Trophic ecology in an anchialine cave: A stable isotope study.

The analysis of carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes (δ13C and δ15N) has been widely used in ecology since it allows to identify the circulation of energy in a trophic network. The anchialine ecosystem is one of the less explored aquatic ecosystems in the world and stable isotope analysis represents a useful tool to identify the routes through which energy flows and to define the trophic niches of species. Sampling and data recording was conducted in one anchialine cave, Cenote Vaca Ha, near the town of Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico, where seven stygobitic species endemic to the anchialine caves of the Yucatan Peninsula, plus sediment, water and vegetation samples were analyzed to determine what the main nutrient sources are.

A Case of Leukemia Cutis (Acute Myeloid Leukemia) With Epidermotropism.

Acute myeloid leukemia is a cancer involving uncontrolled proliferation of hematopoietic cells. Cutaneous involvement is referred to as leukemia cutis (LC). The histopathologic presentation of LC is variable, and may present with perivascular, periadnexal, dermal, or subcutaneous infiltrate.

Clinical Manifestations.

Background: Vascular-based dementia risk scores (VDRS) which reliably predict risk of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRDs), may be useful to identify at-risk individuals for secondary prevention trials. Dementia risk scores have typically focused on predicting ADRD-associated symptoms, with fewer studies assessing capacity for detecting individuals with underlying brain pathologies. We compare the predictive value of two vascular-based risk scores (CAIDE and Reitz VDRSs) for discriminating AD-related histopathological and structural abnormalities, further considering race and gender differences.

Study of methylene blue removal and photocatalytic degradation on zirconia thin films modified with Mn-Anderson polyoxometalates.

Recalcitrant pollutants are challenging to degrade during water treatment processes. Methylene blue (MB), a cationic dye, is particularly resistant to degradation and is environmentally persistent. Heterogeneous photocatalysis has emerged as a suitable strategy for removing such pollutants from water.

Accuracy of 3D Printer Technologies Using Digital Dental Models.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the manufacturing accuracy of different printing techniques - Stereolithography (SLA), Digital Light Processing (DLP), and PolyJet-using digital dental models.

Methods: The study included cast models of 30 patients aged between 12 and 20 years. The selected models were scanned using an intraoral scanner, and surface topography format files were obtained.

A Closer Look at the Giant with Feet of Clay: Analyzing and Refining Neff´s Theory of Self-Compassion.

In this article, the authors aim to offer a perspective on self-compassion capable of becoming part of a unified psychology; however not "from scratch", but based on what Neff (2003a, b) proposed. This is through the analysis and refinement of her theory in two stages. First, they check whether the supposed six factors exist in the constitution of self-compassion using the exploratory factor analysis (EFA) technique in a collected sample for this study (249 participants, 69.

Comparative Analysis of Whole-Body Diffusion-Weighted Imaging and PET/CT in Metastasis Detection: A Prospective Study.

Introduction Tumor staging is essential for determining treatment strategies and predicting prognosis in cancer patients. Accurate imaging techniques are critical for staging, metastasis screening, treatment response assessment, and recurrence detection. Objective In this prospective study, we aimed to compare the sensitivity of whole-body diffusion-weighted imaging (WB-DWI) with positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in detecting metastases.

EAES rapid guideline: surgical management of complicated diverticulitis - with ESCP participation.

Background: The surgical management of complicated diverticulitis varies across Europe. EAES members prioritized this topic to be addressed by a clinical practice guideline through an online questionnaire.

Objective: To develop evidence-informed clinical practice recommendations for key stakeholders involved in the treatment of complicated diverticulitis; to improve operative and perioperative outcomes, patient experience and quality of life through a systematic evidence-to-decision approach by a diverse, multidisciplinary panel.

Surgical management of complicated diverticulitis: systematic review and individual patient data network meta-analysis : An EAES/ESCP collaborative project.

Background: We performed a systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) of individualized patient data (IPD) to inform the development of evidence-informed clinical practice recommendations.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central in October 2023 to identify RCTs comparing Hartmann's resection (HR), primary resection and anastomosis (PRA), or laparoscopic peritoneal lavage (LPL) among patients with class Ib-IV Hinchey diverticulitis. Outcomes of interest were prioritized by an international, multidisciplinary panel including two patient partners.

#Skin-Lightening: A content analysis of the most popular videos promoting skin-lightening products on TikTok.

Highly visual and appearance-focused social media often exhibit appearance ideals that center around fairness and whiteness, resulting in the promotion of dangerous over-the-counter skin-lightening products to consumers to achieve such ideals. Our study aims to better understand the skin-lightening claims and products that TikTok users are exposed to on the platform. We conducted a cross-sectional content analysis to examine the top 100 most-viewed videos across the most popular skin-lightening hashtag (#skinlightening) through the TikTok website interface (N = 79) and generated descriptive statistics.

The role of the intraplacental fetal artery in predicting the need for cesarean-hysterectomy in women at high risk for placenta accreta spectrum.

Introduction: Prenatal determination of placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) and its severity is crucial, as it is a highly morbid condition. The aim was to investigate the intraplacental fetal artery (IFA) as a novel ultrasonographic marker in predicting cesarean-hysterectomy need in PAS.

Methods: A prospective observational cohort study was conducted with a total of 62 women with placenta previa and ≥1 previous cesarean-section who were managed for PAS between September 2022 and January 2024.

Glycogenin is dispensable for normal liver glycogen metabolism and body glucose homeostasis.

Glycogen is a glucose-storage polysaccharide molecule present in animals, fungi and bacteria. The enzyme glycogenin can self-glycosylate, forming an oligosaccharide chain that primes glycogen synthesis. This priming role of glycogenin was first believed to be essential for glycogen synthesis, but glycogen was then found in the skeletal muscle, heart, liver and brain of glycogenin-knockout mice (Gyg KO), thereby showing that glycogen can be synthesized without glycogenin.

Targeted and untargeted cross-sectional study for sex-specific identification of plasma biomarkers of COVID-19 severity.

Coronavirus disease 2019 is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and typically appear 2-14 days after virus exposure. While vaccination has significantly reduced the incidence of severe complications, strategies for the identification of new biomarkers to assess disease severity remains a critical area of research.

Altered Purinergic Signaling and CD8+ T Cell Dysregulation in STAT3 GOF Syndrome.

Signal transduction downstream of activating stimuli controls CD8+ T cell biology, however these external inputs can become uncoupled from transcriptional regulation in Primary Immune Regulatory Disorders (PIRDs). Gain-of-function (GOF) variants in STAT3 amplify cytokine signaling and cause a severe PIRD characterized by early onset autoimmunity, lymphoproliferation, recurrent infections, and immune dysregulation. In both primary human and mouse models of STAT3 GOF, CD8+ T cells have been implicated as pathogenic drivers of autoimmunity.

Reasons for organ and tissue donation refusal and opposition: a scoping review.

Objective: To map the reasons why individuals oppose or refuse organ and tissue donation, from an international perspective.

Methods: A scoping review was conducted from May 2022 to February 2024 using a three-stage search strategy across five databases and Google Scholar. Data analysis involved categorizing information based on similarities and populations studied.

Comparing the Effects of Propofol and Thiopental on Human Renal HEK-293 Cells With a Focus on Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) Production, Cytotoxicity, and Apoptosis: Insights Into Dose-Dependent Toxicity.

Objectives: Propofol and thiopental are widely used as hypnotic, sedative, antiepileptic, and analgesic agents in general anesthesia and intensive care; however, their side effects remain unknown. They are used for long periods and at high doses for sedation in total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) and intensive care units. Long-term and high-dose use of these drugs can lead to accumulation in plasma and tissues, resulting in high drug concentrations and increasing the risk of potential toxicity (e.

Male Chest Athletic Definition: A Comprehensive View from an Anatomical and Physiological Perspective.

Background: In order to obtain a natural but athletic contour through liposuction, the management of the male pectoral region is constantly changing. Cutting-edge methods including mammary gland excision and fat grafting to the pectoralis major have been created. There isn't yet a single method that can handle all long-term problems, like gynecomastia with eventual loss of pectoral definition, fat graft asymmetries, and/or unnatural definition.

Asymmetric intra and inter-hemispheric subcellular rat brain correlation of arginyl-aminopeptidase activity during development and aging.

The functional significance of brain asymmetry is still largely unknown. Studying the level of correlation of neuropeptide-degrading activities between subcellular fractions such as synaptosomal, of the left and right hemispheres of male rats during development and aging could provide relevant data on their functional role during these periods. The present study analyzes the level of correlation of a enkephalin- or angiotensin III-degrading activity, such as membrane-bound arginyl-aminopeptidase activity (M-B ArgAP) between the left versus right homogenate and/or synaptosomal subcellular fractions obtained and processed independently from both brain hemispheres during development and aging.

Prognostic value of HER2 2 + expression in patients with TNBC receiving adjuvant capecitabine.

Background: In triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients receiving adjuvant capecitabine, the impact of HER2 expression on survival outcomes is unclear.

Methods:  Between June 2017 and December 2023, 112 patients with TNBC who received adjuvant capecitabine due to residual masses after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in three hospitals were identified. HER2 is analyzed through immunohistochemistry (IHC) and/or in situ hybridization in the core biopsy and/or post-surgical histopathologies.

The effects of microsurgical varicocelectomy performed for infertility on premature ejaculation.

Purpose: To investigate the effects of varicocelectomy on premature ejaculation (PE) in patients with varicocele and infertility.

Methods: A total of 82 sexually active patients aged 18 years or over who had undergone microscopic subinguinal varicocelectomy with a clinical diagnosis of varicocele in 14 urology clinics between October 2021 and March 2023 with primary infertility were evaluated prospectively Patients were evaluated using the Turkish validated form of the 'Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool' (PEDT) scale. A PEDT score of 11 or above was taken to indicate the presence of PE.

Exploring Stigma Towards People with Schizophrenia in Mass Media and Their Private Discourses.

Introduction: It has been shown that public stigma towards people with schizophrenia hinders their psychosocial integration. Public stigma expresses itself through lexical labels used in the print media and social networks, heightening the internalization of stigma in this population, a phenomenon known as internalised stigma or self-stigma. This paper analyses the diffusion in the mass media of two dimensions of stigma: public stigma and self-stigma.

THE EFFECT OF TAMSULOSIN ON IRIS MORPHOLOGY, CILIARY MUSCLE THICKNESS, AND PUPIL DIAMETER.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of tamsulosin on iris morphology, ciliary muscle thickness (CMT), pupil diameter (PD), and pupil responses to light using anterior segment optical coherence tomography and corneal topography.

Design: Prospective clinical before-and-after study METHODS: The right eyes of 43 patients with newly diagnosed benign prostatic hyperplasia were included in this study. Iris dilator muscle region (DMR) thickness, sphincter muscle region (SMR) thickness, DMR/SMR ratio, PD (scotopic, mesopic and photopic light conditions), CMT1(1 mm posterior to the scleral spur), CMT2(2 mm posterior to the scleral spur), CMT3(3 mm posterior to the scleral spur) and anterior chamber depth(ACD) were measured before and after dilation.

Sex differentially affects pro-inflammatory cell subsets in adipose tissue depots in a diet induced obesity model.

Obesity is a growing pandemic that increases the risk for cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and particularly in women also the risk of cancer and neurodegenerative disorders such as dementia and multiple sclerosis. Preclinical studies on obesity focus on male mice as they gain bodyweight faster and show a clear pro-inflammatory phenotype. Here, using male and female mice, we induced obesity by feeding a high fat diet (HFD), and compared adipose tissue (AT) inflammation at the same adiposity stage (% AT/bodyweight) between both sexes.

The potential for AI to revolutionize conservation: a horizon scan.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is an emerging tool that could be leveraged to identify the effective conservation solutions demanded by the urgent biodiversity crisis. We present the results of our horizon scan of AI applications likely to significantly benefit biological conservation. An international panel of conservation scientists and AI experts identified 21 key ideas.

A novel serous ovarian carcinoma model induced by DMBA: Results from OncoTherad® (MRB-CFI-1) immunotherapy preclinical testing.

Aims: The term ovarian carcinoma (OC) refers to a heterogeneous collection of five distinct diseases known as histotypes. While histotype-specific treatment is still a clinical challenge in OC, well-characterized models are required for testing new therapeutic strategies. We employed OncoTherad® (MRB-CFI-1), an interferon (IFN-γ)-stimulating nano-immunotherapy mediated by Toll-like receptors (TLR) 2/4, in association or not with Erythropoietin (EPO) in a chemically-induced ovarian cancer model.