Propolis Protects GC-1spg Spermatogonial Cells against Tert-Butyl Hydroperoxide-Induced Oxidative Damage.

Propolis is a natural resin produced by honeybees with plenty of pharmacologic properties, including antioxidant activity. Oxidative stress disrupts germ cell development and sperm function, with demonstrated harmful effects on male reproduction. Several natural antioxidants have been shown to reduce oxidative damage and increase sperm fertility potential; however, little is known about the effects of propolis. This work evaluated the role of propolis in protecting spermatogonial cells from oxidative damage. Propolis' phytochemical composition and antioxidant potential were determined, and mouse GC-1spg spermatogonial cells were treated with 0.1-500 µg/mL propolis (12-48 h) in the presence or absence of an oxidant stimulus (tert-butyl hydroperoxide, TBHP, 0.005-3.6 µg/mL, 12 h). Cytotoxicity was assessed by MTT assays and proliferation by Ki-67 immunocytochemistry. Apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and antioxidant defenses were evaluated colorimetrically. Propolis presented high phenolic and flavonoid content and moderate antioxidant activity, increasing the viability of GC-1spg cells and counteracting TBHP's effects on viability and proliferation. Additionally, propolis reduced ROS levels in GC-1spg, regardless of the presence of TBHP. Propolis decreased caspase-3 and increased glutathione peroxidase activity in TBHP-treated GC-1spg cells. The present study shows the protective action of propolis against oxidative damage in spermatogonia, opening the possibility of exploiting its benefits to male fertility.

Glycopeptide-Based Supramolecular Hydrogels Induce Differentiation of Adipose Stem Cells into Neural Lineages.

We applied a bottom-up approach to develop biofunctional supramolecular hydrogels from an aromatic glycodipeptide. The self-assembly of the glycopeptide was induced by either temperature manipulation (heating-cooling cycle) or solvent (DMSO to water) switch. The sol-gel transition was salt-triggered in cell culture media and resulted in gels with the same chemical compositions but different mechanical properties. Human adipose derived stem cells (hASCs) cultured on these gels under basal conditions (i.e., without differentiation factors) overexpressed neural markers, such as GFAP, Nestin, MAP2, and ßIII-tubulin, confirming the differentiation into neural lineages. The mechanical properties of the gels influenced the number and distribution of the adhered cells. A comparison with gels obtained from the nonglycosylated peptide showed that glycosylation is crucial for the biofunctionality of the hydrogels by capturing and preserving essential growth factors, e.g., FGF-2.

IgG4-Related Disease: A Rare Case of Simultaneous Lung and Retroperitoneal Involvement.

Immunoglobin G4-related disease is a progressive immune-mediated fibroinflammatory condition that can affect any organ, causing a tumor-like swelling appearance. We present a case of a 57-year-old male who presented with a one-month history of weight loss, constant abdominal pain with dorsal irradiation, night sweats, and respiratory symptoms. CT scan revealed multiple mediastinal and retroperitoneal adenopathies, right pulmonary consolidation, and retroperitoneal fibrosis. Transthoracic pulmonary biopsy and excisional cervical lymph node biopsy revealed fibroinflammatory disease related to IgG4, with normal serum IgG4. The patient presented a good response to glucocorticoids, a clinical characteristic of this disease. The diagnosis of immunoglobin G4-related disease is challenging, due to the nonspecific clinical manifestations, requiring a high level of suspicion in order to perform the appropriate immunohistochemical examination.

Euglycemic Diabetic Ketoacidosis after a Single Dose of Empagliflozin in a Patient with Pancreatitis.

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are the most recently approved drug class for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). Although they are largely well-tolerated, their intake has been associated with euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in some rare cases. We report the case of a 70-year-old male with type 2 diabetes and no history of DKA, who started therapy with empagliflozin one day before presenting with acute pancreatitis and laboratory findings consistent with euglycemic DKA. SGLT2i can induce euglycemic DKA from the first dose. Given the atypical presentation, a high degree of clinical suspicion is required to recognize this complication.

Affinity-Triggered Assemblies Based on a Designed Peptide-Peptide Affinity Pair.

Affinity-triggered assemblies rely on affinity interactions as the driving force to assemble physically crosslinked networks. WW domains are small hydrophobic proteins binding to proline-rich peptides that are typically produced in the insoluble form. Previous works attempted the biological production of the full WW domain in tandem to generate multivalent components for affinity-triggered hydrogels. In this work, an alternative approach is followed by engineering a 13-mer minimal version of the WW domain that retains the ability to bind to target proline-rich peptides. Both ligand and target peptides are produced chemically and conjugated to multivalent polyethylene glycol, yielding two components. Upon mixing together, they form soft biocompatible affinity-triggered assemblies, stable in stem cell culture media, and display mechanical properties in the same order of magnitude as for those hydrogels formed with the full WW protein in tandem.

The Social Platform: Profiling FHIR to Support Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

The care networks of community-dwelling older adults require cooperation between different actors, including health and social caregivers, assistant providers, care receivers, and their informal caregivers (e.g. relatives or friends), across time, space, and organizational boundaries. In this context, the project Social Cooperation for Integrated Assisted Living (SOCIAL) aims at the development of a platform of services to support the care networks of community-dwelling older adults. Therefore, the study reported in this article assess the adequacy of the Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) to guarantee the interoperability of the relevant information related to the assisted persons of the SOCIAL platform, which are mainly older adults that need care and assistance services.

Antimicrobial coatings prepared from Dhvar-5-click-grafted chitosan powders.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMP) are powerful components of the innate immune system, as they display wide activity spectrum and low tendency to induce pathogen resistance. Hence, the development of AMP-based coatings is a very promising strategy to prevent biomaterials-associated infections. This work aims to investigate if Dhvar-5-chitosan conjugates, previously synthesized by us via azide-alkyne "click" reaction, can be applied as antimicrobial coatings. Ultrathin coatings were prepared by spin coater after dissolving Dhvar-5-chitosan conjugate powder in aqueous acetic acid. Peptide orientation and exposure from the surface was confirmed by ellipsometry and contact angle measurements. Bactericidal activity was evaluated against Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the most prevalent pathogens in implant-associated infections. Results showed that Dhvar-5-chitosan coatings displayed bactericidal effect. Moreover, since Dhvar-5 has head-to-tail amphipathicity, it was clear that the bactericidal potency was dependent on which domain of the peptide (cationic or hydrophobic) was exposed. In this context, Dhvar-5 immobilized through its C-terminus (exposing its hydrophobic end) presented higher antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria and reduced adhesion of Gram-negative bacteria. This orientation-dependent antimicrobial activity was further corroborated by the anti-biofilm assay, as covalent immobilization of Dhvar-5 through its C-terminus provided anti-biofilm properties to the chitosan thin film. Immobilization of Dhvar-5 showed no cytotoxic effect against HFF-1 cells, as both metabolic activity and cell morphology were similar to control. In conclusion, Dhvar-5-chitosan coatings are promising antimicrobial surfaces without cytotoxic effects against human cells. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: AMP-tethering onto ground biomaterial is still a poorly explored strategy in research. In this work, AMP-tethered ground chitosan is used to produce highly antibacterial ultrathin films. Powdered AMP-tethered chitosan appears as an alternative solution for antimicrobial devices production, as it is suitable for large scale production, being easier to handle for fabrication of different coatings and materials with antimicrobial properties and without inducing toxicity.

Treatment of azo dye-containing wastewater by a Fenton-like process in a continuous packed-bed reactor filled with activated carbon.

In this work, oxidation with a Fenton-like process of a dye solution was carried out in a packed-bed reactor. Activated carbon Norit RX 3 Extra was impregnated with ferrous sulfate and used as catalyst (7 wt.% of iron). The effect of the main operating conditions in the Chicago Sky Blue (CSB) degradation was analyzed. It was found that the increase in temperature leads to a higher removal of the dye and an increased mineralization. However, it also increases the iron leaching, but the values observed were below 0.4 ppm (thus, far below European Union limits). It was possible to reach, at steady-state, a dye conversion of 88%, with a total organic carbon (TOC) removal of ca. 47%, being the reactor operated at 50°C, pH 3, W(cat)/Q=4.1 g min mL(-1) (W(cat) is the mass of catalyst and Q the total feed flow rate) and a H(2)O(2) feed concentration of 2.25 mM (for a CSB feed concentration of 0.012 mM). The same performance was reached in three consecutive cycles.

Ropivacaine continuous wound infusion versus epidural morphine for postoperative analgesia after cesarean delivery: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The infusion of local anesthetic in the surgical wound is helpful in the multimodal management of postoperative pain. We hypothesized that local anesthetic wound infusion after cesarean delivery would provide better pain control than epidural morphine analgesia. METHODS: Healthy, term women scheduled for elective cesarean delivery were included in this assessor-blinded, randomized study. Patients were randomly assigned to receive analgesia through a multiorifice wound catheter placed below the fascia and connected to a 5 mL/h ropivacaine 2 mg/mL infusion or an epidural bolus of morphine 2 mg every 12 hours. Both analgesic regimens were continued for 48 hours. The primary outcome was pain at rest at 24 hours postoperatively using the verbal rating score for pain (0-10 scale). Pain intensity, rescue analgesia consumption, and side effects were assessed at 2, 6, 24, and 48 hours after cesarean delivery by an observer blinded to group allocation. Three months after discharge, patient satisfaction, residual pain, and surgical wound complications were assessed. RESULTS: Fifty-eight women participated in the study. At 24 hours, the median rest verbal rating score for pain was 0 (interquartile range: 0-0) in the continuous infusion group and 3 in the epidural morphine group (interquartile range: 2-3; 95% confidence interval of difference: 1-3 units; P < 0.001). The median scores of the 2-, 6-, and 48-hour pain assessments at rest were also lower in the continuous wound infusion group than in the epidural morphine group, and at 2, 6, and 24 hours with movement (P < 0.001). The incidence of nausea, vomiting, pruritus, and urinary retention was significantly lower in the wound infusion group and time to recovery of bowel function was shorter. During the 48-hour follow-up evaluation, the median number of nurse visits attributed exclusively to the analgesic regimen was 1 (interquartile range: 1-2) in the continuous wound infusion group and 8 (interquartile range: 7-10) in the epidural morphine group (95% confidence interval of difference: 6-8 visits; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Continuous wound infusion with ropivacaine for 48 hours after cesarean delivery was associated with better analgesia, a lower incidence of side effects, less need for nursing care, and shorter duration of stay compared with epidural morphine analgesia.

Myocardial infarction in the 31st week of pregnancy--case report.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The occurrence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) during pregnancy is rare. The authors describe the case of MI in a 31-week pregnant woman and the importance of a multidisciplinary team for its approach. CASE REPORT: Thirty-one week pregnant woman with history of smoking, alcoholism and hypertension was admitted after an episode of syncope. On admission she was conscious and asymptomatic, although hypotensive. The electrocardiogram showed marked ST-segment elevation in D1, aVL, V1-V6. The cardiac enzymes were positive. The transthoracic echocardiogram showed reduction in septal and left ventricular contractility and an ejection fraction of 30%. Angiography revealed proximal occlusion of the left anterior descending artery. After a non-successful balloon angioplasty, a metallic stent was placed. The patient started therapy with beta-blockers, aspirin and clopidogrel. As for the delivery, we chose to perform a cesarean section four weeks after MI. Clopidogrel was suspended seven days before delivery. The preoperative cardiac function was improved by infusion of levosimendan started the day before. Cesarean section occurred under epidural block. The intraoperative period showed no complications, except for mild hypotension easily corrected with phenylephrine. The Apgar score for the newborn was 9/10. CONCLUSIONS: This is one of the few cases of myocardial infarction and angioplasty reported during pregnancy. The authors discuss the decisions taken by the multidisciplinary team consisting of anesthesiologists, obstetricians, neonatologists and cardiologists, particularly with regard to dual antiplatelet therapy, the type of delivery and anesthesia.

Infarto agudo do miocárdio na 31ª semana de gravidez: relato de caso / Myocardial infarction in the 31st week of pregnancy: case report

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A ocorrência de infarto agudo do miocárdio (IAM) durante a gravidez é rara. Os autores descrevem o caso de IAM numa grávida de 31 semanas e a importância da existência de uma equipe multidisciplinar para sua abordagem. RELATO DO CASO: Grávida de 31 semanas, com antecedentes de tabagismo, alcoolismo e hipertensão, internada após um episódio de síncope. Na admissão, encontrava-se consciente e assintomática, embora hipotensa. O eletrocardiograma evidenciou marcada elevação do segmento ST em DI, AVL, V1-V6. Pesquisa de enzimas cardíacas foi positiva. O ecocardiograma transtorácico demonstrou redução da contratilidade ventricular esquerda e septal e uma fração de ejeção de 30 por cento. A angiografia revelou oclusão proximal da artéria descendente anterior. Por insucesso da angioplastia por balão, foi colocado um stent metálico. A paciente iniciou terapêutica com b-bloqueadores, aspirina e clopidogrel. Em relação ao parto, optou-se por realizar cesariana eletiva, quatro semanas após o IAM. Suspendeu-se o clopidogrel sete dias antes do parto. A função cardíaca pré-operatória foi otimizada com infusão de levosimendana iniciada no dia anterior. A cesariana decorreu sob bloqueio peridural. O período intraoperatório decorreu sem complicações, à exceção de moderada hipotensão facilmente corrigida com fenilefrina. O índice de Apgar do recém-nascido foi de 9/10. CONCLUSÕES: Este é um dos poucos casos de infarto agudo do miocárdio e angioplastia descritos durante a gravidez. Os autores discutem as decisões tomadas pela equipe multidisciplinar, constituída por anestesiologistas, obstetras, cardiologistas e neonatologistas, notadamente no que se refere à dupla antiagregação plaquetária, ao tipo de parto e à anestesia.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The occurrence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) during pregnancy is rare. The authors describe the case of MI in a 31-week pregnant woman and the importance of a multidisciplinary team for its approach. CASE REPORT: Thirty-one week pregnant woman with history of smoking, alcoholism and hypertension was admitted after an episode of syncope. On admission she was conscious and asymptomatic, although hypotensive. The electrocardiogram showed marked ST-segment elevation in D1, aVL, V1-V6. The cardiac enzymes were positive. The transthoracic echocardiogram showed reduction in septal and left ventricular contractility and an ejection fraction of 30 percent. Angiography revealed proximal occlusion of the left anterior descending artery. After a non-successful balloon angioplasty, a metallic stent was placed. The patient started therapy with beta-blockers, aspirin and clopidogrel. As for the delivery, we chose to perform a cesarean section four weeks after MI. Clopidogrel was suspended seven days before delivery. The preoperative cardiac function was improved by infusion of levosimendan started the day before. Cesarean section occurred under epidural block. The intraoperative period showed no complications, except for mild hypotension easily corrected with phenylephrine. The Apgar score for the newborn was 9 / 10. CONCLUSIONS: This is one of the few cases of myocardial infarction and angioplasty reported during pregnancy. The authors discuss the decisions taken by the multidisciplinary team consisting of anesthesiologists, obstetricians, neonatologists and cardiologists, particularly with regard to dual antiplatelet therapy, the type of delivery and anesthesia.

JUSTIFICATIVA Y OBJETIVOS: El aparecimiento del infarto agudo del miocardio (IAM), durante el embarazo es raro. Los autores describen el caso de IAM en una mujer embarazada de 31 semanas y la importancia de la existencia de un equipo multidisciplinario para su abordaje. RELATO DEL CASO: Embarazada de 31 semanas, con antecedentes de tabaquismo, alcoholismo e hipertensión, que fue ingresada después de presentar un episodio de síncope. A su llegada, estaba consciente y asintomática, aunque hipotensa. El electrocardiograma mostró una fuerte elevación del segmento ST en DI, AVL, V1-V6. La enzimología cardíaca fue positiva. El ecocardiograma transtorácico acusó una reducción en la contratilidad ventricular izquierda y septal, y una fracción de eyección del 30 por ciento. La angiografía reveló la oclusión proximal de la arteria descendiente anterior. Ya que la angioplastia por balón no tuvo éxito, se colocó un stent metálico. La paciente inició terapéutica con b-bloqueantes, aspirina y clopidogrel. Con relación al parto, se optó por realizar la cesárea electiva 4 semanas después del IAM. Se suspendió el clopidogrel siete días antes del parto. La función cardíaca preoperatoria se optimizó con infusión de levosimedan iniciada el día anterior. La cesárea transcurrió bajo el bloqueo epidural. El período intraoperatorio transcurrió sin complicaciones, con excepción de una moderada hipotensión fácilmente corregida con fenilefrina. El índice de Apgar del recién nacido fue de 9/10. CONCLUSIONES: Este es uno de los pocos casos de infarto agudo del miocardio y angioplastia descritos durante el embarazo. Los autores discuten las decisiones tomadas por el equipo multidisciplinario, que estaba constituido por anestesiólogos, obstetras, cardiólogos y neonatólogos, en lo que se refiere a la doble antiagregación plaquetaria, al tipo de parto y a la anestesia.