Bigels based on polyelectrolyte complexes as vaginal drug delivery systems.

Bigels in which the cationic polymer -chitosan- is combined with an anionic polymer -karaya gum, pectin or xanthan gum- were prepared. These polymers, thanks to the attraction of their charged surface groups, are liable to form a polyelectrolyte complex that would modify the characteristics of the bigel. The obtained bigels were subsequently freeze-dried and tested to study their behavior against different conditions occurring in the vaginal environment.

Use of stool molecular panel in hospitalized patients with diarrhea. Experience in a tertiary care center.

Infectious diarrhea is a common health issue that affects a large number of individuals each year. It causes significant morbidity and mortality, greatly impacting healthcare system costs. Rapid detection of the causative organism and timely treatment alters the management and outcome of the condition.

Prevention values for copper (low tier approach) in subtropical acidic soils.

Copper is a trace element in plants and animals whose importance can be understood due to its role in different essential metabolic processes. Anthropogenic activities such as agriculture and mining are potential sources of pollution due to the emission of copper into the environment. Brazilian legislation ties soil quality to guideline values, among which the Prevention Value indicates the critical environmental limit for trace elements.

Evaluation of polymer combinations in vaginal mucoadhesive tablets for the extended release of acyclovir.

Genital herpes, caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), affects nearly 500 million people, mostly women. Since the main route of transmission is sexual contact, the development of an acyclovir extended-release vaginal microbicide would be a suitable tool for the prevention of virus transmission. In this work, we evaluated the potential of three polymers with different characteristics (chitosan, xanthan gum and ethyl cellulose) for obtaining acyclovir extended-release vaginal tablets.

Bioconversion of pure CO to caproic acid with zero valent iron: Optimizing carbon flux distribution in co-cultures of Acetobacterium woodii and Megasphaera hexanoica.

Acetobacterium woodii and Megasphaera hexanoica were co-cultured for caproic acid (CA) production from lactic acid (LA) and CO. Also, various concentrations (1 g/L, 3 g/L, 5 g/L, and 10 g/L) of Zero Valent Iron (ZVI) were supplied to study its impact on the co-culture system. In flask experiments, 10 g/L LA and 1.

Training school psychologists to conduct culturally informed Functional Behavior Assessment interviews.

Exclusionary discipline is a racialized mechanism through which schools systematically remove racially and ethnically minoritized youth from the learning environment. Although the development of Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs) and linked behavior support plans have been identified as an alternative practice, school psychologists often do not ask questions about the cultural and contextual factors that may influence students' behavior during FBA interviews. Therefore, training is warranted.

Exploring threats to internal validity of direct assessment in single-case design research.

Single-case design research studies have historically used external observers to collect time series data that may be used to evaluate intervention effectiveness; however, single-case interventions implemented in educational settings may use the person implementing the intervention (e.g., teacher) to collect data in order to maximize feasibility.

Hydrothermal extraction of ulvans from Ulva spp. in a biorefinery approach.

A simple cascade process based on the hydrothermal fractionation of Ulva spp. biomass was proposed. Considering the overall extraction yields (50 %), ulvan recovery (23 %), and ulvan composition, structural, mechanical and cytotoxic properties, the selected optimal final heating temperature was 160 °C.

Consciousness and education: contributions by Piaget, Vygotsky and Steiner.

The objective of this study is to gain an understanding of the development of consciousness and its relationship with education based on different theoretical models-namely those by Piaget, Vygotsky and Steiner. All three of them focus on different subcomponents of the educational process and there is hence a need for integrative discussion. Piaget and Vygotsky are fundamental references in the understanding of developmental and learning processes.

Comprehensive comparative study on n-caproate production by Clostridium kluyveri: batch vs. continuous operation modes.

Recently, there has been notable interest in researching and industrially producing medium-chain carboxylic acids (MCCAs) like n-caproate and n-caprylate via chain elongation process. This study presents a comprehensive assessment of the behavior and MCCA production profiles of Clostridium kluyveri in batch and continuous modes, at different ethanol:acetate molar ratios (1.5:1, 3.

The applicability of the urine color scale in pediatric urology.

Aims: To determine the level of agreement between healthcare professionals, patients and their parents/guardians in the interpretation of the urine color scale (UCS) in cases of urinary dysfunction, analyzing the applicability of the scale as a diagnostic tool determining the hydration status.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 5-17-year-old patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and enuresis. The study was conducted in a public healthcare referral center for pediatric urology in the Brazilian state of Bahia between October 2019 and March 2020.

Chemical neurolysis for the conservative treatment of hip fractures.

Hip fracture management is challenging when surgical risks outweigh benefits. Inadequate analgesia from conservative treatments prompted new procedures targeting hip capsule denervation. This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of single injection chemical hip neurolysis in the pericapsular nerve group plane.

Factors delaying non-metastatic breast cancer adjuvant therapy and impact on prognosis in a cohort of Brazilian women.

Objective: To identify factors associated with delays in beginning adjuvant therapy and prognosis impacts on non-metastatic breast cancer patients.

Methods: This assessment comprised a prospective cohort study concerning breast cancer patients treated at a public oncology centre. A time interval of ≥60 days between surgery and the beginning of the first adjuvant treatment was categorised as a delay.

Swim, Strength, or Combined Programs: Effect on Health-Related Physical Fitness in Adolescents With Down Syndrome.

The adolescent population with Down syndrome (DS) appears to show higher levels of body fat and lower levels of cardiorespiratory fitness or muscle strength than their peers without disabilities. There is a need to create physical activity programs to improve these data. The aim of this research was to determine the effects of a 16-week swimming program, strength program, and combined program (swimming and strength training) on body composition and health-related physical fitness on adolescents with DS and to assess whether there are differences in the results of the different training programs.

Polyurethane sponges bearing cucurbituril adsorb Cr(III) and Pb(II) ions from contaminated water samples.

Water contamination with toxic metals causes harmful effects on the environment and to human health. Although cucurbiturils have carboxyl groups in their portal that can interact with metal ions, there is a lack of studies about their use as metal adsorbent. This scenario has motivated conduction of the present study, which addresses the use of cucurbit[6]uril (CB[6]) and cucurbit[8]uril (CB[8]) for adsorbing Pb and Cr from water samples, in free forms and immobilized in poly(urethane) sponges.

Use of ChatGPT in Urology and its Relevance in Clinical Practice: Is it useful?

Purpouse: One of the many artificial intelligence based tools that has gained popularity is the Chat-Generative Pre-Trained Transformer (ChatGPT). Due to its popularity, incorrect information provided by ChatGPT will have an impact on patient misinformation. Furthermore, it may cause misconduct as ChatGPT can mislead physicians on the decision-making pathway.

Optimization of methane production from solid tuna waste: Thermal pretreatment and co-digestion.

Fish canning industries generate large amounts of solid waste during their processing operations, creating a significant environmental challenge. Nonetheless, this waste can be efficiently and sustainably treated through anaerobic digestion. In this study, the potential of biogas production from anaerobic digestion of thermally pretreated and co-digested solid tuna waste was investigated.

Unlocking the potential of one-carbon gases (CO, CO) for concomitant bioproduction of β-carotene and lipids.

This study investigates the use of a Yarrowia lipolytica strain for the bioconversion of syngas-derived acetic acid into β-carotene and lipids. A two-stage process was employed, starting with the acetogenic fermentation of syngas by Clostridium aceticum, metabolising CO, CO, H, to produce acetic acid, which is then utilized by Y. lipolytica for simultaneous lipid and β-carotene synthesis.

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the constipation scoring system for the pediatric population: A new tool to be used for constipated children.

Background: The Rome IV criteria are used to characterize constipation and its subtypes, but not its severity. Conversely, the constipation scoring system (CSS) is a tool designed to assess the level of constipation severity and assist clinicians in selecting suitable therapeutic strategies. Although validated for adults, this score has yet to be validated for children.

Artemisinin resistance-associated gene mutations in Plasmodium falciparum: A case study of severe malaria from Mozambique.

Background: The effectiveness of artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACT) in treating Plasmodium falciparum, is vital for global malaria control efforts, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. The examination of imported cases from endemic areas holds implications for malaria chemotherapy on a global scale.

Method: A 45-year-old male presented with high fever, dry cough, diarrhoea and generalized muscle pain, following a two-week trip to Mozambique.