Selective phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor roflumilast reduces inflammation and lung injury in models of betacoronavirus infection in mice.

Objective: We aimed to understand the potential therapeutic and anti-inflammatory effects of the phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitor roflumilast in models of pulmonary infection caused by betacoronaviruses.

Methods: Mice were infected intranasally with murine hepatitis virus (MHV-3) or severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Roflumilast was given to MHV-3-infected mice therapeutically at doses of 1 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg, or prophylactically at 10 mg/kg.

Yam starch-based sustainable edible films loaded with bioactive components from aroeira leaf extract: Mechanical, physical, and antioxidant properties.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of adding aroeira leaf extract (Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi) to a yam starch film matrix, focusing on the development of potentially active films and the evaluation of their physicochemical, mechanical, optical, and antioxidant properties. Films were produced using the casting method with varying extract concentrations (0, 3, 6, 12, and 15 %), yam starch (2 %), and glycerol (1 %). The antioxidant properties were analyzed by determining the total phenolic content, 2,2-Diphenyl-1-Picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, ferric reducing power, and 2,2-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical elimination, which revealed a significant increase in antioxidant properties as the extract concentration increased.

Plastic nests or blue nests? The need for taxonomic rigor in studies on interactions between birds and plastics.

Interactions between birds and plastics cause several damages like death due to entanglement and blockage of the digestive tract. However, the impacts of plastics on both marine and terrestrial bird nests require further investigation. Recently, Lopes et al.

Psychological distress among public and private healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction: Healthcare workers in both the public and private systems were on the front line of the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. As a consequence, they faced uncertainty, heavy demand, excessive working hours, and the fear of contracting the virus.

Objectives: To investigate the occurrence of psychological distress among public and private healthcare workers at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.