Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles and Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activity Using the Aqueous Extract of Pterodon emarginatus Seeds.

The decline in research for new antimicrobials, combined with the rise in bacterial resistance, has become a critical issue that is expected to worsen over time. As an alternative, health sciences have integrated materials engineering to develop new bioactive compounds through the interaction of nanoparticles with plant-derived compounds. These compounds offer advantages such as high bioavailability and low cost, exemplified by , a plant native to the Brazilian Cerrado.

Omitting axillary lymph node dissection is associated with an increased risk of regional recurrence in early stage breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is a global problem, however, despite ALND is considered the standard treatment for early stage BC with node-positive, there is no sufficient data to determine which of these patients should undergo it. Thus, the aim of this systematic review was to clarify if there is any difference between NALND and ALND in terms of safety and prognosis of the patients.

Methods: A shearch was carried in PubMed, Embase and Cochrane databases for studies that compared NALND and ALND.

Impact of adenotonsillectomy and palatal expansion on the apnea-hypopnea index and minimum oxygen saturation in nonobese pediatric obstructive sleep apnea with balanced maxillomandibular relationship: A cross-over randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To determine the impact and best management sequence between adenotonsillectomy (AT) and rapid palatal expansion (RPE) on the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and minimum oxygen saturation (MinSaO) in nonobese pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients presenting balanced maxillomandibular relationship.

Study Design/methods: Thirty-two nonobese children with balanced maxillomandibular relationship and a mean age of 8.8 years, with a graded III/IV tonsillar hypertrophy and maxillary constriction, participated in a cross-over randomized controlled trial.

Treatment-related adverse events in patients with advanced breast cancer receiving adjuvant AKT inhibitors: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Introduction: Incorporation of AKT inhibitors into adjuvant therapy for advanced or metastatic breast cancer has improved clinical outcomes. However, the safety of AKT inhibitors should be better evaluated, given the possibility of prolonging survival and impacting patient quality of life. Our aim was to assess how the addition of AKT inhibitors to adjuvant therapy affects treatment-related adverse events.

The link between obesity and the gut microbiota and immune system in early-life.

In early-life, the gut microbiota is highly modifiable, being modulated by external factors such as maternal microbiota, mode of delivery, and feeding strategies. The composition of the child's gut microbiota will deeply impact the development and maturation of its immune system, with consequences for future health. As one of the main sources of microorganisms to the child, the mother represents a crucial factor in the establishment of early-life microbiota, impacting the infant's wellbeing.

Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on cataract surgery by residents who had routine surgical simulator training during residency.

Purpose: To assess the effect of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on cataract surgery by residents who had mandatory surgical simulator training during residency.

Methods: In this retrospective, observational analytical study, the total number of cataract surgeries and surgical complications by all senior residents of 2019 (2019 class; prepandemic) and 2020 (2020 class; affected by the reduced number of elective surgeries due to the COVID-19 pandemic) were collected and compared. All residents had routine mandatory cataract surgery training on a virtual surgical simulator during residency.

Defining and supporting a professional role for pharmacists associated with traditional and complementary medicines: a cross-country survey of pharmacists.

An estimated 80% of the world's population use traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) products as part of their healthcare, with many accessed through pharmacy. This cross-cultural study posed a set of professional practice responsibilities and actions to pharmacists related to T&CM products, with a view toward developing consensus, safeguarding, and promoting the health of the public. : Data were collected from 2,810 pharmacists across nine countries during 2022 via a cross-sectional online survey reported in accordance with the guidelines of STrengthening the Reporting of OBservational studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) and the Checklist for Reporting Results of Internet E-Surveys (CHERRIES).

Generation and characterization of avian IgY antibodies for detecting beta-casein A1 in bovine milk.

Beta-casein is a primary milk protein that constitutes approximately 30% of the casein in bovine milk, with the two most common types in cattle being A1 and A2. The A2 protein differs from the A1 version due to a mutation in the codon at position 67, resulting in a histidine to proline substitution. However, the bioactive peptide, beta-casomorphine-7 (BCM7), which originates from partial proteolysis of the A1 variant, has been linked to several gastrointestinal disorders in humans.

Global assessment of marine plastic exposure risk for oceanic birds.

Plastic pollution is distributed patchily around the world's oceans. Likewise, marine organisms that are vulnerable to plastic ingestion or entanglement have uneven distributions. Understanding where wildlife encounters plastic is crucial for targeting research and mitigation.

In Vitro Diagnostic Assay to Detect SARS-CoV-2-Neutralizing Antibody in Patient Sera Using Engineered ACE-2 Mini-Protein.

The recent development and mass administration of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines allowed for disease control, reducing hospitalizations and mortality. Most of these vaccines target the SARS-CoV-2 Spike (S) protein antigens, culminating with the production of neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) that disrupt the attachment of the virus to ACE2 receptors on the host cells. However, several studies demonstrated that the NAbs typically rise within a few weeks after vaccination but quickly reduce months later.

Seasonal study of the nutritional composition of unexploited and low commercial value fish species from the Portuguese coast.

Target species diversification is essential for fisheries sustainability and fish market revitalization. Fish discards are a widely recognized problem resulting from fisheries worldwide, and are of major concern for all sector players, from administrations, to fishermen, and scientists. However, non-target species are seldom studied, and information on nutritional profiles and seasonal changes in nutritional properties is generally lacking.

Interrogation of TERT promoter hotspot mutations in ameloblastoma and ameloblastic carcinoma.

Background: TERT promoter mutations increase telomerase activity, conferring cell immortality. The coexistence of TERT promoter mutations with BRAFV600E is associated with aggressiveness. Ameloblastoma and ameloblastic carcinoma are infiltrative neoplasms that harbor BRAFV600E; however, it remains unknown if these odontogenic tumors also show TERT promoter mutations.

Scaled up and telescoped synthesis of propofol under continuous-flow conditions.

Herein we report a machine-assisted and scaled-up synthesis of propofol, a short-acting drug used in procedural sedation, which is extensively in demand during this COVID-19 pandemic. The continuous-flow protocol proved to be efficient, with great potential for industrial translation, reaching a production up to 71.6 g per day with process intensification (24 h-continuous experiments).

Chronological age range estimation of cervical vertebral maturation using Baccetti method: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The timing of growth is a key factor for correct orthodontic treatment planning. Cervical vertebrae maturation (CVM) is no exception, although the reported chronological ages vary in the literature.

Objective: We aimed to estimate the average chronological age for each Baccetti's CVM staging.

The effect of adenotonsillectomy and rapid maxillary expansion on the upper airway in pediatric obstructive sleep apnea: a randomized crossover-controlled trial.

Study Objectives: We aimed to determine the effects of adenotonsillectomy (AT) and rapid maxillary expansion (RME) on the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and compare volumetric changes in the upper airway (UA) arising from AT and RME.

Methods: Thirty-nine children who presented with maxillary constriction and grade III/IV tonsillar hypertrophy were randomized into two groups. One group underwent AT as the first treatment, and the other group underwent RME.

VEGETABLE CELLULOSE NANOFIBER DRESSING AIDS IN THE HEALING PROCESS OF THIRD-DEGREE BURNS? STUDY ON RATS.

Background: The treatment of 3rd degree burns represents a major medical challenge. Pinus vegetable cellulose is a biomaterial with characteristic similar to bacterial cellulose.

Aim: To evaluate the safety of cellulose membrane (Pinus sp) in the treatment of 3rd burns in rats and to compare its effectiveness with the bacterial membrane already on the market.

Oral Juvenile Xanthogranuloma: A Clinicopathological, Immunohistochemical and BRAF V600E Study of Five New Cases, with Literature Review.

Juvenile xanthogranuloma (JXG) is the most common form of non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis and oral mucosal involvement is exceedingly rare. Histiocytic disorders harbor activating mutations in MAPK pathway, including the report of BRAF V600E in JXG of extracutaneous site. However, no information is available for oral JXG.

Enhancing knowledge on low-value fishing species: the distinct reproductive strategy of two gurnard species.

The depletion and overexploitation of several fish stock demands for a valorisation of non-target and discarded species. Nonetheless, such species are often poorly studied, and information on their biological parameters must be gathered for effective population management. For 1 year, the reproductive strategy of the piper gurnard Trigla lyra and the red gurnard Chelidonichthys cuculus was studied by monthly samples obtained from commercial boats operating on western Portuguese coast.

Trends in the Use of Botanicals in Anti-Aging Cosmetics.

Botanical ingredients have been used for thousands of years in skincare for their convenience as well as the diversity and abundance in compounds with biological activity. Among these, polyphenols and especially flavonoids have gained increasing prominence due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, the most used botanical preparations in anti-aging products marketed in 2011 were determined.

Polypropylene mesh inhibits post-laminectomy compressive scar formation in rabbits: Histopathological and computational morphometric evaluation.

We evaluated the effect of polypropylene mesh placement on post-laminectomy compressive scar formation in rabbits. Twenty-two white male New Zealand rabbits were distributed into two groups (n = 11). In the control group, the animals underwent lumbosacral laminectomy, whereas in the mesh group, the rabbits were submitted to lumbosacral laminectomy followed by the attachment of a polypropylene mesh to the vertebrae by the application of N-butyl cyanoacrylate.

Insights into Glucose-6-phosphate Allosteric Activation of β-Glucosidase A.

Second-generation ethanol production involves the use of agricultural and forestry waste as feedstock, being an alternative to the first-generation technology as it relies on low-cost abundant residues and does not affect food agriculture. However, the success of second-generation biorefineries relies on energetically efficient processes and effective enzyme cocktails to convert cellulose into fermentable sugars. β-glucosidases catalyze the last step on the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose; however, they are often inhibited by glucose.

Salivary β-glucosidase as a direct factor influencing the occurrence of halitosis.

β-Glucosidases are enzymes present in all living organisms, playing a pivotal role in diverse biological processes. These enzymes cleave β-glycosidic bonds between carbohydrates, or between a carbohydrate and a non-carbohydrate moiety, which may result in the liberation of volatile aglycones. Released compounds execute diverse physiological roles while the industry takes advantage of exogenously added β-glucosidases for aroma enrichment during food and beverage production.

The importance of a training program on active aging from the perspective of elderly individuals.

Objective: to assess the results of a training program focused on the well-being of elderly individuals from the perspective of users, through the opinion on the program impact on their active aging.

Methods: a qualitative research, carried out from an intentional sample, consisting of 10 elderly women. Interview conducted by focus group, recorded and transcribed, which constituted the corpus of analysis.

Adding Value to Bycatch Fish Species Captured in the Portuguese Coast-Development of New Food Products.

We live in a world of limited biological resources and ecosystems, which are essential to feed people. Consequently, diversifying target species and considering full exploitation are essential for fishery sustainability. The present study focuses on the valorization of three low commercial value fish species (blue jack mackerel, ; black seabream, ; and piper gurnard, ) and of two unexploited species (comber, and boarfish, ) through the development of marine-based food products with added value.