Federal University of Fronteira Sul

Chronic nonspecific low back pain (CNLBP) is a problem faced by a significant portion of the world population. However, among the strategies for treating these patients, there are pharmacological and nonpharmacological options. However, noninvasive therapies are options that have been gaining prominence. Among them, electroacupuncture (EA) stands out, which can be used to treat this type of pain. Thus, the objective of our study is to investigate whether only one session with an EA protocol in patients with NCLBP could modulate the purinergic system and the levels of inflammatory cytokines. For this study, a total of 23 patients with CNLBP, of both sexes, were treated and underwent an EA session lasting 20 min. The EA protocol was performed with a needling depth of 5 mm at the acupoints (BL23, bilateral), (BL25, bilateral), (BL40, bilateral), (SP6, bilateral) and (GB-39, bilateral) with intermittent waves, low frequency of 2 Hz and pulse width of 10 mA. Blood samples were collected for analysis before and after the EA protocol. Our results, after only one session, showed a significant increase in AMP hydrolysis by ecto-5'-nucleotidase/CD73 enzyme (p = 0.0002), adenosine deaminase activity (p = 0.0382) and extracellular ATP levels (p = 0.0036). Furthermore, the EA protocol increased the expression of NTPDase/CD39 (p = 0.0287) and ecto-5'-nucleotidase/CD73 (p = 0.0007) after the 20-min treatment. Furthermore, regarding inflammatory markers, there was a significant decrease in INF-γ (p = 0.0192), IL-4 (p = 0.0011) and IL-6 (p = 0.0156) associated with an increase in IL-10 (p = 0.0031). Moreover, after one EA session increased of the CD73 expression and adenosine deaminase were strong negative correlated with inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6, respectively. The upregulation of the purinergic system, likely associated with an indirect increase in adenosine levels, may promote a shift toward an anti-inflammatory profile, characterized by increased anti-inflammatory interleukins and reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines. Thus, our results demonstrate that the beneficial effects associated with EA can be evidenced from its first session due to the ability of this therapy to modulate the purinergic system and directly or indirectly modify the levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory interleukins.

Fusarium head blight (FHB), caused by the Fusarium graminearum species complex, is a devastating disease of wheat that significantly reduces yield and kernel quality due to the biosynthesis and accumulation of the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON). This study investigated the effects of combinations of synthetic fungicides and plant elicitors (phosphites and seaweed extracts) on DON biosynthesis and accumulation in wheat kernels of the TBio Duque cultivar. The experiment was conducted in Chapecó, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Physiological variables, including photosynthetic and transpiration rates, were measured under different treatments. Yield components such as thousand kernel weight (TKW) and hectoliter weight (HW) were also evaluated. Disease progression was monitored weekly, and grains were analyzed for the presence of the Fusarium graminearum species complex and DON content. The CO₂ assimilation rate increased by up to 33.7

Endoscopic techniques have enabled minimally invasive approaches in neurosurgery, providing shorter recovery times and favorable outcomes. Among these, the endoscopic transorbital approach (ETOA) has emerged as a versatile surgical modality. Despite the growing body of evidence, complication rates associated with ETOA have not yet been systematically evaluated. We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science up to March 2026. We included studies enrolling ≥ 5 patients who underwent ETOA as the sole surgical modality to treat both skull base and orbital lesions, providing data on early or long-term complications. A single-group meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model with 95

Lithium is the most commonly used medicine to treat bipolar disorder (BD). It is considered a mood regulator, and the mechanisms underlying this effect still need to be elucidated. Some modulations are involved in neuroprotection, including neuronal communication, neuron differentiation and survival, synaptic modulation and plasticity, modulation of cognition, contribution to antioxidant defense, and reduction of inflammation, glial dysfunction, and apoptosis. In general, about 50

The herbicide 2,4-D is extensively employed and detected in surface waters, representing a risk for amphibians. Species of the genus Physalaemus, such as P. gracilis, show sensitivity to the compound even at low concentrations. This study compared the toxicity of the active ingredient (DAI) and two of its commercial formulations of 2,4-D (DBH1 and DBH2) on survival, heart rate, swimming activity, and biochemical parameters (TBARS levels and CAT activity) of P. gracilis during its initial development stages. The tested concentrations (5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 µg/L) were selected based on the limits established for 2,4-D in Brazilian freshwater regulations. DAI decreased survival and altered swimming activity at all tested concentrations, increased TBARS levels at 5 and 10 µg/L, and reduced CAT activity at 20 and 25 µg/L. Both commercial formulations also affected survival and swimming activity at all concentrations; DBH1 reduced heart rate at 15 and 25 µg/L, while DBH2 increased it at all tested concentrations. Additionally, DBH1 increased TBARS levels at 15 µg/L in exposed embryos and tadpoles, whereas DBH2 decreased TBARS levels at 5 µg/L and reduced CAT activity at all tested concentrations. Overall, exposure to 2,4-D and its commercial formulations induced physiological and behavioral alterations in Physalaemus gracilis tadpoles, although the magnitude and direction of the effects varied among compounds.