Ex Vivo, In Vitro and In Vivo Bone Health Properties of Grana Padano Cheese.

Grana Padano (GP) is an Italian hard cooked cheese characterized by a long ripening process and high protein and Ca contents. After in vitro static simulated gastrointestinal digestion, GP digest contained caseinophosphopeptides that were 6 to 24 amino acids in length, including tri-phosphorylated species incorporating the pSer-pSer-pSer-Glu-Glu cluster. Using rat ileum tissue, the digest was used to assess Ca absorption ex vivo, which showed significantly better results for the GP digest in comparison to the CaCO aqueous solution.

V-ATPase in glioma stem cells: a novel metabolic vulnerability.

Background: Glioblastoma (GBM) is a lethal brain tumor characterized by the glioma stem cell (GSC) niche. The V-ATPase proton pump has been described as a crucial factor in sustaining GSC viability and tumorigenicity. Here we studied how patients-derived GSCs rely on V-ATPase activity to sustain mitochondrial bioenergetics and cell growth.

Impact of developmental temperature on neural growth, connectivity, and function.

Environmental temperature dictates the developmental pace of poikilothermic animals. In , slower development at lower temperatures results in higher brain connectivity, but the generality of such scaling across temperatures and brain regions and its impact on function are unclear. Here, we show that brain connectivity scales continuously across temperatures, in agreement with a first-principle model that postulates different metabolic constraints for the growth of the brain and the organism.

Hepatic artery aneurysm with no proximal neck and proper hepatic artery bifurcation involvement.

We report the case of a patient with a saccular aneurysm of the hepatic artery with maximum diameter of 2.8 cm, no proximal neck, and involving the bifurcation of the proper hepatic artery, constituting a hostile anatomy for endovascular treatment, which would usually be the first choice for such cases. We performed open surgical treatment with resection and reconstruction using an autologous graft (internal saphenous vein).

Multilayer Structure Damage Detection Using Optical Fiber Acoustic Sensing and Machine Learning.

Over the past decade, distributed acoustic sensing has been utilized for structural health monitoring in various applications, owing to its continuous measurement capability in both time and space and its ability to deliver extensive data on the conditions of large structures using just a single optical cable. This work aims to evaluate the performance of distributed acoustic sensing for monitoring a multilayer structure on a laboratory scale. The proposed structure comprises four layers: a medium-density fiberboard and three rigid polyurethane foam slabs.

Clinical spectrum of congenital Zika virus infection in Brazil: Update and issues for research development.

This review aimed to provide an update on the morphological and/or functional abnormalities related to congenital Zika virus (ZIKV) infection, based on primary data from studies conducted in Brazil since 2015. During the epidemic years (2015-2016), case series and pediatric cohort studies described several birth defects, including severe and/or disproportionate microcephaly, cranial bone overlap, skull collapse, congenital contractures (arthrogryposis and/or clubfoot), and visual and hearing abnormalities, as part of the spectrum of Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS). Brain imaging abnormalities, mainly cortical atrophy, ventriculomegaly, and calcifications, serve as structural markers of CZS severity.

Feeding characteristics and growth among children with prenatal exposure to Zika virus with and without microcephaly in the microcephaly epidemic research group pediatric cohort.

Objective: To describe the feeding characteristics and growth of children with prenatal exposure to Zika virus (ZIKV) from birth to 48 months.

Design: Using data from the prospective Microcephaly Epidemic Research Group Pediatric Cohort (MERG-PC), children without microcephaly born to mothers with evidence of ZIKV infection during pregnancy (ZIKV-exposed children without microcephaly) and children with Zika-related microcephaly were compared using repeated cross-sectional analyses within the following age strata: birth; 1 to 12; 13 to 24; 25 to 36; and 37 to 48 months. The groups were compared in relation to prematurity, birth weight, breastfeeding, alternative feeding routes, dysphagia and anthropometric profiles based on the World Health Organization Anthro z-scores (weight-length/height, weight-age, length/height-age and BMI-age).

The Modulated Role of on Eosinophils in Psychiatric Disorders after Cannabis Cessation.

The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of status on eosinophils count (EOS), the eosinophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (ELR), and the eosinophil-to-neutrophil-to-lymphocytes ratio (ENLR) before and after cannabis cessation in patients with psychiatric disorders. One hundred and eighty-eight patients were included in the study. , EOS, ELR, ENLR, and urinary cannabis were measured at baseline and after 4 weeks of cannabis cessation.

Mental health outcomes in frontline healthcare workers in Brazil during the COVID-19 epidemic: Results of an online survey in four regions using respondent-driven sampling (RDS).

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic overwhelmed health facilities and presented healthcare workers (HCWs) with a new infectious disease threat. In addition to a sanitary crisis, Brazil still had to face major political, economic, and social challenges. This study aimed to investigate mental health outcomes in frontline HCWs in different regions of the country and at different epidemic times.

Update on virus-induced asthma exacerbations.

Introduction: Viral infections are common triggers for asthma exacerbation. Subjects with asthma are more susceptible to viral infections and develop more severe or long-lasting lower respiratory tract symptoms than healthy individuals owing to impaired immune responses. Of the many viruses associated with asthma exacerbation, rhinovirus (RV) is the most frequently identified virus in both adults and children.

CMA mediates resistance in breast cancer models.

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignancy in women and the second leading cause of cancer-related death; chemoresistance is still a clinical challenge mainly because of the different molecular features of this kind of tumour. Doxorubicin (Doxo) is widely used despite its adverse effects and the common onset of resistance. Chaperone-Mediated Autophagy (CMA) has been identified as an important mechanism through which chemotherapeutics can exert their cytotoxic effects and, in this context, LAMP-2A, the key player of CMA, can be a useful biomarker.

Seroprevalence of Dengue, Chikungunya and Zika at the epicenter of the congenital microcephaly epidemic in Northeast Brazil: A population-based survey.

Background: The four Dengue viruses (DENV) serotypes were re-introduced in Brazil's Northeast region in a couple of decades, between 1980's and 2010's, where the DENV1 was the first detected serotype and DENV4 the latest. Zika (ZIKV) and Chikungunya (CHIKV) viruses were introduced in Recife around 2014 and led to large outbreaks in 2015 and 2016, respectively. However, the true extent of the ZIKV and CHIKV outbreaks, as well as the risk factors associated with exposure to these viruses remain vague.

Longitudinal evolution of electroencephalogram (EEG): Findings over five years of follow-up in children with Zika-related microcephaly from the Microcephaly Epidemic Research Group Pediatric Cohort (2015-2020).

Objective: To assess the longitudinal evolution of EEG findings in children with Zika related-microcephaly (ZRM) and to evaluate the associations of these patterns with the children's clinical and neuroimaging characteristics.

Methods: As part of the follow-up of the Microcephaly Epidemic Research Group Pediatric Cohort (MERG-PC) in Recife, Brazil, we performed serial EEG recordings in a subgroup of children with ZRM to evaluate changes in background rhythms and epileptiform activity (EA). Latent class analysis was used to identify patterns in the evolution of EA over time; clinical and neuroimaging findings were compared across the identified groups.

Risk of adverse pregnancy and infant outcomes associated with prenatal Zika virus infection: a post-epidemic cohort in Central-West Brazil.

This study aimed to estimate the risks of adverse infant outcomes in the first year of life related to prenatal Zika virus (ZIKV) exposure. A prospective cohort of pregnant women with rash was recruited in Central-West Brazil in a post-epidemic period (January 2017 to April 2019). We evaluated participants' medical histories and performed ZIKV diagnostic testing using molecular (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction [RT-PCR]) and serologic (immunoglobulin [Ig]M and plaque reduction neutralization tests [PRNT]) assays.

Increased markers of inflammation after cannabis cessation and their association with psychotic symptoms.

Introduction: A dysbalance of the immune system in psychotic disorders has been well investigated. However, despite a higher prevalence of cannabis (THC) consumption in patients with psychosis, few studies have investigated the impact of this use on inflammatory markers.

Methods: One hundred and two inpatients were included in this retrospective study.

White blood cells and patients with psychiatric disorders needing seclusion: A retrospective non-interventional study.

Objective: The objective of this retrospective study was to investigate the peripheral immunological markers using leucocyte count, the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), the platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and the monocyte to lymphocyte ratio (MLR) in patients with aggressive behavior, during and after seclusion.

Methods: Ninety-nine inpatients were included in this retrospective study. Leucocyte count was measured, and NLR, PLR and MLR were calculated and compared between a group of patients who required seclusion and a group who did not.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of frontline healthcare workers in a highly affected region in Brazil.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic had a major impact on the mental health of healthcare workers (HCWs), especially in low and middle-income countries, which had to face additional political, social, and economic challenges. We thus aimed to assess the prevalence of mental health outcomes and the associated factors in HCWs treating COVID-19 patients in one of the most affected regions in Brazil.

Methods: We used the Respondent-Driven Sampling method to assess the risks of COVID-19 infection and symptoms of mental disorders in nurses, nursing technicians, and physicians who worked on the frontline in the metropolitan region of Recife.

Rapid Profiling of Protein Complex Reorganization in Perturbed Systems.

Protein complexes constitute the primary functional modules of cellular activity. To respond to perturbations, complexes undergo changes in their abundance, subunit composition, or state of modification. Understanding the function of biological systems requires global strategies to capture this contextual state information.

Efficacy of 5-HT2A antagonists on negative symptoms in patients with schizophrenia: A meta-analysis.

Negative symptoms have a major impact on the prognosis of schizophrenia, but have proven more difficult to improve or treat with antipsychotic medication. The aim of this meta-analysis is to evaluate the efficacy of 5-HT2A antagonist treatments on negative symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. After a systematic search, all randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled trials evaluating the efficacy of 5-HT2A antagonists were included.

Impact of cannabis use and its cessation on the dosage and the efficacy of antipsychotic drugs in in- and outpatients with schizophrenia taking medication: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Compared with the general population, there are more cannabis users among patients suffering from schizophrenia and this consumption seems to impact the course and the treatment of their pathology. The aim of this meta-analysis and systematic review was to assess the impact of cannabis use on the efficacy of treatments, more particularly regarding the antipsychotic dosage, symptoms evolution, therapeutic resistance and the risk of relapse in patients with schizophrenia taking medication. We performed a systematic search of keywords on multiple databases up to August 2020 to identify all studies meeting the following criteria: comparison between cannabis smokers and non-cannabis users in patients with schizophrenia, assessment of antipsychotics doses, information about their efficacy or resistance to treatment and control of the compliance.

Characteristics of children of the Microcephaly Epidemic Research Group Pediatric Cohort who developed postnatal microcephaly.

The number of studies published on postnatal microcephaly in children with Congenital Zika Syndrome is small, clinical presentations vary and aspects of the evolution of these children remain unclarified. The present case series examined clinical characteristics and assessed the growth velocity of the head circumference, weight and height Z-scores in 23 children who developed postnatal microcephaly during follow-up in the Microcephaly Epidemic Research Group Pediatric Cohort. To estimate the change in the head circumference, weight and height Z-scores over time and compare the mean difference between sexes, we used multilevel mixed-effects linear regressions with child-specific random effects.

Zika-Related Microcephaly and Its Repercussions for the Urinary Tract: Clinical, Urodynamic, Scintigraphic and Radiological Aspects.

Aims: Describing the urodynamic parameters of children aged 3 to 5 years with microcephaly related to congenital Zika syndrome and verifying the association with clinical, imaging and neurological characteristics.

Methods: From October 2018 to March 2020, children with Zika-related microcephaly underwent urological, ultrasonographic and urodynamic evaluation. In selected cases, complementary exams such as urethrocystography and scintigraphy were performed.

Could CRP be a differential biomarker of illness stages in schizophrenia? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Patients with schizophrenia display peripheral inflammation but the impact of illness phase is not clear. Our meta-analysis investigated the difference in CRP levels between patients with schizophrenia and controls according to their illness phase.

Methods: After a systematic search, all studies measuring CRP in patients with schizophrenia and controls were included.