The Mosquito Microbiota: A Key Player in Vector Competence and Disease Dynamics.

Mosquitoes are well-known vectors for a range of pathogens, including parasites, which cause malaria in reptiles, birds, and mammals [...

Impact of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) on Male and Female Fertility.

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are responsible for the majority of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), some of which are oncogenic and can cause oropharyngeal or genital cancers. The HPV prevalence at the genital level varies according to the population studied but is higher in the seminal fluid of men suffering from idiopathic infertility than in the general population. The involvement of HPV in male infertility is supported by several studies suggesting that this virus can affect sperm quality by altering sperm DNA integrity, motility, number, viability, and morphology, and by inducing the production of anti-sperm antibodies (ASAs).

Contribution of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Studies to the Understanding of Cerebral Malaria Pathogenesis.

Cerebral malaria (CM), the most lethal clinical syndrome of infection, mostly affects children under 5 in sub-Saharan Africa. CM is characterized by seizures and impaired consciousness that lead to death in 15-20% of cases if treated quickly, but it is completely fatal when untreated. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an invaluable source of information on the pathophysiology of brain damage, but, due to limited access to scanners in endemic regions, only until very recently have case reports of CM patients studied with advanced MRI methods been published.

Recognizing a Silent Threat: Canine Ehrlichiosis and Rickettsiosis in Northern Portugal.

Vector-borne diseases pose significant challenges for both animal and public health worldwide [...

Advancements and Challenges in the Management of Prosthetic Valve Endocarditis: A Review.

Prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) is the medical term used to describe a focus of infection involving a valvular substitute within the heart. It is a significant concern in the field of cardiology, and the epidemiology of PVE has seen notable developments over the last five decades. The disease currently affects an older demographic and is becoming increasingly prevalent in patients with transcatheter-implanted valves.

A Selective Electrochemical Sensor for Bisphenol A Detection Based on Cadmium (II) (bromophenyl)porphyrin and Gold Nanoparticles.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a commonly synthetic chemical mainly used in producing plastic items. It is an endocrine-disrupting compound that causes irreversible health and environmental damage. Developing a simple method for BPA effective quantitative monitoring is emergently necessary.

Stilbenes in Red Wine: Formation and Biological Potential of Resveratrol and Piceid Dimers.

Resveratrol and its glucoside, piceid, are the primary stilbenes present in wine. These compounds are well known for their pharmaceutical properties. However, these compounds can undergo chemical transformations in wines, such as polymerization in the presence of metallic reagents.

Insights into the C-Cl Bond Breaking in Epichlorohydrin Induced by Low Energy (<10 eV) Electrons.

Epichlorohydrin is used as an intermediate for the synthesis of polymers and, more particularly, epoxy adhesives. The traditional process involves the cleavage of the carbon-chlorine bond in an alkaline solution. Here, we investigate the breakage of this bond induced by low-energy (<10 eV) electrons.

Advanced Analysis of Clay Microporosity Using High-Resolution N-Ar Adsorption Isotherms Coupled with the Derivative Isotherm Summation Method.

The textural properties of synthetic and natural clays in the sodium form and exchanged with tetramethylammonium cations (TMA) were characterized using N and Ar physisorption isotherms at cryogenic temperatures. Specific surface areas and micro/mesoporous volumes were determined using the BET and the models. The analysis requires the use of reference isotherms measured at the same temperature on the surface of non-porous materials with an identical chemical composition.

Chain Transfer Kinetics of Rhodixan A1 RAFT/MADIX Agent.

Rhodixan A1 is the trade name for -ethyl -(1-methoxycarbonylethyl)dithiocarbonate, a RAFT/MADIX agent used by Syensqo to produce block copolymer additives for aqueous formulations on an industrial scale. Chain transfer coefficients to Rhodixan A1 determined for 25 different styrenic, acrylate, and acrylamide monomers were relatively low (0.6 < C < 3.

Specific Ion Effects in Hydrogels.

Specific ion effects on the structure and function of many biological macromolecules, their associations, colloidal systems, interfacial phenomena, and even "simple" electrolytes solutions are ubiquitous. The molecular origin of such phenomena is discussed either as a salt-induced change of the water structure (the hydrogen bond network) or some specific (solvent mediated) interactions of one or both of the ions of the electrolyte with the investigated co-solute (macromolecules or colloidal particles). The case of hydrogels is of high interest but is only marginally explored with respect to other physico-chemical systems because they are formed through the interactions of gelling agents in the presence of water and the added electrolyte.

Whipping Creams: Advances in Molecular Composition and Nutritional Chemistry.

Whipping cream (WC) is an oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion used in food industry that can be transformed into aerated foam. The cream market has expanded significantly, driven by consumer demands for healthier and higher-quality products, leading to significant scientific research and innovation. This review focuses on formulation challenges related to ingredients such as fats, emulsifiers, and stabilizers, and how these components interact to form a stable emulsion and foam structure.

Relationship Between Elastic, Chemical, and Thermal Properties of SiO Flint Aggregate.

Understanding the relationship between elastic, chemical, and thermal properties is essential for the prevention of the behavior of SiO flint aggregates during their application. In fact, the elastic properties of silica depend on chemical and heat treatment. In order to identify the crystallite sizes for natural SiO before and after chemical treatment samples, Williamson-Hall plots and Scherer's formulas are used.

Isolated Dipolar ONN Schiff Base Regioisomers: Synthesis, Characterization and Crystallographic Study.

Organic compounds with 1,3-diketone or 3-amino enone functional groups are extremely important as they can be converted into a plethora of carbo- or heterocyclic derivatives or can be used as ligands in the formation of metal complexes. Here, we have achieved the preparation of a series of non-symmetrical β-ketoenamines (O,N,N proligand) of the type (4-MeOCH)C(=O)CH=C(R)NH(Q) obtained through the Schiff base condensation of 1,3-diketones (1-anisoylacetone, 1-anisyl-3-(4-cyanophenyl)-1,3-propanedione, and 1-anisyl-3-(4,4,4-trifluorotolyl)-1,3-propanedione) functionalized with electron donor and electron-withdrawing substituents and 8-aminoquinoline (R = CH, 4-CHCN, 4-CHCF; Q = CHN). Schiff base ketoimines with a pendant quinolyl moiety were isolated as single regioisomers in yields of 22-56% and characterized with FT-IR, H NMR, and UV-visible spectroscopy, as well as single-crystal X-ray crystallography, which allowed for the elucidation of the nature of the isolated regioisomers.

Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Ladder-like Polysilsesquioxanes as Compatibilized Nanofiller for Nanocomposite Materials.

Nanocomposite materials composed of an organic matrix and an inorganic nanofiller have been the subject of intense research in recent years. Indeed, the synergy between these two phases confers improved properties thanks to an increased surface-volume ratio, which reinforces the interactions between the particles and the polymer matrix. These interactions depend on many factors such as the shape, size and dispersion of the nanoobjects.

Relationship Between the Structure of the Flavone -Glycosides of Linseed ( L.) and Their Antioxidant Activity.

Flavonoids have been documented to have good antioxidant activities in vitro. In recent years, reports on the antioxidant activities of flavone glycosides, a subclass of flavonoids, have attracted great attention. Despite the wealth of information on this subject, the correlation between structure and function is not well understood.

Harnessing Halogenated Zeolitic Imidazolate Frameworks for Alcohol Vapor Adsorption.

This study explores Zeolitic Imidazolate Frameworks (ZIFs) as promising materials for adsorbing alcohol vapors, one of the main contributors to air quality deterioration and adverse health effects. Indeed, this sub-class of Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) offers a promising alternative to conventional adsorbents like zeolites and activated carbons for air purification. Specifically, this investigation focuses on ZIF-8_Br, a brominated version of ZIF-8_CH, to evaluate its ability to capture aliphatic alcohols at lower partial pressures.

Enhanced Photoluminescence of Europium-Doped TiO Nanoparticles Using a Single-Source Precursor Strategy.

TiO:Eu nanoparticles with varying europium concentrations were successfully synthesized via a one-pot sol-gel approach using a molecular heterometallic single-source precursor (SSP) Eu-Ti. For comparison, nanomaterials with similar europium levels were also produced by impregnating europium salts onto the same TiO substrate. All the nanomaterials were thoroughly characterized using Eu elemental analysis, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning (SEM), transmission (TEM), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, and photoluminescence (PL).

Unit Load of Abrasive Grains in the Machining Zone During Microfinishing with Abrasive Films.

This work investigates the contact between abrasive particles and workpieces in microfinishing processes with special consideration given to the determination of unit force, unit pressure, and grain, the forces exerted by individual abrasive grains. A detailed methodology was established for measuring the contact area, penetration depth, and circumferences of grain imprints at depths corresponding to multiples of the total height of the abrasive film, represented by the parameter . The following depths were analyzed: 0.

Method for the Mixing Design and Physical Characterization of Air-Foamed Lightweight Clay Concrete: A Response to the Issue of Recycling Dredged Sediments.

From both economic and environmental points of view, the reuse of dredged sediments in the direct onsite casting of concrete represents a promising method for replacing sand. The aim of this study was to develop a cementitious material that (i) reuses the thin particles of sediments; (ii) has a low density due to the incorporation of air foam in the material; and (iii) achieves a minimum mechanical strength of 0.5 MPa for embankment applications.

Nondestructive Monitoring of Textile-Reinforced Cementitious Composites Subjected to Freeze-Thaw Cycles.

Cementitious materials are susceptible to damage not only from mechanical loading, but also from environmental (physical, chemical, and biological) factors. For Textile-Reinforced Cementitious (TRC) composites, durability poses a significant challenge, and a reliable method to assess long-term performance is still lacking. Among various durability attacks, freeze-thaw can induce internal cracking within the cementitious matrix, and weaken the textile-matrix bond.

Mechanical Behavior of 3D-Printed Zig-Zag Honeycomb Structures Made of BASF Ultrafuse 316L.

The aim of this study is to determine the mechanical behavior of 2D honeycomb cellular structures with deformation initiators subject to quasi-static compression testing. Two different loading directions were studied: in-plane (IP) and out-of-plane (OP). The deformation initiators sought to stabilize the mechanical response by decreasing the initial peak force in the case of OP loading.

Liquid Structure of Magnesium Aluminates.

Magnesium aluminates (MgO)(AlO) belong to a class of refractory materials with important applications in glass and glass-ceramic technologies. Typically, these materials are fabricated from high-temperature molten phases. However, due to the difficulties in making measurements at very high temperatures, information on liquid-state structure and properties is limited.

Multiscale Elastic Modulus Characterization of TiFeMn, an Iron-Titanium-Manganese Alloy Dedicated to Hydrogen Storage.

Hydrogen storage in intermetallic compounds, known as solid-state storage, relies on a phase change by the metal alloy. This phenomenon causes a violent change in volume at the crystalline scale, inducing a change of volume for the millimetric particles and, with time, important stresses on the tanks. It is thus necessary to know the mechanical behavior of the material to report these phenomena and improve the tanks' reliability.

Dung Beetles, Dung Burial, and Plant Growth: Four Scarabaeoid Species and Sorghum.

This study examined the impact of dung beetles on both sorghum growth and the physico-chemical properties of the soil over a two-month period. Four dung beetle species (, subsp. , , and ) were introduced into experimental setups, consisting of containers filled with sterilised clay-loam soil, with three treatment groups: [cow dung + beetles], [cow dung only], and a control group (no dung nor beetles), in order to evaluate their effects on various growth parameters, including the plant height, biomass, leaf area, and chlorophyll concentration.