Parasite infections: how inflammation alters brain function.

Parasitic infections can profoundly impact brain function through inflammation within the central nervous system (CNS). Once viewed as an immune-privileged site, the CNS is now recognized as vulnerable to immune disruptions from both local and systemic infections. Recent studies reveal that certain parasites, such as Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium falciparum, can invade the CNS or influence it indirectly by triggering neuroinflammation.

A new quantitative reverse transcription PCR assay to improve the routine diagnosis of paracoccidioidomycosis.

Paracoccidioides are dimorphic fungal pathogens and the etiological agents of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM). This severe systemic mycosis is restricted to Latin America, where it has been historically endemic. Currently, PCM presents the fewest diagnostic tools available when compared to other endemic mycoses.

Efficacy of long-acting local anesthetics versus their mixture with shorter-acting local anesthetics for peripheral nerve blocks guided by ultrasound: a systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background/importance: Local anesthetic (LA) mixtures are used in peripheral nerve blocks (PNB) to improve onset, though study results remain conflicting.

Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis compared the efficacy outcomes of long-acting LA to their mixture with shorter-acting LA in ultrasound-guided PNB. The primary outcome was sensory block onset.

Use of machine learning in occupational risk communication for healthcare workers: protocol for scoping review.

Introduction: With the development of technology, the use of machine learning (ML), a branch of computer science that aims to transform computers into decision-making agents through algorithms, has grown exponentially. This protocol arises from the need to explore the best practices for applying ML in the communication and management of occupational risks for healthcare workers.

Methods And Analysis: This scoping review protocol details a search to be conducted in the academic databases, Public Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online, through the Virtual Health Library: Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System, Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences, West Pacific Region Index Medicus, Nursing Database and Scientific Electronic Library Online, Scopus, Web of Science and IEEE Xplore Digital Library and Excerpta Medica Database.

Efficacy of Amitriptyline in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background/aims: Amitriptyline is prescribed off-label for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). We conducted a meta-analysis to assess its efficacy.

Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted until November 10, 2023, using MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science to study the efficacy of amitriptyline in patients with IBS.

Pre-exposure of Lactobacillus acidophilus to stress conditions impacts the metabolites and bioaccessibility of calcium and carotenoids in fermented dairy products.

This study evaluated the impact of fermentation with Lactobacillus acidophilus pre-subjected to acid, osmotic, and oxidative stress conditions on the production of metabolites and the bioaccessibility of nutrients and bioactive compounds in fermented milks and yogurts. The products were added with orange bagasse (additional calcium - Ca source) and buriti pulp (carotenoids source). Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) were used to analyze the volatile and non-volatile compounds metabolites from fermentation, respectively.

Fractionation of pequi pulp oil and modeling by thermodynamic phase equilibrium theory.

This study focused on evaluating the fractionation of pequi oil and modeling the process using solid-liquid equilibrium (SLE) theory. The pequi oil was comprehensively characterized, including its fatty acid (FA) and acylglycerol (AG) profiles, moisture content, acidity, carotenoid levels, and thermal behavior. Low acidity and partial acylglycerols content, along with its TAG profile (mainly OOP, POP, OOO and PPP) and melting behavior proved that, in fact, this oil is quite suitable for fractionation.

Sensory dynamic profile and consumer acceptance of short-dough biscuits with reduced sucrose and thaumatin addition.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of sucrose reduction on the sensory dynamics and consumer acceptance of short-dough biscuits, incorporating thaumatin as a flavor enhancer. Using the hedonic threshold, the research identified that a 25 % reduction in sucrose was generally acceptable to consumers, whereas a 50 % reduction led to product rejection, indicating a strong preference for sweetness. Temporal Dominance of Sensations (TDS) analysis further confirmed consumers' sensitivity to sugar levels, with a marked preference for biscuits containing a 25 % sucrose reduction.

"Low Carbon Brazilian Beef": How is it perceived by Brazilians?

"Low Carbon Brazilian Beef" (LCBB) represents a Brazilian concept brand that certifies livestock systems adopting specific technical guidelines to minimize methane gas emissions from cattle. Understanding consumers' perceptions of this brand concept can help develop strategies to promote its consumption. The objective of this study was to investigate the perception of Brazilian consumers living in the state of Rio de Janeiro regarding the LCBB through free word association and to evaluate the influence of socio-demographic variables, green consumption values and frequency of beef consumption in associations.

Nutritional and technological potential of umbu-caja and soursop co-product flours.

Umbu-caja and soursop from the Northeast region of Brazil are rich in nutrients and bioactive compounds and are widely processed by the fruit agroindustry. However, there is a lack of research examining the composition and nutritional/technological potential of these co-product fruits. The present study evaluated the nutritional and technological characteristics of umbu-caja and soursop co-product flours (UCF and SCF, respectively), in addition to cytotoxicity in healthy cells.

Inulin or xylooligosaccharide addition to dulce de leche affects consumers' sensory experience and emotional response.

The growing interest in reducing sugar and fat in processed foods has led to the use of fibers with prebiotic potential, such as inulin and xylooligosaccharide (XOS), as substitutes capable of enhancing nutritional value and sensory quality. Using an innovative approach with Free Just-About-Right (FREE JAR) to obtain Drivers of Liking, this study evaluated consumer perception (n = 129) regarding the impact of adding inulin and XOS to Dulce de Leche with or without fat reduction. The term "Too Greasy" was significant for the product made with whole milk; however, adding inulin and XOS mitigated this effect and promoted the sensation of JAR sweetness.

Adolescents as food designers: The value of co-creation for the development of healthy dairy products.

Healthy eating habits may protect adolescents against disease development, ensure optimal physical and cognitive development, and may persist in adulthood. However, adolescents usually prefer sweetened dairy products and show a low consumption of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and pulses. Co-creation offers an innovative and inclusive alternative for the development of new products.

Pesticide risk perception as an attitudinal mediator: Exploratory research with farm managers and consumers.

Pesticide use poses significant risks to human health and the environment. However, the public perception of pesticides is characterized by a number of factors, including risk perception. This study aimed to investigate the role of risk perception in two models: a) as a mediator between personal norms and pro-environmental attitudes of farm managers and b) as a mediator of trust in the purchase intention of consumers.

Precision fermentation in the realm of microbial protein production: State-of-the-art and future insights.

Food security issues are becoming more pressing due to the world's rapid population expansion and climate change, which also drive up demand for nutrient-dense commodities like meat and cereals. Conventional agricultural practices, which depend on pesticides, fertilizers, and antibiotics, are exacerbating environmental problems, such as antibiotic resistance. Precision fermentation has become a game-changing technique that uses microorganisms to create high-value food ingredients more efficiently and with less negative environmental impact.

Interactions between cellulose nanocrystals and conventional/gemini surfactants.

Research on the interaction between surfactants and cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) has mainly focused on the interaction between CNC and conventional surfactants, and there are no reported studies on the interaction between CNC and gemini surfactants. The interactions between CNC and conventional surfactant (tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide, termed as TTAB), asymmetric gemini surfactant ([CH(CH)N(CH)N(CH)CH]Br (14-6-6)) or symmetric gemini surfactant ([CH(CH)N(CH)N(CH)CH]Br (14-6-14)) were examined. With increasing surfactant concentration, interaction of TTAB/CNC was described by three regions, i.

Patterns of Screen Time From Ages 2 to 6-7 Years in South Brazil: A Prospective Study.

Background: Screen use has become nearly universal, especially in children. Therefore, it is important not only to comprehend its effects on health but also to understand its patterns of use. We aim to describe screen use patterns among children assessed at 2, 4, and 6-7 years, based on device, period of the day, and child/family characteristics.

GLITTRE-ADL TESTS IN THREE LAPS AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE FIVE LAPS TEST.

Background: The Glittre-ADL test is a comprehensive test to evaluate functional capacity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Aim: The primary aim was to validate the Glittre-ADL test with and without the backpack performed in three laps as an alternative of five laps in people with COPD.

Methods: Forty-eight participants with mild to severe COPD (mean±SD age: 71±7 years; FEV: 46 ± 17 %predicted) were recruited and performed two six-minute walk tests (visit 1); two Glittre-ADL tests with backpack (visit 2), and the Glittre-ADL test with and without the backpack, in random order (visit 3).

Validation of immersion pre-cooling and drip sanitation standard operating procedures on weight, temperature, microbiological quality, and safety of chicken carcasses.

This study aims to validate sanitation standard operating procedures (SSOP) of the pre-cooling system in two immersion stages with different temperatures followed by dripping for 3 minutes. The variables evaluated were temperature, weight, microbiological quality, and safety of chicken carcasses. Groups of indicator microorganisms were quantified and the occurrence of Salmonella spp.

Exploring the Structure and Nucleic Acid Interactions of the Leishmania sp. Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase N-Terminal Region.

Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by protozoans of the Leishmania genus, against which no effective treatment or control is available. Like other eukaryotes, parasite telomeres are maintained by telomerase, a ribonucleoprotein complex vital for genome stability. Its protein component, TERT (telomerase reverse transcriptase), presents four structural and functional domains, with the TEN (Telomerase N-terminal) and TRBD (Telomerase RNA-binding) located at its N-terminal.

Cellular and biochemical alterations induced by diesel oil in the brown algaSargassum cymosumvar.stenophyllumcultured in vitro.

The effect of the in vitro acute exposure to diesel oil (0.001%, 0.01%, 0.

Efficacy of lotilaner for treating rabbits naturally infested by Psoroptes ovis and Leporacarus gibbus, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a single 20 mg/kg dose of lotilaner for treating rabbits with concomitant infection by P. ovis and L. gibbus.

Integrative analysis of miRNAs and proteins in plasma extracellular vesicles of patients with familial hypercholesterolemia.

Background And Aims: Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a monogenic disease that leads to early-onset atherosclerosis. Causative mutations in FH-related genes are found in 60-80 % of patients, while epigenetic factors may contribute to mutation-negative cases. This study analyzed miRNAs and proteins from plasma-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) of FH patients to explore their contribution in FH diagnosis.

Occurrence Of Limatus Durhamii In Artificial Containers In Atlantic Forest, São Paulo, Brazil.

has wild habits with ecological plasticity in anthropized environments. We report the occurrence of this species in several types of artificial containers in 2 fragments of the Atlantic Forest in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. A total of 1,428 larvae were collected, in which plastic containers had the highest abundance of immature forms of Li.

Assessment of COVID-19 incidence after performing pulmonary function tests during the pandemic: Findings from a real-life cohort.

Background: Pulmonary function testing (PFT) is paramount in assessing patients with respiratory symptoms and chronic cardiopulmonary diseases. Although seminal studies have demonstrated that PFT generates aerosols, this simple observation does not confirm the potential for enhanced pathogen transmission.

Objective: We aimed to describe the frequency of patients who developed suspected symptoms of COVID-19, prompting SARS-CoV-2 testing after undergoing PFT during the reopening of a laboratory amid the deceleration of the pandemic.