Publications by authors named "Marques R"

Microalgae, particularly Haematococcus pluvialis, produce astaxanthin (AXT), a potent antioxidant with growing potential in the food, pharmaceutical, biocosmetic, and renewable energy sectors. This study proposes an integrated biorefinery model that employs advanced extraction processes, including bio-based ionic liquids, to efficiently recover AXT from H. pluvialis while minimizing environmental impact.

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This article is dedicated to elucidating and showcasing the concept of a unified Core Facility for laboratory animals within a research institute specialized in basic biology and biomedical research. In many research centres, animal facilities operate as autonomous entities. Here, we discuss that the centralization of all animal model units within a consolidated organizational framework offers a multitude of benefits in terms of communication with a variety of institutional stakeholders, including the Direction Board, Operational Logistics (Maintenance, Lab Operations and Safety Units), Procurement and Accounting Offices, Research Funding Affairs, Institutional Communication, and IT Units.

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This study explores the development of bioactive, colored natural rubber latex (NRL) bandages by incorporating astaxanthin (AXT), a carotenoid with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. AXT is produced by the yeast Phaffia rhodozyma under various light conditions to improve AXT biosynthesis and encapsulated in polymeric micelles to enhance its solubility and stability. The encapsulated AXT is then integrated into NRL bandages, imparting a orange-red hue and potentially therapeutic benefits.

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MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as promising tools for diagnosis and treatment in numerous pathophysiological processes, including cardiovascular diseases (CVD). In this context, acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is one of the leading causes of death by CVD worldwide. In this sense, physical exercise (PE) is considered a non-pharmacological strategy to reduce the complex alterations in AMI.

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Limited trace mineral research has focused on the impacts of maternal trace mineral supplementation on offspring fertility. We hypothesized that maternal injectable mineral (INJ) administration during mid/late gestation would improve overall growth and reproductive parameters in offspring. Two-hundred and seventy-eight cows were enrolled in the study and blocked by body weight, parity, and day (d) of gestation, and randomly assigned to a treatment group: a group (MM, = 138) that received a single INJ (Cu = 15 mg/mL, Mn = 10 mg/mL, Se = 5 mg/mL, and Zn = 60 mg/mL; Axiota, Ft.

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• Although advances in the treatment of gynecological cancer have improved survival rates, they may also increase the effects of induced menopause, especially in young women. • Cancer treatments such as oophorectomy, gonadotoxic chemotherapy, and pelvic radiotherapy can induce menopause. • Gonadotoxic chemotherapy, especially alkylating-containing regimens, often damages ovarian function and may result in permanent menopause.

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COVID-19 is a human respiratory syndrome caused by the infection of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that has a high rate of infection and mortality. Viruses modulate the host machinery by altering cellular mechanisms that favor their replication. One of the mechanisms that viruses exploit is the protein folding and processing of post-translational modifications that occur in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER).

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Usutu virus (USUV) is an arbovirus and has emerged as a potential cause of encephalitis in humans and other vertebrates. The increasing detection of USUV in mosquitoes and birds across Africa and Central Europe, along with the lack of specific treatments or vaccines for many encephalitic orthoflaviviruses, underscores the need for focused research. In this study, we developed a USUV infection model in immunocompetent C57BL/6 mice (8-12 weeks old) to characterize disease development and associated inflammatory mechanisms.

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Objectives: To evaluate blood pressure control during the immediate postpartum period in hypertensive women who had used methyldopa during pregnancy, comparing continuation of that drug with switching it for captopril.

Study Design: A single-blind, randomized clinical trial involving 172 postpartum women with hypertension who had previously used methyldopa during pregnancy at a minimum dose of 750 mg/day for at least one week prior to delivery. The subtypes of hypertension included were gestational hypertension, chronic hypertension, preeclampsia, superimposed preeclampsia, HELLP syndrome and eclampsia.

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Background: The increasing demand for noninvasive gluteal augmentation using hyaluronic acid (HA) gel highlights the need for research into its safety and effectiveness. This study aimed to assess the safety and satisfaction levels of patients and physicians regarding HA body filler for buttock enhancement. It also explores variations in outcomes across different injection sites and among different practitioners.

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Protective antibodies against HIV-1 require unusually high levels of somatic mutations introduced in germinal centers (GCs). To achieve this, a sequential vaccination approach was proposed. Using HIV-1 antibody knockin mice with fate-mapping genes, we examined if antigen affinity affects the outcome of B cell recall responses.

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Malaria, a life-threatening disease caused by Plasmodium parasites, continues to pose a significant global health threat, with nearly 250 million infections and over 600 000 deaths reported annually by the WHO. Fighting malaria is particularly challenging partly due to the complex life cycle of the parasite. However, technological breakthroughs such as the development of the nucleoside-modified mRNA lipid nanoparticle (mRNA-LNP) vaccine platform, along with the discovery of novel conserved Plasmodium antigens such as the E140 protein, present new opportunities in malaria prevention.

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Introduction A large majority of spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhages (SAH) are attributed to aneurysm rupture, though the cause remains unknown in a notable percentage of cases. Non-aneurysmal SAH (naSAH) is generally thought to follow a more benign clinical course than aneurysmal SAH (aSAH); however, similar complications may occur, and poor outcomes are still possible. Given the limited research on naSAH, this study aims to characterize these patients and correlate clinical and radiographic findings with outcomes.

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Introduction: Aneurysmatic subarachnoid hemorrhages (aSAH) are life-threatening events with high mortality and morbidity. Hydrocephalus is a common complication, initially managed with an external ventricular drain (EVD). Persistent hydrocephalus often requires ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) placement to relieve intracranial pressure and prevent further neurological damage.

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Seventy-two nonlactating, pregnant Angus cows (initial body weight [BW] = 637 ± 13 kg; body condition score [BCS] = 5.5 ± 0.07 yr; and age = 6.

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The comfort of the elderly in hospital settings requires special attention from the health care professionals involved, particularly nurses, since hospitalization often generates suffering and discomfort. In such contexts, it is essential to consider the specific characteristics of the elderly, taking into account their life experiences and their needs, to promote the health, well-being, and comfort of this population. Hence, the present work aimed to explore the nursing interventions that promote comfort among the elderly in hospital settings.

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Background: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a rare autoimmune disease most frequently characterized by a neuromyelitis optica (NMO) phenotype, comprising both simultaneous or sequential optic neuritis (ON) and longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (LETM). Symptoms of brainstem, diencephalic and cerebral involvement may also occur. While most NMOSD patients test positive for serum aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibodies, some seronegative patients test positive for oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-IgG (MOG-IgG).

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The prevalence of fatty liver disease is on the rise, posing a significant global health concern. If left untreated, it can progress into more serious liver diseases. Therefore, accurately diagnosing the condition at an early stage is essential for more effective intervention and management.

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Mayaro virus (MAYV) is an emerging mosquito-borne viral pathogen whose infection results in arthritogenic disease. Despite ongoing research efforts, MAYV biology is largely unknown. Physical virology can assess MAYV nanoparticle metastability, assembly/disassembly, and polymorphism, allowing us to understand virion architecture and dynamics.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates how cancer cells influence the fitness of surrounding tumor microenvironment (TME) cells through a mechanism involving a long non-coding RNA called Tu-Stroma, which alters the expression of Flower isoforms, impacting their growth advantage.
  • The expression of Flower Win isoforms in cancer cells enhances their dominance over TME cells that express Flower Lose isoforms, leading to reduced fitness in the TME.
  • Targeting Flower proteins with a humanized monoclonal antibody in mice has shown promising results, significantly reducing cancer growth and metastasis while improving survival rates and protecting organs from potential lesions.
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Elevated neutrophil counts in broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) fluids of lung transplant (LTx) patients with chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) are associated with disease pathology. However, phenotypical characteristics of these cells remained largely unknown. Moreover, despite enhanced levels of the most potent human neutrophil-attracting chemokine CXCL8 in BAL fluid, no discrimination had been made between natural NH-terminally truncated CXCL8 proteoforms, which exhibit up to 30-fold differences in biological activity.

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Context: -Pinene, a bicyclic monoterpene found extensively in the essential oils of conifers, has shown potential in pharmacological applications. This study theoretically investigates the structural and electronic properties of the (1S)- - -pinene crystal, focusing on its potential for nanoelectronic applications due to the observed wide band gap. Structural analysis revealed that the crystal's unit cell contains 104 atoms with orthorhombic symmetry, and its lattice parameters show excellent agreement with experimental data.

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Diosgenin is a phytosteroid sapogenin with reported antitumoral activity. Despite the evidence indicating a lower incidence of prostate cancer (PCa) associated with a higher consumption of phytosteroids and the beneficial role of these compounds, only a few studies have investigated the effects of diosgenin in PCa, and its mechanisms of action remain to be disclosed. The present study investigated the effect of diosgenin in modulating PCa cell fate and glycolytic metabolism and explored its potential interplay with G protein-coupled oestrogen receptor (GPER).

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The discovery of the three-dimensional shape of protein molecules using interatomic distance information from nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) can be modeled as a discretizable molecular distance geometry problem (DMDGP). Due to its combinatorial characteristics, the problem is conventionally solved in the literature as a depth-first search in a binary tree. In this work, we introduce a new search strategy, which we call frequency-based search (FBS), that for the first time utilizes geometric information contained in the protein data bank (PDB).

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Article Synopsis
  • The study emphasizes the importance of qualitative methodologies in Health Technology Assessment (HTA) to evaluate the feasibility, meaning, acceptance, and fairness of health technologies.* -
  • Researchers conducted a comprehensive mapping of qualitative evidence synthesis frameworks using various databases, identifying 31 relevant articles primarily from Europe involving HTA practitioners.* -
  • The results suggest that standardizing the incorporation of qualitative evidence in HTA is necessary for improving decision-making, pointing out key frameworks and tools like SPICE, thematic synthesis, and GRADE-CERQual.*
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