Titanium dioxide (TiO) nanoparticles are being extensively used in a wide range of industrial applications for producing a variety of different consumer products, including medicines and even food items. The consumption of these products is increasing at an alarming rate, and this results in the release of these nanoparticles in the environment, causing a threat to organisms thriving in aquatic as well as terrestrial ecosystems. That is why screening such materials for their genotoxic effects, if any, becomes essential.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe majority of naturally occurring mutations of the human gene , are associated with reduced or completely absent xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) activity, leading to a disease known as classical xanthinuria, which is due to the accumulation and excretion of xanthine in urine. Three types of classical xanthinuria have been identified: type I, characterised by XOR deficiency, type II, caused by XOR and aldehyde oxidase (AO) deficiency, and type III due to XOR, AO, and sulphite oxidase (SO) deficiency. Type I and II are considered rare autosomal recessive disorders, a condition where two copies of the mutated gene must be present to develop the disease or trait.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMany scientific breakthroughs have depended on animal research, yet the ethical concerns surrounding the use of animals in experimentation have long prompted discussions about humane treatment and responsible scientific practice. First articulated by Russell and Burch, the 3Rs Principles of Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement have gained widespread recognition as basic guidelines for animal research. Over time, the 3Rs have transcended the research community, influencing policy decisions, animal welfare advocacy and public perception of animal experimentation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWhole-exome sequencing (WES), a ground-breaking technology, has emerged as a linchpin in neurology and neurosurgery, offering a comprehensive elucidation of the genetic landscape of various neurological disorders. This transformative methodology concentrates on the exonic portions of DNA, which constitute approximately 1% of the human genome, thus facilitating an expedited and efficient sequencing process. WES has been instrumental in advancing our understanding of neurodegenerative diseases, neuro-oncology, cerebrovascular disorders, and epilepsy by revealing rare variants and novel mutations and providing intricate insights into their genetic complexities.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Coronary angioplasty and stent insertion is a first line treatment for patients with coronary artery disease, however it is complicated in the long-term by in-stent restenosis (ISR) in a proportion of patients with an associated morbidity. Despite this, currently there are no effective treatments available for the prevention of ISR. Repeat percutaneous revascularisation carries increased risks of major adverse cardiovascular events and a higher incidence of stent failure.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: The prevalence of abdominal injuries in war and conflict zones, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), presents a significant healthcare challenge. These injuries, often resulting from explosive devices, firearms, and shrapnel, lead to high morbidity and mortality rates due to delayed diagnoses, inadequate medical infrastructure, and limited access to specialised care. This review aims to summarise the literature on conflict-related abdominal injuries in LMICs, highlighting the impact of such trauma on healthcare systems and patient outcomes, and suggesting strategies for improvement.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: It is well-known that nanoparticles sediment, diffuse and aggregate when dispersed in a fluid. Once they approach a cell monolayer, depending on the affinity or "stickiness" between cells and nanoparticles, they may adsorb instantaneously, settle slowly - in a time- and concentration-dependent manner - or even encounter steric hindrance and rebound. Therefore, the dose perceived by cells in culture may not necessarily be that initially administered.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTheranostics represents a significant advance in the fields of neurology and neurosurgery, offering innovative approaches that combine the diagnosis and treatment of various neurological disorders. This innovation serves as a cornerstone of personalized medicine, where therapeutic strategies are closely integrated with diagnostic tools to enable precise and targeted interventions. Primary research results emphasize the profound impact of theranostics in Neuro Oncol.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFComplications are plausible events during surgical operations. Surgical complications profoundly impact surgeons, often called "second victims" of adverse events. These complications trigger a range of emotional and psychological responses, including guilt, anxiety, heightened empathy, and the looming threat of burnout.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAnnu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol
September 2024
Background: Gliomas, particularly glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), are highly aggressive brain tumors that present significant challenges in oncology due to their rapid progression and resistance to conventional therapies. Despite advancements in treatment, the prognosis for patients with GBM remains poor, necessitating the exploration of novel therapeutic approaches. One such emerging strategy is the development of glioma vaccines, which aim to stimulate the immune system to target and destroy tumor cells.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAccurate descriptions of the variability in single-cell oxygen consumption and its size-dependency are key to establishing more robust tissue models. By combining microfabricated devices with multiparameter identification algorithms, we demonstrate that single human hepatocytes exhibit an oxygen level-dependent consumption rate and that their maximal oxygen consumption rate is significantly lower than that of typical hepatic cell cultures. Moreover, we found that clusters of two or more cells competing for a limited oxygen supply reduced their maximal consumption rate, highlighting their ability to adapt to local resource availability and the presence of nearby cells.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSir William Macewen, a Scottish surgeon, made significant contributions to neurosurgery, beginning with his successful brain tumor resection in 1879. Born in 1848, Macewen's upbringing in a maritime family fostered a practical approach to learning. Macewen's pivotal brain tumor surgery demonstrated his adherence to antiseptic practices and precise localization techniques.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: To examine patient-reported outcomes and higher order aberrations following topography-guided laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).
Methods: This was a prospective, nonrandomized observational study at a single academic center. Sixty eyes from 30 patients underwent bilateral topography-guided femtosecond LASIK for correction of myopia using the VisuMax 500 femtosecond laser (Zeiss; Oberkochen, Germany) and Allegretto Wave Eye-Q 400 Hz Excimer Laser (Alcon/Wavelight; Erlangen, Germany) with the Contoura topography system (Alcon; Geneva, Switzerland) for topography-modified refraction.
Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), a remarkable technological advancement in neurology and neurosurgery, mark a significant leap since the inception of electroencephalography in 1924. These interfaces effectively convert central nervous system signals into commands for external devices, offering revolutionary benefits to patients with severe communication and motor impairments due to a myriad of neurological conditions like stroke, spinal cord injuries, and neurodegenerative disorders. BCIs enable these individuals to communicate and interact with their environment, using their brain signals to operate interfaces for communication and environmental control.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe development of robust tools for segmenting cellular and sub-cellular neuronal structures lags behind the massive production of high-resolution 3D images of neurons in brain tissue. The challenges are principally related to high neuronal density and low signal-to-noise characteristics in thick samples, as well as the heterogeneity of data acquired with different imaging methods. To address this issue, we design a framework which includes sample preparation for high resolution imaging and image analysis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis commentary's objective was to identify whether female representation at critical care conferences has improved since our previous publication in 2018. We audited the scientific programs from three international (International Symposium on Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine [ISICEM], European Society of Intensive Care Medicine [ESICM], and Society of Critical Care Medicine [SCCM]) and two national (State of the Art [SOA] and Critical Care Canada Forum) critical care conferences from the years 2017 to 2022. We collected data on the number of female faculty members and categorized them into physicians, nurses, allied health professions (AHPs), and other.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the presence of glial cytoplasmic inclusions (GCIs) containing aggregated α-synuclein (α-Syn). Accurate diagnosis and monitoring of MSA present significant challenges, which can lead to potential misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment. Biomarkers play a crucial role in improving the accuracy of MSA diagnosis, and phosphorylated α-synuclein (p-syn) has emerged as a promising biomarker for aiding in diagnosis and disease monitoring.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGastric cancer (GC) represents a major global health burden and is responsible for a significant number of cancer-related fatalities. Its complex nature, characterized by heterogeneity and aggressive behaviour, poses considerable challenges for effective diagnosis and treatment. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) has emerged as an important technique, offering unprecedented precision and depth in gene expression profiling at the cellular level.
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