The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcanic barometric pressure pulse and meteotsunami travel recorded in several Antarctic stations.

The Hunga Tonga-Hunga/Hunga-Ha'apai eruption on January 15, 2022 sent off a plume of ash material up to the stratosphere and triggered a meteotsunami and barometric pressure pulse that rippled through the atmosphere and oceans all around the world. The nature of the volcanic event and its global impacts on the oceans, atmosphere, lithosphere and the cryosphere are a matter of debate. Here we present a first overview of the time travel of the sound atmospheric pressure wave through the Antarctic continent based on in situ measurements, which represented a unique event observed through the polar ice sheet during the instrumental meteorological era.

Captopril inhibits the overproduction of proopiomelanocortin and adrenocorticotropic hormone in the pituitary gland of male diabetic mice in close relationship with an increase in glucocorticoid receptor expression.

Prior investigation shows that diabetic patients present hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis hyperactivity related to impaired negative feedback. This study investigates the effect of Captopril on the overproduction of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and its precursor proopiomelanocortin (POMC) in the pituitary gland of male diabetic mice. Diabetes was induced by intravenous injection of alloxan into fasted Swiss-webster mice, and the animals were treated with Captopril for 14 consecutive days, starting 7 days post-diabetes induction.

Synthesis and Physicochemical Stability of a Copaiba Balsam Oil () Nanoemulsion and Prospecting of Toxicological Effects on the Nematode .

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.).

Prognostic Value of New Sarcopenia Screening Tool in the Elderly-SARC-GLOBAL.

Sarcopenia screening tools have a low capacity to predict adverse outcomes that are consequences of sarcopenia in the elderly population. This study aimed to evaluate the ability of a new sarcopenia screening tool SARC-GLOBAL to predict negative clinical outcomes in the elderly. A total of 395 individuals were evaluated in a 42-month period.

In vivo evaluation of the antiretroviral activity of Melia azedarach against small ruminant lentiviruses in goat colostrum and milk.

This study aimed to evaluate in vivo the use of the extract from the leaves of Melia azedarach in the ethyl acetate fraction at a concentration of 150 µg/mL as an antiretroviral treatment against small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLV) in goat colostrum, and milk with a 90-min action. Two groups of six kids were treated with the extract. One group received three supplies of colostrum from does naturally positive for SRLV, treated with the ethyl acetate fraction of M.

Aerosol optical properties over the South Atlantic and southern ocean during the 2010-2012 summer seasons as part of the global maritime aerosol network.

Aerosols have implications to climate and biogeochemical cycles in the global oceans. At sites under indirect influence of dust emitted by the Patagonian semi-desert, a debate exists on the potential fertilization effects of iron enriched aerossol. Considering this subject we conducted measurements of aerosols optical properties using a Microtops II sun photometer to access aerosol size distributions and other intrinsic properties oversea from Atlantic Southern mid-latitudes to Antarctica.

Genes, inflammatory response, tolerance, and resistance to virus infections in migratory birds, bats, and rodents.

Normally, the host immunological response to viral infection is coordinated to restore homeostasis and protect the individual from possible tissue damage. The two major approaches are adopted by the host to deal with the pathogen: resistance or tolerance. The nature of the responses often differs between species and between individuals of the same species.

Molecular Changes in the Brain of the Wintering in the Mangroves of the Amazon River Estuary.

Migrant birds prepare differently to fly north for breeding in the spring and for the flight to lower latitudes during autumn, avoiding the cold and food shortages of the Northern Hemisphere's harsh winter. The molecular events associated with these fundamental stages in the life history of migrants include the differential gene expression in different tissues. Semipalmated sandpipers () are Arctic-breeding shorebirds that migrate to the coast of South America during the non-breeding season.

Pro-resolving role of glucagon in lipopolysaccharide-induced mice lung neutrophilia.

Prior research demonstrated that glucagon has protective roles against inflammation, but its effect on the resolution of inflammation remains elusive. Using in vitro and in vivo approaches, this study aimed to investigate the pro-resolving potential of glucagon on pulmonary neutrophilic inflammation caused by lipopolysaccharide. Lipopolysaccharide induced an increase in the proportions of neutrophils positives to glucagon receptor (GcgR) in vitro.

High Prevalence of Energy and Nutrients Inadequacy among Brazilian Older Adults.

Poor nutrition increases the risk of diseases and adverse health outcomes in older adults. We evaluated the potential inadequacy of nutrient intake among older adults in Brazil and its association with body anthropometry and composition outcomes. Dietary intake was obtained from 295 community-living older adults (>60 years old), of both genders, using a seven-day food record.

Glass Fiber Reinforced Epoxy-Amine Thermosets and Solvate IL: Towards New Composite Polymer Electrolytes for Lithium Battery Applications.

To effectively use (Li) lithium metal anodes, it is becoming increasingly necessary to create membranes with high lithium conductivity, electrochemical and thermal stabilities, as well as adequate mechanical properties. Composite gel polymer electrolytes (CGPE) have emerged as a promising strategy, offering improved ionic conductivity and structural performance compared to polymer electrolytes. In this study, a simple and scalable approach was developed to fabricate a crosslinked polyethylene oxide (PEO)-based membrane, comprising two different glass fiber reinforcements, in terms of morphology and thickness.

4-amino-2-phenyl-6-(p-fluorophenyl)-5-carbonitrile-pyrimidine-bis-substituted-loaded liposomes as promising system for cancer treatment.

The aim of the present study was to perform in vitro and in vivo assessments of the antineoplastic action of 4-amino-pyrimidine encapsulated in liposomes. Liposomes were prepared and characterized for particle size and drug encapsulation and submitted to long-term stability tests. Cytotoxicity assays were performed in HeLa cells.

Pleiotropic antifibrotic actions of aspirin-triggered resolvin D1 in the lungs.

Introduction: Pulmonary fibrosis is a destructive, progressive disease that dramatically reduces life quality of patients, ultimately leading to death. Therapeutic regimens for pulmonary fibrosis have shown limited benefits, hence justifying the efforts to evaluate the outcome of alternative treatments.

Methods: Using a mouse model of bleomycin (BLM)-induced lung fibrosis, in the current work we asked whether treatment with pro-resolution molecules, such as pro-resolving lipid mediators (SPMs) could ameliorate pulmonary fibrosis.

Effect of the renin-angiotensin system on the exacerbation of adrenal glucocorticoid steroidogenesis in diabetic mice: Role of angiotensin-II type 2 receptor.

Prior investigation shows an increase in the activity of both hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in diabetic patients. Moreover, activation of angiotensin-II type 1 receptor (AT) has been associated with adrenal steroidogenesis. This study investigates the role of RAS on the overproduction of corticosterone in diabetic mice.

Antitumor Effect of Brusatol in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Models Is Triggered by Reactive Oxygen Species Accumulation.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is one of the most common hematological malignancies at pediatric ages and is characterized by different chromosomal rearrangements and genetic abnormalities involved in the differentiation and proliferation of lymphoid precursor cells. Brusatol is a quassinoid plant extract extensively studied due to its antineoplastic effect through global protein synthesis and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor-2 (NRF2) signaling inhibition. NRF2 is the main regulator of cellular antioxidant response and reactive oxygen species (ROS), which plays an important role in oxidative stress regulation.

Evaluation of the High-Throughput Screening System for Assessing the Behavioral Response of Female Aedes aegypti to Natural Products.

As part of an arbovirus vector control strategy, chemical control continues to be a mainstay in mitigating the burden of disease. The current arsenal of chemicals used for this purpose, however, are becoming challenged rapidly because of issues of insecticide resistance and environmental pressure. Newer, environmentally friendly actives are of interest to supplement aging chemistries; therefore efforts to screen compounds for insecticidal activity are warranted.

Relative contributions of fossil fuel and biomass burning sources to black carbon aerosol on the Southern Atlantic Ocean Coast and King George Island (Antarctic Peninsula).

Carbonaceous aerosols can affect climate, especially particles containing black carbon (BC). BC originated from the incomplete combustion of fossil fuel and biomass, which can heat the atmosphere and increase ice melting, but little is known about BC sources to Antarctica. We quantified the contribution of distant origin (biomass burning) and local emissions (fossil fuel) to atmospheric BC concentration in the King George Island (Antarctic Peninsula) and the Southern Ocean.

Impact of COVID-19 on the efficacy of meeting the transfusion demand by a Brazilian blood banks network.

One of the effects of the pandemic in the hemotherapy services was the reduction in the attendance of blood donors and production of blood components. It is relevant to investigate how the capacity to meet the demand for blood components was affected, especially in blood centers located in the regions most affected by the pandemic, such as Brazil. This study aimed to describe the impact of the pandemic on the capacity to meet the demand for different types of blood components by a Brazilian blood center in 2020, compared to the historical series of 2016-2019 and to discuss the measures adopted to mitigate the effects of the pandemic.

Interactions between Rhodamine Dyes and Model Membrane Systems-Insights from Molecular Dynamics Simulations.

Background: rhodamines are dyes widely used as fluorescent tags in cell imaging, probing of mitochondrial membrane potential, and as P-glycoprotein model substrates. In all these applications, detailed understanding of the interaction between rhodamines and biomembranes is fundamental.

Methods: we combined atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and fluorescence spectroscopy to characterize the interaction between rhodamines 123 and B (Rh123 and RhB, respectively) and POPC bilayers.

Designing Versatile Polymers for Lithium-Ion Battery Applications: A Review.

Solid-state electrolytes are a promising family of materials for the next generation of high-energy rechargeable lithium batteries. Polymer electrolytes (PEs) have been widely investigated due to their main advantages, which include easy processability, high safety, good mechanical flexibility, and low weight. This review presents recent scientific advances in the design of versatile polymer-based electrolytes and composite electrolytes, underlining the current limitations and remaining challenges while highlighting their technical accomplishments.

Versatile fully biodegradable dendritic nanotherapeutics.

The repeated administration of non-degradable dendrimers can lead to toxicity due to their bioaccumulation. Furthermore, in drug delivery applications, carrier stability can result in low biological performance due to insufficient intracellular cargo release. A novel family of versatile, biosafe, water-soluble, and fully biodegradable PEG-dendritic nanosystems is proposed, which overcomes the limitations of the most used dendrimers.

Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis Is a Crucial Player for the Poor Outcomes for COVID-19 in Elderly, Diabetic and Hypertensive Patients.

A new infectious disease, named COVID-19, caused by the coronavirus associated to severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2) has become pandemic in 2020. The three most common pre-existing comorbidities associated with COVID-19-related death are elderly, diabetic, and hypertensive people. A common factor among these risk groups for the outcome of death in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 is dysbiosis, with an increase in the proportion of bacteria with a pro-inflammatory profile.