Production and Optimization of Biosurfactant Properties Using and Licuri Oil ().

Optimizing biosurfactant (BS) production is key for sustainable industrial applications. This study investigated BS synthesis by using licuri oil, a renewable carbon source rich in medium-chain fatty acids. Process optimization was conducted via central composite design (CCD), adjusting concentrations of licuri oil, glucose, NHNO, and yeast extract.

Previous strength training attenuates ouabain-induced bipolar disorder-related behaviors and memory deficits in rats: Involvement of hippocampal ERK/CREB and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways.

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a central nervous system condition that is typified by fluctuations in mood, oscillating between depressive and manic, and/or hypomanic episodes. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that strength training may act as a potent protector against behavioral and neurochemical changes induced by BD. A strength training protocol was performed with adult male Wistar rats, and seven days following the conclusion of training, a single ouabain injection was administered.

Glycemic Control With Layperson-Delivered Telephone Calls vs Usual Care for Patients With Diabetes: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Diabetes is associated with emotional distress and poor mental health, especially for individuals with low income, hindering patients' ability to manage their condition. The health care system's workforce constraints limit its capacity to holistically support patients.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of layperson-delivered empathetic engagement over the telephone in helping improve glycemic management for patients with diabetes.

Extended sequential intravenous and oral antimicrobial therapy improves cure rate in postoperative intracranial neurosurgical infections: a Spanish multicenter retrospective study.

Background: Postoperative intracranial neurosurgical infections (PINI) complicate < 5% neurosurgeries. Scarce attention was dedicated to the extension and characteristics of its antimicrobial management considering their high morbidity, not negligible mortality, delayed hospital stay and increased healthcare costs.

Methods: We analyzed retrospectively (2014-2023) 162 PINI from eight Spanish third-level academic hospitals.

Immunomolecular and reactivity landscapes of gut IgA subclasses in homeostasis and inflammatory bowel disease.

The human gut includes plasma cells (PCs) expressing immunoglobulin A1 (IgA1) or IgA2, two structurally distinct IgA subclasses with elusive regulation, function, and reactivity. We show here that intestinal IgA1+ and IgA2+ PCs co-emerged early in life, comparably accumulated somatic mutations, and were enriched within short-lived CD19+ and long-lived CD19- PC subsets, respectively. IgA2+ PCs were extensively clonally related to IgA1+ PCs and a subset of them presumably emerged from IgA1+ precursors.

[Oncological Patients' Perception of Received Information: Adaptation and Psychometric Evaluation of the EORTC QLQINFO25 Questionnaire in Chilean Patients].

Unlabelled: Cancer diagnosis is a dramatic event severely affecting the quality of life of patients and their family group. Clear and precise information during the disease course and treatment is crucial.

Aim: To adapt and assess the psychometric properties of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-INFO25 questionnaire in Chilean patients.

Malignant Mesothelioma of the Tunica Vaginalis: About a Rare Clinical Case.

Malignant mesothelioma (MM) of the tunica vaginalis is an exceedingly rare neoplasm, with fewer than 300 cases reported in the medical literature. Due to its rarity, epidemiology, and risk factors are still unclear, and it is unknown whether asbestos or chronic inflammatory conditions play a role in etiology. This case study presents a 70-year-old male patient with MM of the tunica vaginalis, detailing the diagnostic challenges, treatment procedures, and eventual progression to palliative care.

Construction and Application of a Static Magnetic Field Exposure Apparatus for Biological Research in Aqueous Model Systems and Cell Culture.

With the growth of the quantum biology field, the study of magnetic field (MF) effects on biological processes and their potential therapeutic applications has attracted much attention. However, most biologists lack the experience needed to construct an MF exposure apparatus on their own, no consensus standard exists for exposure methods, and protocols for model organisms are sorely lacking. We aim to provide those interested in entering the field with the ability to investigate static MF effects in their own research.

Exploring the potential of structure-based deep learning approaches for T cell receptor design.

Deep learning methods, trained on the increasing set of available protein 3D structures and sequences, have substantially impacted the protein modeling and design field. These advancements have facilitated the creation of novel proteins, or the optimization of existing ones designed for specific functions, such as binding a target protein. Despite the demonstrated potential of such approaches in designing general protein binders, their application in designing immunotherapeutics remains relatively underexplored.

A Novel Compound from the Phenylsulfonylpiperazine Class: Evaluation of In Vitro Activity on Luminal Breast Cancer Cells.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer in women, and is characterized by its histological and molecular heterogeneity. Luminal BC is an estrogen receptor-positive subtype, with varied clinical courses. Although BC patients are eligible for hormone therapy, both early and late relapses still occur, and thus there is a demand for new cytotoxic and selective treatment strategies for these patients.

Identifying Gaps and Barriers in Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementia Research and Management in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Survey of Health Professionals and Researchers.

Background: The significant increase in Alzheimer's disease and related dementia prevalence is a global health crisis, acutely impacting low- and lower-middle and upper-middle-income countries (LLMICs/UMICs).

Objective: The objective of this study is to identify key barriers and gaps in dementia care and research in LLMICs and UMICs.

Methods: We conducted an international, cross-sectional survey among clinicians and healthcare professionals (n = 249 in 34 countries) across LLMICs and UMICs, exploring patient demographics, use of clinical diagnosis, dementia evaluation, screening/evaluation tools, and care and treatment.

IF1 is a cold-regulated switch of ATP synthase hydrolytic activity to support thermogenesis in brown fat.

While mechanisms controlling uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1) in thermogenic adipocytes play a pivotal role in non-shivering thermogenesis, it remains unclear whether FFo-ATP synthase function is also regulated in brown adipose tissue (BAT). Here, we show that inhibitory factor 1 (IF1, encoded by Atp5if1), an inhibitor of ATP synthase hydrolytic activity, is a critical negative regulator of brown adipocyte energy metabolism. In vivo, IF1 levels are diminished in BAT of cold-adapted mice compared to controls.

Oxidative Stress and Annexin A2 Differential Expression in Free Fatty Acids-Induced Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in HepG2 Cells.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a rising global burden, affecting one in four adults. Despite the increasing prevalence of NAFLD, the exact cellular and molecular mechanisms remain unclear, and effective therapeutic strategies are still limited. In vitro models of NAFLD are critical to understanding the pathogenesis and searching for effective therapies; thus, we evaluated the effects of free fatty acids (FFAs) on NAFLD hallmarks and their association with the modulation of Annexin A2 (ANXA2) and Keratin 17 (KRT17) in HepG2 cells.

Radiopharmaceutical small-scale preparation in Europe: will we be able to harmonize the situation?

Background: Radiopharmaceuticals have been considered a special group of medicines in Europe since 1989. The use of radiopharmaceuticals that have marketing authorization should always be the first option in clinical use, however due to their special properties the availability of approved radiopharmaceuticals is limited. For this reason, they can be produced on a small scale outside the marketing authorization process.

Agronomic potential of different fermented organic composts based on agro-industrial plant waste.

Organic composts such as "bokashi", obtained from the fermentation of bran mixtures and inoculated with microorganisms, improve soil characteristics. In Brazil, the most widely used formulation for the production of this compost is obtained from a mixture of wheat and castor bean bran, but both have a high monetary cost. Replacing these components with regionally available sources represents the possibility of reducing costs and making more sustainable use of this waste.

Disseminated paracoccidioidomycosis in a captive western black-handed tamarin (Saguinus niger).

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is an endemic fungal disease that occurs in Latin America and primarily affects humans. The disease has been rarely documented in non-human primates. This report details a disseminated and fatal case of PCM caused by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis in a western black-handed tamarin (Saguinus niger) under human care.

NLRC5: back to innate immunity.

NLRC5 is a transcriptional regulator of genes governing T cell responses. Most characterized NLRs are instead innate immune sensors forming complexes leading to pyroptosis. Raising exciting questions, Sundaram and colleagues now demonstrate that NLRC5 forms large complexes and causes PANoptosis (immunogenic cell death), in response to heme in inflammatory contexts.

Maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp.) inhibits HIV-1 infection through the activity of thiadiazole alkaloids in viral integration.

Ethnopharmacology Relevance: Lepidium meyenii Walp. (maca) has been traditionally used for centuries in the Central Andes region both as food and as medicine. In the last decades, its fertility enhancer properties have gained importance, with the majority of the scientific literature related to this topic.

A Ménage à trois: NLRC5, immunity, and metabolism.

The nucleotide-binding and oligomerization domain-like receptors (NLRs) NLR family CARD domain-containing protein 5 (NLRC5) and Class II Major Histocompatibility Complex Transactivator (CIITA) are transcriptional regulators of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and class II genes, respectively. MHC molecules are central players in our immune system, allowing the detection of hazardous 'non-self' antigens and, thus, the recognition and elimination of infected or transformed cells from the organism. Recently, CIITA and NLRC5 have emerged as regulators of selected genes of the butyrophilin () family that interestingly are located in the extended MHC locus.