Selective phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor roflumilast reduces inflammation and lung injury in models of betacoronavirus infection in mice.

Objective: We aimed to understand the potential therapeutic and anti-inflammatory effects of the phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitor roflumilast in models of pulmonary infection caused by betacoronaviruses.

Methods: Mice were infected intranasally with murine hepatitis virus (MHV-3) or severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Roflumilast was given to MHV-3-infected mice therapeutically at doses of 1 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg, or prophylactically at 10 mg/kg.

Domestic Dogs Exposed to Orthopoxvirus in Urban Areas of Brazil.

Domestic animals can share viral pathogens with humans, acting mainly as a bridge host. The genus hosts important zoonotic species that have emerged in urban areas worldwide. Nevertheless, the role of companion animals, such as dogs and cats, in the circulation of orthopoxviruses in urban areas remains poorly understood.

Geographic Distribution of Vaccinia Virus, Diagnosis and Demographic Aspects of Affected Populations, Minas Gerais, Brazil, 2000-2023.

Since its first report in Brazil in 1999, outbreaks of exanthematous diseases caused by vaccinia virus (VACV) have been a recurring concern, particularly impacting rural regions. Minas Gerais (MG) State, Brazil, has emerged as the epicenter of bovine vaccinia (BV) outbreaks. This study presents a comprehensive overview of VACV circulation in MG State over the past two decades, examining the occurrence and distribution of poxvirus cases and outbreaks and the demographic characteristics of affected populations.

3D-Printed Tablets of Nifurtimox: In Vitro and In Vivo Anti- Studies.

: Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease caused by infection with the parasite . Benznidazole and nifurtimox are the only approved drugs for treating this condition, but their low aqueous solubility may lead to erratic bioavailability. This work aimed for the first time to formulate tablets of nifurtimox by hot melt extrusion coupled with 3D printing as a strategy to increase drug dissolution and the production of tablets with dosage on demand.

Effect of Bacterial Nanocellulose with Chemisorbed Antiseptics on Alveolar Bone Repair in Rats Undergoing Bisphosphonate Therapy.

: This work investigated the effect of bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) alone or with chemisorbed chlorhexidine or povidone-iodine on post-tooth extraction repair in rats undergoing bisphosphonate therapy. : Forty Wistar rats were treated with zoledronic acid, subjected to tooth extractions and allocated into groups according to the material inserted in the post-extraction socket: (1) BNC ( = 10); (2) BNC/Iodine ( = 10); (3) BNC/Chlorhex ( = 10); (4) Control ( = 10). Maxillae were dissected and macro- and microscopically analyzed.

Silicon Effects Depend upon Insect Herbivore Guild and Has Limited Influence on Gall-Inducing Insects of .

Silicon (Si) is a widely recognized element in plant defense, often enhancing resistance to herbivory by strengthening cell walls and deterring feeding by external herbivores. However, its impact on internal, endophytic herbivores, such as gall-inducing insects, remains underexplored. This study investigates the role of silicon in , focusing on its effects on herbivory by insects.

Morphometric Investigation of a Species Complex in Section Series (Leguminosae, Caesalpinioideae).

series was created by Barneby in 1991, embracing species diagnosed by their small subshrubby habit and the presence of gland-tipped setae and trimerous flowers. Most species are endemic to Northeastern Brazil, and some possess characters deemed diagnostic which nonetheless overlap, making species identification difficult. Our study aimed to test species circumscriptions and sets of characters that could be applied to unequivocally distinguish the species.

Direct Hot Solid-Liquid Extraction (DH-SLE): A High-Yield Greener Technique for Lipid Recovery from Coffee Beans.

Soxhlet extraction is a method recommended by the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) to determine the lipid content in plant samples. Generally, n-hexane (toxicity grade 5) is used as the solvent (≈300 mL; ≈30 g sample) at boiling temperatures (69 °C) for long times (≤16 h) under a chilled water reflux (≈90 L/h), proportionally aggravated by the number of repetitions and samples determined. In this sense, the technique is neither safe nor sustainable for the analyst or the environment.

Pequi Pulp () Oil-Loaded Emulsions as Cosmetic Products for Topical Use.

The pequi () is a typical fruit from the Brazilian Cerrado. From it, pequi pulp oil is extracted, a valuable product for cosmetic applications due to its high levels of unsaturated fatty acids and carotenoids. Carotenoids are antioxidant compounds that are easily oxidized.

2-Aminothiophene Derivatives-New Drug Candidates Against Leishmaniasis: Drug Design, Synthesis, Pharmacomodulation, and Antileishmanial Activity.

: Leishmaniasis is one of the 20 Neglected Tropical Diseases according to the WHO, affecting approximately 12 million people in four continents, generating serious public health problems. The lack of therapeutic options, associated with toxicity and the emergence of resistance to the few available drugs, makes it urgent to develop new drug options. In this context, the aims of this work are to expand the knowledge about the pharmacophore group responsible for the antileishmanial potential of 2-aminothiophene derivatives.

Etodolac Single Dose Metabolic Profile Elucidation: Pharmacokinetics and Adverse Events in Healthy Volunteers.

Background/objectives: This study investigates the metabolic profile of a single dose of etodolac in healthy volunteers, focusing on pharmacokinetics, clinical parameters, and metabolomic variations to identify biomarkers and pathways linked to drug response, efficacy, and safety.

Methods: Thirty-seven healthy volunteers, enrolled after rigorous health assessments, received a single dose of etodolac (Flancox 500 mg). Pharmacokinetic profiles were determined using tandem mass spectrometry analysis, and the metabolomic profiling was conducted using baseline samples (pre-dose) and samples at maximum drug concentration (post-dose) via liquid chromatography coupled with a quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer.

Ruthenium(II) Complex with 1-Hydroxy-9,10-Anthraquinone Inhibits Cell Cycle Progression at G0/G1 and Induces Apoptosis in Melanoma Cells.

Background: Melanoma is the most aggressive and lethal skin cancer that affects thousands of people worldwide. Ruthenium complexes have shown promising results as cancer chemotherapeutics, offering several advantages over platinum drugs, such as potent efficacy, low toxicity, and less drug resistance. Additionally, anthraquinone derivatives have broad therapeutic applications, including melanoma.

L. Inflorescence Abrogates Neutrophil Activation by Downregulating TLR4/NF-KB Signaling Pathway in LPS-Induced Acute Lung Injury Model.

: Acute lung injury (ALI) is an inflammatory disorder affecting patients in intensive care with high mortality. No specific pharmacological treatment is available. L.

Spatial Characterization of Woody Species Diversity in Tropical Savannas Using GEDI and Optical Data.

Developing the capacity to monitor species diversity worldwide is of great importance in halting biodiversity loss. To this end, remote sensing plays a unique role. In this study, we evaluate the potential of Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) data, combined with conventional satellite optical imagery and climate reanalysis data, to predict in situ alpha diversity (Species richness, Simpson index, and Shannon index) among tree species.

The Counteracting Effect of Chrysin on Dietary Fructose-Induced Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD) in Rats with a Focus on Glucose and Lipid Metabolism.

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome has been exponentially increasing in recent decades. Thus, there is an increasing need for affordable and natural interventions for this disorder. We explored the effect of chrysin, a dietary polyphenol, on hepatic lipid and glycogen accumulation, metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) activity score and oxidative stress and on hepatic and adipose tissue metabolism in rats presenting metabolic syndrome-associated conditions.

Experimental Study of Carbonation and Chloride Resistance of Self-Compacting Concretes with a High Content of Fly Ash and Metakaolin, with and Without Hydrated Lime.

The durability of reinforced concrete is associated with several factors that can trigger the corrosion of reinforcement bars. Among these factors, the most significant are chloride-ion attack and carbonation. This study evaluated, through accelerated testing, self-compacting concretes (SCCs) with reduced cement content in binary, ternary, and quaternary mixtures using high-early-strength Portland cement, fly ash (FA), metakaolin (MK), and hydrated lime (HL).

Preheated and Injected Bulk-Fill Resin Composites: A Micro-CT Analysis of Internal Voids and Marginal Adaptation in Class II Restorations.

The aim of this study was to evaluate, in vitro, the void formation and marginal adaptation in Class II cavities restored with preheated and injected bulk-fill resin composites. Eighty third molars received Class II cavities on their mesial and distal surfaces and were randomly distributed into eight groups (n = 10) according to material (Filtek Universal-control, incremental technique; Filtek One Bulk-Fill; Admira Fusion X-tra Bulk-Fill; VisCalor Bulk-Fill) and the temperature of the material (24 °C or 68 °C). The restored teeth were scanned using a SkyScan 1173 microtomograph.

Quality Assessment and Host Preference of (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) for Fresh and Cryopreserved (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) Eggs.

The development of the mass rearing technique for the egg parasitoid has been under study for about 20 years, with increasing attention on the development of quality control. Here, we evaluated the behavior, biological parameters, morphometrics and presence of endosymbionts of produced in cryopreserved eggs compared to those produced in traditional fresh stink bug eggs. Parasitoids reared from cryopreserved eggs showed similar parasitism and emergence rates, sex ratios, longevity, morphometrics, and proportions of flyers compared to those originating from fresh eggs.

Polymorphisms Influence the Expression of the Fas and FasL Genes in COVID-19.

The apoptotic molecule Fas and its ligand FasL are involved in the process of T-lymphocyte death, which may lead to lymphopenia, a characteristic of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In this study, we investigated the influence of polymorphisms in the and genes, and gene expression, and plasma cytokine levels on COVID-19 severity and long COVID occurrence. A total of 116 individuals with severe COVID-19 and 254 with the non-severe form of the disease were evaluated.

Predicting the Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Potential of Isoquinoline Alkaloids from Brazilian Siparunaceae Species Using Chemometric Tools.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused over 7 million deaths globally in the past four years. spp. (Siparunaceae), which is used in Brazilian folk medicine, is considered a genus with potential antiviral alternatives.

Cardiac Hemodynamics, Tissue Oxygenation, and Functional Capacity in Post-COVID-19 Patients.

: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the functional capacity of post-COVID-19 patients with a control group and analyze cardiac hemodynamics and muscle tissue oxygenation responses during assessment protocols in both groups. : A cross-sectional study was conducted involving patients with COVID-19 and a control group who were all aged ≥18 years. Participants underwent two functional capacity tests: the one-minute sit-stand test (1-STS) and the six-minute walk test (6MWT).

Bacterial Multiresistance and Microbial Diversity of Milk Received by a University Hospital Milk Bank.

Breastfeeding is fundamental for the development and protection of the newborn, and microorganisms present in breast milk are associated with the development of the infant's intestinal microbiota. However, there are factors that interfere with breastfeeding, resulting in the need to supply donated milk to milk banks for these children. Even though there is a restriction on medications prescribed for pregnant and breastfeeding women, some antimicrobials are accepted, as long as they are used correctly and as they can increase the selection pressure for resistant bacteria.

Pharmacogenetics of the Treatment of Neglected Diseases.

Background/objectives: Pharmacogenetics (PGx) aims to identify individuals more likely to suffer from adverse reactions or therapeutic failure in drug treatments. However, despite most of the evidence in this area being from European populations, some diseases have also been neglected, such as HIV infection, malaria, and tuberculosis. With this review, we aim to emphasize which pharmacogenetic tests are ready to be implemented in treating neglected diseases that have some evidence and call attention to what is missing for these three diseases.

Anxiolytic, Antidepressant, and Anticholinesterase Effects of Essential Oil from (G.Mey.) DC.

Aromatic plants are rich sources of essential oils (EOs), recognized for their therapeutic properties due to their diversity of phytochemicals. This study investigated the anxiolytic and antidepressant effects of essential oil (MsEO) through inhalation in an animal model and its in vitro anticholinesterase (AChE) activity. The EO was obtained by hydrodistillation, and its volatile constituents were analyzed by GC-MS.

TMPRSS2 as a Key Player in Viral Pathogenesis: Influenza and Coronaviruses.

TMPRSS2, a human transmembrane protease enzyme, plays a crucial role in the spread of certain viruses, including influenza and coronaviruses. This enzyme promotes viral infection by cleaving viral glycoproteins, which helps viruses like SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A enter cells more effectively. Genetic differences in TMPRSS2 may affect people's susceptibility to COVID-19, underscoring the need for studies that consider diverse populations.