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According to prediction-based accounts of language comprehension, incoming contextual information is constantly used to guide the pre-activation of the most probable continuations to the unfolding sentences. However, there is still scarce evidence of the build-up of these predictions during sentence comprehension. Using event-related brain potentials, we investigated sustained processes associated to semantic prediction during online sentence comprehension. To address this, participants read sentences with varying levels of contextual constraint one word at a time. A 1000 ms interval preceded the final word, which could be congruent or incongruent. A slow sustained negativity developed gradually over the course of sentences, showing differences across conditions, with increasingly larger amplitudes for high than low levels of constraint. The effect was maximal in the interval preceding the closing word. This interval elicited a left-dominant slow negative potential with a graded amplitude modulation to contextual constraint, replicating previous results in speech comprehension. We argue that these slow potentials index the engagement of cognitive operations associated to semantic prediction. In addition, we replicated the finding of an earlier onset of the N400 effect (incongruent minus congruent) for high relative to low contextual constraint, suggesting facilitated processing for contextually-supported and highly expected words. Altogether, these results are consistent with prediction-based models of language comprehension and they also strengthen the value of investigating slow components as potential indices of mechanisms linked to language prediction.

Objective Derive and confirm factor structure of the Montgomery‐Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) in patients with treatment‐resistant depression (TRD) and evaluate how the factors evident at baseline change over 4 weeks of esketamine treatment. Methods Two similarly‐designed, short‐term TRANSFORM trials randomized adults to esketamine or matching placebo nasal spray, each with a newly‐initiated oral antidepressant, for 4 weeks (TRANSFORM‐1: N = 342 patients; TRANSFORM‐2: N = 223 patients). The factor structure of MADRS item scores at baseline was determined by exploratory factor analysis in TRANSFORM‐2 and corroborated by confirmatory factor analysis in TRANSFORM‐1. Change in MADRS factor scores from baseline (day 1) to the end of the 28‐day double‐blind treatment phase of TRANSFORM‐2 was analyzed using a mixed‐effects model for repeated measures (MMRM). Results Three factors were identified based on analysis of MADRS items: Factor 1 labeled affective and anhedonic symptoms (apparent sadness, reported sadness, lassitude, inability to feel), Factor 2 labeled anxiety and vegetative symptoms (inner tension, reduced sleep, reduced appetite, concentration difficulties), and Factor 3 labeled hopelessness (pessimistic thoughts, suicidal thoughts). The three‐factor structure observed in TRANSFORM‐2 was verified in TRANSFORM‐1. Treatment benefit at 24 h with esketamine versus placebo was observed on all 3 factors and continued throughout the 4‐week double‐blind treatment period. Conclusions A three‐factor structure for MADRS appears to generalize to TRD. All three factors improved over 4 weeks of treatment with esketamine nasal spray.

The Food and Drug Administration currently approves the combination of hypomethylating agents (HMA), azacytidine or decitabine with venetoclax (VEN) for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients aged more than 75 years and for patients unsuitable for intensive chemotherapy. The risk of fungal infection in the early phase of treatment is not negligible; therefore, posaconazole (PCZ) is commonly administered as primary prophylaxis. A drug–drug interaction between VEN and PCZ is well known, but the trend of serum levels of venetoclax when both drugs are overlapped is not clear. In total, 165 plasma samples from 11 elderly AML patients receiving combined treatment with HMA, VEN and PCZ were analyzed by a validated analytical method (high-pressure liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry). Venetoclax trough plasma concentrations were detected during the 3 days of ramp-up as well as on day 7 and day 12 of treatment when the exposure as the area under the plasma concentration–time curve and the accumulation ratio were also calculated. The results were compared with the expected data for 400 mg/dose VEN administered alone—the confirmed high inter-individual variability in pharmacokinetics suggests the need for therapeutic drug monitoring.

The citrus juice industry produces a significant amount of peel residues; it can represent between 18 and 30% of the total weight of the fruit. In recent years, there has been an increase in its use as a source of fiber. The objective of this study was to evaluate the Tahiti lemon peel flour (Citrus latifolia Tanaka) as a fat mimetic (10, 20 and 30%) in a cake. The chemical and nutritional characterization of the lemon peel, the determination of the drying conditions to obtain the flour of the lemon peel, and the physical, chemical, and nutritional characterization of the lemon peel flour and cake was evaluated. A high content of dietary fiber for Tahiti lemon peel (89.15 ± 0.00 g/100 g) and flour (85.30 ± 0.06 g/100 g) was obtained. For the drying conditions to obtain the lemon peel flour, a temperature of 60 °C during 16 h was selected. The cake with greater acceptability had a 10% fat replacement with lemon peel flour, which presented a reduction of 19.16% in the fat content and an approximately double increase in the dietary fiber content. This study suggests that the flour obtained from Tahiti lemon flavedo can be used as a mimetic of fat in cakes, contributing to the nutritional characteristics of the food in which it is included.

To compare the effectiveness at ten years of follow-up of radical prostatectomy, brachytherapy and external radiotherapy, in terms of overall survival, prostate cancer-specific mortality and biochemical recurrence. Cohort of men diagnosed with localized prostate cancer (T1/T2 and low/intermediate risk) from ten Spanish hospitals, followed for 10 years. The treatment selection was decided jointly by patients and physicians. Of 704 participants, 192 were treated with open radical retropubic prostatectomy, 317 with 125 I brachytherapy alone, and 195 with 3D external beam radiation. We evaluated overall survival, prostate cancer-specific mortality, and biochemical recurrence. Kaplan–Meier estimators were plotted, and Cox proportional-hazards regression models were constructed to estimate hazard ratios (HR), adjusted by propensity scores. Of the 704 participants, 542 patients were alive ten years after treatment, and a total of 13 patients have been lost during follow-up. After adjusting by propensity score and Gleason score, brachytherapy and external radiotherapy were not associated with decreased 10-year overall survival (aHR = 1.36, p = 0.292 and aHR = 1.44, p = 0.222), but presented higher biochemical recurrence (aHR = 1.93, p = 0.004 and aHR = 2.56, p < 0.001) than radical prostatectomy at ten years of follow-up. Higher prostate cancer-specific mortality was also observed in external radiotherapy (aHR = 9.37, p = 0.015). Novel long-term results are provided on the effectiveness of brachytherapy to control localized prostate cancer ten years after treatment, compared to radical prostatectomy and external radiotherapy, presenting high overall survival, similarly to radical prostatectomy, but higher risk of biochemical progression. These findings provide valuable information to facilitate shared clinical decision-making. Study identifier at ClinicalTrials.gov : NCT01492751.

During the control campaigns of Pennisetum setaceum (invasive species widespread worldwide), the generated waste has accumulated in landfills. This study investigates its use to obtain P. setaceum fibers for their application as reinforcement of polymeric materials for injection molding, thus facilitating and promoting alternatives for the long-term sustainable management of P. setaceum. The extracted fibers were treated with alkaline, silane, acetic acid, and combined alkaline and silane treatments. Different composites with 20 and 40 wt% of fiber were extruded, and test samples were obtained by injection molding using recycled polyethylene as matrix. The composition of the fibers was determined by gravimetric methods, and contrasted with the analysis of the functional chemical groups using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. Increases of up to 47% in the cellulose content of the treated fiber were observed. The thermal degradation was also evaluated using thermogravimetric analysis, which determined an increase in the degradation temperature, from 194 to 230 °C, after the combined alkaline–silane treatment. In order to analyze the differences in the composites, tensile, flexural, and impact properties were evaluated; in addition, differential scanning calorimetry was performed. Regarding the flexural behavior, it was possible to improve the flexural modulus up to 276% compared with that of the unreinforced polymer.

This paper presents part of the authors’ postdoctoral research at the University of São Paulo, Brazil. It focuses on the transformation processes triggered by feminist-driven governmental actions in Brazil, Argentina and Chile over the last few years, especially during the terms of Cristina Fernández, Dilma Rousseff and Michele Bachelet. Using concepts and theoretical insights from specialized literature, we address questions about lobbying and disputes in the political arena in order to understand the impact of feminisms on public policies, and the extent to which these policies relate to the intersectional nature of discrimination (gender, race / ethnicity, class). Four major public policies areas are examined, namely economic autonomy, social facilities, health, and violence, from three analytical angles: 1) the role of women’s policy agencies in policy making processes; 2) Gender-Aware Public Policies during the mandates of female presidents in Argentina, Brasil e Chile; 3) the intersectionality of gender justice in public policy-making. Este trabalho apresenta parte das pesquisas pós-doutorais de ambas as autoras (FFLCH/USP). O trabalho foca nos processos de transformação das ações governamentais sensíveis a gênero no Brasil, na Argentina e no Chile ao longo dos últimos anos, com especial atenção para os mandatos de presidentas (Cristina Fernández, Dilma Rousseff e Michele Bachelet). A partir de conceitos e tipologias da literatura especializada, abordam-se questões sobre a atuação de grupos de pressão e as disputas na arena política para compreender o impacto dos feminismos nas políticas públicas e buscar identificar se essas políticas de Estado atendem focos específicos da abordagem interseccional (gênero, raça/etnia, classe). Tratamos aqui, especialmente, de quatro grandes áreas de ações estatais (autonomia econômica, equipamentos sociais, violência, saúde) adotadas nos três países, observando dois aspectos em particular: 1) o papel das agências de políticas para mulheres e femocratas no processo de formulação e aprovação das políticas públicas; 2) justiça de gênero, ou convergências e dissonâncias na análise feminista (englobando temas como igualdade formal e substantiva, reconhecimento e justiça distributiva, a interseccionalidade da justiça de gênero). Nesse esforço, discutiremos o valor agregado das políticas de igualdade de gênero e resgataremos a problematização de políticas públicas como ações “neutras” ou “cegas ao gênero” vs. políticas públicas de gênero.

Purpose The healthcare system contributes approximately 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, yet the environmental impact of radiotherapy treatments remains inadequately assessed. Material and methods We selected all breast cancer patients (1959 patients) treated with adjuvant radiotherapy between 2015 and 2023 in one institution. We analyzed the CO 2 emissions associated with travel. We also selected 60 patients randomly to analyze treatment-associated carbon emissions. We compared three different fractionation schemes: normofractionation (25–30 fractions, fx), hypofractionation (15-18fx), and ultra-hypofractionation (5-6fx). Results Our study revealed a significant reduction in carbon emissions within the 5-fractions group compared to the 15-fractions group (26.69kg vs 57.13kg, p < 0.001), saving approximately the CO 2 emissions associated with the electricity consumption of an average Spanish household for 12 days, or the emissions of a passenger flying from Madrid to Barcelona. Conclusion Most of the carbon footprint of radiotherapy is due to travel. Hypofractionation could be an appropriate solution to protect the environment.

Paliperidone palmitate is a long-acting, second-generation antipsychotic (SGA) indicated for the treatment of acute exacerbations and maintenance treatment of adults with schizophrenia. This study addressed the response to paliperidone palmitate in Latin American patients with acute symptoms and recently diagnosed schizophrenia. Explore the efficacy and tolerability of paliperidone palmitate administered once a month for 4 months in patients with acute phase and recent diagnosis (within 1-6 years) of schizophrenia in 3 Latin American countries. This was a non-randomized, open-label, multicenter study with paliperidone palmitate injected intramuscularly in the deltoid muscle at an initial loading dose of 150 mg eq. (234 mg) on day 1 and 100 mg eq. (156 mg) on day 8 (± 4 days). The recommended maintenance dose was 75 mg eq. (117 mg) from day 36 to day 92. Efficacy was evaluated with PANSS and CGI-S. The last observation carried forward (LOCF) was used for efficacy analysis for imputation of missing data; no adjustments were made for multiplicity. Adverse events were evaluated during treatment. The patient retention rate was 84.0% (144 patients received study drug; 121 finished the study). The percentage of patients with a reduction of at least 30% in PANSS total score compared to baseline gradually increased during the study, and at the end, 78.4% of patients showed response. The PANSS total score and CGI-S scores decreased significantly from baseline to LOCF endpoint ( <0.0001 for both); significant reduction in PANSS total score was observed at day 8 and persisted to the end of the study. Most common adverse events were muscle rigidity (11.8%), akathisia (11.1%), injection-site pain (7.6%), weight gain (7.6%), and insomnia (7.6%). Paliperidone palmitate was efficacious in Latin American patients studied with an acute exacerbation and recent diagnosis of schizophrenia, and no new safety signals were identified.

Purpose Local recurrence of prostate cancer after low-dose rate brachytherapy is a clinical problem with limited salvage treatment options. This prospective study evaluated the tolerability and outcome of salvage external beam radiation therapy (S-EBRT) for locally recurrent prostate cancer after primary low-dose rate prostate brachytherapy (LDR-BT). Materials and methods Between October 2012 and 2022, 18 patients with biopsy-proven locally recurrent prostate cancer after primary LDR-BT and received S-EBRT. We evaluated biochemical failure (BF), overall survival (OS) and acute/late gastrointestinal and urinary toxicities (CTCAE v5.0 or CTCAE v4, only before 2017). Results Median follow-up was 32 months (range, 5–124). The median age was at S-EBRT 68 years (range 59–79). 34% (6/18) were low risk, 44% (8/18) intermediate risk, 5% (1/18) high risk, and 17% (3/18) not specified. All patients were treated with IMRT/VMAT and received 60 Gy (2.5 Gy/fraction) to the prostate and 40% (7/18) 55.2 Gy (2,3 Gy/fx) to the seminal vesicles. 56% received ADT The 3-year OS and biochemical relapse-free survival after S-EBRT were 100% and 89%, respectively, with a median PSA nadir 0,035 ng/mL (0,01–0,34). Acute cystitis was present in 72% (13/18) of patients (27% of Grade > 2). Urethritis was present in 78% (14/18) patients (16% of cases Grade > 3), and acute rectitis occurred in 22% (4/18) of patients (no cases Grade > 3). Conclusions Our data suggest that the treatment of locally recurrent prostate cancer with S-EBRT could provide adequate disease control safely and be used as an additional treatment in the natural history of prostate cancer patients. However, the results are still early and the sample is small; larger studies with longer follow-up would be mandatory.