Silybin restores glucose uptake after tumour necrosis factor-alpha and lipopolysaccharide stimulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Obesity is associated with a low-grade chronic inflammatory process characterized by higher circulating TNFα levels, thus contributing to insulin resistance. This study evaluated the effect of silybin, the main bioactive component of silymarin, which has anti-inflammatory properties, on TNFα levels and its impact on glucose uptake in the adipocyte cell line 3T3-L1 challenged with two different inflammatory stimuli, TNFα or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Silybin's pre-treatment effect was evaluated in adipocytes pre-incubated with silybin (30 or 80 µM) before challenging with the inflammatory stimuli (TNFα or LPS). For the post-treatment effect, the adipocytes were first challenged with the inflammatory stimuli and then post-treated with silybin. After treatments, TNFα production, glucose uptake, and GLUT4 protein expression were determined. Both inflammatory stimuli increased TNFα secretion, diminished GLUT4 expression, and significantly decreased glucose uptake. Silybin 30 µM only reduced TNFα secretion after the LPS challenge. Silybin 80 µM as post-treatment or pre-treatment decreased TNFα levels, improving glucose uptake. However, glucose uptake enhancement induced by silybin did not depend on GLUT4 protein expression. These results show that silybin importantly reduced TNFα levels and upregulates glucose uptake, independently of GLUT4 protein expression.

Antimicrobial gel with silver vanadate and silver nanoparticles: antifungal and physicochemical evaluation.

Aim: To develop a ß-AgVO3 gel and evaluate its physicochemical stability and antifungal activity against Candida albicans. Materials & methods: The gel was prepared from the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of ß-AgVO3. The physicochemical stability was evaluated by centrifugation, accelerated stability (AS), storage (St), pH, syringability, viscosity and spreadability tests and antifungal activity by the agar diffusion. Results: The MIC was 62.5 µg/ml. After centrifugation, AS and St gels showed physicochemical stability. Lower viscosity and higher spreadability were observed for the higher ß-AgVO3 concentration and the minimum force for extrusion was similar for all groups. Antifungal effect was observed only for the ß-AgVO3 gel with 20xMIC. Conclusion: The ß-AgVO3 gel showed physicochemical stability and antifungal activity.

We used silver and vanadium to make a gel that can kill fungi in the mouth. We looked at the color of the gel, it's smell and also checked how well it lasted. The gel turned yellow and had no smell and did not spoil for at least 2 months. When we tested the gel against a type of fungus, it worked as well as another medicine called chlorhexidine, which is sold in pharmacies. But when we compared it with another medicine called nystatin, our gel was not as effective in killing the fungus.

Upcoming Italian clinical practice guidelines on endoscopic bariatric treatment of overweight and obesity: design and methodological aspects.

Obesity/overweight and its complications are a growing problem in many countries. Italian Society of Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery for Obesity (Società Italiana di Chirurgia dell'Obesità e delle Malattie Metaboliche-SICOB) decided to develop the first Italian guidelines for the endoscopic bariatric treatment of obesity. The creation of SICOB Guidelines is based on an extended work made by a panel of 44 members and a coordinator. Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) methodology has been used to decide the aims, reference population, and target health professionals. Clinical questions have been created using the PICO (patient, intervention, comparison, outcome) conceptual framework. We will perform systematic reviews, formal meta-analyses, and network meta-analyses for each PICO and critical outcomes aimed at assessing and rating the efficacy and safety of endoscopic bariatric procedures in comparison with either no interventions, lifestyle interventions, or approved anti-obesity treatments in trials with a follow-up of at least 52 weeks. For PICO on temporary endoscopic bariatric treatments, we will also consider RCT with a minimum duration of 6 months. The panel proposed 8 questions, organized into four domains: A. Indication for endoscopic bariatric surgery; B. Revisional surgery; C. Temporary gastric and duodenal-jejunal procedures; D. Endoscopic diagnosis/treatment of bariatric and metabolic surgery complications. These guidelines will apply to patients aged ≥ 14 years) with body mass index (BMI) ≥ 27 kg/m2 and requiring endoscopic bariatric surgery or endoscopic diagnostic and/or therapeutic procedures. The areas covered by the clinical questions included indications of endoscopic bariatric surgery, types of surgery, revisional surgery, and management of bariatric and metabolic surgery complications.

A dataset on eye movement tracking during the resolution of neuropsychological tests on a screen.

The dataset provides data obtained with eye-tracking while 55 volunteers solved 3 distinct neuropsychological tests on a screen inside a closed room. Among the 55 volunteers, 22 were women and 33 were men, all with ages ranging between 9 and 50, and 5 of whom were diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) [1]. The eye-tracker used for the collection of the data was an EyeTribe, which has a sampling rate of 60 Hz and an average visual angle between 0.5 and 1, which correspond to an on-screen error between 0.5 and 1cm (0.1969 to 0.393 inches aprox) respectively, when the distance to the user is around 60cm (23.62 in) [2], which was the case during the collection of these data. The neuropsychological tests were implemented in a software named NEURO-INNOVA KIDS® [3], which are the following: a domino test adapted from the D-48 intelligence test [4], an adaptation of the MASMI test consisting of unfolded cubes [5], the figures series completion test adapted from [6], and the Poppelreuter figures test [7]. Before each of the tests, a calibration process was performed, ensuring that the visual angle error was less than or equal to 0.5 cm (0.1969 in), which is considered an acceptable calibration. The collective mean duration of the four administered tests amounted to 20 minutes. This dataset exhibits significant promise for potential utilization due to the extensive prevalence of these neuropsychological assessments among healthcare practitioners for evaluating diverse cognitive faculties in individuals. Moreover, it has been empirically established that poor performance on these tests is associated with attention deficits [8].

Single-cell resolution characterization of myeloid-derived cell states with implication in cancer outcome.

Tumor-associated myeloid-derived cells (MDCs) significantly impact cancer prognosis and treatment responses due to their remarkable plasticity and tumorigenic behaviors. Here, we integrate single-cell RNA-sequencing data from different cancer types, identifying 29 MDC subpopulations within the tumor microenvironment. Our analysis reveals abnormally expanded MDC subpopulations across various tumors and distinguishes cell states that have often been grouped together, such as TREM2+ and FOLR2+ subpopulations. Using deconvolution approaches, we identify five subpopulations as independent prognostic markers, including states co-expressing TREM2 and PD-1, and FOLR2 and PDL-2. Additionally, TREM2 alone does not reliably predict cancer prognosis, as other TREM2+ macrophages show varied associations with prognosis depending on local cues. Validation in independent cohorts confirms that FOLR2-expressing macrophages correlate with poor clinical outcomes in ovarian and triple-negative breast cancers. This comprehensive MDC atlas offers valuable insights and a foundation for futher analyses, advancing strategies for treating solid cancers.

The DEFB1 gene rs11362 A/G genetic variant is associated with risk of developing CAD: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: In the present study, we evaluated whether DEFB1 gene polymorphisms are associated with the presence of coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: Two rs11362 A/G, and rs1800972 C/G gene polymorphisms of DEFB1 gene were genotyped by 5'exonuclease TaqMan assays in 219 patients with CAD and 522 control individuals. RESULTS: The distribution of rs1800972 C/G polymorphisms was similar in patients with CAD and healthy controls. Nonetheless, under the co-dominant, dominant, recessive, and additive models, the AA genotype of the rs11362 A/G polymorphism was associated with the risk of developing CAD (OR = 1.89 pCCo-Dom = 0.041, OR = 1.46, pCDom = 0.034, OR = 1.69, pCRes = 0.039, and OR = 1.37, pCAdd = 0.012, respectively). In addition, the linkage disequilibrium showed that the 'AG' haplotype was associated with an increased risk of developing CAD (OR = 1.23, p = 0.042). According, with the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) consortium data, the rs11362 AA genotype is associated with a low mRNA expression of the ß-defensin-1 in tissues, such as artery aorta, artery coronary, heart left ventricle, and heart atrial appendage (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that rs11362 A/G polymorphism of the DEFB1 gene is involved in the risk of developing CAD, and with a low RNA expression of the ß-defensin-1 in heart tissue.

Effectiveness of psychological interventions for reducing depressive symptomatology and overload and improving quality of life in informal caregivers of non-institutionalized dependent elderly: a systematic review.

Introduction: The phenomenon of aging is distinguished by profound life transformations, with the most dependent group being constituted by elderly individuals. The responsibility for their care primarily falls on the figure of the informal caregiver. The scarcity of time, the stress associated with caregiving, the financial, work-related, and personal difficulties it entails, make it a collective with high probabilities of experiencing various psychological disorders. Interventions that have shown the best results are those of multiple components, composed of various techniques that seek to adapt to the reality of the informal caregiver. Method: The purpose of this study is a systematic review of effective interventions on depressive symptoms, emotional wellbeing, burden, or quality of life in informal caregivers of non-institutionalized dependents from 2018 to the present. A search was conducted in November 2023, on Pubmed, Pubmed Central, Proquest, and Scielo. The final review was conducted on 11 articles. Results: The results indicate that multiple component interventions including cognitive behavioral techniques and psychoeducation in combination with stress coping techniques and social support are more effective on depressive symptoms, burden, quality of life, and increasing the social support network. Discussion: Results on web-based programs demonstrate their efficacy and effectiveness, but require a greater number of trials to adjust their methodological quality and content to the idiosyncrasies of the informal caregiver.

In Silico Study of Interactions between the Methylene Blue Molecule and the (TiO2)20 Cluster by Means of DFT Calculations.

In this work, the (TiO2)20 cluster is proposed to adsorb the methylene blue (BM) dye; thus, the quantum parameters to explain the adsorption process are calculated by means of density functional theory calculations. Eight possible configurations are obtained and labeled from M1 to M8. According to the adsorption energy values, they reveal physisorption for at least two cases, and for the rest of the systems, they exhibit chemisorption. The preferential positions that lead to good adsorption for the BM dye are parallel to the semiconductor cluster; however, when one end of the BM dye formed by hydrogen atoms is interacting with the cluster, a weak chemical interaction is reached. The chemical interactions for M4 and M5 systems generate considerable increases of their electronic gap values (E g) with respect to the rest, and this effect is explained based on iso-surfaces of frontier orbitals and electronic charge transference. The chemical interactions between these chemical species are stable under vibrational and thermal criteria. This semiconductor cluster arises as a good candidate to adsorb some dyes like BM.

Developing a genomic-based strategy to confirm microbial identity in bio-inputs containing multiple strains: an easy, fast, and low-cost multiplex PCR applied to inoculants carrying soybean Bradyrhizobium.

Brazil stands out in research, industrial development, and farmers' use of microbial inoculants, with an emphasis on getting benefits from the biological nitrogen fixation process with the soybean crop. Nowadays, about 140 million doses of inoculants are commercialized annually for the soybean in the country, and strain identification is achieved by rep-PCR, an effective but time-consuming method. Aiming to develop an easy, low-cost, and low-time-consuming method, we used a complete genome-based approach based on the unequivocal identification of unique genes present in the genomes of each of the four Bradyrhizobium strains used in commercial inoculants: Bradyrhizobium elkanii strains SEMIA 587 and SEMIA 5019, Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079, and Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens SEMIA 5080. The unique pairs of primers able to amplify genomic regions of different sizes allowed the identification of the four strains in a simple multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Validation was confirmed by using single colonies, multiple cultures, and commercial inoculants. The number of labor hours of a technician was 3.08 times higher, and the final cost was 3.25 times higher in the rep-PCR than in the multiplex PCR. Most importantly, the results for multiplex PCR were obtained on the same day, in contrast with 15 days in the traditional methodology. The genomic approach developed can be easily applied to a variety of microbial inoculants worldwide, in addition to studies of ecology and evaluation of the competitiveness of the strains.

Neurodengue, a narrative review of the literature.

Dengue fever (DF) is the most frequent arboviral disease globally. Deforestation, armed conflicts, and climate change have caused an unprecedented global spread of DF, raising concerns in healthcare systems worldwide. Systemic manifestations of the disease range from mild to severe and, in some cases, can lead to death. Although neurological complications have been reported over the last few decades, they are often neglected or underreported. The present narrative review aims to describe the most important central and peripheral nervous system complications and provide guidance to neurologists in terms of diagnosis and management.

A dengue é a arbovirose mais frequente no mundo. O desmatamento, os conflitos armados e as mudanças climáticas levaram a uma disseminação global e sem precedentes da dengue, o que gera preocupações na maioria dos sistemas de saúde em todo o mundo. As manifestações sistêmicas variam de leves a graves, incluindo morte. Complicações neurológicas têm sido descritas nas últimas décadas, mas geralmente são negligenciadas ou subnotificadas. O objetivo desta revisão narrativa é descrever as complicações neurológicas centrais e periféricas e auxiliar os neurologistas em seu diagnóstico e manejo.

Cardiac Perforation Caused By Pectus Excavatum Metal Bar Stabilizer: A Case Report.

This paper reports the case of a female patient who underwent minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum (MIRPE) in another service that evolved with bar rotation and cardiac perforation caused by the left stabilizer. The unique and frightening aspect of the case is that despite having the stabilizer inside the ventricle, the patient was oligosymptomatic: occasional chest pain and respiratory discomfort. Preoperative imaging showed rotation of the bar with stabilizers within the thoracic cavity. During surgery, intense ossification was observed around the prosthesis and it was noted that the left stabilizer had perforated the patient's left ventricle. Cardiac repair required a Clamshell incision and cardiopulmonary bypass. This case reinforces the validity of late radiological follow-up after MIRPE in an attempt to avoid this type of event, and the need to reevaluate the use of stabilizers perpendicular to the bar since they are not safe to prevent rotation of these implants.

ENTPD1 (CD39) and NT5E (CD73) expression in human medulloblastoma: an in silico analysis.

Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant tumor in the pediatric population. Its classification has incorporated key molecular variations alongside histological characterization. CD39 (also known as ENTPD1) and CD73 (also known as NT5E), enzymes of the purinergic signaling pathway, act in synergy to generate extracellular adenosine, creating an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Our study examined the expression of mRNA of these genes in previously described transcriptome data sets of medulloblastoma patient samples from the Cavalli Cohort (n = 763). Survival distribution was estimated according to the Kaplan-Meier method using a median cut-off and log-rank statistics (p ≤ 0.05). In non-WNT and non-SHH medulloblastoma Group 4 (n = 264), the high expression of ENTPD1 and NT5E was significantly related to a lower overall survival (p = 2.7e-04; p = 2.6e-03). In the SHH-activated group (n = 172), the high expression of ENTPD1 was significantly related to lower overall survival (p = 7.8e-03), while the high expression of NT5E was significantly related to greater overall survival (p = 0.017). In the WNT group (n = 63), the expressions of ENTPD1 and NT5E were not significantly correlated with overall survival (p = 0.212; p = 0.101). In non-WNT and non-SHH medulloblastoma Group 3 (n = 113), the high expression of ENTPD1 was significantly related to greater survival (p = 0.034), while expression of NT5E was not significantly related to survival of patients (p = 0.124). This in silico analysis indicates that ENTPD1 (CD39) and NT5E (CD73) can be seen as potential prognostic markers and therapeutic targets for primary medulloblastomas in non-WNT and non-SHH Group 4.

Understanding the Dynamics of Inflammatory Cytokines in Endodontic Diagnosis: A Systematic Review.

The primary aim of this literature review is to delineate the key inflammatory cytokines involved in the pathophysiology of pulp inflammation. By elucidating the roles of these cytokines, a deeper comprehension of the distinct stages of inflamed pulp can be attained, thereby facilitating more accurate diagnostic strategies in endodontics. The PRISMA statement and Cochrane handbook were used for the search strategy. The keywords were created based on the review question using the PICO framework. The relevant studies were meticulously assessed according to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria for this systematic review. A rigorous quality checklist was implemented to evaluate each included study, ensuring scrutiny for both quality and risk-of-bias assessments. The initial pilot search conducted on PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, and WoS databases yielded 9 pertinent articles. Within these articles, multiple cytokines were identified and discussed as potential candidates for use in endodontic diagnosis, notably including IL-8, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-2. These cytokines have been highlighted due to their significant roles in the inflammatory processes associated with pulp pathology. The identification of specific inflammatory cytokines holds promise for enhancing endodontic diagnostic procedures and exploring diverse treatment modalities. However, the current body of research in this area remains limited. Further comprehensive studies are warranted to fully elucidate the potential of cytokines in refining diagnostic techniques in endodontics.

Circulation of bee-infecting viruses in Brazil: a call for action.

Bees are fundamental for maintaining pollination-dependent plant populations, both economically and ecologically. In Brazil, they constitute 66.3% of pollinators, contributing to an annual market value estimated at R$ 43 billion for pollination services. Unfortunately, worldwide bee populations are declining due to parasites and pathogens, more specifically viruses, alongside climate change, habitat loss, and pesticides. In this scenario, extensive research concerning bee diversity, virus diversity and surveillance, is necessary to aid the conservation of native managed pollinators and potential wild alternatives besides mitigating the emergence and spread of viral pathogens. A decrease in pollination can be a point of economic vulnerability in a country like Brazil because of its main dependence on food exports. Here we conducted a study aiming to obtain an overview of circulating viruses in bees within Brazilian territory highlighting the need for further studies to have a more realistic view of bee-infecting viruses in Brazil.

Comparative characterisation of an ecto-5'-nucleotidase (CD73) in non-tumoral MCF10-A breast cells and triple-negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells.

Ecto-5'-nucleotidase (CD73) hydrolyses 5'AMP to adenosine and inorganic phosphate. Breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) express high CD73 levels, and this enzyme has been found to play a tumour-promoting role in breast cancer. However, no studies have sought to investigate whether CD73 has differential affinity or substrate preferences between noncancerous and cancerous breast cells. In the present study, we aimed to biochemically characterise ecto-5'-nucleotidase in breast cancer cell lines and assess whether its catalytic function and tumour progression are correlated in breast cancer cells. The results showed that compared to nontumoral breast MCF-10A cells, triple-negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells had a higher ecto-5'-nucleotidase expression level and enzymatic activity. Although ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity in the MDA-MB-231 cell line showed no selectivity among monophosphorylated substrates, 5'AMP was preferred by the MCF-10A cell line. Compared to the MCF-10A cell line, the MDA-MB-231 cell line has better hydrolytic ability, lower substrate affinity, and high inhibitory potential after treatment with a specific CD73 inhibitor α,ß­methylene ADP (APCP). Therefore, we demonstrated that a specific inhibitor of the ecto-5-nucleotidase significantly reduced the migratory and invasive capacity of MDA-MB-231 cells, suggesting that ecto-5-nucleotidase activity might play an important role in metastatic progression.

Effect of early initiation of noninvasive ventilation in patients transported by emergency medical service for acute heart failure.

BACKGROUND: While the indication for noninvasive ventilation (NIV) in severely hypoxemic patients with acute heart failure (AHF) is often indicated and may improve clinical course, the benefit of early initiation before patient arrival to the emergency department (ED) remains unknown. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the impact of early initiation of NIV during emergency medical service (EMS) transportation on outcomes in patients with AHF. DESIGN: A secondary retrospective analysis of the EAHFE (Epidemiology of AHF in EDs) registry. SETTING: Fifty-three Spanish EDs. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with AHF transported by EMS physician-staffed ambulances who were treated with NIV at any time during of their emergency care were included and categorized into two groups based on the place of NIV initiation: prehospital (EMS group) or ED (ED group). OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome was the composite of in-hospital mortality and 30-day postdischarge death, readmission to hospital or return visit to the ED due to AHF. Secondary outcomes included 30-day all-cause mortality after the index event (ED admission) and the different component of the composite primary endpoint considered individually. Multivariate logistic regressions were employed for analysis. RESULTS: Out of 2406 patients transported by EMS, 487 received NIV (EMS group: 31%; EMS group: 69%). Mean age was 79 years, 48% were women. The EMS group, characterized by younger age, more coronary artery disease, and less atrial fibrillation, received more prehospital treatments. The adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for composite endpoint was 0.66 (95% CI: 0.42-1.05). The aOR for secondary endpoints were 0.74 (95% CI: 0.38-1.45) for in-hospital mortality, 0.74 (95% CI: 0.40-1.37) for 30-day mortality, 0.70 (95% CI: 0.41-1.21) for 30-day postdischarge ED reconsultation, 0.80 (95% CI: 0.44-1.44) for 30-day postdischarge rehospitalization, and 0.72 (95% CI: 0.25-2.04) for 30-day postdischarge death. CONCLUSION: In this ancillary analysis, prehospital initiation of NIV in patients with AHF was not associated with a significant reduction in short-term outcomes. The large confidence intervals, however, may preclude significant conclusion, and all point estimates consistently pointed toward a potential benefit from early NIV initiation.

Impact of different agitation methods on smear layer cleaning of mesial canals with accentuated curvature.

Objectives: This study evaluated the impact of different methods of irrigant agitation on smear layer removal in the apical third of curved mesial canals of 3 dimensionally (D) printed mandibular molars. Materials and Methods: Sixty 3D-printed mandibular second molars were used, presenting a 70° curvature and a Vertucci type II configuration in the mesial root. A round cavity was cut 2 mm from the apex using a trephine of 2 mm in diameter, 60 bovine dentin disks were made, and a smear layer was formed. The dentin disks had the adaptation checked in the apical third of the teeth with wax. The dentin disks were evaluated in environmental scanning electron microscope before and after the following irrigant agitation methods: G1(PIK Ultrasonic Tip), G2 (Passive Ultrasonic Irrigation with Irrisonic- PUI), G3 (Easy Clean), G4 (HBW Ultrasonic Tip), G5 (Ultramint X Ultrasonic tip), and G6 (conventional irrigation-CI) (n = 10). All groups were irrigated with 2.5% sodium hypochlorite and 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. Results: All dentin disks were 100% covered by the smear layer before treatment, and all groups significantly reduced the percentage of the smear layer after treatment. After the irrigation protocols, the Ultra-X group showed the lowest coverage percentage, statistically differing from the conventional, PIK, and HBW groups (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference among Ultramint X, PUI-Irrisonic, and Easy Clean (p > 0.05). None of the agitation methods could remove the smear layer altogether. Conclusions: Ultramint X resulted in the most significant number of completely clean specimens.

Frontal sulcotomy through 3D printed illuminated endoport for minimally invasive evacuation of a deep-seated intracerebral hematoma - A case report.

Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage carries high mortality and disability rates and usually affects deep brain structures. We have implemented a self-designed low-cost 3D-printed illuminated endoport for the surgical drainage of a deep spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage in a patient who arrived with right hemiparesis and a GCS score of 10. A minimally invasive approach was made and our patient had a favorable functional outcome after surgery. Carrying out this approach with a low-cost 3D-printed endoport makes it possible to offer a safe and efficient treatment option to a low-income country population.

Probiotic Potential and Application of Indigenous Non-Starter Lactic Acid Bacteria in Ripened Short-Aged Cheese.

There are massive sources of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in traditional dairy products. Some of these indigenous strains could be novel probiotics with applications in human health and supply the growing needs of the probiotic industry. In this work, were analyzed the probiotic and technological properties of three Lactobacilli strains isolated from traditional Brazilian cheeses. In vitro tests showed that the three strains are safe and have probiotic features. They presented antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria, auto-aggregation values around 60%, high biofilm formation properties, and a survivor of more than 65% to simulated acid conditions and more than 100% to bile salts. The three strains were used as adjunct cultures separately in a pilot-scale production of Prato cheese. After 45 days of ripening, the lactobacilli counts in the cheeses were close to 8 Log CFU/g, and was observed a reduction in the lactococci counts (around -3 Log CFU/g) in a strain-dependent manner. Cheese primary and secondary proteolysis were unaffected by the probiotic candidates during the ripening, and the strains showed no lipolytic effect, as no changes in the fatty acid profile of cheeses were observed. Thus, our findings suggest that the three strains evaluated have probiotic properties and have potential as adjunct non-starter lactic acid bacteria (NSLAB) to improve the quality and functionality of short-aged cheeses.

Heated environment increases blood pressure drop and postural sway during initial orthostasis in healthy subjects.

PURPOSE: We tested the hypothesis that heat stress influences the closed-loop cardio-postural control by an increased blood pressure (BP) drop and postural sway. METHODS: Fourteen healthy individuals (eight women) performed two orthostatic tests under thermal reference (TC; ~ 24 ºC) and HOT (~ 38 ºC) conditions. The center-of-pressure (COP) displacements and the electromyography (EMG) activity of the calf muscles (medial gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior) were recorded during the initial orthostasis (ORT onset) after the supine-to-stand challenge. At the same period, BP (beat-to-beat) was continuously monitored, and supine-to-stand variations (∆%) were calculated. Sublingual temperature (Tsl) was measured as a surrogate of internal temperature. RESULTS: Tsl increased in HOT compared to TC (TC 36.5 ± 0.3 vs. HOT 36.7 ± 0.3 ºC; p < 0.01). COP distance was greater in HOT compared to TC condition (TC 596.6 ± 242.4 vs. HOT 680.2 ± 249.1 mm; p < 0.01). EMG activity of the gastrocnemius decreased in HOT compared to TC condition (TC 95.5 ± 19.8 vs. HOT 78.4 ± 22.8%mV; p = 0.02). EMG of tibialis did not change between TC and HOT (TC 83.5 ± 42.9 vs. HOT 66.1 ± 31.9% mV; p = 0.29). BP showed a greater fall in HOT compared to TC condition (∆%TC - 24.5 ± 13.2 vs. ∆%HOT - 33.2 ± 20.2%; p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Heat stress causes a greater fall in blood pressure and a reduction in musculoskeletal pump activity during orthostatic onset. These effects could be potential mechanisms that underlie augmented postural instability under a heated environment.