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Purpose: After radical prostatectomy (RP), it is rarely acknowledged that several sexual dysfunctions can arise. These include issues in the orgasmic domain (e.g., decreased orgasm intensity, dysorgasmia), problems with ejaculation (e.g., absence of ejaculation), the development of penile deformities, and low sexual desire. This article aims to report the occurrence of orgasmic and ejaculatory dysfunction when actively investigated, documenting those rates and characterizing specific features of these conditions following RP., Methods: This study has analyzed retrospective data from men who underwent RP and were experiencing erectile dysfunction. During a structured visit, patients were systematically questioned about dysorgasmia, altered orgasmic sensation, climacturia, and arousal incontinence. Continuous variables were analyzed using the Student T or ANOVA tests, while categorical variables were analyzed using Chi-squared or Fisher's exact tests. The associations were described as odds ratios with precise confidence intervals. All tests were two sided; a p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant., Results: Sixty patients were included, out of which 3 (5%) reported dysorgasmia, while 33.3% presented a decrease in orgasm intensity. Climacturia was reported as the most common orgasmic disorder in 40 (66.6%) patients. However, only 14 patients (35%) reported that it frequently occurs, i.e., more than half of the time. Among the patients who reported climacturia, 72.5% classified it as mild losses. Additionally, arousal incontinence (AI) was noted in the study by 19 (26.3%) patients., Conclusion: Our study highlights the importance of discussing orgasmic dysfunctions after RP, which can be frequent and bothersome but are often overlooked in preoperative counseling., Competing Interests: Declarations. Conflict of interest: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

Introduction: Eleutherine bulbosa (Miller) Urb, popularly known as "marupa-zinho", is frequently used in traditional medicine for treating various diseases, including hypertension, ulcers, constipation, and intestinal infection. However, there is little scientific knowledge available regarding the pharmacological effects of this species. Thus in vivo and in silico phytochemical studies are required to establish whether this plant has these effects. Further tests were necessary to evaluate the pharmacological activity of the compounds found in this plant, and demonstrate results related to the anti-inflammatory process, which will serve as the basis for future research in this area., Methods: Therefore, our study aimed to determine the acute toxicity levels of the hexanoic fraction of the ethanolic extract of Eleutherine bulbosa (referred to as ExtHF) using adult zebrafish, with the determination of the LD50, behavioral and histopathological evaluations, as well as the anti-inflammatory potential of ExtHF, at different doses, in abdominal edema induced by carrageenan. The acute toxicity study and histopathological analysis in zebrafish showed that ExtHF has a high toxic potential, with an LD50 of 346.74 mg/kg. However, ExtHF showed an anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting abdominal edema at all doses tested., Results: The inhibition rate of 66.2% and 62.4%, respectively, was observed with the 2.5 mg/kg dose, respectively, indicating that ExtHF is safe in terms of acute toxicity based on behavioral changes, mortality rate, and histopathological examination. Therefore, ExtHF has an acceptable level of safety for acute toxicity, defined by the analysis of behavioral changes, mortality, and histopathology, showing a significant anti-inflammatory effect in zebrafish at all doses, showing that ExtHF was very efficient in preventing the formation of edema, in addition, it was also revealed that ExtHF has a great effect in reversing the edema which is already installed., Conclusion: Molecular docking studies revealed that the eleutherol molecule isolated from E. bulbosa has a dual inhibition profile against cyclooxygenase-1 and 2., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Several experimental cerebral palsy models have been created to investigate cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in this condition and develop new therapeutic strategies. The model that has come closest to a motor phenotype similar to cerebral palsy is the one that combines perinatal anoxia with hindlimb sensorimotor restriction, as it induces visible changes at the peripheral and central levels. This systematic review with meta-analysis presents the impact of the cerebral palsy model that associates perinatal anoxia with hindlimb sensorimotor restriction on the nervous, muscular and skeletal systems. Studies with perinatal anoxia associated with sensorimotor restriction and which evaluated outcomes related to skeletal, muscle, or nervous tissue were recovered from the databases: Embase, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The methodological and quantitative assessment was performed after eligibility screening (PROSPERO - ID: CRD42023477770). After screening of 4,641 articles, 21 studies with a moderate quality of evidence were chosen to be included in this review and 11 articles were included in the meta-analysis. The results of the meta-analysis reported a significant reduction in the media area of the soleus muscle fibers, increased number of glia cells and glia/neuron index in the somatosensory cortex, increased microglial activation in the hippocampus, and no changes in the corpus callosum thickness or neuron cells. The combination of perinatal anoxia and sensorimotor restriction entails muscle deficits and excessive activation of glial cells in brain areas. These results contribute to a methodological refinement of cerebral palsy models and favor new studies proposed for methodological elucidation in animal experimentation., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 International Brain Research Organization (IBRO). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Identifying how species richness or diversity changes with different proportions of natural and anthropized environments in the landscape is important for landscape management for conservation. Here, we propose a new method to assess biodiversity changes in landscapes with varying proportions of habitat types. The algorithm is based on the resampling of individuals recorded in different habitats considering both the proportion occupied by each habitat in the landscape and the number of individuals recorded in each habitat. The diversity is assessed based on the sampled individuals. If a functional/phylogenetic tree or distance matrix is provided, the function returns the functional or phylogenetic richness values. This procedure is replicated a number of times with different proportions of each of the habitats in the landscape. Our method copes with two or more habitat types in the landscape and works with taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversities. We tested our method using 10 different simulated scenarios and one empirical dataset with bats (Chiroptera) to assess whether they behaved as expected. Our method performed as expected in all scenarios and in the empirical dataset (considering also the functional and phylogenetic diversities in this latter case). The possibility of working with more than two habitat types and with different dimensions of diversity (i.e., functional and phylogenetic diversity) is a major advantage of the new method. We show that this is a valuable tool to assess biodiversity changes in the context of landscape planning, helping to promote more sustainable landscapes often composed of multiple habitat types with mixed biodiversity composition., (© 2024 The Author(s). Ecological Applications published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of The Ecological Society of America.)

Background/Objectives : Cationic surfactants are potential antimicrobial candidates. Even so, they are the foremost irritative and incompatible group, which limits their usage. The incorporation of surfactants in biopolymer-based nanoparticles is a feasible strategy to improve their efficacy and reduce those drawbacks. Methods : Surfactants with one amino acid on the polar head (lauroyl arginine methyl ester-LAM and phenylalanine dodecyl amide-PNHC 12 ) and surfactants with two amino acids on the polar heads, arginine-phenylalanine (Lauroyl phenylalanine arginine methyl esther-C 12 PAM and phenylalanine-arginine dodecyl amide-PANHC 12 ) were loaded to zein nanoparticles. Their antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities were evaluated. Also, the inhibitory activities of the surfactants and nanoparticles over skin-related enzymes were accessed in silico and in vitro, while their cytotoxicity was determined comparatively over immortal human keratinocytes (HaCaT) and human fibroblasts (3T3). Finally, the Vibrio fisheri luminescence reduction test was used to detect its ecotoxicity. Results : The nanoparticles were obtained successfully and exhibited good biocide activity against a wide range of pathogenic bacteria and yeasts. The surfactants were found active over the enzymes assayed: elastase > tyrosinase > collagenase > lipoxygenase, while the inhibitory activity was superior when nanoencapsulated over the enzymes tyrosinase and lipoxygenase. The surfactants and their corresponding nanoparticles presented acceptable cytotoxic levels, except for PNHC 12 in both forms, while their ecotoxicity was limited and acceptable. Conclusions : Accordingly, the nanoencapsulation of the arginine-phenylalanine surfactants loaded to zein nanoparticles was found to be a smart strategy to enhance the antimicrobial activity and improve their selectivity over representative skin and connective tissues cell lines. These biological properties render the arginine-phenylalanine surfactant nanoparticles as promising candidates for antimicrobial and tissue repairing applications in wound treatments.

In this study, five steroid compounds were isolated from the fruiting bodies mushroom Trametes versicolor. The compounds, 9,19-cyclolanostane-3,29-diol (3), ergosta-7,22-dien-3-acetate (4), and ergosta-8(14),22-dien-3β,5α,6β,7α-tetrol (5), were identified from T. versicolor for the first time. The five compounds were evaluated for their activity against cancer cell lines. Compound 5α,8α-epidioxyergosta-6,22-dien-3β-ol (1) was found to be the most effective against most of the cancer cell lines tested. In silico studies showed that compound 1 has good binding affinities to different cancer targets, namely cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (cdk2), human cyclin-dependent kinase 6 (cdk6), Human Topo IIa ATPase/AMP-PNP, anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, and Vegfr-2. It's also druglike based on Lipinski's rule of five and it's ADME/Tox properties. Therefore, compound 1 is a good candidate in the management of cancer. These results further show that T. versicolor is a potential source of drugs or drug leads for cancer treatment., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To understand the social support network of Amazonian women when making decisions about planned home births., Method: Descriptive, exploratory, qualitative research., Setting: Planned home birth care, accompanied by obstetric nurses, in the state of Pará, Brazil., Participants: 20 women who had a planned home birth in the metropolitan region of the state of Pará, Brazil. These women were surveyed by a team of obstetric nurses working in home birth care. In-depth semistructured interviews were conducted at the women's homes between August 2021 and February 2022, with the audio captured on an mp3 device. The data were analysed at the same time as the data collection. Each interview was transcribed and content analysis was used to process the data., Results: The social support network shares experiences and knowledge between women in order to guarantee knowledge and not perpetuate traumatic episodes during childbirth. This network is a link to women's power of choice in relation to their own birth, which culminates in successful experiences in the birth process., Final Considerations: Understanding the social support network for women's decision-making during planned home births is central to guaranteeing rights and expectations regarding the place of birth. Social support networks need to be expanded by non-governmental groups and by the Unified Health System itself, especially in primary healthcare., Descriptors: Women; home childbirth; social support; access to information and nursing., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Postprandial hyperglycemia, typical manifestation of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), is associated with notable global morbidity and mortality. Preventing the advancement of this condition by delaying the rate of glucose absorption through inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymatic activities is of utmost importance. Finding a safe antidiabetic drug is essential since those that are currently on the market have drawbacks like unpleasant side effects. The current study utilized computer-aided drug design (CADD), as a quick and affordable method to find a substitute drug template that can be used to control postprandial hyperglycemia by modulating the activity of α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes. The Natural Products Activity and Species database (NPASS) (30,926 compounds) was screened in silico, with a focus on evaluating drug-likeness, toxicity profiles and ability to bind on a target protein. Two molecules NPC204580 (Chrotacumine C) and NPC137813 (1-O-(2-Methoxy-4-Acetylphenyl)-6-O-(E-Cinnamoyl)-Beta-D-Glucopyranoside) were identified as potential dual inhibitors for α-amylase and α-glucosidase with free binding energies of -14.46 kcal/mol and -12.58 kcal/mol for α-amylase, and -8.42 kcal/mol and -8.76 kcal/mol for α-glucosidase, respectively. The molecules showed ionic, H-bonding and hydrophobic interactions with critical amino acid residues of both enzymes. Moreover, 100 ns molecular dynamic simulations showed that both molecules are stable on the receptors' active sites based on root mean square deviation (RMSD), root mean square fluctuation (RMSF), and the Generalized Born surface area (GBSA) energy calculated. The two compounds are thus promising therapeutic agents for T2DM that merit further investigation due to their excellent binding energies, encouraging pharmacokinetics, toxicity profiles, and stability as demonstrated in simulated studies., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2024 Ndarawit et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Background: This study began with a search in three databases, totaling six libraries (ChemBridge-DIVERSet, ChemBridge-DIVERSet-EXP, Zinc&#95;Drug Database, Zinc&#95;Natural&#95;Stock, Zinc&#95;FDA&#95;BindingDB, Maybridge) with approximately 2.5 million compounds with the aim of selecting potential inhibitors with antiproliferative activity on the chimeric tyrosine kinase encoded by the BCR-ABL gene. Methods: Through hierarchical biochemoinformatics, ADME/Tox analyses, biological activity prediction, molecular docking simulations, synthetic accessibility and theoretical synthetic routes of promising compounds and their lipophilicity and water solubility were realized. Results: Predictions of toxicological and pharmacokinetic properties (ADME/Tox) using the top100/base (600 structures), in comparison with the commercial drug imatinib, showed that only nine exhibited the desired properties. In the prediction of biological activity, the results of the nine selected structures ranged from 13.7% < Pa < 65.8%, showing them to be potential protein kinase inhibitors. In the molecular docking simulations, the promising molecules LMQC01 and LMQC04 showed significant values in molecular targeting (PDB 1IEP-resolution 2.10 Å). LMQC04 presented better binding affinity (∆G = -12.2 kcal mol -1 with a variation of ±3.6 kcal mol -1 ) in relation to LMQC01. The LMQC01 and LMQC04 molecules were advanced for molecular dynamics (MD) simulation followed by Molecular Mechanics with generalized Born and Surface Area solvation (MM-GBSA); the comparable, low and stable RMSD and ΔE values for the protein and ligand in each complex suggest that the selected compounds form a stable complex with the Abl kinase domain. This stability is a positive indicator that LMQC01 and LMQC04 can potentially inhibit enzyme function. Synthetic accessibility (SA) analysis performed on the AMBIT and SwissADME webservers showed that LMQC01 and LMQC04 can be considered easy to synthesize. Our in silico results show that these molecules could be potent protein kinase inhibitors with potential antiproliferative activity on tyrosine kinase encoded by the BCR-ABL gene. Conclusions: In conclusion, the results suggest that these ligands, particularly LMQC04, may bind strongly to the studied target and may have appropriate ADME/Tox properties in experimental studies. Considering future in vitro or in vivo assays, we elaborated the theoretical synthetic routes of the promising compounds identified in the present study. Based on our in silico findings, the selected ligands show promise for future studies in developing chronic myeloid leukemia treatments.

Diabetes is a major global health issue and as current treatments fail, the search for new antidiabetic drugs is crucial. This investigation, focusing on identifying potential antidiabetic compounds from the endangered plant species Vepris glandulosa, led to the isolation of two known alkaloids, choisyine acetate (1) and choisyine (2). The study established the in vitro inhibitory activities and in silico molecular interaction of the two alkaloids with α-amylase based on IC 50 values, Linewaever-Burk/Dixon plot kinetic analyses and Molecular docking, respectively. The α-amylase inhibition assay revealed noncompetitive inhibition for both compounds with IC 50 and Ki values of 4.74±0.17 and 4.75 mM for compound 1, and 11.29±0.44 and 12.37 mM for compound 2, respectively. In comparison, the standard drug acarbose displayed a competitive mode of inhibition, with IC 50 and Ki values of 11.99±0.02 and 12.68 mM, respectively. The binding affinities with α-amylase were -6.42 and -6.07 kcal/mol for compounds 1 and 2, respectively relative to acarbose -8.03 Kcal/mol. Moreover, these two compounds' predicted physicochemical and ADMET properties justified their potential as lead compounds for drug discovery. These compounds demonstrated remarkable inhibition potential comparable to the standard drug, highlighting their potential as viable alternatives in managing diabetes., (© 2024 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.)

Ticks parasitize a wide variety of wild animals, including amphibians and reptiles. In addition to the possibility of microorganism transmission to these hosts, ticks can also cause severe bleeding, and high parasitism can lead to death. Therefore, knowing the diversity of ticks parasitizing amphibians and reptiles is important for conservation and preservation measures for these vertebrates. In the present study, we report parasitism by ticks in amphibians and reptiles from different Brazilian biomes (Amazon, Caatinga, Cerrado and Atlantic Forest). Ticks were collected from amphibians and reptiles deposited from the Herpetological Collection of the Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA), São Luís (Maranhão State), the State University Santa Cruz (UESC), Ilhéus (Bahia State), and the Federal University of São Francisco Valley (Univasf), Petrolina (Pernambuco State). Additionally, ticks were collected from amphibians and reptiles captured and road-killed in the Amazon biome, at Maranhão and Amapá States. Specimens of ticks were photographed under a Zeiss stereomicroscope (5.1 zoom). Map with the locations were made using the Qgis program. Overall, 1973 specimens of amphibians and reptiles were examined. A total of 927 ticks were collected: 98 larvae, 421 nymphs and 408 adults. Six species of ticks were identified: Amblyomma rotundatum and Amblyomma dissimile the most frequent, and Amblyomma cajennense sensu stricto, Amblyomma sculptum, Amblyomma nodosum and Amblyomma humerale, occasionally. Surprisingly, a total of twelve males of A. rotundatum were collected. Here we report new records of association between cold-blooded animals and ticks and reinforce the absence of A. dissimile in the Caatinga, Cerrado and Atlantic Forest biomes. Additionally, we report new records of A. rotundatum males on reptiles in the Amazon biome. This last record allows us to speculate about a possible association of A. rotundatum males with reptiles and the Amazon biome., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier GmbH.. All rights reserved.)

Fridericia chica is widely distributed in Brazil, where it is commonly known as crajiru or pariri in several regions. Despite its popular use for treating inflammations and as an insect repellent, there has been limited assessment of its chemical and biological properties, including its bioinsecticide activities. In this study, we conducted phytochemical analyses and investigated the larvicidal and repellent effects of F. chica against the mosquito Aedes aegypti. The F. chica (HEFc) hydroalcoholic extract was partitioned using column chromatography, and subfractions were analyzed using chromatographic and spectroscopic analyses (ESI-IT-MS n and NMR). In addition, HEFc was evaluated for its larvicidal and repellent activities. Phytochemical analyses revealed the presence of 17 constituents, including 2,4-dihydroxybenzoic and p-coumaric acids, along with umbelliferone, acetovanilone, myricetin-3-O-glucuronide, and cis-isorhapontigenin, which are reported for the first time in this species. Although no larvicidal effect was observed at the doses tested, the HEFc exhibited promising repellent effects against A. aegypti, which aligns with its ethnopharmacological potential. In addition, molecular docking studies demonstrated that the compounds of HEFc interacted efficiently with insect odorant binding proteins (OBPs), providing repellent effects. Consistent with the chemical profile and in silico studies, preparations of F. chica have considerable repellent potential., (© 2024 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.)

Fridericia chica is an Amazonian plant used to treat stomach disorders. However, the pharmacological activity of flavonoids in the extract has yet to be investigated. Therefore, we considered that a flavonoid-rich F. chica subfraction (FRS) has gastroprotective functions. For this, before the induction of gastric ulcers with ethanol or piroxicam, the rats received vehicle (water), omeprazole (30 mg/kg), or FRS (30 mg/kg), and the ulcer area was measured macro and microscopically, and the antisecretory action was investigated in pylorus-ligated rats. In addition, the roles of nitric oxide (NO) and nonprotein sulfhydryl compounds (NP-SH) in the gastroprotective effects of FRS were studied. FRS reduced ethanol- and piroxicam-induced ulcerations by 81% and 77%, respectively, as confirmed histologically. Antioxidant effects were observed for FRS through the maintenance of GSH and LPO levels, and the SOD and CAT activity similar to those found in the nonulcerated group. Moreover, FRS avoided the increase in MPO activity and TNF, IL-6, IL-4 and IL-10 levels. Moreover, mucin staining increased in ulcerated rats receiving FRS, and the pharmacological mechanism gastroprotective seems to involve the NO and NP-SH in addition to antisecretory actions. The chemical study by mass spectrometry confirmed the presence of flavonoids in FRS, and molecular docking studies have shown that these compounds interact with cyclooxygenase-1 and NO synthase. Furthermore, there was no indication that FRS had cytotoxic effects. Our results support the popular use of F. chica, and we conclude that the gastroprotection effect promoted by FRS can be attributed to the combined effect of the flavonoids., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

The dopamine transporter (DAT), responsible for the regulation of dopaminergic neurotransmission, is implicated in the etiology of several neuropsychiatric disorders which, in turn, have contributed to high rates of disability and numerous deaths in recent years, significantly impacting the global health system. Although the research for new drugs for the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders has evolved in recent years, the availability of DAT-selective drugs that do not generate the same psychostimulant effects observed in drugs of abuse remains scarce. Therefore, we performed a QSAR study based on a dataset of 36 methylamine derivatives described as DAT inhibitors. The model was obtained based only in descriptors derived from 2D structures, and it was validated and generated satisfactory results considering the metrics used for internal and external validation. Subsequently, a virtual screening step also based on 2D similarity was performed, where it was possible to identify a total of 1157 compounds. After a series of reductions of the set using toxicity filters, applicability domain evaluation, and pharmacokinetic properties in silico assessment, seven hit compounds were selected as the most promising to be used, in future studies, as new scaffolds for the development of new DAT inhibitors., Competing Interests: Declarations. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests. Conflict of interest: The authors have no relevant financial or nonfinancial interests to disclose., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Although the terms "rare diseases" (RD) and "orphan diseases" (OD) are often used interchangeably, specific nuances in definitions should be noted to avoid misconception. RD are characterized by a low prevalence within the population, whereas OD are those inadequately recognized or even neglected by the medical community and drug companies. Despite their rarity, as our ability on discovering novel clinical phenotypes and improving diagnostic tools expand, RD will continue posing a real challenge for rheumatologists. Over the last decade, there has been a growing interest on elucidating mechanisms of rare autoimmune and autoinflammatory rheumatic diseases, allowing a better understanding of the role played by immune dysregulation on granulomatous, histiocytic, and hypereosinophilic disorders, just to name a few. This initiative enabled the rise of innovative targeted therapies for rheumatic RD. In this review, we explore the state-of-the art of rare RD and the critical role played by rheumatologists in healthcare. We also describe the challenges rheumatologists may face in the coming decades., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Osteocephalus cabrerai is an arboreal anuran widely distributed in South America. However, there are no parasitological studies conducted on the species, resulting in a parasite fauna completely unknown. Thus, this study aims to characterize the parasitic community structure of O. cabrerai in the municipality of Pedra Branca do Amapari, Amapá state, Amazon region, Brazil. We collected and necropsied 84 specimens of O. cabrerai to search for helminths. Parasite community structure was analyzed using helminth parasite richness, diversity, and abundance. The helminth component community of O. cabrerai comprises six nematode species: Cosmocerca parva , Cosmocerca podicipinus , Oxyascaris oxyascaris , Oswaldocruzia chabaudi , and Physaloptera sp. (larvae). Most helminth species represent the first record for the genus Osteocephalus , except Physaloptera sp. The helminth infections in the host showed a typical aggregated distribution pattern for parasites. We only found a positive correlation between the host weight and total intensity. Our bibliography revision reinforces the need for further studies on the helminth fauna of Osteocephalus spp., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Authors.)

The silver/magnesium doped hydroxyapatite (AgMgHAp, Ca 10-x-y Ag x Mg y (PO 4 ) 6 (OH) 2 , x Ag =0.05 and y Mg =0.02) nanocomposites coatings were deposited on Si substrate using the dip coating technique. The resulting coatings were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR-ATR) spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The EDS analysis highlighted the presence of the constitutive elements of the silver/magnesium doped hydroxyapatite (AgMgHAp) nanocomposites coatings. The surface microtexture of the AgMgHAp was assessed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) technique. The AFM data suggested the obtaining of a uniform deposited layer comprised of equally distributed nanoconglomerates. FT-IR studies highlighted the presence of vibrational modes associated with the phosphate and hydroxyl groups. No bands associated with silver or magnesium were observed. The XPS analysis highlighted the presence of the constituent elements of hydroxyapatite (Ca 2p, P 2 s, O 1 s), as well as dopants (Ag 3d, Mg 1 s and Mg 2p). The antifungal evaluation of AgMgHAp coatings was carried out using the Candida albicans ATCC 10231 fungal strain. The results of the antifungal assay revealed that the AgMgHAp coatings exhibited a strong inhibitory antifungal activity. Furthermore, the data highlighted that the AgMgHAp inhibited the development of biofilm on their surface. The results revealed that the antifungal activity of the coating varied based on the duration of incubation. On the other hand, the data also showed that AgMgHAp nanocomposites coatings inhibited the fungal cell adhesion and development from the early stages of the incubation. In addition to morphological analysis, we additionally take advantage of AFM images to investigate and explore the domain of fractal and multifractal analysis applied to the films under evaluation. Our studies indicates that nanocomposite coatings made from AgMgHAp demonstrate strong antifungal properties. Our studies indicates that nanocomposite coatings made from AgMgHAp demonstrate strong antifungal properties. These results suggest the potential of AgMgHAp nanocomposite coatings as a promising solution for developing innovative antifungal devices in biomedical applications., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Brain oxygen deprivation causes morphological damage involved in the formation of serious pathological conditions such as stroke and cerebral palsy. Therapeutic methods for post-hypoxia/anoxia injuries are limited and still have deficiencies in terms of safety and efficacy. Recently, clinical studies of stroke have reported the use of drugs containing riboflavin for post-injury clinical rehabilitation, however, the effects of vitamin B2 on exposure to cerebral oxygen deprivation are not completely elucidated. This review aimed to investigate the potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects of riboflavin in cerebral hypoxia/anoxia. After a systematic search, 21 articles were selected, 8 preclinical and 12 clinical studies, and 1 translational study. Most preclinical studies used B2 alone in models of hypoxia in rodents, with doses of 1-20 mg/kg (in vivo) and 0.5-5 µM (in vitro). Together, these works suggested greater regulation of lipid peroxidation and apoptosis and an increase in neurotrophins, locomotion, and cognition after treatment. In contrast, several human studies have administered riboflavin (5 mg) in combination with other Krebs cycle metabolites, except one study, which used only B2 (20 mg). A reduction in lactic acidosis and recovery of sensorimotor functions was observed in children after treatment with B2, while adults and the elderly showed a reduction in infarct volume and cognitive rehabilitation. Based on findings from preclinical and clinical studies, we conclude that the use of riboflavin alone or in combination acts beneficially in correcting the underlying brain damage caused by hypoxia/anoxia and its inflammatory, oxidative, and behavioral impairments.

Inundations in Amazonian black-water river floodplain result in the selection of different tree lineages, thus promoting coexistence between species. We investigated whether Amazonian tree communities are phylogenetically structured and distributed along a flooding gradient from irregularly flooded forests along streams embedded within upland ( terra-firme ) forest to seasonally flooded floodplains of large rivers ( igapós ). Floristic inventories and hydrological monitoring were performed along the Falsino River, a black-water river in the eastern Amazon within the Amapá National Forest. We constructed a presence-and-absence matrix and generated a phylogeny using the vascular plant database available in GenBank. We calculated the standardized values of the metrics of phylogenetic diversity (ses.PD), average phylogenetic distance (ses.MPD), and average nearest-neighbor distance (ses.MNTD) to test whether the history of relationships between species in the community is influenced by inundation. We used the phylogenetic endemism (PE) metric to verify the existence of taxa with restricted distribution. Linear regressions were used to test whether phylogenetic metrics have a significant relationship with the variables: maximum flood height, maximum water table depth, and maximum flood amplitude. The results show that forests subject to prolonged seasonal flooding have reduced taxon richness, low phylogenetic diversity, and random distribution of lineages within communities. On the other hand, terra-firme riparian forests showed higher rates of taxon richness, diversity, and phylogenetic dispersion, in addition to greater phylogenetic endemism. These results indicate that seasonal and predictable soil flooding filters tree lineages along the hydrographic gradient. Different adaptations to root waterlogging are likely requirements for colonization in these environments and may represent an important factor in the diversification of tree lineages in the Amazon biome., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest., (© 2024 The Author(s). Ecology and Evolution published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Volatile oils or essential oils (EOs) were extracted from three V. sebifera samples (labeled as A, B, and C) in September 2018 and February 2019; the extraction process involved hydrodistillation of the leaves. The chemical compositions of the EOs were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The volatile components were identified by comparing their retention indices and mass spectra with standard substances documented in the literature (ADAMS). The antioxidant activity of the EOs was evaluated using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), while their toxicity was assessed using Artemia salina Leach. Molecular docking was utilized to examine the interaction between the major constituents of V. sebifera EO and acetylcholinesterase (AChE), a molecular target linked to toxicity in A. salina models. The EO obtained from specimen A, collected in September 2018, was characterized by being primarily composed of (E,E)-α-farnesene (47.57%), (E)-caryophyllene (12.26%), and α-pinene (6.93%). Conversely, the EO from specimen A, collected in February 2019, was predominantly composed of (E,E)-α-farnesene (42.82%), (E)-caryophyllene (16.02%), and bicyclogermacrene (8.85%), the EO from specimen B, collected in September 2018, primarily contained (E,E)-α-farnesene (47.65%), (E)-caryophyllene (19.67%), and α-pinene (11.95%), and the EO from the leaves collected in February 2019 was characterized by (E,E)-α-farnesene (23.57%), (E)-caryophyllene (19.34%), and germacrene D (7.33%). The EO from the leaves collected in September 2018 contained (E,E)-α-farnesene (26.65%), (E)-caryophyllene (15.7%), and germacrene D (7.72%), while the EO from the leaves collected in February 2019 was primarily characterized by (E,E)-α-farnesene (37.43%), (E)-caryophyllene (21.4%), and α-pinene (16.91%). Among these EOs, sample B collected in February 2019 demonstrated the highest potential for inhibiting free radicals, with an inhibition rate of 34.74%. Conversely, the EOs from specimen A exhibited the highest toxic potentials, with an lethal concentration 50 (LC 50 ) value of 57.62 ± 1.53 µg/mL, while specimen B had an LC 50 value of 74.72 ± 2.86 µg/mL. Molecular docking results suggested that hydrophobic interactions significantly contributed to the binding of the major compounds in the EO from sample B to the binding pocket of AChE.

Background: The indigenous population located in the central region of Brazil, is the second largest in terms of population size in the country. The Indigenous Reserve of Dourados has risk factors that increase the vulnerability of the indigenous population to infectious diseases, especially Human alphaherpesvirus (HSV-1), a neglected disease with high prevalence in priority populations in developing countries. The virus can also cause many more severe diseases, including widespread neonatal infections, herpetic keratitis, and herpes encephalitis, which can be fatal if left untreated. We estimated the prevalence of anti-HSV-1 antibodies and correlated it with the demographic and behavioral characteristics of the Indigenous population of the Jaguapirú and Bororó villages (Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), Brazil)., Methods: Our approach was cross-sectional. From March 2017 to November 2018. Using anti-HSV-1 (Gg1) IgM and anti-HSV-1 (gG1) IgG Euroimmun and the detection and quantification of HSV-1 viral load in plasma samples, through real-time PCR. The maps were constructed using QGIS and the statistical analyses using R Studio software., Results: A total of 1138 individuals (> 18 years old) were enrolled. The prevalence of anti-HSV-1 IgM and IgG were 20% and 97.5%, respectively. The prevalence of anti-HSV-1 antibodies for IgG was higher in both sexes. Anti-HSV-1 IgM antibodies were present in 17.1%, 21.2%, 12.5%, and 22% of the participants with urinary problems, genital wounds, genital warts, and urethral discharge, respectively. Real-time PCR was used for confirmatory testing; HSV-1 DNA was detected in 25.6% (54/211) of anti-HSV1 IgM-positive samples. Viral loads ranged from 5.99E + 02 to 3.36E + 13., Conclusions: The seroprevalence of HSV-1 IgM and detection of HSV-1 DNA in the Indigenous population confirmed high silent prevalence. Furthermore, the seroprevalence of HSV-1 in the Indigenous population was higher than that reported in the general adult Brazilian population. Various socioeconomic factors, drug use, and health and sexual behaviors could contribute to the facilitation of HSV-1 transmission in the Indigenous population. Our results may help develop culturally appropriate intervention programs that eliminate health access barriers and improve the implementation of public health policies aimed at promoting information regarding the prevention, treatment, and control of HSV-1 infection in Brazilian Indigenous populations., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Schrankiana are gastrointestinal parasites of anurans, distributed throughout Central and South America. Schrankiana formosula and Schrankiana inconspicata are some of the most commonly reported species parasitising anurans from Brazil, and the morphological differences between them are unclear. In the present study, we redescribed S. formosula based on a re-examination of type series and newly collected material from the frog Leptodactylus pentadactylus in the state of Amapá, Brazil. Additionally, we re-examined the type series of S. inconspicata , and propose it as a junior synonym of S. formosula . We provide detailed morphological and morphometric data with intraspecific variation analyses and new molecular data for S. formosula . In the present phylogeny, S. formosula formed a well-supported clade with Raillietnema sp. and Labeonema synodontisi . Based on molecular phylogenetic analyses and some morphological similarities, our findings support the hypothesis that Schrankiana is a member of the family Cosmocercidae, not Atractidae. Additionally, we provide the first ultrastructural descriptions of S. formosula , and establish the species' phylogenetic position from the Cosmocercidae.

Background:  Resection of infiltrative neuroepithelial primary brain tumors, such as low-grade gliomas (LGGs) remains a neurosurgical challenge. Usual lack of clinical deficit despite LGGs growing in eloquent brain areas may be explained by reshaping and reorganization of functional networks. The development of modern diagnostic imaging techniques could disclose better understanding of the rearrangement of the brain cortex; however, mechanisms underlying such compensation and how it occurs in the motor cortex remain unclear. This systematic review aims to analyze the neuroplasticity of motor cortex in patients with LGGs, as determined by neuroimaging and functional techniques., Methods:  Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, medical subject headings (MeSH) and the following terms related to neuroimaging, LGGs and neuroplasticity were used with the Boolean operators AND and OR to synonymous terms in the PubMed database. Among the 118 results, 19 studies were included in the systematic review., Results:  Motor function in patients with LGG was characterized by a compensation in the contralateral and supplementary motor areas and premotor functional networks. Furthermore, ipsilateral activation in these types of gliomas was rarely described. Moreover, some studies did not reveal statistical significance in association between functional reorganization and the postoperative period, which can be explained by the low number of patients., Conclusion:  Our findings suggest a high pattern of reorganization per different eloquent motor areas and gliomas diagnosis. Understanding this process is useful to guide safe surgical resection and to develop protocols that assess the plasticity, even though functional network rearrangement needs to be better characterized by more studies., Competing Interests: None declared., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Motivated by the culinary and ethnopharmacological use of Acmella oleracea (L.) R.K. Jansen, this study aimed to unveil new chemical compounds from its essential oil (EO). Acmella oleracea , known for its anesthetic and spicy properties, has been used in traditional medicine and cuisine, particularly in Northern Brazil. Through a detailed GC-MS analysis, 180 constituents were identified, including 12 tentatively identified long-chain α-keto esters of various acids. Additionally, 18 new esters were synthesized for structural verification. This research expands the known chemical diversity of A. oleracea EO, providing a basis for potential pharmacological applications. The identification of new natural products, including homologs and analogs of acmellonate, underscores the EO's rich chemical profile and its potential for novel bioproduct development.

This study investigated the potential of selected compounds as inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 M pro through pharmacokinetic and toxicological analyses, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulations. In silico molecular docking simulations revealed promising ligands with favorable binding affinities for M pro , ranging from -6.2 to -9.5 kcal/mol. Moreover, molecular dynamics simulations demonstrated the stability of protein-ligand complexes over 200 ns, maintaining protein secondary structures. MM-PBSA analysis revealed favorable interactions between ligands and M pro , with negative binding energy values. Hydrogen bond formation capacity during molecular dynamics was confirmed, indicating consistent interactions with M pro catalytic residues. Based on these findings, selected ligands show promise for future studies in developing COVID-19 treatments., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

We present a Raman spectroscopy study of the vibrational properties of free-base meso-tetra(4-pyridyl) porphyrin polycrystals under various temperature and hydrostatic pressure conditions. The combination of experimental results and Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations allows us to assign most of the observed Raman bands. The modifications in the Raman spectra when excited with 488 nm and 532 nm laser lights indicate that a resonance effect in the Qy band is taking place. The pressure-dependent results show that the resonance conditions change with increasing pressure, probably due to the shift of the electronic transitions. The temperature-dependent results show that the relative intensities of the Raman modes change at low temperatures, while no frequency shifts are observed. The experimental and theoretical analysis presented here suggest that these molecules are well represented by the C2v point symmetry group.

Natural products hold immense potential for drug discovery, yet many remain unexplored in vast libraries and databases. In an attempt to fill this gap and meet the growing demand for effective drugs, this study delves into the promising world of ent -kaurane diterpenoids, a class of natural products with huge therapeutic potential. With a dataset of 570 ent -kaurane diterpenoids obtained from the literature, we conducted an in silico analysis, evaluating their physicochemical, pharmacokinetic, and toxicological properties with a focus on their therapeutic implications. Notably, these natural compounds exhibit drug-like properties, aligning closely with those of FDA-approved drugs, indicating a high potential for drug development. The ranges of the physicochemical parameters were as follows: molecular weights-288.47 to 626.82 g/mol; number of heavy atoms-21 to 44; the number of hydrogen bond donors and acceptors-0 to 8 and 1 to 11, respectively; the number of rotatable bonds-0 to 11; fraction Csp3-0.65 to 1; and TPSA-20.23 to 189.53 Ų. Additionally, the majority of these molecules display favorable safety profiles, with only 0.70%, 1.40%, 0.70%, and 46.49% exhibiting mutagenic, tumorigenic, reproduction-enhancing, and irritant properties, respectively. Importantly, ent -kaurane diterpenoids exhibit promising biopharmaceutical properties. Their average lipophilicity is optimal for drug absorption, while over 99% are water-soluble, facilitating delivery. Further, 96.5% and 28.20% of these molecules exhibited intestinal and brain bioavailability, expanding their therapeutic reach. The predicted pharmacological activities of these compounds encompass a diverse range, including anticancer, immunosuppressant, chemoprotective, anti-hepatic, hepatoprotectant, anti-inflammation, antihyperthyroidism, and anti-hepatitis activities. This multi-targeted profile highlights ent -kaurane diterpenoids as highly promising candidates for further drug discovery endeavors.

Nocturnal activity of tropical otters is rarely reported. To date no studies have documented den use by sympatric giant ( Pteronura brasiliensis ) and neotropical otters ( Lontra longicaudis ). We used camera-traps to monitor den use by sympatric otters along an equatorial Amazonian river. Camera-traps provided evidence that giant otters were more nocturnal around dens than sympatric neotropical otters. Nocturnal activity was recorded in 11% of giant otter photos ( n = 14 of 125 photos), but was recorded only once for neotropical otters. Den use by giant and neotropical otters overlapped spatially and temporally but not concurrently. We hypothesize that previously reported nocturnal activity in neotropical otters is facilitated by the absence or low density of giant otters. Our results also underscore the need to use complementary techniques together with den counts for monitoring otters as sympatric species can use the same dens., Competing Interests: Fernanda Michalski is associated with Pro-Carnivores Institute. Fernanda Michalski is an Academic Editor for PeerJ. Darren Norris is an Academic Editor for PeerJ. The authors declare there are no competing interests., (© 2024 Norris and Michalski.)

Ophiotaenia is the most diverse genus among proteocephalids, composed of species commonly found parasitizing snakes worldwide. However, the diversity of Ophiotaenia in the Neotropical region is still underestimated. This study describes Ophiotaenia karipuna n. sp. found parasitizing Erythrolamprus miliaris in the State of Amapá, Brazil. Additionally, we redescribe Ophiotaenia arandasi based on a re-examination of type series and newly collected material from Erythrolamprus taeniogaster in the State of Pará, Brazil. The new species differs from its congeners in the following characteristics: scolex width, number of testes, relative length of the cirrus-sac, absence of a vaginal sphincter, presence of a vestigial apical organ resembling a sucker, and relative size of the ovary in relation to the surface of the proglottid. Furthermore, we provide taxonomic information for Ophiotaenia arandasi not reported in the original description, including morphology of embryophore, uterine development, and the absence of the vaginal sphincter in the species. Ophiotaenia karipuna n. sp. represents the 21st- species described in snakes -from the Neotropical region and the first formally described in the Brazilian Amazon. Additionally, we provide the first ultrastructural analysis, a new host, and locality records for O. arandasi ., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Authors.)

Mercury contamination in the Amazon arising from both natural sources and intensive mining activities in the region is a significant public health concern. This metal is used to separate Au from sediments. Accordingly, this study aimed to assess the impact of mining on mercury contamination in the animal and human populations of the Amazon. This overall objective was pursued through a systematic review of the existing literature to assess the impact of Hg and identify gaps in geographic coverage arising from this assessment. Herein, we employed PECO and PRISMA-ScR protocols to select articles published between 2017 and 2023 based on projected points on a map within the biogeographic boundaries of the Amazon. We found that mercury concentrations increase with trophic levels, reaching high values of 3.7 µg/g in the muscles of predatory fish and 34.9 µg/g in human hair. The mean level of mercury in human hair in the whole (Amazon) region exceeds 6 µg/g, surpassing tolerance levels. Although mining regions show high concentrations of Hg, the highest incidence was observed among populations with fish-based diets. It was concluded that continuous research and monitoring of fish in the region are required in order to accurately assess the risk associated with Hg contamination, especially since fish are the main source of protein in this region.

The final in natura discharge of urban domestic sewage in rivers in the Amazon is a widespread practice. In addition, there is an evident lack of knowledge about the self-depurative characteristics of the receiving water bodies in these rivers. This problem is a challenge for designing sanitary sewage system (SSS) projects in the region. We aimed to numerically simulate hydrodynamic scenarios to study pollutant dispersion processes in an urban stretch impacted by domestic sewage in the Lower Amazon River (Amapá, Brazil) using a hydrodynamic model calibrated and coupled to a dispersive model (Lagrangian) (SisBaHiA). The following methodological steps were performed: (a) bathymetric and liquid discharge experimental campaigns using acoustic techniques (acoustic doppler current profiler-ADCP); (b) identification of point and diffuse sources of pollution in the Santana Channel (CSA) and North Channel of the Amazon River (NCM) in Macapá; (c) calibration of the hydrodynamic model and simulation of the dispersive process of domestic sewage plumes; (d) simulation of dispersive process scenarios in two seasonal hydrological periods and different tidal phases. The results of the simulations indicated significant spatiotemporal variations in the plumes, suggesting critical restriction of water quality in the dry period. The hotspot water collection supply station for ETA-CAESA was found to be the most threatened site by diffuse and point source loads. The simulated impacts showed that concentration variation worsens seasonally, restricting the multiple uses of water in both seasonal periods, regardless of tide phase. The pollutant plumes near the coastal-urban zone were apparently more inhibited by the influence of currents, and, due to the greater dilution capacity in the center of the channel, by the effect reversing with the approximation to the riverbank. The research hypotheses were supported: (a) the process of self-depuration of pollutants in the NCM has considerable limitations in shallow areas, and (b) SSS design projects in the region of the Amazon estuarine complex require hydrodynamic and strict water quality assessment, especially when their hydrological-seasonal and bathymetric characteristics are significantly unfavorable to dispersive processes. Thus, a hydrodynamic analysis should be the primary criterion in designing any SSS projects in this stretch of the estuarine Amazon region., Competing Interests: The authors declare there are no competing interests., (©2024 Medeiros de Abreu et al.)

Plant endogenous mechanisms are not always sufficient enough to mitigate drought stress, therefore, the exogenous application of elicitors, such as salicylic acid, is necessary. In this study, we assessed the mitigating action of salicylic acid (SA) in cowpea genotypes under drought conditions. An experiment was conducted with two cowpea genotypes and six treatments of drought stress and salicylic acid (T1 = Control, T2 = drought stress (stress), T3 = stress + 0.1 mM of SA, T4 = stress + 0.5 mM of SA, T5 = stress + 1.0 mM of SA, and T6 = stress + 2.0 mM of SA). Plants were evaluated in areas of leaf area, stomatal conductance, photosynthesis, proline content, the activity of antioxidant enzymes, and dry grain production. Drought stress reduces the leaf area, stomatal conductance, photosynthesis, and, consequently, the production of both cowpea genotypes. The growth and production of the BRS Paraguaçu genotype outcompetes the Pingo de Ouro-1-2 genotype, regardless of the stress conditions. The exogenous application of 0.5 mM salicylic acid to cowpea leaves increases SOD activity, decreases CAT activity, and improves the production of both genotypes. The application of 0.5 mM of salicylic acid mitigates drought stress in the cowpea genotype, and the BRS Paraguaçu genotype is more tolerant to drought stress.

We investigated the multifaceted gas sensing properties of porous silicon thin films electrodeposited onto (100) oriented P-type silicon wafers substrates. Our investigation delves into morphological, optical properties, and sensing capabilities, aiming to optimize their use as efficient gas sensors. Morphological analysis revealed the development of unique surfaces with distinct characteristics compared to untreated sample, yielding substantially rougher yet flat surfaces, corroborated by Minkowski Functionals analysis. Fractal mathematics exploration emphasized that despite increased roughness, HF/ethanol-treated surfaces exhibit flatter attributes compared to untreated Si sample. Optical approaches established a correlation between increased porosity and elevated localized states and defects, influencing the Urbach energy value. This contributed to a reduction in steepness values, attributed to heightened dislocations and structural disturbances, while the transconductance parameter decreases. Simultaneously, porosity enhances the strength of electron‒phonon interaction. The porous silicon thin films were further tested as effective gas sensors for CO 2 and O 2 vapors at room temperature, displaying notable changes in electrical resistance with varying concentrations. These findings bring a comprehensive exploration of some important characteristics of porous silicon surfaces and established their potential for advanced industrial applications., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Blast furnace dust waste (BFDW) proved efficient as a photocatalyst for the decolorization of methylene blue (MB) dye in water. Structural analysis unequivocally identified α-Fe 2 O 3 as the predominant phase, constituting approximately 92%, with a porous surface showcasing unique 10-30 nm agglomerated nanoparticles. Chemical and thermal analyses indicated surface-bound water and carbonate molecules, with the main phase's thermal stability up to 900 °C. Electrical conductivity analysis revealed charge transfer resistance values of 616.4 Ω and electrode resistance of 47.8 Ω. The Mott-Schottky analysis identified α-Fe 2 O 3 as an n-type semiconductor with a flat band potential of 0.181 V vs. Ag/AgCl and a donor density of 1.45 × 10 15 cm -3 . The 2.2 eV optical bandgap and luminescence stem from α-Fe 2 O 3 and weak ferromagnetism arises from structural defects and surface effects. With a 74% photocatalytic efficiency, stable through three photodegradation cycles, BFDW outperforms comparable waste materials in MB degradation mediated by visible light. The elemental trapping experiment exposed hydroxyl radicals (OH•) and superoxide anions (O2-•) as the primary species in the photodegradation process. Consequently, iron oxide-based BFDW emerges as an environmentally friendly alternative for wastewater treatment, underscoring the pivotal role of its unique physical properties in the photocatalytic process.

We conducted a comprehensive analysis of the surface microtexture of kefir biofilms grown on Theobroma grandiflorum Shum (cupuaçu) juice using atomic force microscopy. Our goal was to investigate the unique monofractal and multifractal spatial patterns of these biofilms to complement the existing limited literature. The biofilms were prepared dispersing four different concentrations of kefir grains in cupuaçu juice. Our morphological analysis showed that the surface of the obtained biofilms is essentially formed by the presence of cupuaçu fibers and microorganisms like lactobacilli and yeast. The topographic height-based parameter analysis reveals that there is a dependence between surface roughness and the concentration of kefir grains used. The strongly anisotropic well-centralized topographical height distribution of the biofilms also exhibited a quasi-symmetrical and platykurtic pattern. The biofilms exhibit comparable levels of spatial complexity, surface percolation and surface homogeneity, which can be attributed to their similar topographic uniformity. This aspect was further supported by the presence of similar multifractality in the biofilms, suggesting that despite their varying topographic roughness, their vertical growth dynamics follow a similar pattern. Our findings demonstrate that the surface roughness of kefir biofilms cultivated on cupuaçu juice is influenced by the concentration of kefir grains in the precursor solution. However, this dependence follows a consistent pattern across different concentrations. Graphical Abstract., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Japanese Society of Microscopy. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Introduction and Hypothesis: The objective was to investigate the effects of health education (HE) on urinary symptoms and quality of life in women with urinary incontinence (UI)., Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis of trials evaluating HE for women with UI. The risk of bias was assessed using the revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials., Results: The search identified 5,118 articles. Eighteen papers were considered eligible. The interventions investigated included health education (HE), combined intervention, self-management (SM), and structured training (ST). Outcomes included quality of life (QoL), UI frequency, UI severity, impression of improvement, incontinence symptoms, urine leakage, fear of leakage, urgency, and incontinence impact. Compared with the control group there was a significant improvement in the frequency, severity, and impact on the QoL for women with UI (assessed by the total score of the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form (ICIQ SF); RR = -1.47, 95% CI [-2.07, -0.88]; two trials; low certainty of the evidence)., Conclusions: This review shows that HE seems to be beneficial in the treatment of women with UI when compared with control women (no treatment or general health care), improving the frequency, severity, and impact on QoL assessed by the ICIQ SF total score. However, the certainty of this evidence is low., (© 2023. The International Urogynecological Association.)

Leishmaniasis encompasses a cluster of neglected tropical diseases triggered by kinetoplastid phatogens belonging to the genus Leishmania. Current therapeutic approaches are toxic, expensive, and require long-term treatment. Nanoparticles are emerging as a new alternative for the treatment of neglected tropical diseases. Silk Fibroin is a biocompatible and amphiphilic protein that can be used for formulating nanoemulsions, while kojic acid is a secondary metabolite with antileishmanial actions. Thus, this study evaluated the efficacy of a nanoemulsion, formulated with silk fibroin as the surfactant and containing kojic acid (NanoFKA), against promastigote and amastigote forms of Leishmania ( Leishmania ) amazonensis . The NanoFKA had an average particle size of 176 nm, Polydispersity Index (PDI) of 0.370, and a Zeta Potential of -32.3 mV. It presented inhibitory concentration (IC 50 ) values of >56 μg/mL and >7 μg/mL for the promastigote and amastigote forms, respectively. Ultrastructural analysis, cell cycle distribution and phosphatidylserine exposure showed that NanoFKA treatment induces apoptosis-like cell death and cell cycle arrest in L. ( L. ) amazonensis . In addition, NanoFKA exhibited no cytotoxicity against macrophages. Given these results, NanoFKA present leishmanicidal activity against L. ( L. ) amazonensis ., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Queiroz-Souza, Galue-Parra, Silveira Moraes, Macedo, Rodrigues, H. S. Marinho, H. Holanda, M. Ferreira and Oliveira da Silva.)

Bioactive compounds derived from secondary metabolism in animals have refined selectivity and potency for certain biological targets. The superfamily Dendrobatoidea is adapted to the dietary sequestration and secretion of toxic alkaloids, which play a role in several biological activities, and thus serve as a potential source for pharmacological and biotechnological applications. This article constitutes a scoping review to understand the trends in experimental research involving bioactive alkaloids derived from Dendrobatoidea based upon scientometric approaches. Forty-eight (48) publications were found in 30 journals in the period of 60 years, between 1962 and 2022. More than 23 structural classes of alkaloids were cited, with 27.63% for batrachotoxins, 13.64% for pyridinics, with an emphasis on epibatidine, 16.36% for pumiliotoxins, and 11.82% for histrionicotoxins. These tests included in vivo (54.9%), in vitro (39.4%), and in silico simulations (5.6%). Most compounds (54.8%) were isolated from skin extracts, whereas the remainder were obtained through molecular synthesis. Thirteen main biological activities were identified, including acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (27.59%), sodium channel inhibitors (12.07%), cardiac (12.07%), analgesic (8.62%), and neuromuscular effects (8.62%). The substances were cited as being of natural origin in the "Dendrobatidae" family, genus " Phyllobates ," " Dendrobates ," and seven species: Epipedobates tricolor , Phyllobates aurotaenia , Oophaga histrionica , Oophaga pumilio , Phyllobates terribilis , Epipedobates anthonyi , and Ameerega flavopicta . To date, only a few biological activities have been experimentally tested; hence, further studies on the bioprospecting of animal compounds and ecological approaches are needed.

Background: Educational environments can have environmental conditions that are incompatible with the needs of students, compromising their well-being and affecting their performance., Objective: To identify the environmental variables that influence the performance of university students and measure this influence through an experiment in indoor environments., Methods: The study applied an experimental methodology for three consecutive days in seven educational environments located in different regions of Brazil, measuring the environ-mental conditions, the students' perception of the environment, and their cognitive performance. The impact of environmental variables and environmental perception on student performance was analyzed using Generalized Linear Models and a Structural Equation Model., Results: Students who took the test at air temperatures between 22.4°C and 24.7°C had a 74.20% chance of performing better than those outside this range. Air temperatures between 26.2°C and 29°C were associated with an 86% chance of taking less time to complete the test. High illuminance levels increased the chance of taking longer to answer the test by 41.7%., Conclusions: Three environmental variables (relative humidity, lighting and air temperature) and two perceptual dimensions (light and thermal perception) directly influence student performance.

Background and Purpose: Physiotherapists worldwide are encouraged to integrate evidence-based practice (EBP) to provide safer and effective services. However, for professionals to consolidate this practice, the contact with EBP must begin at the university. In this study, we aimed to map and analyze the distribution of EBP courses and their characteristics in undergraduate physiotherapy programs in Brazil., Methods: This web-based document analysis study analyzed the current curricula of undergraduate physiotherapy programs in Brazil according to their availability on university sites. The identification of curricular components and analysis of EBP course syllabi used evidence-based descriptive terms. A descriptive analysis was used to verify the frequency and the regional distribution of EBP courses., Results: Of 1033 accredited programs in Brazil, 809 curricula were analyzed. Only 9.4% (76/809) of the analyzed curricula presented EBP courses; the mean duration of courses was 44.3 (SD 13.5) hours. Southeast region had the greatest number of undergraduate programs (46.5%, 376/809), and the north region had a proportionally greater number of EBP courses (24%, 12/50). In addition, 15.6% (10/64) and 8.9% (66/739) of the curricula of public and private institutions, respectively, provided EBP content. Critical appraisal was the most mentioned step among 15 undergraduate programs with complete EBP syllabi., Discussion: Most undergraduate physiotherapy programs in Brazil did not offer an EBP course. Also, an unbalanced emphasis on the critical appraisal step was observed. The lack of EBP content and skills in the curricula of Brazilian undergraduate physiotherapy programs may negatively influence the training, decision-making, and clinical practice of physiotherapists. A re-evaluating of the current undergraduate programs and curricula for EBP-based education is needed., (© 2023 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Introduction: Transvenous temporary pacemaker (TvTP) implantation is a critical procedure often performed under time limitations, playing a crucial role in patient survival. However, the amount of training provided for resident cardiologists is variable, due to the availability of patients. Thus, the use of simulators for this cardiologic procedure could be used as training tools., Objective: The present study aimed to develop a simulator system for TvTP implantation based on electrograms, called ETTIS (Electrogram-guided Transvenous Temporary-pacemaker Implantation Simulator), and to evaluate its educational potential and cardiology residents' perceived learning efficacy as a training tool., Methodology: The development of the ETTIS involved three stages: (1) Adaptation of an anatomical mannequin; (2) Design and manufacture of electronic circuits and software capable of identifying the catheter contact site within the heart chambers and reproducing electrograms in both surfaces (mode-on) and intracavitary (mode-off); (3) To evaluate its educational potential, a modified Likert questionnaire was administered to nine cardiology experts. Additionally, to evaluate the perceived learning efficacy, another modified Likert questionnaire was given to six cardiology residents both before and after training with the ETTIS. Descriptive statistics with measures of position and dispersion were employed, and the weighted Kappa test was used for agreement analysis., Results: A high rate of acceptance (over 90%) was found among experts who evaluated the ETTIS. The cardiology residents showed significant self-perceived learning gains, as evidenced by a lack of agreement between their responses to a questionnaire before and after training., Conclusion: The ETTIS is a promising tool for medical training, displaying both educational potential and efficacy. It has been shown to be effective in learning a variety of skills, including cardiac catheterization and electrophysiology. Additionally, the ETTIS is highly engaging and allows cardiology residents to practice in a safe and controlled environment., (© 2023 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

In the present study, we report the development and characterization of composite layers (by spin coating) based on magnesium-doped hydroxyapatite in a chitosan matrix, containing human osteosarcoma MG63 cells anchored. Studies regarding the biocompatibility of the composite layers were performed with the aid of a MTT (3-4,5-Dimethylthiazol 2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. The data determined that the composite layers did not inhibit the growth and adhesion of MG63 cells to their surfaces exhibiting good biocompatibility properties. Furthermore, the attachment and development of MG63 cells on the surface of MgHApCh composite layers were investigated using atomic force microscopy (AFM). AFM topographical maps emphasized that the HApCh and 8MgHApCh composite layers surface promoted the attachment and proliferation of MG63 cells on their surface. Meanwhile, in the case of 30MgHApCh layers incubated for 48 h, a slight modification of the morphological features of the MG63 cells. In addition, the effects of the composite layers against Candida albicans ATCC 10231 were also evaluated. The data results from the in vitro antifungal assay depicted that the composite layers successfully inhibited the growth of the fungal cells onto their surface. Morphological and fractal analyses unveil cancer cell surfaces on Mg-containing composite layers with intricate 3D patterns, driven by high-frequency components. Their remarkable complexity and roughness arises from a strong multifractal nature, supporting more effective vertical growth compared to Si and HApCh surfaces. The cell viability reduced of uncoated Si surface is highlighted by its less intense 3D pattern growth. Our results show that the uncoated Si surface promotes lower viability of MG63 cancer cells, with less rough and complex 3D spatial patterns., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: This study aims to assess the effect of neonatal treatment with kaempferol on neuromotor development, proliferation of neural precursor cells, the microglia profile, and antioxidant enzyme gene expression in the hippocampus., Methods: A rat model of cerebral palsy was established using perinatal anoxia and sensorimotor restriction of hindlimbs during infancy. Kaempferol (1 mg/ kg) was intraperitoneally administered during the neonatal period., Results: Neonatal treatment with kaempferol reduces the impact of the cerebral palsy model on reflex ontogeny and on the maturation of physical features. Impairment of locomotor activity development and motor coordination was found to be attenuated by kaempferol treatment during the neonatal period in rats exposed to cerebral palsy. Neonatal treatment of kaempferol in cerebral palsy rats prevents a substantial reduction in the number of neural precursor cells in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus, an activated microglia profile, and increased proliferation of microglia in the sub-granular zone and in the granular cell layer. Neonatal treatment with kaempferol increases gene expression of superoxide dismutase and catalase in the hippocampus of rats submitted to the cerebral palsy model., Discussion: Kaempferol attenuates the impact of cerebral palsy on neuromotor behavior development, preventing altered hippocampal microglia activation and mitigating impaired cell proliferation in a neurogenic niche in these rats. Neonatal treatment with kaempferol also increases antioxidant defense gene expression in the hippocampus of rats submitted to the cerebral palsy model.