Amplified HIV Transmission Risk Among People Living With HIV in Southeast Brazil.

This study investigated the factors associated with amplified HIV transmission risk among people living with HIV from a city in southeast Brazil. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 397 people living with HIV recruited in infectious diseases clinics. Data on risk of HIV transmission, sociodemographic characteristics, sexual behaviors, professional counseling, serological HIV status, HIV-related clinical data, and beliefs about risk of HIV transmission were collected through interviews and medical records.

Cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Barriers to HIV Testing Scale-Karolinska Version for Brazilian Men Who Have Sex With Men.

The aim of this study was to perform the cultural adaptation and validation of the Barriers to HIV testing scale-Karolinska version for Brazilian men who have sex with men. A methodological study was conducted for cultural adaptation and validation of the scale. Reliability analyses, exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and convergent and discriminant validity tests were performed.

Spatial -omics technologies: the new enterprise in 3D breast cancer models.

The fields of tissue bioengineering, -omics, and spatial biology are advancing rapidly, each offering the opportunity for a paradigm shift in breast cancer research. However, to date, collaboration between these fields has not reached its full potential. In this review, we describe the most recently generated 3D breast cancer models regarding the biomaterials and technological platforms employed.

Flint corn silage management: influence of maturity stage, inoculation with , and storage time on fermentation pattern, aerobic stability, and nutritional characteristics.

Introduction: High quality corn silage depends on factors such as corn type, stage of crop development at harvest time, fermentation time, in addition to use or not of inoculants. This study aimed to investigate the impact of maturity stage, bacterial inoculation, and storage time on fermentation, aerobic stability, and nutritional characteristics of flint corn silage and their implications for corn silage management.

Methods: A flint corn hybrid was harvested very early, early, and medium (at 250, 300 and 350 g dry matter (DM)/kg as fed, respectively) and ensiled in mini-silos without (control) or with CNCM I-4323 at 1 × 10 cfu/g for 120, 240 and 360 d to investigate how these factors interact with each other.

Assessing non-synthetic crosslinkers in biomaterial inks based on polymers of marine origin to increase the shape fidelity in 3D extrusion printing.

In the past decade, there has been significant progress in 3D printing research for tissue engineering (TE) using biomaterial inks made from natural and synthetic compounds. These constructs can aid in the regeneration process after tissue loss or injury, but achieving high shape fidelity is a challenge as it affects the construct's physical and biological performance with cells. In parallel with the growth of 3D bioprinting approaches, some marine-origin polymers have been studied due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, low immunogenicity, and similarities to human extracellular matrix components, making them an excellent alternative to land mammal-origin polymers with reduced disease transmission risk and ethical concerns.

Replication of natural surface topographies to generate advanced cell culture substrates.

Surface topographies of cell culture substrates can be used to generate cell culture environments similar to the cell niches. the physical properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM), such as its topography, provide physical cues that play an important role in modulating cell function. Mimicking these properties remains a challenge to provide realistic environments for cells.

Inconsistency in Shoulder Arthrometers for Measuring Glenohumeral Joint Laxity: A Systematic Review.

There is no consensus on how to measure shoulder joint laxity and results reported in the literature are not well systematized for the available shoulder arthrometer devices. This systematic review aims to summarize the results of currently available shoulder arthrometers for measuring glenohumeral laxity in individuals with healthy or injured shoulders. Searches were conducted on the PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases to identify studies that measure glenohumeral laxity with arthrometer-assisted assessment.

Chitosan/Virgin-Coconut-Oil-Based System Enriched with Cubosomes: A 3D Drug-Delivery Approach.

Emulsion-based systems that combine natural polymers with vegetable oils have been identified as a promising research avenue for developing structures with potential for biomedical applications. Herein, chitosan (CHT), a natural polymer, and virgin coconut oil (VCO), a resource obtained from coconut kernels, were combined to create an emulsion system. Phytantriol-based cubosomes encapsulating sodium diclofenac, an anti-inflammatory drug, were further dispersed into CHT/VCO- based emulsion.

End-on PEGylation of heparin: Effect on anticoagulant activity and complexation with protamine.

Heparin is the most common anticoagulant used in clinical practice but shows some downsides such as short half-life (for the high molecular weight heparin) and secondary effects. On the other hand, its low molecular weight analogue cannot be neutralized with protamine, and therefore cannot be used in some treatments. To address these issues, we conjugated polyethylene glycol (PEG) to heparin reducing end (end-on) via oxime ligation and studied the interactions of the conjugate (Hep-b-PEG) with antithrombin III (AT) and protamine.

Microfluidic Devices: A Tool for Nanoparticle Synthesis and Performance Evaluation.

The use of nanoparticles (NPs) in nanomedicine holds great promise for the treatment of diseases for which conventional therapies present serious limitations. Additionally, NPs can drastically improve early diagnosis and follow-up of many disorders. However, to harness their full capabilities, they must be precisely designed, produced, and tested in relevant models.

Fucoidan-Coated Silica Nanoparticles Promote the Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells into the Osteogenic Lineage.

Silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) are widely used in biomedical applications, such as cancer therapy/diagnosis or tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Herein, we synthesized SiNPs and modified them with sulfonic acid groups (by organosilylation followed by oxidation) or a sulfated polysaccharide (i.e.

Layer-by-layer coated calcium carbonate nanoparticles for targeting breast cancer cells.

Breast cancer is resistant to conventional treatments due to the specific tumour microenvironment, the associated acidic pH and the overexpression of receptors that enhance cells tumorigenicity. Herein, we optimized the synthesis of acidic resorbable calcium carbonate (CaCO) nanoparticles and the encapsulation of a low molecular weight model molecule (Rhodamine). The addition of ethylene glycol during the synthetic process resulted in a particle size decrease: we obtained homogeneous CaCO particles with an average size of 564 nm.

Functional recovery of injured cavernous nerves achieved through endogenous nerve growth factor-containing bioactive fibrous membrane.

Radical prostatectomy is a highly successful treatment for prostate cancer, among the most prevalent manifestations of the illness. Damage of the cavernous nerve (CN) during prostatectomy is the main cause of postoperative erectile dysfunction (ED). In this study, the capability of a personalized bioactive fibrous membrane to regenerate injured CN was investigated.

Nonclinical evaluation of a Vitis vinifera extract towards a novel antiaging cosmetic ingredient.

Background: Skin aging is regulated by multiple physiological processes, such as oxidative stress. Natural products have been considered as a promising source of antioxidant compounds. As a result, few innovative products on the market based on natural products tackle additional underlying mechanisms of skin aging.

Design and synthesis of new 1,2,3-triazoles derived from eugenol and analogues with in vitro and in vivo activity against Trypanosoma cruzi.

Chagas disease (CD) is a neglected tropical disease endemic in 21 countries and affects about 8 million people around the world. The pharmacotherapy for this disease is limited to two drugs (Benznidazole and Nifurtimox) and both are associated with important limitations, as low cure rate in the chronic phase of the disease, high toxicity and increasing resistance by Trypanosoma cruzi. Recently, we reported a bioactive 1,2,3-triazole (compound 35) active in vitro (IC 42.

Discrepancies in breast cancer's oncological outcomes between public and private institutions in the southeast region of Brazil: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Brazil is a middle-income country with inequalities in its healthcare system. The disparities between public and private services affect the diagnosis and treatment of patients with breast cancer. The aim of this study is to assess whether disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) are different in public and private specialized centers.

Zinc-Organometallic Framework Vaccine Controlled-Release Zn Regulates Tumor Extracellular Matrix Degradation Potentiate Efficacy of Immunotherapy.

Tumor extracellular matrix (ECM) not only forms a physical barrier for T cells infiltration, but also regulates multiple immunosuppressive pathways, which is an important reason for immunotherapy failure. The cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate synthase-stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS-STING) pathway plays a key role in activating CD8 T cells, maintaining CD8 T cells stemness and enhancing the antitumor effect. Herein, a zinc-organometallic framework vaccine (ZPM@OVA-CpG) prepared by self-assembly, which achieves site-directed release of Zn in dendritic cell (DC) lysosomes and tumor microenvironment under acidic conditions, is reported.

Mulberry Biomass-Derived Nanomedicines Mitigate Colitis through Improved Inflamed Mucosa Accumulation and Intestinal Microenvironment Modulation.

The therapeutic outcomes of conventional oral medications against ulcerative colitis (UC) are restricted by inefficient drug delivery to the colitis mucosa and weak capacity to modulate the inflammatory microenvironment. Herein, a fluorinated pluronic (FP127) was synthesized and employed to functionalize the surface of mulberry leaf-derived nanoparticles (MLNs) loading with resveratrol nanocrystals (RNs). The obtained FP127@RN-MLNs possessed exosome-like morphologies, desirable particle sizes (around 171.

Feeding 3-nitrooxypropanol reduces methane emissions by feedlot cattle on tropical conditions.

Our objective was to evaluate the effects of feeding 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP; Bovaer, DSM Nutritional Products) at two levels on methane emissions, nitrogen balance, and performance by feedlot cattle. In experiment 1, a total of 138 Nellore bulls (initial body weight, 360 ± 37.3 kg) were housed in pens (27 pens with either 4 or 5 bulls per pen) and fed a high-concentrate diet for 96 d, containing 1) no addition of 3-NOP (control), 2) inclusion of 3-NOP at 100 mg/kg dry matter (DM), and 3) inclusion of 3-NOP at 150 mg/kg DM.

Barriers to Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) use for HIV: an integrative review.

Objectives: to identify and synthesize scientific evidence on the barriers and difficulties for Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) use and compliance for HIV.

Methods: an integrative literature review, using the MEDLINE/PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Academic Search Premier and Scopus (Elsevier) databases.

Results: all (100%) the articles included identified that PrEP users experience some type of structural barrier related to health services such as long distance from the units, suboptimal logistics for taking pills and professional resistance to prescribing PrEP.

Development of Conjugated Kefiran-Chondroitin Sulphate Cryogels with Enhanced Properties for Biomedical Applications.

Hydrogels based on natural polysaccharides can have unique properties and be tailored for several applications, which may be mainly limited by the fragile structure and weak mechanical properties of this type of system. We successfully prepared cryogels made of newly synthesized kefiran exopolysaccharide-chondroitin sulfate (CS) conjugate via carbodiimide-mediated coupling to overcome these drawbacks. The freeze-thawing procedure of cryogel preparation followed by lyophilization is a promising route to fabricate polymer-based scaffolds with countless and valuable biomedical applications.

Identification of MicroRNA Expression Profiles Related to the Aggressiveness of Salivary Gland Adenoid Cystic Carcinomas.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) has been reported as the second most common carcinoma of the salivary glands. Few studies have associated miRNA expression with ACC aggressiveness. In this study, we evaluated the miRNA profile of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples of salivary gland ACC patients using the NanoString platform.

Formation mechanism of high-index faceted Pt-Bi alloy nanoparticles by evaporation-induced growth from metal salts.

Nanoparticles with high-index facets are intriguing because such facets can lend the structure useful functionality, including enhanced catalytic performance and wide-ranging optical tunability. Ligand-free solid-state syntheses of high index-facet nanoparticles, through an alloying-dealloying process with foreign volatile metals, are attractive owing to their materials generality and high yields. However, the role of foreign atoms in stabilizing the high-index facets and the dynamic nature of the transformation including the coarsening and facet regulation process are still poorly understood.