Potential Biomarkers of impulsivity in mild traumatic brain injury: A pilot study.

Very few studies have investigated cognition and impulsivity following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) in the general population. Furthermore, the neurobiological mechanisms underlying post-TBI neurobehavioral syndromes are complex and remain to be fully clarified. Herein, we took advantage of machine learning based-modeling to investigate potential biomarkers of mTBI-associated impulsivity.

The potential role of renin-angiotensin system in mild traumatic brain injury.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious public health problem, affecting 69 million people worldwide annually. Mild TBI (mTBI) comprises the majority of the cases and remains the most neglected TBI severity. Its intricate pathophysiology involves complex cellular and molecular processes that remain uncomprehended.

Potential Role of Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis in Traumatic Brain Injury.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious cause of disability and death among young and adult individuals, displaying complex pathophysiology including cellular and molecular mechanisms that are not fully elucidated. Many experimental and clinical studies investigated the potential relationship between TBI and the process by which neurons are formed in the brain, known as neurogenesis. Currently, there are no available treatments for TBI's long-term consequences being the search for novel therapeutic targets, a goal of highest scientific and clinical priority.

Role of cytokine and neurotrophic factors in nicotine addiction in the conditioned place preference paradigm.

The mechanisms involved in the maintenance of cigarette smoking and nicotine reward remain unclear. Immune response might play an important role in this context. Nicotine may induce both central and systemic inflammatory responses as well as changes in the regulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).

Traumatic brain injury biomarkers in pediatric patients: a systematic review.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the main cause of pediatric trauma death and disability worldwide. Recent studies have sought to identify biomarkers of TBI for the purpose of assessing functional outcomes. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the utility of TBI biomarkers in the pediatric population by summarizing recent findings in the medical literature.

Cutaneous tuberculosis on the scalp: a case report.

Tuberculosis is a disease that usually affects the lungs, although other systems may also be infected, resulting in atypical clinical presentations. We report the case of a 76-year-old man who was admitted to the hospital in Brazil with a 3-week history of a painful, enlarging ulcer on the scalp and cough. His medical history was notable for non-metastatic prostatic adenocarcinoma and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Novel Biomarkers for Lupus Nephritis in the "OMICS" Era.

Lupus nephritis (LN) is severe renal comorbidity associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a complex autoimmune disorder with high morbidity and mortality. Diagnosis and monitoring of LN patients still rely on renal biopsy, a procedure that exposes patients to a variety of risks and is not capable of providing longitudinally information about disease prognosis. In this review, we summarized current data of recent promising biomarkers developed in the precision medicine era, particularly under genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic techniques.

Eagle Syndrome: an underdiagnosed cause of orofacial pain.

Eagle Syndrome (ES), also termed stylohyoid syndrome or styloid syndrome, is a rare condition characterised by a cluster of symptoms related to an elongation of the styloid process (SP) of the temporal bone. These may range from mild pharyngeal foreign body sensation and dysphagia to severe orofacial pain. High clinical suspicion is necessary owing to the unspecific clinical picture and limited diagnostic clues.

Liver damage in a patient with Gaucher's disease type 1 and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency: a potential epigenetic effect?

Gaucher's disease and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency are genetic diseases that can cause different kinds of liver damage, but are rarely associated with cirrhosis. Here, we describe the case of a patient with both diseases who presented with cirrhosis, followed by liver failure and death. Although the interaction between these two diseases remains unclear, we suspect the involvement of an epigenetic factor in the evolution of the aggressive liver disease.

Transient Gerstmann syndrome as manifestation of stroke: Case report and brief literature review.

Gerstmann Syndrome (GS) is a rare neurological condition described as a group of cognitive changes corresponding to a tetrad of symptoms comprising agraphia, acalculia, right-left disorientation and finger agnosia. It is known that some specific brain lesions may lead to such findings, particularly when there is impairment of the angular gyrus and adjacent structures. In addition, the possibility of disconnection syndrome should be considered in some cases.

Encapsulation of Lactobacillus casei into Calcium Pectinate-Chitosan Beads for Enteric Delivery.

Unlabelled: Gel beads were prepared by extrusion of various types of pectin into 0.15 M calcium chloride. Size, morphology, and textural properties of 3 types of beads were evaluated and it was established that the use of 3 w/v % amidated pectin provides the optimal characteristics suitable for encapsulation of live bacteria.

Inflammatory molecules and neurotrophic factors as biomarkers of neuropsychomotor development in preterm neonates: A Systematic Review.

Objective: To provide a systematic review investigating the role of inflammatory molecules and neurotrophic factors as biomarkers of neuropsychomotor development in preterm neonates.

Data Source: Databases including PubMed, BIREME, and Scopus were systematically searched. Observational studies, as well as transversal, and cohort studies using human subjects published from 1990 to September 2017 were eligible for inclusion.

Acute kidney injury complicating bee stings - a review.

Bee stings can cause severe reactions and have caused many victims in the last years. Allergic reactions can be triggered by a single sting and the greater the number of stings, the worse the prognosis. The poisoning effects can be systemic and can eventually cause death.

Is there any association between Toxoplasma gondii infection and bipolar disorder? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The relationship between Toxoplasma gondii infection and the development of bipolar disorder (BD) has long been investigated, yet to date it is still poorly understood and documented. The aim of this review is to derive a summary estimate of the strength of the association between infection with T. gondii and BD from the available published studies.

Evaluating and optimizing oral formulations of live bacterial vaccines using a gastro-small intestine model.

Gastrointestinal (GI) models that mimic physiological conditions in vitro are important tools for developing and optimizing biopharmaceutical formulations. Oral administration of live attenuated bacterial vaccines (LBV) can safely and effectively promote mucosal immunity but new formulations are required that provide controlled release of optimal numbers of viable bacterial cells, which must survive gastrointestinal transit overcoming various antimicrobial barriers. Here, we use a gastro-small intestine gut model of human GI conditions to study the survival and release kinetics of two oral LBV formulations: the licensed typhoid fever vaccine Vivotif comprising enteric coated capsules; and an experimental formulation of the model vaccine Salmonella Typhimurium SL3261 dried directly onto cast enteric polymer films and laminated to form a polymer film laminate (PFL).

Enteric coated spheres produced by extrusion/spheronization provide effective gastric protection and efficient release of live therapeutic bacteria.

We present a novel but simple enteric coated sphere formulation containing probiotic bacteria (Lactobacillus casei). Oral delivery of live bacterial cells (LBC) requires live cells to survive firstly manufacturing processes and secondly GI microbicidal defenses including gastric acid. We incorporated live L.

A laminated polymer film formulation for enteric delivery of live vaccine and probiotic bacteria.

Live bacterial cells (LBCs) are administered orally as attenuated vaccines to deliver biopharmaceutical agents and as probiotics to improve gastrointestinal (GI) health. However, LBCs present unique formulation challenges and must survive GI antimicrobial defenses including gastric acid after administration. We present a simple new formulation concept, termed polymer film laminate (PFL).

Pulmonary lymphangiomatosis: a report of two cases.

Lymphangiomatosis, a rare diseases of controversial origin, occurs in individuals of any age, regardless of gender, but is predominantly seen in younger individuals. It often presents with thoracic involvement, although, the bones, spleen and liver can also be affected. Histologically, the pulmonary involvement includes proliferation, complex anastomoses and secondary dilatation of the lymphatic vessels.

Mediastinal lymph node amyloidosis in a patient with sarcoidosis.

A 27-year-old male patient presented with respiratory symptoms, bilateral enlargement of the cervical lymph nodes and enlarged liver. In the imaging studies, bilateral enlargement of the hilar nodes was observed, together with pulmonary infiltrate. The patient was submitted to lung and liver biopsies, which revealed noncaseating granulomas.

Sertoli cell index and spermatic reserves in adult captive African lions (Panthera leo, Linnaeus, 1758).

The intrinsic yield of spermatogenesis and the supporting indexes of the Sertoli cells are the best indicators for the spermatic production capacity in a species. The aim of the present study was to quantify the intrinsic yield of the spermatogenetic process, as well as the Sertoli cell index and spermatic reserves. Testicular fragments of five adult African lions was fixed in 4% glutaric aldehyde, dehydrated at increasing alcohol concentrations, included into hydroxyethyl methacrylate, and were cut into 4 microm thickness.

Spontaneous chylothorax associated with light physical activity.

Chylothorax occurs when there is rupture, laceration or obstruction of the thoracic duct, resulting in the release of chyle into the pleural space. Chylothorax can occur in cases of congenital lymphatic malformation, lymphoma, mediastinal tumor and infectious disease, as well as during surgical procedures and after traffic accident-related trauma. It can also be idiopathic.

Cycle and duration of the seminiferous epithelium in puma (Puma concolor).

Puma or sussuarana (Puma concolor) is the second largest feline in the American continent and has an ample latitudinal distribution in very diverse habitats. In relation to its conservation status, the puma is considered an extinction-threatened species. The study of the testis morphology and the spermatogenic process in a species is fundamental for establishing the physiologic patterns that will make possible the selection of the protocols for assisted reproduction.

[Hepatopulmonary syndrome in liver transplantation candidates].

Background: Hepatopulmonary syndrome is an important clinical problem associated with chronic liver disease. Liver transplantation can result in complete resolution of the arterial hypoxemia associated with this syndrome, even in its most severe presentation.

Aim: To determine the prevalence of hepatopulmonary syndrome in adult liver transplant candidates.