Short-term effects of follicle stimulating hormone on immune function, lipid, and vitamin metabolism in transiently castrated men.

Background: Prostate cancer therapy with surgical or chemical castration with GnRH agonists has been linked to elevated FSH levels, which may contribute to secondary health disorders, including atherosclerosis and diabetes. Although recent findings suggest a role for FSH beyond the reproductive system, its metabolic impact remains unclear and difficult to disentangle from that of androgens. In this study, we examined the metabolic changes induced by FSH and distinguished them from those caused by testosterone.

GLP-1 RECEPTOR AGONISTS USE AND INCIDENCE OF GLAUCOMA: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS: GLP-1 receptor agonists use and incidence of glaucoma.

Introduction: In diabetics, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists (RA) may protect against microvascular alterations and oxidative stress, both of which have been implicated in glaucoma. Multiple studies suggest a possible relation between GLP-1 RA use and the development of glaucoma. This study performs a systematic review of the literature regarding the incidence of glaucoma development in type 2 diabetes patients treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists compared to a control group.

Unbiased Drug Target Prediction Reveals Sensitivity to Ferroptosis Inducers, HDAC and RTK Inhibitors in Melanoma Subtypes.

Background: The utilization of PD1 and CTLA4 inhibitors has revolutionized the treatment of malignant melanoma (MM). However, resistance to targeted and immune-checkpoint-based therapies still poses a significant problem.

Objective: Here, we mine large-scale MM proteogenomic data to identify druggable targets and forecast treatment efficacy and resistance.

Bioprospecting hydroxylated chalcones in model of ischemia-reoxygenation and probing NOX4 interactions via molecular docking.

Ischemia/reperfusion injury (I/R) is a leading cause of acute kidney injury (AKI) in conditions like kidney transplants, cardiac surgeries, and nephrectomy, contributing to high global mortality and morbidity. This study aimed to analyze the protective effects of 2'-hydroxychalcones in treating I/R-induced AKI by targeting key pathological pathways. Considering strong antioxidant action along with other pharmacological roles of chalcone derivatives, six 2'-hydroxychalcones were synthesized via Claisen-Schmidt condensation and analyzed for their protective effects in an I/R induced AKI model using HK-2 cells.

Early-life IL-4 administration induces long-term changes in microglia in the cerebellum and prefrontal cortex.

Microglia are crucial for brain development and their function can be impacted by postnatal insults, such as early-life allergies. These are characterized by an upregulation of interleukin (IL)-4 levels. Allergies share a strong comorbidity with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Kahook Dual Blade Goniotomy versus iStent Implantation Combined with Phacoemulsification: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Prcis: In this meta-analysis, Kahook dual blade goniotomy achieved higher rates of surgical success compared to iStent/iStent inject implantation combined with phacoemulsification. KDB goniotomy demonstrated better IOP reduction at month 6 compared to the Stent group.

Purpose: To compare the outcomes of phacoemulsification combined with either Kahook Dual Blade (KDB) goniotomy (phaco-KDB) or trabecular microbypass stent (iStent and iStent inject) implantation (phaco-Stent).

Evaluation of Emulsification Techniques to Optimize the Properties of Chalcone Nanoemulsions for Antifungal Applications.

Nanoemulsions (NEs) possess properties that enhance the solubility, bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy of drugs. Chalcones are compounds known for their antifungal properties. In this study, we evaluated different emulsification techniques to create alginate nanoemulsions containing chalcone (1E,4E)-1,5-bis (4-methoxyphenyl) penta-1,4-dien-3-one (DB4OCH).

Olaparib plus Abiraterone for Metastatic Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer: Pharmacokinetics Data from the PROpel Trial.

PROpel (NCT03732820) was a positive phase 3 trial that demonstrated a clinically significant improvement in radiographic progression-free survival with olaparib plus abiraterone versus placebo plus abiraterone in first-line metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. For a subset of PROpel patients, steady-state concentrations of olaparib, abiraterone, and Δ-abiraterone were measured in blood samples collected before and at several time points after dose administration. The pharmacokinetics (PK) for each drug and metabolite were evaluated to determine whether any clinically relevant drug-drug interactions between olaparib and abiraterone occurred.

Exploring wine yeast natural biodiversity to select strains with enological traits adapted to climate change.

Wine is widely consumed throughout the world and represents a significant financial market, but production faces increasing challenges. While consumers progressively value more complex flavor profiles, regional authenticity, and decreased use of additives, winemakers strive for consistency among climate change, characterized by rising environmental temperatures and sun burn events. This often leads to grapes reaching phenolic maturity with higher sugar levels, and increased microbial spoilage risk.

Biomechanical and tomographic findings in Brown-McLean syndrome.

Purpose: Brown-McLean syndrome (BMS) is a clinical condition characterized by peripheral corneal edema with central corneal transparency. This study aims to document the tomographic and biomechanical characteristics of 3 patients with typical BMS features using the Pentacam® AXL and CORVIS ST® (Oculus Optikgeräte GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany).

Observations: Three cases of BMS are presented.

Efficacy and Safety of Perfluorohexyloctane in Evaporative Dry Eye Disease Associated With Meibomian Gland Dysfunction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is the primary cause of evaporative dry eye disease (DED), which negatively affects the physical and mental quality of life of patients. We performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing perfluorohexyloctane to placebo for MGD in order to identify the best course of treatment for DED in these patients. We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline recommendations and prospectively registered the study in PROSPERO (CRD42023442172).

Acute renal failure, COVID-19 and deaths, worrying rates in intensive care units: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Acute kidney failure is a serious consequence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Objectives: To identify the prevalence of COVID-19, kidney failure, frequency of death, and associated factors in patients receiving intensive care.

Design And Setting: Analytical cross-sectional study conducted in the intensive care unit (ICU) of a medium-sized philanthropic general hospital in center-west Minas Gerais.

Use of neem vegetable cake (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) increases corn productivity.

The need to transition to more sustainable agriculture that is adaptable to environmental challenges, reducing dependence on chemical fertilizers and minimizing environmental impact, represents the new paradigm of the moment. In this scenario, studies with the adoption of bioinputs in corn cultivation emerge as a viable option for the sustainability of agricultural activity. Therefore, the objective was to evaluate the effect of doses of neem vegetable cake on the yield components of corn crops.

NatB Protects Procaspase-8 from UBR4-Mediated Degradation and Is Required for Full Induction of the Extrinsic Apoptosis Pathway.

N-terminal acetyltransferase B (NatB) is a major contributor to the N-terminal acetylome and is implicated in several key cellular processes including apoptosis and proteostasis. However, the molecular mechanisms linking NatB-mediated N-terminal acetylation to apoptosis and its relationship with protein homeostasis remain elusive. In this study, we generated mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) with an inactivated catalytic subunit of NatB () to investigate the impact of NatB deficiency on apoptosis regulation.

A Scoping Review on Occupational Noise Mitigation Strategies and Recommendations for Sustainable Ship Operations.

Environmental and occupational noise has the potential to result in health risks. The presence of high noise levels aboard ships can cause substantial hazards that affect the well-being of those employed in the maritime industry. The study and implementation of occupational noise reduction aboard ships are of the highest priority for ensuring the well-being of marine workers, compliance with regulatory standards, protection of the environment, and improvement of overall operational efficiency and safety within the maritime sector.

Macroecological correlates of Darwinian shortfalls across terrestrial vertebrates.

Most described species have not been explicitly included in phylogenetic trees-a problem named the Darwinian shortfall-owing to a lack of molecular and/or morphological data, thus hampering the explicit incorporation of evolution into large-scale biodiversity analyses. We investigate potential drivers of the Darwinian shortfall in tetrapods, a group in which at least one-third of described species still lack phylogenetic data, thus necessitating the imputation of their evolutionary relationships in fully sampled phylogenies. We show that the number of preserved specimens in scientific collections is the main driver of phylogenetic knowledge accumulation, highlighting the major role of biological collections in unveiling novel biodiversity data and the importance of continued sampling efforts to reduce knowledge gaps.

Predicting immune checkpoint therapy response in three independent metastatic melanoma cohorts.

Introduction: While Immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) therapy shows significant efficacy in metastatic melanoma, only about 50% respond, lacking reliable predictive methods. We introduce a panel of six proteins aimed at predicting response to ICI therapy.

Methods: Evaluating previously reported proteins in two untreated melanoma cohorts, we used a published predictive model (EaSIeR score) to identify potential proteins distinguishing responders and non-responders.

Pressure-Induced Stromal Keratopathy after Surface Ablation Surgery.

Introduction: The purpose of this clinical report was to describe an unprecedented case of bilateral pressure-induced stromal keratopathy (PISK) following corneal photorefractive keratectomy, associated with presumed herpetic keratitis, and to present tomographic and biomechanical findings before and after appropriate treatment.

Case Presentation: A 33-year-old male patient was referred to our clinic with suspected delayed corneal epithelial healing 3 weeks after an uncomplicated PRK. A central layer of corneal opacity with a presumed fluid-filled interface area was observed upon slit lamp biomicroscopy.

Initial experience with orbital atherectomy in a non-surgical center in Portugal.

Introduction And Objectives: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of severely calcified lesions is associated with a higher risk of procedural complications, suboptimal stent expansion, and in-stent restenosis. Lesion preparation with orbital atherectomy (OA) in severely calcified lesions has been shown to increase procedural success and decrease reintervention rates. In this study, we sought to report the procedural safety and efficacy of our initial experience with OA in a non-surgical center in Portugal.

Myopia Prevalence in Latin American Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Although myopia is a growing global concern, comprehensive studies on its prevalence among Latin American (LATAM) children and adolescents are still lacking. Thus, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the prevalence of myopia in LATAM children and adolescents aged three to 20. The study conducted a thorough literature search from January 1, 1975, to February 28, 2023, identifying 24 studies on the prevalence of myopia in LATAM that met the inclusion criteria.

Biological Significance of Probiotic Microorganisms from Kefir and Kombucha: A Review.

(1) Background: The human microbiota is essential for maintaining a healthy body. The gut microbiota plays a protective role against pathogenic bacteria. Probiotics are live microorganisms capable of preventing and controlling gastrointestinal and balancing the immune system.