Fucoidans: exploring its neuroprotective mechanisms and therapeutic applications in brain disorders

Background: Marine-derived natural products have been attracting attention from both the food and pharmaceutical sectors due to their promising therapeutic attributes. Algae and their biomolecules are examples of marine-derived products for ongoing research endeavors. Fucoidan, an algae-derived polysaccharide, has emerged as a recent biomolecule related to a diverse array of beneficial properties, with particular emphasis on its neuroprotective activities. Scope and approach: This review intended to understand the neuroprotective properties of Fucoidan and its impact on brain disorders. Fucoidan has risen to prominence as one of the most promising neuroprotective agents obtained from macroalgae, with in vitro and in vivo studies proving its efficiency. Nevertheless, the extant literature underscores the imperative for further clinical trials to substantiate its therapeutic prowess. The neuroprotective effect of fucoidan is related to oxidative stress, mitochondrial function, neuroinflammation, apoptosis, as well as the interaction between gut-brain-microbiota. Key findings and conclusions: Despite having numerous health benefits being approved by regulatory entities, fucoidan products consumption, and use by industry still needs to be explored. Henceforth, there is a need to search for an efficient method for the successful commercialization of fucoidan, focusing on its suitable dosage for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications, but it is also necessary to have clinical studies proving its efficacy in brain disorders. Therefore, this biomolecule has the potential to be exploited by researchers, investors and consumers. In this way, fucoidan could contribute to the promotion and improvement of society’s quality of life concerning specific brain pathologies.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Redetermination at 180 K of a layered lanthanide–organic framework

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, poly[(μ4-{[bis­(hydrogen phospho­natometh­yl)aza­nium­yl]meth­yl}phospho­nato)lanthanum(III)], [La(C3H9NO9P3)]n, comprises an La3+ center and a H3nmp3− anion (where H3nmp3− is a residue of partially deprotonated nitrilo­tris­(methyl­ene­phospho­nic acid), namely {[bis­(hydrogen phospho­natometh­yl)aza­nium­yl]meth­yl}­phos­pho­nate). This study concerns a structural redetermination using single-crystal X-ray diffraction data, collected at the low temperature of 180 K, of a recently investigated material whose structural details have been proposed from powder X-ray diffraction studies [Silva et al. (2011 ▶). J. Am. Chem. Soc. 133, 15120–15138]. The main difference between the two models rests on the position of the H atoms. While two H atoms were modeled as attached to the same phospho­nate group in the powder determination, in the current model, the same H atoms are instead distributed among two of these groups. The sample studied was an inversion twin

Hydration status and water sources in free-living physically active elderly

[resumo][abstract

Co-silencing of human Bub3 and dynein highlights an antagonistic relationship in regulating kinetochore-microtubule attachments

We previously reported that the spindle assembly checkpoint protein Bub3 is involved in regulating kinetochore-microtubule (KT-MT) attachments. Also, Bub3 was reported to interact with the microtubule motor protein dynein. Here we examined how this interaction contributes to KT-MT attachments. Depletion of Bub3 or dynein induced misaligned chromosomes, consistent with their role in KT-MT attachments. Unexpectedly, co-silencing of both proteins partially suppressed the misalignment phenotype and restored chromosome congression. Consistent with these observations, KT-MT attachments in co-depleted cells were stable, able to drive chromosome congression, and produce inter-and intra-kinetochore stretch, indicating they are functional. We suggest that a mutual antagonism exists between Bub3 and dynein to ensure optimal KT-MT attachments. (C) 2015 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.CESPU [02-GCQF-CICS-2011N]; FCT - Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia [CEQUIMED-PEst-OE/SAU/UI4040/2014]; FCT [SFRH/BD/90744/2012]info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A study protocol for a randomized controlled trial of an anti-inflammatory nutritional intervention in patients with fibromyalgia

BackgroundThis study aims to analyze the effects of a potentially anti-inflammatory nutritional intervention in disease assessment parameters, inflammatory markers, and quality of life of fibromyalgia (FM) patients.MethodsA sample of 100 female patients diagnosed with FM, followed up at Portuguese Institute of Rheumatology (IPR) in Lisbon, is being randomly allocated in two groups. Patients in the intervention group are adopting an anti-inflammatory diet, characterized by the exemption of the intake of foods containing gluten, dairy, sugar, and ultra-processed foods, during 3months. During the first month, a low fermentable oligo-, di-, and monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAPs) diet is implemented, along with the anti-inflammatory diet, followed by the reintroduction of all fruits and vegetables over a consecutive period of 2months. Patients in the control group are adopting a diet based on general recommendations for healthy eating. The outcomes are pain, fatigue, quality of sleep, quality of life, gastrointestinal symptoms, and inflammation. Before and after the 3months intervention, and also 1month after beginning the intervention, the following questionnaires are applied: Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, visual analog pain scale, Brief Pain Inventory,visual analog scale from a list of common gastrointestinal and extraintestinal symptoms in FM, Short Form 36, Fatigue Severity Survey, and Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index. Ultra-sensitive serum C-reactive protein, eritrocyte sedimentation rate, and interleukin-8 are determined. Age, physical activity, anthropometric parameters, and body composition are being collected. Student's t test will assess the association between the disease evaluation parameters, the inflammatory markers, and the dietary interventions.DiscussionThe results of this study are expected to determine whether a change in patient nutrition helps to alleviate symptoms, which would optimize medical intervention.Trial registrationwww.ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04007705. Registered on July 5, 2019

A new competitive implementation of the electromagnetism-like algorithm for global optimization

The Electromagnetism-like (EM) algorithm is a population- based stochastic global optimization algorithm that uses an attraction- repulsion mechanism to move sample points towards the optimal. In this paper, an implementation of the EM algorithm in the Matlab en- vironment as a useful function for practitioners and for those who want to experiment a new global optimization solver is proposed. A set of benchmark problems are solved in order to evaluate the performance of the implemented method when compared with other stochastic methods available in the Matlab environment. The results con rm that our imple- mentation is a competitive alternative both in term of numerical results and performance. Finally, a case study based on a parameter estimation problem of a biology system shows that the EM implementation could be applied with promising results in the control optimization area.Acknowledgments This work has been supported by FCT (Funda¸c˜ao para a Ciˆencia e Tecnologia, Portugal) in the scope of the project PEst-UID/CEC/00319/2013

An anti-inflammatory and low fermentable oligo, di, and monosaccharides and polyols diet improved patient reported outcomes in fibromyalgia: A randomized controlled trial

Background: Fibromyalgia (FM) has been associated with dysbiosis and low-grade inflammation. Studies have reported that diet influences clinical features in FM. Objective: To evaluate the effect of an anti-inflammatory and low fermentable oligo, di, and monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAP) diet on clinical outcomes of patients with FM. Methods: This two arms Randomized Controlled Trial (NCT04007705) included 46 female patients with FM. The intervention group (n = 22) adopted an anti-inflammatory diet for 3 months, excluding gluten, dairy, added sugar, and ultra-processed foods, along with a low FODMAPs diet in the first month. The control group (n = 24) followed general healthy eating recommendations. Both diets were applied by a certified dietitian. Before and after the intervention, participants were assessed regarding pain, fatigue, gastrointestinal symptoms, quality of sleep, and quality of life, through the Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQR), Visual Analogue Pain Scale (VAS), Visual Analog Scale from gastrointestinal symptoms (VAS GI), Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Fatigue Severity Survey (FSS), and The Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). A blood sample was collected and high-sensitive C-Reactive Protein and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate were quantified. Paired Samples t-test/Wilcoxon and independent samples t-test/Mann-Whitney were used to compare variables between groups. Results: After intervention, there was an improvement in intervention group scores of FIQR (p = 0.001), VAS (p = 0.002), BPI (p = 0.011), FSS (p = 0.042), VAS_GI (p = 0.002), PSQI (p = 0.048), and SF36 (p = 0.045) compared to control group. Inflammatory biomarkers (hs-CRP, ESR) did not change in both groups. The intervention was beneficial in the intervention group, regardless of age, disease duration, body mass index variation, and body fat change between baseline and post-intervention. Conclusion: An anti-inflammatory and low-FODMAP diet improved clinical features in patients with FM and may be useful as a complement to pharmacological therapy

Prevalence of Cardiovascular Risk Factors among Young Adults (18-25 Years) in Mozambique

The life course development of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and the undergoing epidemiological transition in Mozambique highlight the importance of monitoring the cardiovascular risk profile in young adults. Therefore, this study aims to estimate the prevalence of CVD risk factors in a population aged 1825 years living in Mozambique. A total of 776 young adults from a nationally representative sample were evaluated in 2014/2015 following the World Health Organizations STEPwise approach to chronic disease risk factor surveillance. Current smoking was the most prevalent among rural men (10.8%, 95%CI: 6.317.8), and drinking was most prevalent among urban men (38.6%, 95%CI: 29.348.8). The proportion of young adults not engaging in at least 75 min of vigorous physical activity per week ranged between 14.5% in rural men and 61.6% in urban women. The prevalence of being overweight/obese and hypertension were highest among urban women (21.6%, 95%CI: 14.730.6) and urban men (25.2%, 95%CI: 15.937.6), respectively. Education >8 years (vs. none) was independently associated with lower odds of being a current smoker, and increased monthly household income was associated with increased odds of low levels of physical activity. This study shows that important CVD risk factors are already common in the young adult population of Mozambique.</jats:p

Case Report

We report a case of a cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) in a chronic kidney disease patient with three CVT predisposing conditions. A 53 year-old woman on chronic peritoneal dialysis presented to the emergency department with acute headache and vertigo. The neurological examination and head CT scan performed at the emergency department were normal but, three days later, a lateral gait deviation and a horizontal nystagmus were identified. A brain MRI and MRI-venogram confirmed a left lateral sinus thrombosis. Hormonal replacement therapy (HRT), a positive lupus anticoagulante and a homozygous mutation on the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene, with hyperhomocysteinaemia, were the three well-known prothrombotic conditions identified in this patient. HRT was discontinued, the patient started anticoagulation with warfarin and folic acid supplementation and was discharged, 10 days after admission, complaining of a mild vertigo. After six months of therapy the patient had vertigo improvement and maintained a positive lupus anticoagulant. The head MRI and MRI-venography showed a thrombus reduction.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

the incomplete process of an action research in the hospital

Health professionals are at high risk for developing burnout symptoms. Directed at reducing the organizational variables affecting professionals’ burnout, an action research was developed in a specific sector of a large hospital, with 59 doctors, 66 nurses, and 42 ancilliary professionals. Researchers conducted 11 interviews, one focus group, and 20 h of in loco observation. Professionals report demotivation and the need to address the emotional part of their job. Nonetheless, the hierarchy blocked the proposed intervention possibilities. Organizational factors are unequivocally relevant, particularly in complex settings with emotionally charged interactions, and the direct hierarchy is pivotal for facilitating organizational change.publishersversionpublishe