Steroid-Resistant Nephrotic Syndrome Is Associated With a Unique Genetic Profile in a Highly Admixed Pediatric Population.

Introduction: The profile of genetic and nongenetic factors associated with progression to kidney failure (KF) in steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) is largely unknown in admixed populations.

Methods: A total of 101 pediatric patients with primary SRNS were genetically assessed targeting Mendelian causes and status with a 62-NS-gene panel or whole exome sequencing, as well as genetic ancestry. Variant pathogenicity was evaluated using the American College Medical of Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) criteria.

An organogold compound impairs Leishmania amazonensis amastigotes survival and delays lesion progression in murine cutaneous leishmaniasis: Mechanistic insights.

Leishmaniasis is one of the most important neglected diseases, classically characterized by three clinical forms that if left untreated can lead to skin lesions, lifelong scarring, or death depending on the parasite species. Unfortunately, treatment is unsatisfactory and the search for an improved therapy has been a priority. Gold compounds have emerged as promising candidates and among them, Au(I)bis-N-heterocyclic carbene (Au(BzTMX)) has stood out.

Barbed Versus Conventional Suture for Spinal Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Barbed sutures eliminate knots and may offer some advantages over conventional sutures. This meta-analysis compares clinical, surgical, and economic outcomes of barbed sutures with standard closure techniques in spinal surgery.

Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science for studies comparing barbed and conventional suture for patients undergoing spinal surgery.

Stereotactic aspiration versus conservative management for primary brainstem hemorrhage: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Primary brainstem hemorrhage (PBSH) is a fatal condition related to hypertension. PBSH definitive treatment remains controversial, mainly when surgical options are discussed.

Objective: To aid decision-making in PBSH scenarios, we aimed to perform a meta-analysis and evaluate the literature on stereotactic aspiration (SA) for PBSH in comparison to conservative management (CM).

Multi-marker DNA metabarcoding for precise species identification in ichthyoplankton samples.

Ichthyoplankton monitoring is crucial for stock assessments, offering insights into spawning grounds, stock size, seasons, recruitment, and changes in regional ichthyofauna. This study evaluates the efficiency of multi-marker DNA metabarcoding using mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), 12S rRNA and 16S rRNA gene markers, in comparison to morphology-based methods for fish species identification in ichthyoplankton samples. Two transects with four coastal distance categories were sampled along the southern coast of Portugal, being each sample divided for molecular and morphological analyses.

Hot Air Balloon in the Left Atria.

A 54-year-old patient with a medical history of hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes underwent mitral valve replacement surgery with a biologic valve. During a chest computed tomography scan for breast neoplasia staging, a reduced luminal filling in the left atrium (3.6 cm) was unexpectedly found, prompting further cardiac evaluation.

Endoscopic surgery for craniosynostosis: a bibliometric analysis of primary studies.

Introduction: Bibliometrics, a statistical method assessing the influence of scholarly works, was employed to analyze the evolution of endoscopic surgery for craniosynostosis.

Methods: This comprehensive review followed PRISMA guidelines, sourcing data from PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science, focusing on clinical and surgical outcomes up to December 2023. We identified 1409 records, with 83 papers meeting inclusion criteria.

Gut microbiome in endometriosis: a cohort study on 1000 individuals.

Background: Endometriosis, defined as the presence of endometrial-like tissue outside of the uterus, is one of the most prevalent gynecological disorders. Although different theories have been proposed, its pathogenesis is not clear. Novel studies indicate that the gut microbiome may be involved in the etiology of endometriosis; nevertheless, the connection between microbes, their dysbiosis, and the development of endometriosis is understudied.

Active Versus Passive Drainage Systems for Subdural Hematomas: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background And Objectives: Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) management involves various surgical techniques, with drainage systems playing a pivotal role. While passive drainage (PD) and active drainage (AD) are both used, their efficacy remains contentious. Some studies favor PD for lower recurrence rates, while others suggest AD superiority.

An integrated analysis of the structural changes and gene expression of spleen in human visceral leishmaniasis with and without HIV coinfection.

The spleen plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of visceral leishmaniasis. In severe forms of the disease, the spleen undergoes changes that can compromise its function in surveilling blood-circulating pathogens. In this study, we present an integrated analysis of the structural and gene expression alterations in the spleens of three patients with relapsing visceral leishmaniasis, two of whom were coinfected with HIV.

Brain tissue oxygen plus intracranial pressure monitoring versus isolated intracranial pressure monitoring in patients with traumatic brain injury: an updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring plays a key role in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), however, cerebral hypoxia can occur without intracranial hypertension. Aiming to improve neuroprotection in these patients, a possible alternative is the association of Brain Tissue Oxygen Pressure (PbtO2) monitoring, used to detect PbtO2 tension.

Method: We systematically searched PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Central for RCTs comparing combined PbtO2 + ICP monitoring with ICP monitoring alone in patients with severe or moderate TBI.

Endoscopic surgery for craniosynostosis: A systematic review and single-arm meta analysis.

Background: Craniosynostosis, a developmental craniofacial anomaly, can impair brain development and cause abnormal skull shape due to premature closure of one or more cranial sutures. Traditional surgical treatments have evolved from open operations to minimally invasive endoscopic techniques. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the endoscopic approach in craniosynostosis correction.

Identifying priority sites for whale shark ship collision management globally.

The expansion of the world's merchant fleet poses a great threat to the ocean's biodiversity. Collisions between ships and marine megafauna can have population-level consequences for vulnerable species. The Endangered whale shark (Rhincodon typus) shares a circumglobal distribution with this expanding fleet and tracking of movement pathways has shown that large vessel collisions pose a major threat to the species.

Age shock index as an early predictor of cardiovascular death in acute coronary syndrome patients.

Background: The shock index (SI), reflecting heart rate (HR) to SBP ratio, is established for predicting adverse outcomes in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients. Exploring the age shock index (ASI), obtained by multiplying SI with age, could offer further insights into ACS prognosis.

Objectives: Assess ASI's effectiveness in predicting in-hospital death in individuals with ACS.

Monitoring ten insect pests in selected orchards in three Azorean Islands: The project CUARENTAGRI.

Background: The data we present are part of the CUARENTAGRI project, which involves all archipelagos of the Macaronesia (Azores, Madeira, Canary Islands and Cabo Verde). The project aims to: i) identify and evaluate the risks associated with the introduction of new arthropod pests; ii) study the population dynamics of selected arthropod pest species currently responsible for the damage of key target crops and iii) develop monitoring systems, based on prediction and/or population dynamics of the crop pests, creating warnings and a phytosanitary prevention system. In this contribution, we compile data for three Azorean Islands (Terceira, São Jorge and São Miguel Islands), where pheromone-baited traps were placed in pastures, potato fields and several orchards' types (apples, banana, chestnuts, olives, orange and strawberry), during three consecutive years (2020, 2021 and 2022).

Linking vertical movements of large pelagic predators with distribution patterns of biomass in the open ocean.

Many predator species make regular excursions from near-surface waters to the twilight (200 to 1,000 m) and midnight (1,000 to 3,000 m) zones of the deep pelagic ocean. While the occurrence of significant vertical movements into the deep ocean has evolved independently across taxonomic groups, the functional role(s) and ecological significance of these movements remain poorly understood. Here, we integrate results from satellite tagging efforts with model predictions of deep prey layers in the North Atlantic Ocean to determine whether prey distributions are correlated with vertical habitat use across 12 species of predators.

Traumatic dental injuries in children: experience during the Covid-19 pandemic and parents' knowledge about their management.

The social isolation measures adopted during the critical phase of the COVID-19 pandemic led children to spend most of their time at home. Isolation may alter the pattern of traumatic dental injury occurrences, inasmuch as studies point out that most traumatic accidents occur at home. Considering this scenario and the influence of emergency management on the prognosis of the injury, the aim of this study was to evaluate the experience of traumatic dental injuries in children before and during the pandemic, and the knowledge of this topic by the children's guardians.

Prevalence of urologic sequelae and bladder and bowel dysfunctions in patients with congenital Zika syndrome: A multicenter evaluation of the Zika virus bladder and bowel sequelae assistance network.

Introduction: Neurogenic bladder was first confirmed as a urological sequela of Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS) in 2018. Further clinical-epidemiological evidence also confirmed neurogenic bowel dysfunction and cryptorchidism. To strengthen the care for these children, the Congenital Zika Virus Bladder and Bowel Sequelae Network (RASZ in Brazilian) was created, including six integrated centers in Brazil.

The intrinsically disordered transcriptional activation domain of CIITA is functionally tuneable by single substitutions: An exception or a new paradigm?

During protein evolution, some amino acid substitutions modulate protein function ("tuneability"). In most proteins, the tuneable range is wide and can be sampled by a set of protein variants that each contains multiple amino acid substitutions. In other proteins, the full tuneable range can be accessed by a set of variants that each contains a single substitution.

Equivalent Performance of Exam Items Associated with Case-Based Learning, Flipped Classroom, and Lecture in a Pre-clerkship Medical Curriculum.

Unlabelled: The purpose of our study was to determine if knowledge acquisition, as measured by exam item performance, differed for active or passive learning activities in our medical curriculum. Additionally, we looked for differences in exam item performance in one second-year course that varies the method of an active learning activity, case-based collaborative learning (CBCL). Finally, we assessed whether item performance was impacted when small group activities were conducted online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.