Portuguese National Registry of Interventional Cardiology: Official report of percutaneous coronary angiography and intervention from 2014 to 2023.

Introduction And Objectives: To present the report on the trends in percutaneous coronary activity data in Portugal from the last decade (from 2014 to 2023).

Methods: Data were extracted from the Portuguese National Registry of Interventional Cardiology (RNCI) and the numbers in recent years were compared and complemented by information from the 2023 European Society of Cardiology Atlas in Interventional Cardiology (IC) survey, which was administered to the director of every IC department. Linear regression analysis was used to assess trends in activity over time.

Safety of biologic and synthetic targeted therapies in patients with immune-mediated diseases: data from the BIOBADAGUAY registry.

Objective: To analyze the safety of biologic (DMARDs-b) and synthetic targeted therapies (DMARDs-sd) in the BIOBADAGUAY registry (Paraguayan-Uruguayan registry of adverse events (AEs) in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases).

Methods: BIOBADAGUAY is a registry to prospectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of FAME-b and FAME-sd. The full methodology is available at https://biobadaguay.

Donors With Previous Malignancy: When Is It Safe to Proceed With Organ Transplantation?

The growing number of organ donors in the United States, from 14,011 in 2012 to 21,374 in 2022, highlights progress in addressing the critical issue of organ shortages. However, the demand remains high, with 17 patients dying daily while on the waiting list. As of August 2023, over 103,544 individuals are awaiting transplants, predominantly for kidneys (85.

Inference of the Mass Composition of Cosmic Rays with Energies from 10^{18.5} to 10^{20} eV Using the Pierre Auger Observatory and Deep Learning.

We present measurements of the atmospheric depth of the shower maximum X_{max}, inferred for the first time on an event-by-event level using the surface detector of the Pierre Auger Observatory. Using deep learning, we were able to extend measurements of the X_{max} distributions up to energies of 100 EeV (10^{20}  eV), not yet revealed by current measurements, providing new insights into the mass composition of cosmic rays at extreme energies. Gaining a 10-fold increase in statistics compared to the fluorescence detector data, we find evidence that the rate of change of the average X_{max} with the logarithm of energy features three breaks at 6.

Effect of Notch1 signaling on muscle engraftment and maturation from pluripotent stem cells.

Pax3-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived myogenic progenitors display an embryonic molecular signature but become postnatal upon transplantation. Because this correlates with upregulation of Notch signaling, here we probed whether NOTCH1 is required for in vivo maturation by performing gain- and loss-of-function studies in inducible Pax3 (iPax3) myogenic progenitors. Transplantation studies revealed that Notch1 signaling did not change the number of donor-derived fibers; however, the NOTCH1 overexpression cohorts showed enhanced satellite cell engraftment and more mature fibers, as indicated by fewer fibers expressing the embryonic myosin heavy-chain isoform and more type IIX fibers.

PAV-05 Naphthoquinone Potently Inhibit Zika Virus Replication in Infected Cells.

Background: Zika (ZIKV) is a virus transmitted by mosquitoes that can cause Guillain- Barré syndrome and congenital malformations like microcephaly. Given its explosive resurgence and the resulting epidemics in 2016, the search for effective antiviral drugs has become absolutely necessary.

Methods: In this study, we examined the potential of naphthoquinone derivatives that have a sulfonamide or sulfonate group to inhibit ZIKV replication in primary cultured neurons and in Vero cells.

Clinical and analytical monitoring of patients with multiple sclerosis on anti-CD20 therapeutics: a real-world safety profile study.

Background: Anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies are a class of immunosuppressive drugs widely used in the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) inflammatory diseases, with well-established efficacy and safety. Although rare, these therapies can be associated with serious adverse events including hematological and infectious complications. This study aims to evaluate their safety and tolerability profile in real-world clinical practice.

Social network for guardians of transgender children and adolescents.

Objective: To analyze the social network of mothers, fathers or guardians of transgender children or adolescents.

Methods: This was a qualitative study, based on the theoretical framework of social network, with a focus on the primary network. The study was conducted in Brazil through online interviews between August and October 2021.

Enhancing mammography: a comprehensive review of computer methods for improving image quality.

Mammography imaging remains the gold standard for breast cancer detection and diagnosis, but challenges in image quality can lead to misdiagnosis, increased radiation exposure, and higher healthcare costs. This comprehensive review evaluates traditional and machine learning-based techniques for improving mammography image quality, aiming to benefit clinicians and enhance diagnostic accuracy. Our literature search, spanning 2015 - 2024, identified 115 articles focusing on contrast enhancement and noise reduction methods, including histogram equalization, filtering, unsharp masking, fuzzy logic, transform-based techniques, and advanced machine learning approaches.

A pioneering longterm experiment on mesophotic macrofouling communities in the North Atlantic.

The mesophotic zone represents one of our planet's largest and least explored biomes. An increasing number of studies evidence the importance of macrofouling species in marine ecosystems, but information on these communities and the factors influencing their structures at mesophotic depths remain poor. This lack of understanding limits our ability to predict anthropogenic impacts or conduct restoration operations in the mesophotic and the lower boundary of the euphotic zones.

Comparative analysis of treatment modalities for solitary, small (≤3 cm) hepatocellular carcinoma: A systematic review and network meta-analysis of oncologic outcomes.

Background: Solitary hepatocellular carcinoma measuring ≤3 cm represents approximately 30% of hepatocellular carcinoma cases, yet treatment guidelines lack robust evidence. This study compares oncologic outcomes after ablation, liver resection, and liver transplantation for solitary, small hepatocellular carcinoma.

Methods: We systematically searched databases up to 7 February 2022, for studies including adults with solitary hepatocellular carcinoma ≤3 cm treated by any ablation, liver resection, or liver transplantation.

The role of disease modifying therapies in late-onset multiple sclerosis: A Portuguese multicentric characterization study.

Introduction: Knowledge about the effect of disease modifying treatment (DMT) in late-onset multiple sclerosis (LOMS, onset ≥50 years-old) is scarce. This study aims to evaluate the association between DMT use and multiple sclerosis (MS) evolution in a LOMS cohort.

Methods: This multicentre, retrospective and observational study included LOMS patients with ≥2 years of follow-up.

Alleviation of COVID-19 Symptoms and Reduction in Healthcare Utilization Among High-risk Patients Treated With Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir (NMV/R): A Phase 3 Randomized Trial.

Background: Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (NMV/r) is an oral antiviral treatment for mild to moderate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Methods: This phase 2/3, double-blind, randomized (1:1) study assessed oral NMV/r 300 mg/100 mg versus placebo every 12 hours for 5 days in high-risk, unvaccinated, nonhospitalized, symptomatic adults with COVID-19 from 343 sites across 21 countries. In testing the primary endpoint of COVID-19‒related hospitalization and all-cause deaths and key secondary endpoints, including symptom duration and COVID-19‒related medical visits, type I error was controlled with prespecified sequential testing and the Hochberg procedure.

Human PC4 supports telomere stability and viability in cells utilizing the alternative lengthening of telomeres mechanism.

Cancer cells with an activated Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres (ALT) mechanism elongate telomeres via homology-directed repair. Sustained telomeric replication stress is an essential trigger of ALT activity; however, it can lead to cell death if not properly restricted. By analyzing publicly available data from genome-wide CRISPR KO screenings, we have identified the multifunctional protein PC4 as a novel factor essential for ALT cell viability.

Head and neck cancer mortality trends in Espírito Santo, Brazil.

Introduction: In Brazil, regional disparities in mortality rates are evident. This study analyzes the mortality trends of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) from 1998 to 2017 in Espírito Santo.

Methods: Data on deaths were obtained from the Unified Health System's Department of Informatics (DATASUS), and population statistics were sourced from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE).

Synthetic Naphthoquinone Inhibits Herpes Simplex Virus Type-1 Replication Targeting Na, K ATPase.

Since 1970 acyclovir (ACV) has been the reference drug in treating herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections. However, resistant herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) strains have emerged, narrowing the treatment efficacy. The antiviral activity of classical Na, K ATPase enzyme (NKA) inhibitors linked the viral replication to the NKA's activity.

Impacts of daily household activities on indoor particulate and NO concentrations; a case study from oxford UK.

This study explores indoor air pollutant (PM, PM and NO) concentrations over a 15-week period during the COVID-19 pandemic in a typical suburban household in Oxford, UK. A multi-room intensive monitoring study was conducted in a single dwelling using 10 air quality sensors measuring real-time pollutant concentrations at 10 second intervals to assess temporal and spatial variability in PM, PM and NO concentrations, identify pollution-prone areas, and investigate the impact of residents' activities on indoor air quality. Significant spatial variations in PM concentrations were observed within the study dwelling, with highest hourly concentrations (769.

A neuroendocrine biomarker revolution from monoanalyte to multianalyte biomarkers in non-functioning gastro-entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms.

Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) arise from neuroendocrine cells in a wide variety of organs. One of the most affected disease sites is the gastrointestinal system, which originates the gastro-entero-pancreatic NENs (GEP-NENs), a heterogenous group of malignancies that are rapidly increasing in incidence. These tumors can be functioning, with secretory activity leading to identifiable clinical syndromes, or non-functioning, with no secretory activity but with local symptoms of tumor growth and metastasis.

Prognostic factors associated with disability in a cohort of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder and MOG-associated disease from a nationwide Portuguese registry.

Introduction: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) and MOG-associated disease (MOGAD) are an increasingly recognized group of demyelinating disorders of the central nervous system. Previous studies suggest that prognosis is predicted by older age at onset, number of relapses, the severity of the first attack and autoantibody status.

Objective: To study prognostic factors associated with disability progression and additional relapses in the 3-year follow-up of a national NMOSD/MOGAD cohort.

Comparison of intraoperative imaging with a portable gamma camera with extemporaneous histology in minimally invasive surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism.

Introduction: The curative treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism (PPH) is surgical and today it can be performed by minimally invasive surgery (MIS) and also be radioguided (RG) if a radiopharmaceutical with affinity for the parathyroid tissue that can be detected with gamma-detector probes or with a portable gamma camera (PGC) is injected.

Aim: The objective is to assess whether intraoperative scintigraphy (GGio) with PGC can replace intraoperative pathological anatomy (APio) to determine if the removed specimen is an abnormal parathyroid.

Material And Method: 92 patients underwent CMI RG--HPP with PGC after the administration of a dose of 99 mTc-MIBI.

Barriers That Interfere with Access to Tuberculosis Diagnosis and Treatment across Countries Globally: A Systematic Review.

This study evaluated the barriers that interfere with access to diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis (TB) from the perspective of the patient and health professionals globally. Using the PICo acronym, the question we asked was "What are the barriers that interfere with access to tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment (I) from the perspective of patients and/or health professionals (P) across countries globally (Co)?". We searched the following databases: EMBASE, Scopus, MEDLINE, Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (LILACS), and Web of Science.

In Silico Drug Repurposing Uncovered the Antiviral Potential of the Antiparasitic Drug Oxibendazole Against the Chikungunya Virus.

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) has been reported in over 120 countries and is the causative agent of Chikungunya fever. The debilitating nature of this disease, which can persist months to years after acute infection, drastically impacts the quality of life of patients. Yet, specific antivirals are lacking for the treatment of this disease, which makes the search for new drugs necessary.