Unraveling the genetic spectrum of inherited deaf-blindness in Portugal.

Background: Syndromic genetic disorders affecting vision can also cause hearing loss, and Usher syndrome is by far the most common etiology. However, many other conditions can present dual sensory impairment. Accurate diagnosis is essential for providing patients with genetic counseling, prognostic information, and appropriate resources.

Identifying the Molecular Fingerprint of Beta-Lactams via Raman/SERS Spectroscopy Using Unconventional Nanoparticles for Antimicrobial Stewardship.

Beta-lactam antibiotics, derived from penicillin, are the most used class of antimicrobials used for treating bacterial infections. Over the years, microorganisms have developed resistance mechanisms capable of preventing the effect of these drugs. This condition has been a significant public health concern for the 21st century, especially after predictions that antimicrobial resistance could lead to 10 million deaths annually by 2050.

Validation of the Brazilian Portuguese Version of the Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index (WOSI) Questionnaire.

 To evaluate the validity of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index (WOSI).  We assessed 51 patients aged 18 to 40 years who were divided into 3 groups: 17 patients with shoulder instability undergoing conservative treatment, 17 with shoulder instability treated surgically, and 17 without shoulder instability. The patients underwent functional and health assessments using the following scores: WOSI, Rowe, Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Subjective Shoulder Value (SSV), Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH), and University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) Shoulder Scale.

Liposomes and Niosomes: New trends and applications in the delivery of bioactive agents for cancer therapy.

Lipid-based nanocarriers have been in continuous development as strategies to enhance drug delivery efficiency. Liposomes are delivery systems primarily composed of phospholipids and cholesterol (or other suitable stabilizers) that have transformed the pharmaceutical field by improving drug targeting and release control. The success of this technology is strongly attributed to phospholipids, which are components of cell membranes, forming a biocompatible system.

Novel apocynin regulates TRPV1 activity in the trigeminal system and controls pain in a temporomandibular joint neurogenic model.

Objective: Herein, we investigate the potential analgesic effect of a newly synthesized chalcone-derived apocynin in a neurogenic pain model.

Methods: Molecular docking was used to foretell the apocynin binding features and dynamics with the TRPV1 channel, and the activity was tested in vitro, using transfected HEK 293T cells with the rat TRPV1 receptor. The analgesic effect of apocynin was investigated using a capsaicin-induced pain model.

Immunomodulatory effect of bovine lactoferrin during SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Introduction: Lactoferrin (Lf) is an important immunomodulator in infections caused by different agents. During SARS-CoV-2 infection, Lf can hinder or prevent virus access to the intracellular environment. Severe cases of COVID-19 are related to increased production of cytokines, accompanied by a weak type 1 interferon response.

Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) for the delivery of bioactives sourced from plants: part I - composition and production methods.

Introduction: Nanoparticles (NPs) are widely used in the pharmaceutical field to treat various human disorders. Among these, lipid-based NPs (LNPs), including solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC), are favored for drug/bioactive delivery due to their high stability, biocompatibility, encapsulation efficiency, and sustained/controlled release. These properties make them particularly suitable as carriers of compounds derived from plant sources.

Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) for the delivery of bioactives sourced from plants: part II - applications and preclinical advancements.

Introduction: Numerous purified bioactive compounds, crude extracts, and essential oils have demonstrated potent antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties, particularly in vitro or in silico; however, their in vivo applications are hindered by inadequate absorption and distribution in the organism. The incorporation of these phytochemicals into solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) or nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) has demonstrated significant advancements and represents a viable approach to improve their bioavailability through different administration routes.

Areas Covered: This review discusses the potential applications of SLN and NLC, loading bioactive compounds sourced from plants for the treatment of several diseases.

Evaluation of the systemic effect of bone formation marker released by endodontic calcium silicate-based sealers in local tissues, the bloodstream, and body organs.

Calcium silicate-based sealers are bioactive materials that release ions when in contact with body fluids. Therefore, this study aims mapping/trace bone formation markers released by MTA Fillapex, BioRoot RCS, and experimental tricalcium silicate-based sealer (CEO) into subcutaneous tissues, bloodstream and body organs. Toward, polyethylene tubes filled with sealers were implanted into connective tissue of Wistar rats.

Global hepatitis B and D community advisory board: expectations, challenges, and lessons learned.

Introduction: Community Advisory Boards (CABs) play an important role in developing and delivering patient-centered care. However, the impact of participation on CAB members has not been well studied, particularly on the global scale. In 2022, the Hepatitis B Foundation (HBF) convened the first global hepatitis B and hepatitis delta CAB with 23 members from 17 countries, representing six out of the seven World Health Organization (WHO) regions, and countries with the largest hepatitis B and hepatitis delta disease burden.

Irreparable Cuff Injuries: Treatment Options and Clinical Outcomes.

Rotator cuff tear is a common source of pain and disfunction in shoulder, with prevalence increasing with age. Nonsurgical treatment is adequate for many patients; however, for those for whom surgical treatment is indicated, rotator cuff repair provides reliable pain relief and good functional results. However, massive and irreparable tears due to tear size, tendon retraction, muscle atrophy, fatty infiltration are a significant challenge for surgeons.

Oral T-cell-rich large B-cell lymphoma in a horse.

Lymphoma is the most common tumor of hematopoietic origin in horses. The course of the disease and clinical signs vary greatly, depending on tumor location and extent. The aim of this report is to describe the occurrence of T-cell-rich oral large B-cell lymphoma with marked local infiltration in a 25-year-old Crioula mare.

Effects of Hearing Aid Use on Individuals Diagnosed with Hearing Loss and Dementia: A Systematic Review.

Background: The assumption that hearing rehabilitation could improve quality of life and reduce dementia risk in people with hearing loss is a subject that needs further studies, especially clinical trials. It is necessary to determine the effects of hearing aid use, as part of hearing rehabilitation, among people diagnosed with dementia.

Objective: To systematically review the literature to evaluate the effects of hearing aid use on cognition and quality of life of people with dementia.

Relationship between maternal biological features, environmental factors, and newborn neuromotor development associated with visual fixation abilities.

Newborn visual fixation abilities predict future cognitive, perceptive, and motor skills. However, little is known about the factors associated with the newborn visual fixation, which is an indicator of neurocognitive abilities. We analyzed maternal biological and environmental characteristics associated with fine motor skills (visual tracking) in 1 month old infants.

A need for greater awareness: a mixed methods study of patient and healthcare professional perspectives on the diagnosis journey for haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH).

Objectives: Our aim was to better understand and raise awareness of the diagnosis journey and quantify any barriers for timely diagnosis of haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), to support patients' struggle with diagnosis and reduce time to diagnosis.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with, or caregivers for those diagnosed with primary or secondary HLH and physicians involved in the treatment of HLH were recruited. Quantitative interviews were undertaken with patients/caregivers to quantify key elements of the diagnosis journey, followed by qualitative interviews with participants.

SBF054: Endophytic in , , and ; Antagonistic to ; and Virulent to .

Microorganisms with multiple ecological functions can be a useful biotechnological resource in integrated pest- and disease-management programs. This work aimed to investigate the potential endophytic and virulent effects of a strain of on organic cultivation in Brazil. Specifically, the strain's ability to establish itself as an endophyte in common bean, soybean, and sunflower plants when inoculated via seed was evaluated.

Where do we invest money to implement active learning on caries detection? An economic evaluation.

This trial-based economic evaluation aimed to estimate the incremental cost of implementing an active learning strategy (theoretical-practical workshop) to substitute the didactic lecture as the sole method for students training in caries detection. We also provided a budget impact analysis and explored the composition of costs related to the activity. Data from the coordinating centre of a multicentre randomized and controlled study (IuSTC01) was analyzed as the first part of our main economic analysis plan.

Test for clinical reasoning evaluation in Speech-Language Pathology: content validity.

Purpose: To validate the content of the Speech-Language Pathology Concordance Test called FonoTCS.

Methods: This is a content validation study of the instrument. Five speech-language pathologists, all with doctoral degrees and teaching experience, averaging 24.

The genomic and phylogenetic analysis of raises questions about the evolution of Marseilleviridae lineages and their taxonomical organization.

Unlabelled: Marseilleviruses (MsV) are a group of viruses that compose the Marseilleviridae family within the Nucleocytoviricota phylum. They have been found in different samples, mainly in freshwater. MsV are classically organized into five phylogenetic lineages (A/B/C/D/E), but the current taxonomy does not fully represent all the diversity of the MsV lineages.

A renewably sourced, circular photopolymer resin for additive manufacturing.

The additive manufacturing of photopolymer resins by means of vat photopolymerization enables the rapid fabrication of bespoke 3D-printed parts. Advances in methodology have continually improved resolution and manufacturing speed, yet both the process design and resin technology have remained largely consistent since its inception in the 1980s. Liquid resin formulations, which are composed of reactive monomers and/or oligomers containing (meth)acrylates and epoxides, rapidly photopolymerize to create crosslinked polymer networks on exposure to a light stimulus in the presence of a photoinitiator.