From the Intensive Care Unit to Recovery: Managing Post-intensive Care Syndrome in Critically Ill Patients.

Post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) is the term used to describe the decline in the physical, cognitive, and/or mental condition of individuals who have been discharged from the intensive care unit (ICU). This complication could result in a significant reduction in quality of life, with some patients experiencing symptoms of prolonged weakness, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Intensive care advancement over the years has resulted in an increase in ICU survival rates and a proportional increase in PICS, creating a need for more in-depth research into the prevention and management of the disease.

Discovery of putative long non-coding RNAs expressed in the eyes of Astyanax mexicanus (Actinopterygii: Characidae).

Astyanax mexicanus is a well-known model species, that has two morphotypes, cavefish, from subterranean rivers and surface fish, from surface rivers. They are morphologically distinct due to many troglomorphic traits in the cavefish, such as the absence of eyes. Most studies on A.

Rosemary ( L.) Glycolic Extract Protects Liver Mitochondria from Oxidative Damage and Prevents Acetaminophen-Induced Hepatotoxicity.

L. (rosemary) is an aromatic culinary herb. Native to the Mediterranean region, it is currently cultivated worldwide.

Repurposing of 5-nitrofuran-3,5-disubstituted isoxazoles: A thriving scaffold to antitrypanosomal agents.

Chagas disease (CD) is a neglected disease caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi. The two drugs used in the treatment schedules exhibit adverse effects and severe toxicity. Thus, searching for new antitrypanosomal agents is urgent to provide improved treatments to those affected by this disease.

In Vitro Study of Cytotoxic Mechanisms of Alkylphospholipids and Alkyltriazoles in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Models.

This study investigates the efficacy of miltefosine, alkylphospholipid, and alkyltriazolederivative compounds against leukemia lineages. The cytotoxic effects and cellular and molecular mechanisms of the compounds were investigated. The inhibitory potential and mechanism of inhibition of cathepsins B and L, molecular docking simulation, molecular dynamics and binding free energy evaluation were performed to determine the interaction of cathepsins and compounds.

Co-Functionalization of Gold Nanoparticles with C7H2 and HuAL1 Peptides: Enhanced Antimicrobial and Antitumoral Activities.

The functionalization of nanoparticles with therapeutic peptides has been pointed out as a promising strategy to improve the applications of these molecules in the field of health sciences. Peptides are highly bioactive but face several limitations such as low bioavailability due to the difficulty of overcoming the physiological barriers in the body and their degradation by enzymes. In this work, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were co-functionalized with two therapeutic peptides simultaneously.

Control of Ca and metabolic homeostasis by the Na/Ca exchangers (NCXs) in health and disease.

Spatial and temporal control of calcium (Ca) levels is essential for the background rhythms and responses of living cells to environmental stimuli. Whatever other regulators a given cellular activity may have, localized and wider scale Ca events (sparks, transients, and waves) are hierarchical determinants of fundamental processes such as cell contraction, excitability, growth, metabolism and survival. Different cell types express specific channels, pumps and exchangers to efficiently generate and adapt Ca patterns to cell requirements.

Co-Encapsulation of Methylene Blue and PARP-Inhibitor into Poly(Lactic-Co-Glycolic Acid) Nanoparticles for Enhanced PDT of Cancer.

The development of resistance against photodamage triggered by photodynamic therapy (PDT) is ascribed mainly to the cellular redox defenses and repair. If the tumor tissue is not promptly eliminated by the first few PDT sessions, PDT-resistance can be favored, challenging the efficacy of the treatment. Although the mechanism of PDT resistance is still unclear, in vitro assays have evidenced that it can be developed through the PARP damage-repair signaling pathway.

Promising potential of articaine-loaded poly(epsilon-caprolactone) nanocapules for intraoral topical anesthesia.

To determine whether the permeation capacity and analgesic efficacy of articaine (ATC) could be increased and cytotoxicity decreased by encapsulation in poly(ɛ-caprolactone) nanocapsules (ATCnano), aiming at local or topical anesthesia in dentistry. Cellular viability was evaluated (using the MTT test and fluorescence microscopy) after 1 h and 24 h exposure of HaCaT cells to ATC, ATCnano, ATC with epinephrine (ATCepi), and ATC in nanocapsules with epinephrine (ATCnanoepi). The profiles of permeation of 2% ATC and 2% ATCnano across swine esophageal epithelium were determined using Franz-type vertical diffusion cells.

Photobiomodulation Therapy Modulates Muscle Gene Expression and Improves Performance of Rats Subjected to a Chronic Resistance Exercise Protocol.

In professional sports activities, the search for increased performance is constant. Electrophysical agents, including photobiomodulation (PBM), have been used in the sports context to accelerate postworkout recovery, prevent injuries, and even to improve performance. This study aims to investigate the effects of infrared laser (904 nm) on skeletal muscle gene expression of performance-related proteins of rats submitted to a chronic resistance training protocol.

A computerized tool to assess reading skills of students with motor impairment.

Conventional tests for assessing the early reading skills of preschool children on school entry are not accessible to students with motor limitations of upper limbs. This paper presents a game-like computerized test featuring an appealing scenario that is accessible to these students. It was developed on a platform that creates 2D vector graphics and contains three phases of interactive content accessible through an adapted peripheral.

Dynamic Resistance Training Improves Cardiac Autonomic Modulation and Oxidative Stress Parameters in Chronic Stroke Survivors: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Stroke survivors are at substantial risk of recurrent cerebrovascular event or cardiovascular disease. Exercise training offers nonpharmacological treatment for these subjects; however, the execution of the traditional exercise protocols and adherence is constantly pointed out as obstacles. Based on these premises, the present study investigated the impact of an 8-week dynamic resistance training protocol with elastic bands on functional, hemodynamic, and cardiac autonomic modulation, oxidative stress markers, and plasma nitrite concentration in stroke survivors.

AMPK activation induced by promethazine increases NOXA expression and Beclin-1 phosphorylation and drives autophagy-associated apoptosis in chronic myeloid leukemia.

Relapse and drug resistance is still major challenges in the treatment of leukemia. Promethazine, an antihistaminic phenothiazine derivative, has been used to prevent chemotherapy-induced emesis, although there is no report about its antitumor potential. Thus, we evaluated the promethazine cytotoxicity against several leukemia cells and the underlying mechanisms were investigated.

Laser Photobiomodulation 904 nm Promotes Inhibition of Hormone-Sensitive Lipase Activity in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes Differentiated Cells.

The lipid metabolism is essential for maintaining the body's energy responses. Laser photobiomodulation triggers many important cellular effects, but these effects on lipid metabolism are not well described. In this study, we analyzed the laser photobiomodulation in the hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) activity, a key enzyme in the triglycerides (TAG) hydrolysis in adipose tissue 3T3-L1.

Na/Ca exchangers: Unexploited opportunities for cancer therapy?

Calcium is a well-studied ion that acts as a cofactor in several reactions and as intracellular second messenger. It plays crucial roles in living cells by regulating several processes from cell division to death. The disruption of Ca homeostasis is related to cell and tissue damage and it is involved in several pathological conditions and diseases, including cancer.

A novel Triclosan Methacrylate-based composite reduces the virulence of Streptococcus mutans biofilm.

The use of antimicrobial monomers, linked to the polymer chain of resin composites, is an interesting approach to circumvent the effects of bacteria on the dental and material surfaces. In addition, it can likely reduce the incidence of recurrent caries lesions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a novel Triclosan Methacrylate (TM) monomer, which was developed and incorporated into an experimental resin composite, on Streptococcus mutans (S.

Antitumor Potential of S-Nitrosothiol-Containing Polymeric Nanoparticles against Melanoma.

Melanoma is a malignant proliferative disease originated from melanocyte transformations, which are characterized by a high metastatic rate and mortality. Advances in Nanotechnology have provided useful new approaches and tools for antitumor chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying chitosan nanoparticles containing S-nitrosomercaptosuccinic acid ( S-nitroso-MSA-CS) induced cytotoxicity in melanoma cells.

Long-term results of a randomized, controlled, double-blind study of low-level laser therapy before exercises in knee osteoarthritis: laser and exercises in knee osteoarthritis.

Objectives: To assess the long-term effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT), in combination with strengthening exercises in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee.

Design: Follow-up results at three and six months in a previously published randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Setting: Specialist Rehabilitation Services.

Achilles Tendon Penetration for Continuous 810 nm and Superpulsed 904 nm Lasers Before and After Ice Application: An In Situ Study on Healthy Young Adults.

Background And Objective: There is a lack of knowledge about the influence tissue temperature may have on laser light penetration and tendon structure. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether penetration of laser energy in human Achilles tendons differed before and after ice pack application.

Materials And Methods: The Achilles tendons (n = 54) from 27 healthy young adults were irradiated with two class 3B lasers (810 nm 200 mW continuous mode laser and a 904 nm 60 mW superpulsed mode laser).

Penetration Time Profiles for Two Class 3B Lasers in In Situ Human Achilles at Rest and Stretched.

Background And Objective: The majority of studies investigating penetration of laser light are performed in vitro on skin flaps, with measures of immediate penetration depth and energy loss. The aim of this study was to investigate the penetration time profiles for two different lasers used in low-level laser therapy, during 150 sec of exposure both in stretched and relaxed human Achilles in situ.

Materials And Methods: Thirty-four Achilles tendons from 17 healthy volunteers were irradiated by an 810 nm, 200 mW, continuous- and a 904 nm, 60 mW, super-pulsed laser.

Low-Level Laser Therapy and Cryotherapy as Mono- and Adjunctive Therapies for Achilles Tendinopathy in Rats.

Background And Objective: Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and cryotherapy are widely used treatments in the acute phase of tendon injury. The aim of this study was to investigate the interaction of these two treatments on tendon inflammation and mechanical properties.

Materials And Methods: Six groups of six Wistar rats were used in this study.

The effect of inhaled nitric oxide on the carrageenan-induced paw edema.

Inhaled nitric oxide therapy reaches not only pulmonary vessels, but also other vasculatures, presenting anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of inhaled nitric oxide on a mice model of carrageenan-induced paw edema. Paw edema was induced in male Swiss mice (20-30 g) by subplantar injection of carrageenan (0.

Effect of a virtual environment on the development of mathematical skills in children with dyscalculia.

In this study, we show the effectiveness of a virtual environment comprising 18 computer games that cover mathematics topics in a playful setting and that can be executed on the Internet with the possibility of player interaction through chat. An arithmetic pre-test contained in the Scholastic Performance Test was administered to 300 children between 7 and 10 years old, including 162 males and 138 females, in the second grade of primary school. Twenty-six children whose scores showed a low level of mathematical knowledge were chosen and randomly divided into the control (CG) and experimental (EG) groups.