Bacterial cellulose-FucoPol composite hydrogel dressings for advanced wound treatment.

Effective wound management relies on dressings that prevent infection and facilitate healing, which has driven research into advanced, cost-effective therapeutic dressings. Bacterial cellulose (BC) is highly valued for use in wound dressings given its mechanical strength, nanoporous structure, high water-holding capacity, and excellent biocompatibility. While BC promotes debridement and maintains moisture for wound healing, it lacks essential bio-functional properties, which can be addressed through incorporation of other compounds.

Microplate-in-a-Box: thermophysical exploration of cold storage high-throughput microplate designs for enhanced rate control in cryopreservation.

High-throughput experimental screening is desirable to minimize data acquisition time from vast workloads. Cell cryopreservation experiments are routinely performed in single-sample cryovials despite cell seeding being performed in 96-well microplates because these substrates are known to induce microliter supercooling, are prone to thermal compressibility and their lengthy preparation period extends cell exposure time to potentially cytotoxic cryoprotectants. Rather than improving the methodological preciseness of cooling, latest efforts have focused on refining cryoprotectant formulations and supplement precautionary ice nucleators.

Is it safe to use bone tissue for transplants stored for more than five years in a human tissue bank?

Human Tissue Banks (BTH) must validate the storage of collected/processed tissues ensuring physical integrity, sterility, and microbial protection for up to 5 years. (1) Is it safe to use bone tissue for transplants collected by a BTH after 5 years of storage? (2) Do the packaging of stored tissues present physical integrity, sterility, and microbial protection after 5 years? (3) What are the morphological results of bone tissues after 5 years?. 20 femoral heads were used with a storage time of between 9 and 10 years at -80 °C.

Recombinant cathepsins B and L promote α-synuclein clearance and restore lysosomal function in human and murine models with α-synuclein pathology.

Unlabelled: The autophagy-lysosomal pathway is crucial for maintaining homeostasis and survival of neurons, hence defects in this system have been associated with neurodegeneration, including Parkinson's disease (PD). The cysteine proteases cathepsin B (CTSB) and cathepsin L (CTSL) are involved in the clearance of various neurodegenerative disease-related proteins such as amyloid-[Formula: see text], huntingtin and the prion protein. While there are studies implicating CTSB and CTSL as mediators of α-synuclein/SNCA clearance, their exact roles remain unclear.

A Reassessment of Sarcopenia from a Redox Perspective as a Basis for Preventive and Therapeutic Interventions.

The use of a wide variety of antioxidants has been advocated as a means to prevent, delay the progression of, or counteract the adverse consequences of sarcopenia, such as loss of muscle strength, muscle quantity/quality, and physical performance. However, these proposals do not always appear to be supported in the literature by a thorough understanding of the contribution of redox perturbations to the pathogenesis of sarcopenia, nor of the biochemical properties, mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of different antioxidants. This review discusses these aspects, aiming to provide a rationale for the selection and use of antioxidants in sarcopenia.

Long-term efficacy and safety of direct oral anticoagulants in venous thrombotic antiphospholipid syndrome patients not candidate to warfarin: A pilot prospective case series study.

Data on direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in venous thrombotic antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS) are controversial. This pilot study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of DOACs in APS patients requiring oral anticoagulation for venous thromboembolism (VTE) but unsuitable for treatment with vitamin K antagonists (VKAs). We performed a prospective multi-centre case-series including APS patients with previous VTE who were receiving treatment with DOACs due to ineligibility for VKAs.

Comparative 30-day Echocardiographic Outcomes of Myval versus Sapien and Evolut THVs: Insights from LANDMARK Trial.

Introduction: Several factors, including device design, annulus size, and sizing strategies, influence transcatheter heart valve (THV) hemodynamic outcomes in patients with aortic stenosis(AS). This substudy evaluates early (30-day) echocardiographic outcomes of the Myval, Sapien, and Evolut THV series, focusing on hemodynamic performance and valve durability.

Methodology: The LANDMARK trial is a prospective, randomised, multicentre, open-label, non-inferiority trial comparing 384 patients implanted with Myval THV series to 384 receiving Sapien and Evolut THV series.

Success of Strabismus Surgery in Intermittent Exotropia.

: Intermittent exotropia (IXT) is the most common form of childhood divergent strabismus. Surgery remains the primary approach to control ocular deviation and preserve binocular function. Although previous studies report a success rate of approximately 75%, factors influencing surgical outcomes remain insufficiently explored.

Enzyme-Free Monitoring of Glucose Using Molecularly Imprinted Polymers and Gold Nanoparticles.

This work describes a non-enzymatic electrochemical glucose biosensor combining for the first time molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) for glucose concentration and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPEs), where both MIPs and AuNPs were assembled in situ. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was used to evaluate the analytical performance of the sensor, which has a linear range between 1.0 µM and 1.

Heat up, silence on: IDO1 gene silencing in THP-1-derived dendritic cells triggered by magnetic hyperthermia.

Dendritic cells (DCs) are well-known antigen-presenting cells which have an important role in cancer immunomodulation due to the effective regulation of immune responses in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 gene (IDO1) is upregulated in many types of cancers and associated with a poor prognosis, contributing to an immunosuppressive TME. IDO1 silencing in DCs is considered a promising new strategy in gene therapy owing to their capability to regulate T cells function and activation.

Are depression, anxiety, and fear-avoidance predictors of outcomes after digital care for chronic musculoskeletal pain?

Background: Despite compelling evidence identifying psychological predictive factors in in-person rehabilitation, their validity in remote digital care settings remains unknown.

Objective: To assess whether fear-avoidance beliefs, depression, and anxiety predict pain outcomes after a digital care program (DCP) for chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP).

Methods: This ad hoc analysis of a decentralized interventional investigation included patients with CMP who underwent a DCP integrating exercise, education, and behavioral change.

Unravelling the role of environmentally realistic concentrations of titanium dioxide nanoparticles in altering gametogenesis and gonadal health of female Pacific oysters (Magallana gigas): a histopathological approach.

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO NPs) raise environmental concerns due to their potential adverse effects on marine bivalves. However, research on females, particularly their gonad quality and reproduction, remains limited. Despite the availability of numerous health status biomarkers, histopathological analysis remains crucial for assessing toxicological effects.

Key factors to improve the management of household hazardous waste.

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW), although produced in small quantities, is often mixed with other municipal waste, disrupting treatment processes and contaminating products such as compost from organic recycling. In this context, as of January 2025 European Union Member States have been required to implement separate collection for HHW. This research aims to address gaps in the scientific literature by examining citizens' knowledge and perceptions, which are key to the success of such systems, regarding the hazardous products they acquire and store at home.

Addressing Critical Fungal Pathogens Under a One Health Perspective: Key Insights from the Portuguese Association of Medical Mycology.

Fungal infections have emerged as a significant public health concern, especially with the increasing incidence of severe mycoses caused by pathogens such as Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida auris, Candida albicans, and Cryptococcus neoformans. These fungi, listed as critical priorities by the World Health Organization, pose a heightened risk due to rising antifungal resistance and their severe impact on immunocompromised individuals. This article, coordinated by the Portuguese Association of Medical Mycology, highlights the importance of adopting a One Health perspective to address fungal threats comprehensively.

Emerging Trends in Active Packaging for Food: A Six-Year Review.

The development of active food packaging has evolved rapidly in recent years, offering innovative solutions to enhance food preservation and safety while addressing sustainability challenges. This review compiles and analyzes recent advancements (2019-2024) in release-type active packaging, focusing on essential oils, natural extracts, and phenolic compounds as active agents. Primarily plant-derived, these compounds exhibit significant antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, extending shelf life and enhancing food quality.

HIV Infection in Portugal: Measuring the Time Between Linkage to Care and Antiretroviral Therapy Initiation.

: The timely initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in persons living with HIV (PLWH) can improve clinical outcomes. However, ART commencement is often delayed. Portugal, despite having one of the highest new HIV diagnosis rates within the European Union, has limited available national-level data.

Nutritional Characterization of Fruits from Three African Plant Species: Willd, Jacq. and L.

(velvet tamarind), Jacq. (African locust bean) and L. (baobab) are fruits from African plants whose nutritional potential remains poorly characterised.

Chronic Toxicity of Pesticides and Metals to the Tropical Species Allonais inaequalis (Oligochaeta: Naididae).

Lower-tier toxicity assessments of chemicals, such as metals and pesticides, are typically focused on a few standard test species representing different taxonomic levels. Invertebrate taxa most frequently used are the crustacean and insect larvae. In recent years, some species of Oligochaeta have received increasing attention as test organisms, although the number of taxa evaluated so far is still limited.

Community-based interventions to improve the health of migrant children in high-income countries: a systematic review.

Background: Migrant children, including those exposed to migration in utero, face structural barriers to health and social inclusion in high-income countries (HICs). Despite their heightened vulnerability, evidence on effective interventions to improve their health remains limited.

Objective: To synthesise experimental and quasi-experimental evidence on community-based interventions aiming to improve health outcomes for migrant children in HICs.

Gastric Cancer Endoscopic Screening in an Intermediate-Risk Country-A Dual-Center Pilot Program.

Background: Gastric cancer remains a major global health concern and is still frequently diagnosed at advanced stages in Western countries. Despite increasing evidence supporting the role of endoscopic screening in intermediate-risk regions such as Portugal, no national program currently exists. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, adherence, and diagnostic yield of opportunistic upper endoscopy performed simultaneously with colorectal cancer screening.

Effectiveness of Gastric Cancer Endoscopic Screening in Intermediate-Risk Countries-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Gastric cancer remains a major cause of cancer-related mortality in intermediate-risk countries. Although endoscopic screening is widely implemented in high-risk regions, its effectiveness and economic viability in intermediate-risk settings remain uncertain. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of endoscopic screening in these countries.

Sex differences in health-related quality of life among individuals at high risk of dementia.

Purpose: Dementia represents an increasing challenge to health systems globally, with a notable impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Nevertheless, the potential effect of sex on the relation between individuals' characteristics and HRQoL, particularly in the early stages of this disease, remains unclear. Therefore, the present study aims to evaluate the association between sociodemographic, lifestyle and health-related factors with HRQoL among individuals at high risk of dementia, according to sex.

New Insights into Polymeric Liquid Crystals and Their Applications.

Polymeric liquid crystals (PLCs) have emerged as one of the most frenetic and interdisciplinary areas of materials science, found at the crossroads of soft condensed matter, chemistry, physics, and engineering [...