Fermented pomegranate juice enriched with pomegranate seed oil ameliorates metabolic disorders associated with a high-fat diet in C57BL/6 mice.

This study investigated the health-functional properties of a lactic fermented pomegranate juice (FPJ) enriched with pomegranate seed oil (FPJO) by using the fruit-origin strain Lactiplantibacillus paraplantarum CRL 2051 (FPJO-CRL2051). For this aim, the in vitro human antiplatelet aggregation effect and antioxidant activities were determined in the fermented juices while in vivo studies using high-fat-diet (HFD) C57BL/6 mice fed with a high-fat diet or pomegranate fermented juices for 8 weeks were performed. A high anti-platelet aggregation activity for FPJO-CRL2051 was determined.

Efficient Hydroxyapatite Extraction from Salmon Bone Waste: An Improved Lab-Scaled Physico-Chemico-Biological Process.

The demand for novel tissue grafting and regenerative wound care biomaterials is growing as traditional options often fall short in biocompatibility, functional integration with human tissue, associated cost(s), and sustainability. Salmon aquaculture generates significant volumes of waste, offering a sustainable opportunity for biomaterial production, particularly in osteo-conduction/-induction, and de novo clinical/surgical bone regeneration. Henceforth, this study explores re-purposing salmon waste through a standardized pre-treatment process that minimizes the biological content, followed by a treatment stage to remove proteins, lipids, and other compounds, resulting in a mineral-rich substrate.

SARS-CoV-2 infectivity and antigenic evasion: spotlight on isolated Omicron sub-lineages.

Since the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in 2019, a diversity of viral genomic variants has emerged and spread globally due to increased transmissibility, pathogenicity, and immune evasion. By the first trimester of 2023 in Chile, as in most countries, BQ and XBB were the predominant circulating sub-lineages of Omicron. The molecular and antigenic characteristics of these variants have been mainly determined using non-authentic spike pseudoviruses, which is often described as a limitation.

Unravelling the Antifibrinolytic Mechanism of Action of the 1,2,3-Triazole Derivatives.

A new family of antifibrinolytic drugs has been recently discovered, combining a triazole moiety, an oxadiazolone, and a terminal amine. Two of the molecules of this family have shown activity that is greater than or similar to that of tranexamic acid (TXA), the current antifibrinolytic gold standard, which has been associated with several side effects and whose use is limited in patients with renal impairment. The aim of this work was to thoroughly examine the mechanism of action of the two ideal candidates of the 1,2,3-triazole family and compare them with TXA, to identify an antifibrinolytic alternative active at lower dosages.

Evaluation of concordance of new QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus platforms for infection diagnosis in a prospective cohort of household contacts.

Unlabelled: Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) release assays play a pivotal role in tuberculosis infection (TBI) diagnosis, with QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus-an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-among the most widely utilized. Newer QuantiFERON-TB platforms with shorter turnaround times were recently released. We aimed to evaluate these platforms' agreement in the diagnosis of TBI.

Factors associated with tuberculosis treatment initiation among bacteriologically negative individuals evaluated for tuberculosis: an individual patient data meta-analysis.

Background: Globally, over one-third of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) disease diagnoses are made based on clinical criteria after a negative diagnostic test result. Understanding factors associated with clinicians' decisions to initiate treatment for individuals with negative test results is critical for predicting the potential impact of new diagnostics.

Methods: We performed a systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis using studies conducted between January/2010 and December/2022 (PROSPERO: CRD42022287613).

Intra-amniotic Infection Treated With Liposomal Amphotericin B With a Successful Neonatal Outcome.

Intra-amniotic infection with species is an uncommon but severe condition with high fetal morbimortality and no established clinical guidelines for its management. We report a intra-amniotic infection diagnosed in a 25-week pregnant woman, successfully treated with high-dose liposomal amphotericin B. Pregnancy was prolonged until 30 weeks, and despite persistently positive cultures in amniotic fluid, a healthy newborn was delivered without evidence of systemic infection.

In Vivo Efficacy of an Adhesive Bioresorbable Patch to Treat Aortic Dissections.

Endovascular repair of aortic dissection still presents significant limitations. Preserving the mechanical and biological properties set by the aortic microstructure is critical to the success of implantable grafts. In this paper, we present the performance of an adhesive bioresorbable patch designed to cover the entry tear of aortic dissections.

Differential levels of anti--specific IgAs in saliva of household contacts with latent tuberculosis infection.

Introduction: Mucosal immunity is strongly elicited in early stages of many respiratory and enteric infections; however, its role in tuberculosis pathogenesis has been scarcely explored. We aimed to investigate (Mtb) specific IgA levels in saliva in different stages of latent Tuberculosis Infection (TBI).

Methodology: A multiplex bead-based Luminex immunoassay was developed to detect specific IgA against 12 highly immunogenic Mtb antigens.

A Tunable Soft Silicone Bioadhesive for Secure Anchoring of Diverse Medical Devices to Wet Biological Tissue.

Silicone is utilized widely in medical devices for its compatibility with tissues and bodily fluids, making it a versatile material for implants and wearables. To effectively bond silicone devices to biological tissues, a reliable adhesive is required to create a long-lasting interface. BioAdheSil, a silicone-based bioadhesive designed to provide robust adhesion on both sides of the interface is introduced here, facilitating bonding between dissimilar substrates, namely silicone devices and tissues.

Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Reveals That Adaptation of Human Aortic Endothelial Cells to Antiproliferative Therapies Is Modulated by Flow-Induced Shear Stress.

Background: Endothelial cells (ECs) are capable of quickly responding in a coordinated manner to a wide array of stresses to maintain vascular homeostasis. Loss of EC cellular adaptation may be a potential marker for cardiovascular disease and a predictor of poor response to endovascular pharmacological interventions such as drug-eluting stents. Here, we report single-cell transcriptional profiling of ECs exposed to multiple stimulus classes to evaluate EC adaptation.

Influence of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccine Booster among Cancer Patients on Active Treatment Previously Immunized with Inactivated versus mRNA Vaccines: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Cancer patients on chemotherapy have a lower immune response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. Therefore, through a prospective cohort study of patients with solid tumors receiving chemotherapy, we aimed to determine the immunogenicity of an mRNA vaccine booster (BNT162b2) among patients previously immunized with an inactivated (CoronaVac) or homologous (BNT162b2) SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with anti-SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody (NAb) seropositivity at 8-12 weeks post-booster.

Fishing for litter, accidental catch in bottom trawl nets along the Catalan coast, Northwestern Mediterranean.

The seafloor of the Mediterranean Sea accumulates marine litter (ML), an area where bottom trawlers operate and can accidentally catch the litter from the seafloor. This study aims to describe and quantify the ML caught by bottom trawlers along the Catalan coast (NW Mediterranean Sea) and estimate the potential of the bottom trawl fleet to extract ML from the area as a Fishing for Litter (FFL) initiative to tackle the ML issue. Marine litter was collected from commercial trawlers and was classified as metal, plastic, rubber, textile, wood, and other waste and weighed (kg) from 305 hauls performed during three years (2019-2021) from 9 different ports at 3 different depths.

Reduced microbial diversity of the nasopharyngeal microbiome in household contacts with latent tuberculosis infection.

The upper respiratory tract is an obliged pathway for respiratory pathogens and a healthy microbiota may support the host's mucosal immunity preventing infection. We analyzed the nasopharyngeal microbiome in tuberculosis household contacts (HHCs) and its association with latent tuberculosis infection (TBI). A prospective cohort of HHCs was established and latent TBI status was assessed by serial interferon-γ release assay (IGRA).

Optimization of 3D autologous chondrocyte-seeded polyglycolic acid scaffolds to mimic human ear cartilage.

Auricular reconstruction in children with microtia is one of the more complex procedures in plastic surgery. Obtaining sufficient native material to build an ear requires harvesting large fragments of rib cartilage in children. Herein, we investigated how to optimize autologous chondrocyte isolation, expansion and re-implantation using polyglycolic acid (PGA) scaffolds for generating enough cartilage to recapitulate a whole ear starting from a small ear biopsy.

Environmental and Yield Comparison of Quick Extraction Methods for Caffeine and Chlorogenic Acid from Spent Coffee Grounds.

This study aims to provide an overview of different extraction methods to obtain chlorogenic acid (CA) and caffeine (Caf) from spent coffee grounds (SCG). This overview shows that the quantity extracted is highly dependent on the type of SCG, so experiments using the same SCG are needed to compare different methods. Three easy and simple extraction methods will be tested at a laboratory scale and environmentally compared.

A data-driven approach to manage type 2 diabetes mellitus through digital health: The Klivo Intervention Program protocol (KIPDM).

Background: Digital therapeutics, an emerging type of medical approach, is defined as evidence-based therapeutic interventions through qualified software programs that help prevent, manage, or treat chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), which has high social and economic burden. Klivo, a startup certified by the Brazilian Society of Diabetes, developed the first digital therapeutic product for managing T2DM in Brazil, reaching 21 of 24 states. Klivo has continuously been improving its model of behavior change on the basis of an intensive lifestyle intervention method that addresses individuals' needs-the Klivo Intervention Program for T2DM (KIPDM).

Vitamin D and cathelicidin levels and susceptibility to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection acquisition in household contacts.

Introduction: Vitamin D deficiency has been proposed to confer susceptibility to acquiring tuberculosis infection by impairing the innate immune response.

Methods: In an exploratory study, we examined whether the levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) in serum, and cathelicidin - an antimicrobial peptide-induced under calcitriol - in the nasal fluid, would associate with the risk of acquiring tuberculosis infection.

Results: Within a prospective cohort of 231 tuberculosis household contacts tested with repeated interferon-gamma release assays, we serially analyzed all the uninfected contacts acquiring tuberculosis infection at follow-up ("converters", n=18), and an age and sex-matched control group of contacts not acquiring tuberculosis infection ("non-converters", n=36).

1,2,3-Triazole Derivatives as Novel Antifibrinolytic Drugs.

Fibrinolysis is a natural process that ensures blood fluidity through the removal of fibrin deposits. However, excessive fibrinolytic activity can lead to complications in different circumstances, such as general surgery or severe trauma. The current antifibrinolytic drugs in the market, aminocaproic acid (EACA) and tranexamic acid (TXA), require high doses repetitively to maintain their therapeutic effect.

Carbon Footprint: The Case of Four Chicken Meat Products Sold on the Spanish Market.

Despite its relatively low environmental impact within the livestock sector, the poultry sector still faces its own environmental challenges that need to be addressed. The present paper uses life cycle assessment to quantify greenhouse gas emissions, from cradle to slaughterhouse gate, of four chicken meat products: whole carcass, wings, breast fillets, and leg quarters. The main contribution of the present study is that it provides a detailed analysis of different chicken meat cuts, testing mass and economic allocation choices and showing that economic allocation better reflects the causality of the cutting process.

SARS-CoV-2 vaccine booster in solid organ transplant recipients previously immunised with inactivated versus mRNA vaccines: A prospective cohort study.

Background: Solid-organ transplant (SOT) recipients have worse COVID-19 outcomes than general population and effective immunisation in these patients is essential but more difficult to reach. We aimed to determine the immunogenicity of an mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccine booster in SOT recipients previously immunised with either inactivated or homologous SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine.

Methods: Prospective cohort study of SOT recipients under medical care at Red de Salud UC-CHRISTUS, Chile, previously vaccinated with either CoronaVac or BNT162b2.

A Dynamic, In Vitro BBB Model to Study the Effects of Varying Levels of Shear Stress.

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) consists of a tight network of blood capillaries in the brain that separate the circulatory system from the central nervous system. Its particular properties are based on the dynamic interaction between cerebral endothelial cells and other surrounding cells, especially astrocytes. We have designed and synthesized a three-dimensional scaffold that recapitulates the main hallmarks of the BBB extracellular matrix and serves as a platform to co-culture human brain microvascular endothelial cells and human cortical astrocytes.