A new simple chronic heart failure prognostic index based on five general parameters.

Background: Prognostic prediction in heart failure (HF) is challenging and no single marker has proven effective. We propose an index based on B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and four widely available parameters.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed adult outpatients with chronic HF with systolic dysfunction followed from January 2012 to December 2020.

Nanolabels for biosensors based on lateral flow immunoassays.

The COVID-19 outbreak was an important turning point in the development of a new generation of biosensing technologies. The synergistic combination of an immunochromatographic test (lateral flow immunoassays, LFIA) and signal transducers provides enhanced sensitivity and the ability to quantify in the rapid tests. This is possible due to the variety of nanoparticles that can be used as reporter labels.

Screening Wild Birds for Tick-Borne Zoonotic Pathogens in Portugal.

Wild birds may be involved in the transmission of agents of infectious diseases, including zoonoses, a circumstance which raises a number of public and animal health issues. Migratory bird species play a significant role in the introduction of tick-borne pathogens to new geographic areas, contributing to the dissemination of various etiological agents. This preliminary study aimed to assess the occurrence of four potentially zoonotic pathogens ( spp.

Insights in biomarkers complexity and routine clinical practice for the diagnosis of thyroid nodules and cancer.

Background: The differential diagnosis between benign and malignant thyroid nodules continues to be a major challenge in clinical practice. The rising incidence of thyroid neoplasm and the low incidence of aggressive thyroid carcinoma, urges the exploration of strategies to improve the diagnostic accuracy in a pre-surgical phase, particularly for indeterminate nodules, and to prevent unnecessary surgeries. Only in 2022, the 5th WHO Classification of Endocrine and Neuroendocrine Tumors, and in 2023, the 3rd Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology and the European Thyroid Association included biomarkers in their guidelines.

Applicability of computed tomography and rhinoscopy in the diagnosis and monitoring of the treatment of epistaxis in a dog.

Epistaxis is defined as bleeding from the nasal cavity and can be related to systemic causes leading to coagulation disorders, most commonly hemoparasitosis, or to localized changes in the nasal cavity itself (e.g., intranasal neoplasms).