Detection of adulteration in cupuaçu pulp using spectroscopy in the infrared in conjunction with multivariate techniques.

This study applied Near Infrared (NIR) and Mid Infrared (MIR) Spectroscopy combined with chemometrics to detect and quantify adulteration in cupuaçu pulp. A total of 66 authentic samples, 198 adulterated with sucrose solution (15, 30, and 45 % w/w), and 25 commercial samples were analyzed. Classification models showed high accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity, with MIR achieving 100 % accuracy in validation.

Dicentrine Purified from the Leaves of Controls the Intracellular Spread of and Amastigotes and Has Therapeutic Activity as a Topical Treatment in Experimental Cutaneous Leishmaniasis.

Leishmaniasis, a complex disease caused by protozoal parasites of the genus , presents various clinical forms, particularly a cutaneous clinical form. Treatment is typically performed with pentavalent antimonial and amphotericin B, both of which have severe side effects that hinder patient compliance. This emphasizes the need for the development of new, effective, and safe treatments.

Selenium nutritional status and thyroid dysfunction.

Selenium(Se) is an essential micronutrient for several immune and regulatory functions in the body. In thyroid tissue, Se contributes to the antioxidant system and is a crucial component of deiodinases, which are selenoproteins that participate in thyroid hormone metabolism. Additionally, this micronutrient exerts a significant impact on thyroid pathophysiology, as low levels of Se lead to reduced activity of glutathione peroxidase, a selenoprotein involved in antioxidative processes, thereby resulting in increased oxidative stress and damage to thyroid tissue.

Effectiveness and safety of the recombinant zoster vaccine in individuals ≥50 years of age with rheumatoid arthritis: a matched cohort and self-controlled case series study.

Objectives: In an interim analysis, we evaluated vaccine effectiveness (VE) against herpes zoster (HZ) and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) and safety of recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) in adults aged ≥50 years with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: VE was assessed using a retrospective matched cohort analysis of Kaiser Permanente Southern California members aged ≥50 years with RA receiving 2 RZV doses (≥4 weeks apart) and matched up to 1:3 to RZV-unvaccinated individuals. Stratified Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios and VE against HZ and PHN.

Targeted Oral Fixed-Dose Combination of Amphotericin B-Miltefosine for Visceral Leishmaniasis.

The incidence of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) remains a significant health threat in endemic countries. Fixed-dose combination (FDC) of amphotericin B (AmB) and miltefosine (MLT) is a promising strategy for treating VL, but the parenteral administration of AmB leads to severe side effects, limiting its use in clinical practice. Here, we developed novel FDC granules combining AmB in the core with a MLT coating using wet granulation followed by the fluidized bed technology.

Systemic and cerebrospinal fluid immune mediators coordinate a dichotomic microenvironment in parturients with acute or convalescent phases of COVID-19.

The present study intended to characterize the profile of soluble immune mediators in serum samples and in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) microenvironment from parturients with acute and convalescent COVID-19 as compared to healthy controls (HC), during the circulation of B.1.1.

Combatting pesticide pollution: using liquid scintillation spectrometry to assess C-labeled hexachlorobenzene removal by mangrove Bacillus spp.

This study explored the ability of two Bacillus species isolated from mangrove sediments to degrade hexachlorobenzene (HCB), a persistent organic pollutant that affects the quality of surface water, groundwater, and soil. Hence, we analyzed bacterial growth in a medium with hexachlorobenzene as the sole carbon source. Moreover, chemical oxygen demand removal, ecotoxicity, and measured radiolabeled HCB degradation were assessed.

Inference of the Mass Composition of Cosmic Rays with Energies from 10^{18.5} to 10^{20} eV Using the Pierre Auger Observatory and Deep Learning.

We present measurements of the atmospheric depth of the shower maximum X_{max}, inferred for the first time on an event-by-event level using the surface detector of the Pierre Auger Observatory. Using deep learning, we were able to extend measurements of the X_{max} distributions up to energies of 100 EeV (10^{20}  eV), not yet revealed by current measurements, providing new insights into the mass composition of cosmic rays at extreme energies. Gaining a 10-fold increase in statistics compared to the fluorescence detector data, we find evidence that the rate of change of the average X_{max} with the logarithm of energy features three breaks at 6.

Development and characterization of farnesol complexed in β- and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin and their antibacterial activity.

Farnesol (FAR) belongs to terpenes group and is a sesquiterpene alcohol and a hydrophobic compound, which can be extracted from natural sources or obtained by organic chemical or biological synthesis. Recent advances in the field of nanotechnology allow the drawbacks of low drug solubility, which can improve the drug therapeutic index. Therefore, this study aimed to prepare the FAR inclusion complexes with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) through freeze-drying method, proposing their physicochemical characterization, comparing their toxicity, and evaluating their in vitro antibacterial activity.

Blinded by the Mind: Exploring the Hidden Psychiatric Burden in Glaucoma Patients.

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of permanent vision loss worldwide and has a profound impact on patients' quality of life. Vision impairment is strongly associated with several psychiatric disorders, like depression, anxiety, and sleep problems. These psychiatric issues are often exacerbated by the gradual, irreversible, and typically silent progression of the disease, contributing to increased mental health challenges for affected individuals.

Green Sol-Gel Synthesis of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Magnetic Hyperthermia Applications.

Background/objectives: The unique properties of iron oxide nanoparticles have attracted significant interest within the biomedical community, particularly for magnetic hyperthermia applications. Various synthesis methods have been developed to optimize these nanoparticles.

Methods: In this study, we employed a powdered coconut water (PCW)-assisted sol-gel method to produce magnetite nanoparticles for the first time.

Propagation of a Fatigue Crack Through a Hole.

The stop-hole technique is a well-known strategy to extend the fatigue life of cracked components. The ability to estimate fatigue life after the hole is important for safety reasons. The objective here is to develop strategies for the accurate prediction of initiation and propagation life ahead of the stop-hole.

Flies as Carriers of Gastrointestinal Protozoa of Interest in Public Health in the Northeast of Brazil.

Purpouse: This study aimed to assess the influence of the presence of synanthropic flies in food preparation environments on the transmission of potentially zoonotic gastrointestinal protozoa.

Methods: Flies were captured using a glass containing water, fruits, and pieces of protein.

Results: Approximately 260 flies from four different species were captured: Musca domestica (76.

Robotic Versus Thoracoscopic Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Matched Studies.

Mitral regurgitation is the most prevalent form of valvular heart disease, impacting over 24 million people globally. Robotic and thoracoscopic minimally invasive mitral valve repair (MIMR) techniques have emerged as viable alternatives to traditional open-heart surgery. However, the comparative effectiveness and safety of these 2 approaches remain underexplored.

Proposals of indigenous peoples and local communities from Brazil for multilateral benefit-sharing from digital sequence information.

One of the main themes of the 16th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity is Digital Sequence Information (DSI): genomic or related data deposited in publicly accessible databases in a digital language. These sequences are important for research in areas such as biodiversity conservation and bioprospecting. Some characteristics of organisms that stimulate the commercial use of biodiversity may have been developed by Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, and therefore, they have associated traditional knowledge.

Nano-encapsulation of essential amino acids: ruminal methane, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide and fermentation.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of nano-encapsulation of four essential amino acids (AA), threonine, methionine, tryptophan, and lysine on in vitro ruminal total gas, methane, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen sulfide production as well as the rumen fermentation profile in cattle. The highest (P < 0.001) rate and asymptotic gas production after 48 h of incubation was observed in the diets that had threonine, followed by lysine, methionine, and tryptophan.

Fatal Oropouche Virus Infections in Nonendemic Region, Brazil, 2024.

We report acute Oropouche virus infections in 2 previously healthy women from a nonendemic region of Brazil outside the Amazon Basin. Infections rapidly progressed to hemorrhagic manifestations and fatal outcomes in 4-5 days. These cases highlight the critical need for enhanced surveillance to clarify epidemiology of this neglected disease.

Preclinical evaluation of the functionality of a polymer-coated sirolimuseluting stent in pigs.

Purpose: To compare the endothelial coverage of different stents in porcine carotid arteries. Research problem: How effective are polyurethane stents (PU) and PU + rapamycin (PU + RAPA) compared to bare-metal stents on endothelial coverage by neointima in pigs after 28 days?

Methods: The methodology had two phases for an interventional, experimental, prospective study, with three Moura pigs, 12 weeks old and weighing between 19 and 22.5 kg.

Diagnosis of viral infectious diseases through sensitive detection of human serum antibodies using a modified label-free electrochemical biosensor.

Rapid virus identification is crucial for preventing outbreaks. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the critical nature of rapid virus detection. Here, we designed a label-free electrochemical biosensor modified with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) to detect IgG antibodies from human serum, enabling rapid point-of-care diagnostics.

Bridging the Gap: The Need to Implement Dietary Guidance to Address Cardiovascular Health.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the U.S. and globally.

Type I Hsp40s/DnaJs aggregates exhibit features reminiscent of amyloidogenic structures.

A rise in temperature triggers a structural change in the human Type I 40 kDa heat shock protein (Hsp40/DnaJ), known as DNAJA1. This change leads to a less compact structure, characterized by an increased presence of solvent-exposed hydrophobic patches and β-sheet-rich regions. This transformation is validated by circular dichroism, thioflavin T binding, and Bis-ANS assays.

Exploring metalloproteins found in the secretion of venomous species: Biological role and therapeutical applications.

Several species during evolution suffered random mutations in response to various environmental factors, which resulted in the formation of venom in phylogenetically distant species. The composition of the venom of most species is poorly known. Snake venom is well characterized while most species have poorly known composition.

Effect of a Structured Multilevel Telehealth Service on Hospital Admissions and Mortality During COVID-19 in a Resource-Limited Region in Brazil: Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic represented a great stimulus for the adoption of telehealth and many initiatives in this field have emerged worldwide. However, despite this massive growth, data addressing the effectiveness of telehealth with respect to clinical outcomes remain scarce.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the adoption of a structured multilevel telehealth service on hospital admissions during the acute illness course and the mortality of adult patients with flu syndrome in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Efficient Strategy to Synthesize Tunable pH-Responsive Hybrid Micelles Based on Iron Oxide and Gold Nanoparticles.

The preparation of multifunctional nanomaterials based on inorganic nanoparticles with organic materials has emerged as a promising strategy for the development of new nanomedicines for in vitro and in vivo biomedical applications. Here, we synthesized pH-responsive hybrid inorganic micelles by combining a novel pH-responsive amphiphilic molecule with hydrophobic payloads. This amphiphile was synthesized in a one-pot reaction and self-assembled readily into micelles under acidic pH conditions.