Improvement of the physical-chemical, microbiological, volatiles and sensory quality of strawberries covered with chitosan/gelatin/pomegranate peel extract-based coatings.

This study investigated the effects of chitosan/gelatin (CG) coatings containing pomegranate peel extract (PPE) on the physical-chemical, microbiological, volatile profile, and sensory characteristics of strawberries over 12 days of refrigerated storage. The coatings containing PPE minimized the weight loss of the fruits by 11 % and delayed their fungal contamination by 6-8 days. Uncoated fruits showed soluble solids content, pH, and titratable acidity values characteristics of highly deteriorated fruits.

Comparing solution blow spinning and electrospinning methods to produce collagen and gelatin ultrathin fibers: A review.

Ultrathin fibers have been used to design functional nanostructured materials for technological and biomedical applications. Combining the use of renewable and compatible sources with the emerging alternative SBS (solution blow spinning) technique opens new opportunities for material applications. In this review, we introduce the benefits of SBS over the classical electrospinning technique by following studies that use collagen or gelatin.

Photoantimicrobial chitosan-gelatin-pomegranate peel extract films for strawberries preservation: From microbiological analysis to in vivo safety assessment.

This study aimed to investigate the application of biopolymeric materials (chitosan, gelatin, and pomegranate peel extract as photosensitizer) and antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) on the physicochemical and microbial safety of strawberries. The photosensitizer potential of the materials was confirmed by a light-dose-dependent photobleaching profile. The application of light (525 nm; 50 J cm) decreased by >2 log CFU mL the survival of Staphylococcus aureus on the surface of the photoactive-biopolymeric films.

Intelligent and active biodegradable biopolymeric films containing carotenoids.

There is growing interest in the use of natural bioactive compounds for the development of new bio-based materials for intelligent and active food packaging applications. Several beneficial effects have been associated with the antioxidant and antimicrobial potentials of carotenoid compounds. In addition, carotenoids are sensitive to pH changes and oxidation reactions, which make them useful bioindicators of food deterioration.

Bioactivity and volatile compound evaluation in sheep milk processed by ohmic heating.

Ohmic heating may improve bioactive compounds and processing, ensuring food safety of beverages, liquid and pasty food, or liquid with solid pieces. Due to those traits, this study conducted a comparison between ohmic heating technology and conventional heating (CH), with a focus on assessing the impact of both methods on functional compounds (such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition, α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition, and antioxidant activity) in both fresh and thawed raw sheep milk, which had been frozen for up to 3 mo. Different ohmic heating conditions were applied and compared to CH (3.

Compared efficacy of rituximab, abatacept, and tocilizumab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis refractory to methotrexate or TNF inhibitors agents: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Background: Our aim was to compare the efficacy of rituximab, tocilizumab, and abatacept in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) refractory to treatments with MTX or TNFi agents.

Methods: We searched 6 databases until January 2023 for phase 2-4 RCTs evaluating patients with RA refractory to MTX or TNFi therapy treated with rituximab, abatacept, and tocilizumab (intervention arm) compared to controls. Study data were independently assessed by two investigators.

The effect of antimalarials on the safety and persistence of treatment with biologic agents or Janus kinase inhibitors in rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: To test the association of use of antimalarials with the overall safety of treatment in RA patients receiving one or multiple courses of biologic (b)DMARDs or a Janus kinase inhibitor (JAKi).

Methods: BiobadaBrasil is a multicentric registry-based cohort study of Brazilian patients with rheumatic diseases starting their first bDMARD or JAKi. The present analysis includes RA patients recruited from January 2009 to October 2019, followed up over one or multiple (up to six) courses of treatment (latest date, 19 November 2019).

Do it fast! Early access to specialized care improved long-term outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis: data from the REAL multicenter observational study.

Background: Early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) offers an opportunity for better treatment outcomes. In real-life settings, grasping this opportunity might depend on access to specialized care. We evaluated the effects of early versus late assessment by the rheumatologist on the diagnosis, treatment initiation and long-term outcomes of RA under real-life conditions.

Learning to pause: Fidelity of and biases in the developmental acquisition of gaps in the communicative signals of a songbird.

The temporal organization of sounds used in social contexts can provide information about signal function and evoke varying responses in listeners (receivers). For example, music is a universal and learned human behavior that is characterized by different rhythms and tempos that can evoke disparate responses in listeners. Similarly, birdsong is a social behavior in songbirds that is learned during critical periods in development and used to evoke physiological and behavioral responses in receivers.

Decreasing delays in the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in Brazil: a nationwide multicenter observational study.

Background: Management delays imply worse outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and, therefore, should be minimized. We evaluated changes in diagnostic and treatment delays regarding RA in the last decades in Brazil.

Methods: Adults fulfilling the ACR/EULAR (2010) criteria for RA were assessed.

Collagen-chitosan-hydroxyapatite composite scaffolds for bone repair in ovariectomized rats.

Lesions with bone loss may require autologous grafts, which are considered the gold standard; however, natural or synthetic biomaterials are alternatives that can be used in clinical situations that require support for bone neoformation. Collagen and hydroxyapatite have been used for bone repair based on the concept of biomimetics, which can be combined with chitosan, forming a scaffold for cell adhesion and growth. However, osteoporosis caused by gonadal hormone deficiency can thus compromise the expected results of the osseointegration of scaffolds.

Effects of Mangosteen Peel Phenolic Compounds on Tilapia Skin Collagen-Based Mineralized Scaffold Properties.

A proper valorization of biological waste sources for an effective conversion into composites for tissue engineering is discussed in this study. Hence, the collagen and the phenolic compound applied in this investigation were extracted from waste sources, respectively, fish industry rejects and the peels of the mangosteen fruit. Porous scaffolds were prepared by combining both components at different compositions and mineralized at different temperatures to evaluate the modifications in the biomimetic formation of apatite.

Impaired repair properties of endothelial colony-forming cells in patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis.

In patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis, interactions between neutrophils and endothelial cells cause endothelial damage and imbalance. Endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs) represent a cellular population of the endothelial lineage with proliferative capacity and vasoreparative properties. This study aimed to evaluate the angiogenic capacity of ECFCs of patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA).

Bio-nanocomposite edible coatings based on arrowroot starch/cellulose nanocrystals/carnauba wax nanoemulsion containing essential oils to preserve quality and improve shelf life of strawberry.

This study investigated the effects of bio-nanocomposite coatings developed using arrowroot starch (AA), cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), carnauba wax nanoemulsion (CWN), and Cymbopogon martinii and Mentha spicata essential oils (CEO and MEO, respectively) on the physicochemical, microbiological, bioactive, antioxidant, and aromatic characteristics of strawberries cv. 'Oso Grande' in refrigerated storage for 12 days. The coatings improved the shelf life and stability of strawberries, minimizing their weight loss (2.

Acoustic regularities in infant-directed speech and song across cultures.

When interacting with infants, humans often alter their speech and song in ways thought to support communication. Theories of human child-rearing, informed by data on vocal signalling across species, predict that such alterations should appear globally. Here, we show acoustic differences between infant-directed and adult-directed vocalizations across cultures.

Recent advances in the development of smart, active, and bioactive biodegradable biopolymer-based films containing betalains.

Betalains are natural nitrogenous water-soluble pigments found in species belonging to the Caryophyllales order and in mushrooms. Betalains can be considered multifunctional molecules due to their diverse bioactivities such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory. Furthermore, they can detect pH variations in foods and are considered promising colorimetric bioindicators.

The Structural Index Score and its relation to foot function, disability and physical performance tests in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) - A cross-sectional study.

Objectives: To evaluate the Structural Index Score (SIS) - a clinical foot deformity assessment index developed for RA, and to compare its results with foot function, disability and physical performance tests.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 104 patients with foot pain were evaluated according to SIS score, subscales (Forefoot SIS and Rearfoot SIS) and items. Results were compared with the Foot Function Index (FFI), the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (using lower limbs items: LL-HAQ), and physical performance tests: Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Timed Up and Go test (TUG) and the 5-Time Sit down-to-Stand up Test (SST5).

Caloric restriction overcomes pre-diabetes and hypertension induced by a high fat diet and renal artery stenosis.

Background: Calorie restriction (CR) is a type of dietary intervention that is essential in weight loss through modulation of critical metabolic control pathways, is well established and understood in cases of systemic arterial hypertension, however, its role in renovascular hypertension is still unclear.

Methods: Rats were divided into three groups: SHAM, and two groups that underwent surgery to clip the left renal artery and induce renovascular hypertension (OH and OHR). The SHAM diet was as follows: 14 weeks normolipidic diet; OH: 2 weeks normolipidic diet + 12 weeks hyperlipidic diet, both ad libitum; OHR, 2 weeks normolipidic diet + 8 weeks ad libitum high-fat diet + 4 weeks 40% calorie-restricted high-fat diet.

In vivo functional and health benefits of a prebiotic soursop whey beverage processed by high-intensity ultrasound: Study with healthy Wistar rats.

New technologies for food processing have been used to enhance the beneficial effects of foods. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a prebiotic soursop whey beverage processed by high-intensity ultrasound (HIUS) on healthy rats. Whey beverages were processed by HIUS (20KHz, 520 W of nominal power, <53 °C, 20.

Neural correlates of acoustic dissonance in music: The role of musicianship, schematic and veridical expectations.

In western music, harmonic expectations can be fulfilled or broken by unexpected chords. Musical irregularities in the absence of auditory deviance elicit well-studied neural responses (e.g.

Recommendations of the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology for the use of JAK inhibitors in the management of rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic and autoimmune systemic inflammatory disease that can cause irreversible joint deformities, with increased morbidity and mortality and a significant impact on the quality of life of the affected individual. The main objective of RA treatment is to achieve sustained clinical remission or low disease activity. However, up to 40% of patients do not respond to available treatments, including bDMARDs.

A Narrative Review of the Current Knowledge on Fruit Active Aroma Using Gas Chromatography-Olfactometry (GC-O) Analysis.

Fruit aroma, a mixture of chemical compounds with odor, is a strong attractant derived from a complex mixture of different amounts and intensities (threshold) of chemical compounds found in fruits. The odor-producing compounds of fruit aroma are derived from carbohydrates, lipids, phenolic compounds, and mono- and sesquiterpenes, among others. The identification of compounds responsible for fruit aroma is usually conducted using gas chromatography coupled with olfactometry (GC-O).