Neuritogenesis and protective effects activated by Angiotensin 1-7 in astrocytes-neuron interaction.

The renin angiotensin system (RAS) has been studied for its effects on various neurological disorders. The identification of functional receptors for Ang-(1-7) and Ang II peptides in astrocytes highlights the physiological modulation and the important role of these cells in the central nervous system. The present study aims to understand the role of RAS peptides, particularly Ang-(1-7) and Ang II, in the secretion of trophic factors by astrocytes and their effects on hippocampal neurons.

Ordered mesoporous silicas for potential applications in solid vaccine formulations.

In an effort to develop efficient vaccine formulations, the use of ordered mesoporous silica (SBA-15) as an antigen carrier has been investigated. SBA-15 has required properties such as high surface area and pore volume, including narrow pore size distribution to protect antigens inside its matrix. This study aimed to examine the impact of solvent removal methods, specifically freeze-drying and evaporation on the intrinsic properties of an immunogenic complex.

Mid-upper arm circumference in hospitalized pediatric patients with cancer: Is there an association with malnutrition?

Background: Malnutrition is common in children/adolescents with cancer. Mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) is recommended by the International Society of Pediatric Oncology for measuring nutrition status. The aim was to evaluate the nutrition status of pediatric patients with cancer and verify whether MUAC is associated with malnutrition and length of stay (LOS).

Effects of Aquatic Exercises for Women with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A 12-Week Intervention in a Quasi-Experimental Study with Pain as a Mediator of Depression.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by low physical fitness, pain, and depression. The present study aimed to examine the effects of a supervised aquatic exercise program on physical fitness, depression, and pain in women with RA and determine whether decreases in pain mediate depression.

Methods: Forty-three women with RA, divided into an experimental group (EG; n = 21) and a control group (CG; n = 23), participated in a 12-week exercise program.

Measuring Anxiety Symptoms During the COVID-19 Pandemic Through the Lens of Sexual Orientation.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the impact of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on anxiety symptoms, examining differences of sexual orientation.

Methods: A total of 1590 individuals participated, 63% (n = 1002) were females, 88% (n = 1399) self-identified as straight, and all replied to the anxiety subscale of the Brief Symptoms Inventory-18, the Fear of COVID-19, and the COVID-19 Negative Impact scales.

Results: Anxiety symptomatology negatively associated with age and positively associated with coronavirus disease-aggravated replies, Fear of COVID-19, and Negative Impact of COVID-19.

Effect of setting data collection parameters on the reliability of a circular dichroism spectrum.

Circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy is a well-established biophysical technique used to investigate the structure of molecules. The analysis of a protein CD spectrum depends on the quality of the original CD data, which can be affected by the sample purity, background absorption of the additives/solvent/buffer, the choice of the parameters used for data collection, etc. In this paper, the CD spectrum of myoglobin was used as a model to exploit how variations on each data collection parameter could affect the final protein CD spectrum and, the subsequent effect of them on the quantitative analysis of protein secondary structure.