Vat-based photopolymerization 3D printing: From materials to topical and transdermal applications.

Three-dimensional (3D) printing is an innovative manufacturing method with the potential to revolutionize topical and transdermal dosage forms. Nowadays, it is established that Vat-based photopolymerization (VP) 3D printing technologies offer superior printing efficiency and versatility compared to other 3D printing technologies available on the market. However, there are some limitations that impair their full application in pharmaceutical contexts, such as the lack of a range of biocompatible materials for topical and transdermal applications. This review article explores all types of VP-based 3D printing and discusses the relevance of implementing this kind of technology. We start with a detailed description of the printing process, focusing on the commercial materials available and lab-made resins proposed by different authors. We also review recent studies in this field, which mainly focus on the fabrication of transdermal devices based on microneedle arrays. In the future, it is expected that the manufacturers of 3D printers invest in modifications to the printing apparatus to allow the simultaneous printing of different resins and/or compound types, which will open frontiers to the personalization of treatment approaches.

Furthering decent work by expanding the role of occupational safety and health.

BACKGROUND: The International Labour Organization (ILO) and the United Nations (UN) have promoted the concept of decent work as a Sustainable Development Goal for 2030 to address critical global problems. Occupational safety and health (OSH) are components of decent work, primarily through the ILO social protection objective of the goal, and are linked to various other objectives. OBJECTIVE: This Commentary applies a previously published staging framework to stimulate thinking about how the OSH field can contribute further to the achievement of decent work. METHODS: To advance the contribution of the framework, the different functions of OSH (research, practice, advocacy, governance, and professional education) were used to identify impediments to achieving decent work and develop recommendations for each determinant in the framework. RESULTS: Promoting and achieving decent work are complex issues that require a multifactorial approach. Numerous recommendations supporting systems thinking and transdisciplinary approaches are provided. CONCLUSIONS: The OSH field can expand to further address decent work.

Breast cancer and cervical cancer: a comparison of the period before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic impacted cancer health care in several countries, with delays in the detection and treatment of breast and cervical cancer. The objective of this study is to analyze and compare the screening, diagnosis and treatment of breast and cervical cancer in the pre-COVID period and during the COVID-19 period. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with secondary data collected from the Mortality Information System (SIM), Hospital Information System (SIH), Ambulatory Information System (SIA) and the Oncology Panel (PO) of breast cancer notifications with ICD C50.0 to C50.9 and cervix ICD C53.0 to C53.9, The analyzed period before the pandemic was from March 1 to October 1, 2019, and during the pandemic from March 1 to October 1, 2020. The period from 2013 to 2022 was also analyzed with the same information, including the number of diagnoses, treatments, and deaths from breast cancer and cervical cancer. The study population consisted of Brazilian women aged 25 to 70 years. In order to compare categorical variables between periods, the Chi-Square or Fisher's Exact tests, and Mann-Whitney U tests were applied, and the Poisson Regression model was applied to model the number of reported cases of COVID-19 and the amount of procedures. RESULTS: There was a decrease in the number of mammograms and cytopathological exams during COVID-19, as well as a decrease in cases of breast and cervical cancer. The Poisson regression showed that the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases caused a decrease in the number of breast cytopathological examinations, cervical-vaginal cytopathological examinations/microflora and screening, diagnosis, initiation of treatment for breast cancer and deaths from this disease. Meanwhile, in some regions of Brazil, as the number of Covid-19 increased, there was a significantly increase in the number of mammograms performed and cervical cancer diagnoses. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 period in 2020 significantly impacted screening, diagnosis, treatment for breast and cervical cancer.

Impact of Covid-19 on Breast Cancer Screening.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on breast cancer screening. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional and retrospective study, which used data extracted from "TABNET" between 2014 to 2020.  Statistical analysis was carried out using the ANOVA model. RESULT: In 2019, a total of 3,068,776 mammograms were conducted, which significantly decreased to 1,808,765 in 2020.  Since the onset of the pandemic in Brazil in March 2020, there has been a reduction in the number of mammograms performed.  Mammography coverage increased from 0.11 to 0.18 between 2014 and 2019 but sharply declined from 0.18 to 0.10 between 2019 and 2020. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a detrimental impact on breast cancer screening efforts, especially in detecting the disease in early stages.  Health services shifted their focus towards caring for COVID-19 patients, therefore neglecting routine screening programs and interventions. Additionally, the population's fear of contagion contributed to a decrease in demand for screening tests.

Relationship between Screening, Diagnostic Mammograms, Hospital Admissions, and Mortality Rates from Breast Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide. If diagnosed and treated early, it has a high chance of cure, and for this, screening tests are necessary, namely mammograms, which are the most commonly used. The objective of this study was to analyze the association between the number of screening and diagnostic mammograms and the number of hospitalizations and deaths from breast cancer. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional, analytical, retrospective study with secondary data made available by the Ministry of Health. Pearson correlation analysis was employed to assess whether the number of mammograms is associated with the number of deaths and hospitalizations, Poisson regression was used to assess whether an increase in the number of mammograms and hospitalizations is related to the number of deaths, and the Cox-Stuart test was used to analyze the temporal trend of the variables under study and the projection of time series. RESULTS: There was a strong positive correlation for all age groups when relating the variables hospitalizations and deaths, a moderate-to-strong correlation for the variables mammography and hospitalization, and a weak correlation for the variables mammography and death. There was no statistical significance in the relationship between the number of mammograms and deaths, whereas the hospitalization variable had a significant impact in relation to death, increasing the chance by 0.015%. There has also been a significant growth trend in the variables deaths and hospitalizations in Brazil over the years. CONCLUSIONS: A growing trend was identified from 2013 to 2021, both in hospitalizations and deaths, thus suggesting that strategies aimed at reformulating public health policies are necessary for earlier diagnosis in order to improve the treatment of breast cancer and the prognosis of the disease.

Mortality of Young Women due to Breast Cancer in Low, Middle and High-Income Countries: Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the difference in breast cancer mortality rates among young women according to countries' economic classification. METHODS: A systematic literature review included retrospective studies on breast cancer mortality rates in women aged 20 to 49 years. Databases used were PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Virtual Health Library, with articles selected in English, Portuguese, and Spanish. The study selection and analysis were conducted by two pairs of researchers. Data from 54 countries were extracted, including 39 high-income, 12 upper-middle-income, and 3 lower-middle-income countries. A meta-analysis was performed with the quantitative data from two studies. RESULTS: Six articles met the inclusion criteria. Four were analyzed descriptively due to data diversity, and two were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled mortality rate for high-income countries was 10.2 per 100,000 women (95% CI: 9.8-10.6), while for upper-middle-income countries, it was 15.5 per 100,000 women (95% CI: 14.9-16.1). Lower-middle-income countries had a pooled mortality rate of 20.3 per 100,000 women (95% CI: 19.5-21.1). The decrease in mortality rates in high-income countries was statistically significant (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Mortality rates for breast cancer among young women have decreased significantly in high-income countries but have increased in lower-income countries. This disparity underscores the impact of insufficient investment in preventive measures, health promotion, early diagnosis, and treatment on young women's mortality in lower-income countries.

Technical note: Application of Handheld X-ray fluorescence spectrometers in forensic analysis of cigarette ash.

Cigarettes are part of a collection of objects found everywhere and smoked by a large part of the population. Cigarette butts can be an essential piece of evidence in identifying a certain suspect/witness, as they can suggest the positive identification or exclusion of one or more brands by comparison or even DNA analysis. The main objective of this study is to test the capability of Handheld X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (HHXRF) to analyze the elemental concentration of individual cigarette ash of several tobacco brands and investigate if it is further possible to discriminate the different brands based on their ash's elemental concentration. This study reveals the capability of HHXRF to discriminate tobacco brands based on their ashes' elemental concentration, with the great advantage of the analyses being non-destructive and can be carried out on a small sample. In addition, this equipment can measure the ash's elemental concentrations on-site, allowing for less contamination and sample loss.

Can Photoselective Nets' Influence Pollen Traits? A Case Study in 'Matua' and 'Tomuri' Kiwifruit Cultivars.

The increasing use of photoselective nets (PNs) raises the question of their influence on pollen traits. We aimed to evaluate the effect of PNs (yellow, pearl, and grey) on the pollen of 'Matua' and 'Tomuri' Actinidia deliciosa cultivars. The pollen size and the exine were studied with a light microscopy and a scanning electron microscopy, and the fertility was analysed by a viability assay and in vitro germination. The total soluble proteins (TSPs) and sugars (TSSs) were quantified by colorimetric assays. The molecular structure of the pollen grain's wall was analysed by a Raman spectroscopy. The pollen from the plants under the PNs had a larger width and area and a lower germination rate. No significant changes were observed in the exine's microperforations. The TSP and TSS contents were influenced by the cultivar and PNs (particularly the pearl PN). The Raman spectra of the pollen from the plants grown under the nets presented some bands that significantly shifted from their original position, indicating differences in the vibration modes of the molecules, but no overall changes at their structural or organisation level were found. Our study showed that the PNs could influence several pollen traits, with the pearl PN inducing greater modifications. Our results also support the idea that cultivars affect the outcome of some characteristics.

Natural Environments in University Campuses and Students' Well-Being.

Most recent university campuses follow the North American model, built on city limits or countryside, with large separate buildings in open green spaces. Studies suggest that the prevalence and severity of mental health issues among university students has been increasing over the past decade in most countries. University services were created to face this growing problem, however individual-based interventions have limited effects on mental health and well-being of a large population. Our aim was to verify if and how the natural environment in campuses is focused on programs to cope with the issue of mental health and well-being among students. A systematic review of literature was undertaken with search in Scopus and LILACS with the keywords "green areas" AND "well-being" AND "Campus", following PRISMA guidelines. As a result, 32 articles were selected. Research on the topic is recent, mostly in the USA, Bulgaria, and China. Most studies used objective information on campuses' greenness and/or university students' perception. Mental health was usually measured by validated scores. Findings of all the studies indicated positive association between campus greenery and well-being of students. We conclude that there is a large potential for use of university campuses in programs and as sites for students' restoration and stress relief.

Residential Greenness, Lifestyle, and Vitamin D: A Longitudinal Cohort of South Asian Origin and Caucasian Ethnicity Women Living in the South of the UK.

The global population is at risk of vitamin D deficiency due to low exposure to sunlight and low intake of the vitamin through diet. The aim of this study was to investigate in women the association between vitamin D status and parathyroid hormone (PTH), ultraviolet radiation, lifestyle, ethnicity, social conditions, and residential greenness. A 1-year longitudinal study assessed vitamin D status in 309 women living at latitude 51°14' N. Blood samples were taken four times throughout the year for analysis of 25(OH)D and serum PTH concentration. After each seasonal visit, the individuals completed 4-day diet diaries and used two dosimeter badges for 1 week to estimate weekly UVR exposure. A questionnaire was applied to provide information about lifestyle and their ethnicity. Residential greenness was measured by Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), within a 1000 m radius around each participant's home address. Women living in greener spaces were more likely to have improved vitamin D status (RR: 1.51; 95%CI: 1.13-2.02), as well as those who were more exposed to UVR (RR: 2.05; 95%CI: 1.44-2.92). Our results provide an insight into the connection between residential greenness, lifestyle, and vitamin D status comparing two ethnicities in a country with a temperate climate and with a high degree of urbanization.

Tailor-made solvents for microbial carotenoids recovery.

In recent years, microbial carotenoids have emerged as a promising alternative for the pharmaceutical and food industries, particularly in promoting human health due to their potent antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Microbial carotenoids, particularly those produced by yeast, bacteria, and microalgae, are synthesized intracellularly, requiring the use of solvents for their effective extraction and recovery. The conventional use of toxic volatile organic solvents (VOCs) like hexane, petroleum ether, and dimethyl sulfoxide in the extraction of microbial carotenoids has been common. However, ongoing research is introducing innovative, non-toxic, environmentally friendly tailor-made solvents, such as ionic liquids (IL) and deep eutectic solvents (DES), indicating a new era of cleaner and biocompatible technologies. This review aims to highlight recent advancements in utilizing IL and DES for obtaining carotenoids from microorganisms. Additionally, we explore the utilization of in silico tools designed to determine the solubilities of microbial carotenoids in tailor-made DES and ILs. This presents a promising alternative for the scientific community, potentially reducing the need for extensive experimental screening of solvents for the recovery of microbial carotenoids in the separation processing. According to our expert perspective, both IL and DES exhibit a plethora of exceptional attributes for the recovery of microbial carotenoids. Nevertheless, the current employment of these solvents for recovery of carotenoids is restricted to scientific exploration, as their feasibility for practical application in industrial settings has yet to be conclusively demonstrated. KEY POINTS: • ILs and DES share many tailoring properties for the recovery of microbial carotenoids • The use of ILs and DES for microbial carotenoid extraction remains driven by scientific curiosity. • The economic feasibility of ILs and DES is yet to be demonstrated in industrial applications.

Psychiatric Level 1A evidence pharmacogenomics in a Brazilian admixed cohort and global populations.

Purpose: To compare minor allele frequencies (MAFs) of psychiatric drug response variants in a Brazilian admixed cohort with global populations and other Brazilian groups. Methods: PharmGKB MAFs were gathered from publicly available genetic datasets for Brazil and worldwide. Results: Among 146 variants in CYP2D6 and CYP2C19, 41 were present in Brazil, mostly rare (MAF <1%). 11 variants showed significant MAF differences with large effect sizes compared with global populations. CYP2C19*3 (rs4986893), CYP2C19*17 (rs12248560), CYP2D6*17 (rs28371706-A) and CYP2D6*29 (rs61736512) exhibited higher frequencies in Brazil, with the latter three also differing from other Brazilian groups. Conclusion: This study highlights significant pharmacogenomic diversity in Brazil and globally, underscoring the need for more research in personalized psychiatric drug therapy.

Combining protection with skin health: In vivo studies of an innovative gelatin/tannic acid-based hydrogel patch to prevent PPE-related skin lesions.

The prolonged use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) can lead to skin problems due to persistent pressure, friction, and tension. This issue has prompted the exploration of solutions to protect the skin while maintaining the effectiveness of the PPE. This study aimed to evaluate the in vivo effectiveness of a gelatin/tannic acid-based hydrogel patch positioned beneath a mask to alleviate skin damage resulting from mask-wearing. To understand the pressure exerted by PPE, in vitro tests were conducted to measure the tensile strength of three types of facial masks. The FFP2 masks exhibited the highest tensile strength and were selected for subsequent in vivo biometric investigations. Biometric parameters were evaluated using the Flir E50bx® thermographic camera, Corneometer®, MoistureMap®, Sebumeter®, Tewameter®, and VISIA® systems. The results showed that when the hydrogel patch was used under the mask, there were no significant differences in facial skin temperature, sebum levels, or TEWL values (p > 0.05). However, a statistically significant increase in skin hydration and a decrease in frontal redness (p < 0.05) were observed. Consumer acceptance was assessed through sensory analysis questionnaires. In summary, the observed attenuation of physiological changes in the facial area and the positive consumer feedback suggest that this polymeric film-forming system is a simple yet effective solution to prevent PPE use-related skin issues.

Outdoor airborne allergens: Characterization, behavior and monitoring in Europe.

Aeroallergens or inhalant allergens, are proteins dispersed through the air and have the potential to induce allergic conditions such as rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and asthma. Outdoor aeroallergens are found predominantly in pollen grains and fungal spores, which are allergen carriers. Aeroallergens from pollen and fungi have seasonal emission patterns that correlate with plant pollination and fungal sporulation and are strongly associated with atmospheric weather conditions. They are released when allergen carriers come in contact with the respiratory system, e.g. the nasal mucosa. In addition, due to the rupture of allergen carriers, airborne allergen molecules may be released directly into the air in the form of micronic and submicronic particles (cytoplasmic debris, cell wall fragments, droplets etc.) or adhered onto other airborne particulate matter. Therefore, aeroallergen detection strategies must consider, in addition to the allergen carriers, the allergen molecules themselves. This review article aims to present the current knowledge on inhalant allergens in the outdoor environment, their structure, localization, and factors affecting their production, transformation, release or degradation. In addition, methods for collecting and quantifying aeroallergens are listed and thoroughly discussed. Finally, the knowledge gaps, challenges and implications associated with aeroallergen analysis are described.

New Insights into the Dermocosmetic Potential of the Red Seaweed Gelidium corneum.

This work addresses the potential of the red seaweed Gelidium corneum as a source of bioactive ingredients for skin health and wellness in response to the growing awareness regarding the significance of sustainable strategies in developing new nature-based dermocosmetic products. Hydroalcoholic extracts from the dried biomass were subjected to sequential liquid-liquid partitions, affording five different fractions (F1-F5). Their cosmetic potential was assessed through a set of in vitro assays concerning their antioxidant, photoprotective, and healing properties. Additionally, their cytotoxicity in HaCaT cells and their capacity to induce inflammation in RAW 264.7 cells were also evaluated. As a proof-of-concept, O/W emulsions were prepared, and emulsion stability was assessed by optical microscopy, droplet size analysis, centrifugation tests, and rheology analysis. Furthermore, in vivo tests were conducted with the final formulation to assess its antioxidant capacity. At subtoxic concentrations, the most lipophilic fraction has provided photoprotection against UV light-induced photooxidation in HaCaT cells. This was conducted together with the aqueous fraction, which also displayed healing capacities. Regarding the physical and stability assays, the best performance was achieved with the formulation containing 1% aqueous extract, which exhibited water retention and antioxidant properties in the in vivo assay. In summary, Gelidium corneum displayed itself as a potential source of bioactive ingredients with multitarget properties for dermatological use.

Impact of Structural GLA Protein Changes on Peripheral GLA Activity and Substrate Accumulation in Fabry Disease Patients.

INTRODUCTION: Fabry disease is an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder caused by pathogenic variants in the GLA gene, leading to decreased/absent α-galactosidase activity. In clinical practice, enzyme activity and substrate/byproduct accumulation play a role in diagnosis and disease-monitoring biomarkers. However, interpreting biomarker levels is not straightforward and can change according to the underlying GLA protein abnormality. OBJECTIVE: Our goals were to understand how disrupting specific protein regions changes biomarker behaviour and to establish specific patterns for individual variants. METHODOLOGY: We analysed data from the Biochemical Genetics Laboratory regarding GLA variants, GLA enzyme activity (in dried blood spots, plasma or white blood cells), plasma LysoGb3 accumulation, and urinary Gb3 excretion. We assessed correlations, trends, and potential predictor models of biomarker behaviour. RESULTS: We assessed 169 hemizygous male and 255 heterozygous female patients. For both groups, substrate accumulation correlates inversely with GLA activity. Variants affecting residues buried within the protein core or the active site were associated with more severe biomarker changes, while those affecting residues that establish disulfide bonds or are glycosylated were similar to other variants. For each non-truncating variant, we also established specific profiles of biomarker behaviour. Finally, we also designed predictor models of biomarker behaviour based on structural variant information. This study provides the groundwork for the impact of GLA protein variation on GLA activity and substrate accumulation. CONCLUSION: This knowledge is of extreme relevance for diagnostic labs and clinicians, as some genetic variants are challenging to interpret regarding pathogenicity. Assessing whether biomarker changes are in the expected range for a specific variant may help diagnostic evaluation. This study also contributes to recognising non-disease-causing variants, considering their overall biochemical impact, and providing a comparative reference for biomarker discovery studies. In the future, the correlation of these findings with disease severity may be of great relevance for diagnosis and monitoring progression.

Designing an automatic pollen monitoring network for direct usage of observations to reconstruct the concentration fields.

We consider several approaches to a design of a regional-to-continent-scale automatic pollen monitoring network in Europe. Practical challenges related to the arrangement of such a network limit the range of possible solutions. A hierarchical network is discussed, highlighting the necessity of a few reference sites that follow an extended observations protocol and have corresponding capabilities. Several theoretically rigorous approaches to a network design have been developed so far. However, before starting the process, a network purpose, a criterion of its performance, and a concept of the data usage should be formalized. For atmospheric composition monitoring, developments follow one of the two concepts: a network for direct representation of concentration fields and a network for model-based data assimilation, inverse problem solution, and forecasting. The current paper demonstrates the first approach, whereas the inverse problems are considered in a follow-up paper. We discuss the approaches for the network design from theoretical and practical standpoints, formulate criteria for the network optimality, and consider practical constraints for an automatic pollen network. An application of the methodology is demonstrated for a prominent example of Germany's pollen monitoring network. The multi-step method includes (i) the network representativeness and (ii) redundancy evaluation followed by (iii) fidelity evaluation and improvement using synthetic data.

Anaplastic lymphoma associated with breast implants-Early diagnosis and treatment.

Anaplastic large cell lymphoma associated with breast implants is a relatively new disease that deserves attention from the academic community. Brazil figures as one of the protagonists in plastic surgery, however publications are insufficient and very few cases are reported in comparison to other countries. It is a disease with excellent prognosis when diagnosed early and treated effectively, but for this to happen, it is essential that health care professionals and the patient understand its pathology. We reported two cases in a small town during a short period of time. In both cases reported by this study, the patients presented late seroma, associated with pain as a clinical presentation, at 13 and 9 years after the placement of silicone implants with textured polyurethane surfaces. After the procedure, the patients were screened for cancer. Further research with more robust samples is still needed to fully determine the risks and benefits of using textured versus smooth implants.

Rhodotorula sp. as a cell factory for production of valuable biomolecules.

Rhodotorula sp. are well-known for their ability to biosynthesize a diverse range of valuable biomolecules, including carotenoids, lipids, enzymes, and polysaccharides. Despite the high number of studies conducted using Rhodotorula sp. at the laboratory scale, most of these do not address all processual aspects necessary for scaling up these processes for industrial applications. This chapter explores the potential of Rhodotorula sp. as a cell factory for the production of distinct biomolecules, with a particular emphasis on exploring their use from a biorefinery perspective. Through in-depth discussions of the latest research and insights into non-conventional applications, we aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of Rhodotorula sp.'s ability to produce biofuels, bioplastics, pharmaceuticals, and other valuable biochemicals. This book chapter also examines the fundamentals and challenges associated with the optimizing upstream and downstream processing of Rhodotorula sp-based processes. We believe that through this chapter, readers with different levels of expertise will gain insights into strategies for enhancing the sustainability, efficiency, and effectiveness of producing biomolecules using Rhodotorula sp.

Maternal Risk Factors Associated with Negative COVID-19 Outcomes and Their Relation to Socioeconomic Indicators in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to analyze maternal risk factors associated with negative outcomes of COVID-19 and association with socioeconomic indicators in Brazil. METHODS: A cross-sectional study, with data from the Influenza Epidemiological Surveillance Information System (SIVEP-Flu) of pregnant women with COVID-19 and cases of hospitalization and death. For the analysis of risk factors and outcomes, the multiple logistic regression method was used. RESULTS: Pregnant women who had some risk factor represented 47.04%. The chance of death was 2.48 times greater when there was a risk factor, 1.55 for ICU admission and 1.43 for use of ventilatory support. The percentage of cure was 79.64%, 15.46% without any negative outcome, 4.65% death and 0.26% death from other causes. Pregnant women who did not take the vaccine represented 30.08%, 16.74% took it and 53.18% were not specified. The variables HDI, illiteracy, per capita income and urbanization did not influence the cases of COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS: Factors such as age, obesity, asthma and pregnancy were responsible for the increase in hospitalizations, respiratory complications and death. Vaccination reduced the risk of negative outcomes by 50%. There were no correlations between socioeconomic indicators and the negative outcomes of COVID-19 in pregnant women.