How does the tidal cycle influence the estuarine dynamics of microplastics?

Estuaries are the main pathway for the microplastics (MPs) to enter into the oceans. However, factors that drive river-sea transport of MPs are not yet fully understood. Therefore, our research investigated the influence of the tidal cycle on the abundance and characteristics of MPs in an urban estuary, through high-frequency sampling (every 2-3 h) using a plankton net (120 μm mesh size) in two seasons (rainy and dry seasons).

Dengue Mimickers: Which Clinical Conditions Can Resemble Dengue Fever?

Epidemics and outbreaks caused by the dengue virus pose risks to populations and have high mortality rates, causing burdens and economic costs worldwide. Brazil recently experienced an explosive increase in the number of dengue cases and fatalities. Dengue is an acute febrile illness that can progress to severe forms.

Investigation of antibacterial mode of action of ω-aminoalkoxylxanthones by NMR-based metabolomics and molecular docking.

Introduction: The knowledge of the mode of action of an antimicrobial is essential for drug development and helps to fight against bacterial resistance. Thus, it is crucial to use analytical techniques to study the mechanism of action of substances that have potential to act as antibacterial agents OBJECTIVE: To use NMR-based metabolomics combined with chemometrics and molecular docking to identify the metabolic responses of Staphylococcus aureus following exposure to commercial antibiotics and some synthesized ω-aminoalkoxylxanthones.

Methods: Intracellular metabolites of S.

Cytotoxicity of norstictic acid derivatives, a depsidone from Nyl.

Structural modifications in lichen phenolic compounds have been one of the tools to potentiate their biological activity. In the present work, seven alkyl derivatives of norstictic acid were prepared and evaluated against eight cell lines. Norstictic acid was isolated from the lichen and the alkyl derivatives were obtained through reactions with alcohols.

Epidemiology of sarcoptic mange in free-ranging vicuñas (Vicugna vicugna): a cross-sectional study in Andean highland communities in Peru.

Sarcoptic mange or scabies is a contagious parasitic skin disease that affects a wide range of domestic and wildlife species. A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the prevalence, molecular identification, and characteristics of sarcoptic mange in vicuñas. A total of 3,274 vicuñas were examined.

Identification of DEMETER-like DNA demethylase gene family in citrus and their role in drought stress-adaptive responses.

DEMETER-Like DNA demethylases (DMLs) are epigenetic regulators of many developmental and biological processes in plants. No comprehensive information about the DML gene family in citrus is available to date. Here, a total of three DML genes in the genomes of Citrus sinensis (named CsDML1-3) and C.

The Multikinase Inhibitor AD80 Induces Mitotic Catastrophe and Autophagy in Pancreatic Cancer Cells.

Significant advances in understanding the molecular complexity of the development and progression of pancreatic cancer have been made, but this disease is still considered one of the most lethal human cancers and needs new therapeutic options. In the present study, the antineoplastic effects of AD80, a multikinase inhibitor, were investigated in models of pancreatic cancer. AD80 reduced cell viability and clonogenicity and induced polyploidy in pancreatic cancer cells.

Health-related quality of life in children with cerebral palsy associated with congenital Zika infection.

Objective: To describe the health-related quality of life (QOL) in children with cerebral palsy (CP) associated with congenital Zika infection.

Methods: Cross-sectional study of a consecutive series of children, followed in a referral multicentric rehabilitation network in Brazil. We invited the caregivers to respond to the Brazilian version of the Caregiver Priorities & Child Health Index of Life with Disabilities (CPCHILDTM) questionnaire.

Community extension MSME's entrepreneurial activities in relation to poverty reduction.

Introduction: Higher Education Institutions play a role in poverty reduction by implementing community extension programs focusing on capacity building and entrepreneurship training. Cebu Technological University programs offer these programs through various skills training to its targeted beneficiaries. This study aims to assess the community extension Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) entrepreneurial activities concerning poverty reduction.

The role of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural in food and recent advances in analytical methods.

The thermal processing, storage, and transportation of foodstuffs (e.g., fruit juices, coffee, honey, and vinegar) generate 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF).

Linseed, Baru, and Coconut Oils: NMR-Based Metabolomics, Leukocyte Infiltration Potential In Vivo, and Their Oil Characterization. Are There Still Controversies?

Different fatty acid proportions produce potential inflammatory and metabolic changes in organisms. However, the evidence for how each fatty acid mediates the metabolic pathway, and its lipid stability remains controversial. To resolve this controversy, the present study investigated the metabolic effects of cold-pressed linseed (LG), coconut (CG), and baru (BG) oils in comparison to those of soybean oil (SG) in mice, in terms of their oil characterization and stability.

NMR-based metabolomics of dried berries in comparison with dietary supplements.

Consumption of dried berries is increasing worldwide due to their health benefits. This popularity has introduced berry-based supplements as an easier way to take in berry nutrients. The chemical composition of six dried berries (blueberry, cranberry, goji berry, golden berry, maqui berry, and raspberry) were compared to their berry-based supplements by metabolomics using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR).

Vegetable oils: Are they true? A point of view from ATR-FTIR, H NMR, and regiospecific analysis by C NMR.

Problems related to oil authenticity make it difficult to obtain the benefits associated with each type of vegetable oil. Fraudulent practices have been revealed by several targeted and nontargeted methods. In this paper, spectroscopic techniques (FT-IR, H NMR, and C NMR) were applied to determine the chemical profiles of 23 Brazilian commercial vegetable oils obtained from five different high-value aggregated matrices (andiroba, babassu, baru, castor, and sweet almond oils) and investigate their adulteration, by comparison with the corresponding reference samples.

Interference of fixatives and fixation period on the morphologic analysis of ovarian preantral follicles.

Ovine ovarian fragments (3 × 3 × 1 mm) were fixed in neutral buffered formalin (NBF), Carnoy's solution (CAR), Davidson's solution (DAV), or paraformaldehyde (PFA) for 12 h or 24 h. After this fixation time, each fragment was prepared for histological analysis. Although fixative and fixation period did not affect follicular and stromal cells density, the percentages of morphologically normal primordial and primary follicles was affected by the fixative type and period of fixation.

Antimicrobial resistance in companion animals - Veterinarians' attitudes and prescription drivers in Portugal.

Antimicrobial resistance transmitted from companion animals is a threat to public health increased by the pet's relationship with humans. This study aims to understand the attitude and drivers of antimicrobial (AM) prescription among companion animal veterinarians in Portugal and identify actions to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This cross-sectional study is based on a questionnaire with 417 respondents representing the Portuguese veterinary population.

Evaluation of ex vivo melanogenic response to UVB, UVA, and visible light in facial melasma and unaffected adjacent skin.

Background: The independent role of solar radiation in the differential melanogenesis between melasma and adjacent skin is unknown.

Objectives: To assess the melanogenic responses of skin with facial melasma and of the adjacent skin to UVB, UVA, and visible light, in an ex vivo model.

Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study involving 22 patients with melasma.

Vitrification of caprine secondary and early antral follicles as a perspective to preserve fertility function.

The present study aimed to evaluate the structure, survival and development of isolated caprine (secondary-SEC and early antral-EANT) follicles, after vitrification in the presence of synthetic polymers and in vitro culture. Additionally, transzonal projections (TZPs) and p450 aromatase enzyme were evaluated. After isolation, SEC and EANT follicles were in vitro cultured for six days or vitrified.

Pattern evolution of antidepressants and benzodiazepines use in a cohort.

Objective: In recent decades there has been an increase in the use of antidepressants (AD) and a decrease in the use of benzodiazepines (BDZ). Prevalence, cumulative incidence, and factors associated with the incidence of AD and BDZ use in a Brazilian population were estimated in this article.

Methods: Data were collected with a self-administered questionnaire in a cohort of employees from a university in Rio de Janeiro.

Spectral profiles of commercial omega-3 supplements: an exploratory analysis by ATR-FTIR and H NMR.

Most of the population is dependent on supplemental products to reach the recommended level of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (ω-3 PUFA) intake. Thus, knowledge about the quality of ω-3 supplements is important for their safe consumption. In this work, attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy were applied to assess the quality of fourteen commercial ω-3 supplements.

Standardization of organoid culture for evaluation of melanogenesis induced by UVB, UVA and visible light.

Background: Organoid cultures are primary cultures that maintain architectural characteristics and the relationships between cells, as well as the extracellular matrix. They are alternatives for pathophysiological or therapeutic investigation rather than animal and in vitro tests.

Objective: Development of a cutaneous organoid culture model, aiming at the study of radiation-induced melanogenesis.