Publications by authors named "Macedo D"

Over the past 15 years, there has been a significant increase in the search for environmentally friendly energy sources, and transition-metal-based energy storage devices are leading the way in these new technologies. Supercapacitors are attractive in this regard due to their superior energy storage capabilities. Electrode materials, which are crucial components of supercapacitors, such as cobalt-oxide-based electrodes, have great qualities for achieving high supercapacitor performance.

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Human puberty is a dynamic biological process determined by the increase in the pulsatile secretion of GnRH triggered by distinct factors not fully understood. Current knowledge reveals fine tuning between an increase in stimulatory factors and a decrease in inhibitory factors, where genetic and epigenetic factors have been indicated as key players in the regulation of puberty onset by distinct lines of evidence. Central precocious puberty (CPP) results from the premature reactivation of pulsatile secretion of GnRH.

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This article explores an innovative educational approach using a metabolic board designed to enhance understanding of muscle metabolism across three endurance training zones: Z1 (light intensity), Z2 (moderate intensity), and Z3 (intense/severe intensity). The aerobic threshold marks the transition from light to moderate domains, and the anaerobic threshold separates moderate from intense domains, with both thresholds adapting to training. Exercises within each training zone elicit specific adaptive responses through distinct signaling pathways, but the metabolic profile induced remains relatively constant across these intensity domains.

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Understanding the patterns and mechanisms of biodiversity and its organization in space is essential for developing effective conservation strategies. Zeta diversity is an index of how taxa are shared by several sites, providing information on how ecological filters, including anthropogenic disturbances, influence biodiversity distribution. This study documents how anthropogenic disturbances at multiple spatial extents affect the spatial variation of benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages in lotic ecosystems.

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The extent of alien taxa impacts on river ecosystem health is unclear, but their frequency continues to rise. We investigated 1) the prevalence of including alien taxa in common bioindicators used in river bioassessment, 2) the effect of alien taxa on the richness and abundance of natives, and 3) whether including alien taxa in bioassessment tools increased their sensitivity to river degradation. In the 17 countries analyzed fish represented the greatest number of alien species (1726), followed by macrophytes (925), macroinvertebrates (556), and diatoms (7).

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Hydrogen (H) is a viable alternative as a sustainable energy source, however, new highly efficient electrocatalysts for water splitting are still a research challenge. In this context, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs)-derived nanomaterials are prominent high-performance electrocatalysts for hydrogen production, especially in the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Here, a new synthesis of two cerium oxide (CeO) electrocatalysts using Ce-succinates MOFs as templates is proposed.

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Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a rare necrotizing vasculitis affecting small- to medium-sized vessels that can manifest in a multisystemic manner. While the classic triad of rhinosinusitis, asthma, and eosinophilia is commonly associated, it is essential to recognize that these features are not mandatory for diagnosis. We present a case of a 61-year-old woman with a unique EGPA manifestation who was hospitalized because of a seven-month history of weight loss, asthenia, epigastric abdominal pain, peripheral eosinophilia, and paresthesia in the left feet and hand.

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Microsatellites, also known as SSR or STR, are essential molecular markers in genomic research, playing crucial roles in genetic mapping, population genetics, and evolutionary studies. Their applications range from plant breeding to forensics, highlighting their diverse utility across disciplines. Despite their widespread use, traditional methods for SSR analysis are often laborious and time-consuming, requiring significant resources and expertise.

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Article Synopsis
  • Acute kidney injury (AKI) occurs in patients after endovascular therapy for acute ischemic stroke, impacting recovery and survival rates.
  • A study involving 1150 patients revealed an AKI incidence of 6%, with risk factors including older age, longer treatment times, and lower kidney function.
  • AKI significantly correlates with higher mortality rates, emphasizing the need for improved treatment strategies for at-risk patients.
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In this study, high-entropy spinel oxides (CoNiMnFeCr)O were synthesized using a PVP-assisted sol-gel method, marking the first report of this approach for producing high-entropy oxides. This method provides new insights into morphology customization through precise temperature control during calcination. Samples were calcined at 800, 900, and 1000 °C, and structural, optical, and electrochemical characterizations were performed to evaluate the impact of synthesis conditions on the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance.

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Article Synopsis
  • This study investigates how perceived neighborhood characteristics affect blood pressure in older adults, focusing on the role of walking as a mediator.
  • Data from the EpiFloripa Aging Cohort Study revealed that older adults with better infrastructure, safety, and overall neighborhood perceptions are less likely to report hypertension.
  • Results indicate that promoting safe environments for physical activity could be crucial for preventing and managing hypertension among older adults.
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The stage of detection of head and neck cancer and the time between detection and treatment are critical to prognosis. The importance of the dentist in primary diagnosis and treatment planning has been emphasized. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the knowledge of dental students in the prevention and early diagnosis of oral cancer.

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Nanoemulsions are dispersions of oil-in-water (O/W) and water-in-oil (W/O) immiscible liquids. Thus, our main goal was to formulate a nanoemulsion with low surfactant concentrations and outstanding stability using Copaiba balsam oil (Copaifera sp.).

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Severe mental illnesses (SMI), especially schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (BD), are associated with significant distress to patients, reduced life expectancy and a higher cost of care. There is growing evidence that SMI may increase the risk of dementia in later life, posing an additional challenge in the management of these patients. SMI present a complex and highly heterogeneous pathophysiology, which has hampered the understanding of its underlying pathological mechanisms and limited the success of the available therapies.

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Reference electrodes which demonstrate long-term potential stability are essential for many continuous monitoring applications and are commonly based on Ag|AgCl electrodes; however, these electrodes are susceptible to poisoning from aqueous sulphide species which are commonly present in wastewater and natural groundwater. This work presents a sulphide resistant solid-state reference electrode (SSRE) based on a composite material using suspended KCl electrolyte and sacrificial AgCl in a cross-linked polyvinyl acetate polymer matrix. Sulphidation of the sacrificial AgCl produces a stable AgS precipitate and prevents further ingress of the poisoning sulphide species through the composite material.

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Infective endocarditis is a severe infection affecting the inner lining of the heart chambers and valves, often preceded by bacteremia and frequently caused by organisms from the commensal oral flora, including . However, remains an uncommon causative agent. We present the case of a 68-year-old male with a history of dyslipidemia, severe aortic insufficiency, and mild mitral insufficiency who presented with a two-week history of fever without other symptoms.

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The mammalian gut contains a community of microorganisms called gut microbiome. The gut microbiome is integrated into mammalian physiology, contributing to metabolism, production of metabolites, and promoting immunomodulatory actions. Microglia, the brain's resident innate immune cells, play an essential role in homeostatic neurogenesis, synaptic remodeling, and glial maturation.

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The Plasmodium falciparum life cycle includes obligate transition between a human and mosquito host. Gametocytes are responsible for transmission from the human to the mosquito vector where gamete fusion followed by meiosis occurs. To elucidate how male and female gametocytes differentiate in the absence of sex chromosomes, we perform FACS-based cell enrichment of a P.

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Neonatal immune activation (NIA) through exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces adult behavioral changes in rodents that resemble symptoms of developmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder. The neonatal timing of LPS exposure appears to play a crucial role in determining the nature and extent of long-term changes. This study aims to explore whether a 3-day LPS-NIA triggers sex- and age-related changes in gut function, potentially linking LPS-NIA to gastrointestinal dysfunction.

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Depression is a common mood disorder and many patients do not respond to conventional pharmacotherapy or experience a variety of adverse effects. This work proposed that riparin I (RIP I) and riparin II (RIP II) present neuroprotective effects through modulation of astrocytes and microglia, resulting in the reversal of depressive-like behaviors. To verify our hypothesis and clarify the pathways underlying the effect of RIP I and RIP II on neuroinflammation, we used the chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) depression model in mice.

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Background: Candida vulturna is an emerging pathogen belonging to the Metshnikowiaceae family together with Candida auris and Candida haemulonii species complex. Some strains of this species were reported to be resistant to several antifungal agents.

Objectives: This study aims to address identification difficulties, evaluate antiungal susceptibilities and explore the molecular mechanisms of azole resistance of Candida vulturna.

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Background: Overweight and obesity are major public health issues with increasing incidence and prevalence, affecting more than 50% of the population in developed countries. Due to its complex pathophysiology and multifactorial etiology, disease understanding, diagnostic approach and management remain suboptimal. Together with a structured nutritional intervention and physical activity plan, pharmacological treatment has the potential to magnify weight loss and health related benefits.

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Objectives: This systematic review sought to provide evidence for the effectiveness of common pharmacological interventions used for treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in the autism spectrum disorder (ASD) population, considering studies attempting to find safe and effective drugs.

Methods: We searched for randomized controlled trials describing the effectiveness and/or safety profile of pharmacological interventions for treating ASD and ADHD or ASD with ADHD symptoms using three bibliographic databases: PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase. We have chosen ADHD symptoms measured by any clinical scale as the primary outcome.

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Arapaima gigas, an emblematic species of the Amazon region and a longstanding primary fishing resource, currently holds a "Data Deficient" status on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, and is listed as an endangered species in Brazil. The Tocantins River is the most extensively modified large tributary of the Amazon Basin, and thus can affect the dynamics of ichthyofaunal populations. Over a period of 1 year, representatives of the fishing communities and fishermen from 25 fishing communities from four municipalities in the lower Tocantins River region were interviewed, and the obtained information was evaluated based on the literature to survey the population abundance status of A.

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Article Synopsis
  • - The study investigated how long-term environmental enrichment (EE) affects behavior, neurochemistry, and epigenetics in a mouse model of schizophrenia, which underwent a two-hit process involving a viral mimic and stressors.
  • - Mice exposed to EE showed improvement in sensorimotor gating, working memory, and increased exploratory behaviors, alongside reduced activation of microglial cells and increased markers of neurogenesis in the hippocampus.
  • - The research also found that EE led to demethylation of the serotonin transporter gene, suggesting significant epigenetic changes that may help mitigate behavioral issues associated with the schizophrenia model.
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