Designing sustainable soil conditioners: Nanocomposite-based thermoplastic starch for enhanced soil health and crop performance.

The growing demand for sustainable solutions in agriculture, driven by global population growth and increasing soil degradation, has intensified the search for sustainable soil conditioners. This study investigated the impact of adding nanoclay (NC) and nano lignin (NL) to thermoplastic starch (TPS) on its physical, chemical, and thermal properties, its effectiveness as a soil conditioner, and its resistance to UV-C degradation. TPS nanocomposites were prepared with varying NC (3 %, 5 %, 7 %) and NL (0.

Dietary Influences on the Longevity and Reproductive Success of in Laboratory Studies: Sucrose vs. Honey.

Malaria continues to be a major public health challenge in tropical and subtropical regions. , a key laboratory model for malaria research, plays a critical role in the study of vector-parasite interactions. Although vector life traits and environmental factors such as age and resource availability can influence the transmission potential of mosquitoes for parasites, the impact of different adult diets on their survival and reproductive fitness remains underexplored.

Suitable Mouse Model to Study Dynamics of West Nile Virus Infection in Mosquitoes.

West Nile Virus (WNV) poses a significant global public health threat as a mosquito-borne pathogen. While laboratory mouse models have historically played a crucial role in understanding virus biology, recent research has focused on utilizing immunocompromised models to study arboviruses like dengue and Zika viruses, particularly their interactions with mosquitoes. However, there has been a shortage of suitable mouse models for investigating WNV and St.

Adsorption of extracellular lipase in a packed-bed reactor: an alternative immobilization approach.

In light of the growing demand for novel biocatalysts and enzyme production methods, this study aimed to evaluate the potential of Aspergillus tubingensis for producing lipase under submerged culture investigating the influence of culture time and inducer treatment. Moreover, this study also investigated conditions for the immobilization of A. tubingensis lipase by physical adsorption on styrene-divinylbenzene beads (Diaion HP-20), for these conditions to be applied to an alternative immobilization system with a packed-bed reactor.

The High Capacity of Brazilian Populations to Transmit a Locally Circulating Lineage of Chikungunya Virus.

The incidence of chikungunya has dramatically surged worldwide in recent decades, imposing an expanding burden on public health. In recent years, South America, particularly Brazil, has experienced outbreaks that have ravaged populations following the rapid dissemination of the chikungunya virus (CHIKV), which was first detected in 2014. The primary vector for CHIKV transmission is the urban mosquito species , which is highly prevalent throughout Brazil.

Enzymatic production process of capric acid-rich structured lipids: Development of formulation as a new therapeutic approach.

The present work reports an optimization of the synthesis of MLM-type (medium, long, medium) structured lipids (SL) through an acidolysis reaction of grape seed oil with capric acid catalyzed by Rhizopus oryzae lipase immobilized. At first, tests were carried out by preparing the biocatalysts using enzyme loadings (0.15 to 1 g of enzymatic powder) for each gram of support.

High capacity of Brazilian populations to transmit a locally circulating lineage of Chikungunya virus.

The global incidence of chikungunya has surged in recent decades, with South America, particularly Brazil, experiencing devastating outbreaks. The primary vector for transmitting CHIKV in urban areas is the mosquito species , which is very abundant in Brazil. However, little is known about the impact of locally circulating CHIKV genotypes and specific combinations of mosquito populations on vector competence.

Selected Kraft lignin fractions as precursor for carbon foam: Structure-performance correlation and electrochemical applications.

The rapid exhaustion of fossil fuels brings to the fore the need to search for energy efficient strategies. The conversion of lignin into advanced functional carbon-based materials is considered one of the most promising solutions for environmental protection and the use of renewable resources. This study analyzed the structure-performance correlation of carbon foams (CF) when lignin-phenol-formaldehyde (LPF) resins produced with different fractions of kraft lignin (KL) were employed as carbon source, and polyurethane foam (PU) as sacrificial mold.

Improvement of UV stability of thermoplastic starch matrix by addition of selected lignin fraction - Photooxidative degradation.

This paper examines the additivation of thermoplastic starch (TPS) matrix by selected fractions of kraft lignin (KL) and correlates its structure-performance when exposed to photooxidative degradation. KL from Eucalyptus urograndis wood was refined by a sequential fractionation process in ethyl acetate (EtOAc). Films were prepared by mixing lignin fractions as additive in TPS matrix by casting and pressing.

Diversity of Phospholipases A from Snake Venom: Adaptive Advantages for Snakes Compromising Treatments for Snakebite Patients.

The evolution of snake venoms resulted in multigene toxin families that code for structurally similar isoforms eventually harboring distinct functions. PLAs are dominant toxins in viper venoms, and little is known about the impact of their diversity on human envenomings and neutralization by antivenoms. Here, we show the isolation of three distinct PLAs from venom.

The complex search for the cause of gastroschisis.

Background: To reveal the complex etiology of gastroschisis through two independent cases.

Cases: Case 1 involves gastroschisis recurrence in a consanguineous marriage, and Case 2 concerns a fetus with gastroschisis whose mother had undergone gastroplasty. Methylation array was carried out in both cases (two fetuses with gastroschisis, their two mothers, one father from the consanguineous marriage), and in 16 controls (fetuses and their respective mothers).

Thermoplastic starch nanocomposites: sources, production and applications - a review.

The development of materials based on thermoplastic starch (TPS) is an excellent alternative to replace or reduce the use of petroleum-derived polymers. The abundance, renewable origin, biodegradability, biocompatibility, and low cost of starch are among the advantages related to the application of TPS compared to other thermoplastic biopolymers. However, through the literature review, it was possible to observe the need to improve some properties, to allow TPS to replace commonly used polyolefins.

Robust Immune Response Induced by TSP-2 Antigen Coupled to Bacterial Outer Membrane Vesicles.

Purpose: The use of adjuvants can significantly strengthen a vaccine's efficacy. We sought to explore the immunization efficacy of bacterial outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) displaying the antigen, SmTSP-2, through a biotin-rhizavidin coupling approach. The rationale is to exploit the nanoparticulate structure and the adjuvant properties of OMVs to induce a robust antigen-specific immune response, in light of developing new vaccines against

Materials And Methods: OMVs were obtained from and conjugated with biotin.

Professional Safety in the daily life of primary health care: grounded theory.

Objective: to understand Professional Safety in daily life in Primary Health Care.

Methods: this is a study on the Grounded Theory method and the Symbolic Interactionism theoretical framework with 82 health professionals.

Results: it presents the category "Professional Safety in Daily Life in Primary Health Care: a Grounded Theory" and two subcategories determining and conditioning Professional Safety in PHC: professional training, infrastructure, support and technical responsibility; Professional Safety: physical protection, psychological support, distress and feelings reveal the (un)safe conditions.

The modulatory effect of crotoxin and its phospholipase A subunit from Crotalus durissus terrificus venom on dendritic cells interferes with the generation of effector CD4 T lymphocytes.

Dendritic Cells (DCs) direct either cellular immune response or tolerance. The crotoxin (CTX) and its CB subunit (phospholipase A) isolated from Crotalus durissus terrificus rattlesnake venom modulate the DC maturation induced by a TLR4 agonist. Here, we analyzed the potential effect of CTX and CB subunit on the functional ability of DCs to induce anti-ovalbumin (OVA) immune response.

, , and polymorphisms in cervical insufficiency.

Objectives: To investigate the association between selected single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with cervical insufficiency and its relationship with obstetric history.

Methods: Twenty-eight women with cervical insufficiency (case group) and 29 non-pregnant women (control group) were included. The SNPs sequenced included rs2586490 in collagen type I alpha 1 chain (), rs1882435 in collagen type IV alpha 3 chain (), rs2277698 in metallopeptidase inhibitor 2 (), and rs1800468 in transforming growth factor beta 1 ().

Professional safety constructs in the context of Primary Health Care.

Objectives: to identify scientific production on safety-related aspects/characteristics in the performance of Primary Health Care professionals for professional safety constructs.

Methods: integrative literature review in the BDENF, IBECS, LILACS, MEDLINE databases.

Results: the corpus of this review refers to 16 articles that highlighted work overload, work process, insufficient human resources, precarious work environment conditions, lack of continuing education, team relationship and with users, evidencing that they are factors that possibly compromise health care and professional safety for best practices.

Fetal gastroschisis: Maternal and fetal methylation profile.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to describe the genomic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) methylation profile in fetuses with gastroschisis, determine whether the profile was inherited, and investigate any possible correlations with maternal risk factors.

Method: Genome-wide DNA methylation analysis of 96 blood samples was performed using the Illumina Human Methylation 850K BeadChip. The blood samples were collected as follows: 32 from the umbilical cord of fetuses with gastroschisis, 32 from their respective mothers, 16 from the umbilical cord of fetuses without malformation, and 16 from their respective mothers.

Characterization of notifications of exogenous pesticide poisoning in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, 2011-2018.

Objective: To describe the profile of exogenous pesticide poisoning notifications in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, from 2011 to 2018.

Methods: This was a descriptive study of data retrieved from the Notifiable Health Conditions Information System. Sociodemographic, clinical and pesticide-related variables were included and presented in absolute and relative frequencies.

Phenotype-genotype analysis of 242 individuals with RASopathies: 18-year experience of a tertiary center in Brazil.

We report the clinical and molecular data of a large cohort comprising 242 individuals with RASopathies, from a single Tertiary Center in Brazil, the largest study from Latin America. Noonan syndrome represented 76% of the subjects, with heterozygous variants in nine different genes, mainly PTPN11, SOS1, RAF1, LZTR1, and RIT1, detected by Sanger and next-generation sequencing. The latter was applied to 126 individuals, with a positive yield of 63% in genes of the RAS/MAPK cascade.

Effects of dietary counseling on sodium restriction in patients with chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis: A randomized clinical trial.

Reducing dietary sodium has the potential to benefit patients with chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis (HD). This study was aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary counseling on sodium restriction and its relationship with clinical, dietary, and quality of life parameters in patients on HD treatment. This study was designed as a randomized clinical trial.

Risk factors for gastroschisis: A case-control study in a Brazilian population.

Objective: To evaluate risk factors associated with fetal gastroschisis.

Methods: As a secondary aim of a larger case-control study, pregnant women attending the Fetal Medicine Unit at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Hospital das Clinicas, Sao Paulo University Medical School between July 1, 2013, and July 31, 2015, were allocated into either the gastroschisis group, where the woman was carrying a fetus with gastroschisis, or the control group, where the fetus was normal. Patients in the control group were matched at study entry for maternal age, preconception body mass index and weeks of gestation.

EEG artifact correction strategies for online trial-by-trial analysis.

Unlabelled: Brain-machine interfaces (BMIs) use brain signals to control closed-loop systems in real-time. This comes with substantial challenges, such as having to remove artifacts in order to extract reliable features, especially when using electroencephalography (EEG). Some approaches have been described in the literature to address online artifact correction.

The influence of a diet based on flaxseed, an omega-3 source, during different developmental periods, on the blood pressure of rats submitted to stress.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate a flaxseed diet during different developmental periods, and its effect on the blood pressure of rats submitted to stress.

Methods: Fifty-six male rats (F), born from 14 rats (F), were divided into seven groups (n = 8): flaxseed group (FG); flaxseed group gestation and lactation (FG-GL); flaxseed group weaning (FG-W); flaxseed group weaning and stress (FG-WS); flaxseed group stress (FG-S); flaxseed group gestation lactation and weaning (FG-GLW), and control Group (CG). Stress protocol was undertaken for 1 month.