The Unusual Mesophases and Properties Exhibited by a Family of Glycosteroids.

In this article we describe research on the synthesis and characterization of a family of "Janus" amphiphiles composed of disaccharide head groups and alkaloid units joined together via a methylene linker, and bearing a lateral aliphatic chain of varying length. The condensed phases formed by self-organization of the products as a function of temperature were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, thermal polarized light microscopy, and small angle X-ray scattering, allied with computational modelling and simulations. Structural studies on heating specimens from the solid showed that some homologues exhibited lamellar, columnar and bicontinuous mesophases, whereas the same homologues revealed different phase sequences on cooling from the amorphous liquid.

Human outbreaks of a novel reassortant Oropouche virus in the Brazilian Amazon region.

The Brazilian western Amazon is experiencing its largest laboratory-confirmed Oropouche virus (OROV) outbreak, with more than 6,300 reported cases between 2022 and 2024. In this study, we sequenced and analyzed 382 OROV genomes from human samples collected in Amazonas, Acre, Rondônia and Roraima states, between August 2022 and February 2024, to uncover the origin and genetic evolution of OROV in the current outbreak. Genomic analyses revealed that the upsurge of OROV cases in the Brazilian Amazon coincides with spread of a novel reassortant lineage containing the M segment of viruses detected in the eastern Amazon region (2009-2018) and the L and S segments of viruses detected in Peru, Colombia and Ecuador (2008-2021).

Daylight exposure and mood in real life: Direct association and mediating role of sleep and routine regularity.

The light/dark cycle is the main external cue to synchronize the human biological clock. Modern lifestyles typically lead to less daylight exposure and blunted 24 h-amplitude. We evaluated the association of outdoor daylight exposure (frequency, duration, regularity and shift) with chronotype estimated by sleep phase, regularity of routines, sleep, well-being (WHO-5), and depressive symptoms (PHQ-9), in a sample of 1,095 participants (81.

Potentiating Activity of GmhA Inhibitors on Gram-Negative Bacteria.

Inhibition of the biosynthesis of bacterial heptoses opens novel perspectives for antimicrobial therapies. The enzyme GmhA responsible for the first committed biosynthetic step catalyzes the conversion of sedoheptulose 7-phosphate into d--d--heptose 7-phosphate and harbors a Zn ion in the active site. A series of phosphoryl- and phosphonyl-substituted derivatives featuring a hydroxamate moiety were designed and prepared from suitably protected ribose or hexose derivatives.

Glycomimetics and Glycoconjugates in Drug Discovery.

This Special Issue of presents one review and six original articles that are demonstrative of the importance of glycomimetics and glycoconjugates as privileged groups of carbohydrate-based molecules in the search for and development of bioactive substances for therapeutic/pharmaceutical purposes [...

Spontaneous Blinking Kinematics After Frontalis Muscle Flap Advancement.

Purpose: To measure the spontaneous blinking metrics after blepharoptosis correction with frontalis muscle flap advancement.

Methods: A video system was employed to measure the amplitude and velocity of spontaneous blinking of 24 eyelids after the frontalis muscle flap surgery for blepharoptosis correction. A control group with no eyelid disorders was also measured.

A transposon-based genetic marker for conspecific identity within the Bactrocera dorsalis species complex.

Here we describe a molecular approach to assess conspecific identity that relies on the comparison of an evolved mutated transposable element sequence and its genomic insertion site in individuals from closely related species. This was explored with the IFP2 piggyBac transposon, originally discovered in Trichoplusia ni as a 2472 bp functional element, that was subsequently found as mutated elements in seven species within the Bactrocera dorsalis species complex. In a B.

Efficiency and Safety of Tocilizumab for the Treatment of Thyroid Eye Disease: A Systematic Review.

Purpose: To review existing literature concerning the effectiveness and safety of tocilizumab (TCZ) for managing thyroid eye disease.

Methods: A systematic search was conducted across the PubMed and Embase databases to identify studies on TCZ therapy, from inception to May 2023. The search included the keywords "Graves orbitopathy," "thyroid ophthalmopathy," "thyroid eye disease," "thyroid-associated orbitopathy," "thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy," "Graves ophthalmopathy," "endocrine ophthalmopathy," and "Tocilizumab.

Synthesis and Antiproliferative Evaluation of d-Glucuronamide-Based Nucleosides and (Triazolyl)methyl Amide-Linked Pseudodisaccharide Nucleosides.

The synthesis and antiproliferative evaluation of novel d-glucopyranuronamide-containing nucleosides is described. Based on our previously reported anticancer d-glucuronamide-based nucleosides, new analogues comprising N/O-dodecyl or N-propargyl substituents at the glucuronamide unit and anomerically-N-linked 2-acetamido-6-chloropurine, 6-chloropurine or 4-(6-chloropurinyl)methyl triazole motifs were synthesized in 4-6 steps starting from acetonide-protected glucofuranurono-6,3-lactone. The methodologies were based on the access to N-substituted glycopyranuronamide precursors, namely 1,2-O-acetyl derivatives or glucuronoamidyl azides for further nucleobase N-glycosylation or 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition with N - and N -propargyl-6-chloropurines, respectively.

Theoretical insights into the methane catalytic decomposition on graphene nanoribbons edges.

Catalytic methane decomposition (CMD) is receiving much attention as a promising application for hydrogen production. Due to the high energy required for breaking the C-H bonds of methane, the choice of catalyst is crucial to the viability of this process. However, atomistic insights for the CMD mechanism on carbon-based materials are still limited.

Innovations in Diabetes Device Training: A Scoping Review.

Objective: The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic highlighted a pre-existing need for alternatives to traditional in-person diabetes device trainings. Barriers to care, which include the heavy burden of training, pose a threat to optimal adoption and utilization of these devices. We searched the literature for alternative methods of training, evaluated user satisfaction, and compared short-term clinical outcomes with guideline-based glucometric targets and historical training results.

Service-Learning in Physician Assistant Education: A Scoping Review.

Introduction: Service-learning (SL) is a pedagogy that can be used in healthcare education to develop students who are better prepared to address the various social determinants of health and to provide compassionate care to the diverse populations they will serve. Yet, an assessment of the quality and scope of the SL activities used in physician assistant (PA) education is not available. The purpose of this scoping review is to review the literature and identify and summarize articles about SL courses in PA education.

First-Principles Microkinetic Modeling Unravelling the Performance of Edge-Decorated Nanocarbons for Hydrogen Production from Methane.

The doping of graphitic and nanocarbon structures with nonmetal atoms allows for the tuning of surface electronic properties and the generation of new active sites, which can then be exploited for several catalytic applications. In this work, we investigate the direct conversion of methane into H and CH over Klein-type zigzag graphene edges doped with nitrogen, boron, phosphorus and silicon. We combine Density Functional Theory (DFT) and microkinetic modeling to systematically investigate the reaction network and determine the most efficient edge decoration.

Comparison of two electronic hand hygiene systems using real-time feedback via wireless technology to improve hand hygiene compliance in an intensive care unit.

Background: Most hand hygiene (HH) intervention studies use a quasi-experimental design, are primarily uncontrolled before-and-after studies, or are controlled before-and-after studies with a nonequivalent control group. Well-funded studies with improved designs and HH interventions are needed.

Objectives: To evaluate healthcare worker (HCW) HH compliance with alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) through direct observation (human observer), 2 electronic technologies, a radio frequency identification (RFID) badge system, and an invasive device sensor.

Comparing human to electronic observers to monitor hand hygiene compliance in an intensive care unit.

Objective: We sought to determine whether an electronic hand hygiene (HH) system could monitor HH compliance at similar rates to direct human observation.

Methods: This 4-year proof-of-concept study was conducted in an intensive care unit (ICU) of a private tertiary-care hospital in São Paulo, Brazil, where electronic HH systems were installed in 2 rooms. HH compliance was reported respectively using direct observation and electronic counter devices with an infrared system for detecting HH opportunities.

Chronobiological parameters as predictors of early treatment response in major depression.

Background: Alterations in circadian system organization have been related to major depressive disorder manifestations. This study aimed to evaluate chronobiological parameters, such as sleep, levels of 6-sulfatoxymelatonin, and others derived from actimetry as potential predictors of adequate treatment response in MDD.

Methods: 98 adult women with confirmed diagnosis of MDD were included.

How does tuning the van der Waals bonding strength affect adsorbate structure?

Organic molecular thin-films are employed for manufacturing a wide variety of electronic devices, including memory devices and transistors. A precise description of the atomic-scale interactions in aromatic carbon systems is of paramount importance for the design of organic thin-films and carbon-based nanomaterials. Here we investigate the binding and structure of pyrazine on graphite with neutron diffraction and spin-echo measurements.

Dehydrogenation of ammonia on free-standing and epitaxial hexagonal boron nitride.

We report a thermodynamically feasible mechanism for producing H from NH using hBN as a catalyst. 2D catalysts have exceptional surface areas with unique thermal and electronic properties suited for catalysis. Metal-free, 2D catalysts, are highly desirable materials that can be more sustainable than the ubiquitously employed precious and transition metal-based catalysts.

Sevoflurane Sparing Effect of Morphine in Tegus (Salvator merianae) - A Preliminary Study.

This study aimed to determine the minimum anesthetic concentration (MAC) of sevoflurane in tegus (Salvator merianae) and the morphine-sparing effect on this variable. In a prospective, non-blinded, crossover study, MAC was first determined in 6 tegus under sevoflurane anesthesia alone (MAC) and then following intramuscular administration of morphine (10 mg/kg), administered 3 hour before sevoflurane anesthesia (MAC). A standard bracketing technique was applied to determine the MAC by an electrical supramaximal noxious stimulus (50 Hz, 30 mA) delivered at the base of the tail of the tegus.

Plasma cell IgG4 positivity in orbital biopsies of non-IgG4-related conditions.

The IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a systemic condition defined as a fibro-inflammatory disorder, characterized by the occurrence of tumor-like lesions in multiple organs including the eye adnexa. The main diagnostic criterion is based on histopathological findings, especially on the IgG4/IgG plasma cell ratio. In this article, we reviewed the literature of non-IgG4-RD orbital conditions with IgG4 positivity.

Development and testing of methods for detecting off-wrist in actimetry recordings.

Study Objectives: In field studies using wrist-actimetry, not identifying/handling off-wrist intervals may result in their misclassification as immobility/sleep and biased estimations of rhythmic patterns. By comparing different solutions for detecting off-wrist, our goal was to ascertain how accurately they detect nonwear in different contexts and identify variables that are useful in the process.

Methods: We developed algorithms using heuristic (HA) and machine learning (ML) approaches.