Serotonin Syndrome in Parkinson's Disease: Don't Get It Confused by a Tremor.

Serotonin syndrome (SS) is a potentially life-threatening condition caused by excessive serotonergic activity, often due to drug interactions. It classically manifests with autonomic and neuromuscular hyperactivity and by mental status changes that might include restlessness, delirium, and agitation. We present a case of a 76-year-old patient with Parkinson's disease with SS triggered by interaction between rasagiline and buspirone.

Locking up G-Quadruplexes with Light-Triggered Staples Leads to Increased Topological, Thermodynamic, and Metabolic Stability.

G-quadruplexes (G4 s) are secondary, tetraplexed DNA structures abundant in non-coding regions of the genome, implicated in gene transcription processes and currently firmly recognised as important potential therapeutic targets. Given their affinity for human proteins, G4 structures are investigated as potential decoys and aptamers. However, G4 s tend to adopt different conformations depending on the exact environmental conditions, and often only one displays the specifically desired biological activity.

Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis Misdiagnosed as Tuberculosis: A Case Report.

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), formerly known as Wegener's granulomatosis, is a rare autoimmune disorder characterized by necrotizing vasculitis affecting small to medium-sized vessels. This condition most commonly affects the lungs, kidneys, and upper respiratory tract. Early recognition and treatment are critical to prevent severe complications and improve prognosis.

New Supramolecular Hydrogels Based on Diastereomeric Dehydrotripeptide Mixtures for Potential Drug Delivery Applications.

Self-assembly of peptide building blocks offers unique opportunities for bottom-up preparation of exquisite nanostructures, nanoarchitectures, and nanostructured bulk materials, namely hydrogels. In this work we describe the synthesis, characterization, gelation, and rheological properties of new dehydrotripeptides, Cbz--Lys(Cbz)-,-Asp-∆Phe-OH and (2-Naph)--Lys(2-Naph)-,-Asp-∆Phe-OH, containing a -terminal lysine residue --capped with carboxybenzyl (Cbz) and 2-Naphthylacetyl (2-Naph) aromatic moieties, an aspartic acid residue (Asp), and a -terminal dehydrophenylalanine (∆Phe) residue. The dehydrotripeptides were obtained as diastereomeric mixtures (,, and ,,Z), presumably via aspartimide chemistry.

Development of a dextrin-vitamin D3 micelle nanocarrier for the antimicrobial peptide LLKKK18 as a potential therapeutic agent for bone infections.

In this work, an expedite synthesis was developed for a self-assembled micelle carrier for the antimicrobial peptide LL18. Covalent one-pot functionalization of dextrin with succinylated vitamin D3 and succinic anhydride produced an amphiphilic material that undergoes self-assembly into micelles in aqueous medium. Succinylated dextrin-vitamin D3 micelles were efficiently loaded with LL18 by electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions.

Polymorphism and Pharmacological Assessment of Carbamazepine.

This work provides insight into carbamazepine polymorphs (Forms I, II, III, IV, and V), with reports on the cytoprotective, exploratory, motor, CNS-depressant, and anticonvulsant properties of carbamazepine (CBZ), carbamazepine formulation (CBZ-F), topiramate (TOP), oxcarbazepine (OXC), and diazepam (DZP) in mice. Structural analysis highlighted the significant difference in molecular conformations, which directly influence the physicochemical properties; and density functional theory description provided indications about CBZ reactivity and stability. In addition to neuron viability assessment in vitro, animals were treated orally with vehicle 10 mL/kg, as well as CBZ, CBZ-F, TOP, OXC, and DZP at the dose of 5 mg/kg and exposed to open-field, rotarod, barbiturate sleep induction and pentylenetetrazol (PTZ 70 mg/kg)-induced seizure.

Antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects of a flavonoid-rich phytocomplex from the leaves of (jacq.) Sargent (Cannabaceae).

We demonstrated the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of the ethyl acetate leaf extract of (Jacq.) Sargent (EAECi) in mice. The antioxidant activity of EAECi and its phytoconstituents was also investigated.

Multifunctional magneto-plasmonic lipogel based on peptide hydrogel for application in combined cancer therapy.

Supramolecular hydrogels, particularly low-molecular-weight peptide hydrogels, are promising drug delivery systems due to their ability to change the solubility, targeting, metabolism and toxicity of drugs. Magneto-plasmonic liposomes, in addition to being remotely controllable with the application of an external magnetic field, also increase the efficiency of encapsulated drug release through thermal stimulation, for example, with magnetic and optical hyperthermia. Thus, the combination of those two materials-giving magneto-plasmonic lipogels-brings together several functionalities, among which are hyperthermia and spatiotemporally controlled drug delivery.

Anomalous Origin of the Right Coronary Artery From the Pulmonary Artery: Advantages of Multimodality Imaging.

Coronary anomalies are one of the most surprising yet challenging pediatric cardiology diagnoses. The anomalous origin of the right coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ARCAPA) is frequently underdiagnosed due to a lack of typical signs or symptoms. We present a case of ARCAPA in a healthy six-month-old girl during follow-up of a newly detected heart murmur.

Arinole, a novel auxin-stimulating benzoxazole, affects root growth and promotes adventitious root formation.

The triple response phenotype is characteristic for seedlings treated with the phytohormone ethylene or its direct precursor 1-aminocyclopropane-carboxylic acid, and is often employed to find novel chemical tools to probe ethylene responses. We identified a benzoxazole-urea derivative (B2) partially mimicking ethylene effects in a triple response bioassay. A phenotypic analysis demonstrated that B2 and its closest analogue arinole (ARI) induced phenotypic responses reminiscent of seedlings with elevated levels of auxin, including impaired hook development and inhibition of seedling growth.

Time-resolved fluorescence of tryptophan characterizes membrane perturbation by cyclic lipopeptides.

Viscosin is a membrane-permeabilizing, cyclic lipopeptide (CLiP) produced by Pseudomonas species. Here, we have studied four synthetic analogs (L1W, V4W, L5W, and L7W), each with one leucine (Leu; L) or valine residue exchanged for tryptophan (Trp; W) by means of time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy of Trp. To this end, we recorded the average fluorescence lifetime, rotational correlation time and limiting anisotropy, dipolar relaxation time and limiting extent of relaxation, rate constant of acrylamide quenching, effect of HO-DO exchange, and time-resolved half-width of the spectrum in the absence and presence of POPC (1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) liposomes.

Evaluation of Gastroprotective Activity of the Methanolic Extract of Jacq. (Acanthaceae).

Introduction: Jacq. is traditionally applied in folk medicine in Brazil and in several Latin American countries. The leaves are used in tea form, especially in the treatment of respiratory disorders, acting as an expectorant.

Breaking Cycles: Saponification-Enhanced NMR Fingerprint Matching for the Identification and Stereochemical Evaluation of Cyclic Lipodepsipeptides from Natural Sources.

We previously described NMR based fingerprint matching with peptide backbone resonances as a fast and reliable structural dereplication approach for Pseudomonas cyclic lipodepsipeptides (CLiPs). In combination with total synthesis of a small library of configurational CLiP congeners this also allows unambiguous determination of stereochemistry, facilitating structure-activity relationship studies and enabling three-dimensional structure determination. However, the on-resin macrocycle formation in the synthetic workflow brings considerable burden and limits universal applicability.

IL-6-mediated endothelial injury impairs antiviral humoral immunity after bone marrow transplantation.

Endothelial function and integrity are compromised after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT), but how this affects immune responses broadly remains unknown. Using a preclinical model of CMV reactivation after BMT, we found compromised antiviral humoral responses induced by IL-6 signaling. IL-6 signaling in T cells maintained Th1 cells, resulting in sustained IFN-γ secretion, which promoted endothelial cell (EC) injury, loss of the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) responsible for IgG recycling, and rapid IgG loss.

Selenium reduction pathways in the colloidal synthesis of CdSe nanoplatelets.

Several established procedures are now available to prepare zinc blende CdSe nanoplatelets. While these protocols allow for detailed control over both thickness and lateral dimensions, the chemistry behind their formation is yet to be unraveled. In this work, we discuss the influence of the solvent on the synthesis of nanoplatelets.

Molecular and entomological surveillance of malaria vectors in urban and rural communities of Benguela Province, Angola.

Background: Malaria is a major public health problem in Angola, with Anopheles gambiae sensu lato (s.l.) and An.

Effect of verbal cues on the coupling and stability of anti-phase bimanual coordination pattern in children with probable developmental coordination disorder.

The study of the emergence and stability of bimanual and interlimb coordination patterns in children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) has shown that they encounter greater difficulties in coupling their limbs compared to typically developing (TD) children. Verbal cues have been identified as strategies to direct children's attention to more relevant task information, thus potentially improving motor performance. Consequently, this study investigated the effect of providing verbal cues on the execution of bimanual tasks in children with and without probable DCD.

Subacute Neurotoxicity as an Adverse Reaction to Ceftazidime: A Case Report.

Neurotoxicity associated with cephalosporins is an increasingly recognized complication, although among cephalosporins, ceftazidime is rarely reported for such an adverse reaction. Moreover, subacute, rather than acute, presentation of neurotoxicity associated with cephalosporins is rare. A 77-year-old female patient with stage 4 chronic renal disease was admitted due to cellulitis in her right lower limb, multiorgan dysfunction complicated by oliguric acute kidney injury, and a need for hemodialysis via a central venous catheter.

Coinoculation with Growth-Promoting Bacteria Increases the Efficiency of Nitrogen Use by Irrigated Rice.

Considering the importance of rice ( L.) for global food and its significant production in Brazil, strategies for its sustainable production are focused on technologies to increase productivity and decrease the use of chemical nitrogen fertilizers. An alternative for this is the use of plant growth-promoting bacteria that have proven to be efficient for increasing production and nutrient promotion in cereals.

First Report of in the Skin of a Cuban Boa ().

During a routine clinical examination of a four-year-old female Cuban boa () belonging to a zoological park located in northern Portugal, a skin lesion was observed. A skin swab was taken. Bacteriological analysis conducted using the Vitek 2 Compact system identified the presence of the bacteria species , a new bacterial pathogen that may be a potential pathogen in wild animals.

Influence of Sex and a High-Fiber Diet on the Gut Microbiome of Alentejano Pigs Raised to Heavy Weights.

This study investigates the influence of sex and a dietary transition on the gut microbiota of a local Portuguese pig breed. Three groups of male Alentejano pigs ( = 10 each) were raised between ~40 and 160 kg LW. Group C included pigs that were surgically castrated, while the I group included intact ones; both were fed with commercial diets.

Small Bowel Obstruction by a Phytobezoar in a Patient With Previous Antrectomy and Billroth II Reconstruction.

A phytobezoar is a conglomerate of improperly digested fruit and vegetable debris, and its development is associated, amongst other factors, with previous gastric surgery. Most phytobezoars remain asymptomatic and are incidentally found during imaging or interventional procedures. However, in some patients, they can cause small bowel obstruction, which can subsequently lead to severe complications.