Influence of Peptide Conjugation Sites on Lunatin-Alumina Nanoparticles: Implications for Membrane Interaction and Antimicrobial Activity.

The increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant bacteria presents a major global health challenge, prompting a search for innovative antimicrobial strategies. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a novel nanobiostructure combining alumina nanoparticles (NPs) with the antimicrobial peptide lunatin-1 (Lun-1), forming peptide-functionalized nanofilaments. The main objective was to investigate how the site of peptide functionalization (C-terminal vs.

Lipid-lowering statins and polyphenol-based supplementation: a scoping review on drug-food interaction potential.

Background: Lifestyle modifications, particularly the adoption of healthy dietary patterns such as the Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet), are foundational in any treatment plan, including for patients prescribed first-line statin therapy for hypercholesterolemia. However, the rising popularity of MedDiet-associated foods and nutraceuticals among health-conscious consumers has raised concerns about their potential interactions with statins, potentially leading to adverse effects. One notable example involves polyphenol supplements, a class of anti-dyslipidemic phytochemicals known to influence statins' pharmacokinetics.

Immunomodulatory effects of alpha vs beta radiopharmaceutical therapy in murine prostate cancer.

Background: Radiation therapy can modulate the tumor microenvironment (TME), influencing antitumor immune responses. This study compared the immunomodulatory effects of alpha-emitting (Ac) and beta-emitting (Lu) radiopharmaceutical therapies (RPT) using NM600 in murine prostate cancer models.

Methods: We assessed immunological changes in TRAMP-C1 and Myc-CaP tumor models treated with Ac-NM600 or Lu-NM600.

The Effects of Clinically Relevant Radionuclides on the Activation of an IFN1 Response Correlate with Radionuclide Half-life and Linear Energy Transfer and Influence Radiopharmaceutical Antitumor Efficacy.

Radiopharmaceutical therapies (RPT) activate an IFN1 response in tumor cells. We hypothesized that the timing and amplitude of this response varies by isotope. We compared equal doses delivered by 90Y, 177Lu, and 225Ac in vitro as unbound radionuclides and in vivo when chelated to NM600, a tumor-selective alkylphosphocholine.

Gestational diabetes mellitus affects the cross-talk among placental, maternal and umbilical cord vitamin D metabolites but fetal transfer is not compromised.

Introduction: The pathophysiology of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is not completely understood. Poor maternal vitamin D status associates with increased risk of GDM, and placental vitamin D metabolism seems to be compromised. Here we investigated how GDM affects the associations among placental, maternal and fetal metabolism of vitamin D.

Unlocking the Gates: A Novel Diagnostic Molecule for Quantifying Efflux Levels in Gram-Positive Bacteria.

Efflux-mediated antibiotic resistance poses a significant global threat, affecting diverse bacterial species. Clinicians recognize the danger of efflux mechanisms during antibiotic treatment, yet precise diagnostic tools remain unavailable. The antibiogram currently infers abnormal efflux pump activity in clinical isolates, which is subsequently confirmed through transcriptomic or genomic analysis.

Synthesis and Characterization of Antibacterial Poly{2-[(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]trimethylammonium Chloride}/Chitosan Semi-Interpenetrating Networks for Papain Release.

Annually, thousands of individuals suffer from skin injuries resulting from trauma, surgeries, or diabetes. Inadequate wound treatment can delay healing and increase the risk of severe infections. In this context, a promising synthetic polymer with potent antimicrobial properties, Poly{2-[(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]trimethylammonium chloride} (PMETAC), is synthesized and crosslinked with N,N'-Methylenebis(acrylamide) (BIS) in the presence of Chitosan (CH), a natural, biocompatible polysaccharide that promotes cell regeneration and provides additional beneficial properties.

Priming versus propagating: distinct immune effects of an alpha- versus beta-particle emitting radiopharmaceutical when combined with immune checkpoint inhibition.

Radiopharmaceutical therapy (RPT) enhances tumor response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in preclinical models, but the effects of different radioisotopes have not been thoroughly compared. To evaluate mechanisms of response to RPT+ICI, we used NM600, an alkylphosphocholine selectively taken up by most tumors. Effects of Y-, Lu-, and Ac-NM600 + ICIs were compared in syngeneic murine models, B78 melanoma (poorly immunogenic) and MC38 colorectal cancer (immunogenic).

Exploring the Biological Activity of Phytocannabinoid Formulations for Skin Health Care: A Special Focus on Molecular Pathways.

Recent advancements have highlighted the potential of cannabis and its phytocannabinoids (pCBs) in skin health applications. These compounds, through their interaction with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), show promise for skin health products. Their ability to regulate inflammation, oxidative stress and cell proliferation makes them useful in addressing skin problems such as inflammation, scarring, healing, acne and aging, positioning them as valuable tools for innovative skincare solutions.

Bilateral ulnar longitudinal deficiency with oligodactyly in newborn.

Objective: The objective of this study was to report a case of bilateral ulnar longitudinal deficiency with oligodactyly in a male newborn.

Case Description: A full-term male newborn, born following an uncomplicated gestation with no abnormalities detected on prenatal ultrasounds, presented upper limb malformations described as shortening of the left forearm and absence of three digits bilaterally upon neonatal physical examination. Diagnostic investigations including X-rays, abdominal ultrasound, head ultrasound, echocardiogram, and karyotype analysis were conducted, facilitating detailed identification of the malformations and exclusion of other anomalies, thereby suggesting the diagnosis of congenital longitudinal deficiency of the ulna.

Planning and implementing ecological corridors in the southeast Atlantic Forest: Challenges and opportunities.

Designing ecological corridors studies are much more common than studies that evaluate the effectiveness and practicality of implementation. Thus, this study aimed to identify and discuss factors that can influence the implementation of ecological corridors designed from a multicriteria analysis. For this purpose, the ecological corridor implementation efforts of a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) in an Atlantic Forest region were evaluated.

Genetically Diverse Mycobacterium tuberculosis Isolates Manipulate Inflammasome and Interleukin 1β Secretion Independently of Macrophage Metabolic Rewiring.

The diversity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis impacts the outcome of tuberculosis. We previously showed that M. tuberculosis isolates obtained from patients with severe disease induced low inflammasome activation and interleukin 1β (IL-1β) production by infected macrophages.

AAV-Mediated Expression of miR-17 Enhances Neurite and Axon Regeneration In Vitro.

Neurodegenerative disorders, including traumatic injuries to the central nervous system (CNS) and neurodegenerative diseases, are characterized by early axonal damage, which does not regenerate in the adult mammalian CNS, leading to permanent neurological deficits. One of the primary causes of the loss of regenerative ability is thought to be a developmental decline in neurons' intrinsic capability for axon growth. Different molecules are involved in the developmental loss of the ability for axon regeneration, including many transcription factors.

A systematic review on the emergence of terbinafine-resistant Trichophyton indotineae in Europe: Time to act?

Background: There is a recent growing global concern regarding the rise in antifungal resistance of dermatophytosis. The emergence of terbinafine-resistant Trichophyton indotineae (T. indotineae), previously known as Trichophyton mentagrophytes genotype VIII, is particularly alarming given that terbinafine is considered the treatment of choice for dermatophyte infections and the limited number of available antimycotics.

Polyphenols: immunonutrients tipping the balance of immunometabolism in chronic diseases.

Mounting evidence progressively appreciates the vital interplay between immunity and metabolism in a wide array of immunometabolic chronic disorders, both autoimmune and non-autoimmune mediated. The immune system regulates the functioning of cellular metabolism within organs like the brain, pancreas and/or adipose tissue by sensing and adapting to fluctuations in the microenvironment's nutrients, thereby reshaping metabolic pathways that greatly impact a pro- or anti-inflammatory immunophenotype. While it is agreed that the immune system relies on an adequate nutritional status to function properly, we are only just starting to understand how the supply of single or combined nutrients, all of them termed immunonutrients, can steer immune cells towards a less inflamed, tolerogenic immunophenotype.

Intramacrophage lipid accumulation compromises T cell responses and is associated with impaired drug therapy against visceral leishmaniasis.

Under perturbing conditions such as infection with Leishmania, a protozoan parasite living within the phagosomes in mammalian macrophages, cellular and organellar structures, and metabolism are dynamically regulated for neutralizing the pressure of parasitism. However, how modulations of the host cell metabolic pathways support Leishmania infection remains unknown. Herein, we report that lipid accumulation heightens the susceptibility of mice to L.

Efficacy of an Educational Intervention for Sodium Restriction in Patients with Hypertension: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

There is sound evidence showing the efficacy of non-pharmacological interventions in lowering blood pressure (BP); however, adherence is usually poor. Interventions to induce behavioral changes aim to improve the ability to read labels, choose foods, and eat low-sodium meals, reinforcing adherence to sodium restriction. In this randomized parallel-controlled trial, we assessed the effectiveness of an educational intervention using the Dietary Sodium Restriction Questionnaire (DSRQ) scores.

Induces Multiple Dynamic Responses in the Metabolome Associated with Amastigote Differentiation and Maturation Inside the Human Macrophage.

infection of macrophages drives profound changes in the metabolism of both the host macrophage and the parasite, which undergoes different phases of development culminating in replication and propagation. However, the dynamics of this parasite-macrophage cometabolome are poorly understood. In this study, a multiplatform metabolomics pipeline combining untargeted, high-resolution CE-TOF/MS and LC-QTOF/MS with targeted LC-QqQ/MS was followed to characterize the metabolome alterations induced in -infected human monocyte-derived macrophages from different donors at 12, 36, and 72 h post-infection.

Body image of women during breastfeeding: analysis supported by nursing theory.

Objective: To describe and interpret a woman's perception of her body image during the breastfeeding process.

Method: Descriptive qualitative study conducted at a university hospital in the Southeast region, Brazil. Forty-three puerperal women who were breastfeeding were interviewed.