Assessment of Linear and Cyclic Peptides' Immobilization onto Cross-Linked, Poly(vinyl alcohol)/Cellulose Nanocrystal Nanofibers Electrospun over Quartz Crystal Microbalances with Dissipation Sensors.

Immobilization of peptides onto nanofiber dressings holds significant potential for chronic wound treatment. However, it is necessary to understand the adsorptive capacity of the produced substrates and the binding affinity of the peptides to determine the interface success. This study aims at exploring for the first time the influence of electrospun poly(vinyl alcohol)-based nanofibers on the adsorption of a cyclic peptide, Tiger 17, and of a linear peptide, Pexiganan, using quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D).

DNA Hybridization Kinetics Observed at the Single-Molecule Level Using Graphene Near-Field Effects.

We present the development of an advanced sensing platform using a monolayer of graphene functionalized with fluorophore-labeled DNA hairpins to detect the kinetics of single hairpins during the hybridization reaction. The near-field photonic effects of graphene induce a distance-dependent quenching effect on the attached fluorescent labels, resulting in distinct optical signals in response to axial displacements resulting from DNA hybridization. Employing a wide-field Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence (TIRF) optical setup coupled with a sensitive Electron-Multiplying Charge-Coupled Device (EM-CCD) camera, we successfully detected fluorescent signals of individual or a low number of individual DNA hairpins within a low-concentration environment DNA target (tDNA).

Elastin-like Recombinamers as a Biotechnological Platform for the Development of Cytokine-Functionalized Materials.

Oncostatin M (OSM) and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) are pleiotropic cytokines from the interkeukine-6 family, associated with several disorders, and present significant potential in biomedicine. However, their therapeutic use is highly constrained by factors such as short circulating half-life and narrow therapeutic window. The conjugation of cytokines with elastin-like recombinamers (ELR) holds the potential to circumvent these limitations due to the ability of self-assembling upon a thermal stimulus, remarkable biocompatibility, and ease of processing.

Comparative analysis of visual and cognitive performance in esports athletes and soccer players.

Clinical Relevance: Assessing visual and cognitive performance in athletes is important for optimising training strategies and preventing visual strain in both esports and traditional sports.

Background: This study compared visual acuity, refractive error, binocular functions, and cognitive perception measures between esports and soccer players to optimise visual performance strategies.

Methods: Twenty-eight male esports athletes and 38 male soccer players were assessed.

A structural equation model of emotion knowledge and verbal intelligence in peer acceptance in a sample of Portuguese preschoolers.

Using a mediation model, this study examined the role of verbal intelligence and emotion knowledge in peer acceptance in a sample of Portuguese preschool children. Participants were 444 5-year-olds (214 girls and 230 boys). Emotion knowledge was assessed with the Portuguese version of the Assessment of Children's Emotion Skills.

Positive Childhood Experiences and Adult Outcomes: A Systematic Review.

Although positive childhood experiences (PCEs) may serve as protective factors against the negative consequences of childhood adversity, they have been less extensively studied. However, more recently, there has been a growing interest in understanding the role of these experiences. This systematic review aims to address this research gap by systematizing the existing literature on PCEs and examining their relationship with both positive and negative outcomes.

Neuroanatomical and neurochemical substrates mediating fear-induced antinociception: A systematic review of rodent preclinical studies.

Fear-induced antinociception (FIA), an instinctive defensive response producing pain suppression in stressful and/or dangerous situations, has been the subject of extensive research to elucidate the mechanisms involved in triggering and controlling pain during emotional disorders. In this systematic review, we synthesized pre-clinical studies that demonstrated the neural hodology and the neurochemical bases of FIA in laboratory animals. The literature search in PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, and Scopus, from inception up to July 2022, retrieved 797 articles from which 50 studies were included in this review.

Decision support tools for water reuse: a systematic review.

This article provides a comprehensive review of decision support tools for water reuse (DST4WR), focusing on microbiological risk assessment (MRA), life cycle analysis (LCA), life cycle cost (LCC), and multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA). A systematic review of 35 articles published between 2020 and 2024, plus one from 2019, was conducted. The studies were categorised based on the DST4WR applied, with each tool discussed individually.

Albumin/Hyaluronic Acid Nanoparticle-Laden Contact Lenses for the Ocular Delivery of 5-Fluorouracil.

Nanoparticle-laden contact lenses are a formidable strategy for ocular drug delivery. However, incorporating nanoparticles to achieve sustained drug release without affecting the contact lenses' properties remains a challenging task. In this work, daily and monthly replacement silicone-hydrogel contact lenses laden with bovine serum albumin/hyaluronic acid (BSA/HA) nanoparticles are presented.

Recent Advances of PDMS In Vitro Biomodels for Flow Visualizations and Measurements: From Macro to Nanoscale Applications.

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) has become a popular material in microfluidic and macroscale in vitro models due to its elastomeric properties and versatility. PDMS-based biomodels are widely used in blood flow studies, offering a platform for improving flow models and validating numerical simulations. This review highlights recent advances in bioflow studies conducted using both PDMS microfluidic devices and macroscale biomodels, particularly in replicating physiological environments.

Metformin Impairs Linsitinib Anti-Tumor Effect on Ovarian Cancer Cell Lines.

Ovarian cancer (OC) remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality among women. Targeting the insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) signaling pathway has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy. Linsitinib, an IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) inhibitor, has shown potential in disrupting this pathway.

β-carotene and resveratrol loaded glycerol monostearate-based oleogels: Physicochemical characterization at low gelation concentrations.

Oleogels are semi-solid systems that can function both as replacers of trans and saturated fats and/or as carriers of lipophilic bioactive compounds. However, bioactive compounds can affect the structure of the oleogel matrix and this effect depends on the properties of such compounds. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop oleogels loaded with β-carotene (BC) or resveratrol (R), with low concentrations of glycerol monostearate (GMS, 2-5 wt%) and sunflower oil as organic solvent.

Unraveling the Potential of to Utilize Waste Motor Oil as a Carbon Source.

This study evaluated the potential of (CBS 2075 and DSM 8218) to grow in waste motor oil (WMO) and produce valuable compounds, laying the foundation for a sustainable approach to WMO management. Firstly, yeast strains were screened for their growth on WMO (2-10 g·L) in microplate cultures. Despite limited growth, the CBS 2075 strain exhibited comparable growth to control conditions (without WMO), while DSM 8218 growth increased 2- and 3-fold at 5 g·L and 10 g·L WMO, respectively.

Assessing the Impact of a Structured Capsule Endoscopy Training Program Using a New Validated Assessment Tool.

Background And Aim: We aimed to develop and validate a simple capsule endoscopy (CE) training assessment tool, the Capsule Endoscopy Training Assessment (CETA), and prospectively use it to analyze the learning progression achieved by participants in our CE training program.

Methods: Over a 3-year period, all participants in our CE training program completed pre-training and post-training CETA, ranging between 0% and 100%, and encompassing theoretical questions and interpretation of segmented CE videos. We compared the mean differences in overall, theoretical, and practical pre-training and post-training CETA, and assessed the influence of previous endoscopic experience (upper gastrointestinal endoscopy [UGE], colonoscopy, device-assisted enteroscopy [DAE] and CE) using generalized linear models.

Advancements in dental bioreactor design: A comprehensive approach for application in dentistry.

The protocol introduces a novel multi-chamber bioreactor tailored for ex-vivo cell culture in dentistry research, emulating the 3D dental environment to propel research in dental applications. Constructed primarily from a polymeric material with a sophisticated 3D design, the bioreactor securely holds teeth structures within sealed chambers, enabling controlled perfusion of culture medium crucial for cell growth through a singular entry and exit point. An integrated electronic system manages flow and pressure, ensuring precise control over environmental conditions.

Overview of resveratrol properties, applications, and advances in microbial precision fermentation.

Resveratrol is an antioxidant abundant in plants like grapes and peanuts and has garnered significant attention for its potential therapeutic applications. This review explores its chemical attributes, stability, and solubility, influencing its diverse applications and bioavailability. Resveratrol's multifaceted therapeutic roles encompass: antioxidant, cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, anti-aging, and anticancer properties.

Assessing phosphorus fluxes in Portugal.

Phosphorus (P) has been shown essential in the food sector. Due to the global shortage of P nutrients and the dependence on imports of phosphorus products and by-products, many countries have developed strategies to track the flows of this nutrient in their national territory. This comprises assessing which sectors and subsectors are the most relevant and identifying potential interventions for its recovery with consequent reduction of imports.

Collaborative Outcomes Study on Health and Functioning During Infection Times (COH-FIT): Global and Risk-Group Stratified Course of Well-Being and Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Adolescents.

Objective: To identify the COVID-19 pandemic impact on well-being/mental health, coping strategies, and risk factors in adolescents worldwide.

Method: This study was based on an anonymous online multi-national/multi-language survey in the general population (representative/weighted non-representative samples, 14-17 years of age), measuring change in well-being (World Health Organization-Five Well-Being Index [WHO-5]/range = 0-100) and psychopathology (validated composite P-score/range = 0-100), WHO-5 <50 and <29, pre- vs during COVID-19 pandemic (April 26, 2020-June 26, 2022). Coping strategies and 9 a priori- defined individual/cumulative risk factors were measured.

The Double Burden: Climate Change Challenges for Health Systems.

Climate change presents significant challenges to human health and health systems, and there is a critical need for health systems to adapt and become more resilient in order to effectively mediate the impacts of climate change on population health. This paper analyzes existing academic literature to identify key themes, trends, and research gaps at the intersection of climate change and health systems. Utilizing a scoping review of 179 studies, we explore how health systems can enhance their resilience through effective governance, sustainable financing, resource generation, and adaptive service delivery.

TIA1 Mediates Divergent Inflammatory Responses to Tauopathy in Microglia and Macrophages.

The RNA binding protein TIA1 is known to regulate stress responses. Here we show that TIA1 plays a much broader role in inflammatory cells, being required for the microglial sensome. We crossed TIA1 cKO mice (using a CX3CR1 driven cre element) to PS19 MAPT P301S tauopathy mice.