Publications by authors named "Zeni M"

Alzheimer's disease (AD) involves a neurodegenerative process that has not yet been prevented, reversed, or stopped. Continuing with the search for natural pharmacological treatments, flavonoids are a family of compounds with proven neuroprotective effects and multi-targeting behavior. The American genus Dalea L.

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Background: Despite the dramatic increase in opioid-related deaths in recent years, global access to treatment remains poor. A major barrier to people accessing Medication-assisted treatment of the opioid use disorder (MOUD) is the lack of providers who can prescribe and monitor MOUD. According to the World Drug Report, more young people are using drugs compared with previous generations and people in need of treatment cannot get it, women most of all.

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With the objective to develop a potential Tc radiopharmaceutical for imaging the androgen receptor (AR) in prostate cancer, four ligands bearing the same pharmacophore derived from the AR antagonist flutamide were prepared, labeled with Tc, and their structures corroborated via comparison with the corresponding stable rhenium analogs. All complexes were obtained with high radiochemical purity. Three of the complexes were highly stable, and, due to their favorable physicochemical properties, were further evaluated using AR-positive and AR-negative cells in culture.

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Purpose: This research examines the implementation of the Icelandic Prevention Model (IPM) in Canada to identify opportunities revealed by the COVID-19 pandemic to re-design our social eco-system to promote wellbeing. This paper has two objectives: 1) to provide a conceptual review of research that applies the bioecological model to youth substance use prevention with a focus on the concepts of time and physical space use and 2) to describe a case study that examines the implementation of the IPM in Canada within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Method: Study data were collected through semi-structured qualitative interviews with key stakeholders involved in implementing the IPM.

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Primary school (i.e., Kindergarten to Grade 3) educators typically support students' social and emotional learning (SEL) through targeted lessons delivered in the classroom; however, integrating SEL strategies into other subject areas both within and outside the classroom context can expand their ability to support students' SEL.

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In this practitioner protocol, the optimization of the radiochemical synthesis of [ F]fluoroestradiol (FES) on the Synthra RNplus research automated platform is described in detail and a quality control (QC) summary of three validation productions is presented. In comparison with published synthesis methods developed on other platforms, the yield was considerably improved (40%-45% ndc). The other important improvement is the reduction of the required concentration of H SO avoiding the production of high concentrations of acidic vapors that can deteriorate the module.

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Background: Outdoor play is critical to children's healthy development and well-being. Early learning and childcare centers (ELCCs) are important venues for increasing children's outdoor play opportunities, and early childhood educators' (ECE) perception of outdoor play can be a major barrier to outdoor play. The OutsidePlay-ECE risk-reframing intervention is a fully automated and open access web-based intervention to reframe ECEs' perceptions of the importance of outdoor play and risk in play and to promote a change in their practice in supporting it in ELCC settings.

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Background: Early learning and childcare centers (ELCCs) can offer young children critical opportunities for quality outdoor play. There are multiple actual and perceived barriers to outdoor play at ELCCs, ranging from safety fears and lack of familiarity with supporting play outdoors to challenges around diverse perspectives on outdoor play among early childhood educators (ECEs), administrators, licensing officers, and parents.

Objective: Our study objective is to develop and evaluate a web-based intervention that influences ECEs' and ELCC administrators' perceptions and practices in support of children's outdoor play at ELCCs.

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Herein we present the evaluation of C-labeled-maleimides as radiotracers for positron emission tomography imaging of GSK-3 associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). 3-Acetyl-4-(1-[C]-methyl-1-indol-3-yl)[1]pyrrole-2,5-dione ([C]-) was obtained by direct methylation using [C]-CHI and CsCO in DMF with a 31 ± 4% radiochemical yield and a radiochemical purity of 97.7 ± 0.

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Purpose: To quantify the age-dependent changes in the relative volume of elastic fibers, collagen fibers and the proportion of collagen types I/III in the corpus spongiosum of rats.

Methods: Forty-eight rats, raised under similar conditions, were divided into four groups (G1 to G4) and underwent penectomy at the ages of 6, 9, 12 and 24 months, respectively. Histological sections from the middle segment of the penis were stained with Weigert's resorcin-fuchsin, Masson's trichrome and Picrosirius red, the volumetric density of elastic fibers, collagen fibers and the proportion of collagen types I and III in the corpus spongiosum were determined by stereological analysis.

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Article Synopsis
  • Membrane techniques for wastewater treatment generally yield higher quality results compared to other methods, with pervaporation offering benefits like selectivity and low clogging potential.
  • The study focused on developing and testing membranes made from polysulfone and polyurethane, which were characterized after using thermal and ultraviolet treatments on simulated wastewater containing reactive black dye and sodium chloride.
  • Results showed that all membranes achieved 100% selectivity for the dye and about 98.5% for the saline solution, with one untreated membrane outperforming others in permeate flow, indicating potential for effective wastewater recovery.
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Purpose: To evaluate renal histological changes by stereology and morphometry and analyze the main markers of oxidative stress in rats undergoing natural aging.

Methods: Seventy two Wistar rats were divided into six groups of 12 rats each, which were euthanized at 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months of age. Right kidney was stereologically and morphometrically analyzed to calculate the volumetric density (Vv[glom]), numerical density (Nv[glom]) and glomerular volume (Vol[glom]).

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Purpose: To evaluate changes in the quantity of elastic fibers in the corpora cavernosa of rats during the natural aging process, and to assess the degree of this change by determining volumetric density (Vv) at different ages via stereological analysis.

Methods: Forty-eight rats, raised under similar conditions, were subjected to the natural aging process and divided into four groups (G1 to G4), according to age at the time of penectomy (6, 9, 12, and 24 months, respectively). Histological sections of the middle segment of the penis were stained with Weigert's resorcin-fuchsin, and the volumetric density (Vv) of elastic fibers of the corpora cavernosa were determined via stereological analysis.

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Vision plays a key role in a child's development. Early detection and treatment of vision abnormalities decreases future complications. Follow-up vision care is a common problem.

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An asymmetric membrane of polysulfone (PSf) was synthesized by phase inversion method. Permeation experiments were carried out between 2 to 5 bar pressure, and at temperatures 20 to 45°C. The dense-selective layer of PSf membrane presents regular thickness (about 5 µm), and was not possible to observe the formation of macrovoids in porous layer.

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Background: Overexpression of prostatic membrane antigen (PSMA) is associated with the progression and prognosis of prostate cancer. There are numerous studies using this peptide with the Ga radionuclide. Previous methods to synthetize F-labeled PSMA ligands with complexes [F]AlF have been achieved.

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Objectives: Accumulating evidence indicates that oxidative stress and neurotrophins have a bidirectional relationship. In this post hoc, exploratory analysis, we investigated the association between plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels and activities of the antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in individuals with bipolar disorder (BD) and healthy controls.

Methods: We measured plasma levels of BDNF and activities of GPx and SOD in individuals with BD (n=59) and healthy controls (n=26).

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Purpose: To evaluate the renal function and the renal histological alterations through the stereology and morphometrics in rats submitted to the natural process of aging.

Methods: Seventy two Wistar rats, divided in six groups. Each group was sacrificed in a different age: 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 months.

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Background: The longitudinal course of bipolar disorder (BD) is highly heterogeneous, and is moderated by the presence of general medical comorbidities. This study aimed to investigate the moderating effects of impaired glucose metabolism (IGM) on variables of illness course and severity in a BD population.

Methods: Fifty-five patients with BD were evaluated.

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This paper aims to contribute to acoustical comfort in buildings by presenting a study about the polymer waste micronized poly (ethylene vinyl acetate) (EVA) to be used in mortars for impact sound insulation in subfloor systems. The evaluation method included physical, mechanical and morphological properties of the mortar developed with three distinct thicknesses designs (3, 5, and 7 cm) with replacement percentage of the natural aggregate by 10%, 25%, and 50% EVA. Microscopy analysis showed the surface deposition of cement on EVA, with preservation of polymer porosity.

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Replicated evidence indicates that individuals with BD are differentially affected by metabolic comorbidities and that its occurrence is a critical mediator and/or moderator of BD outcomes. This study aimed to explore the role of adipokines on bipolar disorder (BD) course and its relationship with metabolic comorbidities (i.e.

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Major depressive disorder (MDD) affects millions of individuals and is highly comorbid with many age associated diseases such as diabetes mellitus, immune-inflammatory dysregulation and cardiovascular diseases. Oxidative/nitrosative stress plays a fundamental role in aging, as well as in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative/neuropsychiatric disorders including MDD. In this review, we critically review the evidence for an involvement of oxidative/nitrosative stress in acceleration of aging process in MDD.

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Objectives: Extracellular purines are a component of the systemic inflammatory response, and their levels are modulated by ectonucleotidases. In addition, nucleotide hydrolysis releases phosphate. We studied serum phosphate levels as a predictor of severity in acute pancreatitis (AP) and their correlation with extracellular purinergic metabolism.

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Background: There is a growing number of children diagnosed and living with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) in the United States. This increasing incidence and prevalence of ASDs require care coordination within a medical home model, which needs to continue into adulthood.

Aim: This paper is an evidence review of medical home models for transitioning adolescents living with ASDs from pediatric primary healthcare practices to adult primary care practices.

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