Shape effects in the fluctuations of random isochrones on a square lattice.

We consider the isochrone curves in first-passage percolation on a 2D square lattice, i.e., the boundary of the set of points which can be reached in less than a given time from a certain origin. The occurrence of an instantaneous average shape is described in terms of its Fourier components, highlighting a crossover between a diamond and a circular geometry as the noise level is increased. Generally, these isochrones can be understood as fluctuating interfaces with an inhomogeneous local width which reveals the underlying lattice structure. We show that once these inhomogeneities have been taken into account, the fluctuations fall into the Kardar-Parisi-Zhang universality class with very good accuracy, where they reproduce the Family-Vicsek Ansatz with the expected exponents and the Tracy-Widom histogram for the local radial fluctuations.

Lung cancer screening in Brazil: recommendations from the Brazilian Society of Thoracic Surgery, Brazilian Thoracic Association, and Brazilian College of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging.

Although lung cancer (LC) is one of the most common and lethal tumors, only 15% of patients are diagnosed at an early stage. Smoking is still responsible for more than 85% of cases. Lung cancer screening (LCS) with low-dose CT (LDCT) reduces LC-related mortality by 20%, and that reduction reaches 38% when LCS by LDCT is combined with smoking cessation. In the last decade, a number of countries have adopted population-based LCS as a public health recommendation. Albeit still incipient, discussion on this topic in Brazil is becoming increasingly broad and necessary. With the aim of increasing knowledge and stimulating debate on LCS, the Brazilian Society of Thoracic Surgery, the Brazilian Thoracic Association, and the Brazilian College of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging convened a panel of experts to prepare recommendations for LCS in Brazil. The recommendations presented here were based on a narrative review of the literature, with an emphasis on large population-based studies, systematic reviews, and the recommendations of international guidelines, and were developed after extensive discussion by the panel of experts. The following topics were reviewed: reasons for screening; general considerations about smoking; epidemiology of LC; eligibility criteria; incidental findings; granulomatous lesions; probabilistic models; minimum requirements for LDCT; volumetric acquisition; risks of screening; minimum structure and role of the multidisciplinary team; practice according to the Lung CT Screening Reporting and Data System; costs versus benefits of screening; and future perspectives for LCS.

Gene Expression and Prognostic Value of NADPH Oxidase Enzymes in Breast Cancer.

NADPH oxidase enzymes (NOX) are involved in all stages of carcinogenesis, but their expression levels and prognostic value in breast cancer (BC) remain unclear. Thus, we aimed to assess the expression and prognostic value of NOX enzymes in BC samples using online databases. For this, mRNA expression from 290 normal breast tissue samples and 1904 BC samples obtained from studies on cBioPortal, Kaplan-Meier Plotter, and The Human Protein Atlas were analyzed. We found higher levels of NOX2, NOX4, and Dual oxidase 1 (DUOX1) in normal breast tissue. NOX1, NOX2, and NOX4 exhibited higher expression in BC, except for the basal subtype, where NOX4 expression was lower. DUOX1 mRNA levels were lower in all BC subtypes. NOX2, NOX4, and NOX5 mRNA levels increased with tumor progression stages, while NOX1 and DUOX1 expression decreased in more advanced stages. Moreover, patients with low expression of NOX1, NOX4, and DUOX1 had lower survival rates than those with high expression of these enzymes. In conclusion, our data suggest an overexpression of NOX enzymes in breast cancer, with certain isoforms showing a positive correlation with tumor progression.

Promoting advanced medical services in the framework of 3PM-a proof-of-concept by the "Centro" Region of Portugal.

Multidisciplinary team from three universities based in the "Centro" Region of Portugal developed diverse approaches as parts of a project dedicated to enhancing and expanding Predictive, Preventive, and Personalized Medicine (3PM) in the Region. In a sense, outcomes acted as a proof-of-concept, in that they demonstrated the feasibility, but also the relevance of the approaches. The accomplishments comprise defining a new regional strategy for implementing 3PM within the Region, training of human resources in genomic sequencing, and generating good practices handbooks dedicated to diagnostic testing via next-generation sequencing, to legal and ethical concerns, and to knowledge transfer and entrepreneurship, aimed at increasing literacy on 3PM approaches. Further approaches also included support for entrepreneurship development and start-ups, and diverse and relevant initiatives aimed at increasing literacy relevant to 3PM. Efforts to enhance literacy encompassed citizens across the board, from patients and high school students to health professionals and health students. This focus on empowerment through literacy involved a variety of initiatives, including the creation of an illustrated book on genomics and the production of two theater plays centered on genetics. Additionally, authors stressed that genomic tools are relevant, but they are not the only resources 3PM is based on. Thus, they defend that other initiatives intended to enable citizens to take 3PM should include multi-omics and, having in mind the socio-economic burden of chronic diseases, suboptimal health status approaches in the 3PM framework should also be considered, in order to anticipate medical intervention in the subclinical phase. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13167-024-00353-9.

Nb-Based Catalysts for the Valorization of Furfural into Valuable Product through in One-Pot Reaction.

Nb-based catalysts supported on porous silica with different textural properties have been synthesized, characterized, and tested in the one-pot reaction of furfural to obtain valuable chemicals. The catalytic results reveal that the presence of fluoride in the synthesis, which limits the growing of the porous silica, limits diffusional problems of the porous silica, obtaining higher conversion values at shorter reaction times. On the other hand, the incorporation of NbOx species in the porous silica provides Lewis acid sites and a small proportion of Brönsted acid sites, in such a way that the main products are alkyl furfuryl ethers, which can be used as fuel additives.

An accurate aging clock developed from large-scale gut microbiome and human gene expression data.

Accurate measurement of the biological markers of the aging process could provide an "aging clock" measuring predicted longevity and enable the quantification of the effects of specific lifestyle choices on healthy aging. Using machine learning techniques, we demonstrate that chronological age can be predicted accurately from (1) the expression level of human genes in capillary blood and (2) the expression level of microbial genes in stool samples. The latter uses a very large metatranscriptomic dataset, stool samples from 90,303 individuals, which arguably results in a higher quality microbiome-aging model than prior work. Our analysis suggests associations between biological age and lifestyle/health factors, e.g., people on a paleo diet or with IBS tend to have higher model-predicted ages and people on a vegetarian diet tend to have lower model-predicted ages. We delineate the key pathways of systems-level biological decline based on the age-specific features of our model.

Lung cancer screening in Brazil: recommendations from the Brazilian Society of Thoracic Surgery, Brazilian Thoracic Association, and Brazilian College of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging / Recomendações da Sociedade Brasileira de Cirurgia Torácica, Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumologia e Tisiologia e Colégio Brasileiro de Radiologia e Diagnóstico por Imagem para o rastreamento do câncer de pulmão no Brasil

ABSTRACT Although lung cancer (LC) is one of the most common and lethal tumors, only 15% of patients are diagnosed at an early stage. Smoking is still responsible for more than 85% of cases. Lung cancer screening (LCS) with low-dose CT (LDCT) reduces LC-related mortality by 20%, and that reduction reaches 38% when LCS by LDCT is combined with smoking cessation. In the last decade, a number of countries have adopted population-based LCS as a public health recommendation. Albeit still incipient, discussion on this topic in Brazil is becoming increasingly broad and necessary. With the aim of increasing knowledge and stimulating debate on LCS, the Brazilian Society of Thoracic Surgery, the Brazilian Thoracic Association, and the Brazilian College of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging convened a panel of experts to prepare recommendations for LCS in Brazil. The recommendations presented here were based on a narrative review of the literature, with an emphasis on large population-based studies, systematic reviews, and the recommendations of international guidelines, and were developed after extensive discussion by the panel of experts. The following topics were reviewed: reasons for screening; general considerations about smoking; epidemiology of LC; eligibility criteria; incidental findings; granulomatous lesions; probabilistic models; minimum requirements for LDCT; volumetric acquisition; risks of screening; minimum structure and role of the multidisciplinary team; practice according to the Lung CT Screening Reporting and Data System; costs versus benefits of screening; and future perspectives for LCS.

RESUMO O câncer de pulmão (CP) é uma das neoplasias mais comuns e letais no Brasil, e apenas 15% dos pacientes são diagnosticados nos estágios iniciais. O tabagismo persiste como o responsável por mais de 85% de todos os casos. O rastreamento do CP (RCP) por meio da TC de baixa dosagem de radiação (TCBD) reduz a mortalidade do CP em 20%, e, quando combinado com a cessação do tabagismo, essa redução chega a 38%. Na última década, diversos países adotaram o RCP como recomendação de saúde populacional. No Brasil, embora ainda incipiente, a discussão sobre o tema é cada vez mais ampla e necessária. Com o intuito de aumentar o conhecimento e estimular o debate sobre o RCP, a Sociedade Brasileira de Cirurgia Torácica, a Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumologia e Tisiologia e o Colégio Brasileiro de Radiologia e Diagnóstico por Imagem constituíram um painel de especialistas para elaborar as recomendações para o RCP. As recomendações aqui apresentadas foram baseadas em revisão narrativa da literatura, com ênfase em grandes estudos populacionais, em revisões sistemáticas e em recomendações de diretrizes internacionais, sendo construídas após ampla discussão pelo grupo de especialistas. Os temas revisados foram os seguintes: porque rastrear, considerações gerais sobre tabagismo, epidemiologia do CP, critérios de elegibilidade, achados incidentais, lesões granulomatosas, modelos probabilísticos, requisitos mínimos da TCBD, aquisições volumétricas, riscos do rastreamento, estrutura mínima e papel da equipe multidisciplinar, conduta segundo o Lung CT Screening Reporting and Data System (Lung-RADS), custos vs. benefícios e perspectivas do rastreamento.

Ghrelin misbalance affects mice embryo implantation and pregnancy success by uterine immune dysregulation and nitrosative stress.

Introduction: In a previous study we found that ghrelin (Ghrl) misbalance during the peri-implantation period significantly impaired fetus development. In this study we aimed to evaluate the putative mechanisms underlying these effects, including embryo implantation success, uterine nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity, nitric oxide synthesis and the inflammatory/immune uterine profile. Methods: Ghrelin misbalance was induced by injecting 4nmol/animal/day of Ghrl (hyperghrelinemia) or 6nmol/animal/day of a Ghrl antagonist (Ant: (D-Lys3)GHRP-6) from day 3 to 8 of pregnancy. Control animals (C) were injected with de vehicle. Females were euthanized at pregnancy day 8 and their uteri excised in order to evaluate: the percentage of reabsorbed embryos (microscopically), eNOS, iNOS and nytrotirosine expression (by immunohistochemistry), nitrite synthesis (by Griess technique), VEGF, IL-10, IL-17, IL-6, MMP9 and GM-CSF expression (by qPCR) and leukocyte infiltration by flow cytometry (evaluating T cells, NK cells, granulocytes, dendritic cells and macrophages). Results: Ant-treatment significantly increased the percentage of reabsorbed embryos and the uterine expression of eNOS, iNOS and nytrotirosine. (D-Lys3)GHRP-6-treatment increased also the expression of the inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-17 and MMP9, and decreased that of IL-10 (anti-inflammatory). Moreover, Ant-treatment increased also the NK cells population and that of CD11b+ dendritic cells; and decreased T cells percentages. Similarly, hyperghrelinemia showed a significant increase vs. C on eNOS, iNOS and nytrotirosineuterine expression and a decrease in T cells percentages. Conclusion: Ghrl misbalance during the peri-implantation period induces pro-inflammatory changes and nitrosative stress in the gravid uterus, impairing significantly embryo implantation and/or development.

Corrected sinus node recovery time as a screening test in patients with typical atrial flutter post-ablation to predict pacemaker implantation / Tiempo de recuperación del nodo sinusal corregido como prueba de tamizaje en pacientes con aleteo atrial típico postablación para predecir la implantación de marcapasos

Abstract Objective: The objective of the study was to establish the prognostic value of CSNRT regarding the necessity for pacemaker implantation in patients with atrial flutter (AFL) post-ablation. Methods: This prospective cohort study, conducted at the National Institute of Cardiology "Ignacio Chavez" in Mexico City, assessed patients who had undergone ablation procedures to correct AFL, posterior to which an autonomic blockade was performed, and CSNRT was measured. Results: The sample for this investigation was 40 patients. These were subdivided into two study groups depending on their requirement of pacemaker implant post-ablation (Pacemaker P, No Pacemaker NP). Sinus node (SN) dysfunction was diagnosed in 13 (32.5%) of the 40 participants, 10 (71.43%) of which required a pacemaker implant, while only 4 participants (28.57%) with normal SN function required pacemakers. Ten out of the 14 patients (71.43%) who required a pacemaker had an elevated CSNRT > 500 ms (p ≤ 0.01). Post-ablation CSNRT mean was 383.54 ms ± 67.96 ms in the NP group versus 1972.57 ms ± 3423.56 ms in the P group. Furthermore, SN pause in the P group had a mean of 1.86 s ± 0.96 s versus the NP group with 1.196 s ± 0.52 s. Conclusion: CSNRT has the potential to be a quantitative prognostic tool for the assessment of future pacemaker implants in patients with AFL post-ablation. This could aid in the timely diagnosis of sinus node dysfunction, which could, in the long run, result in the reduction of cardiac functional capacity loss due to cardiac remodeling.

Resumen Objetivo: Establecer el valor pronóstico del TRNSC basado en la necesidad de marcapasos en pacientes diagnosticados con aleteo atrial, pos-ablación. Métodos: Este cohorte prospectivo, realizado en el Instituto Nacional de Cardiología "Ignacio Chávez" en la Ciudad de México, evaluó pacientes sometidos a ablación para corregir el aleteo atrial; se midió el TRNSC post bloqueo autonómico. Resultados: La muestra de 40 pacientes se subdividió en 2 grupos según su requerimiento de marcapasos posterior a la ablación (P y NP). Se diagnosticó disfunción del nodo sinusal en 13 participantes (32.5%), de los cuales 10 (71.43%) requirieron marcapasos en comparación a 4 (28.57%) con función normal. En el grupo P la pausa del nodo sinusal post-ablación tuvo una media de 1.86 ± 0.96 s versus el grupo NP con 1.196 ± 0.52 s. En relación con el TRNSC, el grupo NP tuvo una media de 383.54 ± 67.96 ms vs. 1972.57 ± 3423.56 ms en el grupo P. 10 pacientes (25%) obtuvieron un TRNSC > 500 ms, de los cuales 100% requirieron marcapasos; de los 14 pacientes que requirieron marcapasos 10 (71.43%) tenían un TRNSC elevado (p ≤ 0.01). Conclusiones: El TRNSC tiene el potencial de ser una herramienta de pronóstico cuantitativo para la necesidad de futuros implantes de marcapasos en pacientes con disfunción del nodo sinusal, resultado de aleteo atrial pos-ablación. Esto podría ayudar a diagnosticar más temprano una disfunción del nodo sinusal, resultando en la reducción de la pérdida a largo plazo de la función cardíaca como efecto de la remodelación.

Corrected sinus node recovery time as a screening test in patients with typical atrial flutter post-ablation to predict pacemaker implantation.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to establish the prognostic value of CSNRT regarding the necessity for pacemaker implantation in patients with atrial flutter (AFL) post-ablation. METHODS: This prospective cohort study, conducted at the National Institute of Cardiology "Ignacio Chavez" in Mexico City, assessed patients who had undergone ablation procedures to correct AFL, posterior to which an autonomic blockade was performed, and CSNRT was measured. RESULTS: The sample for this investigation was 40 patients. These were subdivided into two study groups depending on their requirement of pacemaker implant post-ablation (Pacemaker P, No Pacemaker NP). Sinus node (SN) dysfunction was diagnosed in 13 (32.5%) of the 40 participants, 10 (71.43%) of which required a pacemaker implant, while only 4 participants (28.57%) with normal SN function required pacemakers. Ten out of the 14 patients (71.43%) who required a pacemaker had an elevated CSNRT > 500 ms (p ≤ 0.01). Post-ablation CSNRT mean was 383.54 ms ± 67.96 ms in the NP group versus 1972.57 ms ± 3423.56 ms in the P group. Furthermore, SN pause in the P group had a mean of 1.86 s ± 0.96 s versus the NP group with 1.196 s ± 0.52 s. CONCLUSION: CSNRT has the potential to be a quantitative prognostic tool for the assessment of future pacemaker implants in patients with AFL post-ablation. This could aid in the timely diagnosis of sinus node dysfunction, which could, in the long run, result in the reduction of cardiac functional capacity loss due to cardiac remodeling.

OBJETIVO: Establecer el valor pronóstico del TRNSC basado en la necesidad de marcapasos en pacientes diagnosticados con aleteo atrial, pos-ablación. MÉTODOS: Este cohorte prospectivo, realizado en el Instituto Nacional de Cardiología "Ignacio Chávez" en la Ciudad de México, evaluó pacientes sometidos a ablación para corregir el aleteo atrial; se midió el TRNSC post bloqueo autonómico. RESULTADOS: La muestra de 40 pacientes se subdividió en 2 grupos según su requerimiento de marcapasos posterior a la ablación (P y NP). Se diagnosticó disfunción del nodo sinusal en 13 participantes (32.5%), de los cuales 10 (71.43%) requirieron marcapasos en comparación a 4 (28.57%) con función normal. En el grupo P la pausa del nodo sinusal post-ablación tuvo una media de 1.86 ± 0.96 s versus el grupo NP con 1.196 ± 0.52 s. En relación con el TRNSC, el grupo NP tuvo una media de 383.54 ± 67.96 ms vs. 1972.57 ± 3423.56 ms en el grupo P. 10 pacientes (25%) obtuvieron un TRNSC > 500 ms, de los cuales 100% requirieron marcapasos; de los 14 pacientes que requirieron marcapasos 10 (71.43%) tenían un TRNSC elevado (p ≤ 0.01). CONCLUSIONES: El TRNSC tiene el potencial de ser una herramienta de pronóstico cuantitativo para la necesidad de futuros implantes de marcapasos en pacientes con disfunción del nodo sinusal, resultado de aleteo atrial pos-ablación. Esto podría ayudar a diagnosticar más temprano una disfunción del nodo sinusal, resultando en la reducción de la pérdida a largo plazo de la función cardíaca como efecto de la remodelación.

Is Shoulder Imbalance a Useful Parameter in the Screening of Idiopathic Scoliosis? A Preliminary Study.

Objective The present study aims to analyze the use of shoulder imbalance as a parameter for scoliosis screening as well as its relationship with other parameters of physical examination. Methods This study assesses a smartphone application that analyzes several parameters of the physical examination in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Medical and non-medical examiners applied the screening tool in students in a public school and in a private sports club. After data collection, interobserver correlation was done to verify shoulder imbalance and to compare shoulder imbalance with Adam's bending test and with trunk rotation. Results Eighty-nine participants were examined, 18 of whom were women and 71 of whom were men. Two subjects were excluded from the analysis. The mean age of subjects from the public school was 11.30 years and, for those from the sports club, it was 11.92 years. The examiners had poor-to-slight interobserver concordance on shoulder asymmetry in the anterior and posterior view. No significant statistical correlation was found between shoulder asymmetry and positive Adam's forward bending test. Conclusion Our preliminary study shows that the shoulder asymmetry has a poor correlation with the Adam's forward bending test and measuring trunk rotation using a scoliometer. Therefore, the use of shoulder imbalance might not be useful for idiopathic scoliosis screening. Level of Evidence III; Diagnostic Study.

The salivary peptide histatin-1 enhances bone repair in vivo.

The salivary peptide histatin-1 was recently described as a novel osteogenic factor that stimulates cell adhesion, migration, and differentiation in bone-lineage cells. Since these cell responses collectively contribute to bone regeneration, we hypothesized that histatin-1 harbors the capacity to enhance bone tissue repair at the preclinical level. By using a model of monocortical bone defect, we explored the effects of histatin-1 in tibial mineralization and organic matrix formation in vivo. To this end, different amounts of histatin-1 were embedded in one-mm3 collagen sponges and then applied to tibial monocortical defects in C57bl/6 mice. After seven days, mice were euthanized, and samples were processed for subsequent analysis. Micro-computed tomography screening showed that histatin-1 increased intraosseous mineralization, and this phenomenon was accompanied by augmented collagen matrix deposition and closure of cortical defect edges, as determined by Hematoxylin-Eosin and Masson's Trichrome staining. Moreover, immunohistochemical analyses showed that histatin-1 increased the expression of the osteogenic marker alkaline phosphatase, which was accompanied by augmented blood vessel formation. Collectively, our findings show that histatin-1 itself promotes bone regeneration in an orthotopic model, proposing this molecule as a therapeutic candidate for use in bone regenerative medicine.

Is Shoulder Imbalance a Useful Parameter in the Screening of Idiopathic Scoliosis? A Preliminary Study / O desequilíbrio do ombro é um parâmetro útil na triagem da escoliose idiopática? Um estudo preliminar

Abstract Objective The present study aims to analyze the use of shoulder imbalance as a parameter for scoliosis screening as well as its relationship with other parameters of physical examination. Methods This study assesses a smartphone application that analyzes several parameters of the physical examination in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Medical and non-medical examiners applied the screening tool in students in a public school and in a private sports club. After data collection, interobserver correlation was done to verify shoulder imbalance and to compare shoulder imbalance with Adam's bending test and with trunk rotation. Results Eighty-nine participants were examined, 18 of whom were women and 71 of whom were men. Two subjects were excluded from the analysis. The mean age of subjects from the public school was 11.30 years and, for those from the sports club, it was 11.92 years. The examiners had poor-to-slight interobserver concordance on shoulder asymmetry in the anterior and posterior view. No significant statistical correlation was found between shoulder asymmetry and positive Adam's forward bending test. Conclusion Our preliminary study shows that the shoulder asymmetry has a poor correlation with the Adam's forward bending test and measuring trunk rotation using a scoliometer. Therefore, the use of shoulder imbalance might not be useful for idiopathic scoliosis screening. Level of Evidence III; Diagnostic Study

Resumo Objetivo O objetivo deste estudo é analisar o uso da assimetria de ombros como parâmetro para a triagem de escoliose e sua relação a outros parâmetros do exame físico. Métodos Este estudo avalia um aplicativo para smartphone que analisa diversos parâmetros do exame físico de adolescentes com escoliose idiopática. Examinadores médicos e não médicos utilizaram o instrumento de triagem em alunos de uma escola pública e de um clube esportivo privado. Após a coleta de dados, a correlação interobservador foi determinada para verificar a assimetria de ombros e compará-la ao teste de inclinação de Adam e à medição da rotação do tronco. Resultados Oitenta e nove participantes foram examinados, sendo 18 do sexo feminino e 71 do sexo masculino. Dois indivíduos foram excluídos da análise. A média de idade dos participantes da escola pública foi de 11,30 anos e do clube esportivo, 11,92 anos. Os examinadores apresentaram concordância interobservador baixa a branda quanto à assimetria de ombros em incidência anterior e posterior. Não houve correlação estatística significativa entre a assimetria de ombros e o resultado positivo no teste de inclinação do tronco de Adam. Conclusão Nosso estudo preliminar mostra que a assimetria de ombros tem baixa correlação com o teste de inclinação de Adam e assim como com a medição de rotação do tronco com escoliômetro. Portanto, o uso da assimetria de ombros pode não ser útil na triagem da escoliose idiopática. Nível de Evidência III; Estudo Diagnóstico

Highly Active Nickel (II) Oxide-Supported Cerium Oxide Catalysts for Valorization of Glycerol into Oxygenated Fuel Additives.

Acetylation of glycerol to yield monoacetin (MAT), diacetin (DAT), and triacetin (TAT) over NiO-supported CeO2 (xNiO/CeO2) catalysts is reported. The catalysts were synthesized utilizing a sol-gel technique, whereby different quantities of NiO (x = 9, 27, and 45 wt%) were supported onto the CeO2 substrate, and hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTABr) served as a porogen. The utilization of EDX elemental mapping analysis confirmed the existence of evenly distributed Ni2+ ion and octahedral NiO nanoparticles on the CeO2 surface through the DRS UV-Vis spectroscopy. The most active catalyst is 27NiO/CeO2 based on TAT selectivity in the glycerol acetylation with ethanoic acid, attaining 97.6% glycerol conversion with 70.5% selectivity to TAT at 170 °C with a 1:10 glycerol/ethanoic acid molar ratio for 30 min using a non-microwave instant heating reactor. The 27NiO/CeO2 is reusable without significant decline in catalytic performance after ten consecutive reaction cycles, indicating high structure stability with accessible active acidity.

Detecting salivary host and microbiome RNA signature for aiding diagnosis of oral and throat cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) can go undetected resulting in late detection and poor outcomes. We describe the development and validation of CancerDetect for Oral & Throat cancer™ (CDOT), to detect markers of OSCC and/or OPSCC within a high-risk population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We collected saliva samples from 1,175 individuals who were 50 years or older, or adults with a tobacco use history. 945 of those were used to train a classifier using machine learning methods, resulting in a salivary microbial and human metatranscriptomic signature. The classifier was then independently validated on the 230 remaining samples prospectively collected and unseen by the classifier, consisting of 20 OSCC (all stages), 76 OPSCC (all stages), and 134 negatives (including 14 pre-malignant). RESULTS: On the validation cohort, the specificity of the CDOT test was 94 %, sensitivity was 90 % for participants with OSCC, and 84.2 % for participants with OPSCC. Similar classification results were observed among people in early stage (stages I & II) vs late stage (stages III & IV). CONCLUSIONS: CDOT is a non-invasive test that can be easily administered in dentist offices, primary care centres and specialised cancer clinics for early detection of OPSCC and OSCC. This test, having received FDA's breakthrough designation for accelerated review, has the potential to enable early diagnosis, saving lives and significantly reducing healthcare expenditure.

Microbiological Characterization of the Biofilms Colonizing Bioplastics in Natural Marine Conditions: A Comparison between PHBV and PLA.

Biodegradable polymers offer a potential solution to marine pollution caused by plastic waste. The marine biofilms that formed on the surfaces of poly(lactide acid) (PLA) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) were studied. Bioplastics were exposed for 6 months to marine conditions in the Mediterranean Sea, and the biofilms that formed on their surfaces were assessed. The presence of specific PLA and PHBV degraders was also studied. PHBV showed extensive areas with microbial accumulations and this led to higher microbial surface densities than PLA (4.75 vs. 5.16 log CFU/cm2). Both polymers' surfaces showed a wide variety of microbial structures, including bacteria, fungi, unicellular algae and choanoflagellates. A high bacterial diversity was observed, with differences between the two polymers, particularly at the phylum level, with over 70% of bacteria affiliated to three phyla. Differences in metagenome functions were also detected, revealing a higher presence of proteins involved in PHBV biodegradation in PHBV biofilms. Four bacterial isolates belonging to the Proteobacteria class were identified as PHBV degraders, demonstrating the presence of species involved in the biodegradation of this polymer in seawater. No PLA degraders were detected, confirming its low biodegradability in marine environments. This was a pilot study to establish a baseline for further studies aimed at comprehending the marine biodegradation of biopolymers.

Playing at the school table: Systematic literature review of board, tabletop, and other analog game-based learning approaches.

The unique characteristics of games have led scientific research to increasingly focus on their potential role in learning processes. Currently, their effectiveness in fostering experiential learning and skill acquisition in several areas is already supported by the existing evidence, mainly about the potential of digital games. Paradoxically, the current post-digital era seems to have led to a growing popularity of analog games. The present Systematic Literature Review aimed to map the existing literature on the potential of board, tabletop, or other analog games in learning processes. It intended to systematize the contemporary state of the art (2012-2022) around the pedagogical role of these games, their effectiveness, the promoted learning outcomes, the methodological aspects of the interventions, the used games-including mechanics and other characteristics-and the current discussions around inclusion and accessibility in analog game-based learning. Adopting the PRISMA methodology, we searched ACM Digital Library, EBSCO, ERIC, Scopus-Elsevier, and Web of Science databases, as well as other peer-reviewed "grey literature" sources. The search resulted in an initial sample of 2,741 articles that was then screened by inclusion and exclusion criteria previously defined according to the research objectives. We obtained a final sample of 45 articles. To formulate the mapping of existing research, these studies were analyzed using a combination of statistical, content, and critical analysis procedures. The obtained results support the role of board, tabletop, and other analog games in educational contexts-based on their educational potential-with a broad range of knowledge, cognitive, and psychological outcomes. The study also emphasized the relevance of these games in the promotion of soft skills and other aspects typically associated with meaningful learning, such as engagement, satisfaction, flexibility, and freedom of experimentation. However, important limitations were found in a fair amount of the pedagogical approaches studied, which can be mostly attributed to the low prevalence of modern board games that relate what is intended to be learned to aspects of game design and have little to no consideration of accessibility and inclusion aspects in these studies.