Publications by authors named "Almeida C"

Background: The relationship between plasmatic fatty acid (FA) composition and liver fibrosis remains scarce in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). We aimed to evaluate the association of plasmatic FAs and liver fibrosis in HIV mono-infected individuals.

Methods: This case-control study included PLWHA with liver fibrosis (cases) and randomly selected subjects without fibrosis (controls) from the PROSPEC-HIV study (NCT02542020).

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  • * Among 94 patients, most were male and half had a history of hypertension; commonly observed kidney issues included collapsing glomerulopathy (CG), focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), and thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA).
  • * Results indicated that FSGS and minimal change disease (MCD) were linked to better kidney survival compared to TMA, underscoring differences in kidney complications resulting from COVID-19 within this patient group.
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Trace elements (TEs) in anaerobic digestion (AD) are known to be essential for optimal biogas production, but inhibitive in excessive concentrations. However, the mechanisms of inhibition are not fully understood. The effects of the addition essential TEs (Co, Cu and Ni) and a non-essential TE (Cd) on the microbial community structure of AD were studied in lab-scale reactors, using total TE concentrations that ranged from 0 to 100 μM.

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The crustacean molting cycle is triggered by the elevation of ecdysteroid levels in the hemolymph during late pre-molt. It is known that these animals absorb water through the intestine and gills to promote bodily swelling and rupture of the old exoskeleton. The participation of two membrane proteins responsible for the most uptake of water during the late pre-molt has been shown in the gill and gut cells of the freshwater shrimp Palaemon argentinus: Na/K-ATPase (NKA), which generates an osmoionic gradient, and Aquaporins (AQPs), water channels, which provide higher water permeability.

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Background: Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR/RR-TB) is a major global health challenge, disproportionately affecting low- and lower-middle-income countries (LLMICs). The World Health Organization (WHO) generates guidance to address the problem. Here, we explore the extent to which guidance and related knowledge are generated by experts living in the most-affected countries and consider the results in the context of the movement to decolonize global health.

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  • Apoferritin-based systems are being researched for their potential use in vaccine delivery against viral diseases, offering benefits like enhanced stability and reduced side effects.
  • The study focuses on using a specific tumor antigen, EGFRvIII peptide, in combination with apoferritin to create a potentially effective peptide vaccine for cancer treatment.
  • The results indicate that varying the concentration of the peptide affects immune responses and antibody production, which is crucial for ensuring the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine formulation.
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Objective: To identify variables related to perceived stress and resilience of international migrants.

Method: Multicenter, observational, cross-sectional study carried out with 403 migrants residing in Brazil, Spain, or Portugal. The following instruments were used to collect data: Perceived Stress Scale and Resilience Scale.

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  • * They are produced by microorganisms and have diverse applications, especially in biomedicine, including uses in vascular grafts, tissue regeneration, and drug delivery systems.
  • * The review aims to explore the medical and dental uses of PHAs, highlighting their benefits and limitations in healthcare innovations.
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Total organic carbon (C), total nitrogen (N), C/N, δC, δN, calcium carbonate (CaCO), and grain size were analyzed in 70 surface samples and 19 short cores from the southwestern Portuguese shelf. Perylene and USEPA-16 PAHs were quantified in a subset of these samples. The findings suggest that organic matter derives from a mix of terrestrial and marine sources, outlined by C, N, and isotopic signatures.

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Background: Patient expectations play a crucial role in aesthetic treatments, influencing satisfaction of treatment outcomes.

Objective: To explore and assess the expectations of 102 participants undergoing various cosmetic interventions using the FACE-Q expectations scale.

Materials And Methods: Participants, aged 20 to 64 years, seeking different facial aesthetic procedures completed the FACE-Q expectations scale before treatment.

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  • This study investigated how new plastic fishing nets absorb metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in lab tests and real-life conditions in marina seawater.
  • Laboratory tests indicated that the ability of the nets to absorb these contaminants varied with the net's thickness and material, with thinner nylon nets being less effective.
  • The research highlighted the potential for lost fishing gear to act as "skins" for pollutants, emphasizing the need for initiatives to prevent gear loss and mitigate environmental impact.
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A series of novel derivatives of Poliacetylene Glycosides (PAGs) were synthesized, and their antiproliferative and antiviral properties were evaluated. Starting from D-(+)-glucose pentaacetate as a precursor, a commercially available and low-cost starting material, three different strategies were attempted to synthesize the new PAGs, and the desired compounds were obtained in high overall yields after only three steps. The synthesized PAGs exhibited antitumoral activity in concentrations ranging from 68-878 μM and antiviral activities in concentrations ranging from 71-794 μM.

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Phenolic compounds are recognized for their benefits against degenerative diseases. Clinical and nutritional applications are limited by their low solubility, stability, and bioavailability, compromising their efficacy. Natural macromolecules, such as lipids, polysaccharides, and proteins, employed as delivery systems can efficiently overcome these limitations.

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Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder with a complex pathogenesis involving epidermal barrier dysfunction and aberrant lipid composition, particularly ceramides and fatty acids (FA). Conventional management options, such as topical glucocorticoids (GC), often lead to adverse effects upon prolonged usage, prompting the exploration of alternative therapeutic strategies. The lipid extract from Black Soldier Fly larvae (BSFL) biomass, holding a rich blend of FA, holds substantial potential as a novel ingredient to tackle skin barrier impairment.

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The objective of this meta-analysis was to quantify the potential of CH-mitigating strategies in dairy cattle when accounting for the effects of treatment dose, dietary nutrient composition, and supplementation period. Data from 218 studies with dairy cattle published between 1963 to 2022 were reviewed. Individual CH mitigation strategies selected for the analysis were algae (Asparagopsis spp.

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Two-dimensional (2D) materials, particularly transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), have gathered significant attention due to their interesting electrical and optical properties. Among TMDs, monolayers of WSeexhibit a direct band gap and high exciton binding energy, which enhances photon emission and absorption even at room temperature. This study investigates the electronic and optical properties of WSemonolayers when they are mechanically transferred to indium tin oxide (ITO) substrates.

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  • Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder linked to non-genetic risk factors, with central insulin resistance emerging as a potential contributor to its pathology.
  • This study investigates the relationship between insulin resistance and the severity of symptoms in patients with the GBA1-N370S mutation-associated PD, using midbrain organoids for analysis.
  • Results indicate that altered insulin signaling genes are involved in GBA-PD and that targeting FOXO1 may protect against neuron loss, with the anti-diabetic drug Pioglitazone showing promise as a treatment.
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Tertiary Lymphoid Structures (TLS) are organized aggregates of immune cells such as T cells, B cells, and Dendritic Cells (DCs), as well as fibroblasts, formed postnatally in response to signals from cytokines and chemokines. Central to the function of TLS are DCs, professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs) that coordinate the adaptive immune response, and which can be classified into different subsets, with specific functions, and markers. In this article, we review current data on the contribution of different DC subsets to TLS function in cancer and autoimmunity, two opposite sides of the immune response.

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Pharmacological targeting of metabolic pathways represents an appealing strategy to selectively kill cancer cells while promoting antitumor functions of stromal cells. In this study, we assessed the effectiveness of 13 metabolic drugs (MDs) in steering generated breast tumor-educated macrophages (TEMs) toward an antitumoral phenotype. For that, the production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), two important regulators of tumor progression, was evaluated.

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: (I) to verify if there are sex differences in respiratory function, respiratory muscle strength, and effort limitation in individuals recovered from severe acute COVID-19 30 months after the initial infection, and (II) to evaluate the influence of length of stay on cardiorespiratory capacity among men and women. : Cross-sectional observational multicentric study with participants from five Brazilian states (São Paulo, Amazonas, Minas Gerais, Bahia, and Brasília). We assessed lung function and respiratory muscle strength by maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximum expiratory pressure (MEP), and cardiorespiratory fitness by cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET).

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The pathophysiology of pulmonary hypertension is complex and multifactorial. It is a disease characterized by increased pulmonary vascular resistance at the level due to sustained vasoconstriction and remodeling of the pulmonary arteries, which triggers an increase in the mean pulmonary artery pressure and subsequent right ventricular hypertrophy, which in some cases can cause right heart failure. Hypoxic pulmonary hypertension (HPH) is currently classified into Group 3 of the five different groups of pulmonary hypertensions, which are determined according to the cause of the disease.

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This study monitored the occurrence of 34 MPs in 2 Portuguese estuaries and adjacent coastal area using solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, covering: (i) an extensive monitoring study area; (ii) a multi-class group of organic MPs, including some outlined in European Union guidelines for water protection; (iii) a year-long monitoring campaign including different seasons; (iv) samples collected at both flood and ebb tide; and (v) samples taken from the water surface and bottom at each sampling point. Results showed that a specific group of compounds prevailed in the monitored areas, with concentrations depending on season, tide, and location. In general, the MPs found more frequently were isoproturon and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, along with pharmaceuticals trimethoprim, acetaminophen, tramadol, diclofenac, and ketoprofen, which were mostly detected at higher concentrations.

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The objective of this study was to determine the impact of the timing of KRT, dichotomized by a temporal criterion or by creatinine level, in patients with COVID-19-related AKI. This was a retrospective study involving 512 adult patients admitted to the ICU. All participants had laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 and a confirmed diagnosis of AKI.

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Neuroendocrine neoplasms incidence has been increasing, arising the need for precise and early diagnostic tools. Liquid biopsy (LB) offers a less invasive alternative to tissue biopsy, providing real-time molecular information from circulating tumour components in body fluids. The aim of this review is to analyse the current evidence concerning LB in NENs and its role in clinical practice.

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This systematic review aims to explore the diagnostic criteria, epidemiology, etiology, and prognosis of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection in lung cancer. This PRISMA-guided review searched the PubMed and Embase databases for "lung cancer AND HPV" on 10 June 2023, filtering human subject papers. A total of 97 studies encompassing 9098 patients worldwide, revealing varied HPV infection rates in lung cancer, ranging from 0% to 69%, were analyzed.

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