Phytochemical analysis, toxicity and evaluation of antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of leaves of Dipteryx alata Vogel.

In this study, our objective was to conduct a comprehensive phytochemical analysis, determine toxicity levels, and assess the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of extracts derived from the leaves of Dipteryx alata Vogel, a native species of the Brazilian cerrado flora. Three distinct extracts were prepared utilizing assisted ultrasound and the Soxhlet apparatus, namely, Ultrasound Crude Extract (UCE), Soxhlet Crude Extract (SCE), and the Soxhlet Ethanol Extract (SEE). The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, phytosterols, and saponins in all extracts. Additionally, alkaloids were specifically identified in the SCE and SEE extracts. In the analysis using LC-DAD, the compounds gallic acid, rutin, quercetin, luteolin and kampefrol were determined in higher concentrations in the SCE, followed by the SEE and UCE, respectively. The GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of campesterol, stigmasterol and ß-sitosterol in all extracts, with UCE and SCE showing a higher concentration of ß-sitosterol. SCE showed the highest concentration of all identified compounds. In the analysis of antioxidant activity by DPPH• and ABTS•+, SEE showed greater efficiency (IC50 = 2.98 ± 2.92 and 6.57 ± 0.89 µg/mL, respectively). In the toxicity test with Allium cepa, all extracts stimulated root growth at 50 g/mL; UCE and SEE stimulated root growth at 250 g/mL; and SEE inhibited root growth at 750 g/mL. In the Artemia salina toxicity, all extracts were non-toxic. Antibacterial activity was identified in the microorganisms S. aureus and S. mutans; however, the extracts did not show antifungal action against the strain of C. albicans. The extracts of D. alata have therapeutic potential for applicability in dentistry.

Parkia from Cerrado: phytochemical bioprospection, toxicity and in vitro bioactivities of bark and flower extracts.

Parkia platycephala is the only species of the genus Parkia that is endemic to the brazilian Cerrado and the tree symbol of the state of Tocantins, but there are still few studies regarding its bioprospecting. In this study, we aimed to investigate the phytochemical composition, toxicity and bioactivities of the bark and flower of Parkia platycephala. Hot sequential extractions (Soxhlet) were performed using methanol and hydroethanolic solution (70%), after degreasing the sample (hexane). The presence of flavonoids, tannins, steroids and alkaloids was detected in the preliminary screening. Trilinolein, (Z)-9-octadecenamide, 3-O-methyl-d-glucose were detected by Gas Chromatography coupled to Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). In the Liquid Chromatography with Diode Array Detector (LC-PDA) analysis, it was detected exclusively ferulic acid (bark) and ellagic acid (flower). The ethanolic extract of the bark (IC50=10.69 ± 0.35 µgmL-1) has an antioxidant potential (DPPH• radical) higher than that of the rutin standard (IC50=15.85 ± 0.08 µgmL-1). All extracts showed excellent anticholinesterase potential (Ellman), with emphasis on the ethanol extract of the flower (IC50 =5.34 ± 0.12 µgmL-1). Regarding toxicity (Artemia salina), the methanolic extract of the bark and the ethanolic extract of the flower presented high and moderate levels, respectively. Such results limit the concentrations of biological activities in this study, however, the antioxidant and anticholinesterase indices fall short of toxicity. The results demonstrated promising antioxidant and anticholinesterase activities of both the bark and the flower of Parkia platycephala.

The monodominance of Acuri in Pantanal formations: allelochemical effects of its leaves and the presence of Acurizais.

The presence of monodominant vegetative formations almost exclusively composed of Acuri palm trees (Attalea phalerata) stands out in some regions of the Pantanal Sul-Mato-Grossense. These formations are generally associated with anthropic, edaphic and/or hydrological factors. However, little is known about the effect of allelopathy on the formation and maintenance of these areas. Herein, we investigated the chemical composition of A. phalerata aqueous leaf extract and the potential allelopathic effects on germination and growth of target L. sativa, L. esculentum and S. obtusifolia species. Thus, extracts at concentrations of 0, 2.5, 5, 10, 15, and 20% were used for germination and growth bioassays with a completely randomised design in a germination chamber and greenhouse. The results showed that the A. phalerata extracts negatively affected the germination speed index and mean germination time of the target species and positively affected seedling length under controlled conditions and were also stimulated in the greenhouse. Thus, the formation of Acurizals can be related to the presence of secondary metabolites in the leaves, in addition to other environmental factors.

Tunable unconventional kagome superconductivity in charge ordered RbV3Sb5 and KV3Sb5.

Unconventional superconductors often feature competing orders, small superfluid density, and nodal electronic pairing. While unusual superconductivity has been proposed in the kagome metals AV3Sb5, key spectroscopic evidence has remained elusive. Here we utilize pressure-tuned and ultra-low temperature muon spin spectroscopy to uncover the unconventional nature of superconductivity in RbV3Sb5 and KV3Sb5. At ambient pressure, we observed time-reversal symmetry breaking charge order below [Formula: see text] 110 K in RbV3Sb5 with an additional transition at [Formula: see text] 50 K. Remarkably, the superconducting state displays a nodal energy gap and a reduced superfluid density, which can be attributed to the competition with the charge order. Upon applying pressure, the charge-order transitions are suppressed, the superfluid density increases, and the superconducting state progressively evolves from nodal to nodeless. Once optimal superconductivity is achieved, we find a superconducting pairing state that is not only fully gapped, but also spontaneously breaks time-reversal symmetry. Our results point to unprecedented tunable nodal kagome superconductivity competing with time-reversal symmetry-breaking charge order and offer unique insights into the nature of the pairing state.

Uniaxial Strain Control of Bulk Ferromagnetism in Rare-Earth Titanates.

The perovskite rare-earth titanates are model Mott insulators with magnetic ground states that are very sensitive to structural distortions. These distortions couple strongly to the orbital degrees of freedom and, in principle, it should be possible to tune the superexchange and the magnetic transition with strain. We investigate the representative system (Y,La,Ca)TiO_{3}, which exhibits low crystallographic symmetry and no structural instabilities. From magnetic susceptibility measurements of the Curie temperature, we demonstrate direct, reversible, and continuous control of ferromagnetism by influencing the TiO_{6} octahedral tilts and rotations with uniaxial strain. The relative change in T_{C} as a function of strain is well described by ab initio calculations, which provides detailed understanding of the complex interactions among structural, orbital, and magnetic properties in rare-earth titanates. The demonstrated manipulation of octahedral distortions opens up far-reaching possibilities for investigations of electron-lattice coupling, competing ground states, and magnetic quantum phase transitions in a wide range of quantum materials.

Enhanced superconductivity and ferroelectric quantum criticality in plastically deformed strontium titanate.

The properties of quantum materials are commonly tuned using experimental variables such as pressure, magnetic field and doping. Here we explore a different approach using irreversible, plastic deformation of single crystals. We show that compressive plastic deformation induces low-dimensional superconductivity well above the superconducting transition temperature (Tc) of undeformed SrTiO3, with evidence of possible superconducting correlations at temperatures two orders of magnitude above the bulk Tc. The enhanced superconductivity is correlated with the appearance of self-organized dislocation structures, as revealed by diffuse neutron and X-ray scattering. We also observe deformation-induced signatures of quantum-critical ferroelectric fluctuations and inhomogeneous ferroelectric order using Raman scattering. Our results suggest that strain surrounding the self-organized dislocation structures induces local ferroelectricity and quantum-critical dynamics that strongly influence Tc, consistent with a theory of superconductivity enhanced by soft polar fluctuations. Our results demonstrate the potential of plastic deformation and dislocation engineering for the manipulation of electronic properties of quantum materials.

Evidence for a pressure-induced antiferromagnetic quantum critical point in intermediate-valence UTe2.

UTe2 is a recently discovered unconventional superconductor that has attracted much interest because of its potentially spin-triplet topological superconductivity. Our ac calorimetry, electrical resistivity, and x-ray absorption study of UTe2 under applied pressure reveals key insights on the superconducting and magnetic states surrounding pressure-induced quantum criticality at P c1 = 1.3 GPa. First, our specific heat data at low pressures, combined with a phenomenological model, show that pressure alters the balance between two closely competing superconducting orders. Second, near 1.5 GPa, we detect two bulk transitions that trigger changes in the resistivity, which are consistent with antiferromagnetic order, rather than ferromagnetism. Third, the emergence of magnetism is accompanied by an increase in valence toward a U4+ (5f 2) state, which indicates that UTe2 exhibits intermediate valence at ambient pressure. Our results suggest that antiferromagnetic fluctuations may play a more substantial role on the superconducting state of UTe2 than previously thought.

Nonconvulsive status epilepticus in epileptic encephalopathies in childhood.

Epileptic encephalopathies are conditions in which the abundant epileptiform activity itself interferes with development, resulting in cognitive slowing and often regression, psychiatric and behavioral disturbances. Nonconvulsive status epilepticus has been defined as ongoing or nonrecovering nonconvulsive seizures. It has been challenging to differentiate clinical and electroencephalographic patterns in epileptic encephalopathies from those attributed to nonconvulsive status epilepticus, since several different epileptic encephalopathies may show continuous or subcontinuous epileptiform activity. Especially for patients with known epileptic encephalopathy, the new proposal for diagnosis of nonconvulsive status epilepticus suggests an increase in prominence or frequency of specific electroencephalographic features as compared to baseline correlated to clinical and EEG responsiveness to intravenous anti-seizure drugs. This clinical change may be unclear, particularly in patients with pre-existent cognitive or behavioral impairments. This review intends to organize previously published data, with available information in the literature on some of those specific epileptic syndromes and diseases, focusing on two main questions: i. When should specialists suspect of nonconvulsive status epilepticus in epileptic encephalopathies? ii. Could epileptic encephalopathies themselves be nonconvulsive status epilepticus presentations? Lastly, the rationale for definition and treatment in many of the epileptic encephalopathies is the effect of ongoing frequent epileptiform activity on development and cognition, and this will require monitoring with serial clinical, neurophysiological, functional neuroimaging, and neuropsychological assessments. Whether there would be an association or causality between epileptic encephalopathies and nonconvulsive status epilepticus is a key question demanding further research.

Nematic Correlation Length in Iron-Based Superconductors Probed by Inelastic X-Ray Scattering.

Nematicity is ubiquitous in electronic phases of high-T_{c} superconductors, particularly in the Fe-based systems. We used inelastic x-ray scattering to extract the temperature-dependent nematic correlation length ξ from the anomalous softening of acoustic phonon modes in FeSe, underdoped Ba(Fe_{0.97}Co_{0.03})_{2}As_{2}, and optimally doped Ba(Fe_{0.94}Co_{0.06})_{2}As_{2}. In all cases, we find that ξ is well described by a power law (T-T_{0})^{-1/2} extending over a wide temperature range. Combined with the previously reported Curie-Weiss behavior of the nematic susceptibility, these results point to the mean-field character of the nematic transition, which we attribute to a sizable nematoelastic coupling that is likely detrimental to superconductivity.

Nandrolone decanoate in induced fracture nonunion with vascular deficit in rat model: morphological aspects.

BACKGROUND: The nonunion fracture is a relatively frequent complication in both human and veterinary medicine. Specifically, atrophic fracture nonunions are difficult to treat, with revision surgery usually providing the best prognosis. Anabolic steroids, such as nandrolone decanoate (ND), have been reported to have beneficial clinical effects on bone mass gain during osteoporosis; however, their utility in promoting regeneration in atrophic nonunions has not been documented. Our objective was to examine morphological changes induced by the ND in experimental fracture nonunion with vascular deficit in the rat model. METHODS: Fourteen adult Wistar rats had an atrophic fracture nonunion induced in the diaphysis of their left femur. Rats were allocated into two groups: control group and nandrolone decanoate group. Rats in the latter group were given nandrolone decanoate (1.5 mg/kg IM, once a week, during 4 weeks after confirmation of fracture nonunion radiographically). Radiographic and anatomopathological examination, micro-tomography and histological analysis were assessed to characterize the morphological changes promoted by the nandrolone decanoate use. RESULTS: Based on radiology, anatomopathological evaluation, computed micro-tomography and conventional microscopy, nandrolone decanoate promoted bone regeneration at the fracture nonunion site by increasing the cellularity at the fracture site. Percentage of collagen was not significantly different between groups, consistent with high-quality regenerated bone. CONCLUSION: The anabolic steroid nandrolone decanoate improved bone mass and regeneration without affecting collagen production and therefore has potential for improving outcomes for atrophic fracture nonunion.

Enhanced Hybridization Sets the Stage for Electronic Nematicity in CeRhIn_{5}.

High magnetic fields induce a pronounced in-plane electronic anisotropy in the tetragonal antiferromagnetic metal CeRhIn_{5} at H^{*}≳30 T for fields ≃20° off the c axis. Here we investigate the response of the underlying crystal lattice in magnetic fields to 45 T via high-resolution dilatometry. At low fields, a finite magnetic field component in the tetragonal ab plane explicitly breaks the tetragonal (C_{4}) symmetry of the lattice revealing a finite nematic susceptibility. A modest a-axis expansion at H^{*} hence marks the crossover to a fluctuating nematic phase with large nematic susceptibility. Magnetostriction quantum oscillations confirm a Fermi surface change at H^{*} with the emergence of new orbits. By analyzing the field-induced change in the crystal-field ground state, we conclude that the in-plane Ce 4f hybridization is enhanced at H^{*}, in agreement with the in-plane lattice expansion. We argue that the nematic behavior observed in this prototypical heavy-fermion material is of electronic origin, and is driven by the hybridization between 4f and conduction electrons which carries the f-electron anisotropy to the Fermi surface.

Uniaxial strain control of spin-polarization in multicomponent nematic order of BaFe2As2.

The iron-based high temperature superconductors exhibit a rich phase diagram reflecting a complex interplay between spin, lattice, and orbital degrees of freedom. The nematic state observed in these compounds epitomizes this complexity, by entangling a real-space anisotropy in the spin fluctuation spectrum with ferro-orbital order and an orthorhombic lattice distortion. A subtle and less-explored facet of the interplay between these degrees of freedom arises from the sizable spin-orbit coupling present in these systems, which translates anisotropies in real space into anisotropies in spin space. We present nuclear magnetic resonance studies, which reveal that the magnetic fluctuation spectrum in the paramagnetic phase of BaFe2As2 acquires an anisotropic response in spin-space upon application of a tetragonal symmetry-breaking strain field. Our results unveil an internal spin structure of the nematic order parameter, indicating that electronic nematic materials may offer a route to magneto-mechanical control.

Competing magnetic orders in the superconducting state of heavy-fermion CeRhIn5.

Applied pressure drives the heavy-fermion antiferromagnet CeRhIn5 toward a quantum critical point that becomes hidden by a dome of unconventional superconductivity. Magnetic fields suppress this superconducting dome, unveiling the quantum phase transition of local character. Here, we show that [Formula: see text] magnetic substitution at the Ce site in CeRhIn5, either by Nd or Gd, induces a zero-field magnetic instability inside the superconducting state. This magnetic state not only should have a different ordering vector than the high-field local-moment magnetic state, but it also competes with the latter, suggesting that a spin-density-wave phase is stabilized in zero field by Nd and Gd impurities, similarly to the case of Ce0.95Nd0.05CoIn5 Supported by model calculations, we attribute this spin-density wave instability to a magnetic-impurity-driven condensation of the spin excitons that form inside the unconventional superconducting state.

Inhaled short-acting bronchodilators for managing emergency childhood asthma: an overview of reviews.

International guidelines provide conflicting recommendations on how to use bronchodilators to manage childhood acute wheezing conditions in the emergency department (ED), and there is variation within and among countries in how these conditions are managed. This may be reflective of uncertainty about the evidence. This overview of systematic reviews (SRs) aimed to synthesize, appraise, and present all SR evidence on the efficacy and safety of inhaled short-acting bronchodilators to treat asthma and wheeze exacerbations in children 0-18 years presenting to the ED. Searching, review selection, data extraction and analysis, and quality assessments were conducted using methods recommended by The Cochrane Collaboration. Thirteen SRs containing 56 relevant trials and 5526 patients were included. Results demonstrate the efficacy of short-acting beta-agonist (SABA) delivered by metered-dose inhaler as first-line therapy for younger and older children (hospital admission decreased by 44% in younger children, and ED length of stay decreased by 33 min in older children). Short-acting anticholinergic (SAAC) should be added to SABA for older children in severe cases (hospital admission decreased by 27% and 74% when compared to SABA and SAAC alone, respectively). Continuous nebulization, addition of magnesium sulfate to SABA, and levosalbutamol compared to salbutamol cannot be recommended in routine practice.

Origin of the Resistivity Anisotropy in the Nematic Phase of FeSe.

The in-plane resistivity anisotropy is studied in strain-detwinned single crystals of FeSe. In contrast to other iron-based superconductors, FeSe does not develop long-range magnetic order below the tetragonal-to-orthorhombic transition at T_{s}≈90 K. This allows for the disentanglement of the contributions to the resistivity anisotropy due to nematic and magnetic orders. Comparing direct transport and elastoresistivity measurements, we extract the intrinsic resistivity anisotropy of strain-free samples. The anisotropy peaks slightly below T_{s} and decreases to nearly zero on cooling down to the superconducting transition. This behavior is consistent with a scenario in which the in-plane resistivity anisotropy is dominated by inelastic scattering by anisotropic spin fluctuations.

NMR Evidence for Inhomogeneous Nematic Fluctuations in BaFe_{2}(As_{1-x}P_{x})_{2}.

We present evidence for nuclear spin-lattice relaxation driven by glassy nematic fluctuations in isovalent P-doped BaFe_{2}As_{2} single crystals. Both the ^{75}As and ^{31}P sites exhibit a stretched-exponential relaxation similar to the electron-doped systems. By comparing the hyperfine fields and the relaxation rates at these sites we find that the As relaxation cannot be explained solely in terms of magnetic spin fluctuations. We demonstrate that nematic fluctuations couple to the As nuclear quadrupolar moment and can explain the excess relaxation. These results suggest that glassy nematic dynamics are a common phenomenon in the iron-based superconductors.

A communicating branch between the dorsal and superficial ramus of the ulnar nerve (Kaplan's anastomosis): clinical and surgery discussion / Ramo comunicante entre los ramos dorsal y superficial del nervio ulnar (anastomosis de Kaplan): discusión clínica y quirúrgica

The Kaplan´s anastomosis represents the communication between the dorsal and superficial branch of the ulnar nerve distal to ulnar canal. In the present study, a case about this nerve communication, found in a male adult cadaver, is reported. Information about brachial plexus distal anastomosis is fundamental for interpretation of clinical and electrophysiological findings, in order to establish the precise diagnosis of neurological lesions at this level. Its relations with flexor carpi ulnaris muscle's tendon and with pisiform bone exposes it to iatrogenic lesions during surgery.

La anastomosis de Kaplan representa la comunicación entre la rama dorsal y superficial del nervio ulnar distal al canal ulnar. En el presente estudio se informa de un caso de esta comunicación nerviosa, encontrado en un cadáver adulto de sexo masculino. Información sobre el plexo braquial y sus anastomosis distales son fundamentales para la interpretación de los hallazgos clínicos y electrofisiológicos, a fin de establecer el diagnóstico preciso de las lesiones neurológicas a este nivel. Sus relaciones con el tendón del músculo flexor ulnar del carpo, como con el hueso pisiforme, pueden facilitar la ocurrencia de lesiones iatrogénicas durante la cirugía.

Output relations of humeral circumflex arteries and its variations / Relaciones de las arterias circunflejas humerales y sus variaciones

A large range of variability marks the branching pattern of the axillary artery. The knowledge of the anatomical variations and this pattern is essential to diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, including surgery, of the axillary region. The aim of this study was to observe the different possible origins of circumflex humeral arteries and to measure the length and diameter of each vessel. In our study, 24 armpits from adult cadavers (fixed in tamponed formalin 10%) were dissected. The data were analyzed with a digital caliper and the results expressed as Mean ± SD. In majority of specimens, posterior circumflex humeral artery (PCHA) arose from subscapular artery (SSA) (54.16%) and had an average diameter of 3.92±0.41 mm. The anterior circumflex humeral artery was a branch from axillary artery (AA) in the majority of the specimens (62.5%) with an average diameter of 1.83±0.68 mm. Circumflex humeral arteries can arise from SSA, deep brachial artery and AA. The result of this study is an interesting data for origin, length and diameter of these vessels, contributing to the knowledge of these variations occurrence.

Una amplia gama de variabilidad marca el patrón de ramificación de la arteria axilar. El conocimiento de las variaciones anatómicas de este patrón es esencial para enfoques de diagnóstico y terapéuticos, incluyendo la cirugía de la región axilar. El objetivo fue observar los diferentes orígenes posibles de arterias circunflejas humerales y medir la longitud y el diámetro de cada vaso. En el estudio se disecaron 24 axilas de cadáveres adultos (fijados en formalina tamponada al 10%). Los datos se analizaron con un calibrador digital y los resultados se expresaron como Media ± DS. En la mayoría de los especímenes, la arteria circunfleja humeral posterior surgió de la arteria subescapular (ASE) (54,16%) con un diámetro medio de 0,41±3,92 mm. En la mayoría de los especímenes (62,5%), la arteria circunfleja humeral anterior era una rama de la arteria axilar (AA) con un diámetro medio de 0,68±1,83 mm. Las arterias circunflejas humerales pueden surgir de la ASE, de la arteria braquial profunda y AA. El resultado de este estudio es un dato interesante para el origen, la longitud y el diámetro de los vasos, lo que contribuye al conocimiento de la ocurrencia de estas variaciones.