Functional impairment in COPD can be predicted using genomic-derived data.

Objective: Reduced functional capacity and muscle weakness are two major contributors to functional impairment in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The underlying causes of functional impairment are poorly understood and, therefore, we sought to investigate the contribution of genetic factors.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of sociodemographic, clinical and genetic information of people with COPD.

Bioactive silicon-based dental gel associated with a calcium booster for dentin hypersensitivity treatment: A randomized clinical study.

Background: Dentin hypersensitivity affects a significant portion of the world's population, causing pain and negatively impacting oral health and quality of life This clinical study investigated the effectiveness of a desensitizing fluoride silicon-rich dental gel associated with a calcium booster.

Material And Methods: In this single-blind, randomized, parallel-group clinical trial, forty-eight volunteers diagnosed with dentin hypersensitivity and qualified to participate were randomized into 2 groups: (1) fluoride silicon-rich dental gel (REFX Technology)/calcium booster (Si/Ca protocol); (2) Pumice stone diluted in saline. A draw was carried out between the right and left sides of the patients so that either a prophylaxis with the dental gel associated with calcium or with fine pumice stone diluted in saline was carried out.

Mucosal-adapted bacteriophages as a preventive strategy for a lethal Pseudomonas aeruginosa challenge in mice.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an emergent threat due to the antimicrobial resistance crisis. Bacteriophages (phages) are promising agents for phage therapy approaches against P. aeruginosa.

Algal polysaccharides: new perspectives for the treatment of basal ganglia neurodegenerative diseases.

The objective of this review was to verify the therapeutic effect of polysaccharides derived from algae in neurodegenerative disease models involving the basal ganglia. To achieve this goal, a literature search was conducted in PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and Google Scholar databases. The descriptors "neuroprotective or neural regenerative or immunomodulatory activity or neuroprotection," "polysaccharide or carbohydrate or carbohydrate polymers," "marine algae or seaweed," and "basal ganglia" according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology were used.

Characterization of the myostatin gene in the neotropical species Piaractus mesopotamicus and the possibility of its use in genetic improvement programs.

Background: The myostatin gene has played an important role in the genetic improvement of the main species of economic importance; however, it has not yet been described for some Neotropical fish essential for aquaculture. This study aimed to characterize the myostatin gene of pacu, Piaractus mesopotamicus, and investigate the association of a microsatellite marker in this gene with the weight of fish.

Methods And Results: The myostatin gene sequence was obtained after following a RACE-PCR strategy based on a partial mRNA sequence available in the GenBank database and the alignment of myostatin sequences from other fish species.