Discovery of novel pyrazoline insecticides.

Background: The pyrazoline insecticides, invented by Philips Duphar in the 1970s, provide excellent control of lepidopterans and coleopterans and introduced a novel mode of action (MoA) as sodium-channel-blocking insecticides, but were not commercialized due to unacceptable persistence. This MoA is less explored, with only two successfully commercialized insecticides derived from the pyrazoline class - the oxadiazine indoxacarb from FMC (developed by DuPont) and the semicarbazone metaflumizone, co-developed by BASF and Nihon Nohyaku.

Results: The design and synthesis of novel pyrazoline insecticides with improved biological efficacy and favorable environmental fate profile are described.

Calcium polystyrene sulfonate-induced colitis: advanced characterization of crystal nature with infrared spectroscopy.

Classical potassium binders are used in the treatment of hyperkalemia and are widely associated with gastrointestinal side effects, with crystal colonic injury being rare but potentially fatal. In this report, we describe the case of an 82-year-old male with hyperkalemia and calcium polystyrene sulfonate crystal-associated colonic necrosis. Traditionally, this diagnosis has relied on the examination of crystal morphology and polarization through microscopy.

South America holds the greatest diversity of native daisies (Asteraceae) in the world: an updated catalogue supporting continental-scale conservation.

Asteraceae is the world's richest plant family and is found on all continents, in environments ranging from the coast to the highest mountains. The family shows all growth forms and, as in other angiosperm families, species richness is concentrated in tropical regions. South America has the highest diversity of Asteraceae in the world, yet taxonomic and distributional knowledge gaps remain.

The impact of ZIKV infection on gene expression in neural cells over time.

Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreak caused one of the most significant medical emergencies in the Americas due to associated microcephaly in newborns. To evaluate the impact of ZIKV infection on neuronal cells over time, we retrieved gene expression data from several ZIKV-infected samples obtained at different time point post-infection (pi). Differential gene expression analysis was applied at each time point, with more differentially expressed genes (DEG) identified at 72h pi.

Chemical Composition, Fatty Acid Profile, Phenolic Compounds, and Antioxidant Activity of Raw and Germinated Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) Seeds.

The consumption of chia seeds has become popular due to their beneficial health properties and the germination of chia seeds seems to further enhance these properties. This study aimed to evaluate the changes in the nutritional composition of chia seeds after germination for 3 and 6 days. Chemical composition, fatty acid profile, phenolic content and antioxidant capacity were determined.

Metabolic shift toward ketosis in asocial cavefish increases social-like affinity.

Background: Social affinity and collective behavior are nearly ubiquitous in the animal kingdom, but many lineages feature evolutionarily asocial species. These solitary species may have evolved to conserve energy in food-sparse environments. However, the mechanism by which metabolic shifts regulate social affinity is not well investigated.

Another tick bites the dust: exploring the association of microbial composition with a broad transmission competence of tick vector species.

Some tick species are competent to transmit more than one pathogen while other species are, until now, known to be competent to transmit only one single or any pathogen. Such a difference in vector competence for one or more pathogens might be related to the microbiome, and understanding what differentiates these two groups of ticks could help us control several diseases aiming at the bacteria groups that contribute to such a broad vector competence. Using 16S rRNA from tick species that could be classified into these groups, genera such as Rickettsia and Staphylococcus seemed to be associated with such a broad vector competence.

Safety and Effectiveness of Cladribine in Multiple Sclerosis: Real-World Clinical Experience From 5 Tertiary Hospitals in Portugal.

Objectives: Cladribine is a selective and oral immunological reconstitution treatment, approved in Europe for very active multiple sclerosis (MS) with relapses. Aims were to assess the safety and effectiveness of cladribine in real-world setting, during treatment follow-up.

Methods: This was a multicentric, longitudinal, observational study with retrospective and prospective data collection of clinical, laboratory, and imaging data.

Consensus for the Early Identification of Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis in Portugal: a Delphi Panel.

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis is a disease with a heterogeneous evolution. The early identification of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis is a clinical challenge, which would benefit from the definition of biomarkers and diagnostic tools applicable in the transition phase from relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis to secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. We aimed to reach a Portuguese national consensus on the monitoring of patients with multiple sclerosis and on the more relevant clinical variables for the early identification of its progression.

The novel pyridazine pyrazolecarboxamide insecticide dimpropyridaz inhibits chordotonal organ function upstream of TRPV channels.

Background: Pyridazine pyrazolecarboxamides (PPCs) are a novel insecticide class discovered and optimized at BASF. Dimpropyridaz is the first PPC to be submitted for registration and controls many aphid species as well as whiteflies and other piercing-sucking insects.

Results: Dimpropyridaz and other tertiary amide PPCs are proinsecticides that are converted in vivo into secondary amide active forms by N-dealkylation.

Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) Seed Germination: a Brief Review.

Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) is a seed native to northern Mexico and southern Guatemala that has started to be consumed in recent years in other regions of the world owing to its nutritional and functional properties. Germination of chia seeds seems to be able to further improve these properties, and it has been the subject of some studies.

Flonicamid metabolite 4-trifluoromethylnicotinamide is a chordotonal organ modulator insecticide.

Background: The selective aphicide flonicamid is known to cause symptoms in aphids that are like those of chordotonal organ TRPV channel modulator insecticides such as pymetrozine, pyrifluquinazon and afidopyropen. Flonicamid is classified by the Insecticide Resistance Action Committee as a chordotonal organ modulator with an undefined target site. However, although it has been shown not to act on TRPV channels, flonicamid's action on chordotonal organs has not been documented in the literature.

Late onset neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (LONMOSD) from a nationwide Portuguese study: Anti-AQP4 positive, anti-MOG positive and seronegative subgroups.

Introduction: Several neuroimmunological disorders have distinct phenotypes according to the age of onset, as in multiple sclerosis or myasthenia gravis. It is also described that late onset NMOSD (LONMOSD) has a different phenotype.

Objective: To describe the clinical/demographic characteristics of the LONMOSD and distinguish them from those with early onset (EONMOSD).

Green in times of COVID-19: urban green space relevance during the COVID-19 pandemic in Buenos Aires City.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a deep impact on the way we perceive our world. This study explores its effect on Urban Green Space (UGS) perception in Buenos Aires City (CABA), Argentina. We provide a detailed overview of the distribution of UGS in CABA, along with socio-economic analysis and visitors' profile and perception before and during the restrictive measures adopted by the national authorities to contain the COVID-19 outbreak (July to December of 2020).

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders: A nationwide Portuguese clinical epidemiological study.

Introduction: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a rare disorder in which astrocyte damage and/or demyelination often cause severe neurological deficits.

Objective: To identify Portuguese patients with NMOSD and assess their epidemiological/clinical characteristics.

Methods: This was a nationwide multicenter study.

Defining the prodromal phase of multiple sclerosis based on healthcare access in a Portuguese population - ProdMS study.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic immune-mediated disease of the central nervous system. Prodromal symptoms and higher healthcare use have been suggested in patients who later develop MS.

Objectives: Assess the healthcare utilization pattern of relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients in the five years prior to MS diagnosis.

Opinions, beliefs and knowledge of people with multiple sclerosis on COVID-19 pandemic and vaccine.

Background: Considering the potential COVID-19 impact on pwMS health and the importance of vaccination for this population, we decided to assess: (a) pwMS' beliefs and knowledge on COVID-19 pandemic; (b) their acceptance towards COVID-19 vaccination and (c) pwMS' opinions on general vaccination.

Methods: Observational study, based on a cross-sectional (10-20 September 2020) online survey, conducted in a cohort of pwMS' followed at two Portuguese hospitals. The survey included measures to characterize the sample and a questionnaire designed to assess the topics defined for this study.

Selective actions of insecticides on desensitizing and non-desensitizing nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in cockroach (Periplaneta americana) neurons.

Background: Insect desensitizing nicotinic acetylcholine (nAChD) receptors are desensitized by low concentrations of agonists, including neonicotinoid insecticides, but are essentially insensitive to spinosyns, while non-desensitizing nicotinic acetylcholine (nAChN) receptors are selectively activated by spinosyns and relatively insensitive to neonicotinoids.

Results: The single-electrode voltage-clamp technique was used to measure the actions of newer nicotinic insecticides dinotefuran, sulfoxaflor, triflumezopyrim, spinetoram and GS-ω/k-hexatoxin-Hv1a on cockroach neuronal nAChD and nAChN currents. Like imidacloprid and clothianidin, newer orthosteric nicotinic agonist insecticides dinotefuran and sulfoxaflor act by desensitizing nAChD receptors.

REALMS study: real-world effectiveness and safety of fingolimod in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis in Portugal.

Background: Fingolimod, an oral sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor modulator, is approved by EMA for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness and safety of fingolimod in patients with RRMS in real-world clinical practice in Portugal.

Methods: Retrospective, multicentre, non-interventional study, reporting 3 years follow-up of data collected from October 2015 to July 2016.

Curing potential and color stability of different resin-based luting materials.

Purpose: To determine the curing potential and color stability of resin-based luting materials for aesthetic restorations.

Material And Methods: Four resin-based luting agents were tested: traditional dual-activated resin cement (RelyX ARC, ARC), amine-free dual-activated resin cement (RelyX Ultimate, ULT), light-activated resin cement (RelyX Veneer, VEN), and pre-heated restorative resin composite (Filtek Supreme, PHC). Degree of C=C conversion was determined by infrared spectroscopy (n=3) with direct light exposure or with interposition of 1.

Risk factors associated with inflammatory bowel disease: A multicenter case-control study in Brazil.

Background: The etiology of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is unknown, but it is believed to be multifactorial. The hygiene hypothesis proposes that better hygiene conditions would lead to less infectious disease during childhood and favor the development of immune-mediated diseases.

Aim: To test the hygiene hypothesis in IBD by assessing the environmental risk factors associated with IBD development in different regions of Brazil with diverse socioeconomic development indices.