Publications by authors named "Franco F"

Electrocatalysts alter their structure and composition during reaction, which can in turn create new active/selective phases. Identifying these changes is crucial for determining how morphology controls catalytic properties but the mechanisms by which operating conditions shape the catalyst's working state are not yet fully understood. In this study, we show using correlated operando microscopy and spectroscopy that as well-defined CuO cubes evolve under electrochemical nitrate reduction reaction conditions, distinct catalyst motifs are formed depending on the applied potential and the chemical environment.

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Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common rheumatic disease in childhood, leading to severe disability and negatively affecting patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the adoption, reporting and assessment methodology of HRQoL in phase III clinical trials involving children with JIA. An electronic and manual search was conducted to identify primary and secondary publications of pharmacological trials conducted between 2012 and 2023.

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This study investigated the effects of music therapy (MT), a nonpharmacological therapy, on cognitive, behavioral, and physiological outcomes in older adults with mild-to-moderate cognitive decline residing in care home settings. A randomized controlled trial design was employed, with 42 care home residents (Mage = 86.25 years) randomly assigned to either a one-to-one 16-week MT intervention or an active control group receiving storytelling.

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Developing process intensification technologies to treat Petroleum Wastewater (PW) is crucial to maintaining the economic and environmental safety of the process. Therefore, a one-step combination of adsorption and flotation was tested in this study for the first time to remove organic compounds from PW using a biochar-derived composite. High salinity PW samples from Brazilian oil wells were used to test the efficiency of the new method.

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Aim: Salivary content is regarded as a powerful diagnostic window for oral and systemic diseases and the proteomic profile could be useful to distinguish between different periodontal conditions. The aim of the present systematic review was to assess distinctive salivary proteins identified through untargeted proteomics in periodontitis patients compared to periodontally healthy and gingivitis subjects, as well as to provide a qualitative methodological assessment of the current literature.

Methods: Relevant studies identified from Medline via PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were retrieved to answer the following PECO question: "In systemically healthy individuals, are there any differences in salivary protein expression profiles assessed in proteomics studies between patients with periodontitis and periodontally healthy or gingivitis subjects?" Moreover, diagnostic utility of the identified markers was sought via a targeted literature search and further quantitative assessment.

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The pediatric definition of severe obesity (OB) depends on the body mass index (BMI) references. We evaluated different BMI-derived metrics of the World Health Organization (WHO) system to define which cut-off is associated with the highest cardiometabolic risk (CMR); In this multicentric study, data were retrieved for 3727 youths (1937 boys; 2225 children, 1502 adolescents). OB was defined as BMI > 97th percentile (BMI), severe OB was defined as BMI > 99th percentile (BMI), BMI ≥ 120% of the 97th percentile (120% BMI), or BMI Z-score > 3 (WHO tables), or BMI ≥ the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) value crossing a BMI of 35 kg/m at the age of 18 (IOTF).

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During aging, in addition to increased oxidative stress, inflammation also occurs. A chronic and low-grade inflammation - called "inflammaging" - develops, which contributes to the etiology of diseases related to aging. Resveratrol (Resv.

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Bladder cancer (BC) represents a significant global health challenge with notable incidence and mortality rates. Despite treatment advancements, its management remains complex, requiring a multidisciplinary approach. Imaging techniques play a pivotal role in diagnosis, staging, and treatment planning by aiding lesion localization, differentiation, and assessment of tumor extent.

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In the post-rotavirus (RVA) vaccination era, uncommon and zoonotic strains have emerged as causative agents of acute gastroenteritis in humans, including the equine-like G3P[8] strains. First identified in 2013, this strain has quickly spread worldwide, reaching the position of the most prevalent genotype in many countries, including Brazil. Here, we report full genotype characterization and phylogenetic analysis of two equine-like G3P[8] strains detected in Goiás, a state in the Cerrado biome of the Brazilian Midwestern region, during the year of 2019.

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Background: Recent research has shown beneficial effects of bariatric surgery (BaS) on the risk of developing acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, this patient population may be at increased risk of complications, especially postoperative pulmonary complications (PPC).

Objectives: To analyze the incidence of PPC in patients with COPD undergoing BaS.

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Problem: Diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) remains a significant challenge, especially in regions where access to specialists is limited. Computer-based approaches offer a promising solution to make diagnosis more accessible. Eye tracking has emerged as a valuable technique in aiding the diagnosis of ASD.

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Biocultural diversity is important for environmental justice, human wellbeing, and sustainable development. Yet it is threatened by landscape degradation and overexploitation. When species go extinct, there is a co-occurring loss of associated cultural elements, and marginalized cultures are the ones that suffer the most from these losses.

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This review focuses on the immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in the context of breast cancer (BC) management. These innovative treatments, by targeting proteins expressed on both tumor and immune cells, aim to overcome tumor-induced immune suppression and reactivate the immune system. The potential of this approach is the subject of numerous clinical studies.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study focused on developing and testing pregabalin gels for topical use in the oral cavity to treat pain.
  • Various concentrations of pregabalin were mixed with a gel base and tested for stability, thermal properties, and cytotoxic effects on human gum cells.
  • The results indicated that the gels were stable, non-toxic, and showed potential as a new treatment option for oral pain management.
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Addressing climate change requires transitioning to cleaner energy sources and adopting advanced CO capture techniques. Clay minerals are effective in CO adsorption due to their regenerative properties. Recent advancements in nanotechnology further improve their efficiency and potential for use in carbon capture and storage.

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Natural Killer (NK) cells are integral to the innate immune system, renowned for their ability to target and eliminate cancer cells without the need for antigen presentation, sparing normal tissues. These cells are crucial in cancer immunosurveillance due to their diverse array of activating and inhibitory receptors that modulate their cytotoxic activity. However, the tumor microenvironment can suppress NK cell function through various mechanisms.

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  • Doctors are now focusing on helping people with hemophilia keep their joints healthy and improve their quality of life instead of just stopping life-threatening bleeding.
  • Ultrasound is a helpful tool for quickly finding joint problems and can work with technology like artificial intelligence and telemedicine for better ongoing care.
  • Working with different types of doctors and therapists early on can help patients live a healthier and happier life.
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  • High testosterone levels in male alpacas may lead to coarser fiber and affect their mating success, prompting a study to explore factors influencing fiber quality and male mating behavior in Peruvian alpacas.
  • The research involved 189 male alpacas in the Andes, analyzing fiber samples and evaluating factors like age, body condition score (BCS), and fiber color, while correlating these with fertility data from some males.
  • Results highlighted that younger alpacas had finer fibers, better BCS improved certain fiber characteristics, and a link was found between fiber curvature and male fertility, suggesting strategic breeding could enhance fiber quality in alpacas.
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The formation of memory T cells is a fundamental feature of adaptative immunity, allowing the establishment of long-term protection against pathogens. Although emerging evidence suggests that metabolic reprogramming is crucial for memory T cell differentiation and survival, the underlying mechanisms that drive metabolic rewiring in memory T cells remain unclear. Here, we found that up-regulation of the nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor β/δ (PPARβ/δ) instructs the metabolic reprogramming that occurs during the establishment of central memory CD8 T cells.

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Introduction: One of the markers of aging is oxidative stress, a condition characterized by an increase in free radicals concomitant with a reduction in antioxidant defenses. Within this, resveratrol is a compound that has been shown to act as a potent antioxidant. However, few studies highlight the cellular signaling pathways that are activated or inhibited during aging and that are responsible for this biological effect.

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Background: Preterm infants are at high risk for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), with potential life-long visual impairment. Low fetal hemoglobin (HbF) levels predict ROP. It is unknown if preventing the HbF decrease also reduces ROP.

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This study investigated the effects of ovariectomy and caffeine intake on bone health in rats on calcium-deficient diet. Forty adults female Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups in a 2x2 factorial design: Ovary (OVX/SHAM) and Caffeine (placebo/caffeine). The animals were housed in individual cages for 8 weeks, receiving 18-20g of AIN-93M diet per day, containing 50% of the daily recommended intake of calcium.

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Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) are 2 complex endocrine disorders with neighboring genetic loci. We present a case of T1DM onset in a 6-year-old child, already affected by 21-hydroxylase deficiency (salt-wasting CAH) diagnosed at 18 days of age, who was referred to our clinic because of typical symptoms of diabetes despite nondiagnostic fasting blood glucose values. Further analysis revealed elevated glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), low C-peptide, and specific autoantibodies suggesting the diagnosis of T1DM.

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