Phosphoproteome Microarray Analysis of Extracellular Particles as a Tool to Explore Novel Biomarker Candidates for Alzheimer's Disease.

Phosphorylation plays a key role in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis, impacting distinct processes such as amyloid-beta (Aß) peptide production and tau phosphorylation. Impaired phosphorylation events contribute to senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles' formation, two major histopathological hallmarks of AD. Blood-derived extracellular particles (bdEP) can represent a disease-related source of phosphobiomarker candidates, and hence, in this pilot study, bdEP of Control and AD cases were analyzed by a targeted phosphoproteomics approach using a high-density microarray that featured at least 1145 pan-specific and 913 phosphosite-specific antibodies. This approach, innovatively applied to bdEP, allowed the identification of 150 proteins whose expression levels and/or phosphorylation patterns were significantly altered across AD cases. Gene Ontology enrichment and Reactome pathway analysis unraveled potentially relevant molecular targets and disease-associated pathways, and protein-protein interaction networks were constructed to highlight key targets. The discriminatory value of both the total proteome and the phosphoproteome was evaluated by univariate and multivariate approaches. This pilot experiment supports that bdEP are enriched in phosphotargets relevant in an AD context, holding value as peripheral biomarker candidates for disease diagnosis.

Impact of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) guidelines implementation in cesarean delivery: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Cesarean delivery rate is increasing, with no prediction of this rate to drop. Implementation of Early Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) program adapted to this high prevalent obstetrical surgical procedure proposes better peri-operative care achievement with improved maternal medical care, namely reduced morbidity, faster return to normal daily activities and improved impact on quality of life. Our aim was to analyze the outcomes of ERAS guidelines implementation in cesarean sections (CS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematic review was performed across 3 databases (MEDLINE (Pubmed), Scopus and Web of Science), with no time or language filters, for articles comparing outcomes on pregnant women who delivered via CS with ERAS guidelines implementation versus the traditional approach without ERAS implementation. Outcomes established: primary - hospital length of stay; secondary - opioid consumption, readmission rates and maternal complications (overall, surgical site infection and emetic morbidity). Statistical analyses were conducted using Review Manager 5.4 and its results were expressed as mean difference, standardized mean difference and odds ratio, with 95% of confidence intervals. This systematic review was reported according to the PRISMA statement. RESULTS: This systematic review included 16 studies (3 randomized controlled trials (RCT), 4 prospective cohorts and 9 retrospective cohorts), with a pool analysis of 19,001 women (9752 with the traditional approach and 9249 following ERAS guidelines). Our results showed a significative decrease in length of hospital stay (MD: -13.78 h; CI 95 % -19.28 to -8.28; p < 0.00001) and opioid consumption (SMD: -0.91; CI 95 % -1.51 to -0.32; p = 0.003), with similar readmission rates (OR: 0.85; CI 95 % 0.50 to 1.44; p = 0.53) and maternal complications, namely: overall (OR: 0.87; CI 95 % 0.56 to 1.35; p = 0.53); surgical site infection (OR: 1.13; CI 95 % 0.72 to 1.77; p = 0.60) and emetic morbidity (OR: 0.78; CI 95 % 0.31 to 1.96; p = 0.60). CONCLUSIONS: ERAS guidelines applied at CS management are associated with decreased length of stay and opioid consumption, without negatively impact on readmission rates and overall maternal complications, including surgical site infection and emetic morbidity. The reduced number of RCT studies and the heterogeneity of the studies (heterogeneous inter-study protocols) constitutes the major limitation of the evidence found. Still, these findings may be a foremost help to confirm the beneficial impact of an ERAS approach during peri-cesarean management.

Velamentous cord insertion in monochorionic twin pregnancies: a step forward in screening for twin to twin transfusion syndrome and birthweight discordance?

OBJECTIVES: Two major complications of monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA) twin pregnancies are twin to twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) and birthweight discordance. The current screening ultrasound test for these pathologies combines the detection of nuchal translucency discrepancy and abnormal ductus venosus in at least one twin, in the first trimester. We aim to determine whether combining the presence of velamentous cord insertion in at least one twin increases screening efficiency. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort with a sample of 136 MCDA twin pregnancies followed at Centro Hospitalar Universitário São João, during a 16-year period. RESULTS: The combination of abnormal ductus venosus in at least one twin and nuchal translucency discrepancy is associated with the development of TTTS with an OR of 10.455, but not with birthweight discordance. The combination of these first trimester markers with velamentous cord insertion is not associated with the development of either outcome. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of velamentous cord insertion in MCDA pregnancies is not associated to TTTS development. Therefore, the addition of this marker to the first trimester screening would not effectively predict the development of birthweight discordance or TTTS. However, a positive currently used screening test increases the risk of developing TTTS by about ten times.

Propriedades físico-químicas das massas de pizza semiprontas e sua relaçäo com o desenvolvimento de bolores e leveduras / Physical-chemical properties of pre-made pizza dough and their relashionship with the development of molds and yeast

A indústria de panificaçäo apresentou na última década um aumento considerável no número de produtos disponíveis no comércio. A pizza ganhou preferência, entre tantos, pela sua facilidade de preparo e custo acessível. Este trabalho teve por objetivo estudar a composiçäo química e alguns indicadores de qualidade e sua relaçäo com a ocorrência de bolores e leveduras expressos como número de unidades formadoras de colônias em temperaturas de refrigeraçäo e ambiente. Os resultados mostraram que a temperatura de refrigeraçäo näo impediu o aumento das UFC, ao longo dos diferentes períodos de armazenamento. Os valores alcançados foram superiores aos estabelecidos pela legislaçäo nacional. Esta situaçäo sugere que as condiçöes sanitárias durante o processamento do produto, embalagem e armazenamento contribuíram para que as amostras näo chegassem ao final do prazo de validade adequadas para o consumo, mesmo sob refrigeraçäo. Os valores de pH e acidez acima dos recomendados para massas alimentícias (5,7 e 1,0mg NaOH.g-1 respectivamente) estäo fortemente correlacionados com os níveis de contaminaçäo encontrados ao longo do armazenamento (2,9x10.6 UFG.g-1). (AU)

Bakery industries have been developing and expanding the range of products offered for commercial sale. Pizzas are being well accepted, because they are cheap, easy to prepare and have a good nutritional value. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition, quality indexes and their relation with colony-forming units (CFU) under refrigeration and room temperature. Results showed that the refrigeration temperature didnít influence the increase of molds and yeast contamination during storage periods. The level of these microorganisms contents was above maximum limits established by national legislation. This situation suggests that sanitary conditions, during the process, package and storage of the product contribute to the increase of contamination under or without refrigeration temperature. The values of pH and acid index (5,7 and 1,0 mg NaOH.g 1) were correlated with the contamination levels found during storage periods (2,9x106 CFU. g -1). (AU)

The occurrence of molds, yeasts and mycotoxins in pre-cooked pizza dough sold in southern Rio Grande do Sul

The quality of pre-cooked pizza dough was investigated by assessing the occurrence of molds, yeasts and mycotoxins. Random sampling of commercial pre-cooked pizza cakes was done in different stores in the cities of Rio Grande and Pelotas, RS, between 1996 and 1997. The products were analysed on the sampling day after storage at room (22-30ºC) or refrigerated temperature (7ºC) following the shelf life stated the manufacturer (25,30 and 45 days). The results showed that mold and yeast contamination was frequently above maximum limits (30