Leprosy is a chronic disease with clinical presentations according to the immunologic spectrum. Lepromatous form is the most advanced, with the highest transmissibility and risk of causing ...disabilities. Lucio’s phenomenon is a rare manifestation among lepromatous patients with a rapid and severe evolution and high mortality. It is difficult to differentiate from ulcerative/necrotic erythema nodosum leprosum and has no consensus on how it should be treated. This article is a qualitative review of the literature after the introduction of multidrug therapy, aiming to bring consensus related to the clinical, laboratory and histopathological diagnostic criteria of the disease and its management.
The Energetic Particle Detector Rodríguez-Pacheco, J.; Wimmer-Schweingruber, R. F.; Mason, G. M. ...
Astronomy and astrophysics (Berlin),
10/2020, Letnik:
642
Journal Article
Recenzirano
After decades of observations of solar energetic particles from space-based observatories, relevant questions on particle injection, transport, and acceleration remain open. To address these ...scientific topics, accurate measurements of the particle properties in the inner heliosphere are needed. In this paper we describe the Energetic Particle Detector (EPD), an instrument suite that is part of the scientific payload aboard the Solar Orbiter mission. Solar Orbiter will approach the Sun as close as 0.28 au and will provide extra-ecliptic measurements beyond ∼30° heliographic latitude during the later stages of the mission. The EPD will measure electrons, protons, and heavy ions with high temporal resolution over a wide energy range, from suprathermal energies up to several hundreds of megaelectronvolts/nucleons. For this purpose, EPD is composed of four units: the SupraThermal Electrons and Protons (STEP), the Electron Proton Telescope (EPT), the Suprathermal Ion Spectrograph (SIS), and the High-Energy Telescope (HET) plus the Instrument Control Unit that serves as power and data interface with the spacecraft. The low-energy population of electrons and ions will be covered by STEP and EPT, while the high-energy range will be measured by HET. Elemental and isotopic ion composition measurements will be performed by SIS and HET, allowing full particle identification from a few kiloelectronvolts up to several hundreds of megaelectronvolts/nucleons. Angular information will be provided by the separate look directions from different sensor heads, on the ecliptic plane along the Parker spiral magnetic field both forward and backwards, and out of the ecliptic plane observing both northern and southern hemispheres. The unparalleled observations of EPD will provide key insights into long-open and crucial questions about the processes that govern energetic particles in the inner heliosphere.
Today it is known that severe burns can be accompanied by the phenomenon of vasoplegic syndrome (VS), which is manifested by persistent and diffuse vasodilation, hypotension and low vascular ...resistance, resulting in circulatory and respiratory failure. The decrease in systemic vascular resistance observed in VS is associated with excessive production of nitric oxide (NO). In the last 2 decades, studies have reported promising results from the administration of an NO competitor, methylene blue (MB), which is an inhibitor of the soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC), in the treatment of refractory cases of vasoplegia. This medical hypothesis rationale is focused on the tripod of burns/vasoplegia catecholamine resistant/methylene blue. This article has 3 main objectives: 1) to study the guanylate cyclase inhibition by MB in burns; 2) to suggest MB as a viable, safe and useful co-adjuvant therapeutic tool of fluid resuscitation, and; 3) to suggest MB as burns hypotensive vasoplegia amine-resistant treatment.
Polyphenols as natural antioxidants in cosmetics applications Cherubim, Débora Jackeline; Martins, Cleide Viviane; Fariña, Luciana ...
Journal of cosmetic dermatology,
January 2020, 2020-Jan, 2020-01-00, 20200101, Letnik:
19, Številka:
1
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Background
Currently, there is a great interest in cosmetics prepared on natural resources bases and this may restrict the use of synthetic substances. Plants play a relevant role as a source of ...biologically active natural products with cosmetic and dermatological importance. According to this context, polyphenolic extracts are highlighted because they have proven antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, anti‐aging, antimicrobial, and supporting activity in solar photoprotection.
Aims
The purpose this study were reviewed at reporting the antioxidant activity of phenolic compounds, mainly applied to dermatological therapy, and highlighting the action mechanisms and structure‐activity relationship.
Methodology
In September 2017, we performed a literature search in PubMed and Scielo for scientific researches, antioxidant studies, and systemic reviews. The search terms we used were “PHYTOCOSMETICS” AND “ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY” OR “PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS” (from 2000). As inclusion criteria were used relevant original articles, scientific research in the area of interest, and crucial reference articles. Exclusion criteria were: duplicate publications, non‐relevant articles and not published in English.
Results
The potential cosmetic application of phenolic compounds as natural antioxidants has been attributed to the chemical structure of these compounds, which to interfere in different phases of the oxidation mechanism.
Conclusion
The use of phenolic extracts emerges as a viable alternative for cosmetic application, ensuring a commitment to sustainability. However, it is of crucial importance to evaluate the toxicity risks of raw materials and finished products.
Physalis peruviana (Solanaceae), originating from the Andean region of South America, is an exotic plant cultivated in Brazil that produces edible fruit. Five viruses have been reported to naturally ...infect the Physalis plants in Brazil, of which, two have been drawing attention for the severity of their infections: sobemovirus, physalis rugose mosaic virus (PhyRMV) and orthotospovirus, groundnut ringspot virus (GRSV). This study aimed to evaluate the effects of single and double infections of PhyRMV and GRSV on the development, yield and postharvest fruit characteristics of P. peruviana plants. We found that both viruses caused severe systemic symptoms in infected plants, and double infection even led to plant death. Plant height and aerial dry weight were significantly affected by PhyRMV and GRSV infections. Double‐infected plants were the most affected, exhibiting average height and aerial dry weight reductions of 70.9% and 89.7%, respectively. Moreover, PhyRMV‐ and GRSV‐infected plants showed average fruit yield reductions of 66.4% and 85.2%, respectively, compared to healthy plants. Notably, double‐infected plants did not produce any fruit. The fruits produced by infected plants were smaller than those produced by healthy plants. Viral infections also affected postharvest characteristics, such as titratable acidity, total soluble solids (°Brix), phenolic compound concentration and antioxidant activity. Both viruses affected the pulp firmness and palatability, but not the colour of the fruits. Therefore, effective disease management strategies against these viruses are necessary to prevent economic losses.
Comparison of the development and fruit yield of healthy Physalis peruviana with that of plants infected with physalis rugose mosaic virus (PhyRMV), groundnut ringspot virus (GRSV) or both (PhyRMV + GRSV).
Physalis peruviana
is a perennial solanaceous plant that has recently been established as a commercial crop in Brazil. This work reports the near-complete genome sequence, particle morphology, and ...plant host responses to a putative new sobemovirus, named “physalis rugose mosaic virus”. The virus, characterized by isometric particles of ca. 30 nm in diameter, causes foliar symptoms of mosaic, malformation and blistering, accompanied by stunting. The near-complete genome sequence comprises 4175 nucleotides and contains five open reading frames that are similar to those of other sobemoviruses. In addition to
P. peruviana
, the new virus systemically infected
Capsicum annuum
,
Nicotiana tabacum
and
Solanum lycopersicum
by mechanical inoculation. Thus, this virus may cause disease in these crops in the field.
The scientific community has been alarmed by the possible immunological evasion, higher infectivity, and severity of disease caused by the newest variants of SARS-CoV-2. The spike protein has an ...important role in the cellular invasion of viruses and is the target of several vaccines and therapeutic resources, such as monoclonal antibodies. In addition, some of the most relevant mutations in the different variants are on the spike (S) protein gene sequence that leads to structural alterations in the predicted protein, thus causing concern about the protection mediated by vaccines against these new strains. The present review highlights the most recent knowledge about COVID-19 and vaccines, emphasizing the different spike protein structures of SARS-CoV-2 and updating the reader about the emerging viral variants and their classifications, the more common viral mutations described and their distribution in Brazil. It also compiles a table with the most recent knowledge about all of the Omicron spike mutations.
► Oxidative stress (OS), particularly in mitochondria, is a common feature of iron (Fe), Mn and Hg toxicity. ► The primary molecular targets triggering of OS are distinct for each of the above ...metals. ► These metals are transported by distinct transporters.
Essential metals are crucial for the maintenance of cell homeostasis. Among the 23 elements that have known physiological functions in humans, 12 are metals, including iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn). Nevertheless, excessive exposure to these metals may lead to pathological conditions, including neurodegeneration. Similarly, exposure to metals that do not have known biological functions, such as mercury (Hg), also present great health concerns. This review focuses on the neurodegenerative mechanisms and effects of Fe, Mn and Hg. Oxidative stress (OS), particularly in mitochondria, is a common feature of Fe, Mn and Hg toxicity. However, the primary molecular targets triggering OS are distinct. Free cationic iron is a potent pro-oxidant and can initiate a set of reactions that form extremely reactive products, such as OH. Mn can oxidize dopamine (DA), generating reactive species and also affect mitochondrial function, leading to accumulation of metabolites and culminating with OS. Cationic Hg forms have strong affinity for nucleophiles, such as –SH and –SeH. Therefore, they target critical thiol- and selenol-molecules with antioxidant properties. Finally, we address the main sources of exposure to these metals, their transport mechanisms into the brain, and therapeutic modalities to mitigate their neurotoxic effects.
This study characterized a nanosupplement based on coenzyme Q10 containing guarana (Paullinia cupana) and Brazil nuts oil (Bertholetia excelsa) (G-Nut). Determined cytotoxic and oxi-immunomodulatory ...effects on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and its effect on mortality of red Californian earthworms (Eisenia fetida) and on the immune efficiency of its coelomocytes immune by in vitro exposure to yeast dead microorganism. The cytotoxic and immunomodulatory effects of G-Nut and the GN-Free extract (0.25–3 mg/mL) were determined in PBMC cultures. Apoptotic, oxidative, and inflammatory markers were determined using biochemical, immunological, and molecular protocols. The effects of G-Nut and GN-Free extracts on mortality and immune efficiency were investigated in earthworms. G-Nut and GN-Free did not induce cytotoxic events in PBMCs, triggering the decrease in apoptotic (caspases 3 and 8) gene expression, lipid and protein oxidation levels, or pro-inflammatory cytokine levels. G-Nut and GN-Free did not trigger earthworm mortality and improved coelomocyte immune efficiency by increasing Eisenia neutrophil extracellular DNA traps and brown body formation when exposed to dead yeasts. The G-Nut nanoformulation is safe and can be used as a new form of food supplement by oral or transdermal delivery.
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•G-NUT is a nano supplement based on guarana, Brazil nuts and coenzyme q10.•G-NUT supplement is safe.•G-NUT supplement has modulating effect on oxidative and immunomodulatory activity.
From a practical point of view, a turbine load cycle (TLC) is defined as the time a turbine in a power plant remains in operation. TLC is used by many electric power plants as a stop indicator for ...turbine maintenance. In traditional operations, a maximum time for the operation of a turbine is usually estimated and, based on the TLC, the remaining operating time until the equipment is subjected to new maintenance is determined. Today, however, a better process is possible, as there are many turbines with sensors that carry out the telemetry of the operation, and machine learning (ML) models can use this data to support decision making, predicting the optimal time for equipment to stop, from the actual need for maintenance. This is predictive maintenance, and it is widely used in Industry 4.0 contexts. However, knowing which data must be collected by the sensors (the variables), and their impact on the training of an ML algorithm, is a challenge to be explored on a case-by-case basis. In this work, we propose a framework for mapping sensors related to a turbine in a hydroelectric power plant and the selection of variables involved in the load cycle to: (i) investigate whether the data allow identification of the future moment of maintenance, which is done by exploring and comparing four ML algorithms; (ii) discover which are the most important variables (MIV) for each algorithm in predicting the need for maintenance in a given time horizon; (iii) combine the MIV of each algorithm through weighting criteria, identifying the most relevant variables of the studied data set; (iv) develop a methodology to label the data in such a way that the problem of forecasting a future need for maintenance becomes a problem of binary classification (need for maintenance: yes or no) in a time horizon. The resulting framework was applied to a real problem, and the results obtained pointed to rates of maintenance identification with very high accuracies, in the order of 98%.
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