Publications by authors named "Sousa E"

Pure acute subdural hematoma (ASDH) is an uncommon clinical presentation of ruptured intracranial aneurysms, and only rarely, the culprit is a cortical microaneurysm.Mortality can be high; thus, appropriate diagnosis and treatment are crucial. Due to its extreme rarity, there are no available guidelines.

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 The present study aimed to evaluate the metabolic profile of synovial fluid in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and its correlation with clinical data.  We collected synovial fluid samples from the knees of 50 subjects with KOA undergoing total knee arthroplasty from October 2019 to December 2020. For each patient, we evaluated the clinical data from the medical record, the radiographic osteoarthritis grade, and the preoperative fasting blood glucose levels.

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Background: Nowdays, more relevant applications of perinatal derivatives, such as amniotic membrane (AM), are emerging in our environment as a source of biomaterials for use in different healing processes. The study of anastomosis healing associated with antimetabolic drugs such as 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is a potential target of AM.

Aims: To evaluate the healing effects of AM in rats treated with 5-FU at a dose of 20 mg/kg on the seventh day of postoperative evolution, regarding the parameters percentage of type I collagen (mature), cell viability, microvascular density and formation of granulation tissue.

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There has been growing effort in the scientific community to develop new antibiotics to address the major threat of bacterial resistance. One promising approach is the use of metal complexes that provide broader opportunities. Among these systems, polypyridine-ruthenium(II) complexes have received particular attention as drug candidates.

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  • The study investigates how the age-related microRNA miR156 influences the development of extrafloral nectaries (EFNs) in two species of passion flower.
  • Results show that manipulation of miR156 affects both leaf maturation and EFN formation, with overexpression leading to smaller and fewer EFNs, while reduced activity results in larger EFNs in one species.
  • This research highlights a connection between miR156 activity, nectar sugar profiles, and the ecological interactions between EFNs and ants, underscoring the role of the miR156/SPL module in regulating these traits based on leaf age.
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Measuring ecophysiological responses of Eucalyptus clones grown under reduced water availability could assist in clonal selection for climate resilience. We hypothesized that clonal variation in chlorophyll a fluorescence was more readily detected than variations in leaf-level gas-exchanges when two-year-old E. grandis x E.

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  • This editorial reviews a paper by Muthu on the application of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) for treating knee osteoarthritis.
  • It contrasts stromal vascular fraction and microfragmented adipose tissue, and compares clinical outcomes with hyaluronic acid, platelet-rich plasma, and bone marrow aspirate concentrate treatments.
  • The piece also addresses the variability in ADSC studies and emphasizes the importance of standardizing protocols for further clinical exploration.
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Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a significant pathogen responsible for neonatal infections, primarily transmitted through maternal carriage. However, current preventive strategies, such as intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis, present limitations and are ineffective in preventing late-onset neonatal infections. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and serotype distribution of GBS in the nasopharynx of women of reproductive age, providing data to the potential implementation of a novel hexavalent capsular vaccine (GBS6).

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Current treatment of Candida infections is threatened by antifungal drug resistance. Thus, medicinal plants have been studied to identify new and highly effective antifungal substances with low toxicity. Here, we showed that the tannin-rich n-butanol fraction of Terminalia catappa (FBuOH) possesses antifungal and antibiofilm properties and protects Tenebrio molitor larvae against Candida albicans infection.

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A novel sanitizer tablet containing clove essential oil (CO) microemulsion was developed. A preformulation study using nuclear magnetic resonance and thermal analyses showed component compatibility. The main components of the samples remained intact despite a color change, probably due to a strong acid-base interaction between eugenol and diethanolamine.

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The triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) is an immunoreceptor that interacts with a wide range of non-protein ligands, and it has been implicated in infectious and non-infectious diseases. However, there is a limited understanding on how this receptor interacts with non-protein ligands and the potential of such information to develop new therapeutic drugs. Therefore, our study aimed to elucidate the interactions between TREM2 and its non-protein ligands.

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  • Some bark and woodboring beetles share the same trees and can interact in competitive or predatory ways, with larger woodborer larvae often having the advantage.
  • Bark beetles have developed traits to avoid woodborer larvae, and both types of beetles use pheromones for mating and host location.
  • Field experiments in Canada and Portugal showed that the woodborer pheromone monochamol reduces the capture of certain bark beetle species in traps, indicating that it may help bark beetles avoid interaction with woodborers.
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  • Invasive fungal infections in the central nervous system (CNS) are a growing health issue linked to high mortality, largely due to an increase in immunocompromised individuals and better diagnostic tools.
  • This article aims to highlight emerging fungal pathogens causing CNS infections and their clinical characteristics through a review of recent literature.
  • The findings indicate a rise in reported cases from various fungi, emphasizing the urgent need for better diagnostic and treatment strategies to combat these serious infections.
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The failure of achieving a penile erection for satisfactory sexual intercourse is known as erectile dysfunction (ED). The primary mediator for penile erection is nitric oxide (NO). ED is often associated with endothelial/nitrergic dysfunction characterized by a reduction of the bioavailability of NO.

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Microbial biofilms constitute a significant virulence factor and a substantial challenge in clinical environments due to their role in promoting antimicrobial resistance and their resilience to eradication efforts. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections substantially increase healthcare costs, extend hospitalizations, and elevate morbidity and mortality rates. Therefore, developing innovative strategies to target and eliminate these bacteria and their biofilms effectively is imperative for robust epidemiological control.

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The Preference for Intuition and Deliberation in Food Decision-Making Scale (E-PID) was developed to evaluate both intuitive and deliberative food decision-making within a single instrument. However, its psychometric properties have only been assessed among German-speaking participants. The main aim of the present study was to evaluate evidence of validity and reliability of the E-PID among 604 Brazilian adult women.

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The pursuit of cosmetic ingredients with proven efficacy and safety that meet consumer needs drives the advancement of new products. Ascorbic acid (AA) is utilized in cosmetic products, predominantly for its potent antioxidant properties. Nonetheless, its instability compromises its efficacy.

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  • * A systematic review analyzed multiple studies on obesity pharmacotherapy for DMD, focusing specifically on medications such as metformin, and found a total of 20 qualifying studies, mostly related to metformin's effects.
  • * Although the use of obesity medications in youth with DMD shows potential benefits, significant gaps remain in agent selection, side effect monitoring, and dosage strategies, highlighting the need for further research in this area.
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  • Excessive sun exposure can lead to various skin issues like sunburn, dryness, and wrinkles, making aftersun products important for recovery.
  • This study analyzed 84 aftersun products from 41 brands in Portugal to identify effective natural and synthetic ingredients that help reduce sun damage.
  • The research highlights the popularity of compounds from terrestrial and marine sources, assesses their mechanisms of action, and emphasizes the need for both in vitro and in vivo research to validate their efficacy in addressing skin photodamage.
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Resistant M. tuberculosis strains threaten pulmonary tuberculosis (P-TB) control since they limit drug options. Drug repositioning and new development strategies are urgently required to overcome resistance.

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The current scenario of antifouling (AF) strategies to prevent the natural process of marine biofouling is based in the use of antifouling paints containing different active ingredients, believed to be harmful to the marine environment. Compounds called booster biocides are being used with copper as an alternative to the traditionally used tributyltin (TBT); however, some of them were recently found to accumulate in coastal waters at levels that are deleterious for marine organisms. More ecological alternatives were pursued, some of them based on the marine organism mechanisms' production of specialized metabolites with AF activity.

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  • Oxidative stress on cysteine-containing proteins, like cofilin-1, can contribute to neuronal injuries, indicating the importance of cysteine's oxidation state in developing therapies.
  • This research introduces a method for quantifying thiols in cofilin-1 using both traditional and modified Ellman's assay, which measures the reaction between cysteine and a specific reagent (DTNB).
  • The study successfully demonstrated the reliability of surface plasmon resonance (MP-SPR) to measure thiol concentrations, providing insights for future investigations into drug molecules and their impact on oxidized or reduced protein states.
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Background: Chagas disease (CD) is a serious public health problem in Latin America. Benznidazole (BNZ) is used for the treatment of CD and, despite its wide use, little information is available about its toxicity and mechanisms of adverse drug reactions (ADR).

Objectives: To identify and classify clinical and laboratory adverse reactions caused by BNZ in terms of causality and severity.

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  • - The study aimed to find predictors of worse outcomes in patients with severe COVID-19 in the ICU by analyzing various blood biomarkers.
  • - Researchers compared 60 ICU patients who survived versus those who didn't and found significant differences in blood markers like lymphocytes, CRP, and specific cytokines.
  • - The results suggest that certain laboratory biomarkers can effectively indicate the risk of mortality in severe COVID-19 cases.
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