Tailoring a lignocellulosic biomass to simultaneously enhance N-doping and textural properties of porous carbons designed for effective environmental remediation.

Transforming lignocellulosic biomass waste into value-added materials like porous carbons offers a sustainable and increasingly important solution for its efficient management within a circular economy framework. Although the heteroatom-doping process enhances oxygen- or nitrogen-containing functionalities on porous carbons, it often leads to losses in structural integrity and other key functionalities. This study presents a novel protocol to produce N-doped porous carbons that efficiently introduces nitrogen groups while improving surface area, microporosity definition and the concentration of oxygen-containing functionalities.

Merging 3D-printing technology and disposable materials for electrochemical purposes: A sustainable alternative to ensure greener electroanalysis.

3D-printing technology has revolutionized electrochemical applications by enabling rapid prototyping of various devices with high precision, even in highly complex structures. However, a significant challenge remains in developing less costly and more sustainable analytical approaches and methods aimed at mitigating the negative environmental impacts of chemical analysis procedures. In this study, we propose a solution to these challenges by creating a simple and versatile electrochemical system that combines 3D-printing technology with recyclable disposable materials, such as graphite from an exhausted battery and a stainless-steel screw.

The Variation of the Patellar Height in Total Knee Arthroplasties and its Relationship with the Replacement or not of the Patella.

 To compare the measurement of patellar height in the pre- and postoperative period of total knee arthroplasties (TKAs) and its variation in patients with and without patellar replacement.  Retrospective evaluation of radiographs of patients submitted to TKA between 2014 and 2020. Profile radiographs were evaluated using the modified Caton-Deschamps patellar height index, comparing the pre- and postoperative measurements of 90 patients, with a total of 100 knees.

Nitro-imidazole-based ruthenium complexes with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.

Inflammation is a physiological process triggered in response to tissue damage, and involves events related to cell recruitment, cytokines release and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Failing to control the process duration lead to chronification and may be associated with the development of various pathologies, including autoimmune diseases and cancer. Considering the pharmacological potential of metal-based compounds, two new ruthenium complexes were synthesized: cis-[Ru(NO)(bpy)(5NIM)]PF (1) and cis-[RuCl(bpy)(MTZ)]PF (2), where bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, 5NIM = 5-nitroimidazole and MTZ = metronidazole.

Dataset and detailed methodology for structure and performance characterization of modified polymeric membranes.

The data contained in this publication refers to protocols adopted characterization of clay nanoparticles (CN) membranes with and without the use of polyethylene oxide (PEO) as pore former. The membrane casting solutions were produced by dissolving PS (18% w/w) in NMP with addition of CN (1-5% w/w CN/PS) and/or PEO (1-5% w/w PEO/PS) when applicable. Membranes with no CN or PEO were used as a control.

Serum Anti-PGL-1 IgG, IgM, and IgA in a 3-Year Follow-up Study of 4-15-Year-old Leprosy Contacts.

Background: In 2015, the detection rate of leprosy in Santana do Ipanema municipality, Alagoas state, Brazil, was 39.3 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, and among young people below 15 years of age, it was 32.8 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

Polymorphism of IL10, IL4, CTLA4, and DAO Genes in Cross-Reactive Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug Hypersensitivity.

Our aim was to evaluate genetic polymorphism of molecules involved in immunoregulatory/allergic processes in patients who presented with cutaneous hypersensitivity caused by chemically unrelated nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Polymorphisms at IL10 (-1082 G>A), IL4 (-589 C>T), CTLA4 (+49A>G), and DAO (+8956 C>G) genes were studied in 55 cases and 97 controls by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique. With regard to the polymorphism at IL10 -1082, higher frequencies of the AG genotype (57% vs 39%) and G allele carriers (70% vs 48%) were found among the patients, indicating a risk effect (odds ratio [OR] = 2.

Serum anti-phenolic glycolipid-1 IgA correlates to IgM isotype in leprosy patients: a possible candidate for seroepidemiological surveys?

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare serum anti-phenolic glycolipid-1 IgA, IgG, and IgM levels in leprosy patients and controls.

Method: Analysis of anti-PGL-1 IgA, IgG, or IgM in serum samples from multibacillary (MB, n=32) and paucibacillary (PB, n=22) leprosy patients, and in non-endemic controls (n=17), using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results: A strong correlation between serum IgM and IgA isotypes was found (r=.

In vitro and in vivo leishmanicidal activity of Astronium fraxinifolium (Schott) and Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng against Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis.

The aim of the present work was to evaluate antileishmanial activity of Astronium fraxinifolium and Plectranthus amboinicus. For the in vitro tests, essential oil of P. amboinicus (OEPA) and ethanolic extracts from A.

Interleukin-10 gene polymorphism (-1082G/A) and allergy to efavirenz in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between polymorphism in the interleukin-10 gene promoter at position -1082 in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients who had presented allergic reaction due to efavirenz. The study included 63 patients treated at the Hospital São José de Doenças Infecciosas, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. Twenty-one patients who had presented allergic reaction to efavirenz were compared to 42 patients with no allergic reaction following exposure to this drug.

Intestinal epithelial restitution after TcdB challenge and recovery from Clostridium difficile infection in mice with alanyl-glutamine treatment.

Background: Clostridium difficile is an anaerobic bacterium that causes antibiotic-associated diarrhea. It produces toxin A and toxin B (TcdB), which cause injury to the gut epithelium. Glutamine is a fundamental fuel for enterocytes, maintaining intestinal mucosal health.

Protective effects of alanyl-glutamine supplementation against nelfinavir-induced epithelial impairment in IEC-6 cells and in mouse intestinal mucosa.

Purpose: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) protease inhibitors (PI) remain a crucial component of highly active therapy (HAART) and recently have been demonstrated to have potent antitumor effect on a wide variety of tumor cell lines. However, discontinuation of therapy is an important issue, which may be related to various side-effects, especially diarrhea. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of nelfinavir (NFV), an HIV PI, and of alanyl-glutamine (AQ) supplementation, on intestinal cell migration, proliferation, apoptosis and necrosis, using IEC-6 cells and on intestinal crypt depth, villus length, villus area, mitotic index and apoptosis in Swiss mice.

Oxygen supply in Bacillus thuringiensis fermentations: bringing new insights on their impact on sporulation and δ-endotoxin production.

The growth kinetics, sporulation, and toxicity of Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis were evaluated through the analysis of batch cultures with different dissolved oxygen (DO) profiles. Firstly, DO was maintained constant at 5%, 20%, or 50% throughout fermentation in order to identify the most suitable one to improve the main process parameters.

Gender and mortality in sepsis: do sex hormones impact the outcome?

Objective: Comparative assessment of the mortality rates of two septic patients' ages and/or gender subgroups, admitted to the intensive care unit of a university hospital.

Methods: From December 2005 to April 2008, from a total of 628 patients, 133 were admitted to the intensive care unit with sepsis and included into two age subgroups: (G1) 14 - 40 years old and (G2) more than 50 years old. Patients aged between 41 and 50 years old (n = 8) were excluded.

A T cell-binding fragment of fibrinogen can prevent autoimmunity.

The C-terminal domain of the fibrinogen gamma chain (gammaC) has been shown to bind to the integrins alphaIIbbeta3, alphaMbeta2 and alphaVbeta3. It has also been reported that a peptide derived from the alphaMbeta2-binding site of gammaC can suppress an animal model of multiple sclerosis, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Here we have truncated gammaC at position 399 to remove the prothrombotic alphaIIbbeta3-binding site.

Glycine betaine enhances growth of nitrogen-fixing bacteria Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus PAL5 under saline stress conditions.

In this study, the effect of glycine betaine as osmoprotectant compound for Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus PAL5 was evaluated by kinetic growth parameters. Batch fermentation assays were performed employing media supplemented with different sodium chloride concentrations to simulate saline stress conditions. Salt concentrations of 50-300 mM led to decreased cell concentrations, while the maximum specific growth rates and cell productivities were reduced at concentrations above 100-mM NaCl.