativa em meio aberto. O método qualitativo descritivo foi instrumentalizado por entrevistas semiestruturadas, e a análise se deu a partir das interpretações por eles atribuídas para o uso de drogas. Para os socioeducadores, tal uso está relacionado às condições históricas de exclusão social, ressaltando a dificuldade de acesso ao lazer e aos serviços de tratamento. A relação com a prática infracional foi constatada para um pequeno grupo poliusuário de drogas. Uma política para estes adolescentes deve atentar para além do ato infracional e da relação com as drogas, reconhecendo o sofrimento social na origem de tais eventos.

ABSTRACT We investigated the knowledge of six social educators about the connection between the use of drugs and the offence practice of adolescents serving a social-educational measure in an open environment. The descriptive qualitative method was instrumented through semi-structured interviews, and the analysis was based on the interpretations that the social educators attributed to the use of drugs. To them, drug use is related to the historical conditions of social exclusion, emphasizing the difficulty of access to leisure and treatment services. The relation between drug use and the offence practice was observed in a little group of poly-drug users. A policy for these adolescents should not only take into account the infraction and the connection with drugs, but also the social suffering that has these events as an origin.