An integrative review of analytical techniques used in food authentication: A detailed description for milk and dairy products.

The use of suitable analytical techniques for the detection of adulteration, falsification, deliberate substitution, and mislabeling of foods has great importance in the industrial, scientific, legislative, and public health contexts. This way, this work reports an integrative review with a current analytical approach for food authentication, indicating the main analytical techniques to identify adulteration and perform the traceability of chemical components in processed and non-processed foods, evaluating the authenticity and geographic origin. This work presents results from a systematic search in Science Direct® and Scopus® databases using the keywords "authentication" AND "food", "authentication," AND "beverage", from published papers from 2013 to, 2024. All research and reviews published were employed in the bibliometric analysis, evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of analytical techniques, indicating the perspectives for direct, quick, and simple analysis, guaranteeing the application of quality standards, and ensuring food safety for consumers. Furthermore, this work reports the analysis of natural foods to evaluate the origin (traceability), and industrialized foods to detect adulterations and fraud. A focus on research to detect adulteration in milk and dairy products is presented due to the importance of these products in the nutrition of the world population. All analytical tools discussed have advantages and drawbacks, including sample preparation steps, the need for reference materials, and mathematical treatments. So, the main advances in modern analytical techniques for the identification and quantification of food adulterations, mainly milk and dairy products, were discussed, indicating trends and perspectives on food authentication.

Photobiomodulation minimizes taste changes during hematopoietic cell transplantation: A randomized clinical trial.

Prevention and treatment protocols for taste changes observed during hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) are not well-established. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of photobiomodulation (PBM) in relieving taste changes and preventing lingual papillae atrophy. HCT patients received PBM (n = 42) on the tongue dorsum using an InGaAIP laser (660 nm, 100 mW, 1.1 W/cm2, 8.8 J/cm2). During the HCT conditioning (T0), severe neutropenia (T1), and after neutrophil engraftment (T2), taste acuity for sweet, bitter, sour, and salty solutions, and clinical appearance of lingual papillae were compared with those of a placebo group (n = 43). PBM significantly reduced hypogeusia, ageusia, and parageusia at T1 and T2, and also successfully prevented papillae atrophy during all the analyzed HCT periods. In conclusion, PBM enhanced taste acuity during HCT. The decrease in papillae atrophy indicated a potential regenerative effect of this therapy on tongue mucosa.

Overview of the Metabolite Composition and Antioxidant Capacity of Seven Major and Minor Cereal Crops and Their Milling Fractions.

Cereal grains play an important role in human health as a source of macro- and micronutrients, besides phytochemicals. The metabolite diversity was investigated in cereal crops and their milling fractions by untargeted metabolomics ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) of 69 samples: 7 species (barley, oat, pearl millet, rye, sorghum, triticale, and wheat), 23 genotypes, and 4 milling fractions (husk, bran, flour, and wholegrain). Samples were also analyzed by in vitro antioxidant activity. UHPLC-MS/MS signals were processed using XCMS, and metabolite annotation was based on SIRIUS and GNPS libraries. Bran and husk showed the highest antioxidant capacity and phenolic content/diversity. The major metabolite classes were phenolic acids, flavonoids, fatty acyls, and organic acids. Sorghum, millet, barley, and oats showed distinct metabolite profiles, especially related to the bran fraction. Molecular networking and chemometrics provided a comprehensive insight into the metabolic profiling of cereal crops, unveiling the potential of coproducts and super cereals such as sorghum and millet as sources of polyphenols.

Green banana (Musa ssp.) mixed pulp and peel flour: A new ingredient with interesting bioactive, nutritional, and technological properties for food applications.

This study aimed to characterize and evaluate the in vitro bioactive properties of green banana pulp (GBPF), peel (GBPeF), and mixed pulp/peel flours M1 (90/10) and M2 (80/20). Lipid concentration was higher in GBPeF (7.53%), as were the levels of free and bound phenolics (577 and 653.1 mg GAE/100 g, respectively), whereas the resistant starch content was higher in GBPF (44.11%). Incorporating up to 20% GBPeF into the mixed flour had a minor effect on the starch pasting properties of GBPF. GBPeF featured rutin and trans-ferulic acid as the predominant free and bound phenolic compounds, respectively. GBPF presented different major free phenolics, though it had similar bound phenolics to GBPeF. Both M1 and M2 demonstrated a reduction in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Consequently, this study validates the potential of green banana mixed flour, containing up to 20% GBPeF, for developing healthy foods and reducing post-harvest losses.

Staphylococcus aureus nasal colonization and susceptibility profile to antimicrobials in hemodialysis patients using a protocol of seven collections.

BACKGROUND: Patients colonized with Staphylococcus aureus in their nasal passages have a higher risk of acquiring infection, especially if they are immunocompromised or have comorbidities such as chronic renal failure undergoing hemodialysis (HD). OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to report the prevalence of nasal carriage of S. aureus among HD patients utilizing a seven-week sampling protocol and to assess the susceptibility of these isolates to various antimicrobial agents. METHODS: Over seven consecutive weeks, nasal swab samples were collected from 47 HD patients, resulting in a total of 329 samples. The microorganisms were identified using biochemical methods and subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing via disk diffusion and microdilution techniques. RESULTS: Out of all the patients analyzed, 25 individuals (53.19%) were found to be colonized by S. aureus, with 21 of them displaying intermittent colonization. Additionally, 38% showed positive results for S. aureus in only the 6th or 7th week of sampling. Within the 58 isolates, 17.2% (n=10) exhibited methicillin (oxacillin)-resistance and 25.86% (n=15) displayed elevated vancomycin MIC values (2 µg/ml). Based on the results, daptomycin and gentamicin were found to be effective treatment options. However, 31% of the isolates (n=18) exhibited a MIC of 1 µg/ml for daptomycin. CONCLUSION: Over half of the patients were colonized by S. aureus, but mostly on an intermittent basis. The identification of oxacillin resistance and high vancomycin and daptomycin MICs serve as warnings for possible future complications in managing bacteremia caused by S. aureus in these patients.

First occurrence of feline sporotrichosis in a metropolitan area of Central-West Brazil.

Sporotrichosis is a neglected mycosis that affects human and animal hosts, including domestic cats. In Brazil, its most frequently diagnosed etiological agent is Sporothrix brasiliensis. Zoonotic transmission of S. brasiliensis occurs via direct contact between an infected cat and a susceptible human host. Notification of confirmed cases of feline sporotrichosis is not mandatory in Brazil. The metropolitan area of Goiania city can be considered a silent area for the occurrence of feline sporotrichosis. In this context, voluntary reporting of feline sporotrichosis cases is recommended for all healthcare professionals. This study aimed to report the first occurrence of S. brasiliensis in a cat from the metropolitan area of Goiania city. Cytopathology, mycology, thermal dimorphism and calmodulin gene amplification tests were performed. The mycological and molecular biological diagnoses corresponded to S. brasiliensis. The etiological agent of zoonotic sporotrichosis was detected in the metropolitan area of Goiania city, and therefore there is a risk of the emergence of new cases of cats infected with S. brasiliensis and the occurrence of zoonotic transmission of this fungus.

Avaliação da mortalidade hospitalar de pacientes submetidos a revascularização miocárdica na última década em São Paulo / Assessment of hospital mortality of patients undergoing myocardial revascularization in the last decade in São Paulo

INTRODUÇÃO: A doença cardiovascular continua estabelecida como a principal causa de óbito no Brasil e também em São Paulo, tendo como fator de risco cardinal o crescimento de depósitos gordurosos nas artérias coronárias, as chamadas placas de aterosclerose. O tratamento para doença aterosclerótica coronária (DAC) inclui intervenções bem consolidadas na prática, sendo a cirurgia de revascularização miocárdica (CRM) uma das mais importantes medidas terapêuticas no contexto hospitalar, principalmente em pacientes portadores de lesões triarteriais ou com diabetes associada. Nesse sentido, a CRM vem apresentando importantes avanços em relação à redução da mortalidade e morbidade inerentes ao procedimento cirúrgico, principalmente através das inovações tecnológicas dos últimos anos. Sendo assim, o seguinte trabalho se objetiva a analisar a mortalidade da revascularização miocárdica em pacientes com DAC supracitadas, para uma melhoria da assistência hospitalar e das políticas públicas de saúde, pleiteando uma mortalidade hospitalar cada vez menor. MÉTODOS: Estudo de caráter epidemiológico, descritivo e transversal. Foi realizada coleta de dados através do banco informativo de saúde DATASUS (TABNET), correspondente aos óbitos de pacientes submetidos a revascularização miocárdica entre os anos de 2013 a 2023 no município de São Paulo. As variáveis utilizadas são: raça/cor, sexo e faixa etária. RESULTADOS: Analisando os dados coletados, é notável que o ano de maior incidência de óbitos foi 2014 com 123 óbitos, representando aproximadamente 13,91% do total do período estudado. A raça mais afetada foi a branca, com 65% dos óbitos. Já a faixa etária mais acometida foi entre 65 e 69 anos, totalizando 22,05% dos óbitos. Em relação ao sexo, a prevalência é masculina, caracterizando 58,37% dos óbitos. CONCLUSÕES: Em relação à abordagem terapêutica analisada nos últimos 10 anos no município de São Paulo, foi verificada uma maior mortalidade no sexo masculino, em idades avançadas e na raça branca. Além disso, é importante destacar que houve uma redução significativa nas taxas de desfecho cardiovascular primário nos pacientes submetidos ao procedimento. Esse cenário reforça a projeção da CRM como um tratamento cada vez mais seguro e eficiente no contexto das doenças coronarianas.

Validation of care-educational video for patients in postoperative heart surgery / Validación de vídeo educativo de cuidado para pacientes en el postoperatorio de cirugía cardíaca / Validação de vídeo cuidativo-educacional para pacientes em pós-operatório de cirurgia cardíaca

Objective: To develop and validate an educational-care video produced for patients with self-care guidelines in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery. Method: Methodological study, developed in the stages of pre-production, production, and post-production. Content validation was carried out with 13 expert judges, with technical and scientific expertise in the field. Data were tabulated, processed, and analyzed through descriptive analysis. Content validity index (CVI) and Cronbach's alpha tests were performed for reliability. Results: The educational-care video contains information on surgical wound, wound care, alcoho-lic beverages, sexual activity, return to work, physical activity, and diet. Conclusion: The video validated by experts obtained maximum CVI and an attributed reliability of 0.728, indicating it is an educational technology that can be applied in nursing practice to guide patients in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery. (AU)

Objetivo: Construir y validar un video educativo sobre cuidados elaborado para pacientes con instrucciones de autocuidado en el postopera-torio de cirugía cardíaca. Método: Estudio metodológico, desarrollado en las etapas de preproducción, producción y postproducción. La validación del contenido se realizó con 13 jueces expertos, con experiencia técnica y científica en el área. Los datos fueron tabulados, procesados y analizados mediante análisis descriptivo. Se realizaron pruebas de confiabilidad del Índice de Validez de Contenido (IVC) y Alfa de Cronbach. Resultados: El video educativo de cuidado contiene información sobre la herida quirúrgica; cuidados de la herida quirúrgica; consumo de alcohol; actividad sexual; retorno al trabajo; actividad física y nutrición. Conclusión: El video validado por expertos obtuvo un IVC máximo y una confiabilidad asignada de 0,728, lo que indica que es una tecnología educativa que puede ser aplicada en la práctica de enfermería para guiar a los pacientes en el postoperatorio de cirugía cardíaca. (AU)

Objetivo: Construir e validar um vídeo cuidativo-educacional produzido para pacientes com orientações de autocuidado no pós-operatório de cirurgia cardíaca. Método: Estudo metodológico, desenvolvido nas etapas de pré-produção, produção e pós-produção. A validação de conteúdo ocor-reu com 13 juízes especialistas, com expertise técnica e científica na área. Os dados foram tabulados, processados e analisados perante análise descritiva. Realizaram-se os testes de índice de validade de conteúdo (IVC) e de alfa de Cronbach, para confiabilidade. Resultados: O vídeo cuidativo-educacional contém informações quanto a ferida cirúrgica, cuidados com a ferida cirúrgica, bebidas alcoólicas, atividade sexual, retorno ao trabalho, atividade física e alimentação. Conclusão: O vídeo validado pelos especialistas obteve IVC máximo e a confiabilidade atribuída de 0,728, indicando ser uma tecnologia educacional que pode ser aplicada na prática da enfermagem para orientar pacientes no pós-operatório de cirurgia cardíaca. (AU)

Phenolic-rich extracts from toasted white and tannin sorghum flours have distinct profiles influencing their antioxidant, antiproliferative, anti-adhesive, anti-invasive, and antimalarial activities.

Sorghum is a gluten-free cereal commonly used in foods, and its consumption has been associated with the prevention of human chronic conditions such as obesity and cancer, due to the presence of dietary fiber and phenolic compounds. This study aimed to evaluate, for the first time, the antiproliferative, antioxidant, anti-adhesion, anti-invasion, and antimalarial activities of phenolic extracts from toasted white and tannin sorghum flours to understand how different phenolic profiles contribute to sorghum biological activities. Water and 70 % ethanol/water (v/v), eco-friendly solvents, were used to obtain the phenolic extracts of toasted sorghum flours, and their phenolic profile was analyzed by UPLC-MSE. One hundred forty-five (145) phenolic compounds were identified, with 23 compounds common to all extracts. The solvent type affected the phenolic composition, with aqueous extract of both white sorghum (WSA) and tannin sorghum (TSA) containing mainly phenolic acids. White sorghum (WSE) and tannin sorghum (TSE) ethanolic extracts exhibited a higher abundance of flavonoids. WSE demonstrated the lowest IC50 on EA.hy926 (IC50 = 46.6 µg/mL) and A549 cancer cells (IC50 = 33.1 µg/mL), while TSE showed the lowest IC50 (IC50 = 70.8 µg/mL) on HCT-8 cells (human colon carcinoma). Aqueous extracts also demonstrated interesting results, similar to TSE, showing selectivity for cancer cells at higher IC50 concentrations. All sorghum extracts also reduced the adhesion and invasion of HCT-8 cells, suggesting antimetastatic potential. WSE, rich in phenolic acids and flavonoids, exhibited greater toxicity to both the W2 (chloroquine-resistant) and 3D7 (chloroquine-sensitive) strains of Plasmodium falciparum (IC50 = 8 µg GAE/mL and 22.9 µg GAE/mL, respectively). These findings underscore the potential health benefits of toasted sorghum flours, suggesting diverse applications in the food industry as a functional ingredient or even as an antioxidant supplement. Moreover, it is suggested that, besides the phenolic concentration, the phenolic profile is important to understand the health benefits of sorghum flours.

First occurrence of feline sporotrichosis in a metropolitan area of Central-West Brazil

ABSTRACT Sporotrichosis is a neglected mycosis that affects human and animal hosts, including domestic cats. In Brazil, its most frequently diagnosed etiological agent is Sporothrix brasiliensis. Zoonotic transmission of S. brasiliensis occurs via direct contact between an infected cat and a susceptible human host. Notification of confirmed cases of feline sporotrichosis is not mandatory in Brazil. The metropolitan area of Goiania city can be considered a silent area for the occurrence of feline sporotrichosis. In this context, voluntary reporting of feline sporotrichosis cases is recommended for all healthcare professionals. This study aimed to report the first occurrence of S. brasiliensis in a cat from the metropolitan area of Goiania city. Cytopathology, mycology, thermal dimorphism and calmodulin gene amplification tests were performed. The mycological and molecular biological diagnoses corresponded to S. brasiliensis. The etiological agent of zoonotic sporotrichosis was detected in the metropolitan area of Goiania city, and therefore there is a risk of the emergence of new cases of cats infected with S. brasiliensis and the occurrence of zoonotic transmission of this fungus.

Adherence to the EAT-Lancet diet and its relation with food insecurity and income in a Brazilian population-based sample. / Adesão à dieta EAT-Lancet e sua relação com insegurança alimentar e renda em uma amostra de base populacional brasileira.

This study aimed to investigate the relation of adherence to the planetary diet with food and nutrition security status and per capita household income in a study with a representative sample of the Brazilian population. Among the data from the 2017-2018 Brazilian Household Budgets Survey (POF), the inequality indicators selected for the analysis were data on per capita household income and food and nutrition security. We also considered data on the individual food consumption of 46,164 Brazilians aged ≥ 10 years, obtained through 24-hour dietary recalls, in the National Food Survey, conducted with the POF 2017-2018. The Planetary Health Diet Index (PHDI) was used to measure adherence to the planetary diet. Sociodemographic data were expressed as frequency (%), with analysis of the mean and 95% confidence interval (95%CI) of the PHDI score. The relation of food and nutrition security and income with the PHDI score was tested in multiple linear regression models. The calculations were performed in the Stata software, adopting a 5% significance. Lower PHDI means were observed among food insecure individuals, male, < 20 years old, mixed-race and indigenous, with income < 0.5 minimum wage, residing in rural areas and in the North and Northeast regions. In the multiple linear regression, food insecurity was inversely related to PHDI score (ꞵ = -0.56; 95%CI: -1.06; -0.06), with the lowest scores associated with severe food insecurity (ß = -1.31; 95%CI: -2.19; -0.55). Income categories were not independently associated to PHDI score (p-trend = 0.900). Therefore, food insecurity has been shown to negatively affect Brazilians' adherence to the planetary diet.

O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a relação entre a adesão à dieta planetária com a situação de segurança alimentar e nutricional e renda familiar per capita, utilizando amostra representativa da população brasileira. Entre os dados da Pesquisa de Orçamentos Familiares (POF) de 2017-2018, os indicadores de desigualdade selecionados para a análise foram as informações sobre renda familiar per capita e segurança alimentar e nutricional. Também foram considerados dados de consumo alimentar individual de 46.164 brasileiros com idade ≥ 10 anos, obtidos por meio de recordatórios alimentares de 24 horas, no Inquérito Nacional de Alimentação, conduzido junto à POF 2017-2018. O Índice de Dieta Planetária (PHDI) foi empregado para mensurar a adesão à dieta planetária. Dados sociodemográficos foram expressos como frequência (%), com análise da média e intervalo de 95% de confiança (IC95%) do escore do PHDI. A relação entre segurança alimentar e nutricional e renda com o escore do PHDI foi testada em modelos de regressão linear múltipla. Os cálculos foram executados no software Stata, adotando uma significância de 5%. Menores médias do PHDI foram observadas entre indivíduos em insegurança alimentar, do sexo masculino, < 20 anos, pardos e indígenas, com renda < 0,5 salário mínimo, domiciliados na zona rural e das regiões Norte e Nordeste. Na regressão linear múltipla, a insegurança alimentar foi inversamente relacionada ao escore do PHDI (ꞵ = -0,56; IC95%: -1,06; -0,06), sendo as menores pontuações associadas à insegurança alimentar grave (ß = -1,31; IC95%: -2,19; -0,55). As categorias de renda não foram independentemente associadas com o escore PHDI (p de tendência = 0,900). Portanto, a insegurança alimentar demonstrou afetar negativamente a adesão dos brasileiros à dieta planetária.

El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar la relación entre la adherencia a la dieta planetaria con la situación de seguridad alimentaria y nutricional y el ingreso familiar per cápita en un estudio con una muestra representativa de la población brasileña. Entre los datos de la Encuesta de Presupuestos Familiares (POF) 2017-2018, los indicadores de desigualdad seleccionados para el análisis fueron la información sobre el ingreso familiar per cápita y la seguridad alimentaria y nutricional. También se utilizaron los datos de consumo alimentario individual de 46.164 brasileños ≥ 10 años, obtenidos mediante registros de alimentos de 24 horas, en la Encuesta Nacional Alimentaria, realizada con POF 2017-2018. Se utilizó el Índice de Dieta Planetaria (PHDI) para medir la adherencia a la dieta planetaria. Los datos sociodemográficos se expresaron como frecuencia (%), con análisis de la media e intervalo de 95% de confianza (IC95%) de la puntuación del PHDI. La relación entre el seguridad alimentaria y nutricional y los ingresos con la puntuación del PHDI se probó en modelos de regresión lineal múltiple. Los cálculos se realizaron en el software Stata, con el nivel de significación del 5%. Se observaron medias más bajas del PHDI entre individuos con inseguridad alimentaria, hombres, < 20 años, pardos e indígenas, con ingresos < 0,5 salario mínimo, residentes en zonas rurales y en las regiones Norte y Nordeste de Brasil. En la regresión lineal múltiple, la inseguridad alimentaria se relacionó inversamente con la puntuación del PHDI (ꞵ = -0,56; IC95%: -1,06; -0,06), y las puntuaciones más bajas estaban asociadas con la inseguridad alimentaria grave (ß = -1,31; IC95%: -2,19; -0,55). Las categorías de ingresos no se asociaron de forma independiente con la puntuación PHDI (p de tendencia = 0,900). Por lo tanto, la inseguridad alimentaria afecta negativamente la adherencia de los brasileños a la dieta planetaria.

Percepções de mulheres com câncer de mama acerca dos tratamentos / Perceptions of women with breast cancer regarding treatments

O objetivo deste estudo foi compreender a percepção das mulheres com câncer de mama acerca dos tratamentos. Trata-se de um estudo qualitativo, descritivo, transversal, no qual participaram 40 mulheres em quimioterapia para tratamento do câncer mamário em um hospital especializado em oncologia. O instrumento utilizado para coleta de dados foi uma entrevista semiestruturada. Os dados foram analisados mediante Análise de Conteúdo de Bardin e categorizados conforme o Modelo de Crenças em Saúde. Originaram-se quatro categorias: "Suscetibilidade percebida: câncer e COVID-19", "Percepção da gravidade em face do impacto dos tratamentos", "Desafios e barreiras nos tratamentos" e "Benefícios percebidos no tratamento do câncer". Conclui-se que existem diferentes fatores que ressoam na percepção que a mulher tem sobre os tratamentos e que geram repercussões na forma de enfrentá-los. O conhecimento desses fatores pelos profissionais de saúde pode auxiliar na assistência às mulheres para melhor enfrentamento da doença.

The objective of this study was to understand the perception of women with breast cancer about treatments. This is a qualitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study, involving 40 women undergoing chemotherapy for the treatment of breast cancer in a hospital specialized in oncology. The instrument used for data collection was a semi-structured interview. Data was analyzed using Bardin's Content Analysis and categorized according to the Health Belief Model. Four categories emerged: "Perceived susceptibility: cancer and COVID-19", "Perception of severity in view of treatments impact", "Challenges and barriers in treatments" and "Perceived benefits in cancer treatment". It is concluded that there are different factors that resonate in women's perception of treatments and that generate repercussions in the way of facing them. Knowledge of these factors by healthcare professionals can help in providing better assistance to women in facing the disease.

Dental consensus on HSCT - Part II: dental Care during HSCT

ABSTRACT During the state of immune vulnerability in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), the patient has an increased risk of developing a vast number of complications, including severe problems in the oral cavity. These situations require professional oral care to act in the diagnosis and treatment of these conditions, as well as to develop prevention protocols to minimize patient's complications. Oral mucositis, opportunistic infections, bleeding, specific microbiota, taste, and salivary alterations are complications that can occur during HSCT and interfere with various aspects, such as pain control, oral intake, nutrition, bacteremia and sepsis, days of hospitalization and morbidity. Several guidelines have been published to address the role of professional oral care during the HSCT, we describe a consensus regarding these recommendations.

Marsupial position on life-history continua and the potential contribution of life-history traits to population growth.

Previous studies have suggested that mammal life history varies along the fast-slow continuum and that, in eutherians, this continuum is linked to variation in the potential contribution of survival and reproduction to population growth rate (λ). Fast eutherians mature early, have large litters and short lifespans, and exhibit high potential contribution of age at first reproduction and fertility to λ, while slow eutherians show high potential contribution of survival to λ. However, marsupials have typically been overlooked in comparative tests of mammalian life-history evolution. Here, we tested whether the eutherian life-history pattern extends to marsupials, and show that marsupial life-history trade-offs are organized along two major axes: (i) the reproductive output and dispersion axis, and (ii) the fast-slow continuum, with an additional association between adult survival and body mass. Life-history traits that potentially drive changes in λ are similar in eutherians and marsupials with slow life histories, but differ in fast marsupials; age at first reproduction is the most important trait contributing to λ and fertility contributes little. Marsupials have slower life histories than eutherians, and differences between these clades may derive from their contrasting reproductive modes; marsupials have slower development, growth and metabolism than eutherians of equivalent size.

Pyroglutamination-Induced Changes in the Physicochemical Features of a CXCR4 Chemokine Peptide: Kinetic and Structural Analysis.

We investigate the physicochemical effects of pyroglutamination on the QHALTSV-NH2 peptide, a segment of cytosolic helix 8 of the human C-X-C chemokine G-protein-coupled receptor type 4 (CXCR4). This modification, resulting from the spontaneous conversion of glutamine to pyroglutamic acid, has significant impacts on the physicochemical features of peptides. Using a static approach, we compared the transformation in different conditions and experimentally found that the rate of product formation increases with temperature, underscoring the need for caution during laboratory experiments to prevent glutamine cyclization. Circular dichroism experiments revealed that the QHALTSV-NH2 segment plays a minor role in the structuration of H8 CXCR4; however, its pyroglutaminated analogue interacts differently with its chemical environment, showing increased susceptibility to solvent variations compared to the native form. The pyroglutaminated analogue exhibits altered behavior when interacting with lipid models, suggesting a significant impact on its interaction with cell membranes. A unique combination of atomic force microscopy and infrared nanospectroscopy revealed that pyroglutamination affects supramolecular self-assembly, leading to highly packed molecular arrangements and a crystalline structure. Moreover, the presence of pyroglumatic acid has been found to favor the formation of amyloidogenic aggregates. Our findings emphasize the importance of considering pyroglutamination in peptide synthesis and proteomics and its potential significance in amyloidosis.

Differential survival of Brazilian patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with and without HIV infection.

OBJECTIVE: Combinatorial antiretroviral therapy provided improvement of HIV patients' immune function and a decrease in the incidence of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is one of the most common NHL forms affecting HIV+ patients. The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of HIV infection on the prognosis of patients treated for DLBCL in a reference cancer treatment center in Brazil. METHODS: A retrospective case-control study was developed with patients followed-up at the Brazilian National Cancer Institute, in which 243 DLBCL patients (91 HIV+ and 152 HIV-) were enrolled. HIV- controls were matched to HIV+ according to date of cancer diagnosis, clinical staging, primary cancer treatment and date of birth. Sociodemographic and cancer treatment data were extracted from medical charts. Kaplan-Meier analyses were carried out to estimate survival, while univariate and multiple Cox regression analyses were used to determine factors associated with mortality. RESULTS: A total of 98 deaths were observed in a 5-year period after cancer diagnosis. A negative association of HIV infection with both overall and disease-specific survival 1 year after cancer diagnosis was observed [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.98 and 1.96, respectively]. The negative association with HIV infection with disease-specific survival remained significant for a 5-year period after cancer diagnosis (HR = 1.53). HIV viral load above 1000 copies/ml at study entry was also associated with shorter overall and cancer-specific survival. CONCLUSIONS: HIV infection negatively impacted prognosis and mortality of DLBCL patients irrespective of cancer-related clinical factors.

Severe osteoporosis in a young man with bilateral Cushing's syndrome: a case report.

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome is challenging; however, through the clinical picture and the search for secondary causes of osteoporosis, it was possible to reach the diagnosis of the case reported. There was an independent, symptomatic ACTH hypercortisolism manifested by typical phenotypic changes, severe secondary osteoporosis and arterial hypertension in a young patient. CASE PRESENTATION: A 20-year-old Brazilian man with low back pain for 8 months. Radiographs showed fragility fractures in the thoracolumbar spine, and bone densitometry showed osteoporosis, especially when evaluating the Z Score (- 5.6 in the lumbar spine). On physical examination, there were wide violaceous streaks on the upper limbs and abdomen, plethora and fat increase in the temporal facial region, hump, ecchymosis on limbs, hypotrophy of arms and thighs, central obesity and kyphoscoliosis. His blood pressure was 150 × 90 mmHg. Cortisol after 1 mg of dexamethasone (24.1 µg/dL) and after Liddle 1 (28 µg/dL) were not suppressed, despite normal cortisoluria. Tomography showed bilateral adrenal nodules with more severe characteristics. Unfortunately, through the catheterization of adrenal veins, it was not possible to differentiate the nodules due to the achievement of cortisol levels that exceeded the upper limit of the dilution method. Among the hypotheses for the differential diagnosis of bilateral adrenal hyperplasia are primary bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia, McCune-Albright syndrome and isolated bilateral primary pigmented nodular hyperplasia or associated with Carney's complex. In this case, primary pigmented nodular hyperplasia or carcinoma became important etiological hypotheses when comparing the epidemiology in a young man and the clinical-laboratory-imaging findings of the differential diagnoses. After 6 months of drug inhibition of steroidogenesis, blood pressure control and anti-osteoporotic therapy, the levels and deleterious metabolic effects of hypercortisolism, which could also impair adrenalectomy in the short and long term, were reduced. Left adrenalectomy was chosen, given the possibility of malignancy in a young patient and to avoid unnecessary definitive surgical adrenal insufficiency if the adrenalectomy was bilateral. Anatomopathology of the left gland revealed expansion of the zona fasciculate with multiple nonencapsulated nodules. CONCLUSION: The early identification of Cushing's syndrome, with measures based on the assessment of risks and benefits, remains the best way to prevent its progression and reduce the morbidity of the condition. Despite the unavailability of genetic analysis for a precise etiological definition, it is possible to take efficient measures to avoid future damage.

Dental consensus on HSCT - Part II: dental Care during HSCT.

During the state of immune vulnerability in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), the patient has an increased risk of developing a vast number of complications, including severe problems in the oral cavity. These situations require professional oral care to act in the diagnosis and treatment of these conditions, as well as to develop prevention protocols to minimize patient's complications. Oral mucositis, opportunistic infections, bleeding, specific microbiota, taste, and salivary alterations are complications that can occur during HSCT and interfere with various aspects, such as pain control, oral intake, nutrition, bacteremia and sepsis, days of hospitalization and morbidity. Several guidelines have been published to address the role of professional oral care during the HSCT, we describe a consensus regarding these recommendations.

Women's perception about the discovery of breast cancer amid the covid-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is considered a health problem at a worldwide level. In Brazil, the South and Southeast regions have the highest mortality rates. Understanding how they dealt with the diagnostic of a stigmatized disease amid the COVID-19 pandemic and its potential repercussions, may enable healthcare professionals to of life. Thus, this study is aimed at understanding the perception of women about the discovery of breast cancer and the impact of the disease on their lives. METHODS: A qualitative study, with the participation of forty women with breast cancer, under chemotherapy treatment. It was performed in a hospital specialized in oncology, in Juiz de Fora, Brazil, in 2020 and 2021. Data collection was carried out with semi-structured interviews, which were analyzed with Bardin Content Analysis. RESULTS: Based on the central theme "Discovery of the disease", these categories were developed: "Discovery" and "Impact of the disease". A large part of women noticed a change in the breast, even before routine checks. Upon the impact of cancer diagnosis, negative feelings arise, then going through a process of acceptance and coping. Some barriers were faced due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused delays in the diagnostic and impact caused by social isolation. Family, friends, and healthcare professionals integrated an important supporting network in order to help coping with the disease. CONCLUSION: The consequences of a breast cancer diagnosis can be devastating. It is necessary that healthcare professionals know and embrace the feelings, beliefs, and values as a part of the aspects related to health. Valuing the supporting network of women suffering from the disease may favor the process of accepting and coping with the neoplasm. The COVID-19 pandemic is highlighted as an obstacle to be overcome specially when it comes to diagnostic assistance and availability of a support network. In that sense, it is worth mentioning the importance of a healthcare team able to offer full assistance, with quality. The need of further studies to determine the impact of the pandemic in the long run.

Food Service Kitchen Scraps as a Source of Bioactive Phytochemicals: Disposal Survey, Optimized Extraction, Metabolomic Screening and Chemometric Evaluation.

Untargeted metabolomics is a powerful tool with high resolution and the capability to characterize a wide range of bioactive natural products from fruit and vegetable by-products (FVB). Thus, this approach was applied in the study to evaluate the phenolic compounds (PC) by metabolomic screening in five FVB after optimizing their extraction. The total phenolic content and antioxidant activity analyses were able to select the best extractor (SM) and ultrasonication time (US) for each FVB; methanol was used as a control. Although ultrasonication yielded a lower number of PC identifications (84 PC), the US extract was the most efficient in total ionic abundance (+21% and +29% compared to the total PC and SM extracts, respectively). Ultrasonication also increased the phenolic acid (+38%) and flavonoid classes (+19%) extracted compared to SM, while the multivariate analyses showed the control as the most dissimilar sample. FVB extracted from the same parts of the vegetable/fruit showed similarities and papaya seed presented the most atypical profile. The application of the metabolomics approach increased the knowledge of the bioactive potential of the evaluated residues and possibilities of exploring and valorizing the generated extracts.