Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is the most common inherited neuropathy. CMT is classified into 2 main subgroups: CMT type 1 (CMT1; demyelinating form) and CMT type 2 (CMT2; axonal form). The ...objectives of this study were to systematically review and assess the quality of studies reporting the incidence and/or prevalence of CMT worldwide.
A total of 802 studies were initially identified, with only 12 meeting the inclusion criteria. CMT prevalence was reported in 10 studies and ranged from 9.7/100,000 in Serbia to 82.3/100,000 in Norway. The frequency of the main subtypes varied from 37.6 to 84% for CMT1 and from 12 to 35.9% for CMT2; the country with the lowest prevalence of CMT1 was Norway, and the country with the highest prevalence of CMT1 was Iceland; on the other hand, CMT2 was least prevalent in the United Kingdom and most prevalent in Norway.
This review reveals the gaps that still exist in the epidemiological knowledge of CMT around the world. Published studies are of varying quality and utilise different methodologies, thus precluding a robust conclusion. Additional research focusing on epidemiological features of CMT in different nations and different ethnic groups is needed.
Carvacrol is a monoterpene present in the essential oil of a number of plants and has been widely used in traditional medicine because it is considered to have a range of therapeutic effects ...including in relation to respiratory disease. To conduct a systematic review and meta‐analysis to assess the anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant activities of carvacrol when used in the treatment of respiratory disorders. A comprehensive literature search using Scopus, MEDLINE‐PubMed, Cochrane and Web of Science was undertaken. Papers related to the anti‐inflammatory or antioxidant properties of carvacrol in the treatment of an injury in the respiratory system in in vivo studies and published in the period up to and including August 2019. A total of 152 studies were initially identified, with only 17 meeting the inclusion criteria. Five of the studies were performed in humans, and 12 were performed in rodents. Among the 17 studies included in the systematic review, we performed the meta‐analysis with nine of the studies with animals. Carvacrol had a positive effect on the reduction of interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐4, IL‐8 and malondialdehyde (MDA); however, the analysis indicated that carvacrol had no effect on IL‐6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α), probably due to the methodological quality of the studies and their heterogeneity. Current evidence supports the antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory effects of carvacrol, but its relationship with the reduction of some inflammatory mediators in animals with lung injury needs further elucidation.
Essential oils may be an alternative to the use of synthetic fungicides for the control of fungi involved in agricultural product deterioration. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the ...composition and antioxidant effect of turmeric essential oil and its antifungal and antimycotoxigenic action on Fusarium verticillioides (Sacc.) Nirenberg. The essential oil major components were α-turmerone (42.6%), β-turmerone (16.0%) and ar-turmerone (12.9%). The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) for the radical scavenging capacities of 2,2′-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) were 0.54 and 10.03 mg/ml, respectively, indicating good antioxidant activity. The application of 17.9 and 294.9 μg/ml of turmeric essential oil decreased the development of F. verticillioides by 56.0 and 79.3%, respectively, when compared with the fungal control. The scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that the oil decreased the thickness and the length of the microconidia. Ergosterol production significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in groups treated with the essential oil relative to the control, indicating an effect of the oil on fungal biomass. The production of B1 and B2 fumonisins was significantly inhibited (p < 0.05) in groups treated with the essential oil. The results suggest that turmeric essential oil has antioxidant, antifungal and antimycotoxigenic activities.
•The essential oil of Curcuma longa exhibited chemopreventive effects.•The essential oil (EO) possesses good antioxidant activity.•The EO exhibited strong antifungal activity against F. verticillioides.•Turmeric essential oil inhibited the production of fumonisins.•The EO could be used as a potential source of eco-friendly preservatives.
Except for the northern region, where the Amazonian black scorpion, T. obscurus, represents the predominant and most medically relevant scorpion species, Tityus serrulatus, the Brazilian yellow ...scorpion, is widely distributed throughout Brazil, causing most envenoming and fatalities due to scorpion sting. In order to evaluate and compare the diversity of venom components of Tityus obscurus and T. serrulatus, we performed a transcriptomic investigation of the telsons (venom glands) corroborated by a shotgun proteomic analysis of the venom from the two species.
The putative venom components represented 11.4% and 16.7% of the total gene expression for T. obscurus and T. serrulatus, respectively. Transcriptome and proteome data revealed high abundance of metalloproteinases sequences followed by sodium and potassium channel toxins, making the toxin core of the venom. The phylogenetic analysis of metalloproteinases from T. obscurus and T. serrulatus suggested an intraspecific gene expansion, as we previously observed for T. bahiensis, indicating that this enzyme may be under evolutionary pressure for diversification. We also identified several putative venom components such as anionic peptides, antimicrobial peptides, bradykinin-potentiating peptide, cysteine rich protein, serine proteinases, cathepsins, angiotensin-converting enzyme, endothelin-converting enzyme and chymotrypsin like protein, proteinases inhibitors, phospholipases and hyaluronidases.
The present work shows that the venom composition of these two allopatric species of Tityus are considerably similar in terms of the major classes of proteins produced and secreted, although their individual toxin sequences are considerably divergent. These differences at amino acid level may reflect in different epitopes for the same protein classes in each species, explaining the basis for the poor recognition of T. obscurus venom by the antiserum raised against other species.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
The widespread production and use of plastics have resulted in accumulation of plastic debris in the environment, gradually breaking down into smaller particles over time. Nano-plastics (NPs) and ...microplastics (MPs), defined as particles smaller than 100 nanometers and 5 millimeters, respectively, raise concerns due to their ability to enter the human body through various pathways including ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact. Various investigators demonstrated that these particles may produce physical and chemical damage to human cells, tissues, and organs, disrupting cellular processes, triggering inflammation and oxidative stress, and impacting hormone and neurotransmitter balance. In addition, micro- and nano-plastics (MNPLs) may carry toxic chemicals and pathogens, exacerbating adverse effects on human health. The magnitude and nature of these effects are not yet fully understood, requiring further research for a comprehensive risk assessment. Nevertheless, evidence available suggests that accumulation of these particles in the environment and potential human uptake are causes for concern. Urgent measures to reduce plastic pollution and limit human exposure to MNPLs are necessary to safeguard human health and the environment. In this review, current knowledge regarding the influence of MNPLs on human health is summarized, including toxicity mechanisms, exposure pathways, and health outcomes across multiple organs. The critical need for additional research is also emphasized to comprehensively assess potential risks posed by degradation of MNPLs on human health and inform strategies for addressing this emerging environmental health challenge. Finally, new research directions are proposed including evaluation of gene regulation associated with MNPLs exposure.
Sudden deaths without known causes have been reported among rural workers in the last decade, especially in low and middle‐income countries. The current study aimed to analyse the association between ...awakening cortisol response and cardiovascular performance in rural workers before and after the harvesting period. Fifty‐four rural male workers and 48 residents were included (non‐rural workers) from a sugarcane production area in São Paulo, Brazil. Morning salivary cortisol were analysed before and 7 months after the beginning of burnt sugarcane harvesting. Cardiovascular performance (blood pressure, pulse pressure and heart rate HR) was evaluated using the Incremental Shuttle Walking Test (ISWT). Our findings revealed a negative association between CAR and cardiovascular performance in rural workers at the harvesting period. Specifically, morning cortisol levels significantly increased after seven months of intense harvesting activity, allied to improvements in physical performance, systolic blood pressure and heart rate reactivity to a cardiopulmonary task. No association was observed in the resident group. Altogether, these findings suggest that, at least in the short‐term, rural workers presented an adaptive response to the physical demands of sugarcane harvesting work. Longitudinal studies are essential to investigate the long‐term effects of harvesting activity on rural workers' health.
Smart Dressings for Wound Healing: A Review Barros Almeida, Isabella; Garcez Barretto Teixeira, Luciana; Oliveira de Carvalho, Fernanda ...
Advances in skin & wound care,
2021-Feb-01, 2021-2-00, 20210201, Letnik:
34, Številka:
2
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
To provide an overview of sensors incorporated into wound dressings that can be used to assess and manage healing parameters.
Authors conducted an extensive literature search of the Science Direct, ...Scopus, MEDLINE-PubMed, and Web of Science databases.
A total of 587 studies that evaluated dressings used to manage wound healing parameters were identified in the search, but only 16 met all of the review criteria and were included in the final analysis.
Chronic wounds were the most common type of injury among studies. Six articles involved a wireless transmission system.
All studies evaluated the physical and chemical characteristics of the dressings.
This review demonstrates the lack of studies examining wound dressing sensors. New studies are required to assess sensors that allow not only wound monitoring, but also the application of drugs in a single dressing, providing a better and more cost-effective treatment for wounds.
To analyze COVID-19 deaths in public hospitals in a Brazilian state, stratified by the three waves of the pandemic, and to test their association with socio-clinical variables.
Observational ...analytical study, where 5436 deaths by COVID-19 occurred in hospitals of the public network of Espírito Santo, between 1 April 2020, and 31 August 2021, stratified by the three waves of the pandemic, were analyzed. For the bivariate analyses, the Pearson's chi-square, Fisher's Exact or Friedman's tests were performed depending on the Gaussian or non-Gaussian distribution of the data. For the relationship between time from diagnosis to death in each wave, quantile regression was used, and multinomial regression for multiple analyses.
The mean time between diagnosis and death was 18.5 days in the first wave, 20.5 days in the second wave, and 21.4 days in the third wave. In the first wave, deaths in public hospitals were associated with the following variables: immunodeficiency, obesity, neoplasia, and origin. In the second wave, deaths were associated with education, O
saturation < 95%, chronic neurological disease, and origin. In the third wave, deaths were associated with race/color, education, difficulty breathing, nasal or conjunctival congestion, irritability or confusion, adynamia or weakness, chronic cardiovascular disease, neoplasms, and diabetes mellitus. Origin was associated with the outcome in the three waves of the pandemic, in the same way that education was in the second and third waves (
< 0.05).
The time interval between diagnosis and death can be impacted by several factors, such as: plasticity of the health system, improved clinical management of patients, and the start of vaccination at the end of January 2021, which covered the age group with the higher incidence of deaths. The deaths occurring in public hospitals were associated with socio-clinical characteristics.
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has created unprecedent challenges for healthcare systems worldwide. Oncology services have been reorganized to decrease the risk of nosocomial ...acquisition of SARS-CoV-2, but changes in treatment pathways and follow-up cancer care can result in patients receiving suboptimal or delayed care. Herein, we describe a cross-sectional nested cohort study conducted to evaluate delays in care for patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) in post-treatment follow-up or palliative care during the COVID-19 pandemic in Northeast Brazil and its impact on health outcomes. Information was extracted from medical records and supplemented by telephone interviews. We compared the following health outcomes: self-perception of anxiety or sadness, fear of COVID-19 infection, cancer-related complications during social isolation, self-medication, diagnosis of COVID-19, and death between patients with and without delayed cancer care. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare distributions of continuous variables and the Fisher exact test was used for categorical variables. Thirty-one HNC patients were included in the study, and no case of confirmed SARS-CoV-2 was found. Delayed cancer care due to restriction in health services was reported in 58.1% of cases, and there was no report of telemedicine use during the COVID-19 outbreak. Cancer-related complications during the COVID-19 pandemic were described for most patients (67.7%) and included pain or discomfort, swelling, and dyspnea. Eight (25.8%) patients reported use of prescribed morphine or codeine to manage pain and six (19.4%) patients reported self-medication with over-the-counter (OTC) non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). We found an association between delayed HNC care and the use of self-medication (p = 0.028). This study indicated that patients with delayed HNC care during the COVID-19 outbreak are more likely to use self-medication with NSAIDs for pain management. Better strategies to follow HNC patients in socioeconomically disadvantaged communities need to be discussed and implemented.
In this work, a new electrochemical biosensor was developed using peptides selected by Phage Display as biorecognition phase to Breast Cancer (BC) characterization. Phage clones were selected against ...MCF-7 (ER-positive BC) proteins, in order to characterize patients with aggressive luminal BC. Biotin-C3 and biotin-H2 peptides were chemically synthesized and validated by flow cytometry, immunofluorescence assays, and ELISA assays, being more reactive to the MCF-7 lineage. Furthermore, a new matrix for the coupling of biomolecules on the surface of graphite electrodes was generated, through electrochemical modification with a new material derived from 3-(3-aminophenyl)propionic acid (3-3-APPA). Electrochemical and morphological characterizations were carried out, and the mechanism of electropolymerization of poly(3-3-APPA) was proposed, in which the carboxylate groups are kept in the structure of the formed polymer. Then, a biosensor was developed by immobilizing the biotin-C3 and biotin-H2 peptides in the SPE/poly(3-3-APPA)/avidin system for the detection of BC tumor markers in serological samples. Finally, peptides were validated using samples from patients with BC and Benign Breast Disease. Biotin-C3 peptide characterized luminal BC according to p53 status and to HER2 expression, being the biosensor a better strategy when compared to ELISA test. This new biosensor will open a new perspective for a rapid and electrochemical platform for the characterization of BC and its molecular subtypes.
Display omitted
•Recombinant peptides were selected by Phage Display and bound to Breast Cancer proteins.•A new low-cost platform for immobilizing biomolecules was constructed using peptides as biorecognition phase.•A new polymer electrodeposited on graphite electrodes was used for Biosensor construction.•The new biosensor efficiently differentiated patients with breast cancer from those with benign breast disease.•The new biosensor categorized patients with luminal breast cancer according to p53 and HER2 status.
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