Antioxidant, antimicrobial and healing properties of an extract from coffee pulp for the development of a phytocosmetic.

Consumer demand for natural, chemical-free products has grown. Food industry residues, like coffee pulp, rich in caffeine, chlorogenic acid and phenolic compounds, offer potential for pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. Therefore, the objective of this work was to develop a phytocosmetic only with natural products containing coffee pulp extract as active pharmaceutical ingredient with antioxidant, antimicrobial and healing activity.

Metabolomics in chronic hepatitis C: Decoding fibrosis grading and underlying pathways.

Background: Chronic Hepatitis C (CHC) affects 71 million people globally and leads to liver issues such as fibrosis, cirrhosis, cancer, and death. A better understanding and prognosis of liver involvement are vital to reduce morbidity and mortality. The accurate identification of the fibrosis stage is crucial for making treatment decisions and predicting outcomes.

Comparing plasma and skin imprint metabolic profiles in COVID-19 diagnosis and severity assessment.

As SARS-CoV-2 continues to produce new variants, the demand for diagnostics and a better understanding of COVID-19 remain key topics in healthcare. Skin manifestations have been widely reported in cases of COVID-19, but the mechanisms and markers of these symptoms are poorly described. In this cross-sectional study, 101 patients (64 COVID-19 positive patients and 37 controls) were enrolled between April and June 2020, during the first wave of COVID-19, in São Paulo, Brazil.

Comparative metabolomic profiling of women undergoing in vitro fertilization procedures reveals potential infertility-related biomarkers in follicular fluid.

Infertility is a worldwide concern, affecting one in six couples throughout their reproductive period. Therefore, enhancing the clinical tools available to identify the causes of infertility may save time, money, and emotional distress for the involved parties. This study aims to annotate potential biomarkers in follicular fluid that are negatively affecting pregnancy outcomes in women suffering infertility-related diseases such as endometriosis, tuboperitoneal factor, uterine factor, and unexplained infertility, using a metabolomics approach through high-resolution mass spectrometry.

Tomato classification using mass spectrometry-machine learning technique: A food safety-enhancing platform.

Food safety and quality assessment mechanisms are unmet needs that industries and countries have been continuously facing in recent years. Our study aimed at developing a platform using Machine Learning algorithms to analyze Mass Spectrometry data for classification of tomatoes on organic and non-organic. Tomato samples were analyzed using silica gel plates and direct-infusion electrospray-ionization mass spectrometry technique.

Metabolomic Profiling of Plasma Reveals Differential Disease Severity Markers in COVID-19 Patients.

The severity, disabilities, and lethality caused by the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) disease have dumbfounded the entire world on an unprecedented scale. The multifactorial aspect of the infection has generated interest in understanding the clinical history of COVID-19, particularly the classification of severity and early prediction on prognosis. Metabolomics is a powerful tool for identifying metabolite signatures when profiling parasitic, metabolic, and microbial diseases.

Efficacy and safety of HD-tDCS and respiratory rehabilitation for critically ill patients with COVID-19 The HD-RECOVERY randomized clinical trial.

Background And Purpose: Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ADRS) due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been associated with muscle fatigue, corticospinal pathways dysfunction, and mortality. High-Definition transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (HD-tDCS) may be used to attenuate clinical impairment in these patients. The HD-RECOVERY randomized clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of HD-tDCS with respiratory rehabilitation in patients with moderate to severe ARDS due to COVID-19.

Molecular signatures associated with diuron exposure on rat urothelial mitochondria.

Diuron, 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea, is a worldwide used herbicide whose biotransformation gives rise to the metabolites, 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-methylurea (DCPMU) and 3,4-dichloroaniline (DCA). Previous studies indicate that diuron and/or its metabolites are toxic to the bladder urothelium of the Wistar rats where, under certain conditions of exposure, they may induce successively urothelial cell degeneration, necrosis, hyperplasia and eventually tumors. The hypothesis was raised that the molecular initiating event (MIE) of this Adverse Outcome Pathway is the mitochondrial toxicity of those compounds.

Differentially expressed plasmatic microRNAs in Brazilian patients with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): preliminary results.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by a novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It is known that host microRNAs (miRNAs) can be modulated to favor viral infection or to protect the host. Herein, we report preliminary results of a study aiming at identifying differentially expressed plasmatic miRNAs in Brazilian patients with COVID-19.

Metabolic alterations in Strongyloidiasis stool samples unveil potential biomarkers of infection.

Strongyloidiasis, a parasitosis caused by Strongyloides stercoralis in humans, is a very prevalent infection in tropical or subtropical areas. Gaps on public health strategies corroborates to the high global incidence of strongyloidiasis especially due to challenges involved on its diagnosis. Based on the lack of a gold-standard diagnostic tool, we aimed to present a metabolomic study for the assessment of stool metabolic alterations.

Effect of in vitro digestion on the bioaccessibility and bioactivity of phenolic compounds in fractions of Eugenia pyriformis fruit.

Uvaia is a Brazilian fruit species that has great economic and nutritional potential, in addition to being a good source of compounds of biological interest. In this study, we evaluated for the first time the influence of in vitro gastrointestinal digestion on the bioaccessibility and bioactivity of phenolic compounds from two fractions of uvaia (edible and seed). It was observed that the content of total phenolic compounds was about 3 times higher in the seed (undigested extract), but reduced significantly after intestinal digestion (-50.

Gas6 drives Zika virus-induced neurological complications in humans and congenital syndrome in immunocompetent mice.

Zika virus (ZIKV) has the ability to cross placental and brain barriers, causing congenital malformations in neonates and neurological disorders in adults. However, the pathogenic mechanisms of ZIKV-induced neurological complications in adults and congenital malformations are still not fully understood. Gas6 is a soluble TAM receptor ligand able to promote flavivirus internalization and downregulation of immune responses.

Metabolic shift of chronic myeloid leukemia patients under imatinib-pioglitazone regimen and discontinuation.

The Estudo de Descontinuação de Imatinibe após Pioglitazona (EDI-PIO) is a single-center, longitudinal, prospective, phase 2, non-randomized, open, clinical trial (NCT02852486, August 2, 2016 retrospectively registered) for the discontinuation of imatinib after concomitant use of pioglitazone, being the first of its kind in a Brazilian population with chronic myeloid leukemia. Due to remaining of leukemic quiescent cells that are not affected by tyrosine kinase inhibitors, it has been suggested the use of pioglitazone, a PPARγ agonist, together with imatinib as a strategy for the maintenance of deep molecular response. The clinical benefit to this association is still controversial, and the metabolic alteration along this process remains unclear.

Evaluation of antioxidant capacity, fatty acid profile, and bioactive compounds from buritirana (Mauritiella armata Mart.) oil: A little-explored native Brazilian fruit.

Buritirana (Mauritiella armata Mart.) is a fruit species native to the Amazon and Cerrado region, belonging to the Arecaceae family. It has high nutritional and functional potential, yet little explored.

Chemical characterization of Eugenia stipitata: A native fruit from the Amazon rich in nutrients and source of bioactive compounds.

Eugenia stipitata is a fruit native to the Brazilian Amazonian region, belonging to the Myrtaceae family whose chemical composition has been little evidenced. In this study, we evaluated for the first time the nutritional composition, bioactive compounds and antioxidant properties of two fractions of this fruit. It was observed that the edible fraction had a higher content of minerals such as K, Ca and Mg (827.

Covid-19 Automated Diagnosis and Risk Assessment through Metabolomics and Machine Learning.

COVID-19 is still placing a heavy health and financial burden worldwide. Impairment in patient screening and risk management plays a fundamental role on how governments and authorities are directing resources, planning reopening, as well as sanitary countermeasures, especially in regions where poverty is a major component in the equation. An efficient diagnostic method must be highly accurate, while having a cost-effective profile.

Distribution of nutrients and functional potential in fractions of Eugenia pyriformis: An underutilized native Brazilian fruit.

Uvaia is a Brazilian native species whose fruit has few studies on the nutritional composition and antioxidant properties. In this study, we evaluated for the first time the proximate composition, mineral content, carbohydrate profile, identification of organic compounds, and determination of antioxidant properties in two fractions of this fruit (edible fraction and seed). Edible fraction showed the highest content of ash, lipids, proteins, total fibers, minerals mainly K and Mg (1557.

Influence of high-intensity ultrasound on color, chemical composition and antioxidant properties of araçá-boi pulp.

In this study, we evaluated the influence of the ultrasound application on five levels of energy density (1000; 3000; 5000 and 7000 J g) compared to two pasteurization techniques (70 °C/5 min and 94 °C/0.5 min) on color parameters, polyphenoloxidase activity, chemical composition, and antioxidant properties of araçá-boi pulp. Ultrasound caused changes in the parameters brightness/darkness, hue angle, and total color difference, but did not change chroma, yellowness/blueness, color index, and yellow index.

Does leukotriene F4 play a major role in the infection mechanism of Candida sp.?

Candidiasis is the most common fungal infection affecting hospitalized patients, especially immunocompromised and critical patients. Limitations regarding the assertive diagnosis of both Candidemia and Candidiasis not only impairs the introduction of effective treatments but also lays a heavy financial burden over the health system. Furthermore, it is still challenging to ascertain whether diagnostic methods are accurate and whether treatment is effective for patients with Candidemia.

Metabolomics and Machine Learning Approaches Combined in Pursuit for More Accurate Paracoccidioidomycosis Diagnoses.

Brazil and many other Latin American countries are areas of endemicity for different neglected diseases, and the fungal infection paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is one of them. Among the clinical manifestations, pneumopathy associated with skin and mucosal lesions is the most frequent. PCM definitive diagnosis depends on yeast microscopic visualization and immunological tests, but both present ambiguous results and difficulty in differentiating PCM from other fungal infections.

Combining Machine Learning and Metabolomics to Identify Weight Gain Biomarkers.

Weight gain is a metabolic disorder that often culminates in the development of obesity and other comorbidities such as diabetes. Obesity is characterized by the development of a chronic, subclinical systemic inflammation, and is regarded as a remarkably important factor that contributes to the development of such comorbidities. Therefore, laboratory methods that allow the identification of subjects at higher risk for severe weight-associated morbidity are of utter importance, considering the health, and safety of populations.

An LDI-MSI approach for targeted and untargeted differentiation and assessment of pharmaceutical formulations.

Falsified, counterfeit and adulterated medicines are an endemic problem worldwide that results in both monetary and health-related losses. Developing fast and reliable methods that are able to present a timely result based on the drug's spectral profile is an effort that is sure to benefit those involved in the whole distribution chain. We propose herein a Laser Desorption/Ionization imaging-based method that provides simple and minimal sample preparation; this method is capable of providing specific markers that characterize adulterations, using as proof of concept one of the most adulterated drug products for oral use, sildenafil.

Unsaturated fatty acids from flaxseed oil and exercise modulate GPR120 but not GPR40 in the liver of obese mice: a new anti-inflammatory approach.

GPR120 and GPR40 were recently reported as omega-3 (ω3) receptors with anti-inflammatory properties. Physical exercise could increase the expression of these receptors in the liver, improving hepatic metabolism in obesity and type 2 diabetes. Our aim was to investigate GPR120/40 in the liver of lean and obese mice after acute or chronic physical exercise, with or without the supplementation of ω3 rich flaxseed oil (FS), as well as assess the impact of exercise and FS on insulin signaling and inflammation.

The role of lipids in the inception, maintenance and complications of dengue virus infection.

Dengue fever is a viral condition that has become a recurrent issue for public health in tropical countries, common endemic areas. Although viral structure and composition have been widely studied, the infection phenotype in terms of small molecules remains poorly established. This contribution providing a comprehensive overview of the metabolic implications of the virus-host interaction using a lipidomic-based approach through direct-infusion high-resolution mass spectrometry.