Inhibitory activity of Euterpe oleracea Mart. fruit extract in West Nile virus infection.

West Nile virus (WNV) is a neurovirulent arbovirus whose epidemic capacity is enhanced by the wide occurrence of competent vectors and susceptible avian amplifying hosts. In this study, we investigated the antiviral potential of Euterpe oleracea Mart. fruit extract (EoFE) in WNV infection of monkey kidney (Vero) cell cultures.

Evaluation of polycaprolactone nanofibers' spinnability using green solvent systems by solution blow spinning (SBS).

Solution blow spinning (SBS) is a promising alternative to produce fibrous matrices for a wide range of applications, such as packaging and biomedical devices. Polycaprolactone (PCL) is a biodegradable polyester commonly used for spinning. The usual choices for producing PCL solutions include chlorinated solvents (CS), such as chloroform.

Treatment of depression in the elderly with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation using theta-burst stimulation: Study protocol for a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial.

Introduction: Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a consolidated procedure for the treatment of depression, with several meta-analyses demonstrating its efficacy. Theta-burst stimulation (TBS) is a modification of TMS with similar efficacy and shorter session duration. The geriatric population has many comorbidities and a high prevalence of depression, but few clinical trials are conducted specifically for this age group.

Biomimetic Mineralization on 3D Printed PLA Scaffolds: On the Response of Human Primary Osteoblasts Spheroids and In Vivo Implantation.

This study aimed to assess the response of 3D printed polylactic acid (PLA) scaffolds biomimetically coated with apatite on human primary osteoblast (HOb) spheroids and evaluate the biological response to its association with Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 (rhBMP-2) in rat calvaria. PLA scaffolds were produced via 3D printing, soaked in simulated body fluid (SBF) solution to promote apatite deposition, and characterized by physical-chemical, morphological, and mechanical properties. PLA-CaP scaffolds with interconnected porous and mechanical properties suitable for bone repairing were produced with reproducibility.

Toxicity effects of the organic UV-filter 4-Methylbenzylidene camphor in zebrafish embryos.

Ultraviolet (UV) filters are widely used in personal care products and due to their lipophilicity these chemicals tend to bioaccumulate in the aquatic biota. 4-Methylbenzylidene camphor (4-MBC) is one of the most used UV-filters, and it is commonly detected in freshwater fish tissues. This substance is suspected to be an endocrine disruptor due to its interaction with Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Gonadal (HPG) and HP-Thyroid (HPT)-axis.

Evaluation of bone marrow stem cell response to PLA scaffolds manufactured by 3D printing and coated with polydopamine and type I collagen.

The majority of synthetic polymers used in 3 D printing are not designed to promote specific cellular interactions and hence possess limited bioactivity. Most of the strategies proposed to overcome this limitation demand multiple and expensive processing steps. This study aimed to evaluate the surface modification of 3D-printed poly(lactic acid) (PLA) scaffolds with polydopamine (PDA) coating as an alternative strategy to enhance their bioactivity and to facilitate the immobilization of type I collagen (COL I) onto the implant surface.

Hydroxylation of 1,8-cineole by Mucor ramannianus and Aspergillus niger.

The monoterpenoid 1,8-cineole is obtained from the leaves of Eucalyptus globulus and it has important biological activities. It is a cheap natural substrate because it is a by-product of the Eucalyptus cultivation for wood and pulp production. In this study, it was evaluated the potential of three filamentous fungi in the biotransformation of 1,8-cineole.

Endogenous interleukin-6 amplifies interleukin-17 production and corticoid-resistance in peripheral T cells from patients with multiple sclerosis.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) has been implicated in the induction of pathogenic IL-17-producing T cells in autoimmune diseases, and studies evaluating the role of this cytokine in T-cell function in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) are lacking. Our objective was to evaluate the role of IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) signalling on in vitro functional status of T cells from patients with relapsing-remitting MS during clinical remission. Our results demonstrated that, even during the remission phase, activated T cells from patients produce higher levels of IL-17, and this cytokine was positively correlated with disease severity, as determined by Expanded Disability Status Scale score.

Dopamine favors expansion of glucocorticoid-resistant IL-17-producing T cells in multiple sclerosis.

Dopamine (DA) is a neurotransmitter produced mainly in the central nervous system (CNS) that has immunomodulatory actions on T cells. As the multiple sclerosis (MS) has long been regarded as an autoimmune disease of CNS mediated by T cells, the objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of DA on in vitro functional status of T cells from relapsing-remitting (RR)-MS patients. Peripheral T-cells from RR-MS patients were activated by mitogens and cell proliferation and cytokine production were assayed by [(3)H]-thymidine uptake and ELISA, respectively.

Insulin resistance and associated factors in patients with Type 1 Diabetes.

Objective: To assess the presence of insulin resistance (IR) in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) according to the estimated glucose disposal rate formula (eGDR) and the insulin sensitivity score (ISS) and to estimate the correlation between these two measures and identify the clinical and laboratory markers related to IR.

Research Design And Methods: Cross-sectional study of adults with T1DM (n = 135). The results of the formulas that estimate IR were separated into quartiles and correlated with demographic data, clinical characteristics and laboratory parameters.

Synthesis and characterization of nano-encapsulated black pepper oleoresin using hydroxypropyl beta-cyclodextrin for antioxidant and antimicrobial applications.

Previous studies have reported antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of black pepper oleoresin which is associated to its phenolic compounds and piperine. The ability of cyclodextrins to form an inclusion complex with a guest molecule could improve black pepper oleoresin application, bioavailability, and stability in foods. Hydroxypropyl beta-cyclodextrin (HPBCD) inclusion complex with black pepper olereosin were synthesized using the kneading method and characterized for its physico-chemical properties and its antioxidant and antimicrobial activities.

Low sensitivity to glucocorticoid inhibition of in vitro Th17-related cytokine production in multiple sclerosis patients is related to elevated plasma lipopolysaccharide levels.

Exogenous glucocorticoid plays an important role in controlling clinical relapses of multiple sclerosis (MS), but the response to this treatment differs among patients. In this study, T-cell proliferation and IL-17 production were less sensitive to hydrocortisone (HC) inhibition in MS patients than healthy individuals, mainly in CD8(+) compartment. Furthermore, in vitro IL-17 production was positively related with neurological disability and its release was proportional to IL-23 and IL-6 productions by LPS-activated monocytes.

High in vitro immune reactivity to Escherichia coli in neuromyelitis optica patients is correlated with both neurological disabilities and elevated plasma lipopolysaccharide levels.

The pathogenesis of neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, including infectious agents. Several infectious diseases can both trigger or exacerbate autoimmunity. The objective of the present work was to evaluate the in vitro immune responsiveness to Escherichia coli (EC), Staphylococcus aureus (SA) and Candida albicans (CA) in remittent-recurrent NMO patients, and correlate it with the level of neurological disability.

The ex vivo production of IL-6 and IL-21 by CD4+ T cells is directly associated with neurological disability in neuromyelitis optica patients.

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO), also known as Devic's disease, is an autoimmune, inflammatory disorder of the central nervous system (CNS) in which the immune system attacks myelin of the neurons located at the optic nerves and spinal cord, thus producing a simultaneous or sequential optic neuritis and myelitis. The objective of this study was evaluated the background T-cell function of patients suffering from neuromyelitis optica (NMO), an autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system. In our study, the in vitro T cell proliferation and the production of Th1 cytokines were significantly lower in cell cultures from NMO patients, as compared with healthy individuals.