Merging Natural Biopolymers with Supramolecular Chemistry: Emulating the Native Extracellular Matrix's Complexity.

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is one of the most striking natural self-assembled landscapes, essential for tissue integrity and cellular functions, where it orchestrates cell fate through a dynamic interplay of noncovalent interactions. Despite decades of research, there is still no scaffold that can replicate its nanostructural elegance and functional dynamic behavior. In this Perspective, we summarize cutting-edge approaches to reconstruct the ECM, putting an emphasis on either dynamic supramolecular designs or naturally sourced biopolymers.

Marine-Origin Polysaccharides and Their Chemically Modified Derivatives as Sources of Advanced Biofunctional Materials for Biomedical Applications.

Marine polysaccharides are widely available sustainable renewable macromolecules, which have attracted considerable attention owing to their enhanced biocompatibility, biodegradability, noncytotoxic, nonimmunogenic properties, and close similarity to the native cellular microenvironment of tissues and organs. Herein, a comprehensive overview of the main sources and properties of most studied cationic, anionic, and neutral marine-origin polysaccharides, their main chemical functionalization strategies, as well as their processing into advanced biofunctional materials/devices is provided. Several recent examples are given on the bottom-up processing of marine-origin polysaccharide-based biomaterials in the form of nano-/microparticles and capsules, nanofibers, thin films, membranes, hydrogels, cryogels, and (bio)inks to be used as high added-value antimicrobial coatings, adhesives, and wound dressings, or in food packaging, cosmetics, controlled drug delivery, disease modeling, or tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

Determinants of frequent use of open consultations: a study on patient demographics, chronic conditions, and utilization patterns in primary care.

In Portugal, open consultations (OCs) in primary health care address urgent medical needs, constituting 40-50% of family doctor activity. Frequent attenders (FAs), often presenting nonacute issues, significantly contribute to health care overuse. This study aimed to identify factors associated with frequent OC use in a primary health care unit during 2022.

An in-depth characterisation of European seabass intestinal segments for assessing the impact of an algae-based functional diet on intestinal health.

Sustainable farming of fish species depends on emerging new feed ingredients, which can alter the features of the digestive tract and influence animals' overall health. Recent research has shown that functional feeds hold great potential for enhancing fish robustness by evoking appropriate responses at the intestine level. However, there is a lack of extensive and accurate descriptions of the morphology of the gastrointestinal tract of most farmed fish.

Self-Supporting Hyaluronic Acid-Functionalized G-Quadruplex-Based Perfusable Multicomponent Hydrogels Embedded in Photo-Cross-Linkable Matrices for Bioapplications.

Dynamic G-quadruplex supramolecular hydrogels have aroused great interest in a broad range of bioapplications. However, neither the development of native extracellular matrix (ECM)-derived natural biopolymer-functionalized G-quadruplex hydrogels nor their use to create perfusable self-supporting hydrogels has been explored to date, despite their intrinsic potential as carrier vehicles of therapeutic agents, or even living cells in advanced regenerative therapies, or as platforms to enable the diffusion of nutrients and oxygen to sustain long-term cell survival. Herein, we developed a dynamic co-assembling multicomponent system that integrates guanosine (G), 3-aminophenylboronic acid functionalized hyaluronic acid (HA-PBA), and potassium chloride to bioengineer strong, homogeneous, and transparent HA-functionalized G-quadruplex hydrogels with injectable, thermo-reversible, conductive, and self-healing properties.

Total fishmeal replacement by defatted Tenebrio molitor larvae meal induces alterations in intermediary metabolism of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax).

The replacement of fishmeal (FM) by insect meal (IM) in aquafeed formulation has been thoroughly studied lately, but little is known about their impact on nutrient metabolism of fish. This study evaluated the impact not only of partial but also total FM replacement by IM on intermediary metabolism of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). A fishmeal-based diet was used as a control (CTRL) and two other diets were formulated to include 20% and 40% of defatted Tenebrio molitor larvae meal (dTM), replacing 50% (TM50) and 100% (TM100) of fishmeal (FM), respectively.

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor mimicking an adnexal mass: a radio-pathologic correlation.

We report the case of a pelvic malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor mimicking an adnexal mass. A 59-year-old postmenopausal woman presented with a 3-month history of diffuse abdominal bloating and urinary frequency. Laboratory tests revealed an increased CA 125.

Processed by-Products from Soy Beverage (Okara) as Sustainable Ingredients for Nile Tilapia () Juveniles: Effects on Nutrient Utilization and Muscle Quality.

The apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of differently processed okara meals were assessed in Nile tilapia diets: dried okara not autoclaved (FOK), dried okara autoclaved (AOK), okara hydrolyzed with Alcalase (ALOK) or proteases (CYOK), and hydrolyzed okara fermented with lactic bacteria: R11 (CYR11OK) or ssp. Bb12 (CYB12OK). Okara processing significantly affected nutrient digestibility: dry matter ADC was highest in CYR11OK (80%) and lowest in FOK (40%).

New nitroindazole-porphyrin conjugates: Synthesis, characterization and antibacterial properties.

The synthesis of new porphyrin-indazole hybrids by a Knoevenagel condensation of 2-formyl-5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrin and N-methyl-nitroindazolylacetonitrile derivatives is reported. The target compounds were isolated in moderate to good yields (32-57%) and some of the isolated porphyrin-indazole conjugates showed good performance in the generation of singlet oxygen when irradiated with visible light. Their efficiency as photosensitizers in the photoinactivation of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus-MRSA was evaluated.

Growth performance, bioavailability of toxic and essential elements and nutrients, and biofortification of iodine of rainbow trout (Onchorynchus mykiss) fed blends with sugar kelp (Saccharina latissima).

Aquaculture production is demanding novel feed ingredients that reflect natural marine nutrient levels, that are also essential to humans. In this regard, biofortification through addition of iodine-rich sugar kelp in feed formulations was assessed in a 12 week rainbow trout trial. Yttrium inclusion in feed allowed determinations of apparent absorption coefficients of essential and potentially toxic elements and apparent digestibility coefficient of nutrients.

Photodynamic Inactivation of in Blood Plasma and Whole Blood.

The few approved disinfection techniques for blood derivatives promote damage in the blood components, representing risks for the transfusion receptor. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) seems to be a promising approach for the photoinactivation of pathogens in blood, but only three photosensitizers (PSs) have been approved, methylene blue (MB) for plasma and riboflavin and amotosalen for plasma and platelets. In this study, the efficiency of the porphyrinic photosensitizer Tri-Py(+)-Me and of the porphyrinic formulation FORM was studied in the photoinactivation of in plasma and in whole blood and the results were compared to the ones obtained with the already approved PS MB.

Dietary Creatine Supplementation in Gilthead Seabream () Increases Dorsal Muscle Area and the Expression of and Genes.

Creatine (Cr) is an amino acid derivative with an important role in the cell as energy buffer that has been largely used as dietary supplement to increase muscle strength and lean body mass in healthy individuals and athletes. However, studies in fish are scarce. The aim of this work is to determine whether dietary Cr supplementation affects muscle growth in gilthead seabream () juveniles.

Effects of different rearing temperatures on muscle development and stress response in the early larval stages of Acipenser baerii.

The present study aims at investigating muscle development and stress response in early stages of Siberian sturgeon when subjected to different rearing temperatures, by analysing growth and development of the muscle and by assessing the stress response of yolk-sac larvae. Siberian sturgeon larvae were reared at 16°C, 19°C and 22°C until the yolk-sac was completely absorbed. Sampling timepoints were: hatching, schooling and complete yolk-sac absorption stage.

Microencapsulation of Gulosibacter molinativorax ON4 cells by a spray-drying process using different biopolymers.

Molinate is a thiocarbamate herbicide used in rice crop protection. As other pesticides, molinate is a recognized environmental pollutant and bio-accumulated by some wildlife forms. Gulosibacter molinativorax ON4 is able to hydrolyse molinate into metabolites which are further degraded by other un-related bacteria.

Production of microparticles of molinate degrading biocatalysts using the spray drying technique.

Previous studies demonstrated the capability of mixed culture DC1 to mineralize the thiocarbamate herbicide molinate through the activity of molinate hydrolase (MolA). Because liquid suspensions are not compatible with long-term storage and are not easy to handle when bioremediation strategies are envisaged, in this study spray drying was evaluated as a cost-effective method to store and transport these molinate biocatalysts. Microparticles of mixed culture DC1 (DC1) and of cell free crude extracts containing MolA (MA) were obtained without any carrier polymer, and with calcium alginate (CA) or modified chitosan (MCt) as immobilizing agents.

The Actin-Binding Protein α-Adducin Is Required for Maintaining Axon Diameter.

The actin-binding protein adducin was recently identified as a component of the neuronal subcortical cytoskeleton. Here, we analyzed mice lacking adducin to uncover the function of this protein in actin rings. α-adducin knockout mice presented progressive axon enlargement in the spinal cord and optic and sciatic nerves, followed by axon degeneration and loss.

[Postpartum Takotsubo cardiomyopathy: case report].

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is characterized by acute and transient dysfunction of the apical segment of the left ventricle usually after an intense physical or emotional stress, mimicking an acute coronary syndrome. Because this is a rare syndrome, the differential diagnosis is particularly important and a high level of suspicion is essential. Obstetricians should be aware to diagnose and deal with this unexpected event.

Myelin Lipids Inhibit Axon Regeneration Following Spinal Cord Injury: a Novel Perspective for Therapy.

Lack of axon regeneration following spinal cord injury has been mainly ascribed to the inhibitory environment of the injury site, i.e., to chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) and myelin-associated inhibitors (MAIs).

Neuronal deletion of GSK3β increases microtubule speed in the growth cone and enhances axon regeneration via CRMP-2 and independently of MAP1B and CLASP2.

Background: In the adult central nervous system, axonal regeneration is abortive. Regulators of microtubule dynamics have emerged as attractive targets to promote axonal growth following injury as microtubule organization is pivotal for growth cone formation. In this study, we used conditioned neurons with high regenerative capacity to further dissect cytoskeletal mechanisms that might be involved in the gain of intrinsic axon growth capacity.

Peripheral nervous system plasmalogens regulate Schwann cell differentiation and myelination.

Rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata (RCDP) is a developmental disorder characterized by hypotonia, cataracts, abnormal ossification, impaired motor development, and intellectual disability. The underlying etiology of RCDP is a deficiency in the biosynthesis of ether phospholipids, of which plasmalogens are the most abundant form in nervous tissue and myelin; however, the role of plasmalogens in the peripheral nervous system is poorly defined. Here, we used mouse models of RCDP and analyzed the consequence of plasmalogen deficiency in peripheral nerves.

Early axonal loss accompanied by impaired endocytosis, abnormal axonal transport, and decreased microtubule stability occur in the model of Krabbe's disease.

In Krabbe's disease (KD), a leukodystrophy caused by β-galactosylceramidase deficiency, demyelination and a myelin-independent axonopathy contributes to the severe neuropathology. Beyond axonopathy, we show that in Twitcher mice, a model of KD, a decreased number of axons both in the PNS and in the CNS, and of neurons in dorsal root ganglia (DRG), occurred before the onset of demyelination. Despite the early axonal loss, and although in vitro Twitcher neurites degenerated over time, Twitcher DRG neurons displayed an initial neurite overgrowth and, following sciatic nerve injury, Twitcher axons were regeneration-competent, at a time point where axonopathy was already ongoing.

Primary bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells rescue the axonal phenotype of Twitcher mice.

Krabbe's disease (KD) is a demyelinating disorder caused by the deficiency of lysosomal galactocerebrosidase (GALC), affecting both the central (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). A current therapy, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), is ineffective at correcting the PNS pathology. We have previously shown that systemic delivery of immortalized bone marrow-derived murine mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs) diminishes the neuropathology of transplanted Twitcher mice, a murine model of KD.

Incubation temperature induces changes in muscle cellularity and gene expression in Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis).

Fertilised eggs of Senegalese sole were incubated at 15, 18 or 21 °C, and after hatching all larvae were reared at 21 °C until 30 days post-hatch. By this point larvae from the 18 or 21 °C temperature groups had 11 and 9% more muscle fibres than those from 15 °C, respectively. Hyperplastic growth during metamorphosis was higher in larvae from 18 °C.