Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of Kunth in diabetic rats.

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder commonly associated with atherosclerosis. Plants with therapeutic potential, such as Kunth, emerge as effective alternatives for treating these diseases. Therefore, this work aims to analyze the antihyperglycemic and antidyslipidemic potential of the hydroalcoholic extract of Kunth (ELo) in alloxan-diabetic rats.

Disclosing a metabolic signature of cisplatin resistance in MDA-MB-231 triple-negative breast cancer cells by NMR metabolomics.

This work compared the metabolic profile of a parental MDA-MB-231 cisplatin-sensitive triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell line with that of a derived cisplatin-resistant line, to characterize inherent metabolic adaptations to resistance, as a means for marker and new TNBC therapies discovery. Supported by cytotoxic, microscopic and biochemical characterization of both lines, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) metabolomics was employed to characterize cell polar extracts for the two cell lines, as a function of time (0, 24 and 48 h), and identify statistically relevant differences both between sensitive and resistant cells and their time course behavior. Biochemical results revealed a slight increase in activation of the NF-κB pathway and a marked decrease of the ERK signaling pathway in resistant cells.

Political quarrel overshadows vaccination advocacy: How the vaccine debate on Brazilian Twitter was framed by anti-vaxxers during Bolsonaro administration.

Despite Brazil's tradition of successful mass immunization programs, the country has been experiencing alarming declines in vaccination coverage, especially among children. That is aggravated by the growth of anti-vaccine movements and the spread of health misinformation in social media in the last decade, which have worsened during the COVID-19 outbreak. Several reports link populism and far-right politicians to anti-vaccination support worldwide, which was also the case in Brazil during president Jair Bolsonaro's administration.

Remdesivir and corticosteroids in the treatment of hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a pandemic infection caused by the newly discovered severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Remdesivir (RDV) and corticosteroids are used mainly in COVID-19 patients with acute respiratory failure. The main objective of the study was to assess the effectiveness of remdesivir with and without corticosteroids in the treatment of COVID-19 patients.

Bioactive Natural Products against Systemic Arterial Hypertension: A Past 20-Year Systematic and Prospective Review.

Background: Systemic arterial hypertension is one of the most common cardiovascular risks, corresponding to 45% of deaths involving CVDs. The use of natural products, such as medicinal plants, belongs to a millennial part of human therapeutics history and has been employed as an alternative anti-hypertensive treatment.

Objective: The present review aims to prospect some natural products already experimentally assayed against arterial hypertension through scientific virtual libraries and patent documents over the past 20 years.

Cognition, emotion, and Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome before and after severe weight loss treatment.

Introduction: This study aimed to compare the results of a conservative method and the Sleeve Gastrectomy procedure for weight loss on the cognitive-emotional performance of severely obese women assessed for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome.

Material And Methods: Two samples consisting of females, approved for Sleeve Gastrectomy (n = 21) and Conservative Treatment (n = 21) underwent night polysomnography and completed a battery of neuropsychological and emotional tests before and 6 months after the interventions. We compared intra- and inter-sample results, post interventions result to controls, and treated patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome.

Body mass index and neuropsychological and emotional variables: joint contribution for the screening of sleep apnoea syndrome in obese.

Objective: Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is the most common sleep disorder and its prevalence has increased with the obesity pandemic. We aimed to explore the presence of OSA in severe obesity and to evaluate the association of body mass index (BMI) with sleep architecture, cognition, emotional distress and comorbidities in OSA versus non-OSA patients.

Methods: A sample of 61 patients performed a neuropsychological battery that included tasks of attention, memory, perceptual/visuospatial ability, vocabulary, inhibition, cognitive flexibility and distress symptomatology, before overnight polysomnography.

Bariatric surgery improves clinical outcomes and adiposity biomarkers but not inflammatory cytokines SAA and MCP-1 after a six-month follow-up.

Obesity is a global health problem and is associated with a chronic low-grade inflammatory state. Surgical obesity treatment is being increasingly common due to its efficacy. From this, we evaluate the metabolic state improvement and inflammation remission in patients with obesity undergoing bariatric surgery.

Phytochemical screening, phenolic and flavonoid contents, antioxidant and cytogenotoxicity activities of Mart. (Combretaceae).

Mart. (Combretaceae), a shrub popularly known as mofumbo, is used in folk medicine for treatment of uterine bleeding, pertussis, gastric pain, and as a sedative. The aim of this study was to (1) determine the phytochemical profile,(2) identify chemical constituents and (3) examine antioxidant and cytogenotoxic activity of ethanolic extracts and fractions of stem bark and leaves.

A prospective, observational study to evaluate adverse drug reactions in patients with COVID-19 treated with remdesivir or hydroxychloroquine: a preliminary report.

Objectives: Since the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), the pressure to minimise its impact on public health has led to the implementation of different therapeutic strategies, the efficacy of which for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was unknown at the time. Remdesivir (REM) was granted its first conditional marketing authorisation in the EU in June 2020. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) and local health authorities all across the EU have since strongly recommended the implementation of pharmacovigilance activities aimed at further evaluating the safety of this new drug.

Neuropsychological Profile, Cognitive Reserve and Emotional Distress in a Portuguese Sample of Severely Obese Patients.

Introduction: Obesity is a significant risk factor for multiple comorbidities, and its relation to neurocognitive disfunction is particularly important in cognitive decline, especially in middle age. Due to their impact on neurodegeneration, we sought to explore neuropsychological profile, cognitive reserve and emotional distress in patients with severe obesity.

Material And Methods: We used a sociodemographic and clinical questionnaire, neuropsychological tests and a symptom self-reported scale of emotional distress.

Obesity-related knowledge and body mass index: a national survey in Portugal.

Purpose: Obesity-related knowledge predicts weight control but previous studies only comprise individuals with excessive weight and assess very specific aspects of knowledge. This study aims to evaluate several domains of obesity-related knowledge according to the body mass index (BMI) in a representative sample of Portuguese-speaking dwellers in mainland Portugal.

Methods: A sample of 1624 participants aged 16-79 years was analyzed.

Millettia macrophylla (Fabaceae) phenolic fraction prevents differentiation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes and the increased risks of cardiovascular diseases in ovariectomized rats.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: A prolonged estrogen deficiency alters lipid metabolism and increases risks of cardiovascular diseases. Phytoestrogens, naturally occurring compounds with estrogenic properties are reported to have cardiovascular protective effects. Millettia macrophylla used in the Cameroonian traditional system to treat physiological disorders related to menopause, was previously reported to have estrogenic effects.

Depressive symptoms are associated with poor glycemic control among women with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Objective: In patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, depressive symptoms may be associated with metabolic deterioration. The impact of sex on this association is unclear. The aim of this study is to analyze the relationship between depression and metabolic control by sex.

Prevalence of overweight and obesity in Portugal: Results from the First Portuguese Health Examination Survey (INSEF 2015).

Obesity is recognised as a serious public health issue, due to its associated morbidity and mortality. This study aimed at estimating the prevalence of overweight and obesity in the Portuguese population through direct measurements obtained by the 1st National Health Examination Survey (INSEF 2015) and to identify its associated sociodemographic factors. INSEF was a nationally representative cross-sectional prevalence study conducted on 4911 Portuguese adults aged 25-74 years, in 2015.

Self-Regulation of Weight After Sleeve Gastrectomy.

Bariatric surgery is recognized as the most effective method for achieving relevant weight loss in subjects with severe obesity. However, there is insufficient knowledge about weight self-regulation and quality of motivation in these patients. The main goal of this study was to characterize the association between the percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL) and the motivation to manage weight, at least 1 year after sleeve gastrectomy (SG).

Complement component 3 (C3) as a biomarker for insulin resistance after bariatric surgery.

Objectives: Since complement system has been recently associated with metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, and closely related to insulin resistance, we investigated the association of plasma complement factor 3 (C3) and factor 4 (C4) with insulin sensibility and weight loss after bariatric surgery.

Methods: Serum levels of C3, C4, total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and homeostatic model assessment (HOMA-IR) measurements were assessed in morbidly obese patients before and after bariatric surgery, including a 6-month follow-up period, as well as a comparison with a lean group.

Results: Weight loss decreased body mass index (BMI), serum triacylglycerol, and increased serum HDL-cholesterol and insulin sensitivity, as expected.

Is there a role for salvage radiotherapy in locally advanced breast cancer refractory to neoadjuvant chemotherapy?

Introduction: Locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) is a major problem, especially in developing countries. The standard treatment for LABC is neoadjuvant chemotherapy, with or without anti-Her2 therapy, followed by surgery, radiotherapy, and adjuvant systemic treatment if appropriate. However, there are few data in the literature addressing alternatives when neoadjuvant chemotherapy fails to reduce the tumour for surgery.

Hormonal modulation of novelty processing in women: Enhanced under working memory load with high dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate-to-dehydroepiandrosterone ratios.

Several studies have suggested that dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEAS) may enhance working memory and attention, yet current evidence is still inconclusive. The balance between both forms of the hormone might be crucial regarding the effects that DHEA and DHEAS exert on the central nervous system. To test the hypothesis that higher DHEAS-to-DHEA ratios might enhance working memory and/or involuntary attention, we studied the DHEAS-to-DHEA ratio in relation to involuntary attention and working memory processing by recording the electroencephalogram of 22 young women while performing a working memory load task and a task without working memory load in an audio-visual oddball paradigm.

INDIVIDUO: Results from a patient-centered lifestyle intervention for obesity surgery candidates.

Background: Preoperative nutritional counseling provides an opportunity to ameliorate patients' clinical condition and build-up adequate habits and perception of competence. Study aimed to evaluate: (a) the effect of INDIVIDUO on weight and metabolic control; (b) the impact of INDIVIDUO on psychosocial variables associated with successful weight-control.

Methods: Two-arms randomised controlled single-site study, with six-month duration.

Cancer screening in Portugal: sex differences in prevalence, awareness of organized programmes and perception of benefits and adverse effects.

Background: Cancer screening has contributed to downward trends in cancer mortality, but is also associated with adverse effects, which highlights the importance of promoting the participation based on informed decisions.

Objectives: We aimed to describe the use of cancer screening (either in organized programmes or as opportunistic screening), awareness of organized programmes and perception of its potential benefits and adverse effects, depicting possible sex differences.

Design And Methods: We evaluated 1624 Portuguese-speaking dwellers, aged between 16 and 79 years, through face-to-face interviews.

Assessing quality of life in severe obesity: development and psychometric properties of the ORWELL-R.

Purpose: Several health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) dimensions are affected by obesity. Our goal was to characterize the psychometric properties of the ORWELL-R, a new obesity-related quality-of-life instrument for assessing the "individual experience of overweightness".

Methods: This psychometric assessment included two different samples: one multicenter clinical sample, used for assessing internal consistency, construct validity and temporal reliability; and a community sample (collected through a cross-sectional mailing survey design), used for additional construct validity assessment and model fit confirmation.

Changes in the salivary protein profile of morbidly obese women either previously subjected to bariatric surgery or not.

Saliva is a non-invasive source of biomarkers useful in the study of physiological mechanisms. Moreover, this fluid has diverse functions, among which food perception and ingestion, making it particularly suitable for the study of obesity. The aims of this study were to assess changes in salivary proteome among morbidly obese women, with a view to provide information about mechanisms potentially related to the development of obesity, and to evaluate whether these changes persist after weight loss.

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEAS) and emotional processing - A behavioral and electrophysiological approach.

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEAS) may have mood enhancement effects: higher DHEAS concentrations and DHEA/cortisol ratio have been related to lower depression scores and controlled trials of DHEA administration have reported significant antidepressant effects. The balance between DHEAS and DHEA has been suggested to influence brain functioning. We explored DHEAS, DHEA, cortisol, DHEA/cortisol and DHEAS/DHEA ratios relations to the processing of negative emotional stimuli at behavioral and brain levels by recording the electroencephalogram of 21 young women while performing a visual task with implicit neutral or negative emotional content in an audio-visual oddball paradigm.