Immunoblot evaluation of rubella humoral immunity in Portuguese women with negative or low-positive rubella IgG.

Despite its low incidence in Europe, rubella's immune status is still routinely assessed using commercial immunoassays. However, some discrepancies have been observed between these tests and the Immunoblot. The main objective of this study is to evaluate, by a commercial immunoblot, the immune status of a female population that had previously presented negative, low-positive, or equivocal rubella IgG with a commercial immunoassay.

Endocan as a marker of endotheliitis in COVID-19 patients: modulation by veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, arterial hypertension and previous treatment with renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors.

Background And Aims: Endocan has been scarcely explored in COVID-19, especially regarding its modulation by veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO), hypertension or previous renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitors treatment. We compared endocan and other endotheliitis markers in hospitalized COVID-19 patients and assessed their modulation by VV-ECMO, hypertension and previous RAAS inhibitors treatment.

Material And Methods: Serum endocan, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and E-selectin were measured in "severe" (n = 27), "critically ill" (n = 17) and "critically ill on VV-ECMO" (n = 17) COVID-19 patients at admission, days 3-4, 5-8 and weekly thereafter, and in controls (n = 23) at a single time point.

Pediatric, adult, and late onset multiple sclerosis: Cognitive phenotypes and gray matter atrophy.

Objectives: We aim to investigate cognitive phenotype distribution and MRI correlates across pediatric-, elderly-, and adult-onset MS patients as a function of disease duration.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we enrolled 1262 MS patients and 238 healthy controls, with neurological and cognitive assessments. A subset of 222 MS patients and 92 controls underwent 3T-MRI scan for brain atrophy and lesion analysis.

Correction: Aslam et al. pH Sensitive Pluronic Acid/Agarose-Hydrogels as Controlled Drug Delivery Carriers: Design, Characterization and Toxicity Evaluation. 2022, , 1218.

[...

A Compendium of Magnetic Nanoparticle Essentials: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners and Experts.

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are advanced materials that combine the unique properties of magnetic materials and nanoscale dimensions, enabling a wide range of applications in biomedicine, environmental science, and information technology. This review provides a comprehensive yet accessible introduction to the fundamental principles, characterization techniques, and diverse applications of MNPs, with a focus on their nanoscale magnetic properties, such as superparamagnetism, single-domain behavior, and surface effects. It also delves into their classification and the critical role of parameters like magnetic anisotropy and blocking temperature.

Chitosan Nanoparticles for Enhanced Immune Response and Delivery of Multi-Epitope Vaccines in a BALB/c Mouse Model.

: is the leading cause of chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer, gastric adenocarcinoma, and mucosal-associated lymphoma. Due to the emerging problems with antibiotic treatment against in clinical practice, vaccination has gained more interest. Oral immunization is considered a promising approach for preventing initial colonization of this bacterium in the gastrointestinal tract, establishing a first line of defense at gastric mucosal surfaces.

Curcumin-Loaded Lipid Nanoparticles: A Promising Antimicrobial Strategy Against in Endodontic Infections.

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of curcumin (CUR), a natural polyphenol with potent antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, when formulated as solid lipid nanoparticles (CUR-loaded SLN) against . Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) were prepared as a carrier for CUR, which significantly improved its solubility. SLNs made with cetyl palmitate and Tween 80 were obtained via the hot ultrasonication method.

Plasmid Gene Therapy for Monogenic Disorders: Challenges and Perspectives.

Monogenic disorders are a group of human diseases caused by mutations in single genes. While some disease-altering treatments offer relief and slow the progression of certain conditions, the majority of monogenic disorders still lack effective therapies. In recent years, gene therapy has appeared as a promising approach for addressing genetic disorders.

Cutting-Edge Advances in Anticancer Therapies: Insights from the Third Edition of the Special Issue "Novel Anticancer Strategies".

Cancer incidence and mortality continue to rise at an alarming rate worldwide, underscoring the urgent need for more effective therapeutic interventions [...

Improving Individualized Salbutamol Treatment: A Population Pharmacokinetic Model for Oral Salbutamol in Virtual Patients.

Background: Salbutamol, a short-acting β-agonist used in asthma treatment, is available in multiple formulations, including inhalers, nebulizers, oral tablets, and intravenous, intramuscular, and subcutaneous routes. Each formulation exhibits distinct pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) profiles, influencing therapeutic outcomes and adverse effects. Although asthma management predominantly relies on inhaled salbutamol, understanding how these formulations interact with patient-specific characteristics could improve personalized medicine approaches, potentially uncovering the therapeutic benefits of alternative formulations for an individual patient.

Impact of Deactivated Mine Waste Substrates on the Growth and Cu, As and Pb Accumulation in Tubers, Roots, Stems and Leaves of Three L. Varieties.

Potato ( L.) is the world's third most popular vegetable in terms of consumption and the fourth most produced. Potatoes can be easily cultivated in different climates and locations around the globe and often in soils contaminated by heavy metals due to industrial activities.

The Role of Meat Lipids in Nutrition and Health: Balancing Benefits and Risks.

Meat lipids are determinants of the nutritional, sensory and physiological qualities of meat, encompassing triglycerides, phospholipids, cholesterol and bioactive compounds. These lipids provide essential fatty acids, including omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, critical for metabolic regulation, inflammation control and cognitive health. However, the dual role of meat lipids as essential nutrients and potential contributors to health risks, such as cardiovascular disease and oxidative stress, necessitates a nuanced understanding.

Dietary Surveys and Nutritional Epidemiology.

As the prevalence of lifestyle-related diseases continues to increase globally [...

Prescribed Hospital Diet Influence on Dietary Intake of Hospitalised Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: The dietary intake of hospitalised patients is often compromised during hospitalisation, which can be a causal factor for hospital malnutrition. This is considered a public health problem worldwide and is associated with an increased risk of other complications.

Objectives: Our objective was to determine the dietary intake of hospitalised individuals and if the prescribed diet influences it.

Processed Food Consumption and Sleep Quality in School-Aged Children: Insights from a Cross-Sectional Study.

Objective: This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the association between processed food consumption and sleep quality among school-aged children.

Methods: Our sample consisted of 137 children, with 52.6% being girls with a mean age of 7.

Antioxidant Particleboards Produced from Forest By-Products with Application in the Food Packaging Industry.

The food packaging industry is one of the fastest growing sectors of our economy, with a large contribution to environmental concerns due to the extensive use of fossil-derived materials. Combining wood-based materials, such as particleboards, with bio-adhesives may offer a great opportunity to develop sustainable packaging solutions with active antioxidant properties. In the present work, a phenolic extract of poplar bark was produced and bio-adhesives were formulated using citric acid as a cross-linker.

Development of Thermoplastic Bi-Component Electrodes for Triboelectric Impact Detection in Smart Textile Applications.

Smart textiles provide a significant technological advancement, but their development must balance traditional textile properties with electronic features. To address this challenge, this study introduces a flexible, electrically conductive composite material that can be fabricated using a continuous bi-component extrusion process, making it ideal for sensor electrodes. The primary aim was to create a composite for the filament's core, combining multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), polypropylene (PP), and thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), optimised for conductivity and flexibility.

Acylase-Based Coatings on Sandblasted Polydimethylsiloxane-Based Materials for Antimicrobial Applications.

Indwelling medical devices, such as urinary catheters, often experience bacterial colonization, forming biofilms that resist antibiotics and the host's immune defenses through quorum sensing (QS), a chemical communication system. This study explores the development of antimicrobial coatings by immobilizing acylase, a quorum-quenching enzyme, on sandblasted polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) surfaces. PDMS, commonly used in medical devices, was sandblasted to increase its surface roughness, enhancing acylase attachment.

Changes in the Antibacterial Performance of Polymer-Based Nanocomposites Induced by Additive Manufacturing Processing.

The idea supporting the investigation of the current manuscript was to develop customized filters for air conditioners with different pore percentages and geometry with the additional advantage of presenting antibacterial performance. This property was expected due to the reinforcement of Cu nanoparticles in the polymeric matrix of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and polyurethane (TPU). The filaments were characterized by their chemical composition, thermal and mechanical properties, and antibacterial behavior before and after processing by fused filament fabrication.

Bio-Microcapsules of Polybutylene Succinate (PBS) and Isocyanates: Towards Sustainable, Safer, and Efficient Adhesives.

This work describes the encapsulation of three different aliphatic isocyanates to reduce the risks associated with isocyanates' direct handling. The use of bio-based polybutylene succinate (bio-PBS) increases the sustainability factor as it allows for the use of microcapsules (MCs) from renewable sources with biodegradable features. The three different MCs (MCs-Monomer, MCs-Trimer, and MCs-Polymer) are spherical, crack-free, and matrix-type, containing an isocyanate payload between 67 wt% and 70 wt%.

Dynamic Tensile Response of Basalt Fibre Grids for Textile-Reinforced Mortar (TRM) Strengthening Systems.

The present work constitutes the initial experimental effort to characterise the dynamic tensile performance of basalt fibre grids employed in TRM systems. The tensile behaviour of a bi-directional basalt fibre grid was explored using a high-speed servo-hydraulic testing machine with specialised grips. Deformation and failure modes were captured using a high-speed camera.

Sustainable Skincare Innovation: Cork Powder Extracts as Active Ingredients for Skin Aging.

: An emerging practice within the concept of circular beauty involves the upcycling of agro-industrial by-products. Cork processing, for instance, yields by-products like cork powder, which presents an opportunity to create value-added cosmetic ingredients. Building upon our previous research, demonstrating the antioxidant potential of hydroalcoholic extracts derived from two distinct cork powders (P0 and P1), in this work, aqueous extracts were prepared and analyzed.

Synthesis and Evaluation of Cytotoxic Activity of RuCp(II) Complexes Bearing (Iso)nicotinic Acid Based Ligands.

Background/objectives: Cancer remains one of the major challenges of our century. Organometallic ruthenium complexes are gaining recognition as a highly promising group of compounds in the development of cancer treatments.

Methods: Building on the auspicious results obtained for [Ru(η-CH)(PPh)(bipy)][CFSO] (TM34), our focus has shifted to examining the effects of incorporating bioactive ligands into the TM34 framework, particularly within the cyclopentadienyl ring.

Chemical Characterization and Differential Lipid-Modulating Effects of Selected Plant Extracts from Côa Valley (Portugal) in a Cell Model for Liver Steatosis.

Background/objectives: Côa Valley, located in the northeast of Portugal, harbors more than 500 medicinal plant species. Among them, four species stand out due to their traditional uses: Desf. (hemorrhages, urethritis, hepatitis), L.

Leaves Extracts Inhibit the Development of Ascitic and Solid Ehrlich Tumors.

is traditionally known for its medicinal properties. Objectives: Here, we investigated the effects of crude extract (CE) and ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) obtained from leaves on the ascitic (EA) and solid (ES) forms of Ehrlich tumors. : Induced and uninduced BALB/c mice were treated intramuscularly, for 7 or 14 days, with saline solution or CE and EAF, both at a 10% concentration, based on in vitro cytotoxicity assessment.