Oxidative stress and obesity are associated with endothelial dysfunction and subclinical atherosclerosis in adolescents.

Objectives: This study explores the relationship between obesity, endothelial dysfunction, and the critical role of oxidative stress biomarkers in subclinical atherosclerosis.

Design & Methods: The study included 114 adolescents aged 12-17 years from Juiz de Fora, Brazil, divided into 40 individuals with obesity and 74 controls. Physical and biochemical assessments were conducted, including measurements of Brachial Flow-Mediated Dilation (BFMD), Carotid Intima-Media Thickness (IMT), and oxidative biomarkers such as nitrite, nitrate, and 8-isoprostane.

Reagent efficiency and analytical sensitivity optimization for a reliable SARS-CoV-2 pool-based testing strategy.

Background: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic caused millions of infections worldwide. Among the strategies for effective containment, frequent and massive testing was fundamental. Although sample pooling allows multiplying the installed analysis capacity, the definition of the number of samples to include in a pool is commonly guided more by economic parameters than analytical quality.

Sleep duration, sleep disturbances and skeletal muscle mass change over time: A population-based longitudinal analysis in Peru.

Background: The skeletal muscle has mainly a structural function and plays a role in human's metabolism. Besides, the association between sleep quality and muscle mass, in the form of sarcopenia, has been reported. This study aimed to assess whether changes of skeletal muscle mass (SMM) over time are associated with baseline sleep duration and disturbances in a resource-constrained adult Peruvian population.

Mastering rectal cancer MRI: From foundational concepts to optimal staging.

MRI plays a critical role in the local staging, restaging, surveillance, and risk stratification of patients, ensuring they receive the most tailored therapy. As such, radiologists must be familiar not only with the key MRI findings that influence management decisions but also with the appropriate MRI protocols and structured reporting. Given the complexity of selecting the optimal therapy for each patient-which often requires multidisciplinary discussions-radiologists should be well-versed in relevant treatment strategies and surgical terms, understanding their significance in guiding patient care.

Tobramycin nanoformulation for chronic pulmonary infections: From drug product definition to scale-up for preclinical evaluation.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is characterized by abnormal mucus hydration due to a defective CF Transmembrane Regulator (CFTR) protein, leading to the production of difficult-to-clear mucus. This causes airflow obstruction, recurrent infections, and respiratory complications. Chronic lung infections are the leading cause of death for CF patients and inhaled tobramycin is the first-in-line antibiotic treatment against these infections, mainly caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in adult patients.