Publications by authors named "NC Santos"

Objective: To analyze the determinants for non-vaccination against COVID-19 in pregnant women in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Methods: An epidemiological study with a cross-sectional design was conducted using data from the project titled "Childbirth and Breastfeeding in Children of Mothers Infected by SARS-CoV-2," developed during the pandemic in the city of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Results: The study sample consisted of 360 pregnant women, of whom 77.

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The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of incorporating different concentrations (1% and 2%) of Malvaviscus arboreus flower (FE) and leaf (LE) extracts as functional ingredients in goat milk yogurt. This study analyzed the impact of these formulations (YFE1%, YFE2%, YLE1%, and YLE2%) on the physicochemical, bioactive, antioxidant, rheological, textural, and sensory properties of goat yogurt over a 28-day storage period. Including FE and LE extracts significantly enhanced the yogurt's antioxidant activity, reaching up to 10.

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Objective: Inflammation causes the progressive destruction of the supporting tissues around teeth in patients with periodontitis. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the immunological effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) as adjunctive therapy in patients with periodontal disease and identify potential biomarkers for the disease.

Methods: This scoping review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines to investigate the impact of omega-3 therapy with or without acetylsalicylic acid on the immunological parameters of periodontal treatment.

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Analysis of the seasonal influence on the physicochemical characteristics and bioactive compounds of bacuri provides support for optimizing production, promoting sustainability and boosting local economic development. This study analyzed bacuri pulp over consecutive years of production (2020-2023), observing variations in dry matter, lipids, soluble solids, pH, proteins, and minerals across harvest seasons. Notable amino acids include glutamic acid, arginine, and alanine, essential for bodily functions, in addition to antioxidant compounds such as flavonoids, stilbenes, and flavonols, which vary between harvests.

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Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a β-galactoside-binding lectin expressed in cells of the placental microenvironment. This lectin is involved in various biological processes, such as modulation of the immune system and control of parasitic illness. infection can lead to congenital transmission and cause miscarriages, prematurity and fetal anomalies.

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This study investigated the effects of fermenting plum pulp with ssp. (BAL) on its physicochemical and bioactive properties, as well as the optimization of the freeze-drying (FD) process to develop a fruit-based probiotic delivery system. Fermentation significantly reduced the pH and total acidity of the pulp, achieving a cell viability of 11 log CFU/mL.

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The objective was to evaluate the synergistic effect of ozonization and α-amylase on modifying the microstructure and paste properties of starch, using 0.00042 g of ozone/100 g of buffer for various durations. Enzymatic susceptibility was increased, achieving maximum values of 12.

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Introduction: In Brazil, the emergence of feline sporotrichosis, a neglected subcutaneous mycosis primarily transmitted by cats and caused by the fungus Sporothrix brasiliensis, has been monitored via molecular tools. This approach underscores the geographic expansion of this disease and highlights the critical role of molecular surveillance in understanding its epidemiology and guiding public health interventions.

Methods: We investigated three domestic cats (Felis catus) with multiple skin lesions in Picos, Piauí, Brazil.

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The necessity for regenerating peri-implant and periodontal tissues is increasingly apparent. Periodontal diseases can result in a significant loss of clinical attachment level, and tissue regeneration stands as the ultimate goal of periodontal therapy. With the rise of osseointegration, the prosthetic rehabilitation of missing teeth using dental implants has surged, leading to a frequent need for alveolar bone regeneration around implants.

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Article Synopsis
  • - Craniofacial and alveolar bone defects from various causes (like tumors, trauma, or tooth loss) present significant challenges in tissue engineering and dental surgery, especially in cases of periodontal disease.
  • - Specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators (SPMs) like lipoxins, resolvins, protectins, and maresins are being researched for their potential to enhance bone regeneration and restore tissue healing in craniofacial applications.
  • - A total of 19 pre-clinical studies examined the effects of SPMs on bone regeneration, showing that SPMs notably increased new bone formation by about 14.85% and reduced defect size, with RvE1 and RvD2 demonstrating
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Study evaluated the influence of ozonization (O) time combined with pulsed electric fields (PEF) on the modification of bean starch structure. O₃ was used at a concentration of 0.045 g/L for 60 min (Oz1) and 120 min (Oz2) both individually and in combination with 30 kV/cm (P30).

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Background: Ketamine has gained prominence as one of the most effective therapeutic options in unipolar treatment-resistant depression (TRD). However, most studies related to the antidepressant action of ketamine used intravenous (IV) or intranasal (IN) administration. The subcutaneous (SC) route of administration is a promising alternative, as it results in plasma levels comparable to IV, causes fewer side effects, and is easier and cheaper to administer than both IV and/or IN routes.

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Identifying drugs of abuse and their metabolites in plasma is vital in both forensic and clinical toxicology. While the QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe) method offers an efficient approach to sample preparation, its application is complex due to the wide-ranging properties of target analytes and the challenges posed by biological matrix interferences. This study aims to develop a microQuEChERS approach for the quantification of 14 drugs of abuse and metabolites utilizing minimal sample and solvent volumes.

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Congenital Chagas disease (CCD) is a worldwide neglected problem with significant treatment limitations. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of Copaifera spp. oleoresins (ORs) against Trypanosoma cruzi infection in trophoblast cells (BeWo lineage) and human chorionic villous explants (HCVE).

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Article Synopsis
  • In Alzheimer's disease, amyloid beta (Aβ) triggers the cleavage of the TrkB-FL receptor, disrupting essential BDNF signaling that is crucial for neuron health and function.
  • Researchers found that TrkB-FL cleavage occurs early in the disease and worsens with increased pathology, using human samples and cerebrospinal fluid for their studies.
  • They developed a TAT-TrkB peptide that successfully prevents TrkB-FL cleavage, showing potential in improving cognitive function and synaptic issues in a mouse model of Alzheimer's, indicating it could be a safe and effective treatment option.
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Zika virus (ZIKV), a mosquito-borne Flavivirus of international concern, causes congenital microcephaly in newborns and Guillain-Barré syndrome in adults. ZIKV capsid (C) protein, one of three key structural proteins, is essential for viral assembly and encapsidation. In dengue virus, a closely related flavivirus, the homologous C protein interacts with host lipid systems, namely intracellular lipid droplets, for successful viral replication.

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The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of non-thermal methods, using high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) and pulsed electric field (PEF), on the dual modification of quinoa starch and to analyze the microstructural, morphological, thermal, pasting, and texture properties. Starch was treated with HHP at 400 MPa for 10 min, while PEF was applied using voltages of 10 and 30 kV cm for a total time of 90s. The modification techniques were effective in breaking down amylose molecules and amylopectin branches, where for the dual treatment, higher values of DP6-12 were found.

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Turner syndrome (TS) is caused by a complete or partial absence of an X or Y chromosome, including chromosomal mosaicism, affecting 1 in 2500 female live births. Sister chromatid exchange (SCE) is used as a sensitive indicator of spontaneous chromosome instability. Cells from mosaic patients constitute useful material for SCE evaluations as they grow under the influence of the same genetic background and endogenous and exogenous factors.

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Introduction: Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) affected the health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and its impact on well-being is not sufficiently understood yet. The worsening of HRQoL and symptoms such as fatigue, anxiety, depression, chronic Headache, Myalgia, ageusia, olfactory disorders, and cognitive impairment can be seen in people of different ages and genders after COVID-19 infection, even mild infections without hospitalization. These issues generate a disease burden that can reduce work skills and cause social, psychological, and neuropsychiatric challenges.

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A robust and efficient cellular response to lysosomal membrane damage prevents leakage from the lysosome lumen into the cytoplasm. This response is understood to happen through either lysosomal membrane repair or lysophagy. Here we report exocytosis as a third response mechanism to lysosomal damage, which is further potentiated when membrane repair or lysosomal degradation mechanisms are impaired.

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Article Synopsis
  • - The human mouth and nose can harbor opportunistic pathogens like Klebsiella, which often lead to serious infections and exhibit antibiotic resistance; understanding how these microbes spread among healthy and sick individuals is crucial.
  • - Research showed that Klebsiella species can thrive in stressed environments (like hospitals) by outcompeting other bacteria when nutrients are scarce, indicating their potential to become dominant in these settings.
  • - Analysis revealed that antibiotic-resistant Klebsiella strains found in healthy individuals are genetically similar to those isolated from patients, suggesting a possible link between community-acquired and hospital infections.
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Human alphaherpesvirus 1 (HSV-1) is a significantly widespread viral pathogen causing recurrent infections that are currently incurable despite available treatment protocols. Studies have highlighted the potential of antimicrobial peptides sourced from venom, particularly those belonging to the mastoparan family, as effective against HSV-1. This study aimed to demonstrate the antiviral properties of mastoparans, including mastoparan-L [I, R], mastoparan-MO, and [I, R] mastoparan, against HSV-1.

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Objectives: Maternal endothelial dysfunction in pregnancy hypertension is related to impairment of nitric oxide (NO) formation. However, NO levels and hemodynamic repercussions on the female offspring remain unclear. Therefore, this study hypothesized that maternal pregnancy hypertension reduces circulating NO metabolites and increases arterial blood pressure in first-generation offspring female rats.

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