Sustainable liquid supports for laccase immobilization and reuse: Degradation of dyes in aqueous biphasic systems.

Novel liquid supports for enzyme immobilization and reuse based on aqueous biphasic systems (ABS) constituted by cholinium-based ionic liquids (ILs) and polymers for the degradation of dyes are here proposed. The biocatalytic reaction for dye decolorization using laccase occured in the biphasic medium, with the enzyme being "supported" in the IL-rich phase and the dye and degradation products being enriched in the polymer-rich phase. An initial screening of the laccase activity in aqueous solutions of ABS constituents, namely cholinium dihydrogen citrate ([Ch][DHC]), cholinium dihydrogen phosphate ([Ch][DHP]), cholinium acetate ([Ch][Acet]), polypropylene glycol 400 (PPG 400), polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG 400) and K HPO was carried out.

One-Step All-Aqueous Interfacial Assembly of Robust Membranes for Long-Term Encapsulation and Culture of Adherent Stem/Stromal Cells.

The therapeutic effectiveness and biological relevance of technologies based on adherent cells depend on platforms that enable long-term culture in controlled environments. Liquid-core capsules have been suggested as semipermeable moieties with spatial homogeneity due to the high mobility of all components in their core. The lack of cell-adhesive sites in liquid-core structures often hampers their use as platforms for stem cell-based technologies for long-term survival and cell-directed self-organization.

In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation of the Probiotic Potential of Antarctic Yeasts.

Antarctica is one of the most pristine and inhospitable regions of the planet, mostly inhabited by microorganisms that survive due to unusual metabolic pathways to adapt to its extreme conditions, which could be interesting for the selection of new probiotics. The aim of the present study was to screen in vitro and in vivo putative probiotics among 254 yeasts isolated from different habitats of Antarctica. In vitro selection evaluated functional (growth at 37 °C, resistance to simulated gastric environment, and to bile salts), safety (degradation of mucin, production of β-haemolysis and resistance to antifungal drugs), and beneficial (production of antagonistic substances and adhesion to pathogens) properties.

Three-dimensional Educational Technology for the prevention of accidents caused by falls in the elderly.

Objective: Evaluate a three-dimensional educational gerontotechnology for the prevention of falls in the elderly at home.

Methods: Cross-sectional, descriptive study, involving the Development of gerontotechnology; Evaluation by specialists and target audience, took place in Fortaleza, State of Ceara, Brazil, from June 2017 to October 2018. For the development, it was used the steps adopted in a booklet and the Casa Segura project for the elderly.

Multiproduct Microalgae Biorefineries Mediated by Ionic Liquids.

Ionic liquids (ILs) are salts with low melting points that can be used as solvents for mild extraction and selective fractionation of biomolecules (e.g., proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and pigments), enabling the valorisation of microalgal biomass in a multiproduct biorefinery concept, while maintaining the biomolecules' structural integrity and activity.

Recanalization after cerebral venous thrombosis. A randomized controlled trial of the safety and efficacy of dabigatran etexilate versus dose-adjusted warfarin in patients with cerebral venous and dural sinus thrombosis.

Background: The effect of different anticoagulants on recanalization after cerebral venous thrombosis has not been studied in a randomized controlled trial.

Methods: RE-SPECT CVT (ClinicalTrials.gov number: NCT02913326) was a Phase III, prospective, randomized, parallel-group, open-label, multicenter, exploratory trial with blinded endpoint adjudication.

Using coarse-grained molecular dynamics to understand the effect of ionic liquids on the aggregation of Pluronic copolymer solutions.

This study is aimed to enhance the understanding of the interaction between ionic liquids (ILs) and non-ionic Pluronic triblock copolymers in aqueous two-phase micellar systems (ATPMS) used for the selective separation/purification of hydrophobic biomolecules. The ILs allow a precise control of the cloud point phase separation temperature (CPT), particularly important when the stability of the molecule is highly dependent on temperature. The effect of choline-based ILs, with two different counter-anions, chloride and hexanoate, was evaluated using molecular dynamics simulations (MD) for F-68 and L-35 Pluronic aqueous solutions.

Value of repeated imaging in patients with a stroke who are transferred for endovascular treatment.

Background: Patients with a stroke who are transferred to a comprehensive stroke center for endovascular treatment (EVT) often undergo repeated neuroimaging prior to EVT.

Objective: To evaluate the yield of repeating imaging and its effect on treatment times.

Methods: We included adult patients with a large vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke who were referred to our hospital for EVT by primary stroke centers (2016-2019).

Plastid role in phytomelanin synthesis in Piptocarpha axillaris (Less.) Baker stems (Asteraceae, Vernonieae).

Phytomelanin is a brown to black pigment found in plant tissues, mainly in Asparagales and Asteraceae species. However, few studies deal with the processes of its synthesis, and there are still many questions to be answered regarding the organelles involved in this process and their functions, especially in vegetative organs. In a previous study with stems and leaves of 77 Vernonieae (Asteraceae) species, phytomelanin was demonstrated to always be associated with sclereids, which suggests the involvement of these cells in the pigment synthesis.

The impact of the counterion in the performance of ionic hydrotropes.

The efficiency of an ionic hydrotrope is shown to increase with the hydrophobicity of its counterion, challenging the common view that ionic hydrotropes should possess a small, densely charged counterion such as sodium or chloride.

Mind the Heart: Electrocardiography-gated cardiac computed tomography-angiography in acute ischaemic stroke-rationale and study design.

Rationale: About one-third of ischaemic strokes are caused by cardioembolism, and a substantial proportion of cryptogenic strokes likely also originate from the heart or aortic arch. Early determination of aetiology is important to optimise management. Computed Tomography-angiography of the heart is emerging as an alternative to echocardiography to detect cardio-aortic sources of embolism in stroke patients, but its diagnostic yield in acute ischaemic stroke has not been thoroughly assessed.

Early detection of small volume stroke and thromboembolic sources with computed tomography: Rationale and design of the ENCLOSE study.

Background: Computed tomography is the most frequently used imaging modality in acute stroke imaging protocols. Detection of small volume infarcts in the brain and cardioembolic sources of stroke is difficult with current computed tomography protocols. Furthermore, the role of computed tomography findings to predict recurrent ischemic stroke is unclear.

Bacterial meningitis complicated by cerebral venous thrombosis.

Introduction: Community-acquired bacterial meningitis may be complicated by cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT), but this has not systematically been studied.

Methods: We evaluated clinical characteristics and outcome of CVT in adults with community-acquired bacterial meningitis in a prospective nationwide cohort study of bacterial meningitis (2006-2018) in the Netherlands.

Results: CVT occurred in 26 of 2220 episodes with bacterial meningitis (1%).

Nucleophilic degradation of diazinon in thermoreversible polymer-polymer aqueous biphasic systems.

Although aqueous biphasic systems have been largely investigated in the separation and/or purification of biocompounds, their potential as reaction media to design integrated reaction-separation processes has been less explored. In this work aqueous biphasic systems (ABSs) composed of polypropylene glycol of molecular weight 400 g mol-1 (PPG 400) and different polyethylene glycols (PEGs) were characterized, and investigated for integrated reaction-separation processes, i.e.

MR CLEAN-NO IV: intravenous treatment followed by endovascular treatment versus direct endovascular treatment for acute ischemic stroke caused by a proximal intracranial occlusion-study protocol for a randomized clinical trial.

Background: Endovascular treatment (EVT) has greatly improved the prognosis of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients with a proximal intracranial large vessel occlusion (LVO) of the anterior circulation. Currently, there is clinical equipoise concerning the added benefit of intravenous alteplase administration (IVT) prior to EVT. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of omitting IVT before EVT in patients with AIS caused by an anterior circulation LVO.

Quantified health and cost effects of faster endovascular treatment for large vessel ischemic stroke patients in the Netherlands.

Background: The effectiveness of endovascular treatment (EVT) for large vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke severely depends on time to treatment. However, it remains unclear what the value of faster treatment is in the years after index stroke. The aim of this study was to quantify the value of faster EVT in terms of health and healthcare costs for the Dutch LVO stroke population.

Incidental finding of MEN-1 syndrome during staging and follow-up of breast carcinoma.

Type 1 multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN-1) syndrome is an autosomal dominant disease, associated with germline mutations in the MEN-1 tumour suppressor gene (encoding the menin protein). Recent studies, through a better characterisation of the functions of the menin protein, have started to demonstrate how changes in this protein may be related to breast cancer. We present the case of a patient whose diagnosis of MEN-1 syndrome was made during treatment for a breast tumour-this diagnosis was obtained after finding multiple neoplastic lesions that fitted the MEN-1 syndrome spectrum, during the initial staging and subsequent follow-up of a breast tumour.

Confidence in predicted position error explains saccadic decisions during pursuit.

A fundamental problem in motor control is the coordination of complementary movement types to achieve a common goal. As a common example, humans view moving objects through coordinated pursuit and saccadic eye movements. Pursuit is initiated and continuously controlled by retinal image velocity.

When our hearts beat together: Cardiac synchrony as an entry point to understand dyadic co-regulation in couples.

The degree to which romantic partners' autonomic responses are coordinated, represented by their pattern of physiological synchrony, seems to capture important aspects of the reciprocal influence and co-regulation between spouses. In this study, we analyzed couple's cardiac synchrony as measured by heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV). A sample of 27 couples (N = 54) performed a structured interaction task in the lab where they discussed positive and negative aspects of the relationship.

Safety and efficacy of rivaroxaban in pediatric cerebral venous thrombosis (EINSTEIN-Jr CVT).

Anticoagulant treatment of pediatric cerebral venous thrombosis has not been evaluated in randomized trials. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of rivaroxaban and standard anticoagulants in the predefined subgroup of children with cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) who participated in the EINSTEIN-Jr trial. Children with CVT were randomized (2:1), after initial heparinization, to treatment with rivaroxaban or standard anticoagulants (continued on heparin or switched to vitamin K antagonist).