IN SILICO AND IN VITRO ASSESSMENT OF ANTI-Leishmania infantum ACTIVITY OF A NOVEL CYCLOHEXYL-1,2,4-OXADIAZOLE DERIVATIVE.

Globally, an estimated 1 billion people reside in endemic areas, and over 12 million individuals are infected with leishmaniasis. Despite its prevalence, leishmaniasis continues to be a neglected disease, mainly affecting underdeveloped countries. In Brazil, the available treatments are pentavalent antimonials and Amphotericin B, which are outdated, toxic, require prolonged parenteral administration and have limited efficacy.

Investigations on the effects of in vitro exposure of mouse ovaries to withaferin A, a new candidate for chemotherapy.

This study aimed to investigate, in vitro, the toxicity of WTA on ovarian follicles. Initially, a cytotoxicity assay was conducted using tumor and non-tumor cell lines to determine the ICof the WTA and validate its antitumor activity. Mouse ovaries were cultured in vitro (IVC) for 6 days in the presence of 1% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), doxorubicin at 0.

Nivolumab plus ipilimumab versus nivolumab in microsatellite instability-high metastatic colorectal cancer (CheckMate 8HW): a randomised, open-label, phase 3 trial.

Background: CheckMate 8HW prespecified dual primary endpoints, assessed in patients with centrally confirmed microsatellite instability-high or mismatch repair-deficient status: progression-free survival with nivolumab plus ipilimumab compared with chemotherapy as first-line therapy and progression-free survival with nivolumab plus ipilimumab compared with nivolumab alone, regardless of previous systemic treatment for metastatic disease. In our previous report, nivolumab plus ipilimumab showed superior progression-free survival versus chemotherapy in first-line microsatellite instability-high or mismatch repair-deficient metastatic colorectal cancer in the CheckMate 8HW trial. Here, we report results from the prespecified interim analysis for the other primary endpoint of progression-free survival for nivolumab plus ipilimumab versus nivolumab across all treatment lines.

Prognostic significance of cytokine dysregulation in critically ill COVID-19 patients.

Background: Understanding the immunopathogenesis of COVID-19 has yielded valuable insights into predicting adverse outcomes-particularly mortality. However, significant gaps persist in our comprehension of the complex interplay among the proposed pathophysiological mechanisms. Here, we aim to investigate the immunological factors associated with mortality in critically ill, unvaccinated COVID-19 patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).

Efficacy of a multicomponent nature-based intervention on well-being and environmental engagement: A randomized clinical trial.

Background: Nature-based interventions (NBIs) benefit human well-being, but clinical trials comparing different NBIs in various natural environments are scarce.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of a multicomponent nature-based intervention (MNBI) in comparison to control group (classical forest bathing).

Primary Outcome: well-being; Secondary outcomes: vitality, happiness, connection, and engagement with nature across urban, peri-urban, and rural areas.

Factors associated with the presence of Candida spp. in the oral and tracheobronchial secretions of patients admitted to an adult intensive care unit.

to verify factors associated with the presence of Candida spp. in oral and tracheobronchial secretions of 135 patients admitted to an adult ICU, general of the Santa Casa de Caridade, of Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Oral samples showed significant differences between colonized and non-colonized patients in the variables age (p < 0.

Whole genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis to examine acquisition of Escherichia coli clones during international travel.

International travel facilitates the acquisition and carriage of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-E). We describe genomes of predominant ESBL-E clones detected before and after travel among subjects departing from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, during 2015-2021, and genomes publicly available from countries visited by travelers. WGS (Illumina NovaSeq) was performed on 70 ESBL-E isolates from 66 travelers (18 pre- and 52 post-travel).

Populism and medical advocacy: The case of hydroxychloroquine prior the 2020 United States presidential election.

Leading up to the 2020 U.S. presidential elections, the scientific consensus on hydroxychloroquine's ineffectiveness in treating COVID-19 was dismissed by Executive branch scientists, who promoted it as both a therapeutic solution and a political tool.

Assessment of potential ecological risk by metals in Ilha Grande Bay (Southeast Brazil).

This study evaluates contamination and potential ecological risk in Ilha Grande Bay (BIG) in southeastern Brazil. To achieve these objectives, we analyzed physicochemical, sediment textural, and geochemical data from 134 stations distributed throughout the bay. The results reveal significant environmental degradation in the coastal areas of Paraty, Saco do Mamanguá, Angra dos Reis City, and Abraão Cove (at Ilha Grande island).

Tracing microplastics in environmental sources and migratory shorebirds along the Central Asian Flyway.

Microplastic pollution poses a significant threat to coastal ecosystems worldwide. Despite its widespread occurrence, knowledge on the prevalence and fate of microplastics across food webs is limited. To bridge this gap, we conducted an extensive study on microplastic contamination in mudflats, mangroves, and sand beaches being key habitats for wintering shorebirds on the west coast of India.

Ascorbic acid and resveratrol improve the structural integrity of the extracellular matrix and enhance follicular survival in cultured bovine ovarian tissue.

This study aimed to investigate the changes induced by the culture system and the effect of ascorbic acid and resveratrol on collagen fibers, stromal cells, follicle growth and survival, as well as antioxidant enzyme activity in cultured bovine ovarian tissues. In experiment 1, bovine ovarian fragments were cultured in α-minimum essential medium (α-MEM) for 6 days. Before and after culturing, the fragments were fixed and processed to assess follicular morphology and diameters, stromal cell survival, collagen fibers, and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs).

Changes to social and healthcare providers support in the perinatal period: Impact on coping strategies, depression and anxiety.

Background: During the perinatal period, risk of depression and anxiety (D&A) increases. As in other crisis events, the COVID-19 pandemic, imposed social distancing measures, diminished social support and changes in perinatal healthcare provision which heightened this risk. This study aimed to examine how changes in social and healthcare provider support during the pandemic affected coping strategies and depression and anxiety symptoms (D&As) among perinatal women.

The Ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) is the most important gene for repairing the DNA in Myelodysplastic Neoplasm.

Myelodysplastic Neoplasm (MDS) is a cancer associated with aging, often leading to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). One of its hallmarks is hypermethylation, particularly in genes responsible for DNA repair. This study aimed to evaluate the methylation and mutation status of DNA repair genes (single-strand - XPA, XPC, XPG, CSA, CSB and double-strand - ATM, BRCA1, BRCA2, LIG4, RAD51) in MDS across three patient cohorts (Cohort A-56, Cohort B-100, Cohort C-76), using methods like pyrosequencing, real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry, and mutation screening.

The Social Construction of Categorical Data: Mixed Methods Approach to Assessing Data Features in Publicly Available Datasets.

Background: In data-sparse areas such as health care, computer scientists aim to leverage as much available information as possible to increase the accuracy of their machine learning models' outputs. As a standard, categorical data, such as patients' gender, socioeconomic status, or skin color, are used to train models in fusion with other data types, such as medical images and text-based medical information. However, the effects of including categorical data features for model training in such data-scarce areas are underexamined, particularly regarding models intended to serve individuals equitably in a diverse population.

Comparative assessment of exposure tools to estimate pesticide concentrations in rice paddies: a discussion of the Brazilian context.

Estimating pesticide concentrations in paddy rice systems is challenging due to unique cultivation methods and water management practices. Various models, ranging from simple exposure calculators to complex scenario-dependent tools, have been developed globally to address this issue (PADDY, MED-Rice, RICEWQ, PFAM). In Brazil, pesticides are used in paddy rice production, and there is a potential risk of these compounds reaching waterbodies.

A planar-sheet nongraphitic zero-bandgap sp carbon phase made by the low-temperature reaction of γ-graphyne.

The highest sheet symmetry form of graphyne, with one triple bond between each neighboring hexagon in graphene, irreversibly transforms exothermically at ambient pressure and low temperatures into a nongraphitic, planar-sheet, zero-bandgap phase consisting of intrasheet-bonded sp carbons. The synthesis of this sp carbon phase is demonstrated, and other carbon phases are described for possible future synthesis from graphyne without breaking graphyne bonds. While measurements and theory indicate that the reacting graphyne becomes nonplanar because of sheet wrinkling produced by dimensional mismatch between reacted and nonreacted sheet regions, sheet planarity is regained when the reaction is complete.

GorillaFACS: The Facial Action Coding System for the Gorilla spp.

The Facial Action Coding System (FACS) is an objective observation tool for measuring human facial behaviour. It avoids subjective attributions of meaning by objectively measuring independent movements linked to facial muscles, called Action Units (AUs). FACS has been adapted to 11 other taxa, including most apes, macaques and domestic animals, but not yet gorillas.

Assessing the performance of AI chatbots in answering patients' common questions about low back pain.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy and readability of the answers generated by large language model (LLM)-chatbots to common patient questions about low back pain (LBP).

Methods: This cross-sectional study analysed responses to 30 LBP-related questions, covering self-management, risk factors and treatment. The questions were developed by experienced clinicians and researchers and were piloted with a group of consumer representatives with lived experience of LBP.

Life cycle of bioethanol production from blends of different food waste.

Food waste offers a potential source for bioethanol production, but productivity depends on the chemical composition of the raw materials and the processes involved. However, assessment of the environmental sustainability of these processes is often absent and can be carried out using the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology. This study aimed to perform an LCA on bioethanol production from mixtures of different wastes, including tubers, fruits, and processed foods, focusing on the gate-to-gate phase.

A single-stage MABR reactor in the post-treatment of poultry slaughterhouse wastewater: nitrogen removal and microbial community.

The deammonification process is an efficient alternative to remove nitrogen from wastewater with a low carbon/nitrogen ratio. However, the reactor configuration and operational factors pose challenges for applications in treatment systems to remove nitrogen from municipal and industrial wastewater on a large scale. To address this gap, this study evaluated a new deammonification strategy using a single-stage membrane aerated biofilm reactor (MABR), operated with continuous flow, under different hydraulic retention times (HRT) in the post-treatment of poultry slaughterhouse wastewater with a low nitrogen load, similar to domestic wastewater.

Steady-state free precession NMR without Fourier transform: Redefining the capabilities of 19F NMR as a discovery tool.

The 2024 Zurich perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) summit reiterated the urgent need for non-selective analytical approaches for PFC detection. 19F NMR holds great potential, however, sensitivity limitations lead to long analysis times and/or the possibility of not detecting low concentration species. Steady State Free Precession (SSFP) NMR collects the signal in a steady state regime, allowing 100's of acquisitions in the timespan of a single traditional NMR scan.

Candidate Genes Related to Spiritual Mediumship: A Whole Exome Sequencing Analysis of Highly Gifted Mediums.

Objective: There has been a call for neuroscientific studies of spiritual experiences due to their global prevalence, significant impact, and importance for understanding the mind-brain problem. Mediumship is a spiritual experience where individuals claim to communicate with or be influenced by deceased persons or non-material entities. We assessed whether mediums possess specific genetic alterations.