Exploring the biofilm inhibitory potential of Candida sp. UFSJ7A glycolipid on siliconized latex catheters.

Biosurfactants, sustainable alternatives to petrochemical surfactants, are gaining attention for their potential in medical applications. This study focuses on producing, purifying, and characterizing a glycolipid biosurfactant from Candida sp. UFSJ7A, particularly for its application in biofilm prevention on siliconized latex catheter surfaces. The glycolipid was extracted and characterized, revealing a critical micellar concentration (CMC) of 0.98 mg/mL, indicating its efficiency at low concentrations. Its composition, confirmed through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and thin layer chromatography (TLC), identified it as an anionic biosurfactant with a significant ionic charge of -14.8 mV. This anionic nature contributes to its biofilm prevention capabilities. The glycolipid showed a high emulsification index (E24) for toluene, gasoline, and soy oil and maintained stability under various pH and temperature conditions. Notably, its anti-adhesion activity against biofilms formed by Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, and Candida albicans was substantial. When siliconized latex catheter surfaces were preconditioned with 2 mg/mL of the glycolipid, biofilm formation was reduced by up to 97% for E. coli and C. albicans and 57% for E. faecalis. These results are particularly significant when compared to the efficacy of conventional surfactants like SDS, especially for E. coli and C. albicans. This study highlights glycolipids' potential as a biotechnological tool in reducing biofilm-associated infections on medical devices, demonstrating their promising applicability in healthcare settings.

Preoperative coronary interventions for preventing acute myocardial infarction in the perioperative period of major open vascular or endovascular surgery.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative myocardial infarction (POMI) is associated with major surgeries and remains the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in people undergoing vascular surgery, with an incidence rate ranging from 5% to 20%. Preoperative coronary interventions, such as coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), may help prevent acute myocardial infarction in the perioperative period of major vascular surgery when used in addition to routine perioperative drugs (e.g. statins, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and antiplatelet agents), CABG by creating new blood circulation routes that bypass the blockages in the coronary vessels, and PCI by opening up blocked blood vessels. There is currently uncertainty around the benefits and harms of preoperative coronary interventions. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of preoperative coronary interventions for preventing acute myocardial infarction in the perioperative period of major open vascular or endovascular surgery. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Vascular Specialised Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE Ovid, Embase Ovid, LILACS, and CINAHL EBSCO on 13 March 2023. We also searched the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform and ClinicalTrials.gov. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included all randomised controlled trials (RCTs) or quasi-RCTs that compared the use of preoperative coronary interventions plus usual care versus usual care for preventing acute myocardial infarction during major open vascular or endovascular surgery. We included participants of any sex or any age undergoing major open vascular surgery, major endovascular surgery, or hybrid vascular surgery. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We used standard Cochrane methods. Our primary outcomes of interest were acute myocardial infarction, all-cause mortality, and adverse events resulting from preoperative coronary interventions. Our secondary outcomes were cardiovascular mortality, quality of life, vessel or graft secondary patency, and length of hospital stay. We reported perioperative and long-term outcomes (more than 30 days after intervention). We assessed the certainty of the evidence using the GRADE approach. MAIN RESULTS: We included three RCTs (1144 participants). Participants were randomised to receive either preoperative coronary revascularisation with PCI or CABG plus usual care or only usual care before major vascular surgery. One trial enrolled participants if they had no apparent evidence of coronary artery disease. Another trial selected participants classified as high risk for coronary disease through preoperative clinical and laboratorial testing. We excluded one trial from the meta-analysis because participants from both the control and the intervention groups were eligible to undergo preoperative coronary revascularisation. We identified a high risk of performance bias in all included trials, with one trial displaying a high risk of other bias. However, the risk of bias was either low or unclear in other domains. We observed no difference between groups for perioperative acute myocardial infarction, but the evidence is very uncertain (risk ratio (RR) 0.28, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.02 to 4.57; 2 trials, 888 participants; very low-certainty evidence). One trial showed a reduction in incidence of long-term (> 30 days) acute myocardial infarction in participants allocated to the preoperative coronary interventions plus usual care group, but the evidence was very uncertain (RR 0.09, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.28; 1 trial, 426 participants; very low-certainty evidence). There was little to no effect on all-cause mortality in the perioperative period when comparing the preoperative coronary intervention plus usual care group to usual care alone, but the evidence is very uncertain (RR 0.79, 95% CI 0.31 to 2.04; 2 trials, 888 participants; very low-certainty evidence). The evidence is very uncertain about the effect of preoperative coronary interventions on long-term (follow up: 2.7 to 6.2 years) all-cause mortality (RR 0.74, 95% CI 0.30 to 1.80; 2 trials, 888 participants; very low-certainty evidence). One study reported no adverse effects related to coronary angiography, whereas the other two studies reported five deaths due to revascularisations. There may be no effect on cardiovascular mortality when comparing preoperative coronary revascularisation plus usual care to usual care in the short term (RR 0.07, 95% CI 0.00 to 1.32; 1 trial, 426 participants; low-certainty evidence). Preoperative coronary interventions plus usual care in the short term may reduce length of hospital stay slightly when compared to usual care alone (mean difference -1.17 days, 95% CI -2.05 to -0.28; 1 trial, 462 participants; low-certainty evidence). We downgraded the certainty of the evidence due to concerns about risk of bias, imprecision, and inconsistency. None of the included trials reported on quality of life or vessel graft patency at either time point, and no study reported on adverse effects, cardiovascular mortality, or length of hospital stay at long-term follow-up. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative coronary interventions plus usual care may have little or no effect on preventing perioperative acute myocardial infarction and reducing perioperative all-cause mortality compared to usual care, but the evidence is very uncertain. Similarly, limited, very low-certainty evidence shows that preoperative coronary interventions may have little or no effect on reducing long-term all-cause mortality. There is very low-certainty evidence that preoperative coronary interventions plus usual care may prevent long-term myocardial infarction, and low-certainty evidence that they may reduce length of hospital stay slightly, but not cardiovascular mortality in the short term, when compared to usual care alone. Adverse effects of preoperative coronary interventions were poorly reported in trials. Quality of life and vessel or graft patency were not reported. We downgraded the certainty of the evidence most frequently for high risk of bias, inconsistency, or imprecision. None of the analysed trials provided significant data on subgroups of patients who could potentially experience more substantial benefits from preoperative coronary intervention (e.g. altered ventricular ejection fraction). There is a need for evidence from larger and homogeneous RCTs to provide adequate statistical power to assess the role of preoperative coronary interventions for preventing acute myocardial infarction in the perioperative period of major open vascular or endovascular surgery.

Risks of soil chemical degradation from atmospheric gypsum plumes around selected extraction and processing enterprises, Northeast Brazil.

Gypsum plays a prominent role in agriculture, being considered an effective alternative to alleviate subsurface acidity due to its higher solubility and containing sulfur. However, another significant aspect is which pose long-term risks of groundwater contamination due to excessive applications of salts, pesticides, and other chemicals that will be leached, or even soil chemical depletion. So far, no study has focused on understanding the impacts of the atmospheric gypsum plume originating from gibbsite mining and processing on the leaching of soil bases and chemical degradation surrounding these sites. In this study, we evaluated the behavior of chemical characteristics in soil profiles distributed along the dispersion of the atmospheric plume and in areas without interference from the industrial sector in the state of Maranhão, Northeast Brazil. Fifty-three sampling points were collected at 7 locations based on the dispersion of the dust plume through wind drift. Each sampling point was represented by three composite soil samples at depths of 0.0-0.20, 0.40-0.60, and 1.00-1.20 m, where the chemical soil characteristics were evaluated. The average levels of Ca, Mg, and K in the studied layers are classified as low, with minimum values below the method's detection limit, and they also show imbalance due to higher concentrations of Ca in the surface layer in areas affected by atmospheric dispersion. The sum and saturation of bases at all depths are classified as low. Higher aluminum saturation values were observed in the deeper soil layers. The gypsum dust altered the soil's chemical characteristics at the evaluated depths; therefore, it is necessary to seek means to mitigate gypsum dust release during gibbsite extraction and processing and ensure that the soils in areas near these enterprises maintain their natural characteristics.

The mlpt smORF gene is essential for digestive physiology and molting during nymphal stages in the kissing bug Rhodnius prolixus.

Chagas disease affects around 8 million people globally, with Latin America bearing approximately 10,000 deaths each year. Combatting the disease relies heavily on vector control methods, necessitating the identification of new targets. Within insect genomes, genes harboring small open reading frames (smORFs - < 100 amino acids) present numerous potential candidates. In our investigation, we elucidate the pivotal role of the archetypal smORF-containing gene, mille-pattes/polished-rice/tarsalless (mlpt/pri/tal), in the post-embryonic development of the kissing bug Rhodnius prolixus. Injection of double-stranded RNA targeting mlpt (dsmlpt) during nymphal stages yields a spectrum of phenotypes hindering post-embryonic growth. Notably, fourth or fifth stage nymphs subjected to dsmlpt do not undergo molting. These dsmlpt nymphs display heightened mRNA levels of JHAMT-like and EPOX-like, enzymes putatively involved in the juvenile hormone (JH) pathway, alongside increased expression of the transcription factor Kr-h1, indicating changes in the hormonal control. Histological examination reveals structural alterations in the hindgut and external cuticle of dsmlpt nymphs compared to control (dsGFP) counterparts. Furthermore, significant changes in the vector's digestive physiology were observed, with elevated hemozoin and glucose levels in the posterior midgut of dsmlpt nymphs. Importantly, dsmlpt nymphs exhibit impaired metacyclogenesis of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease, underscoring the crucial role of proper gut organization in parasite differentiation. Thus, our findings constitute the first evidence of a smORF-containing gene's regulatory influence on vector physiology, parasitic cycle, and disease transmission.

Incidência de sífilis no estado do Rio de Janeiro e nomunicípio de Seropédica nos anos de 2010 a 2022 / Incidence of syphilis in the state of Rio de Janeiro andmunicipality of Seropédica in the years 2010 to 2022

Sífilis é uma infecção sexualmente transmissível (IST) que sinaliza a necessidade de efetivas políticas públicas devido ao aumento de casos na última década. Dessa forma, o objetivo do trabalho é descrever a incidência de sífilis no estado do Rio de Janeiro e no município de Seropédica. Métodos: foi realizado um estudo descritivo, com abordagem quantitativa. A coleta dos dados foi realizada por meio do Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (Sinan), referentes ao município de Seropédica e ao estado do Rio de Janeiro, no período de 2010 a 2022. Resultados: foram identificados 105.138, 79.609 e 42.819 casos de sífilis adquirida, em gestantes e congênita, respectivamente, no estado do Rio de Janeiro e 187, 140 e 79 casos de sífilis adquirida, em gestantes e congênita, respectivamente, no município de Seropédica. Foi observado uma incidência maior para sífilis adquirida entre homens em comparação com mulheres tanto no estado do Rio de Janeiro (62.719 versus 42.346) quanto no município de Seropédica (110 versus 77). Houve um aumento nas taxas de incidência de sífilis no estado do Rio de Janeiro e no município de Seropédica ao longo dos anos. Conclusão: a sífilis segue sendo uma doença com alta incidência no território do Rio de Janeiro. Nesse sentido, é importante elaborar estratégias em saúde pública mais efetivas às pessoas acometidas por tal infecção.

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that signals the need for effective public policies due to the increase in cases in the last decade. Thus, the aim of this study is to describe the incidence of syphilis in the state of Rio de Janeiro and in the municipality of Seropédica. Methods: a descriptive study with a quantitative approach was carried out. Data collection was performed through the Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (Sinan), referring to the municipality of Seropédica and the state of Rio de Janeiro, from 2010 to 2022. Results: overall, 105.138, 79.609 and 42.819 cases of acquired syphilis, in pregnant women, and congenital syphilis, respectively, were identified in the state of Rio de Janeiro, and 187, 140, and 79 cases of acquired syphilis, in pregnant women, and congenital syphilis, respectively, were identified in the municipality of Seropédica. A higher incidence of acquired syphilis was observed among men compared to women both in the state of Rio de Janeiro (62.719 versus 42.346) and in the municipality of Seropédica (110 versus 77). There has been an increase in the incidence rates of syphilis in the state of Rio de Janeiro and the municipality of Seropédica over the years. Conclusion: syphilis continues to be a disease with a high incidence in the territory of Rio de Janeiro. In this sense, it is important to develop more effective public health strategies for people affected by this infection.

Thymol increases primordial follicle activation, protects stromal cells, collagen fibers and down-regulates expression of mRNA for superoxide dismutase 1, catalase and periredoxin 6 in cultured bovine ovarian tissues.

This study aims to investigate the influence of thymol on primordial follicle growth and survival, as well as on collagen fibers and stromal cells density in bovine ovarian tissues cultured in vitro. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX), the thiol levels and the expression of mRNAs for SOD1, CAT, periredoxin 6 (PRDX6) and GPX1 were also investigated. Ovarian cortical tissues were cultured in α-MEM+ alone or with thymol (400, 800, 1600 or 3200 µg/mL) for six days. Before and after culture, the tissues were processed for histological analysis to evaluate follicular activation, growth, morphology, ovarian stromal cell density and collagen fibers. The levels of mRNA for SOD1, CAT, GPX1 and PRDX6 were evaluated by real-time PCR. The results show that tissues cultured with thymol (400 and 800 µg/mL) had increased percentages of normal follicles, when compared to tissues cultured in other treatments. At concentrations of 400 and 800 µg/mL, thymol maintained the rate of normal follicles similar to the uncultured control. In addition, 400 µg/mL thymol increased follicle activation, collagen fibers and stromal cell density of when compared to tissues cultured in control medium. The presence of 800 µg/mL thymol in culture medium increased CAT activity, while 400 or 800 µg/mL thymol reduced mRNA levels for SOD1, CAT and PRDX6, but did not alter GPX1 expression. In conclusion, 400 µg/mL thymol increases primordial follicle activation, preserves stromal cells, collagen fibers, and down-regulates expression of mRNA for SOD1, CAT and PRDX6 in cultured bovine ovarian tissues.

Effect of quantitative feed restriction and sex class on sheep skin quality.

The aim was to evaluate the quality of the sheep skin of different sex classes submitted to different levels of feed restriction. Sheep without defined racial pattern of different sex classes (15 non-castrated males, 15 castrated males and 15 females), with initial body weight of 18.1 ± 0.4 kg and mean age of 90 days were distributed in a factorial 3 × 3, with three sex classes and 3 levels of feed restriction (ad libitum intake and restricted intake at 70 and 80%), with 5 repetitions. After slaughter, the skins were collected for physical-mechanical tests. The effect of the sex classes x levels of dietary restriction interaction was observed for transverse thickness and longitudinal rupture elongation (p < 0.05). Animals fed ad libitum had greater longitudinal transverse thickness (p < 0.05). Animals fed ad libitum and 70% feed restriction showed greater transverse elongation at break (p < 0.05). As for the difference between sex classes in the transverse thickness variable for tearing strength, the interaction sex classes x levels of feed restriction for transverse thickness, longitudinal thickness, transverse tearing strength and longitudinal tearing strength occurred (p < 0.05). Feed restriction reduces the physical quality of the skin of sheep of different sex classes, and the use of castrated male sheep in positive energy balance is recommended to obtain leather with greater thickness, longitudinal rupture elongation and transverse tear strength.

Resonance assignments of cytochrome MtoD from the extracellular electron uptake pathway of sideroxydans lithotrophicus ES-1.

The contribution of Fe(II)-oxidizing bacteria to iron cycling in freshwater, groundwater, and marine environments has been widely recognized in recent years. These organisms perform extracellular electron transfer (EET), which constitutes the foundations of bioelectrochemical systems for the production of biofuels and bioenergy. It was proposed that the Gram-negative bacterium Sideroxydans lithotrophicus ES-1 oxidizes soluble ferrous Fe(II) at the surface of the cell and performs EET through the Mto redox pathway. This pathway is composed by the periplasmic monoheme cytochrome MtoD that is proposed to bridge electron transfer between the cell exterior and the cytoplasm. This makes its functional and structural characterization, as well as evaluating the interaction process with its physiological partners, essential for understanding the mechanisms underlying EET. Here, we report the complete assignment of the heme proton and carbon signals together with a near-complete assignment of 1H, 13C and 15N backbone and side chain resonances for the reduced, diamagnetic form of the protein. These data pave the way to identify and structurally map the molecular interaction regions between the cytochrome MtoD and its physiological redox partners, to explore the EET processes of S. lithotrophicus ES-1.

Popular education in the SUS: current challenges from the perspective of the Observatory of Popular Health Education and the Brazilian Reality. / Educação popular no SUS: desafios atuais no olhar do Observatório de Educação Popular em Saúde e Realidade Brasileira.

This paper aims to bring reflections and notes for strengthening Brazilian structuring public policies, focusing on Popular Health Education in the Unified Health System (SUS) from the perspectives built in the Observatory of Popular Health Education and the Brazilian Reality. The Observatory is a valuable space for sharing health professionals' and popular educators' interpretations and experiences about local and Brazilian realities from the perspective of Popular Health Education. During its two years of activity, the Observatory has gathered summary interpretations of Popular Health Education for the crises that traverse the country's recent history in a dialogical and participatory way. In a panoramic view, the shared statements point to challenges for valuing the human approach to health promotion, including respecting local and community knowledge and social practices. Moreover, we underscore the importance of social participation in constructing participatory social processes in public health toward citizen autonomy and expanded democratic dynamics in the Brazilian State and its social equipment.

Este trabalho se propõe a trazer reflexões e apontamentos para o fortalecimento de políticas públicas estruturantes no Brasil, com foco na Educação Popular em Saúde no Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), a partir das perspectivas construídas no Observatório de Educação Popular em Saúde e Realidade Brasileira. O Observatório é um espaço profícuo para o compartilhamento de interpretações e experiências de profissionais de saúde e educadores populares sobre a realidade local e realidade brasileira, a partir da ótica da Educação Popular em Saúde. De forma dialógica e participativa, ao longo de seus 2 anos de atividade, o Observatório foi capaz de reunir interpretações sintéticas da Educação Popular em Saúde para as crises que atravessam a história recente do país. De maneira panorâmica, as falas compartilhadas apontam desafios para valorização da abordagem humana na promoção da saúde, com a inclusão e o respeito aos saberes e práticas sociais locais e comunitárias. Além disso, destaca-se a importância da participação social na construção de processos sociais participativos na saúde pública, visando à autonomia do cidadão e à ampliação da dinâmica democrática no Estado brasileiro e em seus equipamentos sociais.

Pests, development and inequalities. / Pestes, desenvolvimento e desigualdades.

This article discusses questions concerning the future of humanity in the face of threats to the health of populations, whose impact has been exacerbated in the course of inequalities in all parts of the world, pari passu with global development in the hegemonized model since last century. The COVID-19 pandemic is a good example that illustrates this dissonance between development and inequalities. Questions were formulated to be debated about the construction of the future of world society, based on the understanding of the evolutionary character of life on the planet vis-à-vis the evils that affect large contingents of the population and represent powerful risks for this evolutionary process. These questions call attention to the discussion around social participation in the definition and control of public policies, as opposed to the hegemony of private interests in the formulation and execution of these policies, both in the scenarios of each country and in the international context.

O artigo discute questões sobre o futuro da humanidade ante as ameaças que rondam a saúde das populações, cujo impacto vem se exacerbando no curso das desigualdades em todas as partes do mundo, pari passu o desenvolvimento global no modelo hegemonizado a partir do século passado. A pandemia de COVID-19 foi tomada como um caso que bem ilustra essa dessintonia entre desenvolvimento e desigualdades. Formulam-se perguntas a serem postas em debate sobre a construção do futuro da sociedade mundial, com base na acepção sobre o caráter evolucional da vida no planeta vis-à-vis os males que acometem grandes contingentes populacionais e representam poderosos riscos para esse processo evolutivo. São indagações que apontam para a discussão em torno da participação social na definição e no controle das políticas públicas, em contrapartida à hegemonia dos interesses privados na formulação e execução dessas políticas, tanto nos cenários de cada país como no contexto internacional.

What has been discussed about Popular Health Education in recent years: a narrative review of the literature. / O que se tem discutido sobre Educação Popular em Saúde nos últimos anos: uma revisão narrativa da literatura.

This narrative review aims to analyze the literature on Collective Health to recognize what has been discussed in Popular Health Education (PHE) from 2019 to 2022. Fifty-nine articles were selected, critically analyzed, and separated into six summary categories: popular education practices as promoters of a participatory vision of health; popular education and the valorization of local popular culture knowledge and practices; popular health education as a strategy to support social reconstruction in the face of setbacks in public policies; the importance of national articulation in popular education as a response to its devaluation; popular education as a liberating project thinking about the democratic formation and the fight against institutional and structural violence; popular education in the university health training process. We achieved significant results that elucidate the importance of PHE within the Unified Health System and the academic education of health professionals, fostering respect for ancestral knowledge and care horizontality. We also reaffirm the need for national articulation and dialogue with grassroots movements to advance Brazil's emancipatory and dignifying health agenda.

Esta revisão narrativa tem por objetivo analisar a literatura no âmbito da Saúde Coletiva no intento de reconhecer o que se tem discutido em Educação Popular em Saúde (EPS) entre 2019 e 2022. Após busca, 59 artigos foram selecionados, analisados criticamente e separados em seis categorias-síntese: as práticas de educação popular como promotoras de uma visão participativa da saúde; educação popular e a valorização dos saberes e práticas da cultura popular local; a educação popular em saúde como estratégia de apoio à reconstrução social ante aos retrocessos nas políticas públicas; a importância da articulação nacional em educação popular como resposta à sua desvalorização; a educação popular como projeto libertador pensando a formação democrática e luta contra violências institucionais e estruturais; educação popular no processo de formação universitária em saúde. Pôde-se obter importantes resultados que elucidam a importância da EPS no contexto do Sistema Único de Saúde e na formação acadêmica de profissionais da saúde, favorecendo o respeito aos saberes ancestrais e a horizontalidade do cuidado. Ainda, reafirma-se a necessidade de articulação nacional e dialogada com os movimentos populares para o avanço de uma agenda emancipadora e dignificante da saúde no Brasil.

Effective reduction in seizure severity and prevention of a fatty liver by a novel low ratio ketogenic diet composition in the rapid kindling rat model of epileptogenesis.

Drug-resistant epilepsy patients may benefit from non-pharmacological therapies, such as the ketogenic diet (KD). However, its high fat content poses compliance challenges and metabolic risks. To mitigate this, we developed a novel KD composition with less fat and additional nutrients (citrate, nicotinamide riboside, and omega-3 fatty acids) for ketone-independent neuroprotection. The efficacy, metabolic and neuropathological effects of the novel KD and a classic KD were compared to a control diet in the rapid kindling model of temporal lobe epilepsy. Both KD groups entered ketosis before kindling onset, with higher ketone levels in the classic KD group. Remarkably, rats on the novel KD had slower progression of behavioral seizures as compared to rats on a control diet, while this was not the case for rats on a classic KD. Both KDs reduced electrographic after-discharge duration, preserved neurons in the dorsal hippocampus, and normalized activity in open field tests. The novel KD, despite lower fat and ketone levels, demonstrated effective reduction of behavioral seizure severity while the classic KD did not, suggesting alternative mode(s) of action are involved. Additionally, the novel KD significantly mitigated liver triglyceride and plasma fatty acid levels compared to the classic KD, indicating a reduced risk of long-term liver steatosis. Our findings highlight the potential of the novel KD to enhance therapeutic efficacy and compliance in epilepsy patients.

Effect of drug therapies on self-reported chemosensory outcomes after COVID-19.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the relative efficacy of medications used following severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection on self-reported alterations in taste and/or smell function. Methods: Seven hundred and fourteen persons with self-reported postcoronavirus disease 2019 (post-COVID-19) chemosensory disorders were personally interviewed regarding specific medications they were administered following the acute phase of the disease. The dependent measure-self-reported total recovery of chemosensory symptoms-was subjected to stepwise logistic regression. Independent predictors included demographic and clinical variables, in addition to specific medications used to mitigate disease symptoms (i.e., systemic corticosteroids, oseltamivir, vitamin C, ibuprofen, hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin, ivermectin, nitazoxanide, anticoagulants, and zinc). Results: The median time between COVID-19 symptom onset and the interviews was 81 days (interquartile range: 60-104). Of the 714 subjects, 249 (34.9%) reported total recovery of their chemosensory function; 437 (61.2%) had at least one treatment since the beginning of the disease. Women and those with more comorbidities had undergone more treatments. The recovery rates of the treated and nontreated groups did not differ significantly. Nonetheless, respondents who had used nitazoxanide tended to have a higher rate of self-reported taste or smell recovery. Those who took oral zinc were less likely to improve. Conclusions: No medication employed during the first months after SARS-CoV-2 infection had a clear positive effect on returning self-reported smell or taste function to normal, although nitrazoxide trended in a positive direction. Oral zinc had a negative effect on the reported recovery of these senses.

The InBIO Barcoding Initiative Database: DNA barcodes of Portuguese moths.

Background: The InBIO Barcoding Initiative (IBI) Dataset - DS-IBILP08 contains records of 2350 specimens of moths (Lepidoptera species that do not belong to the superfamily Papilionoidea). All specimens have been morphologically identified to species or subspecies level and represent 1158 species in total. The species of this dataset correspond to about 42% of mainland Portuguese Lepidoptera species. All specimens were collected in mainland Portugal between 2001 and 2022. All DNA extracts and over 96% of the specimens are deposited in the IBI collection at CIBIO, Research Center in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources. New information: The authors enabled "The InBIO Barcoding Initiative Database: DNA barcodes of Portuguese moths" in order to release the majority of data of DNA barcodes of Portuguese moths within the InBIO Barcoding Initiative. This dataset increases the knowledge on the DNA barcodes of 1158 species from Portugal belonging to 51 families. There is an increase in DNA barcodes of 205% in Portuguese specimens publicly available. The dataset includes 61 new Barcode Index Numbers. All specimens have their DNA barcodes publicly accessible through BOLD online database and the distribution data can be accessed through the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF).

The study of galactomannans with different molecular weights and their ability to form microparticles suitable for pulmonary delivery.

The influence of locust bean gum (LBG) galactomannans (GMs) molecular weight (Mw) to assemble microparticulate systems was evaluated, and carriers for deep lung delivery were developed. A commercial batch of LBG with a mannose/galactose (M/G) ratio of 2.4 (batch 1) was used to study the influence of different microwave partial acid hydrolysis conditions on carbohydrate composition, glycosidic linkages, and aqueous solutions viscosity. The microwave treatment did not affect the composition, presenting 4-Man (36-42 %), 4,6-Man (27-35 %), and T-Gal (24-25 %) as the main glycosidic linkages. Depolymerization led to a viscosity reduction (≤0.005 Pa·s) with no major impact on polysaccharide debranching. The structural composition of the LBG galactomannans were further elucidated with sequence-specific proteins using carbohydrate microarray technologies. A second batch of LBG (M/G 3.3) was used to study the impact of GMs with different Mw on microparticle assembling, characteristics, and insulin release kinetics. The low-Mw GMs microparticles led to a faster release (20 min) than the higher-Mw (40 min) ones, impacting the release kinetics. All microparticles exhibited a safety profile to cells of the respiratory tract. However, only the higher-Mw GMs allowed the assembly of microparticles with sizes suitable for this type of administration.

Clustering of 24H movement behaviors associated with clinic blood pressure in older adults: a cross-sectional study.

Physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior (SB), and sleep duration are known to have an individual effect on clinic blood pressure (BP) of older adults. However, whether different patterns of these so-called movement behaviors over the 24h-cycle on BP remains poorly investigated. The study aimed to identify movement behavior patterns associated with clinic BP among older adults with chronic diseases. Cross-sectional study with 238 older adults (80.3% female; mean age 68.8 ± 6.6) with at least one chronic disease. PA, SB, and sleep duration were measured by a triaxial accelerometer. Clinic systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) were obtained through an automated method following standard procedures. Non-hierarchical K-means cluster and linear regression modeling were employed to identify the clusters of movement behaviors and to examine the associations. Two clusters were identified [active and non-sedentary, n = 103 (i.e., sufficient sleep duration, higher LPA and MVPA, and lower SB) and sedentary and inactive, n = 135 (i.e., sufficient sleep duration, lower LPA and MVPA, and higher SB). Active and non-sedentary older adults presented lower systolic BP compared to sedentary and inactive ones, even after adjustments for sociodemographic and clinical characteristics (ß = 6.356; CI 95% from 0.932 to 11.779; P = 0.022). No associations were found for diastolic BP. In conclusion, higher PA and lower SB were associated with lower systolic BP in older adults with chronic diseases. However, sleep duration did not modify this association. Therefore, interventions focusing on concomitantly increasing PA levels and reducing SB should be the priority for controlling blood pressure.

Worldwide distribution, symptoms and diagnosis of the coinfections between malaria and arboviral diseases: a systematic review.

The coinfection between malaria (ML) and arboviral diseases represents a major global public health problem, particularly in tropical and subtropical countries. Despite its relevance, this topic is still insufficiently discussed in the current literature. Here, we aimed to investigate the worldwide distribution, symptoms, and diagnosis during coinfection between ML and arboviral diseases. We conducted a systematic review following the Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement and assessed the selection and eligibility criteria, created and diagrammed maps, and analysed major symptoms with 95% confidence intervals (CI) using prevalence ratio and effect size, also performing latent class analysis. A total of 85,485 studies were retrieved, of which 56 were included: 57.14% in Asia, 25% in Africa, 14.30% in South America, and 3.56% in Europe. A total of 746 individuals were reported to be coinfected with Plasmodium and arbovirus. Concurrent ML, Dengue (DEN), Chikungunya (CHIK), and Zika (ZIK) patients are more likely to present headache and skin rash. Regarding diagnosis, 58,253 were made, of which 38,176 were positive (ML and at least one arboviral disease). The magnitude of these pathogens' coexistence points out the pressing need for improvements in public health policies towards diagnosis and prevention of both diseases, especially in endemic areas.