Microplastics alter the leaf litter breakdown rates and the decomposer community in subtropical lentic microhabitats.

Microplastics, pervasive pollutants in aquatic environments, have been primarily studied for their impact on marine ecosystems. However, their effects on freshwater systems, particularly in forested phytotelmata habitats, remain understudied in Subtropical systems. This research examines the influence of varying microplastic concentrations (0.

Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Advanced Maternal Aged Cumulus Cells: A Possible Link to ATP Synthase Impairment?

Age-related changes in the mitochondrial status of human cumulus cells (hCCs) impact oocyte quality; however, the relationship between hCC mitochondrial (dys)function and reproductive aging remains poorly understood. This study aimed to establish the interplay between hCC mitochondrial dysfunction and women's reproductive potential. In this investigation, 266 women were enrolled and categorized into two groups based on their age: a young group (<35 years old) and an advanced maternal age (AMA) group (≥35 years old).

Less is more: partial larvicidal efficacy of plant leachate leads to larger mosquitoes.

Major efforts to control the population of mosquitoes involve the use of synthetic insecticides, which can be harmful to the environment. Most plant compounds are eco-friendly and some of them have biocontrol potential, whereas a fraction of these compounds is released into the environment through the leaf-leaching process. We evaluated the effects of secondary compounds from and senescent leaf leachates on larval mortality, adult emergence time, and wing size using a microcosm approach.

Static magnetic field blocked alprazolam-induced behavior of Wistar rats in the elevated plus-maze test.

Studies have shown that psychotropic drugs change rat behavior in the elevated plus-maze test (EPM). This study investigated whether static magnetic fields could alter alprazolam-induced rat behavior in the EPM. 66 male Wistar rats (270-300 g weight) were assigned to one of the following groups: Sham Magnetic + Saline (SMS), North Pole + Saline (NPS), South Pole + Saline (SPS), Sham magnetic + alprazolam (SMA), NP + alprazolam (NPA), and SP + alprazolam (SPA).

Effect of the Association and Evaluation of the Induction to Adaptation of the (+)-α-pinene with Commercial Antimicrobials against Strains of Escherichia coli.

Background: The increasing and inappropriate use of antibiotics has increased the number of multidrug-resistant microorganisms to these drugs, causing the emergence of infections that are difficult to control and manage by health professionals. As an alternative to combat these pathogens, some monoterpenes have harmful effects on the bacterial cell membrane, showing themselves as an alternative in combating microorganisms. Therefore, the positive enantiomer α -pinene becomes an alternative to fight bacteria, since it was able to inhibit the growth of the species Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, demonstrating the possibility of its use as an isolated antimicrobial or associated with other drugs.

Epidemiological characteristics and strategies for the prevention of diarrheal disease in indigenous children: A scoping review.

Aim: The aim of the present scoping review was to map the scientific evidence about diarrheal disease in indigenous children and the strategies that can be used to prevent it.

Methods: The subject headings were indigenous population; child; diarrhea; dysentery; epidemiology; and prevention, primary; also the following keywords characteristic, epidemiologic study; and children. The databases consulted were Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature, MEDLINE via the US National Library of Medicine/National Institutes of Health, and Web of Science.

Relationship between nocturnal blood pressure profiles and the presence and severity of hypertensive retinopathy.

Introduction: Non-dipper and extreme dipper blood pressure (BP) profiles are associated with a worse cardiovascular prognosis. The relationship between nocturnal BP profile and hypertensive retinopathy (HR) is not fully established.

Aim: To assess the association between the prevalence and severity of HR and nocturnal BP.

Shortened first-line TB treatment in Brazil: potential cost savings for patients and health services.

Background: Shortened treatment regimens for tuberculosis are under development to improve treatment outcomes and reduce costs. We estimated potential savings from a societal perspective in Brazil following the introduction of a hypothetical four-month regimen for tuberculosis treatment.

Methods: Data were gathered in ten randomly selected health facilities in Rio de Janeiro.

Simultaneous analysis of cytoskeletal patterns and chromosome positioning in human fertilization failures.

Objective: To sequentially and reliably apply both tubulin immunocytochemistry (ICC) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to human fertilization failures, thus providing a tool for a multiple analysis of arrest.

Design: Analysis of human fertilization failures at several stages of arrest.

Setting: Academic and clinical institutions.