Introduction: The AB-type toxin AIP56 is a key virulence factor of Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida (Phdp), inducing apoptosis in fish immune cells. The discovery of AIP56-like and AIP56-related toxins in diverse organisms, including human-associated Vibrio strains, highlights the evolutionary conservation of this toxin family, suggesting that AIP56 and its homologs may share conserved receptors across species.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPlants provide an abundant source of potential therapeutic agents, including a diverse array of compounds, such as cyclotides, which are peptides known for their antimicrobial activity. Cyclotides are multifaceted molecules with a wide range of biological activities. Their unique topology forms a head-to-tail cyclic structure reinforced by a cysteine knot, which confers chemical and thermal stability.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Microscopic colitis (MC) is a chronic inflammatory condition of the colon, primarily characterized by watery diarrhea, with normal or near-normal endoscopic findings. It encompasses two main subtypes: lymphocytic colitis and collagenous colitis.
Objective: This position paper from the Brazilian Federation of Gastroenterology aims to review current evidence on the diagnosis and management of MC in Brazil, emphasizing the need for standardization across the country's healthcare systems.
Cervical and lower back pain are classic reasons for patients to seek care in the emergency department (ED). However, in rare instances, they signal serious underlying conditions, posing a significant diagnostic challenge. A 72-year-old male with history of lumbar spine surgery many years ago presented to the ED with neck pain for the last five days as well as bilateral lower limb weakness and feet paresthesia.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis study aimed to assess the immediate effects of transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS) on pain outcomes, measured using the visual analog scale (VAS) and pressure pain thresholds in a cohort of 55 participants experiencing chronic pain using a controlled, randomized trial with 55 participants allocated into 2 groups: 2 mA and 0.5 mA of tsDCS for 20 min. Anodal stimulation was applied on the 12th thoracic vertebra, with the cathode positioned on the 7th cervical vertebra.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF