Prospects for high-throughput estimates of photosynthetic parameters in tropical trees using the Dynamic Assimilation™ Technique.

Amazônia is a species-rich region of immense importance to Earth's water and carbon cycling. Photosynthesis drives the global carbon cycle, so understanding photosynthetic differences across diverse landscapes is a key task of ecophysiology and ecosystem science. Unfortunately, due to physiological and logistical constraints, ground-based photosynthesis data in Amazônia remains scarce, and the 'traditional' steady-state method (SS) of gas exchange is slow and inefficient.

Review of Senopterina Macquart (Diptera, Platystomatidae) from Brazil, with description of two new species.

A review of Senopterina Macquart, 1835, a Nearctic and Neotropical genus with 21 species, is presented. Senopterina brevipes (Fabricius, 1805), the type species of the genus, and S. macularis (Fabricius, 1805), are redescribed.

The benefits of elaborative encoding over retrieval practice for associative learning.

The practice of retrieval has been shown to be highly beneficial for memory retention, but it has seldom been compared with learning strategies other than repeated study. Here, we compared the benefits of retrieval practice (without feedback) with the benefits of two elaborative encoding tasks for word pair learning. Specifically, after studying series of randomly combined word pairs, participants performed an interactive-imagery (Experiments 1-2) or sentence-generation task (Experiments 3-5), retrieval practice, and a letter-counting or a rereading task.

Pressure pain threshold of the mastigatory muscles and reaction to touch in adults with down syndrome and neurotypicals: cross-sectional study.

Background: Down Syndrome (DS) is currently the most common chromosomal condition associated with intellectual disability in the global population and is characterized by a variety of additional clinical findings. Individuals with DS may exhibit altered perception and reaction to painful stimuli, which makes the diagnosis of pain in DS a challenge. This study aimed to evaluate the pressure pain threshold of the masticatory muscles and the reaction to social touch in individuals with DS compared to neurotypical individuals (NT).

Thiol-ene click chemistry: Enabling 3D printing of natural-based inks for biomedical applications.

Over the last decade, 3D bioprinting has gained increasing popularity, being a technique capable of producing well-defined tissue-like structures. One of its most groundbreaking features is the ability to create personalized therapies tailored to the specific demands of individual patients. However, challenges including the selection of materials and crosslinking strategies, still need to be addressed to enhance ink characteristics and develop robust biomaterials.

Advancing osteosarcoma 3D modeling in vitro for novel tumor microenvironment-targeted therapies development.

Osteosarcoma (OS) represents one of the most common primary bone cancers affecting children and young adults. The available treatments have remained unimproved for the past decades, hampered by the poor knowledge of OS etiology/pathophysiology and the lack of innovative, predictive and biologically relevant in vitro models, that can recapitulate the 3D OS tumor microenvironment (TME). Here, we report the development and characterization of an innovative 3D model of OS, composed of OS tumor cells, immune cells (macrophages) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), that formed a multicellular tissue spheroid (MCTS).

Urine Metabolomics during a Legume Diet Intervention Suggests Altered Metabolic Signatures and Potential New Intake Markers: First Insights.

Given the general increase in legume consumption worldwide, there is a need to characterize the resulting human metabolic adaptations in order to demonstrate potential legume diet/health relationships. A nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) metabolomics urine study was carried out on a small cohort ( = 18) to characterize the excretory effects of a pilot longitudinal 8-week legume-based dietary intervention. Despite the expected high interindividual variability in the excreted metabolome, the results suggested a nonlinear metabolic response, with higher metabolic activity in the first 4 weeks and a tendency toward baseline at the end of the intervention.

Sun Protection as a Strategy for Managing Heat Stress in Avocado Trees.

The increasing incidence of heat stress due to global climate change poses a significant challenge to avocado () cultivation, particularly in regions with intense solar radiation. This review evaluates sun protection strategies, focusing on the efficacy of different sunscreen products such as kaolin, titanium dioxide, and calcium oxide in mitigating thermal stress in avocado trees. The application of these materials was shown to reduce leaf and fruit surface temperatures, improve photosynthetic efficiency, and enhance fruit quality by preventing sunburn and dehydration.

Phenotypic and Genotypic Characterization of and spp. Isolates from Pigs at Slaughterhouse and from Commercial Pork Meat in Portugal.

Foodborne diseases are a serious public health concern, and food-producing animals are a major source of contamination. The present study analysed and spp. isolated from faecal samples of 100 fattening pigs and from 52 samples of pork meat.

Cryogels Composites: Recent Improvement in Bone Tissue Engineering.

Autogenous bone grafts have long been considered the optimal choice for bone reconstruction due to their excellent biocompatibility and osteogenic properties. However, their limited availability and associated donor site morbidity have led to exploration of alternative bone substitutes. Cryogels, with their interconnected porosity, shape recovery, and enhanced mass transport capabilities, have emerged as a promising polymer-based solution.

Effects of Salicylic Acid on Physiological Responses of Pepper Plants Pre-Subjected to Drought under Rehydration Conditions.

L. has worldwide distribution, but drought has limited its production. There is a lack of research to better understand how this species copes with drought stress, whether it is reversible, and the effects of mitigating agents such as salicylic acid (SA).

The Impact of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus on Non-Surgical Periodontal Treatment: A Non-Randomized Clinical Trial.

Periodontitis (P), a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the supportive tissues around the teeth, is three to four times more prevalent in individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM), with a direct correlation between its severity and the levels of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c). This study aimed to evaluate the periodontal clinical parameters following non-surgical periodontal treatment (NSPT) in P patients with or without type 2 DM. : Forty patients with P were divided into two groups: Group DM/P and Group P.

Exploring the biosorption of nickel and lead by Fusarium sp. biomass: kinetic, isotherm, and thermodynamic assessment.

Fungal biomass is as a cost-effective and sustainable biosorbent utilized in both active and inactive forms. This study investigated the efficacy of inactivated and dried biomass of Fusarium sp. in adsorbing Ni and Pb from aqueous solutions.

Polyphenolic Profile and Antioxidant Activity of Whole Grape Juices from and Brazilian Hybrid Grapes in Two Training Systems.

The phenolic profile and antioxidant activity of whole grape juices from and Brazilian hybrids in two training systems were analyzed. Genotypes of ('Bordô' and 'Isabel') and Brazilian hybrids ('IAC 138-22 Máximo' and 'BRS Violeta') were grafted onto the rootstock 'IAC 766 Campinas' (106-8 'Mgt' × ) and trained on low and high trellis. After harvest, the grapes were destemmed and the berries macerated in a roller crusher.

The Efficacy of Topical or Systemic Antibiotics as Adjuvants to Non-Surgical Periodontal Treatment in Diabetic Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.

Periodontitis and diabetes mellitus (DM) exhibit a bidirectional relationship and are globally significant systemic chronic conditions. The utilization of antibiotics alongside non-surgical periodontal treatment (NSPT) has been a subject of investigation in numerous clinical studies involving human subjects. Thus, the objective of this systematic review is to address the following question: "What is the efficacy of scaling and root planing (SRP) associated with antimicrobials in patients with type 2 DM and periodontitis?".

Assessing Carbohydrate Counting Accuracy: Current Limitations and Future Directions.

Diabetes mellitus is a prevalent chronic autoimmune disease with a high impact on global health, affecting millions of adults and resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. Achieving optimal blood glucose levels is crucial for diabetes management to prevent acute and long-term complications. Carbohydrate counting (CC) is widely used by patients with type 1 diabetes to adjust prandial insulin bolus doses based on estimated carbohydrate content, contributing to better glycemic control and improved quality of life.

Aerobic Exercise in the Aquatic Environment Suppresses the Plasma Renin Activity in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial.

To compare the acute effects of aquatic walking/running versus dry-land walking/running on blood glucose and plasma renin activity (PRA) in individuals with type 2 diabetes, participants with type 2 diabetes performed deep-water or dry-land walking and/or running sessions in a swimming pool or on an athletics track, respectively. Both sessions comprised seven blocks of 3 min at 85-90% of the heart rate deflection point (HRDP), interspersed with 2 min at <85% HRDP, totaling 35 min, with a 48 h interval between sessions. PRA and blood glucose were assessed before and immediately after the sessions.

Immunological Activity of Vaccine Systems Containing Liposomal Nanocarriers against Protozoan-Induced Diseases: A Systematic Review.

Background: Neglected parasitic diseases constitute a broad spectrum of clinical conditions that, in the chronic phase, lack effective therapies for the target population. The utilization of vaccines based on liposomal nanocarrier systems is emerging, thereby enhancing clinical outcomes in various comorbidities. Consequently, this study aims to assess the immunological activity induced by liposomal nanocarriers against neglected parasitic diseases.

Impact of a legumes diet on the human gut microbiome articulated with fecal and plasma metabolomes: A pilot study.

Background & Aims: Legumes intake is known to be associated with several health benefits the origins of which is still a matter of debate. This paper addresses a pilot small cohort to probe for metabolic aspects of the interplay between legumes intake, human metabolism and gut microbiota.

Methods: Untargeted nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) metabolomics of blood plasma and fecal extracts was carried out, in tandem with qPCR analysis of feces, to assess the impact of an 8-week pilot legumes diet intervention on the fecal and plasma metabolomes and gut microbiota of 19 subjects.