Healthcare use among cancer survivors during the COVID-19 pandemic: results from the SHARE COVID-19 Survey.

Purpose: To estimate the association between a previous cancer diagnosis and healthcare use during the COVID-19 pandemic among Europeans and Israelis individuals.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was based on data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), including the SHARE COVID-19 Survey, which was conducted in the summer of 2020, in 27 countries. Cancer survivors (CS, n = 6409) were country-, sex-, age-, and education-matched (1:2) to non-cancer individuals (NC).

Knowledge about cervical cancer in young Portuguese women: a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Health literacy is crucial to adherence to medical interventions in therapeutics, prevention, and diagnosis. The basis for literacy is knowledge. To accomplish the goals for the elimination of cervical cancer, one of the most prevalent and preventable cancers, we must understand the determinants of non-adherence and address them specifically to ensure patients' active participation.

Roles of the 5-HT2C receptor on zebrafish sociality.

Serotonin (5-HT) receptors have been implicated in social behavior in vertebrates. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) have been increasingly being used behavioral neuroscience to study the neurobiological correlates of behavior, including sociality. Nonetheless, the role of 5-HT receptors in different social functions were not yet studied in this species.

Microwave Synthesis of Visible-Light-Activated g-CN/TiO Photocatalysts.

The preparation of visible-light-driven photocatalysts has become highly appealing for environmental remediation through simple, fast and green chemical methods. The current study reports the synthesis and characterization of graphitic carbon nitride/titanium dioxide (g-CN/TiO) heterostructures through a fast (1 h) and simple microwave-assisted approach. Different g-CN amounts mixed with TiO (15, 30 and 45 wt.

Three-Year Outcomes in Kidney Transplant Recipients Switched From Calcineurin Inhibitor-Based Regimens to Belatacept as a Rescue Therapy.

The long-term benefits of conversion from calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) to belatacept in kidney transplant recipients (KTr) are poorly documented A single-center retrospective work to study first-time CNI to belatacept conversion as a rescue therapy [eGFR <30 ml/min/1.73 m, chronic histological lesions, or CNI-induced thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA)]. Patient and kidney allograft survivals, eGFR, severe adverse events, donor-specific antibodies (DSA), and histological data were recorded over 36 months after conversion.

Glycated albumin in diabetes mellitus: a meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy.

Objectives: Guidelines recommend the diagnosis of diabetes should be based on either plasma glucose or glycated hemoglobin (HbA) findings. However, lately studies have advocated glycated albumin (GA) as a useful alternative to HbA. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the overall diagnostic accuracy of GA for the diagnosis of diabetes.

Enhanced Fe-TiO Solar Photocatalysts on Porous Platforms for Water Purification.

In this study, polyethylene glycol-modified titanium dioxide (PEG-modified TiO) nanopowders were prepared using a fast solvothermal method under microwave irradiation, and without any further calcination processes. These nanopowders were further impregnated on porous polymeric platforms by drop-casting. The effect of adding iron with different molar ratios (1, 2, and 5%) of iron precursor was investigated.

Impact of photobiomodulation therapy on the morphological aspects of submandibular gland submitted to excretory duct ligation and hypothyroidism: an animal study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) on histomorphological aspects of submandibular gland (SMG) submitted to salivary gland duct obstruction in hypothyroid rats. Fifty-six male Wistar rats (250 to 300 g) were divided into 4 groups (n = 14): euthyroid (EU), EU + PBMT, hypothyroid (HYPO), and HYPO + PBMT. Duct obstruction of the left submandibular gland (LSMG) was performed in all animals by a ligature procedure.

5-HT2C agonists and antagonists block different components of behavioral responses to potential, distal, and proximal threat in zebrafish.

Serotonin (5-HT) receptors have been implicated in responses to aversive stimuli in mammals and fish, but its precise role is still unknown. Moreover, since at least seven families of 5-HT receptors exist in vertebrates, the role of specific receptors is still debated. Aversive stimuli can be classified as indicators of proximal, distal, or potential threat, initiating responses that are appropriate for each of these threat levels.

The Use of Imaging Techniques in Chronic Kidney Disease-Mineral and Bone Disorders (CKD-MBD)-A Systematic Review.

Although frequently silent, mineral and bone disease (MBD) is one of the most precocious complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and is omnipresent in patients with CKD stage 5. Its pathophysiology is complex, but basically, disturbances in vitamin D, phosphate, and calcium metabolism lead to a diverse range of clinical manifestations with secondary hyperparathyroidism usually being the most frequent. With the decline in renal function, CKD-MBD may induce microstructural changes in bone, vascular system and soft tissues, which results in macrostructural lesions, such as low bone mineral density (BMD) resulting in skeletal fractures, vascular and soft tissue calcifications.

Preliminary evidence on the presence of cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins from culture enrichments followed by PCR analysis: new perspectives from Africa (Mali) and South Pacific (Fiji) countries.

Cyanobacteria are a group of microorganisms that can be found in a diverse range of biogeographical areas and produce potent and damaging cyanotoxins, which reveal importance for continuous studies and surveillance efforts. In this study, we analyzed worldwide two-month culture-enriched water samples collected from 12 distinct countries (Costa Rica, Cuba, Fiji, France, Indonesia, Mali, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Thailand, USA, Vietnam) including two undisclosed areas (Fiji and Mali). We performed a PCR-based molecular multi-step scheme that consisted in the detection of the main cyanobacterial species, genera, and cyanotoxins biosynthesis genes.

Bone Fragility Fractures in CKD Patients.

Chronic kidney diseases (CKD) are associated with mineral and bone diseases (MBD), including pain, bone loss, and fractures. Bone fragility related to CKD includes the risk factors observed in osteoporosis in addition to those related to CKD, resulting in a higher risk of mortality related to fractures. Unawareness of such complications led to a poor management of fractures and a lack of preventive approaches.

Risk factors and outcome of COVID-19 in patients with hematological malignancies.

Background: Prognostic factors of poor outcome in patients with hematological malignancies and COVID-19 are poorly defined.

Patients And Methods: This was a Spanish transplant group and cell therapy (GETH) multicenter retrospective observational study, which included a large cohort of blood cancer patients with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection through PCR assays from March 1st 2020 to May 15th 2020.

Results: We included 367 pediatric and adult patients with hematological malignancies, including recipients of autologous (ASCT) (n = 58) or allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) (n = 65) from 41 hospitals in Spain.

Sleep quality in times of Covid-19 pandemic.

Background: Due to the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) disease outbreak, social distancing measures were imposed to control the spread of the pandemic. However, isolation may affect negatively the psychological well-being and impair sleep quality. Our aim was to evaluate the sleep quality of respiratory patients during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.

The usefulness of glycated albumin for post-transplantation diabetes mellitus after kidney transplantation: A diagnostic accuracy study.

Background: There is no study evaluating the use of glycated albumin (GA) for the detection of post-transplantation diabetes mellitus (PTDM) in kidney transplant recipients. We evaluated the overall accuracy of GA at four months after kidney transplantation.

Methods: Diagnostic test accuracy study including 134 kidney transplant recipients without pre-existing diabetes.

Dopamine and serotonin mediate the impact of stress on cleaner fish cooperative behavior.

Stress is known to modulate behavioral responses and rapid decision-making processes, especially under challenging contexts which often occur in social and cooperative interactions. Here, we evaluated the effects of acute stress on cooperative behavior of the Indo-Pacific cleaner wrasse (Labroides dimidiatus) and the implications of pre-treatment with monoaminergic compounds: the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor - fluoxetine, the 5-HT receptor antagonist - WAY-100,635, the D receptor agonist - SKF-38393, and the D receptor antagonist - SCH-23390. We demonstrated that stress decreased the predisposal to interact and increased cortisol levels in cleaners, which are alleviated by fluoxetine and the dopaminergic D antagonist.

Dental health status and its indicators in adult Brazilian Indians without exposition to drinking water fluoridation: a cross-sectional study.

Water fluoridation is considered a cost-effective and practical method for controlling and preventing dental caries in the general population. The objective of this study was to evaluate the dental health status and risk indicators for dental caries in adult Brazilian Indians without exposition to dental caries-preventive effects of water fluoridation. Decayed (DT), missing (MT), and filled (FT) permanent teeth (DMFT), as well as plaque index, unstimulated salivary flow rate, salivary buffering capacity, and fasting blood glucose were examined in 225 adult Indians.

Apoptosis Transcriptional Profile Induced by HmuY.

This study aimed at evaluating the transcriptional profile of apoptosis-related genes after stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) derived from individuals with periodontitis (P) and healthy nonperiodontitis (NP) control subjects with HmuY protein. PBMCs from the P and NP groups were stimulated with HmuY protein, and the expression of genes related to apoptosis was assessed by custom real-time polymerase chain reaction array (Custom RT PCR Array). Compared with the NP group, the P group showed low relative levels of apoptosis-related gene expression, downregulated for FAS, FAS ligand, TNFSF10 (TRAIL), BAK1, CASP9, and APAF1 after HmuY protein stimulation.

Diagnostic accuracy of glycated hemoglobin for gestational diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to establish the overall accuracy of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in the diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) diagnosis. Methods We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, SCOPUS and ClinicalTrials.gov up to October 2018, using keywords related to GDM, HbA1c and diagnosis.

Production of interferon-gamma, interleukin-6, and interleukin-1β by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated with novel lys-gingipain synthetic peptides.

Background: Periodontitis is a progressive inflammatory process, and its pathogenesis is related to the presence of a dysbiotic subgingival biofilm that elicits the immune response. Porphyromonas gingivalis is a keystone pathogen, and its Lys-gingipain (Kgp) virulence factor is involved in the pathogen-host interaction through the production of cytokines by host cells, but the specific mechanisms of this interaction have not been elucidated. The present study evaluated the in vitro production of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β cytokines in response to antigenic stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) with novel Kgp synthetic peptides.

In silico analysis as a strategy to identify candidate epitopes with human IgG reactivity to study Porphyromonas gingivalis virulence factors.

Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) is one of the main pathogens in chronic periodontitis (CP). Studies on the immunogenicity of its virulence factors may contribute to understanding the host response to infection. The present study aimed to use in silico analysis as a tool to identify epitopes from Lys-gingipain (Kgp) and neuraminidase virulence factors of the Pg ATCC 33277 strain.

Conditional approach as cooperation in predator inspection: A role for serotonin?

In guppies (Poecilia reticulata), a small number of individuals break away from a shoal and approach a potential predator, a behavior termed "predator inspection". These animals often employ a "conditional approach" strategy, in which an individual approaches the predator in the first move and subsequently approaches it only if a second individual swims even with it during inspection. This strategy is analogous to the "tit-for-tat" strategy of the Prisoner's Dilemma, suggesting that it could be used to study cooperation.

Tailoring Upconversion and Morphology of Yb/Eu Doped Y₂O₃ Nanostructures by Acid Composition Mediation.

The present study reports the production of upconverter nanostructures composed by a yttrium oxide host matrix co-doped with ytterbium and europium, i.e., Y₂O₃:Yb/Eu.