Enhanced physicochemical and antifungal properties of starch bionanocomposites reinforced with nanocellulose and functionalized with AgNPs derived from cocoa bean shell.

This study explored the synergistic combination of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), eucalyptus-derived nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) and cassava starch to develop bionanocomposites with advanced properties suitable for sustainable and antifungal packaging applications. The influence of AgNPs synthesized through a green method using cocoa bean shell combined with varying concentrations of NFC were investigated. Morphological (scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy), optical (L*, C*, °hue, and opacity), chemical (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy), mechanical (puncture force, tensile strength, and Young's modulus), rheological (flow curve and frequency sweeps, strain, and stress), barrier, and hydrophilicity properties (water vapor permeability, solubility, wettability, and contact angle), as well as the antifungal effect against pathogens (Botrytis cinerea, Penicillium expansum, Colletotrichum musae, and Fusarium semitectum), were analyzed.

Application of cellulose nanofibers as cryoprotective in frozen storage of chicken surimi-like material.

The application of cellulose nanofibers (CNF) as cryoprotectants in frozen foods has rarely been explored. In this study, the cryoprotective effect of CNF (2, 4 and 6 % w/w) on mechanically separated chicken meat (MSCM) surimi-like material was investigated, during frozen storage (5 and 60 days) under temperature fluctuation. Surimi-like without cryopreservation agents was more susceptible to protein oxidation due to ice recrystallization.

Assessment of the psychometric properties of the eHealth Literacy Scale for Brazilian adolescents.

With the increase in digitalization of adolescents and health services, the population must demonstrate digital health literacy skills to be able to navigate online health information, as well as identify, evaluate, and apply relevant information. The present study aimed to investigate the psychometric properties of the adapted version of the eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS-BrA) for Brazilian adolescents. This study was conducted between September 2022 and May 2023, involving a total of 260 adolescents aged 13 to 19, with a mean age of 15.

Elucidating the conformational behavior and membrane-destabilizing capability of the antimicrobial peptide ecPis-4s.

Here we present studies of the structure and membrane interactions of ecPis-4 s, a new antimicrobial peptide from the piscidin family, which shows a wide-range of potential biotechnological applications. In order to understand the mode of action ecPis-4 s, the peptide was chemically synthesized and structural investigations in the presence of anionic POPC:POPG (3:1, mol:mol) membrane and SDS micelles were performed. CD spectroscopy demonstrated that ecPis-4 s has a high content of helical structure in both membrane mimetic media, which is in line with solution NMR spectroscopy that revealed an amphipathic helical conformation throughout the entire peptide chain.

Regeneration and Plasticity Induced by Epidural Stimulation in a Rodent Model of Spinal Cord Injury.

Traumatic spinal cord injury is a major cause of disability for which there are currently no fully effective treatments. Recent studies using epidural electrical stimulation have shown significant advances in motor rehabilitation, even when applied during chronic phases of the disease. The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of epidural electric stimulation in the motor recovery of rats with spinal cord injury.

Influence of intensity ultrasound on rheological properties and bioactive compounds of araticum (Annona crassiflora) juice.

The use of extracts rich in bioactive compounds is becoming increasingly common in the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries for the production of functional products. Araticum is a potential fruit to be analyzed due to its content of phenolic compounds, carotenoids and vitamins, with antioxidant properties. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of ultrasound on total phenolic compounds, total carotenoids, ascorbic acid, color, turbidity and rheology in araticum juice.

The Synthetic Peptide LyeTx I mn∆K, Derived from Spider Toxin, Is Active against Methicillin-Resistant (MRSA) In Vitro and In Vivo.

The urgent global health challenge posed by methicillin-resistant (MRSA) infections demands effective solutions. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) represent promising tools of research of new antibacterial agents and LyeTx I mn∆K, a short synthetic peptide based on the spider venom, is a good representative. This study focused on analyzing the antimicrobial activities of LyeTx I mn∆K, including minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations, synergy and resensitization assays, lysis activity, the effect on biofilm, and the bacterial death curve in MRSA.

Enterobacteria in anaerobic digestion of dairy cattle wastewater: Assessing virulence and resistance for one health security.

Samples from a dairy cattle waste-fed anaerobic digester were collected across seasons to assess sanitary safety for biofertilizer use. Isolated enterobacteria (suggestive of Escherichia coli) were tested for susceptibility to biocides, antimicrobials, and biofilm-forming capability. Results revealed a decrease in total bacteria, coliforms, and enterobacteria in biofertilizer compared to the effluent.

Combined Oral Contraceptive Use and the Risk of Cervical Cancer: Literature Review.

Cervical cancer (CC) is caused by persistent infection of human papillomavirus of high oncogenic risk (hr-HPV); however, several cofactors are important in its carcinogenesis, such as smoking, multiparity, and prolonged use of oral hormonal contraceptives (COCs). Worldwide, 16% of women use COCs, whereas in Brazil this rate is of ∼ 30%. The safety and adverse effects of COCs are widely discussed in the literature, including the increase in carcinogenic risk.

Optimizing the synthesis of dimeric peptides: influence of the reaction medium and effects that modulate kinetics and reaction yield.

Peptides are remarkably interesting alternatives to several applications. In particular, antimicrobial sequences have raised major interest of the scientific community due to the resistance acquired by commonly used antibiotics. Amongst these, some dimeric peptides have shown very promising characteristics as strong biological activities and resistance against degradation by peptidases.

Selection of Short-Day Strawberry Genotypes through Multivariate Analysis.

Strawberries are produced in tropical regions using imported cultivars adapted to temperate and subtropical climates. These cultivars, under tropical conditions, produce below their genetic potential. Through multivariate analyses, the objective was to evaluate and select short-day strawberry genotypes based on intraspecific crosses, product characteristics, and fruit quality.

Sertraline as a potential cancer therapeutic approach: Biological relevance of TCTP in breast cancer cell lines and tumors.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the role of Translationally Controlled Tumor Protein (TCTP) in breast cancer (BC) and investigate the effects of sertraline, a serotonin selective reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), on BC cells. The objective was to assess the potential of sertraline as a therapeutic agent in BC treatment by examining its ability to inhibit TCTP expression and exert antitumor effects.

Material And Methods: We utilized five different BC cell lines representing the molecular heterogeneity and distinct subtypes of BC, including luminal, normal-like, HER2-positive, and triple-negative BC.

Virulence factors and antimicrobial resistance of Escherichia coli isolated from commercialized fresh cheese in the south of Espírito Santo.

Cheeses are dairy products that can potentially contain a diverse range of harmful bacteria that could be consumed by humans, including the enteric pathogen Escherichia coli. This study aimed to characterize the presence of total coliforms, assess the antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of the main commercial antimicrobial classes and biocides, and evaluate the ability of 50 E. coli isolates obtained from fresh cheese sold in the southern region of Espírito Santo, Brazil, to produce biofilms.

Cytokine profiling of samples positive for Chlamydia trachomatis and Human papillomavirus.

Persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is closely associated with cervical carcinoma. Co-infection in the endocervical environment with other microorganisms, such as Chlamydia trachomatis, may increase the risk of HPV infection and neoplastic progression. While in some individuals, Chlamydia trachomatis infection is resolved with the activation of Th1/IFN-γ-mediated immune response, others develop a chronic infection marked by Th2-mediated immune response, resulting in intracellular persistence of the bacterium and increasing the risk of HPV infection.

Microencapsulation of -carotene using barley residue proteins from beer waste as coating material.

This study aimed to produce and characterise microparticles produced from barley residue proteins (BRP) enriched with -carotene. The microparticles were obtained by freeze-drying five emulsion formulations with 0.5% w/w whey protein concentrate and different concentrations of maltodextrin and BRP (0, 1.

Effect of surface treatment of ethylene vinyl acetate on the delamination of custom-fitted mouthguards.

Background/aim: Contamination of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) during mouthguard fabrication can cause delamination. The study evaluated the effects of different EVA surface treatments on the contact angle, laminate bond strength, and elongation capacity.

Materials And Methods: Specimens of two bonded EVA plates were prepared (n = 30).

Dynamic cystoscopy to optimize preoperative assessment of bladder endometriosis.

Purpose: Bladder endometriosis (BE) accounts for 84% of cases of urinary tract involvement. The use of cystoscopy for preoperative evaluation is limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of preoperative dynamic cystoscopy (DC) in patients undergoing surgery for deep endometriosis and to describe the main findings and their impact on surgical planning.

Green Synthesis of Spiro Compounds with Potential Anticancer Activity through Knoevenagel/Michael/Cyclization Multicomponent Domino Reactions Organocatalyzed by Ionic Liquid and Microwave-Assisted.

In this work a microwave-assisted Knoevenagel/Michael/cyclization multicomponent domino methodology, using ethanol as solvent and the ionic liquid 1-methylimidazolium chloride as catalyst was developed for the synthesis of spiro compounds. The reaction conditions considered ideal were determined from a methodological study varying solvent, catalyst, amount of catalyst, temperature, and heating mode. Finally, the generality of the methodology was evaluated by exploring the scope of the reaction, varying the starting materials (isatin, malononitrile, and barbituric acid).

Post-harvest quality and sensory analysis of 'Prata' bananas produced in different cultivation field locations.

Banana 'Prata' has a significant demand in the Brazilian market, and Minas Gerais is one of the largest banana producers in the country. Scientific studies that evaluate the bananas quality produced in different cultivation regions are still incipient. Thus, this study evaluated the physical, biochemical and sensory attributes of banana 'Prata' from south and north of Minas Gerais and Vale do Ribeira (SP).

Synthesis, characterization and computational investigation of the phosphatase activity of a dinuclear Zinc(II) complex containing a new heptadentate asymmetric ligand.

We report the synthesis of a new asymmetric heptadentate ligand based on the 1,3-diaminopropan-2-ol backbone. The ligand 3-[[3-(bis-pyridin-2-ylmethyl-amino)-2-hydroxy-propyl]-(2-carbamoyl-ethyl)-amino]-propionamide (HL1) contains two amide and two pyridine groups attached to the 1,3-diaminopropan-2-ol core. Reaction between HL1 and Zn(ClO).

PEGylation of the antimicrobial peptide LyeTx I-b maintains structure-related biological properties and improves selectivity.

The biological activity of antimicrobial peptides and proteins is closely related to their structural aspects and is sensitive to certain post-translational modifications such as glycosylation, lipidation and PEGylation. However, PEGylation of protein and peptide drugs has expanded in recent years due to the reduction of their toxicity. Due to their size, the PEGylation process can either preserve or compromise the overall structure of these biopolymers and their biological properties.