Evolutionary Links Between Skull Shape and Body Size Suggest Allometric Forces and Selection at Work in a Generalist Group of Lizards.

The vertebrate skull is a complex structure, and studies of skull shape have yielded considerable insight into the evolutionary forces shaping specialized phenotypes in organisms as diverse as bats, frogs, and fossorial animals. Here, we used phylogenetic comparative analyses of CT scans of male skulls from 57 species of lizards to explore patterns of skull evolution in a group of generalist taxa. We found that most interspecific variation is in terms of skull elongation such that some species have long, narrow skulls, whereas others exhibit more compact and robust skulls.

Shortcomings, limitations and gaps in physiological roles of extracellular vesicles in obesity.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play a crucial role in mediating communication between cells across species and kingdoms. The intercellular communication facilitated by EVs through autocrine and paracrine signalling mechanisms is essential for cell survival, maintaining normal metabolic functions and ensuring overall bodily homeostasis and health. Extracellular vesicles are present in various bodily fluids, such as pleural effusions, plasma, breast milk, amniotic fluid, semen and saliva.

Synergistic effects between microplastics and glyphosate on honey bee larvae.

Microplastic (MPs) pollution has emerged as a global ecological concern, however, the impact of MPs exposure, particularly in conjunction with other pollutants such as glyphosate (GLY) on honey bee remains unknown. This study investigated the effects of exposure to different concentrations of MPs and their combination with GLY on honey bee larvae development, or during the larvae period, regulation of major detoxification, antioxidant and immune genes, and oxidative stress biomarkers. Results revealed that combined exposure to MPs and GLY decreased larvae survivorship and weight, while exposure to MPs alone showed no significant differences.

Intra-Articular Osteochondroma of the Hip. Total Hip Replacement After Tumor Resection in a Young adult - A Case Report.

Introduction: Osteochondroma is the most common benign bone tumor (20-50%). It is located predominantly in the metaphysis of the long bones, and much less frequently, the proximal femur and acetabulum. Osteochondroma can eventually lead to hip osteoarthritis and limit patients' functional activities.

Observed kinetics for the production of diethyl carbonate from CO and ethanol catalyzed by CuNi nanoparticles supported on activated carbon.

Monometallic and bimetallic Cu:Ni catalysts with different Cu:Ni molar ratios (3:1, 2:1, 1:1, 1:2, 1:3) were synthesized by wetness impregnation on activated carbon and characterized by TPR (temperature programmed reduction), XRD (X-ray diffraction) and XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy). The synthesized catalysts were evaluated in the gas phase production of diethyl carbonate from ethanol and carbon dioxide. The largest catalytic activity was obtained over the bimetallic catalyst with a Cu:Ni molar ratio of 3:1.

Long-term stability and bactericidal properties of galenic formulations of Cannabis sativa oils.

The long-term stability in real and accelerated time for galenic oils based on full-spectrum cannabis has been studied, using sesame oil as a dilutant. Sesame oil is one of the most used vehicles in the cannabis pharmaceutical industry due to the costs and increased oral bioavailability of cannabinoids. The real-time assays conducted at 25 °C over twelve months demonstrated high stability and showed no significant changes in the composition of cannabinoids, total polyphenols, flavonoids, or antioxidant capacity.

Development and clinical implementation of a digital workflow utilizing 3D-printed oral stents for patients with head and neck cancer receiving radiotherapy.

Objectives: We describe the development of 3D-printed stents using our digital workflow and their effects on patients enrolled in the lead-in phase of a multi-center, randomized Phase-II trial.

Materials And Methods: Digital dental models were created for patients using intraoral scanning. Digital processes were implemented to develop the mouth-opening, tongue-depressing, and tongue-lateralizing stents using stereolithography.

Direct Somatic Embryogenesis in Carica papaya L. Genotypes for Genetic Modification Purposes.

This chapter presents an efficient protocol for regenerating Carica papaya plants via somatic embryogenesis from immature zygotic embryos from economically important papaya genotypes. To achieve regenerated plants from somatic embryos, in the present protocol, four induction cycles are required, followed by one multiplication cycle and one regeneration cycle. With this optimized protocol, 80% of somatic embryos can be obtained in only 3.

Photoproperties of favipiravir and its 6-substituted analogues: fluorescence controlled through halogen substitution and tautomerism.

Herein, we have showed the photophysical properties of favipiravir and its 6-substituted analogues. Also, we interpreted the origin of fluorescence of favipiravir and its 6-substituted analogues as a function of tautomerism modulation in ground and excited states. Favipiravir, the 6-fluorine derivative, showed the best photophysical profile, exhibiting a dominant emission wavelength of 430 nm, a high quantum yield (Q.

Evaluation of the Protoscolicidal Activity of Methanolic Extracts on .

The larval stage of the parasite (s.l) is responsible for cystic echinococcosis (CE), a long-term infection affecting humans and animals worldwide, and constitutes a serious public health concern. If left untreated, CE can cause serious damage to multiple organs, especially the liver and lungs.

Anthelmintic Effect of Cannabidiol against .

Cystic echinococcosis is a global parasitic zoonosis caused by infection with the larval stage of . Cystic echinococcosis affects more than 1 million people worldwide, causing important economic costs in terms of management and livestock associated losses. Albendazole is the main drug used in treating human cystic echinococcosis.

Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Effect of Cannabidiol Against Enveloped and Nonenveloped Viruses.

Cannabidiol (CBD), the main non-psychoactive cannabinoid of the plant, is a powerful antioxidant compound that in recent years has increased interest due to causes effects in a wide range of biological functions. Zika virus (ZIKV) is a virus transmitted mainly by the mosquitoes, which causes neurological diseases, such as microcephaly and Guillain-Barre syndrome. Although the frequency of viral outbreaks has increased recently, no vaccinations or particular chemotherapeutic treatments are available for ZIKV infection.

Genome-Wide Analysis of WRKY and NAC Transcription Factors in L. and Their Possible Role in the Loss of Drought Tolerance by Recent Cultivars through the Domestication of Their Wild Ancestors.

A genome-wide analysis for two families of key transcription factors (TF; WRKY and NAC) involved in drought response revealed 46 WRKY and 66 NAC members of the genome. A phylogenetic analysis grouped the CpWRKY proteins into three groups (I, II a, b, c, d, e and III), while the CpNAC proteins were clustered into 15 groups. The conserved domains, chromosomal localization and promoter cis-acting elements were also analyzed.

Modular UV Curing Sol-Gel Coating for Invisible, Levelling and Easy to Clean Multi-Layer Systems.

Current methods for the hardening step of functional coatings over different materials imply the use of high temperatures, high energy consumption or long periods of time, which have repercussions on the speed and cost of the product. We report here a simple and low-cost methodology for the functionalization of low-cost stainless steel, which is modular, depending on the functionality pursued: a levelling layer for smoothing the surface of the material, an "easy to clean" property, or both of them. This research is based on sol-gel coatings cured under UV light without requiring high thermal hardening processes, making it applicable to plastics and other sensible materials and possessing high chemical and thermal stability.

Tautomerism and Rotamerism of Favipiravir and Halogenated Analogues in Solution and in the Solid State.

Favipiravir is an important selective antiviral against RNA-based viruses, and currently, it is being repurposed as a potential drug for the treatment of COVID-19. This type of chemical system presents different carboxamide-rotameric and hydroxyl-tautomeric states, which could be essential for interpreting its selective antiviral activity. Herein, the tautomeric 3-hydroxypyrazine/3-pyrazinone pair of favipiravir and its 6-substituted analogues, 6-Cl, 6-Br, 6-I, and 6-H, were fully investigated in solution and in the solid state through ultraviolet-visible, H nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction techniques.

Kinetic Study of Liquid-Phase Glycerol Hydrodeoxygenation into 1,2-Propanediol over CuPd/TiO-Na.

Hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) kinetics of glycerol into 1,2-propanediol (1,2-PDO) in the liquid phase is studied on Cu-Pd/TiO catalysts. At a stirring speed higher than 480 rpm and an average diameter of the catalyst particles smaller than 89.5 μm, no mass transfer resistance artifacts are observed.

One-step synthesis of favipiravir from Selectfluor® and 3-hydroxy-2-pyrazinecarboxamide in an ionic liquid.

Favipiravir is an important selective antiviral that emerged as an alternative against COVID-19 during the pandemic. Its synthesis has gained great interest and the conventional strategies proceed through multiple-step protocols (6-7 reaction steps), which involve, in addition, several drawbacks with global yields, lower than 34%. Herein, a simple, economical, eco-friendly and scalable (1 g) one-step protocol for the synthesis of favipiravir from the direct fluorination of the available 3-hydroxy-2-pyrazinecarboxamide with Selectfluor® is reported.

Platelets and endothelial dysfunction in gestational diabetes mellitus.

The prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has increased in recent years, along with the higher prevalence of obesity in women of reproductive age. GDM is a pathology associated with vascular dysfunction in the fetoplacental unit. GDM-associated endothelial dysfunction alters the transfer of nutrients to the foetus affecting newborns and pregnant women.

Lead tolerance of Laguncularia racemosa is associated to high proline accumulation and high antioxidant capacities.

Mangrove forests are threatened by the continuous discharge of inorganic pollutants and studies show that coasts receive high levels of heavy metals, from which lead (Pb) is one of the most persistent and toxic. In the present study, lead accumulation capacity, as well as its toxicological effects and tolerance mechanisms, such as proline accumulation and increased antioxidant capacity were evaluated in two contrasting mangrove species: Avicennia germinans and Laguncularia racemosa. Six-month-old plants were exposed to different concentrations of lead nitrate (0, 75, 150, and 300 µM) and samples of roots and leaves were taken from all treatments at different times during a 30d exposure period.

Smart Polymeric Micelles for Anticancer Hydrophobic Drugs.

Cancer has become one of the deadliest diseases in our society. Surgery accompanied by subsequent chemotherapy is the treatment most used to prolong or save the patient's life. Still, it carries secondary risks such as infections and thrombosis and causes cytotoxic effects in healthy tissues.

Hydrolats from and Their Potential Activity as an Organic Control for .

is a parasitic mite, which is considered a severe pest for honey bees causing serious losses to beekeeping. Residual hydrolats from steam extraction of hop essential oils, generally considered as a waste product, were tested for their potential use as acaricides on . Four hop varieties, namely Cascade, Spalt, Victoria, and Mapuche, showed an interesting performance as feasible products to be used in the beekeeping industry.

Mechanical Performance of AlCrSiN and AlTiSiN Coatings on Inconel and Steel Substrates after Thermal Treatments.

The objective of this study was to explore the mechanical properties of AlCrSiN and AlTiSiN coatings deposited on Inconel and steel substrates after thermal treatments of 500 °C and 800 °C. Nanoindentation was used to measure the hardness and elastic modulus of the coatings, and microindentation was used for observing the contact damage with Hertzian contact loadings. Microscratch and Mercedes tests were used to evaluate the adhesive strength between coating and substrate with both progressive and static loads, respectively.

Consequences of the exposome to gestational diabetes mellitus.

The exposome is the cumulative measure of environmental influences and associated biological responses throughout the lifespan, including those from the environment, diet, behaviour, and endogenous processes. The exposome concept and the 2030 Agenda for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) from the United Nations are the basis for understanding the aetiology and consequences of non-communicable diseases, including gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Pregnancy may be developed in an environment with adverse factors part of the immediate internal medium for fetus development and the external medium to which the pregnant woman is exposed.

Gossypiboma discovered 24 years after prostate surgery, a forgotten but never forgiven complication.

Forgetting gauze or "a surgical drape" inside a patient after surgery is a rare medical error. It can lead to severe complications, high hospital costs and medico-legal implications. As a result, this complication is often not reported, mainly to avoid retaliation and because it can initiate extensive critical press coverage.