Spatially resolved ion temperature in a kink-unstable magnetized plasma jet using ion Doppler spectroscopy.

We present a two-dimensional (2D) ion temperature distribution of a kink-unstable magnetized plasma jet. Using a customized 2D optical fiber array, spatial information was measured in concert with ion temperature measurements derived via ion Doppler spectroscopy to resolve data at locations where the kink-unstable plasma jet deviates from the central axis of the cylindrical system. Substantial ion heating was observed off the central axis when the magnetized jet underwent current-driven kink instability.

Cleaner coke-making with non-recyclable waste plastics: A techno-economic assessment from a European perspective.

Given the growing economic and environmental concerns about steelmaking processes, there are clear drivers to move towards a cleaner production. One step in this direction is to substitute part of the coking coal used in coke production with waste-derived materials that are typically landfilled or incinerated. In this paper, a techno-economic assessment from the point of view of a typical European coke-making plant was conducted.

Application of pressure injury preventive measures and bundles in home and community environments: a scoping review protocol.

Introduction: Several studies have addressed the use of pressure injury preventive measures and bundles for hospitalised patients. However, there is a gap in research regarding the use of pressure injury preventive measures and bundles in the home environment. This scoping review aims to identify, explore and map the international literature on pressure injury preventive measures and bundles in the home and community environments.

Mutational Analysis of Bile Cell-Free DNA in Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis: A Pilot Study.

Background: Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic liver disease characterised by inflammation and fibrosis of the bile ducts, conferring an increased risk of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). However, detecting CCA early in PSC patients remains challenging due to the limited sensitivity of conventional diagnostic methods, including imaging or bile duct brush cytology during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). This study aims to evaluate the potential of bile cell-free DNA (cfDNA) mutational analysis, termed the Bilemut assay, as a tool for CCA detection in PSC patients.

RNA-based therapies in liver metabolic diseases.

RNA-based therapeutics have rapidly emerged over the past decade, offering a new class of medicines that differ significantly from conventional drugs. These therapies can be programmed to target or restore defective genes, allowing for more personalised treatments and reducing side effects. Notably, RNA therapies have made significant progress in the treatment of genetic liver diseases, exemplified by small interfering RNA treatments for hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis, which use liver-targeting strategies such as GalNAc conjugation to improve efficacy and safety.

Diversity and spoilage potential of Pseudomonas spp. from Spanish milk and dairy products: Impact on fresh cheese and milk quality.

Psychrotrophic Pseudomonas spp. contaminate milk and dairy products, producing heat-resistant enzymes and pigments that reduce their shelf life. Identifying spoiling strains is essential for tracing contamination and improving preservation.

Clinical and immunohistochemical effects of OncoTherad (MRB-CFI-1) nanoimmunotherapy on SERBP1, HABP4, CD44 and Ki-67 in BCG-unresponsive non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.

Non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is a malignancy with a high recurrence and progression rate, particularly in patients who fail to respond to standard Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) therapy. OncoTherad (MRB-CFI-1) nanoimmunotherapy has emerged as a promising therapeutic option, with potential to modulate immune responses and inhibit tumor progression. This study evaluated the clinical efficacy of OncoTherad (MRB-CFI-1) nanoimmunotherapy in patients with BCG-unresponsive NMIBC and investigated correlations between therapeutic outcomes and histopathological and molecular findings.

Targeting protein hyperSUMOylation halts cholangiocarcinoma progression by impairing cancer cell viability and tumor-stroma crosstalk.

Background And Rationale: Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) includes a diverse group of biliary malignancies with poor prognosis. Alterations in post-translational modifications contribute to disrupted protein dynamics, cellular disturbances, and disease. This study investigates the role of protein SUMOylation in cholangiocarcinogenesis and its potential as a therapeutic target.

Quality of life in patients with strabismus: Assessment of the preoperative and postoperative psychosocial and functional aspects.

Purpose: To determine the influence of strabismus and its surgical correction on the preoperative and postoperative functional and psychosocial aspects of patients being treated at the CEROF/UFG Strabismus Outpatient Clinic.

Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study included 27 patients, aged >7 years that were divided into two groups (<18 years and >18 years). The AS 20 questionnaire is composed of two domains (psychosocial and functional).

The 9-item Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK-9) has adequate measurement properties in patients with chronic low back pain.

Objective: To assess the test-retest reliability, internal consistency, and construct validity of the 9-item Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia in patients with chronic low back pain.

Design: Questionnaire validation study.

Setting: Study was conducted in an online environment.

FGF21 and APOA1 mRNA-based therapies for the treatment of experimental acute pancreatitis.

Background: Acute pancreatitis (AP) presents a significant clinical challenge with limited therapeutic options. The complex etiology and pathophysiology of AP emphasize the need for innovative treatments. This study explores mRNA-based therapies delivering fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) and apolipoprotein A1 (APOA1), alone and in combination, for treating experimental AP.

Health-related quality of life in Chagas cardiomyopathy: Development of a theoretical model.

Objective: Chagas disease can cause several complications, such as Chagas cardiomyopathy, the most severe clinical form of the disease. Chagas cardiomyopathy is complex and involves biological and psychosocial factors that can compromise health-related quality of life. However, it is necessary to establish interactions that significantly impact the health-related quality of life of this population.

The Metabolism of Creatinine and Its Usefulness to Evaluate Kidney Function and Body Composition in Clinical Practice.

Serum creatinine levels are the most used clinical marker to estimate renal function as the glomerular function rate because it is simple, fast, and inexpensive. However, creatinine has limitations, as its levels can be influenced by factors such as advanced age, physical activity, protein-rich diets, male gender, medications, and ethnicity. Serum cystatin C and its combination with serum creatinine may serve as an alternative since these factors do not affect it.

Deleterious coding variation associated with autism is consistent across populations, as exemplified by admixed Latin American populations.

The past decade has seen remarkable progress in identifying genes that, when impacted by deleterious coding variation, confer high risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), intellectual disability, and other developmental disorders. However, most underlying gene discovery efforts have focused on individuals of European ancestry, limiting insights into genetic risks across diverse populations. To help address this, the Genomics of Autism in Latin American Ancestries Consortium (GALA) was formed, presenting here the largest sequencing study of ASD in Latin American individuals (n>15,000).

Efficacy of birthing ball exercises to reduce labor pain and cesarean rates: an updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Purpose: This updated systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate the impact of a birthing ball (BB) exercises on low-risk parturients during labor, offering a more comprehensive understanding through a larger sample size, robust analysis, and focus on relevant endpoints that were underexplored in previous studies due to limited data.

Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane Central for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing BB (also named Swiss ball) exercises with no intervention or standard care in parturients undergoing low-risk labor. Risk ratios (RR) and mean differences (MD) were calculated using a random-effects model.

Targeting of the G9a, DNMT1 and UHRF1 epigenetic complex as an effective strategy against pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive cancer with limited treatment options and a poor prognosis. The critical role of epigenetic alterations such as changes in DNA methylation, histones modifications, and chromatin remodeling, in pancreatic tumors progression is becoming increasingly recognized. Moreover, in PDAC these aberrant epigenetic mechanisms can also limit therapy efficacy.

Quantitative proteomic analysis unveils a critical role of VARS1 in hepatocellular carcinoma aggressiveness through the modulation of MAGI1 expression.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) genetic/transcriptomic signatures have been widely described. However, its proteomic characterization is incomplete. We performed non-targeted quantitative proteomics of HCC samples and explored its clinical, functional, and molecular consequences.

Disruption of Extracellular Matrix and Perineuronal Nets Modulates Extracellular Space Volume and Geometry.

Extracellular matrix (ECM) is a network of macromolecules which has two forms-perineuronal nets (PNNs) and a diffuse ECM (dECM)-both influence brain development, synapse formation, neuroplasticity, CNS injury and progression of neurodegenerative diseases. ECM remodeling can influence extrasynaptic transmission, mediated by diffusion of neuroactive substances in the extracellular space (ECS). In this study we analyzed how disrupted PNNs and dECM influence brain diffusibility.

Topical Ivermectin-metronidazole gel therapy improves Meibomian gland Function in blepharitis caused by demodex spp.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of topical Ivermectin- Metronidazol in the management of demodex infestation and their effect in Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) METHODS: Fifty-four patients (108 eyes) with demodex diagnosis and Meibomian gland dysfunction received Ivermectin 0.3 %+Metronidazole 0.5 % gel in the night for 5 weeks.

Pilot introduction of long-lasting insecticidal nets and hammock nets in the indigenous Comarca of Guna Yala, Panama.

Background: After almost 70 years of using indoor residual spraying (IRS) as the primary intervention for malaria vector control, the Republic of Panama wanted to evaluate the operational feasibility and acceptability of distributing long-lasting insecticidal hammock nets (LLIHNs) and long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) in the country.

Methods: A pilot study conducted in 2019 distributed LLINs and LLIHNs to cover all sleeping spaces in 15 high burden localities of the indigenous Comarca of Guna Yala and measured retention, coverage, use and physical deterioration, washing and drying practices, as well as people's satisfaction with product characteristics post-distribution.

Results: Overall, 89.

Loss of protects against MASLD alone or with alcohol intake by preserving lipid homeostasis.

Background & Aims: Expression of P21, encoded by the gene, has been associated with fibrosis progression in steatotic liver disease (SLD); however, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. In the present study, we investigated the function of CDKN1A in SLD.

Methods: expression levels were evaluated in different patient cohorts with SLD, fibrosis, and advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD).

Long-term outcomes of apixaban as main anticoagulant in patients with HeartMate 3 left ventricular assist devices.

Aims: HeartMate 3 (HM3) left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) offer improved haemocompatibility-related outcomes for end-stage heart failure patients, facilitating the exploration of alternative anticoagulation therapies beyond warfarin. This study presents a long-term evaluation of thrombotic and bleeding outcomes in HM3 LVAD patients transitioned from warfarin to apixaban.

Methods: We retrospectively identified HM3 LVAD patients at our single centre who transitioned from warfarin to apixaban.

Modulatory effects of CNNM4 on protein- l -isoaspartyl- O -methyltransferase repair function during alcohol-induced hepatic damage.

Background And Aims: Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) is a leading cause of liver-related mortality worldwide, with limited treatment options beyond abstinence and liver transplantation. Chronic alcohol consumption has been linked to magnesium (Mg 2+ ) deficiency, which can influence liver disease progression. The mechanisms underlying Mg 2+ homeostasis dysregulation in ALD remain elusive.

Sand Fly Fauna in Urban Parks in the Brazilian Western Amazon: Potential Areas for American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Transmission.

Sand flies are a group of insects (Diptera, Psychodidae, Phlebotominae) in which some species may transmit agents of leishmaniasis. This study aimed to analyze the sand fly fauna in urban parks in Rio Branco, capital of Acre state, addressing its diversity, infection by Leishmania, and food sources in sand fly females. The sand flies were collected with CDC-type automatic light traps installed in three urban parks in Rio Branco: Captain Ciríaco, Horto Florestal and Chico Mendes.