Daylight exposure and mood in real life: Direct association and mediating role of sleep and routine regularity.

The light/dark cycle is the main external cue to synchronize the human biological clock. Modern lifestyles typically lead to less daylight exposure and blunted 24 h-amplitude. We evaluated the association of outdoor daylight exposure (frequency, duration, regularity and shift) with chronotype estimated by sleep phase, regularity of routines, sleep, well-being (WHO-5), and depressive symptoms (PHQ-9), in a sample of 1,095 participants (81.8% female; 87.9% aged 18-49) surveyed online between July and November 2020. We analyzed direct and indirect associations in daylight-mood relationship with chronotype-estimate, routine regularity, and sleep as mediators. Outdoor daylight exposure was associated with WHO-5/PHQ-9 scores in mediation models, with higher total effects when the exposure was every day (ß = 4.13 ± 0.53/ ß = -3.81 ± 0.67), for more than 4 hours (ß = 3.77 ± 0.91/ ß = -3.83 ± 1.31) and during the morning (ß = 3.41 ± 0.53/ ß = -3.74 ± 0.70) in reference to lack of exposure. Chronotype-estimate, routine regularity score, and sleep problems acted as mediators, while social jetlag and sleep duration did not play an important role in this association. This study advanced the understanding of the complex interplay between light exposure, mental health, and individual characteristics of sleep and other routine regularities, and showed the benefits of optimizing daylight exposure to improve mental health.

[Maintenance of chest compressions skill in cardiopulmonary resuscitation in primary health care professionals: Quasi-experimental study]. / Mantenimiento de la habilidad de las compresiones torácicas en reanimación cardiopulmonar en profesionales de la atención primaria de salud: estudio cuasiexperimental.

OBJECTIVE: To validate the efficacy of brief CPR training with dual feedback to maintain the ability to perform quality chest compressions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Quasi-experimental study with two groups to evaluate a brief theoretical training followed by a practice with manikin with feedback; Participants: 155 health and non-health professionals from 5 primary care health centers of urban area (43 losses); Main measurements: Characteristics of compressions that were measured before and after the brief training and their maintenance at 3 and 6 months according to the study group. The effect of training and maintenance of skills were analyzed using multiple linear regression models. RESULTS: 155 participants were included, mean age 39.7 years (SD=12.0) with 82.7% female. The training effect had an improvement in mean compression depth (pre-post difference: 3.5, P<.001), total compressions with adequate depth (pre-post difference: 0.2, P<.001) and Total Compressions with Adequate Rhythm (pre-post difference: 0.4, P<.001). The second phase was completed by 112 participants (72.2%). Compression skills declined at 3 months and were lower at 6 months, although the loss of skills was not statistically significant between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: An individualized, brief training action with feedback immediately improves the quality of compressions. The progressive loss of skills from 3 to 6 months is not relevant.

Greater within- and between-day instability is associated with worse anxiety and depression symptoms.

BACKGROUND: Depression and anxiety affect hundreds of millions of people worldwide, and their prevalence increased during the COVID-19 pandemic as social schedules were disrupted. This study explores the associations between anxiety and depression and within- and between-day instability of affective, somatic, and cognitive symptoms during the early pandemic stages. METHODS: Participants (n = 153, ages 18-77, 72 % female) reported daily levels of affective (anxiety/sadness), somatic (appetite/sleepiness), and cognitive (concentration/energy) symptoms for 14-44 days at five timepoints: 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 h after awakening. At the end of the study, participants completed validated scales for anxiety (GAD-7) and depression (PHQ-9). Symptom instability was assessed using the Absolute Real Variability (ARV) index. Regression models examined within-day instability (WD-I) and between-day instability (BD-I) with GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scores as outcomes. RESULTS: Greater instability (both WD-I and BD-I) of affective symptoms correlated with elevated GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scores. For somatic and cognitive symptoms, greater BD-I was associated with higher scores. LIMITATIONS: The study used retrospective daily data, which could benefit from real-time assessments for improved accuracy. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides empirical evidence of a connection between greater anxiety and depression severity and increased instability in daily mood and physiological symptoms. The findings underscore the importance of consistent symptom monitoring to understand overall mental health trajectories. Additionally, it highlights the role of daily routines in stabilizing the circadian system, potentially regulating physiological and psychological processes and reducing symptom instability.

Factors associated with the time taken for diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in Brazil. An online population-based inquiry. / Factores asociados al tiempo necesario para el diagnóstico de esclerosis lateral amiotrófica (ELA) en Brasil. Una encuesta poblacional en línea.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated factors associated with the time, in months, between the onset of symptoms and the diagnosis (time taken for diagnosis) of ALS for patients in Brazil, in the year 2014. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An electronic questionnaire composed of 38 questions was developed and applied through internet-based social networks of patients. From the 210 replies, 194 were considered (86 from women, 108 from men). Most respondents were 51 to 60 years old. The Mann-Whitney test was used to compare the time taken for diagnosis between the strata of the sample. RESULTS: The mean time taken for diagnosis was 14.21 (±16.87) months. There was a statistically significant difference only for higher education conditions (p = 0.009) and low education status (p = 0.042). There was no statistically significant difference between sexes, bulbar onset, age groups, and the presence of spouse, or 'partnership with ALS patients associations or exchange of experiences'. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that the time taken for diagnosis of ALS is influenced by socioeconomic conditions that promote access to information and/or health services.

TITLE: Factores asociados al tiempo necesario para el diagnóstico de esclerosis lateral amiotrófica (ELA) en Brasil. Una encuesta poblacional en línea.Objetivo. Este estudio evaluó los factores asociados con el tiempo, en meses, entre el inicio de los síntomas y el diagnóstico (tiempo necesario para el diagnóstico) de esclerosis lateral amiotrófica (ELA) de los pacientes en Brasil en 2014. Pacientes y métodos. Se elaboró un cuestionario electrónico compuesto por 38 preguntas y se aplicó a través de redes sociales de pacientes basadas en Internet. De las 210 respuestas, se consideraron 194 (86 de mujeres y 108 de hombres). La mayoría de los encuestados tenía entre 51 y 60 años. Se utilizó la prueba de Mann-Whitney para comparar el tiempo transcurrido hasta el diagnóstico entre los estratos de la muestra. Resultados. El tiempo medio transcurrido hasta el diagnóstico fue de 14,21 (±16,87) meses. Hubo una diferencia estadísticamente significativa sólo para las condiciones de educación superior (p = 0,009) y bajo nivel educativo (p = 0,042). No hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre sexos, inicio bulbar, grupos de edad y presencia de cónyuge, o colaboración con asociaciones de pacientes con ELA o intercambio de experiencias. Conclusión. Estos datos sugieren que el tiempo que se tarda en diagnosticar la ELA está influido por las condiciones socioeconómicas que favorecen el acceso a la información y/o a los servicios sanitarios.

Factores asociados al tiempo necesario para el diagnóstico de esclerosis lateral amiotrófica (ELA) en Brasil. Una encuesta poblacional en línea / Factors associated with the time taken for diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in Brazil. An online population-based inquiry

Objetivo: Este estudio evaluó los factores asociados con el tiempo, en meses, entre el inicio de los síntomas y el diagnóstico (tiempo necesario para el diagnóstico) de esclerosis lateral amiotrófica (ELA) de los pacientes en Brasil en 2014.Pacientes y métodosSe elaboró un cuestionario electrónico compuesto por 38 preguntas y se aplicó a través de redes sociales de pacientes basadas en Internet. De las 210 respuestas, se consideraron 194 (86 de mujeres y 108 de hombres). La mayoría de los encuestados tenía entre 51 y 60 años. Se utilizó la prueba de Mann-Whitney para comparar el tiempo transcurrido hasta el diagnóstico entre los estratos de la muestra.ResultadosEl tiempo medio transcurrido hasta el diagnóstico fue de 14,21 (±16,87) meses. Hubo una diferencia estadísticamente significativa sólo para las condiciones de educación superior (p = 0,009) y bajo nivel educativo (p = 0,042). No hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre sexos, inicio bulbar, grupos de edad y presencia de cónyuge, o colaboración con asociaciones de pacientes con ELA o intercambio de experiencias.ConclusiónEstos datos sugieren que el tiempo que se tarda en diagnosticar la ELA está influido por las condiciones socioeconómicas que favorecen el acceso a la información y/o a los servicios sanitarios. (AU)

OBJECTIVE. This study evaluated factors associated with the time, in months, between the onset of symptoms and the diagnosis (time taken for diagnosis) of ALS for patients in Brazil, in the year 2014.PATIENTS AND METHODSAn electronic questionnaire composed of 38 questions was developed and applied through internet-based social networks of patients. From the 210 replies, 194 were considered (86 from women, 108 from men). Most respondents were 51 to 60 years old. The Mann-Whitney test was used to compare the time taken for diagnosis between the strata of the sample.RESULTSThe mean time taken for diagnosis was 14.21 (±16.87) months. There was a statistically significant difference only for higher education conditions (p = 0.009) and low education status (p = 0.042). There was no statistically significant difference between sexes, bulbar onset, age groups, and the presence of spouse, or ‘partnership with ALS patients associations or exchange of experiences’. CONCLUSION. These data suggest that the time taken for diagnosis of ALS is influenced by socioeconomic conditions that promote access to information and/or health services. (AU)

Trombosis del stent 10 años después de la intervención coronaria percutánea con stents nuevos frente a stents de la primera generación. Observaciones del metanálisis DECADE / Ten-year patterns of stent thrombosis after percutaneous coronary intervention with new- versus early-generation drug-eluting stents: insights from the DECADE cooperation

Introducción y objetivos El metanálisis DECADE es un análisis de datos de pacientes individuales de ensayos de stents liberadores de fármacos (SLF) con un seguimiento de 10 años. El objetivo del estudio es analizar el riesgo de trombosis definitiva del stent (TS) hasta 10 años después de la intervención coronaria percutánea (ICP) en pacientes tratados con DES de primera y de nueva generación. Métodos Se agruparon los datos de pacientes individuales de cinco ensayos de SLF con un seguimiento de 10 años. El objetivo primario fue la TS hasta 10 años después de la ICP. Los pacientes se dividieron en 2 grupos según la generación de stent implantada (primera y nueva). El análisis de los datos de los participantes individuales se realizó mediante el enfoque de una etapa. Resultados Se incluyeron 9.700 pacientes, 6.866 en el grupo de SLF nuevos y 2.834 en el grupo de SLF de primera generación. A los 10 años, la TS se produjo en 69 de los 6.866 pacientes tratados con SLF de nueva generación y en 91 de los 2.834 pacientes tratados con la SLF de primera generación (1,0% frente a 3,5%, razón de tasas 0,32; IC95%, 0,23-0,45). La tasa de TS fue menor en el grupo de SLF de nueva generación en comparación con el grupo de SLF de primera, de 1-5 años (razón de tasas 0,14; IC95%, 0,08-0,26) y de 5-10 años (razón de tasas 0,23; IC95%, 0,08-0,61) después de la ICP. Conclusiones La incidencia de TS hasta 10 años después de la ICP con los SLF de nueva generación es del 1%. Los SLF de nueva generación se asocian a una menor incidencia de TS a 10 años comparados con los SLF de primera generación, especialmente después de 1 año de la ICP (AU)

Introduction and objectives The DECADE cooperation is a pooled analysis of individual patient data from drug-eluting stent (DES) trials with a 10-year follow-up. This analysis reports the risk of definite stent thrombosis (ST) through to 10 years after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients treated with early- and new-generation DES. Methods Individual patient data from 5 DES trials with a 10-year follow-up were pooled. The primary endpoint was definite ST up to 10 years after PCI. Patients were divided into 2 groups as per the generation of DES implanted (early and new DES). Individual participant data were analyzed using a 1-stage approach. Results We included 9700 patients, 6866 in the new DES group and 2834 in the early DES group. Through to 10 years, definite ST occurred in 69 of 6866 patients treated with new DES and in 91 of 2834 patients treated with early DES (1.0% vs 3.5%, adjusted hazard ratio, 0.32; 95%CI, 0.23-0.45). The rate of definite ST was lower in the new DES group than in the early DES group from 1 to 5 years (rate ratio, 0.14; 95%CI, 0.08-0.26) and from 5 to 10 years (rate ratio, 0.23; 95%CI, 0.08-0.61) after PCI. Conclusions The incidence of definite ST through to 10 years after PCI with new-generation DES was 1%. New-generation DES are associated with a lower 10-year incidence of definite ST than early-generation DES, particularly beyond 1 year after PC (AU)

Chlorination for low-cost household water disinfection - A critical review and status in three Latin American countries.

Chlorination has historically provided microbiologically safe drinking water in public water supplies. Likewise, chlorine has also been introduced as a low-cost disinfection method in rural and marginalized communities, both at community and household level, as well as during emergencies. Although this practice is common and well established for use as a household water treatment technology in the Global South, several challenges in effective and efficient implementation still need to be addressed. Here, we explored these issues by a literature review and narrowed them to the status of three Latin American countries (Mexico, Colombia, and Brazil). Overall, it was found that although guidance on household-based chlorination includes information on health risks and hygiene, this may not create enough incentive for the user to adapt the method satisfactorily. Physicochemical quality of the water influences chlorination efficiency and it is found that variations in quality are rarely considered when recommending chlorine doses during implementation. These are far more often based on a few measurements of turbidity, thereby not considering dissolved organic matter, or seasonal and day-to-day variations. Other factors such as user preferences, chlorine product quality and availability also represent potential barriers to the sustainable use of chlorination. For chlorination to become a sustainable household water treatment, more focus should therefore be given to local conditions prior to the intervention, as well as support and maintenance of behavioural changes during and after the intervention.

Identification of dyes and matrices for dye doped polymer waveguide emitters covering the visible spectrum.

Polymer based photonic devices offer the possibility cost effective roll-to-roll manufacture of photonic devices. The incorporation of luminescent dopants within a solid polymer waveguide allows for the generation of light within the device avoiding tedious mechanical light coupling. However, when a dopant is embedded in a solid matrix, depending on its concentration and the nature of materials involved, the emitted light may be quenched due to aggregation effects. In this work, thin films and ridge waveguides processed by UV-photolithography have been successfully obtained from a selection of standard photopolymerizable organic monomers, SU8, EpoCore and OrmoStamp doped with a selection of standard dyes like Rhodamine-B, Coumarin-540A and Pyrromethene-580. All structures were manufactured on glass substrates. An analysis of the solubility and optical properties including band gap energy, absorption coefficient ([Formula: see text]) and fluorescence of the doped photoresists at different concentrations has been performed. Photoresists doped with Rhodamine-B shows a higher energy of indirect allowed band gap transition (2.04-2.09 eV) compared to previously reported pure Rhodamine-B thin films (1.95-1.98 eV). Fabrication protocols of dye doped photoresists covering the entire visible spectrum is established.

Mortality trends in type 1 diabetes: a multicountry analysis of six population-based cohorts.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Mortality has declined in people with type 1 diabetes in recent decades. We examined how the pattern of decline differs by country, age and sex, and how mortality trends in type 1 diabetes relate to trends in general population mortality. METHODS: We assembled aggregate data on all-cause mortality during the period 2000-2016 in people with type 1 diabetes aged 0-79 years from Australia, Denmark, Latvia, Scotland, Spain (Catalonia) and the USA (Kaiser Permanente Northwest). Data were obtained from administrative sources, health insurance records and registries. All-cause mortality rates in people with type 1 diabetes, and standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) comparing type 1 diabetes with the non-diabetic population, were modelled using Poisson regression, with age and calendar time as quantitative variables, describing the effects using restricted cubic splines with six knots for age and calendar time. Mortality rates were standardised to the age distribution of the aggregate population with type 1 diabetes. RESULTS: All six data sources showed a decline in age- and sex-standardised all-cause mortality rates in people with type 1 diabetes from 2000 to 2016 (or a subset thereof), with annual changes in mortality rates ranging from -2.1% (95% CI -2.8%, -1.3%) to -5.8% (95% CI -6.5%, -5.1%). All-cause mortality was higher for male individuals and for older individuals, but the rate of decline in mortality was generally unaffected by sex or age. SMR was higher in female individuals than male individuals, and appeared to peak at ages 40-70 years. SMR declined over time in Denmark, Scotland and Spain, while remaining stable in the other three data sources. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: All-cause mortality in people with type 1 diabetes has declined in recent years in most included populations, but improvements in mortality relative to the non-diabetic population are less consistent.

Impacts of urban and industrial pollution on functional traits of benthic macroinvertebrates: Are some traits advantageous for survival?

Urbanization and industrialization produce substantial changes in biodiversity and in the functionality of ecosystems. However, little is known about how anthropic pressures might drive these changes and about their functional consequences. We aimed to determine the responses of macroinvertebrate biological traits to urban and industrial pollution and assess the impacts of these disturbances on the functional diversity of these assemblages. We sampled benthic macroinvertebrates in 27 sites of four basins with different urban disturbance gradients (rural, peri-urban, and urban-industrial), among them the Matanza-Riachuelo River, one of the most polluted basins in the world. We classified macroinvertebrates into 11 traits and 56 categories. Then, we performed an RLQ analysis and computed functional richness, evenness, divergence and Rao diversity indexes for each site and community weighted means for each trait category. The urban and industrial sites (mainly low and middle Matanza-Riachuelo River Basin) showed high concentrations of ammonium, SRP, conductivity, COD, BOD, and organic matter, as well as the lowest values of DO. The functional richness and Rao index of these sites were significantly lower than that of the other sites. Macroinvertebrate traits associated with urban and industrial sites were aerial respiration (spiracles), forms of resistance (eggs or statoblast), cylindrical body shape, oviparity, feeding on microinvertebrates, and full water swimmers. These traits potentially enabled tolerant species persistence at polluted sites while gills, grazers, and crawlers were sensitive to these disturbances. Urban and industrial activities influence biological traits, producing the disappearance or dominance of certain traits in macroinvertebrate assemblages. As a consequence, extreme pollution caused predictable trait-based community changes resulting in reduced functional diversity, and potentially altered the ecosystem function.

A critical overview of household slow sand filters for water treatment.

Household, or point-of-use (POU), water treatments are effective alternatives to provide safe drinking water in locations isolated from a water treatment and distribution network. The household slow sand filter (HSSF) is amongst the most effective and promising POU alternatives available today. Since the development of the patented biosand filter in the early 1990s, the HSSF has undergone a number of modifications and adaptations to improve its performance, making it easier to operate and increase users' acceptability. Consequently, several HSSF models are currently available, including those with alternative designs and constant operation, in addition to the patented ones. In this scenario, the present paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview from the earliest to the most recent publications on the HSSF design, operational parameters, removal mechanisms, efficiency, and field experiences. Based on a critical discussion, this paper will contribute to expanding the knowledge of HSSF in the peer-reviewed literature.

Kidney Injury Molecule-1 in the detection of early kidney injury in dogs with leptospirosis.

Renal damage, a common feature in canine leptospirosis, ranges from a subclinical affection to kidney dysfunction and death. Chances of recovery can be improved by early intervention. However, traditional biomarkers (serum urea and creatinine) have limited relevance for precocity. Kidney Injury Molecule-1 (KIM-1) is a transmembrane protein upregulated in early stages of tubular injury. This study evaluated the use of urinary KIM-1 to detect early renal injury in naturally occurring canine leptospirosis. This exploratory research included 30 dogs divided into two groups: (1) dogs with leptospirosis (n = 25) and (2) healthy dogs (n = 5). Leptospira sp. infection was diagnosed through urine PCR and/or direct bacteriologic culture and/or serology (single MAT titters ≥800). Additionally, stage of infection was further characterized in acute and subacute phases based on the onset of clinical symptoms from 3 to 7 days. Urinary KIM-1 (uKIM-1) concentrations were measured in both groups with a commercial canine ELISA kit. uKIM-1 levels were statistically different (P < 0.01) between the studied groups, especially in non-azotemic dogs (P = 0.0042). The biomarker showed 88 % sensibility to diagnosis of kidney injury at> 1.49 ng/mL cut-off. Urine KIM-1 was negatively correlated with urine specific gravity (USG) but accompanied histopathological evidence of renal degeneration, necrosis and regeneration processes, extending information on kidney health. Measurement of KIM-1 in the urine of canine patients was able to detect naturally occurring acute and subacute leptospirosis accompanied by tubular injury in early non-azotemic infections.

Household slow sand filter to treat groundwater with microbiological risks in rural communities.

Household slow sand filters (HSSFs) improve the quality of life in rural communities as they provide safe water. However, HSSFs require time for the growth of the biological layer (schmutzdecke) to achieve maximum performance, especially when groundwater is used as it normally has few nutrients. In this ripening period, pathogenic microorganisms can pass through the filter. In this context, this study reports the performance of two HSSF settings, intermittent (I-HSSF) and continuous (C-HSSF) flows followed by disinfection with sodium hypochlorite to treat groundwater with Escherichia coli, Giardia muris cysts and Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts. The weekly introduction of river water was tested as a filter-ripening agent and this procedure reduced the ripening time in approximately 80 days. Filtered water disinfection improved the water quality and inactivated protozoa. The costs and operational challenges addressed in this study can provide support to HSSF technology transfer in rural communities worldwide.

Myeloid Sarcomas Causing Unilateral Cranial Nerve Palsies in a Patient with Relapsed Acute Myeloblastic Leukemia.

Myeloid sarcomas (MS) are a rare manifestation of myeloid malignancies and can often be misdiagnosed, leading to a delay in treatment. The objective of this clinical case is to highlight the challenges of the clinical presentation and to emphasize the importance of this manifestation ensuring timely diagnosis and therapy. Here, we present a 43-year-old man who was diagnosed with acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) after being evaluated for unintentional weight loss, subcutaneous nodules, thrombocytopenia, and anemia. The patient underwent chemotherapy with complete remission and presented 4 months later with dysphagia and cranial nerve palsies. Appropriate imaging and biopsy led to a diagnosis of myeloid sarcoma, and a decision was made to begin reinduction chemotherapy for AML achieving a second complete remission although his neurological deficits did not improve. Our case illustrates the protean presentation of myeloid sarcomas; clinicians should have a high suspicion for MS and remain vigilant when unexplained signs and symptoms arise in the background of a myeloid malignancy although challenges still remain when presentation is de novo. Advancements in understanding the pathophysiology of MS have been performed but remain not completely understood. High clinical suspicion, appropriate imaging, biopsy techniques, and expertise are paramount for timely diagnosis and treatment.

Drinking water treatment by multistage filtration on a household scale: Efficiency and challenges.

Universalising actions aimed at water supply in rural communities and indigenous populations must focus on simple and low-cost technologies adapted to the local context. In this setting, this research studied the dynamic gravel filter (DGF) as a pre-treatment to household slow-sand filters (HSSFs), which is the first description of a household multistage filtration scale to treat drinking water. DGFs (with and without a non-woven blanket on top of the gravel layer) followed by HSSFs were tested. DGFs operated with a filtration rate of 3.21 m3 m-2.d-1 and HSSFs with 1.52 m3 m-2.d-1. Influent water contained kaolinite, humic acid and suspension of coliforms and protozoa. Physical-chemical parameters were evaluated, as well as Escherichia coli, Giardia spp. cysts and Cryptosporidium spp. oocyst reductions. Removal was low (up to 6.6%) concerning true colour, total organic carbon and absorbance (λ = 254 nm). Nevertheless, HMSFs showed turbidity decrease above 60%, E. coli reduction up to 1.78 log, Giardia cysts and Cryptosporidium oocysts reductions up to 3.15 log and 2.24 log, respectively. The non-woven blanket was shown as an important physical barrier to remove solids, E. coli and protozoa.

Healthy dietary pattern and their corresponding gut microbiota profile are linked to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, independent of the presence of obesity.

BACKGROUND: Prediabetes and old age are both high risk factors for developing Type 2 Diabetes (T2D), while obesity is one of the most important factors triggering the disease. Nutritional interventions are the most effective tool for preventing T2D, as they improve different biochemical and anthropometric outcomes and growth-promoting/inhibiting gut microbiota populations. However, to date there are no specific dietary recommendations to stop the development of T2D in elderly groups, for whom hypocaloric diets and other commonly used weight-loss programs could be considered dangerous. The objective of our study, thus, was to understand the impact of dietary patterns on T2D risk as related to gut microbiota profile in obese and non-obese elderly prediabetic subjects. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed in 182 subjects ≥65 years old with prediabetes, divided into obese (OB) or non-obese (NOB) subgroups, and their risk of developing T2D was measured according to FINDRISK score and biochemical parameters. Also, clusters into different dietary patterns in each group by PCA analysis was related with gut microbiota, which was analyzed from stool samples by qPCR. The creation of clusters was used to re-evaluate T2D risk. RESULTS: OB was at higher risk of developing T2D and showed worse metabolic outcomes. Unhealthier and healthier dietary pattern clusters were observed for both OB (OB-6 and OB-5 respectively) and NOB (NOB-2 and NOB-3 respectively) groups. Results obtained from the gut microbiota showed that only Prevotella was higher in NOB, but when comparisons were made between clusters, a clear relation with dietary pattern was observed; showing in healthier dietary clusters a decrease in Prevotella, an increase of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and an increase in lactic acid bacteria. T2D risk was greater in the obese group between unhealthier dietary clusters. No difference between healthier dietary clusters was observed. CONCLUSION: A healthy dietary pattern and the growth-promoting beneficial and growth-inhibiting disadvantageous gut microbiota populations linked to it provide protection against the development of T2D in an obese population with advanced age and preDM.

Stem cell exosomes inhibit angiogenesis and tumor growth of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Recently, exosomes secreted by menstrual mesenchymal stem cells have been identified as inhibitory agents of tumor angiogenesis and modulators of the tumor cell secretome in prostate and breast cancer. However, their direct effect on endothelial cells and paracrine mediators have not yet been investigated. Using a carrier-based cell culture system to test the scalability for exosome production, we showed that different types of endothelial cells present specific kinetics for exosomes internalization. Exosome-treatment of endothelial cells increased cytotoxicity and reduced VEGF secretion and angiogenesis in a dose-dependent manner. Using the hamster buccal pouch carcinoma as a preclinical model for human oral squamous cell carcinoma, we demonstrated a significant antitumor effect of intra-tumoral injection of exosomes associated with a loss of tumor vasculature. These results address up-scaling of exosome production, a relevant issue for their clinical application, and also assess menstrual stem cell exosomes as potential anti-angiogenic agents for the treatment of neoplastic conditions.

Is chronodisruption a vulnerability factor to stress?

Since the circadian system seems to modulate stress responses, this study aimed to evaluate if the combination of circadian strain and stress amplifies changes expected from each factor alone. Control Balb/c mice (12:12-NS) kept in standard 12:12 light:dark cycles (LD) and submitted to no stress procedures (NS) were compared to groups submitted to shortened LD (10:10-NS), chronic mild stress (CMS) but no circadian strain (12:12-CMS), or shortened LD followed by CMS (10:10-CMS). Rest-activity/temperature rhythms and body weight were assessed throughout the experiments. In Experiment 1 mice were submitted to 3 weeks of CMS; in Experiment 2 sucrose preference and light-dark tests were performed. Also, blood samples were collected at the end of Experiment 2 to assess metabolic parameters. Relative amplitude of temperature after CMS was increased only in the 10:10-CMS group, while body weight change was reduced during CMS regardless of LD intervention. During the CMS, the relative amplitude of temperature was negatively correlated with body weight gain. No differences in behavior and metabolic parameters were seen among groups. Identifying suitable research designs to investigate our hypothesis that circadian disturbances may increase vulnerability to stress-induced depression and anxiety is warranted.

Microcystis aeruginosa and microcystin-LR removal by household slow sand filters operating in continuous and intermittent flows.

A household slow sand filter (HSSF) is a widely used water treatment technology recognized as one of the most effective and sustainable in reducing waterborne diseases. However, there is a lack of knowledge concerning its behaviour in the presence of cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins. In this context, the study aimed to evaluate HSSF ability to remove Microcystis aeruginosa cells (stain BB005) and microcystin-LR from water, among other parameters, when operated under continuous (C-HSSF) and intermittent (I-HSSF) flows. CHSSF was operated at a constant filtration rate (1.22 m3 m-2 day-1), while I-HSSF was operated at a variable filtration rate (starting at 2.95 m3 m-2 day-1 and finishing at zero). Each filter produced 60 L day-1. The influence of the pause period was also tested in the I-HSSF. The water from the study was prepared by inoculating M. aeruginosa culture in water from a well to a final cell density of ± 1 × 105 cells mL-1. M. aeruginosa removal rates were 2.39 ±â€¯0.34 log and 2.01 ±â€¯0.43 log by CHSSF and I-HSSF, respectively. Microcystin-LR concentration in studied water was 5.55 µg L-1, and both filters produced filtered water with microcystin concentrations below 1.0 µg L-1, the maximum value recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), for most of the samples. Turbidity and apparent colour were also within WHO guidelines. Filters operating with different flow regimes and distinct residence times did not statistically influence treatment efficiencies. Both filters showed promising results in the M. aeruginosa and microcystin-LR removals from water; nevertheless, more research is needed to understand the mechanisms involved in the reduction of both cyanobacteria and cyanotoxin through household slow sand filtration.