Alpha-Lipoic Acid-Mediated Inhibition of LTB Synthesis Suppresses Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition, Modulating Functional and Tumorigenic Capacities in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer A549 Cells.

Background: Leukotriene B (LTB) plays a crucial role in carcinogenesis by inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process associated with tumor progression. The synthesis of LTB is mediated by leukotriene A hydrolase (LTAH), and it binds to the receptors BLT and BLT. Dysregulation in LTB production is linked to the development of various pathologies.

Hyperthyroidism keeps immunoglobulin levels but reduces milk fat and CD11b/c cells on early lactation.

Thyroid hormones influence mammary gland differentiation and lactation by binding to thyroid hormone receptors. Hyperthyroidism disrupts pregnancy and lactation, affecting offspring growth and milk production. Despite maternal milk is a vital source of bioactive compounds and nutrients for newborns, it is unclear whether hyperthyroidism alters its composition, mainly immune factors.

SurvdigitizeR: an algorithm for automated survival curve digitization.

Background: Decision analytic models and meta-analyses often rely on survival probabilities that are digitized from published Kaplan-Meier (KM) curves. However, manually extracting these probabilities from KM curves is time-consuming, expensive, and error-prone. We developed an efficient and accurate algorithm that automates extraction of survival probabilities from KM curves.

Cost-effectiveness of the McGill interactive pediatric oncogenetic guidelines in identifying Li-Fraumeni syndrome in female patients with osteosarcoma.

Background: Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) is a penetrant cancer predisposition syndrome (CPS) associated with the development of many tumor types in young people including osteosarcoma and breast cancer (BC). The McGill Interactive Pediatric OncoGenetic Guidelines (MIPOGG) decision-support tool provides a standardized approach to identify patients at risk of CPSs.

Methods: We conducted a cost-utility analysis, from the healthcare payer perspective, to compare MIPOGG-guided, physician-guided, and universal genetic testing strategies to detect LFS in female patients diagnosed at an age of less than 18 years with osteosarcoma.

Simplified Methods for Modelling Dependent Parameters in Health Economic Evaluations: A Tutorial.

Background: In health economic evaluations, model parameters are often dependent on other model parameters. Although methods exist to simulate multivariate normal (MVN) distribution data and estimate transition probabilities in Markov models while considering competing risks, they are technically challenging for health economic modellers to implement. This tutorial introduces easily implementable applications for handling dependent parameters in modelling.

Effect of diisobutyl adipate on the expression of biomarker genes that respond to endocrine disruption and on gonadal sexual differentiation in Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes).

Phthalate and non-phthalate plasticizers are used in polymer materials, such as plastic and rubber. It has recently been found that diisobutyl adipate (DIBA), which is considered an environmentally safe non-phthalate plasticizer, potentially acts as a thyroid disruptor in fish. Here, we investigated the sexual hormone effects of DIBA based on the expression levels of genes that respond to endocrine disruption and sexual hormone activity in the livers and gonads, and on gonadal sexual differentiation in Japanese medaka.

Pancreatic panniculitis revisited: A series of 34 patients.

Background: Pancreatic panniculitis is a rare form of panniculitis generally associated with acute or chronic pancreatitis, and less frequently with pancreatic carcinoma. Clinically, it presents with subcutaneous nodules usually located in the lower extremities, however, it presents an almost pathognomonic histopathological finding with enzymatic fat necrosis in the adipose tissue.

Methods: In this retrospective case series of five hospitals, biopsy specimens of cutaneous lesions of pancreatic panniculitis were reviewed.

Photoredox Catalysis for the Synthesis of N-CF H Compounds Using 1-((N-(difluoromethyl)-4-methylphenyl)-sulfonamido)pyridin-1-ium Trifluoromethanesulfonate.

N-(difluoromethyl)amino (-NCF H) compounds are of great interest given their unique and underexplored physiochemical properties. The lack of structural diversity in NCF H compounds is likely due in part to the shortage of protocols for efficient installation. Presented herein is a new shelf-stable pyridinium reagent that enables the direct installation of the N-(difluoromethyl)sulfonamide moiety [N(Ts)CF H)] onto (hetero)arenes and alkenes for the diversification of aryl and alkyl NCF H compounds.

Effectiveness of an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in children and adolescents: a large-scale observational study.

Background: Policymakers urgently need evidence to adequately balance the costs and benefits of mass vaccination against COVID-19 across all age groups, including children and adolescents. In this study, we aim to assess the effectiveness of CoronaVac's primary series among children and adolescents in Chile.

Methods: We used a large prospective national cohort of about two million children and adolescents 6-16 years to estimate the effectiveness of an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (CoronaVac) in preventing laboratory-confirmed symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19), hospitalisation, and admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) associated with COVID-19.

Evaluation of the alkalinity stress tolerance of three Brassica rapa CAX1 TILLING mutants.

Alkalinity is an important environmental factor that affects crop production and will be exacerbated in the current climate change scenario. Thus, the presence of carbonates and high pH in soils negatively impacts nutrient assimilation and photosynthesis and causes oxidative stress. A potential strategy to improve tolerance to alkalinity could be the modification of cation exchanger (CAX) activity, given that these transporters are involved in calcium (Ca) signaling under stresses.

Metal Exposure in Arica, Chile: Examining Toxic Elements.

Background: Bioaccumulation of toxic metals in the population is associated with adverse health effects. Although some elements are essential for humans, high levels of exposure can be dangerous.

Objective: To describe the levels of Inorganic Arsenic (AsIn), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), and Mercury (Hg) in urine, and Lead (Pb) in blood in the population of Arica, Chile.

Sublethal Biochemical Effects of Polyethylene Microplastics and TBBPA in Experimentally Exposed Freshwater Shrimp .

The biochemical effects of sublethal exposure to polyethylene microplastics (PEM) of 40-48 µm particle size and the flame retardant tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), a plastic additive, on the freshwater shrimp were assessed. Here, we postulate that the use of enzyme and thyroid hormones as biomarkers contributes to the knowledge of the effects of microplastics and plastic additives on freshwater crustaceans. To address this, we evaluated the activities of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and carboxilesterase (CbE, using 1-naphthyl acetate (NA) as substrate) and levels of the thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) after shrimp were exposed (for 96 h) to these xenobiotics at environmentally realistic concentrations.

Effects of plasticizer diisobutyl adipate on the Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) endocrine system.

Plasticizer pollution of the water environment is one of the world's most serious environmental issues. Phthalate plasticizers can disrupt endocrine function in vertebrates. Therefore, this study analyzed thyroid-related, reproduction-related, and estrogen-responsive genes in Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) to determine whether non-phthalate diisobutyl adipate (DIBA) plasticizer could affect endocrine hormone activity or not.

Does color play a predominant role in the intake of microplastics fragments by freshwater fish: an experimental approach with Psalidodon eigenmanniorum.

Microplastics (MPs) have been reported in fish species from several freshwater environments. However, the mechanisms underlying MPs ingestion by fish are still unclear, although they are important to determine the pathway of MPs along freshwater environments food webs. Here, we investigates a fundamental question of why wild freshwater fish ingest plastic.

Effectiveness of CoronaVac in children 3-5 years of age during the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron outbreak in Chile.

The outbreak of the B.1.1.

Effectiveness of homologous and heterologous booster doses for an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine: a large-scale prospective cohort study.

Background: Several countries have authorised or begun using a booster vaccine dose against COVID-19. Policy makers urgently need evidence of the effectiveness of additional vaccine doses and its clinical spectrum for individuals with complete primary immunisation schedules, particularly in countries where the primary schedule used inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.

Methods: Using individual-level data, we evaluated a prospective, observational, national-level cohort of individuals (aged ≥16 years) affiliated with the Fondo Nacional de Salud insurance programme in Chile, to assess the effectiveness of CoronaVac (Sinovac Biotech), AZD1222 (Oxford-AstraZeneca), or BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) vaccine boosters in individuals who had completed a primary immunisation schedule with CoronaVac, compared with unvaccinated individuals.

Clinical Outcomes after Surgical Resection Combined with Brachytherapy for Uveal Melanomas.

Currently, brachytherapy is the most commonly used therapeutic approach for uveal melanomas. Surgical resection by means of endoresection or exoresection is an alternative approach. The present report recounts our experience over 15 years in the treatment of uveal melanoma using a combined approach of resection surgery with brachytherapy.

Clinical and economic impact of molecular testing for BRAF fusion in pediatric low-grade Glioma.

Background: Treatment personalization via tumor molecular testing holds promise for improving outcomes for patients with pediatric low-grade glioma (PLGG). We evaluate the health economic impact of employing tumor molecular testing to guide treatment for patients diagnosed with PLGG, particularly the avoidance of radiation therapy (RT) for patients with BRAF-fusion.

Methods: We performed a model-based cost-utility analysis comparing two strategies: molecular testing to determine BRAF fusion status at diagnosis against no molecular testing.

Foliar Application of Boron Nanoencapsulated in Almond Trees Allows B Movement Within Tree and Implements Water Uptake and Transport Involving Aquaporins.

Nanotechnology brings to agriculture new forms of fertilizer applications, which could be used to reduce environmental contamination and increase efficiency. In this study, foliar fertilization with nanoencapsulated boron (B) was studied in comparison to an ionic B (non-encapsulated) application in young B-deficient almond trees grown under a controlled environment. B movement within the plant in relation to the leaf gas exchange, water relations parameters, and root hydraulic conductance was measured.

Catalytic methods for chemical recycling or upcycling of commercial polymers.

Polymers (plastics) have transformed our lives by providing access to inexpensive and versatile materials with a variety of useful properties. While polymers have improved our lives in many ways, their longevity has created some unintended consequences. The extreme stability and durability of most commercial polymers, combined with the lack of equivalent degradable alternatives and ineffective collection and recycling policies, have led to an accumulation of polymers in landfills and oceans.

Effect of CAX1a TILLING mutations on photosynthesis performance in salt-stressed Brassica rapa plants.

Salinity is an important environmental factor that reduces plant productivity in many world regions. It affects negatively photosynthesis causing a growth reduction. Likewise, calcium (Ca) is crucial in plant stress response.

Morphological and Molecular Study of Hybrid Oncocytic/Chromophobe Tumor of the Kidney Associated with Sporadic Renal Oncocytosis and Chronic B-Cell Lymphocytic Leukemia: The Possible Contribution of Lymphoma to Renal Oncocytosis.

Hybrid oncocytic/chromophobe tumor (HOCT) of the kidney arising from a precursor oncocytosis not associated with the Birt-Hogg-Dubé (BHD) syndrome is an unusual and highly interesting neoplasm. Immunohistochemical and molecular findings suggest that HOCT is an entity distinct from both oncocytoma and chromophobe carcinoma. Although uncertainty persists regarding the factors predisposing to the development of HOCT, experimental findings suggest that it may arise due to the effect of toxins or in association with chronic kidney failure.